AU2007100368A4

AU2007100368A4 - Radio frequency distribution system

Info

Publication number: AU2007100368A4
Application number: AU2007100368A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Lissek
Original assignee: DEMDL NO 1 Pty Ltd
Current assignee: DEMDL NO 1 PTY Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-09
Filing date: 2007-05-08
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-08

Description

0 0 00oO IND oO

\O

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant(s): DEMDL No. 1 Pty. Ltd.

Invention Title: RADIO FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: 2 RADIO FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Field of the Invention 00 The present invention relates to distributing radio frequency (RF) signals to remote locations. An example of 00 an application of the present invention is distributing

\O

frequency signals to a number of rooms throughout a building.

C Background of the Invention There exist a number of radio frequency (RF) splitting devices to distribute signals to multiple locations using coaxial cable. These devices can either be of a passive type or may include some form of amplification. The amplification is generally used to compensate for the signal loss resultant from the splitting of the signal and/or the signal loss resultant from the resistance in the cable.

An example of an application of such devices is for distribution of television signals throughout a home so only one external antenna connection is required.

Typically such devices allow frequencies of approximately MHz to 1000 MHz to pass through to the outlets, blocking out frequencies out side of this. This frequency range is suitable for television signals which use frequencies around 45 to 860 MHz.

Some of these devices have multiple inputs to allow the combination of different signals that have been generated from different mediums either from a local or remote source. For example, broadcast television (TV) signals may be combined with signals generated by a domestic device such as a DVD player. The device, such as a P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 3 television, receives both the broadcast TV and DVD signals and the signals are differentiated for display using a tuner built into the television.

00 00 Summary of the Invention 00 IND According to the present invention there is provided a Ssystem for distributing radio frequency (RF) signals comprising: a distribution module comprising: C-i at least one input port for RF signals having a first range of frequencies; at least one input/output port for RF signals having a second range of frequencies higher than that of the first range; amplifying circuitry to amplify at least the input signals having the first range of frequencies; distribution module processing circuitry to combine the input signals of the first and second frequency ranges; and at least one output port whereby the amplified and combined input signals are output from each output port, each output port being adapted for connection to a distribution cable for distributing the signals to remote locations, and at least one remote terminal adapted for connection to the distribution cable at a remote location, each remote terminal being provided with: remote terminal processing circuitry to connect signals of the first and second ranges of frequencies separately to respective first and second ports; the first port adapted for connection to a cable for transmission of signals having the first frequency range; and P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 4 the second port adapted for connection to at least one of an antenna or wireless communication device for wireless communication using the second frequency range.

00 Preferably the distribution module further comprises an 00 output port adapted for communication using only the IND second frequency range either via a directly connected antenna or via connection to a wireless communication device.

The remote terminal processing circuitry of at least one remote terminal can include circuitry to combine signals of the first and second frequency ranges to enable two way communication between devices connected to the remote terminal and the distribution module. In such an embodiment one output port of the distribution device can also serve as an input port for inputting signals having the second range of frequencies. This enables the input for the second frequency range to be provided from the remote terminal, via a connecting cable, to the input and distribution device for combining with signals having the first frequency range such that the combined signals are distributed via all the output ports. The remote terminal can be provided with an additional port for connection of a device using the second frequency range to be connected to the remote terminal.

Examples of preferred frequency ranges are 5 to 1000 MHz for the first frequency range and 2.4 to 2.5 GHz for the second frequency range. However, other ranges are possible.

In one embodiment of the present invention power for driving the distribution module is supplied by an external device connected to one of the input ports such that the input device both inputs signals, and powers the P63403 AU Specification 2007-5-8 distribution module. The distribution module can also be adapted to power a connected device via power output via a cable connected to an input or output port.

00 Preferably each remote terminal or attached antenna is provided with circuitry to limit the antenna transmission 00 distance range for the wireless communication using the IND second frequency range.

