EP2608430A1 - Device for processing high frequency signals - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a comparing circuit (5) downstream to a filter (3), where the device is formed such that a filtered input signal (I2) is guided to an output (OUT) of the device. The comparing circuit is formed such that the comparing circuit performs a level comparison between a level of high frequency signal (I22) and a reference level (VRef). The comparing circuit releases or blocks a path of the signal at the output of the device depending on a result of the level comparison. The comparing circuit forms an output signal (Vc) depending on the level comparison.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for processing high frequency signals, in particular for television aerials, radio antennas and / or data antennas in SMATV / MATV networks.

The SMATV / MATV networks essentially comprise a signal acquisition system, as well as a head unit and a distribution network.

The signal acquisition system consists of various antennas that receive telecommunications signals and that are generally located outside of a building in its highest area and are generally difficult to access.

The antennas of the signal acquisition system usually have devices which are connected to or integrated in the outputs of the antennas and which allow the amplification of the received signals, so that the quality level of these signals is improved. Thus, the signals are handed over to the head unit and / or distributed directly, in the case of individual installations, in better conditions.

Also known are various types of devices that are directly connected to the antenna and that serve to amplify the level of the signal received by the antenna and to compensate for losses incurred in coaxial cables.

These devices are located outside the building in the immediate vicinity of the antenna so that they are difficult to access when changes are made to the devices or when they are replaced.

These devices have some fixed characteristics that can not be modified (gain, bandwidth, output levels, etc.), although in many cases the characteristics of the signals to be received vary, whether through the introduction of new services, be it by changing signal parameters, including the appearance of new or novel interfering signals.

This is the case, for example, with the signals corresponding to the new services called Long Term Evolution (hereinafter LTE).

Due to the division of the UHF frequency band for television and data of the so-called 4th Generation Internet, the signals of the terrestrial digital television of the UHF band occupy the channels 21 to 60 (470 to 790 MHz) and the LTE signals take the channels 61 to 69 (791 to 862 MHz). Therefore, the TV transmission units in the band from 791 to 862 MHz, channels 61 to 69 are turned off, and this band is used for the LTE signals. This process is known as digital dividend.

Thus, the future use of the 791 to 862 MHz frequency band (channels 61 to 69 of the television band) for mobile internet services and wireless broadband access systems will undoubtedly cause the occurrence of a plurality of interference in the television channels adjacent and likely to be adjacent to that frequency band for other channels that are not adjacent, depending on the level of the desired signal and the interfering signal and the amplification systems used. Thus it is not predictable in advance at which places and in which MATV / SMATV installations or in which of their components disturbances will occur as a result of the introduction of new LTE services.

On the other hand, it should be noted that channels 61 to 69 (791 to 862 MHz) are currently being used for television services.

This leads to the problem that it is not possible to pre-install devices to eliminate the interfering signals present to the new LTE service (Band 791-862 MHz, Channels 61 to 69) in the existing installations or in the new MATV / SMATV services correspond to those locations that qualify for LTE service signals (coverage of the LTE service), since at present this band (791-862 MHz, channels 61 to 69) is still available for the TV services is used.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of the type mentioned above, especially for television, radio and / or data antennas in SMATV / MATV networks, which automatically eliminates interfering radio frequency signals, especially those introduced by the LTE services become.

The device according to the invention is activated only and the interfering high-frequency signals are eliminated, in particular those generated by the LTE services, when the occurrence of these interfering signals is detected, while the television services are maintained.

This object is achieved by a device, in particular for television, radio and / or data antennas, which is defined in the patent claims.

The device according to the invention eliminates the disturbing signals which exist at the time of installation of the device as well as disturbing signals which occur after installation without the user and / or the installer having to act.

The device according to the invention is arranged in the actual antenna housing, or connected to the antenna via an installation coaxial cable; the device detects the occurrence of interfering signals of the LTE type and the power (level) with which they are received.

Once the occurrence and performance of these interfering signals is detected, the device according to the invention changes the frequency frame of the signals to be received. This frequency frame corresponds to the frequency frame of the telecommunication signals, which are to be received as desired. All other signals that are not in this frequency frame will be rejected.

To accomplish this, the device according to the invention extracts a pattern of possible interfering signals at the input of the device and determines the occurrence of these signals and their power.

The inventive solution is of particular importance in situations of transition to LTE signal transmission equipment, as the inventive solution avoids the user or installer delaying the installation of MATV / SMATV systems.

