EP2634936B1 - Feed system, in particular for receiving television or radio programming transmitted by satellite - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a feed system, in particular for the reception of television and / or radio programs broadcast via satellite according to the preamble of claim 1.

Feeders are commonly used to receive television and radio programs broadcast over geostationary satellites. In this case, analog or digitally broadcast programs can be received in such feed systems.

A corresponding feed system is usually arranged in the focal point or in the region of the focal point of a parabolic antenna and comprises a waveguide, in the at least one coupling pin for receiving radiated in a plane of polarization electromagnetic waves protrudes. About this coupling pin, the electromagnetic wave can be coupled out and a downstream converter (LNB) are supplied, in which a corresponding processing for frequency conversion of the satellite received signals. The amplified, filtered and frequency converted signal is output in known from the prior art feed systems via a coaxial output, which is provided in the converter housing. Via a coaxial cable, the satellite signal is distributed to one or more terminals (for example, a television with an antenna connection).

So that not only a signal for terminals is provided by the feed system, feeding systems are known from the prior art, which comprise an orthomode transducer, which is also referred to as Orthormenkoppler or as polarization diverter. An orthomode transducer has a horn at the receiver end, for example a groove horn, which merges into a waveguide. Two mutually offset coupling pins protrude into the waveguide, a first coupling pin being provided for receiving electromagnetic waves emitted in a first polarization plane, and a second coupling pin being provided for receiving electromagnetic waves emitted in a second polarization plane perpendicular to the first polarization plane. The respective satellite received signals are processed separately by a downstream converter and by means of Two separate coaxial outputs are output, so that two separate television and / or radio programs can be distributed over two coaxial cables to terminals.

Some broadcast satellites broadcast broadband television and / or broadcast signals in a frequency range of 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz, so that the satellite signal consequently has a bandwidth of 2.05 GHz. Modern feed systems can process these broadband satellite signals, but in the converter the signals must be converted into a so-called low band (low frequency band) in the frequency range of 10.7 GHz to 11.7 GHz and a high band (high frequency band) in the frequency range of 11.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz, so that the processed signals can be distributed via coaxial outputs and coaxial cable to terminals. Because the transmissible via a coaxial cable maximum frequency of a signal can only be significantly less than 3 GHz.

In a feed system with orthomode transducers and split into lowband and highband, four separate television and / or radio programs can be distributed over four data signal output interfaces in the form of four coaxial outputs (horizontally polarized lowband, vertically polarized lowband, horizontally polarized highband, vertically polarized highband). A corresponding feed system has for this purpose two high frequency amplifiers, two splitters, four input bandpasses, four mixers, two local oscillators, four output bandpasses and four intermediate frequency amplifiers. These electrical components each take electrical energy and consequently each have a heat development.

The DE 43 35 616 A1 discloses a well-known feed system. In the feed system, the received frequency band is frequency-selectively split into two frequency branches in at least one converter branch, wherein a local oscillator in the one frequency band has a local oscillator frequency which is below the frequency band converted into the intermediate frequency level in this frequency branch, and wherein the total oscillator frequency in the second frequency branch is above the lowest frequency of the frequency band converted into the intermediate frequency plane in this frequency branch.

The US 2002/0154055 A1 describes a satellite receiving system having one or more low-noise block converters (LNB) whose outputs are connected to a local area network (LAN), where an interface between a LNB and LAN with a receiver detects the RF output signals of the LNBs converts digital baseband information. This baseband information is filtered, compressed and encrypted in the interface before being sent as a multiplexed signal to the LAN and further to the connected terminals.

The external dimensions of a feed system including the converter housing should be as low as possible so that the weight of the feed system and the wind load through the feed system are kept as low as possible. Furthermore, a compact converter housing is desirable for design reasons. Due to the necessary compactness of the feed system and the converter housing, the heat generated by the electrical components can be derived only with difficulty. Additional electrical components within the converter housing are thus difficult to realize.

Modern devices, such as modern flat screens are internet enabled, so can receive and process information and content directly from the Internet. Corresponding flat screens have for this purpose a LAN interface, for example in the form of an Ethernet connection or an antenna for receiving WLAN signals. In addition, corresponding flat panel displays have a coaxial antenna port for receiving television signals.

