NL2008740C2 - NETWORK INTERFACE UNIT INCLUDING AN INTEGRATED LIFELINE SWITCH. - Google Patents

Abstract

Network interface unit arranged for coupling between a cable television network and a home coaxial cable network; full - An input terminal (101), connected to the cable television network, and at least one data output port (109-114), arranged to transmit data signals from the television network to the home coaxial cable network; - A downstream (downstream) amplifier (104), coupled in an active downstream (downstream) flow path with a downstream (downstream) amplifier input coupled to the input terminal (101) and equipped with a power supply (202) and a downstream (downstream) amplifier output which is coupled in the downstream flow path to the data output terminal (114); and- A powered switchable connection (102, 102 ') coupled to the power supply (202), wherein the switchable connection is arranged in the non-feeding state of a passive flow path (301) between the input terminal (101) and at least one data output terminal (114 ) to provide, and is arranged in the fed state to couple the downstream amplifier (104) between the input terminal (101) and the output terminal (114), thereby the active flow path downstream ...

Description

P94113NL00

Title: Network interface unit comprising an integrated lifeline switch

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cable television networks, more in particular to power distribution networks and signal amplifiers for cable television networks.

Cable television networks are generally communication networks that are used to transmit cable television signals and / or other information between one or more service providers and a large number of subscribers via coaxial cables and / or fiber optic cables. Network interface circuits are used for transmission to the houses, which form an interface between the cable television networks and the home network. Examples thereof are described in US patent application US2010 / 01622340 in the name of Riggsby, US2010 / 0146564 in the name of Halik and US2010 / 0100918 in the name of

Egan, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

For example, in a power distribution network, a signal amplifier is used to transfer downstream signals from a provider to individual houses in the sub 1 GHz band. Upstream signals are typically transmitted in a band with the frequency of 5-65 MHz. These signals are for example for digital telephone and / or internet service and order orders. In the houses, a conventional coaxial cable infrastructure can be used as a network for distribution of digital signals, in particular digital video and multimedia, known as Multimedia over Cable (MoCa).

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Conventionally, the technique provides passive non-amplified communication paths in addition to the amplified circuits. For example, US2010 / 0146 564 discloses a passive CATV signal communication path for the passive signals in a CATV input adapter. The passive signal communication path contains no energy-consuming active electronic components that could fail or malfunction, thereby increasing the reliability of passive CATV communications. These subsidiary non-amplified communication paths can be split from a main communication path via a directional link and is usually referred to as a passive lifeline port. In this way, it is intended that a passive CATV communication path is as reliable as possible, since it can be used for emergency situations and critical conditions. To improve the passive path function, US2010 / 0162340 discloses a switch that includes a passive termination resistance when power is interrupted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a desire to further improve the functionality of the lifeline port. According to an aspect of the invention, a network interface unit arranged for interfacing between a cable television network and a coaxial cable home network is provided, comprising an input port that can be connected to the cable television network, and at least one data output port adapted for relaying. of data signals from the television network to the coaxial cable home network; a downstream amplifier coupled, in an active downstream flow path, to a downstream amplifier input coupled to the input port. The downstream amplifier has a power supply and a downstream amplifier output which is coupled in the downstream path to the data output port. A powered switchable connection is coupled to the power supply, which is arranged to provide a passive flow path between the input port and at least one data output port when it is not powered.

When fed, the switchable connection is arranged to couple the downstream amplifier between the input port and the output port to thereby form the active downstream flow path. In this way, an output port is made fully operational under normal power supply conditions, and will switch to a non-reinforced lifeline port without power supply, thereby ensuring its lifeline use.

Additional areas of applicability of the present systems and methods will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It is to be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, although exemplary embodiments of the displays and methods, are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods according to the invention will be better understood from the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram that includes a lifeline port according to an aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows an alternative to the active lifeline port of Figure 1; and 4

Figure 3 shows the lifeline port of Figure 2 in more detail, including a MoCa bridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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The following description of certain exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application or use. In the following detailed description of embodiments 10 of the present systems, devices and methods, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof and in which specific embodiments are shown by way of explanation, wherein the described devices and methods can be put into practice brought. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the currently disclosed systems and methods, and it is to be understood that the other embodiments can be used and that structural and logical changes can be made. without departing from the spirit and scope of the present system.

The following detailed description is therefore not to be considered in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present system is only defined by the appended claims. The main digit (s) of the reference numbers in the figures typically corresponds to the figure number, with the exception that identical components appearing in multiple figures are identified by the same reference numbers. In addition, for the purpose of clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present system.

