Passive enhanced MoCA entry device

• US 10,212,392 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2017
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Bailey, Paul, Li, Yan, Wells, Chad
• Primary Examiner(s): Saltarelli, Dominic D
• Application Number:
  US15/638,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20180007318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 725 78, 725 80, 725 82, 725149
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a passive, enhanced MoCA entry device. The entry device includes an entry port, a broadband port, high-band ports, and a filter device. The entry device also includes a broadband path connecting the entry port to the broadband port and a high-band path connecting the entry port to the plurality of high-band ports. The filter device generates a broadband signal and a high-band signal. The filter device provides the broadband signal to broadband port via the broadband path. And, the filter device provides the high-band signal to the high-band ports via the high-band path.

Claims

1. A passive, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) entry device comprising:

an entry port configured to connect the MoCA entry device to a provider, and to communicate cable television (CATV) signals with the provider;

a broadband port configured to connect the MoCA entry device to a premises, and to communicate the CATV signals with a gateway device at the premises;

a plurality of high-band ports configured to connect the MoCA entry device to the premises, and to communicate MoCA signals with a plurality of MoCA devices at the premises;

a filter device comprising a low-band filter and configured to block the MoCA signals from the entry port;

a broadband path connecting the broadband port to the entry port and the plurality of high-band ports, the broadband path being configured to communicate the CATV signals between the broadband port and the entry port, and to communicate the MoCA signals between with the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports; and

a high-band path connecting the plurality of high-band ports to the broadband port, the high-band path being configured to pass only the MoCA signals to the plurality of high-band ports,

wherein;

the MoCA entry device is configured to be installed between the premises and a headend of the provider, and

the high-band path comprises a high-band splitter configured to only pass the MoCA signals.

2. The MoCA entry device of claim 1, wherein:

the filter device comprises a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter;

the low-pass filter is configured to pass the CATV signals to the entry port and to block the MoCA signals from the entry port; and

the high-pass filter is configured to block the CATV signals from the plurality of high-band ports and to block the CATV signals from the plurality of high-band ports.

3. The MoCA entry device of claim 1, wherein the broadband port is the sole broadband port included in the MoCA entry device.

4. The MoCA entry device of claim 1, wherein the broadband path comprises a directional coupler configured to split the CATV signals between the broadband port and a second broadband port.

5. The passive, MoCA entry device of claim 4, wherein the directional coupler is configured to:

attenuate the broadband signal by less than one decibel (dB) between the input port and the through port, and

attenuate the broadband signal provided to the second broadband port by greater than 6 dB between the input port and the coupled port.

6. The passive, MoCA entry device of claim 4, wherein the directional coupler is configured to prevent signal reflections from an active device connected the first broadband port from affecting a telephone device connected to the second broadband port.

7. The passive MoCA entry device of claim 4, wherein the directional coupler is configured to allow the telephone device connected to second broadband port to communicate in situations when the passive MoCA entry device is unpowered.

8. The MoCA entry device of claim 1 wherein the filter device comprises a diplexer.

9. The MoCA entry device of claim 1, wherein the MoCA entry device is separate from the premises.

10. The MoCA entry device of claim 9, wherein the MoCA entry device is not within the premises.

11. The MoCA entry device of claim 9, wherein:

the entry port is configured to;

transmit an upstream CATV signal out from the MoCA entry device to the provider, and

receive a downstream CATV signal transmitted from the provider into the MoCA entry device,

the broadband port is configured to;

transmit a downstream CATV signal out from the MoCA entry device to the premises, and

receive an upstream CATV signal transmitted out the premises into the MoCA entry device, and

the plurality of high-band ports are configured to;

transmit a downstream high-band signal out from the MoCA entry device to the premises, and

receive an upstream high-band signal transmitted out the premises into the MoCA entry device.

12. The RF entry device of claim 9, wherein the broadband splitter comprises one or more components optimized to operate at frequencies at or below 1675 MHz.

13. The MoCA entry device of claim 1, further comprising a reflection filter located between the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports, the reflection filter configured to:

reflect the MoCA signals received by the high-band ports to all of the plurality of high-band ports, and

attenuate the MoCA signals bidirectionally passed between the broadband path and the high-band path.

