Packet fiber node
First Claim
1. A packet fiber node for use in an access network, the access network including a Head End and a plurality of network nodes, the packet fiber node comprising:
- at least one processor;
memory;
a first interface for communicating with the Head End; and
a second interface for communicating with at least a portion of the plurality of network nodes;
the packet fiber node being operable to communicate with the Head End using baseband optical signals that are received at the packet fiber node from the Head End and transmitted to the Head End by the packet fiber node; and
the packet fiber node being operable to permit the Head End to perform at least one operation selected from a group consisting of;
service flow management operations relating to downstream channel service flow management;
packet classification operations relating to downstream channel classification; and
MAC management operations relating to MAC management of downstream channels in the access network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A packet fiber node is described for use in an access network such as, for example, a cable network. The packet fiber node may differ from convention RF fiber nodes deployed in a cable network in that the packet fiber node is configured to communicate with the Head End of the network using baseband optical signals rather than frequency modulated optical signals. According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, one or more packet fiber nodes may be deployed in a cable network to service a plurality of different subscriber groups which are serviced by a single, conventional RF fiber node.
93 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A packet fiber node for use in an access network, the access network including a Head End and a plurality of network nodes, the packet fiber node comprising:
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at least one processor; memory; a first interface for communicating with the Head End; and a second interface for communicating with at least a portion of the plurality of network nodes; the packet fiber node being operable to communicate with the Head End using baseband optical signals that are received at the packet fiber node from the Head End and transmitted to the Head End by the packet fiber node; and the packet fiber node being operable to permit the Head End to perform at least one operation selected from a group consisting of;
service flow management operations relating to downstream channel service flow management;
packet classification operations relating to downstream channel classification; and
MAC management operations relating to MAC management of downstream channels in the access network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for use in an access network, the system comprising:
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a Head End; a plurality of network nodes; a first fiber node operable to facilitate communications between the Head End and the plurality of nodes; the fiber node being operable to communicate with the Head End using baseband optical signals that are received at the fiber node from the Head End and transmitted to the Head End by the fiber node; and the fiber node being operable to permit the Head End to perform at least one operation selected from a group consisting of;
service flow management operations relating to downstream channel service flow management;
packet classification operations relating to downstream channel classification; and
MAC management operations relating to MAC management of downstream channels in the access network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification