EP1750383B1 - High frequency socket for connection to coaxial cable systems - Google Patents

Abstract

High frequency socket (13) comprises an integrated monitoring device (37). The monitoring circuit has a switching-off or an interrupter unit through which supply path is interrupted, when the direct voltage signal coming from the attached receiver, for supplying to the cabling system over the specific or presettable time duration, has a voltage lying above the threshold voltage. Monitoring device comprises a monitoring circuit, which is arranged in the supply path which proceeds in the high frequency socket in between the interface (29a) for connecting a receiver and a connection point for cabling system (9,9').

Description

The invention relates to an HF socket, in particular an HF socket, according to the preamble of claim 1.

RF cans or RF outlets are used in cabling systems, especially for receiving TV and / or radio programs. Of RF sockets is mainly spoken therefore, since usually coaxial connection cable can be connected to such a RF socket by means of connectors. Since the type of connection is also possible using rotary connections, etc., is so far only briefly spoken of RF doses, which in particular just consist of an RF socket.

In particular, such RF doses are used to receive satellite broadcast programs.

The programs radiated by a satellite via vertical and horizontal polarizations can thereby relate to an upper and / or a lower frequency band be implemented by means of a suitable converter circuit in an intermediate frequency, wherein one or more matrix circuits can be connected downstream depending on the number of participants or receivers to be connected.

In such a structure, the aforementioned high-frequency power outlet (RF socket) serves as an interface from the RF distribution system to the receiver or to a television or radio.

In addition to the HF property, the HF socket must also fulfill another function. Because a remote supply of the connected RF components such as Multi-switch or converter (LNB converter etc.). By the level of the remote supply voltage, for example, a polarization selection of multi-switches or an LNB converter can take place. For example, an 18V feed signal is used to receive horizontally polarized waves and switch to a 14V DC signal to receive vertically polarized waves.

In addition to star cabling systems, there are also so-called single-cable or tree systems. A corresponding single-cable solution using a so-called single-cable matrix is known, for example, from the Kathrein brochure "Single-cable matrix ^UFO® micro for satellite signal distribution in loop-through systems", which was published in September 2002. In such systems, multiple TVs or radios can be connected in series on a single coaxial cable. Even with such systems 13 V are used for the supply of the connected head stations on the coaxial cable in the rule. For signaling and switching, for example From a connected receiver (or TV or radio, etc.), the bus is briefly switched to 18 V and a so-called DiSEqC command superimposed. This is a pulse width modulated 22 KHz signal (EN 61319-1A11). If now a receiver fed the bus constantly with 18 V, that would mean a blockade for further signaling of other receivers. In other words, other receivers can no longer switch programs.

For this reason, it has been provided that the existing head end monitors the DC voltage supplied to it. If the higher switching voltage of, for example, 18 V longer than a certain period of time (ie a certain τ) are present, then a higher load would be switched from the head station, whereby the relevant RF socket, via which a connected receiver, the higher DC signal of, for example, 18th V, is brought to shutdown. This ensures that at least the other connected receivers can continue to perform a desired switching to receive an individually desired program.

From the DE 41 35 121 A1 is an RF socket for connection to coaxial cabling systems has become known, which are constructed in the manner of a single-cable system. In this case, the RF socket on a circuit arrangement for DC supply to the antenna trunk, comprising directional diodes, whereby, for example, a switching of the polarization plane of a converter of a satellite receiving system is to be made possible.

From the De 101 55 481 A1 is a known RF can, which includes a shutdown or interruption device. This RF socket communicates with a central control via which signals can be transmitted to control the release of television signals. This makes it possible to filter out parts of the frequency spectrum from the received signals and not to provide a user depending on the usage right.

Another HF can is also from the DE 100 05 763 A1 known. This antenna socket additionally has an address module, by means of which it can be unambiguously identified in a distribution network. With a switching device subsequent doses can be switched on or off.

The European patent application EP1195932 A2 discloses an antenna socket in which the level at the input is detected. If the level is below a threshold value, an interference level is detected and the signal present at the input is not fed into the distribution network. If the level is above the threshold value, the signal present at the input is fed into the distribution network.

Finally, out of the DE 197 49 120 A1 a satellite receiving system as known, which has a data bus for controlling a plurality of subscribers or receivers, wherein the receivers are provided with a device for generating a collision protection signal. This ensures that only one receiver at a time can communicate with a controller over the intended data bus.

