Finisar Corporation

Other

Finsiar Corporation

Arthur Michael Lawson

Willem A Mostert

Frank H Levinson

Gerald Francis Sage

Randy Ichiro Oyadomari

Timothy M Beyers

Stephen Charles Gordy

Donald A Blackwell

Paul R Gentieu

Greta Light

Christopher J Cicchetti

Jayne Catherine Hahin

Jean-François Dubé

Chris Cicchetti

William H Ellis

An Huynh

Harold Yang

Jerry Dybsetter

Protocol analyzer systems enable synchronization of timestamps and the capture of data across serially chained boxes that are used together to monitor and capture network data. Through experiment, it can be determined how long it takes to propagate a signal to each box in the chain. These values are then recorded in each box in a delay register so that each box has a recorded delay value corresponding to the time required to propagate a signal to or receive a signal from every other box. Each box applies a control signal, such as a run signal or a trigger signal, to the ports in the box only after the expiration of the delay value indicated in the delay register. The box initiating the signal has the largest delay since the other boxes need to get the signal before the boxes can begin to operate with a common counter, with successive boxes having smaller delays.

Synchronization of timestamps to compensate for communication latency between devices

An optical signal return path system analog RF signals are sampled using a master clock frequency, and combined with digital data such as Ethernet data at a cable node. The cable node sends the combined signals on a return path over a fiber optic medium to the cable hub. The cable hub extracts an approximate in-frequency replicate of a master clock signal, and can use the replicate master clock signal to desample the digitized RF signals back to analog. The cable hub can further use the replicate of the master clock signal to serialize Ethernet data, and send the Ethernet data back to the cable node via an optical cable in the forward direction. Accordingly, a single master clock signal can be used on a CATV network for encoding/decoding, and transmitting a variety of data signals, which enhances the integrity and reliability of the data signals.

Single master clock control of Ethernet data transfer over both a cable TV return path and an Ethernet forward path

A network tap device that is configured for operation in a copper Gigabit Ethernet communications network using a power-over-Ethernet ('POE') electrical supply is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network tap device powered by a POE supply is disclosed, comprising first and second network ports that are configured with receptacles for receiving communication cables. The communication cables are configured to carry both data signals and the POE supply to and from the network tap device. The network tap device further includes first and second tap ports that connect with additional communication cables to a monitoring device. The network tap device also includes control and regulation circuitry that is configured to receive the POE supply from the communication cables via the network ports and to enable components of the network tap device to be operated by the POE supply.

Network tap device powered by power over ethernet

A network tap device array capable of being powered by a power-over Ethernet ('POE') supply is disclosed. The array enables data from multiple nodes in a communications network to be tapped and forwarded to a plurality of monitoring devices. In one embodiment the network tap device array includes a chassis that is configured to receive a plurality of network tap devices that are each powered by a POE supply. Each network tap device includes network ports for receiving and transmitting network data via communication cables and tap ports for forwarding the tapped network data to the monitoring device. In another embodiment, a sub-chassis includes a plurality of network tap devices and an aggregator that aggregates tapped data from each of the tap devices. The aggregator then forwards the aggregated data to the monitoring device. The sub-chassis can be included in a chassis that is configured to receive multiple populated chassis.

Network tap/aggregator configured for power over ethernet operation

An optical signal return path system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver receives an optical data signal from the transmitter and recovers therefrom a digital data stream and an associated first clock having an associated first clock rate. The data stream is stored in a memory device at the first clock rate. A clock generator generates a second clock having an associated second clock rate that is adjusted in accordance with a clock control signal. A control circuit reads data from the memory device at a rate corresponding to the second clock rate and generates a fullness signal that indicates whether the memory device is fuller more full than a predefined threshold fullness level. A clock speed adjusting circuit generates the clock control signal in accordance with the fullness signal.

System and method for transmitting data on return path of a cable television system

A cable node and a cable hub that communicate on a CATV network are configured to switch communication modes without signal loss or degradation due to delays in switching communication modes. In particular, a cable node sends one or more mute commands in an outgoing data stream to the cable hub, causing the cable hub to disable the RF outputs. Afterward, or along with the one or more mute commands, the cable node can send a switch mode command, thereby causing the cable hub to switch to the appropriate next communication mode, such as a communication mode using a new compression rate. When the cable hub has switched to the appropriate next communication mode, the cable hub can then properly receive and decode a corresponding data stream using the next communication mode.

Changing communication mode in a CATV pathway using mute commands

A return path transmitter includes an optical signal receiver configured to receive a digital optical signal and generate therefrom a first digitized RF data stream and a sample clock. The return path transmitter further includes an RF signal receiver, coupled to the optical signal receiver, configured to receive and convert the analog RF data signal into a second digitized RF data stream of digitized RF data samples at a rate determined by the sample clock. The return path transmitter further includes a summing circuit configured to mathematically sum the first and second digitized RF data streams so as to generate a third digitized RF data stream. The return path transmitter further includes an optical transmitter configured to convert an output data stream into a serialized optical data signal for transmission over an optical fiber, the output data stream including the third digitized RF data stream.

