U.S. patent application number 17/101593 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-11 for in-home network splitter with reduced isolation.
The applicant listed for this patent is PPC BROADBAND, INC.. Invention is credited to Paul Bailey.
Application Number | 20210075168 17/101593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005237456 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210075168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bailey; Paul |
March 11, 2021 |
IN-HOME NETWORK SPLITTER WITH REDUCED ISOLATION
Abstract
A splitter includes an input configured to be connected to a
cable television (CATV) network. The splitter also includes a first
output connected to the input. The first output is configured to be
connected to a first subscriber device. The splitter also includes
a second output connected to the input. The second output is
configured to be connected to a second subscriber device. A path
between the first output and the second output is configured to
provide an isolation that is less than 30 dB.
Inventors: |
Bailey; Paul; (Camillus,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PPC BROADBAND, INC. |
East Syracuse |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005237456 |
Appl. No.: |
17/101593 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16248152 |
Jan 15, 2019 |
10879655 |
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17101593 |
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62618204 |
Jan 17, 2018 |
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62675986 |
May 24, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 2201/04 20130101;
H01R 13/719 20130101; H01R 24/542 20130101; H01R 2201/18 20130101;
H01R 24/547 20130101; H04N 7/104 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 24/54 20060101
H01R024/54; H04N 7/10 20060101 H04N007/10; H01R 13/719 20060101
H01R013/719 |
Claims
1. A splitter, comprising: an input configured to be connected to a
cable television (CATV) network; a reflection-less in-home network
adapter (RNA) connected to the input and configured to prevent CATV
interference signals from being reflected into the CATV network; a
first high-pass filter connected to the RNA; a second high-pass
filter connected to the RNA; a third high-pass filter connected to
the RNA; a first output connected to the first high-pass filter,
wherein the first output is configured to be connected to a first
subscriber device; a second output connected to the second
high-pass filter, wherein the second output is configured to be
connected to a second subscriber device; a third output connected
to the third high-pass filter, wherein the third output is
configured to be connected to a third subscriber device; wherein a
first path is configured to extend between the input and the first
output; wherein a second path is configured to extend between the
input and the second output; wherein the first path and the second
path are configured to have substantially equal resistances,
substantially equal impedances, and substantially equal insertion
losses; wherein a third path is configured to extend between the
first output and the second output; wherein a fourth path is
configured to extend between the second output and the third
output; wherein the third path and the fourth path are configured
to have substantially equal resistances, substantially equal
impedances, and substantially equal isolations; and wherein the
isolation in the third path, the fourth path, or both is less than
30 dB.
2. The splitter of claim 1, wherein the splitter comprises a
resistive Wye-type splitter.
3. The splitter of claim 1, wherein the splitter does not comprise
ferrite.
4. The splitter of claim 1, wherein the splitter is band-limited
between about 1125 MHz and about 1675 MHz.
5. The splitter of claim 1, wherein the insertion loss in the first
path, the second path, or both is greater than 25 dB.
6. A splitter, comprising: an input configured to be connected to a
cable television (CATV) network; an electrical circuit component
connected to the input; a first high-pass filter connected to the
electrical circuit component; a second high-pass filter connected
to the electrical circuit component; a first output connected to
the first high-pass filter, wherein the first output is configured
to be connected to a first subscriber device; and a second output
connected to the second high-pass filter, wherein the second output
is configured to be connected to a second subscriber device,
wherein a path between the first output and the second output is
configured to provide an isolation that is less than 30 dB.
7. The splitter of claim 6, wherein the electrical circuit
component comprises a reflection-less in-home network adapter (RNA)
that is configured to prevent CATV interference signals from being
reflected into the CATV network.
8. The splitter of claim 6, wherein the electrical circuit
component comprises a third high-pass filter that is configured to
provide surge suppression, noise mitigation, or both.
9. The splitter of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of
outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a
number of the plurality of outputs is from two to sixteen, and
wherein the isolation in the path is less than 25 dB.
10. The splitter of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of
outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a
number of the plurality of outputs is from two to four, and wherein
the isolation in the path is less than 15 dB.
