MiniMAC implementation of a distributed cable modem termination system (CMTS) architecture
First Claim
1. A miniMAC layer in a distributed cable modem termination system (CMTS), comprising:
- an upstream interface for buffering bit streams received from a physical layer of said CMTS;
a network interface for converting the buffered bit streams from said upstream interface into a packet interface; and
a digital network interface for converting said packet interface into a packet format acceptable by an exterior network coupled to said distributed CMTS.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A miniMAC implementation of a distributed CMTS in a hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) plant. The distributed CMTS comprises at least one network layer, at least one media access layer, and one or more physical layers. The at least one media access layer includes one or more miniMAC layers. The one or more miniMAC layers are remotely located from a remaining part of the at least one media access layer. The at least one network layer, the remaining part of the at least one media access layer, the one or more miniMAC layers, and the one or more physical layers each function as separate modules, enabling each layer to be in separate component locations of the HFC plant, yet having the at least one network layer connected to the remaining part of the at least one media access layer, the at least one media access layer connected to each of the one or more miniMAC layers, and each of the one or more physical layers connected to each of the one or more miniMAC layers. The one or more miniMAC layers are located in close proximity to the one or more physical layers in the HFC plant. The one or more miniMAC layers convert digital bit streams into packets and maintain timing constraints between the one or more miniMAC layers and the one or more physical layers.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A miniMAC layer in a distributed cable modem termination system (CMTS), comprising:
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an upstream interface for buffering bit streams received from a physical layer of said CMTS;
a network interface for converting the buffered bit streams from said upstream interface into a packet interface; and
a digital network interface for converting said packet interface into a packet format acceptable by an exterior network coupled to said distributed CMTS. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A distributed cable modem termination system in a hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) plant, comprising:
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at least one network layer;
at least one media access layer, wherein said media access layer includes one or more miniMAC layers, wherein said one or more miniMAC layers are remotely located from a remaining part of said at least one media access layer; and
one or more physical layers, wherein said at least one network layer, said remaining part of said at least one media access layer, said one or more miniMAC layers, and said one or more physical layers each function as separate modules, enabling each layer to be in separate component locations of said HFC plant, yet having said at least one network layer connected to said remaining part of said at least one media access layer, said at least one media access layer connected to each of said one or more miniMAC layers, and each of said one or more physical layers connected to each of said one or more miniMAC layers, wherein said one or more miniMAC layers are located in close proximity to said one or more physical layers in said HFC plant, said one or more miniMAC layers for converting digital bit streams into packets and maintaining timing constraints between said one or more miniMAC layers and said one or more physical layers. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification