Patent ID: 7769046
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for enabling communication between a first physical layer device and a first media access control (MAC) layer device in an access network, the method comprising: receiving, at the first MAC layer device, a plurality of data block messages originating from the first physical layer device, the plurality of data block messages including information generated by the first physical layer device using information obtained from a first data parcel received at the first physical layer device; wherein each of the plurality of data block messages includes a header portion and a payload portion; the header portion including a block type parameter usable for specifying a type of data block message; the header portion further including a block length parameter usable for specifying a length of the payload portion; wherein the plurality of data block messages includes a CHANNEL data block message; the CHANNEL data block message including information relating to a specific Channel ID associated with a particular upstream channel used to transport the first data parcel from a cable modem to the first physical layer device.