WO2001080030A1 - Systeme et procedes destines a des communications de reseau domestique - Google Patents

Systeme et procedes destines a des communications de reseau domestique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001080030A1
WO2001080030A1 PCT/US2000/010270 US0010270W WO0180030A1 WO 2001080030 A1 WO2001080030 A1 WO 2001080030A1 US 0010270 W US0010270 W US 0010270W WO 0180030 A1 WO0180030 A1 WO 0180030A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
home
network
communication system
cable
networking
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PCT/US2000/010270
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English (en)
Inventor
Mati Amit
Original Assignee
Texas Instruments Incorporated
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Priority to PCT/US2000/010270 priority Critical patent/WO2001080030A1/fr
Publication of WO2001080030A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001080030A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/65—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems for broadcast
    • H04H20/76—Wired systems
    • H04H20/77—Wired systems using carrier waves
    • H04H20/78—CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/53—Arrangements specially adapted for specific applications, e.g. for traffic information or for mobile receivers
    • H04H20/61—Arrangements specially adapted for specific applications, e.g. for traffic information or for mobile receivers for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
    • H04H20/63—Arrangements specially adapted for specific applications, e.g. for traffic information or for mobile receivers for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2801—Broadband local area networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2838—Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
    • H04N21/222—Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end
    • H04N21/2221—Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end being a cable television head-end
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H04N21/42676—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/43615—Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/4363—Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/438—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving encoded video stream packets from an IP network
    • H04N21/4382—Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6106—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6118—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/10—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
    • H04N7/106—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable for domestic distribution
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/2847—Home automation networks characterised by the type of home appliance used
    • H04L2012/2849—Audio/video appliances

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to communications systems, and more particularly, to system and methods for home network communications.
  • Home networking is a key technology for the evolving home infotainment market, and it is expected to become a very large market by itself within the next decade.
  • Home networks will connect between computing devices (personal computers, palm computers, network computers, etc.), entertainment devices (TV, VCR, DVD player, video camera, audio systems, etc.), I O devices (printer, scanner, headsets, keyboards, remote controls, mouse, loud-speakers, etc.), home appliances, and modems (such as cable modems, DSL modems, and PSTN modems) that connect the home outsides.
  • the home network will enable a wide range of application such as internet sharing, peripheral sharing, file and application sharing, and home automation.
  • the home network will distribute the computation power of the computer from the study room to the living rooms.
  • HomePNA Existing Telephone wiring
  • Wireless technologies Short-range wireless; Bluetooth; HomeRF; IEEE 802.11 technologies provide several megabits of throughput; however, their effectiveness can vary, depending on the size of the house, the proximity of other wireless networks, and other sources of noise.
  • the IEEE 1394 (i.LINK) standard defines a serial interface between digital devices. This inexpensive, easy-to-use and high-speed bus handles multimedia bandwidth requirements and provides a universal interface for a variety of devices. By allowing seamless data exchange between devices such as workstations, personal computers and digital televisions, VCRs, camcorders and set-top boxes, it enables a new generation of computers and consumer electronic devices to operate in a common environment.
  • IEEE 1394 offers bi-directionality, high data transfer rates and isochronous data transfers. This fire-wire technology required special wires.
  • TV wiring that consist of coaxial cables are used to connect the antenna/cable TV output, typically via passive splitters, to the cable outlets at specific points in the home.
  • Typical home TV wiring scenarios are depicted in Figure 1.
  • the signals transmitted over the in-home coaxial TV wiring may include regular video channels, data channels for fast Internet access (using e.g., DOCSIS cable modem), voice channels for telephony over cable, pay-per-view, control signals and more.
  • regular video channels data channels for fast Internet access (using e.g., DOCSIS cable modem)
  • voice channels for telephony over cable
  • pay-per-view control signals and more.
  • a cable modem could be used to connect any type of home networking system to external (out of the home) networks, such as the Internet.
  • a home networking solution may also be built at a home that does not connect to the cable infrastructure (i.e. a home that is connected to a standard home antenna, a satellite dish, another access network (xDSL), or a wireless local loop).
  • the cable infrastructure i.e. a home that is connected to a standard home antenna, a satellite dish, another access network (xDSL), or a wireless local loop.
  • the present invention provides a system and methods for communication between subscribers' devices over cable infrastructure designed to carry video signals, using pass-band frequency bands, without transmission through a CATV headend device.
  • a particular application of this system and method is home networking over coaxial TV cables.
  • the disclosed system will allow very high-speed digital and analog communications within the home and from the home to external devices or networks using low cost devices.
