Abstract: A cable modem method, system, and computer program product are provided for payload header suppression in which a limited number of suppression indices is used to map suppression rules to data streams. Network resources are conserved by implementing precise classification algorithms to correctly identify incoming packets at the cable modem as belonging to a particular data stream, which ensures that a minimum number of suppression indices are utilized. Additionally, network resources are conserved by utilizing sophisticated algorithms for reusing suppression indices when new data streams are detected by the cable modem. One such reuse algorithm involves recycling the suppression index that has been least recently used in transmitting a packet with a suppressed payload header.

Abstract: A point-to-multipoint network interface is provided that is simpler and less costly to implement than conventional Ethernet switches. The interface includes a plurality of downstream transmitters for transmitting data packets to a plurality of end user devices, a plurality of downstream receivers for receiving data packets from the plurality of end user devices, an upstream transmitter and an upstream receiver. A multiplexer within the interface multiplexes data packets received from the end user devices into a stream of data packets for transmission to a higher level node regardless of the destination address of the data packets. Conversely, a demultiplexer within the interface demultiplexes a stream of data packets received from the higher level node into individual data packets for selective transmission to one of the plurality of end user devices. The interface can support asymmetrical transmission rates on the upstream and downstream channels between the interface and the end user devices.

Abstract: A method and system for combining requests for data bandwidth by a data source for transmission of data over a communication medium is provided. A central node receives one or more bandwidths requests from one or more data sources via wireless communication. A scheduler then combines one or more bandwidths requests from the same data source to create a single data burst bandwidth. The central node then grants the data burst bandwidth to the appropriate data source via a communications medium.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the efficiency of providing bandwidth for voice traffic to a data provider via communication mediums is provided. This is generally accomplished by not transmitting any data during the silence periods and playing out background noise (i.e., comfort noise) at the other end, to obtain significant bandwidth savings.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the efficiency of providing bandwidth for voice traffic to a data provider via wireless communication mediums is provided. This is generally accomplished by not transmitting any data during the silence periods and playing out background noise (i.e., comfort noise) at the other end, to obtain significant bandwidth savings.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the efficiency of providing bandwidth for voice traffic to a data provider via wireless communication mediums is provided. This is generally accomplished by not transmitting any data during the silence periods and playing out background noise (i.e., comfort noise) at the other end, to obtain significant bandwidth savings.

Abstract: A method and system for combining requests for data bandwidth by a data source for transmission of data over a wireless communication medium is provided. A central node receives one or more bandwidth requests from one or more data sources via wireless communication. A scheduler then combines one or more bandwidths requests from the same data source to create a single data burst bandwidth. The central node then grants the data burst bandwidth to the appropriate data source via wireless communication.

Abstract: A method and system for combining requests for data bandwidth by a data source for transmission of data over a wireless communication medium is provided. A central node receives one or more bandwidths requests from one or more data sources via wireless communication. A scheduler then combines one or more bandwidths requests from the same data source to create a single data burst bandwidth. The central node then grants the data burst bandwidth to the appropriate data source via wireless communication.

Abstract: A system and method for management of bandwidth in a fiber optic, ethernet-based, TDMA communications system. A request/grant process is used to control the use of upstream bandwidth. A sense of time must therefore be shared by a headend and remote end-user devices. The invention provides for a gigabit media-independent interface in a media access controller to detect start-of-frame delimiters in incoming data. This allows for synchronization of a headend and end-user devices. The invention also allows for phase locking a transmit bit rate, at a headend, to the headend's clock. Transmitted data can the be used downstream to derive a local clock. Synchronization can also be maintained by the use of synchronization bytes in MPEG frames and/or variable length frames. Efficient bandwidth usage can also be facilitated by the use of maximum data units in allocating bandwidth in unsolicited grants, and by allowing flexible fragmentation and/or prioritization of internet protocol (IP) packets.

Abstract: A control terminal such as a CMTS is initialized to receive packets of voice calls having parameters including a bit rate, a packetization interval, and a call identification. A plurality of queues is created to define a corresponding plurality of phases at a sub-multiple of the packetization interval. Voice calls are admitted to the control terminal. The voice calls are distributed among the queues in a predetermined order as the voice calls are admitted and the voice calls removed from the queues as the voice calls are terminated. USGs are periodically issued at the phases defined by the queues. The USGs include a call identification and a grant of bandwidth sufficient to transmit the packets.

Abstract: An optical line terminal (OLT) monitors and controls communications with a plurality of optical nodes (ONs), such as optical network units (ONUs) and/or optical network terminators (ONTs), within a passive optical network (PON), such as, but not exclusively, an Ethernet-based passive optical node (EPON). A tagging mechanism is implemented to identify an origin ON that introduces a frame into the PON segment linking the origin ON with the OLT. The origin ON produces a PON tag to associate its identifier (ON_ID) to the frame. The PON tag facilitates filtering and forwarding operations, and enables the physical layer interface (PHY) to the PON segment to emulate a point-to-point and/or shared communications link. The PON tag allows a MAC control layer to create virtual ports to traffic incoming and outgoing optical signals, and supply the virtual ports to a forwarding entity for frame filtering and forwarding.

