Scientific-atlanta, Inc.

Mark A Palazzo

Stephan W Vogt

Catherine W Jelinek

Bart F Spriester

Michael J Labiche

Gregory K Hardy

Eric G Powell

A removable plug-in board for dividing incoming radio frequency (RF) to an external port and providing alternating current (AC) signals to a CATV system amplifier contains a radio frequency choke or inductor for passing the AC power signal, a high pass filter for passing the radio frequency signal and either a directional coupler or a splitter. This plug-in board is inserted into a motherboard on which is mounted amplification circuitry and power supply and divider circuitry. The plug-in board routes RF signals arriving on an input port of the amplifier motherboard through the directional coupler to the amplification circuitry, while additionally tapping off and feeding the incoming RF signals to a second output port of the amplifier motherboard. AC power signals arriving on the input port are fed through a radio frequency choke coil of the plug-in board to the external amplifier output port, through radio frequency choke coils to the main amplifier output port and to power supply and divider circuitry for providing power for the amplification circuitry. When the plug-in board is removed, RF signals arriving at the input port are fed directly through the amplification circuitry to the main amplifier output port and the AC signals are fed directly to power supply and divider circuitry to power the amplification circuitry and to the main amplifier output port. The external output port provided by the plug-in may also be used for power insertion.

Method and apparatus for routing signals through a cable television signal distribution amplifier

A node (100) for a communications system includes a forward distribution amplifier within a housing (600). Plug-in modules (200,400) can be removably attached to the forward distribution amplifier within the same housing (600) to change the functionality of the node (100). For example, the plug-in module can be a reverse amplifier module (200) for adding reverse signal processing function or an optical module (400) for adding optical capabilities.

Reconfigurable node for a communications network

The present invention provides a tap off unit for use in a multiple dwelling unit. The tap off unit includes a housing having an input terminal and an output terminal for interposing the tap off unit in a cable signal line, a plurality of taps disposed within the housing, with each tap having a faceplate including associated signal coupling circuitry, and a circuitry board disposed within the housing. The circuitry board distributes a signal from the cable signal line to each of the plurality of taps within the housing and the plurality of taps are connected in parallel such that one of the plurality of taps may be removed without disruption of the signal to the remaining taps.

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Grayson, GA, United States of America

Mark A Palazzo