Abstract: An input N-plexer filter stage is susceptible to receive surge energy via an input conductor, when the surge energy occurs. A high-pass filter included in a diplexer filter stage applies a radio frequency (RF) signal in a signal path between the input N-plexer filter stage and an output of a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) transmitter stage. A low-pass filter included in the diplexer filter stage couples a surge suppressing threshold device to the signal path to dissipate the surge energy in the surge suppressing threshold device, when the surge energy occurs. The low-pass filter has a cut-off frequency that is lower than a normal operation frequency range of the RF signal. The low-pass filter isolates the surge suppressing threshold device from the signal path in normal operation frequency range of the RF signal, when no surge energy is applied.

Abstract: An antenna structure is described. The antenna structure includes a first set of conductive elements that form a first portion of the antenna structure, the first set of conductive elements being formed on a first layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board, and a second set of conductive elements that form a second portion of the antenna structure, the second set of conductive elements being formed in parallel to the first set of conductive elements on a second layer of the multi-layer printed circuit board, wherein the first layer and the second layer are inner layers of the multilayer printed circuit board. An apparatus that uses the antenna structure is also described.

Abstract: An antenna including a first conductive element having a first length and including a first connecting interface to connect, at a first end, the antenna structure to an electrical circuit, a second conductive element having a second length, the second conductive element connecting, at a first end, to a second end of the first conductive element, and a third conductive element having a third length and connecting at a first end to a second end of the second conductive element and oriented at an angle that is orthogonal to the orientation axis for the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The antenna can be placed by machine without the antenna moving or tilting in any direction prior attaching to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a slot antenna for an electronic device, e.g. a set top box. A printed circuit board (210) comprising a dielectric material (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) and electrodes (240, 360) extends into a rectangular slot (120) in the metal enclosure (110) of the device such that the electrodes are coupled with locations on opposite edges of the long dimension of the rectangular slot. The coupling may be capacitively in order to affect the level of coupling or to optimize the driving point return loss. The presence of the dielectric in the slot allows the use of a shorter slot for a given wavelength.

Abstract: An antenna including a first conductive element having a first length and including a first connecting interface to connect, at a first end, the antenna structure to an electrical circuit, a second conductive element having a second length, the second conductive element connecting, at a first end, to a second end of the first conductive element, and a third conductive element having a third length and connecting at a first end to a second end of the second conductive element and oriented at an angle that is orthogonal to the orientation axis for the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The antenna can be placed by machine without the antenna moving or tilting in any direction prior attaching to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An antenna structure is described. The antenna structure includes a first set of conductive elements that form a first portion of the antenna structure, the first set of conductive elements being formed on a first layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board, and a second set of conductive elements that form a second portion of the antenna structure, the second set of conductive elements being formed in parallel to the first set of conductive elements on a second layer of the multi-layer printed circuit board, wherein the first layer and the second layer are inner layers of the multilayer printed circuit board. An apparatus that uses the antenna structure is also described.

Abstract: An input N-plexer filter stage is susceptible to receive surge energy via an input conductor, when the surge energy occurs. A high-pass filter included in a diplexer filter stage applies a radio frequency (RF) signal in a signal path between the input N-plexer filter stage and an output of a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) transmitter stage. A low-pass filter included in the diplexer filter stage couples a surge suppressing threshold device to the signal path to dissipate the surge energy in the surge suppressing threshold device, when the surge energy occurs. The low-pass filter has a cut-off frequency that is lower than a normal operation frequency range of the RF signal. The low-pass filter isolates the surge suppressing threshold device from the signal path in normal operation frequency range of the RF signal, when no surge energy is applied.

Abstract: An F connector coupled to a transmission line applies a radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF input of a filter of a set-top box via an impedance matching network that includes a first inductor and a second inductor that are coupled in series. A capacitor and a third inductor are coupled in parallel between a discharge tube and a junction terminal that is interposed between the series coupled inductors for protecting electronic components such as the filter from a voltage surge developed in the transmission line.

Abstract: An F connector coupled to a transmission line applies a radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF input of a filter of a set-top box via an impedance matching network that includes a first inductor and a second inductor that are coupled in series. A capacitor and a third inductor are coupled in parallel between a discharge tube and a junction terminal that is interposed between the series coupled inductors for protecting electronic components such as the filter from a voltage surge developed in the transmission line.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for protecting a satellite reception system from strong terrestrial signals. A high Q tunable trap is used to help reject strong ATSC signals or other signals that may be present on the input coaxial cable of a satellite receiver that operates in a single-wire multi-switch (SWM) environment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a slot antenna for an electronic device, e.g. a set top box. A printed circuit board (210) comprising a dielectric material (310, 320, 330, 340, 350) and electrodes (240, 360) extends into a rectangular slot (120) in the metal enclosure (110) of the device such that the electrodes are coupled with locations on opposite edges of the long dimension of the rectangular slot. The coupling may be capacitively in order to affect the level of coupling or to optimize the driving point return loss. The presence of the dielectric in the slot allows the use of a shorter slot for a given wavelength.

Abstract: Verification of the address connections of a memory (14) having multiplexed banks rows and columns commences by selecting a first address location having a bank/row/column value and then writing a pattern to a second location corresponding to the first location where one of the column, row, bank addresses could become stuck high or low. A second pattern gets written to the first location and a comparison occurs between the second pattern and first pattern written to the second location. If the data is the same, then that particular row/column/bank addresses is stuck.

Abstract: Verification of the address connections of a memory (14) having multiplexed banks rows and columns commences by selecting a first address location having a bank/row/column value and then writing a pattern to a second location corresponding to the first location where one of the column, row, bank addresses could become stuck high or low. A second pattern gets written to the first location and a comparison occurs between the second pattern and first pattern written to the second location. If the data is the same, then that particular row/column/bank addresses is stuck.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for protecting a satellite reception system from strong terrestrial signals. A high Q tunable trap is used to help reject strong ATSC signals or other signals that may be present on the input coaxial cable of a satellite receiver that operates in a single-wire multi-switch (SWM) environment.

Abstract: It consists of determining by an iterative calculation the neutron flux .phi.(j,g) at each point j of the core in the form of a sum of two components, the first component being associated with a predetermined state of the core defined by predetermined interaction probabilities of the neutrons in the core and the second component being linked with the real state of the core, with said predetermined state and with said first component. The power given off P(j) and the number of emitted neutrons S(j) at each point of the core are then deduced from the neutron flux. The power given off P(j) and the neutron flux .phi.(j,g) are used for controlling the core regulating means, such as the control rods or the boron concentration.

Abstract: The baseband linearizer attenuates the amplitude of the in-phase and quadrature phase components of the baseband signal as a function of the transfer characteristic of the high power amplifier and under the control of a baseband signal power level detector. The phase angle of the attenuated signal is rotated as a function of the amplifier transfer characteristic, again under the control of the power level detector.