Patent ID: 11930249
Assignee: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
Field: Audio-visual technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H  G | IPC H

Claim 9:
10. A method for upgrading a network communications node, comprising:
retaining a local processor in a generic access platform (GAP) node housing, wherein the local processor is adapted by software to receive a first signal on a logical link control (LLC) layer and to convert the first signal to a second signal on a medium access control (MAC) layer;
retaining a first remote physical device (RPD) in the node housing, wherein the first RPD is connected in communication with the local processor to receive the second signal on the MAC layer, and is adapted to implement a first communication protocol that converts the second signal to a third signal on a physical (PHY) layer;
sending the second signal from the local processor to the first RPD on the MAC layer;
removing a second RPD from the node housing, wherein the second RPD was connected in communication with the local processor to receive the second signal on the MAC layer, and was adapted to implement a second communication protocol that was different than the first communication protocol and converted the second signal to a fourth signal on the PHY layer;
replacing a third RPD for the second RPD, wherein the third RPD becomes connected in communication with the local processor to receive the second signal on the MAC layer, and is adapted to implement a third communication protocol that is different than the second communication protocol and converts the second signal to a fifth signal on the PHY layer; and
sending the second signal from the local processor to the third RPD on the MAC layer.