KR20030074793A - Multi-band coax extender for in-building digital communication systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for extending the digital transmission capacity of a "tree and branch" coaxial distributed system using a distributed TV signal amplifier 650. Specifically, many separate bands are used in the frequency shifted main feeder cable 624 and applied to many local coaxial distributed networks. In the preferred embodiment, each local coaxial distributed network 762, 766, 770 uses the same pair of up and down frequencies 116, 120. Using the same pair of up and down frequencies allows the use of one standardized untuned end user data interface (client modem 408), which can be connected to any local coaxial distributed network. This summary is provided as a tool for patent search and does not limit the scope of the claims.

Description

MULTI-BAND COAX EXTENDER FOR IN-BUILDING DIGITAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS}

[Related Application]

This application claims priority based on US provisional application 60 / 267,046, filed February 7, 2001. This application describes a "high speed data communication over local coaxial cable described in co-pending application 09 / 482,836, based on US Provisional Application No. 60 / 115,646, filed Jan. 13, 1999. A method of raising the voltage of a signal carrying the capacity of a system to provide a "Data Communication Over Local Coaxial Cable". Another application, assigned to coaXmedia, Inc., which describes the environment of the present invention, discloses "Architecture and Method for Automated Distributed Gain Control for Internet Communications." for MDUs and Hotels (US Application No. 09 / 818,378, based on US Provisional Application No. 60 / 193,855). The filing date of U.S. Application No. 60 / 193,855 is March 30, 2000.

For the convenience of the reader, Applicants have added a number of headings to clarify the internal structure of the present specification and to facilitate locating certain discussions. These headings are for convenience only and are not limited to the content within a particular heading.

In the description, for the sake of clarity, general terminology for the components is used. Whether the specified components and the internal operation of other components use the same principles, the use of specific terms for a component that is suitable for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosed invention is intended to enable all technical acts that perform to the same purpose. It should be interpreted as including an equivalence range. Unless expressly limited by the following description or claims, the use of such specific terms for clarity should not be misinterpreted as limiting the scope of the disclosure of the designated component.

The solution described above can be summarized in FIG. In Fig. 1, a bandwidth 108 between 50 MHz and 860 MHz is allocated for downlink transmission of a television signal. The band 104 from 5 MHz to 42 MHz is used for current services using up traffic, such as pay-per-view. Most of the frequency band 112 between 860 MHz and 900 MHz is used in other applications such as cellular phones. Because of the relatively high field-strength radiation of portable cellular handsets, care should be taken not to use frequencies adjacent to those used in cellular phones.

Conventional coax distribution networks have splitters and couplers that operate satisfactorily up to about 1 MHz (1000 MHz). Thus, the 09 / 482,836 and 09 / 818,378 applications suggest that both the downlink and uplink frequencies of the data are between 900 MHz and 1000 MHz. In FIG. 1, the uplink frequency is represented by 915 MHz (116) and the downlink frequency is represented by 980 MHz (120). It was thought that a pair of up and down frequencies was sufficient to provide statistical two-way Internet access of 50 to 100 users or client modems.

The 09 / 818,378 application teaching that additional downlink spectrum can be allocated in the band between 1 kHz and about 1.6 GHz provides that the present component can be replaced by a component that operates properly in this frequency band. It was. This solution requires a means for the client modem to recognize the request to switch from the normal downlink channel of 980 MHz to the high frequency channel. Thus, in addition to the cost of upgrading components of a conventional distributed network, there is a need to provide more expensive client modems that can operate at multiple downlink frequencies.

[Material of problem]

As shown in FIG. 2, larger MDUs of in-building coaxial cable TV distribution systems typically have more than 50 coaxial sockets. Such large distributed systems typically have a mix of local services 604 in addition to TV channels. The local service at the hotel may include information about the digital video server, the checkout information and the hotel restaurant.

Local service 604 and cable television channel 608 are coupled at element 612 before a feeder cable 324 (sometimes referred to as a coax riser) and amplified by central location amplifier 620. .

Larger systems may include one or more central position divider 630 to feed additional amplifiers 634 and other long feeder cables 638. The local distributed network that is connected to the long feeder cable 638 is not shown in order to avoid complexity in the drawing. Such a distributed system requires an intermediate amplifier 650 that augments the signal level attenuated by coaxial cables, splitters and directional tap losses in order to provide sufficient signal levels for television sets and / or other entertainment equipment. Shall be. This intermediate amplifier 650 is distributed to the building at some distance from the central feed point within the MDU, which can be serviced by means via CATV, TV broadcast antenna or fiber optics. This intermediate amplifier 650 generally sends TV channel signals only in one direction at frequencies typically in the range of 50 MHz to 750 MHz. In some cases such amplifiers have opposite amplifiers capable of carrying signals at frequencies in the range of 5 MHz to 42 MHz. The opposite channel can sometimes be used to carry a typical signal that requires an upstream channel of a pay-per-view (PPV) television service or a cable modem used for Internet access at higher frequencies.

When a TV coaxial distributed system is used to carry data outside the CATV frequency band, it is necessary to provide a bypass amplifier connected by coaxial cable through a frequency selective diplexer for each signal direction. Therefore, when implementing a system for carrying data in a current cable television network, a circuit for raising a data signal as shown in FIG. 3 is required.