Object of the present invention is to provide, starting from the generic state of the art, an improved solution to turn off a respective receiver, the over a long period of time, a certain DC signal, such as a required only during the switching phase high DC signal in the Einkabelsystem or feeds into a deviating cable system in tree structure.

The object is according to the invention in the claim 1 specified characteristics solved. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

With the present invention, a solution is provided which has a significant improvement over the conventional solutions. The overall structure is comparatively simple and secure.

In accordance with the invention, a functionality comparable to the prior art with the aim of switching off an incorrectly set receiver which feeds an excessively high DC voltage signal for too long a period of time is thereby ensured by the provision of a detection device in a respective HF socket or HF socket is that checks out the fed DC voltage. This detection and monitoring device then switches off the connected receiver if the DC voltage supplied remains at the excessively high DC voltage level over a correspondingly predefinable period of time. The time duration τ for switching off a faulty receiver is set so that a certain number of DiSEqC commands can pass through the bus unhindered. The RF socket according to the invention with the appropriately provided shutdown is effective only from a presettable current. For this reason, normal multiswitches with a smaller load are readily operable on the receiving boxes.

Figur 1:

einen schematischen Aufbau einer Satelliten-Empfangsanlage mit einem Einkabelsystem oder einem Kabelsystem mit Baumstruktur; und

Figur 2:

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen HF-Dose zum Empfang von TV- und/oder Rundfunkprogrammen.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. In detail:

FIG. 1:

a schematic structure of a satellite receiving system with a single-cable system or a cable system with tree structure; and

FIG. 2:

a schematic representation of an RF socket according to the invention for receiving TV and / or radio programs.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a satellite antenna 1, usually a parabolic satellite antenna 1 is shown, which usually comprises a receiving or feed system 3 with at least one converter, for example a so-called LNB converter 5. The converter can be constructed in such a way that the programs broadcast with horizontal or vertical polarization can be received. By appropriate switching, for example, the programs broadcast in a higher or in a lower frequency band can be received. It can be a single-feed converter or, for example, also a multi-feed converter in which, for example, the programs broadcast by two satellites can be received.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a cabling system 9 is shown which, starting from the single-cable matrix 11, comprises a so-called single-cable solution. Instead, a tree structure may be provided in which a single-cable solution passes via branching points into different branches.

The cabling system is usually under use built of coaxial cables.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, for example, using a single-cable matrix 11 and a downstream single-cable connection 9 ', three RF doses 13 according to the invention are connected in series, to which, for example, a respective receiver 15 can be connected. Unless, as in FIG. 1 is indicated, the matrix 11 is arranged away from the receiving or feed system 3 and the LNB candidate 5, of course, on this route between the converter 5 and the matrix 11 for each frequency band range to be received and / or for each of the polarizations to be received (Vertical and horizontal) a transmission cable (usually a coaxial cable) may be provided, from the matrix 11 then a so-called single-cable system (optionally with a branched tree structure) leads to the connected participants 15.

A desired program can be set via a receiver 15, depending on the subscriber or the receiver, independently of a neighboring receiver, via which a completely different, individually desired program can be set.

Switching to receive programs that are broadcast once via vertical and the other over horizontal polarizations, for example, the receiver or subscriber side by switching a DC voltage from 13 V to 18 V prepared.

In this switching to, for example, 18 V, a specific DiSEqC command is simultaneously fed in, which is switched through to the switched-on single-cable matrix. there to convert a desired program to a specific frequency, which can be received by the respective receiver 15.

To ensure that the higher DC signal is not present for more than a certain period of time and is fed into the single-cable connection 9 '(whereby the other receivers are disabled and can no longer switch), the in FIG. 1 shown in a flat rate and in FIG. 2 provided in detail reproduced RF doses according to the invention.

From the detailed structure according to FIG. 2 shows that in the cabling system, for example, using a single-cable connection 9 'or when using a cabling system in tree structure (ie not star-shaped) in a relevant inventive RF box 13, first, a directional coupler 19 is connected, via which a signal to be received (which For example, a television or radio program to be received can correspond) is decoupled.

On the decoupling path of the directional coupler 19, a receiving line 23 is provided, which ultimately leads to the connection points (interfaces) of the RF socket.

