Broadband communication system having a virtual circuit space switch
First Claim
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1. A communication system for transmitting video signals to subscribers comprising:
- a source of video signals; and
a switch having;
a digital communication bus;
a first interface unit coupled to the source for coupling the video signals onto the digital communication bus;
an analog communication bus;
a transmitter coupled to the digital communication bus for amplitude modulating a carrier signal with the video signals and transmitting the AM signals onto the analog communication bus; and
a plurality of second interface units coupled to the analog communication bus, each second interface unit operable to transmit a subset of the AM signals requested by associated subscribers.
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Abstract
A communication system is described which enables efficient delivery of asymmetrical bandwidth signals over a communication network. The system includes a virtual circuit switch having a space switch coupled thereto for distributing downstream signals from a backbone network to subscribers in a cost effective manner.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A communication system for transmitting video signals to subscribers comprising:
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a source of video signals; and a switch having; a digital communication bus; a first interface unit coupled to the source for coupling the video signals onto the digital communication bus; an analog communication bus; a transmitter coupled to the digital communication bus for amplitude modulating a carrier signal with the video signals and transmitting the AM signals onto the analog communication bus; and a plurality of second interface units coupled to the analog communication bus, each second interface unit operable to transmit a subset of the AM signals requested by associated subscribers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data communication switch for selecting video signals for transmission to subscribers, comprising:
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a digital communication bus; a first interface unit for receiving the video signals and coupling the video signals to the digital communication bus; an analog communication bus; a transmitter coupled to the digital communication bus for amplitude modulating a carrier signal with the video signals and transmitting the AM signals onto the analog communication bus; and a plurality of second interface units coupled to the analog communication bus, each second interface unit operable to transmit a subset of AM signals requested by associated subscribers. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of communication comprising:
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providing a source of video signals; coupling the video signals onto a digital communication bus; amplitude modulating a carrier signal with the video signals from the digital communication bus and coupling the AM signals onto an analog communication bus; and transmitting a subset of the AM signals to a subscriber responsive to a subscriber request. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. In an ATM network, a method of communication comprising the steps of:
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receiving a digital signal comprising message cells on a first input port of a virtual circuit switch, the message cells having a virtual circuit identifier associated with a particular first output port; routing the message cells to the associated first output port; coupling message cells on the first output port to a second input port of a space switch; and distributing the message cells to at least one second output port wherein the step of coupling includes converting the digital signal to an amplitude modulated signal. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification