MoCA gateway splitter
A CATV/MoCA signal distribution system includes a first 2-way hybrid splitter for receiving a CATV input signal and splitting it into first and second CATV output signals, a second 2-way hybrid splitter for receiving the second CATV output signal and splitting it into third and fourth CATV output signals, with the latter being connected to a CATV output port. A first diplex filter is receptive of the first CATV output signal, and MoCA signals for providing electrical isolation therebetween and connecting them to a modem port. A second diplex filter is receptive of the third CATV output signal and MoCA signals for providing electrical isolation therebetween and connecting them to a Gateway port. A resistive splitter is connected between the first and second diplex filters and a plurality of individual MoCA signal ports for providing bidirectional MoCA signal flow therebetween.
The present Application is a Continuation Application from co-pending application Ser. No. 13/868,261, filed on Apr. 23, 2013, under the title “MoCA GATEWAY SPLITTER.”
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention applies broadly to cable television devices, and more specifically to cable television devices associated with receiving a cable television (CATV) signal, and distributing the same to a plurality of devices such as television sets, modems, and Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) devices, and so forth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTypical cable television (CATV) systems provide for sharing a common coaxial medium relative to CATV signals for permitting various users in the system to communicate with the headend of the system, where the CATV signals originate, but not with each other due to the directionality of signal flow imposed by the requirement that the various users be signal isolated from one another.
In recent years Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) systems have been developed that operate in a different frequency spectrum or band than CATV systems. MoCA systems are designed to communicate bilaterally with each other, meaning that any port of a MoCA system device serves both an input and output port. MoCA devices are typically located within a home or building for permitting users therein to communicate with a single or dedicated MoCA networking device for permitting each user to selectively record a television program for later viewing. It is important in such MoCA systems to keep the CATV input signals wholly isolated from the MoCA signals within the system. More specifically, one portion of such systems permit typical CATV signals to be connected to individual devices such as television sets, cable boxes, and so forth, in a standard manner, whereby all standard CATV signal ports are isolated from all MoCA ports in the system, as previously mentioned.
The development of what is now typically known as “Cable Gateway Devices” has progressed to providing such devices with the capability to communicate in both the CATV signal band of typically 5 to 1002 MHz, in conjunction with permitting communication by users in the MoCA frequency band that typically is from 1125 MHz to 1675 MHz (megahertz). Accordingly, such Cable Gateway devices permit information that is transmitted through a public CATV system to be shared amongst MoCA device users joined in a private network within a commercial or residential building. Such Cable Gateway devices permit CATV signals to be rebroadcast within a different frequency band via connections controlled through typically digital logic means, completely avoiding the use of physical switching or movement of cables between certain ports.
The present inventors recognize that there is a need in the art for a simplified and cost effective Cable Gateway device that isolates the CATV and MoCA bands, insuring that MoCA band signals cannot become involved with the CATV signals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a Passive Gateway device that avoids a direct signal path and electrical isolation between a CATV signal input port, and MoCA client or user input/output ports, a function not known to be provided in extended bandwidth conventional splitters. The present inventive device permits users in a building to connect a CATV signal to various TV sets, modems, and so forth, while at the same time permitting bidirectional communication between a plurality of users of individual in-home media devices within a building, each connected through a coaxial cable network terminated at the output ports of the invention and utilizing the RF spectrum allocated to Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA), for example. The dedicated devices for users can be Media Center client devices enabling Multi-room Digital Video Recording (MR-DVR), multi-player gaming, or high-speed data communications. The recording device can be a Gateway recording device, for example.
In one embodiment of the invention providing a Passive Gateway device, two-way splitter means receptive of CATV input signals connects these signals to first and second diplex filters, and to an RF output port for connection of CATV signals to legacy devices such as known cable boxes, television sets, and so forth. The first diplex filter means is for providing a lowpass filter section that cuts off near the high end of the CATV signal band, that is at about 1002 MHz, and a highpass filter section for passing MoCA band signals. The first diplex filter means provides a modem output port for feeding both CATV signals or MoCA band signals from both the lowpass and highpass filter sections thereof. The highpass filter section of the first diplex filter means provides a MoCA signal connection to a resistive splitter means connected to a plurality of MoCA ports. The second diplex filter means also includes a lowpass filter section for passing CATV signals, and a highpass filter section for passing MoCA signals, whereby the highpass and lowpass filter sections provide for connection to a Gateway output port for connecting CATV signals and/or MoCA signals to a Gateway recorder and controller, for example. The highpass filter section of the second diplex filter means provides for the connection of MoCA signals to a plurality of independent MoCA ports via the resistive splitter.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a portion of the first embodiment of the invention for providing users with a CATV connection port, a Gateway port, and a plurality of MoCA ports. More specifically, the second embodiment of the invention includes a 2-way hybrid splitter for receiving a CATV input signal, and splitting off to a CATV port for connection thereto by users, and to a hybrid filter. The hybrid filter provides for an output to a Gateway port, and another output from a highpass section thereof to a resistive splitter. The resistive splitter provides connection to a plurality of MoCA port.
