Scientific-atlanta, Inc.

Robert S Collmus

Bart F Spriester

Gregory Lucius Herrmann

James L Dale

Robert C Loveless

Ronald J Hanson

Gregory K Hardy

Lee Thompson

A cable television system (100) includes a head end section (105) for generating a cable signal; a communication medium (110, 117), such as fiber optic cable and coaxial cable, coupled to the head end section (105) for routing the cable signal through the cable television system (100), and cable taps (200) coupled to the communication medium (110, 117) for receiving the cable signal and providing subscriber drops to subscribers of the cable television system (100). As the cable signal is routed through the system (100), the signal levels of the signal decrease, and higher frequencies are attenuated more rapidly than are lower frequencies of the signal. Therefore, taps (200) of the cable television system (100) include equalizer circuits (212) for attenuating lower frequencies of the cable signal to provide relatively flat signal levels at the subscriber drops. The equalizer circuits (212) also conveniently attenuate reverse signals, as necessary, so that relatively equivalent reverse signal levels are seen by the headend section (105).

Signal equalizer circuit for cable tap

A method and system for distributing multimedia signals to a subscriber from a headend unit using a tap. The multimedia signals are transmitted on a network media as a composite RF and AC signal. A tap is upgraded by with a circuit that separates the AC from the RF signal in the composite signal. The separated AC signal is split in the upgraded tap. The RF signals are split in a circuit on the faceplate of the tap. The AC signal is fed to a power distribution unit which generates an AC output signal that is surge protected, RF filtered and current limited. The split RF signal and AC output signals are fed to connectors on the faceplate. By providing a tap where the AC and RF signal are separated in the same unit, the system can be upgraded with a power distribution unit when AC signals are required to supply power to subscriber equipment.

Method and apparatus for distributing a power signal and an RF signal

Power distribution unit

A method and system for distributing multimedia signals to a subscriber from a headend unit. The multimedia signals are transmitted on a network media as a composite RF and AC signal. A passive unit is upgraded by with a circuit having connectors that separates the AC from the RF signal. The signals are split in the upgraded passive unit. The AC signal is fed to a power distribution unit which generates an AC output signal that is surge protected, RF filtered and current limited. The RF signal and AC output signal are separately fed to a customer interface unit where the RF signal is decoded and transmitted to a subscriber. By providing a passive unit where the AC and RF signal are separated in the same unit, the system can be upgraded with a power distribution unit when AC signals are required to supply power to subscriber equipment.

Apparatus for distributing RF signals and AC power to taps

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Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Robert S Collmus