Power multiplexer for broadband communications systems

• US 5,892,431 A
• Filed: 05/20/1998
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alpha Technologies Services, Inc. (EnerSys)
• Original Assignee: Alpha Technologies Incorporated (EnerSys)
• Inventors: Osterman, Thomas S.
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US09/082,087
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.02, 340/310.03, 340/310.04, 340/310.05, 340/310.06, 340/310.07, 340/310.08
• US Class Current: 307/80
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc

Abstract

A system and method for providing a power signal to a local service portion of a communication system located in a densely populated area. A power multiplexer is provided having first, second, and third input connector assemblies, an output connector assembly, and a switching network. The output connector assembly is connected to a load in the communications network that is normally provided by a local utility power source. The input connector assemblies are connected to remote power sources of the communication system located outside the given local service area. The switching network connects one of the input connectors to the output connector assembly to pass to the load, as necessary, a power signal generated by one of the remote utility power sources. Because the remote utility power service and the local utility power service are unlikely to be disrupted in many situations, reliable power can usually be obtained even if local service is disrupted.

Claims

1. A system for providing a power signal to a given portion of a communications system, where the given portion of the communications system are located within a local service area containing a local utility power source, the system comprising:

a plurality of remote power supplies located outside the local service area, where the remote power supplies generate power signals based on separate remote utility power sources that are not likely to be disrupted by disruption of the local utility power source; and

a power multiplexer comprising

a plurality of input connector assemblies,

an output connector assembly adapted to be connected to the given portion of the communications system, and

a switching circuit connected between the input connector assemblies and the output connector assembly; and

a plurality of coaxial cables, where each coaxial cable transmits the power signal generated by one of the remote power supplies to one of the input connector assemblies;

wherein

the switching circuit operates in

a first mode in which the power signals present at the input connector assemblies are prevented from reaching the output connector assembly, and

a second mode in which the power signal presented at one of the input connector assemblies is transmitted to the output connector assembly to supply power to the given portion of the communications system.

2. A method of providing a power signal to a given portion of a communications system, where the given portion of the communications system is located within a local service area, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of power supplies for generating power signals based on a utility power system;

determining the location of at least one remote power supply, where the remote power supply generates power signals based on portion of the utility power system that is not likely to be disrupted by disruption of the utility power system within the local service area; and

providing a power multiplexer comprising

at least one input connector assembly, p2 an output connector assembly adapted to be connected to the given portion of the communications system, and

a switching circuit connected between the input connector assembly and the output connector assembly; and

connecting a plurality of coaxial cables between the remote power supply and the at least one input connector assembly to transmit the power signal generated by one of the remote power supplies to the input connector assembly;

wherein

operating the switching circuit

a first mode in which the power signals present at the input connector assemblies are prevented from reaching the output connector assembly, and

a second mode in which the power signal presented at one of the input connector assemblies is transmitted to the output connector assembly to supply power to the given portion of the communications system.