Abstract:
A method for synchronizing timing of signal transmissions in a telecommunication system (100) determines a "fixed portion" (222) of the propagation delay between the central unit (102) and subscribers (206, 208) in a particular node (202). Any of the subscriber units with respect to the telecommunications system (100) may be implemented using the general subscriber cable access unit (CAU) (700). The CAU (700) includes an RF transceiver (702) that includes a cable interface (704), an UP converter (706), a modulator (708), and a DOWN converter (710). The cable interface (704) provides an interface to either coaxial or fiber-optic cables, whereby RF signals from the UP converter (706) are placed on the spokes (510) and RF signals from the spokes (510) are downloaded to the DOWN converter (710). The modulator (708) processes digital signals into analog signals that are converted to their proper frequency for transmission by the UP converter (706).