LT5902B - System for community access and distribution of signals from satellite dishes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is intended for Satellite Master Antenna Television (SMATV) systems where one or several antennas of satellite or terrestrial television can be shared among many users. The system for distribution  and community access of signals from satellite dishes consists of a multitude of optical transmitters of different waves, the inputs of which are connected to packed signal sources and the outputs are connected to the shared optical multiplexer the output signal of which enters the optical signal distribution network that may have passive or active components. From the branch of the optical network the optical signal travels to optical demultiplexer the outputs of which are connected to inputs of optical receivers and the outputs of the latter are connected to signal commutator and packed broadband outputs. Each output of a commutator is connected to corresponding unpacker, each output of which is connected to satellite signal receiver. Frequency unpackers are connected to the shared block of heterodynes.The system is compact, reliable, and convenient and enables every user to connect to the shared terrestrial television antenna and to one of many satellite dishes anytime.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to television, satellite repeaters, cable networks for collective use and their use, as well as to the reception, preparation, conversion, transmission and distribution of video and audio data. The present invention relates in particular to the reception and transmission of a television satellite signal from one or more central signal sources (satellite dishes) to a single user or to a larger number of users / circle.

TECHNICAL LEVEL

'Television' means the remote transmission of images of moving or fixed objects by wire or by radio. The main links of video transmission are: television transmission camera, transmitter, transmitting antenna, communication channel, receiving antenna, television (or other receiver). Throughout this scheme, signals (e.g., television, satellite, etc.) are involved which operate to transmit a signal about said moving and fixed objects. The formation, processing, transmission and reception of the aforementioned signals is one of the most serious modern objects under consideration, not only to obtain the best technical characteristics of the signals but also to ensure the best signal quality, convenience, simplicity and cheaper utilization / distribution in relation to the point.

There are many technologies, techniques and inventions associated with television and satellite devices known in the patent world, the world of scientific articles, and at the commercial level. There are also many systems in which a television and / or satellite signal is distributed over coaxial networks, such as the known European patent EP1347644, published June 2003. September 24 or German Patent DE20211276, published June 2002. November 7, However, the common main disadvantage of such systems is that the use of long-range antenna signal transmission requires the addition of linear intermediate RF amplifiers to compensate for the significant signal suppression that occurs particularly in super-high frequency (SAD) signal transmission on coaxial lines. The uneven transmission characteristics of the amplifiers and the uncoupling of the cable attenuation lead to an uneven overall system signal. For these reasons, the number of users of a cable system normally does not exceed 200 users and the length of the distribution network does not exceed 300 m. The use of special cables and amplifiers makes the system very expensive.

Optical network distribution systems have recently been introduced. One reason is that the attenuation of the fiber optic cable is significantly lower than that of the coaxial cable, such as the known Dutch patent NL9101040, published in 1993. January 18 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an optical signal transmission system in which a 45-850 MHz cable signal and a 0.9-2 GHz satellite signal are transmitted together with a low-frequency 0.3-3 KHz telephone signal. Optical compression means are used to transmit signals. The disadvantage of such a system is that the proposed solution cannot be used to transmit and distribute satellite signals in the event that the signal needs to be received and distributed from several different satellite dishes.

Also known is German patent DE4334440, published in 1995. April 13 It provides a solution where a signal is first converted (converted) to a lower frequency before it is transmitted to a coaxial network, before being transmitted to the coaxial network. This solution reduces the losses occurring at high frequencies in the coaxial network and allows the transmission of a sufficiently good signal over long distances. However, in order to transmit as much information as possible at the same time. There is always an effort to maximize the frequency of the transmitted signal, and as the transmission frequency increases, the input attenuation increases, limiting the distance parameter of the transmitted data. To avoid this disadvantage, all signals in the frequency band overlapping on the receiving side are converted (translated) and arranged in sequential order, thus forming a single broadband signal. This signal is then fed to an optical converter and passed through optical cables to individual users, where it is again converted from an optical signal to an electrical one. This signal is subsequently fed directly to a radio or television receiver or converted accordingly and fed to other receivers. The disadvantage of the present invention is that the system cannot serve multiple satellite antennas simultaneously.

