CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims priority to earlier filed United States Provisional Application Serial No. 63/333,916 filed on April 22, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The subject matter of this application relates to an active splitter.

[0003] Cable Television (CATV) services provide content to large groups of customers (e g., subscribers) from a central delivery unit, generally referred to as a "head end," which distributes channels of content to its customers from this central delivery unit through an access network comprising a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable plant, including associated components (nodes, amplifiers and taps). Modem Cable Television (CATV) service networks, however, not only provide media content such as television channels and music channels to a customer, but also provide a host of digital communication services such as Internet Service, Video-on-Demand, telephone service such as VoIP, home automation/security, and so forth. These digital communication services, in turn, require not only communication in a downstream direction from the head end, through the HFC, typically forming a branch network and to a customer, but also require communication in an upstream direction from a customer to the head end typically through the HFC network.

[0004] To this end, CATV head ends have historically included a separate Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS), used to provide high speed data services, such as cable Internet, Voice over Internet Protocol, etc. to cable customers and a video headend system, used to provide video services, such as broadcast video and video on demand (VOD). Typically, a CMTS will include both Ethernet interfaces (or other more traditional high-speed data interfaces) as well as radio frequency (RF) interfaces so that traffic coming from the Internet can be routed (or bridged) through the Ethernet interface, through the CMTS, and then onto the RF interfaces that are connected to the cable company's hybrid fiber coax (HFC) system. Downstream traffic is delivered from the CMTS to a cable modem and/or set top box in a customer’s home, while upstream traffic is delivered from a cable modem and/or set top box in a customer’s home to the CMTS. The Video Headend System similarly provides video to either a set-top, TV with a video decryption card, or other device capable of demodulating and decrypting the incoming encrypted video services. Many modern CATV systems have combined the functionality of the CMTS with the video delivery system (e.g., EdgeQAM - quadrature amplitude modulation) in a single platform generally referred to an Integrated CMTS (e.g., Integrated Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP)) - video services are prepared and provided to the I-CCAP which then QAM modulates the video onto the appropriate frequencies. Still other modern CATV systems generally referred to as distributed CMTS (e g., distributed Converged Cable Access Platform) may include a Remote PHY (or R-PHY) which relocates the physical layer (PHY) of a traditional Integrated CCAP by pushing it to the network’s fiber nodes (R-MACPHY relocates both the MAC and the PHY to the network’s nodes). CableLabs specifications refer to this architecture as a Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) with Flexible MAC Architecture (FMA). Thus, while the core in the CCAP performs the higher layer processing, the R-PHY device in the remote node converts the downstream data sent from the core from digital-to-analog to be transmitted on radio frequency to the cable modems and/or set top boxes, and converts the upstream radio frequency data sent from the cable modems and/or set top boxes from analog-to-digital format to be transmitted optically to the core. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an integrated Cable Modem Termination System.

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a distributed Cable Modem Termination System.

[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a one-port configuration.

[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a two-port configuration.

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates an active splitter configuration.

[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates an active splitter.

[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates a DAA cabinet node collocated in a cabinet with an active splitter.

