Abstract: A micronode includes an electrical port connectable to a downstream device, an optical port connectable to a head end having an upstream controller and an electro-optical converter connected to the electrical port and to the optical port and configured to convert electrical signals received from the downstream device at the electrical port to optical signals and to convert optical signals received from the head end via the optical port to electrical signals. The micronode also includes an addressable controller configured to receive a micronode polling request from the upstream controller and to determine when the downstream device is sending signals to the head end and begin a response to the micronode polling request in response to a determination that the downstream device is transmitting information to the head end. Also, an associated method of controlling the micronode.

Abstract: A battery backup unit (BBU) includes a housing, at least one battery compartment in the housing with an output terminal, a DC input, a DC output, a path from the DC input to the DC output, circuitry for selectively connecting the output terminal to the path, which circuitry includes a switch, and a controller configured to detect a condition of the path and selectively control the switch to connect the output terminal to the path when the condition is detected, the BBU being incapable of charging batteries in the at least one battery compartment. The path from the DC input to the DC output may include a DC/DC step up converter to help maintain a constant output voltage.

Abstract: A cable deployment and storage system includes a cable reel mounting device, and a cable reel for carrying a length of cable. The cable reel includes a hub that may be rotatably mounted on the cable reel mounting device during deployment of the length of cable, a pair of inner end flanges carried by respective opposing ends of the hub, and a pair of removable outer end flanges carried by respective inner end flanges to contain the length of cable therebetween during deployment. The outer end flanges may thereafter be removed to reduce a size of the cable reel. The pair of inner end flanges may store any remaining length of cable therebetween after deployment. The cable may include connectors installed at each end during manufacturing.

Abstract: A cable modem communicates the timing of the arrival of certain packets (such as TCP ACK packets) to a cable modem termination system. This timing feature is useful in methods for increasing the throughput in the downstream direction by eliminating TCP ACKs backing up at a cable modem. In particular, a cable modem termination system implementing an unsolicited bandwidth grant service in which unsolicited grants of bandwidth are sent by the cable modem termination system to the cable modem. The grants of bandwidth are timed to arrive at the cable modem simultaneous with or shortly after the arrival of the TCP ACK from an end station connected to the cable modem. Several methods of calculating or predicting when the unsolicited grants should be sent to the cable modem are described. The method is also applicable to other types of packets, such as voice packets from a end station implementing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application.

Abstract: Methods for improved cable modem ranging in a data-over-cable system. One method includes receiving a value that characterizes how equipment in the network is configured. Using this characteristic value, a cable modem may estimate loss in its upstream path from a measurement of a downstream signal and thereby estimate its initial transmit level during ranging. Launching at a proper initial transmit level may ensure that range request messages arrive at the cable modem termination system with sufficient strength to be detected and hence ameliorate ranging. Another method collects difference between these estimated initial transmit levels and the final transmit levels that succeeded in evoking a response from the cable modem termination system. The collected differences are analyzed and the result of the analysis is passed to cable modems to adjust their estimated initial transmit levels.

Abstract: System and method for providing a multi-frequency upstream transmission channel to a network device. When a headend network entity generates an upstream channel descriptor message, the descriptor message includes at least two upstream frequencies available for upstream transmission, and a frequency hopping descriptor with a frequency-hopping pattern associated with the available frequencies for determining an upstream frequency for upstream transmission. The headend provides a timing reference for determining upstream transmission periods on the frequencies available on the network device. When the headend receives upstream transmission on one of the available upstream frequencies, the headend network entity determines frequency distortions. If the distortions exceed a threshold level, the headend may send a new upstream channel descriptor message that excludes the upstream frequency associated with the high frequency distortions, add a new upstream frequency, or defines a new frequency-hopping pattern.

Abstract: A NID includes a base having a network area and a customer area adjacent thereto. The NID may also include a cable reel carried by the base. An access cover may be provided for the cable reel and the base that may include a network cover door for the network area, and a customer cover door for the customer area. The access cover may have a shape defined by at least a portion of an ellipsoid. The shape of the access cover may be defined by half an ellipsoid with major and minor axes adjacent the base, and the base may have an elliptical shape. The cable reel may be rotatable with the base or rotatable independent thereof.

Abstract: A buried fiber optic cable system includes a distribution cable extending along a buried route, a splice enclosure connected to the distribution cable along the buried route, and a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a first direction away from the fiber optic splice enclosure. The first sub-distribution system may include spaced apart fiber optic taps along the buried route, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable between the fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap, and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation. The system may also or alternately include a similar lateral sub-distribution system.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing performance in a data-over-cable system. The method includes determining parameters for data transmission on an upstream channel of the data-over-cable system, and negotiating use of the parameters. A measurement is made of a signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) on the upstream channel. Associated with the SNR and a target packet-error-ratio (“PER”) are parameters that provide optimal data throughput. The parameters, such as symbol rate, type of modulation, or amount of error correction, are used to construct a message that is sent to the cable modems. The message instructs the cable modems to reconfigure themselves to transmit according to the parameters. The reconfiguration helps ensure optimal performance.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing multi-program audio over a network includes the use of a Local Area Network, Wide Area Network, an Intranet and the Internet. The system includes a network audio source, a network distribution system and end devices. The method, for distributing multi-program audio over a network includes creating a network audio frame from a plurality of blocks of data from at least one audio program, placing each network audio frame within a transport structure for transport across the network and assigning an address to the transport structure prior to delivering the transport structure to a physical media.

