| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for providing access to a large number of communications channels via a relatively narrow bandwidth conduit includes providing a fiber optic downlink conduit (28) from a programming source (10, 12, 14) to a "curb-top" box (42) and a fiber optic uplink conduit (28) from the curb-top box (42) to the programming source (10, 12, 14), and providing a plurality of relatively simple set-top boxes which are bidirectionally linked to the curb-top box (42) via existing coaxial cables (54). The curb-top box (42) is provided with the ability to access all of the channels carried by the downlink (28) and to rebroadcast selected channels as RF signals to the set-top boxes via the existing coaxial cables (54). The set-top boxes are each provided with the ability to send selection signals to the curb-top box via the coaxial cable (54) and to receive RF television signals from the curb-top box via the coaxial cable (54). |