  • the present invention provides home networking solutions that utilize in-home TV wiring for supplying high rate connectivity between any two home networking nodes.
  • the present invention does not load the city cable TV (CATV) network.
  • CATV city cable TV
  • coax cables to either a municipal CATV network or a TV antenna.
  • This coax cable is an excellent communication medium, as it has a high bandwidth and it is shielded to avoid noise.
  • the present invention provides a method and system which allows home networking over these coax cables, allowing for very high data rates and a low cost implementation.
  • Home Cable Network (HomeCN) is used herein for the system of the present invention.
  • a CATV infrastructure is utilized for communication between a subscribers' devices (e.g. cable modem) and a headend, thus, two subscribers' devices can communicate via the headend.
  • the system and method of the present invention is based on direct communications between two subscribers' devices, without transferring the data via a headend, and thus allows for high data rates between units in a home without reducing the capacity of the regional CATV network.
  • coaxial cables have been used for local area networks (LAN) and for analog communications.
  • the system and method of the present invention is designed for cable networks that carry video, or other information, from a headend or an antenna, and thus it is different from prior art LAN over coaxial cables.
  • the method employs a new digital modulation scheme based on pass-band RF signaling, which is fundamentally different than prior art LAN and analog modulation over coaxial cables.
  • the present invention enables installation of modems, connected to different types of nodes of the
  • the present invention provides a way to transfer data between these nodes, when the data is not required to be transferred to the headend.
  • the present invention provides a low cost solution, which is very importance to enable a solution for the mass market.
  • Subscribers' devices may communicate directly (not via the headend) using RF signaling over the coax cable. These signals will typically propagate between the devices via reflections from other devices in the line, e.g. splitters or amplifiers in the line.
  • the HomeCN is done in an out-of-band frequency (i.e. band that is not in use, e.g. above 860 MHz), or in part of the downstream band (e.g., within the range of 100-860 MHz) which is allocated (e.g. by the cable operator) for home networking applications.
  • an out-of-band frequency i.e. band that is not in use, e.g. above 860 MHz
  • the downstream band e.g., within the range of 100-860 MHz
  • the cable operator e.g. by the cable operator
  • the frequency re-use can be improved by adding filters within the signal path in the local or regional CATV network.
  • the quality of the signal transmitted by one subscriber device to another subscriber device can be further improved by deliberately using splitters with high reflections.
  • the home devices may also be capable of connecting to the headend, e.g. operate as a DOCSIS or
  • DVB cable modem or set-top box either simultaneously with connecting to other devices in the home, or in an alternative mode in which a devices switches between cable modem functionality and connecting to the other in home devices.
  • Parts of the device that are capable of connecting to a headend can be used for both home networking and for cable modem functionality, thus reducing the implementation cost of the home networking functionality.
  • An architecture is proposed in which the home network includes onlv one device, which can operate both as a cable modem and as a home-networking device. In this architecture, all the other devices can communicate only over the home network, and if one of these devices need to communicate outside the home, it is communicating via the device with the cable modem functionality. Other devices that have home networking and cable modem functionality may also handle a direct connection.
  • the home networking functionality will be implemented in cable modems, and particularly in host-based cable modems, which are installed in personal computers and are using the processor of the personal computer to perform some of the functionality of the cable modem and the home cable networking. More generally, the home networking devices will be installed in various kinds of devices that employ general purpose computers (such as a laptop computer, a network computer, a TV, a DVD device, or even certain cellular phones), and use their general purpose processors to perform home networking functionality, thus reducing the implementation cost of the home networking functionality.
  • general purpose computers such as a laptop computer, a network computer, a TV, a DVD device, or even certain cellular phones
  • each home device addresses the headend, and the headend is assigning carrier frequency, and bandwidth to each home network, and maximum power levels to each device on the home network.
  • the specific power level is assigned by the home networking devices that exist in each specific sub-network.
  • the devices search for a non occupied frequency sub-band within a band that is pre-assigned for home networking, and once such a sub-band is found they use it for their needs.
  • a home CN device is initialized it is trying to "join its home network", that is trying to communicate with other devices in the same home and adopt their frequency band and protocol.
  • the devices that share a home network are based on the IEEE 802.11 MAC layer.
  • This protocol is in common use and is a collision avoidance multiple access protocol that supports priorities.
  • the splitter at the input to the user premises is replaced by a special splitter device that supplies higher quality home networking capabilities or a filter is connected to the splitter.
