HK1120955B - Ethernet system, ethernet transceiver and method for ethernet communication - Google Patents

Description

Ethernet system, Ethernet transceiver and Ethernet communication method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to baseband ethernet systems and methods, and more particularly, to elements, systems and methods for providing baseband ethernet communications over a point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel topology.

Background

Ethernet is a Local Area Network (LAN) technology that connects different computers together in a flexible network system. Ethernet communications generally refer to point-to-point communications in a multi-terminal network, namely: ethernet allows one terminal in the network to access another terminal in the network and vice versa.

The techniques used in building the infrastructure are generally known to the public and can be used in the building. For example, fig. 1 illustrates a typical multi-tenant unit (MTU) building 102, which provides well-known cable television (CATV) technology. Generally, MTU building 102 includes a basement 103 and a plurality of units 104 (e.g., units 1-M). The unit 104 may be an apartment, condominium, office, or the like. The cells 104 may be variously located on multiple floors (e.g., floors 1-N). For simplicity of illustration and explanation, fig. 1 shows only the basement 103, floors 1, 2 and N (including units 1-4, M-1 and M), and the remaining floors and units are similar in structure and function to those shown and are not described in detail. Each unit 104 may include a Television (TV) 106. The TV106 may include a simple connector that directly receives the input signal. Optionally, the TV106 may have a suitable signal converter box that decodes and/or descrambles the signal before it is input to the television receiver, as is well known in the art. The MTU102 transmits CATV over coaxial cable to multiple TVs 106 in different units 104 of the MTU building 102.

The coaxial cables 108 in the MTU building 102 are arranged in a tree-like, point-to-multipoint topology. In this topology, each cell 104 receives a branch 110, which is connected to a single (common) trunk 114 via a tap element 112. For simplicity of representation, only a single branch 110 and a single TV106 are shown per unit in fig. 1. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, each unit 104 may receive multiple tributary TVs 106. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, each unit 104 may receive multiple branches 110 for connection to multiple TVs, respectively. Alternatively, or in addition, the single branch 110 may include a splitter (not explicitly shown) to provide a common signal line for multiple televisions in the single unit 104. Trunk 114, in turn, connects the terminal to service provider portal 116 of MTU building 102. Trunk 114 may be any cable suitable for transmitting signals, such as 75 Ω RG-59. The trunk 114 further may include an optional bi-directional amplifier 118 located between the service provider portal 116 and the first tap element 112, and a terminating load 120 (e.g., ground resistance) remote from the service provider portal 116. The service provider portal 116, although it may be located anywhere in the MTU building 102, is conveniently located in the basement 103 of the MTU building 102 as shown in fig. 1. In this manner, the coaxial cable 108 transmits a common CATV signal output by a CATV signal source, such as a service provider portal 116 in the basement 103 of the MTU building 102, to the plurality of TVs 106 of the plurality of units 104 of the MTU building 102, respectively. Such single channel communication coax cables thus provide low cost transmission of common CATV signals output by a single signal source to multiple terminals/units.

Description of the related Art

The IEEE802.3 standard defines a carrier sense multiple access/collision detection (CSMA/CD) algorithm for shared media, commonly referred to as ethernet. IEEE802.3 defines a connection between two transmitter-receivers (wireless transceivers) through different media. For example: under the IEEE802.3 standard, the 10BASE5 standard (which defines the initial standard for CSMA/CD communications) defines an ethernet communications standard developed for thick coaxial cables; the 10BASE2 standard defines a subsequent standard developed for thin coaxial cables. Among the coaxial cables based on these standards, the coaxial cable is dedicated to transmitting one service-ethernet signals.

In subsequently developed standards under the IEEE802.3 standard, operation can be performed over twisted pair and fiber optic cables. These criteria include: the fiber-to-fiber Link between repeaters (FLOIRL) standard, the 10BROAD36 standard (broadband system), the 1BASE5 standard (1Mbps twisted pair system), the 10BASE-T standard (10Mbps twisted pair system), the 10BASE-F standard (fiber-based system), and the 10BASE-T, 10BASE-T2, 10BASE-T4, and 10BASE-X standards (twisted pair and fiber-optic systems operating at 100 Mbps). Under the IEEE802.3 standard, a number of standards have recently been developed, including the 1000BASE-X and 1000BASE-T standards (twisted pair and fiber optic systems operating at 1000 Mbps).

In ethernet point-to-point communication, one terminal (e.g., the originating terminal) is often referred to as the master and the other terminal is often referred to as the client or the slave. When the system runs, the master defines and sends a master clock (pulse signal) to the slave; in sending a response to the master, the slave synchronizes with the master by recovering the master clock sent by the master, also known as slave termination (or timing off). In a typical ethernet system, however, all terminals typically have the same priority, and each terminal may communicate point-to-point with multiple terminals in the network at a given time.

As described above, the recently developed IEEE802.3 standard defines a standard for ethernet communication over optical fibers or twisted pair wires, for example, 2 or 4 twisted pair wires; these mediums enable high-speed, full-duplex communication between the master and the slaves, namely: and bidirectional continuous communication is carried out between the master machine and the slave machine. In this manner, the transmission of any master or slave is typically sequential or synchronous.

