Map routing technique implemented in access networks
First Claim
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1. A method for forwarding channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the method comprising:
- generating a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period;
determining active downstream channels in the access network which are used to communicate with nodes that are adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel, wherein the determined active downstream channels includes at least one downstream channel of the access network; and
forwarding a copy of the first channel MAP message to each of the determined active downstream channels for transmission over each of the determined active downstream channels.
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Abstract
An improved addressing scheme is disclosed for use in access networks. According to a specific embodiment, upstream and/or downstream channels may be grouped together based upon logical associations rather than physical associations. Further, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, various techniques are described for routing selected channel MAP messages to appropriate channels and/or nodes within the access network.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for forwarding channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the method comprising:
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generating a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period; determining active downstream channels in the access network which are used to communicate with nodes that are adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel, wherein the determined active downstream channels includes at least one downstream channel of the access network; and forwarding a copy of the first channel MAP message to each of the determined active downstream channels for transmission over each of the determined active downstream channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for transmitting channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the access network including a first node adapted to communicate with the Head End via a first downstream and a first upstream channel, the access network further including a second node adapted to communicate with the Head End via a second downstream channel and a second upstream channel, the method comprising:
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generating a first channel MAP message associated with the first upstream channel, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period; identifying the first downstream channel as a member of an active downstream channel group, wherein each downstream channel member of the active downstream channel group is used for communicating with at least one node that is adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel; identifying the second downstream channel as a non-member of the active downstream channel group; transmitting the first channel MAP message on the first downstream channel; and preventing transmission of the first channel MAP message on the second downstream channel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for forwarding channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the system comprising:
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at least one processor; at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one other network device in the data network; and memory; the system being operable to; generate a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period; determine active downstream channels in the access network which are used to communicate with nodes that are adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel, wherein the determined active downstream channels includes at least one downstream channel of the access network; and forward a copy of the first channel MAP message to each of the determined active downstream channels for transmission over each of the determined active downstream channels. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for transmitting channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the access network including a first node adapted to communicate with the Head End via a first downstream and a first upstream channel, the access network further including a second node adapted to communicate with the Head End via a second downstream channel and a second upstream channel, the system comprising:
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at least one processor; at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one other network device in the data network; and memory; the system being operable to; generate a first channel MAP message associated with the first upstream channel, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period; identify the first downstream channel as a member of an active downstream channel group, wherein each downstream channel member of the active downstream channel group is used for communicating with at least one node that is adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel; identify the second downstream channel as a non-member of the active downstream channel group; transmit the first channel MAP message on the first downstream channel; and prevent transmission of the first channel MAP message on the second downstream channel. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for transmitting channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the system comprising:
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a Head End; a first node adapted to communicate with the Head End via a first downstream and a first upstream channel; a second node adapted to communicate with the Head End via a second downstream channel and a second upstream channel; the system being operable to generate a first channel MAP message associated with the first upstream channel, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period; the system being further operable to identify the first downstream channel as a member of an active downstream channel group, wherein each downstream channel member of the active downstream channel group is used for communicating with at least one node that is adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel; the system being further operable to identify the second downstream channel as a non-member of the active downstream channel group; the system being further operable to transmit, in response to the identifying of the first downstream channel, the first channel MAP message on the first downstream channel; and the system being further operable to prevent, in response to the identifying of the second downstream channel, transmission of the first channel MAP message on the second downstream channel. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A system for forwarding channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the system comprising:
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means for generating a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period; means for determining active downstream channels in the access network which are used to communicate with nodes that are adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel, wherein the determined active downstream channels includes at least one downstream channel of the access network; and means for forwarding a copy of the first channel MAP message to each of the determined active downstream channels for transmission over each of the determined active downstream channels. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A system for transmitting channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the access network including a first node adapted to communicate with the Head End via a first downstream and a first upstream channel, the access network further including a second node adapted to communicate with the Head End via a second downstream channel and a second upstream channel, the system comprising:
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means for generating a first channel MAP message associated with the first upstream channel, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period; means for identifying the first downstream channel as a member of an active downstream channel group, wherein each downstream channel member of the active downstream channel group is used for communicating with at least one node that is adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel; means for identifying the second downstream channel as a non-member of the active downstream channel group; means for transmitting, in response to the identifying of the first downstream channel, the first channel MAP message on the first downstream channel; and means for preventing, in response to the identifying of the second downstream channel, transmission of the first channel MAP message on the second downstream channel. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification