U.S. patent application number 16/133672 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-21 for point of entry (poe) splitter housing.
This patent application is currently assigned to CommScoppe Technologies LLC.. The applicant listed for this patent is CommScope Technologies LLC. Invention is credited to Shi Man LI.
Application Number | 20190089553 16/133672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65719467 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190089553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LI; Shi Man |
March 21, 2019 |
POINT OF ENTRY (POE) SPLITTER HOUSING
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a CATV & MoCA.RTM.
device, such as a passive, point of entry (POE) splitter or a RF
amplifier. In the passive, POE splitter, a resistive splitter
network connects plural "MoCA.RTM. only" ports, e.g., four, five or
eight, to two or more "MoCA.RTM. and CATV" ports. The MoCA.RTM.
only ports and MoCA.RTM. and CATV ports are connected to a
MoCA.RTM. rejection filter, which is in turn connected to an input
connected to a service provider. In the passive, POE splitter or
the RF amplifier, an intuitive female coaxial port layout and
marking scheme assists technicians with correctly connecting the
POE splitter or RF amplifier to the correct coaxial cables at a
customer's premises. The port layout also simplifies the circuitry
design parameters on a printed circuit board (PCB) by orienting the
"CATV & MoCA.RTM." output ports at similar distances from a
CATV input port of the POE splitter or RF amplifier.
Inventors: |
LI; Shi Man; (Mooresville,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CommScope Technologies LLC |
Hickory |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CommScoppe Technologies
LLC.
|
Family ID: |
65719467 |
Appl. No.: |
16/133672 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29641575 |
Mar 22, 2018 |
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16133672 |
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62584890 |
Nov 12, 2017 |
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62559833 |
Sep 18, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/2898 20130101;
H04L 12/2869 20130101; H04L 12/2801 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/28 20060101
H04L012/28 |
Claims
1. A passive, CATV home network splitter device comprising: a
housing with a top face; a female coaxial input port located
proximate a first, central section of said top face, said input
port for receiving downstream service provider signals and for
transmitting upstream signals from customer devices to the service
provider; a second section of said top face, on one side of said
first section, said second section including a plurality of first
output ports, said plurality of first output ports for outputting
service provider signals to customer devices and for receiving
signals directed to the service provider, and said plurality of
first output ports also for transmitting and receiving in-home
network signals allowing customer devices within the home network
to communicate with each other; and a third section of said top
face, on an opposite side of said first section, said third section
including a plurality of second output ports, said plurality of
second output ports for transmitting and receiving in-home network
signals allowing customer devices within the home network to
communicate with each other, wherein said plurality of second
output ports do not output service provider signals to customer
devices and do not pass customer device signals to the service
provider.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein upstream and downstream
signals associated with said service provider signals reside within
a frequency band of 5 to 1002 MHz, and wherein said in-home network
signals reside within a MoCA.RTM. frequency band of 1125 to 1675
MHz.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of first
output ports are labeled as CATV/MoCA.RTM. ports, and wherein said
plurality of second output ports are labeled as MoCA.RTM. only
ports.
4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of
second output ports includes at least four ports.
5. The device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of first
output ports includes first, second and third output ports.
6. A CATV home network device comprising: a housing with a top
face; a input port located in a first section of said top face; a
plurality of first output ports located in a second section of said
top face; and a plurality of second output ports located in a third
section of said top face wherein said first section is located
between said second section and said third section on said top
face.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said first section is
characterized by a first color or colors, proximate said input
port, said second section is characterized by a second color or
colors proximate said plurality of first output ports, and said
third section is characterized by a third color or colors proximate
said plurality of said second output ports, and wherein said first
color or colors are visually distinguishable from said second color
or colors and said third color or colors, and wherein said second
color or colors are visually distinguishable from said third color
or colors.
8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of first
output ports includes first and third female coaxial ports, each
having a centrally located pin receiving portion, and wherein said
input port is formed as a fourth female coaxial port having a pin
receiving portion.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said pin receiving
portion of said fourth female coaxial port is located a first
distance from said pin receiving portion of said first female
coaxial port, and wherein said pin receiving portion of said fourth
female coaxial port is located a second distance from said pin
receiving portion of said third female coaxial port, and wherein
said first distance is approximately equal to said second
distance.
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said first distance is
equal to said second distance.
11. The device according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of
first output ports further includes a second female coaxial port
having a centrally located pin receiving portion, and wherein said
pin receiving portion of said fourth female coaxial port is located
a third distance from said pin receiving portion of said second
female coaxial port, and wherein said third distance is
approximately equal to said first distance.
12. The device according to claim 6, wherein each of said input
port, said plurality of first output ports and said plurality of
second output ports is formed as a female coaxial port with a pin
receiving portion, and further comprising: dielectric inserts for
each of said female coaxial ports, said dielectric inserts
surrounding said pin receiving portions, wherein said dielectric
inserts for said plurality of first output ports have a first
shade, wherein said dielectric insert for said input port has a
second shade, wherein said dielectric inserts for said plurality of
second output ports have a third shade, wherein said first shade is
visually distinguishable from said second shade and said third
shade, and wherein said second shade is visually distinguishable
from said third shade.
13. The device according to claim 6, wherein said input port is
provided for receiving downstream service provider signals and for
transmitting upstream signals from customer devices to the service
provider.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of
first output ports are provided for outputting service provider
signals to customer devices and for receiving signals directed to
the service provider, and said plurality of first output ports are
also provided for transmitting and receiving in-home network
signals allowing customer devices within the home network to
communicate with each other.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of
second output ports are provided for transmitting and receiving
in-home network signals allowing customer devices within the home
network to communicate with each other, and wherein said plurality
of second output ports do not output service provider signals to
customer devices and do not pass customer device signals to the
service provider.
16. A CATV home network device comprising: a housing with a top
face; a input port located in a first section of said top face,
said input port being formed as a female coaxial port with a pin
receiving portion; a plurality of first output ports located in a
second section of said top face, each of said plurality of first
output ports being formed as a female coaxial port with a pin
receiving portion; and a plurality of second output ports located
in a third section of said top face, each of said plurality of
second output ports being formed as a female coaxial port with a
pin receiving portion, wherein said plurality of first output ports
includes first and third female coaxial ports, and wherein said
input port is formed as a fourth female coaxial port.
17. The device according to claim 16, wherein said pin receiving
portion of said fourth female coaxial port is located a first
distance from said pin receiving portion of said first female
coaxial port, and wherein said pin receiving portion of said fourth
female coaxial port is located a second distance from said pin
receiving portion of said third female coaxial port, and wherein
said first distance is approximately equal to said second
distance.
18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said first distance
is equal to said second distance.
19. The device according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of
first output ports further includes a second female coaxial port,
and wherein said pin receiving portion of said fourth female
coaxial port is located a third distance from said pin receiving
portion of said second female coaxial port, and wherein said third
distance is approximately equal to said first distance.
20. The device according to claim 16, wherein said first section is
located between said second section and said third section on said
top face.