  • a passive filter connected to the splitter insures that the home networking signals in a specific home will not interfere with or be interfered by other home networks.
  • This passive filter provides a "single home" operational mode that allows for low cost equipment and frequency re-use.
  • a home network splitter that supplies less isolation between the home drops and includes the filter inside is also provided. This home network splitter provides better performance for the home network.
  • An active device receives signals from a TV antenna or a regional CATV network and receives signals from subscribers' devices via the home coax lines, and functions as a repeater for communications signals between subscribers' devices as well as between subscribers' devices to a headend (in case the home is connected to a regional CATV network), while still allowing transparent transition of video signals from the TV antenna or the regional CATV network into the home.
  • the home coax network is connecting portions of the home (e.g. rooms or floors), and its terminals have inputs and outputs for wireless connections within these portions.
  • home CN devices have an interface to another communication link, such as IEEE 1394 link (I.LINK), thus the home coax network is used to extend the range of the other link.
  • I.LINK IEEE 1394 link
  • home CN devices have an interface to another communication link, such as Bluetooth, thus the home coax network is used to extend the range of Bluetooth coverage by supplying pico-cells that are connected between themselves and cover the required home area.
  • another communication link such as Bluetooth
  • the home devices may have a fallback option of communicating via a regional CATV headend.
  • the data transmitted in the coax home network may be secured (i.e. encrypted)
  • a "home network” means a local network; it does not necessarily have to be in a home. For example, it may be in an office, or in a complex that contains several homes (e.g. an apartment building).
  • Figure 1 shows a home that has four nodes inside the home and is connected to a regional CATV plant
  • Figure 2 shows an example of a preferred embodiment of the home network method and system connected to a regional CATV plant
  • Figure 3 shows an example of the present invention, not connected to a CATV
  • Figure 4 shows an example of HomeCN with a hub
  • Figure 5 presents a frequency allocation that may be employed by the present invention
  • FIG. 6 shows an HFC infrastructure
  • Figure 7 shows a network with a notch filter
  • Figure 8 shows HCNM interfaces
  • FIG. 9 shows representative HCN data flows
  • Figure 10 shows a power supply
  • Figure 11 shows a dual frequency architecture
  • Figure 12 shows dual frequency components
  • Figure 13 shows layer 2 transport
  • Figure 14 shows a Bluetooth home network
  • Figure 15 shows neighborhood wiring
  • Figure 16 shows building wiring
  • FIG. 17 and Figure 18 show home wirings
  • Figure 19 and Figure 20 depict examples of an HCNM and HNCU.
  • Figure 1 presents the structure of the existing regional CATV network.
  • the typical home coaxial cable infrastructure is consists of a Cable Source [101] which is connected to the home Splitter [102] (the home splitter might be Customer Premises Equipment - CPE). Some wires connect the interfaces at home to the splitter.
  • the components that can connect to the network are TV [103], VCR [104] that is connected to TV.
  • Cable Modems e.g. DOCSIS CM
  • Cable Telephone Device that connects some phones via the cable infrastructure (e.g. using VoIP protocol over DOCSIS channel).
  • An amplifier [107] can be added in the entrance of the home / house to increase the signal power. (If CM equipment exists at home, this amplifier should be bi-directional amplifier. That amplifies the signal to home side (DS) in the 100MHz-860MHz frequency range, and amplifies the signal to the headend side (US) in the 5MHz-44MHz frequency range).
  • DS home side
  • US headend side
  • This sub-component is a part of specific equipment (e.g. PC, TV, DVD) [204,205].
  • HCNU Home Cable Networking Unit
  • This component is a separate unit that contains one or more interfaces to the home equipment (e.g. lOBaseT, USB, wireless). This component does bridging or routing between the HCN to the other interfaces (networks) [207,212].
  • a component that include HCN-U and cabal modem e.g. DOCSIS cable modem.
  • This component supplies a connection to the Home Cable Networking, and a connection to the cabal headend.
  • This component is usually a separate unit that also contains one or more other interfaces (e.g. lOBaseT, USB, wireless).
  • This component does routing between the HCN network , the cable network and the other interfaces networks [206].
  • Figure 2 shows an example of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed method and system.
  • FIG. 2 shows a Home Cable networking (HomeCN/HCN) that has 5 nodes [204-207, 212] of the CATV network, and it is connected to the regional CATV plants via cable [201].
  • Notch filter [202] is a band reject filter that does not pass a certain RF range that is used by the home networking devices [204- 207, 212] This filter improves the isolation between the home network and other homes as well as the regional network. However, the use of such a filter is optional, as we believe that the disclosed system and method is functional with the isolation levels of the CATV network without the additional notch filtering [202].