[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates a DAA node housing and an active splitter housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, an integrated CMTS (e.g., Integrated Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP)) 100 may include data 110 that is sent and received over the Internet (or other network) typically in the form of packetized data. The integrated CMTS 100 may also receive downstream video 120, typically in the form of packetized data from an operator video aggregation system. By way of example, broadcast video is typically obtained from a satellite delivery system and pre-processed for delivery to the subscriber though the CCAP or video headend system. The integrated CMTS 100 receives and processes the received data 110 and downstream video 120. The CMTS 130 may transmit downstream data 140 and downstream video 150 to a customer’s cable modem and/or set top boxl60 through a RF distribution network, which may include other devices, such as amplifiers and splitters. The CMTS 130 may receive upstream data 170 from a customer’s cable modem and/or set top boxl60 through a network, which may include other devices, such as amplifiers and splitters. The CMTS 130 may include multiple devices to achieve its desired capabilities.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, as a result of increasing bandwidth demands, limited facility space for integrated CMTSs, and power consumption considerations, it is desirable to include a Distributed Cable Modem Termination System (D-CMTS) 200 (e.g., Distributed Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP)). CableLabs specifications refer to this architecture as a Distributed CCAP Architecture (DCA) in the Flexible MAC Architecture (FMA) specifications. In general, the CMTS is focused on data services while the CCAP further includes broadcast video services. The D-CMTS 200 distributes a portion of the functionality of the LCMTS 100 downstream to a remote location, such as a fiber node, using network packetized data. An exemplary D-CMTS 200 may include a remote PHY architecture, where a remote PHY (R-PHY) is preferably an optical node device that is located at the junction of the fiber and the coaxial. In general the R-PHY often includes the PHY layers of a portion of the system. The D-CMTS 200 may include a D-CMTS 230 (e.g., core) that includes data 210 that is sent and received over the Internet (or other network) typically in the form of packetized data. The D-CMTS 230 is referred to as the Remote MAC Core (RMC) in the Flexible MAC Architecture (FMA) CableLabs specifications. The D-CMTS 200 may also receive downstream video 220, typically in the form of packetized data from an operator video aggregation system. The D-CMTS 230 receives and processes the received data 210 and downstream video 220. A remote fiber node 280 preferably include a remote PHY device (RPD) 290. The RPD 290 may transmit downstream data 240 and downstream video 250 to a customer’s cable modem and/or set top box 260 through a network, which may include other devices, such as amplifier and splitters. The RPD 290 may receive upstream data 270 from a customer’s cable modem and/or set top box 260 through a network, which may include other devices, such as amplifiers and splitters. The RPD 290 may include multiple devices to achieve its desired capabilities. The RPD 290 primarily includes PHY related circuitry, such as downstream QAM modulators, upstream QAM demodulators, together with psuedowire logic to connect to the D-CMTS 230 using network packetized data.

The RPD 290 and the D-CMTS 230 may include data and/or video interconnections, such as downstream data, downstream video, and upstream data 295. It is noted that, in some embodiments, video traffic may go directly to the RPD thereby bypassing the D-CMTS 230. In some cases, the remote PHY and/or remote MACPHY functionality may be provided at the head end.

[0016] By way of example, the RPD 290 may covert downstream DOCSIS (i.e., Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) data (e.g., DOCSIS 1.0; 1.1; 2.0; 3.0; 3.1; and 4.0 each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety), video data, out of band signals received from the D-CMTS 230 to analog for transmission over RF or analog optics. By way of example, the RPD 290 may convert upstream DOCSIS, and out of band signals received from an analog medium, such as RF or linear optics, to digital for transmission to the D-CMTS 230. As it may be observed, depending on the particular configuration, the R-PHY may move all or a portion of the DOCSIS MAC and/or PHY layers down to the fiber node.

[0017] The amount of data services supported by DOCSIS based networks over time has been increasing. To support the ever-increasing data capacity needs, the DOCSIS standard has likewise been evolving in a manner to support the increasing data capacity needs. A single-carrier quadrature amplitude modulation (SC-QAM) based transmission of DOCSIS 3.0 is giving way to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) of DOCSIS 3.1, to support greater megabits per second (Mbps) per mega-hertz (MHz) of spectrum. Furthermore, more MHz of radio frequency (RF) spectrum yields more Mbps, thus a wider spectrum, for both downstream (DS) and upstream (US) transmission is another manner in which the DOCSIS standard has evolved. For example, the DOCSIS standard has evolved from (1) 5-85 MHz US with 102-1002 MHz DS supported by DOCSIS 3.0 to (2) 5-204 MHz US with 258-1218 MHz DS of DOCSIS 3.1, and (3) 5-682 MHz US with 108-1794 MHz DS of DOCSIS 4.0. Transmitted spectrum width increase, in DS especially, affects how the network is architected. The DOCSIS 3.1 to DOCSIS 4.0 transition, from 1,218 MHz highest DS frequency to 1,794 MHz highest DS frequency, envisions a change from a centralized access architecture (CAA) to distributed access architecture (DAA), in order to support higher OFDM modulation formats and thus improved spectral density at the DAA nodes.

[0018] Nodes are hybrid fiber coax (HRC) devices in which the fiber links (or otherwise) transition to the coaxial cables, and as such nodes convert optical signals (or otherwise) into the RF signals. Also, the nodes condition RF signals for transmission over coaxial cables, for an eventual delivery to subscribers, situated at the other end of the coaxial portion of the HFC network. The node may be configured based upon the environment, such as for example, a strand, an underground vault, or a street cabinet. The node may be configured with any suitable number of ports, such as one, two, three, four, or more, coaxial ports.

