In hybrid fiber coaxial cable networks such as used in cable television where two-way digital communications are desired, a distributed termination system is provided. In such a system the home terminals are digital terminals, such as digital set-top boxes or cable modems using bi-directional transmission...http://www.google.de/patents/US6490727?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6490727 - Distributed termination system for two-way hybrid networks