3 operates without disturbing the operation of current CATV interconnection expansion amplifier 650. The amplifier 650 is separated by a pair of low band filters 654 of the diplexer 660. A high frequency bypass is provided to the pair of high band filters 658 near the current amplifier 650. Bypass is distributed by the distributor 664 into the down channel and the up channel. The down channel and up channel are separated from each other by shield 668.

In a system using 980 MHz for the downlink frequency and 915 MHz for the uplink frequency, the downlink channel includes a 980 MHz bandpass filter 672, a variable attenuator 676, an amplifier 680, and a 915 MHz bandstop filter ( 684). The upstream channel consists of a 915 MHz band pass filter 688, a variable attenuator 676, an amplifier 692 and a 980 MHz band reject filter 696.

If too many users share a data distribution system, the capacity may be insufficient. Insufficient capacity can lead to poor service quality, with data packets lost or delayed. The number of users to say "too much" is a function of the type of data needs of the individual user. How many users are "too many" users? This depends on whether users want to connect at the same time, the need to send or receive large amounts of data, and the application's sensitivity to delays in receiving data packets. As the evolution of multimedia, video conferencing, and other data-intensive applications increases, the amount of data that one connected user communicates with will be less than the number of users that can be supported by the data network. Low latency applications such as video conferencing or voice over internet protocol (IP) exacerbate this problem.

It may seem desirable to simply use additional frequencies for the up and / or down channels, but this is not a preferred solution.

A client modem set tuned to receive one downlink frequency and transmit on one uplink frequency has several advantages. For example, manufacturing and equipment costs are saved if there is no need to provide a modem that can be tuned to operate over a range of receive or transmit frequencies.

Although the designer ignores the advantage of using the same pair of transmit and receive frequencies in the entire set of client modems, there is a practical limit to the number of available frequency bands above 900 MHz. The problem is that about 1 kHz is an efficient upper frequency limit. This limitation is often associated with distributors, directional taps, connectors, and sometimes coaxial cables themselves, at the end of coaxial distributed branch networks, often at frequencies much higher than 1 kHz. Occurs due to incompletely operating reality.

The use of multiple frequency channels in the spectrum above 900 MHz and below 1 GHz has its own problems. One problem is that adding additional channels increases the total signal power. This additional signal power increases the risk of signal overload in active elements of the network. This overload can adversely affect the distribution of TV services. An additional problem is that adding more channels increases the complexity of the filter required to separate each channel.

Fortunately, the main (feeder) coaxial distributed cables 624, 638, which connect the TV signal between the feed point to the building and the distributed booster amplifier 650, can typically carry frequencies well above 1 kHz, which feeder cable. Generally does not include directional tabs or dividers. Even if there are several taps or dividers in front of the booster amplifier, it is easy to replace or upgrade the components. This is easy because there are only a few taps or dividers in front of the booster amplifier, which is easy to access. This is in stark contrast to the situation after booster amplifiers with many taps and most of which are difficult to access.

The present invention relates to a data communication area. More specifically, the present invention is one of ongoing improvements in the area of data communications dealing with the use of tree and branch distribution systems for up and down data communications between a hub server and two or more client modem sets. Preferably, the client modem should be capable of a plug and play connection or other easy connection between the laptop and the branched network. The resin branch network is preferably connected to the Internet. Thus, the present invention can be used to enable plug and play access to the Internet via current coaxial television networks in hotels or multiple dwelling units (MDU's) or similar buildings. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use in hotels or MDUs or similar buildings, these being examples of places where the advantages of the invention may be exploited.

The above-mentioned 09 / 482,836 application describes a system that enables connection in a device, such as a personal computer, to a special modem connecting to a conventional resin branch type coaxial network in a hotel, MDU or similar building. The system described in the 09 / 482,836 application used two bands outside the range used for cable TV. Thus, the system has one frequency range for the downlink data channel and one frequency range for the uplink data channel. Since this is a resin branch network, all modem devices receive communication, so all communication down must identify which modem device (or devices) is addressed. Conversely, communication from many personal modem devices to the network upstream is one at a time to prevent distortion of the upstream data caused by one or more client modems transmitting at the same frequency (bus contention) at the same time. Only modems should be controlled to transmit uplink communications. The control method used in the referenced application is based on a polling and response model.

The present invention improves upon the prior art by the positive "coaXmedis, Inc." by providing a method of increasing the capacity of a main feeder cable that carries communications with a client modem.

In a preferred embodiment, client modems are mass produced to operate in the same pair of up and down frequency bands.

The referenced application and the situation covered by the invention are illustrated in FIG. 1.

1 illustrates the frequency bands used to carry data upstream (116) and downstream (120) to a conventional resin branched distributed network of cable television in related applications.

2 illustrates the relationship between feeder cables 624 and 638 with local coaxial distributed networks 762, 766, 768, and 770.

3 illustrates the components of a line extender used to provide an amplified signal of data transmitted to a conventional resin branch network.

4 illustrates one embodiment according to the present invention using three different downlink frequencies via feeder cable 624 and only one uplink frequency through feeder cable 624. FIG.

