Method and system for providing a return path for signals generated by legacy terminals in an optical network

• US 20070223928A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Solutions, Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Enablence USA Fttx Networks, Inc. (Enablence Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Quinn, Patrick, Kenny, John, Farmer, James, Anthony, Deven
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/116
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0067 Provisions for optical access or distribution networks, e.g. Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GE-PON), ATM-based Passive Optical Network (A-PON), PON-Ring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0064 Arbitration, scheduling or medium access control aspects

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.

Claims

1-38. -38. (canceled)

39. A return path of an optical network system comprising:

a subscriber optical interface for receiving upstream electrical radio-frequency signals, the subscriber optical interface comprising an amplitude modulated optical transmitter and a signal state detector for sensing a state of the upstream radio-frequency signals and activating the optical transmitter when a predetermined state is detected for propagating upstream optical signals over the return path.

40. The return path of claim 39, further comprising one or more optical waveguides coupled to the subscriber optical interface and for carrying the upstream optical signals.

41. The return path of claim 39, wherein the signal state detector senses a presence of the upstream radio-frequency signals.

42. The return path of claim 39, wherein the subscriber optical interface comprises an analog optical receiver.

43. The return path of claim 39, wherein the subscriber optical interface comprises an optical diplexer.

44. The return path of claim 39, wherein the subscriber optical interface comprises a radio-frequency diplexer.

45. The return path of claim 39, wherein the subscriber optical interface comprises an optical diplexer and a radio-frequency diplexer.

46. The return path of claim 42, wherein the subscriber optical interface comprises a radio-frequency diplexer coupled to the analog optical receiver.

47. A subscriber optical interface comprising:

a port for receiving upstream electrical radio-frequency signals;

an optical transmitter; and

a signal state detector coupled to the optical transmitter and to the port, for sensing a state of the upstream radio-frequency signals and activating the optical transmitter when a predetermined state is detected for generating upstream optical signals.

54. A method for providing a return path for signals in an optical network system comprising the steps of:

receiving upstream electrical radio-frequency signals with a subscriber optical interface;

detecting a predetermined state of the upstream electrical radio-frequency signals with the subscriber optical interface; and

if the predetermined state of upstream electrical radio-frequency signals is detected, then modulating an amplitude modulated optical transmitter using the upstream electrical radio-frequency signals.