In addition, the installation of this device does not eliminate the service of terrestrial television prior to the introduction of the LTE services while it occupies the band from 791 to 862 MHz, channels 61 to 69.

With the invention a number of advantages are achieved.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive device for processing high-frequency signals, this has an input and an output, further comprising at least a first filter, wherein the device is designed in such a way that a filtered input signal is passed to the output, said filtered input signal comprises a first signal arranged in a first frequency range (470-790 MHz, channels 21-60) and a second signal arranged in a second frequency range (791-862 MHz, channels 61-69) ,

The inventive device has a comparison circuit ("comparator") / a decision maker (5), which is connected downstream of the first filter. The comparison circuit (the decider) is configured to make a comparison between the level of the second signal and a reference level, and that it continues to release or block the path of the second signal to the output depending on the result of the level comparison.

This provides the advantage that the second signal located in the second frequency range (791 to 869 MHz, channels 61 to 69), when its level is above a reference level, is eliminated at the output of the device.

This avoids interference of the signals between 791-869 MHz (LTE signals) to the signals of 470-790 MHz intended for television services.

In the case that the level of the second signal which is in the second frequency range (791 to 869 MHz, channels 61 to 69) is not above the reference level, the comparator / decision blocker does not block the switching of the second signal to the output, the second signal is turned on to the output of the circuit. This case takes into account the absence of interfering LTE signals and the possibility of television signals in the 791 to 869 MHz band (channels 61 to 69). In the latter case, the device makes it possible to switch through the complete signal or signal spectrum from 470 MHz to 869 MHz (channels 21 to 69) in comparison with the first case, which allows only the switching through of the signal between 470 and 790 MHz (channels 21 to 60) ,

A further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that it has an amplifier.

Thus, the advantage is achieved that at the output of the device signals are present, which can be fed into the distribution network. This amplifier can also be arranged outside the device.

A further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the amplifier is arranged outside the device.

This provides the advantage of providing standard device usage for different types of amplifiers.

An apparatus according to the invention for processing high-frequency signals, in particular for television radio and / or data antennas in SMATV / MATV networks, will be described by way of example below, not by way of limitation, with reference to the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the device according to the invention;

As in FIG. 1 1, the device according to the invention has an input filter 1 at the UHF input (470-862 MHz, channels 21 to 69), an attenuator / insulator 2, a further filter ("first filter") 3 consisting of a high-pass filter (FIG. 791-862 MHz, channels 61 to 69), a power measuring device (a detector) 4, a comparison circuit / decision maker 5, a switch 6, which preferably consists of two switch components each having a control input, a low-pass filter 7 (470-4) arranged between both switch components. 790 MHz, channels 21 to 60) and a signal amplifier 8, which may be located inside or outside the device.

The control inputs of the two preferably identical switch components of the switch 6 are connected to the output of the comparison circuit 5, so that the two switch components are controlled by the output signal Vc of the comparison circuit 5.

The two circuit components are directly connected to each other (connecting line above in FIG. 1 ) and on the other hand, a filter, in particular a low-pass filter 7 is connected between them.

As in FIG. 1 2, the input signal 11 originating from a signal receiving device (telecommunication antenna or the like) is introduced into the device according to the invention via a plug at the input IN. This input signal 11 consists inter alia of signals of the digital terrestrial television and possibly of signals of the LTE type. Due to the division of the UHF frequency band in television signals and data of the so-called fourth Internet generation (digital dividend), the signals of terrestrial digital television take the channels of the UHF band 21 to 60 (470 to 790 MHz = "first frequency range FR1") and the LTE signals occupy the channels of UHF band 61 to 69 (791 a 862 MHz = "second frequency range FR2").

The input signal I1 is switched by the UHF input filter 1 (470 a 862 MHz, channels 21 to 69), so that at its output the filtered input signal I2 (television signals and optionally LTE signals) are obtained. Subsequently, by means of the attenuator / insulator 2, a pattern I3 (television signals I31 and possibly LTE signals I32) of the signal 12, which is applied to the output of the input filter 1, extracted. The extraction of this pattern I3 of the signal 12 is performed without introducing losses in the signal I2, thus avoiding reducing the quality of the signal I2 introduced into the switches 6. Basically, I3 (I31 and I32) is equal to 12 (I21 and 122), but in a damped form, where I31 corresponds to the attenuated signal I21 and where I32 corresponds to the attenuated signal 122.