Known patent application of Invacom, VV02007096617, published June 2007 August 30 This application describes a distribution system for satellite television broadcasting on television. The system consists of a series of cable and optical communications capable of transmitting information over radio frequency and optical channels. In this case, the signal reception function can be performed by the satellite reception antenna head LNB (Iow noise block-downconverter), which converts the focused signal into low frequency electrical signals. It is intended to receive data from a satellite or a simple terrestrial television or radio signal receiving antenna. The signal decoders can simultaneously be independently controlled / controlled by each user. The disadvantage of this system is that packaged signals from multiple satellite antennas cannot be processed and transmitted in this system when multiple reception antennas are used in the transmission center.

Also known is FoxCom's patent US6486907, published June 2002. November 26 In this patent, the satellite signal distribution system is characterized by having a master / base station having an optical transmitter which receives a combined signal combining satellite and television signals, as well as a number of optical signal receivers and distribution devices. The main disadvantage of the system is that the system cannot transmit and distribute the compacted satellite signal. Also, the system does not provide a remote antenna selection and signal connection mechanism.

The closest prior art is the US patent US20100319035, published in 2010. December 16 This patent describes a collective satellite television system for apartment buildings or offices. The essence of the invention is that on the signal-forming side it has a conversion device for frequency-compression of the satellite signal into a single cable. The system comprises signal distribution devices and at least one user terminal having a frequency converter that converts a signal suitable for a satellite receiver. However, this system uses coaxial cable to distribute the signal and therefore has the same disadvantages that are common to coaxial cable networks. In addition, this system can use and distribute only one compressed signal.

Existing systems in the world which include the transmission of video and / or audio signals from satellite transmitters to the end user (television or other video / audio signal receiver) are based on the coaxial transmission of said signals. As long as satellite transmitters (retransmitters) were not available and coaxial networks were one of the cheapest options, the use of coaxial networks for transmitting and distributing said video / audio signals was, and still is, the basis for collective use cable networks. However, over time, with the advent of modern technology and the increasing number of satellite transmitters, the use of coaxial networks has become very complicated, cumbersome and unwieldy, and sometimes impossible. In addition, such cumbersome solutions increase the likelihood of failure and reduce signal quality, especially at longer distances. All this leads to a growing awareness of the need to find new and viable solutions to this problem.

THE SUBSTANCE OF THE INVENTION

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a system for satellite antenna signal distribution and collective utilization that provides a more convenient, high-quality, and compact solution compared to existing solutions based on coaxial networks. To this end, a system for the distribution and collective use of satellite dish signals is organized / developed, consisting of:

Satellite antennas capable of receiving a high frequency packed (or unpacked) signal from the satellite repeater in the 0.95-6.00 GHz (or other) band;

electro-optical (E / O) modulators (converters) receiving said high frequency signal (s) from a single satellite antenna or multiple satellite antennas and converting said signals into optical wavelengths (e.g., 1310 nm, 1550 nm, etc.) signals;

said optical signal multiplexer, which combines all optical signals of different wavelengths and transmits them into a single (or multiple) optical cable;

an optical network consisting of a single optical cable or a plurality of optical cables carrying all received and prepared said high frequency signals (from a plurality of satellite dishes) over a single optical signal over long distances;

an optical separator (one optical separator is used for each optical cable), separating said single optical signal into a packet of optical signals of different wavelengths, wherein each component of the packet corresponds to its own (corresponding) satellite dish;

opto-electric (O / E) modulators (converters) receiving said packet components and converting them into appropriate electrical signals which pass into the coaxial cable network after the O / E modulators; A switching matrix network consisting of one or more switching arrays (switches) which transmits all of said high frequency packetized signal to appropriate unpackers; Frequency unpackers, which receive selected electrical signals from a selected O / E modulator through a switching matrix, unpack said selected packaged signals, i.e. transmits / translates said unpacked signals into a standard band of 0.95-2.15 GHz and transmits these signals to a satellite television receiver;

a satellite TV tuner which allows you to select the appropriate satellite dish, vertical or horizontal polarization and uplink or downlink signal, and to transmit it to the appropriate output device (eg, TV).

