Abstract: An HFC cable communication system comprising: a CMTS having a first attenuator to attenuate one or more upstream signals applied to the CMTS; an optical link having a dynamic range and comprising an optical receiver having a second attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s) and an optical transmitter having a third attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s); a coaxial RF link comprising one or more RF amplifiers having a fourth attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s); and one or more subscriber modems to generate the upstream signal(s) at respective transmit RF signal levels. The CMTS implements a long loop ALC to set the transmit RF signal level(s) based on received RF signal levels of the upstream signal(s) at the CMTS. Respective values for the first, second, third and fourth attenuators are selected based on the dynamic range of the optical link so as to facilitate implementation of the long loop ALC and effective transmission of upstream information carried by the upstream signal(s).

Abstract: Ingress detection and mitigation in the context higher-density subscriber environments (e.g., urban environments) that generally involve multi-occupant structures and collocation, to some degree, of various cable system components, and particularly subscriber-related system components (e.g., collocated subscriber service drop cables and/or other collocated subscriber service equipment). In one example, suspect taps coupled to multiple collocated subscriber service drop cables associated with a multi-occupant structure are analyzed according to particular measurement protocols to reliably and accurately facilitate identification and remediation of subscriber-related faults giving rise to ingress.

Abstract: An HFC cable communication system comprising: a CMTS having a first attenuator to attenuate one or more upstream signals applied to the CMTS; an optical link having a dynamic range and comprising an optical receiver having a second attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s) and an optical transmitter having a third attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s); a coaxial RF link comprising one or more RF amplifiers having a fourth attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s); and one or more subscriber modems to generate the upstream signal(s) at respective transmit RF signal levels. The CMTS implements a long loop ALC to set the transmit RF signal level(s) based on received RF signal levels of the upstream signal(s) at the CMTS. Respective values for the first, second, third and fourth attenuators are selected based on the dynamic range of the optical link so as to facilitate implementation of the long loop ALC and effective transmission of upstream information carried by the upstream signal(s).

Abstract: An HFC cable communication system comprising: a CMTS having a first attenuator to attenuate one or more upstream signals applied to the CMTS; an optical link having a dynamic range and comprising an optical receiver having a second attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s) and an optical transmitter having a third attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s); a coaxial RF link comprising one or more RF amplifiers having a fourth attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s); and one or more subscriber modems to generate the upstream signal(s) at respective transmit RF signal levels. The CMTS implements a long loop ALC to set the transmit RF signal level(s) based on received RF signal levels of the upstream signal(s) at the CMTS. Respective values for the first, second, third and fourth attenuators are selected based on the dynamic range of the optical link so as to facilitate implementation of the long loop ALC and effective transmission of upstream information carried by the upstream signal(s).

Abstract: An HFC cable communication system comprising: a CMTS having a first attenuator to attenuate one or more upstream signals applied to the CMTS; an optical link having a dynamic range and comprising an optical receiver having a second attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s) and an optical transmitter having a third attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s); a coaxial RF link comprising one or more RF amplifiers having a fourth attenuator to attenuate the upstream signal(s); and one or more subscriber modems to generate the upstream signal(s) at respective transmit RF signal levels. The CMTS implements a long loop ALC to set the transmit RF signal level(s) based on received RF signal levels of the upstream signal(s) at the CMTS. Respective values for the first, second, third and fourth attenuators are selected based on the dynamic range of the optical link so as to facilitate implementation of the long loop ALC and effective transmission of upstream information carried by the upstream signal(s).

Abstract: An architecture for providing high-speed access over frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) channels allows transmission of ethernet frames and/or other data across a cable transmission network or other form of FDM transport. The architecture involves downstream and upstream FDM multiplexing techniques to allow contemporaneous, parallel communications across a plurality of frequency channels. Furthermore, the architecture allows a central concentrator to support a plurality of remote devices that each have guaranteed bandwidth through connection-oriented allocations of bi-directional data flows. The upstream and downstream bandwidth allocation can support symmetrical bandwidth as well as asymmetrical bandwidth in either direction. The architecture generally can be used to support connection-oriented physical layer connectivity between a remote device and the central concentrator.

Abstract: An architecture for providing high-speed access over frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) channels allows transmission of ethernet frames and/or other data across a cable transmission network or other form of FDM transport. The architecture involves downstream and upstream FDM multiplexing techniques to allow contemporaneous, parallel communications across a plurality of frequency channels. Furthermore, the architecture allows a central concentrator to support a plurality of remote devices that each have guaranteed bandwidth through connection-oriented allocations of bi-directional data flows. The upstream and downstream bandwidth allocation can support symmetrical bandwidth as well as asymmetrical bandwidth in either direction. The architecture generally can be used to support connection-oriented physical layer connectivity between a remote device and the central concentrator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved scrambler capable of self-calibrating output signals. In one embodiment, the scrambler provides an encoded signal along separate signal pulses. A portion of one signal is made to correspond to a portion of another signal to thereby self-calibrate the signals. Also, portions of the incoming video signal are forced to correspond with internally generated voltage level signals.

Abstract: Off premises cable television interdiction apparatus comprises a microprocessor actuation and control means for actuating and controlling one or more frequency agile voltage controlled oscillators. The voltage controlled oscillators selectively jam only unauthorized premium programming transmitted in the clear from a headend to a particular subscriber. Each voltage controlled oscillator is allocated a continuous band of frequencies consistent with the elimination of jamming signal frequency harmonics which may disturb authorized programming at a higher channel frequency. The microprocessor actuation and control means provides a calibration mode and a normal mode of operation. The method of interdiction comprises the steps of generating and storing voltage control words for operating the oscillators consistent with a head end selected jamming factor for a particular channel to be jammed and addressably transmitted and stored premium programming authorization data.

Abstract: This invention discloses a new and improved method of scrambling video signals by inversion of the video information by splitting the sync pulse into plural portions and transmitting each portion of the sync pulse at a predetermined level. This improves the quality of the recovered video compared with other video inversion systems by rendering the video less sensitive to variations in the modulation depth of the modulator carrying the inverted signal, the demodulation sensitivity of the demodulator and the stability of the recovery circuits. The invention further provides additional security against pirating by allowing the scrambling circuit to operate in diverse modes, each of which will cause a TV to react differently should a conventional pirating device be employed. The invention also renders the signal capable of being transmitted with unmodified modulators of the type normally employed in the CATV industry.

Abstract: Equipment for use in CATV lines and a system for distribution of CATV signals and for power to operate CATV line equipment having active devices which require power is described. The system distributes CATV signals to subscribers who have ordered different levels of service (basic service without premium channels or different groups of premium channels). Housings are located in proximity to the premises of both actual subscribers and potential subscribers, and have like covers which contain tapping electronics (a directional coupler, line equalizers and power bypassing circuit). The cover has ports at opposite ends and an additional port at one end. The tapping electronics is located on a seizure board having seizure blocks spaced from each other along one edge of the board. The seizure board is rotatable ninety degrees (90.degree.

Abstract: This invention discloses a new and improved method of scrambling video signals by inversion of the video information by splitting the sync pulse into plural portions and transmitting each portion of the sync pulse at a predetermined level. This improves the quality of the recovered video compared with other video inversion systems by rendering the video less sensitive to variations in the modulation depth of the modulator carrying the inverted signal, the demodulation sensitivity of the demodulator and the stability of the recovery circuits. The invention further provides additional security against pirating by allowing the scrambling circuit to operate in diverse modes, each of which will cause a TV to react differently should a conventional pirating device be employed. The invention also renders the signal capable of being transmitted with unmodified modulators of the type normally employed in the CATV industry.