A cable node and a cable hub that communicate on a CATV network are configured to switch compression modes without signal noise or degradation due to excessive delays in switching compression modes. In particular, a cable node sends one or more mute commands in an outgoing data stream to the cable hub, causing the cable hub to disable the RF outputs. Afterward, or along with the one or more mute commands, the cable node can send a switch mode command, thereby causing the cable hub to switch to the appropriate next communication mode, such as a communication mode using a new compression rate. When the cable node and the cable hub have switched to the appropriate next communication mode, the cable hub can then properly receive a corresponding data stream from the cable node using the next communication mode.

Automated ethernet configuration of CATV network

The present invention relates to a Cable Television (CATV) that includes a head end with a radio-frequency hub and an Ethernet hub to separately process data transmitted within the CATV. Specifically, the radio-frequency hub receives the data, extracts radio-frequency data therefrom, outputs the extracted radio-frequency data, and transmits the data to the Ethernet hub, which is external to the radio-frequency hub. The Ethernet hub receives the data from the radio-frequency hub, extracts Ethernet data from the data, outputs the extracted Ethernet data to an Ethernet data port, inputs additional Ethernet data from the Ethernet data port, incorporates the additional Ethernet data into the data, and transmits the data, with the additional Ethernet data incorporated therein, to a receiver.

Cable television system with separate radio frequency hub and ethernet hub

The present invention provides for network taps capable of connecting to a plurality of communication cables. The network taps provide one or more levels of multiplexers which allow network data signals from a particular communication cable to be delivered to an attached device in order to monitor the activity of the communication cable. The network taps also include integrated circuitry which control the various functions and components of the network tap. Embodiments of the network taps include ones in which network data signals from each communication cable are communicated to the integrated circuitry to allow the integrated circuitry to monitor across all communication cables; network taps having switches to provide for different port configurations; network taps having switches which allow attached devices to transmit data into the network tap; network taps having ports which allow for cascade configurations; and network taps having integrated circuitry which can communicate with a remote client device to provide additional functionality.

Multi-port network tap

An optical signal return path system includes a transmitter having a sample clock generator for generating a sample clock and an RF signal receiver for receiving and converting an analog RF data signal into a first data stream of digitized RF data samples at a rate determined by the sample clock. Supplemental channel circuitry provides a second data stream. A multiplexor receives and combines the first data stream and second data stream, and an optical transmitter converting the combined data stream into a serialized optical data signal for transmission over an optical fiber. The second data stream may contain maintenance data reflecting an operational state of the transmitter. A receiver receives the optical data signal and recovers therefrom a digital data stream and an associated first clock having an associated first clock rate. The data stream is stored in a memory device at the first clock rate. A clock generator generates a second clock having an associated second clock rate that is adjusted in accordance with a clock control signal. A control circuit reads data from the memory device at a rate corresponding to the second clock rate and generates a fullness signal that indicates whether the memory device is more full than a predefined threshold fullness level. A clock speed adjusting circuit generates the clock control signal in accordance with the fullness signal.

An bit error rate tester for use in connection with a high speed networks. The bit error rate tester includes transmit and receive ports, as well as a sequence generator, memory, synchronizer, sequence start detect module, and comparator. The sequence generator generates a bit sequence for transmission through a network path. The bit sequence returns to the bit error rate tester by way of the receive port. The synchronizer then bit-aligns the received bit sequence to compensate for idles/fill words added/dropped as the bit sequence transited the network. The synchronized bit sequence is passed to the start word detector which detects start and end words in the bit sequence and instructs the comparator to compare only data between the start and end words. The comparator compares the received bit sequence with a copy of the transmitted bit sequence regenerated from the memory, and calculates a bit error rate.

System and method for network error rate testing

A Cable Television (CATV) digital return link system that provides dedicated, high-speed, full-duplex and point-to-point connections between users and the head end system is disclosed. The CATV digital return link system includes return path transmitters, intermediate hubs and a head end hub coupled to each other via a network of fiber optics cables. The return path transmitters are each coupled to a relatively large number of users via a local CATV-subtree. Signals from cable modems are transmitted via the local CATV-subtree to the return path transmitters for transmission to the head end. A number of users are individually and directly connected to the return path transmitters. Data from these directly connected users is transmitted to the head end via the network of fiber optics cables in conjunction with the RF data from the subtree. Likewise, data from the head end to these directly connected users is transmitted in the forward path direction using the digital return link system.

Cable television return link system with high data-rate side-band communication channels

The present invention provides an adapter for enabling a host device having an electrical connector compatible with a first protocol that is not connectable with a connector assembly associated with a second protocol to be usable with the second protocol. The adapter includes a printed circuit board having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first interface formed to removably connect with an electrical connector associated with a first protocol. The second end includes a second interface formed to removably connect with a connector assembly associated with the second protocol. A method of making the adapter includes configuring the first interface on the printed circuit board and integrating the second interface with the printed circuit board. One embodiment includes an adapter for enabling a host device with SFP electrical connectors to be usable with an SAS/SATA protocol.

Growing community of inventors

Morgan Hill, CA, United States of America

Arthur Michael Lawson