5 shows one embodiment according to the present invention using three different downlink frequencies over feeder cable 624 and three different uplink frequencies over feeder cable 624.

The present invention solves the limitations of the prior art by using a two-stage system. In a preferred embodiment, the feeder cable stage utilizes the capacity of the feeder cable to carry data of multiple bands of the frequency spectrum of more than 1 kHz. The local stage converts these bands of data at the TV " booster " amplifier position into corresponding bands in the frequency range of 900 MHz to 1 kHz, and connects this downstream communication as a group into separate local resin branch networks of the TV coaxial distributed system. Amplify for forward transmission to the end user. In addition, at least some uplink communications are shifted to frequencies on the order of 1 Hz for uplink transmission on the feeder cable. The solution of the present invention provides a fairly high data capacity in the system, in which all data interface "modems" can be identical and do not require complex tuning functions. Thus, because many up and down bands are converted to the standard up and down frequency channels of the local distribution end, modems for use at end-user end points of branched networks can be mass-produced and It may be set in advance. The modem can be used interchangeably on several different local branch networks.

If desired, one set of up and down communications can be moved to the feeder cable at the frequency used by the client modem, so no frequency shift is required for this fraction of communication. Although it may be desirable to use the same frequency in all client modems for administrative or economic reasons, the present invention is not limited to networks where all client modems operate only on a pair of up and down frequencies. Other frequency bands of more than 1 kHz are proposed while reviewing other embodiments.

Overview of FIGS. 4 and 5

4 and 5 show two main embodiments according to the invention. Both embodiments are shown in a combination of FIG. A showing the upstream equipment of feeder cable 624 and b showing the downstream equipment of feeder cable 624.

Both embodiments have one or more feeder cables 624 or 638 and one central system that ultimately feeds multiple local networks. In the preferred embodiment, each local network uses a standard client modem with preset transmission and reception frequencies.

4 differs from FIG. 5 in that one uplink frequency is appropriate for the entire client modem set, but the downlink data request exceeds the bandwidth of one downlink frequency. 4 and 5, the system uses several frequencies to carry the downlink transmission of the feeder cable before converting to the standard downlink frequency for transmission of the parallel local network. 4 is suitable for situations where there is more information transmitted downward to the client modem than information transmitted upward from the client modem. Web browsing is an example of this down / upward imbalanced application. The downlink capacity required to carry the data needed to compose a web page is larger than necessary for the upcoming communication that simply requests the presentation of the web page. The additional load of downstream capacity is a Value Added (VA) Service, such as a local digital video service that requires broadband capacity. The combination of downlink data from an Internet service provider and bandwidth intensive supplementary services often requires a larger downlink capacity than the upstream capacity. In many cases, carrying all of this with one downlink frequency in the spectrum from 900 MHz to 1 kHz with a conventional feeder cable results in excessive downlink traffic.

The system shown in FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 in that it has a plurality of downward frequencies in the feeder cable. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 differs from FIG. 4 in that it has one or more upward frequencies for upward progression through the feeder cable. 5 is suitable for operation where both upstream and downstream traffic exceeds one frequency band in the feeder cable. Voice or email over IP is an example of an application where upstream and downstream data are equally distributed.

Details of Figure 4

The cable television signal from coaxial 608 connected to the CATV service drop is amplified in amplifier 312 before reaching the low frequency leg of diplexer 316.

The high frequency leg of the diplexer 316 receives internet access, local supplementary services and data from the digital video server 712. More specifically, the connection 704 to the Internet may be distributed from the CATV service drop cable 608, or may be through another communication router such as optical, cable modem, or wireless.

In FIG. 4A, the function of the central hub is disposed across the set of components. The conversion from the Internet protocol to the local network protocol is done at the central server 708. Typically, the conversion is from Ethernet to Point to Point Protocol (PPP over Ethernet) in the down direction, and vice versa. If desired, other local supplementary services may be managed at the central server 708. The local supplementary service portion may include a request for distribution of content from the digital video server 712.

Downstream data, including data from digital video server 712, is sent to router 716, which distributes the data to two or more central modem sets 720, 722, 724. This embodiment is set up for a system of relatively small amounts of upstream traffic, and only one central modem 720 is used to receive the upstream traffic. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, downlink traffic is carried to the client modem set at the feeder cable frequency 980 MHz. Downstream traffic to another set of client modems is carried at a feeder cable frequency of 1.05 kHz using the capacity of a feeder cable carrying a frequency above 1 kHz. Downstream traffic to another set of client modems is carried at a feeder cable frequency of 1.10 GHz.

In a preferred embodiment, there may be additional modems at each additional feeder cable frequency used for downlink traffic. As is apparent from the illustration of FIG. 4B, using the downlink frequency used by the client modem as one of the feeder cable frequencies reduces the amount of components used in FIG. 4B. In addition, the system can be configured to use a down feeder cable frequency of greater than 1 kHz for all central modems and convert all downlink traffic to the downlink frequency used by the client modem.

The upstream traffic from all client modems is transmitted on one uplink feeder cable frequency of 915 MHz, which is the same frequency used in the client modem. Coaxial cable from each of the three central modems is connected to a combiner 734 connected to the high frequency leg of the diplexer 316.

4B illustrates a multi band coaxial expander used with FIG. 4A. Roughly, a multi-band coaxial expander receives three downward bands each and uses two local frequency synthesizer and mixer elements to separate the two received bands with the same band as the third spectrum carried downward to the main feeder. Convert to a stream These streams are each sent using a spectral diplexer to a separate coaxial cable branch that supplies approximately 50 or more client modems (eg, coaXmedia SnadDollar ^™ client modems). In the upward direction, using directional taps, the same spectral signals from separate coaxial cable branches are combined together, filtered to remove out-of-band noise, amplified, and upstream to feeder cable 624 as an upward signal. It is inserted into a central modem 720 with a receiver.

The system outlined above is implemented in one embodiment including the following details shown in FIG. 4B. Beginning at the distal end of feeder cable 624 as shown in FIG. 4B, feeder cable 624 feeds to diplexer 750. In a preferred embodiment, the diplexer 750 is set for low pass from direct current to 865 MHz, and high pass for 905 MHz or more. The low frequency leg of the diplexer 750 is fed to the input to the television amplifier 650, which in turn is fed to the diplexers 754, 756, 758. Each of the diplexers 754, 756, 758 is fed to a local coaxial distributed network 762, 766, 770.

Depending on the expected loading, the distributed network serves approximately 50 end users. The distributed network ends at the same equipment as indicated by block "400". Details of one of many blocks are shown in FIG. 4B. The actual placement of components within block "400" is not critical for the purposes of the present invention and the samples presented should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The components in the block "400" are described as follows.

In the cluster 400, the client modem 408 is connected to the high pass port of the diplexer 406. The diplexer 406 is connected to the coaxial socket 404. The LP of the sample leg of the down leg of the diplexer 406 is 860 MHz at 5 MHz and HP is 1 kHz at 900 MHz. Conventional TV coaxial cable 412 connects television 416 to the low pass port of diplexer 406. The client modem 408 is shown as a sand dollar following the brand name of the assignee's client modem.

The user may connect the downstream device 420 with the data code of the client modem 408. The downward device 420 of the user may be a personal computer (PC). The downward device 420 may be a desktop or laptop personal computer, but may be another device capable of interfacing an external source of digital data. One such example is a class of devices known as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). Thus, the present invention enables communication between the Internet and the downstream device 420 substantially using the current infrastructure used to distribute cable TV signals to user television 416.

Three diplexers 754, 756, and 758 receive 980 MHz downlink transmission and 915 MHz uplink transmission, respectively. The total downlink traffic for all three local coaxial distributed networks is too large to carry one frequency in the feeder cable 624, but there is no problem carrying all of the downlink traffic at the same frequency when split into three parallel local networks.

The component of block “800” handles the conversion from three feeder cable frequencies to three parallel local networks. The downward path begins at the diplexer 750 upward of the amplifier 650. The high frequency leg of the diplexer 750 is fed to the distributor 804. The downward path continues from divider 804 to amplifier 808. The downstream traffic portion of 980 MHz passes through a band pass filter 812 set to 980 MHz (passing 20 MHz, as with band pass filters 836 and 852). Since 980 MHz is the standard frequency used in the client modem 408, no translation is required, and the downstream traffic passes through the directional tap 816 and over the high frequency leg of the diplexer 754 to the local coaxial distributed network 762. Is sent to.

In parallel with the path for downlink traffic to the local coaxial distributed network 762, there is also a path for downlink traffic to the local coaxial distributed network 766. Downstream traffic of network 766 at feeder cable frequency 1.05 Hz exits amplifier 808 and passes through high pass filter 820 where the pass frequency is set to greater than 1.02 Hz. The high pass filter 820 is used to block the remaining low frequency band spectrum, which is a similar spectrum in the 980 MHz range generated by downconversion from the higher spectral band of the downlink traffic of the local coaxial distributed network 756 or 758. Through the mixer 832 or 848 directly.

By using the oscillator 824, the synthesizer 828 and the mixer 832, the downlink traffic transitions to 980 MHz and passes through the band pass filter 836 and the direction tap 840 to the high frequency of the diplexer 756. Reach the leg. (The output value of a typical synthesizer is 70 MHz or 2.03 Hz.) The diplexer 756 is connected to a local distributed network 766.

In a similar manner, the downstream traffic of the local coaxial distributed network 770 passes through the coaxial feeder 624 at 1.10 ms. Downlink traffic passes through high pass filter 820. By using the oscillator 824, the synthesizer 844, and the mixer 848, the downlink transmission transitions to 980 MHz, passes through the band pass filter 852 and the directional tap 856 and the high frequency of the diplexer 758. Reach the leg. (The output value of a typical synthesizer is 120 MHz or 2.08 Hz.) The diplexer 758 is connected to a local distributed network 770.

As mentioned in connection with FIG. 4A, downlink traffic to the local coaxial distributed network 762 may be carried to the feeder cable 624 at a different frequency than the standard downlink frequency (980 MHz) used by the client modem 408. have. This choice requires additional synthesizers and mixers with adjustment of the filter structure.

Upstream traffic from three local coaxial distributed networks is transmitted at a standard frequency of 915 MHz. The upward path is from diplexers 754, 756, 758 through directional taps 816, 840, 856 to combiner 860.

