Distributed cable modem termination system (CMTS) architecture implementing a media access control chip
First Claim
1. A distributed cable modem termination system in a hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) plant, comprising:
- a network layer;
at least one media access control layer, said at least one media access control layer implementing a media access control chip; and
at least one physical layer, said at least one physical layer interfacing to said media access control chip in said at least one media access control layer;
wherein said network layer, said at least one media access control layer, and said at least one physical layer each function as separate modules, enabling said network layer, said at least one media access layer and said at least one physical layer to each be in a separate component location of said HFC plant, wherein said network layer is connected to said at least one media access control layer and said at least one physical layer is connected to said at least one media access control layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed cable modem termination system (CMTS) in a hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) plant. The distributed CMTS comprises a network layer, at least one media access control layer, and at least one physical layer. The media access control layer implements a media access control chip. The media access control chip interfaces with the physical layer to provide timing to maintain components within the physical layer. The network layer, media access control layer, and physical layer each function as separate modules. The media access control chip provides the packet level media access control functions, and thus, does not require packet level media access control functions to be implemented in the same physical location. The media access control chip also provides a timing offset feature for handling time delays between the media access layer and the physical layer. This enables the network layer, the media access control layer, and the physical layer to each be in separate component locations of the HFC plant, yet physically connected throughout the HFC plant.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A distributed cable modem termination system in a hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) plant, comprising:
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a network layer;
at least one media access control layer, said at least one media access control layer implementing a media access control chip; and
at least one physical layer, said at least one physical layer interfacing to said media access control chip in said at least one media access control layer;
wherein said network layer, said at least one media access control layer, and said at least one physical layer each function as separate modules, enabling said network layer, said at least one media access layer and said at least one physical layer to each be in a separate component location of said HFC plant, wherein said network layer is connected to said at least one media access control layer and said at least one physical layer is connected to said at least one media access control layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A distributed cable modem termination system (CMTS) in a hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) plant, comprising:
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at least one network layer;
at least one physical layer; and
at least one media access control layer, said at least one media access control layer implementing a media access control chip for interfacing with said at least one physical layer;
wherein said media access control chip provides packet level media access control functions and a timing offset feature for handling time delays between said at least one media access control layer and said at least one physical layer to enable said at least one network layer, said at least one media access control layer, and said at least one physical layer to each be in separate component locations of the HFC plant, wherein said at least one network layer is connected to said at least one media access control layer and said at least one physical layer is connected to said at least one media access control layer.
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Specification