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Passive multi-port entry adapter and method for preserving downstream CATV signal strength within in-home network

  • US 8,356,322 B2
  • Filed: 09/21/2009
  • Issued: 01/15/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A cable television (CATV) entry adapter for conducting downstream and upstream CATV signals between a CATV network and at a least one subscriber device at subscriber premises and for conducting in-home network signals between multiple subscriber devices at the subscriber premises connected in an in-home network, the CATV signals occupying a CATV frequency band which is different from an in-home network frequency band occupied by the in-home network signals, the in home network including a network interface connected to each subscriber device by which to generate and communicate the network signals between the subscriber devices in the in-home network, the CATV entry adapter comprising:

  • a CATV entry port for connection to the CATV network;

    a plurality of network ports each for connection to the network interface to which each subscriber device is connected;

    a signal splitter having an input terminal and two output terminals, the signal splitter operatively splitting a signal received at its input terminal into reduced power copies of the input signal supplied at each of its output terminals, the signal splitter also communicating signals received at each output terminal to the input terminal and to each other output terminal, each output terminal connecting to one of the network ports; and

    an in-home network frequency band rejection device connected with a two-way connection between the CATV entry port and the input port of the signal splitter, wherein both upstream and downstream CATV signals pass through the two-way connection, and wherein the in-home network frequency band rejection device substantially blocks transmission of the in-home network signals therethrough to the CATV entry port and the CATV network;

    wherein;

    the rejection device comprises a diplexer having a common terminal and first and second frequency band terminals, the diplexer communicating signals within a predetermined relatively high frequency band between the common terminal and the first frequency band terminal, and the diplexer communicating signals at a predetermined relatively low frequency band between the common terminal and the second frequency band terminal;

    the network signals are only within the predetermined relatively high frequency band;

    the CATV signals are only within the predetermined relatively low frequency band;

    the CATV entry port is operatively connected to the second frequency band terminal of the diplexer;

    the first frequency band terminal of the diplexer is operatively connected to the input terminal of the signal splitter; and

    the aforesaid diplexer constitutes a first diplexer; and

    further comprising;

    a second diplexer having a common terminal and first and second frequency band terminals, the second diplexer communicating signals within a predetermined relatively high frequency band between the input terminal and the first output terminal, the second diplexer also communicating signals at a predetermined relatively low frequency band between the input terminal and the second output terminal; and

    wherein;

    the predetermined relatively high frequency bands of the first and second diplexers encompass the network signals but exclude the CATV signals;

    the predetermined relatively low frequency bands of the first and second diplexers encompass the CATV signals but exclude the network signals;

    the rejection device comprises both the first and second diplexers;

    the first frequency band terminals of both the first and second diplexers are operatively connected together;

    the second frequency band terminals of both the first and second diplexers are operatively connected to the CATV entry port; and

    the common terminal of the second diplexer is connected to the input terminal of the signal splitter.

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