Description
[0001] This utility application is a continuation of U.S. Design
application Ser. No. 29/641,575, filed Mar. 22, 2018, and this
application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
No. 62/584,890, filed Nov. 12, 2017 and U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/559,833, filed Sep. 18, 2017, with each of
the three prior applications being herein incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to a passive splitter that
provides one or more "CATV & MoCA.RTM." outputs and plural
"MoCA.RTM. only" outputs. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a low-cost, passive point of entry (POE) splitter for a
subscriber's premises, which utilizes a resistive splitter
network.
[0003] The invention is directed to an intuitive female coaxial
port layout and marking scheme to assist technicians with correctly
connecting a point of entry (POE) splitter or amplifier to coaxial
cables at a subscriber's premises. The port layout also simplifies
the circuitry design parameters on a printed circuit board (PCB) by
orienting the "CATV & MoCA.RTM." output ports at similar
distances from a CATV input port of the POE splitter or
amplifier.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Cable television ("CATV") networks are known types of
communications networks that are used to transmit information
between a service provider and a plurality of subscriber premises,
typically over fiber optic and/or coaxial cables. The service
provider may offer, among other things, cable television, broadband
Internet and Voice-over-Internet Protocol ("VoIP") digital
telephone service to subscribers within a particular geographic
area. The service provider transmits "forward path" or "downstream"
signals from the headend facilities of the cable television network
to the subscriber premises. "Reverse path" or "upstream" signals
may also be transmitted from the individual subscriber premises
back to the headend facilities. In the United States, the forward
path signals are typically transmitted in the 54-1,002 MHz
frequency band, and may include, for example, different tiers of
cable television channels, movies on demand, digital telephone
and/or Internet service, and other broadcast or point-to-point
offerings. The reverse path signals are typically transmitted in
the 5-42 MHz frequency band and may include, for example, signals
associated with digital telephone and/or Internet service and
ordering commands, i.e., for movies-on-demand and other
services.
[0005] Each subscriber premises typically includes one or more
power divider networks that are used to divide the downstream
signals received from the service provider, so that the downstream
signals may be fed to a plurality of service ports, such as wall
outlets that are dispersed throughout the subscriber premises.
These power divider networks also combine upstream signals that may
be transmitted from one or more of the service ports into a
composite upstream signal that is transmitted over the CATV network
back to the headend facilities, e.g., in the 5-42 MHz frequency
band.
[0006] A recent trend is to use the coaxial cables that are
installed throughout most homes, apartments and other subscriber
premises as an "in-premises" or "in-home" network that may be used
to transmit signals from a first end device that is connected to a
first wall outlet in a subscriber premises to other end devices
that are connected to other wall outlets in the same subscriber
premises. An industry alliance known as the Multi-media Over Coax
Alliance ("MoCA.RTM.") has developed standards which specify
frequency bands, interfaces and other parameters that will allow
equipment from different standards-compliant vendors to be used to
distribute multi-media content over such in-premises coaxial cable
networks. These standards specify that such "MoCA.RTM." content is
transmitted over the in-premises coaxial cable networks in the 850
MHz to 1675 MHz frequency band, although some service providers
only distribute MoCA.RTM. content within a narrower frequency band
that is above the cable television band, such as, for example, the
1,125 MHz to 1,675 MHz frequency band. Thus, the MoCA.RTM. content
is transmitted over the in-premises network in a pre-selected
MoCA.RTM. frequency band. The power divider network in the
in-premises network may be designed to support communications
between its output ports in this pre-selected MoCA.RTM. frequency
band.
[0007] Examples of MoCA.RTM. content that may be distributed over
an in-premises coaxial cable network are digital television,
video-on-demand programming and digitally-recorded television or
music programming. In an exemplary application, such programming
may be transmitted via the in-premises network of a home from a
primary set-top box (which may be a full service set top box having
a digital television receiver, DVR and/or video-on-demand
capabilities, etc.) to less capable, less expensive, auxiliary
set-top boxes that are installed on other televisions throughout
the premises or directly to televisions, DVD players, etc. with
MoCA.RTM. ports. In this manner, the full capabilities of the
primary set top box may be enjoyed at all of the televisions within
the residence without having to provide a primary set top box for
each television.
[0008] In many cases, significant attenuation may occur as signals
are passed through the cable television network of a service
provider, and hence the power level of the RF signal that is
received at a subscriber premises may be on the order of 0-5
dBmV/channel. Such received signal levels may be insufficient to
support the various services at an acceptable quality of service
level. Accordingly, an RF signal amplifier may be provided at or
near an entrance point of an individual subscriber's premises. The
RF signal amplifier is used to amplify the downstream RF signals to
a more useful level. The RF signal amplifier may also be configured
to amplify the upstream RF signals that are transmitted from the
subscriber premises to the headend facilities of the cable
television network. Typically, the RF signal amplifiers are
incorporated into the power divider network as the first unit,
which takes the form of a powered bi-directional RF signal
amplifier with an input port for receiving a coaxial cable from the
service provider side and plural output ports which receive coaxial
cables connected to the various service ports, such as the wall
outlets that are dispersed throughout the subscriber's
premises.
[0009] In accordance with the known power divider network unit, a
RF signal amplifier receives a composite downstream RF signal of
approximately 5 dBmV/channel in the range of approximately 54-1,002
MHz comprising information for telephone, cable television (CATV),
Internet, VoIP, and/or data communications from a service provider.
The RF signal amplifier may increase this downstream signal to a
more useful level of approximately 20 dBmV/channel at each output
port of the unit and pass the amplified downstream signal to one or
more devices in communication with the RF signal amplifier through
connections to the various coaxial wall outlets. Such devices may
include, but need not be limited to: televisions, modems,
telephones, computers, and/or other communications devices known in
the art. In the event of power failure, unamplified signals may
still be passed (in both directions) through a passive
communications path between the service provider and at least one
communications device.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a bi-directional RF
signal amplifier 100 according to the background art. More
information concerning the bi-directional RF signal amplifier 100
can be found in the Assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 9,699,516, published
Jul. 4, 2017, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated
by reference.
[0011] The RF signal amplifier 100 includes a plurality of RF
output ports 181-188 that may be used to pass downstream and
upstream signals between a service provider and multiple
communications devices located in the subscriber premises when the
RF signal amplifier is powered and operating normally. Moreover,
the RF signal amplifier 100 further includes a non-interruptible RF
output port 189 that may be used to maintain bi-directional RF
communications even during power outages.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, RF signal amplifier 100 includes a
bi-directional RF input port 105 for receiving downstream RF
signals from a service provider, or any other appropriate signal
source. The RF input port 105 can also pass upstream signals in the
reverse direction from the RF signal amplifier 100 to the service
provider. Due to the bi-directional nature of communications
through RF signal amplifiers, it will be appreciated that an
"input" port will act as an "output" port and an "output" port will
act as an "input" port if the direction of signal flow is reversed.
Consequently, it will be appreciated that the terms "input" and
"output" are used herein solely for purposes of distinguishing
various ports from one another, and are not used to require a
direction of signal flow.
