Time division duplex communications repeater
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of amplifying signals passing along a transmission line at a carrier frequency comprising the steps of:
- tapping the signals from the line;
converting the tapped signals to a different carrier frequency;
amplifying the converted signals;
coupling the amplified signals to the line for onward transmission at said different carrier frequency;
wherein the signals are time division duplex signals which flow upstream and downstream along the line in alternate time periods, and wherein in the alternate periods the tapped signals are converted from a first to a second carrier frequency and from the second to the first carrier frequency.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A repeater for use with Time Division Duplex (TDD) communications such as CT2 delivered over mains electricity cables. The repeater is coupled to a mains cable via a branch (the cable is not broken) and in alternate TDD phases converts signals from f1 →f2 or f2 →f1 and amplifies them. A clock signal to control timing of the conversion step is derived from a dedicated channel, a tone, or a call in progress. A regenerator function may be combined with the repeater.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of amplifying signals passing along a transmission line at a carrier frequency comprising the steps of:
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tapping the signals from the line; converting the tapped signals to a different carrier frequency; amplifying the converted signals; coupling the amplified signals to the line for onward transmission at said different carrier frequency; wherein the signals are time division duplex signals which flow upstream and downstream along the line in alternate time periods, and wherein in the alternate periods the tapped signals are converted from a first to a second carrier frequency and from the second to the first carrier frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A repeater for use in a cabled communications system having a transmission line to carry signals, the repeater comprising:
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tapping means to tap signals at a carrier frequency from the line; converting means for converting the tapped signals to a different carrier frequency; an amplifier arrangement to amplify the converted signals, and; means for coupling the amplified signals to the line for onward transmission at said different carrier frequency; wherein the signals are time division duplex signals which in alternate time periods flow upstream and downstream along the line and in the alternate time periods the converting means converts the tapped signals from a first to a second carrier frequency and from the second to the first carrier frequency. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification