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, each of said one or more 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 at least one physical layer is connected to a respective 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 to be in a separate component location of said HFC plant from said at least one media access control layer and said at least one physical layer, wherein said network 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. At least one physical layer is connected to a respective at least one media access control layer. The network layer, media access control layer, and physical layer each function as separate modules. The media access control chip does not require packet level media access control functions to be implemented in the same physical location. This enables the network layer to be in a separate component location of the HFC plant from the at least one media access control layer and the at least one physical layer, yet physically connected throughout the HFC plant.
197 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, each of said one or more 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 at least one physical layer is connected to a respective 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 to be in a separate component location of said HFC plant from said at least one media access control layer and said at least one physical layer, wherein said network 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)
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19. 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 including a media access control chip; and
at least one physical layer, said at least one physical layer coupled to said media access control chip in said at least one media access control layer for providing timing signals to maintain components in each of said one or more physical layer, wherein said at least one physical layer is connected to a respective 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 to be in a separate component location from said at least one media access control layer and said at least one physical layer of said HFC plant, yet having said network layer connected to said at least one media access control layer, wherein said at least one media access control layer is co-located with said at least one physical layer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification