Transporting home networking frame-based communication signals over coaxial cables

• US 20110138428A1
• Filed: 02/14/2011
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Palm, Stephen, Fifield, David
• Application Number:
  US13/026,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20110138428A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2832 Interconnection of the control functionalities between home networks single bridge functionality H04L12/4625
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution

Abstract

A method and apparatus for coupling a system propagating wireless home networking communication signals to a system propagating television signals over a coaxial cable system to a device capable of receiving television signals that includes a three-port adapter having an antenna port, a first coaxial cable port and a second coaxial cable port. The antenna port is coupled to the system propagating home networking communications signals. The first coaxial cable port is coupled to the system propagating television signals over a coaxial cable. The second coaxial cable port is coupled to a device capable of receiving television signals.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first port to couple to a cable that transfers an entertainment signal;

a second port to couple to a wireless link for wireless transfer of data utilizing an 802.11 communication protocol;

a third port to couple to a coax line to transfer both the entertainment signal and the data that utilizes the wireless link; and

a tap to couple the third port to the first and second ports to transfer the entertainment signal between the first and third ports and to transfer the data between the second and third ports, in which the coax line coupled to the third port carries both the entertainment signal and the data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tap is a splitter that separates the entertainment signal and the data into separate components or combines the data with the entertainment signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the entertainment signal is a television signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the 802.11 communication protocol for the wireless transfer of data is based on a 802.11a specification.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the 802.11 communication protocol for the wireless transfer of data is based on a 802.11b specification.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the 802.11 communication protocol for the wireless transfer of data is based on a 802.11g specification.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a first port to couple to a cable that transfers an entertainment signal within a first network;

a second port to couple to a wireless link for wireless transfer of data utilizing an 802.11 communication protocol within a second network;

a third port to couple to a coax line that operates within the first network to transfer both the entertainment signal and the data that utilizes the wireless link; and

a tap to couple the third port to the first and second ports to transfer the entertainment signal between the first and third ports and to transfer the data between the second and third ports, in which the data of the second network is transported within the first network on the coax line coupled to the third port.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the carrying of the data on the coax cable extends a transmission distance of the data beyond the second network.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the tap is a splitter that separates the entertainment signal and the data into separate components or combines the data with the entertainment signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the entertainment signal is a television signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the 802.11 communication protocol for the wireless transfer of data is based on a 802.11a specification.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the 802.11 communication protocol for the wireless transfer of data is based on a 802.11b specification.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the 802.11 communication protocol for the wireless transfer of data is based on a 802.11g specification.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first and second networks are part of a home network.

15. A method comprising:

coupling a first port to a cable that transfers an entertainment signal within a first network;

coupling a second port to a wireless link for wireless transfer of data utilizing an 802.11 communication protocol within a second network;

coupling a third port to a coax line that operates within the first network to transfer both the entertainment signal and the data that utilizes the wireless link, wherein a tap couples the third port to the first and second ports to transfer the entertainment signal between the first and third ports and to transfer the data between the second and third ports; and

transporting data of the second network within the first network on the coax line coupled to the third port.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the transporting the data on the coax cable extends a transmission distance of the data beyond the second network.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the entertainment signal is a television signal.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the wireless link couples to a wireless link that transfers data based on a 802.11a specification.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the wireless link couples to a wireless link that transfers data based on a 802.11b specification.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the wireless link couples to a wireless link that transfers data based on a 802.11g specification.