Abstract: A transmitter, using frequency sub-band coding, can output a plurality of narrowcast and/or broadcast signals to a plurality of sub-groups or nodes along a single optical link. The transmitter can output the plurality of signals as multiple slices of spectrum, wherein each slice of spectrum is designated for a particular sub-group or node. The transmitter can further instruct each receiver or node as to which slice of spectrum to use and at which frequency to output the associated signal information to its intended subscribers. Thus, a single transmitter can feed narrowcast information to multiple nodes or receivers along a single optical link. In embodiments, channels can be monitored and manipulated on a channel-by-channel basis, and channels delivered using different network solutions can be combined.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using walking directions data from a geodata services provider. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.

Abstract: An optical line terminal is operable in a passive optical network. The optical line terminal includes a chassis. A plurality of optical subsystems are disposed within the chassis. Each optical subsystem is operable to generate optical signals for delivery to a port. Each optical subsystem includes one or more optical switches. When a fault condition is detected at a first optical subsystem preventing the delivery of first optical signals generated by the first optical subsystem to the port of the first optical subsystem, the optical switches switch to deliver second downstream optical signals generated by a second optical subsystem to the port of the first optical subsystem.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter.

Abstract: A method and computing device that provides a tunable RF filter for a two-way communication system. The method receives a downstream video signal, and filters the downstream video signal into at least one downstream bandwidth band, each downstream bandwidth band related to desired upstream/downstream bandwidth splits. The method performs an energy detection on each downstream bandwidth band, and determines a lowest frequency of said at least one downstream bandwidth band that contains downstream video content. The method sets a diplex filter upstream/downstream frequency cutoff to a maximum upstream bandwidth that does not conflict with the lowest frequency of said at least one downstream bandwidth band that contains downstream video content.

Abstract: A method of estimating a defect location within a network is provided. Information of pre-equalization coefficients of an adaptive pre-equalizer of a terminal network element on the network is received. A total amount of equalization applied by a negative delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to a main tap level and a total amount of equalization applied by a positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to the main tap level is determined. The terminal network element is determined as being affected by a defect if at least one of the total amount of equalization applied by the negative or positive delay portions relative to the main tap level is at an unacceptable level. If a defect is identified, a location of the defect is estimated differently depending upon whether the negative or positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer applies the greatest amount of equalization.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter by compensating for optical dispersion over the fiber optic network.

Abstract: A method of estimating a topology of a network in which an estimated geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is automatically generated from data providing the geographic location of the network component and the geographic location of the terminal network element. If the estimated geographic path includes an intersection of separate branches of the path located a predetermined distance from the network component in a downstream direction extending from the network component to the terminal network element, the estimated geographic path is automatically adjusted by replacing the intersection in the estimated geographic path with separate non-intersecting paths extending from different outlet ports of the network component to the separate branches.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using Keyhole Markup Language (KML) data. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software implementing KML encoding. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.

Abstract: A transmitter, using frequency sub-band coding, can output a plurality of narrowcast and/or broadcast signals to a plurality of sub-groups or nodes along a single optical link. The transmitter can output the plurality of signals as multiple slices of spectrum, wherein each slice of spectrum is designated for a particular sub-group or node. The transmitter can further instruct each receiver or node as to which slice of spectrum to use and at which frequency to output the associated signal information to its intended subscribers. Thus, a single transmitter can feed narrowcast information to multiple nodes or receivers along a single optical link. In embodiments, channels can be monitored and manipulated on a channel-by-channel basis, and channels delivered using different network solutions can be combined.

Abstract: A method (100) of operation in a passive optical network system (600) includes transmitting wave division multiplexed data in a downstream link (617) of an optical distribution network (618) using a plurality of optical line terminals (601,602,603). Each optical line terminal (601,602,603) operates at a unique wavelength, and is synchronized to each other optical line terminal by a common reference (643). Upstream data is received from an upstream link (619) of the optical distribution network on a shared common upstream wavelength (620).

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. The transmitter preferably includes a combining network that combines CATV signals received from a CATV head end.

Abstract: A method of estimating a physical location of a network fault is provided. Information is received concerning the physical topology of the network by data pulls of information concerning network components and terminal network elements and geographic locations thereof. A network fault is detected by monitoring at least one performance parameter transmitted via upstream communications from the terminal network elements, and a physical location of a network fault is estimated based on the performance parameter, the physical topology of the network, and the terminal network element or elements from which the performance parameter was received that indicated the network fault. A list of network components that require inspection and that may provide a source of the network fault is generated. A signal processing electronic device for mapping the network fault and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions are also provided.

Abstract: A method of estimating a level of severity of a network fault is provided. Performance parameters are monitored on upstream and downstream links to terminal network elements on a network to detect potential network faults. An alarm is raised with respect to a potential network fault automatically if at least one of the performance parameters as monitored crosses a preset threshold. After an alarm is raised, a level of severity is assigned to the alarm based on pre and post forward error correction (FEC) bit error rates (BER). In addition, the total number of terminal network elements that are impacted by the network fault is estimated and, when multiple alarms are raised of an equal level of severity, a higher priority is placed upon an alarm that affects service to a greatest number of terminal network elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying information in a hierarchical structure are disclosed. An embodiment provides a method for displaying HFC network monitoring information and alarms in a hierarchical, topological fashion within a network monitoring system.

Abstract: A method of estimating a location of a fault in a network including the detection of a status of nodes connected to a head end of the network via a trunk of the network as being in-service or out-of-service. A node is considered out-of-service when the head end loses communication with all terminal network devices associated with the node. In addition, a status of head end network components is monitored for faults occurring therein. The location of a fault is automatically estimated as being on the trunk of the network when the head end network components are without a monitored fault condition and when at least one node on the trunk is detected as being out-of-service.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing estimated fault locations within a network includes monitoring multiple different performance parameters for unacceptable threshold levels via communications with a set of terminal network elements and separately analyzing the different performance parameters to identify potential network fault locations on the network. Accordingly, a plurality of priority rankings of potential network fault locations can be generated, one for each performance parameter monitored, and then combined to generate an overall priority ranking of potential fault locations including at least a highest priority inspection point estimated as being a most likely source of a fault on the network.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. The transmitter preferably monitors performance attributes of a transmitted signal and selectively configures the transmitter based on the monitored attributes.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter.

Abstract: A method of estimating a topology of a network in which an estimated geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is automatically generated from data providing the geographic location of the network component and the geographic location of the terminal network element. If the estimated geographic path includes an intersection of separate branches of the path located a predetermined distance from the network component in a downstream direction extending from the network component to the terminal network element, the estimated geographic path is automatically adjusted by replacing the intersection in the estimated geographic path with separate non-intersecting paths extending from different outlet ports of the network component to the separate branches.