The combined upstream traffic passes through a band pass filter 864 set to 915 MHz (± 10 MHz). The upstream traffic is amplified at " 868 " and passes through divider 804 past the high frequency leg of diplexer 750 to feeder cable 624.

4 shows a system with three modem pairs providing three local distributed networks. In practice, different numbers of modem pairs can be combined in this problem, taking into account the required downstream capacity. Two small local distributed networks can be distributed over a pair of modem and feeder cable frequencies. The present invention can be used in two or more local coaxial distributed networks, depending on the situation.

Details of FIG. 5

FIG. 5A shows a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 4A except that each central modem 720, 726, 728 includes an upstream receiver. Each receiver is tuned to a different coaxial feeder upstream frequency. The advantage of this configuration is that the upward capacity is increased. This principle applies independently of the frequency or spectrum used, and the particular frequency band shown is for example. As with the downlink frequency, there are some advantages to using one of the coaxial feeder uplink frequencies as the standard transmission frequency of the client modem 408. However, one of the coaxial feeder uplink frequencies is not required to be the same as the standard transmit frequency of the client modem 408.

FIG. 5B is a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 4B except that the same spectral uplink from two separate local coaxial distributed networks has been frequency shifted before being combined to transmit in the upward direction of the main coaxial feeder 624. To show. In this example, downlink traffic at distributor 804 is carried at frequencies of 980 MHz, 1.11 GHz and 1.24 GHz. Upstream traffic at distributor 804 is carried at frequencies of 915 MHz, 1.045 Hz and 1.175 Hz.

More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the upcoming communication from the local coaxial distributed network 762 may include a diplexer 754, a direction tap 816, and a bandpass filter 872 without modification of the uplink frequency of 915 MHz. Is sent to the combiner 860. (Typical values for band pass filters 872, 876 and 880 are 915 ± 20 MHz.)

The upstream traffic from the local coaxial distributed network 766 is also 915 MHz, but after passing through the diplexer 756, the directional tap 840, and the bandpass filter 876, the upstream traffic is synthesized 838 at 130 MHz. The output is used to transition 1045 MHz by mixer 884. The transitioned upstream traffic passes through a band pass filter 826 set to 1045 ± 20 MHz.

Similarly, upstream traffic from coaxial distributed network 770 also begins at 915 MHz. After passing through the diplexer 758, the directional tap 856 and the band pass filter 880, the upstream traffic is transitioned to 1075 MHz by the mixer 888 using the synthesizer 844 output at 260 MHz. The transitioned upstream traffic passes through a band pass filter 896 set to 1075 ± 20 MHz.

Another embodiment

In the example shown in FIG. 5, one heterodyne frequency source provided by the synthesizer is used for the frequency shift of both the down and up signals. Thus, the amount of frequency shift for bidirectional transmission will be the same. In addition, separate heterodyne frequencies can be used, thus allowing more flexible frequency planning.

In the local coaxial distributed networks 762, 766, and 770 shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, 915 MHz is used for uplink communication and 980 MHz for downlink communication. As shown in FIG. 5B, one frequency pair transmitted over the feeder cable 624 is 915 MHz and 980 MHz, which is used without a frequency shift by one of the local coaxial distributed networks 762. This eliminates the need for an additional set of components to frequency shift these signals. This is advantageous, but it is not necessarily required, and all bands may be frequency shifted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The band pass filter included in FIG. 5B can be conveniently and economically made using a printed circuit board strip line element. Other types of filters, such as ceramic or surface acoustic wave types, may be used instead.

If the total traffic in the feeder cable does not exceed the carrying capacity for a given frequency, the solution used may have multiple local coaxial distributed networks using the same up or down frequency in the feeder cable 624. Thus, multiple local coaxial distributed networks can use the same feeder cable frequency as used in local coaxial distributed networks. One or more other local coaxial distributed networks will transition one or both communication frequencies to add the carrying capacity of the feeder cable 624.

The described invention can be used in a digital transmission system using other modulation forms or any modulation forms in any part of the coaxial distributed system.

The name and disclosed embodiments of the present invention have been presented in terms of data communications using conventional cable television coaxial branch networks. The frequencies selected for up and down communication reflect this environment. Those skilled in the art may use other frequency or modulation schemes to implement the present invention, in particular in resin branched networks other than the coaxial network for cable television signal distribution, or in non-coaxial branched networks. It should be noted that

When used in connection with data communications using conventional cable television coaxial branched networks, the preferred embodiment is a frequency of feeder cable (typically greater than 1.0 Hz) that exceeds the useful frequency range of the local distributed network. use. One skilled in the art will be able to use the additional carrier frequency of the feeder cable to increase the bandwidth of the feeder cable for use at frequencies below 1.0 kHz by the teachings of the present invention. In general, there are obstacles to overcome in using these other frequencies. A 5 to 42 MHz band can be used, especially for special feeder cable downlink frequencies. However, this band changes over time and is used for many purposes.