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Figure 1 shows a "Network Interface Unit" or "NIU" (network interface unit) functioning as an active RF power distributor network 100. Specifically, RF input 101 is distributed among one or more interactive ports 114 (e.g. for connecting 5 cable modems) and one or more distributive ports 109-112 (e.g. for connecting TV and STB devices). The output ports 109-114 can have different gain values.

Accordingly, a network interface unit 100 is shown which is arranged for interfacing between a cable television network 200 and a coaxial cable home network 300, in particular interfaces network interface unit 100 between an input port 101 and output ports 114, 109-112. The interface unit 100 because comprises an input port 101 that can be connected to the cable television network 200, and at least one data output port 109-112, which is adapted to transmit 15 data signals from the television network 200 to the coaxial cable home network 300 .

Downstream amplifier 104 is coupled in an active downstream flow path (A) to a downstream amplifier input 104a to the input port 101 and to a power supply 202 and a downstream amplifier output 104b coupled to the data output port 114 in the downstream flow path (A). The powered switchable connection 102 is coupled to the power supply 202 and is arranged to provide a passive flow path (B) between the input port 101 and at least one data output port 114 when it is not fed, and is arranged when it is fed to couple the downstream amplifier 104 between the input port 101 and the output port 114 to thereby form the active downstream flow path (A).

The purpose of "lifeline switch" 102 is to passively link the RF signal to the interactive output port 114 through interconnection during a reduction of AC current from power supply 202. A cable modem 330, which is connected, can thus be operational stay through a bundle of batteries.

The network interface unit 100 may be uniquely provided with 5 active data ports, at least one of which may be provided with the lifeline support function as disclosed above. Alternatively, as disclosed in the embodiment, the network interface includes distributive ports 109-112, which only provide a downstream signaling path through amplifier 104 and cannot be coupled to upstream low pass signaling path 1070 as provided for the interactive port 114.

The distributive ports 109-112 are split from the active flow path (A) by a directional link 105 connected to the downstream amplifier output 104b. In this example, the directional coupling 105 provided between the downstream amplifier output 104b is coupled to its data output branch 105b, in the downstream flow path, to a multiplex filter 103 '. Directional link 105 includes a TV output branch 105a. The TV output branch is connected to distributive TV output ports 109-20 112 in a cascade arrangement for downstream relaying of amplified cable television signals in an RF frequency range to the home coaxial cable network. The data output branch 105b is coupled to the data output port 114 in the downstream flow path.

The data output branch 114 provides a downstream data layering of cable television signals typically in an area above 85 MHz and data in a frequency range substantially above an RF cable signal frequency range, typically above 1 GHz. For this purpose, multiplexer filters 103, 103 'have a downstream high-pass filter 103H for relaying signals typically above 85 MHz and an upstream low-pass filter 103L for the signals typically below 65 MHz.

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Figure 2 shows a modification of the circuit arrangement of Figure 1, wherein active and passive flow path are electrically disconnected by removing electrical connection Q (see Figure 1). Thus, two separate electrically disconnected flow paths 5 A, B are provided via a second switchable connection 102, 102 '. In this way, the termination resistance is not hampered by the non-powered circuitry which is usually connected to the gates 101, 114. This prevents unwanted signals from A not being terminated, which could negatively influence signals on output 114. A typical termination resistance is 75 ohms. The network interface unit 100-1 includes RF input 101, interactive and distributive output ports 109-114 and integrated lifeline switches 102, 102 'on interactive output port 114.

Specifically, a switchable connection is formed by a first fed non-latching relay 102 which, in the fed state, couples input port 101 to the downstream amplifier input 104a and a second fed non-latching relay 102 ', which, in the fed state, a data output port 114 couples to the downstream amplifier output 104b. In the non-powered state, the first and second non-latching relays 102, 102 'are connected via connection path 301 to form the passive flow path B, the amplifier input and / or output 104a, b being disconnected from the input port 101 and output port 114, respectively.

To provide upstream and downstream filtering of the signal paths, multiplexer filtering device 103, 103 'is provided. First multiplexer filter 103 is coupled between the input port 101 and the downstream amplifier input 104a. Second multiplexer filter 103 'is coupled between the downstream amplifier output 104b and the data output port 114. The reverse signal path 1070 is coupled in parallel to the downstream amplifier 104 between first and second 8 multiplexer filters 103, 103 ', which are arranged for low-pass filtered upstream data layering, for example in a frequency band of 5-65 MHz or 5-42 MHz, depending on of local standards.

An upstream amplifier 107 is provided in the reverse signal path 1070, so that for the distributive ports 113-114, B the "network interface unit" or "NiU" 100-1 acts as an active distributor / combiner for downstream and upstream RF signals .

Figure 3 shows in more detail how an RF signal from input port 101 is actively split using downstream amplifier 104 and upstream amplifier 107. In addition, integrated diplex filters 108 on output ports 109-114 are provided to, via directional couplings 115, to bridge / combine signals above 1 GHz for MoCA purposes. This prevents typical excessive insertion losses that would occur if the multimedia signals were typically routed above 1GHz via the directional couplers 105 and 106 for the coaxial television signal below 1GHz. Directional couplings 115 and 106 could be the same couplings if the insertion loss up to about 1550 MHz is predefined and guaranteed.

Downstream and upstream signals are separated by multiplex filters 103. The multiplex filters 103 can be of the fixed type or plug-in type. In particular, first multiplex filter 103 may be a diplexer with a common terminal 103a coupled to input port 101, a downstream high-pass filter 103H coupled to the downstream amplifier input, and an upstream low-pass filter 103L coupled to the reverse signal path 1070. Second multiplex filter is a diplexer 103 'with a common terminal 103a' coupled to the data output port 114 via a directional link 106 and a switch 102. The downstream filter 103H 'is coupled to the downstream amplifier output 104b; upstream low-pass filter 103L 'is coupled to the reverse signal path 1070.

A cascade device 1060 is provided with directional signal couplings 106, each having an input 106a and multiple output branches 106b, b '. The directional signal couplers 106 have the function of splitting a signal received at the input 106a into the output branches 106b, b '. Via cascade device 1060, RF signal 101 is split into four distributive output ports 109, 110, 111 and 112 (only downstream signaling). A directional link is provided in the data branch 1061 to provide two interactive output ports 113 and 114 (suitable for downstream and upstream signaling).

Output ports 113, 114, 109, 110, 111 and 112 can have different downstream gain values by choosing symmetrical or asymmetrical splitters / combiners 106.

Relay 102 forms a lifeline switch for the purpose of passively bridging the RF signal 101 to the interactive output port 114 during an AC power interruption or loss. When AC current 201 is used, the RF signal 101 is actively split into two interactive ports 113 and 114 and four distributive ports 109, 110, 111 and 112. Both interactive ports 113 and 114 are operational. When an AC interruption occurs, the RF signal 101 is derived by means of two relays 102 to a passive lifeline path 301 with a low loss (due to the non-use of RF dividers). The cable modem or eMTA with the bundle of batteries on interactive port 114 remains operational, the other output ports 113, 109, 110, 111 and 112 are disconnected (not matching).

In this embodiment, each output port 109-112 consists of a multiplex filter 108 with a high-pass branch 108H coupled to a second cascade device 1150 of directional MoCa signal couplings 115, which passively bridge MoCa signals to form a MoCa bridge device ; and with a low-pass branch 108L coupled to a respective output branch 106b, b 'of a first directional coupling 106. In this way, diplex filters 108 and combiners 115 bridge MoCA-RF signals above 1 GHz (originating from MoCA interface devices connected to output ports). 113, 114, 109, 110, 111 and 112) passively to avoid excessive insertion loss between output ports 113, 114, 109, 110, 111 and 112 due to RF isolation. MoCA RF signals above 1 GHz from interactive ports 113 and 114 are combined and split to the distributive ports 109, 110, 111 and 112, with a predetermined insertion loss that depends on couplings 115.

Of course, this description is understood to disclose one of the aforementioned embodiments or methods in combination with one or more other embodiments or methods to provide still further improvements in finding users with particular personalities and bringing them into compliance and making relevant recommendations .

Finally, the above description is intended merely to illustrate the present system and should not be interpreted in the sense that it limits the appended claims to a particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Thus, it is also to be understood that although the present system is described in particular detail with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, numerous modifications and alternative embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the broader and intended spirit and scope of the invention. present system as set forth in the claims which follow. The specification and drawings are therefore to be considered in an explanatory manner, and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

In interpreting the appended claims, it is to be understood that: a) the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or actions other than those stated in a given claim; b) the word "one" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of several such elements; C) any reference characters in the claims do not limit their scope; d) several "resources" can be represented by the same or different item (s) or hardware or software implemented structure or function; E) any of the disclosed elements may consist of hardware parts (including, for example, separate and integrated electronic circuits), software parts (for example, computer programming), and any combination thereof; 0 hardware parts may consist of analog or digital parts, or both may; of the disclosed devices or parts thereof can be combined together or separated into additional parts, unless specifically stated otherwise; and h) it is not intended that a specific sequence of actions or steps is required unless specifically indicated.

