Method and apparatus enabling synchronous transfer mode, variable length and packet mode access for multiple services over a broadband communication network
First Claim
1. A method for transmission of synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads over a bi-directional broadband communications network having a source and a destination, said method comprising the steps of:
- dividing said transmission into a series of successive time frames;
partitioning each of said time frames into a first region and a second region, said first region and said second region separated with a boundary;
allocating at least one time slot to said first region whenever at least one of said STM payloads is available for said transmission;
dividing said second region into a plurality of basic slots, said plurality of basic slots allocated and assigned for said transmission of said asynchronous VL payloads; and
dynamically adjusting the position of said boundary within each of said time frames, to facilitate transmission bandwidth allocation for said source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as synchronous transfer mode, asynchronous transfer mode, and variable length data. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources. In order to satisfy the quality of service requirements of varied applications, while maintaining high bandwidth efficiency, the protocol utilizes a frame structure with frame partitioning into regions; one region dedicated to STM payload and asynchronous, second region dedicated to ATM and VL payloads, messaging and control.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A method for transmission of synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads over a bi-directional broadband communications network having a source and a destination, said method comprising the steps of:
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dividing said transmission into a series of successive time frames; partitioning each of said time frames into a first region and a second region, said first region and said second region separated with a boundary; allocating at least one time slot to said first region whenever at least one of said STM payloads is available for said transmission; dividing said second region into a plurality of basic slots, said plurality of basic slots allocated and assigned for said transmission of said asynchronous VL payloads; and dynamically adjusting the position of said boundary within each of said time frames, to facilitate transmission bandwidth allocation for said source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for downstream transmission of synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads over a bi-directional broadband communications network between a headend and at least one cable modem, said method comprising the steps of:
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dividing said downstream transmission into a series of successive downteam time frames; dividing each of said downstream time frames into an integral number of downstream subframes; partitioning each of said downstream subframes into a downstream first region and a downstream second region; allocating at least one time slot to said downstream first region whenever at least one of said STM payloads is to be transmitted; and allocating said asynchronous VL payloads to said downstream second region. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A multiservice protocol for a bi-directional broadband communications system operating between a source and at least one destination, said protocol having a downstream structure and an upstream structure, said downstream structure comprising:
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a series of successive downstream frames included within said downstream structure; a plurality of downstream subframes, said downstream frames comprised of said downstream subframes; a downstream synchronous region included within said downstream subframes when synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads are to be transmitted; at least one downstream STM time slot within said downstream synchronous region when STM payloads are to be transmitted; and a downstream asynchronous region within said downstream subframes, said downstream asynchronous region utilized for the downstream transmission of asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A bi-directional broadband communications system having a transmission network wherein at least one cable modem is interconnected with a headend via a transmission medium having a multiple access upstream channel and a broadcast downstream channel, said system capable of transporting synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads, comprising:
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a cable modem framer for dividing said upstream transmission into a series of successive upstream time frames; and a headend bandwidth manager transmitting downstream a boundary location for each of said upstream time frames, said boundary location partitioning said frames into a first region and a second region; said headend bandwidth manager allocating to said first region at least one time slot whenever said cable modem has at least one said STM payload for said upstream transmission; said cable modem dividing said second region into a plurality of basic slots, said basic slots allocated and assigned for said upstream transmission of said VL payloads; and said headend bandwidth manager dynamically adjusting said boundary location within said successive upstream time frames to facilitate desired bandwidth allocation for said cable modem. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method for upstream transmission of synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads over a bi-directional broadband communications network having a headend and at least one cable modem, said method comprising the steps of:
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dividing said upstream transmission into a series of successive time frames; partitioning said time frames into a first region and a second region, said first region and said second region separated with a boundary; allocating at least one fixed length time slot to said first region whenever said cable modem has at least one said STM payload for said upstream transmission; dividing said second region into a plurality of basic slots, said basic slots allocated and assigned for said upstream transmission of said VL payloads; and dynamically adjusting said boundary position within said frames as determined by said headend, to facilitate a bandwidth allocation for said cable modem. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. A method for upstream transmission and downstream transmission of synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) payloads, and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads over a bi-directional broadband communications network having a headend and at least one cable modem, said method comprising the steps of:
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dividing said upstream transmission into a series of successive upstream time frames; partitioning each of said upstream time frames into an upstream first region and an upstream second region; dividing said downstream transmission into a series of successive downstream time frames; dividing said downstream time frames into a plurality of successive downstream time subframes; partitioning each of said plurality of downstream time subframes into a downstream first region and a downstream second region; allocating at least one time slot each to said upstream first region and downstream first region, whenever at least one of said STM payloads is to be transmitted; and assigning a portion of said upstream second region and said downstream second region for conveyance of said asynchronous VL payloads and said ATM payloads. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method for transmission of synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads, said method comprising the steps of:
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dividing said transmission into a series of successive time frames; partitioning each of said time frames into a first region and a second region, said first region and said region separated with a boundary; allocating at least one time slot to said first region whenever at least one of said STM payloads is available for said transmission; dividing said second region into a plurality of basic slots, said plurality of basic slots allocating and assigned for said transmission of said asynchronous VL payloads; and dynamically adjusting the position of said boundary within each of said time frames, to facilitate transmission bandwith allocation for said source.
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Specification