  • RF splitter [203] splits the signal coming from and to the regional CATV plant [201], to the signals coming to and from units [204-207, 212] respectively.
  • the Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) [204] and TV set [205] include Home Cable Networking Interface (HCNI) devices.
  • the Personal Computer (PC) [208] is connected to a Home Networking Cable Modem (HNCM) device [206] (That supplies the Home Networking functionality and the Cable Modem functionality).
  • the HCNM is also connected to a phone [215] and supplies the VoIP functionality.
  • a PC that includes HCNI can be connected directly to the HCN.
  • the HCNU + wireless units [207, 212] are connected to the CATV and has a wireless output (e.g. Bluetooth, HomeRF or infra-red) which connects to devices within the vicinity of the device [207], such as wireless telephone unit [209, 213], and a notebook computer [210]).
  • the HCNU devices are capable of transmitting and receiving digital communications signals between them. These signals propagate in the CATV wires and are reflected by the RF splitter [203].
  • the HCNM device is further capable of operating as a DOCSIS cable modem and communicating with a headend of a regional CATV plant [201].
  • the HNCI's, the HCNU's and the HNCM are using Home Cable Network Protocol HCNP.
  • the HomeCN can also be used to supply full home coverage by the Bluetooth network. To enable this coverage some HCNU + Bluetooth components that are connected to HomeCN should be exist in the home [207, 212]. The person that is travel between the rooms with his wireless phone [209, 213] or with his notebook computer [210] can be connected to the appropriate Bluetooth station in the home. We note that the method and system will still be capable to perform home networking if the home coaxial wiring is not connected to a regional CAT plant [201], but connected to TV antenna, or even disconnected. However, in such cases the home network will not allow the capability of connecting the home outside through the CATV, as done by the HMCM unit [206].
  • the HomeCN operation modes are determined according to the existence / not existence of notch filter at the home entrance (see figure 2 [202]).
  • the notch filter in the entrance of the home is a one of the basic element in the home network design. If this notch filter exists the HomeCN is disconnected from the regional cable network, therefore it design is more simple (single home network). When this filter not exists the home network is part of the regional network, therefore it design is more complicated, and some additional functionality is required.
  • the HomeCN supports two operation modes:
  • This mode required a Notch filter, or an amplifier that usually supplies similar functionality, or it can be operated in a system that does not connected to the CATV planet.
  • Connected Home operation mode This mode does not require a Notch Filter. This mode is more complex and additional functionality. Following some functionality that are required in the Connected Home operation mode: Wider frequency operation, frequency selection (FDM), multiple bandwidth, privacy, capability to be managed by the headend.
  • FDM frequency selection
  • the notch filter can be passive component or an active component.
  • An active component that also has management can supply some additional functionality.
  • Example to important functionality is answer to the quarry "Is notch filter exist". This quarry can be used by the HCNP to verify the type of operating mode that should be handled if the components supply the two modes.
  • Notch filter adding to the home network design usually reduces the price and increase the performance of the home networking.
  • the default operation mode is Single Home.
  • the management system configures the components to the appropriate mode after initialization.
  • Figure 3 presents a Home Networking network that exist at a house that does not connected to the
  • Figure 4 presents HomeCN with a local cable hub.
  • a Local Cable HUB [401] connects the HCNUs and the HCNIs. This system is operates in Single Home operational mode.
  • Figure 5 presents a typical channel allocation. This figure is suitable for example to system that supply TV channels, DOCSIS CM (US and DS), and HomeCN channels.
  • some of the HomeCN channels have a different width.
  • HomeCN components that are work in the single home operation mode (reduced mode) are always using the 900-906.25MHz channel. These components do not support the frequency selection capability, and different channel bandwidth capability.
  • the HomeCN-P is defined by specifying the two lower communication layers: the physical layer and the data link layer.
  • the preferred frequency and the preferred frequency range (bandwidth) are selected according to the operational mode.
  • the modulation method is QPSK, QAM 16, QAM 64 or QAM 256 according to the channel conditions, and according to the equipment capabilities.
  • the modulator of the home networking device MUST provide QPSK and QAM 16.
  • the modulator of the home networking device MAY provide QAM 64 and QAM 256.
  • the modulator MUST provide 2,560 ksym sec.
  • the modulator MAY provide 160, 320, 640, 1,280, and 5,120 ksym/sec.