Such as the coaxial cable shown in fig. 1, which provides only a single conductor channel in a tree-like, point-to-multipoint topology, which is generally incompatible with signaling in the IEEE802.3 standard. The tree-like, point-to-multipoint structure shown in fig. 1 provides a single communication channel shared by all users, namely: each user receives the broadcast common signal over a shared, single communication channel. In this example, the signal is broadcast unidirectionally downstream in a shared channel. In this way, signals can be broadcast from a single source to multiple terminals in succession-for example, CATV signals can be broadcast from a single source (service provider portal) over a coaxial cable to multiple television apparatus at different multiple units within an MTU building. The IEEE802.3 standard cannot be directly implemented on the cabling shown in fig. 1 for at least several reasons:

1) each terminal is isolated from the other through the high loss tap element and the presence/absence of communication traffic on the trunk cannot be reliably detected. For example: one tap element will have a 2dB loss of signal in the direction of the trunk 114 and a 30dB loss of signal in the trunk-branch connection.

2) Ethernet communication at over 10Mbps uses a continuous transmission protocol. If no data is present, the terminal typically transmits an idle signal. The idle signal of the non-transmitting terminal may interfere with the signal of the transmitting terminal.

3) CSMA/CD assumes that all terminals have the same priority. However, in the topology shown in fig. 1, the data rate required for the downstream transport ('to' terminal) is significantly higher than the data rate required for the upstream transport ('from' terminal). In particular, in existing applications, it is desirable to retain existing downstream transmission functionality and broadcast to all terminals (e.g., CATV) simultaneously.

Over the past few decades, many infrastructures have not incorporated the contemporaneous rapidly evolving ethernet technology. MTU buildings that do not house fiber or data grade twisted pair cables cannot be upgraded without significant investment in rewiring to use IEEE802.3 ethernet to interface broadband services to a number of different units. Therefore, there is a need for a simple ethernet upgrade for existing infrastructure.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for providing baseband ethernet communications over a point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel topology. In exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods for baseband coaxial Ethernet (EOC), e.g., existing CATV coaxial cable lines in a multi-tenant unit (MTU) building.

Still further aspects of the invention relate to a transmitter/receiver (transceiver), including a root transceiver (root-PHY) and an end transceiver (EP-PHY), for providing baseband ethernet communications by point-to-multipoint sharing of a single wire channel topology, such as CATV coax lines, and using the root-and EP-PHYs.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ethernet system including:

a single conductor channel line including a trunk and a plurality of branches; a plurality of nodes through the trunk, the plurality of legs connected to the trunk;

a single root transceiver (root-PHY) connected to an end of the trunk; and

a plurality of terminating wireless transceivers (EP-PHYs) respectively connected to one of the plurality of branches;

the root-PHY may receive a first signal output by an external signal source and transmit the first signal to each of the EP-PHYs via the single wire channel line; the root-PHY may receive a data signal, the data signal being transmitted upstream by a plurality of the EP-PHYs over the single wire channel line; said root-PHY may retransmit said data signal downstream over said single-wire channel line to said plurality of EP-PHYs; and

each of said EP-PHYs may receive said first signal transmitted downstream over said single wire channel line and transmit said first signal to a different external terminal device; each of said EP-PHYs further selectably communicates with any other EP-PHY of a plurality of said EP-PHYs that transmits data signals upstream over said single wire channel line to said root-PHY, which retransmits said data signals downstream over said single wire channel line to said plurality of EP-PHYs.

Preferably, the first signal is a cable television (CATV) signal.

Preferably, the first signal is a continuous signal.

Preferably, the data signal is a discontinuous signal.

Preferably, the first signal is transmitted in a first frequency range and the data signal is transmitted in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range.

Preferably, the root-PHY defines a master clock and signals the master clock upstream to the plurality of EP-PHYs over the line, wherein each EP-PHY recovers the master clock to synchronize with the root-PHY.

Preferably, the plurality of EP-PHYs each transmit a burst signal upstream to a root-PHY based on Time Domain Multiplexing (TDM).

Preferably, the plurality of EP-PHYs each transmit a burst signal upstream to the root-PHY on a round-robin basis.

Preferably, the root-PHY is further operable to transmit and receive data signals to and from an external network.

Preferably, the root-PHY further comprises a duplex filter that filters the first signal in a first frequency range and filters the data signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range;

the system further comprises a splitter to integrate the first signal and the data signal transmitted downstream through the trunk; and

each EP-PHY further comprises a duplex filter that filters the first signal in a first frequency range and filters the data signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range; (ii) a Each EP-PHY may receive an integrated first signal and data signal from the line and output the first signal to a different first output terminal and the data signal to an ethernet port.

Preferably, each EP-PHY may detect whether a grant has been obtained, allowing transmission over the line, and if not, cause a carrier sense (CRS) signal with respect to a Medium Access Control (MAC) to be active; if so, the CRS signal is disabled.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ethernet transceiver (root-PHY), comprising:

a single wire channel line input port;

a single wire channel line I/O port;

a first transmission module, which can receive a first signal output by an external signal source through the single wire channel line input port, and send the first signal to a plurality of external terminal transceivers (EP-PHYs) through an external single wire channel line via the single wire channel line I/O port; and

a second transmission module, configured to receive a data signal via the I/O port of the single wire channel line, where the data signal is transmitted upstream by a different EP-PHY of the plurality of external EP-PHYs via the external single wire channel line; and send the received data signal downstream to a plurality of external EP-PHYs via the external single wire channel line via the single wire channel line I/O port; the data signal indicates that the data signal is received by an external EP-PHY specified and selected by one of the plurality of external EP-PHYs.

