Distributed termination system for two-way hybrid networks
US6490727B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/6118
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In hybrid fiber coaxial cable networks such as used in cable television where two-way digital communications are desired, a distributed termination system is provided. In such a system the home terminals are digital terminals, such as digital set-top boxes or cable modems using bi-directional transmission standards. The functionality of the head end controller in a conventional system is in this system distributed between the head end and the fiber nodes which link the coaxial cable and optical fiber portions of the system. Thereby the upstream detection takes place in the fiber nodes rather than in the head end by placing upstream burst receivers in the fiber nodes. Further there is a distributed method to enable this by providing synchronization and calibration control between the head end and the fiber nodes. Also, the return path is a digital return path supported by having the burst receivers located in the fiber nodes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.