Abstract: A device that houses a split of either a ribbon fiber, or alternatively a buffer tube, into individual fibers. The device includes a base that has a split area and a strain relief area, which includes a cavity. For strain relief of a ribbon fiber, two bumpers are placed on opposite sides of the ribbon fiber in the cavity, with the surfaces of the bumpers coated with an adhesive. The walls of the cavity prevent movement of the bumpers and ribbon fiber in two directions. A cavity cover that is removably connected to the base prevents movement in a third direction. A split area cover covers the remainder of the base. The cavity cover and the split area cover can be independently attached and removed from the base as necessary. In this manner, the split area cover can be removed to provide access to the split fibers without removing the cavity cover.

Abstract: A multi-voltage transformer includes an average current loop circuit, a pulse width generator, a push-pull driver, and a pulse width modulator coupled to the average current loop circuit, the pulse width generator, and the push-pull driver for generating pulses for driving a power supply. In a standard operating mode, the power supply is powered by an AC power source. The power supply uses the AC power source to drive the output of the power supply and to recharge the batteries associated with the power supply. When the power supply is operating on AC power, it translates the AC sinusoidal wave signal into a saw tooth wave signal that drives a pulse width modulator. When the AC power source is interrupted, the transformer switches the power source from the AC power source to a battery backup source. The transformer is designed to operate with a variety of battery voltages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly for a printed circuit board which alleviates the need to remove stingers from the assembly when removing the printed circuit board. The assembly of the present invention comprises a male connector for receiving one or more stingers. The stinger, which is located at the end of a cable such as a coaxial cable, forms an electrical circuit within the male connector. The male connector is inserted within a female connector coupled to a printed circuit board, forming an electrical connection. If the printed circuit board is removed from the assembly, the female connector is disconnected from the male connector enabling the stinger to be maintained in place with the male connector easing the replacement operation.

Abstract: A lock assembly having a latch member that is held in position against a mounting plate by tabs extending from the mounting plate without requiring a bolt, thus allowing a bolt having a desired one of many different head patterns to be installed in the lock assembly at a later time. The mounting plate has at least two upwardly-extending tabs for connecting the latch member to the mounting member without the bolt, which can be inserted through aligned apertures in the mounting plate and latch member at a later time. Preferably, each tab has a first portion that extends upwardly a certain distance from the mounting plate, and a second portion that extends from the vertical portion. Preferably, the second portions of the tabs extend in opposite directions. A back portion of the latch member is placed on the mounting plate such that a first tab extends through an aperture in the back portion of the latch member and such that a second tab is located adjacent to a notch in the back portion of the latch member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a communication signal modulated with a composite video signal without the need for a synchronizing device. Samples are taken of an intermediate signal derived from the received communication signal that represents the power spectrum of the communication signal at different instants of time. From a priori knowledge of the spectral characteristics of the communication signal modulated with a composite video signal, predetermined features of the communication signal are identified based on the relative values of the samples collected over a period of time equal to an entire frame of the composite video signal. The sample with the maximum value of a plurality of sample values collected for one frame is coincident with the occurrence of a vertical synchronization pulse of the composite video signal, which occurs when no modulation is present, and therefore is representative of the power of the communication signal at the visual carrier frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus providing at least one subscriber with subscriber service signals, telephone line signals and/or broadband signals, from one of at least two providers of such signals, including a connector for terminating at least one subscriber premises line, connectors for terminating incoming service lines from at least two providers of subscriber service signals and for permitting either provider of subscriber service signals to connect its incoming service line to the subscriber premises line and for permitting either provider to disconnect from the subscriber premises line the incoming service line of the other provider previously connected to the subscriber premises line and thereafter connect its incoming service line to the subscriber premises line.

Abstract: A method for transmitting broadcast and narrowcast services in a system having a headend, a hub connected the headend, and a plurality of nodes connected to the hub. Instead of transmitting the signals directly from the headend to each node, the signals are transmitted from the headend to the hub. The signals transmitted from the headend to the hub include both broadcast services to be transmitted to each node and narrowcast services to be transmitted only to predetermined targeted nodes. The broadcast and narrowcast services are transmitted by optical signal beams operating at different wavelengths. Subscribers can transmit signals to the headend, via each node, on the reverse channel. The reverse channel information from subscribers is combined at each respective node into a single wavelength for each node. The narrowcast services are added at the headend instead of at the hub.

