Abstract: There is provided a cable network device (10) comprising an output path (32), for example from a diplex filter, connected to at least one output (14) and a test port (24?) associated with the at least one output (14), wherein a microstrip directional coupler (30) is disposed in the output path (32) with a coupling port (44) of the microstrip directional coupler (30) connected to the test port (24?), and an amplifier element (36) and at least one equalizer (34) disposed between the coupling port (44) and the test port (24?). The device is configured for signals complying with a high frequency spectrum of 1.8 GHz and above.

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 an amplifier device comprising a first directional coupler (12: 30, 32) and a second directional coupler (14: 30?, 32?) connected together so as to create separate upstream (16) and downstream (18) paths in which amplifier means (24, 24?) are located, wherein the first and second directional couplers (12, 14: 30, 32; 30?, 32?) are configured to have different signal loss characteristics, one of the directional couplers having low signal loss characteristics for upstream signals and the other directional coupler having low signal loss characteristics for downstream signals. The signal loss characteristics are preferably the coupling loss of each directional coupler (12, 14: 30, 32; 30?, 32?). The first and second directional couplers may each comprise a microstrip directional coupler (30; 30?) connected to a ferrite directional coupler (50; 50?).

Abstract: There is provided fiber-coaxial amplifier device (10) comprising at least one output (14) and a test point (26) associated with the at least one output (14), wherein alternative first and second electrical paths (36, 38) are connectable to the at least one output (14), the first path (36) connectable to the at least one output (14) whilst bypassing the test point, the second path (38) connectable to both the at least one output (14) and the test point (26), and a relay (30) operable to connect one of the first path or the second path to the at least one output (14). The fiber-coaxial amplifier device (10) is configured for signals complying with Extended Spectrum DOCSIS.

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 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 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 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 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.