Modified upstream channel descriptor messages for DOCSIS-based broadband communication systems

A method for processing upstream channel descriptor (UCD) messages in a two-way satellite communications system comprising:

• receiving a UCD message over a downstream channel of the two-way satellite communications system;
• processing said UCD message to extract one or more standard parameters pertaining to an upstream channel of the two-way satellite communications system, wherein said one or more standard parameters are defined in accordance with a Data Over Cable Service Interface (DOCSIS) protocol;
• processing said UCD message to extract one or more satellite application-specific parameters pertaining to said upstream channel, wherein said one or more satellite application specific parameters are not provided for by said DOCSIS protocol;
• and
• utilizing said satellite-application specific parameters to manage communication over said upstream channel of the two-way communications system.

A satellite modem, comprising:

• a receiver for receiving an upstream channel descriptor (UCD) message over a downstream channel of a two-way satellite communications system;
• and
• a UCD message processor adapted to process said UCD message to extract one or more standard parameters pertaining to an upstream channel of said two-way satellite communications system, wherein said one or more standard parameters are defined in accordance with a Data Over Cable Service Interface (DOCSIS) protocol, and to process said UCD message to extract one or more satellite application-specific parameters pertaining to said upstream channel, wherein said one or more satellite application specific parameters are not provided for by said DOCSIS protocol;
• wherein said satellite modem is adapted to utilize said satellite-application specific parameters to manage communication over said upstream channel of said two-way communications system.

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor to generate upstream channel descriptor (UCD) messages for use in a two-way satellite communications system, said computer program logic comprising:

• means for enabling the processor to obtain one or more standard parameters pertaining to an upstream channel of the two-way satellite communications system, wherein said one or more standard parameters are defined in accordance with a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) protocol;
• means for enabling the processor to obtain one or more satellite application-specific parameters pertaining to said upstream channel, wherein said one or more satellite application specific parameters are not provided for by said DOCSIS protocol;
• means for enabling the processor to generate a UCD message including said one or more standard parameters and said one or more satellite application-specific parameters;
• and
• means for enabling the processor to broadcast said UCD message over a downstream channel of the two-way satellite communications system.

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor to process upstream channel descriptor (UCD) messages used in a two-way satellite communications system, said computer program logic comprising:

• means for enabling the processor to receive a UCD message over a downstream channel of the two-way satellite communications system;
• means for enabling the processor to process said UCD message to extract one or more standard parameters pertaining to an upstream channel of the two-way satellite communications system, wherein said one or more standard parameters are defined in accordance with a Data Over Cable Service Interface (DOCSIS) protocol;
• means for enabling the processor to process said UCD message to extract one or more satellite application-specific parameters pertaining to said upstream channel, wherein said one or more satellite application-specific parameters are not provided for by said DOCSIS protocol;
• and
• means for enabling the processor to utilize said satellite-application specific parameters to manage communication over said upstream channel of the two-way communications system.