Brief Description of the Drawing In order that the invention may be more clearly ascertained, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a distributed RF system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of a distributed RF system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a distributed RF system according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic view of a distributed RF system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Detailed Description of the Embodiments A distributed RF system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a distribution module 24 and a plurality of remote terminals 40 which can be connected via cables, typically coaxial cable. The distribution module 24 is provided with connection ports to enable RF P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 6 signals of both a first frequency range and a second frequency range, higher than that of the first frequency range to be input, and further includes circuitry to amplify at least the signals of the first frequency range.

00 5 The signals of the first and second frequency ranges are combined by circuitry in the distribution module 24 and 00 output via a plurality of output ports, such that all the ND input signals are available from each output port. Cables Scan be connected to the output ports to distribute the signals to remote locations where a remote terminal is connected to the cable to enable devices at the remote C location to access the signals.

The remote terminal includes frequency splitting circuitry to separate the input signals of the first frequency range from those of the second frequency range so they can each be output from a separate output ports. One output port is adapted for connection to a cable for transmission of signals having the first range of frequencies, and another output port is adapted for the connection to an antenna or wireless communication device for wireless communication using the second range of frequencies.

The frequency splitting circuitry can also serve to combine reverse communication signals of the two frequency ranges. For example, to enable communication back to the device connected to the distribution module.

The general operation of the RF distribution system in accordance with the preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 1 which shows a first embodiment of the RF distribution system The input and distribution module 24 shown in figure 1 is provided with three input ports for inputting RF signals having a first range of frequencies. For example, such inputs can be connected to a free to air television (TV) P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 7 antenna 32 via cable 30, a cable 28 from a cable TV supplier or an RF modulator 16 via a cable 20. Such devices typically use RF frequencies below 1000 MHz, for example around 45 to 860 MHz is typically used for free to 00 air television broadcasting.

00 An input port to enable RF signals having a second frequency range, higher than the first frequency range, is Salso provided. For example, as shown, this input could be used for connecting a wireless device 34, for example a wireless local area network (WLAN) access device such as a WiFi access point device, connected to the input and distribution module 24 via a cable 31. The frequency range of such devices is higher than that used for application such as television. For example, WiFi devices are based on the IEEE 802.11b/g standard and utilise frequencies around 2.4 to 2.5 GHz. However, this input or an additional input could also be used for a cordless telephone or wireless digital audio transmissions.

Optionally an output port dedicated to the output of the second frequency range signals can be provided on the distribution module 24 to enable these signals to be transmitted locally as well as remotely. For example, a convenient manner of connecting the wireless device 34 to the distribution module 24 is to remove the wireless device antenna and connect the antenna connection port to the distribution module via a cable. This alleviates the need for customisation of the wireless device to provide a separate output port, however it means that the wireless signal will not be transmitted locally to the wireless device. This drawback is overcome by providing an antenna connection on the distribution module dedicated to outputting only the second frequency range.

The input from at least one of the devices using the first frequency range is amplified using amplification circuitry P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 8 provided in the distribution module. This amplification can be used to compensate for any loss caused by signal reception and any loss generated by the combining and distribution of the signals.

00 The distribution module 24 combines the signals of both 00 frequency ranges and outputs the combined signal on each Soutput port for distribution via cables 38 to remote Slocations, for example throughout a building.

Remote terminals 40 are provided to enable devices at the remote locations, such as a television 50 and wireless laptop 51, to access the distributed signals. The remote terminal 40 includes frequency splitting functionality, such as a diplexer, to separate the first range of frequencies from the second range of frequencies. Each frequency range is then output via a separate output port.

For example, the first range of frequencies is output from one output port via cable 44 to be received by TV This first frequency range could include a number of signals, for example free to air TV channels, cable TV channels, and input originating from a device such as a DVD player 14 or Pay TV decoder 12 that are modulated for transmission through the system by RF modulator 16. The individual signals can be selected for use in a conventional manner such as selecting a channel for display via the TV tuner. The second frequency range is output via a separate port, for example using an antenna 42 connected to the port which wirelessly transmits the signals for reception via a device such as wireless enabled laptop computer 51.

