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Abstract

A bi-directional cable network having a hybrid return gate system that prevents undesirable energy in the bi-directional cable network's return path from adversely effecting the entire network whether the network is operating as a contention based network, a reservation based network, or combination of contention and reservation. The hybrid return gate system comprises a solid state radio frequency switch used to connect and disconnect the return path of a bi-directional communication path in conjunction with a transmission from one of a plurality of remote points. Transmissions from a remote point occur in one of a plurality of dynamically defined contention time slots or reservation time slots. At least one network monitoring time slot can also defined to monitor and/or test the bi-directional cable network. In one embodiment each return gate services a plurality of remote points downstream from the return gate. In a second embodiment each remote point has a dedicated return gate. In either embodiment, the switch in a return gate will connect the return path at the occurrence of a contention time slot accompanied by a return gate enabling prybar signal from a transmitting remote point. A return gate will also connect the return path at the occurrence of a reservation time slot assigned by the headend or due to any other command from the headend.

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First Claim