MaxLinear has been granted a patent for systems and methods that synchronize multiple channels in an access network without the need for a guard band or diplexer. The patent describes a platform that defines a Media Access Plan (MAP) cycle for each channel, divides it into upstream and downstream cycles, and synchronizes them to prevent simultaneous traffic. This allows for contiguous configuration of channels without inter-channel interference. Multiple customer premises equipment can operate on each channel. GlobalData’s report on MaxLinear gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on MaxLinear, Digital watermarking was a key innovation area identified from patents. MaxLinear's grant share as of September 2023 was 66%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Synchronized multi-channel access platform for access network synchronization
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11750241B2) describes a synchronized multi-channel access platform. The platform includes a host processor and multiple access network channels. The platform is designed to define a Media Access Plan (MAP) cycle for each access network channel and divide it into an upstream cycle and a downstream cycle. The key feature of this platform is the synchronization of the MAP cycles across all channels to ensure that upstream and downstream traffic does not occur simultaneously.
The synchronized MAP cycles consist of a repeating pattern that includes a regular MAP cycle and a longer MAP cycle. The length of the longer MAP cycle exceeds that of the regular MAP cycle. The platform achieves synchronization by defining an upstream to downstream cycle ratio for each cycle and determining the specific timing of the upstream and downstream cycles based on this ratio.
The platform is communicatively coupled to customer premises equipment (CPE), which is responsible for maintaining the transmit and receive state impedance during the entire upstream and downstream cycles, respectively. This ensures efficient transmission and reception of data.
To achieve synchronization, the platform includes multiple network controllers, each corresponding to a specific access network channel. These network controllers synchronize clock signals, channel timer counters, and beacon signals. The platform also enables CPE to gain admission to the access network by scanning for a beacon transmitted by the network controllers.
In addition, the platform provides a turnaround gap period, during which CPE can move from one access network channel to another. This period is free of any transmissions, allowing for seamless channel switching.
Overall, this synchronized multi-channel access platform offers improved efficiency and coordination in accessing multiple network channels. It ensures that upstream and downstream traffic is properly synchronized, allowing for smooth data transmission and reception. The platform's features, such as the repeating pattern of MAP cycles and the synchronization of network controllers and CPE, contribute to its effectiveness in managing multi-channel access.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