  • FEC Forward Error Correction
  • R-S Seed Salomon
  • the Channel Allocation method is FDM - a specific frequency for each home network.
  • the frequency plan is done only in connected home operational mode. In this case it done by the management system.
  • the structure of the HFC is important for understanding the home networking when the system is in Connected Home operation mode. This structure is used for enabling frequency reuse.
  • the HFC system usually contains the following components (see figure 6):
  • CMTS Headend
  • the cabinets include fiber to coax converters (O-E).
  • the splitters are divided into two types: Active splitters that usually include the amplifier inside, and passive splitters, that usually only divide the power between the different ports.
  • the active splitters are usually used close to the CMTS (headend) side.
  • the passive splitters are usually used in the house entrance and in the flats (near to the home end equipment).
  • the Attenuation and Isolation are used for two major subjects:
  • the HFC infrastructure is similar to a tree. This tree build with connection points that supplies isolation between the sub-trees.
  • the components that are exist in the network e.g. Amplifiers, splitters, and filters
  • supplies attenuation of the signal except the amplifier that supply amplifying (only if it was designed to amplify the required frequency in this direction). This attenuation is also can be used for isolation between the sub-trees.
  • the key element for efficient frequency allocation to the HomeCN is frequency reuse.
  • branches' is defined as sub-networks that can use any home networking frequency without interference another sub-network that exist in another 'branch' and reuse the same home networking frequency.
  • the cable network can be divided to 'branches' because the tree structure supplies attenuation between its branches.
  • the attenuation is granted by the coaxial cables and by components that include filters. Some of the splitters also and provide good isolation between the sub networks that are connected to these components.
  • the HomeCN is based on FDM (see HomeCN protocol), therefore each home gets its own frequency range. The ability to supply reasonable frequency range for each home is based on the network infrastructure and on the ability to reuse the after dividing the network to 'brunches'.
  • the size of the 'branches' can be reduced by adding filters.
  • These filters enable increasing of the frequency reuse.
  • These filters are usually passive filters that are relatively small and can be added easily by the cable operator, or by the user at the home entrance. This mechanism of adding low cost filters at the entrance of a home / flat enables a single home / flat branch, and enables the Single Home operation mode.
  • the frequency resources are limited. To increase the frequency resources one (or more) of the following methods can be used:
  • Frequency Reuse Enabling simultaneous usage of the same frequency by some customers.
  • the 'branches' method is a method to support the isolation of customers group. This method enables reusing of the same frequency in separate groups. This method uses the attenuation characteristic of the existing components. The disadvantage of this method is the management complexity. The operator should be aware to its physical infrastructure attenuation characteristic.
  • Attenuation / Isolation calculations can be done by adding the attenuation of each component and the attenuation of the wire in the required pass and in the required direction.
  • table (table 1) presents the typical attenuation of the basic components.
  • the loss between two modems that required to pass amplifier is more then 60dB, because the amplifier contains filter for these frequencies for the up stream direction.
  • the capability to calculate the attenuation between two different flats is important for enabling efficient frequency reuse.
  • the cable operator should do the calculation of the "branches". The calculation of the 'branches' can be done by the following methods:
  • This equipment will usually be used to enable the cable operator to define the rules according to its own infrastructure.
  • This mode contains the following base features:
  • the algorithm is based on the structure of the cable infrastructure.
  • a tree data structure is built in the computer memory. This data structure represents the existing infrastructure.
  • the tree is built according to the following rules:
  • Tree nodes are the splitters (the splitters can be active or passive). The splitter capability to isolate between two sub-trees is saved as data in these nodes.
  • the leaves are the CM, HCNM or HNO.
  • the main process is to build the topology database. This process can be done by the following methods:
  • the base idea in automatic tree building is to calculate the isolation between two leaves. If the some leaves have similar isolation between themselves they can be connected to the same nodes. If there are two leaves with the same isolation, and an additional leave that has a higher isolation this leave connect to the previous two leaves using additional higher level node. After building the topology database, it is required to verify that the nodes contain the isolation values. These values are usually loaded in the previous stage, but if this information was not entered, the system can used the Branch Calculation Mode to find the isolation of the nodes.
  • This 'branch' specification is based on the data structure that was built.
  • a 'branch' is defined by specifying a threshold of the minimal isolation between this 'branch' to the other 'branches'.
  • the isolation value in the tree nodes or in summary of some layers that does not include leaves
  • the specified threshold all the nodes that are member in the specified sub-tree will be defined as nodes in a specific 'branch'.
  • notch filter should be added.