[0013] As noted above, RF signal amplifier 100 further includes a
plurality of bi-directional output ports 181-189 that may be used
to pass downstream RF signals from the RF signal amplifier 100 to
one or more devices in communication with the output ports 181-189,
and to receive upstream RF signals from those devices so that they
may be passed through the RF signal amplifier 100 to the service
provider. It will be appreciated that any appropriate device that
may advantageously send and/or receive an RF signal may be placed
in communication with one or more of the various output ports
181-189. For example, it is contemplated that telephone, CATV,
Internet, VoIP, and/or data communication devices may be placed in
such communication with a service provider where the RF signal
amplifier 100 is installed in the residence of a subscriber.
However, it will further be appreciated that any desired
combination of these and/or other devices may be used where
appropriate.
[0014] Signals received through RF input port 105 can be passed
through RF signal amplifier 100 via an active communications path
114 that extends between RF input port 105 and RF output ports
181-188. Specifically, the downstream signals that are received at
RF input port 105 from the service provider are passed to a passive
directional coupler 110 that has a first output port that connects
to the active communications path 114 and a second output port that
connects to a passive communications path 118. The directional
coupler 120 splits downstream RF signals onto the active
communications path 114 and the passive communications path 118. It
will be appreciated that the directional coupler 120 may either
evenly or unevenly split the power of the downstream signals
between the communications paths 114, 118, depending on the design
of the overall circuit. The active communications path 114
amplifies at least one of downstream signals from the service
provider to the subscriber premises or upstream signals from the
subscriber premises to the service provider. The passive
communications path 118 acts as a "non-interruptible"
communications path that has no active components thereon, which
allows downstream and/or upstream signals to traverse the passive
communications path 118 even if a power supply to the RF signal
amplifier 100 is interrupted. In some embodiments, the passive
communications path 118 may provide a communications path for VoIP
telephone service that will operate even during power outages at
the subscriber premises (assuming that the modem and/or telephone,
as necessary, are powered by a battery backup unit).
[0015] As is further shown in FIG. 1, downstream signals traversing
the active communications path 114 pass from the first output of
directional coupler 110 to an input port of a switching device such
as, for example, an SPDT non-latching relay 120. A first output 122
of the relay 120 is connected to an input of a first high/low
diplexer 130. A second output 124 of the relay 120 is connected to
a resistor 126, such as a 75 ohm resistor connected between the
second output 124 and ground.
[0016] The first high/low diplexer 130 separates the high frequency
downstream signal from any low frequency upstream signals incident
in the reverse direction. In various embodiments, the first
high/low diplexer 130 can filter the signals in a manner such that
signals with frequencies greater than approximately 45-50 MHz are
passed as high frequency downstream signals, while signals with
frequencies lower than such range are passed in the reverse
direction as low frequency upstream signals received from ports
181-188. It will be appreciated, however, that other diplexer
designs may be utilized.
[0017] The high frequency downstream signals filtered by the first
high/low diplexer 130 can be amplified by individual power
amplifier 140, and passed through a second high/low diplexer 150 to
a MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 160. MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 160
attenuates any frequencies in the MoCA.RTM. frequency range.
Typically, no signals in the downstream direction will contain
MoCA.RTM. frequencies and hence the downstream signal will be
unaffected.
[0018] Next, the downstream signal passes to an input 169 of a
power divider network 170. The power divider network 170 splits the
downstream signal so that it may be distributed to each of ports
181-188. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the power divider network 170
includes a power divider 171 in a first tier, feeding power
dividers 172 and 173 in a second tier, feeding power dividers 174,
175, 176 and 177 in a third tier. The first, second and third tiers
form a pyramid structure. While the power divider network 170
illustrated in FIG. 1 splits the downstream signals for
distribution to eight different ports, it will be appreciated that
the power divider network 170 may split the downstream signals for
distribution to different numbers of ports (e.g., four, six, ten,
etc.).
[0019] Turning now to the reverse (upstream) signal flow through
the active communications path 114 of RF signal amplifier 100,
upstream signals received by the RF signal amplifier 100 from
devices in communication with ports 181-188 are passed to power
divider network 170 where they are combined into a composite
upstream signal. This composite upstream signal is fed out of input
169 through the MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 160. The MoCA.RTM.
rejection filter 160 attenuates frequencies in the MoCA.RTM.
frequency range so as to prevent the MoCA.RTM. signaling, which
freely traverses between the ports 181-188, from entering the
second high/low diplexer 150. The second high/low diplexer 150
separates the low frequency composite upstream signal from any high
frequency downstream signals incident in the forward direction. As
previously discussed in relation to first high/low diplexer 130,
the second high/low diplexer 150 can filter the signals such that
signals with frequencies greater than approximately 45-50 MHz are
passed in the forward direction as high frequency downstream
signals, while signals with frequencies lower than such range are
passed in the reverse direction as low frequency upstream signals
received from ports 181-188.
[0020] The composite low frequency upstream signal filtered by the
second high/low diplexer 150 can be passed directly to the first
high/low diplexer 130 (or optionally the upstream signal filtered
by the second high/low diplexer 150 can pass through an upstream
power amplifier 142 prior to reaching the first high/low diplexer
130), where it is then passed through the first output port 122 of
the non-latching SPDT relay 120 to the first output port of the
directional coupler 110. The directional coupler 110 combines the
upstream signal received at output port 122 with any upstream
signal received from the passive communications path 118 and passes
this combined signal to the RF input port 105 for output to a
service provider or other entity in communication with RF input
port 105.
[0021] The power amplifiers 140 and 142 that are included on the
active communications path 114 are active devices that must be
powered via a power source, such as a DC linear regulator 195 that
outputs a power supply voltage VCC. During normal operation, the RF
signal amplifier 100 can be powered from a power input port 190
and/or power that is reverse fed through one of the RF output ports
(e.g., output port 188, which is labeled "VDC IN"). In a typical
installation at a subscriber premises, it is contemplated that RF
signal amplifier 100 may be powered by an AC/DC adapter receiving
power provided by the residence (for example, 100-230 VAC, 50/60
Hz). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the power received from either power
input 190 or power input 188 may be provided to the DC voltage
regulator 195 which supplies an operating voltage VCC to the power
amplifiers 140 and 142.
[0022] In the event that power to the DC voltage regulator 195 is
interrupted, DC voltage regulator 195 will be unable to provide
operating voltage VCC to power amplifiers 140 and 142.
Consequently, during power outages, the downstream portion (and
also the upstream portion, if the upstream power amplifier 142 is
employed) of the active communications path 114 will be lost.
[0023] As noted above, RF signal amplifier 100 also has the passive
communications path 118 that extends from the second output of the
directional coupler 120 to the non-interruptible RF output port
189. This passive communication path 118 bypasses the power
amplifiers 140 and 142 and does not include any active components.
