# US 11,122,598 B2 · Systems and methods for latency reduction using map staggering

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- Number: US 11,122,598 B2
- Document ID: US11122598B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/116,775
- Filed: 2018-08-29
- Published: 2019-02-28
- Granted: 2021-09-14
- Earliest claimed: 2017-08-29
- Assignees: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
- Applicants: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc
- Inventors: Joseph Padden; Aaron Quinto
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11122598B2

## CPC

- H04W 72/1268: of uplink data flows
- H04L 47/626: {channel conditions}
- H04W 72/535: {based on resource usage policies}
- H04W 80/02: Data link layer protocols
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A scheduling unit is provided for managing upstream message allocation in a communication network. The scheduling unit includes a processor configured to determine (i) a number of channels communicating in one direction stream of the communication network, and (ii) a MAP interval duration of the communication network. The scheduling unit further includes a media access control (MAC) domain configured to (i) calculate a staggered allocation start time for each separate channel of the number of channels, and (ii) assign a different allocation start time, within the MAP interval duration, to each separate channel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A scheduling unit for managing upstream message allocation in a communication network, comprising:
a processor configured to determine (i) a number of channels communicating in one direction stream of the communication network, and (ii) a MAP interval duration of the communication network; and
a media access control (MAC) domain configured to (i) calculate a staggered allocation start time for each separate channel of the number of channels, and (ii) assign a different allocation start time, within the MAP interval duration, to each separate channel,
wherein the MAP interval duration comprises a first component indicating a next MAP fulfillable time, a second component indicating a MAP generation duration, and a third component indicating a MAP advance duration,
wherein the communication network is configured according to a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol and comprises a request-grant approach for transmissions in one direction stream,
wherein the request-grant approach comprises a minimum request-grant loop latency and a maximum request-grant loop latency,
wherein the minimum request-grant loop latency is based upon a sum of the second component and the third component, and
wherein the maximum request-grant loop latency is substantially equal to the MAP interval duration.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The scheduling unit of claim 1,
wherein the MAC domain is configured to calculate the staggered allocation start time based on the MAP interval duration divided by the number of channels.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The scheduling unit of claim 1, comprising a modem.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The scheduling unit of claim 3, wherein the modem comprises one or more of a cable modem, a satellite modem, an optical network unit, and a DSL unit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The scheduling unit of claim 1, comprising a modem termination system (MTS).

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The scheduling unit of claim 5, wherein the MTS comprises one or more of a cable modem termination system, an optical network terminal, an optical line termination, a network termination unit, and a satellite termination unit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The scheduling unit of claim 1, wherein the communication network is configured according to at least one of a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), a 802.11 wireless communication protocol, and a transfer control protocol.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The scheduling unit of claim 1, wherein the one direction stream comprises an upstream transmission flow.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The scheduling unit of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to grant a transmission opportunity based upon a sum of the maximum request-grant loop latency and at least one staggered allocation start time interval.