Apparatus, method, and system for adjusting coaxial network signal amplifier

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of modifying a legacy network amplifier for a hybrid fibre-coaxial [HFC] communications network by using a plug-in daughterboard, the method comprising the steps of: removing a first passive plugin signal module and a second passive plugin signal module from a circuit board of the legacy network amplifier; and then plugging the daughterboard into first and second pin-socket groups of the legacy network amplifier, in which method the removal of the passive plugin signal modules disables a first signal path adapted to couple signals on the legacy network amplifier between said first and second pin-socket groups and the plugging-in of the daughter board establishes a new signal path between a first pin socket group adapted to receive connector pins of a first passive plug-in module and a second pin socket group adapted to receive connector pins of a second passive plug-in module.

Description

Apparatus, Method, and System for Adjusting Coaxial Network Signal AmplifierRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority of Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2023903815 in the name of Shaun Joseph Cunningham, which was filed on 27 November 2023, entitled “Apparatus, Method and System for Adjusting Coaxial Network Signal Amplifier” and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to novel structures, component arrangements and assembly methods which increase the performance or simplify the means of adjustment of coaxial network RF signal amplifiers. The invention has been developed primarily for use as a structure and method of adjusting amplifier performance in coaxial signal distribution networks and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

[0003] In one form, the invention relates to a method of modifying a pre-existing amplifier to provide a wider pass-band, or wider pass-bands.

[0004] In one particular aspect the present invention is suitable for use in modifying a network amplifier for a hybrid fibre-coaxial [HFC] communications network, to provide a wider pass-band, or wider pass-bands.

[0005] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to network amplifier for a hybrid fibre-coaxial [HFC] communications network, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use, only.BACKGROUND ART

[0006] Throughout this specification the use of the word “inventor” in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (plural) inventor of the present invention.

[0007] It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and / or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor’s knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

[0008] As the world's demand for entertainment and information content increases, new means of distributing this content are being developed. Cable TV (CATV) networks have been deployed since the 1980s and are examples of telecommunication networks that were built to offer subscribers a significantly increased range of content. Coaxial cable has traditionally been used for such distribution networks because it has relatively low cost and because it simplifies connection to network devices and customers premises. Network coaxial cables consist of outer plastic insulation, a conductive outer sheath, a low loss insulator and central conductor. Although original CATV networks were entirely made from coaxial cables, modern networks often employ a so-called Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) structure where connectivity is provided using optical fibres for the core network and coaxial cables for connection to customer's premises.

[0009] Although the content capacity of CATV networks has previously met subscriber's requirements, there is a growing demand for subscriber customised content, for example in the form of streaming video on demand and other internet related sources of information or entertainment content. As a result, network operators are under increased pressure to make use of the full bandwidth capacities of their networks and / or to increase their network bandwidth capacities by upgrading network elements.

[0010] Manufacturers of network equipment generally offer network operators new products as a means of achieving increased network performance. Unfortunately this improved performance cannot be achieved by using equipment housing which was installed many years ago. As a result, installation of new network equipment often requiresextensive changes to basic network infrastructure which is very expensive and highly disruptive to network customers.

[0011] Network equipment manufacturers have little incentive to help network operators extract higher performance from their existing network infrastructure, preferring instead to sell new equipment. Therefore, there is a need for network operators to find a means of upgrading the technical performance of their networks at low cost, while maximising the commercial value of their existing network infrastructure. There is also a need for methods of upgrading existing networks quickly and efficiently so that network downtime during the upgrade is minimised.

[0012] Coaxial distribution networks, such as HFC networks, comprise segments of coaxial cable which distribute signals from network nodes to customers. The signal propagation loss associated with these coaxial cables must be compensated for using amplifiers along the signal path. These amplifiers may be installed either below ground, above ground or in dedicated enclosures such as cabinets. Signals propagate upstream and downstream simultaneously in the network and amplifiers are designed to allow simultaneous amplification of signals travelling in each direction.

[0013] Figure 1 shows a simplified circuit diagram of a typical network amplifier comprising an upstream-facing port 10 and a downstream -facing port 1 1 , a downstream signal path 12 and an upstream signal path 13. Within the amplifier, signals propagate upstream through a plurality of devices on the signal path such as upstream (“Return”) amplifier 14, upstream equaliser 15 and upstream attenuator 16. Network amplifier manufacturers typically use plug in modular devices for upstream equalisers and attenuators to allow the same overall network amplifier design to be sold to different customers with different network requirements. The network amplifier comprises a circuit assembly known as motherboard (not explicitly shown in Figure 1 ) which contains sockets allowing individual equaliser and attenuator modules to be plugged in, either at time of manufacture or when the network amplifier is installed in the customer’s network.

[0014] Figure 2 shows a closeup photo of a conventional network amplifier motherboard 20 comprising plug in modules 21 used to implement passive features such as attenuation and equalization. Motherboard 20 also comprises sockets 22 which accept the plug in modules 21 and allow the network amplifier to be customised at time ofmanufacture or in the field. The sockets 22 provide a signal path from the motherboard 20, to a passive plug in module 21 , through module 21 , and from the module 21 back to the motherboard. Typically the motherboard 20 comprises circuitry placed between pairs of sockets 22, so that the signal path may be from the motherboard to a socket 22, to a plug in module 21 , to a socket 22, through circuitry on the motherboard 20, to another socket 22, through another plug in module 21 , and back to the motherboard through a socket 22.

