Format converter with smart multitap and upstream signal regulator

• US 7,885,542 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta LLC (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Riggsby, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Dzung D
• Application Number:
  US11/456,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20080010488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,677 Days
• Field of Search: 398 66- 74, 398/115
• US Class Current: 398/67
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/22 Adaptations for optical transmission

Abstract

Systems and methods for signal conversion with smart multitap are disclosed. Embodiments of the systems can be scalable to model different signal topologies, transmission frequencies, bandwidths, and distances. An exemplary embodiment of the systems and methods includes a fiber optic to RF converter and a smart multitap. Although a fiber optic to RF converter is used in exemplary embodiments throughout the disclosure, conversion between other signal topologies is within the scope of the disclosure. The smart multitap includes a multiple tap for distributing a signal to multiple terminals and a microprocessor to select a particular terminal for a signal. Exemplary embodiments include downstream implementations in which a stream is typically sent from a service provider server to a user. Alternative embodiments include downstream implementations as well as upstream implementations in which a user typically sends a stream to a service provider server.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a module configured to convert a signal in a first format to signal in a second format, the module including a diplexer;

a configurable multitap for splitting the signal in the second format and selectively transceiving the signal in the second format to a plurality of terminals;

a diplex filter configured to allow upstream and downstream signals at different frequencies in the second format; and

an upstream signal regulator electrically connected between the diplex filter and the diplexer and configured to provide the upstream signal to the diplexer for converting the upstream signal to the first format, the upstream signal regulator configured to decrease the bandwidth requirements of an upstream signal, wherein the diplexer receives the upstream signal from the upstream signal regulator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first format is capable of being used over a fiber optic transmission medium.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second format is capable of being used over a radio frequency transmission medium.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor for selecting at least one of the plurality of terminals to receive the signal in the second format.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a filter for passing a control signal to the processor.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a demodulator configured to demodulate the control signal for use by the processor.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the filter is a bandpass filter.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the configurable multitap comprises:

a plurality of switches selectively controllable by the processor; and

a plurality of splitters communicatively coupled to the plurality of switches.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the diplex filter comprises a high pass filter electrically connected to pass downstream signals between the module and the multitap.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the diplex filter comprises a low pass filter electrically connected to pass upstream signals between the multitap and the diplexer.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the upstream signal regulator comprises a burst mode gateway.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an upstream fiber optic transmission laser configured to apply the upstream signal to a fiber optic cable.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the upstream signal regulator comprises a burst mode gateway.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the burst mode gateway disables the upstream fiber optic transmission laser if no upstream signal is present.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the upstream signal regulator comprises a module configured to digitize the upstream signal.

16. A system comprising:

a module configured to convert a signal in a first format to signal in a second format, the module including a diplexer;

a configurable multitap for splitting the signal in the second format and selectively transceiving the signal in the second format to a plurality of terminals;

a diplex filter configured to allow upstream and downstream signals at different frequencies in the second format; and

an upstream signal regulator electrically connected between the diplex filter and the diplexer, the upstream signal regulator being configured to digitize the upstream signal and provide a digitized upstream signal to the diplexer for converting the upstream signal from the second format to the first format.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an upstream fiber optic transmission laser configured to apply the digitized upstream signal to a fiber optic cable.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the diplexer converts the digitized upstream signal to the first format.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the upstream signal regulator provides the digitized upstream signal directly to the diplexer.