Consequently, the passive communications path 118 will remain
available to pass communications between the RF input port 105 and
the non-interruptible RF output port 189, even when the power
supply to the RF signal amplifier 100 is interrupted. Accordingly,
the passive communications path 118 is also referred to as a
"non-interruptible" communications path. The passive communications
path 118 may be used to maintain essential services to the
subscriber premises such as, for example, 911 emergency lifeline
services, even during power outages, so long as the subscriber has
a battery backup for the necessary devices connected to the
non-interruptible RF output port 189.
[0024] The passive communications path 118 is connected to the
active communications path 114 at the input 169 of the power
divider network 170. Within the passive communication path 118,
upstream signals from the non-interruptible RF output port 189 pass
into an input 168 of a diplexer 162. Signals in the MoCA.RTM.
frequency range exit the diplexer 162 via output 164 and pass to
the active communication path directly upstream of the power
divider network 170. By this arrangement, MoCA.RTM. signals from
the non-interruptible RF output port 189 may enter the input 169 of
the power divider network 170. Hence, MoCA.RTM. signals may be
passed between all of the devices connected to ports 181-189.
[0025] The signals from the non-interruptible RF output port 189
which pass into the input 168 of a diplexer 162, which are in the
high/low frequency range for downstream and upstream communication
with the service provider exit the diplexer 162 via output 166 and
pass to the second output of the directional coupler 110, where the
signals are combined with the signals on the active communication
path 114 and are then passed to the RF input port 105.
[0026] Additional background art can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,676,744; 6,969,278; 7,310,355; 7,530,091; 8,230,470, 8,695,055;
8,752,114; 8,810,334; 9,167,286; 9,209,774; 9,356,796; 9,516,376
and 9,743,038, and in US Published Application Nos. 2005/0044573;
2006/0205442; 2008/0120667; 2009/0320086 and 2013/0081096, which
are herein incorporated by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The Applicant has appreciated some drawbacks in the RF
signal amplifier 100 of FIG. 1. One drawback is that the downstream
signal from the service provider must be provided to the RF input
port 105 at a relative high power level, or the downstream
amplifier 140 must be made rather robust and will consume a high
level of power, if the CATV signal is to be provided at each of the
ports 181-188 at a power level sufficient to provide a high quality
of service. In other words, assuming that each power divider
171-177 is set to split the incoming signal power to 50% going to
each output leg, the CATV signal entering the input 169 of the
power divider 170 will be reduced by at least 87.5% before it
reaches the port 181. Assuming no losses in the power dividers
171-177, each of the eight ports 181-188 will present, at best,
12.5% of the signal power level initially provided to the input 169
of the power divider network 170.
[0028] The Applicant has appreciated that it is common in household
installations that not every coaxial outlet in the household needs
to be prepared for CATV downstream signal feeds. Rather, many of
the coaxial outlets are simply used for MoCA.RTM. devices. For
example, a typical household might need only one, two, or at most
three, coaxial outlets with CATV downstream and upstream signaling
abilities. Most houses seem to have one or two of the expensive set
top boxes with DVR abilities and a modem for internet
communications. Other outlets in the house might only need
MoCA.RTM. abilities. For example, a TV that is used to watch
recorded events from the DVR, a computer that interacts with the
modem for internet access, a VoIP phone that interacts with the
modem, a gaming station that only interacts with another gaming
station at another wall outlet, etc.
[0029] Further, often times the signal strength of the downstream
signal from the service provider is sufficient to power one, two or
even three CATV downstream signal feeds within a household without
the need of an amplifier within the customer's household.
[0030] Therefore, the Applicant has appreciated a new device, which
functions as a point of entry (POE) splitter device that may be
passive in nature. The POE splitter avoids the expense of
amplifiers, like amplifiers 140 and/or 142 in FIG. 1, while still
providing one, two or three "CATV & MoCA.RTM." and plural
"MoCA.RTM. only" output ports supplied by a resistive splitter
network.
[0031] The housing of the new POE splitter also provides an
intuitive female coaxial port layout and marking scheme to assist
technicians with correctly connecting a POE splitter to the coaxial
cables at a customer's premises. The port layout also simplifies
the circuitry design parameters on a printed circuit board (PCB) by
orienting the "CATV & MoCA.RTM." output ports at similar
distances from a CATV input port of the POE splitter.
[0032] The intuitive port layout and coloring scheme, as well as
the distancing of the ports relative to each other could also be
useful in other CATV devices, besides a passive POE splitter. For
example, the port layout and coloring scheme could be employed in
combination with a RF signal amplifier, similar to the RF signal
amplifier 100 shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] In summation, the housing, and more particularly, the layout
of the connection ports on the housing, is often times not
intuitively presented to the field technician in the prior art
devices. The present invention has an object to group the input and
output ports in a more intuitive, or "fool-proof" arrangement, so
as to clarify the connection ports to the technician. Besides the
section grouping, a color coding scheme may be employed in
conjunction with the port to indicate the port functions. The color
coding scheme may be a label on the housing of the device and/or
the use of different shades of dielectric inserts within the female
coaxial ports.
[0034] Further, the present invention places several of the output
ports at a nearly equal distance from the input port to offer
advantages. Such an arrangement will simplify the circuitry design
on the printed circuit board (PCB) within the housing through
symmetry and by eliminating design constraints relating to signals
needing to traverse different lengths or distances on the PCB,
which can lead to imbalances requiring additional circuit
components for compensation.
[0035] Also, some embodiments of the present invention reduce a
number of component parts to achieve the same functions, as shown
in the prior art. For example, the formation of a passive splitter
with a plurality of MoCA.RTM./CATV ports and a plurality of
MoCA.RTM. only ports supported by a resistive splitter network is
accomplished with fewer component parts, as compared to the prior
art.
[0036] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are
not limits of the present invention, and wherein:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bi-directional RF signal
amplifier, according to the background art;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a top view of a housing of a CATV home network
device, such as a passive, point of entry (POE) splitter, in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the POE splitter of
FIG. 2;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a top view of a housing of a (POE) splitter, in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the POE splitter of
FIG. 4;
[0043] FIG. 6 depicts a top label for a top face of the POE
splitter of FIGS. 4-5;
[0044] FIG. 7 depicts a side label for the a side face of the POE
splitter of FIGS. 4-5;
[0045] FIG. 8 is a top view of the POE splitter of FIGS. 4-5 with
the top label of FIG. 6 applied thereto;
[0046] FIG. 9 is a side view of the POE splitter of FIGS. 4-5 with
the side label of FIG. 7 applied thereto;
[0047] FIG. 10 is a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
first embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one printed
circuit board (PCB) within the housing of the POE splitter of FIGS.