If I22 has e.g. a level of 60 db, I32 has a level of e.g. 30 or 40 db.

The signal 13 (= I31 and I32) at the output of the attenuator / insulator 2 is fed to a first filter 3, which is formed by a high-pass filter (791-862 MHz, channels 61-69), which has the task of the signal I32 which is located in this bandwidth and which comprises television signals, prior to the introduction of the LTE services, or LTE signals after the introduction of these services. At the output of this filter 3, the signal 132 is measured and / or detected by means of the measuring device (of the power detector) 4. The level VDetec measured or detected by the measuring device (the power detector) 4 is compared with a predetermined reference level VRef. The predetermined reference level is the level of maximum power of the possible LTE noise signals that may be present in signal I2; this level is the level, an amplifier 8 can accept this level at its input, without disturbing the corresponding signals of the digital television present in the signal I2.

The comparison is performed in the comparator / decision maker 5, and according to the comparison voltage Vc, which results at the output of the comparator / decision maker 5, the signal switches 6 are activated.

If the reference level VRef is greater than the detected level VDetec, the possible LTE signals of the signal I2 would not interfere with the television signals of this signal I2, and consequently the switches 6, controlled by the voltage Vc, will receive the signal I2 (470-862 MHz, channels 21 to 69) directly through to the signal amplifier 8.

In the case that the reference level VRef is smaller than the detected level VDetec, the signals LTE of the signal I2 would disturb the television signals of this signal 12, and consequently the switches 6, controlled by the voltage Vc, will turn this signal 12 into a low-pass filter 7 (470 to 790 MHz, channels 21 to 60). This low-pass filter 7 eliminates the signals 122 located in the frequency band of the UHF channels 61 to 69 (791 to 862 MHz), that is, the LTE signals that interfere and only the television signals 121 (470 to 790 MHz, channels 21 to 60) of the signal I2 are introduced into the amplifier 8 and amplified therein and later they are fed to the output OUT of the device according to the invention.

In this way, the device according to the invention operates in a situation in which no disturbing LTE signals are present (level Vdetec of the interfering Signal LTE is below the reference level), in such a way that the signal (470-862 MHz, channels 21-69) is fed directly to the amplifier 8 to amplify it there and later supply it to the output OUT.

In the opposite case, in which the interfering LTE signal is present at a level which is above a power capable of disturbing the television signals (Vdetec level of the interfering LTE signal is above a reference level Vref), the present invention operates Device in such a way that the signal 12 (470 to 862 MHz, channels 21 to 69) is switched through the low-pass filter 7 (470 to 790 MHz, channels 21 to 60). This low-pass filter 7 eliminates the signals in the frequency band of the UHF channels 61 to 69 (791 to a 862 MHz), that is, the interfering LTE signals and only the television signals (470 to 790 MHz, channels 21 to 60) of the signal I2 are introduced into the amplifier 8 and amplified there and later supplied to the output OUT of the device according to the invention.

The device described above is designed in such a way that, depending on the output voltage Vc formed by the comparison circuit 5, either the signal 12 (= I21 and I22) is sent to the output OUT of the device (1st case: VDetec is less than (equal to as) VRef) or the signal I21 is sent to the output OUT of the device (2nd case: VDetec is greater than VRef).

In the aforementioned 1st case I2 (= I21 and I22) is fed directly to the amplifier 8 and the output OUT of the device and in the aforementioned second case I2 (= I21 and I22) is passed through the low-pass filter 7, this filter 7 the Signal I22 is eliminated, so that only the signal I21 reaches the amplifier 8 or the output OUT of the device. In the first case the path from 122 to the amplifier 8 or to the output OUT of the device is released and in the second case the path from 122 to the amplifier 8 or to the output OUT of the device is blocked.

The first case also concerns the status in which no LTE signals are used yet; the second case concerns the status in which I21 consists of TV signals and 122 of LTE signals.

