Subscriber network interface

A subscriber network interface for receiving and transmitting multiple subscriber service signals off of and onto, respectively, a network communication line, the interface comprising:

• a plurality of independently controlled subscriber service modules, each subscriber service module comprising ATM cell segmentation and reassembly ("SAR") circuitry configured for disassembling incoming ATM cells into a respective incoming subscriber service signal and for assembling outgoing ATM cells from a respective outgoing subscriber service signal, at least one subscriber service module comprising a telecommunications module having circuit emulation circuitry for supporting telecommunication services;
• first and second RF communication paths;
• a coupler having means for splitting incoming RF signals onto at least said first and second RF communication paths, and for combining outgoing RF signals received from said first and second RF communication paths;
• a first modem connected to said second RF communication path, said first modem configured for demodulating an incoming RF signal carrying incoming ATM cell traffic and for RF modulating outgoing ATM cell traffic;
• and
• an ATM cell-mux connected to said first modem, said ATM cell-mux including
• a de-multiplexor circuit configured for receiving a continuous stream of incoming ATM cells communicated from said first modem, and for distributing said incoming ATM cells to one or more of said subscriber service modules, and
• a multiplexor circuit configured for receiving individual outgoing ATM cells communicated from one or more of said subscriber service modules, and for transmitting a continuous stream of outgoing ATM cells to said first modem.

In a broadband communication network, an interface for receiving and transmitting multiple subscriber service signals off of and onto, respectively, a network access line, comprising:

• a plurality of independently controlled subscriber service modules, each subscriber service module comprising ATM cell segmentation and reassembly ("SAR") circuitry configured for disassembling incoming ATM cells into a respective incoming subscriber service signal and for assembling outgoing ATM cells from a respective outgoing subscriber service signal, at least one subscriber service module comprising a telecommunications module having circuit emulation circuitry for supporting telecommunication services;
• first, second and third RF communication paths;
• an coupler having means for splitting incoming RF signals onto said first, second and third RF communication paths, and for combining outgoing RF signals received from said first, second and third RF communication paths;
• a first modem connected to said second RF communication path, said first modem configured for demodulating an incoming RF signal carrying incoming ATM cell traffic and for RF modulating outgoing ATM cell traffic;
• an ATM cell-mux connected to said first modem, said ATM cell-mux including
• a de-multiplexor circuit configured for receiving a continuous stream of incoming ATM cells communicated from said first modem, and for distributing said incoming ATM cells to one or more of said subscriber service modules, and
• a multiplexor circuit configured for receiving individual outgoing ATM cells communicated from one or more of said subscriber service modules, and for transmitting a continuous stream of outgoing ATM cells to said first modem;
• a second modem connected to said third RF communication path;
• and
• a digital baseband-mux connected to said second modem, said digital baseband-mux including
• a de-multiplexor circuit configured for receiving a single incoming digital baseband data stream communicated from said second modem, and for transmitting one or more incoming digital baseband data streams derived therefrom to respective subscriber service modules, and
• a multiplexor circuit configured for receiving one or more outgoing digital baseband data streams communicated from respective subscriber service modules, and for transmitting a single outgoing digital baseband data stream to said second modem.