Preferably, the root-PHY further comprises:

a network I/O port;

the second transmission module can further receive and send data signals through the network I/O port and an external network; which may receive the data signal and may transmit the data signal to the plurality of external EP-PHYs.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ethernet transceiver (EP-PHY) including:

a single wire channel line I/O port;

a single wire channel line output port;

a first module operable to receive a first signal via the single wire channel line I/O port, the first signal being transmitted downstream via an external root wireless transceiver (root-PHY) via an external single wire channel line; and outputs the first signal through the single wire channel line output port;

a second module that can transmit a data signal to the root-PHY upstream over the external single-wire channel line via the single-wire channel line I/O port, the data signal indicating a destination of data in the transmitted data signal; and further selectably receiving a data signal via said single wire channel line I/O port, said data signal being sent downstream by said root-PHY via said external single wire channel line; the received data signal represents data in the received data signal received and processed by the selected EP-PHY as a destination.

Preferably, the EP-PHY further comprises:

an Ethernet I/O port;

the second module is further operable to receive a data signal via the Ethernet I/O port; and transmitting a data signal to the external terminal device through the ethernet I/O port.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for point-to-point ethernet communications over a point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel topology, comprising the steps of:

sending an ethernet signal upstream from a terminal of said topology via said point-to-multipoint topology to a root of said topology;

sending the Ethernet signal downstream from the root of the Ethernet over the point-to-multipoint topology to all terminals of the topology; and

the ethernet signals received at all terminals are optionally processed only at designated terminals.

Preferably, the method further comprises: a code is included in the ethernet signal for designating a terminal in the topology for selectively processing the ethernet signal.

Preferably, the method further comprises: a code is included in a data packet of the data for designating a terminal in the topology to selectively process the ethernet signal.

Preferably, the method further comprises: and processing the Ethernet signals at the specified terminal of the topology, and sending the data in the Ethernet signals to an external user interface connected to the specified terminal.

Preferably, data is input as said ethernet signal at an external user interface; the external user interface is connected to the one terminal of the point-to-point topology.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

receiving an external media signal at a root of the point-to-multipoint topology;

sending said external media signal downstream from said root of said topology through said point-to-multipoint topology to all terminals of said topology; and

at a plurality of terminals of said topology, processing the media signals received at all terminals of said topology.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

receiving an external network signal at a root of the point-to-multipoint topology;

sending the external network signal to all terminals of the topology in a downstream manner from the root of the topology through the point-to-multipoint topology; and

optionally, the external network signals are processed at the root of the topology specified.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

and receiving an internet signal as the external network signal.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

sending an ethernet/network signal upstream from a terminal of said topology through said point-to-multipoint topology to said root of said topology; and

selectively transmitting the Ethernet/network signal from the root of the topology to an external network in accordance with the Ethernet/network signal.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

processing a code in an ethernet/network signal at the root of the topology and selectively transmitting the ethernet/network signal to the external network based on the code.

Drawings

The various advantages, aspects, novel features, and details of embodiments of the invention may be more completely understood with reference to the following description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-tenant building with coaxial cable television (CATV) lines arranged in a tree, point-to-multipoint topology;

fig. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a baseband ethernet system sharing a single wire channel line by point-to-multipoint;

fig. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary root-PHY architecture for the ethernet system shown in fig. 2;

fig. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary EP-PHY architecture for the ethernet system shown in fig. 2;

fig. 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for ethernet communications over a point-to-multipoint topology in accordance with the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for ethernet communications over a point-to-multipoint topology in accordance with the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for external network (e.g., internet) communication over a point-to-multipoint topology in accordance with the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for communicating over an external network (e.g., the internet) via a point-to-multipoint topology in accordance with the present invention;

the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers are used throughout the various drawings to indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the number of the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include elements, systems and methods for providing ethernet communications over a point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel may be a coaxial cable, thus providing an Ethernet Over Coax (EOC). Applications of this example, including elements, systems and methods for delivering ethernet over existing, built-in coaxial cables such as television (CATV) lines in a point-to-multipoint topology, thus, enable low cost broadband access transmission without the need for expensive rewiring.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the elements, systems and methods of the present invention for implementing ethernet over a point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel. In particular, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the elements, systems and methods of implementing an Ethernet Over Coax (EOC) of the present invention.

Similar to fig. 1 above, fig. 2 is a block diagram of a multi-tenant unit (MTU) building 202 having coaxial cabling 208. Typically, MTU building 202 includes a basement 203 floor and a plurality of units (e.g., units 1-M) 204. Unit 204 may be an apartment, condominium, office, or the like. The unit 204 may be distributed across multiple floors (e.g., floors 1-N). For simplicity of illustration and explanation, fig. 2 shows only the basement 203 and the floors 1, 2 and N (units 1-4, M-1 and M), and the remaining floors and units are similar in structure and function and therefore will not be described in detail. The MTU building has coaxial cable wiring and ethernet elements and systems for transmitting CATV to multiple TVs, enabling ethernet access to multiple units within the MTU building.

As shown in fig. 2, an exemplary ethernet system generally includes a root transmitter/receiver (transceiver) and a plurality of endpoint transceivers 224, and is arranged in a tree topology by coaxial cabling 208.

