Capacity scaling and functional element redistribution within an in-building coax cable internetAccess system

• US 20020059634A1
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CoaXmedia, Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Terry, John B, Hales, Jeffrey A
• Granted Patent: US 7,036,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/111
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2859 Point-to-point connection between the data network and the subscribers encapsulation H04L12/4633; virtual LANs H04L12/4641; routing of packets H04L45/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2872 Termination of subscriber connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A set of system configurations adapted to provide data communications to and from a set of client modems connected to one or more central modems through a tree and branch network such as exists in buildings, hotels, multiple dwelling units and the like to distribute cable television signals to individual rooms. The set of one or more central modems is connected directly or indirectly to one or more networks such as the Internet. Optionally, some components of this system can be placed at the cable television head-end for ease of access for maintenance.

Claims

1. An architecture of components to provide for two-way data communication between at least one central modem and a set of client modems attached at the distal ends of a in-building coax distribution network, the distribution network adapted to distribute cable television signals, the architecture comprising:

a) at least one signal amplifier for amplifying television signals in a first frequency band;

b) at least one central modem for transmitting data to the set of client modems for receiving upstream transmissions from individual client modems, the upstream and downstream transmissions occurring in frequency bands above the first frequency band;

c) at least one network access device for

a. transmitting data upstream from one of the at least one central modem to a network, the central modem having received the data transmission from one of the client modems and the client modem having received the data from a device downstream of the client modem, and

b. receiving downstream transmissions of data from the network for conveying to the central modem which in turn conveys the data to the client modems for use by at least one device downstream of a client modem; and

d) at least one diplexer for combining an output from one of the at least one signal amplifiers with the upstream and downstream transmissions between the at least one central modem and the client modems.

2. The architecture of claim 1 wherein the transmission conveyed downstream from the at least one network access device to the at least one central modem undergoes a protocol conversion between the network access device and the central modem.

3. The architecture of claim 1 wherein a first network access device is in communication with a first central modem which is in communication with a first diplexer and a second diplexer, the first diplexer connected to an output of one of the at least one signal amplifier and to a first distribution network with a first set of client modems, the second diplexer connected to an output of one of the at least one signal amplifiers and to a second distribution network with a second set of client modems.

4. The architecture of claim 1 wherein a first network access device is in communication with:

a) a first central modem which is connected to a first diplexer, the first diplexer connected to an output of one of the at least one signal amplifiers and to a first distribution network with a first set of client modems; and

b) a second central modem which is connected to a second diplexer, the second diplexer connected to an output of one of the at least one signal amplifiers and to a second distribution network with a second set of client modems.

5. The architecture of claim 4 wherein the first network access device and the second network access device are cable modems which access the Internet through a connection located at the cable head-end.

6. The architecture of claim 1 wherein a first network access device is in communication with a central server, the central server is in communication with

a) a first central modem which is connected to a first diplexer, the first diplexer connected to an output of one of the at least one signal amplifiers and to a first distribution network with a first set of client modems;

and

b) a second central modem which is connected to a second diplexer, the second diplexer connected to an output of one of the at least one signal amplifiers and to a second distribution network with a second set of client modems;

such that one central server serves at least two distribution networks.

7. The architecture of claim 6 wherein the central server performs protocol conversions so that downstream transmissions are converted from Internet Protocol into a Point-to Point Protocol.

8. The architecture of claim 1 wherein a central server is placed with the cable head-end equipment and connected with the cable head-end equipment such that the downstream output from the cable head-end includes cable television channels, data communications to third party cable modems, and data communications from the central server to at least one network access device.

9. The architecture of claim 8 wherein the data communications from the central server are in a point-to-point protocol.

10. The architecture of claim 1 wherein at least two network access devices are connected to a first router, the first router is connected to a second router, and the second router is connected to:

a) a first central modem which is connected to a first diplexer, the first diplexer connected to an output of one of the at least one signal amplifiers and to a first distribution network with a first set of client modems; and

b) a second central modem which is connected to a second diplexer, the second diplexer connected to an output of one of the at least one signal amplifiers and to a second distribution network with a second set of client modems.

11. The architecture of claim 10 wherein the first network access device is connected to a first network and the second network access device is connected to a second network.