DOCSIS out-of-band control signal frequency conversion for legacy set-top boxes

摘要

Techniques are provided for up-converting a downstream set-top box control signal to a frequency that is above a cable television system upstream communications band. The downstream set-top box control signal is down-converted to a frequency in a set-top box control band and injected into a set-top box communications pathway. The downstream set-top box control signal may be up-converted from baseband or from the set-top box control band to a frequency in cable television system downstream communications band and transmitted on a DOCSIS RF channel.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
at an upstream device, up-converting a first downstream set-top box control signal to a two to eight megahertz (MHz) control channel at a frequency that is above a cable television system upstream communications band such that a resulting up-converted set-top box control channel is at a frequency that is above a guard band for the cable television system upstream communications band and greater than 200 MHz; and transmitting the up-converted set-top box control channel using a downstream communications band.