Upstream physical interface for modular cable modem termination system
US7639617B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/2801
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A modular Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) includes a packet shelf operating a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Media Access Control (MAC) framer. One or more downstream Physical Interface (PHY) shelves receive DOCSIS data from the packet shelf over a packet switched network and modulate the DOCSIS data for sending on a downstream path of a cable plant. One or more upstream PHY shelves send DOCSIS data received from an upstream path of the cable plant over the packet switched network to the packet shelf. By separating the PHY components from the MAC and from the system software, the PHY components for a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) plant may be replaced with different PHY components for other access technologies such as wireless, Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), Ethernet-to-the-Home, Fiber-to-the-Home, or fiber Passive Optical Networks (PONs).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.