Data packet fragmentation in a cable modem system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for processing data packets to be transmitted by a cable modem on an upstream channel of a cable transmission system, the method comprising:
- sending on the upstream channel a request for an amount of bandwidth to transmit a data packet;
receiving a grant of an amount of bandwidth and a transmission time period to transmit data in response to the request;
comparing the requested amount of bandwidth with the granted amount of bandwidth;
transmitting the entire data packet on the upstream channel during the transmission time period if the requested amount is less than or equal to the granted amount;
fragmenting the data packet into a plurality of portions if the requested amount is larger than the granted amount, one of the portions being less than or equal to the granted amount; and
transmitting the one portion that is less than or equal to the granted amount on the upstream channel during the transmission time period if the requested amount is larger than the granted amount.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A number of features for enhancing the performance of a cable transmission system in which data is transmitted between a cable modem termination system at a headend and a plurality of cable modems located different distances from the headend. The power transmission level, slot timing, and equalization of the cable modems are set by a ranging process. Data is transmitted by the modems in fragmented form. Various measures are taken to make transmission from the cable modems robust. The upstream data transmission is controlled to permit multiple access from the cable modems.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for processing data packets to be transmitted by a cable modem on an upstream channel of a cable transmission system, the method comprising:
-
sending on the upstream channel a request for an amount of bandwidth to transmit a data packet; receiving a grant of an amount of bandwidth and a transmission time period to transmit data in response to the request; comparing the requested amount of bandwidth with the granted amount of bandwidth; transmitting the entire data packet on the upstream channel during the transmission time period if the requested amount is less than or equal to the granted amount; fragmenting the data packet into a plurality of portions if the requested amount is larger than the granted amount, one of the portions being less than or equal to the granted amount; and transmitting the one portion that is less than or equal to the granted amount on the upstream channel during the transmission time period if the requested amount is larger than the granted amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A cable modem for operating with a cable transmission system comprising:
-
means for requesting an amount of bandwidth on the cable system to transmit data; means for receiving a grant of an amount of bandwidth to transmit data in response to the request; means for comparing the requested amount of bandwidth with the granted amount of bandwidth; means responsive to the comparing means for fragmenting the data to be transmitted into a plurality of segments if the requested amount is larger than the granted amount, one of the segments being less than or equal to the granted amount; means responsive to the grant for transmitting the data to be transmitted to the cable system if the requested amount is less than or equal to the granted amount; and means responsive to the grant for transmitting the one segment that is less than or equal to the granted amount to the cable system if the requested amount is larger than the granted amount. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification