Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
725129000 | Hybrid fiber-coax network | 27 |
20080209494 | Network architecture for intelligent network elements - Hybrid fiber/coax networks employ the existing cable plant used for cable TV and transmit data signals in a frequency bandwidth above that which is used for cable TV. As this cable plant was deployed in a tree and branch topology, data transmissions may be susceptible to noise, variable transmission loss and frequency dispersion, particularly in the upstream direction. Further, due to the tree and branch topology, homes at the far end of the network experience much greater loss than do the homes that are near to the headend/ONU. The present system, which uses point-to-point data links between intelligent network elements located in the feeder/distribution network to provide reliable, secure, bi-directional broadband access. Digital signals are terminated at the intelligent network elements, switched and regenerated for transmission across additional upstream or downstream data links as needed to connect a home to a headend or router. The intelligent network elements can be co-located with or replace the standard network elements to take advantage of existing network configurations. The standard network elements can be selectively replaced by the intelligent network elements in an incremental approach. A tree-and-branch network architecture is therefore established in which each intelligent network element is assigned a routing ID employed in the point-to-point transmissions while leaving legacy analog signals unimpeded. In this manner, the data links are made over relatively short runs of coax cable, which can provide greater bandwidth than the typical end-to-end feeder/distribution connection between a home and the headend or optical network unit. | 08-28-2008 |
20090113511 | DISTORTION AND NOISE CANCELING SYSTEM FOR HFC NETWORKS - Canceling and removing distortion and noise components of a signal generated in a hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) network. The system transmits an optical signal from an input side of an optical network unit of an existing HFC network to a coaxial distribution hub through a separate optical fiber jumper; converts the optical signal into a reference RF signal; extracts only the distortion and noise component by combining the reference RF signal with the degraded main RF signal, in opposite phase, containing distortions and noises generated, while the main RF signal passes through coaxial cables and cascaded coaxial amplifiers in coaxial paths of an HFC network; canceling out the distortion and noise component by combining the extracted distortion and noise component with the degraded main RF signal, in opposite phase. | 04-30-2009 |
20090119735 | WIDEBAND NODE IN A CATV NETWORK - A novel node device enables transmission of a wideband signal, in compliance with various acceptable transmission standards and protocols. The signal consists of the legacy spectrum of about 5-860 MHz as well as a new downstream spectrum of about 1000-2000 MHz and a new upstream spectrum of about 2000-3000 MHz or about 930-1100 MHz. The novel device enables transfer of additional data in the upstream direction employing multiple upstream bands without making substantial investment in upstream physical node splitting thus providing networking services to residential subscribers, as well as to small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), which may operate under existing DOCSIS protocols and controlled by standard DOCSIS routers (CMTSs). | 05-07-2009 |
20090205007 | Fiber-optic access network utilizing CATV technology in an efficient manner - A system is provided for combining conventional HFC plants with fiber-optic access systems (e.g., fiber-to-the-home or fiber-to-the-curb) that share a head-end and other equipment. A robust modulation format, such as QPSK, having a sufficient SNR to transmit information (e.g., data, digital audio and digital video) downstream to users' premises via a fiber-optic access system is used. Also, a method and apparatus is provided for converting a first modulation format for information received via a fiber-optic access system to a modulation format compatible with customer premises equipment. | 08-13-2009 |
20090282453 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSIGNING AND VERIFYING CPE SERVICE CALLS IN A CABLE NETWORK - A system and method for determining a fault in a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network segment. A two-way client uses a two-way query interface to acquire information indicative of the two-way operational status of subscriber CPE units associated with a subscriber number from a two-way validation server. Using the operational status of the subscriber CPE units, a fault may be associated with either the CPE units or with network facilities other than the two or more CPE units. | 11-12-2009 |
20090300702 | Early Warning Fault Identification and Isolation System for a Two-Way Cable Network - A system and method for determining an operational status of a segment of a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network. Subscriber premises units (SPUs) connected to the HFC cable network are “pinged” and their responses recorded. The two most responsive SPUs in each node of the HFC cable network are identified. The most responsive SPU is added to a primary ping list and the next most responsive SPU is added to a secondary ping list. The SPUs on the primary list are “pinged” and their responses recorded. If an SPU on the primary list fails to respond, the secondary SPU associated with the node is pinged. If both the primary and secondary SPU associated with a node fail to respond to the “ping,” the node is identified as non-responsive. If all of the nodes associated with a modulator (or a demodulator) are identified as non-responsive, the modulator (or demodulator) is identified as “non-responsive.” Additionally, network devices are pinged and their responses noted. Using the responsiveness of nodes and network devices, faults in segments in an HFC cable network can be identified and located. | 12-03-2009 |
20100107211 | CABLE TELEVISION OPTICAL FIBER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A Cable Television optical fiber communication system is disclosed, comprises a provider end, plural optical signal transmission devices and plural user ends, each optical signal transmission device is provided between the provider end and the user ends and has an light splitting element, a RF receive module, and a RF return module. The light splitting element is connected to the provider end via an optical transmission wire and is served to bi-directionally transfer a laser beam having a signal between the provider end and the user ends. The RF receive module is served to transfer a first signal of the provider end to the user ends. The RF return module emits a laser beam having a second signal to the provider end only when an analog return signal is emitted from the user end. | 04-29-2010 |
20120198510 | Return Data Path in an HFC Network - Described herein are devices and methods for facilitating the transmission of an upstream data signal from at least one subscriber in a communications network. The device is operable to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from one or more subscribers. The RF signal includes at least one upstream data signal. The RF signal is demodulated into the upstream data signal by a RF demodulator in the device, which is then converted into an optical signal by an optical transducer in the device for transmission over a fiber optic link in the network. | 08-02-2012 |
20120304241 | RF SIGNAL TRANSPORT OVER PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORKS - One embodiment provides an EPON for transporting RF signals. The system includes a reference clock, an ONU, and an OLT. The ONU includes a mechanism for receiving a frequency and phase-reference signal from the OLT, a mechanism for receiving an RF signal, an ADC for converting the RF signal into a digital signal using a sampling signal associated with the frequency and phase-reference signal, a mechanism for assembling at least a portion of the digital signal into a packet, a mechanism configured to timestamp the packet, and an optical transceiver. The OLT includes a mechanism for receiving the packet, a buffer, a delay mechanism configured to delay reading the received packet from the buffer for a predetermined amount of time, and a DAC for converting the digital signal included in the packet back to RF domain using a clock signal associated with the frequency and phase-reference signal. | 11-29-2012 |
20130125194 | Converged Cable Access Platform for Provision of Video and Data Services - Systems, method, and computer program products for provisioning video and data services using a deep modulation Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) architecture in a traditional Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) network are described. The deep-modulation CCAP architecture includes a remote conversion unit (e.g., that includes one or more modulators and demodulators to perform signal modulation and demodulation) connected to a CCAP core through a digital optical medium (e.g., an optical fiber) to achieve higher network capacity as well as cost and power consumption reduction. | 05-16-2013 |
20130160070 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EVENT LOGGING IN AN INFORMATION NETWORK - Methods and apparatus for logging, analysis, and reporting of events such as reboots in a client device (e.g., consumer premises equipment in a cable network) using applications. In one aspect, an improved event logging and monitoring system is provided within the device with which the application(s) can interface to record event or error data. In one exemplary embodiment, the client device comprises a digital set-top box having Java-enabled middleware adapted to implement the various functional aspects of the event logging system, which registers to receive event notifications (including resource exhaustion data) from other applications running on the device. The network operator can also optionally control the operation of the logging system remotely via a network agent. Improved client device and network configurations, as well as methods of operating these systems, are also disclosed. | 06-20-2013 |
