Proposed architectures for providing videoconferencing services

Architectures that can be used to offer videoconferencing services over fiber are described. The proposed architectures are: (1) an approach that CATV system operators have found cost-effective to install in their systems; and (2) one that uses equipment that involves DS3 video transmissions similar to that of a national broadcast TV trial. Each architecture makes use of dedicated fiber facilities between the customer´s location and the serving wire center, and then dedicated or shared fiber to a hub central office (or more centralized wire center). With the proposed analog approach, private lines and private switched networks can be offered on a special assembly basis. A digital approach would be recommended for systems requiring more than 120 miles of transmission over fiber, and generally more appropriate for distances between 20 and 120 miles from the customer location to the fiber hub office, due to the more frequent regeneration requirements of FM video