Subordinate Domain Manager for Scalable P2MP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing G.hn Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) networks are limited by the capabilities of the Domain Master (DM) node, which restricts the maximum number of nodes supported in a network domain, making it difficult to accommodate additional customer premises equipment (CPE) beyond the DM's constraints.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Subordinate Domain Manager (SDM) within the network device allows for a scalable number of nodes by processing control messages and allocating resources, enabling direct communication between CPEs and the backbone network without relying on the DM for data repetition, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional repeaters and improving network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional repeaters are used to extend network capacity, then the number of supported nodes can be increased, but signal degradation occurs and network performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Subordinate Domain Manager (SDM) as an intermediary device between the Domain Master and client devices. The SDM receives and processes control messages from the DM, performs resource allocation, and manages data transmission without requiring conventional signal repetition. This intermediary approach enables network expansion to support more nodes while maintaining signal quality by avoiding the signal degradation inherent in traditional repeater-based extensions.
2Quantity of substance
If the DM supports more physical connections, then more nodes can be accommodated, but the DM's capability constraints prevent scaling beyond 15 connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the domain management function by introducing the Subordinate Domain Manager (SDM) as a separate entity from the Domain Master. The DM retains its original capability of supporting up to 15 physical connections, while the SDM handles additional connection management and resource allocation. This segmentation allows the network to support more than 15 nodes without increasing the DM's complexity or capability requirements, as the SDM assumes the burden of managing additional connections.
3Productivity
If direct communication between CPEs and backbone network is enabled, then network performance improves, but resource allocation and control become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the Subordinate Domain Manager (SDM) as an intermediary to handle resource allocation and control functions for direct CPE-backbone communication. The SDM receives control messages from the DM containing resource allocation information, processes these messages, and manages the direct data paths between CPEs and the backbone network. This intermediary approach enables high-performance direct communication while centralizing the complexity of resource allocation in the SDM, preventing the control mechanism from becoming overly distributed and complex.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) communication networks and G.hn networking standards used therewith. In some implementations, the system includes a domain master (DM) network device and one or more network devices. The DM network device is configured to receive control request messages from one or more network devices, establish a connection via a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) network coupling to the one or more network devices based on the received control request messages, and transmit control messages to one or more network devices via the connection. A network device is configured to receive the control messages from the DM network device, receive data from a backbone network coupled to the P2MP network coupling, and transmit the received data to a designated client device through the P2MP network coupling in accordance with a P2MP communication protocol using a resource allocation received in the control message.