Abstract: A media access controller (MAC) configurable for first and second modes of operation is provided. The MAC includes an uplink processor coupled to a plurality of uplink channels, a downlink processor coupled to a downlink, and a MAP parser coupled to the downlink processor. The downlink processor is configured to provide information to the downlink channel, including bandwidth allocation map (“MAP”) messages. Each MAP message is associated with one of the plurality of uplink channels or an uplink channel associated with one or more other MACs. The MAP parser is configured to control the MAC to receive information from a first set of one or more of the plurality of uplink channels in first mode and from a second set of one or more of the plurality of uplink channels in second mode.

Abstract: A method of receiving information from one or more wireless uplink channels is provided. The method includes receiving information at a media access controller (MAC) from a first set of one or more wireless uplink channels in response to bandwidth allocation map (MAP) messages sent from the MAC and receiving information at the MAC from a second set of one or more wireless uplink channels in response to MAP messages sent by another MAC.

Abstract: A supervisory communications device, such as a base station within a wireless network, monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote communications devices, such as mobile nodes, throughout a widely distributed network, including the Internet. The supervisory device establishes the upstream slot structure and allocates upstream bandwidth by sending messages over its downstream channel. The supervisory device also uses the messages and minislot counts to anticipate bursts from the remote devices. Dual registers are provided within the supervisory device to generate minislot counts. A primary register generates minislot counts for a current slot structure, and a secondary register generates minislot counts for a revised slot structure. Software executed on the supervisory device determines a switchover time for changing to the revised slot structure and revised minislot count.

Abstract: A supervisory communications device, such as a base station within a wireless network, monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote communications devices, such as mobile nodes, throughout a widely distributed network, including the Internet. The supervisory device establishes the upstream slot structure and allocates upstream bandwidth by sending messages over its downstream channel. The supervisory device also uses the messages and minislot counts to anticipate bursts from the remote devices. Dual registers are provided within the supervisory device to generate minislot counts. A primary register generates minislot counts for a current slot structure, and a secondary register generates minislot counts for a revised slot structure. Software executed on the supervisory device determines a switchover time for changing to the revised slot structure and revised minislot count.

Abstract: A supervisory communications system (such as, a headend cable modem termination system) manages communications with a plurality of remote communications devices (such as, a cable modem). The supervisory system enables each of its physical channels to have multiple logical channels, with each logical channel having differing channel parameters or operating characteristics. As a result, different types of communication devices are permitted to coexist on the same physical spectrum. In other words, a communications device using, for example, spread spectrum modulation technologies require different operating characteristics than a communications device using, for example, time division multiplexing technologies.

Abstract: A supervisory communications system (such as, a headend cable modem termination system) manages communications with a plurality of remote communications devices (such as, a cable modem). The supervisory system enables each of its physical channels to have multiple logical channels, with each logical channel having differing channel parameters or operating characteristics. As a result, different types of communication devices are permitted to coexist on the same physical spectrum. In other words, a communications device using, for example, spread spectrum modulation technologies require different operating characteristics than a communications device using, for example, time division multiplexing technologies.

Abstract: A supervisory communications device, such as a headend device within a cable communications network, monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote communications devices, such as cable modems, throughout a widely distributed network. The supervisory device allocates bandwidth on the upstream channels by sending MAP messages over its downstream channel. A master-slave interface permits a second supervisory device to be connected to increase the number of available upstream channels. When one device operates as the slave device to the other, the slave device is programmable to select MAP messages from either of the master device or the slave device. A primary filter and a slave filter are provided to specify which downstream channel(s) has the authority to issue MAP messages for each available upstream channel. The filters utilizes registers to authenticate the source of the MAP messages.

Abstract: A media access controller (MAC) configurable for first and second modes of operation is provided. The MAC includes an uplink processor coupled to a plurality of uplink channels, a downlink processor coupled to a downlink, and a MAP parser coupled to the downlink processor. The downlink processor is configured to provide information to the downlink channel, including bandwidth allocation map (“MAP”) messages. Each MAP message is associated with one of the plurality of uplink channels or an uplink channel associated with one or more other MACs. The MAP parser is configured to control the MAC to receive information from a first set of one or more of the plurality of uplink channels in first mode and from a second set of one or more of the plurality of uplink channels in second mode.

Abstract: A method of receiving information from one or more wireless uplink channels is provided. The method includes receiving information at a media access controller (MAC) from a first set of one or more wireless uplink channels in response to bandwidth allocation map (MAP) messages sent from the MAC and receiving information at the MAC from a second set of one or more wireless uplink channels in response to MAP messages sent by another MAC.

Abstract: A supervisory communications device, such as a base station within a wireless network, monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote communications devices, such as mobile nodes, throughout a widely distributed network, including the Internet. The supervisory device establishes the upstream slot structure and allocates upstream bandwidth by sending messages over its downstream channel. The supervisory device also uses the messages and minislot counts to anticipate bursts from the remote devices. Dual registers are provided within the supervisory device to generate minislot counts. A primary register generates minislot counts for a current slot structure, and a secondary register generates minislot counts for a revised slot structure. Software executed on the supervisory device determines a switchover time for changing to the revised slot structure and revised minislot count.

Abstract: A supervisory communications device, such as a headend device within a cable communications network, monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote communications devices, such as cable modems, throughout a widely distributed network, including the Internet. The supervisory device establishes the upstream slot structure and allocates upstream bandwidth by sending UCD and MAP messages over its downstream channel. The supervisory device also uses the MAP messages and minislot counts to anticipate bursts from the remote devices. Dual registers are provided within the supervisory device to generate minislot counts. A primary register generates minislot counts for a current slot structure, and a secondary register generates minislot counts for a revised slot structure. Software executed on the supervisory device determines a switchover time for changing to the revised slot structure and revised minislot count.

Abstract: A supervisory communications device, such as a base station within a wireless network, monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote communications devices, such as mobile nodes, throughout a widely distributed network, including the Internet. The supervisory device establishes the upstream slot structure and allocates upstream bandwidth by sending messages over its downstream channel. The supervisory device also uses the messages and minislot counts to anticipate bursts from the remote devices. Dual registers are provided within the supervisory device to generate minislot counts. A primary register generates minislot counts for a current slot structure, and a secondary register generates minislot counts for a revised slot structure. Software executed on the supervisory device determines a switchover time for changing to the revised slot structure and revised minislot count.

Abstract: A supervisory communications system (such as, a headend cable modem termination system) manages communications with a plurality of remote communications devices (such as, a cable modem). The supervisory system enables each of its physical channels to have multiple logical channels, with each logical channel having differing channel parameters or operating characteristics. As a result, different types of communication devices are permitted to coexist on the same physical spectrum. In other words, a communications device using, for example, spread spectrum modulation technologies require different operating characteristics than a communications device using, for example, time division multiplexing technologies.

Abstract: A supervisory communications device, such as a headend device within a cable communications network, monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote communications devices, such as cable modems, throughout a widely distributed network, including the Internet. The supervisory device establishes the upstream slot structure and allocates upstream bandwidth by sending UCD and MAP messages over its downstream channel. The supervisory device also uses the MAP messages and minislot counts to anticipate bursts from the remote devices. Dual registers are provided within the supervisory device to generate minislot counts. A primary register generates minislot counts for a current slot structure, and a secondary register generates minislot counts for a revised slot structure. Software executed on the supervisory device determines a switchover time for changing to the revised slot structure and revised minislot count.

Abstract: A supervisory communications device, such as a headend device within a cable communications network, monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote communications devices, such as cable modems, throughout a widely distributed network. The supervisory device allocates bandwidth on the upstream channels by sending MAP messages over its downstream channel. A master-slave interface permits a second supervisory device to be connected to increase the number of available upstream channels. When one device operates as the slave device to the other, the slave device is programmable to select MAP messages from either of the master device or the slave device. A primary filter and a slave filter are provided to specify which downstream channel(s) has the authority to issue MAP messages for each available upstream channel. The filters utilizes registers to authenticate the source of the MAP messages.