Broadband system with intelligent network devices

• US 20020078464A1
• Filed: 09/13/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ciena Corporation
• Original Assignee: PhyFlex Networks, Inc. (Ciena Corporation)
• Inventors: Dravida, Sybrahmanyam, Gupta, Dev V., Dorbala, Prasad, Gupta, Satya V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,146,630 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/105
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2859 Point-to-point connection between the data network and the subscribers encapsulation H04L12/4633; virtual LANs H04L12/4641; routing of packets H04L45/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2874 Processing of data for distribution to the subscribers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2876 Handling of subscriber policies group policies management H04L41/0893
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5605 Fibre
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5606 Metallic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5651 Priority, marking, classes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5679 Arbitration or scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5003 Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5022 by giving priorities, e.g. assigning classes of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5087 wherein the managed service relates to voice services management of VoIP services H04M7/0081
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/509 wherein the managed service relates to media content delivery, e.g. audio, video or TV
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/20 Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/24 : Traffic characterised by specific attributes, e.g. priority or QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2416 : Real-time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2425 : for supporting services specification, e.g. SLA
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2433 : Allocation of priorities to traffic types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2441 : relying on flow classification, e.g. using integrated services [IntServ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2491 : Mapping quality of service [QoS] requirements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/32 : by discarding or delaying data units, e.g. packets or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 : Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/724 : at intermediate nodes, e.g. resource reservation protocol [RSVP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/788 : Autonomous allocation of resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 : Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/805 : QOS or priority aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/822 : Collecting or measuring resource availability data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/829 : Topology based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 : Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 : using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/40 : for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity, e.g. service redundancy protocols, protocol state redundancy or protocol service redirection management of faults, events, alarms or notifications in data switching networks H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 : involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 : involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems

Abstract

Hybrid fiber/coax networks employ the existing cable plant used for cable TV and transmit data signals in a frequency bandwidth above that which is used for cable TV. As this cable plant was deployed in a tree and branch topology, data transmissions may be susceptible to noise, variable transmission loss and frequency dispersion, particularly in the upstream direction. Further, due to the tree and branch topology, homes at the far end of the network experience much greater loss than do the homes that are near to the headend/ONU. The present system, which uses point-to-point data links between intelligent network elements located in the feeder/distribution network to provide reliable, secure, bi-directional broadband access. Digital signals are terminated at the intelligent network elements, switched and regenerated for transmission across additional upstream or downstream data links as needed to connect a home to a headend or router. The intelligent network elements can be co-located with or replace the standard network elements to take advantage of existing network configurations. The standard network elements can be selectively replaced by the intelligent network elements in an incremental approach. In this manner, the data links are made over relatively short runs of coax cable, which can provide greater bandwidth than the typical end-to-end feeder/distribution connection between a home and the headend or optical network unit.

Claims

1. An intelligent network element comprising:

a data switch;

a processor for controlling the data switch;

at least two transceivers coupled to the data switch, each transceiver operable to be interconnected to transceivers at another intelligent network element, the interconnected intelligent network elements operable to establish point-to-point connections with other intelligent network elements.

2. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the data switch comprises a layer 2 data switch.

3. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein each transceiver comprises a 16 QAM transceiver.

4. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the transceivers are interconnected by a cable plant comprising a tree-and-branch network.

5. The intelligent network element of claim 4 wherein the cable plant further comprises a switched Ethernet network for switching signals in a first direction and multiplexing and queueing signals in a second, opposite direction.

6. The intelligent network element of claim 5 wherein the first direction is a downstream direction.

7. The intelligent network element of claim 5 wherein the second direction is an upstream direction.

8. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements are active.

9. The intelligent network element of claim 8 wherein the active network elements are addressable by and operable with a network management intelligent network element (NMS) for diagnostic, statistical, fault detection, and corrective action.

10. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise a bypass mode;

the bypass mode for circumventing switching.

11. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements operate in a bandwidth range between 860 mHz and 1400 mHz.

12. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements are operable to transmit and receive data according to a predetermined protocol, the predetermined protocol further defining a frame having an in-band portion and an out-of-band portion.

13. The intelligent network element of claim 12 wherein the out-of-band portion further comprises control information for communicating with other intelligent network elements.

14. The intelligent network element of claim 12 wherein the in-band portion further comprises a payload corresponding to a payload transmitted according to a second predetermined protocol.

15. The intelligent network element of claim 12 wherein each of the frames includes a predetermined number of in-band portions of equal length.

16. The intelligent network element of claim 14 wherein the payload corresponds to variable length packets.

17. The intelligent network element of claim 14 wherein the second predetermined protocol is Ethernet.

18. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise an optical network distribution switch (ONDS).

19. The intelligent network element of claim 18 wherein the ONDS further comprises an optical/electrical and electrical/optical converter operable to convert between electrical and optical signals received by the ONDS.

20. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein at least on of the transceivers further comprises a transmitter and receiver operable to transmit and receive the converted electrical and optical signals, respectively.

21. The intelligent network element of claim 20 wherein the transmitter and receiver further comprise a 100baseT transmitter and receiver.

22. The intelligent network element of claim 18 wherein the ONDS is operable to receive optical signals in a first bandwidth and electrical signals in a second bandwidth and further to transmit electrical signals corresponding to both the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth.

23. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise an intelligent distribution amplifier (DA).

24. The intelligent network element of claim 23 wherein the DA further comprises at least two additional transceivers, wherein the transceivers are operable to communicate with other DAs and ONDSs and the additional transceivers are operable to communicate with a subscriber access switch (SAS) and an intelligent line extender (LE).

25. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise a subscriber access switch (SAS).

26. The intelligent network element of claim 25 wherein the SAS further comprises at least one additional transceiver, wherein the tranceivers are operable to communicate with other SASs, DAs, and LEs and the at least one additional transceiver is operable to communicate with a network interface unit (NIU).

27. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise an intelligent line extender.

28. The intelligent network element of claim 27 wherein the transceivers are operable to communicate with other intelligent line extenders and SASs.

29. The intelligent network element of claim 1 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise a network interface unit (NW).

30. The intelligent network element of claim 29 wherein the network interface unit (NW) further comprises an additional transceiver wherein the transceivers are operable to communicate with an SAS and the additional transceivers are operable to communicate with a residential network gateway.

31. A method of transmitting messages over a network comprising:

identifying a preexisting network transmitting over a first bandwidth range;

interconnecting, at predetermined points in the network, a plurality of intelligent network elements, each intelligent network element having at least two transducers, a data switch, and a processor;

establishing a point to point connection between the transceivers of the interconnected intelligent network elements; and

transmitting, in a second bandwidth range, the messages between the interconnected intelligent network elements, wherein the first bandwidth range is different than the second bandwidth range.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the data switch comprises a layer 2 data switch.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein each transceiver comprises a 16 QAM transceiver.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein interconnecting the transceivers further includes interconnecting by a cable plant comprising a tree-and-branch network.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the cable plant further comprises a switched Ethernet network for switching signals in a first direction and multiplexing and queueing signals in a second, opposite direction.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein switching in the first direction further comprises switching in a downstream direction.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein multiplexing and queueing in the second direction further comprises multiplexing and queueing in an upstream direction.

38. The method of claim 31 wherein the intelligent network elements are active.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising addressing the active network elements are addressable by a network management system (NMS) for diagnostic, statistical, fault detection, and corrective action.

40. The method of claim 31 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise a bypass mode;

the bypass mode for circumventing switching.

41. The method of claim 31 wherein transmitting between the interconnected intelligent network elements further comprises operating in a bandwidth range between 860 mHz and 1400 mHz.

42. The method of claim 31 wherein transmitting between the intelligent network elements further comprises transmitting and receiving data according to a predetermined protocol, the predetermined protocol further defining a frame having an in-band portion and an out-of-band portion.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the out-of-band portion further comprises control information for communicating with other intelligent network elements.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the in-band portion further comprises a payload corresponding to a payload transmitted according to a second predetermined protocol.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein each of the frames includes a predetermined number of in-band portions of equal length.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein the payload corresponds to variable length packets.

47. The method of claim 44 wherein the second predetermined protocol is Ethernet.

48. The method of claim 31 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise an optical network distribution switch (ONDS).

49. The method of claim 48 wherein transmitting from the ONDS further comprises converting between optical/electrical and electrical/optical signals.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein converting further comprises converting by at least one of the transceivers, the transceiver further comprising a transmitter and a receiver.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein transmitter and receiver further comprise a 100baseT transmitter and receiver.

52. The method of claim 31 further comprising receiving optical signals in a first bandwidth and electrical signals in a second bandwidth and further transmitting electrical signals corresponding to both the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth.

53. The method of claim 31 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise an intelligent distribution amplifier (DA).

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the DA further comprises at least two additional transceivers, wherein the transceivers are operable to communicate with other DAs and ONDSs and the additional transceivers are operable to communicate with a subscriber access switch (SAS) and an intelligent line extender (LE).

55. The method of claim 31 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise a subscriber access switch (SAS).

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the SAS further comprises at least one additional transceiver, wherein the tranceivers are operable to communicate with other SASs, DAs, and LEs and the at least one additional transceiver is operable to communicate with a network interface unit (NIU).

57. The method of claim 31 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise an intelligent line extender.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein the transceivers are operable to communicate with other intelligent line extenders and SASs.

59. The method of claim 31 wherein the intelligent network elements further comprise a network interface unit (NIU).

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the network interface unit (NIU) further comprises an additional transceiver wherein the transceivers are operable to communicate with an SAS and the additional transceivers are operable to communicate with a residential network gateway.

61. A computer program product including computer program code for transmitting messages over a network comprising:

computer program code for identifying a preexisting network transmitting over a first bandwidth range;

computer program code for identifying interconnections between a plurality of intelligent network elements, each intelligent network element having at least two transducers, a data switch, and a processor;

computer program code for establishing a point to point connection between the transceivers of the interconnected intelligent network elements; and

computer program code for transmitting, in a second bandwidth range, the messages between the interconnected intelligent network elements, wherein the first bandwidth range is different than the second bandwidth range.

62. A computer data signal having program code for transmitting messages over a network comprising:

program code for identifying a preexisting network transmitting over a first bandwidth range;

program code for identifying interconnections between a plurality of intelligent network elements, each intelligent network element having at least two transducers, a data switch, and a processor;

program code for establishing a point to point connection between the transceivers of the interconnected intelligent network elements; and

program code for transmitting, in a second bandwidth range, the messages between the interconnected intelligent network elements, wherein the first bandwidth range is different than the second bandwidth range.

63. An intelligent network element comprising:

means for identifying a preexisting network transmitting over a first bandwidth range;

means for identifying interconnections between a plurality of intelligent network elements, each intelligent network element having at least two transducers, a data switch, and a processor;

means for establishing a point to point connection between the transceivers of the interconnected intelligent network elements; and

means for transmitting, in a second bandwidth range, the messages between the interconnected intelligent network elements, wherein the first bandwidth range is different than the second bandwidth range.