Communication Terminal Virtual Interface Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Set-top terminal (STT) devices in subscriber networks face challenges in upstream signal transmission due to subscriber premises wiring, which can prevent effective communication with the head end, and using the MoCA interface for upstream communications can preclude home networking features and increase hardware costs.
Innovation Solution
The STT is configured to communicate through multiple virtual interfaces across a shared interface, allowing it to operate in both a wide area network and a local area network using a single MoCA interface, enabling efficient upstream communication without requiring additional MoCA interfaces or hardware, thereby maintaining home networking features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the MoCA interface is used for upstream communications with the head end, then upstream communication reliability is improved, but home networking functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functions by creating separate virtual interfaces (first virtual interface for upstream communications, second virtual interface for home networking) that operate independently over the shared MoCA physical interface. This allows upstream communications and home networking to function simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between reliability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual interfaces as intermediary layers between the application layer and the physical MoCA interface. These virtual interfaces act as mediators that manage traffic routing, ensuring that upstream communications and home networking traffic are properly separated and directed to appropriate destinations, thus maintaining both upstream reliability and home networking functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple MoCA interfaces are added to support both upstream communications and home networking, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single MoCA physical interface universal by enabling it to handle multiple functions simultaneously through virtual interfaces. The first virtual interface handles upstream communications while the second virtual interface handles home networking, allowing one physical interface to perform the work of multiple dedicated interfaces without increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of network interfaces at the software/firmware level rather than implementing multiple physical interfaces. These virtual interfaces replicate the functionality of separate physical interfaces but exist as software abstractions, providing multiple network capabilities without the hardware cost and complexity of additional physical MoCA interfaces.
3Reliability
If multiple physical channels are created in the MoCA RF frequency band to avoid interference, then communication reliability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to inter-channel interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from resolving channel conflicts in the frequency domain (physical dimension) to resolving them in the logical/virtual domain (abstract dimension). Instead of creating multiple RF channels which would cause inter-channel interference, the patent creates multiple virtual interfaces that operate over a single RF channel, eliminating frequency-based interference while maintaining communication reliability through logical separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication terminal communicates protocol data units across a first virtual interface and a shared interface. The first virtual interface corresponds to an upper layer protocol and a first logical network. The shared interface corresponds to a lower layer protocol. The terminal also communicates protocol data units across a second virtual interface and the shared interface, with the second virtual interface corresponding to the upper layer protocol and a second logical network. The first logical network can be a wide area network that includes devices within a premises and devices outside a premises, and the second logical network may be a local area network that only includes devices within the premises.