Method and device for band translation

• US 7,792,486 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2005
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Dish Network Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Petruzzelli, Edmund F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan; Yuwen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hai V
• Application Number:
  US11/256,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20060048197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,783 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 725/100
• US Class Current: 455/3.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4382 Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation analog front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/265 Mixing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/4446 IF amplifier circuits specially adapted for B&W TV RF amplifiers in general H03F3/189
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A band translation method and device for selecting two or more desired frequency bands of data and bandstacking the two or more desired frequency bands of data into a single output.

Claims

1. An integrated switch with band translation, comprising:

a first input configured to receive a first signal in a first input frequency band;

a second input configured to receive a second signal in a second input frequency band;

a crosspoint switch connected to the first input and second input, the crosspoint switch configured to selectively route the first signal to a first switch output selected from a plurality of switch outputs and further configured to route the second signal to a second switch output selected from the plurality of switch outputs;

a first band translation device connected to the first switch output, the first band translation device configured to frequency translate the first signal to a first output frequency band; and

a second band translation device connected to the second switch output, the second band translation device configured to frequency translate the second signal to a second output frequency band;

an oscillator switch connected to the first band translation device;

a first oscillator operating at a first frequency and operationally connected to the oscillator switch; and

a second oscillator operating at a second frequency and operationally connected to the oscillator switch;

wherein

the oscillator switch outputs the first frequency to the first band translation device when the first band translation device frequency translates the first signal; and

the oscillator switch outputs the second frequency to the first band translation device when the first band translation device bypasses frequency translating the first signal.

2. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 1, further comprising a first amplifier interposed between the first input and a first input of the crosspoint switch, the amplifier comprising an input connected to the first input and an output connected to the first input of the crosspoint switch, the amplifier output also connected to a cascade output.

3. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 1, further comprising:

a first filter having an input and an output, the input of the first filter connected to an output of the first band translation device, and a second filter having an input and an output, the input of the second filter connected to an output of the second band translation device.

4. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 3, wherein the first filter comprises a bandpass filter having a passband comprising the first output frequency band.

5. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 1, further comprising a signal summer having a first input connected to an output of the first band translation device, the signal summer having a second input connected to an output of the second band translation device.

6. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 1, wherein the first input is further configured to receive a third signal in a third input frequency band selected from the plurality of predetermined frequency bands, and wherein the second input is further configured to receive a fourth signal in a fourth input frequency band selected from the plurality of predetermined frequency bands.

7. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 6, wherein the second input frequency band comprises substantially the third input frequency band.

8. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 6, wherein the first input frequency band comprises substantially the fourth input frequency band.

9. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 1, wherein the first input frequency band comprises substantially the first output frequency band.

10. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 1, wherein the first input frequency band comprises a frequency band distinct from the first output frequency band.

11. The integrated switch with band translation of claim 1, further comprising a block converter having an output connected to the first input, the block converter configured to receive signals from a satellite transponder group and block convert the signals from the satellite transponder group to the first input frequency band.

12. A band translation switch, comprising:

a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier having an amplifier input and an amplifier output, each amplifier configured to receive an input signal having at least two frequency bands selected from a plurality of predetermined frequency bands;

a crosspoint switch comprising N inputs and M outputs, the crosspoint switch configured to selectively connect any of the N inputs to any of the M outputs, each of the N inputs connected to at least one amplifier output; and

M band translation devices, each of the M band translation devices having an input connected to one of the M outputs of the crosspoint switch, each of the M band translation devices configured to frequency translate a signal from the one of the M outputs of the crosspoint switch from a first frequency band to a second frequency band when a first frequency is received from an oscillator switch and configured to bypass frequency translating the signal when a second frequency is received from the oscillator switch;

wherein each of the plurality of amplifiers comprises a low noise amplifier having an output of the band translation switch in parallel with the amplifier output.

13. The band translation switch of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of amplifiers comprises:

a first buffer amplifier having an input connected to the amplifier input and an output connected to the amplifier output; and

a second buffer amplifier having an input connected to the amplifier input, the output of the buffer amplifier comprising an output of the band translation switch.

14. The band translation switch of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of amplifiers comprises:

a power divider having an input connected to the amplifier input, a first divider output, and a second divider output, wherein the second divider output comprises an output of the band translation switch; and

a buffer amplifier having an input connected to the first divider output, the buffer amplifier also having an output connected to the amplifier output.

15. The band translation switch of claim 12, wherein a first amplifier selected from the plurality of amplifiers is configured to receive a band-stacked signal having a signal in a lower frequency band and a signal in an upper frequency band, the lower frequency band and the upper frequency band selected from the plurality of predetermined frequency bands.

16. The band translation switch of claim 15, wherein a first band translation device is configured to frequency translate the signal in the lower frequency band signal to an output signal in the upper frequency band.

17. The band translation switch of claim 15, wherein a first band translation device is configured to frequency translate the signal in the upper frequency band signal to an output signal in the lower frequency band.

18. The band translation switch of claim 15, wherein each of the M band translation devices comprises:

a frequency translation signal path; and

a pass-through signal path in parallel with the frequency translation path;

wherein, each of the M band translation devices is independently controlled to select either the frequency translation signal path or the pass-through signal path.

19. The band translation switch of claim 12, further comprising a Local Oscillator (LO) and wherein each of the M band translation devices comprises a mixer having a LO port connected to the LO.

20. The band translation switch of claim 19, wherein the LO is a programmable frequency LO.

21. The band translation switch of claim 19, wherein the LO is a fixed frequency LO.

22. The band translation switch of claim 12, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are selected from the plurality of predetermined frequency bands.

