Homenet: A broadband voice/data/video network on CATV systems

Homenet is a broadband distributed communication system that supports data, real-time digitized voice, and analog video on a single cable in a CATV type of network. The distance limitation problem encountered in local area networking schemes is eliminated by dividing the large CATV net into smaller “homenets.” This feature makes the network suitable for a large number of users located in a relatively wide geographic scope. This paper describes the implementation of a small experimental version of this system in hardware. More attention is given to the protocol processing hardware, which implements a protocol based on collision detection called Movable Slot Time Division Multiplexing (MSTDM). The MSTDM protocol guarantees the continuity of voice signals received at the user station. Problems such as clock synchronization and confusion of data and voice packets are addressed, and solutions are given. Presently, an experimental network composed of five user nodes in two different frequency nets is operational. An interactive video retrieval service implemented in the network is described as an example of the type of user services (other than data/voice/one-way video) that can be offered at the main head end of the system.