Terminals such as smartphones, laptops or tablets (portable computers with touch-sensitive screen) usually have no antenna connection, so that for displaying television programs, a separate so-called IP adapter must be used, which converts television signals and IP-encapsulated (IP = Internet Protocol) that the so IP-encapsulated data can be displayed on the terminals.

In many households, there is already an Ethernet with a central router, because, for example, more than one computer to DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) to be connected, or because, for example, a central printer for a variety of computers is available. Both the coaxial network for distributing the television and / or radio programs as well as the Ethernet are usually realized as so-called star networks, so that these are virtually one above the other and exist parallel to each other. An internet-enabled flat screen is thus connected to the coaxial network for displaying television programs via the antenna connection and to the Ethernet for the reproduction of Internet content via the Ethernet connection.

A generic distribution system for satellite broadcasting is for example from the WO 2004/054 143 A1 known. A system is shown with a reflector and a receiving device arranged in the focal point or in the region of the focal point. The receiving unit is connected by means of a bus system with different participants. The receiving unit further comprises a modem converter, a preamplifier, a receiver and a bus interface, via which the receiving unit is coupled to the bus system. According to this prior publication, it is proposed not to provide the receivers on the part of the subscribers, but to assign the subscribers to the satellite receiving antennas. The receivers are those units which demodulate the signals and, if necessary, decode them. The known system comprises at least one LNB, possibly necessary frequency converter and at least one receiving receiver together with a bus interface, so that only demodulated and / or - if desired or necessary - decoded signals can be distributed by means of the bus system to the participants. The signals can be transmitted via the bus system optionally re-encoded according to the bus system standard.

As a bus system, a structure can be used, which is also used for data transmission in PC networks. Therefore, it is possible to provide only a single network infrastructure, which handles all possible communication tasks in a housing.

The explanatory components are all housed in a single housing, which is also used for example for the LNBs. Therefore, according to this prior publication, the entire unit in the LNB housing with the mentioned additional components is mounted on the antenna.

From the US 2006/0294550 A1 In addition, a digital television transmission signal receiving system and an external arrangement used in this system can be taken as known. This outer assembly includes, for example, a housing and a tuner over which an RF signal can be received. The tuner is coupled to a demodulator, which in turn can transmit MPEG signals to a wireless interface (LAN 1394), which in turn is transmitted via an antenna to an indoor arrangement.

The outer arrangement should be arranged in the vicinity of the antenna, for example on an outer wall. From the WO2004054143 A1 A distribution system for satellite broadcasting is known which comprises a satellite receiving antenna for receiving the satellite signals, receivers for demodulating the signals received by the antenna and a line system for distributing the signals to a plurality of subscribers, the receivers being spatially close to the satellite receiving antenna are and redistribute exclusively demodulated or decoded signals by means of the line system to the participants. The receiver comprises a waveguide and a housing, wherein in the housing are arranged: a decoupling device, a high frequency amplifier, an intermediate frequency amplifier and a tuner. In contrast, the invention is based on the object to provide an improved feed system having a reduced power consumption and reduced heat generation and a reduced number of data signal output interfaces.

This object is achieved by a feed system having the features according to claim 1 of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

More specifically, an input bandpass and an output bandpass of the inventive feed system have passband widths equal to or greater than the satellite signal bandwidth having at least 2.05 GHz. The feed system according to the invention further comprises a arranged in the housing of the feed system and connected via a signal line to an intermediate frequency amplifier broadband tuner, which converts the output of the intermediate frequency amplifier intermediate frequency signal of a transponder into a baseband signal and generates I and Q signals, each half the bandwidth as the pass bandwidth have the input and output bandpass. The feed system according to the invention further comprises a demodulator arranged in the housing of the feed system and connected via the signal line to the wideband tuner, which is designed to demodulate the baseband signal and to generate a data signal. Furthermore, the feed system according to the invention comprises an Ethernet interface, which is arranged in the housing and connected via the signal line to the demodulator. The data signals can be output via the Ethernet interface and the supply of the feed system with electrical energy via the Ethernet interface.

