Method and device for selecting an operating mode of a cable modem

• US 10,498,568 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2017
• Issued: 12/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sagemcom Broadband SAS (Sagemcom Holding SAS)
• Original Assignee: Sagemcom Broadband SAS (Sagemcom Holding SAS)
• Inventors: Dionisi, Florent
• Primary Examiner(s): Kassa, Zewdu A
• Application Number:
  US16/469,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20190312762A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 375257, 375316, 375219, 375295
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0006 Assessment of spectral gaps suitable for allocating digitally modulated signals, e.g. for carrier allocation in cognitive radio for spectrum sharing between different networks H04W16/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0008 arrangements for allowing a transmitter or receiver to use more than one type of modulation negotiating modulation type for two-way transmission paths H04L5/1453

Abstract

A method for selecting an operating mode of a cable modem between first and second operating modes, the first operating mode using a first standard and first and second frequency bands separated by a third frequency band, the second operating mode using a fifth frequency band according to a second standard. The cable modem goes into the second operating mode and analyses signals included in at least the part of the fifth frequency band that includes the third frequency band which determines whether signals analyzed are not signals in accordance with the first or second standard and goes into a data transmission and reception mode according to the second standard if signals analyzed are not signals in accordance with the first and second standards and are not included in the third frequency band.

Claims

1. A method for selecting an operating mode of a cable modem between first and second operating modes, the first operating mode allowing reception of data in a downlink occupying a first frequency band and the transmission of data in an uplink occupying a second frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being separated by a third frequency band, the second operating mode allowing the reception of data in a downlink occupying a fourth frequency band and the transmission of data in an uplink occupying a fifth frequency band, the fourth and fifth frequency bands being separated by a sixth frequency band, the third frequency band lying in the fifth frequency band and the sixth frequency band lying in the first frequency band, the data transmitted and received being in accordance with a first and/or second standard, wherein said method causing the cable modem to perform:

setting the cable modem in the second operating mode,

analysing the signals included in at least the part of the fifth frequency band comprising the third frequency band,

determining whether signals analysed are not signals in accordance with the first or second standard,

setting the cable modem in a data transmission and reception mode according to the second standard if signals analysed are not signals in accordance with the first and second standards and are not included in the third frequency band.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the analysis of the signals is carried out in the part of the fifth band comprising the third frequency band and the frequencies higher than the third frequency band.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the cable modem is set in the first operating mode and in the data transmission and reception mode according to the first standard if the frequency band occupied by the signals analysed that are not signals in accordance with the first and second standards is higher than a first predetermined frequency-band value of the part of the fifth band comprising the third frequency band and the frequencies higher than the third frequency band.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said method causing the cable model to perform:

analysing the signals included in the fourth frequency band,

determining whether signals analysed are not signals in accordance with the first or second standard.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein setting the cable modem in the second operating mode and the data transmission and reception mode according to the second standard is further performed if the frequency band occupied by the signals analysed that are not signals in accordance with the first and second standards is lower than the first predetermined frequency-band value of the part of the fifth band comprising the third frequency band and the frequencies higher than the third frequency band and if the frequency band occupied by the signals analysed that are not signals in accordance with the first and second standards is lower than a second predetermined frequency-band value of the fourth frequency band, and the cable modem is set in the first operating mode and in the data transmission and reception mode according to the first standard if the frequency band occupied by the signals analysed that are not signals in accordance with the first and second standards is higher than the second predetermined frequency-band value of the fourth frequency band.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein said method causing the cable modem to perform:

seeking a downlink primary channel of one of the standards, the downlink primary channel making it possible to obtain information making it possible to map the channels of the fourth frequency band and of the fifth frequency band,

mapping the fourth and fifth frequency bands.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein said method causing the cable modem to perform transferring information representing the signals analysed.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein setting the cable modem in the second operating mode is carried out on reception of a command from terminal equipment.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein setting the cable modem in a data transmission and reception mode according to the first or second standard is determined by the cable modem.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first standard is the DOCSIS 3.0 standard and the second standard is the DOCSIS 3.1 standard.

12. A non-transitory storage medium, that stores a computer program comprising instructions for implementation, by a device comprising a processor, of the method according to claim 1 when said program is executed by the processor of said device.

11. A device for selecting an operating mode of a cable modem between first and second operating modes, the first operating mode allowing reception of data in a downlink occupying a first frequency band and the transmission of data in an uplink occupying a second frequency band, the first and second frequency bands being separated by a third frequency band, the second operating mode allowing the reception of data in a downlink occupying a fourth frequency band and the transmission of data in an uplink occupying a fifth frequency band, the fourth and fifth frequency bands being separated by a sixth frequency band, the third frequency band lying in the fifth frequency band and the sixth frequency band lying in the first frequency band, the data transmitted and received being in accordance with a first and/or second standard, wherein the device is included in the cable modem and comprising circuitry causing the device to implement:

setting the cable modem in the second operating mode,

analysing the signals included in at least the part of the fifth frequency band comprising the third frequency band,

determining whether signals analysed are not signals in accordance with the first or second standard,

setting the cable modem in a data transmission and reception mode according to the second standard if signals analysed are not signals in accordance with the first and second standards and are not included in the third frequency band.