The coaxial cabling 208 in the MTU building 202 is arranged in a tree-like, point-to-multipoint topology, substantially similar to the topology in fig. 1. In this topology, each cell 204 receives a branch 210, the branch 210 being connected to a single (common) trunk 214 by a tap element 212. For simplicity of illustration and explanation, each cell 204 is shown in fig. 2 as having a single branch 210. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, each cell 204 may receive multiple branches 210. Alternatively or additionally, the single branch 210 may include a splitter (not explicitly shown) that transmits a common signal to the plurality of endpoint transceivers 224 of the single unit 204. Trunk 214 may be any cable suitable for transmitting signals, such as a 75 Ω RG-59 cable. Trunk 214 further includes an optional bi-directional amplifier disposed between root-PHY 222 and first tap element 112, and a termination load (e.g., ground resistor) 220 at a distal end of root-PHY 222.

It will be understood that the elements, systems and methods of the present invention may be implemented over existing MTU building coax cabling, such as the CATV coax cabling network shown in fig. 1. As will be discussed in greater detail below in an exemplary embodiment, the existing in-building coaxial cable CATV lines in a tree point-to-multipoint topology of an MTU are modified to provide the ethernet elements, systems and methods of the present invention while still being able to carry CATV.

As shown in fig. 2, in an exemplary embodiment, the system may include a single root transceiver (root-PHY) 222 and a plurality of end-point wireless transceivers (EP-PHYs) 224, where the root wireless transceiver (root-PHY) 222 is disposed near the service provider portal 216 (e.g., in the basement 203) and the plurality of end-point wireless transceivers (EP-PHYs) 224 are located in different cells 204 of the MTU building 202.

Under the present application, PHY generally refers to a physical layer device of an ethernet system. The PHY may alternatively or differently include any known or later developed media connection unit (MAU), connection unit interface (AUI), Media Dependent Interface (MDI), or Media Independent Interface (MII) suitable for the desired application. The PHY may use any known or later developed ethernet signal coding design and Media Access Control (MAC) protocol suitable for the desired application. In this application, encoding involves mixing clock and data information into a self-synchronizing signal stream. The PHY further may include various modules and/or sub-modules (each including hardware and/or software), and the modules and/or sub-modules may be variously combined to implement ethernet coding designs and MACs to perform ethernet communications. Those skilled in the art may select or modify appropriate ethernet hardware, software, interfaces, signal coding, and media access control for the desired application.

root-PHY

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 2, root-PHY 222 may include an external media connector (e.g., CATV cable port) 226 to connect to service provider portal 216 and receive input signals of service provider portal 216. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 2, the input signal may be a continuous analog signal, such as a CATV signal. However, the input signal type is not so limited and may be any type of signal that can be converted to a signal type suitable for transmission through the system medium. For example, an adapter or converter, such as a digital-to-analog converter, may be provided within or external to the root-PHY to convert the input signal to the desired system signal format. One skilled in the art can configure the root-PHY element and system to accommodate alternative techniques and embodiments for the desired application.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 2, root-PHY 222 may also include an optional external network data signal connector 228 connected to an external network port 229. The network data signal carrier medium may be any known or later developed carrier medium (e.g., optical or electrical). An adapter or converter may convert an incoming or outgoing network data signal into a desired signal format of a desired medium. In the example of an optical signal, as in the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3 (discussed below), root-PHY 222 may include an internet connection port, such as a 100TX ethernet RJ-45 jack, for connection to an external fiber optic network port 229 via an optical cable 230 and an optical-to-electrical converter 232. One skilled in the art may configure the root-PHY elements and systems to be compatible with other techniques and embodiments for the desired application.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 2, root-PHY 222 may be any conventional, dedicated, or later developed transmitter/receiver and may provide the physical layer/interface and communication functions disclosed herein. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 2, root-PHY 222 may receive a signal output from an external source, such as a continuous CATV signal, and transmit (broadcast) the signal to each of a plurality of EP-PHYs 224 downstream over a single wire channel line. root-PHY 222 may also receive data signals that multiple EP-PHYs 224 may transmit upstream over a single wire channel line and may transmit (broadcast) the data signals downstream over a single wire channel line to each of multiple EP-PHYs 224, thereby enabling ethernet communication between any EP-PHY224 to another desired EP-PHY 224.

root-PHY 222 further optionally receives data signals, and transmits data signals, via an external network, such as the internet. In an exemplary embodiment, root-PHY 222 may receive multiple EP-PHYs 224, transmit upstream signals over a single wire channel line, and then transmit out over an external network-or vice versa-thereby enabling access by the external network (e.g., the Internet) to multiple EP-PHYs 224 over an Ethernet system.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3, root-PHY 222 may include modules/sub-modules to implement IEEE802.3FDX MAC and a head-end coax-PHY to process signals received and transmitted by root-PHY 222.