11. A splitter, comprising: an input configured to be connected to
a cable television (CATV) network; a first output connected to the
input, wherein the first output is configured to be connected to a
first subscriber device; and a second output connected to the
input, wherein the second output is configured to be connected to a
second subscriber device, and wherein a path between the first
output and the second output is configured to provide an isolation
that is between 5 dB and 30 dB.
12. The splitter of claim 11, wherein the splitter comprises a
resistive Wye-type splitter including the input, the first output,
and the second output.
13. The splitter of claim 11, wherein the splitter does not
comprise ferrite.
14. The splitter of claim 11, wherein the splitter comprises a
reflection-less in-home network adapter (RNA) that is configured to
allow signals in a frequency range to be transmitted between the
input and the first and second outputs, and to prevent signals
outside of the frequency range from being transmitted between the
input and the first and second outputs, and wherein the frequency
range is between about 1125 MHz and about 1675 MHz.
15. The splitter of claim 11, wherein a path between the input and
the first output is configured to provide an insertion loss that is
greater than 25 dB.
16. The splitter of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of
outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a
number of the plurality of outputs is from two to sixteen, and
wherein the isolation in the path is less than 25 dB.
17. The splitter of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of
outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a
number of the plurality of outputs is from two to eight, and
wherein the isolation in the path is less than 20 dB.
18. The splitter of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of
outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a
number of the plurality of outputs is from two to four, and wherein
the isolation in the path is less than 15 dB.
19. The splitter of claim 11, wherein the isolation in the path is
less than 10 dB.
20. The splitter of claim 11, wherein a path between the input and
the first output is configured to provide a different isolation
value than a path between the input and the second output.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/248,152, filed on Jan. 15, 2019, which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/618,204, filed on Jan. 17, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/675,986, filed on May 24, 2018. The entirety of
these applications is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typical legacy splitters or power dividers that are used in
cable television (CATV) and multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA)
networks have predominantly used ferrite transformers to provide a
broadband circuit with low input-to-output loss and high
output-to-output isolation. These ferrite core splitter circuits
are structured in many different ways to include core shape, size,
material, winding scheme, external components and additional
intermediate circuits to achieve acceptable in-home performance for
the CATV bandwidth (e.g., 5-1002 MHz) and MoCA bandwidth (e.g.,
1125-1675 MHz). In such ferrite core splitters, however, the
extension of bandwidth and/or the addition of intermediate circuits
both increase input-to-output losses and may result in high
isolation or notches in the output-to-output MoCA band which may
cause a loss of in-band signals. Therefore, it would be desirable
to have a new splitter to overcome these drawbacks.
SUMMARY
[0003] A splitter is disclosed. The splitter includes an input
configured to be connected to a cable television (CATV) network.
The splitter also includes a reflection-less in-home network
adapter (RNA) connected to the input and configured to prevent CATV
interference signals from being reflected into the CATV network.
The splitter also includes a first high-pass filter connected to
the RNA. The splitter also includes a second high-pass filter
connected to the RNA. The splitter also includes a third high-pass
filter connected to the RNA. The splitter also includes a first
output connected to the first high-pass filter. The first output is
configured to be connected to a first subscriber device. The
splitter also includes a second output connected to the second
high-pass filter. The second output is configured to be connected
to a second subscriber device. The splitter also includes a third
output connected to the third high-pass filter. The third output is
configured to be connected to a third subscriber device. A first
path is configured to extend between the input and the first
output. A second path is configured to extend between the input and
the second output. The first path and the second path are
configured to have substantially equal resistances, substantially
equal impedances, and substantially equal insertion losses. A third
path is configured to extend between the first output and the
second output. A fourth path is configured to extend between the
second output and the third output. The third path and the fourth
path are configured to have substantially equal resistances,
substantially equal impedances, and substantially equal isolations.
The isolation in the third path, the fourth path, or both is less
than 30 dB.
[0004] In another embodiment, the splitter includes an input
configured to be connected to a cable television (CATV) network.
The splitter also includes a reflection-less in-home network
adapter (RNA) connected to the input and configured to prevent CATV
interference signals from being reflected into the CATV network.
The splitter also includes a first high-pass filter connected to
the RNA. The splitter also includes a second high-pass filter
connected to the RNA. The splitter also includes a first output
connected to the first high-pass filter. The first output is
configured to be connected to a first subscriber device. The
splitter also includes a second output connected to the second
high-pass filter. The second output is configured to be connected
to a second subscriber device. A path between the first output and
the second output is configured to provide an isolation that is
less than 30 dB.
