Patent ID: 6822972
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: H04B,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
A communication system, comprising:headend equipment for transmitting downstream signals and for processing upstream signals; a hub coupled to the headend equipment for forwarding the downstream signals and for providing the upstream signals to the headend equipment, wherein the hub comprises: a clockwise receiver for receiving clockwise-traveling signals, a counterclockwise receiver for receiving counterclockwise-traveling signals; and a data selector coupled to the counterclockwise receiver and the clockwise receiver for selecting one of the counterclockwise-traveling signals and the clockwise-traveling signals for transmission to the headend equipment; a plurality of nodes coupled in a bi-directional nodal ring with the hub; a clockwise communication path for coupling the plurality of nodes and the hub for the reception and transmission of the clockwise-traveling signals that include the downstream signals and at least a portion of the upstream signals; a counterclockwise communication path for coupling the plurality of nodes and the hub for the reception and transmission of the counterclockwise-traveling signals that include the downstream signals and at least a portion of the upstream signals; and subscriber equipment coupled to the plurality of nodes for receiving the downstream signals and for generating the upstream signals, wherein, when a malfunction is detected in one of the counterclockwise communication path and the clockwise communication path, the other of the counterclockwise communication path and the clockwise communication path is employed to transmit the downstream signals to ones of the nodes that are no longer able to receive the downstream signals via the malfunctioning path.