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    • 专利摘要:
    A computer implemented method for managing a cable network. Information is received (301) about actual capacity usage in the cable network over a period of time; and interface-specific processing (302) of the received information is performed by: determining (303) maximum of the actual capacity usage per a cable network interface based on the received information; comparing (304) the determined maximum to configured capacity of the cable network interface; and automatically adjusting (305) the configured capacity of the cable network interface based on the comparison.
    公开号:FI20205689A1
    申请号:FI20205689
    申请日:2020-06-29
    公开日:2021-11-30
    发明作者:Jukka Rajaheimo；Henri Karikallio
    申请人:Elisa Oyj；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    MANAGEMENT OF CABLE NETWORKS
    TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to cable networks. The disclosure relates particularly, though not exclusively, to management of cable networks for example for the purpose of power saving.
    BACKGROUND This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art. A cable network is a system of delivering data, such as television programs or internet connection, to users via data signals transmitted through coaxial cables or fiber-optic cables. Main components of a cable network are a cable modem termination system, CMTS, at operator facilities, cable modems at user premises and cables connecting these to each other. Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification, DOCSIS, is a standard used in cable networks. DOCSIS defines frequency bandwidths for the cable network and provides configuration files that define upload and download rates of cable modems and that are downloaded to the cable modem when the cable modem first establishes a connection to the cable network. There are multiple different versions of DOCSIS.
    O N In general, a plurality of cable modems served by certain interface of the cable
    N O network see all data traffic behind the interface. The cable modems extract from this
    O o traffic flow the data that belongs to them. Therefore, cable modems connected to
    N - 25 the cable network generally see a lot of traffic, while only part of the traffic is their a > own traffic. co O Power saving is in general desirable in operation of technical systems. Present
    O N disclosure aims at enabling power saving in cable networks.N
    SUMMARY The appended claims define the scope of protection. Any examples and technical descriptions of apparatuses, products and/or methods in the description and/or drawings not covered by the claims are presented not as embodiments of the invention but as background art or examples useful for understanding the invention.
    According to a first example aspect there is provided a computer implemented method for managing a cable network. The method comprises receiving information about actual capacity usage in the cable network over a period of time; performing interface-specific processing of the received information by: determining maximum of the actual capacity usage per a cable network interface based on the received information; comparing the determined maximum to configured capacity of the cable network interface; and automatically adjusting the configured capacity of the cable network interface based on the comparison.
    In some example embodiments, the cable network interface serves a plurality of cable modems. In some example embodiments, the cable network interface is an interface of a cable modem termination system, CMTS.
    In some example embodiments, the method further comprises adjusting the
    O N configured capacity to a new capacity level that is approximately 20% higher than
    N O the determined maximum.
    O 2 In some example embodiments, the adjusting comprises decreasing the configured = 25 capacity. This may be done for the purpose of achieving power savings. Where a o necessary, the configured capacity may alternatively be increased. 00
    O S In some example embodiments, the adjusting comprises opening or closing S freguencies.
    In some example embodiments, the method further comprises performing the interface-specific processing for a subset of cable network interfaces of the cable network.
    In some example embodiments, the method further comprises initiating the interface-specific processing at least for a first cable network interface responsive to adding or removing cable modems in the cable network.
    In some example embodiments, the method further comprises initiating the interface-specific processing at least for a first cable network interface responsive to performing a modulation change in the cable network.
    In some example embodiments, the period of time is one week.
    According to a second example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code; the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect or any related embodiment.
    According to a third example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable program code which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect or any related embodiment.
    According to a fourth example aspect there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having the computer program of the third example aspect stored thereon.
    O O According to a fifth example aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising O means for performing the method of the first aspect or any related embodiment.
    Q 25 Any foregoing memory medium may comprise a digital data storage such as a data E disc or diskette, optical storage, magnetic storage, holographic storage, opto- 3 magnetic storage, phase-change memory, resistive random access memory, D magnetic random access memory, solid-electrolyte memory, ferroelectric random O access memory, organic memory or polymer memory. The memory medium may be formed into a device without other substantial functions than storing memory or it may be formed as part of a device with other functions, including but not limited to a memory of a computer, a chip set, and a sub assembly of an electronic device. Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in different implementations. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Some example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows an example scenario according to an example embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment; and Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating example methods according to certain embodiments; and Figs. 4-5 illustrate frequency licenses in some example cases.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION o In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements or steps.