[0019] There tends to be a relatively tight dimensional envelope within the cabinets, and a relatively compact size for the node itself is preferred. By way of example, a node may have an envelope of 12 inches, by 12 inches, by 7 inches. However, the node tends to include additional functionality over time as network evolve, such as additional computing processes, and consequently greater and greater power dissipation needs to be accommodated by the node. In particular, the distributed access architecture (DAA) further increases the node power dissipation demand by moving all or a part of the CMTS’ PHY functionality from the head end to the node, as is the case with RPD and/or remote MACPHY devices (RMD). Also, the transition of the system from DOCSIS 3.0 / DOCSIS 3.1 to DOCSIS 4.0 further contributes to the thermal dissipation demand by increasing the RF spectrum width which contributes to an increase power demand on RF gain circuits used in downstream stages of node outputs. [0020] To reduce the power dissipation requirements for a node, the number of service groups in the downstream and/or upstream for RMD and/or RPD modules may be limited. However, this limits the functionality and capabilities of the overall system, and tends to require additional nodes which may not otherwise be necessary. Further, this tends to limit the ability to provide service to additional subscribers and/or support increased data requirements of subscribers.

[0021] Nodes with one or two RF ports address the majority of the anticipated service requirements for most cabinet mounted distributed access architecture (DAA) deployments. To reduce the DAA node power consumption for the two configurations, typically only one downstream RF power doubler hybrid, which serves those two ports is placed and housed in the node itself. Expanding a node having a two-port configuration to a node having a four port configuration is performed by replacing the entire two port node with a four port node. This replacement of the node tends to be expensive and tends to result in a substantial service outage for subscribers. Alternatively, a node having four ports may be used which tends to have larger demands on required size, power consumption and heat dissipation, especially if only two of the ports are being used.

[0022] To reduce the service outages for subscribers while enabling effective expansion of a two port configuration to a three or four port (or other) configuration, it is desirable to integrate an optional active splitter with an existing one or two port configuration. Preferably the active splitter is in its own separate enclosure, and as such is thermally dissipating an internal RF power doubler hybrid’s thermal load when feeding more than the original ports. Alternatively, the active splitter may be included within the enclosure housing the other ports.

[0023] The active splitter may be powered with DC power from the DAA node power supply, since the active splitter is typically in the same cabinet with the DAA node. Alternatively, the active splitter may be powered over a separate DC interconnection between the DAA node and the active splitter. The interconnecting cable carrying the DC power may also be carrying RF signals or separate from them. Also, the active splitter may be powered by power provided by the other node components. Optimally, the power levels of the nodes RF ports should remain at the same power level (or otherwise within 20%, and more preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5%) when the active splitter is included and/or otherwise not included. This assists in maintaining the desired power levels to existing subscribers while supporting additional ports for additional subscribers. Accordingly, with a stage of amplification the active splitter is able to maintain the power levels to existing ports while providing additional ports with a suitable power level, such as the power level of the other ports.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, a one port configuration is illustrated. A RPD or RMD 400 is illustrated together with a node 410 to provide a conversion to and/or from one or more coaxial cables. The node 410 includes an RF port 412 served by the RPD or RMD 400 by its downstream port 414. The RPD or RMD 400 includes two upstream ports 416, 418 (optional).

[0025] The downstream port 414 provides a downstream signal 420 such as with an RF power level up to 32 dBmV per 6 MHz channel is provided into an adjustable tilt circuit 422 to provide up to 20 dB of downstream tilt, defined, for example from 85 MHz up to 1,218 MHz. The adjustable tilt circuit (e.g., variable equalizer) may be implemented into the RPD / RMD, with manual configurations based upon plugging in different values of equalizers into a socket or otherwise electronically controlled. A tilted signal 424 is provided to an amplification circuit 426 (which may be included within a RPD / RMD, if desired), that provides for example, 12 dB of gain with relatively low noise. An amplified signal 428 is provided to a splitter 430, the outputs of which are provided to adjustable RF attenuators 432, 434. The adjustable RF attenuators may be implemented into the RPD / RMD, with manual configurations based upon plugging in different values of attenuators into a socket or otherwise electronically controlled. An output 436 of the adjustable RF attenuator 432 is provided to an amplification circuit 438, such as a power doubler, that provides an amplified output 440. The amplified output 440 for a one port configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 3, is provided to an optional splitter 442 (which may be implemented in any manner, such as using a strap or a jumper) shown providing the downstream signal only to a first diplexer 444. The first diplexer 444 provides the downstream signal from the downstream port 414 to the RF port 412. A second diplexer 446 may be omitted or otherwise not interconnected, if desired. An additional port 454 may be omitted or otherwise not interconnected, if desired.

