Abstract: The present disclosure generally discloses a path selection capability configured to support intelligent path selection within the context of a hybrid-access communication network including a hybrid-access gateway (HAG) and a hybrid-access customer premises equipment (HCPE) in communication based on a multipath communication capability. The path selection capability is configured to support HCPE-based intelligent path selection for downlink traffic being provided from the HAG to the HCPE for delivery to CPEs supported by the HCPE. The path selection capability is configured to support HCPE-based intelligent path selection based on flow identification information signaled from the HAG to the HCPE based on determination of the flow identification information of the downlink traffic by the HAG. The HCPE-based intelligent path selection enables the HCPE to control the path(s) (e.g., multipath subflow(s) of a multipath connection) over which the downlink traffic is sent from the HAG to the HCPE.

Abstract: A tunnel is established between a gateway and a customer premises equipment (CPE) that are connected by a plurality of concurrent communication paths. In some cases, some the communication paths operate according to different access technologies. The tunnel is associated with a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) session. The packet is encapsulated based on the HTTP session and the encapsulated packet is transmitted over the plurality of concurrent communication paths via the tunnel. Information representing the encapsulated packet is received via the tunnel between the gateway and the CPE. The encapsulated packet is de-encapsulated and a packet of a stateless flow is generated based on a payload of the de-encapsulated packet. In some cases, the stateless flow is a user datagram protocol (UDP) flow and the encapsulated packet is conveyed using a plurality of transmission control protocol (TCP) sessions associated with the plurality of concurrent communication paths.

Abstract: A tunnel is established between a gateway and a customer premises equipment (CPE) that are connected by a plurality of concurrent communication paths. In some cases, some the communication paths operate according to different access technologies. The tunnel is associated with a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) session. The packet is encapsulated based on the HTTP session and the encapsulated packet is transmitted over the plurality of concurrent communication paths via the tunnel. Information representing the encapsulated packet is received via the tunnel between the gateway and the CPE. The encapsulated packet is de-encapsulated and a packet of a stateless flow is generated based on a payload of the de-encapsulated packet. In some cases, the stateless flow is a user datagram protocol (UDP) flow and the encapsulated packet is conveyed using a plurality of transmission control protocol (TCP) sessions associated with the plurality of concurrent communication paths.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally discloses a path selection capability configured to support intelligent path selection within the context of a hybrid-access communication network including a hybrid-access gateway (HAG) and a hybrid-access customer premises equipment (HCPE) in communication based on a multipath communication capability. The path selection capability is configured to support HCPE-based intelligent path selection for downlink traffic being provided from the HAG to the HCPE for delivery to CPEs supported by the HCPE. The path selection capability is configured to support HCPE-based intelligent path selection based on flow identification information signaled from the HAG to the HCPE based on determination of the flow identification information of the downlink traffic by the HAG. The HCPE-based intelligent path selection enables the HCPE to control the path(s) (e.g., multipath subflow(s) of a multipath connection) over which the downlink traffic is sent from the HAG to the HCPE.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium operable to move a video delay from a network video queue to a decoder video queue by discarding at least one video frame in a network video queue, thus moving video frames deeper in the queue forward in time. As such, rapid channel changing is provided without continuous unicasting, or temporarily transmitting at faster than the nominal rate, thereby alleviating strain on the network.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling rapid media stream channel changes in conjunction with increasing network resource utilization efficiency. A media stream is multicast for reception by a plurality of requesting decoders. The media stream includes packets containing groups of pictures (GOPs), which are stored in a buffer of an access node. At least a portion of the packets are unicast from the access node for reception by a new requesting decoder in response to receiving from the new requesting decoder a request for reception designating a media stream identifier corresponding to the media stream. Thereafter, the media stream is multicast to the new decoder after bringing packet transmission of the unicast media stream into alignment with packet transmission of the multicast media stream.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating error recovery of media stream packets in an access node. The method comprises storing a plurality of data transmission units of a media stream in a buffer of an access node, receiving a request for retransmission of at least one designated data transmission unit for reception by a designated subscriber media decoder apparatus, accessing the at least one designated data transmission unit within the buffer in response to receiving the request for retransmission and transmitting the at least one designated data transmission unit from the access node for reception by the designated subscriber media decoder apparatus in response to successfully accessing the at least one designated data transmission unit.

Abstract: Various aspects of apparatuses and methods for enabling a subscriber premise network interface device (NID) to facilitate communication services including digitally derived voice services to be facilitated between a central office and a subscriber premise are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosures herein, such a method includes facilitating a downstream DSL voice channel transmission process at a subscriber premise Network Interface Device (NID) and facilitating an upstream DSL voice channel transmission process at the subscriber premise NID. The downstream DSL voice channel transmission process facilitates converting a voice component of a downstream DSL data stream to a corresponding downstream analog voice signal. The upstream DSL voice channel transmission process facilitates converting an upstream analog voice signal to an upstream voice component of an upstream DSL data stream.