High-speed internet access system

• US 7,002,971 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2000
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hybrid Patents Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hybrid Patents Incorporated
• Inventors: Enns, Frederick, Kim, Jong C., Moura, Eduardo J., Neelmegh, Ramesh, Gronski, Jan Maksymilian
• Primary Examiner(s): Kizou, Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIZARRO, RICARDO M
• Application Number:
  US09/610,357
• Time in Patent Office: 2,057 Days
• Field of Search: 370/401, 370/402, 370/407, 370/235, 370/347, 370/348, 370/389, 370/252, 370/395.1, 370/395.53, 370/395.6, 370/395.31, 370/395.21, 370/229, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/004 by using forward error control H04L1/0618 takes precedence; coding, decoding or code conversion, for error detection or correction H03M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0896 Bandwidth or capacity management, i.e. automatically increasing or decreasing capacities flow or congestion control using dynamic resource allocation, e.g. in-call renegotiation, H04L47/76
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5009 Determining service level performance parameters or violations of service level contracts, e.g. violations of agreed response time or mean time between failures [MTBF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5029 Service quality level-based billing, e.g. dependent on measured service level customer is charged more or less
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0847 Transmission error
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0435 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply symmetric encryption, i.e. same key used for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for symmetric key encryption H04L9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2404 Monitoring of server processing errors or hardware failure error or fault detection G06F11/07; monitoring in general G06F11/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2405 Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the server, e.g. server load allocation of resources in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/50; performance measurement of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26216 involving the channel capacity, e.g. network bandwidth admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a schedule or organising the servicing of application requests taking into account QoS H04L67/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26291 for providing content or additional data updates, e.g. updating software modules, stored at the client deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 : Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 : Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/24 : Negotiating SLA [Service Level Agreement]; Negotiating QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 : Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 : Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 : using polling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An asymmetric network system manages bandwidth allocation and configuration of remote devices in a broadband network. A modular architecture of the system permits independent scalability of upstream and downstream capacity separately for each of the upstream and downstream physical paths. Allocation of downstream bandwidth to requesting devices is made according to bandwidth utilization by other devices, bandwidth demand by the requesting remote device, class or grade of service by the requesting remote device or bandwidth guaranteed to other remote devices. Configuration parameters remotely managed by the network include device addresses (global and local), transmission credit values, upstream channel assignment and upstream transmit power level. Further, management of device configuration profiles and bandwidth allocation occurs through control and response packets respectively generated by the network and the remote devices according to network operating software located at both ends. Control packets include poll packets that request, among other things, demand for an upstream transmission. Configuration packets instruct remote devices to assume an operational state or return status or statistical data. Response packets transmitted by the remote devices provide information to the network operations center for control purposes or to confirm the state of operation of remote devices, including channel operating statistics, errors, noise, etc. in order to remove or reallocate assigned upstream channels. Downloadable network operating software enables the network operator to upgrade remote operating software or to reconfigure the response profile of the remote devices. Account administration and usage reports are also generated. IP or ATM encapsulation, as well as forward error correction and encryption, are employed in the broadband network which may include an RF, satellite and cable medium with or without a telephony or router return path.

Claims

1. A two-way asymmetric communication system having independently scalable upstream and downstream paths that enable remote data processor devices to communicate with a server, said system comprising:

a common routing/switching backplane for providing intercommunication services among multiple communication devices including said server,

an independent upstream controller in communication with said backplane operating in accordance with an upstream protocol for receiving information packets from said remote data processor devices, said upstream controller including network operating algorithms for analyzing response packets transmitted by said downstream controller to determine operational status of a first identified remote data processor device,

an independent downstream controller in communication with said backplane for transmitting data packets to said remote data processor devices in accordance with a downstream protocol, said independent downstream controller being operative to transmit control packets directed to said first identified remote data processor device that instructs said device to respond with predetermined information in accordance with said control packet,

a network manager in communication with said independent upstream and downstream controllers through said backplane for effecting management of two-way communications between said first remote data processor device and a second remote data processor device, and said server; and

including multiple sub-channels in a downstream path and a bandwidth manager for dynamically balancing traffic loads in the downstream path in order to provide greater use of available downstream channels according to traffic conditions.

2. The two-way communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said independent upstream and downstream controllers comprise separate and independent hardware components including interface cards mounted in a rack.

3. The two-way communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said common switching/routing backplane comprises an Ethernet LAN hub.

4. The two-way communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein said downstream controller effects transmission of control packets that detect assignment of upstream transmit frequency utilized by a remote processor device, and said remote processor device assembles and transmits response packets which contain information indicative of the upstream transmit frequency being used by said remote processor device.

5. A two-way asymmetric communication system having independently scalable upstream and downstream paths that enable remote data processor devices to communicate with a server, said system comprising:

a common routing/switching backplane for providing intercommunication services among multiple communication devices including said server,

an independent upstream controller in communication with said backplane operating in accordance with an upstream protocol for receiving information packets from said remote data processor devices, said upstream controller including network operating algorithms for analyzing response packets transmitted by said downstream controller to determine operational status of a first identified remote data processor device,

an independent downstream controller in communication with said backplane for transmitting data packets to said remote data processor devices in accordance with a downstream protocol, said independent downstream controller being operative to transmit control packets directed to a first identified remote data processor device that instructs said device to respond with predetermined information in accordance with said control packet,

a network manager in communication with said independent upstream and downstream controllers through said backplane for effecting management of two-way communications between said first remote data processor device and a second remote data processor device, and said server; and

wherein said downstream controller applies forward error correction to control packets transmitted on said downstream paths.

