Scientific-atlanta, Inc.

Sou-Pen Su

Joel Paul Jenkins

William George Mahoney

Bart F Spriester

Jaegyoo Seol

Jack B Chastain

A communication system ( ) includes a tap ( ) that has an input port ( ) for receiving a signal and output ports ( ) coupled to the input port ( ) for providing the signal to subscriber equipment ( ). Each of the output ports ( ) has a programmed status comprising either an enabled status or a disabled status. After the statuses have been programmed and the output ports ( ) have been set, a controller ( ) coupled to the output ports ( ) periodically restores the programmed status of the output ports ( ) after programmed period of time, thereby automatically resetting inadvertent status changes.

Method and apparatus for restoring port status in a cable television tap

Housing for a cable television tap

A tap (125) for use in a cable television system (100) includes an incoming port (202) for receiving an incoming signal from a head end section (105) and at least first and second outgoing subscriber ports (225, 230) for transmitting outgoing signals to system subscribers. The first and second subscriber ports (225, 230) can be enabled or disabled, depending upon whether cable service is to be provided from a particular port. The tap (125) also includes light sources (250, 260) located on the body of the tap (125) to indicate statuses, i.e., enabled or disabled, of the subscriber ports (225, 230).

Local status monitoring of taps in a cable television system

A radio frequency choke for use in a cable television transmission and distribution circuit is disclosed. The radio frequency choke comprises a core of zinc-ferrite material as provided by MMG/NEOSID, Ltd., part number 31P0250012, and a wire coil wound around the core. The coil includes a first lead, a first clockwise winding of N1 turns around the core, the first lead being connected to an input of the first winding, a second counterclockwise winding of N2 turns around the core, a third counterclockwise winding of N3 turns around the core, and a second lead connected to an output of the fourth winding. In a preferred embodiment, there are six turns in the first clockwise winding, five turns in the second clockwise winding, and five turns in the third counterclockwise winding. Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, resonance damping resistors of approximately 2 K.OMEGA. are connected between the windings of the radio frequency choke.

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Lawrenceville, GA, United States of America

Sou-Pen Su