In-home network splitter with reduced isolation

Abstract

A splitter includes an input configured to be connected to a cable television (CATV) network. The splitter also includes a first output connected to the input. The first output is configured to be connected to a first subscriber device. The splitter also includes a second output connected to the input. The second output is configured to be connected to a second subscriber device. A path between the first output and the second output is configured to provide an isolation that is less than 30 dB.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A splitter, comprising:
 an input configured to be connected to a cable television (CATV) network;   a reflection-less in-home network adapter (RNA) connected to the input and configured to prevent CATV interference signals from being reflected into the CATV network;   a first high-pass filter connected to the RNA;   a second high-pass filter connected to the RNA;   a third high-pass filter connected to the RNA;   a first output connected to the first high-pass filter, wherein the first output is configured to be connected to a first subscriber device;   a second output connected to the second high-pass filter, wherein the second output is configured to be connected to a second subscriber device;   a third output connected to the third high-pass filter, wherein the third output is configured to be connected to a third subscriber device;   wherein a first path is configured to extend between the input and the first output;   wherein a second path is configured to extend between the input and the second output;   wherein the first path and the second path are configured to have substantially equal resistances, substantially equal impedances, and substantially equal insertion losses;   wherein a third path is configured to extend between the first output and the second output;   wherein a fourth path is configured to extend between the second output and the third output;   wherein the third path and the fourth path are configured to have substantially equal resistances, substantially equal impedances, and substantially equal isolations; and   wherein the isolation in the third path, the fourth path, or both is less than 30 dB.   
     
     
         2 . The splitter of  claim 1 , wherein the splitter comprises a resistive Wye-type splitter. 
     
     
         3 . The splitter of  claim 1 , wherein the splitter does not comprise ferrite. 
     
     
         4 . The splitter of  claim 1 , wherein the splitter is band-limited between about 1125 MHz and about 1675 MHz. 
     
     
         5 . The splitter of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion loss in the first path, the second path, or both is greater than 25 dB. 
     
     
         6 . A splitter, comprising:
 an input configured to be connected to a cable television (CATV) network;   an electrical circuit component connected to the input;   a first high-pass filter connected to the electrical circuit component;   a second high-pass filter connected to the electrical circuit component;   a first output connected to the first high-pass filter, wherein the first output is configured to be connected to a first subscriber device; and   a second output connected to the second high-pass filter, wherein the second output is configured to be connected to a second subscriber device, wherein a path between the first output and the second output is configured to provide an isolation that is less than 30 dB.   
     
     
         7 . The splitter of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical circuit component comprises a reflection-less in-home network adapter (RNA) that is configured to prevent CATV interference signals from being reflected into the CATV network. 
     
     
         8 . The splitter of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical circuit component comprises a third high-pass filter that is configured to provide surge suppression, noise mitigation, or both. 
     
     
         9 . The splitter of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a number of the plurality of outputs is from two to sixteen, and wherein the isolation in the path is less than 25 dB. 
     
     
         10 . The splitter of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a number of the plurality of outputs is from two to four, and wherein the isolation in the path is less than 15 dB. 
     
     
         11 . A splitter, comprising:
 an input configured to be connected to a cable television (CATV) network;   a first output connected to the input, wherein the first output is configured to be connected to a first subscriber device; and   a second output connected to the input, wherein the second output is configured to be connected to a second subscriber device, and wherein a path between the first output and the second output is configured to provide an isolation that is between 5 dB and 30 dB.   
     
     
         12 . The splitter of  claim 11 , wherein the splitter comprises a resistive Wye-type splitter including the input, the first output, and the second output. 
     
     
         13 . The splitter of  claim 11 , wherein the splitter does not comprise ferrite. 
     
     
         14 . The splitter of  claim 11 , wherein the splitter comprises a reflection-less in-home network adapter (RNA) that is configured to allow signals in a frequency range to be transmitted between the input and the first and second outputs, and to prevent signals outside of the frequency range from being transmitted between the input and the first and second outputs, and wherein the frequency range is between about 1125 MHz and about 1675 MHz. 
     
     
         15 . The splitter of  claim 11 , wherein a path between the input and the first output is configured to provide an insertion loss that is greater than 25 dB. 
     
     
         16 . The splitter of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a number of the plurality of outputs is from two to sixteen, and wherein the isolation in the path is less than 25 dB. 
     
     
         17 . The splitter of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a number of the plurality of outputs is from two to eight, and wherein the isolation in the path is less than 20 dB. 
     
     
         18 . The splitter of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of outputs including the first output and the second output, wherein a number of the plurality of outputs is from two to four, and wherein the isolation in the path is less than 15 dB. 
     
     
         19 . The splitter of  claim 11 , wherein the isolation in the path is less than 10 dB. 
     
     
         20 . The splitter of  claim 11 , wherein a path between the input and the first output is configured to provide a different isolation value than a path between the input and the second output.