[0015] Depending on the design of the specific network amplifier, sockets 22 may have differing numbers of physical conductors. For example, alternative constructions for sockets 22 include:• one input conductor and one output conductor;• one input conductor, one or more ground conductors, and one output conductor;• one input conductor, one ground conductor, and multiple output conductors.

[0016] Conventional network amplifiers as broadly described in the preceding two paragraphs are referred to in the present specification (including the claims) as “legacy network amplifiers”.

[0017] Motherboard 20 also comprises surface mounted components 23 which cannot easily be removed or replaced, and which can permanently limit the performance of the amplifier according to the chosen manufacturing configuration. These surface mount components represent a major obstacle in being able to retrospectively upgrade a network amplifier because of the cost and complexity of completely dismantling the entire amplifier to replace surface mount components on the motherboard. Therefore, the prevailing belief is that retrospectively upgrading existing amplifiers is completely uneconomic, and hence impossible for network operators.

[0018] Network operators are currently experiencing a lack of upstream bandwidth and are under pressure to either upgrade their entire network or to find a means of upgrading the existing network to address this problem.

[0019] Accordingly, there is a need for a means of upgrading a network amplifier to provide better performance than the manufacturer intended without needing to disassemble the main motherboard from its surrounding housing, the advantage being simplified upgrade processes and lower upgrade costs. A particular preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a new signal path for upstream signals passing througha network amplifier where circuit components associated with the existing signal path are left in situ on the motherboard, but are bypassed by a signal path on a daughterboard which is coupled to the motherboard and separated from it using an insulating spacer. Fitting a daughterboard and spacer in this manner avoids the significant cost associated with removing performance limiting components from the motherboard.

[0020] Conventional network amplifier motherboards accept plugin modules with the simplest possible interconnection pin arrangements. For example, a plug-in module intended to provide the function of a passive RF filter will not include power supply connections because these would be unnecessary.

[0021] The preceding discussion of background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0022] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for upgrading amplifiers in a HFC network, avoiding the necessity to replace those amplifiers with new amplifiers.

[0023] In general there is provided a method of modifying a legacy network amplifier [as defined in the description above] for a hybrid fibre-coaxial [HFC] communications network by using a plug-in daughterboard, the legacy network amplifier comprising: a circuit board, the circuit board comprising: a first pin-socket group adapted to receive connector pins of a first passive plug-in module; a second pin-socket group adapted to receive connector pins of a second passive plug-in module; and a first signal path adapted to couple signals on the legacy network amplifier between said first and second pin-socket groups,the plug-in daughterboard being adapted to plug into the legacy network amplifier and couple to the first and second pin-socket groups, the plug-in daughterboard comprising an amplifier and one or more attenuator or equaliser circuits; the method of modifying the legacy network amplifier comprising the steps of: removing a first passive plugin signal module and a second passive plugin signal module from the circuit board; and then plugging the daughterboard into the first and second pin-socket groups of the legacy network amplifier, in which method the removal of the passive plugin signal modules disables the first signal path and the plugging-in of the daughter board establishes a new signal path between said first pin socket group and said second pin socket group.

[0024] In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a daughterboard for plugging into that circuit board in the course of upgrading the amplifier.

[0025] In yet a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided an amplifier comprising an attenuator and an equalizer, the amplifier further comprising: one or more adjustable potentiometers for adjusting the attenuation characteristics of the attenuator; and one or more adjustable potentiometers for adjusting the frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of the equalizer.

[0026] Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and / or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

[0027] Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which:Figure 1 is simplified circuit diagram of a typical network amplifier;Figure 2 is a closeup photograph of a portion of a conventional network amplifier motherboard;Figure 3 is a simplified circuit of a network amplifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 4 is an exploded view showing components of an amplifier according to the embodiment of the invention that is shown in Figure 3;Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c are close-up views of portions of the exterior of a network amplifier according to the embodiment of the invention that is shown in Figure 3;Figure 6a is a view of a particularly preferred aspect of the embodiment that is shown in Figure 3;Figures 6b and 6c are isometric drawings from a front and rear perspective respectively of aspects of the embodiment of the invention that is shown in Figure 3;Figure 7a shows schematic diagrams of a trimpot-adjustable equaliser and attenuator according to a preferred employment of the present invention;Figure 7b shows a circuit board assembly comprising an equaliser and attenuator according to the schematics shown in Figure 7a;Figure 7c shows an example of a common type of variable resistor known as a trimpot; andFigures 8a and 8b are isometric views of a preferred method and construction for supplying power to a daughter-board.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in relation to the drawings. Terms such as "upper" and "lower" or "top" and "bottom" are intended to aid description of the drawings as shown and are not meant to restrict the scope of the invention. In particular, a network signal amplifier is a bidirectional device, meaning that signals flow simultaneously in different directions through the amplifier. Hence terms relating to "input" and "output" are used to describe certain features of embodiments of the present invention and are not meant to restrict the scope of the invention.

[0030] Throughout this specification, including the claims:• the term "signal path" refers to the passage of electromagnetic energy coupled through a coaxial network amplifier in the form of voltages and corresponding currents which flow according to these voltages;• the terms “upstream" and “downstream” refer to the propagation direction of signals in a coaxial network towards and away from the network source respectively;• the term “daughterboard” means a circuit board which is adapted to be plugged into another circuit board, or which is plugged into another circuit board; and• the term “motherboard” means a circuit board which is adapted to receive a daughter board that can be plugged into it, or which has a daughterboard plugged into it, irrespective of whether or not the motherboard is itself a daughterboard to another motherboard.

