Method and system for providing a return path for signals generated by legacy terminals in an optical network
First Claim
1. A return path of an optical network system comprising:
- a data service hub;
at least one subscriber optical interface for receiving RF-modulated signals, for converting the RF-modulated signals to first digital packets and combining the first packets with second packets for upstream transmission towards the data service hub; and
one or more optical waveguides connected to the subscriber optical interface, for carrying the upstream optical signals and downstream optical signals.
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Abstract
A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture. The invention operates independently of a legacy upstream transmission timing scheme so that the legacy upstream transmission timing scheme can remain effective in preventing data collisions. In other embodiments, the present invention allows for less complex hardware for subscribers that are not taking data services. Further, an optical signal present line in combination with a driver may be employed in order to reduce the amount of hardware in a laser transceiver node.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A return path of an optical network system comprising:
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a data service hub;
at least one subscriber optical interface for receiving RF-modulated signals, for converting the RF-modulated signals to first digital packets and combining the first packets with second packets for upstream transmission towards the data service hub; and
one or more optical waveguides connected to the subscriber optical interface, for carrying the upstream optical signals and downstream optical signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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12. A return path of an optical network system comprising:
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a data service hub;
at least one subscriber optical interface for receiving RF-modulated signals;
a laser transceiver node for communicating optical signals to the data service hub, and for converting the RF-modulated signals to first digital packets and combining the first packets with second packets for upstream transmission towards the data service hub; and
one or more optical waveguides connected to the laser transceiver node, for carrying the upstream optical signals and downstream optical signals.
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20. A return path of an optical network system comprising:
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a data service hub;
at least one subscriber optical interface for receiving electrical RF-modulated signals, the subscriber optical interface converting the RF-modulated signals to digital electrical data packets and for converting the digital electrical data packets to optical data packets;
a laser transceiver node for communicating optical signals to the data service hub, for apportioning bandwidth between subscribers of the optical network system; and
one or more optical waveguides connected to the laser transceiver node, for carrying the upstream optical signals and downstream optical signals. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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23. A method for providing a return path for signals in an optical network system comprising the steps of:
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receiving RF-modulated signals;
converting the RF-modulated signals to a plurality of first digital information packets;
receiving a plurality of second digital information packets;
transmitting both sets of information packets by inserting the first digital information packets between the second digital information packets;
propagating the packets towards a data service hub; and
receiving the first and second digital information packets at the data service hub.
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33. An optical network system comprising:
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a data service hub;
at least one optical tap;
at least one subscriber optical interface connected to the optical tap;
a laser transceiver node disposed between the data service hub and the optical tap, for communicating optical signals between the data service hub and the optical tap, and for apportioning bandwidth between subscribers of the optical network system, the laser transceiver node further comprising two or more optical receivers that share a tap multiplexer; and
one or more optical waveguides connected between respective optical taps and the laser transceiver node, for carrying the upstream optical signals and downstream optical signals. - View Dependent Claims (34, 36, 37, 38)
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35. A method for providing a return path for signals in an optical network system comprising the steps of:
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converting RF-modulated signals to a plurality of first digital information packets;
receiving a plurality of second digital information packets;
positioning the first digital information packets between the second digital information packets to form a continuous information stream; and
propagating the information stream along an optical waveguide.
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Specification