Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090251840 | QUARTER WAVE STUB SURGE SUPPRESSOR WITH COUPLED PINS - A surge suppressor for protecting electronic equipment by suppressing damaging surges of low frequency signals in a radio frequency (RF) transmission line, while allowing RF signals of a desired frequency range to pass through the transmission line. The surge suppressor can comprise a housing, a center pin connected to a stub, and at least one interface pin conductively coupled to the cable and capacitively coupled to the center pin. The surge suppressor can have a signal pass through bandwidth approximately 10 times exceeding the bandwidth of traditional quarter wavelength stub (QWS) devices, a higher return loss, and higher surge attenuation level. The surge suppressor can be symmetrically insertable into a cable providing an RF communication line. | 10-08-2009 |
20100244980 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SELF-TERMINATING SIGNAL PATH - Presented are method and apparatus embodiments to terminate an interruptible signal path when the interruptible signal path is unterminated. The apparatus can comprise a signal path from a supplier-side port thru a user-side port, a signal source arranged to provide a signal to the conductor; and a signal circuit arranged in the interruptible signal path. The apparatus can determine when the signal path is unterminated and, in that case, interrupt and terminate the signal path by putting a signal switching device in the appropriate state and/or sending signals from the signal path to a prescribed signal level connection point. When a user device is not connected or connected improperly, or the signals through the signal path are otherwise unterminated, the interruptible signal path can be interrupted and terminated. The method and apparatus embodiments can be used in various combinations with multiple signal paths having multiple signal branches. | 09-30-2010 |
20100251321 | UPSTREAM BANDWIDTH CONDITIONING DEVICE - An upstream bandwidth conditioning device is provided that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system on a premise of a user. The device includes a tunable low pass filter, a tunable high pass filter connected in series with the tunable low pass filter, and at least one voltage control unit. The voltage control unit is configured to adjust each of the tunable low pass filter and the tunable high pass filter between at least a first intermediate frequency range having a first width and a second intermediate frequency range having a second width. The first width differs in size from the second width. | 09-30-2010 |
20100251322 | UPSTREAM BANDWIDTH CONDITIONING DEVICE - An upstream bandwidth conditioning device that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system on a premise of a user includes a main signal path and a filter array including a plurality of discrete signal filters coupled to the main signal path. Each of the signal filters is configured to reduce a signal level of at least one frequency portion of an upstream bandwidth. The device further includes a controller configured to select between a plurality of states. In at least two of the states at least one of the signal filters is selected such that a signal level of a lower frequency portion of the upstream bandwidth and a signal level of an higher frequency portion of the upstream bandwidth are reduced by a greater amount than a signal level of an intermediate frequency portion, which includes frequencies arranged between the lower frequency portion and the higher frequency portion. | 09-30-2010 |
20100251324 | RF TERMINATE/PERMIT SYSTEM - There is provided a terminate or permit device that includes an internal circuitry, which discriminates between noise and non-noise transmissions. In one embodiment, the internal circuitry comprises a switch and termination unit (“STU”) with a signal path that is used to terminate and/or permit the upstream bandwidth based on the presence of non-noise transmissions. The internal circuitry also comprises a signal processing unit (“SPU”) with a processing circuit, which is configured to identify the non-noise transmissions from the upstream bandwidth, and to cause the STU to permit the upstream bandwidth based on the presence of the non-noise transmissions. | 09-30-2010 |
20100301972 | SELF-TERMINATING COAXIAL CABLE PORT - A circuit for automatically terminating a user port in a coaxial cable system includes a signal path extending from a user-side port toward a supplier-side port, the signal path including a conductor and a ground. The user-side port is adapted to connect to a user device. The circuit further includes a passive signal sampler coupled to the signal path, and a comparator element in communication with the passive signal sampler. The comparator is adapted to compare a line signal on the signal path to a reference signal and generate an output. A switch disposed in the signal path has a first state for terminating the line signal and a second state for passing the line signal. The first state and the second state are responsive to the output generated from the comparator. | 12-02-2010 |
