# US 10,771,378 B2 · Radio frequency (RF) ethernet trunking > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,771,378 B2 - Document ID: US10771378B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/037,718 - Filed: 2018-07-17 - Published: 2019-01-17 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-17 - Assignees: Cisco Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Cisco Technology, Inc. - Inventors: John T. Chapman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10771378B2 ## CPC - H04L 45/245: {Link aggregation, e.g. trunking} - H04B 10/2575: Radio-over-fibre, e.g. radio frequency signal modulated onto an optical carrier - H04L 5/14: Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex - H04L 69/18: Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols - H04L 69/326: in the transport layer [OSI layer 4] (H04L69/16 takes precedence) - H04Q 11/0067: {Provisions for optical access or distribution networks, e.g. Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GE-PON), ATM-based Passive Optical Network (A-PON), PON-Ring} - H04L 49/602: {Multilayer or multiprotocol switching, e.g. IP switching} - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) ## Abstract Radio Frequency (RF) Ethernet trunking may be provided. A networking system may comprise a first data pathway, a second data pathway, and a third data pathway. The first data pathway may be between a headend and a first node and may comprise a fiber optic channel using a first data transport protocol. The second data pathway may be between the first node and a second node and may comprise a first coaxial cable channel using the first data transport protocol over a first radio frequency spectrum. The third data pathway may be between the second node and a third node and may comprise a second coaxial cable channel using the first data transport protocol over the first radio frequency spectrum. The second data pathway and the third data pathway may comprise a data trunk using the first data transport protocol for data to and from the first node. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a first data pathway between a headend and a first node, the first data pathway comprising a fiber optic channel using a first data transport protocol; a second data pathway between the first node and a second node, the second data pathway comprising a first coaxial cable channel using the first data transport protocol over a first radio frequency spectrum; and a third data pathway between the second node and a third node, the third data pathway comprising a second coaxial cable channel using the first data transport protocol over the first radio frequency spectrum, wherein the second data pathway and the third data pathway comprise a data trunk using the first data transport protocol for data to and from the first node. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first data transport protocol comprises Ethernet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a fourth data pathway between the first node and a first customer premises equipment, the fourth data pathway comprising a third coaxial cable channel using a second data transport protocol over a second radio frequency spectrum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the second data transport protocol comprises Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a fifth data pathway between the second node and a second customer premises equipment, the fifth data pathway comprising a fourth coaxial cable channel using a second data transport protocol over a second radio frequency spectrum. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the second data transport protocol comprises Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a sixth data pathway between the third node and a third customer premises equipment, the sixth data pathway comprising a fifth coaxial cable channel using a second data transport protocol over a second radio frequency spectrum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the second data transport protocol comprises Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS). ### Claim 9 An apparatus comprising: an input port; a first radio frequency output port; a second radio frequency output port; a first data transport protocol switch connected to the input port and the first radio frequency output port, wherein the first data transport protocol switch is configured to pass data in a data stream using a first data transport protocol to and from the input port and the first radio frequency output port; and a Remote PHY device (RPD) connected to the first data transport protocol switch and the second radio frequency output port, wherein the RPD is configured to: receive data from the first data transport protocol switch, convert the data received from the first data transport protocol switch to a second data transport protocol, transmit the data converted to the second data transport protocol out the second radio frequency output port, receive data from the second radio frequency output port, convert the data received from the second radio frequency output port to the first data transport protocol, and transmit the data converted to the first data transport protocol to the first data transport protocol switch where the data converted to the first data transport protocol is injected into the data stream. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the input port comprises one of the following: a radio frequency input port and an optical input port. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first data transport protocol comprises Ethernet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second data transport protocol comprises Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS). ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the data passed in the first data stream is passed in a Full Duplex mode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the RPD is a Full Duplex RPD. ### Claim 15 An apparatus comprising: an input port; a first radio frequency output port; a second radio frequency output port; and a communication component connected to the input port, the first radio frequency output port, and the second radio frequency output port, wherein the communication component is configured to: pass data in a data stream using a first data transport protocol to and from the input port and the first radio frequency output port, receive data from the first data stream, convert the data received from first data stream to a second data transport protocol, transmit the data converted to the second data transport protocol out the second radio frequency output port, receive data from the second radio frequency output port, convert the data received from the second radio frequency output port to the first data transport protocol, and inject the data converted to the first data transport protocol into the data stream. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the input port comprises one of the following: a radio frequency input port and an optical input port. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first data transport protocol comprises Ethernet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second data transport protocol comprises Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS). ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the data passed in the first data stream is passed using in a full duplex mode. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is disposed in a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) network.