Scheduler-directed source multiplexing for return path noise mitigation
AssigneeARRIS Enterprises LLC
InventorsFrancis J. O'Keeffe, Thomas J. Cloonan, Chris R. Zettinger, Zoran Maricevic, Michael B. Harrington, Oleksandr Volkov
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices, systems and methods that reduce funneling noise in upstream data transmissions from modems providing the transmissions through respective RF legs connected to the node. Preferred devices and systems may include a node that is configured to selectively isolate respectively scheduled upstream data signals from noise present on any RF leg not propagating a scheduled upstream data signal.
Claims20
A node configured to receive respective scheduled upstream data signals from each of a plurality of modems and propagate received signals further upstream, each modem connected to the node by a respective one of at least two Radio Frequency (RF) legs, the node comprising a steering subsystem configured to control a switch to selectively isolate the respective scheduled upstream data signals from noise present on any said RF leg not propagating a scheduled upstream data signal, the switch controlled using information from reservation MAPSs, provided to the steering subsystem by a scheduler subsystem, and which define a predetermined schedule of upstream transmissions for each of the plurality of modems.
A method of operating a node configured to receive respective scheduled upstream data signals from each of a plurality of modems and propagate received signals further upstream, each modem connected to the node by a respective one of at least two Radio Frequency (RF) legs, the method comprising:
- receiving scheduling information associating a time slot with respective cable modems scheduled to provide upstream data signals to the node;
- and
- operating a switch in the node to isolate any said RF leg from the scheduled upstream data signals during said time slot not scheduled to propagate a signal during said time slot, the switch controlled using information from reservation MAPSs, which define a predetermined schedule of upstream transmissions for each of the plurality of modems.
A node configured to receive respective scheduled upstream data signals from each of a plurality of modems and propagate received signals further upstream, each modem connected to the node by a respective one of at least two Radio Frequency (RF) legs, the node configured to associate upstream transmission schedule information for a cable modem, received from reservation MAPs that define a predetermined schedule of upstream transmissions for each of the plurality of modems, with location information for a cable modem defined in a mapping table that associates each cable modem with a respective one the at least two RF legs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.