Low-powered communication system and method of operation

A remote interface unit for use in a two-way communication system that includes a network control facility, the network control facility controlling communications involving the remote interface unit, the remote interface unit comprising:

• a first receiver for receiving control information from the network control facility over a first downstream channel when the remote unit is in a first mode of operation;
• a first processor operably coupled to the first receiver, the first processor processing the control information received by the first receiver when the remote unit is in the first mode of operation and enabling at least the first processor responsive to the control information to transition the remote interface unit from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation;
• a second receiver for receiving user information from the network control facility over a second downstream channel when the remote unit is in a second mode of operation, the second downstream channel operating at a transmission rate that is greater than a transmission rate of the first downstream channel and the second mode of operation consuming substantially more power than the first mode of operation;
• and
• a second processor operably coupled to the second receiver, the second processor processing the user information received by the second receiver when the remote unit is in the second mode of operation,
• the first and second processors responsive to establish, in the second mode of operation, access by the remote interface unit to the network control facility via a time division multiple access channel shared concurrently by a plurality of remote interface units.

A two-way cable infrastructure system for communicating information to and receiving information from a remote interface unit, the two-way cable infrastructure system comprising:

• headend equipment that controls communications involving the remote interface unit and routes information to and from the remote interface unit;
• and
• a cable plant supporting a first downstream channel for communicating control information from the headend equipment to the remote interface unit in accordance with a first downstream communication protocol when the remote interface unit is in a first mode of operation, a second downstream channel for communicating user information from the headend equipment to the remote interface unit in accordance with a second downstream communication protocol when the remote interface unit is in a second mode of operation, and a time division multiple access upstream channel shared concurrently by a plurality of remote interface units, for communicating user information from the remote interface unit to the headend equipment in accordance with an upstream communication protocol, the second downstream channel operating at a transmission rate that is greater than a transmission rate of the first downstream channel, the first mode of operation consuming substantially less power than the second mode of operation, the control information at least instructing the remote interface unit to transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation to facilitate communication of the user information, and the fist and second downstream channels responsive to establish, in the second mode of operation, access by the remote interface unit to the network control facility via the upstream channel.

A method for a network control facility to establish communication with a remote interface unit in a two-way communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving user information intended for the remote interface unit;
• determining whether the remote interface unit is in a first mode of operation;
• communicating control information to the remote interface unit over a first downstream channel when the remote interface unit is in the first mode of operation, the control information instructing the remote interface unit to transition from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, the first mode of operation consuming substantially less power than the second mode of operation;
• receiving an acknowledgment of receipt of the control information from the remote interface unit over a time division multiple access upstream channel shared concurrently by a plurality of remote interface units;
• and
• communicating the user information to the remote interface unit over a second downstream channel responsive to receipt of the acknowledgment, the second downstream channel operating at a higher transmission rate than the first downstream channel,
• the first and second downstream channels responsive to establish, in the second mode of operation, communication between the remote interface unit and the network control facility via the upstream channel.

A method for a remote interface unit to communicate in a two-way communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• operating in accordance with a first, low power mode of operation in which the remote interface unit is configured to receive control information from a network control facility over a first downstream channel;
• receiving the control information over the first downstream channel;
• responsive to receiving the control information, transitioning from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation in which the remote interface unit is configured to receive at least user information from the network control facility over a second downstream channel, the second mode of operation consuming substantially more power than the first mode of operation and the second downstream channel operating at a higher transmission rate than the first downstream channel;
• and
• responsive to transitioning to the second mode of operation, the remote interface unit configured to communicate with the network control facility via an upstream channel, the upstream channel comprising a time division multiple access channel shared concurrently by a plurality of remote interface units.