CZ98397A3 - Distributor - Google Patents

Abstract

A splitter or tap for use in a communications network, particularly a community antenna television (CATV) network comprising: an in port for receiving an incoming signal; a through port for an outgoing signal; a signal drop port; a physically removable circuit for splitting-off a first portion from the incoming signal and passing it to the signal drop port and for passing a second portion of the incoming signal from the in port to the through port; and a switch that is caused electrically to interconnect the in port and the through port on physical removal of the circuit.

Description

(57)

The splitter is for use in communication networks, in particular CATV, comprising: an input port (3, 4) for receiving an incoming signal; a through port (5, 6) for an input signal; a signal splitter port (7), a physically removable circuit for separating the first portion of the signal and transmitting it to the signal splitter port (7), and for passing the second portion of the incoming signal from the input port (3, 4) to the through port (5, 6) ; and a switch (12) that electrically interconnects the input port (3, 4) and the through port (5, 6) to physically remove the circuit.

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Technical field

The present invention relates to a splitter or splitter for use in communication networks, particularly in television networks with a common antenna (community antenna television - CATV).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although various embodiments of networks are used, they usually comprise a cable coming from a transmitter or relay station, etc., from where the signal is to be divided among subscribers. This splitting is usually performed at several locations along the cable guide. The splitter must receive the incoming signal, separate a portion of it, and then pass the remainder to the next splitter. If a particular signal is not separated for the subscriber, the device used is usually called a hub rather than a splitter. For the sake of simplicity, the term hub will generally be used.

Often, it is necessary for the network operator to supply power to the subscriber, and this power is preferably transmitted over the same main cable that connects the hubs. The cable can therefore transmit a signal that is a combination of a power signal, often a low frequency AC current, and a high frequency signal, such as a radio frequency (RF) signal. In this case, the hub may have an additional function of separating the power supply from the incoming combined signal.

We conclude that the currently available hub design is not easily adaptable to actual network conditions or requirements. As a result, several * different hub designs must be made depending on the number of subscribers per hub, the attenuation required and the type of power loss required, etc.

To overcome these problems, we propose a hub whose design can be considered modular.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hub comprising:

an input port for receiving an incoming signal;

- a through port for the output signal;

a signal separation port;

a physically removable circuit for separating the first portion of the incoming signal and transmitting it to the signal separation port, and for transmitting the second portion of the incoming signal from the input port to the through port; and

- a switch that electrically connects the input port and the through port to each other when physically removing the circuit.

New and inventive is also a hub containing:

an input port for receiving an incoming signal;

- a through port for the output signal;

- means for separating the first portion of the power signal from the incoming signal and for transmitting the second portion of the power signal to the through port; and

- a removable power distribution module that can receive said first portion of the power signal and has at least one power output.

These different properties can be combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hub; FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are cross-sectional views of a hub showing an internal switch; FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial perspective views of a hub showing a power splitter. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a hub showing another power distribution module, FIGS. 6-8 show cable seals in the separation ports, FIG. 9 - FIG. 11 show cable seals in the main ports, FIG. shows the seals of the unoccupied main ports, and FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show the detachable lids supporting the hub circuitry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a hub suitable for use in CATV networks. The splitter 1 comprises a housing 2 comprising on its outer surface various ports for connecting different incoming and outgoing cables, and further comprising an internal circuitry, switches, etc. that divide the incoming signal and / or separate the power supply from the RF component and attenuation.

As mentioned above, this splitter is located in the CATV network on the main cable line at the point where the signal is to be split or separated for transmission to the subscriber. Therefore, the splitter i comprises an input port (port 3. is used for an overall row configuration and port 4 for an overall front configuration) to receive a cable supplying a signal from a CATV transmitter, etc., and a through port (port 5 or port 6 for the respective row or front). configuration) to connect a cable that sends a signal (or part of it) further to the network, such as another »

hubs. The splitter separates a portion of the incoming signal and forwards it to the signal splitter port 7 to which the splitter cables for subscribers are connected. The hub may have, for example, 2,4,6,8 or more of these separation ports 7.

The hub does not need to be equipped with the option to connect the main cable in a row or front configuration. Instead, it can only contain port 3 or 5, or only ports 4 or 6 (or one each). Unused ports may be plugged as shown below.

Televisions or other devices to be powered by the splitter i will generally require an external power supply, typically 60V AC. This power is preferably also obtained from a splitter 1, which can receive it from the main cable connected to port 3. or 4. Thus, the main cable can transmit a combined power and radio frequency (generally called RF or radio frequency) signal.

