Category 5 cable

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for integrating a personal communication system with a cable television plant. A set of radio antenna devices (RAD) (50A-50I) are connected to the cable plant (4). The RADs (50A-50I) provide frequency conversion and power control of signal received from the cable plant for wireless transmission to the remote units (24A-24C). The RADs (50A-50I) also provide power control and frequency conversion of wireless signals received from the remote units for transmission by the RADs (50A-50I) onto the cable plant (4). In addition to the functions of standard base stations and centralized controller, the CATV base station must also compensate for gain variations in the cable plant (4). The downstream power control is regulated by a RAD (50A-50I) reference signal which can be hidden within the CDMA signal for maximum efficiency.

Abstract: A cable system is provided which can accomodate electrical and optical cabling. The conductors (71, 73, 75, and 79) of the system employ a layer (79) which is impedance-matched to space, decreasing their cross section to electromagnetic interference. The conductors of the system also employ a layer (79) which symmetrizes electromagnetic interference signals, reducing the effect of interference and crosstalk on the signals carried by the conductors. The system also includes a node interface device for connection to a global electrical and fiber network. The node interface device connects to a user interface device through the cable.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box. A network service platform (NSP) is coupled to a cable facilities management platform (FMP) for providing services for cable television subscribers as well as telecommunication service subscribers such that an interexchange or telephone company would control the network services to the subscribers. The NSP architectural concept may permit the interexchange or telephone company to be the single service provider of information to subscribers on an equal basis.

Abstract: A number of features for enhancing the performance of a cable transmission system in which data is transmitted between a cable modem termination system at a headend and a plurality of cable modems located different distances from the headend. The power transmission level, slot timing, and equalization of the cable modems are set by a ranging process. Data is transmitted by the modems in fragmented form. Various measures are taken to make transmission from the cable modems robust. The upstream data transmission is controlled to permit multiple access from the cable modems.