Due to the increased passband bandwidth of the input bandpass and the output bandpass, a broadband satellite signal, for example, having a bandwidth of 2.05 GHz, need not be split by the converter into a lowband and a highband by means of a splitter. Thus, the signal processing by the converter always has a wideband signal. Due to the conversion of the wideband intermediate frequency signal into a baseband signal by the wideband tuner and subsequent demodulation of the baseband signal into a data signal by the demodulator, the data signal thus generated can be output via the single Ethernet interface. The feed system according to the invention is therefore no longer dependent on the bandwidth-limited signal output via one or more coaxial interfaces.

It proves to be positive in the context of the invention that the tuner is also configured as a broadband tuner for processing the signals in the passband bandwidth.

The frequency conversion device provided in the context of the invention also proves to be advantageous using a local oscillator which generates a local oscillator signal with a local oscillator frequency in order to control a mixer arranged between the input bandpass and the output bandpass and connected thereto via the signal line is.

Finally, the use of the corresponding device anywhere is also easily possible because the feed system of the invention is supplied via the Ethernet interface with electrical energy.

By means of the feed system according to the invention, an input bandpass filter, a mixer, a local oscillator, an output bandpass filter and an intermediate frequency amplifier can be saved compared to a feed system known from the prior art. Consequently, the feed system according to the invention has a reduced energy consumption and reduced heat generation. Furthermore, the space available in the converter housing for the Breitbandtuner and the demodulator can be used. Due to the reduced energy consumption of the feed system according to the invention this can be supplied via the Ethernet interface with electrical energy.

Since the data signals are output via the Ethernet interface, a coaxial network is no longer necessary for transmitting satellite and / or broadcast programs broadcast via satellite. The television and / or radio programs are transmitted over the Ethernet to the terminals. In this case, for example, a twisted pair cable, wireless for WLAN or a power supply line (power cable) can be used to transmit the television and / or radio programs. A modern flat panel display can thus display television programs received via satellite as well as receive and display information received over the Internet without the flat screen must be connected to a coaxial network. Therefore, when using the feed system according to the invention, a redundant coaxial network can be completely saved. Furthermore, all the disadvantages of coaxial signal processing, such as attenuation, skew, nonlinear distortion and crosstalk between polarization and band planes are avoided.

In addition, terminals such as smartphones, laptops or tablets, which do not have a coaxial input for receiving television programs, can access television signals directly via the Ethernet by using the inventive feed system.

Preferably, a second outcoupling device protruding into the waveguide is furthermore arranged in the housing, by means of which the electromagnetic waves of the satellite signal radiated in a second polarization plane can be received. The second polarization plane is perpendicular to the first plane of polarization in which electromagnetic waves of the satellite signal are emitted, which can be received by means of the first outcoupling device. Further, in the housing, a second high-frequency amplifier for amplifying the satellite signal is arranged, which is connected via a second signal line to the second coupling-out device. In the housing, a second input bandpass and a second output bandpass are further arranged, which are connected in series via the second signal line to the second high-frequency amplifier, wherein the second Input bandpass and the second output bandpass each have the passband bandwidth which is at least 70% of the satellite signal bandwidth. Further, in the housing, a second mixer is disposed between the second input bandpass and the second output bandpass and connected thereto via the second signal line, the second mixer being further connected to and to the local oscillator. The second mixer mixes the satellite signal with the local oscillator signal to produce a second intermediate frequency signal. A second intermediate frequency amplifier disposed in the housing is connected to the second output bandpass via the second signal line and configured to amplify the second intermediate frequency signal. The broadband tuner is additionally connected via the second signal line to the second intermediate frequency amplifier and configured to convert the second intermediate frequency signal into a second baseband signal. Furthermore, the demodulator is additionally connected to the broadband tuner via the second signal line and configured to demodulate the second baseband signal and to generate a second data signal. Furthermore, the Ethernet interface is connected via the second signal line to the demodulator for exchanging the second data signals.

A corresponding feed system can process satellite signals having a 2.55 GHz satellite signal bandwidth and having vertically and horizontally polarized signal components. For processing corresponding satellite signals have known from the prior art feed systems, so-called quadruple or quatro LNB's, four coaxial outputs. By means of a corresponding feed system according to the invention, two input bandpasses, two splitters, two mixers, a local oscillator, two output bandpass filters and two intermediate frequency amplifiers can be saved compared to a feed system known from the prior art. Consequently, the feed system according to the invention has a reduced energy consumption and reduced heat generation.

