Triple band combining approach to satellite signal distribution

• US 7,991,348 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2006
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ho, Kesse, Norin, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Dean; Raymond S
• Application Number:
  US11/546,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20070082603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.02, 455 121- 133, 455427-429, 455/168.1, 455/176.1, 455/190.1, 455/313, 455/334, 370/316
• US Class Current: 455/3.02
• 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

A method, apparatus and system for combining signals in a satellite delivery system are disclosed. A first set of satellite signals are broadcast in a first frequency band, and downconverted to a first Intermediate Frequency (IF) band, and a second set of satellite signals are broadcast in a second frequency band and downconverted to a second IF band and a third IF band. A combiner receives the first, second, and third IF bands and combines the first, second, and third IF bands into a delivery signal. A distribution unit coupled to the combiner distributes the delivery signal to a plurality of outputs.

Claims

1. A system for delivering satellite signals to a receiver, comprising:

a first set of satellite signals broadcast in a first frequency band, wherein the first set of satellite signals is downconverted to a first intermediate frequency band of signals;

a second set of satellite signals broadcast in a second frequency band, wherein the second set of satellite signals is downconverted to a second intermediate frequency band of signals and a third intermediate frequency band of signals;

a combiner for receiving the first intermediate frequency band of signals, the second intermediate frequency band of signals, and the third intermediate frequency band of signals, and combining the first intermediate frequency band of signals, the second intermediate frequency band of signals, and the third intermediate frequency band of signals into a delivery signal; and

a distribution unit, coupled to the combiner, for distributing the delivery signal to a plurality of outputs.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one receiver, coupled to an output in the plurality of outputs, wherein the at least one receiver cannot process at least the second intermediate band of signals in the delivery signal.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a second receiver, coupled to a second output of the plurality of outputs, wherein the second receiver processes the entire delivery signal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first frequency band is a Ku band of frequencies.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second frequency band is a Ka-band of frequencies.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one receiver can further process off-air television signals.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the delivery signal and the off-air television signals have overlapping frequencies.

8. A system for delivering satellite signals to a receiver, comprising:

a plurality of satellites, wherein at least a first satellite in the plurality of satellites broadcasts a first set of satellite signals broadcast in a first frequency band, and at least a second satellite in the plurality of satellites broadcasts a second set of satellite signals in a second frequency band;

an antenna, the antenna receiving the first set of satellite signals and the second set of satellite signals;

a downconverter, coupled to the antenna, wherein the downconverter downconverts the first set of satellite signals to a first intermediate frequency band of signals and downconverts the second set of satellite signals to a second intermediate frequency band of signals and a third intermediate frequency band of signals;

a combiner for receiving the first intermediate frequency band of signals, the second intermediate frequency band of signals, and the third intermediate frequency band of signals from the downconverter, the combiner combining the first intermediate frequency band of signals, the second intermediate frequency band of signals, and the third intermediate frequency band of signals into a delivery signal; and

a distribution unit, coupled to the combiner, for distributing the delivery signal to a plurality of outputs.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one receiver, coupled to an output of the plurality of outputs, wherein the at least one receiver cannot process at least the second intermediate band of signals in the delivery signal.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second receiver, coupled to a second output of the plurality of outputs, wherein the second receiver processes the entire delivery signal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first frequency band is a Ku-band of frequencies.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second frequency band is a Ka-band of frequencies.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one receiver can further process off-air television signals.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the delivery signal and the off-air television signals have overlapping frequencies.

15. A system for delivering satellite signals to a receiver, comprising:

a plurality of satellites, wherein at least a first satellite in the plurality of satellites broadcasts a first set of satellite signals broadcast in a first frequency band, and at least a second satellite in the plurality of satellites broadcasts a second set of satellite signals in a second frequency band;

an antenna, the antenna receiving the first set of satellite signals and the second set of satellite signals;

a downconverter, coupled to the antenna, wherein the downconverter downconverts the first set of satellite signals to a first intermediate frequency band of signals and downconverts the second set of satellite signals to a second intermediate frequency band of signals and a third intermediate frequency band of signals;

a combiner for receiving the first intermediate frequency band of signals, the second intermediate frequency band of signals, and the third intermediate frequency band of signals from the downconverter, the combiner combining the first intermediate frequency band of signals, the second intermediate frequency band of signals, and the third intermediate frequency band of signals into a delivery signal; and

a distribution unit, coupled to the combiner, for distributing the delivery signal to a plurality of outputs.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising at least a first receiver and a second receiver, the first receiver coupled to a first output of the plurality of outputs and the second receiver coupled to a second output of the plurality of outputs, wherein the second receiver processes the entire delivery signal.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first frequency band is a Ku-band of frequencies.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the second frequency band is a Ka-band of frequencies.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one receiver can further process off-air television signals.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the delivery signal and the off-air television signals have overlapping frequencies.