Abstract: An interconnection junction for communications cables includes: a first connector; a second connector; and a sealing enclosure having a cavity and formed of a polymeric material, the sealing enclosure comprising an RF-isolating material. The first connector and second connector are joined and reside within the cavity of the sealing enclosure.

Abstract: A method of forming a joint between a coaxial cable and, a coaxial connector includes the steps of: preparing a cable having an inner conductor, a dielectric, a corrugated outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer, and a jacket such that an end of the inner conductor is exposed, an end of the outer conductor is exposed arid is flattened to form a ring devoid of corrugations, and a portion of the dielectric layer is cored out to form a solder chamber between the inner conductor and the ring of the outer conductor; preparing an assembly comprising a coaxial connector comprising an inner contact, a dielectric spacer, and an outer conductor body having a tail, with a solder preform encircling the tail; inserting the tail and solder preform into the solder chamber; and melting the solder preform to create a joint between the ring and the tail.

Abstract: A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact; a dielectric spacer; and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.

Abstract: A method of forming a solder joint between a coaxial cable and a coaxial connector includes the steps of: positioning a solder element between an end of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable and a connector body of the connector, wherein the solder element is positioned within a vacuum chamber; melting the solder element to form a solder joint between the outer conductor and the connector body, the solder joint including a lower surface formed by contact with a mounting structure; and applying suction to the melting solder element to reduce the formation of bubbles within the solder joint.

Abstract: Tower systems suitable for use at cellular base stations include a tower, an antenna mounted on the tower, a remote radio head mounted on the tower and a power supply. A power cable having a power supply conductor and a return conductor is connected between the power supply and the remote radio head. A shunt capacitance unit that is separate from the remote radio head that is electrically coupled between the power supply conductor and the return conductor of the power cable.

Abstract: An interconnection junction includes: a first connector; a second connector; and a sealing enclosure having a cavity and formed of a polymeric material, the sealing enclosure comprising an RF-isolating material. The first connector and second connector are joined and reside within the cavity of the sealing enclosure.

Abstract: Tower systems suitable for use at cellular base stations include a tower, an antenna mounted on the tower, a remote radio head mounted on the tower and a power supply. A power cable having a power supply conductor and a return conductor is connected between the power supply and the remote radio head. A shunt capacitance unit that is separate from the remote radio head that is electrically coupled between the power supply conductor and the return conductor of the power cable.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus (60), such as an integrated circuit (IC) mixer is provided for improving the physical layout of devices containing mixers. The mixer includes a multiplier (62) with an input port (64), an output port (66), a first switchable local oscillator input port (68) and a second switchable local oscillator input port (72). The dual switchable local oscillator ports are located on either side of the mixer, between the input side and the output side. The dual switchable local oscillator ports allow the mixer to provide more flexibility in integrated circuit and printed circuit board design layouts involving mixer apparatus. For example, in dual channel devices, a local oscillator can be coupled to a pair of the mixers using transmission lines that do not have to be routed around the integrated circuit, to a different level of the printed circuit board or underneath one of the mixers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for calibrating and controlling output power levels in a broadband communication system. The power level of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal may be varied at a first attenuator. The IF signal from the first attenuator may be frequency converted at a mixer to provide a desired transmit frequency converted signal. The power level of the frequency converted signal may be adjusted at a second attenuator. The signal may be sampled after the second attenuator in order to detect its output power level. The detected output power level may be compared with a reference level to obtain a difference signal. The difference signal may be used in a feedback loop to adjust the power level of the signal output from the first attenuator so that a constant output power level is maintained. Methods and apparatus for calibrating output power levels are also provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are employed for individually monitoring the connectivity status of cables connected at a cable modem termination system (CMTS), where the cables conduct upstream and downstream RF communication signals. The monitoring is self-contained within the CMTS. The monitoring is achieved by producing a reference signal having a frequency outside the frequency range of the RF communication signals. The reference signal is injected onto the RF communication signal. The power level of the reference signal is detected within the CMTS, whereby the power level correlates with an expected cable load impedance. A DC control voltage based on the detected power level of the reference signal is generated, which allows a controller to determine the connectivity statuses of the connected cables.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are employed for individually monitoring the connectivity status of cables connected at a cable modem termination system (CMTS), where the cables conduct upstream and downstream RF communication signals. The monitoring is self-contained within the CMTS. The monitoring is achieved by producing a reference signal having a frequency outside the frequency range of the RF communication signals. The reference signal is injected onto the RF communication signal. The power level of the reference signal is detected within the CMTS, whereby the power level correlates with an expected cable load impedance. A DC control voltage based on the detected power level of the reference signal is generated, which allows a controller to determine the connectivity statuses of the connected cables.

Abstract: A loop filter and amplifier (206) is configured to generate a control voltage (VC) by applying low gain to a correction voltage (VP) in response to an input signal (VH/L) indicating that the VCO (202) is to operate at low frequencies and applying high gain to the correction voltage in response to the input signal indicating that the VCO is to operate at high frequencies. A loop filter and amplifier (306) is configured to generate a control voltage (VC) by shifting the control voltage by an amount determined by an offset voltage (VOFF) and by adjusting the control voltage with a correction voltage (VP). An operational amplifier (310) is configured to generate a difference between the amount determined by the offset voltage and the correction voltage.