Multiple upstream channel descriptor messages pointing to single upstream channel ID for more efficient operation of a DOCSIS system
First Claim
1. A system for allocating a single logical upstream channel, identified by an upstream channel identifier (UCID), to cable modems of different communications standards, the system comprising:
- (a) a cable modem termination system that sends a plurality of upstream channel descriptors (UCDs) of a plurality of types, where said UCDs each include the UCID that identifies the single logical upstream channel;
(b) a plurality of cable modems of a plurality of communications standards, such that said plurality of cable modems receives said plurality of UCDs and transmits upstream data over the single logical upstream channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a DOCSIS-based communications system, different upstream channel descriptors (UCDs) all identify a single logical upsteam channel identifier (UCID) regardless of the type of cable modem (CM) to which the UCDs are sent. Different CMs having different capabilities (e.g., CMs configured according to the different DOCSIS standards 1.x, 2.0, and 3.0) receive their respective UCDs from an upstream headend. All the UCDs, however, refer to the same logical upstream channel. The different CMs therefore share this single logical upstream channel.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for allocating a single logical upstream channel, identified by an upstream channel identifier (UCID), to cable modems of different communications standards, the system comprising:
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(a) a cable modem termination system that sends a plurality of upstream channel descriptors (UCDs) of a plurality of types, where said UCDs each include the UCID that identifies the single logical upstream channel; (b) a plurality of cable modems of a plurality of communications standards, such that said plurality of cable modems receives said plurality of UCDs and transmits upstream data over the single logical upstream channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for allocating a single logical upstream channel, identified by an upstream channel identifier (UCID), to end user devices of different communications standards, the system comprising:
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(a) a central controller that sends a plurality of upstream channel descriptors (UCDs) of a plurality of types, where said UCDs each include the UCID that identifies the single logical upstream channel; (b) a plurality of end user devices of a plurality of communications standards, such that said plurality of end user devices receives said plurality of UCDs and transmits upstream data over the single logical upstream channel.
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Specification