[0026] The adjustable RF attenuator 434, may optionally provide a downstream signal 448 that is selectively provided to a downstream RF port 450 via an optional selective switch 452, such as a software-controlled switch. The downstream RF port 450 provides a downstream signal to the external active splitter, does not provide an upstream signal, and may be used for other purposes such as an intermediate downstream test point.

[0027] An upstream signal is provided to the RF port 412 which provides an upstream signal 460 to the first diplexer 444. The low pass output of the first diplexer 444 is provided to an optional high-pass filter 462 which is then provided to the upstream port 416. The node 410 may include a plurality of test points 470, 472, 474, 476, and any other suitable test points. An optional high-pass filter 478 may be omitted or otherwise not interconnected, if desired.

[0028] It is noted that RF port 412 includes both downstream and upstream signals, RF port 450 has only downstream signals, while RF port 454 if included does not include either downstream nor upstream signals. All of the fuses labeled 10 A (are not 10A fuses but labeled as 10 A because that is the maximum amperage for operation) are those generally used in all nodes to power the node power supply from approximately 60 VAC that is also carried through RF ports 412, 454, 512, 554, 612, and/or 654 as well as providing "power passing" from one of those RF ports to the other one. The fuses labeled 1 A are unconventional in traditional nodes. In FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the 24 VDC comes from the node power supply. When the 1A fuse is inserted, 24 VDC will be superimposed on top of any RF signal going out of, for example port 650. The node could also, or instead of through the shown fuse, provide 24 VDC to an independent power port on the node.

[0029] Referring to FIG 4, a two port configuration is illustrated. A RPD or RMD 500 is illustrated together with a node 510 to provide a conversion to and/or from one or more coaxial cables. The node 510 includes a RF port 512 served by the RPD or RMD 500 by its downstream port 514. The RPD or RMD 500 includes two upstream ports 516, 518.

[0030] The downstream port 514 provides a downstream signal 520 such as with an RF power level up to 32 dBmV per 6 MHz channel is provided into an adjustable tilt circuit 522 to provide up to 20 dB of downstream tilt, defined, for example from 85 MHz up to 1,218 MHz. The adjustable tilt circuit (e.g., variable equalizer) may be implemented into the RPD / RMD, with manual configurations based upon plugging in different values of equalizers into a socket or otherwise electronically controlled. A tilted signal 524 is provided to an amplification circuit 526 (which may be included within a RPD / RMD, if desired), that provides for example, 12 dB of gain with relatively low noise. An amplified signal 528 is provided to a first splitter 530, the outputs of which are provided to adjustable RF attenuators 532, 534. The adjustable RF attenuators may be implemented into the RPD / RMD, with manual configurations based upon plugging in different values of attenuators into a socket or otherwise electronically controlled. An output 536 of the adjustable RF attenuator 532 is provided to an amplification circuit 538, such as a power doubler, that provides an amplified output 540. The amplified output 540 for a two port configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is provided to a second splitter 542 shown providing the downstream signal to a first diplexer 544. The first diplexer 544 provides the downstream signal from the downstream port 514 to the RF port 512. The second splitter 542 also provides the downstream signal to a second diplexer 546. The second diplexer 546 provides the downstream signal from the downstream port 514 to RF port 554.

[0031] The adjustable RF attenuator 534, may optionally provide a downstream signal 548 that is selectively provided to a downstream RF port 550 via an optional selective switch 552, such as a software-controlled switch. The downstream RF port 550 provides a downstream signal to the external active splitter, and may be used for other purposes such as an intermediate downstream test point.

[0032] An upstream signal is provided to the RF port 512 which provides an upstream signal 560 to the first diplexer 544. The output of the first diplexer 544 is provided to an optional high-pass filter 562 which is then provided to the upstream port 516. The node 410 may include a plurality of test points 570, 572, 574, 576, and any other suitable test points. An upstream signal is provided to the RF port 554 which provides an upstream signal 580 to the second diplexer 546. The output of the second diplexer 546 is provided to an optional high-pass filter 562 which is then provided to the upstream port 518. When the downstream power at port 514 and 414 are the same (or substantially the same) and adjustable RF attenuators 532 and 432 are also set to the same value (or substantially the same), the output power at RF ports 512 and 554 will each be generally about 4 dB less than port 412, all in their respective configurations.

