Patent ID: 7848357
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: H04J,H04N,H04W

Abstract:
1. In a point to multi-point share-media network, a method of media access control (MAC) for a modem termination system (MTS) to communicate with a plurality of modems over a set of downstream and upstream channels, wherein each of said channels having a unique carrier frequency, comprising steps of: (a). said MTS designating a MAC domain comprising said set of downstream and upstream channels, in which a primary downstream channel and a primary upstream channel being chosen from said set of downstream and upstream channels for MAC message exchanges between said MTS and said modems; (b). said MTS establishing synchronization with said modems by broadcasting first MAC messages via said primary downstream channel; (c). said MTS establishing said MAC domain with said modems by broadcasting second MAC messages via said primary downstream channel; (d). said MTS calibrating upstream transmission parameters for each of said modems for at least said primary upstream channel by third MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel; (e). said MTS registering each of said modems by fourth MAC message exchanges via said primary upstream channel and said primary downstream channel; (f). said MTS transmitting to said modems in a downstream MAC message an allocation of a plurality of contention request time slots; (g). said MTS receiving successfully a bandwidth request in an upstream MAC message transmitted by said modem in one of said time slots; (h). said MTS transmitting a bandwidth grant in a downstream MAC message to said modem to transmit a number of bytes, starting at a specified time and at a periodic time interval thereafter, with a specified burst profile, in a specified upstream channel; (i). said modem start transmitting said number of bytes, starting at said specified time and at said period time interval thereafter, with said specified burst profile, in said specified upstream channel.