Coaxial cable connector with an internal coupler and method of use thereof

• US 8,149,127 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2009
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noah P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US12/630,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20100081324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 340/635, 3405681-5684, 340/572.7, 340/596, 3406863-6864, 439488-490, 439/578, 343/720, 343/894, 455/575.7, 455/97, 455/129
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/44 comprising impedance matching means

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector is provided, the connector includes: a connector body; a coupling circuit positioned within the connector body and configured to sense an electrical signal flowing through the connector; and an electrical parameter sensing circuit positioned within the connector body and configured to sense a parameter of the electrical signal flowing through the RF port.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector for connection to an RF port, the connector comprising:

a connector body;

a coupling circuit, said coupling circuit positioned within the connector body, said coupling circuit configured to sense an electrical signal flowing through the connector when connected to the RF port; and

an electrical parameter sensing circuit electrically connected to said coupling circuit, wherein said electrical parameter sensing circuit is configured to sense a parameter of said electrical signal flowing through the RF port, and wherein said electrical parameter sensing circuit is positioned within the connector body.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said coupling circuit is further configured to communicate said parameter of said electrical signal to a location external to said connector body.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein said parameter of said electrical signal is communicated wirelessly to said location external to said connector body.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein said coupling circuit is further configured to receive said electrical signal.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein said parameter comprises a signal level of said electrical signal, and wherein said electrical parameter sensing circuit comprises a signal power level sensor configured to sense said parameter.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein said coupling circuit comprises a coupling device.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein said coupling device is an antenna.

8. The connector of claim 6, wherein said coupling device is coupled to a center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein said coupling device is directly coupled to said center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

10. The connector of claim 8, wherein said coupling device is indirectly coupled to said center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein said coupling circuit further comprises a directional coupling device and a diplexer.

12. The connector of claim 1, wherein said coupling circuit comprises a plurality of coupling devices each coupled to a center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

13. An RF port coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body;

means for sensing an electrical signal flowing through the connector when connected to the RF port, wherein said means for sensing said electrical signal is located within said connector body; and

means for sensing a parameter of said electrical signal flowing through the RF port,

wherein said for sensing said parameter of said electrical signal is located within said connector body.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein said means for sensing said electrical signal is coupled to a center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

15. The connector of claim 14, wherein said means for sensing said electrical signal is directly coupled to said center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

16. The connector of claim 14, wherein said means for sensing said electrical signal is indirectly coupled to said center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

17. A coaxial cable connector connection system having an RF port, the system comprising:

a connector comprising a connector body, a coupling circuit within the connector body, and an electrical parameter sensing circuit electrically connected to said coupling circuit, wherein said coupling circuit is configured to sense an electrical signal flowing through the connector when connected to the RF port, and wherein said electrical parameter sensing circuit is configured to sense a parameter of said electrical signal flowing through the RF port;

a communications device comprising the RF port to which the connector is coupled to form a connection; and

a parameter reading device located externally to the connector, wherein the parameter reading device is configured to receive a signal comprising a reading associated with said parameter.

18. The connector connection system of claim 17, wherein the connector further comprises an input component.

19. The connector connection system of claim 17, wherein the reader is configured to transmit a command signal to be received by the input device of the connector.

20. The connector connection system of claim 17, wherein the communications device receives signal outputs from the connector communicating the parameter.

21. The connector connection system of claim 20, wherein the reader communicates with the communications device to obtain the outputted parameter.

22. The connector connection system of claim 21, wherein communication between the reader and the communications device is wireless.

23. A coaxial cable connection method comprising:

providing a coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body, a coupling circuit, positioned within the connector body, an electrical parameter sensing circuit electrically connected to said coupling circuit, and an output component positioned within the connector body, wherein said electrical parameter sensing circuit is positioned within the connector body, wherein said coupling circuit is configured to sense an electrical signal flowing through the connector when connected to an RF port, wherein said electrical parameter sensing circuit is configured to sense a parameter of said electrical signal flowing through the RF port, and wherein the output component is in communication with said electrical parameter sensing circuit to receive a reading associated with said parameter;

connecting the connector to said RF port to form a connection; and

reporting the reading associated with said parameter, via the output component, to communicate the reading to a location external to said connector body.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said parameter of said electrical signal is communicated wirelessly to said location external to said connector body.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving, by said coupling circuit, said electrical signal.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said parameter comprises a signal level of said electrical signal.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein said coupling circuit comprises a coupling device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said coupling device is an antenna.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said coupling device is coupled to a center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said coupling device is directly coupled to said center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said coupling device is indirectly coupled to said center conductor of said coaxial cable connector.