Abstract: A half duplex amplifier for a cable network.

Abstract: A half duplex amplifier for a cable network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a bi-directional coupler for coupling an upstream signal and a downstream signal to a termination load. A test point detection mechanism is configured to detect when a test point device is inserted in a test point connector. The test point device is configured to perform a test of the upstream signal or the downstream signal. A switch is configured to switch from being coupled to the termination load to being coupled to the test point device when the test point device is detected as being inserted in the test point connector. The switch is configured to switch from being coupled to being coupled to the test point device to the termination load when the test point device is detected as being removed from being inserted in the test point connector.

Abstract: Methods of delivering electric power to equipment of a communications access network are provided herein. In particular, a method of delivering electric power to the equipment includes generating an AC power signal having a frequency between 10 kHz and 500 kHz that is transmitted via a coaxial cable that is coupled between the equipment and a power monitor. The method includes identifying, using the power monitor, a reflection of the AC power signal via the coaxial cable to the power monitor. Moreover, the method includes adjusting a voltage of the AC power signal in response to identifying the reflection. Related systems and coaxial cables are also provided.

Abstract: A radio-frequency amplifier for a cable network includes a forward amplifier configured to amplify a high frequency range of signals that are provided downstream to a cable receiver of the cable network and a return amplifier configured to amplify a low frequency range of signals that are provided upstream to a head end of the cable network. An out-of-band forward amplifier configured to amplify a digitally protected video signal having a frequency in a range between 70 MHz and 130 MHz that are provided downstream to the cable receiver of the cable network and a notch filter configured to reject the amplified digitally protected video signal having the frequency in the range between 70 MHz and 130 MHz from being amplified by the return amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for implementing soft duplex operation of a communications network that transmits downstream signals from a service provider to a subscriber and upstream signals from the subscriber to the service provider. The apparatus may include a pair of opposed triplexers defining a first signal path through a first amplifier and a second signal path through a second amplifier. The apparatus may also include at least one switch that selectively alternates a mid0band signal between an upstream signal and a downstream signal.

Abstract: A half duplex amplifier for a cable network.

Abstract: A transmitting and/or receiving system for cable networks.

Abstract: An amplification system for amplifying a service of a cable television network that includes a first amplifier receiving the service and providing a first output signal having a first frequency band with a first maximum downstream frequency to a first customer and a second amplifier. The amplification system includes the second amplifier receiving the first output signal and providing a second output signal having a second frequency band with a second maximum downstream frequency to a second customer, wherein the second maximum downstream frequency is less than the first maximum downstream frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided to modify existing overlay system architectures in a cost effective manner to meet the growing demand for narrowcast services and to position the existing overlay systems for additional future modifications. The implementations of the improved overlay system of this disclosure re-digitize narrowcast analog signals after they have been QAM modulated and upconverted to RF frequencies and replace the analog narrowcast transmitters with digital narrowcast transmitters. In the fiber nodes, the received narrowcast signals are converted back to analog signals and combined with analog broadcast signals for transmission to the service groups.

Abstract: A radio-frequency amplifier for a cable network includes a forward amplifier configured to amplify a high frequency range of signals that are provided downstream to a cable receiver of the cable network and a return amplifier configured to amplify a low frequency range of signals that are provided upstream to a head end of the cable network. An out-of-band forward amplifier configured to amplify a digitally protected video signal having a frequency in a range between 70 MHz and 130 MHz that are provided downstream to the cable receiver of the cable network and a notch filter configured to reject the amplified digitally protected video signal having the frequency in the range between 70 MHz and 130 MHz from being amplified by the return amplifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the variation in the power of optical signals transmitted in an upstream direction, at the inputs of an active combiner in an RFoG CATV architecture preferably configured to reduce optical beat interference, so as to increase the dynamic range of a laser in the active combiner.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods that reduce funneling noise in upstream data transmissions from modems providing the transmissions through respective RF legs connected to the node. Preferred devices and systems may include a node that is configured to selectively isolate respectively scheduled upstream data signals from noise present on any RF leg not propagating a scheduled upstream data signal.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a digital clock management system includes input signal conversion circuitry, logic circuitry and output signal conversion circuitry. The input signal conversion circuitry converts input signals to corresponding first digital data streams, each of which contains digital data synchronized to a first data clock. First digital logic circuitry converts the first digital data streams to second digital data streams, each of which contains digital data synchronized to the first data clock, and converts the second digital data streams to third digital data streams, each of which contains digital data synchronized to a common clock. Second digital logic circuitry converts the third digital data streams to a single digital data stream. The output signal conversion circuitry converts the single digital data stream to a modulated output signal.

Abstract: A CATV system having an aggregator node and at least one compact node. The aggregator node receives downstream signals from a head end and sends upstream signals to the head end. The at least one compact node receives downstream signals from the aggregator node and send upstream signals to the aggregator node. The at least one compact node sends the downstream signal received from the aggregator node to a subscriber positioned in the upstream direction relative to the compact node.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first group of splitters receives a group of signals from a group of transmitters. Each splitter in the first group of splitters splits a signal into a plurality of signals that are sent to a plurality of multiplexers. A multiplexer in the plurality of multiplexers receives one of the plurality of signals from each splitter in the group of splitters and multiplexes the received one of the plurality of signals into a multiplexed signal. The multiplexer sends the multiplexed signal through a single connection in which upstream signals are sent to a group of nodes and downstream signals are received from the group of nodes. A de-multiplexer de-multiplexes the multiplexed signal into the group of signals and sends the group of signals to the group of nodes via a second group of splitters that are connected to the group of nodes.

Abstract: A transmitting and/or receiving system for cable networks.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a bi-directional coupler for coupling an upstream signal and a downstream signal to a termination load. A test point detection mechanism is configured to detect when a test point device is inserted in a test point connector. The test point device is configured to perform a test of the upstream signal or the downstream signal. A switch is configured to switch from being coupled to the termination load to being coupled to the test point device when the test point device is detected as being inserted in the test point connector. The switch is configured to switch from being coupled to being coupled to the test point device to the termination load when the test point device is detected as being removed from being inserted in the test point connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for achieving full duplex bidirectional transmission across coaxial cable in a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable TV network. Some preferred systems and method will attenuate reflections propagated within the coaxial cable. Other preferred systems may echo-cancel reflections propagated within the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A coring tool for a coaxial cable has a tool holder and cutter bit mounted to the tool holder. The cutter bit is constructed from a conductive metal or alloy which is durable for rotatably drilling out and removing a dielectric core surrounding a central conductor of the coaxial cable, as the central conductor is preserved by passing into a central bore formed in the cutter bit. The cutter bit also includes a non-conductive sleeve or coating which prevents the cutter bit from electrically interconnecting, e.g., shorting, the central conductor to an outer conductor of the coaxial cable.