The frequency band secured by the television channel reaches up to 860 MHz. Many systems do not use the frequency band from about 750 MHz to 860 MHz. This bandwidth can be used as additional feeder cable frequency. Underneath this frequency band, this solution is not universally applicable, as cable operators in some regions may be using bands from 750 MHz to 860 MHz. Another possible part of the additional feeder cable frequency is the unused television channel of the frequency bands used as the television channel. Depending on the modulation and filter equipment used to carry the feeder cable frequency, it may be necessary to find several adjacent unused television channels to carry one feeder cable frequency. The problem with using unused channels is that cable television providers sometimes rebalance the channels they use to carry television signals. If the unused television channel becomes an active television channel by readjustment by the cable television provider, it may create a conflict with plans to use special feeder cable frequencies, which may lead to the need to adjust equipment using other frequencies.

The frequency band from about 900 MHz to 1.0 kHz is another band that can carry additional feeder cable frequencies. As mentioned above, since the preferred embodiment already uses 915 MHz to 980 MHz, more accurate filters are required to add additional feeder cable frequencies to this band, and total signal power can be a problem. This factor indicates to use a band above 1.0 kHz, but at 900 MHz the band of 1.0 kHz may carry more than three feeder cable frequencies rather than two feeder cable frequencies.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods and apparatus according to the present invention have many applications, and the present invention is not limited to the specific examples presented to aid the understanding of the present invention. In addition, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the scope of the present invention includes the scope of modification, modification and replacement of the system components described herein.

The legal limits of the scope of the claimed invention encompass their legal equivalents, starting from the following claims. Anyone unfamiliar with the legal standards for equality should consult with a person who has registered with a patent authority that recognizes this patent, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office or related ministries.

Claims (26)