For example, due to the economization of the above-noted electrical components, a complete side of the converter may be used for other additional components such as e.g. for the broadband tuner and the demodulator. Due to the reduced energy consumption of the feed system according to the invention this can be supplied via the Ethernet interface with electrical energy.

Preferably, the passband widths of the second input bandpass and the second output bandpass are equal to or greater than the satellite signal bandwidth. With a satellite signal bandwidth of 2.05 GHz, then the passband bandwidth of the second input bandpass and the second output bandpass is at least 2.05 GHz. This allows more information to be processed and distributed by the feed system.

Preferably, the feed system comprises a backend processor located in and connected to the housing between the demodulator and the Ethernet interface, the backend processor thereto is designed to demultiplex the data signal and / or the second data signal in data transport streams.

• Figur 1: Ein Blockschaltdiagramm eines aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten Speisesystems zum Empfangen und Verarbeiten von breitbandigen Satellitensignalen mit vier Signalausgängen;
• Figur 2: Ein Blockschaltdiagramm eines erfindungsgemäßen Speisesystems gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform; und
• Figur 3: Ein Blockschaltdiagramm eines erfindungsgemäßen Speisesystems gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

The data signals output by the broadband modulator are typically so-called multi-program transport streams (MPTS), which include multiple television programs. The data rate of a corresponding MPTS is about 50 Mbit / s. By demultiplexing the MPTS by means of the backend processor so-called single-program transport streams (SPTS) are generated, the data rate is only in the range of 6 to 16 Mbit / s. Thus, by using a backend processor, the data rate output from the feed system can be reduced so that network resources can be optimally utilized. Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the illustrated embodiments. In detail:

• FIG. 1 : A block diagram of a prior art feed system for receiving and processing broadband satellite signals having four signal outputs;
• FIG. 2 : A block diagram of a feed system according to the invention according to a first embodiment; and
• FIG. 3 : A block diagram of a feed system according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

In the description that follows, the same reference numerals designate the same components or the same features that a description made with respect to a figure with respect to a component also applies to the other figures, so that a repetitive description is avoided.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a known from the prior art feed system for receiving and processing of broadband satellite signals, which consist of emitted in two polarization planes electromagnetic waves. The feed system comprises a feedhorn 1, which can be configured as a grooved horn, and which merges into a waveguide 1. In the feed horn 1, an orthomode transducer 2 is arranged, which can separate mutually perpendicular polarized electromagnetic waves of the satellite signal from each other. In the orthomode transducer 2 protrude a first decoupling device 10 and a second decoupling device 20, which are each realized as Auskoppelstifte.

Due to the provision of the orthomode transducer 2, which can rotate a plane of polarization of an electromagnetic wave, the first outcoupling device 10 and the second outcoupling device 20 can be aligned parallel to one another. Alternatively, two Auskoppelstifte be provided, which protrude into a waveguide 1, wherein the first Auskoppelstift 10 would then have to be rotated to the second Auskoppelstift 20 by 90 °.

The orthomode transducer 2 has two signal outputs, namely a first signal output in the form of a Signal line 11 for the satellite signal, which is received via horizontally polarized electromagnetic waves, and a second signal output in the form of a second signal line 21, are transported over the signals obtained from vertically polarized electromagnetic waves of the satellite signal.

The following describes the signal processing of the signals obtained from the electromagnetic waves having horizontal polarization of the satellite signal. The processing of the signals obtained from the vertically polarized electromagnetic waves of the satellite signal is correspondingly identical.

The first decoupling pin 10 protrudes into the orthomode transducer 2 and is configured to receive electromagnetic waves of horizontal polarization. A three-stage high-frequency amplifier 12 is connected via the signal line 11 to the first decoupling pin 10. The radio frequency amplifier 12 is configured to amplify the satellite signal. The output of the high-frequency amplifier 12 is connected to the input of a splitter SH, which splits the broadband emitted satellite signal, for example, has a bandwidth of 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz, in a so-called low band and a so-called high band. The low band is a low frequency signal band of 10.7 to 11.7 GHz, and the high band is a high frequency signal band of 11.7 to 12.75 GHz. The splitter SH has two outputs, namely an output for the low band and an output for the highband. The output for the low band is connected to a first low band input bandpass 13L. The first low band input bandpass filter 13L has a passband in the frequency range of 10.7 to 11.7 GHz. Other frequencies are not allowed through.