Such a system allows you to work with multiple satellite dishes at once;

combine the signals of all desired antennas into one optical cable, transmit this optical signal over long distances (compared to coaxial networks, optical networks can be transmitted hundreds of times under the same external conditions); abandon clumsy and hard-to-implement coaxial networks with amplifiers, splitters, junctions, etc .;

organize satellite signals networks, large and small, in a simple, compact and reliable manner;

and the greater the number of satellite dishes in this satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system, the more efficient and attractive this system is, not only in technical and reliability terms, but also in the optical fiber, E / O and O / E modulators, optical / laser equipment and new technologies, and economic.

The key features of this satellite dish distribution and collective use system are:

the system can distribute both compacted (packed) and uncompressed conventional satellite antenna signals; in the system, each user can connect to a common terrestrial television antenna and to one of the many satellite dishes;

All network users can connect to the same receiving antenna at the same time.

a single fiber optic cable is used for signal distribution; system can use both passive and active optical distribution network;

the system reaches very distant users because the signal distribution uses an optical network with very low signal attenuation;

the user satellite TV receiver set-top box can control and connect to any antenna, select signal polarization and uplink or downlink via DiSEsC protocol commands; the system uses controlled frequency unpackers;

Frequency unpackers use a single unit of heterodyne; the number of users can be increased by splitting the optical and / or compressed radio frequency using the broadband signal outputs;

the system provided is compact, secure, reliable, user-friendly, and in terms of installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a system for satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use.

FIG. 2 illustrates a specific embodiment of the present invention which is adapted to four satellite antenna signals and four users of a collective network of these signals.

FIG. 3 shows a typical version of the packaged frequency signal in the system input cable (Fig. 1, Item 2).

FIG. 4 a-d show the spectra of the unpacked signal in the output cable (Fig. 1, Item 16). FIG. Figure 5 illustrates one embodiment of a controlled frequency unwrapper.

FIG. 6, a satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system is disclosed, in which an analogue terrestrial television distribution capability is realized.

FIG. 7, a satellite antenna signal distribution and collective utilization system is disclosed, in which digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) signal distribution is realized.

FIG. Figure 8 illustrates one possible alternative for satellite antenna packaging, using three Ouattro antenna heads.

FIG. Fig. 9 is a diagram of a three-signal packer for packing three output signals of an Ouattro-type antenna head.

FIG. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an unpacker of three signals corresponding to the output signal of an Ouattro-type antenna head.

FIG. Figure 11 illustrates another possible embodiment of satellite antenna packaging, using three Whole band antenna heads and one Ouattro antenna head.

FIG. Figure 12 is a diagram of a dual signal packer for packing two output signals of an Ouattro type antenna head.

FIG. Figure 13 shows the output signal spectrum of a Whole band antenna head. FIG. Figure 14 illustrates a possible satellite antenna unpacker using three Whole band antenna heads and one Ouattro antenna head

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. Figure 1 illustrates a satellite antenna signal distribution and collective utilization system, adapted to receive, process, and transmit a video / audio signal from a plurality of satellite antennas to an optical network capable of transmitting the signal over long distances (up to 10 km) without no enhancement to the end-user network with appropriate equipment. Said satellite antenna signal distribution and collective utilization system consists of: satellite antenna (1), coaxial cable (2), electro-optical modulator (3), optical cable (4), common optical wave multiplexer (5), common optical distribution network (6), Optical Isolator (7), Interconnecting optical cables (8), Optoelectric modulators (9), Interconnecting coaxial cables (10), Switching arrays (11) with N inputs and W outputs, Interconnecting coaxial cables (12), Frequency unpackers (13), single heterodyne unit (14), heterodyne signal set (15), interconnecting coaxial cables (16), satellite television receiver (17), broadband terminals (18).

