JPH08102722A - Repeater monitoring method in catv system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To monitor the state of a repeater despite the failure occurred in a repeating transmission network by outputting the data signal sent from a status monitor unit contained in the repeater as a radio wave through a radio unit attached to the repeater and receiving the radio wave by the radio unit to monitor the state of the repeater. CONSTITUTION: A radio transmitter 3 of a small power type requires no license for opening a radio station and transmits the radio waves through an antenna 12 attached at the outside of an amplifier 1. A battery 10 is continuously charged when the electric power is secured at the system side and then automatically discharged when the supply of power is stopped at the system side. A status monitor unit 2 operates based on the polling signal sent from a normal center when a broadcast or pilot signal is inputted at the input IN side of the amplifier 1, i.e., a transmission network is normally functioning. Then the unit 2 automatically operates to perform various measurement operations even if no polling signal is received when no signal is inputted at the IN side any more, i.e., the abnormality occurs in the transmission network. The data accumulated in the unit 2 are outputted to the transmitter 3 and radiated through the antenna 12 as radio wave. The radio wave is received by a receiver 4 and displayed on a panel 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a monitoring method for monitoring a repeater (amplifier, power supply, etc.) of a CATV system, which is effective for maintenance and inspection of the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a CATV system having a large number of repeaters A such as repeater amplifiers and power supply units as shown in FIG. 2, a status monitor unit (shown in the figure) is provided in each repeater A in order to monitor the state of the repeaters A. Not built). The status monitor unit of the repeater A is individually accessed and controlled by a polling signal transmitted from the parent modem B of the center, and the accessed status monitor unit is
The state of the repeater A is monitored based on a command from the center, and the monitored data is modulated by a child modem (not shown) in the repeater A and transmitted to the center. On the other hand, in the center, the data signal transmitted from the status monitor unit of the repeater A is demodulated by the master modem B, then processed by the CPU and displayed on the TV monitor. The condition of the repeater A can be monitored by looking at the TV monitor. In addition, by accessing all status monitoring units of many repeaters A over time, the states of all repeaters A can be monitored.

[0003]

However, the conventional repeater monitoring method has the following problems. When a failure occurs in the relay transmission network C of the system and the data signal from the status monitor unit is interrupted, the monitoring of the repeater A becomes impossible in the center. For example, when the amplifier, which is one of the repeaters A, stops due to a failure of the power supply (PS), the signal transmission is interrupted there, and the data signal of the status monitor unit is not transmitted to the center, and the repeater A is monitored. Will be disabled. In this case, it is difficult for the center to identify what kind of trouble is occurring in which place of the system, and it is considered that the trouble is caused by dispatching the worker based on the complaint from the viewer, for example. The repeater A and the transmission network C must be individually inspected. As a result, it takes a considerable amount of time for inspection and restoration work, which causes a great deal of trouble to the viewer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a repeater monitoring method in a CATV system capable of monitoring the condition of the repeater even if a failure occurs in the relay transmission network, and to solve the above problems. is there.

[0005]

A repeater monitoring method in a CATV system according to the present invention is, as shown in FIG. 1, a CAT.
The data signal output from the status monitor unit 2 built in the repeater 1 of the V system is output as a radio wave by the wireless transmitter 3 attached to the repeater 1, and is received by the wireless receiver 4 to receive the data. The state of the repeater 1 is monitored.

[0006]

According to the repeater monitoring method in the CATV system of the present invention, the data signal output from the status monitor unit 2 built in the repeater 1 of the CATV system is transmitted by the radio transmitter 3 attached to the repeater 1. Since this is output by the wireless receiver 4 and the state of the repeater 1 is monitored, some trouble occurs in the relay transmission network of the system, and the monitoring information of the repeater 1 is transmitted to the center. Even if it disappears, a worker can carry the wireless receiver 4 to check the failed repeater 1, and the status of the repeater 1 can be directly confirmed by the on-site wireless receiver 4 so that quick inspection and repair can be performed. Is possible.

[0007]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a repeater monitoring method in a CATV system according to the present invention.
Is an amplifier. The amplifier 1 includes a bidirectional amplifier circuit 11 capable of amplifying a signal transmitted from the center and a signal transmitted from the terminal side, respectively, and the amplifier 1 based on a polling signal transmitted from the center. The status monitor unit 2 is capable of monitoring the status of and returning the data to the center.

In the present invention, the amplifier 1 has a built-in radio transmitter 3 capable of outputting the data signal of the status monitor unit 2 as a radio wave. Further, even if the power on the system side is stopped, the status is replaced by this status. A battery 10 capable of supplying electric power to the monitor unit 2 and the wireless transmitter 3 is built in.

The radio transmitter 3 is of a low power type which does not require a license to open a radio station, and radio waves are transmitted from an antenna 12 mounted outside the amplifier 1.

The battery 10 is charged while the power on the system side is established, but automatically discharges the power when the power on the system side is stopped.

Incidentally, the status monitor unit 2
Operates on the basis of a normal polling signal from the center while a broadcast signal or a pilot signal is input to the input (IN) side of the amplifier 1, that is, while the transmission network is functioning normally. When no signal is input to the input side, that is, when an abnormality occurs in the transmission network, the operation is automatically started without a polling signal and various measurements are started.
Then, the data stored in the unit 2 is transferred to the wireless transmitter 3
It outputs to. On the other hand, the wireless transmitter 3 is also automatically operated in the above-mentioned state, and the data signal transmitted from the status monitor unit 2 is transmitted to the antenna 1
It radiates from 2 as a radio wave.

Reference numeral 4 shown in FIG. 1 denotes a portable radio receiver which receives radio waves radiated from the radio transmitter 3 of the amplifier 1. The radio receiver 4 receives the radio wave, demodulates it, processes the data, and displays the collected data of the status monitor unit 2 on a display panel 15 such as an LCD. The worker can confirm the state of the amplifier 1 based on this information.

[0013]

The repeater monitoring method in the CATV system of the present invention has the following effects. . Even if a failure occurs in the relay transmission network, the state of the relay 1 can be monitored by the wireless receiver 4. . The state of the repeater 1 can be monitored by the wireless receiver 4 while on site, and the normality and abnormality of the repeater 1 can be quickly discriminated. . Therefore, the system can be restored quickly,
It is possible to minimize annoyance to the viewer. . In addition, even if the relay transmission network functions normally and the center can monitor the state of the relay 1, the relay 1 can be used on-site without telephone or wireless communication with the center.
The status of can be checked, which is convenient for maintenance and inspection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a repeater monitoring method in a CATV system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional repeater monitoring method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Repeater 2 Status monitor unit 3 Radio transmitter 4 Radio receiver

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A data signal output from a status monitor unit (2) built in a repeater (1) of a CATV system is output as a radio wave by a wireless transmitter (3) attached to the repeater (1). Then, the repeater monitoring method in the CATV system is characterized in that the wireless receiver (4) receives this and monitors the state of the repeater (1).