[0031] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

[0032] According to a first aspect, and referring to Figure 3, embodiments of the present invention provide a network amplifier 30 comprising upgraded upstream signal path containing modified diplex filters 31 , legacy upstream signal path 37 requiring deactivation, upgraded upstream signal path 38 comprising additional preamplifier 32, modified interstage filter 33, repositioned or replaced upstream amplifier 34, modified upstream equaliser 35 and modified upstream attenuator 36. These network elements are listed as examples of upgraded upstream signal path of a network amplifier and are not intended to restrict the scope of the invention.

[0033] Functionality of preamplifier 32 cannot be installed at any existing motherboard sockets because these sockets are intended to receive RF filter modules and do not provide the necessary power connection.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a stylized depiction of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A network amplifier comprises outer metallic housing 49 and a motherboard 42 which contains circuitry able to carry upstream and downstream signals. A portion of the motherboard 42A contains circuitry carrying upstream signals and plug in modules 42B which customise the performance of the network amplifier for a particular network’s requirements. One or more plug-in modules are required to customise the performance of the network amplifier. These modules typically comprise either passive equalisers or attenuators and are fitted either by the network amplifier manufacturer or by field staff who install the amplifier in a network.

[0035] To upgrade the performance of a network amplifier, particularly in the upstream direction, additional amplification stages need to be added into the signal path. These amplifiers require power supply connections to function, and they cannot be introduced on any existing interchangeable equaliser or attenuator module because they lack connections to available power supplies. Furthermore, any plug-in modules which limit upstream performance 42B need to be removed and replaced with higher performance equivalents.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, desired equaliser and attenuator functionality is instead implemented on a new plug-in daughterboard 40 which combines not only this function but also any other circuits or devices 43 which are needed to upgrade the legacy network amplifier. The present invention disables a signalpath in the legacy amplifier and establishes a new signal path through the plug-in daughterboard.

[0037] Daughterboard 43 is preferably shaped to avoid any prominent components on the motherboards surface, thereby allowing the daughterboard to be mounted close to the motherboard surface. This is important to minimise the length of interconnection electrical contacts which can degrade RF performance if they are too long. Daughterboard 43 comprises electrical contacts 44 which are positioned and sized to fit corresponding contacts 46 on the motherboard surface.

[0038] Because these signal path connection points 46 generally do not provide power supply access, and no other deliberate power supply connection points are available, connection strategies need to be employed to provide power to daughterboard 40. For example, one such technique involves tapping into the power supply connection of an existing amplifier mounted on the motherboard. In this scenario the existing power supply terminal of a nearby hybrid amplifier device 48b is coupled to the daughterboard during assembly. Alternatively, a power supply testing point on the motherboard 48c, which is normally used to allow field technicians to probe the power supply voltage of the network amplifier, is modified to both maintain this test access point and provide power to the nearby daughterboard 40.

[0039] Plastic spacer 41 is preferably positioned between the daughterboard and motherboard to prevent electrical contact between dissimilar portions of motherboard and daughterboard circuitry. Spacer 41 optionally includes apertures 47 which are able to accommodate high profile components on the motherboard surface.

[0040] In this manner, the present invention allows redundant, performance-limiting circuitry on the motherboard 48a to be left in place without affecting upgraded circuitry introduced on the daughter board.

[0041] Alignment features 45 on insulating spacer 41 are provided to locate the spacer on the surface of the motherboard and the daughterboard on the spacer.

[0042] Therefore, the present invention provides a means of upgrading the performance of an existing network amplifier without needing to disassemble the motherboard 42 from the overall metal housing 49 which surrounds and supports it. Thisprovides a substantial time and cost saving. The present invention also maximises reuse of most of the motherboard features which are adequate for continued use in the upgraded network amplifier. This recovers intrinsic value of existing network infrastructure and minimises waste associated with a network upgrade.

[0043] From a different perspective, there is a need to provide improved means of adjusting network amplifiers when they are installed in operational networks. Conventionally, field installation technicians measure the signal propagation performance of network amplifiers after they are fitted into a network and then adjust transmission characteristics accordingly. Performance discrepancies are conventionally addressed by changing plug in modules. This process is often performed by a technician who is kneeling at ground level and reaches down into a pit where the network amplifier is installed. This process is difficult to perform and time consuming because the plug in modules which must be exchanged are relatively small and must be precisely inserted into motherboard sockets. In addition, because network amplifiers amounted below ground, field technicians have poor visibility of motherboard socket locations and required positioning of plug-in modules. Furthermore, the adjustment process is often performed in pits which are partially filled with water and awkward manual procedures increase the chances of water entering the network amplifier circuitry.

[0044] Accordingly, the present invention overcomes these adjustment difficulties by providing pre-fitted adjustable attenuators and filters into network amplifiers before they are fitted into the network. These adjustable devices comprise rotatable knobs which preferably incorporate detents which allow field technicians to receive tactile feedback of the differential performance adjustment obtained by rotating the knobs. For example, a knob might provide tactile feedback sensations such as ‘clicks’ for each 0.5, 1 or 2 decibels of adjustment made. This tactile feedback allows field technicians to make adjustments without needing to exchange plug in modules and without needing to physically see the adjustment feature. This speeds-up the commissioning process of new amplifiers installed in the field, thereby providing the network operator with considerable upgrade cost savings and reduces network downtime.