[0033] It is noted that RF port 512 includes both downstream and upstream signals, RF port 554 includes both downstream and upstream signals, while RF port 550 has only downstream signals.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, a configuration is illustrated that is especially suitable for enabling an active splitter. An RPD or RMD 600 is illustrated together with a node 610 to provide a conversion to and/or from one or more coaxial cables. The node 610 includes RF port 612 served by the RPD or RMD 600 by its downstream port 614. The RPD or RMD 600 includes two upstream ports 616, 618. [0035] The downstream port 614 provides a downstream signal 620 preferably with an RF power level up to 35 dBmV per 6 MHz channel is provided into an adjustable tilt circuit 622 to provide up to 20 dB of downstream tilt, defined, for example from 85 MHz up to 1,218 MHz. A tilted signal 624 is provided to an amplification circuit 626, that provides for example, 12 dB of gain with relatively low noise. An amplified signal 628 is provided to a first splitter 630, the outputs of which are provided to adjustable RF attenuators 632, 634. An output 636 of the adjustable RF attenuator 632 is provided to an amplification circuit 638, such as a power doubler, that provides an amplified output 640. The amplified output 640 for a multi port configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is provided to an optional second splitter 642 (which may be implemented in any manner, such as using a strap or a jumper) shown providing the downstream signal to a first diplexer 644. The first diplexer 644 provides the downstream signal from the downstream port 614 to the RF port 612. The amplified output 640 for a multi port configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 5, provided to the optional second splitter 642 (which may be implemented in any manner, such as using a strap or a jumper) does not provide the downstream signal to an optional second diplexer 646 (which may be implemented in any manner, such as using a strap or a jumper). The optional second diplexer 646 (which may be implemented in any manner, such as using a strap or a jumper) receives an upstream signal 680 from an upstream RF port 654. The output of the optional second diplexer 646 is provided to an optional high-pass filter 662 which is then provided to the upstream port 618.

[0036] The adjustable RF attenuator 634, may optionally provide a downstream signal 648 that is selectively provided to a downstream RF port 650 via a selective switch 652, such as a software-controlled switch. The downstream RF port 650 provides a downstream signal to the external active splitter.

[0037] An upstream signal is provided to the RF port 612 which provides an upstream signal 660 to the first diplexer 644. The output of the first diplexer 644 is provided to an optional high-pass filter 662 which is then provided to the upstream port 616. The node 610 may include a plurality of test points 670, 672, 674, 676.

[0038] It is noted that RF port 612 includes both downstream and upstream signals, RF port 654 includes only upstream signals, while RF port 650 has only downstream signals. It is noted that one or more of the adjustable tilt circuits may be non-adjustable tilt circuits. It is noted that any of the splitters may be integrated with other components, such as an amplifier. It is noted that one or more of the adjustable RF attenuators may be non-adjustable RF attenuators.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, one exemplary embodiment of an active splitter 700 is illustrated. A downstream input signal 710 is received at an input RF port 712 by the active splitter 700 from the downstream RF port 650. The downstream input signal 710 is amplified by an amplifier circuit 714, which is preferably a power doubler, which in turn provides an amplified output signal 716. The amplified output signal 716 is provided to a diplexer 730. An upstream output signal 720 is provided from an output RF port 722 from the active splitter 700 to the upstream RF port 654. The upstream input signal 720 is provided from the diplexer 730. A splitter 740 receives the amplified output signal 716, which is split into a pair of downstream signals to RF port 750 and RF port 752. The downstream signals from RF port 750 and RF port 752 are provided to respective subscribers. The RF port 750 and RF port 752 receive upstream signals from respective subscribers which are then combined by the splitter 740. The output of the splitter 740 provides the upstream signals to the diplexer 730, which is turn provides the upstream signals to the output RF port 722. The active splitter 700 may include a test point 760. It is noted that the active splitter 700 includes a pair of RF ports 750, 752 that are served by the downstream RF port 650 and upstream RF port 654. If desired, 24 Volts DC may be passed from the node (or otherwise an external power tap from another power supply) to the active splitter, over the input RF port 712, in order to power the amplifier and any other components within the active splitter. [0040] In another embodiment 740 could be a strap or jumper, mirroring 542 and 442 respectively. As such, port 750 would be carrying RF signals and port 752 would not. Port 752 may be optional in the active "splitter" design. This provides a modified network element instead of the line amplifier or line extender. This embodiment has the benefit of supporting a configuration with port 750 having the same power of port 612 compared with the two ports in FIG. 4 that are ~4 dB less. Also, it positions the second amplifier 714 and without any extra thermal constraints on the node itself.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary combination of a node 800 and an active splitter 810 co-located within a cabinet 820 are illustrated. A passive splitter 830 at the node’s port 612 output in combination with two ports of the active splitter 810 provide a resulting node plus active splitter combination act as a four port node (or a 3 port node in modified configurations).