4-5;
[0048] FIG. 11 is a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
second embodiment of circuitry formed on the at least one PCB
within the housing of the POE splitter of FIGS. 4-5;
[0049] FIG. 12 is a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
third embodiment of circuitry formed on the at least one PCB within
the housing of the POE splitter of FIGS. 4-5;
[0050] FIG. 13 is a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
fourth embodiment of circuitry formed on the at least one PCB
within the housing of the POE splitter of FIGS. 4-5;
[0051] FIG. 14 is a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
fifth embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within a
housing of a POE splitter having two "MoCA.RTM. and CATV" ports"
and five "MoCA.RTM. only" ports;
[0052] FIG. 15 is a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
sixth embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within a
housing of a POE splitter having three "MoCA.RTM. and CATV" ports"
and five "MoCA.RTM. only" ports;
[0053] FIG. 16 is a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
seventh embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within a
housing of a POE splitter having three "MoCA.RTM. and CATV" ports"
and five "MoCA.RTM. only" ports; and
[0054] FIG. 17 is a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
first embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within the
housing of the POE splitter of FIGS. 2-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0055] The present invention now is described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art.
[0056] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the
figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components,
elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines
illustrate optional features or operations unless specified
otherwise.
[0057] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including
technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning
as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms,
such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and
should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense
unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or
constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or
clarity.
[0058] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the
terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases
such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be
interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as
"between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y." As used
herein, phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to
about Y."
[0059] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with,
"contacting", etc., another element, it can be directly on,
attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other
element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,
when an element is referred to as being, for example, "directly
on", "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly
coupled" with or "directly contacting" another element, there are
no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by
those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature
that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that
overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
[0060] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower",
"over", "upper", "lateral", "left", "right" and the like, may be
used herein for ease of description to describe one element or
feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the
spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different
orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the
orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in
the figures is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath"
other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other
elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated
90 degrees or at other orientations) and the descriptors of
relative spatial relationships used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0061] A top view and a front perspective view of a housing 201 of
a CATV home network device, such as a passive, point of entry (POE)
splitter 200, are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The housing 201 includes
a female coaxial input port 203. The input port 203 is provided for
receiving downstream service provider signals and for transmitting
upstream signals from customer devices to the service provider.
[0062] A plurality of first output ports 205, 207 and 209 are
provided for outputting service provider signals to customer
devices and for receiving signals directed to the service provider.
The plurality of first output ports 205, 207 and 209 are also
provided for transmitting and receiving in-home network signals
allowing customer devices within the home network to communicate
with each other.
[0063] A plurality of second output ports 211, 213, 215, 217, 219,
221, 223 and 225 are provided for transmitting and receiving
in-home network signals allowing customer devices within the home
network to communicate with each other. The plurality of second
output ports 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223 and 225 do not
output service provider signals to customer devices and do not pass
customer device signals to the service provider.
[0064] Although FIGS. 2-3 show three ports in the plurality of
first output ports 205, 207, and 209, more or fewer ports may be
provided, such as one, two or four ports. Although FIGS. 2-3 show
eight ports in the plurality of second output ports 211, 213, 215,
217, 219, 221, 223 and 225, more or fewer ports may be provided,
such as three, four, five, six or ten ports.
[0065] For example, FIGS. 4 and 5 are a top view and a front
perspective view of a housing 301 of a passive, POE splitter 300.
The housing 301 may be formed of brass or any other conductive
material, but in a preferred embodiment, the housing 301 is formed
of zinc or a zinc alloy. The housing 301 includes a female coaxial
RF input port 303. The input port 303 is provided for receiving
downstream service provider signals and for transmitting upstream
signals from customer devices to the service provider.
[0066] A plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and 309 are
provided for outputting service provider signals to customer
devices and for receiving signals directed to the service provider.
The plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and 309 are also
provided for transmitting and receiving in-home network signals
allowing customer devices within the home network to communicate
with each other.
[0067] A plurality of second output ports 311, 313, 315 and 317 are
provided for transmitting and receiving in-home network signals
allowing customer devices within the home network to communication
with each other. The plurality of second output ports 311, 313, 315
and 317 do not output service provider signals to customer devices
and do not pass customer device signals to the service
provider.
[0068] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a top face label 330 and a side label
335, respectively. The top face label 330 is dimensioned to be
adhered to a top face 331 of the housing 301 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The
side label 335 is dimensioned to be adhered to a side face of the
housing 301. The labels 330 and 335 cause the plurality of first
output ports 305, 307 and 309 to be labeled as "CATV/MoCA.RTM."
ports, and the plurality of second output ports 311, 313, 315 and
317 to be labeled as "MoCA.RTM. only" ports, as best seen in FIGS.
8 and 9, which depict the labels 330 and 335 applied to the top
face 331 and the side face of the housing 301.
[0069] The labels may include color coding. For example, the
"CATV/MoCA.RTM." ports may be partially or wholly encircled by a
yellow line 337, further encircled by a black line 339. The input
port 303 may be partially or wholly encircled by a blue line 341.
The "MoCA.RTM. only" ports 311, 313, 315 and 317 be partially or
wholly encircled by only a yellow line 343.
[0070] In a preferred embodiment, each of the input port 303 and
the plurality of first and second output ports 305, 307, 309, 311,
313, 315 and 317 is formed as a female coaxial port. The input port
303 is located proximate a first, central section 345 of the top
face 331. A second section 347 of the top face 331 is provided on
one side of the first section 345. The second section 347 includes
the plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and 309. A third
section 349 is provided on the top face 331, on an opposite side of
the first section 345. The third section 349 includes the plurality
of second output ports 311, 313, 315 and 317. In other words, the
first section 345 is located between the second section 347 and the
third section 349 on the top face 331.
[0071] As noted above, the first section 345 is a characterized by
a first color or colors, proximate the input port 303. Although a
blue line 341 encircling the input port 303 is shown, the entire
first section 345 may be colored blue. The second section 347 is
characterized by a second color or colors proximate the plurality
of first output ports 305, 307 and 309. Although a black line 339
partially encircling a yellow line 337, partially encircling the
plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and 309 is shown, the
entire second section 347 may be colored in a distinguishable
pattern, e.g., continuous black and yellow stripes. The third
section 349 is characterized by a third color or colors proximate
the plurality of second output ports 311, 313, 315 and 317.
Although a yellow line 343 partially encircling the plurality of
second output ports 311, 313, 315 and 317 is shown, the entire
third section 349 may be colored in a distinguishable pattern,
e.g., solid yellow.
[0072] The input port 303 and plurality of first and second output
ports 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315 and 317 are all formed as female
coaxial ports, each having a dielectric insert for surrounding the
pin receiving portion. The dielectric inserts for the plurality of
first output ports 305, 307 and 309 may have a first shade, e.g.,
white, and the dielectric insert for the input port 303 may have a
second shade, e.g., blue or red. The dielectric inserts for the
plurality of second output ports 311, 313, 315 and 317 may have a
third shade, e.g., green. In other words, the first shade is
visually distinguishable from the second shade and the third shade,
and the second shade is visually distinguishable from the third
shade.
[0073] As best seen in FIG. 4, the plurality of first output ports
305, 307 and 309 includes first and third female coaxial ports 305
and 309, each having a centrally located pin receiving portion. The
input port 303 is formed as a fourth female coaxial port having a
pin receiving portion. The pin receiving portion of the fourth
female coaxial port 303 is located a first distance, e.g., 23.5 mm,
from the pin receiving portion of the first female coaxial port
305. The pin receiving portion of the fourth female coaxial port
303 is located a second distance, e.g., 23.5 mm, from the pin
receiving portion of said third female coaxial port 309.