[0005] In another embodiment, the splitter includes an input
configured to be connected to a cable television (CATV) network.
The splitter also includes a first output connected to the input.
The first output is configured to be connected to a first
subscriber device. The splitter also includes a second output
connected to the input. The second output is configured to be
connected to a second subscriber device. A path between the first
output and the second output is configured to provide an isolation
that is less than 30 dB.
[0006] It will be appreciated that this summary is intended merely
to introduce some aspects of the present methods, systems, and
media, which are more fully described and/or claimed below.
Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the present teachings and together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the present teachings.
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an in-home network
splitter, according to an embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2A illustrates a graph showing isolation and insertion
loss for an equal-output 4-way Wye resistive splitter, according to
an embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2B illustrates a graph showing return loss for the
equal-output 4-way Wye resistive splitter, according to an
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 3A illustrates a 4-way in-home network splitter (e.g.,
ferrite or resistive) with a reflection-less network adapter at the
input and high-pass filter (HPF) elements at the output ports,
according to an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3B illustrates a 4-way in-home network splitter that is
a resistive Wye-type, according to an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4A illustrates an 8-way in-home network splitter with a
reflection-less network adapter at the input and HPF elements at
the output ports, according to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4B illustrates an 8-way in-home network splitter with a
resistive Wye network and no filters, according to an
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a graph showing a comparison of the
input-to-output insertion loss in the MoCA band (e.g., 1125-1675
MHz) for a ferrite core splitter and a resistive splitter,
according to an embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a graph showing a comparison of the
output-to-output isolation in the MoCA band (e.g., 1125-1675 MHz)
for a ferrite core splitter and a resistive splitter, according to
an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an in-home
network resistive splitter that has an applied band-limitation
(e.g., to 1125-1675 MHz), which allows for the alternative circuit
design for improved in-home or MoCA band radio-frequency (RF)
performance, thereby differing from conventional broadband CATV
splitters. Resistive splitters are not typically used in CATV
applications due to their high input-to-output insertion loss and
low output isolation compared to conventional ferrite core
splitters. Currently, the telecom industry and CATV operators are
transitioning from a combined full access and MoCA network
architecture to a semi-isolated in-home network architecture, which
may benefit from the resistive splitters disclosed herein. As used
herein, a full access and MoCA network allows all equipment to
access the outside CATV distribution Network or CMTS (e.g., head
end) while a semi-isolated in-home network architecture refers to a
network including a combination of access and non-access equipment,
where the access equipment (e.g., such as modems, gateways and
DVRs) has access outside the home, and the non-access equipment
such as set top boxes are 100% isolated within the home and coupled
only to the access equipment via the in-home or MoCA band. The
functionality of the resistive splitters may be further improved
with the addition of supporting adaptor circuits that improve the
coupling between different networks such as CATV and MoCA, or
provide DC blocking, lightning (e.g., surge/ESD) protection, or
low-frequency noise ingress mitigation. The resistive splitters may
be cascaded in series as-is, or provided with modifications to the
resistive splitters, where the input port resistor is decreased or
removed, thereby decreasing through-loss by as much as 2 dB.
[0018] Non-ferrite splitter architectures within the MoCA-only
network can improve the quality of the MoCA band performance. The
resistive splitter has about the same input-to-output insertion
loss as the ferrite splitter, but it has less output-to-output
isolation that is substantially flatter, making it a good fit for
use within the MoCA-only network. This structure can increase the
output port count while sustaining improved in-band flatness. For
example, a resistive splitter with 12 outputs has less than 22 dB
of output isolation, which is roughly the same as a 2-output
ferrite splitter. Thus, the resistive splitter disclosed herein may
improve the split count and MoCA in-band quality.