[0045] Referring to Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, network amplifier 50 (only partly shown) is designed by its manufacturer to accept fixed-valued plug-in equalisers and attenuators into apertures 52 in front fascia 51. Because existing plug-in equalises and attenuators (notshown) have fixed values, field technicians must remove and replace these modules when adjusting amplifier performance. This process is time consuming and error prone.

[0046] According to preferred embodiment of the present invention, fixed value equaliser and / or attenuator modules are removed from a network amplifier and replaced by adjustable modules comprising detents which provide field technicians with tactile and / or acoustic feedback as they are rotated during adjustment. These adjustable modules also comprise knobs 53 which protrude through existing apertures 52 in the network amplifier fascia and are coupled to variable impedances through which network signals pass. Rotational movement of these knobs 53 allows the transmission characteristics of their associated attenuator or equaliser to be altered. These knobs are preferably coupled to detent mechanisms which constrain the knobs to move in discrete steps. Each step preferably implements a predefined dB change in attenuator or equaliser transmission characteristics. The dB magnitude of each detent step is chosen to be a useful incremental adjustment of signal transmission and is preferably in the range 0.5 to 2 dB. Preferably there are between 10 and 20 detent steps over the rotational range of adjustment of the knob. When used in the upstream path of an HFC network amplifier, preferably one attenuator and one equaliser is fitted, each providing a total adjustment range of between 6 and 20 dB. These total adjustment ranges and step sizes are chosen according to the characteristics of the network in which the network amplifier is installed and influenced by factors such as cable loss and inter-amplifier cable length.

[0047] Knobs 53 preferably comprise detent recesses 55 which accept detent mechanisms 54 in a manner which resists rotation of knobs 53 until a prescribed rotational force is applied to the knobs. Preferably the radial distance between the surface of detent recesses 55 and the rotational axis of knob 53 varies periodically according to the number of detent positions provided.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a detent mechanism, which facilitates adjustment of signal transmission through a network amplifier, the detent mechanism comprising:• a first rigid member which rotates around an axis of rotation,• a first circumferential member comprising a plurality of indentations or facets centred on the axis of rotation, and• a flexible member which is coupled to the indentations,wherein the flexible member applies force to the plurality of indentations or facets and opposes rotation of the first rigid member until rotational force applied to the first rigid member exceeds a first threshold, and thereafter assists rotation of the first rigid member until applied rotational force decreases below the first threshold, and wherein the first rigid member is coupled to at least one variable electrical impedance.

[0049] Preferably the detent mechanism provides a tactile and / or audible sensation when the rotational force applied to the first rigid member exceeds the first threshold.

[0050] Figures 6b and 6c provide isometric drawings from a front and rear perspective of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Rigid rotational member 64 comprises knob 65a, shaft 65b, circumferential member 65c and facets 65d. These facets bear on the surface of flexible member 68 and prevent knobs 64 from rotating, thereby keeping the knob in a fixed position. When force is applied to the knob 65a flexible member 68 begins to bend away from the knob thereby resisting rotational movement of the knob. When the knob reaches the apex facet 65d, additional force applied by knob assembly 64 results in a counteracting force from flexible member 68 which assists rotation of the knob in its initial direction, thereby providing positive feedback to the rotational movement and assisting rotation of the knob. This positive feedback ceases when the nob has been rotated far enough for the flexible member to couple onto the adjacent detent facet.

[0051] Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 6a, flexible member 60a comprises features such as indents 61 a which provide additional acoustic or tactile feedback as the knob coupled to it changes from one detent position to another. This particular style of flexible member users the tendency of indentation 61 a to suddenly change from convex 61 a to concave 61 b as the applied force increases and causes flexible member to curve 62. Although this type of ‘snapping’ mechanism is known in prior art, the inventor believes that it is novel when applied to the task of providing detent mechanisms to signal transmission adjustments for network amplifiers.

[0052] From another perspective there is a need for a new type of adjustable RF attenuator and adjustable RF equaliser which can be implemented at low cost, can fit in a compact space, and can offer good RF performance. The present invention achieves these goals by utilising coupled variable resistors, for example those known as trimpots, whichprovide counteracting resistances which are well suited to implementation of attenuators or equalisers which are adjusted by rotating features. In one embodiment, an adjustment knob is coupled to two trim pots mounted facing in opposite directions (e.g. back-to-back) so that clockwise rotation of one trimpot causes anticlockwise rotation of the other trim pot, thereby providing counteracting resistance changes as the adjustment knob is turned. An alternative preferred embodiment is provided by two trim pots which are mounted facing in the same direction, but where the electrical connections to each trim pot are reversed to provide counteracting resistance change as the common adjustment knob turns.

[0053] Figure 7a provides schematic diagrams of a trimpot-adjustable equaliser and attenuator according to a preferred employment of the present invention. Although two separate circuit diagrams are shown, these circuits can be combined to a single circuit which provides both equalisation and attenuation independently.

[0054] Adjustable equaliser 70 comprises an input 78a and an output 78b and a signal path from input to output comprising predominantly capacitive element 72 in parallel with a resistive element comprising variable resistor 76a and series connected resistors 74a and 74b having midpoint connection 74c. A predominantly inductive element 75 is connected between midpoint 74c and one side of variable resistor 76b. The other side of variable resistor 76b is connected to ground. Variable resistors 76a and 76b are mechanically coupled together so that when variable resistor 76a provides minimum resistance, variable resistor 76b provides maximum resistance, and vice versa. When variable resistor 76a provides minimum resistance, and variable resistor 76b provides maximum resistance, transmission of signals from input to output is maximised and is not significantly affected by frequency dependent components such as series capacitor 72 and shunt inductance 75. In this configuration minimal equalisation is provided and the signal path from input to output through the equaliser is mostly independent of frequency. Conversely when variable resistor 76a is adjusted to provide maximum resistance and variable resistor 76b provides minimal resistance, equaliser 70 has increased sensitivity to frequency dependent series capacitance 72 and shunt inductance 75. In this configuration the equaliser has maximum sensitivity to frequency variation and provides considerably less signal attenuation at high frequency than at low frequency, thereby providing equalisation which is useful in correcting for cable-related signal attenuation.