The first low band input bandpass filter 13L is connected via the first signal line 11 to a first mixer 14, which in turn is connected to a low band local oscillator 30L. The low band local oscillator 30L generates a low band local oscillator signal having a low band local oscillator frequency of 9.75 GHz. This low-band local oscillator signal is mixed with the satellite signal frequency-filtered via the first low-band input bandpass filter 13L by the mixer 14. The mixer 14 generates, inter alia, the difference signal resulting from the difference of the satellite signal and the low-band local oscillator signal. This thus generated first intermediate frequency signal has signals with frequencies of 950 MHz to 1950 MHz, thus has a bandwidth of 1 GHz. The first mixer 14 is connected to a first low band output bandpass 15L having a passband of 950 MHz to 1950 MHz. Other frequencies are not passed by the first low band output bandpass.

The first low band output bandpass 15L is connected via the first signal line 11 to a first low band intermediate frequency amplifier 16L which amplifies the intermediate frequency signal. The first low-band intermediate frequency amplifier 16L is in turn connected to a first coaxial output 71 through which the amplified Intermediate frequency signals can be output.

A first highband input bandpass filter 13H is connected to the second output of the splitter SV via a signal line. The pass band of the first high band band pass 13H is between 11.7 GHz and 12.75 GHz. Other frequency ranges are not passed by the first highband input bandpass 13H.

The first high band input band pass 13H is connected to another mixer 14 via a signal line. The further mixer 14 is connected to a high band local oscillator 30H which generates a high band local oscillator signal with a high band local oscillator frequency of 10.6 GHz. The further mixer 14 mixes the high band local oscillator frequency signal with the satellite signal filtered by the first high band input bandpass filter 13H. Among other things, the further mixer 14 also generates a difference signal between the high-frequency satellite signal and the high-band local oscillator signal. This difference signal represents another intermediate frequency signal having frequencies of 1100 MHz to 2150 MHz, thus having a bandwidth of 1.05 GHz. This intermediate frequency signal is filtered again by a first highband output bandpass filter 15H to filter out possible image frequencies and other frequency ranges. The pass band of the first high band output band pass 15H is between 1100 MHz and 2150 MHz. Other frequency ranges will not be transmitted. With the first High band output band pass 15H is connected to a first high band intermediate frequency amplifier 16H, which in turn is connected to a third coaxial output 73. Via the third coaxial output 73, the thus frequency-processed and amplified signals can be output.

The signal processing of the signals obtained from the vertical vibration component electromagnetic waves is identical to the above-described signal processing of the signals obtained from the horizontal vibration component electromagnetic waves, so that a description of the frequency processing will not be given here.

This prior art feed system can thus process satellite signals broadband broadcast in a frequency range of 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz and having a horizontal and a vertical polarization component. For the output of the prepared television and / or radio programs, two high-frequency amplifiers 12, two splitters SH, SV, four input bandpass filters 13L, 23L, 13H, 23H, four mixers 14, 24, two local oscillators 30L, 30H, four output bandpass filters 15L, 25L, 15H, 25H and four intermediate frequency amplifiers 16L, 26L, 16H, 26H necessary. The frequency-processed television and / or radio programs are output via four coaxial outputs 71-74.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a feed system according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The feed system according to the invention comprises a waveguide 1, which may be equipped on the input side, for example with a grooved horn. In the waveguide 1 projects as a decoupling pin 10 first decoupling means 10, by means of which a signal consisting of electro-magnetic waves and emitted by the satellite satellite signal can be received.

The first decoupling pin 10 is connected via the first signal line 11 to a first high-frequency amplifier 12. For example, the satellite signal received by the feed system has frequencies in the range of 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz. This satellite signal is broadband amplified by the first high-frequency amplifier 12. The first high-frequency amplifier 12 is connected to a first input bandpass 13 via the signal line 11.

Preferably, the pass bandwidth of the first input passband is equal to or greater than the satellite signal bandwidth, so that the entire satellite signal transmitted from the satellite is transmitted through the first input passband 13.