[0019] The resistive splitter may be an in-home-network-only
splitter with reduced isolation between the outputs. The resistive
splitter may be a resistive Wye-type splitter where
R=Zo(N-1)/(N+1), where R=resistance, Zo=impedance, and N=the number
of matched outputs. The resistive Wye-type splitter may be selected
over the delta-type splitter because it can more easily be adapted
to an N-way splitter configuration. Each path of the Wye-type
N-port circuit (e.g., from the input to any output or from any
output to any other output) may have a series resistance of
substantially equal value. Each path of the Wye-type N-port circuit
may have a substantially equivalent insertion loss and/or
isolation. The resistive splitter can be deployed anywhere within
the in-home network to provide extended quantity of premises
equipment outputs. The resistive splitter may have a substantially
flat passband response. The resistive splitter may have better
passive intermodulation (PIM) performance than the conventional
non-linear ferrite splitter. The resistive splitter containing
high-pass noise mitigating or surge and esd protection may use a
reflection-less in-home network adapter (RNA) when coupled to a
CATV access network device to prevent CATV interference signals
from being reflected back into the CATV network. In the MoCA band
input-to-output, insertion loss is substantially equal for both
resistive splitters and ferrite splitters. However, in the MoCA
band, input-to-output isolation is different between resistive
splitters and ferrite splitters. More particularly, ferrite
splitters have excessive isolation beyond 6 splits and may require
secondary circuits such as diplex bridging to achieve a functional
in-home (e.g., MoCA) network, whereas resistive splitters can
provide 25 or more splits before nearing a functional 30 dB
isolation limit in addition to providing a significantly flatter
response.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an in-home network splitter 100,
according to an embodiment. As shown, the splitter 100 includes an
input 110 and one or more outputs (four are shown: 120, 130, 140,
150). A resistor 112 and a capacitor 114 may be in series between
the input 110 and a split point 160. Similarly, a resistor 122,
132, 142, 152 and a capacitor 124, 134, 144, 154 may be in series
between the split point 160 and each respective output 120, 130,
140, 150. In at least one embodiment, each resistor may have
substantially the same value (e.g., 45 ohms), and each capacitor
may have substantially the same value (e.g., 1000 pF). In at least
one embodiment, one or more of the (e.g., blocking) capacitors may
be omitted.
[0021] The splitter 100 may be or include a resistive 4-way Wye
splitter with DC block caps at the ports. In an example, for Zo=75
ohm and N=4; R=Zo*(N+1)/(N-1)=45 ohm. The splitter 100 may be used
in one or more of the applications described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/638,933, which is incorporated herein by
reference. In at least one embodiment, shunt chokes or coils 116,
126, 136, 146, 156 may be added to further improve the DC blocking,
surge suppression, and/or noise mitigation.
[0022] FIG. 2A illustrates a graph 200 showing insertion loss and
isolation for the equal-output 4-way Wye resistive splitter 100,
according to an embodiment. The X-axis is frequency in MHz, and the
Y-axis is magnitude in dB. In a symmetric or balanced design, the
insertion loss is substantially equivalent to the isolation at/in
all paths. The input-to-output insertion loss (e.g., S12, S13, S14
. . . )=12 dB at 1125-1675 MHz. The output-to-output isolation
(e.g., from output 120 to output 130, from output 130 to output
140, and/or from output 140 to output 150)=12 dB at 1125-1675 MHz.
The insertion loss and isolation are substantially overlapping in
the graph 200.
[0023] Balanced wye-type resistive splitters are symmetrical in
design. Thus, their insertion loss and isolation are the same
parameter and represent the magnitude of loss between any two
ports. In some cases, the circuit may be unbalanced with differing
resistance values, resulting in differing insertion loss or
isolation values between various combinations of ports.
[0024] FIG. 2B illustrates a graph 250 showing return loss for the
equal-output 4-way Wye resistive splitter 100, according to an
embodiment. The return loss is nearly ideal, less the effect of the
caps introducing a high pass roll off at low frequency. The ideal
return loss for all ports (e.g., at the input 110 or any of the
outputs 120, 130, 140, 150)=60 dB at 1125-1675 MHz. The reactive
component or DC blocking cap is added for realism and adds
curvature to the output response graphs. In at least one
embodiment, the focus of the in-home network splitter response is
in the MoCa band (e.g., 1125-1675 MHz). FIGS. 2A and 2B also show
the high pass roll-off introduced by blocking caps and coils at the
ports.