Abstract: A system and method for a generalized packet header suppression mechanism is described. This mechanism is implemented via a descriptor table. An exact copy of the descriptor table is stored in both the sender and receiver of packets via a communication medium. Entries in the descriptor table provide the information necessary to both suppress and expand the headers of well-known packets. The sender of the packet uses the descriptor table to suppress the packet header prior to transmitting the packet over the communication medium. When the packet reaches the receiver, the receiver uses the descriptor table to expand or reconstruct the packet header. This procedure results in less bandwidth required to transmit well-known messages because known header data is not transmitted via the medium, thereby not wasting bandwidth. The suppression mechanism allows the complete suppression of the header of a packet (as opposed to the traditional payload suppression) by a shorter message descriptor.

Abstract: An optical line terminal (OLT) monitors and controls communications with a plurality of optical nodes (ONs), such as optical network units (ONUs) and/or optical network terminators (ONTs), within a passive optical network (PON), such as, but not exclusively, an Ethernet-based passive optical node (EPON). A tagging mechanism is implemented to identify an origin ON that introduces a frame into the PON segment linking the origin ON with the OLT. The origin ON produces a PON tag to associate its identifier (ON_ID) to the frame. The PON tag facilitates filtering and forwarding operations, and enables the physical layer interface (PHY) to the PON segment to emulate a point-to-point and/or shared communications link. The PON tag allows a MAC control layer to create virtual ports to traffic incoming and outgoing optical signals, and supply the virtual ports to a forwarding entity for frame filtering and forwarding.

Abstract: A supervisory communications node monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote devices throughout a widely distributed network. A method, system, and computer program product are provided to convey and maintain information used to synchronize the packetization and burst operations within the network. During session setup, jitter constraints indirectly are used to explicitly communicate a synchronization timing reference. The timing reference is set at the beginning of a phase/period boundary used to service the session. In an embodiment, the announcement of the first grant is used as an explicit indication of the synchronization timing reference value. In another embodiment, the synchronization timing reference value is inferred if a remote device receives contiguous voice grants meeting certain conditions. In an embodiment implementing periodic scheduling, the actual arrival of the first grant is used to infer the synchronization timing reference value.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for scheduling transmissions from a plurality of services operating over a widely distributed communications network. A headend communications device (such as a cable modem termination system) arbitrates bandwidth among a plurality of cable modems configurable for bi-directional communications. The headend grants a bandwidth region to a specified cable modem or assigns contention regions for a group of cable modems. Each cable modem contains a local scheduler that sends requests for bandwidth according to local policies or rules. Upon receipt of a grant from the headend, the local scheduler selects packets to be transmitted to best serve the needs of the services associated with the cable modem. Accordingly, a service requesting bandwidth may not be the service utilizing the grant corresponding to bandwidth request. Nonetheless, the local scheduler manages bandwidth allocation among its local services such that all requesting services eventually receive bandwidth.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for synchronizing time between a centralized controller device and at least one subscriber device on an Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON). The MAC control layer of an EPON device is expanded, and additional messaging control is added via the transmission of Ethernet frames. The expansion prevents reliance on a physical layer signal. The time synchronization also allows a time stamp to be incorporated into a message. Thus, bandwidth is not wasted by simply transmitting a time stamp by itself. In an embodiment, the centralized controller device measures the time difference between the time at which a particular ranging request is transmitted and the time at which the particular ranging request is received. The time difference represents the time adjustment value for the particular subscriber device and allows the device to synchronize its time with that of the centralized controller device.

Abstract: An optical line terminal (OLT) monitors and controls communications with a plurality of optical nodes (ONs), such as optical network units (ONUs) and/or optical network terminators (ONTs), within a passive optical network (PON), such as, but not exclusively, an Ethernet-based passive optical node (EPON). A tagging mechanism is implemented to identify an origin ON that introduces a frame into the PON segment linking the origin ON with the OLT. The origin ON produces a PON tag to associate its identifier (ON_ID) to the frame. The PON tag facilitates filtering and forwarding operations, and enables the physical layer interface (PHY) to the PON segment to emulate a point-to-point and/or shared communications link. The PON tag allows a MAC control layer to create virtual ports to traffic incoming and outgoing optical signals, and supply the virtual ports to a forwarding entity for frame filtering and forwarding.

Abstract: A control terminal such as a CMTS is initialized to receive packets of voice calls having parameters including a bit rate, a packetization interval, and a call identification. A plurality of queues is created to define a corresponding plurality of phases at a sub-multiple of the packetization interval. Voice calls are admitted to the control terminal. The voice calls are distributed among the queues in a predetermined order as the voice calls are admitted and the voice calls removed from the queues as the voice calls are terminated. USGs are periodically issued at the phases defined by the queues. The USGs include a call identification and a grant of bandwidth sufficient to transmit the packets.

Abstract: A two way communication system is adapted for compatible inter-operation of a plurality of devices operating in accordance with a plurality of protocols. The communication system includes a first group of one or more remote devices that interface with a local host in accordance with a first protocol and a second group of one or more remote devices that interface wit the local host in accordance with a second protocol. The local host includes a protocol processor that identifies transmissions from the first and second groups of remote devices and routes transmissions from the first group of remote devices to a first processor operating in accordance with the first protocol and also routes transmissions from the second group of remote devices to a second processor operating in accordance with the second protocol.

Abstract: A system for management of bandwidth, cost control, and operational efficiency in a fiber optic, ethernet-based, TDMA communications system. The invention features an aggregating optical node between a central office and end users. The optical spectrum is divided according to end user, direction (i.e., upstream or downstream), and/or according to function (e.g., video or non-video). In an embodiment of the invention, a wavelength coupler can be used to couple multiple upstream wavelengths from respective end-user devices, for forwarding to a central office. Moreover, adaptive equalization can be used for noise cancellation purposes.