Abstract: A module for allowing an enclosure containing circuitry or electronics to be connected to the back of a jack plate behind the surface of a wall. The electronics module may be, for example, an ADSL POTS splitter for isolating voice-band services from ADSL data and voice services at the subscriber premises. The module includes a generally rectangular enclosure that has at least two legs for being inserted into holes in the jack plate to attach the enclosure to the jack plate. The legs preferably extend downwardly below the bottom of the enclosure and are preferably located as far apart from each other as possible, such as on diagonal corners of a rectangular enclosure. The legs of the enclosure are inserted into the holes on the back face of the jack plate, which faces inwardly into the stud cavity of the wall when attached to a wall box. In this manner, the module is attached to the back face of the jack plate in the stud cavity of a wall, thereby achieving an aesthetically pleasing, space-saving connection.

Abstract: A broadband signal tap includes a reversible directional coupler and a make-before-break signal continuity bridge. The electronic circuitry of the directional coupler is provided on a daughterboard that is removably connected to a motherboard in the tap. The removable daughterboard has a plurality of symmetrically arranged connection means and the motherboard has a plurality of symmetrically arranged connection points for accepting connections with the plurality of symmetrically arranged outputs on the daughterboard. The connections on the motherboard and on the daughterboard are physically and functionally symmetrical, thereby permitting the daughterboard to be reversed. The daughterboard is maintained in a housing. The housing has elongated fingers which, when pushed downward onto the motherboard, penetrate through retaining holes in motherboard, thereby retaining the housing on the motherboard.

Abstract: An apparatus for organizing fibers in a rack that houses optical equipment, including a guide that can be removably connected at one of a plurality of different locations to define paths in which fibers can be routed between equipment within the rack. The invention includes a panel having an array of mounting holes therein, and a plurality of guides that can be removably connected to the panel at a plurality of different locations defined by the mounting holes. The panel is located in the rack adjacent to each rack space that houses a piece of equipment and preferably includes a plurality of columns having a plurality of mounting holes in each column. This provides a plurality of vertical and horizontal locations at which a guide can be connected to the panel, thereby allowing the guide to be connected to an appropriate location depending on the size of the equipment in the rack space.

Abstract: A service entrance unit includes a generator connection space to allow an alternate power source, such as a generator, to be connected to a load line within the unit. The unit includes a body and a cover to enclose the interior of the unit. The interior of the unit includes a faceplate which has a receptacle that receives utility power, and a load is connected to utility power by a load plug mated with the faceplate receptacle. The faceplate does not extend the full height of the body, thereby leaving a generator connection space in the interior. When utility power is interrupted, the load plug is disconnected from the faceplate receptacle and a generator is connected to the load by connecting a generator cord receptacle to the load plug. This connection is positioned in the generator connection space, the generator power cord extends from cutouts in the unit, and the cover of the unit is closed to secure the connection.

Abstract: A circuit and method for providing temperature stability in an FM quadrature detector. The circuit includes a feedback branch that feeds a portion of the dc output voltage to a varactor diode that is connected in parallel with a capacitor of an LC circuit in the quadrature detector. When the ambient temperature of the LC circuit of the quadrature detector changes, the resonant frequency shifts from the desired center value and a dc voltage is introduced at the output of the quadrature detector. The dc voltage is input to the varactor diode via the feedback circuit branch, and the capacitance of the varactor diode, which is dependent on the dc voltage applied to it, causes the overall capacitance of the LC circuit to change. The change in overall capacitance of the LC circuit caused by the capacitance of the varactor diode causes the resonant frequency of the quadrature detector to shift to be more closely maintained at the desired center frequency.

Abstract: A BTSC-compatible encoder that is integrated onto an application specific integrated circuit includes a low pass filter that is responsive to a digital representation of an audio signal that has a sample rate of FS. The low pass filter generates a corresponding second digital signal having an pseudo-interpolated sampling rate of 4FS. A digital infinite impulse response pre-emphasis filter generates a pre-emphasized output signal corresponding to the second digital signal. A digital signal compressor that is responsive to the pre-emphasized output signal, generates a compressed digital signal corresponding to the pre-emphasized output signal. A digital phase locked loop that is responsive to a video sync pulse having a sync pulse frequency, generates a third digital signal corresponding to a sinusoid having a frequency equal to twice the sync pulse frequency and a having a sampling frequency equal to 4FS.

Abstract: An RF directional coupler includes dual binocular ferrite cores. The dual cores are positioned back-to-back, such that the adjacent surfaces of each core contact each other. Each core has two generally cylindrical holes that extend through the core. Each hole preferably extends longitudinally through each respective core and is parallel to each other hole. One core is called the "main core" and the other core is called the "return core". Wire windings enter the coupler from the printed circuit board from the bottom of the coupler. A winding enters one hole in the main core and exits the hole on the top of the coupler. The winding then enters the corresponding hole in the return core from the top of the coupler. The winding then proceeds downwardly and exits the hole in the return core at the bottom of the coupler. After exiting the return core, the winding may then again enter the hole in the main core or may connected to a connection port on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A system for amplifying separate optical signals traveling in a forward path and a reverse path over an optical communications system used for CATV program distribution. A first and second optical circulator, each having a first, second, and third port, are connected to respective opposite sides of a bi-directional amplifier. The first port of the first circulator inputs a first optical signal traveling in the forward path. The second port of the first circulator is coupled to an input/output port of the amplifier. The third port of the first circulator outputs an amplified second signal traveling in the reverse path. The second circulator is similarly connected to the side of the amplifier. A first and second signal/signal WDM coupler, each having a pass port P, an add port A/D, and a common port C, are coupled to the first and second optical circulators, respectively.

Abstract: A circuit and method for compensating for variations in voltages in a circuit or device that are caused by temperature changes imposed on the circuit or device. The circuit is a temperature-controlled attenuator that comprises an input and an output. The input is to be coupled to a point in the circuit or device carrying the temperature-dependent voltage. At least one thermistor is coupled between the input and the output by a resistor network. The resistor network comprises a plurality or resistors whose values are selected based upon selected points on the temperature-voltage curve for the circuit and a desired compensated voltage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using and/or switching to an auxiliary communication pathway to increase system reliability and/or reduce maintenance costs is disclosed. One feature is directed to a smart network interface device (SNID) implemented using latching relays. The SNID has very low power requirements and can be remotely controlled in a reliable manner through the use of simple tone signal commands over common POTS line pairs. Upon detecting a fault condition on a main line pair, the SNID is remotely instructed to disconnect the faulty line pair and switch the telephone customer's line connected to the faulty line pair to an auxiliary line pair. To operate in a POTS telephone environment without the need for an additional power supply, the SNID is designed to be powered from the power available from the auxiliary line pair. The power supply circuitry of the SNID is designed to have a near infinite input impedance with regard to input signals below twenty volts.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a broadcast television stereo signal has a left channel and a right channel. An analog-to-digital converter converts the right-channel signal to a right digital signal and the left-channel to a left digital signal. A circuit, which could include a digital signal processing chip, generates a first signal that includes the right digital signal added to the left digital signal and generates a second signal that includes the right digital signal subtracted from the left digital signal. The circuit also generates a digitally pre-emphasized first signal, which includes digital pre-emphasis, and a digitally pre-emphasized second signal, which also includes digital pre-emphasis. The circuit transforms the pre-emphasized first signal to a digital BTSC L+R signal and transforms the pre-emphasized second signal to a digital BTSC L-R signal.

Abstract: A tap for delivering electrical power and video signals to subscriber substations includes an input coupling module for coupling a main video signal and a main power signal from a cable conductor to the tap. Means are provided for generating a subscriber video signal and a subscriber power signal by extracting portions of the signals from the main cable. The subscriber video signals and subscriber power signals then are transmitted to subscriber substations. Communication devices in the subscriber substations can be powered by the subscriber power signal in the absence of electrical power from a power utility.

Abstract: A network interface device (NID) including a plurality of cavities beneath the base surface of the NID. Each cavity extends downwardly between the base surface of the NID and the bottom of the NID defined by bosses and extensions extending downwardly from the base surface. Each cavity provides sufficient space for additional electronics, such as a test circuit, to be housed in the NID. The test circuit is housed within the cavity and is electrically connected between the incoming telephone company line and the jack of a line module. The line module is mounted above the test circuit by mating connecting means on the bottom of the line module to cooperative connection means on the base surface.