The first input bandpass is connected via the first signal line 11 to a first mixer 14, which in turn is additionally connected via an electrical line to a local oscillator 30. The local oscillator 30 generates a local oscillator signal having a local oscillator frequency. For example, the local oscillator frequency can be 10.2 GHz or even 10.5 GHz. The mixer 14 mixes the local oscillator signal with the satellite signal and generates sum and difference frequencies. The difference frequency of the satellite signal and the local oscillator signal are passed through by a first output bandpass filter 15 which is connected to the mixer 14 via the signal line 11. If the local oscillator frequency is 10.2 GHz, then the difference signal generated by the first mixer 14 is in the range of 500 MHz to 2550 MHz and is referred to as a (first) intermediate frequency signal. In this frequency range, the passband of the first output bandpass 15 is also located. Other frequencies are not passed by the first output bandpass 15.

The first output bandpass 15 is connected via the first signal line 11 to a first intermediate frequency amplifier 16, which amplifies the intermediate frequency signal. If the passband widths of the input passband 13 and the output passband 100% correspond to the satellite signal bandwidth, the amplified intermediate frequency signal has a bandwidth of 2.05 GHz and broadband is supplied via the signal line 11 to a broadband tuner 40. The broadband tuner 40, which may be configured, for example, as a chip tuner 40, converts a transponder from the intermediate frequency position into a baseband signal. As a result, the broadband tuner 40 mixes the intermediate frequency signal down to the baseband signal, with the I and Q baseband signals extending over each half the transponder bandwidth. The baseband signal is modulated and demodulated by a demodulator 50 connected to the broadband tuner 40 via the signal line 11. That from the demodulator The output data signal is usually a so-called multi-program transport stream (MPTS), which includes several television programs.

The data signal output by the demodulator 50 is supplied via the signal line 11 to an Ethernet interface 70, which may be designed, for example, as an Ethernet socket 70. The signals thus converted are output from the feed system via the Ethernet interface 70 and can be received by a terminal via an Ethernet network. Consequently, a coaxial network is no longer necessary for the reception of television and / or radio programs. Furthermore, the feed system according to the invention has only a single output interface 70.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a feed system according to the invention according to a second embodiment. The feed system comprises an orthomode transducer 2 whose operation has already been described above with reference to FIG FIG. 1 has been described. In the orthomode transducer 2 project two decoupling devices, namely a first decoupling pin 10 and a second decoupling pin 20. By means of the first decoupling pin 10 electromagnetic waves of the satellite signal can be received, which are horizontally polarized. By means of the second decoupling pin 20 electromagnetic waves of the satellite signal can be received, which are vertically polarized. The first decoupling pin 10 is connected to the first high-frequency amplifier 12 via the first signal line 11. The second decoupling pin 20 is connected via a second signal line 21 to a second high-frequency amplifier 22.

The operations of the horizontal signal branch consisting of the first high frequency amplifier 12, the first input bandpass 13, the first mixer 14, the first output bandpass 15 and the first intermediate frequency amplifier 16, and the vertical signal branch comprising a second high frequency amplifier 22, a second input bandpass 23, a second mixer 24, a second output bandpass 25 and a second intermediate frequency amplifier 26 are identical. Both the signals from the horizontal signal branch and the signals from the vertical signal branch are respectively mixed by the first mixer 14 or the second mixer 24 with the local oscillator signal generated by the local oscillator 30.

Since there are two intermediate frequency signals which are transported via two signal lines 11, 21, the broadband tuner 40 additionally has a further input and a further output. Thus, the broadband tuner 40 is additionally connected to the second intermediate frequency amplifier 26 via the second signal line 21 and converts the second intermediate frequency signal into a second baseband signal. The broadband tuner 40 may be realized in this case as a dual-chip tuner 40.

The two pair I and Q outputs of the broadband tuner 40 are connected to the two pairs of I, Q inputs of the demodulator. The demodulator 50 is therefore also additional Connected to the broadband tuner 40 via a second pair of signal lines 21 and demodulates the second baseband signal to produce a second data signal. The demodulator may be realized in this case as a so-called dual demodulator 50.

The dual demodulator 50 usually outputs an MPTS. For converting the MPTS into a single-program transport stream, the demodulator 50 is connected to a back-end processor 60 via the first signal line 11 and the second signal line 21. The back-end processor 60 converts or demultiplexes the multi-program transport stream into a so-called single-program transport stream (SPTS).