Subscribers can receive power through the isolation cables connected to the isolation ports 2, which will then similarly transmit the combined power and high frequency signals. However, this may be inappropriate if the subscriber does not expect 60V or the like on his television splitter cable and if he prefers powering via an additional power line.

Therefore, the hub is equipped with an additional power port 8. Therefore, part of the power is in the incoming line and sent to port 8, the remaining power signal is sent to the through port (5 or 6) to power the next hub in a row. The hub will generally include a low-pass filter that separates the high-frequency signal from a separate power supply.

The hub may be provided with means such as gaps 8, other recesses, or protrusions on its ports, etc., to provide external environmental seals to seal incoming cables or provide blanking plugs.

2A is a cross-sectional view of a hub similar to that of FIG. 1 (taken in a plane substantially parallel to the side and shown from behind). Fig. 2B is a cross-section in the direction of the arrows of Fig. 2A, and Fig. 2C and Fig. 2D are cross sections perpendicular to this direction.

FIGS. 2A-2D show a housing 2, the input isolation separated from ports 3 and 4, the through ports 5 and 6, and the isolation ports.

Ports are designed to connect coaxial cables (although ports can be designed for other cables), and we prefer to have sockets for connecting cable connectors attached to cable ends, or for directly connected cables with stepped ends. Contacts 10 for the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and contacts 11 for the outer conductor can be seen.

Also shown is a switch 12 comprising movable contacts 12A and 12B which, when closed, electrically connect the input ports (3,4) to the through ports (5,6). As a result, when the switch is closed, the incoming signal is routed directly from the input port to the through port without part of it being separated from the isolation ports.

However, the switch 12 can also be opened when corresponding splitter circuits are located in the hub. Thereafter, the direct path between the input and through ports is interrupted, and these ports are then interconnected through decoupling circuits that direct a portion of the signal to the decoupling ports 7. These circuits are not included in Figures 2A-2D, and consequently switch 12 is closed. The circuitry may be provided mounted on a detachable cover which, when in place, will lie in the plane of Figure 2A, and this placement of the circuitry in the hub will cause the contacts 12A and 12B to open.

The lower metal surface of the housing 2, such as the right-hand wall shown in Fig. 2B, may indicate a base plane. We prefer that all moving parts of the switch move in a direction substantially parallel to the ground plane so that the high-frequency characteristic of the hub does not change as the contacts move.

Switch 12 is required through-through if isolation is required to remove these circuits by other circuits (eg, to provide more or less taps, or to repair or replace with a new type, etc.).

to remove the circuit from the circuit; may be in order to replace them

We prefer that the act of removing circuits does not cause a momentary interruption of service and therefore physical removal of circuits results in:

1. for electrical connection of the input port and the through port (using a switch); and then

2. to electrically disconnect the circuits from the input and through ports.

Similarly, the following circuit replacement should first establish contact between the input and through ports (via the circuits) before the direct contact is interrupted by opening switch 12.

To avoid the circuitry remaining partially in its operating position (i.e., when the connection between the input and through ports occurs simultaneously through the switch and through the circuitry), we prefer the position in which the circuitry is made to pass through the connection (1) and wherein the disconnection (2) has not been performed, said position being unstable.

Preferably, it induces a single movement (e.g., a linear movement of the interconnect (1) and disengagement (2). It also preferentially induces itself than, e.g., the first removal of the latch outwardly from the housing)

Physical Extraction ·! the connection / disconnection itself, or rather the unlocking of the conclusion.

The switch 12 is preferably mechanical, but may also be an electronic switch, and is preferably activated mechanically by direct mechanical or physical movement of a circuit or lid or the like to which it is connected (including some tips or other lugs from the lid).

Figures 2A, 2C and 2D also illustrate means 13, such as coils for transferring power from input port 3 or 4 to through port 5 or 6. Preferably, means 13 operate as low pass filters or otherwise transmit substantially the power signal itself, ie without appreciable RF, RF, or other signals coming into the input port. This will be required if the means 13 are to function as a power signal separator for supplying subscribers with a power signal. The power may be drawn, for example, from the middle point of the coil to which a decoupling power port is connected, such as port 8 in Fig. 1.

Despite the filtering inside the hub by means 13, further filtering may be required. This additional filtering can be provided by an additional power distribution module, which will be described below.

Figures 3A and 3B show the removal of the cover from the separation power port 8. The cover can be removed by simply pulling or unscrewing as shown in Fig. 3A, or particularly in the case of integrated or interconnected covers by cutting as shown in Figs. 3B.

Figure 4 shows a hub with a cover removed from the isolation power port 8 located on the outer surface of the hub housing 2. In port 8, a gel or other internal sealing material 15 can be seen. The power distribution module 16 is shown prior to its connection to the hub, the electrical connection being made, for example, between the internal and external coaxial contacts 17 or 18 of the module 16 and the corresponding contacts in the isolation port 8.