In the receiving circuit 23, for example, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the capacitor 21 is followed by a diplexer 25, via which a splitting for receiving the terrestrial signals or the satellite signals can be made, ie in other words at an output 27b of the crossover 25, for example, the terrestrial fed Programs and via the output 27a the signals received via the satellite antenna can be received. As a result, in the decoupling path, the single receiving line 23 emanating from the directional coupler is split into two receiving lines 23a and 23b, which lead to an interface 29a or 29b in the HF socket, to which a corresponding receiver 15 can be connected. In addition to the thus formed two interfaces 29a and 29b, preferably in the form of connectors, can - as from FIG. 1 can be seen - another interface 29c be provided, about which, for example, the received radio programs can be received.

How out FIG. 2 can also be seen, goes from a branch point 39a in the receiving line (and in the distance between directional coupler 19 and the capacitor 21) from a branch line 31a. A second branch line 31b starts from a branch point 39b, which lies between the capacitor 41 connected downstream of the diplexer 25 and the interface 29a for connecting the receiver. In each of these two lines 31a and 31b, respectively, a coupling 33a, 33b is connected, which is also referred to below as a DC output or DC decoupling 33a, 33b. By means of these DC decoupling or DC decoupling, only DC components and no RF signals can be forwarded.

The DC decoupling is in this case effected by the DC voltage decoupling 33a and 33b (preferably in the form of inductances) and the capacitors 35a and 35b in the two branch lines 31a and 31b. As a result, a low-pass filter is formed in each case, which allows the DC component to pass through.

Between the two branch lines 31a and 31b, a connecting line 38, in which a monitoring circuit 137 is interposed, is provided in each case on the connection side of the DC voltage decoupling 33a or 33b opposite the receiving line 23 or 23a. By this construction, a monitoring device 37 is provided with a bypass or parallel line running between the two branch points 39a and 39b, which comprises a monitoring circuit 137 in its core. In some cases, this is also referred to as a DC voltage monitoring device 37, since the voltage, ie the DC voltage (of the direct current), is monitored by means of this monitoring device 37.

How out FIG. 2 It can also be seen that the branch line 31b is connected to the receiving line 23a in such a way that a further capacitor 41 for DC blocking is likewise connected between the connecting point 39b thus formed and the output 27a of the crossover 25.

The following will discuss the mode of action of the RF can formed in this way.

For example, about the in FIG. 1 shown receiver 15 'will be made a switch to another program, so this receiver 15' initially an increase of the injected DC signal, for example, from 13 V to 18 V now made. At the same time, a DiSEqC command is superimposed on the 18 V signal used to switch to the desired program, so that the received signals are converted to a specific frequency that can be received via the relevant receiver.

The feeding of the lower DC voltage signal of 13 V and the supply of the DC signal with, for example, 18 V is e.g. via the connection 29a and the bypass or parallel path 38, bypassing the crossover network 25, namely via the DC decoupling 33b, the DC monitoring device 37, the further DC decoupling 33a in the branch line 31a, the directional coupler 19 and the cabling system 9, which leads to the single-cable matrix 11. Through this path, a feed path is defined, via which, for example, the matrix circuit 11 or the converter is fed by at least one of the connected subscribers with a DC enabling operation of, for example, 13 V or 14 V or the like (ie a lower DC voltage level). In the DC monitoring device 37, the time is now monitored for which the DC signal is applied with higher DC voltage, for example, a 17 V or 18 V signal. If the corresponding receiver 15 is operating properly, this receiver will automatically switch back to the lower DC voltage (eg, 13 V) DC signal that is fed into the cabling system around the matrix, the converter, after the DiSEqC signal has been sent for less than τ etc. to operate.

However, if the receiver in question operates incorrectly or is set incorrectly and the DC monitoring device 37 determines that the DC voltage signal with higher DC voltage is still present even after exceeding a preselectable or presettable or predetermined period of time τ, then the DC voltage monitoring device 37 interrupts the bridge line 38 between the two DC voltage decoupling lines 31a, 31b by means of an integrated breaker 37 '.

As a result, the erroneously operating receiver is completely disconnected from the cabling system 9, so that the other connected receivers can easily continue to switch to a desired program.

Preferably, the entire arrangement is such that not only the time duration τ and the threshold voltage can be set, when exceeding a shutdown is made. Optionally, it is also possible to operate the HF socket so that a shutdown occurs when exceeding a threshold voltage after exceeding the time period τ only when a presettable threshold value for the direct current is additionally reached or exceeded.

