Virtual CMTS with Software Reconfigurable FPGA DSP Modulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cable television (CATV) systems face limitations in bandwidth, particularly in coaxial cables, which restrict the amount of data that can be transmitted, while optical fibers offer higher data capacity, but extending fiber to each household is economically impractical. Current DOCSIS standards, like DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1, optimize data transmission but still face challenges in meeting the growing demand for digital data such as video-on-demand and high-speed internet.
Innovation Solution
A distributed Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) is introduced, utilizing software reconfigurable Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) based RF modulators to divide CMTS functions between cable head and remote fiber nodes, allowing for customizable data delivery to neighborhoods, preserving backward compatibility, and enabling efficient use of both coaxial and optical fiber networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If optical fiber is extended to each household, then data carrying capacity is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CMTS functionality into distributed units located at fiber nodes throughout the network. Each distributed CMTS unit handles local data processing and conversion, while a centralized controller manages overall system coordination. This segmentation allows the system to leverage fiber's high capacity where needed while maintaining compatibility with existing coaxial infrastructure in other areas, thus improving data carrying capacity without requiring complete fiber deployment to every household.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces distributed CMTS units at fiber nodes as intermediary devices between the optical fiber network and the coaxial cable network. These intermediaries perform data conversion, processing, and distribution, enabling the system to utilize fiber's high bandwidth capacity at strategic points while maintaining compatibility with existing coaxial infrastructure for final delivery to households.
2Productivity
If DOCSIS standards are optimized for data transmission, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to new services deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements software-defined networking capabilities in the distributed CMTS units, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of data transmission parameters, protocol handling, and service priorities. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize for current data transmission needs while easily adapting to emerging services and protocols without requiring standard updates, thus maintaining both high productivity and service versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed CMTS units are designed with multi-functional capabilities, handling not only standard DOCSIS data transmission but also supporting IP-on-demand services, video-on-demand, and other emerging services. This universal design allows a single platform to serve multiple functions and service types, maintaining adaptability while achieving efficient data transmission through optimized protocols.
3Device complexity
If CMTS functions are centralized at cable head, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time in data delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides CMTS functionality into distributed units positioned at fiber nodes closer to customer premises. This geographical and functional segmentation reduces the physical distance data must travel and enables parallel processing of multiple data streams, significantly reducing data delivery time while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized coordination of the distributed units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single centralized CMTS location to a distributed network of CMTS units across multiple geographical locations. This dimensional change from one-point concentration to multi-point distribution creates a network architecture that simultaneously reduces data delivery distances and maintains system manageability through standardized interfaces and centralized control protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Distributed and software reconfigurable remote CMTS (CMRTS) device, based on MAC and PHY units with FPGA and DSP components, for a HFC CATV network. The various CATV RF modulators, such as QAM modulators, may be located entirely at the fiber nodes if desired. Although a basic set of CATV QAM data waveforms may optionally be transmitted to the nodes using a first fiber, in a preferred embodiment, all data may be transmitted to the nodes using other protocols such as Ethernet protocols. The nodes will extract the data specific to each neighborhood and inject this data into the cable portion of the system as RF waveforms, such as RF QAM channels. A computerized “virtual shelf” control system for managing and reconfiguring the FPGA and DSP based CMTRS units, as well as a new type of edge router based all-digital virtual head end (virtual converged cable access platform) is also disclosed.