The purpose of the satellite antenna (1) is to receive 10.7-12.75 GHz V and H polarization signals from a satellite repeater and to convert these signals by the satellite antenna (1) head or low noise converter (LNB). Usually, the antenna head converts the received signals into the lower frequency range. The Ouattro-type antenna head outputs the entire received spectrum through four coaxial outputs, each output can cover a range of 0.95-2.15 GHz. The Whole band head outputs the entire spectrum received in a single coaxial output, the output can cover 0.95-6.00 GHz (Fig. 3) or 0.95-5.45 GHz (Fig. 13). In the case of the Ouattro type antenna head, four coaxial cables (in the range 0.95-2.15 GHz) usually come out of the satellite antenna head (1), while only one coaxial cable (in the range 0.956.00 GHz) comes out of the Whole band head. In the satellite dish (1), the prepared high frequency signal is transmitted to the coaxial cable (2). The signal transmitted by said coaxial cable (2) passes to an electro-optical modulator (3) where it is converted into an optical signal. When using semiconductor lasers, the wavelength of this optical signal can be varied (e.g., 1310 nm, 1550 nm, etc.). These optical signals enter the optical cable (4) and are transmitted to the optical wave multiplexer (5). The function of the multiplexer (5) is to combine all laser beams of different wavelengths. The compacted optical signal is further fed into the common optical distribution network (6). In the common optical distribution network (6), the optical signal can be divided, branched, amplified and so on. It is then transmitted to remote signal distribution devices, which may be more than one. The remote unit consists of the following system functional blocks / modules: optical separator (7), opto-electric modulator (9), switching matrix (11) with N inputs and W outputs (where N is the number of satellite dishes (1) and W is number of receivers (17)), frequency unpacker (13) and one unit of heterodyne (14). From the general optical distribution network (6), the optical signal is transmitted to the optical separator (7), where it is scattered by different wavelength filters into optical components (rays) of different wavelengths, each component (ray) corresponding to its own (corresponding) satellite dish (1). ). After the optical separator (7), said optical components (beams) fall into the respective optical cables (8), which are transmitted to the respective opto-electric modulators (9). The purpose of the opto-electric modulator (9) is to demodulate the light signal and restore the high frequency signal corresponding to the signal applied to the laser of the respective waveform in the signal forming part. Further, the high frequency signal is packaged through the interconnecting coaxial cable (10) and enters the commutation matrix (11). The switching matrix (11) transmits all said high frequency packed signal to respective frequency unpackers (13). The frequency unwrapper (13), which receives the selected high frequency signal from the selected O / E modulator (9) through a switching matrix (11), unwraps said selected packaged signal into a standard band of 0.952.15 GHz and transmits this signal to satellite television. the receiver (17) by means of interconnecting coaxial cables (16). Frequency unpackers (13) are characterized by the use of a single unit (14) of different or variable frequency heterodyne for all the mixers, which forms the required set / packet of heterodyne signals (15). Each satellite signal receiver controls a commutation matrix (11) and a corresponding frequency unpacker (13), through which it connects the signal source (antenna) and sets the unpacker frequency range. The satellite television receiver (17) makes it possible to select the signal of the respective satellite dish and transmit it to the appropriate output device (e.g., a television) by controlling the switching matrix (11) and the frequency unpackers (13). The broadband output (18) is needed to connect additional consumer signal distribution devices.

This satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system (this solution) is characterized by the fact that it avoids cumbersome coaxial networks with complex wiring. It also allows you to transmit signals over long distances, even without amplification. And the compactness, simplicity and convenience of the system make it especially attractive to the end user.

FIG. 2 illustrates a specific embodiment of the present invention which is adapted to four satellite antenna signals and four users of a collective network of these signals. Also provided is a detailed radio frequency allocation option using the wideband terminals (18), a four-user additional signal distribution device (19 ').

FIG. Figure 3 shows a typical version of the packaged frequency signal in the system input cable (Fig. 1, Item 2). Such a signal transmitted through the optical path / cable enters the frequency unwrapper (Fig. 1, Item 13).

Satellite TV signal consists of several wavelengths:

(a) Vertical polarization lower range VL 950-1950 MHz;

(b) vertical polarization upper range VH 1950-3000 MHz;

(c) horizontal polarization lower range HL 3950- 4950 MHz;

d) HH 4950-6000 MHz horizontal polarization high range.

FIG. 4 a-d show the spectra of the unpacked signal in the output cable (Fig. 1, Item 16). The unpacked stretch of satellite television depends on the setting of the frequency unpacker (13). The selection of the frequency range depends on the DiSEsC command, which is transmitted from the satellite receiver to the unpacker. The following waveband options are available:

FIG. 4a vertical polarization lower range 950-1950 MHz;

FIG. 4b Vertical Polarization High Range 1100-2150 MHz;

FIG. 4c horizontal polarization lower range 950-1950 MHz;

FIG. 4d horizontal polarization upper range 1100-2150 MHz.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a controlled frequency unwrapper (13) with two mixers and two heterodyne, which is designed to reproduce the required range signal from a common compressed signal (12) of the nature shown in FIG. 3. Frequency band selection is performed by controlled keys S. When the keys S1 and S2 are closed, the mixers C1 and C2 are not used and the output of the frequency unwrapper (13) produces a lower range of vertical polarization 950-1950 MHz (Fig. 4a). When the key S1 is opened and the key S2 is closed, the first mixer C1 starts to operate, then the output of the frequency unwrapper (13) produces a lower polarization range of 950-1950 MHz (Fig. 4c). When the key S1 is closed and the key S2 is opened, the second mixer C2 starts to operate, and then the output of the frequency unwrapper (13) produces a high range of vertical polarization of 1100-2150 MHz (Fig. 4b). When both keys are open, both mixers C1 and C2 start to operate and the output of the frequency unwrapper (13) produces a higher horizontal polarization range of 1100-2150 MHz (Fig. 4d). The frequencies of each of these mixers heterodins can be different and variable.

FIG. 6, a satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system is disclosed, in which an analogue terrestrial television distribution capability is realized. One of the possible ways of inserting terrestrial analogue and digital TV signal TV + DVB-T (21) into a common distribution network is shown here, using an additional optical path. In order to implement this method, the following devices are additionally introduced: an optical transmitter with an Atv laser, an optical receiver, a radio signal divider (19) and a duplexer (20). The drawing shows an introduction to CATV, which is designed to connect a two-way cable system for cable television.

FIG. 7, a satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system is disclosed, in which a digital television distribution capability is realized. Here is a block diagram of a digital (DVB-T) television signal distribution scheme using one of the SAT television transmission channels. In this case, no additional optical tract is required, but an additional contribution is made to the radio signal (RF) diplexer (22) in the transmission part and the analog diplexer (23) in the receiving part.

FIG. Figure 8 illustrates one of the possible ways of packing satellite antenna signals. The figure illustrates a possible implementation / formation of a packaged signal using Ouattro-type antenna heads for satellite reception. Signal wrappers (24).

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a three-signal packer. An overlapping wave packing device (24) for the above-mentioned variant is proposed herein. The three head signals of 9502150 MHz entering the unit are located in the common 950-5450 MHz band of the device output.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a three-signal unwrapper. This drawing shows the unpacker unit (13) and the heterodyne unit (14) for such a signal. The difference is that two 4650 MHz and 6400 MHz heterodines are used

FIG. Figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of satellite antenna signal packaging. This drawing shows how the VHole band antenna heads, the spectrum of which is shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to connect an Ouattro type antenna head. For this purpose a dual signal packer (25) is used.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a two-input signal packer. In this drawing, a band compression device is proposed (25). The two outputs of the Ouattro antenna head, falling within this block, with a range of 950-2150 MHz, are located at the output in the common range of 950-5450 MHz. The advantage of this proposal is that two types of receiving heads with different frequency packed signals can use the same unpacking device.

