Abstract: A system for distributing broadband signals via twisted pair wiring is disclosed. Various aspects of the system involve use of a broadband signal distribution interface device and/or a broadband line driver. In one aspect, a broadband signal distribution interface device includes a broadband signal interface configured to receive broadband radio frequency signals, and a plurality of broadband signal connections configured to distribute broadband radio frequency signals. The interface device also includes circuitry defining an upstream signal path and a downstream signal path and including a gain control circuit and a slope control circuit each positioned along the downstream signal path. The circuitry is configured to accommodate downstream transmission of the broadband signals onto twisted pair wiring.

Abstract: A system for distributing broadband signals via twisted pair wiring is disclosed. Various aspects of the system involve use of a broadband signal distribution interface device and/or a broadband line driver. In one aspect, a broadband signal distribution interface device includes a broadband signal interface configured to receive broadband radio frequency signals, and a plurality of broadband signal connections configured to distribute broadband radio frequency signals. The interface device also includes circuitry defining an upstream signal path and a downstream signal path and including a gain control circuit and a slope control circuit each positioned along the downstream signal path. The circuitry is configured to accommodate downstream transmission of the broadband signals onto twisted pair wiring.

Abstract: A system for distributing broadband signals via twisted pair wiring is disclosed. Various aspects of the system involve use of a broadband signal distribution interface device and/or a broadband line driver. In one aspect, a broadband signal distribution interface device includes a broadband signal interface configured to receive broadband radio frequency signals, and a plurality of broadband signal connections configured to distribute broadband radio frequency signals. The interface device also includes circuitry defining an upstream signal path and a downstream signal path and including a gain control circuit and a slope control circuit each positioned along the downstream signal path. The circuitry is configured to accommodate downstream transmission of the broadband signals onto twisted pair wiring.

Abstract: A system for distributing broadband signals via twisted pair wiring is disclosed. Various aspects of the system involve use of a broadband signal distribution interface device and/or a broadband line driver. In one aspect, a broadband signal distribution interface device includes a broadband signal interface configured to receive broadband radio frequency signals, and a plurality of broadband signal connections configured to distribute broadband radio frequency signals. The interface device also includes circuitry defining an upstream signal path and a downstream signal path and including a gain control circuit and a slope control circuit each positioned along the downstream signal path. The circuitry is configured to accommodate downstream transmission of the broadband signals onto twisted pair wiring.

Abstract: A system for distributing broadband signals via twisted pair wiring is disclosed. Various aspects of the system involve use of a broadband signal distribution interface device and/or a broadband line driver. In one aspect, a broadband signal distribution interface device includes a broadband signal interface configured to receive broadband radio frequency signals, and a plurality of broadband signal connections configured to distribute broadband radio frequency signals. The interface device also includes circuitry defining an upstream signal path and a downstream signal path and including a gain control circuit and a slope control circuit each positioned along the downstream signal path. The circuitry is configured to accommodate downstream transmission of the broadband signals onto twisted pair wiring.

Abstract: The present invention includes installing a computer network (51) in a building (24) by coupling together a hub (50, 350) and a number of network adapters (100, 400) together with previously installed cabling. Data signals are transmitted from the adapters (100, 400) to the hub (50, 350) within a first frequency range and converted to frequency-converted data signals within a second frequency range for transmission back to the adapters (100, 400). The network (51) interfaces to an ethernet bus (37) through each of the adapters (100, 400).

Abstract: A motion detection system compares the differences between regions in a reference frame and regions in a subsequent frame to a threshold value. A difference frame is defined containing regions indicating which of the corresponding regions in the subsequent frame exceed the threshold difference when compared to the reference frame. Target and global parameters are defined so that a cluster of regions in the difference frame which indicate above threshold differences, must be greater than the target parameter but less than the global parameter for motion to be deemed to have occurred.

Abstract: A wideband signal distribution system for distributing among a plurality of outlets wideband signals modulated onto RF carrier signals within a specified frequency band. The system functions as "passive" infrastructure and includes a distribution unit having a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, a transmission path, a combiner for applying signals appearing at the plurality of input ports to the transmission path, and a splitter for applying signals appearing on the transmission path to all of the plurality of output ports. The system further includes a plurality of cables selected from the class of fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, and twisted pair wire cables, each extending between a respective one of the distribution unit ports and a respective one of the plurality of outlets, and a plurality of impedance matching devices, where such devices are appropriate for the type or types of cable used. Each of the devices terminates a respective end of a respective one of the cables.

Abstract: A broadband local area network transmits outbound signals in an outbound frequency band and inbound signals in an inbound frequency band. In one configuration, the network comprises a central hub and a plurality of nodes connected to the hub. Each of the nodes comprises a bidirectional amplifier having a fixed gain across the entire inbound and outbound bandwidth and a line balancer. The line balancer includes a variable cable simulator circuit for simulating the loss of a variable amount of coaxial cable and an equalizer circuit for equalizing the loss of a fixed amount of coaxial cable. The network also includes a plurality of remote outlet clusters. Each remote outlet cluster is connected to one of the nodes by a coaxial transmission path and comprises a fixed attenuation and a RF splitter having a plurality of outlets for connection to user devices. The number of outlets of each remote outlet cluster depends on the length of the transmission path to the node to which it is attached.

Abstract: An easy to install and easy to expand broadband local area network is disclosed. The network has a star-type architecture based upon a fixed-gain, fixed-loss approach to amplification and a star-feeder approach to providing user connection to the network.

Abstract: A device including automatic gain control for balancing losses in a coaxial transmission path of a network is disclosed. The device includes a fixed gain bidirectional amplifier, an equalizer circuit for equalizing the loss of a fixed amount of cable a circuit for providing a variable amount of loss for simulating a variable amount of coaxial cable, and a closed loop system for monitoring the signal strength of an outbound pilot signal. The closed loop system provides for adjustment of the variable simulator circuit so that the sum of the losses provided by the coaxial transmission path, the equalizer circuit and the variable simulator circuit are equal in amplitude to the gain of the fixed gain amplifier across the entire inbound and outbound bandwidth of the network.

Abstract: A tap device for use in broadband communications systems includes a circuit board mounted on a cover plate assembly which is removably connected to a base housing. The circuit board includes an RF signal coupling element and an RF signal splitting element. The output of the RF signal coupling element and the input to the RF signal splitting element are each connected to a separate female receptacle positioned on the circuit board. The female receptacles are designed to receive an intermediate circuit which, when inserted into the female receptacles, is electrically connected between the RF signal coupling element output and the RF signal splitting element input. The intermediate circuit may consist of a short circuit feedthrough, or a plug-in fixed or variable degree attenuator.

Abstract: An improved feed forward circuit and a method of aligning and balancing the improved feed forward circuit. The feed forward circuit includes a first circuit loop to isolate signal noise and distortion and a second circuit loop to reduce signal noise and distortion. The first circuit loop and the second circuit loop have directional coupler means, amplification means, and delay means. The first circuit loop and the second circuit loop are interconnected through a pair of common directional coupler means having common balance circuitry connected therebetween. The first circuit loop has a signal input terminal and an input test terminal and the second circuit loop has a signal output terminal and an output test terminal. The improvement in the feed forward circuit includes a pair of additional directional coupler means.