Network architecture for intelligent network elements
US7835379B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/5679
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.