20110003558 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND MAINTENANCE METHOD - A maintenance method and system is provided. The method includes providing a device comprising a thru state switch and condition circuits. The device is permanently connected between a feed system and an antenna. The device receives a first control signal and disables a connection between the analyzer and the antenna. The device receives additional control signals and enables conditions. The device generates altered responses of the feed system. The altered responses are associated with the conditions. The altered responses are used to normalize an analyzer and the feed system or troubleshoot a communication system. | 01-06-2011 |
20110010749 | FILTER CIRCUIT - A filter for use in a coaxial cable network includes a printed circuit board having first and second opposed major surfaces, and first and second opposing sides. The opposed major surfaces are substantially parallel to a single plane, and are bisected by a longitudinal axis. The first and second opposing sides are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The filter further includes an input terminal and an output terminal connected to the printed circuit board. The input terminal and the output terminal have an axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A signal path is disposed on the printed circuit board and extends from the input terminal toward the output terminal. The filter further includes a plurality of resonator elements fabricated upon the first opposed major surface. In one embodiment, the inductor elements are arranged in series along the signal path defining a footprint of less than 540 square millimeters. The filter passes a first range of frequencies in a provider bandwidth and attenuates a second range of frequencies in a personal data network bandwidth. In one embodiment, the resonator elements are parallel inductor elements and capacitor elements, the inductor elements being etched spiral inductors. | 01-13-2011 |
20110075311 | SURGE PROTECTION DEVICE FOR ISOLATING PREMISE DEVICES - A surge protector comprises an internal circuitry configured to isolate a premise device from a surge input. In one embodiment, the internal circuitry can comprise a first signal path and a second signal path that is inductively coupled to the first signal path. Each of the first signal path and the second signal path can comprise windings, such as the windings that are found in an RF transformer. The internal circuitry can also comprise a blocking element, which is coupled to the second signal path so that the blocking element receives the surge input before the premise device. | 03-31-2011 |
20110075312 | SURGE PROTECTION DEVICE WITH IMPROVED RESPONSE TIME - A surge protection device with an internal circuitry that protects a premise device from a surge input that arises from a transient event, e.g., a lightning strike. The internal circuitry can comprise a surge path that includes windings, e.g., inductors, and in one embodiment the surge path comprises a first winding and a second winding that is coupled in series to the first winding. The internal circuitry can also comprise a blocking element that is positioned relative to the surge path so that the blocking element receives the surge input before the premise device, wherein the blocking element can be selected so as to isolate the premise device from the surge input. | 03-31-2011 |
20110138440 | Downstream output level tilt compensation device between CATV distribution system and CATV user - A downstream bandwidth output level tilt compensation device that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system on a premise of a user. The device includes first and second filters to output first and second band signals, respectively. Detectors output a measurement representative of a characteristic (e.g., RF power) in the first and second band signals, respectively. A comparator uses the measurements from the detectors to determine a correction signal. A variable slope adjusting circuit is provided to adjust the gain slope of the downstream bandwidth responsive to the correction signal. The device includes a third filter after the variable slope adjusting circuit to pass a third band signals corresponding to the first and second signals. A second comparator uses measurements from the third signal to adjust the connection signal. | 06-09-2011 |
20110181371 | BAND SELECTIVE ISOLATION BRIDGE FOR SPLITTER - A splitter device includes a first splitter comprising an input leg coupled to a provider content input port, a first output leg, and a second output leg. The provider content input port is configured to receive a downstream-propagating provider bandwidth. The splitter device further includes a first conductive path coupled to the first output leg of the first splitter, and a second conductive path coupled to the second output leg of the first splitter. The splitter device further includes a second splitter having an input leg coupled to a first home network bandwidth, a first output leg coupled to the first conductive path, and a second output leg. The splitter device further includes a third splitter having an input leg coupled to a second home network bandwidth, a first output leg coupled to the second conductive path, and a second output leg. The splitter device further includes a bridge circuit operatively coupled between the first conductive path and the second conductive path. The bridge circuit is configured to propagate a home network bandwidth from the first user port to the second user port and isolate the provider bandwidth from the home network bandwidth. | 07-28-2011 |
