A dual-network splitter is a splitter device that may be used to couple two networks, such as a cable television (CATV) network and a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) network. The CATV network is within a frequency band from about 5 MHz to about 1002 MHz, and the MoCA network is within a frequency band from about 1125 MHz to about 1675 MHz. The dual-network splitter may treat each network independently, gaining benefits from frequency band optimized circuit elements. The dual-network splitter may pass CATV signals and MOCA signals through a common element, such as a broadband ferrite splitter. However, such dual-network splitters oftentimes have challenges that result in performance compromises such as insertion loss, isolation, or return loss.
A dual-network splitter is disclosed. The dual-network splitter includes an input port configured to transmit and receive signals in a first frequency band. The dual-network splitter also includes one or more dual-network output ports configured to transmit and receive the signals in the first frequency band and signals in a second frequency band. The dual-network splitter also includes one or more single-network output ports configured to transmit and receive the signals in the second frequency band. The dual-network splitter also includes a first splitter connected to the input port and configured to have the signals in the first frequency band pass therethrough. The dual-network splitter also includes a second splitter connected to the first splitter and configured to have the signals in the first frequency band pass therethrough. The dual-network splitter also includes a first dual-network filter connected to the first splitter and to a first of the dual-network output ports. The first dual-network filter is configured to transmit the signals in the first and second frequency bands to the first of the dual-network output ports and to receive the signals in the first and second frequency bands from the first of the dual-network output ports. The first dual-network filter is configured to transmit the signals in the first frequency band to the first splitter and to receive the signals in the first frequency band from the first splitter. The dual-network splitter also includes a second dual-network filter connected to the second splitter and to a second of the dual-network output ports. The second dual-network filter is configured to transmit the signals in the first and second frequency bands to the second of the dual-network output ports and to receive the signals in the first and second frequency bands from the second of the dual-network output ports. The second dual-network filter is configured to transmit the signals in the first frequency band to the second splitter and to receive the signals in the first frequency band from the second splitter. The dual-network splitter also includes a third dual-network filter connected to the second splitter and to a third of the dual-network output ports. The third dual-network filter is configured to transmit the signals in the first and second frequency bands to the third of the dual-network output ports and to receive the signals in the first and second frequency bands from the third of the dual-network output ports. The third dual-network filter is configured to transmit the signals in the first frequency band to the second splitter and to receive the signals in the first frequency band from the second splitter. The dual-network splitter also includes a third splitter connected to the first dual-network filter, the second dual-network filter, the third dual-network filter, and the one or more single-network output ports. The third splitter is configured to have the signals in the second frequency band pass therethrough.
In another embodiment, the dual-network splitter includes an input port configured to transmit and receive signals in a first frequency band. The dual-network splitter also includes one or more dual-network output ports configured to transmit and receive the signals in the first frequency band and signals in a second frequency band. The dual-network splitter also includes one or more single-network output ports configured to transmit and receive the signals in the second frequency band but not in the first frequency band.
In another embodiment, the dual-network splitter includes an input port configured to transmit and receive signals in a first frequency band but not in a second frequency band. The dual-network splitter also includes one or more dual-network output ports configured to transmit and receive the signals in the first frequency band and the signals in the second frequency band. The dual-network splitter also includes one or more single-network output ports configured to transmit and receive the signals in the second frequency band but not in the first frequency band. The dual-network splitter also includes a first splitter connected to the input port and configured to have the signals in the first frequency band pass therethrough. The dual-network splitter also includes a second splitter connected to the first splitter and configured to have the signals in the first frequency band pass therethrough. The dual-network splitter also includes a third splitter connected to the first splitter, the second splitter, and the one or more single-network output ports. The third splitter is configured to have the signals in the second frequency band pass therethrough.
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.
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.
The present disclosure relates to dual-network splitters and, more particularly, to positioning various filters to isolate two networks (e.g., the CATV and MoCA networks) as much as possible. Dual network filters (DNFs) may include low-pass filters (LPFs), high-pass filters (HPFs), and/or diplex filters. As the degree of isolation between the networks increases, so too does the level of optimization of the circuit elements and performance. In one example, a LPF and a broadband ferrite splitter may be used for the CATV network, and a HPF with a resistive splitter may be used for the MoCA (e.g., in-home) network. This may provide beneficial tradeoffs for many electrical parameters, such as decreasing CATV insertion loss between the input port and access ports, decreasing MoCA isolation between in-home ports, and increasing isolation between the access and in-home networks. This may lead to less complex, dominantly passive, and more reliable networks, which have less failure modes by decreasing the need for amplifiers, and increased SNR by minimizing ingress of upstream noise. The coupling and isolation may occur at common nodes closer to the ports where one or more filters(s) provide the network-to-network isolation. The number of components (e.g., filters, splitters, and ports) that are common to both networks is minimized.
