A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular
upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by
communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF
packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy
video service terminals. At a data service hub, a digitized-RF-to-packet
converter (DRPC) can convert the RF packets into standard sized packets
such as Ethernet packets for processing by a video services controller.
In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for
legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an
optical network architecture.