[0055] Similarly, variable attenuator 71 comprises variable resistor 77a coupled between attenuator input port 78c and attenuator output port 78d. Series resistors 75a and 75b provide midpoint 75c which is coupled to ground through variable resistor 77b. Variable resistors 77a and 77b mechanically coupled together so that when one resistor is suggested to provide minimum resistance the other resistor provides maximum resistance. In this way, when variable resistor 77a is adjusted for minimum resistance attenuator 71 provides minimum attenuation to the signal path. Conversely, when variable resistor 77b is adjusted to provide minimum resistance, attenuator 71 provides maximum attenuation to the single path.

[0056] Importantly, component values are chosen for equaliser 70 and attenuator 71 which maintain a desired characteristic impedance for the signal path circuit, for example 75 ohms as is common in network amplifiers. Preferably, variable resistors in equaliser 70 are both 200 ohms. Preferably, variable resistors in attenuator 71 are both 100 ohms.

[0057] To correct for typical upstream cable loss in coaxial HFC networks, equaliser 70 comprises series capacitor 72 having approximate value 22pF and shunt inductors 75a and 75b having approximate values of 180nH and 470nH respectively.

[0058] Figure 7b shows a circuit board assembly comprising an equaliser and attenuator according to the schematics shown in Figure 7a. Variable resistors 76a and 76b preferably are mechanically coupled together by rotating arms 79a and 79b so that rotational movement of arms 79a and 79b causes one variable resistor to increase in value while the co-joined variable resistor decreases in value. Rotating arm 79b causes variable resistors 77a and 77b to behave in similar counteracting fashion as arm 79b is rotated.

[0059] Figure 7c shows an example of a common type of variable resistor known as a trimpot comprises adjustment aperture 76d which is coupled two rotating arm 79c using protrusions 79e.

[0060] Figures 8a and 8b are isometric views of a preferred method and construction for supplying power to a daughterboard 82. Referring to Figure 8a, a conventional hybrid amplifier 81 comprises signal pins 81 a which are coupled into motherboard sockets 80a and provide signal path connectivity between the motherboard and hybrid.

[0061] There is a need to decouple the hybrid device 81 from performance-limiting motherboard circuitry, and instead couple it to daughterboard circuitry 82. Preferably, signal and ground pins 81 a of hybrid amplifier 81 are cut shorter than their original length and soldered to connections on the daughterboard which receive them 81 d. Cutting these pins shorter allows them to be disconnected from the conventional motherboard sockets which receive them 80a. In this manner the daughterboard bypasses a portion of the signal path normally provided by the motherboard and allows the signal path to be upgraded.

[0062] In a conventional network amplifier, hybrid amplifier 81 receives power from the network amplifier power supply conductor 80c through motherboard socket 81 c and central power pin 81 b. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, power supply pin 81 b of hybrid 81 is coupled to a contact hole 82a on daughterboard 82 and provides power to the daughterboard at this point. Preferably hybrid power supply pin 81 b is not trimmed to a shorter length like the adjacent signal path pins and provides a means of maintaining a power supply connection between the motherboard 80 to the hybrid 81 . Therefore, the present embodiment of the invention repurposes hybrid power supply pin 81 b to couple power to both daughterboard 82 and hybrid 81 .

[0063] Figure 8b provides a different isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the bottom side of daughterboard 82 and motherboard 80. This view shows the extent to which signal path pins 81 D are reduced in length to re-route the signal path from motherboard 80 to daughterboard 82. This figure also shows how hybrid power pin 81 b is not reduced in length and couples into existing motherboard circuitry.

[0064] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0065] Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.The following sections I - VII provide a guide to interpreting the present specification.I. Terms

[0066] The term “product” means any machine, manufacture and / or composition of matter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0067] The term “process” means any process, algorithm, method or the like, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0068] Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a “step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term ‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.

[0069] The term “invention” and the like mean “the one or more inventions disclosed in this specification”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0070] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “another embodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0071] The term “variation” of an invention means an embodiment of the invention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0072] A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment(e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0073] The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0074] The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0075] The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0076] The term “herein” means “in the present specification, including anything which may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0077] The phrase “at least one of’, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things), means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel” means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel. The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things, does not mean “one of each of” the plurality of things.

[0078] Numerical terms such as “one”, “two”, etc. when used as cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), mean the quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase “one widget” does not mean “at least one widget”, and therefore the phrase “one widget” does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

[0079] The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describes both “based only on” and “based at least on”. The phrase “based at least on” is equivalent to the phrase “based at least in part on”.

[0080] The term “represent” and like terms are not exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the term “represents” do not mean “represents only”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “the data represents a credit cardnumber” describes both “the data represents only a credit card number” and “the data represents a credit card number and the data also represents something else”.

[0081] The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause, or other words that the term “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

[0082] The term “e.g.” and like terms mean “for example”, and thus does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure) over the Internet”, the term “e.g.” explains that “instructions” are an example of “data” that the computer may send over the Internet, and also explains that “a data structure” is an example of “data” that the computer may send over the Internet. However, both “instructions” and “a data structure” are merely examples of “data”, and other things besides “instructions” and “a data structure” can be “data”.

[0083] The term “i.e.” and like terms mean “that is”, and thus limits the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sends data (i.e., instructions) over the Internet”, the term “i.e.” explains that “instructions” are the “data” that the computer sends over the Internet.

[0084] Any given numerical range shall include whole and fractions of numbers within the range. For example, the range “1 to 10” shall be interpreted to specifically include whole numbers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, . . . 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g., 1 .1 ,I .2, . . . 1.9).II. Determining

[0085] The term “determining” and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., to determine a price, determining a value, determine an object which meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense. The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receivinginformation), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

[0086] The term “determining” does not imply certainty or absolute precision, and therefore “determining” can include estimating, extrapolating, predicting, guessing and the like.

[0087] The term “determining” does not imply that mathematical processing must be performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used, and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used.

[0088] The term “determining” does not imply that any particular device must be used. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform the determining.III. Indication

[0089] The term “indication” is used in an extremely broad sense. The term “indication” may, among other things, encompass a sign, symptom, or token of something else.

[0090] The term “indication” may be used to refer to any indicia and / or other information indicative of or associated with a subject, item, entity, and / or other object and / or idea.

[0091] As used herein, the phrases “information indicative of” and “indicia” may be used to refer to any information that represents, describes, and / or is otherwise associated with a related entity, subject, or object.

[0092] Indicia of information may include, for example, a symbol, a code, a reference, a link, a signal, an identifier, and / or any combination thereof and / or any other informative representation associated with the information.

[0093] In some embodiments, indicia of information (or indicative of the information) may be or include the information itself and / or any portion or component of the information. In some embodiments, an indication may include a request, a solicitation, a broadcast, and / or any other form of information gathering and / or dissemination.IV. Forms of Sentences

[0094] Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least one widget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses a definite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”), this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than one widget).

[0095] When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a “first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a “second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” (1 ) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.

[0096] When a single device or article is described herein, more than one device / article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device / article that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than one device / article (whether or not they cooperate).

[0097] Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device / article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, the variousfunctionality that is described as being possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single device / article.

[0098] The functionality and / or the features of a single device that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are described but are not explicitly described as having such functionality / features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments, have such functionality / features.V. Disclosed Examples and Terminology Are Not Limiting

[0099] Neither the Title nor the Abstract in this specification is intended to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). The title and headings of sections provided in the specification are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[0100] Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognise that the disclosed invention(s) may be practised with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and / or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0101] The present disclosure is not a literal description of all embodiments of the invention(s). Also, the present disclosure is not a listing of features of the invention(s) which must be present in all embodiments.

[0102] Devices that are described as in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with another machine via the Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for long period of time (e.g. weeks at a time). In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[0103] A description of an embodiment with several components or features does not imply that all or even any of such components / features are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no component / feature is essential or required.

[0104] Although process steps, operations, algorithms, or the like may be described in a particular sequential order, such processes may be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non- simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

[0105] Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps, that does not imply that all or any of the steps are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step is essential or required.

[0106] Although a process may be described singly or without reference to other products or methods, in an embodiment the process may interact with other products or methods. For example, such interaction may include linking one business model to another business model. Such interaction may be provided to enhance the flexibility or desirability of the process.

[0107] Although a product may be described as including a plurality of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics, and / or features, that does not indicate that any or all of the plurality are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

[0108] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, a PDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any category.

[0109] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are equivalent to each other or readily substituted for each other.

[0110] All embodiments are illustrative, and do not imply that the invention or any embodiments were made or performed, as the case may be.VI. Computing

[0111] It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmed general purpose computers, special purpose computers and computing devices. Typically, a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors, one or more micro-controllers, one or more digital signal processors) will receive instructions (e.g., from a memory or like device), and execute those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by those instructions.

[0112] A “processor” means one or more microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs), computing devices, micro-controllers, digital signal processors, or like devices or any combination thereof.

[0113] Thus, a description of a process is likewise a description of an apparatus for performing the process. The apparatus that performs the process can include, e.g., aprocessor and those input devices and output devices that are appropriate to perform the process.

[0114] Further, programs that implement such methods (as well as other types of data) may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) in a number of manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, some or all of the software instructions that can implement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, various combinations of hardware and software may be used instead of software only.

[0115] The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium, a plurality of the same, or a combination of different media, that participate in providing data (e.g., instructions, data structures) which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fibre optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infra-red (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[0116] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying data (e.g. sequences of instructions) to a processor. For example, data may be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii) carried over a wireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and / or transmitted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP / IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G; and / or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.

[0117] The term “computer-readable recording medium storing instructions” refers to any medium, a plurality of the same, or a combination of different media, that participate in providing data (e.g., instructions, data structures) which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. A computer-readable recording medium storing instructions disclosed, defined or referred to in this disclosure does not encompass transitory media.

[0118] Thus, a description of a process is likewise a description of a computer-readable medium storing a program for performing the process. The computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate format) those program elements which are appropriate to perform the method.

[0119] Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of an apparatus include a computer / computing device operable to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.

[0120] Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of a computer-readable medium storing a program or data structure include a computer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, can cause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.

