Adc Telecommunications, Inc.

Commscope Technologies LLC

John C Keller

Leah E Danzinger

Robert J Koziy

Gregory C Pfeiffer

Eric Kar-Wing Sit

Jeffrey Oramel Brown

Zakhary Bluband

Todd Charles Ortberg

Eric K Sit

Sara Manderfield

Reuben W Meline

Craig Carlson

Rick Oftedahl

One embodiment is directed to a system that comprises a plurality of ports configured to establish a plurality of physical information connections and a plurality of physical scanning connections using cables. Each information connection is associated with a respective scanning connection. Each scanning connection is separate from the respective information connection associated with that scanning connection. The system is configured to selectively transmit a respective scanning signal from each port over a respective one of the scanning connections. The system is configured to selectively receive a respective scanning signal at each port from a respective one of the scanning connections. Connection information is derived from the scanning signals communicated over the scanning connections. Other embodiments are disclosed.

System and method for electronically identifying connections of a system used to make connections

One embodiment is directed to a cross-connect system. The cross-connect system comprises a plurality of termination points configured to establish a plurality of physical information connections and a plurality of physical scanning connections. Each information connection is associated with a respective scanning connection. Each scanning connection is separate from the respective information connection associated with that scanning connection. The system is configured to selectively transmit a respective scanning signal from each termination point over a respective one of the scanning connections. The system is configured to selectively receive a respective scanning signal at each termination point from a respective one of the scanning connections. Connection information is derived from the scanning signals communicated over the scanning connections.

System and method for electronically identifying connections of a cross-connect system

A system and method for electronically identifying connections established through a cross-connect system provides for identification of all hard-wired and temporary patch connections, and any modifications made to same. Connection identification and status information is acquired in near real-time and stored in a database which is accessible by a user through a graphical user interface (GUI). The TRACE or lamp wires which connect respective pairs of cross-connect circuits are utilized in an unconventional manner so as to form a scanning bus. The information signal paths established through the cross-connect circuits remain undisturbed. A scanning signal is communicated between each pair of cross-connected circuits over the TRACE conductor. In the event a patch cord is used to temporarily redirect a signal connection, the scanning signal is transmitted over the shield or sleeve conductor of the patch cord. The scanning signal provides identification and other information concerning the transmitting circuit.

A switch apparatus is used in the transmission of a redundant Cable TV (CTV) signal. The redundant CTV signal can be a symmetric split linked redundant CTV signal or an asymmetric split linked redundant CTV signal. The switch apparatus is capable of handling both the symmetric and asymmetric redundant CTV signal where primary channels are split into multiple parts. The asymmetrical splitting of the primary channels is where one part contains more channels than another part. The switch apparatus includes a plurality of switches and a monitor device to detect a failure in the split signal path before the split signals are combined to be transmitted to downstream end-users. Upon detecting a failure, the switches are switched from primary channels to secondary channels by a controller. After the signal is returned, the switches are switched back to the primary channels. A delay timer may be included in the switch apparatus to avoid incidental or temporary signal recovery.

Split linked A/B switch apparatus

A system and method for electronically identifying connections established through a cross-connect system provides for the identification of all hard-wired and temporary patch connections, and any modifications made to existing cross-connect circuit connections. Connection identification and status information is acquired in near real-time and stored in a database which is accessible by a user through a graphical user interface (GUI). The TRACE or lamp wires which connect respective pairs of cross-connect circuits are utilized in an unconventional manner so as to form a scanning bus. The information signal paths established through the cross-connect circuits remain undisturbed. A scanning signal is communicated between each pair of cross-connected circuits over the TRACE conductor. In the event a patch cord is used to temporarily redirect a signal connection, the scanning signal is transmitted over the shield or sleeve conductor of the patch cord. The scanning signal provides identification and other information concerning the transmitting circuit. A circuit receiving the scanning signal communicates its identification information and that of the transmitting circuit derived from the scanning signal to a central computer.

An amplifier switch controller is provided for use in a headend cable transmission system having first and second amplifiers and amplifier input and output paths connected to one of the first and second amplifiers, which becomes the currently activated amplifier. The amplifier switch controller comprises an input sampler for sampling a combined signal on the input signal path and measuring an input signal level. The amplifier switch controller also comprises an output sampler for sampling the amplified combined signal on the output signal path and measuring an output signal level. A program means receives the input and output signal levels and determines whether the currently activated amplifier is not functioning properly. If it is not functioning properly, the program means generates a control signal to a switch. In response to the control signals, the switch disconnects the input and output signal paths from the currently activated amplifier and connects each of the input and output signal paths to the other one of the first and second amplifiers.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

John C Keller