• Die Vorrichtung zur Verarbeitung von Hochfrequenzsignalen weist einen Eingang (IN) und einen Ausgang (OUT) sowie wenigstens ein erstes Filter (3) auf. Die Vorrichtung ist in der Weise ausgestaltet, dass ein filtriertes Eingangssignal (I2) zu dem Ausgang (OUT) der Vorrichtung geleitet wird, wobei das filtrierte Eingangssignal (I2) ein erstes Signal (I21), das in einem ersten Frequenzbereich (FR1) angeordnet ist, und ein zweites Signal (I22), das in einem zweiten Frequenzbereich (FR2) angeordnet ist, umfasst.
• Die Vorrichtung weist eine Vergleichsschaltung (5) auf, die dem ersten Filter (3) nachgeschaltet ist.
• Die Vergleichsschaltung (5) ist in der Weise ausgestaltet, dass sie einen Pegelvergleich zwischen dem Pegel des zweiten Signals (I22 bzw. I32) und einem Bezugspegel (VRef) durchführt, und dass sie in Abhängigkeit des Ergebnisses des Pegelvergleichs den Weg des zweiten Signals (122) zum Ausgang (OUT) der Vorrichtung freigibt oder blockiert.

In summary, the device described above is configured as follows:

• The device for processing high-frequency signals has an input (IN) and an output (OUT) and at least one first filter (3). The device is designed in such a way that a filtered input signal (I2) is conducted to the output (OUT) of the device, the filtered input signal (I2) having a first signal (I21) arranged in a first frequency range (FR1) , and a second signal (I22) arranged in a second frequency range (FR2).
• The device has a comparison circuit (5), which is connected downstream of the first filter (3).
• The comparison circuit (5) is designed in such a way that it performs a level comparison between the level of the second signal (I22 or I32) and a reference level (VRef) and that, depending on the result of the level comparison, the path of the second signal (FIG. 122) to the output (OUT) of the device releases or blocks.

The comparison circuit (5) is further configured in such a way that it forms an output signal (Vc) as a function of the level comparison. The device has a switch (6), which is designed in such a way that it releases the path of the second signal (I22) to the output (OUT) of the device or the second one depending on the output signal (Vc) of the comparison circuit (5) Signal (I22) via a low-pass filter (7), whose output signal is the first signal (I21), which is guided by means of the switch (6) to the output (OUT) of the device.

Preferably, the switch (6) consists of two switch components, each having a control input, which is connected to the output of the comparison circuit (5). Preferably, the switch components are identical.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Filter on the UHF input

2

Attenuator / insulator

3

First filter

4

Power meter / detector

5

Comparator / decision makers

6

switch

7

Filter; Low pass, high pass or band pass filter

8th

amplifier

IN

Entrance; Input plug / connector element

OUT

Output; Output plug / connector element

I1

High frequency signal at the input of the device

12

Filtered input signal: High frequency signal (470-862 MHz, channels 21 to 69), consisting of I21 and I22

I21

High frequency signal of a frequency of 470 to 790 MHz (FR1), channels 21 to 60, excluding television signals

I22

High frequency signal of a frequency from 791 to 862 MHz (FR2), channels 61 to 69,

• before the introduction of the Digital Dividend: exclusively digital terrestrial television signals
• after the introduction of the digital dividend: exclusively LTE signals

I3

Pattern of the signal I2

I31

121 in subdued form

132

I22 in subdued form

FR1

First frequency range

FR2

Second frequency range

Claims (7)

Apparatus for processing high-frequency signals, - wherein the device has an input (IN) and an output (OUT) and at least one first filter (3), - wherein the device is designed in such a way that a filtered input signal (I2) is conducted to the output (OUT) of the device, - wherein the filtered input signal (I2) comprises a first signal (I21) arranged in a first frequency range (FR1) and a second signal (I22) arranged in a second frequency range (FR2),
characterized, - That the device comprises a comparison circuit (5) which is connected downstream of the first filter (3), - That the comparison circuit (5) is designed in such a way that the comparison circuit (5) performs a level comparison between the level of the second signal (I22) and a reference level (VRef), and - That the comparison circuit (5) depending on the result of the level comparison, the path of the second signal (I22) to the output (OUT) of the device releases or blocks. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that - That the comparison circuit (5) is designed in such a way that it forms an output signal (Vc) in dependence on the level comparison, - That the device comprises a switch (6) which is designed in such a way that it releases the path of the second signal (I22) to the output (OUT) of the device or depending on the output signal (Vc) of the comparison circuit (5) second signal (122) via a low-pass filter (7) whose output signal is the first signal (I21), which is guided by means of the switch (6) to the output (OUT) of the device. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the switch (6) consists of two switch components each having a control input which is connected to the output of the comparison circuit (5). Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the switch components are identical. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first frequency range (FR1) covers the range from about 470 to 790 MHz and / or that the second frequency range (FR2) covers the range from about 792 to 862 MHz. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises an amplifier (8). Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the amplifier (8) is arranged outside the device.

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