    QA N Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for managing cable S networks, wherein actual capacity usage is determined and capacity configurations Q 25 of the cable network are adjusted based on the actual capacity usage instead of E maintaining capacity configurations determined for example based on theoretical O calculations.
    O S Fig. 1 schematically shows an example scenario according to an embodiment. The scenario shows a cable network 101 comprising a plurality of cable modems 103 and a cable modem termination system, CMTS, 102 configured to distribute cable connections to the cable modems of the cable network 101. Further, the scenario shows an automation system 111. The automation system 111 is configured to implement automated management of the cable network 101. The automation system 111 is operable to interact with the CMTS 102 for example to receive, either 5 directly or through some other system, data from the CMTS and to provide, either directly or through some other system, new configuration for use in the CMTS. In an example implementation, the CMTS 102 provides information about usage of the cable network by using Internet Protocol Detail Record, IPDR, protocol. The automation system 111 is configured to implement at least some example embodiments of present disclosure. In an embodiment of the invention the scenario of Fig. 1 operates as follows: The automation system 111 receives information about the actual capacity usage of the cable network from the CMTS 102. The automation system 111 analyses the received information and responsively adjusts capacity configurations in the CMTS
    102. Additionally or alternatively, the results of the analysis may be provided for further automated processes running in the automation system 111 or shown on a display or otherwise output to a user. The analysis in the automation system 111 may be automatically or manually triggered. The analysis may be performed in association with changes implemented in the cable network or changes made in settings of the CMTS, for example. Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 20 according to an embodiment. The S apparatus 20 is for example a general-purpose computer or server or some other N electronic data processing apparatus. The apparatus 20 can be used for S 25 implementing at least some embodiments of the invention. That is, with suitable N configuration the apparatus 20 is suited for operating for example as the automation z system 111 or the expert profile module 112 of foregoing disclosure. 8 The apparatus 20 comprises a communication interface 25; a processor 21; a user S interface 24; and a memory 22. The apparatus 20 further comprises software 23 N 30 stored in the memory 22 and operable to be loaded into and executed in the processor 21. The software 23 may comprise one or more software modules and can be in the form of a computer program product.
    The processor 21 may comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit, or the like. Fig. 2 shows one processor 21, but the apparatus 20 may comprise a plurality of processors.
    The user interface 24 is configured for providing interaction with a user of the apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, the user interaction may be implemented through the communication interface 25. The user interface 24 may comprise a circuitry for receiving input from a user of the apparatus 20, e.g., via a keyboard, graphical user interface shown on the display of the apparatus 20, speech recognition circuitry, or an accessory device, such as a headset, and for providing output to the user via, e.g., a graphical user interface or a loudspeaker.
    The memory 22 may comprise for example a non-volatile or a volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a data disk, an optical storage, a magnetic storage, a smart card, or the like. The apparatus 20 may comprise a plurality of memories. The memory 22 may serve the sole purpose of storing data, or be constructed as a part of an apparatus 20 serving other purposes, such as processing data.
    The communication interface 25 may comprise communication modules that implement data transmission to and from the apparatus 20. The communication modules may comprise a wireless or a wired interface module(s) or both. The o wireless interface may comprise such as a WLAN, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), radio O freguency identification (RF ID) GSM/GPRS, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term O 25 — Evolution) or 5G radio module. The wired interface may comprise such as Ethernet > or universal serial bus (USB), for example. The communication interface 25 may z support one or more different communication technologies. The apparatus 20 may > additionally or alternatively comprise more than one of the communication interfaces ; 25. S 30 A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus 20 may comprise other elements, such as displays, as well as additional circuitry such as memory chips, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), other processing circuitry for specific purposes and the like.
    Further, it is noted that only one apparatus is shown in Fig. 2B, but the embodiments of the invention may equally be implemented in a cluster of shown apparatuses.
    Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating example methods according to certain embodiments.
    The methods may be implemented in the automation system 111 of Fig. 1 and/or in the apparatus 20 of Fig. 2. The methods are implemented in a computer and do not require human interaction unless otherwise expressly stated.
    It is to be noted that the methods may however provide output that may be further processed by humans and/or the methods may require user input to start.
    Different phases shown in the flow diagrams may be combined with each other and the order of phases may be changed except where otherwise explicitly defined.
    Furthermore, it is to be noted that performing all phases of the flow diagrams is not mandatory.
    The method of Fig. 3 provides managing a cable network.
    In an embodiment the effect obtained by method of Fig. 3 is power saving.