[0025] FIG. 3A illustrates a 4-way in-home network splitter 300
(e.g., ferrite or resistive) with a reflection-less network adapter
310, according to an embodiment. The adapter 310 may be deployed
when the output ports are configured with high-pass elements for DC
blocking, surge suppressing, and noise mitigation. High-pass filter
(HPF) elements 321-324 may be connected to the output ports. The
HPF elements 321-324 may be any combination of series DC blocking
capacitance and shunt coils. When the HPF elements 321-324 are
used, the RNA 310 may be connected to the input port to prevent
reflections in the CATV bandwidth. FIG. 3B illustrates a 4-way
in-home network splitter 350 that is a resistive Wye-type,
according to an embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 4A illustrates an 8-way in-home network splitter 400
with a reflection-less network adapter (RNA) 410, according to an
embodiment. The splitter 400 may be a high-pass filter for noise
isolation. In at least one embodiment, low-order high-pass filters
can be deployed at one or more (e.g., all) ports for surge
protection and low-frequency noise ingress mitigation. High-pass
filter (HPF) elements 421-428 may be connected to the output ports.
The HPF elements 421-428 may be any combination of series DC
blocking capacitance and shunt coils. When the HPF elements 421-428
are used, the RNA 410 should be connected to the input port to
prevent reflections in the CATV bandwidth. FIG. 4B illustrates an
8-way in-home network splitter 450 with a resistive Wye network and
no filters, according to an embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a graph 500 showing input-to-output
insertion loss in the MoCA band (e.g., 1125-1675 MHz) for a ferrite
core splitter 510 and a resistive splitter 520, according to an
embodiment. In the ferrite core splitter 510, MoCA insertion loss
degrades significantly. As shown, in the ferrite core splitter 510,
the insertion loss is less than about 10 dB up to about 3 splits or
output ports. The insertion loss drops to about 22 dB at 16 splits
or output ports. In the resistive Wye splitter 520, MoCA insertion
loss is less than about 30 dB up to about 20 or about 25 splits or
output ports.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a graph 600 showing output-to-output
isolation in the MoCA band (e.g., 1125-1675 MHz) for a ferrite core
splitter 610 and a resistive splitter 620, according to an
embodiment. In the ferrite core splitter 610, MoCA isolation
degrades significantly. The conventional ferrite core splitter 610
increases in isolation as the number of outputs increases. In
contrast, the resistive splitter 620 has a depreciating increase in
isolation as the number of outputs increases. In other words, the
isolation continues to increase as the number of outputs increases,
but by smaller and smaller amounts with the addition of each
output. Thus, the resistive splitter 620 may be an improved option
for higher-split applications such as used within the in-home
network. Although not depicted in the Figures, the in-home network
splitters may utilize wire wound chokes or coils shunt to ground at
the RF ports to further enhance the surge or noise ingress
suppression.
[0029] As shown, in the ferrite core splitter 610, the isolation is
less than about 30 dB beyond 4 splits and requires additional
circuitry such as a MoCA bridging diplexers to make it functional.
The isolation drops to about 90 dB at 16 splits or output ports. In
the resistive splitter 620, MoCA isolation is less than about 15 dB
across 4 splits or outputs, less than about 20 dB across 8 splits
or outputs, less than about 25 dB across 16 splits or outputs, and
less than about 30 dB across 25 splits or output ports.
[0030] Some in-home network splitters that employ shunt chokes or
coils at the output ports, to enhance the low-frequency noise
mitigations, surge and esd protection, may also employ a resistive
network adapter at the input port to prevent reflections in the
CATV band.
[0031] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed
herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed
herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims. The present disclosure is not to be limited in
terms of the particular embodiments described in this application,
which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many
modifications and variations can be made without departing from its
spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Functionally equivalent apparatuses within the scope of the
disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such
modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope
of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited
only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope
of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be
understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of
describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be
limiting.
[0032] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or
singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate
from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the
plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The
various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth
herein for sake of clarity.
[0033] It will be understood by those within the art that, in
general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims
(e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as
"open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more"
to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or
more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used
to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited,
those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should
be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare
recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at
least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in
those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A,
B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended
in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the
convention (e.g., " a system having at least one of A, B, and C"
would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B
alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances
where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc."
is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense
one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g.,
" a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not
be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the
art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting
two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims,
or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities
of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms.
For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the
possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B." In addition, where
features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of
Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual
member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
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