20110187481 | MULTIPATH MITIGATION CIRCUIT FOR HOME NETWORK - A filter circuit is provided having multipath interference mitigation. The filter includes a signal path extending from an input to an output. The signal path includes a conductive path and a ground. A pass band filter is disposed along the signal path between the input and the output. The pass band filter passes a first frequency spectrum in a provider bandwidth, and attenuates a second frequency spectrum in a home network bandwidth. The filter circuit further includes a multipath interference mitigation leg operatively branched from the signal path. The multipath interference mitigation leg increases a return loss of the home network bandwidth. A frequency response of the filter circuit is characterized by an insertion loss characteristic between the input and the output being less than 3 dB in the provider bandwidth, and more than 20 dB in the home network bandwidth. The frequency response is further characterized by a return loss characteristic at the output being more than 10 dB in the provider bandwidth and home network bandwidth. | 08-04-2011 |
20110199490 | HANDHELD PORTABLE FIBER OPTIC SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL AND METHODS FOR SAME - Embodiments according to the present application can provide hand held portable diagnostic tools and methods for using the same that can terminate a user port in a coaxial cable system to detect whether a digital service marker indicating that fiber optic digital CATV service is present. Embodiments of a hand held portable tool and methods for using the same can include a connector attached at one end of a housing to pass a downstream signal from a coupled user-side coaxial cable port, and a power detector. The detector includes a first filter to pass a selected bandwidth and a rectifying power detector circuit to detect RF power in the selected bandwidth indicative of the digital service marker. Upon detection of the digital service marker, an indicator in the hand held portable diagnostic tools provides detectable or visual results to the user. | 08-18-2011 |
20120015611 | APPARATUS FOR MINIMIZING AMPLIFER OSCILLATION IN ANTENNA SYSTEM - Embodiments of an apparatus for minimizing oscillation of an amplifier in an antenna system are provided. These embodiments can comprise passive circuitry in the form of a coupling simulator that includes passive elements selected and combined to generate an output with properties that can cancel or substantially reduce a coupled input as between two antennas in the antenna system. In one example, the coupling simulator may include a phase-shifting device and an attenuating device, each of which have properties with values selected based on parameters that result from the relationship between the antennas of the antenna system. | 01-19-2012 |
20120159556 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING ISOLATION IN A HOME NETWORK - This invention disclosure relates to a community access television (CATV) signal distribution system which improves signal isolation issues for systems which are distributing both CATV signals and in-home entertainment (IHE) signals. The signal distribution system includes a signal input port, a first multi-port signal splitter and a second multi-port signal splitter. The first multi-port signal splitter is coupled to the signal input port through a first diplexer, and the second multi-port signal splitter is coupled to the signal input port through a second diplexer. In some embodiments the first diplexer high-pass node and the second diplexer high-pass node are coupled together. In some embodiment the signal distribution system includes a signal output port coupled to the signal input port through a third diplexer. The high-pass node of the third diplexer is coupled to the high-pass node of the first diplexer. | 06-21-2012 |
20130100571 | FULLY ISOLATED COAXIAL SURGE PROTECTOR - A protective device for a coaxial cable system including a first interface pin and a second interface pin positioned in axial relationship along a longitudinal axis with the first interface pin such that a dielectric gap is formed between the first and second interface pins, the dielectric gap being configured to couple radio frequency signals across the dielectric gap and block low frequency electrical current across the dielectric gap. A housing positioned in an axially surrounding relation to the first interface pin and an outer conductor interface positioned in axial relationship to the housing such that a coupling gap is formed between outer conductor interface and the housing, the coupling gap configured to couple radio frequency signals across the coupling gap and block low frequency electrical current across the coupling gap. | 04-25-2013 |
