Point-to-multipoint high data rate delivery from optical node in HFC systems over existing and advanced coaxial networks

1. An apparatus comprising:

a data transfer system which sends and receives data over a coaxial network at a bandwidth above 1000 MHz wherein the data transfer system is located at an optical node of a hybrid fiber-coaxial network, including:

a forward path including:

an FEC encoder;

a QAM modulator;

an OFDM encoder; and

an RF upconverter; and

a return path including:

an RF downconverter;

a burst receiver;

a timing and frequency synchronization circuit;

an OFDM decoder; and

a QAM demodulator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a media access controller.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a data transfer system which sends and receives data over a coaxial network, wherein the data transfer system is located at an optical node of a hybrid fiber-coaxial network, wherein the data transfer system forms an Ethernet network and includes:

an optical node including:

an optical-to-coaxial stage;

a router with a CPU;

a modulator; and

a demodulator;

a plurality of cable modems; and

a plurality of bridges;

wherein the optical node, the plurality of cable modems, and the plurality of bridges are interconnected with coaxial cables.

4. A method comprising a process of transferring data over a coaxial network between an optical node and a plurality of cable modems of a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network, wherein the process of transferring data comprises the steps of:

transmitting data, including the steps of:

forward error correction;

QAM modulation;

OFDM coding; and

upconversion; and

receiving data, including the steps of:

downconversion;

timing and frequency synchronization;

OFDM decoding; and

QAM demodulation.

5. A method comprising a process of transferring data over a coaxial network between an optical node and a plurality of cable modems of a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network, wherein the process of transferring data comprises:

receiving a data packet at the optical node;

assigning a destination MAC address to the data packet, the destination MAC address belonging to a cable modem of the plurality of cable modems to which the data packet is sent;

coding and modulating the data packet;

transmitting the data packet across a coaxial cable;

and receiving the data packet at the cable modem of the plurality of cable modems to which the data packet is sent.