  • This filter can be added in the following points:
  • the advantage of this method is the ability of the end user to add the filter by himself.
  • the attenuation between two points at home (and the range of these values when there are more then two points) dedicates the quality of the equipment that should be use for HomeCN.
  • This "hidden nodes” might exist when the isolation difference between two different nodes is different then the isolation between other two nodes. This problem is usually exist in a home that contains some splitters and a notch filter does not exist. i.e. if there are some HCNU the attenuation between two of them might be low, and between each one of them to the 3 rd might be high. e.g. figure 7: the communication between 703 and 704 might be 'hidden' from 701 in particular when the notch filter [707] does not exist.
  • the reflection from the notch filter is in the power of the signal or it might be higer. When this reflection is higher then the signal we can use this reflection as our main signal.
  • the CSMA/CA can be used with or without ACK protocol.
  • the need for immediate ACK should be verified according to the quality of the infrastructure.
  • the security is only required in Connected Home operational mode.
  • the security that is required in this protocol is the base on IEEE 802.11 or on line privacy plus.
  • the management of the security keys can be done by the CMTS.
  • the priority is integrated in Layer two MAC.
  • a HCNM has at least two physical interfaces.
  • This single physical interface contain two data channels (that use different frequencies):
  • the cable modem channel (e.g. DOCSIS), containing two sub-channels: up stream channel (US) and down stream (DS) channel.
  • US up stream channel
  • DS down stream
  • the Home Networking channel (a single channel that is used for sending and receiving mformation).
  • the home interface might be a single interface or it might contain some interfaces. This / these interface(s) are connected to the equipment at home. This / these interface(s) can be Ethernet (10/100/lG BaseT) (or some Ethernet ports), USB, Phone connection, Bluetooth, wireless, or other.
  • Ethernet (10/100/lG BaseT) (or some Ethernet ports), USB, Phone connection, Bluetooth, wireless, or other.
  • the HCNU and the HCNI components do not contain the Cable Modem Channel. Except HCNI that designed as host-based, i.e. a card that inserted into the PC and connected to the PCI bus, in this special case it might implement the HCNM functionality.
  • the HCNM gets the information from these channels/interfaces simultaneously.
  • the HCNM bridges messages between the home interface to these cable channels and vice versa.
  • Figure 9 presents some example of data flow.
  • Ex.l and Ex.2 Message from the Cable headend to component no. 1 or component on. 2; and the returned response. These examples are present a standard cable modem protocol.
  • Ex.3 and Ex.4 Message from the one component in the home network to another component in the home- network (1 to 3; 3 to 4) and response.
  • the messages form the home equipment is transferred to the splitter, the splitter distributes the energy to the Cable In connector, and to the other output connectors that are connected to the splitter.
  • the destination-component gets the message and returns the response.
  • Ex.5 Message from the Cable headend to component 3 through component 1 (that was specified as the front router of the components that exist only in the home networking). The message is arrived to HNCM no. 1, it identifies the destination and its duty as router, and it routs the messages to HCNU no. 3. The response is transferred in the opposite way. (Note: if HNCM no.1 fails, HNCM no.2 can be configured to take its duty automatically).
  • the purpose of the home networking system is to transport Internet Protocol (IP) traffic through the HomeCN system.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • the Network Layer protocol is the IP [RFC-791].
  • the home networking management can be done by two methods:
  • This option can be done when the house is not connected to the cable infrastructure, or when the house has isolation (for the home networking frequency) from the cable network and the headend does not support the home networking management capability.
  • Local management might not include all the capabilities that the central management supports.
  • This option is the preferred method for connected home operational mode.
  • This method used the standard cable modem interface (e.g. DOCSIS interface).
  • the configurations of the HCNU and HCNI can be done by the headend via HCNM routing capabilities.
  • the central power supply is a special HomeCN splitter that contains inside the following sub units: Notch filter, a passive splitter, and a power supply that enable units to gets its power from the home cable infrastructure (see figure 10).
  • the present invention provides home networking solutions that utilize the in-home TV wiring, supplying high rate connectivity between any two home networking nodes.
  • the presented solution does not load the city cable TV (CATV) network.
  • CATV city cable TV
  • the present invention enables installation of modems, connected to different types of nodes of the CATV; to enable communication between these nodes.
  • the present invention presents solution of transferring the data between these nodes, when the The present invention presents a low cost solution, which is very importance to enable solution to the mass market.
  • LANs Local Area Networks
  • the major driving force behind creating new home connectivity products is the growing number of homes with two or more PCs.
