Patent ID: 6418558
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: G06F,H03M,H04B,H04H,H04J,H04K,H04L,H04M,H04N,H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
A video and telephony signal distribution network, the network comprising:a head end for transmitting video and telephony information to a plurality of remote units, said remote units having means for receiving said video and telephony information, said head end including: a first distribution terminal including means for transmitting an optical downstream telephony signal on at least one optical fiber and means for receiving an optical upstream data signal, and a second distribution terminal including means, separate from said first distribution terminal transmitting means, for transmitting an optical downstream video signal on an optical fiber line; at least one optical/electrical converter unit, said optical/electrical converter unit including means for receiving said optical downstream video signal and means for receiving said optical downstream telephony signal, each of said optical/electrical converter units for converting said optical down stream video signal and said optical down stream telephony signal into at least two downstream electrical output signals; and at least one coaxial distribution system including at least two coaxial cables coupled to a common optical/electrical converter unit, said coaxial distribution system for transmission of said at least two downstream electrical output signals from said at least one optical/electrical converter unit to at least two of said plurality of remote units, each remote unit having means for transmitting upstream electrical data signals generated and said remote units via said at least one coaxial distribution system to an optical/electrical converter unit connected thereto with a common bandwidth, said at least one optical/electrical converter unit including means for converting and frequency shifting said upstream electrical data signals from at least one remote unit to form an optical upstream data signal for transmittal of said optical upstream data signal to said head end such that the frequency spectrum used for said upstream electrical converter units is simultaneously used on each of the coaxial cables.