The root-PHY 222 may designate a selected one of the EP-PHYs to receive data from the data signal. In an exemplary embodiment, as the root-PHY passes through the transmission of successive signals to the downlink, the root-PHY 222 may add control codes to the successive signals to specify that data in the data signal (e.g., the next packet) transmitted by the root-PHY 222 is to be received by a selected one of the EP-PHYs 224. The designated/selected one of EP-PHYs 224 may receive/process the control code and enable. Alternatively/additionally, other EP-PHYs 224 may receive/process control codes and disable (disabled). In another exemplary embodiment, the data signal itself may also specify (e.g., data provided in a data packet) and optionally cause a selected one of the EP-PHYs 224 from the plurality of EP-PHYs 224 to receive the data in the data signal.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate alternative structures, modules/sub-modules, and the like for providing the required physical interfaces and performing the required communication functions of the root-PHY transceiver in the embodiments discussed herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, each endpoint transceiver 224(EP-PHY) may likewise be any conventional, proprietary, or later-developed transmitter/receiver and provides the physical layer/interface and communication functions disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, each EP-PHY224 may receive signals transmitted (broadcast) by root-PHY 222 downstream over single-wire channel line 208. Each EP-PHY224 may also transmit signals upstream to the root-PHY 222 over a single-wire channel line, and the root-PHY 222 may then retransmit (broadcast) signals downstream to other EP-PHYs 224 in the selected/designated plurality of EP-PHYs 224 over the single-wire channel line, thereby enabling communication with any other EP-PHY224 in the plurality of EP-PHYs 224 selectively. As discussed above, the root-PHY 222 may transmit control codes (or retransmit control codes received from the original EP-PHY) to designate direct transmission of data of a data signal (e.g., the next packet) to the selected EP-PHY 224. Alternatively, the data signal itself may specify one of the EP-PHYs 224 and validate the selected EP-PHY.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 4, EP-PHY224 may also include an ethernet PHY module for connecting to ethernet port 240, and a CPE coaxial PHY module for connecting to coaxial cable 208 through duplex filter 237 and splitter 239. The ethernet PHY module and the coax-PHY module may communicate directly with each other and perform media conversion functions, such as conversion from coax to twisted pair, without any external MAC. Alternatively, a MAC may be optionally provided between the ethernet PHY module and the coax-PHY module to implement such media conversion/communication functions. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, EP-PHY224 comprises an IEEE 100TX PHY, an 802.3HDX MAC (optional), and a CPE coax-PHY to process data signals received from or transmitted to a 1100TX Ethernet RJ-45 port. Of course, EP-PHY224 may accommodate any Ethernet speed (10/100/1000/10000) and port setting. Those skilled in the art may select and configure different EP-PHY modules/sub-modules, and optionally MACs, to perform any desired ethernet application related functions.

In the exemplary embodiment, each EP-PHY224 may alternatively transmit data signals upstream through root-PHY 222 and over a single-wire channel line to access or communicate with an external network, such as the Internet. And vice versa. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative architectures may be used to provide the desired physical layer/interface discussed in the embodiments herein, as well as to perform the desired communication functions of the EP-PHY transceiver.

Asymmetric data streams

In an exemplary embodiment, root-PHY 222 and multiple EP-PHYs 224 in the network are arranged and configured to provide asymmetric data streams. In the system and method, root-PHY 222 may assign a unique PHY address (unique ID) to each EP-PHY224 identifiable on the network, and root-PHY 222 may build and maintain a table, for example in local memory, for each EP-PHY224 identifiable on the network and its respective unique PHY address. Similarly, each EP-PHY224 may also maintain a table for root-PHY 222 and other EP-PHYs 224 and their respective unique PHY addresses. Data may be broadcast continuously in the downstream direction-from root-PHY 222 to each of the plurality of EP-PHYs 24; in this way, the downlink connection may use the full data bandwidth available on the channel. In one embodiment, multiple EP-PHYs 224 may share access to the upstream channel bandwidth in a time-domain multiplexing (TDM) manner. Alternatively, in one embodiment, multiple EP-PHYs 224 may share access to the upstream channel bandwidth in a round-robin fashion. In the exemplary tree topology, multiple EP-PHYs 224 may be connected, if not directly to each other, by a root-PHY 222. In this way, the baseband PAM transmit signal encoding scheme, similar or identical to that defined by IEEE802.3, can be used bi-directionally, and share bandwidth bi-directionally. This embodiment may therefore provide an asymmetric data rate between the upstream and downstream directions-i.e. more data is sent downstream than upstream over a single wire channel line.

In an exemplary embodiment, root-PHY 222 and each of the plurality of EP-PHYs 224 may transmit data signals in both directions simultaneously, e.g., using different wavelength ranges, upstream and downstream, via coaxial cable, using full duplex transmission-i.e., via the same single conductor channel.

In an exemplary embodiment, root-PHY 222 and each of the plurality of EP-PHYs 224 may in turn transmit and receive data over a system medium comprising a single wire channel line (half-full duplex mode). That is, in an exemplary embodiment, the system may perform the setup of a collision avoidance protocol, rather than a collision detection protocol as set forth in the CSMA/CD IEEE802.3 standard.

CATV & network data

2-4, in an exemplary embodiment, the Ethernet network may coexist with a cable television (CATV), wherein the CATV transmission is unaffected by the addition of Ethernet/network data signals. In one embodiment, the data signal and the CATV signal may be mixed (and separated) using a frequency selective bi-directional filter/splitter. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the root-PHY 222 may include a duplex filter 236 (e.g., a low frequency filter (LPF) of 5-24 MHz; a high frequency filter (HPF) of 54-1000 MHz) and a splitter 238; each EP-PHY224 may include an additional duplex filter 237 (e.g., low frequency filter (LPF) of 5-24 MHz; high frequency filter (HPF) of 54-1000 MHz) and a splitter 239. In an exemplary embodiment, the CATV signal typically occupies a frequency greater than about 50MHz and the Ethernet data signal occupies a frequency less than about 50 MHz. root-PHY 222 may mix the LPF data signals and the HPF CATV signals and broadcast the mixed signals down to each EP-PHY224 via coaxial cable 208. Each EP-PHY224 then separates the mixed signal into LPF data signals and HPF CATV signals using a splitter 238, and then processes and outputs the signals to respective ethernet ports 240 (e.g., 100TX ethernet RJ-45 jacks) and TV connector 206. On the other hand, EP-PHY224 may transmit data signals to root-PHY 222 through tributary 210 and trunk 214 of single conductor channel line 208, and through duplex filter (LPF filter) 237 and splitter 239. At root-PHY 222, the data signal is received via splitter 238 and duplex filter (LPF filter) 236 and further processed. In this manner, CATV signals may continue to be transmitted through the system to the plurality of TVs 206 in each of the plurality of apartments/units 204 of MTU building 202, while implementing root-PHY 222 and EP-PHY 224. To communicate over ethernet. Those skilled in the art may select alternative operating frequencies for CATV and ethernet signals or other different transmission characteristics to suit the desired application.