14. The MoCA entry device of claim 13, wherein the reflection filter is separate from the filter device.

15. A radio-frequency (RF) entry device comprising:

an entry port configured to connect the RF entry device to a RF signal provider;

a broadband port configured to connect the RF entry device to a premises;

a plurality of high-band ports configured to connect the RF entry device to the premises;

a filter device configured to communicate low-band RF signals with the entry port;

a broadband path configured to communicate broadband RF signals with the broadband port; and

a high-band path configured to communicate a plurality of high-band RF signals with the plurality of high-band ports,

wherein;

the filter device is configured to block communication of any RF signals having frequencies greater than a frequency band of the low-band RF signals,

the high-band path is configured to reject any RF signals having frequencies less than a frequency band of the high-band RF signals,

the broadband path is configured to pass RF signals having frequencies in the frequency bands of the low-band RF signals and the high-band RF signals,

the high-band path comprises a high-band splitter configured to only pass Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) signals, and

the RF device is configured to be installed between the RF signal provider and the premises.

16. The RF entry device of claim 15, wherein:

the frequency band of the low-band RF signal is below 1000 megahertz (MHz); and

the frequency band of the high-band RF signal is between 1000 MHz and 2000 MHz.

17. The RF entry device of claim 15, wherein the filter device comprises a diplexer configured to:

receive the broadband RF signals from the broadband path;

provide a low-band portion of the broadband RF signal to the entry port; and

provide a high-band portion of the broadband RF signal to the high-band path.

18. The RF entry device of claim 15, wherein:

the broadband path is configured to communicate the broadband RF signals with the filter device and the high-band path;

the filter device is configured to pass a low-band portion of the broadband RF signals to the entry port, and to block a high-band portion of the broadband RF signals from the entry port; and

the high-band path is configured to pass a high-band portion of the broadband RF signals to the plurality of high-band ports, and to block the low-band portion of the broadband RF signals from the plurality of high-band ports.

19. The RF entry device of claim 15, wherein the filter device comprises:

a first filter configured to only pass frequencies below about 1000 MHz; and

a second filter configured to only pass frequencies above 1000 MHz.

20. The RF entry device of claim 15, wherein the broadband port is the sole broadband port included in the MoCA entry device.

21. The RF entry device of claim 15, wherein the broadband path comprises a directional coupler configured to bidirectionally communicate the broadband RF signals to a first broadband device and a second broadband device.

22. The RF entry device of claim 15, wherein the high-band path comprises a high-band splitter configured to only pass a frequency band from about 1000 MHz to about 2000 MHz.

23. The MoCA entry device of claim 15, further comprising a reflection filter located between the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports, the reflection filter configured to:

reflect a high-band signal of the plurality high-band signals received via a first high-band port of the plurality of high-band ports to all of the plurality of high-band ports, and

attenuate a high-band signal of the plurality high-band signals bidirectionally passed between the broadband path and the high-band path.

24. The MoCA entry device of claim 23, wherein the reflection filter is separate from the filter device.

25. A device comprising:

an entry port;

a broadband port;

a plurality of high-band ports;

a filter device;

a broadband path connecting the entry port to the broadband port;

a high-band path connecting the broadband port to the plurality of high-band ports; and

a reflection filter separate from the filter device and located between the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports, the reflection filter configured to;

reflect a high-band signal received via one of the plurality of high-band ports to all of the plurality of high-band ports, and

attenuate a high-band signal bidirectionally passed between the broadband path and the high band path,

wherein;

the broadband path is configured to provide a low-band signal from the broadband port to the filter device; and

the high-band path is configured to provide a high-band signal to the broadband path and to reject the low-band signal from the broadband path;

the filter device configured to block frequencies of the high-band signal from the entry port.

26. The entry device of claim 25, wherein:

the entry port is configured to receive a source signal from a source via a network; and

the broadband port is configured to provide the source signal to a broadband device in a premises; and

the plurality of high-band ports are configured to provide the high-band signal to a plurality of high-band devices in the premises.

27. The entry device of claim 26, wherein:

the entry device is a passive, enhanced Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) entry device;

the entry port is an upstream port of the entry device that receives the source signal from a headend of a cable television provider;

the broadband device is a cable gateway device; and

the plurality of high-band devices are MoCA devices.

28. The entry device of claim 25, wherein:

the filter device comprises a low-band filter and a high-band filter;

the low-band filter is configured to reject frequencies greater than 1000 MHz; and

the high-band filter is configure to reject frequencies less than 1125 MHz.

29. The entry device of claim 25, wherein the high-band path comprises a plurality of high-band splitters configured to operate only at frequencies between 1000 MHz and 2000 MHz.

30. The entry device of claim 25, wherein the reflection filter comprises a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter, and is configured to filter the low-band signal.

31. The entry device of claim 30, wherein:

the high-pass filter comprises be a resistive-capacitive-type high-pass filter; and

the low-pass filter comprises an inductive-type low-pass filter.

