Method and system for providing a return path for signals generated by legacy terminals in an optical network
AssigneeWave7 Optices, Inc.
InventorsJames O. Farmer, Deven J. Anthony, Stephen A. Thomas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.
Claims20
A return path of an optical network system comprising:
- a data service hub for generating downstream optical signals;
- at least one subscriber optical interface for receiving RF-modulated signals, for converting the RF-modulated signals to first digital packets and combining the first packets with second packets for upstream transmission towards the data service hub;
- and
- one or more optical waveguides connected to the subscriber optical interface, for carrying the upstream optical signals and downstream optical signals.
A method for providing a return path for signals in an optical network system comprising the steps of:
- receiving RF-modulated signals;
- converting the RF-modulated signals to a first digital information packet;
- receiving a plurality of second digital information packets;
- transmitting the first and second digital information packets by inserting the first digital information packet between the second digital information packets;
- propagating the packets towards a data service hub;
- and
- receiving the first and second digital information packets at the data service hub.
A method for returning RF signals to a data service hub comprising:
- receiving modulated RF signals;
- converting the modulated RF signals into a plurality of first packets;
- receiving a plurality of second packets;
- combining the first packets with the second packets;
- and
- and propagating the combined packets towards the data service hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.