In a third embodiment of the invention, the 2-way hybrid splitter of the second embodiment is eliminated, and a CATV input signal is connected directly to the lowpass filter section of a hybrid filter. An output from the hybrid filter is connected to a Gateway port, and the highpass filter section is again connected to a resistive splitter for permitting bidirectional communication devices connected to a plurality of ports of the resistive splitter.
Various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings, in which like items are identified by the same reference designation, wherein:
With reference to
MoCA signals, in this example, as previously mentioned, having a frequency range of 1125 MHz to 1675 MHz, are bidirectionally passed between a highpass filter section 16 diplex filter 14 via an electrically conductive pass 39 to a 6-way resistive splitter 24. Similarly, the highpass filter section 20 of diplex filter 18 is connected via an electrically conductive path 41 to bidirectionally pass MoCA signals to the 6-way resistive splitter 24. However, splitter 24 is not meant to be limited to a 6-way resistive splitter, and can be configured to provide any desired number of MoCA ports within practical limits. The 6-way resistive splitter 24 bidirectionally passes MoCA signals via individual electrically conductive paths 3, 5, 7, and 9, to MoCA terminals or ports 25, 26, 27, and 28, respectively. In this example, individual MoCA clients (not shown) can be individually connected to the ports or terminals 25 through 28, respectively, for permitting each of them to program the Gateway device (not shown) to record desired cable television programs for later viewing. The diplex filters 14 and 18 insure that the CATV signals are electrically isolated from the MoCA signals.
A typical 2-way hybrid splitter circuit schematic is shown in
The circuit schematic diagram for a 6-way resistive splitter 24 for an embodiment of the invention is shown in
A diplex filter circuit schematic diagram, shown in
A circuit schematic diagram for a prototype Gateway splitter developed by the inventors is shown in
In the 2-way hybrid splitters 4 and 6, the reason that two capacitors 46 are used in parallel between the ferrite transformer windings 42 and 44 is to obtain a more distributed ground connection. The capacitors 46 provide for canceling small amounts of stray inductance in the interconnection between the ferrite core transformers 42 and 44, for improving high frequency return loss and isolation therebetween. Note further that in the prototype the resistor 94 of the 2-way hybrid splitters 4 and 6 have a value 180 ohms, but can have a resistance range of 150 ohms to 220 ohms depending on the characteristics of the particular ferrite core transformers 42, 44, at low frequencies between 5 MHz and 50 MHz. Note further that resistors 94 are connected in series with an inductor (not shown) that is printed on an associated printed circuit board rather than being a discrete component, with the series circuit thereof being connected therebetween capacitors 90 and 92. Capacitors 90 and 92 improve isolation and return loss at low frequencies.
With further reference to the diplex filters 14 and 18, as shown in
With further reference to the prototype circuit schematic diagram of
In the 2-way hybrid splitter circuits 4 and 6, the tapoff 43 for the ferrite core transformer 42 is between the second turn and the fifth turn of the seven turns thereof, whereas in the ferrite core transformer 44 the tapoff 43 is between the second turn from each end of the four turns included. The capacitors 90 each have a value of 1000 pf. Capacitors 92 each have a value of 1000 pf. Capacitors 46 each have a value of 1 pf.
For diplex filters 14 and 18, the inductances 60 each have a 0.3 mm (millimeter) wire diameter, a 1.5 mm coil diameter, and 2.5 turns. Capacitors 73 each have a value of 2.0 pf. Capacitors 74, 78, and 96 each have a value of 0.75 pf. The inductances 65, 66, 67, and 98 each have a 0.3 mm wire diameter, 1.7 mm coil diameter, and 2.5 turns, respectively. Capacitors 75 each have a value of 1.8 pf. The capacitors 77 and 79 each have a value of 1.8 pf. Capacitor 99 has a value of 2.2 pf. Inductor 68 has a 0.3 mm wire diameter, a 2.0 mm coil diameter, and 2.5 turns. Capacitor 99 has a value of 2.2 pf. In the highpass filter sections 16 and 20 of diplex filters 14, 18, respectively, capacitor 80 has a value of 1.2 pf. Capacitors 82, 86, and 87 each has a value of 1.8 pf, respectively. Capacitor 81 has a value of 2.2 pf. Capacitor 83 has a value of 2.0 pf. Capacitor 84 has a value of 1.5 pf. Capacitor 85 has a value of 6.8 pf. Capacitor 88 has a value of 2.5 pf. Inductor 69 has a 0.3 mm wire diameter, a 1.5 mm coil diameter, and 2.5 turns. Inductors 70, 71 and 72 each have a 0.3 mm wire diameter, a 1.7 mm coil diameter, and 2.5 turns, in this example. In the 6-way resistive splitter 24, each of the resistors 52 through 57, respectively, has a value of 54 ohms, in this example. Note that none of the component values used in the prototype as given above are meant to be limiting.