20130191877 | METHOD OF TRANSFORMING HFC CATV ANALOG FIBER TRANSMISSION TO DIGITAL FIBER TRANSMISSION - A method of converting legacy HFC CATV cable systems, which transmit data over the optical fiber portion of the system using the optical counterpart of analog RF waveforms, such as RF QAM waveforms transduced to corresponding optical QAM waveforms, to improved HFC CATV systems that transmit data over the optical fiber using optical fiber optimized protocols, such as Ethernet frames and other optical fiber optimized digital transport protocols. According to the method, most aspects of the legacy HFC CATV system may be retained, however at the CATV head end, the optical fiber transmitter system is replaced by an improved system that extracts the underlying symbols from legacy waveforms, packages these symbols into optical fiber optimized packets, and transmits downstream. The legacy optical fiber nodes are replaced with improved nodes capable of receiving the packets and remodulating the symbols into RF waveforms suitable for injection into the system's CATV cable. | 07-25-2013 |
20130198796 | GATEWAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONTENT AND DATA DELIVERY IN A FIBER-BASED CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK - Methods and apparatus for the delivery of content in a network via a user premises gateway device in communication with one or more user devices. The gateway device receives content from an optical network (e.g., EPON), processes the content onto one or more communication channels, and delivers it to the user devices. In one variant, the gateway includes switching functionality to receive all available programs, or only a portion thereof, and providing specific ones on an as-needed basis to the user device(s) via the channels. Video on Demand (VOD) and pay-per-view (PPV) as well as other unicast services may also be provided by the gateway apparatus. A DOCSIS or other data channel, as well as a dedicated guide data channel, may be among the provided channels. | 08-01-2013 |
20130232537 | PACKET FILTERING AT A MEDIA CONVERTER IN A NETWORK WITH OPTICAL AND COAXIAL COMPONENTS - A media converter is coupled to an optical link terminal and a plurality of coax network units in a cable plant. The media converter receives packets from the optical link terminal via an optical link. The packets include first packets addressed to coax network units on the cable plant and second packets addressed to network units outside of the cable plant. The media converter forwards the first packets to the coax network units on the cable plant via one or more coax links, such that the first packets are forwarded to each coax network unit on the cable plant, and discards the second packets. | 09-05-2013 |
20130239165 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ALLOCATING RESOURCES IN A NETWORK WITH OPTICAL AND COAXIAL COMPONENTS - A media converter is to be coupled to an optical line terminal via an optical link and to a plurality of coax network units via coax links in a cable plant. The media converter includes an optical physical-layer device to receive and transmit optical signals via the optical link and a coax physical-layer device to receive and transmit electrical signals via the coax links. The media converter also includes an implementation of an optical-coax convergence layer to schedule transmissions of electrical signals from the plurality of coax network units by allocating coax resources among the plurality of coax network units in accordance with resource allocation for the optical link. | 09-12-2013 |
20140026177 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - According to the present invention, in an optical transmission system optically transmitting an optical signal between a first camera adaptor provided to a first video camera, a second camera adaptor provided to a second video camera, and a base station provided at a position remote from the video cameras, the first camera adaptor converts a first electric signal including a video signal component from the first video camera into a first optical signal and transmits the first optical signal to the second camera adaptor. The second camera adaptor receives the first optical signal, converts a second electric signal including a video signal from the second video camera into a second optical signal, and transmits the first and second optical signals to the base station. The base station receives the first and second optical signals, converts the received optical signals into the first and second electric signals, and outputs the electric signals to an external device. | 01-23-2014 |
20140101711 | VIRTUAL CONVERGED CABLE ACCESS PLATFORMS FOR HFC CABLE NETWORKS - A virtual converged cable access platform (CCAP) system and method for hybrid fiber CATV (HFC) cable networks. The system uses a new type of digital optical fiber node configured to receive optical fiber data packets, and reconstitute the optical data packets into RF waveforms suitable for injection into the system's CATV cable. The system replaces the legacy HFC head end with a simplified “virtual head end”. The system's virtual head end operates using a new type of virtual CCAP controller and virtual CCAP software that in turn controls high performance edge routers. Much of the intelligence of running the HFC cable system is managed by the controller software, while the edge router manages the interface between the CATV portion of the system and outside networks. The system can handle even legacy CATV RF signals by appropriate conversion operations, while reducing power and space needs, and improving operational flexibility. | 04-10-2014 |
