Systems and Methods for reducing distortion due to bursts of upstream transmission in an HFC CATV network. In some preferred systems, the functionality of an Optical Network Unit (ONU) may occur within a node or amplifier along a direction upstream from a subscriber's home.

Systems and Methods for reducing distortion due to bursts of upstream transmission in an HFC CATV network. In some preferred systems, the functionality of an Optical Network Unit (ONU) may occur within a node or amplifier along a direction upstream from a subscriber's home.

Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.

A video distribution network includes a distribution plant and a first bulk encryption device connected to the distribution plant, wherein the bulk encryption device outputs a first encrypted video service stream to the distribution plant via an internet protocol (IP) interface.

The present application relates generally to signal distribution networks carrying signals on coaxial cables where frequency multiplexing techniques are utilised to provide greater data transmission bandwidths. In one aspect, the application provides a tap for use in a coaxial distribution network, the tap including: an upstream port, a downstream port, and at least one drop port, and a number of signal paths coupled between the upstream port and the downstream port, each signal path having a passband frequency range which is not common to any other signal path.

Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.

A video distribution network includes a distribution plant and a first bulk encryption device connected to the distribution plant, wherein the bulk encryption device outputs a first encrypted video service stream to the distribution plant via an internet protocol (IP) interface.

An optical network includes a transmitter portion configured to transmit a digitized stream of symbols over a digital optical link, a mapping unit disposed within the transmitter portion and configured to code the transmitted digitized stream of symbols with a mapping code prior to transmission over the digital optical link, a receiver portion configured to recover the coded stream of symbols from the digital optical link, and a demapping unit disposed within the receiver portion and configured to map the recovered coded stream of symbols into an uncoded digitized signal corresponding to the digitized stream of symbols at the transmitter portion prior to coding by the mapping unit.

An optical network includes a transmitter portion configured to transmit a digitized stream of symbols over a digital optical link, a mapping unit disposed within the transmitter portion and configured to code the transmitted digitized stream of symbols with a mapping code prior to transmission over the digital optical link, a receiver portion configured to recover the coded stream of symbols from the digital optical link, and a demapping unit disposed within the receiver portion and configured to map the recovered coded stream of symbols into an uncoded digitized signal corresponding to the digitized stream of symbols at the transmitter portion prior to coding by the mapping unit.

Methods and apparatuses are provided to modify existing overlay system architectures in a cost effective manner to meet the growing demand for narrowcast services and to position the existing overlay systems for additional future modifications. The implementations of the improved overlay system of this disclosure re-digitize narrowcast analog signals after they have been QAM modulated and upconverted to RF frequencies and replace the analog narrowcast transmitters with digital narrowcast transmitters. In the fiber nodes, the received narrowcast signals are converted back to analog signals and combined with analog broadcast signals for transmission to the service groups.