  • the present invention seeks to provide system and apparatus for designing home networking over the in-home TV wiring, used to connect the antenna or the cable TV to the TV sets in the home.
  • Sharing simultaneous access to the Internet is a major driving factor for home networking.
  • Home networks can deliver significant savings and greater utility by enabling shared access to a single Internet connection. The need for this shared access will grow as today's 28.8K, 33.6K, and 56K analog connections are replaced by higher-speed "always-on" connections such as cable modem, Universal ADSL, ADSL, or satellite. Standardizing on a high-speed local-area home network interface insulates installed home networked devices from changes in Internet access technologies.
  • a ubiquitous, easy-to-install home network will also foster home automation applications, such as environmental control and security systems.
  • New digital voice and video services are being introduced into the home. All these digital services — whether data, voice, or video — need to be accessible anywhere in the home by any device. All digital devices, including PCs, digital televisions, and digital telephones, will require a high-speed connection to the home network.
  • the network data must remain private; it must not be accessible to neighbors or anyone outside the home.
  • the home networking equipment coexists with the other services on the cable network.
  • the other services on the cable network In particular,
  • each home will include more than a single CM. It is required that the cable headend will support the increased amount of CM's.
  • DOCSIS protocol can support high quantity of CM's (up to 8,000 CM's for a MAC chip) in particular DOCSIS 1.1.
  • the Home Networking is required to supply a scaleable bandwidth range (lOOKb-lOMb and more).
  • the number of nodes that are connected to the home network should not be limited by the presented solution.
  • the only limitation should be the identification method in layer two (e.g. the limitation of using MAC address).
  • connection method and the connection rate from home to the Internet using any technology should not be influenced by the home networking technology.
  • the only difference may be the ability to use this Internet connection for central management.
  • Ethernet protocol as a home networking protocol, complies with this requirement. It does not create any limitations to the protocol that is used for connecting the home to the Internet.
  • the HomePNA is a home networking protocol that adds limitations and does not comply with this requirement.
  • HomePNA enables the G.Lite protocol to be used for connecting the home to the Internet, but it does not enable the use of ADSL (10Mbps) or VDSL protocols because it uses the same medium
  • the network data can remain private; the information can not be accessible to neighbors or anyone outside the home.
  • the networking capability grows with user applications without making the existing devices obsolete.
  • Total isolation from the home network to the cable infrastructure (filters) can be added, although it is not required.
  • the two-frequency mode is existing to eliminate the echo problem that exists in some of the homes in the single frequency mode.
  • the method is transmitting the information is a specific frequency range (e.g. 900- 906 MHz) and receiving the information in a different frequency range (e.g. 910-916 MHz).
  • a specific frequency range e.g. 900- 906 MHz
  • a different frequency range e.g. 910-916 MHz
  • the Transponder module In the Dual Frequencies Mode the Transponder module is required to be added in the entrance to the home.
  • the signal from HCNU-2 is transferred to the transponder module.
  • the transponder module changes the signal frequency from the US frequency to the DS frequency and transmits it to the home.
  • the HCNU-3 received this signal with no echo.
  • the transponder is a simple one that translates the input frequency to another, whether if it is with an up and down conversion or other technique such as conversion to baseband and back.
  • the HCNU can support the two modes, and according to the configuration the operation mode will be specified.
  • the configuration can be done manually or automatically by verifying is the transponder exits (by sending a signal in the US channel and verifying if the signal arrived in the DS channel). Therefore this module can be inserted in houses were there is a problem with reflection.
  • the transmission path has low insertion loss and negligible reflections.
  • the transponder module can be inserted with the notch filter and with an amplifier.
  • the HN module and transponder modules are:
  • the transponder can be powered down (even remote) and the system returns to the initial model, this ability maybe very important to the cable operator.
  • These applications are a group of applications that can be built on the same infrastructure. Transporting of variety classes of layer two protocols through the home cable infrastructure. These applications are based on home networking layer one that is described in this document, and used the specific application layer two.
  • the HomeCN-P is a protocol that includes layer one and two. There are two options to transfer different layer two over this infrastructure:
  • This system enables high rate connection between two points at home.
  • the system contains two Home Networking Bridges (HNB) that are connected through the home cable wiring, each one of them has the same layer two interface e.g. IEEE 1394.
  • HNB Home Networking Bridges
  • This structure enables information sending in very high rates (e.g. 40Mbps) for each direction.
  • This system does not required burst modulator / demodulator. It can use a "standard” one.