In
In the second embodiment of the invention, as shown in
A third embodiment of the invention is shown in
Although various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, they are not meant to be limiting. Those of skill in the art may recognize certain modifications to these embodiments, which modifications are meant to be covered by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A passive Gateway splitter device comprising:
- an input port for receiving a CATV input signal;
- an RF/CATV output terminal;
- a modem port;
- a Gateway port for connection to a Gateway device;
- a MoCA splitter comprising a first input, a second input, and a plurality of ports configured for passing MoCA signals, each of the plurality of ports configured for passing one of the MoCA signals from or to a connected MoCA device associated with a MoCA client;
- a first two-way splitter comprising an input connected to said input port, the first two-way splitter further comprising a first output and a second output, the first two-way splitter configured for receiving the CATV input signal via the input of the two-way splitter and splitting the CATV input signal into a first CATV signal output via the first output and a second CATV signal output via the second output;
- a second two-way splitter comprising an input connected to the second output of the first two-way splitter, the second two-way splitter further comprising a first output and a second output, the second two-way splitter configured for receiving the second CATV signal via the input of the second two-way splitter and splitting the second CATV signal into a third CATV signal output via the first output of the second two-way splitter and a fourth CATV signal output via the second output of the second two-way splitter, the second output of the second two-way splitter connected to said RF/CATV output terminal;
- a first diplex filter comprising an input connected to the first output of the first two-way splitter for receiving the first CATV signal via the first output of the first two-way splitter, the first diplex filter further comprising a first output connected to the modem port and a second output connected to the first input of the MoCA splitter, the first diplex splitter configured for electrically isolating said first CATV signal from said MoCA signals to prevent the MoCA signals from being connected to said input port of the first diplex filter, and for individually bidirectionally connecting the first CATV signal and the MoCA signals to prevent the MoCA signals from being connected to said input port of the first diplex filer, and for individually bidirectionally connecting the first CATV signal and the MoCA signals to said modem port;
- a second diplex filter comprising an input connected to the first output of the second two-way splitter for receiving the third CATV signal via the first output of the second two-way splitter, the second diplex filter further comprising a first output connected to the Gateway port and a second output connected to the second input of the MoCA splitter, the second diplex splitter configured for electrically isolating said third CATV signal from said MoCA signals to prevent the MoCA signals from being connected to said input port of the second diplex filter, and for individually bidirectionally connecting the fourth CATV signal and the MoCA signals to said Gateway port,
- wherein the Gateway port provides the MoCA clients associated with the MoCA devices connected to the plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter the ability to program said Gateway device to record their respective desired CATV programs for later viewing.
2. (canceled)
3. The device of claim 1, wherein:
- the first diplex filter comprises a lowpass filter section for receiving said first CATV signal, and a highpass filter section for bidirectionally receiving the MoCA signals from said MoCA splitter, the first diplex filter configured for connecting said first CATV signal and the MoCA signals to said modem port, while electrically isolating said MoCA signals both from said first two-way splitter and from said input port of the passive Gateway splitter device; and
- the second diplex filter comprises a lowpass filter section for receiving said third CATV signal, and a highpass filter section for bidirectionally receiving the MoCA signals from said MoCA splitter, the second diplex filter configured for connecting said third CATV signal and the MoCA signals to said Gateway port, while electrically isolating said MoCA signals both from said second two-way splitter and from said input port of the passive Gateway splitter device.
4. (canceled)
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- a resistive splitter including a plurality of resistors each having one end connected in common, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to said plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively, and individually connected to either the first diplex filter or the second diplex filter.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- a resistive splitter including a plurality of resistors each having one end connected in common, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to said plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively, and individually connected to the highpass filter sections of either of said first and second diplex filters,
7. The device of claim 3, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises;
- a resistive splitter including a plurality of resistors each having one end connected in common, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to said plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively, and individually connected to the highpass filter sections of either of said first and second diplex filters.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- an electrically conductive connection pad; and
- a plurality of resistors, two of which have one end connected in common to said connection pad, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to either of said first and second diplex filter, the remainder of said plurality of resistors each being individually connected between said connection pad, and the plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- an electrically conductive connection pad;
- a plurality of resistors, two of which have one end connected in common to said connection pad, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to the highpass filter sections of said first and second diplex filters, respectively, the remainder of said plurality of resistors each being individually connected between said connection pad, and the plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter.
