Satellite Signal Tuning via Frequency Translation Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite broadcast systems are limited in their ability to expand and utilize pre-existing household cabling, making it costly and inflexible to add new features or IRD units, as they cannot efficiently process additional satellite signals and require new cable installations.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a Frequency Translation Module (FTM) coupled with a multiswitch, tuners, demodulators, and an interface, allowing for selective tuning and demodulation of satellite signals, which are then delivered to IRDs via a single cable, utilizing existing cabling and enabling two-way communication for dynamic signal customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional satellite broadcast systems are used with multiple feedhorns and separate cables for each IRD, then signal delivery is reliable, but system expansion requires new cable installations increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple satellite signal feeds into a single cable using a combiner device. Multiple LNB outputs from different satellites are merged together and transmitted through one coaxial cable to multiple IRDs, eliminating the need for separate cables for each satellite feed and enabling easy system expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The single cable infrastructure is designed to carry multiple satellite signals simultaneously, making it a universal transmission medium that can serve multiple IRDs and support multiple satellites without requiring dedicated cables for each function or device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple satellites are received using traditional systems, then signal diversity is improved, but each additional satellite requires additional feedhorns and cable runs
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple satellite signals from different LNBs into a single cable using a combiner, allowing multiple satellites to be received without additional cable runs. The combiner device accepts multiple inputs and combines them into one output that can be distributed to multiple IRDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the signal combining function into a dedicated combiner device, separating the multi-satellite reception function from the cable infrastructure. This allows the cabling to remain simple while the combiner handles the complexity of multiple satellite inputs.
3Ease of manufacture
If pre-existing household cabling is utilized, then installation cost is reduced, but the system must efficiently process additional satellite signals through the same cable
Solution Approach 1:
The combiner device merges multiple satellite signals into a single composite signal that can be transmitted through existing household cabling. This allows the system to utilize pre-installed cables while efficiently processing multiple satellite signals through signal combination and frequency management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes signal parameters such as frequency allocation and polarization to enable multiple satellite signals to coexist on the same cable without interference, allowing efficient signal processing through existing infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple systems for delivering satellite signals are described. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a receive antenna, including at least one low noise block amplifier (LNB); and a module, coupled to and proximate the receive antenna, the module comprising a multiswitch, coupled to the LNB, for directing the satellite signal received by the LNB to an output of the multiswitch, at least one tuner, coupled to the output of the multiswitch, for tuning to a specific portion of the satellite signal, the specific portion of the satellite signal selected based on commands received from a new Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD), at least one demodulator, coupled to the at least one tuner, for demodulating the specific portion of the signal into a plurality of demodulated signals, and an interface for delivering a specific demodulated signal to the new IRD, wherein the specific demodulated signal is selected based on the commands received from the new IRD, and the specific demodulated signal is mapped to a new address based on a private channel number associated with the new IRD.