The dual-network splitter 100 may include an input port 101, one or more dual-network output ports (three are shown: 102-104), and one or more single-network output ports (four are shown: 105-108). The dual-network output ports 102-104 are in common with both the CATV and MoCA networks, and the single-network output ports 105-108 are only in one network (e.g., the MoCA network). In other words, the dual-network output ports 102-104 may pass signals in the CATV frequency band and the MoCA frequency band, and the single-network output ports 105-108 may pass signals in the MoCA frequency band but not in the CATV frequency band. As a result, the dual-network splitter 100 provides a more robust network with greater decoupling of the CATV and MoCA networks.
A diplexer 120 may be connected to the input port 101. More particularly, a LPF 122 of the diplexer 120 may be connected to the input port 101. A first (e.g., a two-way) splitter 130 may have a common port connected to the common port of the diplexer 120. The first splitter 130 may also have a first leg connected to the first dual-network output port 102 and a second leg connected to a common port of a second (e.g., a two-way) splitter 140. The second splitter 140 may have a first leg connected to the second dual-network output port 103 and a second leg connected to the third dual-network output port 104. The first and second splitters 130, 140 may be ferrite splitters. The splitters 130 and 140 facilitate the extension of dual-network ports and may be extended with additional splitters or omitted should only a single dual network port be required.
A HPF 124 of the diplexer 120 may be connected to a third (e.g., a four-way) splitter 150. The third splitter 150 may be a resistive splitter. The four legs of the third splitter 150 may be connected to the four single-network output ports 105-108, respectively. A first resistor 151 may be connected between the diplexer 120 and the third splitter 150. Additionally, a resistor 152-155 may be connected between the third splitter 150 and each of the MoCA-only output ports 105-108. The third splitter 150 split count may be increased or decreased to provide the number of single network ports required. HPFs 190-197 are low-order high-voltage DC-blocking and/or surge protection elements.
The signals above the first threshold frequency may pass through a second (e.g., two-way) splitter 330 and through a HPF 340. The HPF 340 may prevent signals below a second threshold frequency (i.e., the CATV signals) from passing therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the LPF 310 may have a greater order than the HPF 340. For example, the LPF 310 may be a 9th order, and the HPF 340 may be a 3rd order or 5th order. In addition, the LPF 310 and the HPF 340 may not be directly connected. In other words, they may have circuitry (e.g., second splitter 330) positioned between them.
A point of entry (POE) LPF 620 may be connected to and positioned between the input port 601 and the first splitter 630. A first DNF 660 may be connected to the first dual-network output port 602, the (first leg of the) first splitter 630, and the (common port of the) third splitter 650. A second DNF 670 may be connected to the second dual-network output port 603, the (first leg of the) second splitter 640, and (one of the legs of) the third splitter 650. A third DNF 680 may be connected to the third common dual-network port 604, the (second leg of the) second splitter 640, and (one of the legs of) the third splitter 650. The DNFs 660, 670, 680 may be or include any of the DNFs described above with reference to
A first DNF 1060 may be connected to the first dual-network output port 1002, the (first leg of the) first splitter 1030, and the (common port of the) third splitter 1050. A second DNF 1070 may be connected to the second dual-network output port 1003, the (first leg of the) second splitter 1040, and (the first leg of) the third splitter 1050. A third DNF 1080 may be connected to the third dual-network output port 1004, the (second leg of the) second splitter 1040, and (the second leg of) the third splitter 1050. The DNFs 1060, 1070, 1080 may be or include any of the DNFs described above with reference to
In this embodiment, only the CATV frequency band (not the MoCA frequency band) has access through the input port 1001. Each of the dual-network output ports 1002-1004 are common to both networks. The DNFs 1060, 1070, 1080 may route the MoCA signals through the resistive network and route the CATV signals through the splitters 1030, 1040 and back to the input port 1001. The HPFs 1090-1093 are low-order, high-voltage, DC-blocking and/or surge protection elements.
The dual-network splitter 1100 also includes a third 3-way resistive splitter 1150 having three legs connected to three MoCA output ports 1105-1107. A first resistor 1171 may be connected between the third splitter 1150 and the first MoCA output port 1105. A second resistor 1172 may be connected between the third splitter 1150 and the second MoCA output port 1106. A third resistor 1173 may be connected between the third splitter 1150 and the third MoCA output port 1107.
There may be no common nodes or outputs. A common sub-circuit 1180 may connect the CATV portion and the MoCA portion of the dual-network splitter 1100. The sub-circuit 1180 is the only common element. The sub-circuit 1180 may be or include a control or detection circuit for monitoring ports for automated port termination. The HPFs 1190-1196 are low-order, high-voltage, DC-blocking and/or surge protection elements.
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.
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.
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.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/619,268, filed on Jan. 19, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/697,454, filed on Jul. 13, 2018. The entirety of both applications is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62697454 | Jul 2018 | US |