Method and apparatus for implementing a MAC coprocessor in a communication system
US6459687B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W28/20
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a novel method and system for efficiently synchronizing, transmitting, and receiving data between a base station and a plurality of customer premises. A MAC coprocessor (MCP) is implemented, which works in conjunction with the MAC in order to produce a robust, high throughput communication system. The MAC coprocessor performs many of the tasks typically performed by prior art MAC's, including: during a downlink, storing a data frame, sorting the data frame according to modulation type or other criteria, determining when the data frame is full, and appending a set of CPE settings to the data frame. During an uplink, the MAC coprocessor receives all data and routes the data either to the MAC or a network backhaul. A MAC coprocessor may be used in both the base station and Customer Premises. In both the downlink and uplink processes, having a MAC coprocessor working in conjunction with the MAC may significantly increase the communication system's throughput.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.