High-speed internet access system

Abstract

An asymmetric network system manages bandwidth allocation and configuration of remote devices in a broadband network. A modular architecture of the system permits independent scalability of upstream and downstream capacity separately for each of the upstream and downstream physical paths. Allocation of downstream bandwidth to requesting devices is made according to bandwidth utilization by other devices, bandwidth demand by the requesting remote device, class or grade of service by the requesting remote device or bandwidth guaranteed to other remote devices. Configuration parameters remotely managed by the network include device addresses (global and local), transmission credit values, upstream channel assignment and upstream transmit power level. Further, management of device configuration profiles and bandwidth allocation occurs through control and response packets respectively generated by the network and the remote devices according to network operating software located at both ends. Control packets include poll packets that request, among other things, demand for an upstream transmission. Configuration packets instruct remote devices to assume an operational state or return status or statistical data. Response packets transmitted by the remote devices provide information to the network operations center for control purposes or to confirm the state of operation of remote devices, including channel operating statistics, errors, noise, etc. in order to remove or reallocate assigned upstream channels. Downloadable network operating software enables the network operator to upgrade remote operating software or to reconfigure the response profile of the remote devices. Account administration and usage reports are also generated. IP or ATM encapsulation, as well as forward error correction and encryption, are employed in the broadband network which may include an RF, satellite and cable medium with or without a telephony or router return path.

1 . A two-way asymmetric communication system having independently scalable upstream and downstream paths that enable remote data processor devices to communicate with a server, said system comprising: 
 a common routing/switching backplane for providing intercommunication services among multiple communication devices;    an independent upstream controller in communication with the backplane operating in accordance with an upstream protocol for receiving information packets from the remote data processor devices;    an independent downstream controller in communication with the backplane for transmitting data and control packets to the remote data processor devices in accordance with a downstream protocol; and    a network manager in communication with the independent upstream and downstream controllers through the backplane for effecting management of two-way communications between the remote processor devices and the server, wherein the downstream controller applies encryption to packets transmitted on the downstream paths.    
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the encryption includes DES encryption.  
   
   
       3 . A two-way asymmetric communication system having independently scalable upstream and downstream paths that enable remote data processor devices to communicate with a server, said system comprising: 
 a common routing/switching backplane for providing intercommunication services among multiple communication devices;    an independent upstream controller in communication with the backplane operating in accordance with an upstream protocol for receiving information packets from the remote data processor devices;    an independent downstream controller in communication with the backplane for transmitting data and control packets to the remote data processor devices in accordance with a downstream protocol, the independent downstream controller being operative to transmit control packets to the remote data processor devices to obtain downstream channel quality information from the remote data processor devices; and    a network manager in communication with the independent upstream and downstream controllers through the backplane for effecting management of two-way communications between the remote processor devices and the server, wherein the network manager monitors downstream channel quality based on the downstream channel quality information received from the remote processor devices and automatically moves downstream communications to a standby downstream channel if the downstream channel quality is unacceptable.    
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the downstream channel quality information includes a packet error rate.  
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the packet error rate is determined based on a cyclic redundancy check.