With such a construction, normal multiswitches with a small load can be readily operated in the case of an HF socket according to the invention.

As already described, in a conventional multiswitch (matrix circuit) with star wiring, the DC voltage of a connected receiver is used both to supply the multi-switch (the matrix circuit) and to select horizontally or vertically polarized input signals. In other words, switching from a lower voltage of, for example, 13V to 18V is simultaneously used as a switching signal for receiving other transmitters. On the other hand - also as described - in a single-cable system fed from the connected receiver voltage level of single-cable multi-switch is no longer as switching criterion but merely as a priority feature for the DiSEqC command to send, over which the station selection occurs. Another feature of this single-cable multiswitch is the comparatively higher power consumption, ie the higher load that the receiver must supply.

This results in the above-mentioned advantageous embodiment of the monitoring device described above. For here an additional criterion could be provided, according to which the monitoring device in the RF socket responds only from a usual for single-cable multiswitches high current.

In this case, even if a high switching signal of, for example, 18V is applied for a longer period of time than τ, the monitoring device would be generally inactive, if the HF socket according to the invention described is only used in conjunction with normal multi-switches (matrix circuit) with a lower load be operated and in which a higher voltage switching signal, for example, 18 V permanently applied and is used as Umschaltkriterium.

Claims (10)

1. An HF socket for connecting to coaxial wiring systems (9) which are constructed in the manner of or comprise a single-cable system (9') or a tree-structure cable system (9'), characterized with the following features:

   - the HF socket (13) comprises an integrated monitoring means (37),

   - the monitoring means (37) comprises a monitoring circuit (137) arranged in a feed path extending in the HF socket between an interface (29a) for connecting a receiver (15) and a junction to the wiring system (9) or to the single-cable system (9'),

   - the monitoring circuit (137) comprises a cut-off or interruption means by which the feed path can be interrupted characterized in that the feed path is interrupted when a direct-voltage signal originating from a connected receiver (15) is applied with a voltage above a threshold voltage for feeding into the wiring system (9) or into the single-cable system (9') over a predetermined or preadjustable period of time (τ).
2. The HF socket as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the HF socket comprises a directional coupler (19) via which a received signal may be decoupled from the single-cable system (9') into a reception line (23; 23a, 23b), the reception line (23; 23a, 23b) leading to at least one interface (29a, 29b) for connecting a receiver (15), and wherein at least one capacitor (21, 41) is connected in the reception line (23; 23a, 23b).
3. The HF socket as claimed in Claim 1, wherein parallel to the at least one capacitor (21, 41) there is provided a bypass section which forms a portion of the feed path and in which the monitoring circuit (137) is connected.
4. The HF socket as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the bypass line comprises two branch lines (31a, 31b), the one branch line (31a) branching off, between the at least one capacitor (21, 41) and the directional coupler (19), at a branch-off point (39a) and the second branch line (31b) branching off, between the at least one capacitor (21, 41) and the interface (29a) for connecting a receiver (15), at a branch-off point (39b), and wherein the monitoring circuit (137) is provided in a connection line (38) electrically connecting the two branch lines (31a, 31b).
5. The HF socket as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a direct-voltage decoupling means (33a, 33b) is provided between the branch-off points (39a, 39b) and the respective inputs or outputs of the monitoring circuit (137).
6. The HF socket as claimed in either Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the branch line (31a, 31b) is grounded, at its end opposing the branch-off points (39a, 39b), in each case via at least one capacitor (35a, 35b).
7. The HF socket as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein a dividing network (25), at the at least two outputs (27a, 27b) of which the signals received via satellites or terrestrially are applied, is connected in the reception line (23).
8. The HF socket as claimed in Claim 4 in association with Claim 7, wherein the one capacitor (21) is located between the branching point (39a) and the input of the dividing network (25), and wherein there is provided a second capacitor (41) provided at the at least one output (27a) for receiving the programs broadcast via satellites and the subsequent branching point (39b) for the second branch line (31b).
9. The HF socket as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the monitoring means (37) monitors the switching time of the higher of two direct-voltage levels or direct-voltage signals, preferably a 17 V direct-voltage signal or higher.
10. The HF socket as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the monitoring means (37) and/or the monitoring circuit (137) are constructed in such a way that the feed path is interrupted only if the direct current in the feed path is above an optionally preadjustable value.

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