"IF" bandstacked low noise block converter combined with diplexer

• US 5,959,592 A
• Filed: 03/14/1997
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Echostar Communications Corporation (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Engineering Corporation (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Petruzzelli, Edmund F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG V
• Application Number:
  US08/818,250
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 343/840, 343/756, 343/772, 343/775, 343/786, 455/293, 455/188, 455/328, 455/3.2, 380/10, 358/349
• US Class Current: 725/68
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/247 with frequency mixer, e.g. for direct satellite reception or Doppler radar
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

An arrangement is provided for combining the video and audio signals from a satellite antenna with other auxiliary input signals producing a frequency stacked band arrangement for transmission by a single cable to a satellite receiver or TV monitor located within a home or structure. Multiple TV input signals from the satellite antenna are processed and separated into intermediate frequency bands which are then combined in a diplexer with one or more auxiliary input frequency bands. The output of the diplexer is connected directly to the signal output terminal at the antenna. All components for performing this combining process are included within the sealed housing of the LNB provided at the satellite antenna. Improved band isolation and reduced noise and interference are produced by the novel arrangement.

Claims

1. A satellite antenna system for receiving microwave signals and combining these signals with other auxiliary antenna signal sources for transmission of the combined signals through a single conductor cable to a processing unit positioned within a structure, the antenna system comprising;

a) a housing mounted with respect to a satellite antenna, said housing having a wave guide for receiving microwave radio frequency signals from said antenna, a plurality of exterior connectors for connecting a single output conductor cable and incoming auxiliary signal sources, and a cover for sealing said housing to form a weather proof enclosure;

b) one or more low noise block down converter circuits mounted within said housing for receiving, processing and conditioning the microwave antenna radio frequency signals received through said wave guide of said housing;

c) a diplexer circuit positioned within said housing and having a plurality of inputs and a single output connected to the output connector on said housing, the signals from said low noise block down converter circuits being connected to an input of said diplexer circuit; and

d) one or more auxiliary signal sources connected to said housing connectors and said diplexer circuit input for combining within said diplexer all of the satellite signals and auxiliary signal sources so that the combined signals will be transferred to said processing unit.

2. A satellite antenna system as defined in claim 1 wherein the satellite signals received from the output of said block down converter circuits and the auxiliary signal sources combined in said diplexer circuit are defined in individual bands which do not overlap any other band whereby the signals are arranged in a stacked band arrangement for transmission to the processing unit positioned within the structure.

3. A satellite antenna system is defined in claim 1 wherein the single output conductor cable is connected to a low voltage DC power source and the low noise block down converter circuits within said housing include a filter circuit for separating the incoming DC voltage and directing it to a regulated power supply circuit provided in said housing for providing electrical power to the components within said housing.

4. A satellite antenna system as defined in claim 1 wherein the satellite antenna is a parabolic microwave antenna having a focal point and said housing is precisely positioned so that the wave guide of said housing is positioned at the focal point of said antenna.

5. A satellite antenna system as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the auxiliary signal sources connected to said housing and said diplexer circuit input is a terrestrial TV antenna.

6. A satellite antenna system for receiving microwave signals from a satellite and combining these signals with other auxiliary signal sources for transmission through a single conductor cable means to a processing unit positioned within a structure, the antenna system comprising:

a) a parabolic satellite antenna having a focal point;

b) a pair of low noise block down converter circuits for receiving and processing separate polarized data streams from said antenna into two separate intermediate frequency signal bands, said low noise block down converter circuits being mounted within a sealed housing mounted at the focal point of said satellite antenna;

c) a combining filter circuit mounted within said housing having an input connected to the intermediate frequency signal bands from said low noise block down converter circuits and an output connected to an exterior connector on said housing for connecting a single conductor cable for transfer of the resulting intermediate frequency signals to a processing unit positioned within a structure; and

d) one or more auxiliary signal sources connected to connectors on said housing for connecting to an input of said combiner circuit whereby the auxiliary source is combined with the intermediate frequency signal banks to form an intermediate frequency stacked band output for transmission through said single conductor means.

7. A satellite antenna system as defined in claim 6 wherein the combining filter circuit is a diplexer.

8. A satellite antenna system as defined in claim 6 wherein the combining filter circuit is a multiplexer.

9. A satellite antenna system as defined in claim 6 wherein the single conductor cable means is a coaxial cable designed to accommodate the frequencies of the combined signals.