10. The device of claim 3, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- an electrically conductive connection pad;
- a plurality of resistors, two of which have one end connected in common to said connection pad, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to the highpass filter sections of said first and second diplex filters, respectively, the remainder of said plurality of resistors each being individually connected between said connection pad, and the plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second 2-way splitters each consist of hybrid splitter configurations.
12. A CATV/MoCA passive signal distribution system comprising:
- an input port for receiving a CATV input signal;
- an RF/CATV output terminal;
- a modem port;
- a Gateway device receptive of CATV and MoCA signals;
- a Gateway port for connection to said Gateway device;
- a MoCA splitter comprising a first input, a second input, and a plurality of ports configured for passing MoCA signals, each of the plurality of ports configured for passing one of the MoCA signals from or to a connected MoCA device associated with a MoCA client;
- a first two-way splitter comprising an input connected to said input port, the first two-way splitter further comprising a first output and a second output, the first two-way splitter configured for receiving the CATV input signal via the input of the two-way splitter and splitting the CATV input signal into a first CATV signal output via the first output and a second CATV signal output via the second output;
- a second two-way splitter comprising an input connected to the second output of the first two-way splitter, the second two-way splitter further comprising a first output and a second output, the second two-way splitter configured for receiving the second CATV signal via the input of the second two-way splitter and splitting the second CATV signal into a third CATV signal output via the first output of the second two-way splitter and a fourth CATV signal output via the second output of the second two-way splitter, the second output of the second two-way splitter connected to said RF/CATV output terminal;
- a first diplex filter comprising an input connected to the first output of the first two-way splitter for receiving the first CATV signal via the first output of the first two-way splitter, the first diplex filter further comprising a first output connected to the modem port and a second output connected to the first input of the MoCA splitter, the first diplex splitter configured for electrically isolating said first CATV signal from said MoCA signals to prevent the MoCA signals from being connected to said input port of the first diplex filter, and for individually bidirectionally connecting the first CATV signal and the MoCA signals to said modem port;
- a second diplex filter comprising an input connected to the first output of the second two-way splitter for receiving the third CATV signal via the first output of the second two-way splitter, the second diplex filter further comprising a first output connected to the Gateway port and a second output connected to the second input of the MoCA splitter, the second diplex splitter configured for electrically isolating said third CATV signal from said MoCA signals to prevent the MoCA signals from being connected to said input port of the second diplex filter, and for individually bidirectionally connecting the fourth CATV signals and the MoCA signals to Gateway port;
- a plurality of individual MoCA devices associated with a plurality of MoCA clients, respectively, and connected to the plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter; and
- wherein the Gateway port provides the MoCA clients associated with the MoCA devices connected to the plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter the ability to program said Gateway device to record their respective desired CATV programs for later viewing.
13. (canceled)
14. The system of claim 11, wherein:
- the first diplex filter comprises a lowpass filter section for receiving said first CATV signal, and a highpass filter section for bidirectionally receiving the MoCA signals from said MoCA splitter, the first diplex filter configured for connecting said first CATV signal and the MoCA signals to said modem port, while electrically isolating said MoCA signals both from said first two-way splitter and from said input port of the passive Gateway splitter; and
- the second diplex filter comprises a lowpass filter section for receiving said third CATV signal, and a highpass filter section for bidirectionally receiving the MoCA signals from said MoCA splitter, the second diplex filter configured for connecting said third CATV signal and the MoCA signals to said Gateway port, while electrically isolating said MoCA signals both from said second two-way splitter means, and from said input port of the passive Gateway splitter.
15. (canceled)
16. The system of claim 11, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- a resistive splitter including a plurality of resistors each having one end connected in common, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to said plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively, and individually connected to either the first diplex filter or the second diplex filter.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- a resistive splitter including a plurality of resistors each having one end connected in common, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to said plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively, and individually connected to the highpass filter sections of either of said first and second diplex filters.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- a resistive splitter including a plurality of resistors each having one end connected in common, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to said plurality of ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively, and individually connected to the highpass filter sections of said first and second diplex filters.
19. The system of claim 12, wherein said MoCA splitter further comprises:
- an electrically conductive connection pad; and
- a plurality of resistors, two of which have one end connected in common to said connection pad, wherein other ends of said plurality of resistors are individually connected to either of said first and second diplex filter, the remainder of said plurality of resistors each being individually connected between said connection pad, and the plurality of the ports of the MoCA splitter, respectively.
20. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 21, 2014
Publication Date: Mar 31, 2016
Patent Grant number: 9356796
Inventors: Brian J. Shapson (Millstone Township, NJ), Jay F. Shapson (Millstone Township, NJ), Matthew M. Shapson (Robbinsville, NJ), Robert Romerein (Peterborough), Rong Hui Li (Brooklyn, NY), Daniel D. Deutmeyer (Manchester, TN)
Application Number: 14/120,054