Hybrid access system with AGC control of upstream channel transmit power

• US 5,959,997 A
• Filed: 08/21/1996
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hybrid Patents Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hybrid Networks, Inc. (Iowave, Inc.)
• Inventors: Enns, Frederick, Moura, Eduardo J., Gronski, Jan Maksymilian, Packer, Robert L., Luxenberg, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US08/697,246
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 370/404, 370/276, 370/312, 370/463, 370/468, 370/396, 370/347, 370/449, 370/458, 379/202, 455/5.1, 342/463
• US Class Current: 370/404
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18523 Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service arrangements specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving H04H40/90; picture transmission via satellite H04N1/00103; television transmission via satellite H04N7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/81 combined with telephone network over which the broadcast is continuously available
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1682 Allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users, e.g. concentrated multiplexers, statistical multiplexers
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1694 Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers Passive Optical Networks H04Q11/0062
• 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 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/161 Implementation details of TCP/IP or UDP/IP stack architecture; Specification of modified or new header fields
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• 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 21/2393 : involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 : Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/266 : Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/437 : Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. for transmitting client requests to a VOD server flow control in data networks H04L47/10; streaming protocols, e.g. RTP or RTCP, H04L65/65; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests in data packet switching networks H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• 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: H04N 7/17345 : Control of the passage of the selected programme
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/911 : Bridge, e.g. brouter, bus extender

Abstract

A hybrid access system and method using a hybrid access system point of presence router and a remote link adapter to connect a user computer terminal to a network for fast downstream information transfer by high speed information broadcasting with lower speed upstream information transfer through an independent upstream channel to the hybrid access system point of presence router. High speed downstream information transfer passes through a cable TV headend or a TV transmitter or a cell station.

Claims

1. In a two way asymmetric network communication system that includes remote computers having respective interfaces for receiving from a server high speed downstream information conveyed over a downstream channel residing in a shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel, and wherein said asymmetric network communication system includes a network management unit located at a headend of a broadcast facility for effecting control of one of switching and routing functions in each of said downstream and upstream channels, a method of dynamically setting transmit power level of a remote interface comprising:

setting a transmit power level of said remote interface;

transmitting from said remote interface at least one indication of said transmit power level; and

repeating said steps of setting and transmitting until confirmation of a confirmed transmit power level is received by said remote interface.

2. The method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

setting said transmit power level of said remote interface to the confirmed transmit power level.

3. The method as in claim 2 further comprising the step of:

determining suitability of said confirmed transmit power level.

4. The method as in claim 1 wherein said confirmation comprises a system specified number of consecutive responses from said system.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of setting a transmit power level comprises the step of:

setting said transmit power level to a power level different from previously set transmit power levels.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of setting a transmit power level comprises the step of:

setting said transmit power level to a power level higher than previously set transmit power level.

7. In a two way asymmetric network communication system that includes remote computing devices having respective interfaces for receiving from a server high speed downstream information conveyed over a downstream channel on a shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel, and wherein said asymmetric network communication system includes a network management unit located at a headend of a broadcast facility for effecting control of one of said switching and routing devices of each of said downstream and upstream channels, a method of dynamically setting transmit power comprising:

detecting an indication of a transmit power level from said remote interface; and

transmitting to said remote interface confirmation of receipt of said power level indication.

8. In a two way asymmetric network communication system that includes remote computing devices having respective interfaces for receiving from a server high speed downstream information over a downstream channel residing in a shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel, and wherein said asymmetric network communication system includes a network management unit located at a headend of a broadcast facility for effecting control of one of switching and routing devices of each of said downstream and upstream channels, a method of dynamically setting transmit power level in said system comprising;

at said remote computing device;

(a) setting a transmit power level of said remote interface;

(b) transmitting from said remote interface to one of said switching and routing devices of said upstream channel at least one indication of said transmit power level; and

(c) repeating said steps of setting and transmitting until confirmation of a confirmed transmit power level is received by said remote interface from said one of said switching and routing devices, and

at said one of said switching and routing devices of said upstream channel;

(d) detecting indication of a transmit power level from said remote interface; and

(e) transmitting to said remote interface confirmation of receipt of said power level indication.

9. The method as in claim 8 further comprising the step of:

setting said transmit power level of said remote interface to the confirmed transmit power level.

10. The method as in claim 9 further comprising the step of:

determining suitability of said confirmed transmit power level.

11. The method as can claim 8 wherein said confirmation comprises a system specified number of consecutive responses from said system.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step of setting a transmit power level comprises the step of:

setting said transmit power level to a power level different from previously set transmit power levels.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of setting a transmit power level comprises the step of:

setting said transmit power level to a power level higher than previously set transmit power level.

