The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 05, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1996
Eric K Sit, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
John C Keller, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Jeffrey O Brown, St. Paul, MN (US);
Reuben W Meline, Crystal, MN (US);
Leah E Danzinger, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Zakhary Bluband, Phymouth, MN (US);
Todd C Ortberg, Chanhassen, MN (US);
ADC Telecommunications, Inc., Minnetonka, MN (US);
Abstract
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.