Title:
CABLE MODEM HAVING A PROGRAMMABLE MEDIA ACCESS CONTROLLER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001061935
Kind Code:
B1
Abstract:
A cable modem having a programmable media access controller (MAC). A single cable modem device includes all necessary MAC functions. The invention allows programmable MAC functions to support evolving standards (e.g., DOCSIS) without requiring expensive hardware upgrades. Bifurcated microprocessor architecture, in which first processing circuitry is programmed to implement MAC functionality for processing information flowing to and from cable media interface circuitry, and second embedded processor core or host system processor provides operating system functionality are used. Alternatively, separate processor cores provide MAC functionality for downstream and upstream data paths, respectively. Cable media interface circuitry, and other peripheral circuitry, are coupled to a peripheral bus that is linked by a bridge circuit to a system bus. The processing circuitry MAC is communicatively coupled to the system bus. Centralized DMA control directs data transfer between the peripheral and system buses as determined, at least in part, by the programmable MAC.
Inventors:
BROOKS JOHN M
BERNATH BRETT A
BERNATH BRETT A
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/005028
Publication Date:
January 17, 2002
Filing Date:
February 16, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
CONEXANT SYSTEMS INC (US)
International Classes:
H04L12/28; (IPC1-7): H04L12/28
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