Abstract: A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections.

Abstract: A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections. Carrier frequency offset in the downlink is measured in a carrier tracking loop part of a television signal demodulator.

Abstract: Improved signal reception is provided in a digital television signal received by identifying and mitigating multipath signal effects prior to demodulation and equalization. According to an exemplary embodiment, a digital television signal is received having multipath signal effects which cause a plurality of ripples in the received signal. The amplitude of at least one of the ripples and the frequency separation between at least two of the ripples are detected. At least one of an antenna and a tuner is controlled in dependence upon the detection. Signal demodulation and equalization operations may be performed after at least one of the antenna and the tuner is controlled.

Abstract: In a switch mode power supply, a mains supply voltage source is coupled to a rectifier for producing an input supply voltage. The rectified input supply voltage is coupled unfiltered to an input of the SMPS. A switching power transistor having a controllable duty cycle is controlled by a duty cycle modulated signal for producing a regulated output supply voltage from the rectified input supply voltage. The periodic waveform of the mains supply voltage is used to establish the timings of the duty cycle modulated signal. In each cycle, current flow is initiated in the transistor, when the transistor is already fully turned on and a voltage developed between its main current conducting terminals is low or close to zero volts. When the output supply voltage attains the required level the transistor is turned off. Hysteresis is provided for preventing the transistor from turning on again in the same cycle, after it has been turned off.

Abstract: Improved signal reception is provided in a digital television signal received by identifying and mitigating multipath signal effects prior to demodulation and equalization. According to an exemplary embodiment, a digital television signal is received having multipath signal effects which cause a plurality of ripples in the received signal. The amplitude of at least one of the ripples and the frequency separation between at least two of the ripples are detected. At least one of an antenna and a tuner is controlled in dependence upon the detection. Signal demodulation and equalization operations may be performed after at least one of the antenna and the tuner is controlled.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling channel set up and antenna control in a television signal receiver provides an efficient way in which to optimize channel tuning. According to an exemplary embodiment, a television signal receiver such as a digital television (DTV) receiver includes a memory for receiving and storing data provided from a storage medium. The data includes a channel list having one or more channels available for reception by the television signal receiver at a designated location and antenna control information corresponding to each of the channels in the channel list. According to an exemplary embodiment, the storage medium is a database which provides the channel list and antenna control information to the television signal receiver over a communications network such as the internet.

Abstract: A signal processing arrangement has a signal source for providing an information bearing RF signal, a signal output point, and a control circuit coupled between the signal source and the signal output point for controlling the selection of a low noise figure amplifier including impedance matching circuitry or an attenuator in response to the quality of the information borne by the RF signal.

Abstract: A siganl processing method includes the steps of tuning to a channel frequency and then measuring quality of the information borne by an information bearing RF signal on the selected channel frequency under a first operation mode, enabling an attenuator and/or an amplifier and then measuring quality of the information borne by the RF signal under a second operation mode, and determining the optimum receiving condition by comparing the quality of the information born by the RF signal under the first and second operation modes.

Abstract: A signal processing arrangement has a signal source for providing a radio frequency (RF) signal, a signal output point, and first control means coupled between the signal source and the signal output point for controlling the selection of a low noise figure amplifier in response to the magnitude of an RF signal on a tuned channel frequency and the magnitude of an RF signal in the vicinity of said tuned channel frequency.

Abstract: A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections. Carrier frequency offset in the downlink is measured in a carrier tracking loop part of a television signal demodulator.

Abstract: A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections. Carrier frequency offset in the downlink is measured in a carrier tracking loop part of a television signal demodulator.

Abstract: A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections. Carrier frequency offset in the downlink is measured in a carrier tracking loop part of a television signal demodulator.

Abstract: A broadband folded dipole antenna has a pair of load resistors in the vicinity of the edges of the antenna element for obtaining a unidirectional beam pattern.

Abstract: A down converter, such as a low noise block (LNB) converter, of the outdoor unit of a terrestrial microwave or satellite receiving system includes apparatus for automatically controlling the conversion gain of the down converter. In one embodiment the automatic gain control apparatus, including a gain controllable RF stage and a gain control signal generator for generating a gain control signal in response to the output signal of the down converter, are both included within the outdoor unit. In another embodiment, the gain controllable RF stage is included in the outdoor unit, but the gain control signal generator is included in the indoor unit of the receiving system and the gain control signal is coupled to the outdoor unit in direct or in encoded form. In the latter case, the encoded gain control signal can be coupled to the down converter via the coaxial cable connected between the outdoor and indoor units.

Abstract: A switching circuit for switching VHF/UHF signals. The switching circuit includes an amplifier for amplifying an input signal, a switching device for coupling the amplified signal to an output, a control circuit responsive to a first state of a control signal for simultaneously causing the switching device to be in a conductive state and enabling the amplifier for amplifying the input signal, and the control circuit also responsive to a second state of the control signal for simultaneously causing the switching device to be in a non-conductive state and removing a DC operating voltage from the amplifier for further isolating the input signal from the output.

Abstract: A single antenna assembly receives both direct broadcast satellite signals (DBS) and terrestrial broadcast signals, such as local VHF and UHF television channel broadcasts. The assembly includes an electromagnetic signal reflector for reflecting and focusing electromagnetic signals in a first band of frequencies, such as microwave signals for DBS. Incorporated in the reflector is an antenna for receiving electromagnetic signals in a second band of frequencies.

Abstract: A broadband antenna of small size employs closely spaced elongated conductive elements forming a loop, the conductive loop having a pair of feeding points located on the mid point of the loop in length, and the conductive loop forming a bow-tie structure for providing reception over the entire VHF and UHF bands of frequencies. The loop is formed out of part of a conductive material of a dish-shaped microwave reflector.

Abstract: An intercarrier television receiver incorporates circuitry for providing automatic fine tuning signals and frequency translated sound carrier signals. A series-shunt resonant circuit arrangement modifies the passband response of signals provided by an intercarrier IF amplifier and generates both a desired sound carrier to picture carrier relationship and a desired automatic fine tuning response.