32. The entry device of claim 30, wherein the low-pass filter comprises a high-band reflector configured to the attenuate the high-band signal bidirectionally passing through the reflection filter.

33. The entry device of claim 30, wherein the reflection filter is configured to:

decrease power of the high-band signal transmitted from the high-band path to the broadband path; and

increase power at all of the plurality of high-band ports in the high-band path.

34. The entry device of claim 25, wherein:

the filter device comprises a low-band filter and a high-band filter;

the low-band filter is configured to reject frequencies greater than 1000 MHz; and

the high-band filter is configure to reject frequencies less than 1125 MHz.

35. The entry device of claim 25, wherein the high-band path comprises a plurality of high-band splitters configured to operate only at frequencies between 1000 MHz and 2000 MHz.

36. A passive, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) entry device comprising:

an entry port configured to connect the RF entry device to a RF signal provider;

a broadband port configured to connect the RF entry device to a premises;

a plurality of high-band ports configured to connect the RF entry device to the premises;

a filter device comprising a low-band filter and configured to block MoCA signals from the entry port;

a broadband path connecting the broadband port to the entry port and the plurality of high-band ports, the broadband path being configured to communicate cable television (CATV) signals between the broadband port and the entry port, and to communicate the MoCA signals between with the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports; and

a high-band path connecting the plurality of high-band ports to the broadband port, wherein the high-band path comprises a high-band splitter configured to only pass the MoCA signals to the plurality of high-band ports.

37. The passive, MoCA entry device of claim 36, wherein the high-band splitter comprises one or more components optimized for transfer only at a frequency range of the MoCA signals.

38. The passive, MoCA entry device of claim 37, wherein the components comprise ferrite, resistive, or transmission line splitters optimized to operate only at frequencies at or above 1000 MHz.

39. The passive, MoCA entry device of claim 38, wherein the components comprise ferrite, resistive, or transmission line splitters optimized to operate only at frequencies between 1100 Megahertz (MHz) and 2000 MHz.

40. The passive, MoCA entry device of claim 39, wherein the components comprise ferrite, resistive, or transmission line splitters optimized to operate only at frequencies between 1125 MHz and 1675 MHz.

41. A radio-frequency (RF) entry device comprising:

a filter device comprising a low-band filter and configured to block signals from an entry port;

a broadband path connecting a broadband port to the entry port and a plurality of high-band ports, the broadband path being configured to communicate broadband signals between the broadband port and the entry port, and to communicate high-band signals between with the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports;

a high-band path connecting the plurality of high-band ports to the broadband port, the high-band path being configured to pass only the high-band signals to the plurality of high-band ports, and

a reflection filter located between the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports, the reflection filter configured to;

reflect a high-band signal received via one of the plurality of high-band ports to all of the plurality of high-band ports, and

attenuate a high-band signal bidirectionally passed between the broadband path and the high-band path.

42. The RF entry device of claim 41, wherein the reflection filter is separate from the filter device.

43. The RF entry device of claim 41, wherein the high-band splitter comprises one or more components optimized for transfer only at a frequency range of the high-band signals.

44. A passive entry device comprising:

an entry port configured to communicate cable television (CATV) signals with a provider;

a broadband port configured to communicate the CATV signals with a gateway device at a premises;

a plurality of high-band ports configured to communicate high-band signals with a plurality of Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) devices at the premises;

a filter device comprising a low-band filter and configured to block the high-band signals from the entry port;

a broadband path connecting the broadband port to the entry port and the plurality of high-band ports, the broadband path being configured to communicate the CATV signals between the broadband port and the entry port, and to communicate the high-band signals between with the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports;

a high-band path connecting the plurality of high-band ports to the broadband port, the high-band path being configured to pass only the high-band signals to the plurality of high-band ports, wherein the high-band path comprises a high-band splitter configured to only pass the high-band signals, and

a reflection filter located between the broadband port and the plurality of high-band ports, the reflection filter configured to reflect a high-band signal received via one of the plurality of high-band ports to all of the plurality of high-band ports, and attenuate a high-band signal bidirectionally passed between the broadband path and the high-band path.

45. The passive entry device of claim 44, wherein the reflection filter is configured to attenuate a high-band signal bidirectionally passed between the broadband path and the high band path.

46. The passive entry device of claim 44, wherein the reflection filter is separate from the filter device.

47. The passive entry device of claim 44, wherein the high-band splitter comprises one or more components optimized for transfer only at a frequency range of the high-band signals.