20140137177 | HYBRID ALL DIGITAL FIBER TO CATV CABLE SYSTEM AND METHOD - Producing advanced HFC CATV cable systems while easing the burden of backward compatibility. The system improves CATV data carrying capacity by moving RF QAM modulators from the cable head end to various individually or group addressed optical fiber nodes supplying neighborhood CATV cables, and sending data from the cable head IP backbone to the nodes over optical fiber as IP data packets. For high backward compatibility, the system digitizes legacy RF waveforms, or demodulates legacy QAM waveforms to QAM symbols, also transmits these over the optical fiber as IP data packets, and then reconstitutes back to original waveforms as needed. The system is thus able to easily handle legacy NTSC, FM, QPSK waveforms and do partial (QAM symbol level) compression of legacy QAM waveforms to and from multiple nodes without requiring additional optical fiber wavelengths. The system may use non-standard upstream/downstream CATV frequency splits, filter bank receivers, and FPGA/DSP/ASIC methods. | 05-15-2014 |
20140150047 | VIRTUAL CCAP CABLE MODEM TERMINATION SYSTEM WITH SOFTWARE RECONFIGUABLE MAC AND PHY CAPABILITY - Distributed and software reconfigurable remote CMTS (CMRTS) device, based on MAC and PHY units with FPGA and DSP components, for a HFC CATV network. The various CATV RF modulators, such as QAM modulators, may be located entirely at the fiber nodes if desired. Although a basic set of CATV QAM data waveforms may optionally be transmitted to the nodes using a first fiber, in a preferred embodiment, all data may be transmitted to the nodes using other protocols such as Ethernet protocols. The nodes will extract the data specific to each neighborhood and inject this data into the cable portion of the system as RF waveforms, such as RF QAM channels. A computerized “virtual shelf” control system for managing and reconfiguring the FPGA and DSP based CMTRS units, as well as a new type of edge router based all-digital virtual head end (virtual converged cable access platform) is also disclosed. | 05-29-2014 |
20140165126 | LOW-COST LEAKAGE DETECTOR FOR A DIGITAL HFC NETWORK - A handheld leakage detector for finding digital signal leaks in a HFC network, comprises a radio receiver, a leakage receiver, leakage sampler, a correlator, and a display. The radio receiver receives samples of the digital signal taken from the HFC network, called “reference samples.” The leakage receiver receives a leakage signal, which is a leaked version of the digital signal from the HFC network. The leakage sampler samples the leakage signal to form leakage samples. The correlator performs a cross-correlation of the reference samples and the leakage samples, to produce a correlation function. An optimizable value is determined from the correlation function. The value generally becomes more optimized as the detector approaches the leak. The leak is sought by iteratively changing the position of the detector until the value becomes substantially optimized or the leak is found. | 06-12-2014 |
20140282801 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH HYBRID INPUT - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282802 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATIC DISPERSION COMPENSATION - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter by compensating for optical dispersion over the fiber optic network. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282803 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATIC PARAMETER CONTROL - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. The transmitter preferably monitors performance attributes of a transmitted signal and selectively configures the transmitter based on the monitored attributes. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282804 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH RF INPUT - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282805 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH SIGNAL INSERTION - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. | 09-18-2014 |
20150113586 | RADIO FREQUENCY AND FIBER OPTIC SUBSCRIBER DROP EQUIPMENT HAVING IMPACT RESISTANT HOUSINGS AND RELATED HOUSINGS AND METHODS - Subscriber drop units include a housing having a top wall that has an exterior surface and an interior surface and a plurality of sidewalls that extend downwardly from the top wall, the top wall and the sidewalls defining an interior cavity. An input port and at least one output port extend through the housing. A printed circuit board is mounted within the interior cavity. The exterior surface of the top wall includes a first ridge that extends upwardly above a first of the sidewalls and a second ridge that extends upwardly above a second of the sidewalls | 04-23-2015 |
20220141544 | NARROWCASTING TO ONE-WAY SET TOP BOXES - Methods and systems of narrowcasting to a service group having one or more one-way set top boxes are shown and disclosed. The method may include receiving encrypted single program transport streams (SPTSs) from an encryptor, and receiving one or more session control signals for the SPTSs from a switched digital video (SDV) control system. The method may additionally include receiving service information (SI) packet identifiers (PIDs) for the SPTSs from a conditional access (CA) system, and updating the SI PIDs based on the one or more session control signals. The method may further include converting the SPTSs to narrowcast multiprogram transport streams (MPTSs) based on the one or more session control signals, and transmitting the narrowcast MPTSs and the updated SI PIDs to a plurality of edge quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) devices. | 05-05-2022 |