[0121] Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those described herein. Further, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including relational databases, object-based models and / or distributed databases) could be used to store and manipulatethe data types described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviours of a database can be used to implement various processes, such as the described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be stored locally or remotely from a device which accesses data in such a database.

[0122] Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environment including a computer that is in communication (e.g., via a communications network) with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired or wireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications line, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, a satellite communications link, a combination of any of the above). Each of the devices may themselves comprise computers or other computing devices that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any number and type of devices may be in communication with the computer.

[0123] In an embodiment, a server computer or centralised authority may not be necessary or desirable. For example, the present invention may, in an embodiment, be practised on one or more devices without a central authority. In such an embodiment, any functions described herein as performed by the server computer or data described as stored on the server computer may instead be performed by or stored on one or more such devices.

[0124] Where a process is described, in an embodiment the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

[0125] It should be noted that where the terms “server”, “secure server” or similar terms are used herein, a communication device is described that may be used in a communication system, unless the context otherwise requires, and should not be construed to limit the present invention to any particular communication device type. Thus, a communication device may include, without limitation, a bridge, router, bridge-router (router), switch, node, or other communication device, which may or may not be secure.

[0126] It should also be noted that where a flowchart is used herein to demonstrate various aspects of the invention, it should not be construed to limit the present inventionto any particular logic flow or logic implementation. The described logic may be partitioned into different logic blocks (e.g., programs, modules, functions, or subroutines) without changing the overall results or otherwise departing from the true scope of the invention. Often, logic elements may be added, modified, omitted, performed in a different order, or implemented using different logic constructs (e.g., logic gates, looping primitives, conditional logic, and other logic constructs) without changing the overall results or otherwise departing from the true scope of the invention.

[0127] Various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms, including computer program logic for use with a processor (e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, or general purpose computer and for that matter, any commercial processor may be used to implement the embodiments of the invention either as a single processor, serial or parallel set of processors in the system and, as such, examples of commercial processors include, but are not limited to Merced™, Pentium™, Pentium II™, Xeon™, Celeron™, Pentium Pro™, Efficeon™, Athlon™, AMD™ and the like), programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device (e.g., a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other PLD), discrete components, integrated circuitry (e.g., an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), or any other means including any combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, predominantly all of the communication between users and the server is implemented as a set of computer program instructions that is converted into a computer executable form, stored as such in a computer readable medium, and executed by a microprocessor under the control of an operating system.

[0128] Computer program logic implementing all or part of the functionality where described herein may be embodied in various forms, including a source code form, a computer executable form, and various intermediate forms (e.g., forms generated by an assembler, compiler, linker, or locator). Source code may include a series of computer program instructions implemented in any of various programming languages (e.g., an object code, an assembly language, or a high-level language such as Fortran, C, C++, JAVA, or HTML. Moreover, there are hundreds of available computer languages that may be used to implement embodiments of the invention, among the more common being Ada; Algol; APL; awk; Basic; C; C++; Conol; Delphi; Eiffel; Euphoria; Forth; Fortran; HTML; Icon; Java; Javascript; Lisp; Logo; Mathematica; MatLab; Miranda; Modula-2; Oberon; Pascal; Perl; PL / I; Prolog; Python; Rexx; SAS; Scheme; sed; Simula; Smalltalk; Snobol;SQL; Visual Basic; Visual C++; Linux and XML.) for use with various operating systems or operating environments. The source code may define and use various data structures and communication messages. The source code may be in a computer executable form (e.g., via an interpreter), or the source code may be converted (e.g., via a translator, assembler, or compiler) into a computer executable form.

[0129] The computer program may be fixed in any form (e.g., source code form, computer executable form, or an intermediate form) either permanently or transitorily in a tangible storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g, a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Flash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memory device (e.g., a diskette or fixed disk), an optical memory device (e.g., a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM), a PC card (e.g., PCMCIA card), or other memory device. The computer program may be fixed in any form in a signal that is transmittable to a computer using any of various communication technologies, including, but in no way limited to, analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth), networking technologies, and internetworking technologies. The computer program may be distributed in any form as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web).

[0130] Hardware logic (including programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device) implementing all or part of the functionality where described herein may be designed using traditional manual methods, or may be designed, captured, simulated, or documented electronically using various tools, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), a hardware description language (e.g., VHDL or AHDL), or a PLD programming language (e.g., PALASM, ABEL, or CUPL). Hardware logic may also be incorporated into display screens for implementing embodiments of the invention and which may be segmented display screens, analogue display screens, digital display screens, CRTs, LED screens, Plasma screens, liquid crystal diode screen, and the like.

[0131] Programmable logic may be fixed either permanently or transitorily in a tangible storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g., a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Flash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memory device (e.g., a diskette or fixed disk), an optical memory device (e.g., a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM), or other memorydevice. The programmable logic may be fixed in a signal that is transmittable to a computer using any of various communication technologies, including, but in no way limited to, analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth), networking technologies, and internetworking technologies. The programmable logic may be distributed as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web).

