Apparatus and methods for network interface and spectrum management
First Claim
1. Radio frequency interface apparatus for use in a network, said apparatus being adapted to:
- substantially attenuate first signals within a first frequency band and traveling in a first direction relative to said apparatus;
pass second signals within a second frequency band and traveling in said first direction; and
pass substantially all of third signals within both said first and second frequency bands and traveling in a second direction relative to said apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for the management of radio frequency spectrum within a network such as a CATV network. In one aspect of the invention, an improved signal reflector apparatus adapted for use in the network is disclosed, the reflector circuit being designed to strongly reflect signal frequencies at the lower end of the CATV reverse band, and/or above the higher end of the forward band, while simultaneously allowing the rest of the reverse band and the entire forward band to pass freely through the device. This selective filtering of the spectrum allows control signals generated within a premises or private network to be directed (by reflection) to other devices within that network. A blocking element (e.g., amplifier) may also be used to provide control of the transmission and attenuation profile of the reflector apparatus. The passage of power signals such as DC or low frequency AC is also optionally provided.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. Radio frequency interface apparatus for use in a network, said apparatus being adapted to:
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substantially attenuate first signals within a first frequency band and traveling in a first direction relative to said apparatus;
pass second signals within a second frequency band and traveling in said first direction; and
pass substantially all of third signals within both said first and second frequency bands and traveling in a second direction relative to said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for managing frequency spectrum within a radio frequency network having a demarcation point, comprising:
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substantially attenuating first signals within a first frequency band and traveling in a first direction relative to said demarcation point;
passing second signals within a second frequency band and traveling in said first direction; and
passing third signals within both said first and second frequency bands and traveling in a second direction relative to said point. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. Reflector apparatus for use in a network, said apparatus being adapted to:
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substantially reflect first signals within a first frequency band and traveling in a first direction relative to said apparatus;
substantially pass second signals within a second frequency band and traveling in said first direction;
substantially pass third signals within said second frequency band and traveling in a second direction relative to said apparatus; and
substantially pass fourth signals in a third frequency band, said third band being lower in frequency than said first or second bands. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. Interface apparatus for use in a content-based network comprising:
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an input port for coupling to a public portion of said network;
an output port for coupling to a subscriber portion of said network; and
a circuit including an isolation amplifier disposed electrically between said input and output ports;
wherein said circuit is adapted to;
(i) strongly reflect signals traveling from said output port toward said input port falling within a first frequency band;
(ii) pass substantial portions of signals traveling from said output port toward said input port falling within a second frequency band; and
(iii) attenuate signals traveling from said output port toward said input port falling within a third frequency band. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. Reflector circuit apparatus adapted for use in a content-based network, comprising:
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a plurality of capacitive elements placed in series between a first terminal and a second terminal, said capacitive elements forming a plurality of individual nodes, each of said nodes being located electrically between two of said capacitive elements; and
a plurality of inductive elements, wherein a first end of each one of said plurality of inductive elements is electrically coupled to at least one of said nodes, and a second end of each of said plurality of inductive elements is electrically coupled, directly or indirectly, to ground potential. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. In a cable network comprising a public portion and a subscriber portion, a method of doing business, comprising:
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providing interface apparatus adapted to be installed at a demarcation point between said public portion and said subscriber portion, said circuit being adapted to selectively control the available frequency spectrum in both of upstream and downstream directions;
providing first services to said subscriber portion with said interface apparatus operating in a first mode;
selectively causing said interface apparatus-to operate in a second mode; and
providing second services to said subscriber portion with said interface apparatus operating in said second mode;
wherein said first and second services are not identical. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A method for providing subscriber-side networking capability within a cable network having a public portion, subscriber-side network, and a demarcation point, comprising:
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substantially reflecting first signals within a first frequency band and traveling towards said demarcation point within said subscriber-side network;
passing second signals within a second frequency band, said second signals also traveling towards said demarcation point within said subscriber-side network; and
passing third signals within both said first and second frequency bands, said third signals traveling away from said demarcation point within said subscriber-side network;
wherein said first signals are utilized at least in part to provide communications between individual nodes within said subscriber-side network.
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36. Reflector circuit apparatus adapted for use in a content-based network, comprising:
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a first plurality of capacitive elements placed in series between a first terminal and a second terminal, said first plurality of capacitive elements forming a plurality of individual nodes, each of said nodes being located electrically between two of said capacitive elements;
a first plurality of inductive elements disposed in electrical parallel with respective ones of said first plurality of capacitive elements; and
a second plurality of inductive elements, wherein a first end of each one of said second plurality of inductive elements is electrically coupled to at least one of said nodes, and a second end of each of said plurality of inductive elements is electrically coupled to at least one of a second plurality of capacitive elements, said at least one capacitive element also being electrically coupled to ground potential.
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Specification