By Andrew E. Hospador, General Instrument Corroration
The application of CATV systems in an urban environment encompassing large geographical areas, large numbers of subscribers and varying clusters of ethnic/demographic groups requires the distribution of signals from local hubs. Operation of these hubs can be controlled from an addressable computer at a remote location using digital communications techniques (protocols).
This paper discusses the control of remote hubs in addressable CATV systems. It examines both continuous and discontinuous communications, emphasizing a distributed intelligence approach.
Both one-way and two-way communications and the use of non-CATV cable signal paths are discussed. Also explored are the interface requirements for the converters, scramblers and data modulators being controlled. In addition, frequency agility techniques are described.