Abstract: An apparatus for implementing soft duplex operation of a communications network that transmits downstream signals from a service provider to a subscriber and upstream signals from the subscriber to the service provider. The apparatus may include a pair of opposed triplexers defining a first signal path through a first amplifier and a second signal path through a second amplifier. The apparatus may also include at least one switch that selectively alternates a mid0band signal between an upstream signal and a downstream signal.

Abstract: A device for stacking signals in an expanded frequency range includes an upconverter and a multiplexer. The upconverter is configured to receive upstream signals that are in a first frequency range, upconvert some of the upstream signals that are in a first frequency sub-range of the first frequency range and pass some of the upstream signals that are in a second frequency sub-range of the first frequency range. The multiplexer is configured to stack the upconverted upstream signals and the upstream signals in the second frequency sub-range and output the stacked upstream signals.

Abstract: An IP video delivery system and method that allocates a first number of video streams for delivery on a number of channels that, provides a number of bonding groups, where each bonding group bonds at least one of the channels, and allocates a second number of video streams for delivery on the bonding groups. In one aspect, the method delivers the first video streams as unbonded on the channels. The bonding groups utilize bandwidth unused by the first video streams. In one aspect, the method utilizes bandwidth unused by the first or second video streams for high speed data. The method provides instantaneous load balancing to spread the first and second video streams across all available bandwidth in the channels, and delivers those video streams using a variable bit rate with no additional statistical multiplexing rate shaping to fit video streams into the channels.

Abstract: A system and method receives IP packets on a first device for delivery as DOCSIS packets over a DOCSIS interface, each DOCSIS packet encapsulating IP data from the IP packets, and including a sequence number that the first device generates for a bonding group. The method delivers first DOCSIS packets to a DOCSIS device using first downstream channels on the first device that are associated with the bonding group. When the first downstream channels exceed a capacity, the method determines an available capacity of second downstream channels on a second device that are associated with the bonding group, identifies second DOCSIS packets that do not exceed the available capacity, and forwards the second DOCSIS packets to the second device, which delivers the second DOCSIS packets to the DOCSIS device using the second downstream channels.

Abstract: A video content system and method that includes a video server connected to a public communication network and a video content network, and a computing device connected to the video content network and a video display device. The computing device establishes a communication channel between the computing device and the video server. The computing device receives a digital video stream on the communication channel, where the digital video stream includes video data and message data, and the message data includes at least one request to perform a service. The computing device performs the service and sends data on the communication channel, where the data is a response to each request to perform the service. The computing device processes the video data to prepare it for transmission to the video display device.

Abstract: An IP video delivery system and method that allocates a first number of video streams for delivery on a number of channels that, provides a number of bonding groups, where each bonding group bonds at least one of the channels, and allocates a second number of video streams for delivery on the bonding groups. In one aspect, the method delivers the first video streams as unbonded on the channels. The bonding groups utilize bandwidth unused by the first video streams. In one aspect, the method utilizes bandwidth unused by the first or second video streams for high speed data. The method provides instantaneous load balancing to spread the first and second video streams across all available bandwidth in the channels, and delivers those video streams using a variable bit rate with no additional statistical multiplexing rate shaping to fit video streams into the channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of maintaining state information for a network device changing from a first channel (in communication with a first base unit) to a second channel (in communication with a second base unit) communicates with at least one of the first base unit and an intermediate network device to ascertain the state information. Once the state information is ascertained, it is applied to the communication of the network device with the second base unit. Both the first and second base units are independently operable network devices in a data transmission network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of maintaining state information for a network device changing from a first channel (in communication with a first base unit) to a second channel (in communication with a second base unit) communicates with at least one of the first base unit and an intermediate network device to ascertain the state information. Once the state information is ascertained, it is applied to the communication of the network device with the second base unit. Both the first and second base units are independently operable network devices in a data transmission network.

Abstract: A hybrid distributed cable modem termination systems having mini fiber nodes containing CMTS modulators remotely located from the head end. DOCSIS MAC layer components are located at the head end. This lowers cost and allows use of a smaller mFN enclosure. The mFN has A/D converters for DOCSIS upstream traffic and for legacy upstream traffic. A multiplexer using forward error correction combines the legacy and DOCSIS traffic for upstream transmission along a single fiber at rates of approximately 2 Gbps. A splitter at the head end routes legacy traffic to legacy equipment and the DOCSIS traffic to the MAC layer components. A single power supply at the head end can be used to power the mFNs.