Synchronism

In an exemplary embodiment, point-to-multipoint synchronization between root-PHY 222 and each of the plurality of EP-PHYs 224 may be maintained in a loop-timed manner. In an embodiment, root-PHY 222 may define a master clock (pulse signal) and then send the master clock to multiple EP-PHYs 224, e.g., as a continuous signal. Each EP-PHY224 may recover a master clock from the root-PHY 222 signal and use the recovered master clock to time its transmitter. In this manner, multiple EP-PHYs 224 in the network may be synchronized with the master clock of the root-PHY 222, thereby achieving synchronization with each other. It will be appreciated that such synchronization may enable digital echo cancellation and full duplex data transmission over a single wire channel.

Fast receiver training

In an exemplary embodiment, the network of the present invention may provide fast receiver training. Each EP-PHY224 may use the continuity signals transmitted by root-PHY 222 to achieve synchronization with the network. In one embodiment, the equalizer and timing phase in each EP-PHY224 may be applied to the conventional data-steering approach based on the continuity signal transmitted by root-PHY 222. However, in an exemplary embodiment, there may be a unique channel in the upstream direction between each EP-PHY224 and the root-PHY 222, and a different equalizer and timing phase may be used by the root-PHY 222 for each EP-PHY 224. To accomplish this, in an exemplary embodiment, root-PHY 222 may maintain a table of equalizer coefficients and timing phases, e.g., in memory, as entries for each of the plurality of EP-PHYs 224. When upstream control is switched to a particular EP-PHY224, the root-PHY 222 can load the pre-stored equalizer and timing phase for that EP-PHY 224. In one embodiment, each EP-PHY224 may use a short preamble to prove proper operation and further refine the equalizer and timing phase. The equalizer and timing phase of the EP-PHY wireless transceiver adapted to currently control the uplink channel may be performed in a conventional data-directed manner. The initial coefficients and phase entries in the table may be updated with the new convergence values. This process may enable fast switching between multiple EP-PHYs 224 to minimize the overhead of time domain multiplexing of the upstream channel.

PHY layer signaling

The network may use special PHY layer signaling to allow control of the network at both terminals using standard IEEE802.3 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols. In an exemplary embodiment, root-PHY 222 may insert non-data characters (e.g., control characters or codes) into the downlink broadcast continuity signal, wherein the plurality of control characters or codes each grant access to a selected/designated one of the plurality of EP-PHYs 224 for uplink transmissions. In an embodiment, when a selected/designated EP-PHY224 detects that it has obtained a grant transmission, it may deactivate CRS (carrier sense) signals of the half-duplex 802.3MAC for its standard. When CRS is active, the standard IEEE802.3 HDX MAC may not send data to the EP-PHY transmitter. While the CRS is active, the EP-PHY (transmitter) remains static (instead of sending idle characters). root-PHY 222 may grant access to share channels between EP-PHYs 224 in a round robin fashion or any other Time Domain Multiplexing (TDM) scheme. This process may enable a standard full duplex 802.3MAC to be used to control the root-PHY 222.

Network expansion

In an exemplary embodiment, the network of the present invention may be extended. That is, EP-PHY224 may be added or deleted in the network. In one embodiment, when a new EP-PHY224 is accessed in the network, it can acquire synchronization and converge its equalizer by using the continuous broadcast signal output by the root-PHY 222. root-PHY 222 may periodically display an open time interval for establishing a new EP-PHY224 connection. Once detected, the new EP-PHY224 may wait a random time interval to avoid collision with other new EP-PHYs 224, again acknowledge the access grant, and then begin transmitting to the root-PHY wireless transceiver 222. The root-physical layer 222 may converge the equalizer coefficients and timing phase for the new connection and add this information to a table of EP-PHY addresses stored in memory. root-PHY 222 may also assign a PHY address to new EP-PHY224 indicating an acknowledgement of the EP-PHY transmission. In one embodiment, if the new EP-PHY224 does not receive an acknowledgement, it will continue to attempt to establish a connection at the next available open time interval.

