Method and apparatus enabling multiple access for multiple services and multiple transmission modes over a broadband communication network utilizing an adaptive digital access protocol

A method for downstream transmission over a bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax network of synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) payloads, and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads, said hybrid fiber/coax network including a headend (HE), a HE bandwidth manager (BM) and a plurality of cable modems, said HE operable for downstream transmission to said cable modems, each of said cable modems operable for upstream transmission to said HE, said method comprising the steps of:

• dividing said downstream transmission into a series of successive downstream subframes;
• partitioning each of said downstream subframes into at least a first downstream region, a second downstream region, and a third downstream region;
• demarcating a first downstream boundary between said first downstream region and said second downstream region;
• demarcating a second downstream boundary between said second downstream region and said third downstream region;
• allocating at least one downstream time slot within said first downstream region for downstream transmission of said STM payloads whenever at least one of said STM payloads are queued at said HE for downstream transmission to said cable modems;
• designating said second downstream region for downstream transmission of said ATM payloads wherein an individual ATM cell of said ATM payload is allowed to cross second region subframe boundaries;
• and
• designating said third downstream region for downstream transmission of said asynchronous VL payloads, wherein an individual VL data unit of said VL payload is allowed to cross successive third region boundaries.

A method for bi-directional transmission over a cellular wireless system of synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) payloads, and asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads, said cellular wireless system including a common controller at a cellular base station and a plurality of mobile stations, said method comprising the steps of:

• dividing said downstream transmission into a series of successive downstream subframes;
• partitioning each of said downstream subframes into at least a first downstream region, a second downstream region, and a third downstream region;
• demarcating a first downstream boundary between said first downstream region and said second downstream region;
• demarcating a second downstream boundary between said second downstream region and said third downstream region;
• allocating at least one downstream time slot within said first downstream region for downstream transmission of said STM payloads whenever at least one of said STM payloads are queued at said common controller for downstream transmission to each of said plurality of mobile stations;
• designating said second downstream region for downstream transmission of said ATM payloads, wherein an individual ATM cell of said ATM payload is allowed to cross successive second region boundaries;
• and
• designating said third downstream region for downstream transmission of said asynchronous VL payloads, wherein an individual VL data unit of said VL payload is allowed to cross successive third region boundaries.

A multiservice protocol for bi-directional broadband communications system operating between a source and at least one destination, said protocol having a downstream structure and an upstream structure, said downstream structure comprising:

• a series of successive downstream frames included within said downstream structure;
• a plurality of downstream subframes, said downstream frames comprised of an integral number of said downstream subframes;
• a downstream synchronous region included within said downstream subframes when synchronous transfer mode (STM) payloads are to be transmitted;
• at least one downstream STM time slot within said downstream synchronous region when STM payloads are to be transmitted;
• a first downstream asynchronous region (ATR1) included within said downstream subframes;
• said ATR1 utilized for conveyance of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) payloads, wherein an individual ATM cell of said ATM payload is allowed to cross successive second region boundaries;
• and
• a second downstream asynchronous region (ATR2) included within said down subframes;
• said ATR2 utilized for conveyance of asynchronous variable length (VL) payloads, wherein an individual VL data unit of said VL payload is allowed to cross successive third boundaries.