Coaxial cable connector parameter monitoring system

• US 8,618,944 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2010
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Montena, Noah, Jackson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US12/966,633
• Publication Number:
  US 20110161050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 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 system is provided. The system includes a coaxial cable connector, the connector having an internal physical parameter sensing circuit configured to sense a physical parameter of the connector and a status output component. The system further includes a data reader located externally to the connector. The reader includes a receiver element, a memory unit, a transmitter element, and a decision logic unit. The receiver element receives information about the connector, via the status output component, from the physical parameter sensing circuit. The memory unit stores predefined threshold limits of the physical parameter of the connector. The transmitter element is adapted to send the information over a network. The decision logic unit is adapted to compare the received information with the threshold limits and, if the received information exceeds the threshold limit, transmits the information over the network. The output display device is in electronic communication with the reader, configured to receive a data packet over the network. The data packet includes information that the physical parameter threshold has been exceeded.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a coaxial cable connector physical parameter, the system comprising:

a coaxial cable connector, the connector having an internal physical parameter sensing circuit configured to sense a physical parameter of the connector, the connector further having a status output component;

a data reader, located externally to the connector, the reader comprising a receiver element, a memory unit, a transmitter element, and a decision logic unit, the receiver element for receiving information about the connector, via the status output component, from the physical parameter sensing circuit, the memory unit for storing predefined threshold limits of the physical parameter of the connector, the transmitter element adapted to send the information over a network, the decision logic unit adapted to compare the received information with the threshold limits and, if the received information exceeds one of the threshold limits, transmitting a data packet over the network, the data packet comprising information indicating the parameter value has been exceeded; and

an output display device in electronic communication with the reader, configured to receive a data packet over the network, the data packet comprising information that one of the threshold limits has been exceeded.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver element comprises a wired connection.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the wired connection receives analog information.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the wired connection comprises a coaxial cable.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the wired connection receives digital information.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver element is an antenna configured to receive the physical parameter value wirelessly.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a cellular network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a private network.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the output display device is a computer.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the output display device is an LED.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter is connector tightness.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter is moisture.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter is radio frequency power.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter is return loss.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter is temperature.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter is impedance.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter is the presence of anomalous signals.

19. A system for monitoring a coaxial cable connector physical parameter, the system comprising:

a coaxial cable connector, the connector having an internal physical parameter sensing circuit configured to sense a physical parameter of the connector, the connector further having a status output component; and

a data reader, located externally to the connector, the reader configured to receive, via the status output component, information, from the physical parameter sensing circuit, about the connector.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising an output display device in electronic communication with the reader over a network, configured to receive a data packet comprising information from the physical parameter sensing circuit.