Abstract: A message structure is provided for assigning transmission profiles to individual modems for modem transmissions in an upstream direction, on a modem by modem basis. The profiles define a set of transmission parameters, e.g., forward error correction information, symbol rate, frequency, modulation type, etc. that the modem should use to optimize their transmission in the upstream direction in order to maximize throughput. The invention is applicable to both wireless and land-based communications systems, particularly those adhering to the Data-Over-Cable Service Interface Specifications (“DOCSIS”)—Radio Frequency Interface Specification standard, or other standards which are analogous to the DOCSIS standard. The message structure can consist of two parts—a first part that defines a plurality of different types of transmission profiles, and a second part that assigns a particular profile to a modem.

Abstract: A method of preventing collisions when a cable modem re-registers with a cable modem termination system on a cable television network following failure of a primary communications channel between the cable modem and the cable modem termination system. The method provides a service identifier that is transmitted to the cable modem during initial registration of the cable modem with the cable modem termination system. Upon registration of the cable modem with the cable modem termination system, the cable modem stores the service identifier in memory. After failure of the primary channel, the cable modem reinitializes on the cable network and waits for transmission of a bandwidth allocation map from the cable modem termination system. When the cable modem receives the bandwidth allocation map, it determines if the map contains a unicast initial maintenance opportunity.

Abstract: A cable installation system for use by a cable installer may include a plurality of cable dispensers having different lengths of cable. In particular, each cable dispenser may also have a non-numeric, length-identifying marking associated therewith corresponding to the length of cable. Furthermore, the system may also include a cable dispenser indicator device for use by the installer to determine a distance between first and second locations, such as a cable tap and a subscriber interface. The cable dispenser indicator device may also provide an indication to the installer of the non-numeric, length-identifying marking corresponding to the determined distance so that the cable installer can select the corresponding cable dispenser from the plurality thereof. By way of example, the non-numeric, length-identifying markings may include a series of different colors and/or graphics for respective length ranges.

Abstract: A NID includes a base having a network area and a customer area adjacent thereto. The NID may also include a cable reel carried by the base. An access cover may be provided for the cable reel and the base that may include a network cover door for the network area, and a customer cover door for the customer area. The access cover may have a shape defined by at least a portion of an ellipsoid. The shape of the access cover may be defined by half an ellipsoid with major and minor axes adjacent the base, and the base may have an elliptical shape. The cable reel may be rotatable with the base or rotatable independent thereof.

Abstract: A cable installation system for use by a cable installer may include a plurality of cable dispensers having different lengths of cable. In particular, each cable dispenser may also have a non-numeric, length-identifying marking associated therewith corresponding to the length of cable. Furthermore, the system may also include a cable dispenser indicator device for use by the installer to determine a distance between first and second locations, such as a cable tap and a subscriber interface. The cable dispenser indicator device may also provide an indication to the installer of the non-numeric, length-identifying marking corresponding to the determined distance so that the cable installer can select the corresponding cable dispenser from the plurality thereof. By way of example, the non-numeric, length-identifying markings may include a series of different colors and/or graphics for respective length ranges.

Abstract: A cable deployment and storage system includes a cable reel mounting device, and a cable reel for carrying a length of cable. The cable reel includes a hub that may be rotatably mounted on the cable reel mounting device during deployment of the length of cable, a pair of inner end flanges carried by respective opposing ends of the hub, and a pair of removable outer end flanges carried by respective inner end flanges to contain the length of cable therebetween during deployment. The outer end flanges may thereafter be removed to reduce a size of the cable reel. The pair of inner end flanges may store any remaining length of cable therebetween after deployment. The cable may include connectors installed at each end during manufacturing.

Abstract: An aerial fiber optic cable system includes a distribution cable extending along an aerial route, a splice enclosure connected to the distribution cable along the aerial route, and a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a first direction away from the fiber optic splice enclosure. The first sub-distribution system may include spaced apart fiber optic taps along the aerial route, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable between the fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap, and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation. The system may also or alternately include a similar lateral sub-distribution system.

Abstract: In a data-over-cable system, a cable head-end transmits a signal that includes a plurality of analog television signal components an at least one quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) digital signal component, the signal components being defined by frequency channels. A cable modem has a tunable frequency selection system, operable at a first bandwidth, corresponding to the bandwidth of the frequency channels, and at a second, substantially narrower bandwidth, that provides a filtered signal and a power measurement system that measures the power level of the filtered signal. The frequency selection system scans through the channels, operating at its second bandwidth, and, in each channel, tunes to a first frequency and a second frequency. The power levels of the filtered signals from the first and second frequencies are measured and compared to distinguish the QAM digital signal components from the other signal components.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a source radio frequency impairment in a data-over-cable system. The method includes ascertaining reference signal-to-noise ratios and comparing them to signal-to-noise ratios that are measured when the system is in operation. The signal-to-noise ratios are measured under different selections of which cable modems transmit. The method determines whether there are degradations on one or more upstream channel and correlates the degradations to identify the source of the impairment. The identification of impairments helps ensure that the source of impairment may be removed from the data-over-cable system to provide better overall performance.

Abstract: Impairment or other conditions (e.g., signal to noise ratio or noise floor) in a data-over—cable system are represented graphically in an easy to use and comprehensible manner, enabling quick identification and isolation of the source of the impairment. The graphical representation of the condition, referred to herein as an “impairment circle”, is in the form of a circular template with a line segment superimposed thereon representing the impairment. One end of the line segment is placed on the perimeter of the circle at a location associated with a particular cable modem or channel. The other end of the line segment either terminates in the interior of the circle or terminates on another portion of the perimeter. The perimeter of the circle can be divided into multiple sections, each section representing a channel in a transmission path. The sections can be further divided into multiple divisions, each division corresponding to a particular cable modem in the path or number of occurrences.