20130133019 | BROADBAND REFLECTIVE PHASE CANCELLING NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE - A network interface device including a signal splitter which conducts CATV signals through an active branch circuit, the active branch circuit including an active signal conditioner which modifies characteristics of active branch signals conducted through the active branch circuit, a sensor connected to sense normal, inoperative and abnormally operative conditions, the sensor removing a control signal indicative of inoperative and abnormal operating conditions, a selectable switch connected to the active branch circuit, the selectable switch communicating the CATV signals between the CATV network and the subscriber devices when in an activated position, and the selectable switch passing the signals to a signal reduction path when in a deactivated position, the selectable switch assuming the deactivated position in response to the de-assertion of the control signal, and a phase cancellation circuit connected to the signal reduction path. | 05-23-2013 |
20130178173 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING AMPLIFIER OSCILLATION IN AN ANTENNA SYSTEM - Embodiments of an apparatus for minimizing oscillation of an amplifier in an antenna system are provided. These embodiments can comprise passive circuitry in the form of a coupling simulator that includes passive elements selected and combined to generate an output with properties that can cancel or substantially reduce a coupled input as between two antennas in the antenna system. In one example, the coupling simulator may include a phase-shifting device and an attenuating device, each of which have properties with values selected based on parameters that result from the relationship between the antennas of the antenna system. | 07-11-2013 |
20130278353 | MULTIPATH MITIGATION CIRCUIT FOR HOME NETWORK - A filter circuit is provided having multipath interference mitigation. The filter includes a signal path extending from an input to an output. The signal path includes a conductive path and a ground. A pass band filter is disposed along the signal path between the input and the output. The pass band filter passes a first frequency spectrum in a provider bandwidth, and attenuates a second frequency spectrum in a home network bandwidth. The filter circuit further includes a multipath interference mitigation leg operatively branched from the signal path. The multipath interference mitigation leg increases a return loss of the home network bandwidth. A frequency response of the filter circuit is characterized by an insertion loss characteristic between the input and the output being less than 3 dB in the provider bandwidth, and more than 20 dB in the home network bandwidth. | 10-24-2013 |
20130342281 | RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNAL SPLITTER - Disclosed is a signal splitter that includes a coupled transmission line element coupled between two output ports of the signal splitter. The coupled transmission line element is used to lower the isolation between the two output ports for a particular frequency band. The coupled transmission line element includes a first and a second elongate electrical conductor. The first and the second elongate electrical conductor first ends are coupled to the signal transmission path that connects the two output ports. The first and the second elongate electrical conductor second ends are un-terminated. The first elongate electrical conductor and the second elongate electrical conductor are not shorted together, and the first elongate electrical conductor and the second elongate electrical conductor are electrostatically coupled, such as by twisting them together into a helix. | 12-26-2013 |
20140033264 | NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE HAVING A SOLID-STATE SAFEGUARD APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING THE QUALITY OF PASSIVE OPERATION IN THE EVENT OF DISRUPTIVE OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS - A network interface device has a safeguard apparatus. The safeguard apparatus is operable in power on, power off, and degraded power conditions. In power on operation, the safeguard apparatus maintains the quality of active and passive branch communications. During power off and degraded power operation, the safeguard apparatus safeguards the quality of the passive communication path. | 01-30-2014 |
20140285025 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A CORRECTIVE MAGNETIC FIELD FOR FERRITE-BASED CIRCUITS - A demagnetizing device includes, in one embodiment, a demagnetizer. The demagnetizer is operable to generate a corrective magnetic field. The corrective magnetic field is operable to act upon a ferrite-based core to maintain suitable performance of a network-connected device which includes such core. | 09-25-2014 |
20150028981 | RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSFORMER WINDING COIL STRUCTURE - An RF transformer is provided. The RF transformer includes a ferrite core and a winding coil structure formed around the ferrite core. The winding coil structure is in electrical contact with a center portion of the ferrite core. The winding coil structure is essentially electrically and physically spaced from external portions of the ferrite core. | 01-29-2015 |