The data rate of the MPTS is usually about 50 Mbit / s, whereas the data rate of an SPTS is in the range of 6 to 16 Mbit / s depending on the transmitted TV program. As a result, back-end processor 60 reduces the necessary data rate so that Ethernet resources or, more generally, network resources are optimally utilized. The back-end processor 60 is in turn connected to the Ethernet interface 70 via a signal line.

This in FIG. 3 shown feed system can also be like that of the prior art and in FIG. 1 feed system processed satellite signals that broadband, for example, in a frequency range from 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz are emitted, and moreover, have both a horizontal signal component and a vertical signal component. however are for the corresponding signal processing by the invention and in FIG. 3 shown feed system much less electronic components necessary than in the known from the prior art feed system. By means of the feed system according to the invention, two input bandpasses, two splitters, two mixers, a local oscillator, two output bandpass filters, two intermediate frequency amplifiers and three output interfaces can be saved in comparison to the known from the prior art feed system. The feed system according to the invention consequently has a considerably reduced energy consumption.

Usually, a converter is arranged on a printed circuit board, wherein the in FIG. 1 shown feed system is occupied both sides of the housing with the circuit boards. A corresponding feed system can not be extended due to the limited available space and due to the considerable heat generation by the plurality of electronic components.

The feed system according to the invention, which in the FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown, has significantly fewer electronic components, so that one side of the housing is not occupied, so that on this page more electronic components, such as the broadband tuner 40, the demodulator 50 and the back-end processor 60 can be accommodated. Because of the broadband concept according to the invention, it is thus only possible to provide the functionality of television and / or radio programs in the converter housing itself to be converted accordingly, so that the signals can be output via an Ethernet interface 70. The Ethernet interface 70 may comprise a so-called Ethernet PHY chip, which is adapted to adapt the data signals to the medium used for data exchange (eg twisted pair cable). Alternatively, however, a separate physical interface (PHY) may also be provided, which is arranged between the Ethernet interface 70 and the demodulator 50.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Waveguide, feedhorn

2

Ortho-mode transducer

10

(first) decoupling device / decoupling pin

11

(first) signal line

12

(first) high-frequency amplifier

13

(first) incoming bandpass

13L

first lowband input bandpass

13H

first highband input bandpass

14

(first) mixer

15

(first) output bandpass

15L

first lowband output bandpass

15H

first highband output bandpass

16

(first) intermediate frequency amplifier

16L

first low-band intermediate frequency amplifier

16H

first high-band intermediate frequency amplifier

20

second decoupling / Auskoppelstiftt

21

second signal line

22

second high frequency amplifier

23

second entrance bandpass

23L

second low band input bandpass

23H

second highband input bandpass

24

second mixer

25

second output bandpass

25L

second low band output bandpass

25H

second highband output bandpass

26

second intermediate frequency amplifier

26L

second low-band intermediate frequency amplifier

26H

second high-band intermediate frequency amplifier

30

local oscillator

30L

Low-band local oscillator

30H

High-band local oscillator

40

Broadband Tuner

50

demodulator

60

Back end processor

70

Ethernet interface

71

first coaxial output

72

second coaxial output

73

third coaxial output

74

fourth coaxial output

SH

splinter

SV

splinter

Claims (9)

1. Feed system for receiving television and/or radio programmes which are broadcast via satellite and transmitted by means of satellite signals which consist of electromagnetic waves and are broadcast from satellites at a satellite signal bandwidth, wherein the feed system comprises a waveguide (1) and a housing in which the following components are arranged:

   • a decoupling device (10) which protrudes into the waveguide (1) and by means of which a satellite signal broadcast from satellites can be received;

   • a radio frequency amplifier (12) which is intended for amplifying the satellite signal and connected to the decoupling device (10) via a signal line (11); an input bandpass filter (13) and an output bandpass filter (15), which are connected in series to the radio frequency amplifier (12) via the signal line (11), wherein the input bandpass filter (13) and the output bandpass filter (15) each have a pass bandwidth;

   • a frequency conversion device is also provided, by means of which the satellite signals can be converted into intermediate frequency signals;

   • an intermediate frequency amplifier (16) which is intended for amplifying the intermediate frequency signal and is connected to the output bandpass filter (15) via the signal line (11),

   • a tuner (40) which is connected to the intermediate frequency amplifier (16)

