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.

Directional wireless drop systems are provided. These systems include a tap unit that is connected to a communications line of the broadband network; a cable modem unit connected to the tap unit; a plurality of wireless routers connected to the cable modem unit; and a directional antenna unit that is connected to at least a first of the wireless routers. Each wireless router is associated with a respective one of a plurality of subscriber premises that are served by the directional wireless drop system and is configured to communicate with at least one device that is located at the respective one of plurality of subscriber premises.

Directional wireless drop systems are provided. These systems include a tap unit that is connected to a communications line of the broadband network; a cable modem unit connected to the tap unit; a plurality of wireless routers connected to the cable modem unit; and a directional antenna unit that is connected to at least a first of the wireless routers. Each wireless router is associated with a respective one of a plurality of subscriber premises that are served by the directional wireless drop system and is configured to communicate with at least one device that is located at the respective one of plurality of subscriber premises.

An entry device includes an entry port configured to receive cable television (CATV) signals from a headend. The entry device also includes a filter connected to the entry port. The entry device also includes a plurality of first output ports and a plurality of second output ports. The entry device also includes a first path connecting the filter to the first output ports. The first path is configured to have the CATV signals and multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) signals pass bidirectionally therethrough. The entry device also includes a second path connecting the filter to the second output ports. The second path is configured to have the MoCA signals pass bidirectionally therethrough and to block the CATV signals from passing therethrough.

An entry device includes an entry port configured to receive cable television (CATV) signals from a headend. The entry device also includes a filter connected to the entry port. The entry device also includes a plurality of first output ports and a plurality of second output ports. The entry device also includes a first path connecting the filter to the first output ports. The first path is configured to have the CATV signals and multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) signals pass bidirectionally therethrough. The entry device also includes a second path connecting the filter to the second output ports. The second path is configured to have the MoCA signals pass bidirectionally therethrough and to block the CATV signals from passing therethrough.

Methods for locating noise in a CATV system are disclosed. The methods may use a probe or instrument configured to be coupled to a port of the CATV system. The probe may be operable to selectively filter signals in the CATV system to suppress the frequencies at which noise may be present in the CATV system. In some embodiments, the methods may also use a signal level meter, and the probe may be configured to be coupled to the signal level meter to detect and locate noise in the CATV system.

Methods for locating noise in a CATV system are disclosed. The methods may use a probe or instrument configured to be coupled to a port of the CATV system. The probe may be operable to selectively filter signals in the CATV system to suppress the frequencies at which noise may be present in the CATV system. In some embodiments, the methods may also use a signal level meter, and the probe may be configured to be coupled to the signal level meter to detect and locate noise in the CATV system.

A network element (200) of a cable television (CATV) network, comprising an input (204) for upstream signal transmission; at least two diplex filters (210, 212, 214) configured to be connected to said input (204), a first diplex filter (210) comprising a bandpass filter for a first upstream frequency band and a second diplex filter (212) comprising a bandpass filter for a second upstream frequency band; a switch (208) for connecting one of said at least two diplex filters to said input; wherein the network element is configured to be remotely controlled by a headend of the CATV network for selecting the diplex filter.

A network element (200) of a cable television (CATV) network, comprising an input (204) for upstream signal transmission; at least two diplex filters (210, 212, 214) configured to be connected to said input (204), a first diplex filter (210) comprising a bandpass filter for a first upstream frequency band and a second diplex filter (212) comprising a bandpass filter for a second upstream frequency band; a switch (208) for connecting one of said at least two diplex filters to said input; wherein the network element is configured to be remotely controlled by a headend of the CATV network for selecting the diplex filter.

Systems and methods that realistically simulate traffic in a communications network.