  • the Bluetooth technology is design to supply connectivity of components that are located in the same area.
  • the distance between the components should be less then 10 meters (This range probably does not include wall interference).
  • you build your home network, and your home is larger then a small flat. You need to connect component when the distance between them is larger then 10 meters.
  • the idea is to build a network at home that connects the Bluetooth sub-networks.
  • the Bluetooth CM can be very simple, and cost effective.
  • FIG. 5 present an example of network.
  • the HNO-Bluetooth can be a very simple component if the network is required to have at least one component of HCNM + Bluetooth that has the capability to manage the simple HNO-Bluetooth components.
  • Bluetooth-CM component is required to include the following: Tuner, CM-chip, Bluetooth-chip, and very small CPU (only is the CM-chip and the Bluetooth-chip does not contain CPU).
  • the installation procedure is going to be very simple, Just plug it to the cable interface, no other wire are required.
  • the BOM of this component is going to be very low.
  • the configuration for the specific frequency will be dome by the management system.
  • the calculation is based on the 'branch' calculation, because the process of frequency allocation is done separately in each "branch".
  • the home-network frequency-range is specified by the required home-networking bandwidth.
  • the required bandwidth is specified for each home-network separately.
  • the required home-network frequency-range to transfer 40Mbps is 6MHz.
  • the total frequency-range can be 40MHz.
  • the cable operator can decrease the bandwidth of its customers, or divide the network into smaller "branches".
  • each one of the flats can get 40MHz/16 - 2.5MHz home-networks frequency-range.
  • the operator can also divide the total frequency-range in other method, 4 flats will get 5MHz each, and the other 12 flats will get 1.6MHz each.
  • the preferred frequency range is higher then 860 MHz.
  • the modulation method should comply with the following requirements:
  • the selected modulations that comply with these requirements are QPSK and QAM.
  • the Channel Allocation method should be FDM - a specific frequency for each home network. This chapter describes the Design Considerations.
  • channel allocation There are some alternatives for channel allocation.
  • the mechanism of channel allocation should answer the problem that a sub-network ("brunch") usually contains some home networks.
  • the number of home networks that should use the same frequency range can be changed according to the physical layer condition i.e. according to the 'brunch' size.
  • the data link protocol should be the IEEE 802.11 MAC layer CSMA/CA.
  • the CSMA/CA can be used with or without ACK protocol.
  • the need for immediate ACK should be verified according to the quality of the infrastructure.
  • This method usually increases the robustness of the network, and does not require special addition of equipment.
  • This protocol is used today by many vendors, usually, in the wireless LAN equipment. Consider the fact that Bluetooth interface might be required to be exist on the HCNM / HCNU / HCNI components, it would be much simpler to support a single MAC protocol. This protocol also supports priority.
  • This protocol is not common, and it is very complex. Building a reduced version of this protocol can simplify the protocol, but it will not be a standard protocol.
  • the system security is done in layer two. This security can be based on to the following standards:
  • the preferred option is according to DOCSIS standard because:
  • the CMTS headend already manage this security. • The standard CM already contains these cores.
  • Cable modem protocols such as DOCSIS include this capability for services that require this capability e.g. VoIP.
  • Priority is required in the home-networking channel for applications that are required to be connected to the standard cable modem channel; but they are using the home networking as transport media.
  • the solution for these applications is to use HCNM and not HCNU / HCNI, and to use the cable modem channel directly.
  • Priority is required in the home-networking channel for applications at home.
  • CBR priority for transferring a video from the DVD reader to the digital TV on another floor, high priority for games, low priority for backup.
  • specifying the priority for the home networking can be handled in the 2 nd phase.
  • the folowing table compares between the different home networking solutions.
  • the 1 st chip is designed to be designed in "system on a chip" architecture.
  • the base chip should supports the Single Home operation mode to reduce the price. In addition it required supplying a Bluetooth interface. Following the components that should be exist on the chip: Burst receiver, Burst Transmitter,
  • 900MHz front end (bi-directional), MAC (based on 802.11) that supports the HomeCN and the Bluetooth, The Bluetooth interface, and CPU core (ARM).
  • the chip should support only specific the frequency of 900-906MHz and transmission rate of up to 30Mbps.
  • This chip might also include Bluetooth core.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Small-Scale Networks (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne la capacité d'utiliser des fils de télédistribution existants (201) en vue de créer un réseau domestique.
PCT/US2000/010270 2000-04-12 2000-04-12 Systeme et procedes destines a des communications de reseau domestique WO2001080030A1 (fr)

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