Patent ID: 6598232
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A hybrid amplifier and regenerator (HAR) device for use in a communications network for carrying downstream traffic in a forward frequency band and for carrying digital upstream traffic in a reverse frequency band spaced from the forward frequency band and below the forward frequency band, the hybrid amplifier and regenerator (HAR) device comprising:an analog amplifier for amplifying said downstream traffic; and a digital regenerator, wherein said digital regenerator comprises: mapping circuitry for mapping digital upstream traffic carried in at least one ramp band which is part of the reverse frequency band to digital upstream traffic carried in at least one express band which is also part of the reverse frequency band but spaced from the at least one ramp band, wherein the at least one express band transports upstream traffic at a substantially higher data rate as compared to the at least one ramp band so that upstream traffic originating from a plurality of sources can be aggregated from the at least one ramp band into the at least one express band; and an express band transmitter for transmitting digital upstream traffic from the mapping circuitry in the at least one express band.