Format Converter with Smart Multitap and Upstream Signal Regulator

• US 20080010488A1
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Riggsby, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,885,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/4
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/22 Adaptations for optical transmission

Abstract

Systems and methods for signal conversion with smart multitap are disclosed. Embodiments of the systems can be scalable to model different signal topologies, transmission frequencies, bandwidths, and distances. An exemplary embodiment of the systems and methods includes a fiber optic to RF converter and a smart multitap. Although a fiber optic to RF converter is used in exemplary embodiments throughout the disclosure, conversion between other signal topologies is within the scope of the disclosure. The smart multitap includes a multiple tap for distributing a signal to multiple terminals and a microprocessor to select a particular terminal for a signal. Exemplary embodiments include downstream implementations in which a stream is typically sent from a service provider server to a user. Alternative embodiments include downstream implementations as well as upstream implementations in which a user typically sends a stream to a service provider server.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a module configured to convert a signal in a first format to signal in a second format, the module including a first diplex filter;

a configurable multitap for splitting the signal in the second format and selectively transceiving the signal in the second format through a plurality of terminals;

a second diplex filter; and

an upstream signal regulator electrically connected between the second diplex filter and the first diplex filter, the upstream signal regulator configured to decrease the bandwidth requirements of an upstream signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first format is capable of being used over a fiber optic transmission medium.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second format is capable of being used over a radio frequency transmission medium.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor for selecting at least one of the plurality of terminals to receive the signal in the second format.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a filter for passing a control signal to the processor.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a demodulator configured to demodulate the control signal for use by the processor.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the filter is a bandpass filter.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the configurable multitap comprises:

a plurality of switches selectively controllable by the processor; and

a plurality of splitters communicatively coupled to the plurality of switches.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second diplex filter comprises a high pass filter electrically connected to pass downstream signals between the module and the multitap.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second diplex filter comprises a low pass filter electrically connected to pass upstream signals between the multitap and the first diplex filter.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the upstream signal regulator comprises a burst mode gateway.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the upstream signal regulator comprises a module configured to digitize the upstream signal.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising an upstream fiber optic transmission laser configured to apply the upstream signal to a fiber optic cable.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the upstream signal regulator comprises a burst mode gateway.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the burst mode gateway disables the upstream fiber optic transmission laser if no upstream signal is present.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the upstream signal regulator comprises a module configured to digitize the upstream signal.

17. A method comprising:

receiving input from a user;

providing an upstream signal corresponding to the input from the user for transmission from the user through a terminal of a smart multitap to a fiber optic transmission laser;

determining if an upstream transmission is present at the laser;

propagating the upstream transmission to the laser if an upstream transmission is present; and

disabling the laser using a burst mode gateway if no upstream transmission is detected.

18. A method comprising:

receiving input from a user;

providing an upstream signal corresponding to the input from the user for transmission from the user through a terminal of a smart multitap to a digital upstream transmitter by means of broadband digital reverse technology to produce a digital broadband signal; and

applying the digital broadband signal to a fiber optic transmission laser.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein broadband digital reverse digitizes the upstream signal.