FIG. Figure 14 illustrates a possible variation of the satellite antenna signal unwrapper (13), where two different types of antenna heads are used in the satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system: the "Whole band" and the "Ouattro" type. The unpacker (13), consisting of two mixers and three heterodins, is designed to recover the required range signal from the compressed signal spectrum of the nature shown in FIGS. 12 and Fig. 13. Frequency band selection is performed with the help of controlled keys S. When keys S1 and S2 are closed, mixers C1 and C2 are not used and the output of the frequency unwrapper (13) produces a lower polarization range VL (Fig. 13) or a range of Fig. 1. 12. When the key S2 is opened and the key S1 remains closed, the second mixer C2 starts to operate, and then the output of the frequency unwrapper (13) results in a high range of vertical polarization VH (Fig. 13). When key S1 is open and key S2 is closed, the first mixer C1 starts. In this case, the S3 and S4 keys select the required heterodins. When the key S4 is closed, the heterodyne frequency is selected at 2450MHz, then the output of the frequency unpacker (13) yields the lower polarization range HL (Fig. 13). HH (Fig. 13) or range 2 (Fig. 12).

In order to illustrate and describe the present invention, descriptions of preferred embodiments are set forth above. It is not a complete or limiting invention that seeks to determine the exact form or embodiment. The description above should be viewed as an illustration rather than a limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Embodiments are selected and described for the best understanding of the principles of the present invention and their best practical application for different embodiments with different modifications suitable for a particular application or embodiment, since in the particular satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system , its quantitativities / parameters may vary (e.g. optical wavelengths, frequency bands, etc.). The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended definition and its equivalents, in which all the foregoing terms have the widest possible meaning, unless otherwise stated. It will be appreciated that the embodiments described by those skilled in the art can make changes within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following definition.

Claims (3)

1. A system for the distribution and collective use of satellite dish signals, consisting of a satellite retransmitted signal receiving equipment, a signal processing equipment and a signal distribution network, characterized in that the system consists of the following units: satellite antennas (1) for receiving a signal from a satellite repeater, directing said signals to the heads (LNB) of satellite antennas (1), and for preparing high frequency packaged signals therein; coaxial cables (2) for receiving said high frequency packaged signals from satellite antennas (1) and transmitting them to electro-optical modulators (3); an electro-optical modulator (3) for converting said high frequency electrical signals into optical signals of different wavelengths; optical cables (4) for receiving said optical signals of different wavelengths and transmitting them to a common optical wave multiplexer (5); a common optical wave multiplexer (5) for combining (mixing) all signals (laser beams) of different wavelengths and forming a single common optical signal (beam); a common optical distribution network (6) for dividing, branching, amplifying and transmitting said single common optical signal to the optical separator (7); an optical separator (7) for decoding by means of different wave filters into a packet of optical signals of different wavelengths, each component of the packet corresponding to its own satellite antenna (1); interconnecting optical cables (8) for receiving scattered optical signal packets and transmitting them to opto-electric modulators (9), opto-electric modulators (9) for demodulating light signals and converting them into high frequency signals corresponding to signals generated by electro - an optical modulator (3) at a node; connecting coaxial cables (10) for receiving high frequency demodulated signals and transmitting them to a network of switching arrays (11); switching arrays (11) with N inputs and W outputs for transmitting all said high frequency packed signal to frequency unpackers (13); Frequency unpackers (13), which receive a selected high frequency signal from the selected O / E modulator (9) via a switching matrix (11), unpack said selected packaged signal, transpose said unpacked signal to a standard band of 0.95-2.15 GHz and transmit transmitting said signal by satellite coaxial cables (16) to a satellite television receiver (17); a single unit (14) of different or variable frequency heterodins for generating the required set of heterodyne signals (15) for all mixers; a satellite television receiver (17) for selecting the respective satellite dish (1), vertical or horizontal polarization and uplink or downlink signal, and transmitting it to the output device by controlling the switching matrix (11) and frequency unpackers (13); and broadband terminals (18) for connecting additional consumer signal distribution devices; for the purpose of connecting any satellite dish signal distribution and collective user to a common terrestrial television antenna and to one of a number of satellite dishes over a long distance by means of an optical network, providing a high degree of reliability, compactness, convenience and technological advantage. 2. A satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system according to claim 1, characterized in that said controlled frequency unpacker (13) consists of two mixers which can be switched and selective filtering circuits. 3. The satellite antenna signal distribution and collective use system of claim 2, wherein any of the mixers can be connected to any selected heterodyne.