Status monitor
First Claim
1. A status monitor for use in a coaxial cable network comprising:
- detector means connected to said coaxial cable network for providing a d.c. output indicating the level of a signal on said network;
signal generating means responsive to said detector means for selectively generating one of a plurality of signals representing a respective one of a plurality of fault conditions including no signal being detected on said network or the signal detected being outside an amplitude window defined by predetermined upper and lower reference levels, said signal generator means generating said one signal only when said respective one of said plurality of fault conditions is detected; and
radiating means connected to said signal generating means for radiating a signal generated thereby.
6 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A status monitor for coaxial cable networks is disclosed. The monitor is designed to be directly attached to an output port of an amplifier/repeater in the network and is used as an aid in trouble shooting faults in the network. The monitor comprises a detector (12 or 40) which generates a d.c. voltage indicative of the level of a pilot frequency signal on the network. This d.c. voltage is supplied to a plurality of voltage comparators (18, 20 and 22) which compare the d.c. voltage with different reference voltages in order to sense different fault conditions. If a fault condition is sensed, the outputs of the comparators are used by a tone selection logic (24) and an OR logic switch (26) to control a voltage controlled oscillator (28) to generate a modulating tone. A signal from a crystal controlled oscillator (32) or an IF output of the detector (40) is modulated by the tone produced by the voltage controlled oscillator and radiated. This tone modulated radiated signal may then be used by a technician in the field to detect both the location and the nature of the sensed fault in the network.
30 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A status monitor for use in a coaxial cable network comprising:
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detector means connected to said coaxial cable network for providing a d.c. output indicating the level of a signal on said network; signal generating means responsive to said detector means for selectively generating one of a plurality of signals representing a respective one of a plurality of fault conditions including no signal being detected on said network or the signal detected being outside an amplitude window defined by predetermined upper and lower reference levels, said signal generator means generating said one signal only when said respective one of said plurality of fault conditions is detected; and radiating means connected to said signal generating means for radiating a signal generated thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification