US 7,733,916 B2 · Media access control for a set of downstream and upstream channels

Abstract

In a point to multi-point share-media network, method and apparatus of media access control (MAC) for a modem termination system (MTS) to communicate a plurality of modems over a set of downstream and upstream channels comprising the steps of designating a MAC domain comprising the set of downstream and upstream channels, in which a primary downstream channel and a primary upstream channel being chosen from the set of downstream and upstream channels for MAC message exchanges between the MTS and the modems; S establishing synchronization with the modems by broadcasting first MAC messages via the primary downstream channel; establishing the MAC domain with the modems by broadcasting second MAC messages via the primary downstream channel; calibrating upstream transmission parameters for each of the modems for at least the primary upstream channel by third MAC message exchanges via the primary upstream channel and the primary downstream channel; registering each of the modems by fourth MAC message exchanges via the primary upstream channel and the primary downstream channel; and transmitting packet streams to the modems in one or more the downstream channels simultaneously.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In a point to multi-point share-media network, a method of media access control (MAC) for a modem termination system (MTS) to communicate with a plurality of modems over a set of downstream and upstream channels comprising steps of:

(a). said MTS designating a MAC domain comprising said set of downstream and upstream channels, in which a primary downstream channel and a primary upstream channel being chosen from said set of downstream and upstream channels for MAC message exchanges between said MTS and said modems;
(b). said MTS establishing synchronization with said modems by broadcasting first MAC messages via said primary downstream channel;
(c). said MTS establishing said MAC domain with said modems by broadcasting second MAC messages via said primary downstream channel;
(d). said MTS calibrating upstream transmission parameters for each of said modems for at least said primary upstream channel by third MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel;
(e). said MTS registering each of said modems by fourth MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel;
(f). said MTS transmitting packet streams to said modems in one or more said downstream channels simultaneously;
wherein each of said downstream and upstream channels has a unique carrier frequency.

4 more elements

In a point to multi-point share-media network, apparatus for media access control (MAC) for a modem termination system (MTS) to communicate with a plurality of modems over a set of downstream and upstream channels comprising:

(a). means for said MTS designating a MAC domain comprising said set of downstream and upstream channels, in which a primary downstream channel and a primary upstream channel being chosen from said set of downstream and upstream channels for MAC message exchanges between said MTS and said modems;
(b). means for said MTS establishing synchronization with said modems by broadcasting first MAC messages via said primary downstream channel;
(c). means for said MTS establishing said MAC domain with said modems by broadcasting second MAC messages via said primary downstream channel;
(d). means for said MTS calibrating upstream transmission parameters for each of said modems for at least said primary upstream channel by third MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel;
(e). means for said MTS registering each of said modems by fourth MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel;
(f). means for said MTS transmitting packet streams to said modems in one or more said downstream channels simultaneously;
wherein each of said downstream and upstream channels has a unique carrier frequency.

4 more elements

In a point to multi-point share-media network, a method of media access control (MAC) for a modem to communicate with a modem termination system (MTS) over a set of downstream and upstream channels comprising steps of

(a). said MTS designating a MAC domain comprising said set of downstream and upstream channels, in which a primary downstream channel and a primary upstream channel being chosen from said set of downstream and upstream channels for MAC message exchanges between said MTS and said modem;
(b). said MTS establishing synchronization with said modem by broadcasting first MAC messages via said primary downstream channel;
(c). said MTS establishing said MAC domain with said modem by broadcasting second MAC messages via said primary downstream channel;
(d). said MTS calibrating upstream transmission parameters for said modem for at least said primary upstream channel by third MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel;
(e). said MTS registering said modem by fourth MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel;
(f). said modem receiving packet streams from said MTS in one or more of said downstream channels simultaneously;
wherein each of said downstream and upstream channels has a unique carrier frequency.

4 more elements

In a point to multi-point share-media network, apparatus for media access control (MAC) for a modem to communicate with a modem termination system (MTS) over a set of downstream and upstream channels comprising:

(a). means for said MTS designating a MAC domain comprising said set of downstream and upstream channels, in which a primary downstream channel and a primary upstream channel being chosen from said set of downstream and upstream channels for MAC message exchanges between said MTS and said modem;
(b). means for said MTS establishing synchronization with said modem by broadcasting first MAC messages via said primary downstream channel;
(c). means for said MTS establishing said MAC domain with said modem by broadcasting second MAC messages via said primary downstream channel;
(d). means for said MTS calibrating upstream transmission parameters for said modem for at least said primary upstream channel by third MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel;
(e). means for said MTS registering said modem by fourth MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel;
(f). means for said modem receiving packet streams from said MTS in one or more of said downstream channels simultaneously;
wherein each of said downstream and upstream channels has a unique carrier frequency.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Media access control for a set of downstream and upstream channels

Life of this patent

Media access control for a set of downstream and upstream channels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20