In a tree and branch distributed network that carries data communications and television signals, A feeder cable for carrying television signals and data communications from an upstream end to a downstream end, wherein the downstream end is connected to a first local distributed network and a second local distributed network, the feeder cable being in the first and second local distributed networks Having a capacity to carry communications in a higher frequency band than the frequency band that can be used stably; The first communication separated from the second local distributed network such that downlink communication distributed to the first local distributed network at a first downlink frequency cannot be read at the first downlink frequency by a client modem connected to the second local distributed network. 1 local distributed network; A set of client modems receiving data at ends of two local distributed networks, each in the first and second local distributed networks, the client modem adapted for communication to a downwardly connected device of the client modem; At the end of a local communication network, a connection to a data communication source carried via a feeder cable to the client modem set; Data communication carried downwardly through the feeder cable at a first feeder cable frequency, the data communication being received from a source of data communication to communicate with one of the client modem sets at an end of the first local distributed network; Data communication carried downwardly through the feeder cable at a second feeder cable frequency, the data communication being received from a source of data communication to communicate with one of the client modem sets at the end of the second local distributed network, and A second feeder cable frequency is suitable for the feeder cable, is beyond a frequency band that can be used stably in the local distributed network, and differs from the first feeder cable frequency; A downlink frequency shifter for transitioning data communication of the second feeder cable frequency to a downlink data frequency of the second local distributed network in the data communication with the downstream end of the feeder cable and the second local distributed network; An output of the frequency shifter is provided to the second local distributed network and carried at the end of the second local communication network to the client modem set; Resin branched distributed network comprising a. The method of claim 1, And wherein the first feeder cable frequency is the same as the downlink data frequency of the first local distributed network. The method of claim 1, The downlink frequency shifter includes an oscillator, a synthesizer, and a mixer. The method of claim 1, And wherein the first local distributed network is separated from the second local distributed network using directional taps positioned between the first and second local distributed networks and the feeder cable. The method of claim 1, Further comprising an uplink frequency shifter for transitioning an uplink communication from an uplink data frequency of the second local distributed network to a third feeder cable frequency in the downstream end of the feeder cable and the data communication of the second local distributed network; The third feeder cable frequency is beyond a frequency band suitable for the feeder cable and stably used in the local distributed network, and different from the first feeder cable frequency and the second feeder cable frequency, And the output from the uplink frequency shifter is communicated to the feeder cable. In the multi-band expander to increase the capacity of the resin branch distributed network, A first splitter device coupled to communicate with a feeder cable and connected to the feeder cable via a connection that distinguishes frequencies of a first frequency band used in the feeder cable carrying a television signal; A downward path from said first distributor device and in data communication with a second distributor device; An output of said second distributor device in data communication with a first filter enabling downlink communication progression at a first frequency; A first directional tab having a first port coupled to a second port and a third port, the second port being separate from the third port; The first filter connected to the third port of the first directional tap; A first diplexer having a low frequency port in data communication with a source of a television signal in the first frequency band below the first frequency, the first port of the first directional tap being a high frequency of the first diplexer Connected by port-; A downward leg of the first diplexer coupled to a first local distributed network coupled to at least one television and at least one client modem; A second output of said second divider device to enable forward communication of a second frequency and to communicate data with a second filter to distinguish communication of said first frequency; The second filter coupled to a downlink frequency shifter for transitioning data communications at the second frequency to a second local distributed network downlink frequency; A second directional tab comprising a second port and a first port coupled to the third port, the second port being separate from the third port; An output of a downlink frequency shifter in data communication with the third port of the second directional tap; A second diplexer having a low frequency port in data communication with a source of a television signal in a frequency band below the first frequency, the first port of the second directional tap being connected to a high frequency port of the second diplexer ; And Down-leg of the second diplexer connected to a second local distributed network connected to at least one television and at least one client modem Multi-band expander comprising a. The method of claim 6, And said second local distributed network comprises at least one component arranged for use in a frequency band range, said second frequency being outside said frequency band range. The method of claim 6, And wherein said second frequency is greater than 1.0 kHz. The method of claim 6, The second port of the first directional tab and the second port of the second directional tab are in data communication with a combiner device; An upward output of the combiner device is connected to the first distributor device, A) uplink communication from the first local distributed network proceeds upward from the first local distributed network, Exit through the first directional tab to the second port, Passing through the combiner device, Pass through the first distributor device, Reaching the feeder cable, B) uplink communication from the second local distributed network, Proceeding upwards from the second local distributed network, Exit through the second directional tab to the second port, Passing through the combiner device, Passing upwardly through the first distributor device, Reaching the feeder cable, C) the feeder cable, A television signal in the first frequency band; Downlink communication of the first frequency used in the first local distributed network; Downlink communication at the second frequency (different from the first frequency) used in the second local distributed network; Upcoming communication from the first local distributed network; And Upcoming communication from the second local distributed network Popular band expander, characterized in that to carry. The method of claim 9, The frequency used in the feeder cable to carry uplink communications from the first local distributed network is Is the same as the frequency used for uplink communication in the first local distributed network, This is the same frequency used in the feeder cable to carry the upcoming communication from the second local distributed network, And the same frequency used for uplink communication of the second local distributed network. The method of claim 6, The second port of the first directional tap is in data communication with a third filter configured to pass an uplink frequency of the first local distributed network, The upward output of the third filter is in data communication with a combiner device, The upward output of the combiner device is in data communication with the first distributor device, The second port of the second directional tap is in data communication with a fourth filter configured to pass an uplink frequency used by the second local distributed network; The upstream output of the fourth filter is in data communication with an uplink frequency shifter that transitions data communication at the uplink frequency used by the second local distributed network to a second uplink feeder cable frequency, The output of the uplink frequency shifter is in data communication with a fifth filter configured to pass the second uplink feeder cable frequency, An upward output of the fifth filter is in communication with the combiner device, A) Uplink communication from the first local distributed network, Proceeding upwards from the first local distributed network, Exit through the first directional tab to the second port, Pass through the third filter, Passing through the combiner device, Passing upwardly through the first distributor device, Reaching the feeder cable, B) uplink communication from the second local distributed network, Proceeding upwards from the second local distributed network, Exit through the second directional tab to the second port, Pass through the fourth filter, Passing through the uplink frequency shifter, Pass through the fifth filter, Passing through the combiner device, Reaching the feeder cable, C) the feeder cable, A television signal in the first frequency band; Downlink communication of the first frequency used in the first local distributed network; Downlink communication at the second downlink frequency (different from the first frequency) used in the second local distributed network; Upcoming communication from the first local distributed network; And Upcoming communication from the second local distributed network of the second uplink feeder cable frequency Multi-band expander, characterized in that for carrying. The method of claim 11, And said second uplink feeder cable frequency is greater than 1.0 kHz. The method of claim 11, The frequency used in the feeder cable carrying the uplink communication from the first local distributed network is the same as the frequency used for upcoming communication in the first local distributed network