MoCA network system for multiple dwelling units
View Patent ↗A data network for a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) enables efficient use of a MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) system. The data network includes a distribution point unit (DPU) connected to an access network, a plurality of modems in the MDU, a plurality of coaxial cables extending through the MDU between the DPU and the plurality of modems, and at least one network expander present between the DPU and a subset of the plurality of modems. The network expander can be a repeater that retransmits received signals, wherein the DPU, the plurality of modems, and the network expander exchange data via the plurality of coaxial cables using MoCA protocols.
1. A Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) system, comprising:
at least one network expander for distributing at least one signal channel;
at least one distribution point unit (DPU) distributing the at least one signal channel to and from the network expander; and
one or more modems receiving the at least one signal channel,
wherein the network expander is connected between the DPU and a set of the modems and retransmits received signals using MoCA protocols, and
wherein an independent power inserter coupled to a power source and linked to coaxial cable passes power over the coaxial cable to a power tap at the DPU to reverse power the DPU.
2. The MoCA system of claim 1 , wherein multiple DPUs are daisy chained together in the system.
3. The MoCA system of claim 1 , wherein the network expanders, DPUs and modems are interconnected by at least one of coax, optical fibers, or wireless connections.
4. The MoCA system of claim 1 , further comprising providing a power subsystem which is a dedicated power inserter, where power is injected by the power subsystem into any one or more of: the network expanders, the DPUs and the modems.
5. The MoCA system of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the modems is a pluggable transceiver that is removably plugged into a network device and receives power via a connected coaxial cable.
6. The MoCA system of claim 4 , wherein the power subsystem comprises a power tap linked to a coaxial cable port that receives electricity passed to it through a connected coaxial cable.
7. The MoCA system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the modems passes power over coaxial cable to the DPU to reverse power the DPU.
8. The MoCA system of claim 1 , wherein the DPUs and modems are single-band devices that exchange data within one RF frequency range using MoCA protocols.
9. The MoCA system of claim 1 , wherein the DPUs and modems are dual-band devices that exchange data within two different RF frequency ranges using MoCA protocols.
10. The MoCA system of claim 1 , wherein the system links the at least one signal channel as an aggregate over multiple RF channels.
11. The MoCA system of claim 1 , wherein the system links the at least one signal channel as an aggregate over at least three separate Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) channels.
12. The MoCA system of claim 1 , wherein the network expander supports enforcement of class of service and quality of service.
13. A data network for a multiple dwelling unit, comprising:
a distribution point unit (DPU) comprising one or more coaxial cable ports and a network cable interface connected to an access network;
a plurality of modems in a multiple dwelling unit (MDU);
a plurality of coaxial cables extending through the MDU from the one or more coaxial cable ports of the DPU to the plurality of modems; and
at least one network expander present between the DPU and a subset of the plurality of modems, the network expander being a repeater that retransmits received signals,
wherein the DPU, the plurality of modems, and the at least one network expander exchange data via the plurality of coaxial cables using MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) protocols, and
wherein the network expander retransmits received data to increase a distance at which data can be exchanged between the DPU and the plurality of modems before a decrease in aggregate data speeds.
14. The data network of claim 13 , wherein the DPU comprises a second network cable interface connected via a network cable to a first network cable interface of a second DPU, such that the second DPU has indirect access to the access network via the DPU.
15. The data network of claim 13 , wherein the DPU, the plurality of modems, and the at least one network expander exchange data within one or more RF frequency ranges using MoCA protocols that do not conflict with RF frequency ranges used to transmit television signals over the plurality of coaxial cables from a television source to television receivers in the units of the MDU.
16. The data network of claim 13 , wherein a subset of the plurality of modems are subtended to the at least one network expander, thereby increasing a number of modems that can be connected to the DPU.