Exemplary Ethernet communication method

Point-to-point ethernet communications.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for ethernet communications over a point-to-multipoint topology in accordance with the present invention; in one embodiment, in step 501, an ethernet signal is transmitted upstream from a terminal in a network to the root of the network via a point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel topology. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in FIG. 2, a user inputs data through an external user interface connected to EP-PHY204 of the system, and the data is transmitted upstream from EP-PHY204 to root-PHY 222, encapsulated in an Ethernet signal, over coax line 208. In step 502, an ethernet signal is transmitted downstream from the network root to all terminals of the network via a point-to-multipoint topology. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in fig. 2, the ethernet signal may be sent downstream from the root-PHY to all EP-PHYs 204 via coax line 208. In step 503, the ethernet signal is received at the terminal and optionally processed at the designated terminal. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in fig. 2, the selected EP-PHY224 is specified, for example, by a code in a packet of a received ethernet signal. The designated EP-PHY224 may then decode the ethernet signal and transmit the output data in the ethernet signal to an external user interface connected to the designated EP-PHY 224.

Hybrid Ethernet communication and media transport

Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for hybrid ethernet communication and media transport over a point-to-multipoint topology in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, in step 601, an external media signal is received and sent downstream from the root of the ethernet to all the terminals of the ethernet via a point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel topology, while an ethernet signal is sent upstream from one of the terminals of the ethernet to the root of the ethernet via a point-to-multipoint topology. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in fig. 2, CATV signals are received by root-PHY 222 and sent downstream to all EP-PHYs 204 via coax lines 208, while a user inputs data via a user interface connected to one EP-PHY204 and sends the data upstream from one EP-PHY224 to root-PHY 222 via coax lines 208 as ethernet signals. In step 602, an external media signal is received and transmitted from the ethernet root to all ethernet terminals via a point-to-multipoint topology, where the received ethernet signal is transmitted downstream from the ethernet root to all ethernet terminals via the point-to-multipoint topology. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in FIG. 2, at root-PHY 222, the received CATV signals and the Ethernet signals received from one EP-PHY224 are transmitted down and retransmitted to all EP-PHYs 224 in the system via coaxial cable 208, respectively. In step 603, receiving the media signal and processing it at all ethernet terminals; and receiving the Ethernet signal and processing the Ethernet signal at a specified terminal. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in FIG. 2, CATV signals are received and processed at all EP-PHYs 224; the selected EP-PHY224 is designated by, for example, a code in a packet of received ethernet signals, and the designated EP-PHY224 may decode the ethernet signals and output the data to an external user interface coupled to the designated EP-PHY 224.

Hybrid external network communication and media transport

In addition to providing point-to-point communication within an ethernet system, an exemplary method of the present invention may provide for communication of the ethernet system with a node of an external network, such as the internet. Fig. 7 and 8 illustrate embodiments of hybrid external network communication and media transport.

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for communicating with an external network (e.g., the internet) over a point-to-multipoint topology ethernet network in accordance with the present invention. At step 701, an external intermediary signal and an external network signal are received at a root of a point-to-multipoint shared single wire channel topology ethernet network. In an exemplary embodiment, CATV signals and separate network signals (e.g., internet signals) are received by root-PHY 222 in the system shown in fig. 2. At step 702, the media signals and the network signals are sent downstream to all terminals of the ethernet network via a point-to-multipoint topology. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in fig. 2, CATV signals are sent downstream to all EP-PHYs 224, along with network/ethernet signals, from root-PHY 222 over coax line 208. In step 703, receiving the media signal, and processing at all ethernet terminals; optionally receiving the network/ethernet signal and processing at the designated ethernet terminal. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in the system shown in FIG. 2, CATV signals are received and processed (e.g., transmitted to an external TV for viewing) at all EP-PHYs 224 of the system; the selected EP-PHY224 is designated by a code in a packet of received network/ethernet signals, and the designated EP-PHY224 may decode the network/ethernet signals and output data to an external user interface connected to the designated EP-PHY 224.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for communicating with an external network (e.g., the internet) over a point-to-multipoint topology ethernet network in accordance with the present invention. At step 801, an external intermediary signal is received at the root of a point-to-multipoint shared single wire channel topology ethernet network. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in fig. 2, CATV signals are received at root-PHY 222. In step 802, the media signal is sent downstream from the root of the ethernet to all terminals of the ethernet via a point-to-multipoint topology, and the ethernet/network signal is sent upstream from one terminal of the ethernet to the root of the ethernet via a point-to-multipoint topology. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in fig. 2, CATV signals are transmitted downstream from root-PHY 222 to all EP-PHYs 224 over coax lines 208, while data input by a user at an external user interface connected to one EP-PHY224 may be transmitted upstream from one EP-PHY224 to root-PHY 222 over coax lines 208. In step 803, the media signal is transmitted downstream from the root of the ethernet to all terminals of the ethernet via the point-to-multipoint topology, and the ethernet signal is transmitted from the root of the ethernet to the external network (which is transmitted to the specified destination/terminal). In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in FIG. 2, CATV signals are transmitted downstream from root-PHY 222 to all EP-PHYs 224 over coax line 208; from the root-PHY 222, the ethernet signal is transmitted to an external network (e.g., the internet). At step 804, the media signal is received and processed by all terminals. In an exemplary embodiment, in the system shown in FIG. 2, media signals are received and processed (e.g., transmitted to an external TV for viewing) by each EP-PHY 224.

