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US 2003/0126614 A1Published application
Hybrid fiber optic and coaxial cable network node that contains a cable modem termination system
OwnerJay G. Staigerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for improving the performance of a data communication system, particularly a CATV system, by dividing the functionality of the cable modem termination systems (CMTSs) into functional units, and distributing these functional units among fiber nodes or other locations throughout the data communication system. This approach provides passive return signal paths and their associated benefits.
Claims36
A data communication system comprising:
- a headend for generating a transmission signal;
- a plurality of distribution hubs operationally coupled to said headend;
- a plurality of fiber nodes, each of said fiber nodes being operationally coupled to said distribution hub by a transmission cable and a return cable, said transmission cable coupled to each fiber node providing said transmission signal to said fiber node;
- a plurality of service lines extending from each of said fiber nodes to operationally couple a plurality of subscriber sites to each of said fiber nodes, and to provide said transmission signal received from said headend at each of said fiber nodes to said subscriber sites;
- and
- a plurality of cable modem termination packages operationally coupled to one of said plurality of distribution hubs, one of said plurality of fiber nodes, or one of said plurality of service lines, said cable modem termination packages located downstream from said headend.
3 more elements
A method of employing a data communication system, said method comprising:
- generating a transmission signal at a headend;
- operationally coupling a plurality of distribution hubs to said headend;
- operationally coupling a plurality of fiber nodes to said distribution hub by a transmission cable and a return cable, said transmission cable coupled to each fiber node providing said transmission signal to said fiber node;
- providing a plurality of service lines extending from each of said fiber nodes to operationally couple a plurality of subscriber sites to each of said fiber nodes, and providing said transmission signal received from said headend at each of said fiber nodes to said subscriber sites;
- and
- operationally coupling a plurality of cable modem termination packages to said data communications system, said cable modem termination packages located downstream from said headend.
3 more elements
A cable modem termination package comprising:
- a demodulator circuit;
- a multiplexor circuit;
- a demultiplexor circuit;
- at least one optical transmitter;
- and
- at least one optical receiver.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.