Network architecture for intelligent network elements
First Claim
1. A network communications device comprising:
- at least one input port receiving Ethernet data,a plurality of output ports including a first output port having a modem for converting a first portion of the Ethernet data into forward Ethernet radio frequency data and transmitting the forward Ethernet radio frequency data at frequencies above 860 MHz, the first output port being a coaxial output port,a processor, anda switch for switching the data, under the control of the processor, from the at least one input port to at least one of the plurality of output ports wherein the forward radio frequency data is transmitted from the first output port in a downstream direction in a coaxial or hybrid fiber coaxial network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present system uses point-to-point data links between intelligent network elements located in the feeder/distribution network to provide reliable, secure, bidirectional broadband access. Digital signals are terminated at the intelligent network elements, switched and regenerated for transmission across additional upstream or downstream data links as needed to connect a home to a headend or router. The intelligent network elements are co-located with or replace the standard network elements to take advantage of existing network configurations. The standard network elements are selectively replaced by the intelligent network elements in an incremental approach. A tree-and-branch network architecture is established in which each intelligent network element is assigned a routing ID employed in the point-to-point transmissions while leaving legacy analog signals unimpeded. The data links are made over relatively short runs of coax cable, which provides greater bandwidth than typical end-to-end feeder/distribution connections between a home and the headend or optical network unit.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A network communications device comprising:
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at least one input port receiving Ethernet data, a plurality of output ports including a first output port having a modem for converting a first portion of the Ethernet data into forward Ethernet radio frequency data and transmitting the forward Ethernet radio frequency data at frequencies above 860 MHz, the first output port being a coaxial output port, a processor, and a switch for switching the data, under the control of the processor, from the at least one input port to at least one of the plurality of output ports wherein the forward radio frequency data is transmitted from the first output port in a downstream direction in a coaxial or hybrid fiber coaxial network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for distributing communications network data comprising:
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switching a first portion of Ethernet data from at least one input port to at least one of a plurality of output ports, the plurality of output ports including a first coaxial output port having a modem, the modem performing; converting the Ethernet data into forward Ethernet radio frequency data, and transmitting the forward Ethernet radio frequency data at frequencies above 860 MHz, controlling the switching using a processor and transmitting the forward radio frequency data from the first output port in a downstream direction in a coaxial or hybrid fiber coaxial network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification