Method for scheduling upstream communications
US7333495B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/6494
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.