Passive CATV Entry Adapter Signal Splitting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CATV entry adapters with amplifiers create potential points of failure and compromise CATV signal strength due to signal splitting, leading to reduced quality of service and increased service calls, especially in large in-home networks with multiple outlets.

Innovation Solution

A passive CATV entry adapter that uses a signal splitter with an in-home network frequency band rejection device to prevent MoCA signals from entering the CATV network, maintaining signal strength and quality by limiting signal splitting and eliminating the need for an external power source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If amplifiers are used in CATV entry adapters, then signal strength is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential points of failure and power source dependencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex active amplifiers with simple passive components that have no moving parts or power requirements. The passive splitter uses basic electromagnetic signal division principles, eliminating the need for amplifiers that require power sources and can fail. This approach trades some signal strength for dramatically improved reliability and reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Adaptability or versatility

If signal splitting is increased to serve multiple outlets, then adaptability is improved, but signal strength deteriorates due to reduction in quality of service

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidsignal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a passive splitter that divides the CATV signal into multiple separate output paths, each maintaining adequate signal strength. By segmenting the signal distribution into dedicated passive output lines rather than relying on active amplification, the system can serve multiple outlets (increasing adaptability) while preserving signal quality through proper passive splitting ratios and direct cable connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If MoCA signals are allowed to propagate through the CATV network, then in-home network functionality is improved, but harmful factors increase due to interference with CATV signals and compromise of network privacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-home network functionalityVSAvoidsignal interference and privacy compromise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates MoCA network signals from the CATV signal path using frequency-selective filtering. The adapter contains a MoCA signal processing path that is electrically separated from the CATV downstream and upstream signal paths. This extraction allows MoCA functionality to operate within the home while preventing MoCA signals from propagating onto the CATV network, eliminating interference and protecting network privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces frequency-selective filters and isolation circuits as intermediary components between the MoCA network path and the CATV network path. These intermediaries allow both systems to coexist by blocking MoCA frequencies from entering the CATV infrastructure while passing CATV frequencies to subscriber equipment. This mediator approach enables dual functionality without signal contamination or privacy compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures high-quality downstream CATV signals are maintained across multiple subscriber devices without compromising the CATV network, reducing service calls and ensuring reliable 'life-line' communications, while preventing MoCA signal interference and maintaining network privacy.

Implementation Method 1

an in-home network frequency band rejection device connected between the CATV entry port and the input port of the signal splitter that substantially blocks transmission of the in-home network signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency band rejection: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

a signal splitter that has an input terminal and two output terminals and that splits a downstream signal received at the input terminal into reduced-power copies of the input signal supplied at each of the output terminals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal splitting: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS9860591B2Passive multi-port entry adapter and method for preserving downstream CATV signal strength within in-home network

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 PPC BROADBAND INC

AI summary

A cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces to a CATV network and serves as a hub in an in-home network for passively communicating multimedia content or information from the CATV network and between subscriber devices connected to the ports of the CATV entry adapter, using CATV signals in a CATV frequency band and network signals in a different in-home network band.