    Both the operator of the cable network and users of cable modems may save power.
    The method of Fig. 3 comprises the following phases: 301: Information is received about actual capacity usage in the cable network.
    The information comprises usage information over a period of time.
    The period of time may be for example 24 hours, one week or some other period of time.
    By using 24 hour period or multiples thereof, different usage trends during different times of day can be taken into account.
    By using one week time period or multiples thereof, different usage trends during different days of week can be taken into account.
    The information may comprise hourly usage metrics or daily usage metrics, for example.
    S The information may specify data speed and/or amount of data that is being & 25 transferred, for example. > 302: Interface-specific processing of the information is performed.
    Interface herein z refers to a cable network interface that serves a plurality of cable modems.
    In > general, one interface may serve hundreds of cable modems.
    More specifically, the 3 interface may be an interface of a cable modem termination system, CMTS.
    O 30 303: Maximum of the actual capacity usage per a cable network interface is determined based on the received information.
    304: The determined maximum is compared with configured capacity of the cable network interface. The configured capacity is a setting in the CMTS and the configured capacity of an interface defines upload and download rates of cable modems behind that interface.
    305: The configured capacity of the cable network interface is automatically adjusted based on the comparison. In an example embodiment a limit of 80% is set. In such case, the adjustment may comprise for example adjusting the configured capacity to a new capacity level that is approximately 20% higher than the determined maximum. Alternatively some other limit, such as 70% or 90% may be used, too.
    That is, there is a safety margin between the maximum of the actual capacity usage and the configured capacity that will be taken into use. The configured capacity is decreased if the configured capacity is not fully needed to provide sufficient service for the actual need. By decreasing the configured capacity, power savings can be achieved. On one hand smaller amount of licenses suffices in the CMTS and on the other hand transmission rates of the cable modems of users can be lower with lower configured capacity (less frequency bands). Smaller amount of licenses may provide cost savings. In consequence of the lower transmission rates less transmission power is needed and thereby energy savings can be achieved. Itistobe noted that alternatively, the configured capacity may be increased. The adjusted configured capacity is then provisioned to CMTS to take it into use in the CMTS and in cable modems of the cable network. S In practice, the adjusting may be implemented by opening or closing freguencies N (freguency channels) or freguency licenses. Depending on the technology that is S 25 used openingand closing freguencies may be implemented in batches of freguency N channels. Freguency channels and licenses are discussed in more detail in z connection with Fig. 4. 8 In an embodiment, the interface-specific processing is performed for all interfaces S of the cable network. In another embodiment, the interface-specific processing is N 30 performed for a subset of cable network interfaces of the cable network. For example interfaces where something has changed may be of interest. There may be for example a modulation change or cable modems may be added or removed. The interfaces to process could be even picked randomly. In this way, at least partial optimization is performed without needed to process all interfaces. It is to be noted that a change in the cable network may equally trigger analysis of all interfaces, too. Inthe following, certain technical details of DOCSIS 3.0, 3.1 and 4.0 are discussed. It is to be noted that the disclosed details are not intended for limiting the scope of protection but instead for elaborating certain specific details of frequency channels and licenses. In general, a DOCSIS 3.0 license comprises one or more frequency channels. Inupstream, one DOCSIS 3.0 license comprises one frequency channel. There may be 1-8 upstream licenses. Upstream channel can be 6,4 MHz wide. Alternatively 3,2 MHz or 1,6 MHz wide upstream channels can be used. In downstream, DOCSIS 3.0 licenses are allocated in batches of four consecutive frequency channels. There may be for example 4, 8, 16, 20 ... 128 downstream frequency channels. The capacity in downstream is adjusted in batches of four consecutive frequency channels. That is, e.g. in phase 305 of Fig. 3 a batch of four frequency channels may be closed to decrease configured capacity. In DOCSIS 3.1, there may be two 96 MHz upstream frequency bands comprising 6,4 MHz upstream channels and five (or six) 192 MHz downstream frequency bands comprising 6 MHz downstream channels. One 6,4 MHz or 6 MHz channel corresponds to one license. The capacity in downstream can be adjusted in 6 MHz slots. That is, there is no need to reserve downstream channels in batches the same S way as in DOCSIS 3.0. Minimum size of the downstream freguency band is however N 24 MHz.