[0074] The first distance is approximately equal to the second
distance. In the illustrated embodiment, the first distance is
equal to the second distance. When the phrase "approximately equal"
as used in this application for the purposes of a comparison
between two lengths, the phrase means that the longer distance is
less than 10% greater than the shorter distance. e.g., if the first
distance were 10 mm, the second distance would be less than 11.00
mm and greater than 9.09 mm. Where the word "equal" without a
modifier is used in this application for the purposes of a
comparison between two lengths, the word shall encompass a minor
manufacturing tolerance, such as less than a +/-1% difference in
the two compared lengths.
[0075] The plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and 309 also
includes a second female coaxial port 307 having a centrally
located pin receiving portion. The pin receiving portion of the
fourth female coaxial port 303 is located a third distance from the
pin receiving portion of the second female coaxial port 307.
[0076] Although FIG. 4 is not to scale, in a preferred embodiment,
the third distance is approximately equal to the first distance,
and may equal the first distance. This may be accomplished by
designating the pin receiving portion of the fourth female coaxial
port 303 as a center of a circle and by placing the pin receiving
portions of the first, second and third female coaxial ports 305,
307 and 309 at or near a same radius from the center of the pin
receiving portion of the fourth female coaxial port 303.
[0077] Placing all or several of the plurality of first output
ports 305, 307 and 309 at a nearly equal distance from the input
port 303 offers advantages. Such an arrangement will simply the
circuitry design on a printed circuit board (PCB) within the
housing 201 or 301 through symmetry and by eliminating design
constraints relating to signals needing to traverse different
lengths or distances on the PCB, which can lead to imbalances
requiring additional circuit components for compensation.
[0078] FIG. 10 shows a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
first embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one printed
circuit board (PCB) within the housing 301 of the POE splitter 300
of FIGS. 4-5.
[0079] A resistive splitter network 401 is connected to the
plurality of second output ports 311, 313, 315 and 317. A single
and sole in-home network rejection filter 403 is located within the
housing 301 between the input port 303 and the plurality of first
and second output ports 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315 and 317. The
in-home network rejection filter 403 prevents signals of the
in-home network from exiting the input port 303 toward the service
provider.
[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the upstream and downstream
signals associated with the service provider signals reside within
a frequency band of 5 to 1002 MHz, and the in-home network signals
reside within a MoCA.RTM. frequency band of 1125 to 1675 MHz,
making said in-home network rejection filter 403, a MoCA.RTM.
rejection filter 403.
[0081] A MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405, which passes MoCA.RTM.
frequencies, but attenuates other frequencies, is also provided.
The MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 is located between the resistive
splitter network 401 and the MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403. The
MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 may pass frequencies above 1125 MHz and
attenuate frequencies below 1125 MHz. However, in a preferred
embodiment, the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 also attenuates
frequencies above 1675 MHz.
[0082] In the first embodiment of FIG. 10, a first terminal of the
MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403 is directly connected to the input
port 303 and a second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403 is connected to an input of a first power divider 415. The
first power divider 415 has first and second output legs. The first
output leg of the first power divider 415 is connected to a first
terminal 409 of a first directional coupler 407. A second terminal
411 of the first directional coupler 407 is connected to the
MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405. A third terminal 413 of the first
directional coupler 407 is directly connected to the first port 305
of the plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and 309.
[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the first directional coupler 407
is oriented as shown in FIG. 10, so that signals passing between
the first terminal 409 and the third terminal 413 of the first
directional coupler 407 in either direction suffer little
attenuation, such as less than 2 dB, more preferably in the range
of 0.5 to 1.0 dB, like 0.7 dB. Signals passing between the second
terminal 411 and the third terminal 413 of the first directional
coupler 407 in either direction suffer more attenuation, such as
between 3 to 15 dB, more preferably between 5 and 10 dB, like 7 to
9 dB. Signals passing between the first terminal 409 and the second
terminal 411 of the first directional coupler 407 in either
direction suffer high attenuation, such as greater than 25 dB, more
preferably greater than 30 dB, like 40 dB or more.
[0084] The second output leg of the first power divider 415 is
connected to a first terminal 409 of a second directional coupler
407A. The second directional coupler 407A is formed like the first
directional coupler 407, with reference to the dB losses between
the first, second and third terminals 409, 411 and 413. The third
terminal 413 of the second directional coupler 407A is connected to
an input of a second power divider 417. The second power divider
417 has first and second output legs, directly connected to the
second and third output ports 307 and 309 of the plurality of first
output ports 305, 307 and 309, respectively.
[0085] The connection between the second terminal 411 of the first
directional coupler 407 and a first terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass
filter 405 may include a resistor RA. Likewise, the connection
between the second terminal 411 of the second directional coupler
407A and the first terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 may
include a resistor RB. The resistors RA and RB may be used to
balance the circuit, and in particular balance the function of the
MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 in combination with the resistive
splitter network 401. The value of each resistor RA or RB, and
would be less than 75 ohms, typically less than 50 ohm, more
preferably less than 10 ohms. Also, one or both of the resistance
values of resistors RA and RB may be zero, essentially indicating
the absence of dedicated resistors in the connection between the
second terminals 411 of the first and second directional couplers
407 and 407A and the MCA pass filter 405.
[0086] A second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 is
directly connected to the resistive splitter network 401. The
resistive splitter network 401 of FIG. 10 includes four resistors
R1, R2, R3 and R4. A first terminal of each of the resistors R1,
R2, R3 and R4 is directly connected to the second terminal of the
MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405. A second terminal of each of the
resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4 is directly connected to the plurality
of second output ports 311, 313, 315 and 317, respectively. The
resistive values of the resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4 are selected to
produce a port resistance of 75 ohm. Hence, the resistance of each
resistor R1, R2, R3 and R4 is less than 75 ohms, typically in the
range of 40 to 65 ohms, more particularly in the range of 45 to 60
ohms. Examples of resistor values which have balanced the resistive
network 401 were 47 ohms, 53.5 ohm and 60 ohms, depending upon
other design parameters within the circuit, like the resistor
values of RA and RB, the number of ports in the plurality of second
ports, etc.
[0087] FIG. 11 shows a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
second embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within
the housing 301 of the POE splitter 300 of FIGS. 4-5. The same or
similar elements have been labeled by the same reference numerals.
Similar to the first embodiment, the resistive splitter network 401
is connected to the plurality of second output ports 311, 313, 315
and 317. The MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403 is located between the
input port 303 and the plurality of first and second output ports
305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315 and 317. The MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405
is located between the resistive splitter network 401 and the
MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403.
