Harris Corporation

Edwin R Tarmain

Charles R Patisaul

Fred R McDevitt

Donald G Monteith

A television communication system distributes plural VSB digitally encoded TV channels via an optical transmission link to one or more distribution terminals. At the headend the frequency band of each of the VSB signals is shifted down to baseband and transmitted in digital format. At each station along the network, the digitized baseband VSB television signal is converted into analog format and then reshifted through an up-converter to its original IF band so as to be compatible with the television receiver circuitry of the subscribers served by the distribution station. Advantageously, the present invention may employ optical communication techniques for coupling the digitally encoded frequency-shifted VSB television signals between stations. To maintain signal strength and quality, repeater units may be located in the optical communication link. Each repeater converts an incoming optical signal to an electrical signal for amplification and then reconverts the improved electrical signal back into optical form for further transmission along the link.

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London, Canada

Edwin R Tarmain