Patent ID: 6147786
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H04B,H04J,H04N

Abstract:
A hybrid analog/digital wavelength-division multiplexing access network system, comprising:a network for transmitting at least one wavelength of analog signals and a first plurality of wavelengths of digital signals via a first optic fiber to a plurality of users wherein the analog signals and the digital signals have different wavelengths, and for receiving a second plurality of wavelengths of digital signals from the users wherein the second plurality of wavelengths of digital signals have the same wavelengths as the first plurality of wavelengths of digital signals, the network having a backbone containing at least the one wavelength of analog signals and the first plurality of wavelengths of digital signals, the network having at least one headend which accesses the backbone of the network;a splitter/de/multiplexer, the first optic fiber extending between at least the one headend and the splitter/de/multiplexer, the first plurality of wavelengths of digital signals and the at least one wavelength of analog signals being transmitted from the headend to the splitter/de/multiplexer via the first optic fiber and the first plurality of wavelengths of digital signals being demultiplexed and split into a plurality of branches of optic fibers, the analog signals being transmitted to each of the branches;a second optic fiber;a feeder/de/multiplexer, the second optic fiber extending between the splitter/de/multiplexer and the feeder/de/multiplexer, the analog signals and the digital signals in one of the branches being transmitted from the splitter/de/multiplexer to the feeder/de/multiplexer, the analog signals in the branch being converted into electrical signals by the feeder/de/multiplexer, and the digital signals in the branch being demultiplexed by the feeder/de/multiplexer into a one-wavelength per optic fiber format;a third optic fiber being a one-wavelength optic fiber;a mini-digital optical node disposed near users, the one-wavelength optic fiber extending between the feeder/de/multiplexer and the mini-digital optical node for transmitting a one-wavelength of digital signals to the mini-digital optical node, wherein the digital signals being converted to electrical signals at the mini-digital optical node;a coax cable, extending from the feeder/de/multiplexer to the user, the analog converted electrical signals being transmitted from the feeder/de/multiplexer to the user via the coax cable, the digital converted electrical signals being transmitted from the mini-digital optic node to the user via the coax cable.