The frequency splitter of the remote terminal 40 can also act as a frequency combiner, for example operate as a diplexer/duplexer, to enable return signals of the two frequency ranges to be combined and transmitted back via the distribution module 24 to the connected devices.

P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 9 As shown in figure 1, an infrared (IR) signal injector 46 can be connected to cables 44 and 48 so it is connected in-line between the remote terminal 40 and the TV 50. The 00 5 IR signals injector 46 can receive signals from an IR remote control device to control an input device, for 00 example to pause the play of a DVD. Also return signals

\O

INDcan be transmitted from the wireless enabled laptop 51 and Sreceived by the antenna 42. These signals are combined in the remote terminal 40 and transmitted back via cable 38 to the distribution module 24. At the distribution module C( the signals from the laptop 51 are separated by frequency from the signals from the IR signals injector 46 so the signals from the laptop are returned to the wireless device 34 via the input cable 31 and the IR signals are returned to the inputs for the first frequency range devices. For example so that the IR signals can be transferred via RF modulator 16 to be reproduced by IR transmitter 26 to be received by IR receivers in the Pay TV decoder 12 or DVD player 14 to control these devices, having the effect of the person viewing the output of the DVD or Pay TV being able to control these devices remotely via an IR remote control at the viewing location.

An example of a frequency splitter and combiner suitable for such an application is a passive diplexer/duplexer which separates a lower frequency band of around 5 MHz to 1000 MHz from a higher frequency band of around 2400 MHz to 2500 MHz. However different ranges or devices could also be used dependent on the frequencies used and the operating environment. For example, active splitting and combining components may be used, or different frequency splits.

An alternative remote terminal 41 is shown in figures 3 and 4. This remote terminal is provided with an additional port to enable the connection of a device such P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 10 as a wireless device 35 via cable 45. The output port connected to the remote terminal 41 therefore acts as a dual input/output port. The signals from the wireless device 35 are combined input to the distribution module 24 0 via cable 38. The combining circuitry of the distribution module 24 combines this input signals with the other input 00 signals, such as from the antenna 30, cable TV 28 and RF ND modulator 16 and similarly as described above distributes Sthe combined signals vial the cables 38, 22 connected to each output port. The distribution module 24 can also output the wireless communication signals via optional C antenna 36.

If it is not necessary to locally wirelessly transmit the signals from an input device connected to a remote terminal 45 or the wireless device has an output port additional to its antenna connection, it may not be necessary to provide and additional port for an antenna 42 in the remote terminal The advantage of this embodiment as shown in figures 3 and 4 is increased flexibility and convenience of location of the devices, in particular it may not be convenient or desirable to locate a wireless device such as a WLAN or WIFI router near the main RF distribution module 24, it may be more convenient to locate such as device in a home office and distribute the signal to remote locations such as a study area or children's bedrooms.

Cable TV input 28 can include Pay TV signals that require decoding for viewing. The embodiment of the distribution system 10 shown in Figure 1 enables encoded Pay TV signals to be input directly to the distribution module 24 via cable 28 then the Pay TV decoder 12 received the encoded pay TV signals via output cable 22. The Pay TV decoder 12 is connected to an RF modulator 16 which inputs the decoded pay TV signals into the distribution module 24 via P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 11 cable 20 along with signals from other devices such as DVD player 14. Thus the decoded pay TV signals can be distributed without offending regulations.

00 In some areas regulations may allow a pay TV cable to only be input directly to a pay TV decoder. In areas where 00 such regulations exist, the cable TV cable 29 can be c connected directly to the pay TV decoder 12 as shown in SFigures 2 and 4 and the decoded signals are input to the distribution module 24 via the RF modulator 16.

C The RF modulator can also be used as a power source for the distribution module 24 with the power supplied via the modulator input cable 20. This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring a separate power supply or power connection for the distribution module 24. Further power may also be supplied to a connected device via a port of the distribution module 24 for powering a connected device such as a wireless device 34 or 35. No requiring separate power connections for each device means that only one power supply 18 is required for the whole system. This also enables the system to be upgraded and new components such as a wireless communication device 34 to be installed without requiring the services of an electrician to install power connections.