While the invention has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. An ethernet system, comprising:

a single conductor channel line including a trunk and a plurality of branches; a plurality of nodes through the trunk, the plurality of legs connected to the trunk;

a single root transceiver (root-PHY) connected to an end of the trunk; and

a plurality of terminating wireless transceivers (EP-PHYs) respectively connected to one of the plurality of branches;

the root-PHY may receive a first signal output by an external signal source and transmit the first signal to each of the EP-PHYs via the single wire channel line; the root-PHY may receive a data signal, the data signal being transmitted upstream by a plurality of the EP-PHYs over the single wire channel line; said root-PHY may retransmit said data signal downstream over said single-wire channel line to said plurality of EP-PHYs; and

each of said EP-PHYs may receive said first signal transmitted downstream over said single wire channel line and transmit said first signal to a different external terminal device; each of said EP-PHYs further selectably communicating with any other EP-PHY of a plurality of said EP-PHYs that transmits data signals upstream over said single-wire channel line to said root-PHY, which retransmits said data signals downstream over said single-wire channel line to said plurality of EP-PHYs;

the root-PHY defining a master clock and signaling the master clock upstream over the line to the plurality of EP-PHYs, wherein each EP-PHY recovers the master clock to synchronize with the root-PHY;

the first signal is transmitted at a first frequency range and the data signal is transmitted at a second frequency range different from the first frequency range;

the root-PHY further includes a duplex filter that filters the first signal in a first frequency range and filters the data signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range;

the system further comprises a splitter to integrate the first signal and the data signal transmitted downstream through the trunk; and

each EP-PHY further comprises a duplex filter that filters the first signal in a first frequency range and filters the data signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range; each EP-PHY receives an integrated first signal and data signal from the line and outputs the first signal to a different first output terminal and the data signal to an ethernet port;

each EP-PHY detects whether a grant has been obtained, allowing transmission over the line, and if not, causing a carrier sense (CRS) signal on a Medium Access Control (MAC) to be active; if so, the CRS signal is disabled.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a cable television (CATV) signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a continuous signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the data signal is a discontinuous signal.

5. An ethernet transceiver, comprising:

a single wire channel line input port;

a single wire channel line I/O port;

a first transmission module, which can receive a first signal output by an external signal source through the single wire channel line input port, and send the first signal to a plurality of external terminal transceivers (EP-PHYs) through an external single wire channel line via the single wire channel line I/O port; and

a second transmission module, configured to receive a data signal via the I/O port of the single wire channel line, where the data signal is transmitted upstream by a different EP-PHY of the plurality of external EP-PHYs via the external single wire channel line; and send the received data signal downstream to a plurality of external EP-PHYs via the external single wire channel line via the single wire channel line I/O port; the data signal indicates that the data signal is received by an external EP-PHY specified and selected by one of the plurality of external EP-PHYs;

the Ethernet transceiver defining a master clock and signaling the master clock upstream over the line to the plurality of external EP-PHYs, wherein each external EP-PHY recovers the master clock to synchronize with the Ethernet transceiver;

the first signal is transmitted at a first frequency range and the data signal is transmitted at a second frequency range different from the first frequency range;

the ethernet transceiver further comprises a duplex filter that filters the first signal in a first frequency range and filters the data signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range;

the system further comprises a splitter to integrate the first signal and the data signal transmitted downstream through the trunk; and

each EP-PHY further comprises a duplex filter that filters the first signal in a first frequency range and filters the data signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range; each EP-PHY receives an integrated first signal and data signal from the line and outputs the first signal to a different first output terminal and the data signal to an ethernet port;

each EP-PHY detects whether a grant has been obtained, allowing transmission over the line, and if not, causing a carrier sense (CRS) signal on a Medium Access Control (MAC) to be active; if so, the CRS signal is disabled.

6. An Ethernet transceiver according to claim 5, comprising:

a network I/O port;

the second transmission module can further receive and send data signals through the network I/O port and an external network; which may receive the data signal and may transmit the data signal to the plurality of external EP-PHYs.

7. An ethernet transceiver, comprising:

a single wire channel line I/O port;

a single wire channel line output port;

a first module operable to receive a first signal via the single wire channel line I/O port, the first signal being transmitted downstream via an external root wireless transceiver (root-PHY) via an external single wire channel line; and outputs the first signal through the single wire channel line output port;

a second module that can transmit a data signal to the root-PHY upstream over the external single-wire channel line via the single-wire channel line I/O port, the data signal indicating a destination of data in the transmitted data signal; and further selectably receiving a data signal via said single wire channel line I/O port, said data signal being sent downstream by said root-PHY via said external single wire channel line; the received data signal represents data in the received data signal received and processed by the selected Ethernet transceiver as a destination;

the root-PHY defining a master clock and signaling the master clock upstream over the line to the plurality of Ethernet transceivers, wherein each Ethernet transceiver recovers the master clock to synchronize with the root-PHY;

the first signal is transmitted at a first frequency range and the data signal is transmitted at a second frequency range different from the first frequency range;

the root-PHY further includes a duplex filter that filters the first signal in a first frequency range and filters the data signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range;

the system further comprises a splitter to integrate the first signal and the data signal transmitted downstream through the trunk; and

each ethernet transceiver further comprises a duplex filter that filters the first signal in a first frequency range and filters the data signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range; each ethernet transceiver receiving an integrated first signal and data signal from the line and outputting the first signal to a different first output terminal and the data signal to an ethernet port;

each ethernet transceiver detects whether authorization has been obtained, allowing transmission over the line, and if not, causing a carrier-sense (CRS) signal on a Medium Access Control (MAC) to be active; if so, the CRS signal is disabled.

8. An ethernet transceiver in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:

an Ethernet I/O port;

the second module is further operable to receive a data signal via the Ethernet I/O port; and transmitting a data signal to the external terminal device through the ethernet I/O port.