Packet Data Flow Processor for DOCSIS Stream Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service providers face challenges in efficiently delivering high-speed data and video streams to diverse customer premise equipment and managing traffic from various sources, requiring a large array of products and secondary processing functions, which increases costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A unique packet data flow processor applies reduced DOCSIS processing to trusted sources, eliminating unnecessary functions like classification, policing, and encryption, and optimizes cache management by allocating video flows among multiple MAC processors, increasing downstream channels without proportional cost increases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard DOCSIS processing is applied to all data streams, then security and reliability are ensured, but processing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata stream securityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different processing levels to different data streams based on their source trustworthiness. Trusted sources (like cable operator video servers) receive reduced processing with skipped functions, while untrusted sources receive full standard DOCSIS processing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining security where needed while reducing complexity where trust is established.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data stream processing into multiple levels: full DOCSIS processing for untrusted sources and reduced DOCSIS processing for trusted sources. By dividing the processing approach based on source classification, the system maintains reliability for critical streams while reducing overall system complexity through selective application of processing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large array of products and processing functions is deployed to handle diverse traffic sources and sinks, then service coverage and adaptability improve, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal processing framework where a single MAC processor can handle multiple types of data streams (video, data, voice) from various sources (cable operator servers, third-party providers, Internet sources) by dynamically adjusting the processing level. This multi-functionality approach allows one system to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized products, reducing system complexity while maintaining broad service coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the processing level applied to each data stream based on real-time source identification and trust assessment. The MAC processor can switch between full and reduced processing modes depending on the source, allowing the system to adapt to diverse traffic requirements without requiring separate fixed configurations for each scenario, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If full DOCSIS processing functions are applied to all streams, then processing thoroughness is ensured, but processing speed and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing thoroughnessVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial processing (reduced DOCSIS) to trusted sources where full processing thoroughness is not required, while applying full processing only to untrusted sources. This partial action approach maintains adequate processing thoroughness for security-critical streams while significantly improving overall processing efficiency by skipping unnecessary functions for trusted video and data streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Productivity

If multiple MAC processors are deployed to increase downstream channel capacity, then channel capacity increases, but system cost increases proportionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownstream channel capacityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple processing functions and data stream types into a single MAC processor by implementing reduced DOCSIS processing for trusted sources. This consolidation allows one processor to handle the workload that would traditionally require multiple processors, increasing downstream channel capacity while avoiding proportional increases in system cost through efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9479352B2Method for simultaneously managing high-speed data and video streams in a single MAC processing environment

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

A packet data flow processor applies a first level of Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) processing to packet flows that are not from trusted sources, and applies a second level of DOCSIS processing, simpler than the first level, to packet flows from the trusted sources.