It should be appreciated from the above description that the system enables signals of two frequency ranges, such as a TV signals and WLAN signals to be distributed to remote locations via cables.

One of the benefits of the device is to allow the reception area of a wireless device to extent to a remote location where the signal is required by using a standard coaxial cabling infrastructure. This standard coaxial cabling infrastructure is usually installed into most premises to allow for TV reception. The present invention P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 12 enables these cables to be further utilised for services using higher frequencies such as for wireless communication such as WLAN or WIFI.

For a building where cables are already installed the system can simply use the existing cabling to also 00 distribute WLAN signals. This is particularly Iadvantageous where a building has areas where wireless Sreception is poor, for example due to attenuation caused by walls or some furniture. By distributing the WLAN signals using the cabling network, antennas can be provided in at each remote location without requiring additional routers, thus poor reception areas can be minimised.

Further each remote terminal could be additionally provided with functionality to attenuate the antenna output to limit the physical distance range of the antenna. Such attenuators may be adjustable to enable the transmission distance to be optimised for the room. This ability to control the transmission distance can also improve security if the wireless communication as it becomes more difficult to intercept the wireless transmission from outside the building thus reducing the security risk of unauthorised uses accessing the wireless device/s.

Another advantage of this device is save costs as there is no need to purchase additional wireless transmission equipment to gain extra range. This equipment would also require additional cabling that is costly and it may not be possible to install the cables to the desired locations.

Modifications within the scope of the invention may be readily effected by those skilled in the art. It is to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited P63403 AU Specification 2007-5-8 13 to the particular embodiments described by way of example hereinabove.

In the claims that follow and in the preceding description 00 5 of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise owing to express language or necessary 00 implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as IND "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, Sthat is, to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Further, reference herein to prior art is not intended to imply that such prior art forms or formed a part of the common general knowledge.

P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8

Claims

1. A system for distributing radio frequency (RF) signals comprising: a distribution module comprising: at least one input port for RF signals having a 00 first range of frequencies; NO at least one input/output port for RF signals Shaving a second range of frequencies higher than that of the first range; amplifying circuitry to amplify at least the C input signals having the first range of frequencies; distribution module processing circuitry to combine the input signals of the first and second frequency ranges; and at least one output port whereby the amplified and combined input signals are output from each output port, each output port being adapted for connection to a distribution cable for distributing the signals to remote locations, and at least one remote terminal adapted for connection to the distribution cable at a remote location, each remote terminal being provided with: remote terminal processing circuitry to connect signals of the first and second ranges of frequencies separately to respective first and second ports; the first port adapted for connection to a cable for transmission of signals having the first frequency range; and the second port adapted for connection to at least one of an antenna or wireless communication device for wireless communication using the second frequency range.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distribution P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 module further comprises an output port adapted for communication using only the second frequency range either via a directly connected antenna or via connection to a wireless communication device. 00

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the 00 remote terminal processing circuitry of at least one \O remote terminal includes circuitry to combine signals of Sthe first and second frequency ranges to enable two way communication between devices connected to the remote terminal and the distribution module.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein in the distribution module, one output port also serves as an input port for inputting signals having the second range of frequencies, such that when a remote terminal connected via cable to this port is adapted to enable the connection of an input device, the input for the second frequency range is provided from the remote terminal, via the connecting cable, to the input and distribution device for combining with signals having the first frequency range such that the combined signals are distributed via all the output ports.

5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each remote terminal or antenna attached to each remote terminal is provided with circuitry to limit the antenna transmission distance range for the wireless communication using the second frequency range.

6. A systems as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein power for driving the distribution module is supplied by an external device connected to one of the input ports such that the input device both inputs signals and powers the input and distribution module.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8 16 wherein the distribution module is adapted to power a connected device via power output via a cable connected to an input or output port. 1 5

8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first frequency range is 5 to 1000 MHz and the 00 second frequency range is 2.4 to 2.5 GHz. IO S9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0D (N P63403.AU Specification 2007-5-8