   • via the signal line (11) and converts the intermediate frequency signal into a baseband signal is also arranged in the housing; a demodulator (50) which is connected to the tuner (40) via the signal line (11) is arranged in the housing for demodulating the baseband signal and generating a data signal; and

   • an Ethernet interface (70) which is connected to the demodulator (50) via the signal line (11) is arranged in the housing for exchanging the data signals;

   • the pass bandwidths of the input bandpass filter (13) and the output bandpass filter (15) are equal to or greater than the satellite signal bandwidth, wherein said satellite signal bandwidth is 2.05 GHz;

   • the tuner is designed as a broadband tuner (40) for processing the signals in the pass bandwidth;

   • the frequency conversion device comprises a local oscillator (30), which generates a local oscillator signal having a local oscillator frequency;

   • the frequency conversion device also comprises a mixer (14), which is arranged between the input bandpass filter (13) and the output bandpass filter (15) and connected thereto via the signal line (11), wherein the mixer (14) is also connected to the local oscillator (30) for mixing the satellite signal with the local oscillator signal and generating an intermediate frequency signal;

   • the feed system is supplied with electrical energy by the Ethernet interface (70).
2. Feed system according to claim 1, characterised in that the broadband tuner (40) is constructed so as to convert the intermediate frequency signal of a transponder, which signal is emitted by the intermediate frequency amplifier (16), into a base signal and to generate I and Q signals which preferably each have the half pass bandwidth.
3. Feed system according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the following components are also arranged in the housing:

   • a second decoupling device (20) which protrudes into the waveguide (1) and by means of which electromagnetic waves of the satellite signal that are broadcast in a second polarisation plane can be received;

   • a second radio frequency amplifier (22) which is intended for amplifying the satellite signal and is connected to the second decoupling device (20) via a second signal line (21);

   • a second input bandpass filter (23) and a second output bandpass filter (25), which are connected in series to the second radio frequency amplifier (22) via the second signal line (21), the second input bandpass filter (23) and the second output bandpass filter (25) each having the pass bandwidth which is at least 70% of the satellite signal bandwidth;

   • a second mixer (24), which is arranged between the second input bandpass filter (23) and the second output bandpass filter (25) and is connected thereto via the second signal line (21), the second mixer (24) also being connected to the local oscillator (30) for mixing the satellite signal with the local oscillator signal and generating a second intermediate frequency signal; and

   • a second intermediate frequency amplifier (26) which is intended for amplifying the second intermediate frequency signal and is connected to the second output bandpass filter (25) via the second signal line (21),

   • the feed system having the following features:

   • the broadband tuner (40) is additionally connected to the second intermediate frequency amplifier (26) via the second signal line (21), and the broadband tuner (40) converts the second intermediate frequency signal into a second baseband signal;

   • the demodulator (50) is additionally connected to the broadband tuner (40) via the second signal line (21) for demodulating the second baseband signal and generating a second data signal; and the Ethernet interface (70) is also connected to the demodulator (50) via the second signal line (21) for exchanging the second data signals.
4. Feed system according to claim 3, characterised in that the pass bandwidths of the second input bandpass filter (23) and the second output bandpass filter (25) are equal to or greater than the satellite signal bandwidth.
5. Feed system according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that the feed system also comprises an orthomode transducer (2) for splitting the satellite signal into a horizontally polarised component and a vertically polarised component.
6. Feed system according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the feed system also comprises a back-end processor (60), which is arranged between the demodulator (50) and the Ethernet interface (70) and connected thereto, the back-end processor (60) being designed so as to demultiplex the data signal into data transport streams.
7. Feed system according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the feed system also comprises a back-end processor (60), which is arranged between the demodulator (50) and the Ethernet interface (70) and connected thereto, the back-end processor (60) being designed so as to demultiplex the data signal and the second data signal into data transport streams.
8. Feed system according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the feed system also comprises a switch, which is arranged between the back-end processor (60) and the Ethernet interface (70) and is connected thereto, the switch being designed so as to combine the data transport streams into one overall data transport stream.
9. Feed system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the feed system also comprises a physical interface, which is arranged between the demodulator (50) and the Ethernet interface (70) and is connected thereto, the physical interface being designed so as to adapt the data signals to a transmission medium used for data exchange.

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