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Abstract

A video distribution network having an architecture that distributes video services over a greater serving area. The broadcast consolidation section receives broadband data from a plurality of information providers, preferably as compressed, digital signals using asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) transport. The broadcast consolidation section combines the ATM streams from different information providers and outputs a consolidated signal onto a transport ring. The broadcast ring supplies the consolidated broadcast edit to a plurality of video network hubs, each of which downloads the consolidated broadcast data, converts the consolidated broadcast data to MPEG data on an RF carrier, and combines the RF signal with other RF signals before transmission by optical fiber to a plurality of local video access node. Each local video access node combines the RF broadcast data from the corresponding video access node with downstream IMTV traffic supplied by an ATM backbone subnetwork. The combined RF signals are output from the local video access nodes to the access of network servicing these subscribers. ATM demultiplexers in the video network hubs and the local video access nodes perform MPEG processing on received ATM cell streams, assign identification values, and output on broadband channels or narrowband signaling channels, on the basis of corresponding VPI/VCI values and downloaded routing information, resulting in efficient transport of signaling traffic and interactive data.

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First Claim