Patent ID: 7222358
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A return path transmitter for use in conjunction with a local system that generates an analog RF data signal to be conveyed to a head end system, the return path transmitter comprising: an RF signal receiver configured to receive and convert the analog RF data signal into digitized RF data samples, the RF signal receiver further configured to output a first data stream including the digitized RF data samples; an Ethernet data receiver configured to receive first Ethernet data from a device external to the return path transmitter, the Ethernet data receiver configured to output the first Ethernet data in a second data stream; first circuitry coupled to the RF signal receiver and to the Ethernet data receiver to receive and process the first data stream and second data stream and to output a third data stream; an optical transmitter configured to convert the third data stream into a first optical data signal for transmission over an optical fiber to the head end system; an optical receiver configured to receive a second optical signal over the optical fiber, the optical receiver configured to convert the second optical signal into a fourth data stream; second circuitry coupled to the optical receiver, the second circuitry configured to recover second Ethernet data from the second optical signal; and an Ethernet data transmitter coupled to the second circuitry and configured to transmit the second Ethernet data to the device external to the return path transmitter.