23. A method of integrated band translation, the method comprising:

receiving an input signal from a satellite transponder group, the input signal in a first frequency band selected from a plurality of predetermined frequency bands;

amplifying the input signals in an amplifier;

coupling a cascade output to an amplifier output;

routing a signal from the amplifier output, independent of the cascade output, to a first band translation device selected from a plurality of band translation devices;

frequency translating the signal from the amplifier output from the first frequency band to a second frequency band when a first frequency is received from an oscillator switch, the second frequency band selected from the plurality of predetermined frequency bands; and

bypassing frequency translating the signal when a second frequency is received from the oscillator switch.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the act of receiving the input signal comprises:

receiving first downlink signals from the satellite transponder group; and

block converting the downlink signals to the first frequency band.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the act of receiving the input signal further comprises:

receiving second downlink signals from an additional satellite transponder group; and

block converting the second downlink signals to the second frequency band.

26. A method of integrated band translation, the method comprising:

receiving one or more input signals;

routing, using a crosspoint switch, each of the one or more input signals to any combination of one or more band translation devices;

frequency translating at least one of the input signals using the one or more band translation devices and a first oscillation signal provided by an oscillation switch; and

bypassing frequency translating at least a second of the input signals using the one or more band translation devices and a second oscillation signal provided by the oscillation switch.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein receiving one or more input signals comprises receiving input signals from a first frequency band.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein receiving one or more input signals comprises receiving input signals from a satellite transponder.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein receiving one or more input signals comprises receiving input signals having a known polarization.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein receiving one or more input signals comprises:

receiving a first input signal in a first input frequency band at a first input; and

receiving a second input signal in a second input frequency band at a second input.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first input frequency band is independent of the second input frequency band.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the first input frequency band overlaps the second input frequency band.

33. The method of claim 26, further comprising passing at least one input signal to an output of a band translation device without frequency translation.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein frequency translating at least one of the input signals comprises:

frequency translating, in a first band translation device, a first input signal in a first frequency band to a first output signal in a first output frequency band; and

frequency translating, in a second band translation device, a second input signal in a second frequency band to a second output signal in a second output frequency band.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising combining the first output signal with the second output signal.

36. The method of claim 26, wherein frequency translating at least one of the input signals comprises frequency downconverting the at least one input signal.

37. The method of claim 26, wherein frequency translating at least one of the input signals comprises frequency upconverting the at least one input signal.

38. The method of claim 26, wherein frequency translating at least one of the input signals comprises:

frequency upconverting the at least one input signal frequency at least one time; and

frequency downconverting the at least one input signal at least one time.

39. The method of claim 26, wherein frequency translating at least one of the input signals comprises:

frequency downconverting the at least one input signal to at least one baseband signal; and

frequency upconverting the at least one baseband signal to an output frequency band.

40. The method of claim 26, wherein frequency translating at least one of the input signals comprises:

mixing the at least one input signal with a first Local Oscillator (LO) frequency in a first mixer; and

mixing the at least one input signal with a second LO frequency in a second mixer.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the first LO comprises a frequency tunable LO.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the first LO comprises the second LO.

43. The method of claim 26, further comprising outputting at least one of the one or more input signals prior to frequency translation.

44. The method of claim 26, further comprising amplifying the one or more input signals.

45. A signal distribution device configured for use in a signal distribution system having a centralized signal input and multiple destination devices in remote locations, the signal distribution device comprising:

an amplifier having an input and an output, and configured to selectively amplify a signal received at the centralized signal input;

a band translation device, an input of the band translation device coupled to the output of the amplifier, an output of the band translation device coupled to a first output of the signal distribution device;

an oscillator switch coupled to the band translation device and to a first and second oscillator, the oscillator switch operable to output a first frequency to the band translation device from the first oscillator when the band translation device frequency translates a signal received from the amplifier, the oscillator switch operable to output a second frequency to the band translation device from the second oscillator when the band translation device bypasses frequency translating the signal;

wherein the amplifier further includes a cascade output connected to the amplifier output and also connected to an output of the signal distribution device.

46. The signal distribution device of claim 45, further comprising a signal splitter coupled to the output of the band translation device.

47. The signal distribution device of claim 45, further comprising a crosspoint switch connected between the amplifier and the band translation device.

48. The signal distribution device of claim 45, wherein the amplifier amplifies a satellite downlink signal received at the centralized signal input.

49. The signal distribution device of claim 45, wherein the amplifier amplifies a satellite television downlink signal received at the centralized signal input.

50. The signal distribution device of claim 45, wherein the amplifier amplifies a cable television signal received at the centralized signal input.

51. The signal distribution device of claim 45, wherein the amplifier amplifies a terrestrial television signal received at the centralized signal input.

52. The signal distribution device of claim 45, wherein the amplifier amplifies a telephone signal received at the centralized signal input.

53. The signal distribution device of claim 45, wherein the amplifier amplifies a data signal received at the centralized signal input.

54. A common oscillator, multiple mixer system, comprising:

a first oscillator configured to output a first reference signal operating at a first reference frequency;

a second oscillator configured to output a second reference signal operating at a second reference frequency;

an oscillator switch operative to transmit one of the first and second reference signals as a received reference signal; and

a plurality of mixer circuits, each mixer circuit coupled to the oscillator switch to receive the received reference signal and each mixer circuit comprising;

a mixer core operative to mix the received reference signal with an input signal; and

a mode select circuit coupled to the oscillator switch.

55. The mixer circuit of claim 54, further comprising at least one IF load coupled to the first output of the first switch and the second output of the second switch.

56. The mixer circuit of claim 55, wherein the oscillator switch is operative to switch between coupling the first oscillator to the mixer core and coupling the second oscillator to the mixer core.

57. The mixer circuit of claim 56, wherein the mixer core is operative to output an output signal, the output signal frequency translated by mixing the received reference signal with the input signal.