Architecture to communicate with standard hybrid fiber coaxial rf signals over a passive optical network (hfc pon)
AssigneeGeneral Instrument Corporation
InventorsPhilip Miguelez, Shawn M. Esser, Fred Slowik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One or more overlay wavelengths are applied to a GPON architecture to provide sufficient, cost-effective forward bandwidth per home for targeted, unique narrowcast services to allow traditional HFC operators to use a PON architecture with their existing HFC equipment. A separate return path capability using a separate coaxial cable with RF signals to the GPON may also be used. This return capability may be provided either by a fiber optic link or coaxial link from the home.
Claims15
-15. (canceled)
A system for inserting a narrowcast overlay wavelength in a passive optical network (PON), the system comprising a headend including:
- at least one broadcast transmitter for generating broadcast optical signals for transmission using a broadcast overlay wavelength in a forward path, wherein the forward path transmits through an optical fiber associated with the PON;
- a plurality of narrowcast transmitters, each generating narrowcast optical signals using the narrowcast overlay wavelength;
- and
- a multiplexer for inserting the narrowcast overlay wavelength into a broadcast PON port for combining the narrowcast overlay wavelength with the broadcast overlay wavelength;
- an interface port for transmission of the narrowcast overlay wavelength with the broadcast overlay wavelength via the broadcast overlay wavelength through the optical fiber in the forward path,
- wherein the narrowcast overlay wavelength is offset from the broadcast overlay wavelength.
The system for communicating over a PON of claim 1, wherein the headend further comprises a return receiver which is configured to receive return signals from the passive optical network.
The system for communicating over a PON of claim 1, further comprising an optical network termination (ONT) unit which converts optical signals to electrical signals at an endpoint of the passive optical network.
A method for inserting a narrowcast overlay wavelength in a passive optical network (PON), the system comprising:
- generating broadcast optical signals for transmission using a broadcast overlay wavelength in a forward path, wherein the forward path transmits through an optical fiber associated with the PON;
- generating narrowcast optical signals using the narrowcast overlay wavelength;
- and
- inserting the narrowcast overlay wavelength into a broadcast PON port for combining the narrowcast overlay wavelength with the broadcast overlay wavelength;
- transmitting the narrowcast overlay wavelength with the broadcast overlay wavelength via the broadcast overlay wavelength through the optical fiber in the forward path,
- wherein the narrowcast overlay wavelength is offset from the broadcast overlay wavelength.
A wave division multiplexer for inserting a narrowcast overlay wavelength in a passive optical network (PON), the wave division multiplexer comprising:
- a receiver for receiving narrowcast optical signals using the narrowcast overlay wavelength and receiving broadcast optical signals using a broadcast overlay wavelength;
- a processor for inserting the narrowcast overlay wavelength into a broadcast PON port for combining the narrowcast overlay wavelength with the broadcast overlay wavelength, wherein the narrowcast overlay wavelength is offset from the broadcast overlay wavelength;
- an output interface for providing the narrowcast overlay wavelength with the broadcast overlay wavelength for transmission via the broadcast overlay wavelength through an optical fiber in a forward path, wherein the forward path transmits through the optical fiber associated with the PON.
The wave division multiplexer of claim 13, further comprising an interface with a return receiver which is configured to receive return signals from the passive optical network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.