Cable data network architecture
First Claim
1. A cable data network architecture, comprising:
- a master head-end comprisingan inter-hub communications switch,a network controller,a network element manager, andone or more external communication links;
a distribution hub coupled to said master head end via a first communication link, said distribution hub comprisingat least one radio frequency modulators for modulating and transmitting data,at least one demodulator for receiving and demodulating return data,a link access control computer for controlling transmission and reception of data by said distribution hub,a hub element manager for detecting faulty communications to and from said distribution hub, anda local switch for switching data between said modulators, said demodulators, said link access computer and said hub element manager within said distribution hub; and
at least one user modem connected to said distribution hub via a second communication link, said user modem comprisinga tuner for determining a channel for receiving data from said distribution hub,a demodulator for demodulating said received data,an address recognition circuit for determining whether an address associated with said data corresponds to an address served by said user modem,a modulator for modulating transmission data to be transmitted by said user modem,a tuner for determining a transmission channel for transmitting said transmission data, anda timing and control circuit for determining when said user modem transmits said transmission data to said distribution hub over said second communication link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cable data network architecture includes a master head-end, at least one distribution hub connected to the master head end via a first communication link, and one more more user modems connected to the distribution hub(s) via a second communication link. The master head end includes an inter-hub communications switch, a network controller, a network element manager, and one or more external communication links. The distribution hub includes at least one radio frequency modulators for modulating and transmitting data, at least one demodulator for receiving and demodulating return data, a link access control computer for controlling transmission and reception of data by the distribution hub, a hub element manager for detecting faulty communications to and from the distribution hub, and a local switch for switching data between the modulators, the demodulators, the link access computer and the hub element manager within the distribution hub. The user modem(s) includes a tuner for determining a channel for receiving data from the distribution hub, a demodulator for demodulating the received data, an address recognition circuit for determining whether an address associated with the data corresponds to an address served by the user modem, a modulator for modulating transmission data to be transmitted by the user modem, a tuner for determining a transmission channel for transmitting the transmission data, and a timing and control circuit for determining when the user modem transmits the transmission data to the distribution hub over the second communication link.
356 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A cable data network architecture, comprising:
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a master head-end comprising an inter-hub communications switch, a network controller, a network element manager, and one or more external communication links; a distribution hub coupled to said master head end via a first communication link, said distribution hub comprising at least one radio frequency modulators for modulating and transmitting data, at least one demodulator for receiving and demodulating return data, a link access control computer for controlling transmission and reception of data by said distribution hub, a hub element manager for detecting faulty communications to and from said distribution hub, and a local switch for switching data between said modulators, said demodulators, said link access computer and said hub element manager within said distribution hub; and at least one user modem connected to said distribution hub via a second communication link, said user modem comprising a tuner for determining a channel for receiving data from said distribution hub, a demodulator for demodulating said received data, an address recognition circuit for determining whether an address associated with said data corresponds to an address served by said user modem, a modulator for modulating transmission data to be transmitted by said user modem, a tuner for determining a transmission channel for transmitting said transmission data, and a timing and control circuit for determining when said user modem transmits said transmission data to said distribution hub over said second communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A cable data network architecture, comprising:
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(a) a master head-end comprising an inter-hub communications switch, a network controller, and one or more external communication links; (b) a distribution hub coupled to said master head end via a first communication link, said distribution hub comprising at least one radio frequency modulators for modulating and transmitting data, at least one demodulator for receiving and demodulating return data, a link access control computer for controlling transmission and reception of data by said distribution hub, a hub element manager for detecting faulty communications to and from said distribution hub, and a local switch for switching data between said modulators, said demodulators, said link access computer and said hub element manager within said distribution hub; (c) a network element manager; and (d) at least one user modem connected to said distribution hub via a second communication link, said user modem comprising a tuner for determining a channel for receiving data from said distribution hub, a demodulator for demodulating said received data, an address recognition circuit for determining whether an address associated with said data corresponds to an address served by said user modem, a modulator for modulating transmission data to be transmitted by said user modem, a tuner for determining a transmission channel for transmitting said transmission data, and a timing and control circuit for determining when said user modem transmits said transmission data to said distribution hub over said second communication link.
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Specification