[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary active splitter housing 900 is preferably relatively small in size as compared to the DAA cabined node housing 910. For example, a 12” x 12” x 7” size of the DAA node may dissipate on the order of 100 W, and with an RPD or RMD within, dissipating -50-60W, there is a tight headroom to also power a pair of “power doubler” hybrids, each dissipating on the order of 12-15 W, that’s what would be required to enable four active ports out of such a node. However, by moving one of the power doubler hybrids out to the active splitter housing, (a) reduces thermal dissipation requirements for the node housing and (b) enables a much smaller in size for the active splitter housing, because only -12-15W of power dissipation is needed in this example. Furthermore, the headroom remaining in the node housing may be applied to enabling 1.8 GHz operation instead of initial 1.2 GHz, as well as enabling more segments withing the node’s RPD/RMD module.

[0043] A seizure design may be included which enables an RF board to “slide” away from the node port seizure, and as such enable replacing the RF board without having to disconnect the node port seizures and RF cables. This is beneficial, both for repair-driven replacement of the RF board, as well as for the frequency range upgrade, as for example moving from 1.2 GHz to 1.8 GHz design, as required when upgrading from DOCSIS 3.1 to DOCSIS 4.0 standards.

[0044] In one configuration, a first port of the DAA node may be used to deliver downstream RF signals to the active splitter, and using a second port of the DAA node to receive upstream RF signals from the active splitter. With an external passive splitter at the output of a third port may replicate the levels overwise obtained from the third port and the first port, since the first port is in this case coopted for upstream signal flow from the active splitter and the DAA node. Also, the system may overlay DC power over the downstream RF signal of one of the ports, as one implementation of delivering DC power from the DAA node to the active splitter. In one configuration, the line power between the DAA node and the active splitter may be used to power the active splitter, however, a separate AC/DC converter and/or power supply may be included within the active splitter enclosure (or otherwise).

[0045] The power may be optimized in the RMD and/or the RPD by using data processing techniques, such as for example, check with each cable modem on a leg of the network, check the power levels of each cable modem, check the signal-to-noise levels of each modem, and determine whether there is sufficient gain in the signal path to turn off one or more amplifier stages or otherwise reduce the gain of one or more amplifier stages. The reduction in the amplifier stages or the gain of the amplifier stages reduces the power dissipation requirements. Further, a maximum likelihood technique may be used to estimate the impact of reducing the gain on a per node basis. For example, if the system reduces the gain in the node by 2 dB, is there still sufficient signal-to-noise radio at the cable modem to run QAM64. Thus the operator can operate the system with the lowest modulation profile during low usage times, such as at night, when user are not likely in need of the capacity, and increase the gain during the times when users are likely to need the capacity, such as the daytime. [0046] Moreover, each functional block or various features in each of the aforementioned embodiments may be implemented or executed by a circuitry, which is typically an integrated circuit or a plurality of integrated circuits. The circuitry designed to execute the functions described in the present specification may comprise a general- purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific or general application integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, or a discrete hardware component, or a combination thereof The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or alternatively, the processor may be a conventional processor, a controller, a microcontroller or a state machine. The general-purpose processor or each circuit described above may be configured by a digital circuit or may be configured by an analogue circuit. Further, when a technology of making into an integrated circuit superseding integrated circuits at the present time appears due to advancement of a semiconductor technology, the integrated circuit by this technology is also able to be used.

[0047] It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment that has been described, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, as interpreted in accordance with principles of prevailing law, including the doctrine of equivalents or any other principle that enlarges the enforceable scope of a claim beyond its literal scope. Unless the context indicates otherwise, a reference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it a reference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at least the stated number of instances of the element but is not intended to exclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having more instances of that element than stated. The word "comprise" or a derivative thereof, when used in a claim, is used in a nonexclusive sense that is not intended to exclude the presence of other elements or steps in a claimed structure or method.