Abstract: A method of segmenting an access network of a hybrid fiber coaxial network, the method comprising receiving optical signals at a main node converting the optical signals into digital signals associated with data and electrical signals associated with a broadcast spectrum, converting the digital signals into electrical signals in a frequency range differing from a frequency range of the broadcast spectrum electrical signals, producing a combined electrical signal with separate frequency bands for data and broadcast spectrum signals, and conveying the combined signal along a coaxial cable to a plurality of subsidiary nodes. Frequencies associated with a first Narrowcast band within the broadcast electrical spectrum signal are replaced with frequencies associated with a second Narrowcast band.

Abstract: A method of transporting digital data over coaxial cable comprising converting digital signals associated with data into data electrical signals, positioning at least one repeater station, along a coaxial cable, restoring digital signals from the data electrical signals at the repeater station, and converting the digital signals back into data electrical signals at the repeater station for onward transmission. Typically a plurality of repeater stations are disposed at spaced-apart intervals along the coaxial cable with each repeater station comprises a receiver and transmitter, the receiver receiving data electrical signals and restoring these into digital signals with the transmitter converting the digital signals back into data electrical signals for onward transmission. The data electrical signals have a frequency of at least 2 GHz.

Abstract: A method of transporting digital data over coaxial cable comprising converting digital signals associated with data into data electrical signals having a frequency extending up to at least 2 GHz and transmitting the electrical signals over coaxial cable. The data electrical signals can comprise upstream and downstream signals arranged in separate non-overlapping frequency bands, with the upstream band having a lower frequency than the downstream band. A replacement Abstract is attached hereto on a separate sheet in accordance with 37 CFR 1.72.

Abstract: There is provided a cable tap device for a CATV network comprising a microstrip directional coupler on an electrical path between an input and an output and arranged to communicate with a splitter device associated with a plurality of tap ports. A tilt compensating circuit is disposed between the microstrip directional coupler and the splitter device. A feedback path comprising resistive, inductive and capacitive elements connects an isolated port of the microstrip directional coupler to that part of the electrical path between the input and the input port of the microstrip directional coupler.

Abstract: There is provided a cable television (CATV) cable tap device comprising a cable tap unit having a front section with electrical circuitry connected to a plurality of tap ports and a rear section connectable to a broadband network, wherein an amplifier unit is disposed between the front section and the rear section and is in electrical communication with both the front section and the rear section. The amplifier unit is a separate module and comprises one or more amplification circuits for upstream and/or downstream amplification of signals.

Abstract: There is provided a cable tap device for a CATV network comprising a microstrip directional coupler on an electrical path between an input and an output and arranged to communicate with a splitter device associated with a plurality of tap ports. A tilt compensating circuit is disposed between the microstrip directional coupler and the splitter device. A feedback path comprising resistive, inductive and capacitive elements connects an isolated port of the microstrip directional coupler to that part of the electrical path between the input and the input port of the microstrip directional coupler.

Abstract: There is provided an amplifier device for a CATV network comprising a first amplifier element for upstream signals and a second amplifier element for downstream signals, wherein the first and second amplifier elements are disposed between first and second directional couplers. The combined isolation of the first and second directional couplers is greater than the sum of the gain of the first and second amplifier elements. The first directional coupler has one port attached to an input of the downstream amplification element and one port attached to an output of an upstream amplification element (38) and the second directional coupler has one port attached to an output of the downstream amplifier and one port attached to an input of the upstream amplifier.

Abstract: There is provided a cable television (CATV) cable tap device comprising a cable tap unit having a front section with electrical circuitry connected to a plurality of tap ports and a rear section connectable to a broadband network, wherein an amplifier unit is disposed between the front section and the rear section and is in electrical communication with both the front section and the rear section. The amplifier unit is a separate module and comprises one or more amplification circuits for upstream and/or downstream amplification of signals.