[0088] In the second embodiment of FIG. 11, the first terminal of
the MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403 is directly connected to the
input port 303 and the second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. rejection
filter 403 is directly connected to the input of the first power
divider 415. The first output leg of the first power divider 415 is
directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the first
directional coupler 407. The first directional coupler 407 may be
configured to have the same DB losses as described above. The first
directional coupler 407 is also configured the same as in FIG. 10,
in that the third terminal 413 is directly connected to the first
output port 305 of the plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and
309, and the second terminal 411 passes through resistor RA to the
MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 and ultimately to the resistive splitter
network 401.
[0089] The second output leg of the first power divider 415 is
directly connected to the input of the second power divider 417.
The first output leg of the second power divider 417 is directly
connected the first terminal 409 of the second directional coupler
407A. The second terminal 411 of the second directional coupler
407A passes through resistor RB to the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405.
The third terminal 413 of the second directional coupler 407A is
directly connected to the second output port 307 of the plurality
of first output ports 305, 307 and 309.
[0090] The second output leg of the second power divider 417 is
directly connected to a first terminal 409 of a third directional
coupler 407B. The third directional coupler 407B may be configured
to have the same DB losses across its terminals, as described above
in relation to the first and second directional couplers 407 and
407A. A second terminal 411 of the third directional coupler 407B
passes through a resistor RC to the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405. A
third terminal 413 of the third directional coupler 407B is
directly connected to the third output port 309 of the plurality of
first output ports 305, 307 and 309. The resistors RA, RB and RC
may have the same resistive values or may be eliminated as
discussed above with regard to resistors RA and RB.
[0091] FIG. 12 shows a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
third embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within the
housing 301 of the POE splitter 300 of FIGS. 4-5. The same or
similar elements have been labeled by the same reference numerals.
Similar to the previous embodiments, the resistive splitter network
401 is connected to the plurality of second output ports 311, 313,
315 and 317. The MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403 is located between
the input port 303 and the plurality of first and second output
ports 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315 and 317. The MoCA.RTM. pass
filter 405 is located between the resistive splitter network 401
and the MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403.
[0092] In the third embodiment of FIG. 12, the first terminal of
the MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403 is directly connected to the
input port 303 and the second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. rejection
filter 403 is directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the
first directional coupler 407. The first directional coupler 407
may be configured to have the same DB losses as described above.
The second terminal 411 of the first directional coupler 407 is
directly connected to a first terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass filter
405. The second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 is
directly connected to a first terminal of resistor RA. The second
terminal of the resistor RA is directly connected to the resistive
splitter network 401. The values of the resistors RA, R1, R2, R3
and R4 may be selected as described above in connection with the
previous embodiments.
[0093] The third terminal 413 of the first directional coupler 407
is directly connected to the input of the first power divider 415.
The first output leg of the first power divider 415 is directly
connected the first output port 305 of the plurality of first
output ports 305, 307 and 309. The second output leg of the first
power divider 415 is directly connected to the input to the second
power divider 417. The first and second output legs of the second
power divider 417 are directly connected to the second and third
output ports 307 and 309 of the plurality of first output ports
305, 307 and 309, respectively.
[0094] FIG. 13 shows a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
fourth embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within
the housing 301 of the POE splitter 300 of FIGS. 4-5. The same or
similar elements have been labeled by the same reference numerals.
Similar to the previous embodiments, the resistive splitter network
401 is connected to the plurality of second output ports 311, 313,
315 and 317. However, instead of a single MoCA.RTM. rejection
filter 403, the fourth embodiment includes first and second
MoCA.RTM. rejection filters 403 and 403A.
[0095] In the fourth embodiment of FIG. 13, the input port 303 is
directly connected to the input of the first power divider 415. The
first output leg of the first power divider 415 is directly
connected a first terminal of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403. The second output leg of the first power divider 415 is
directly connected a first terminal of the second MoCA.RTM.
rejection filter 403A.
[0096] A second terminal of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403 is directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the first
directional coupler 407. The first directional coupler 407 may be
configured to have the same DB losses as described above. The third
terminal 413 of the first directional coupler 407 is directly
connected the first output port 305 of the plurality of first
output ports 305, 307 and 309. The second terminal 411 of the first
directional coupler 407 is directly connected to a resistor R5
within the resistive splitter network 401. The Resistor R5 may be
configured the same and have a same resistive value as the
resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the resistive splitter network
401.
[0097] A second terminal of the second MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403A is directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the second
directional coupler 407A. The second directional coupler 407A may
be configured to have the same DB losses as described above. The
second terminal 411 of the second directional coupler 407A is
directly connected to the resistive splitter network 401. The third
terminal 413 of the second directional coupler 407A is directly
connected to an input of the second power divider 417. The first
and second output legs of the second power divider 417 are directly
connected to the second and third output ports 307 and 309 of the
plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and 309, respectively.
[0098] FIG. 14 shows a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
fifth embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within a
housing of a POE splitter. The POE splitter of FIG. 14 includes two
"CATV & MoCA.RTM." ports 305 and 307 and five "MoCA.RTM. only"
ports 311, 313, 315, 317 and 319. The same or similar elements have
been labeled by the same reference numerals. Similar to the
previous embodiments, the resistive splitter network 401 is
connected to the plurality of second output ports 311, 313, 315,
317 and 319. Like the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment also
includes first and second MoCA.RTM. rejection filters 403 and
403A.
[0099] In the fifth embodiment of FIG. 14, the input port 303 is
directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the first
directional coupler 407. The third terminal 413 of the first
directional coupler 407 is directly to the first terminal of the
first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403. The second terminal 411 of
the first directional coupler 407 is directly connected to the
first terminal of the second MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403A.
[0100] The second terminal of the second MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403A is directly connected to the resistive splitter network 401.
The second terminal of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403 is
directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the second
directional coupler 407A. The first and second directional couplers
407 and 407A may be configured to have the same DB losses as
described above.
[0101] The second terminal 411 of the second directional coupler
407A is directly connected to the first terminal of the MoCA.RTM.
pass filter 405. The second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass filter
405 is directly connected to a resistor R6 within the resistive
splitter network 401. The third terminal 413 of the second
directional coupler 407A is directly connected to the input of the
first power divider 415.
[0102] The first output leg of the first power divider 415 is
directly connected the first output port 305 of the plurality of
first output ports 305, 307 and 309. The second output leg of the
first power divider 415 is directly connected to the input to the
second power divider 417. The first output leg of the second power
divider 417 is directly connected to the second output port 307 of
the plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and 309. The second
output leg of the second power divider 417 is directly connected to
a resistor RD. Resistor RD terminates the second output leg to
ground, and may be formed as a 75 ohm resistor. Alternatively, the
second leg of the first power divider 415 may be directly connected
to the second output port 307 of the plurality of first output
ports 305, 307 and 309, and the second power divider 417 may be
eliminated.
[0103] The resistive splitter network 401 now has five "MoCA.RTM.
only" ports 311, 313, 315, 317 and 319. The resistors R5 and R6 may
be configured the same and have a same resistive value as the
resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the resistive splitter network 401
of previous embodiments.