and is different from the second uplink feeder cable frequency. Featuring multi-band extenders. The method of claim 11, The uplink communication from the first local distributed network transitions from the uplink frequency of the first local distributed network to a first uplink feeder cable frequency, wherein the first uplink feeder frequency is equal to the second uplink feeder cable frequency. Multi-band extender, characterized in that not. The method of claim 11, Wherein the single heterodyne frequency source provided by the synthesizer is used by the downward frequency shifter and the upward frequency shifter. In a network comprising a multi-band expander used to increase the capacity of the feeder cable in a resin branched distributed network, A) A first local distributed network for the distribution of television signals in a first frequency band and data communication with at least one client modem, wherein the data communication is downstream to the at least one client modem at a first local distributed network down frequency. Communication and upcoming communication from at least one client modem at a first local distributed network uplink frequency; B) an upstream end of said first local distributed network in data communication with a common port of a first diplexer; C) a low frequency port of said first diplexer coupled to the output of a television amplifier providing a television signal in said first frequency band; D) a high frequency port of said first diplexer connected to a first port of a first directional tap, said first directional tap comprising a first port for signaling to a second port and a third port, said second port Is separated from the third pod; E) a third port of the first directional tap in data communication with a second distributor device, the upstream end of the second distributor device being connected to the output of the first amplifier; F) an input of said first amplifier connected to a first distributor device having an upward port; G) an upstream port of the first distributor device connected to the high frequency port of the second feeder cable diplexer; H) said second feeder cable diplexer having a low frequency port and a common port, said low frequency port being configured to send a television signal of said first frequency band to said television amplifier; I) the common port of the second feeder cable diplexer in data communication with the feeder cable; J) the second port of the first directional tap in data communication with a first filter configured to pass the first local distributed network uplink frequency; K) an upstream output of said first filter in data communication with a combiner device; L) upward output of the combiner device in data communication with an upward amplifier; M) said up amplifier in data communication with said first distributor device; N) a second local distributed network for distributing data communication with the television signal in the first frequency band and at least one client modem, wherein the data communication is to the at least one client modem at a second local distributed network downlink frequency Downlink communication and uplink communication from at least one client modem in a second local distributed network uplink frequency; O) an upstream end of the second local distributed network in data communication with a common port of a second diplexer; P) a low frequency port of said second diplexer coupled to an output of said television amplifier for providing television signals in said first frequency band; Q) a high frequency port of said second diplexer connected to a first port of a second directional tap, said second directional tap having a first port for sending signals to a second port and a third port, wherein said second port Is separate from the third port; R) the third port of the second directional tap in data communication with the second distributor device; S) the second port of the second directional tap coupled to a second filter configured to pass the second local network uplink frequency; T) an upstream output of the second filter in data communication with an uplink frequency shifter for transitioning data communications of the second local distributed network uplink frequency to a second uplink feeder cable frequency; U) an output of the uplink frequency shifter in data communication with a third filter configured to pass the second uplink feeder cable frequency; And V) an upstream output of the third filter in data communication with the combiner device Including, The upcoming communication from the first local distributed network proceeds upwards from the first local distributed network, passes through the first directional tap and exits to the second port, Pass through the first filter, Passing through the combiner device, Passing through the second feeder cable diplexer, Reaching the feeder cable; And Uplink communication from the second local distributed network proceeds upwards from the second local distributed network, passes through the second directional tap, and exits to the second port, Pass through the second filter, Passing through the uplink frequency shifter, Pass through the third filter, Passing through the combiner device, Passing through the second feeder cable diplexer, Reaching the feeder cable; And, The feeder cable, A television signal in the first frequency band; Downlink communication used in the first local distributed network; Downlink communication used in the second local distributed network; Upcoming communication from the first local distributed network; And Uplink communication from the second local distributed network at the second uplink feeder cable frequency Network comprising a. The method of claim 16, And wherein said second local distributed network uplink frequency is less than 1.0 kHz and said second upstream feeder cable frequency is greater than 1.0 kHz. A method of increasing capacity of a resin branched network feeder cable carrying television channel and data communications in a first frequency band to a first local distributed network and a second local distributed network-the first local distributed network and the second local distributed Wherein the network carries data communications in a second frequency band above the first frequency band and below an operational ceiling frequency to reliably service within the first and second local distributed networks. Separate the first local distributed network from the second local distributed network such that downlink data communication of a first frequency of the first local distributed network cannot be received at the first frequency by a client modem of the second local distributed network. Doing; Transmitting downlink communications to the first local distributed network at a first downlink frequency through the network feeder cable; Transmitting downlink communications to the second local distributed network through a network feeder cable at a second downlink frequency that is above the second frequency band and different from the first downlink frequency; Down the network feeder cable, transitioning the downlink communication of the second downlink frequency to a frequency of the second frequency band that matches a second local distributed network downlink frequency; Including, The network feeder cable is downward, A television channel in the first frequency band; Downlink communication of the first downlink frequency; And Carrying downlink communication of the second downlink frequency. The method of claim 18, Downstream of the network feeder cable, transitioning the downlink communication of the first downlink frequency to a frequency of the second frequency band that matches a first local distributed network downlink frequency. The method of claim 18, Transmitting uplink communications from the first local distributed network at a first uplink frequency through the network feeder cable; And Down the network feeder cable, a second uplink from the second local distributed network is uplink from the second local distributed network uplink frequency of the second frequency band above the second frequency band and is different from the first uplink frequency. Transition to Frequency More, The network feeder cable, A television channel in the first frequency band; Downlink communication of the first downlink frequency; Downlink communication of the second downlink frequency; Uplink communication of the first uplink frequency; And Uplink communication of the second uplink frequency Method for carrying a. A method of increasing capacity of a resin branched network feeder cable carrying television channel and data communications in a first frequency band to a first local distributed network and a second local distributed network-the first local distributed network and the second local distributed Wherein the network carries data communication in a second frequency band above the first frequency band and below an operating limit frequency for stable service within the first and second local distributed networks; Disconnect the first local distributed network from the second local distributed network such that downlink data communication at a first frequency of the first local distributed network cannot be received at the first frequency by a client modem of the second local distributed network. Separating; Transmitting downlink communications to the first local distributed network at a first downlink frequency through the network feeder cable; Transmitting downlink communications through the network feeder cable to the second local distributed network at a second downlink frequency different from the first downlink frequency; And Down the network feeder cable, transitioning the downlink communication of the second downlink frequency to a second local distributed network downlink frequency Including, The network feeder cable is downward, A television channel in the first frequency band; Downlink communication of the first downlink frequency; And Downlink communication of the second downlink frequency Method for carrying a. The method of claim 21, And said second downlink frequency is in the range of 5 MHz to 42 MHz. The method of claim 21, And said second downlink frequency is in the frequency range of 750 MHz to 860 MHz. The method of claim 21, And the second downlink frequency is within the first frequency band. The method of claim 21, And wherein the second downlink frequency is within the second frequency band. The invention described and illustrated in the specification and accompanying drawings.