Cable television return link system with high data-rate side-band communication channels
First Claim
1. A return path transmitter for use in conjunction with a local system that generates an analog RF data signal to be conveyed to a head end system, the return path transmitter comprising:
- an RF signal receiver configured to receive and convert the analog RF data signal into digitized RF data samples, the RF signal receiver further configured to output a first data stream including the digitized RF data samples;
an Ethernet data receiver configured to receive first Ethernet data from a device external to the return path transmitter, the Ethernet data receiver configured to output the first Ethernet data in a second data stream;
first circuitry coupled to the RF signal receiver and to the Ethernet data receiver to receive and process the first data stream and second data stream and to output a third data stream;
an optical transmitter configured to convert the third data stream into a first optical data signal for transmission over an optical fiber to the head end system;
an optical receiver configured to receive a second optical signal over the optical fiber, the optical receiver configured to convert the second optical signal into a fourth data stream;
second circuitry coupled to the optical receiver, the second circuitry configured to recover second Ethernet data from the second optical signal; and
an Ethernet data transmitter coupled to the second circuitry and configured to transmit the second Ethernet data to the device external to the return path transmitter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Cable Television (CATV) digital return link system that provides dedicated, high-speed, full-duplex and point-to-point connections between users and the head end system is disclosed. The CATV digital return link system includes return path transmitters, intermediate hubs and a head end hub coupled to each other via a network of fiber optics cables. The return path transmitters are each coupled to a relatively large number of users via a local CATV-subtree. Signals from cable modems are transmitted via the local CATV-subtree to the return path transmitters for transmission to the head end. A number of users are individually and directly connected to the return path transmitters. Data from these directly connected users is transmitted to the head end via the network of fiber optics cables in conjunction with the RF data from the subtree. Likewise, data from the head end to these directly connected users is transmitted in the forward path direction using the digital return link system.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A return path transmitter for use in conjunction with a local system that generates an analog RF data signal to be conveyed to a head end system, the return path transmitter comprising:
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an RF signal receiver configured to receive and convert the analog RF data signal into digitized RF data samples, the RF signal receiver further configured to output a first data stream including the digitized RF data samples; an Ethernet data receiver configured to receive first Ethernet data from a device external to the return path transmitter, the Ethernet data receiver configured to output the first Ethernet data in a second data stream; first circuitry coupled to the RF signal receiver and to the Ethernet data receiver to receive and process the first data stream and second data stream and to output a third data stream; an optical transmitter configured to convert the third data stream into a first optical data signal for transmission over an optical fiber to the head end system; an optical receiver configured to receive a second optical signal over the optical fiber, the optical receiver configured to convert the second optical signal into a fourth data stream; second circuitry coupled to the optical receiver, the second circuitry configured to recover second Ethernet data from the second optical signal; and an Ethernet data transmitter coupled to the second circuitry and configured to transmit the second Ethernet data to the device external to the return path transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification