Communication networks including home network translation devices and associated methods

Abstract

A communication network includes a first electrical cable, a home network translation device, and a first termination device. The home network translation device is communicatively coupled between an optical cable and the first electrical cable, and the home network translation device is configured to translate data between an optical protocol on the optical cable and a home networking protocol on the first electrical cable. The first termination device is communicatively coupled to the first electrical cable and is configured to translate data between the home networking protocol on the first electrical cable and an additional protocol on an additional communication medium communicatively coupled to the first termination device.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A power inserter, comprising:
 a first output port for coupling to a first electrical cable;   a power supply; and   a first inductor electrically coupling the power supply to the first output port, the first inductor having a tapered shape.   
     
     
         22 . The power inserter of  claim 21 , the first inductor comprising:
 a magnetic core having a conical shape; and   a winding forming one or more turns around the magnetic core.   
     
     
         23 . The power inserter of  claim 21 , the first inductor comprising:
 a magnetic core having a wedge shape; and   a winding forming one or more turns around the magnetic core.   
     
     
         24 . The power inserter of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a second output port for coupling to a second electrical cable;   a second inductor electrically coupling the power supply to the second output port, the second inductor having a tapered shape; and   a capacitor electrically coupled between the first and second output ports.   
     
     
         25 . The power inserter of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a first jumper connected between the power supply and the first inductor; and   a second jumper connected between the power supply and the second inductor.   
     
     
         26 . A coaxial cable tap, comprising:
 first and second splitter ports; and   an inductor electrically coupled between the first and second splitter ports, the inductor having a tapered shape.   
     
     
         27 . The coaxial cable tap of  claim 26 , further comprising a first capacitor, a directional coupler, and a second capacitor electrically coupled in series between the first and second splitter ports. 
     
     
         28 . The coaxial cable tap of  claim 27 , further comprising splitter circuitry electrically coupled to the directional coupler. 
     
     
         29 . The coaxial cable tap of  claim 26 , the inductor comprising:
 a magnetic core having a conical shape; and   a winding forming one or more turns around the magnetic core.   
     
     
         30 . The coaxial cable tap of  claim 26 , the inductor comprising:
 a magnetic core having a wedge shape; and   a winding forming one or more turns around the magnetic core.   
     
     
         31 . An amplifier, comprising:
 first and second amplifier ports; and   first, second, and third inductors electrically coupled in series between the first and second amplifier ports, each of the first, second, and third inductors having a tapered shape.   
     
     
         32 . The amplifier of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the first inductor comprises:
 a first magnetic core having a conical shape, and 
 a first winding wound around the first magnetic core; 
   the second inductor comprises:
 a second magnetic core having a conical shape, and 
 a second winding wound around the second magnetic core; and 
   the third inductor comprises:
 a third magnetic core having a conical shape, and 
 a third winding wound around the third magnetic core. 
   
     
     
         33 . The amplifier of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the first inductor comprises:
 a first magnetic core having a wedge shape, and 
 a first winding wound around the first magnetic core; 
   the second inductor comprises:
 a second magnetic core having a wedge shape, and 
 a second winding wound around the second magnetic core; and 
   the third inductor comprises:
 a third magnetic core having a wedge shape, and 
 a third winding wound around the third magnetic core. 
   
     
     
         34 . The amplifier of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a first diplexer;   a second diplexer;   a first capacitor electrically coupled between the first amplifier port and the first diplexer;   a second capacitor electrically coupled between the second diplexer and the second amplifier port; and   first and second amplifiers, each of the first and second amplifiers between electrically between the first and second diplexers.   
     
     
         35 . The amplifier of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a fourth inductor electrically coupled between (a) a node joining the first capacitor and the first diplexer and (b) a reference node; and   a fifth inductor electrically coupled between (a) a node joining the second diplexer and the second capacitor and (b) the reference node.   
     
     
         36 . The amplifier of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the first inductor has a tapered shape; and   the second inductor has a tapered shape.   
     
     
         37 . The amplifier of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the fourth inductor comprises:
 a fourth magnetic core having a conical shape, and 
 a fourth winding wound around the fourth magnetic core; and 
   the fifth inductor comprises:
 a fifth magnetic core having a conical shape, and 
 a fifth winding wound around the fifth magnetic core. 
   
     
     
         38 . The amplifier of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the fourth inductor comprises:
 a fourth magnetic core having a wedge shape, and 
 a fourth winding wound around the fourth magnetic core; and 
   the fifth inductor comprises:
 a fifth magnetic core having a wedge shape, and 
 a fifth winding wound around the fifth magnetic core.