6. The two-way system as recited in claim 5 wherein said forward error correction includes Reed Solomon encoding and interleaving of information packets.

7. A two-way asymmetric communication system having independently scalable upstream and downstream paths that enable remote data processor devices to communicate with a server, said system comprising:

a common routing/switching backplane for providing intercommunication services among multiple communication devices including said server,

an independent upstream controller in communication with said backplane operating in accordance with an upstream protocol for receiving information packets from said remote data processor devices, said upstream controller including network operating algorithms for analyzing response packets transmitted by said downstream controller to determine operational status of a first identified remote data processor device,

an independent downstream controller in communication with said backplane for transmitting data packets to said remote data processor devices in accordance with a downstream protocol, said independent downstream controller being operative to transmit control packets directed to a first identified remote data processor device that instructs said device to respond with predetermined information in accordance with said control packet;

a network manager in communication with said independent upstream and downstream controllers through said backplane for effecting management of two-way communications between said first remote data processor device and a second remote data processor device, and said server; and

wherein said network manager effects configuration management of said remote devices by effecting issuance of control packets that perform at least one of;

assigning an upstream response frequency;

adjusting an upstream transmitter;

assigning an IP address;

assigning a local MAC address;

assigning an upstream transmit data rate;

effecting reporting of status;

effecting a transmission of data by said remote processor devices;

assigning a shared channel for use by said remote processor devices; and

assigning a dedicated channel for use by said remote data processor device.

8. In an asymmetric network having respective upstream and downstream communication paths for enabling a plurality of remote devices to receive information from a host over a shared medium, the improvement comprising:

plural downstream channels operating over said shared medium, and

a network manager for providing bandwidth management of downstream bandwidth allocated to respective remote devices over said plural downstream channels;

wherein said network manager further includes operative routines for detecting service requests for requested bandwidth, for assessing bandwidth utilization of respective downstream channels on said shared medium, and for assigning additional downstream bandwidth to remote devices in accordance with said utilization and service requests;

wherein said remote devices include operative routines for determining and gathering statistical data relating to operating characteristics thereof and for reporting said statistical data to said network manager, and wherein said network manager utilizes said reported statistical data for allocating upstream channels to said remote devices.

9. An asymmetric network system including upstream and downstream channels and utilizing control and response packets for managing bandwidth and configuration parameters of multiple remote devices in communication with a host over a shared downstream medium, said network comprising:

a first controller located at a head end of said asymmetric network system, to generate a configuration control packet that contains control information for effecting at least one of upstream channel assignment, transmit power level, address assignment, and data transmission credit level,

a second controller located at the head end of said asymmetric network system to generate a bandwidth management control packet that effects allocation of bandwidth on said shared downstream medium to said remote devices, and

a third controller located at at least one of said remote devices that responds to said configuration control packet by transmitting information on said upstream channel in accordance with at least one of said upstream channel assignment, transmit power level, address assignment and data transmission credit level.

10. The asymmetric network system as recited in claim 9 wherein said first controller generates said configuration control packet according to registration information provided by a network operator including IP address assignment and account administration information.

11. The asymmetric network system as recited in claim 9 wherein said first controller generates said configuration control packet for a given remote device according to available unused channels, channel usage by other remote devices, available upstream bandwidth, bandwidth guaranteed to other remote devices, channel usage, class of service of said given remote device and requested demand for bandwidth of said given remote device.

12. The asymmetric network system as recited in claim 9 wherein said downstream medium comprises a wireless broadcast medium.

13. The asymmetric network system as recited in claim 9 wherein said downstream medium comprises a telephony return upstream channel.

14. The asymmetric network system as recited in claim 9 wherein said downstream medium comprises an RF broadcast and said upstream channel is carried in an RF transmission.

15. A remote device for use in an asymmetric network communication system which includes at least one high-speed downstream channel operating over a shared medium, said remote device comprising:

an RF interface for receiving high-speed data transmission over at least one of said downstream channels,

a microprocessor controller for receiving control packets from a network management system, said control packets including control information for effecting control of at least one of upstream channel assignment, transmitter level, remote address assignment, and transmission credit value allocated to said remote device, and

said microprocessor controller being responsive to said control packets to effect operation at said RF interface of at least one of said upstream channel assignment, transmit power level, remote address assignment and transmission credit value

wherein said microprocessor controller applies error correction to information packets which are transmitted upstream to said network management system.

16. The remote device as recited in claim 15 wherein said microprocessor controller confirms the operation of said remote interface at least one of said upstream channel assignment, transmit power level, remote address assignment and transmission credit value by returning a response packet to said network management system confirming said operation.

17. The remote device as recited in claim 15 further including operative routines for gathering statistical operational data about said remote device, and for reporting said statistical operating data to said network management system.

18. The remote device as recited in claim 15 wherein said microprocessor controller receives network operating software downloaded from said network management system, said network operating software being used for interpreting control packets to effect operation of said remote interface.

19. The remote device as recited in claim 15 wherein said microprocessor controller unencapsulates said control packets in order to decipher the information content thereof.

20. The remote device as recited in claim 15 further including an upstream transmit power responsive to said microprocessor controller for transmitting upstream data packets to said network management system.

21. The remote device as recited in claim 15 further including a second RF interface for effecting the transfer of RF data signals in an upstream transmission to said network management system.

22. The remote device as recited in claim 15 further including a cable return interface for generating upstream information and response packets for transmission to said network management system.

23. The remote device as recited in claim 15 further including network operating software for use with a telephone return modem of a remote computer to effect transmission of upstream packets to said network management system.