Unified Optical Coax Network Integration for Channel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for Ethernet over Coax (EoC) networks face challenges in providing end-to-end quality of service (QoS) and optimizing channel usage efficiency due to separate Ethernet point-to-multipoint networks and overhead in intermediary devices, which result in inefficient channel usage and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A unified optical and coax network architecture that includes an integrated node device (IND) with an optical network unit (ONU) and an Ethernet over Coax (EoC) head end (HE), which separates frames based on Logical Link Identifiers (LLIDs) and optimizes modulation for each channel, ensuring end-to-end EPON OAM and provisioning without undue overhead, thereby directly managing customer premises equipment (CPEs) and optimizing coax segment usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate Ethernet point-to-multipoint networks are used for optical and coax segments, then network flexibility is maintained, but channel usage efficiency deteriorates due to overhead in intermediary devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical network segment and coax network segment into a unified end-to-end Ethernet network. The IND device combines the ONU and EoC HE functions, allowing seamless transmission of EPON frames from the optical domain through the coax domain without protocol conversion or intermediary overhead, thereby improving channel usage efficiency while maintaining network flexibility through standardized Ethernet framing throughout.
2Adaptability or versatility
If intermediary devices perform demodulation and protocol conversion, then network compatibility is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The IND device is designed with multi-functionality, integrating both the ONU (optical network unit) and EoC HE (Ethernet over coax head end) functions into a single device. This universal device handles both optical and coax segments directly, eliminating the need for separate intermediary conversion devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining compatibility across different network segments.
3Reliability
If full spectrum coverage and demodulation are performed at all nodes, then signal reliability is improved, but power consumption and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having the IND device perform spectrum coverage and demodulation only where necessary - specifically at the optical-to-coax transition point. The EoC HE in the IND handles the demodulation for coax segment CPEs locally, while optical ONUs maintain their existing demodulation capabilities. This localized approach ensures signal reliability at critical interfaces without requiring redundant demodulation capabilities at all network nodes, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method in a network device for providing end-to-end connection in a unified optical and coax network, comprising receiving at an integrated node device (IND) a frame from an optical line terminal (OLT), wherein the frame comprises a data frame and a logical link identifier (LLID), and placing the data in a one of a plurality of buffers based on the LLID, wherein the one of the plurality of buffers corresponds to a customer premises equipment (CPE) associated with the LLID, wherein the data frame stays intact in a media access control (MAC) layer.