[0104] FIG. 15 shows a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
sixth embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within a
housing of a POE splitter. The POE splitter of FIG. 15 includes
three "CATV & MoCA.RTM." ports 305, 307 and 309 and five
"MoCA.RTM. only" ports 311, 313, 315, 317 and 319. The same or
similar elements have been labeled by the same reference numerals.
Similar to the previous embodiments, the resistive splitter network
401 is connected to the plurality of second output ports 311, 313,
315, 317 and 319. Like the fourth and fifth embodiments, the sixth
embodiment also includes first and second MoCA.RTM. rejection
filters 403 and 403A.
[0105] In the sixth embodiment of FIG. 15, the input port 303 is
directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the first
directional coupler 407. The third terminal 413 of the first
directional coupler 407 is directly to the first terminal of the
first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403. The second terminal 411 of
the first directional coupler 407 is directly connected to the
first terminal of the second MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403A.
[0106] The second terminal of the second MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403A is directly connected to the resistive splitter network 401.
The second terminal of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403 is
directly connected to the input of the first power divider 415. The
first output leg of the first power divider 415 is directly
connected the first output port 305 of the plurality of first
output ports 305, 307 and 309. The second output leg of the first
power divider 415 is directly connected to the first terminal of
the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 and to the input of the second power
divider 417. The first and second output legs of the second power
divider 417 are directly connected to the second and third output
ports 307 and 309 of the plurality of first output ports 305, 307
and 309, respectively.
[0107] The second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 is
directly connected to the resistor R6 within the resistive splitter
network 401. The resistive splitter network 401 has five "MoCA.RTM.
only" ports 311, 313, 315, 317 and 319. The resistors R5 and R6 may
be configured the same and have a same value as the resistors R1,
R2, R3 and R4 of the resistive splitter network 401 of previous
embodiments.
[0108] FIG. 16 shows a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of a
seventh embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within a
housing of a POE splitter. The POE splitter of FIG. 16 includes
three "CATV & MoCA.RTM." ports 305, 307 and 309 and five
"MoCA.RTM. only" ports 311, 313, 315, 317 and 319. The same or
similar elements have been labeled by the same reference numerals.
Similar to the previous embodiments, the resistive splitter network
401 is connected to the plurality of second output ports 311, 313,
315, 317 and 319. Like the fourth through sixth embodiments, the
seventh embodiment also includes first and second MoCA.RTM.
rejection filters 403 and 403A.
[0109] In the seventh embodiment of FIG. 16, the input port 303 is
directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the first
directional coupler 407. The third terminal 413 of the first
directional coupler 407 is directly connected to the first terminal
of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403. The second terminal
411 of the first directional coupler 407 is directly connected to
the first terminal of the second MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403A.
[0110] The second terminal of the second MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403A is directly connected to the resistive splitter network 401.
The second terminal of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403 is
directly connected to the input of the first power divider 415. The
first output leg of the first power divider 415 is directly
connected the first output port 305 of the plurality of first
output ports 305, 307 and 309. The second output leg of the first
power divider 415 is directly connected to the input of the second
power divider 417. The first output leg of the second power divider
417 is directly connected to an input of a third power divider
417A. The first and second output legs of the third power divider
417A are directly connected to the second and third output ports
307 and 309 of the plurality of first output ports 305, 307 and
309, respectively.
[0111] The second output leg of the second power divider 417 is
directly connected to the first terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass
filter 405. The second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 is
directly connected to the resistor R6 within the resistive splitter
network 401. The resistive splitter network 401 has five "MoCA.RTM.
only" ports 311, 313, 315, 317 and 319. The resistors R5 and R6 may
be configured the same and have a same resistive value as the
resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4 of the resistive splitter network 401
of previous embodiments.
[0112] FIG. 17 shows a high-level schematic, or block diagram, of
an eighth embodiment of circuitry formed on at least one PCB within
the housing 201 of the POE splitter 200 of FIGS. 2-3. The POE
splitter of FIG. 17 includes three "CATV & MoCA.RTM." ports
205, 207 and 209 and eight "MoCA.RTM. only" ports 211, 213, 215,
217, 219, 221, 223 and 225. The same or similar elements have been
labeled by the same reference numerals. Similar to the previous
embodiments, the resistive splitter network 401 is connected to the
plurality of second output ports 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223
and 225.
[0113] In the eighth embodiment of FIG. 17, the input port 203 is
directly connected to the first terminal 409 of the first
directional coupler 407. The third terminal 413 of the first
directional coupler 407 is directly connected to the first terminal
of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter 403. The second terminal
411 of the first directional coupler 407 is directly connected to a
grounded resistor RE. The grounded resistor RE may have a value
like 75 ohms. Alternatively, the input port 203 may be directly
connected to the first terminal of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection
filter 403, and the first directional coupler 407 and grounded
resistor RE may be eliminated.
[0114] The second terminal of the first MoCA.RTM. rejection filter
403 is directly connected to the input of the first power divider
415. The first output leg of the first power divider 415 is
directly connected the first output port 205 of the plurality of
first output ports 205, 207 and 209. The second output leg of the
first power divider 415 is directly connected to the input of the
second power divider 417. The first output leg of the second power
divider 417 is directly connected to an input of the third power
divider 417A. The first and second output legs of the third power
divider 417A are directly connected to the second and third output
ports 207 and 209 of the plurality of first output ports 205, 207
and 209, respectively.
[0115] The second output leg of the second power divider 417 is
directly connected to the first terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass
filter 405. The second terminal of the MoCA.RTM. pass filter 405 is
directly connected to a resistor R9 within the resistive splitter
network 401. The resistive splitter network 401 has eight
"MoCA.RTM. only" ports 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223 and 225.
The resistors R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 may be configured the same and
have a same resistive value as the resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4 of
the resistive splitter network 401 of previous embodiments. The
resistor RF is optionally included as part of the resistive
splitter network 401 and may be useful to balance the resistive
splitter network 401 in combination with the other circuitry of
FIG. 17, such as in the instance where no connectors are mated to
the plurality of second ports 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223 and
225. In one embodiment, the resistor RF may be 75 ohms or
alternatively configured to match the same value as the resistors
R1, R2, R3 and R4.
[0116] In the above embodiments, the MoCA.RTM. rejection filters
403 and/or 403A may be constructed to reflect MoCA.RTM. signals in
a direction back toward the plurality of first output ports
205/305, 207/307 and 209/309.
[0117] The first, second and/or third power dividers 415, 417
and/or 417A may be constructed in accordance with the Assignee's
prior U.S. Pat. No. 8,397,271, which is herein incorporated by
reference. Optionally, each of the first, second and/or third power
dividers 415, 417 and/or 417A may have a MoCA.RTM. bypass filter,
which assists in passing MoCA.RTM. signals between the first and
second output legs of the power divider 415, 417 and/or 417A, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,397,271. Further, the
first, second and/or third power dividers 415, 417 and/or 417A may
be configured to divide an input signal 50-50 between the first and
second out legs, or alternatively to divide the input signal by
other ratios, like 60-40 or 70-30, to pass most of the input signal
to a preferred leg, e.g., the first output leg.
[0118] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are to be included within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *