Abstract: There is provided an optical network device (30) comprising separate downstream and upstream signal paths (33, 34) disposed between a wavelength division multiplexing unit (16) and a signal splitting element (32, 44, 50), an optical to electrical signal converter (18) disposed in the downstream path and an electrical to optical signal converter (22) disposed in the upstream path, wherein the signal splitting element (32, 44, 50) is capable of splitting signals independent of signal frequency and is configured with an isolation of 30 to 50 dB thereby to substantially prevent leakage of downstream signals into upstream path (34). The signal splitting element is capable of splitting signals independent of signal frequency and may be a directional coupler, two-way signal splitter or hybrid coupler comprising at least two different types of coupler element.

Abstract: There is provided a connector comprising an electrically conductive member (48) fixed in position within a rotatable insulating body (42), the electrically conductive member (48) comprising at least one connection channel (72, 74), a biasing member (46) such as a torsion spring connected to the insulating body (42), and an insertion axis (94), wherein the rotatable insulating body (42) is formed with at least one tapered guide channel (44) in which is located an insertion axis and the insulating body (42) is rotatable from a first biased position in which the at least one tapered guide channel (44) is offset from the connection channel (72, 74) to a second biased position where the at least one connection channel (72, 74) is aligned with the insertion axis (94). The electrically conductive member (48) is rotatable against a biasing force of the biasing member (46) upon insertion of a conductor pin.

Abstract: There is provided an outdoor tap comprising an input and an output connectable to a signal path carrying electrical power and an RF signal, and a plurality of output ports connectable to users of a broadband network, wherein a power return path is provided between each output port and the input, the power return path selectively actuable to transmit electrical power from a user to power elements disposed in the signal path. A switch is disposed in the power return path, the switch selectively operable to activate the power return path. The switch is responsive to AC power from a user when a main electrical grid supply is interrupted.

Abstract: There is provided a broadband signal tap comprising a housing and a cover adapted to be removable from and attachable to the housing, the housing comprising a power continuity connector and the cover comprising at least one external subscriber port, wherein a floating RF coupler is disposed proximal to the power continuity connector.

Abstract: There is provided a cable tap device comprising a microstrip directional coupler having a first input port, a first output port, an isolation port and a first coupling port and a ferrite directional coupler having a second input port, a second output port and a second coupling port, wherein the microstrip directional coupler and the ferrite directional coupler are connected together to form a tap unit such that the first output port is connected to the second input port, the isolation port is connected to the second coupling port and the first coupling port connects to one or more tap ports. Capacitive elements can be associated with both types of directional coupler to prevent passage of low frequency signals through the directional couplers. Inductive elements to prevent passage of high frequency signals through the directional couplers.

Abstract: There is provided a cable network device comprising an input associated with a plurality of outputs, wherein each output is connected to a respective microstrip directional coupler and each microstrip directional coupler is connected to at least one of the other microstrip directional couplers. The microstrip directional couplers form a series of microstrip directional couplers, with a last microstrip directional coupler in the series having its output port terminated by a resistive element. An isolated port of each microstrip directional coupler is in electrical communication with the upstream path.

Abstract: There is provided a cable tap device for a CATV network comprising a microstrip directional coupler on an electrical path between an input and an output and arranged to communicate with a splitter device associated with a plurality of tap ports. A tilt compensating circuit is disposed between the microstrip directional coupler and the splitter device. A feedback path comprising resistive, inductive and capacitive elements connects an isolated port of the microstrip directional coupler to that part of the electrical path between the input and the input port of the microstrip directional coupler.

Abstract: There is provided a cable tap device for a CATV network comprising a microstrip directional coupler on an electrical path between an input and an output arranged to communicate with a splitter device associated with a plurality of tap ports. A ferrite core directional coupler is arranged in parallel with microstrip directional coupler with low frequency signals passing through ferrite core directional coupler and high frequency signals passing through the microstrip directional coupler.

Abstract: There is provided a signal splitter comprising at least four outputs and a plurality of step-up transformers, wherein each step-up transformer has less than seven turns. A first step-up transformer is connected to a common port and positioned between the input and second and third step-up transformers. The first step-up transformer has a different number of turns to the second and third step-up transformers.

Abstract: There is provided a cable television (CATV) cable tap device comprising a cable tap unit having a front section with electrical circuitry connected to a plurality of tap ports and a rear section connectable to a broadband network, wherein an amplifier unit is disposed between the front section and the rear section and is in electrical communication with both the front section and the rear section. The amplifier unit is a separate module and comprises one or more amplification circuits for upstream and/or downstream amplification of signals.

Abstract: There is provided an electrical device (10) comprising electrical elements communicating with an integral power supply (12), wherein a power connection means (22) associated with the electrical elements (13, 13? and 14) is adapted to receive a temporary external source of electrical power such as a battery (24) to allow removal and replacement of the integral power supply without interrupting power to the electrical elements. The integral power supply (12) is adapted to receive an enduring external power source, with a second switch (32) provided to disable connection of the integral power supply (12) to the enduring power source while the battery (24) is connected.

Abstract: There is provided a method of anticipating component failure in broadband network devices, the method comprising monitoring values of AC ripple voltage on a DC voltage from a power supply associated with a CATV amplifier or node, comparing values of AC ripple voltage with a set value to determine whether the value of AC ripple voltage are acceptable or not, generating an alarm when the set value is exceeded and sending the alarm to a remote computing device. The monitoring step further comprises amplifying the AC ripple voltage by a factor of 10 and passing the amplified signal to a processing means for comparison with the set value. A circuit for monitoring the ripple voltage is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a cable tap device for a CATV network comprising a microstrip directional coupler on an electrical path between an input and an output and arranged to communicate with a splitter device associated with a plurality of tap ports. A tilt compensating circuit is disposed between the microstrip directional coupler and the splitter device. A feedback path comprising resistive, inductive and capacitive elements connects an isolated port of the microstrip directional coupler to that part of the electrical path between the input and the input port of the microstrip directional coupler.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic transformer cores comprise transformer beads with multiple holes or channels extending through the bead. The physical dimensions of individual core components are adjusted relative to each other to ensure that transformers to be associated with the core components are balanced in impedance.

Abstract: There is provided a method of retaining elongate elements, such as cables, glass fibres, wires or connectors, comprising attaching a hook strip to a surface and placing one or more elongate elements onto the hook strip so as to be removably secured by the hook strip. The hook strip comprises a number of upstanding catch elements to retain the elongate elements. This method provides a straightforward way of securing cables, glass fibres and the like and the elongate elements can be repositioned as and when needed with ease simply by pulling them from the hook strip to release them and then urging them back into the hook strip to be retained once again. A fibre management enclosure is also provided with rotatable spools for storing fibres ready for access.