Claims (9)

A network interface unit adapted for interfacing between a cable television network and a coaxial cable home network; comprising an input port (101) that can be connected to the cable television network, and at least one data output port (109-114) adapted to relay data signals from the television network to the home coaxial cable network; a downstream amplifier (104) coupled in an active downstream flow path to an input of a downstream amplifier coupled to the input port (101) and having a power supply (202) and a downstream amplifier output that is in the downstream flow path is coupled to the data output port (114); and a powered switchable connection (102, 102 ') coupled to the power supply (202), the switchable connection being arranged around a passive flow path (301) between the input port (101) and at least one data output port (114), in the non-powered state, and, in the fed state, is arranged to couple the downstream amplifier (104) between the input port (101) and the output port (114) to thereby form the active downstream flow path. 20 The network interface unit of claim 1, wherein the switchable connection is formed by a first non-latching relay (102) which, in the fed state, couples the input port (101) to the downstream amplifier input (104a), and a second powered, non-latching relay (102 ') that, in the powered state, couples a data output port (114) to the downstream amplifier output (104b); and wherein, in the non-powered state, the first and second non-latching relays are switched to form the passive flow path (301) and the amplifier input and / or output (104a, b) of the input port (101) and output port (114, respectively) ) are disconnected. The network interface unit of claim 1, further comprising a directional link (105) connected to the downstream amplifier output (104b); wherein the directional link (105) comprises: a TV output branch (105a) connected to various distributive TY output ports (109-112) arranged for downstream relaying of amplified cable television signals to the coaxial cable home network via the TV output ports (109-112) ); and a data output branch (105b) coupled, in the downstream flow path, with data output port (113, 114) and arranged for downstream relaying of amplified data signals in a frequency region substantially above an RF cable signal frequency region. 1 2 3 4 5 Network interface unit according to claim 1, further comprising 2 a multiplex filter device comprising - a first multiplex filter (103) coupled between the input port 3 (101) and the downstream amplifier input (104A) and a second multiplex filter (103 ') coupled between the downstream amplifier output (104b) and the data output port (114); and 25. a reversal signal path (1070) coupled in parallel to the downstream amplifier (104) between first and second multiplex filters (103, 103 '), which are adapted for low-pass filtered upstream data lamination. The network interface unit of claim 4, further comprising an upstream amplifier (107) provided in the reverse signal path (1070). The network interface unit of claim 4, wherein the first multiplex filter (103) includes a diplexer with a common terminal (103a) coupled to the input port (101), a downstream high-pass filter (103H) coupled to the downstream amplifier input and an upstream low-pass filter (103L ) 10 is coupled to the reverse signal path (1070); and wherein the second multiplex filter is a diplex filter (103 ') with a common terminal (103a') coupled to the data output port (114); the downstream filter (103H ') is coupled to the downstream amplifier output (104b), the upstream low pass filter (103L') is coupled to the reverse signal path (1070). The network interface unit of claim 6, wherein the first and second multiplex filters (103, 103 ') have a downstream high pass filter (103b) for signals above 85 MHz and an upstream low pass filter (103C) for signals below 65 MHz. The network interface unit of claim 4, wherein the data output branch (105b) of the directional link (105) is coupled between the downstream amplifier output (104b) and the second multiplex filter 25 (103 '). A network interface unit according to claim 3, wherein the TV output branch (105a) is coupled to various distributive TV output ports (109-112) via a first cascade device 30 (1060) of directional signal couplings (106), each having an input (106a) and has multiple output branches (106b, b '), wherein the directional signal couplers (106) are coupled to split a signal received at the input (106a) in the output branch (106b, b'). 5 The network interface unit of claim 9, wherein each output port comprises a multiplex filter (108) with a high pass branch (108H) coupled to a second cascade device 1150 of directional MoCa signal couplers 115, which passively bridge MoCa signals around an MoCa to form a bridge device; and having a low-pass branch (108L) coupled to a respective output branch (106b, b ') of a first directional link (106). 11. Network interface unit according to claim 10, wherein the low-pass branch comprises a low-pass filter for signals lower than 1 GHz; and wherein the high pass branch comprises a high pass filter for signals above 1 GHz.