A home network controller for providing broadband access to residential subscribers

As new broadband networks and multimedia services emerge, users are increasingly likely to access information remotely from their homes. The authors present a cost-effective method for connecting multimedia terminals in a residence to the external broadband network, so as to support multiple simultaneous user sessions. At the heart of the proposed design is a home network controller that terminates the external broadband network upon its entry into a home, and enables media distribution within the home by employing existing networking technologies, such as coaxial cable for real-time multimedia delivery to television sets, and Ethernet for data communication to home computers