The module 16 may be physically secured to the housing by snap-fit or stationary fit 19A or threads in the bore 19B or other suitable means.

Figure 5 shows a module 16 installed in a housing. We prefer that none of the removable modules 16 be in themselves responsible for separating the power supply from the incoming power plus radio frequency signal. It is preferred that the means for the initial isolation of the power supply be firmly connected to the hub main housing.

The module can perform any of the following functions. E.g. the module may distribute the power obtained from one port 8 in the hub housing to at least two power outputs 20 and / or to an output other than port 8, e.g., to an output suitable for connecting a twisted-pair tap. These power outputs may include sliding-insulated connectors or other means for securing the branch conductors. Preferably, each receptacle has means for connecting two conductors, such as twisted-pair conductors 21. Each of these outlets may be provided with a gel or other means for sealing from the environment. The number of outlets will generally be equal to the number of signal separation ports, as each subscriber will usually require its own separate power supply.

Another or alternative function of module 16 is filtering. The splitter itself may not be equipped with a filter to separate the high frequency signals from the power tap, or any similar filtering may be inadequate. The module 16 may therefore be provided with a low-pass filter or other appropriate filter.

Additionally or alternatively, electrical protection may be provided. The surge or surge protection device may be included in the module to prevent the current or voltage induced at, or acting on any tap, from destroying the hub circuitry, or the forward end of the transmitting or receiving device, or from destroying other subscriber devices. These devices can also protect subscriber devices from currents and voltages on mains between hubs. The devices are preferably re-adjustable, and more preferably automatically re-adjustable. Examples of suitable high current protection devices are those based on conductive polymers, such as those disclosed by Raychem under the trade name Polyswitch.

Figures 6-8 show various methods for sealing cables 22 in separation ports 7. FIGS. 6 shows cables 22 terminated in connectors 23 that are screwed or otherwise fastened in ports 7. The connectors 23, portions of the cables 22 adjacent the ends of the connectors, and ports 2 are sealed from the environment by their enclosure in the sleeves 24. The sleeves 24 preferably comprise flexible the plastic material, optionally comprising a gel 15 or other sealing material, and optionally have a tab 26 that provides a tab, such as a slot 9, in the ports 7. The sleeves 24 may have bellows or wavy areas to facilitate bending and / or extensibility and compressibility . The sleeve is shown prior to being placed on the port together with a cap 25 that can close the cable opening, thereby allowing the sleeve to be used to seal the empty port. Further, a cross-section of the sleeve 24 is shown which shows its internal structure.

7 shows an alternative embodiment of the sealing sleeve. The sleeve 27 is in a so-called wrap-around design and can therefore be installed around the cable 22 even when it is connected to port 7. The replacement of the gasket can therefore be performed without interrupting subscriber services. The sealing sleeve 27 comprises two portions pivotally connected to each other at 28, and includes tabs for securing the ports in the closed position. A tool 30 may be provided to connect the connector 23 to the port, especially if the connector is short and does not protrude from the port, as shown for the upper right port of the four shown. The sleeves 27 can be snapped closed and locked around the ports, for example by means of elements 26 and 9, which do not allow them to reopen without damage. This can prevent a possible breakdown of the hub to steal the signal.

The sleeves of Figures 6 and 7, particularly Figure 6, can be used for a wide range of cable and port sizes.

Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C show how the port can be sealed without a separate outer sleeve of the type shown in Figures 6 and 7. Port 7 (particularly its contact 7A) is accessible through an opening 32 (defined herein by a protruding cylindrical wall surrounding the threaded contact 7A) on the outer surface of the hub. Port 7A is surrounded by sleeve 33. When the connector 23 is screwed or otherwise connected to port 7A, the sleeve 33 is brought into contact with the edges of the opening to form a seal between the connector and the outer surface.

Figures 9 and 10 show the installation of an encircling seal and / or securing sleeve 27 for main cables 35 that enter the inlet and through ports. The sleeve may comprise a gel or other sealing material. In general, it may be similar to the sleeves shown in Figure 7, but larger.

Giant. 11 shows a corrugated-type sleeve 24 similar to that shown in FIG. 6 used on the main cable 35.

Fig. 12 shows a sealing closure 36 containing gel or other sealing material before placing it on port 4. Next, a closure 36 located on the port is shown.

The closure 36, the sleeve 24, the sleeve 27, and other environmental sealing devices may be provided with means for pressurizing the gel or other sealing material they contain or are otherwise used with. It is required that the sealing material be secured under pressure and thereby remain in contact with the surface to be sealed. Compression can be achieved due to the elasticity of the caps and sleeves and / or the hub housing. Alternatively or additionally, additional resilient clips may be used.

