Proactive upstream scheduling for flows in a point-to-multipoint communications network

One or more non-transitory tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:

• predicting a user average data rate for a cable modem;
• establishing a minimum bandwidth grant size and a maximum bandwidth grant size for the cable modem based on the predicted user average data rate;
• receiving from the cable modem a request for a particular amount of bandwidth;
• performing an overgrant if the particular amount of bandwidth is less than the minimum bandwidth grant size, wherein the overgrant comprises granting to the cable modem more than the requested particular amount of bandwidth;
• performing an undergrant if the particular amount of bandwidth is greater than the maximum bandwidth grant size, wherein the undergrant comprises granting to the cable modem less than the requested particular amount of bandwidth;
• and
• if a predetermined period of time passes without receipt of another bandwidth request from the cable modem, performing an unsolicited pre-grant with respect to the cable modem in which a predetermined amount of bandwidth is granted to the cable modem.

An apparatus comprising:

• a memory element configured to store data;
• a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data;
• and
• a proactive scheduling module configured to:
• predict a user average data rate for a cable modem;
• establish a minimum bandwidth grant size and a maximum bandwidth grant size for the cable modem based on the predicted user average data rate;
• receive from the cable modem a request for a particular amount of bandwidth;
• perform an overgrant if the particular amount of bandwidth is less than the minimum bandwidth grant size, wherein the overgrant comprises granting to the cable modem more than the requested particular amount of bandwidth;
• perform an undergrant if the particular amount of bandwidth is greater than the maximum bandwidth grant size, wherein the undergrant comprises granting to the cable modem less than the requested particular amount of bandwidth;
• and
• if a predetermined period of time passes without receipt of another bandwidth request from the cable modem, perform an unsolicited pre-grant with respect to the cable modem in which a predetermined amount of bandwidth is granted to the cable modem.