    S o 25 DOCSIS 4.0 is in many ways similar to DOCSIS 3.1 except that frequency ranges - and modulation technigues are different. a o Figs. 4-5 illustrate frequency licenses in some example cases. 00 D Fig. 4 shows a simplified frequency spectrum comprising upstream frequency band S 406 and downstream frequency band 407 according to DOCSIS 3.0. The upstream frequency band comprises four frequency channels 4_a - 4 d. The downstream frequency band comprises a plurality of frequency channels 4 1...4 n. The downstream frequency channels are allocated into batches 400-405 of four frequency channels. The upstream frequency band 406 may be for example 33 MHz — 56 MHz and the downstream frequency band 407 may be for example 474 MHz — 698 MHz. Depending on the capacity that is needed, 1-4 of the upstream channels 4 a-4 d can be taken into use. Likewise, desired number of downstream channel batches 400-405 can be taken into use. For example, if 12 downstream channels are needed, batches 400-402 can be taken into use. In some example cases, there may be freguency band that is reserved for cable TV in the middle of the downstream freguency band 407. In an example, the downstream frequency band 407 may be allocated to 186 MHz — 242 MHz and to 506 MHz — 642 MHz, while 242 MHz — 506 MHz band is reserved for cable TV. Fig. 5 shows a simplified freguency spectrum comprising DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS
    3.1 freguency bands. Similarly to Fig. 4, the freguency spectrum of Fig. 5 shows upstream frequency band 406 and downstream frequency band 407 according to DOCSIS 3.0. Further, there is shown a freguency band 501 allocated to cable TV below the DOCSIS 3.0 downstream freguency band 407. Still further there is DOCSIS 3.1 upstream freguency range 506 between the DOCSIS 3.0 upstream freguency band 406 and the cable TV band 501 as well as DOCSIS 3.1 downstream frequency range 507 above the DOCSIS 3.0 downstream frequency band 407. Fig. 5 shows two upstream frequency bands in the upstream frequency range 506 and two downstream frequency bands in the downstream frequency range 507. In an example, the DOCSIS 3.1 upstream frequency range 506 is 5-200 MHz and the S DOCSIS 3.1 downstream frequency range 507 is 252-1212 MHz. O 25 Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the appended > claims, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed z herein is improved management of cable networks as the arrangements of various 2 embodiments help in matching the configured capacity to the actual usage. In this O way also power savings can be achieved as unnecessary freguency bands need O 30 not be kept active. This may provide power saving even in the cable modems of users as transmission rates are lower. Nevertheless, at the same time it is ensured that the cable network provides sufficient capacity to appropriately serve the users.
    Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments is that amount of frequency licenses can be optimized and thus it may be possible to save licenses. If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the before-described functions may be optional or may be combined. Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise, include and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity. The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented in the foregoing, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the invention. Furthermore, some of the features of the afore-disclosed example embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.OQAON
    O <QON
    I a a
    O 00OLOOQAON
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1] 1. A computer implemented method for managing a cable network (101), the method comprising receiving (301) information about actual capacity usage in the cable network (101) over a period of time; performing (302) interface-specific processing of the received information by: - determining (303) maximum of the actual capacity usage per a cable network interface based on the received information; - comparing (304) the determined maximum to configured capacity of the cable network interface; and - automatically adjusting (305) the configured capacity of the cable network interface based on the comparison.
    [2] 2. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the cable network interface serves a plurality of cable modems.
    [3] 3. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the cable network interface is an interface of a cable modem termination system, CMTS.
    N
    [4] 4. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising adjusting the > configured capacity to a new capacity level that is approximately 20% higher than = the determined maximum.
    N
    I = 2 25
    [5] 5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the adjusting (305) comprises D decreasing the configured capacity.
    O
    N
    [6] 6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the adjusting (305) comprises opening or closing frequencies.
    [7] 7. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising performing the interface-specific processing for a subset of cable network interfaces of the cable network.
    [8] 8. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising initiating the interface- specific processing of at least for a first cable network interface responsive to adding or removing cable modems in the cable network.
    [9] 9. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising initiating the interface- specific processing of at least for a first cable network interface responsive to performing a modulation change in the cable network.
    [10] 10. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the period of time is one week.
    [11] 11. An apparatus (20, 111, 112) comprising a processor (21), and a memory (22) including computer program code; the memory and the S computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to N perform the method of any one of claims 1-10. 3
    O
    N E
    [12] 12. A computer program comprising computer executable program code (23) 2 25 which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to perform the method D of any one of claims 1-10.
    N
    O
    N
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