The sealing material preferably comprises a gel. Priority »

it comprises an oil-adjusted polymeric material. We prefer its cone penetration to be in the range of 80-400 (10 ^ - ^ mm), especially 200-400 (10 ^-1 mm) (ASTM D217-68) and a maximum elongation of at least 100% (ASTM D638-80), in particular at least 200%. Other preferred properties include a maximum tensile strength (ASTM D412) of less than IMPa, a dynamic storage module of less than 50 KPa, and a substantially zero settlement up to 100 C, preferably up to 120 C. The advantage of a material such as gel is that can be self-sealing. As a result, the seal from the outside is automatically renewed after removing the cable, connector, module or circuit board, etc.

Figures 13 and 14 show a hub 1 comprising a housing 2 and a lid 37. In Fig.13, the lid carries physically removable circuitry whose elements 38 can be seen to separate the first »

a portion of an incoming signal entering port 3 and forwarding it to the signal splitting ports 11, and for transmitting a second portion of the incoming signal to the passage port (covered in Figs. 13 or 14). By removing the lid 37, the housing is opened and the circuits are also removed. We prefer that the power separation means remain intact in the hub housing when the isolation circuits are removed.

In Fig. 13, the separation ports 2 are located on the surface of the hub 39 opposite to the lid 37 so that the removal and replacement of the lid breaks and establishes the electrical connection between the ports and the electrical circuit. Some contacts (not shown) will be located inside the hub on each isolation port and main port and in the corresponding positions on the electrical circuit that overlaps them.

In Fig. 14, the isolation ports 2 are located on the removable cover 39) In this case, the connection between the isolation ports and the electrical circuit may be permanent, but this embodiment has the disadvantage that accessing the inner hub or replacing the circuit board requires break separating ports.

Claims (20)

PATENTOVÉ Claims ZO 'xi στ 1. A hub comprising: an input port for receiving an incoming signal; - a through port for the output signal; a signal separation port; a physically removable circuit for separating the first portion of the incoming signal and transmitting it to the signal separation port, and for transmitting the second portion of the incoming signal from the input port to the through port; and - a switch that electrically connects the input port and the through port to each other when physically removing the circuit. Hub according to claim 1, characterized in that the physical removal of the circuit leads to: 1. electrical connection of the input port and the through port; and then 2. to electrically disconnect the circuit from the input and through port. Hub according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the physical removal of the circuit itself causes a connection (1) and a disconnection (2). Hub according to claim 3, characterized in that one movement of the circuit causes a connection (1) and a disconnection (2). Hub according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, during removal, the circuit passes through a position in which the connection (1) is formed and in which the disconnection (2) has not yet occurred, said position being unstable. A splitter _t according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit is disposed on a removable lid that forms part of the housing, so that opening the housing causes said removal of the circuit. Hub according to claim 6, characterized in that a separating port is provided on the removable lid. Hub according to claim 6, characterized in that the separation port is located on its opposite side with respect to the lid, so that the removal and replacement of the lid interrupts and establishes an electrical connection between the port and the electrical circuit. A hub 'according to any of the above, comprising signal isolation ports. of the preceding claims, at least two of said A hub according to any one of the preceding claims, having a base plane, and the inner movable portions of said switch moving substantially parallel to the base plane. A hub as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for separating the first power portion from the combined power and high frequency signal at the input port, and for passing the second power portion to the through port. 12. The hub of claim 11 wherein said means is physically separated from said removable circuit. 13. The hub of claim 11 or 12 wherein said means is substantially incapable of transmitting said radio frequency signal. A hub according to any one of claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein the first power portion is passed to a corresponding isolation power port. The hub of claim 14, wherein the first power portion is passed to a plurality of respective isolation power ports; the hub comprises a plurality of signal isolation ports equal to the number of isolation supply ports. The hub of claim 14 or 15, further comprising a removable power distribution module that receives power from respective isolation power ports and which includes a plurality of power outputs. Hub according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that the respective isolation supply port comprises a sliding-insulated connector. Hub according to claim 16, characterized in that the power distribution module comprises increased current and / or overvoltage protection. 19. The hub of claim 16, wherein the power distribution module comprises a low-pass filter. Hub according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a port sealed from the external environment by means of a gasket comprising a gel. Hub according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a port to which the cable can be connected, the port is accessible through an opening in the outer surface of the hub and is surrounded by a socket so that when the connector is connected to the port contacting the opening edge, thereby forming a seal between the connector and the outer surface.