[0132] “Comprises / comprising” and “includes / including” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of modifying a legacy network amplifier [as defined in the description above] for a hybrid fibre-coaxial [HFC] communications network by using a plug-in daughterboard, the legacy network amplifier comprising: a circuit board, the circuit board comprising: a first pin-socket group adapted to receive connector pins of a first passive plug-in module; a second pin-socket group adapted to receive connector pins of a second passive plug-in module; and a first signal path adapted to couple signals on the legacy network amplifier between said first and second pin-socket groups, the plug-in daughterboard being adapted to plug into the legacy network amplifier and couple to the first and second pin-socket groups, the plug-in daughterboard comprising an amplifier and one or more attenuator or equaliser circuits; the method of modifying the legacy network amplifier comprising the steps of: removing a first passive plugin signal module and a second passive plugin signal module from the circuit board; and then plugging the daughterboard into the first and second pin-socket groups of the legacy network amplifier, in which method the removal of the passive plugin signal modules disables the first signal path and the plugging-in of the daughter board establishes a new signal path between said first pin socket group and said second pin socket group.

2. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising connecting the daughterboard to power supply connections of other active devices on the circuit board.

3. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the step of placing insulation on the circuit board, before plugging the daughterboard into the circuit board, to insulate the daughterboard from the circuit board.

4. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the daughterboard comprises at least one amplifier.

5. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the daughterboard further comprises an attenuator.

6. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the daughterboard further comprises an equalizer.

7. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 6 as appended to claim 5, further comprising means for adjusting the attenuation characteristics of the attenuator and means for adjusting the frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of the equalizer.

8. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 7, in which each of the means for adjusting the attenuation characteristics of the attenuator and the means for adjusting the frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of the equalizer further comprises one or more adjustable potentiometers [trimpots].

9. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, in which the means for adjusting the attenuation characteristics of the attenuator comprises at least one set of two coupled adjustable potentiometers.

10. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the means for adjusting the frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of the equalizer each comprise at least one set of two coupled adjustable potentiometers.11 . The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 10, in which adjustment of any one or more sets of coupled adjustable potentiometers presents increasing electrical resistance to an attenuator from one potentiometer of a set and decreasing electrical resistance to that attenuator from the other potentiometer of that set.

12. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 10 or claim11 , in which adjustment of any one or more sets of coupled adjustable potentiometers presents increasing electrical resistance to an equalizer from one potentiometer of a set and decreasing electrical resistance to that equalizer from the other potentiometer of that set.

13. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 11 or claim12, in which adjustment of any one or more of the coupled adjustable potentiometers comprises rotational movement.

14. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, in which the means for adjusting the frequency characteristics of at least one of the attenuator and the equalizer produces tactile feedback.

15. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, in which the means for adjusting the frequency characteristics of at least one of the attenuator and the equalizer produces acoustic feedback.

16. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a manually-rotatable element and a detent mechanism, the rotatable element and the detent mechanism inter-acting to produce tactile feedback on rotation of the rotatable element.

17. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising a manually-rotatable element and a detent mechanism, the rotatable element and the detent mechanism inter-acting to produce acoustic feedback on rotation of the rotatable element.

18. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, in which a pre-determined degree of rotation of at least one rotatable element causes a pre-determined level of change in the attenuation characteristics of a corresponding attenuator.

19. The method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18, in which a pre-determined degree of rotation of at least one rotatable element causes a pre-determined level of change in frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of a corresponding equalizer.

20. A method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the un-modified legacy network amplifier is a CommScope 321 Amplifier or an Arris 321 Amplifier.21 . A method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 20, in which the un-modified legacy network amplifier is a CommScope 601 Amplifier or an Arris 601 Amplifier.

22. A method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, substantially as described with reference to Figures 8a and 8b of the drawings.

23. A method of modifying a legacy network amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 , substantially as described with reference to any one or more of the drawings.

24. A modified legacy network amplifier for a hybrid fibre-coaxial [HFC] communications network, produced by the method of any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. A legacy network amplifier which has been prepared for modifying according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 23, the legacy network amplifier comprising a legacy network amplifier from which one or more circuit components have been removed.

26. A daughterboard for plugging into a legacy network amplifier for modifying the legacy network amplifier according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 23.

27. A kit of parts for modifying a legacy network amplifier comprising a legacy network amplifier as claimed in claim 24 and a daughterboard as claimed in claim 26.

28. The kit of parts as claimed in claim 27, further comprising insulating material for placing between the daughterboard and the circuit board to insulate the daughterboard from the circuit board.

29. An amplifier comprising an attenuator and an equalizer, the amplifier further comprising: one or more adjustable potentiometers for adjusting the attenuation characteristics of the attenuator; one or more adjustable potentiometers for adjusting the frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of the equalizer.

30. The amplifier as claimed in claim 29, in which the one or more adjustable potentiometers for adjusting the attenuation characteristics of the attenuator comprises at least one set of two coupled adjustable potentiometers.31 . The amplifier as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, in which the means for adjusting the frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of the equalizer comprises at least one set of two coupled adjustable potentiometers.

32. The amplifier as claimed in claim 30, in which adjustment of any one or more sets of coupled adjustable potentiometers presents increasing electrical resistance to an attenuator from one potentiometer of a set and decreasing electrical resistance to that attenuator from the other potentiometer of that set.

33. The amplifier as claimed in claim 31 , in which adjustment of any one or more sets of coupled adjustable potentiometers presents increasing electrical resistance to an equalizer from one potentiometer of a set and decreasing electrical resistance to that equalizer from the other potentiometer of that set.

34. The amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 33, further comprising: means for providing acoustic feedback on adjusting the attenuation characteristics of the attenuator; and means for providing audio feedback on adjusting the frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of the equalizer.

35. The amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 29 to claim 34, further comprising: means for providing tactile feedback on adjusting the attenuation characteristics of the attenuator; and means for providing tactile feedback on adjusting the frequency-dependant attenuation characteristics of the equalizer.

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