14. In a two way asymmetric network communication system that includes remote computing devices having respective interfaces for receiving from a server high speed downstream information over a downstream channel located on a shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel, and wherein said asymmetric network communication system includes a network management unit located at a headend of a broadcast facility for effecting control of one of switching and routing devices of each of said downstream and upstream channels, a method of dynamically maintaining upstream communication between a remote interface and a hybrid routing device, the method comprising:

said remote interface receiving protocol messages from said hybrid routing device and, based on said protocol messages,

dynamically adjusting a transmit power level of said remote interface.

15. The method as an claim 14 wherein said step of adjusting comprises the steps of:

setting a transmit power level of said remote interface;

transmitting from said remote interface to an upstream portion of said routing device at least one indication of said transmit our level; and

repeating said steps of setting in transmitting until confirmation of a confirmed transmit power level is received by said remote interface from said routing device.

16. The device as in claim 15 wherein said confirmation comprises a system specified number of consecutive responses from said system.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the transmit power level setting step includes providing means for setting a transmit power level to a power level different from previously set transmit power levels.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the transmit power level setting step includes providing means for setting a transmit power level to a power level higher than previously set transmit power levels.

19. In a two way asymmetric network communication system that includes remote computing devices having respective interfaces for receiving from a server high speed downstream information over a downstream channel located on a shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel, and wherein said asymmetric network communication system includes a network management unit located at a headend of a broadcast facility for effecting control of one of switching and routing devices of each of said downstream and upstream channels,

a device for dynamically setting transmit power level of a remote interface comprising;

a controller for setting a transmit power level of said interface;

a transmitter for transmitting from said interface to one of said switching and routing devices of said upstream channel at least one indication of said transmit power level; and

said controller being repeatedly operated to alter the power level of said remote interface until confirmation of a confirmed transmit power level is received by said interface from said system.

20. The device as in claim 19 further comprising:

means for setting said transmit power level of said interface to the confirmed transmit power level.

21. The device as in claim 20 further comprising:

means for determining suitability of said confirmed transmit power level.

22. In a two way asymmetric network communication system that includes remote computing devices having respective interfaces for receiving from a server high speed downstream information over a downstream channel located on a shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel, and wherein said asymmetric network communication system includes a network management unit located at a headend of a broadcast facility for effecting control of one of switching and routing devices of each of said downstream and upstream channels, a device for dynamically setting a transmit power level of a remote interface comprising,

at one of said switching and routing devices of said upstream channel;

a detector for detecting an indication of a transmit power level of a transmission from said remote interface; and

a transmitter for transmitting to said remote interface confirmation of receipt of said power level indication.

23. In a two way asymmetric network communication system that includes remote computing devices having respective interfaces for receiving from a server high speed downstream information over a downstream channel located on a shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel, and wherein said asymmetric network communication system includes a network management unit located at a headend of a broadcast facility for effecting control of one of switching and routing devices of each of said downstream and upstream channels, a device for dynamically setting a transmit power level of a remote interface comprising,

at said remote interface

(a) a controller for setting a transmit power level of said remote interface;

(b) a transmitter for transmitting from said remote interface to said one of said switching and routing devices of said upstream channel at least one indication of said transmit power level; and

(c) said controller being repeatedly operated to alter the power level of said remote interface and to transmit until confirmation of a confirmed transmit power level is received by said remote interface from said one of said switching and routing devices, and

at said one of said switching and routing devices of said upstream channel;

(d) a detector for detecting an indication of a transmit power level of said remote interface; and

(e) a transmitter for transmitting to said remote interface confirmation of receipt of said power level indication.

24. The device as in claim 23 further comprising:

means for setting said transmit power level of said remote interface to the confirmed transmit power level.

25. The device as in claim 24 further comprising:

means for determining suitability of said confirmed transmit power level.

27. The device according to claim 23, wherein said means for setting a transmit power level comprises:

means for setting said transmit power level to a power level different from previously set transmit power levels.

28. The device according to claim 23, wherein said means for setting a transmit power level comprises:

means for setting said transmit power level to a power level higher than previously set transmit power level.

26. The device has including 24 wherein said confirmation comprises a system specified number of consecutive responses from said system.

29. In a two way asymmetric network communication system that includes remote computing devices having respective interfaces for receiving from a server high speed downstream information over a downstream channel located on a shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel, and wherein said asymmetric network communication system includes a network management unit located at a headend of a broadcast facility for effecting control of one of switching and routing devices of each of said downstream and upstream channels, a device for dynamically maintaining communication between a remote interface and at least one of said switching and routing devices, the device comprising:

programmable means for receiving protocol messages from said one of said switching and routing devices including means for, based on protocol messages,

dynamically adjusting a transmit power level of said remote interface.

30. The device as in claim 29 wherein said programmable means comprises:

means for setting a transmit power level of said remote interface;

means for transmitting from said remote interface to said one of said switching and routing devices at least one indication of said transmit power level; and

means for repeating the operations of said means for setting and transmitting until confirmation of a confirmed transmit power level is received by said remote interface from said one of said switching and routing devices.