Method and apparatus for reducing isolation in a home network

Abstract

This invention disclosure relates to a community access television (CATV) signal distribution system which improves signal isolation issues for systems which are distributing both CATV signals and in-home entertainment (IHE) signals. The signal distribution system includes a signal input port, a first multi-port signal splitter and a second multi-port signal splitter. The first multi-port signal splitter is coupled to the signal input port through a first diplexer, and the second multi-port signal splitter is coupled to the signal input port through a second diplexer. In some embodiments the first diplexer high-pass node and the second diplexer high-pass node are coupled together. In some embodiment the signal distribution system includes a signal output port coupled to the signal input port through a third diplexer. The high-pass node of the third diplexer is coupled to the high-pass node of the first diplexer.

1 . A community access television (CATV) signal distribution system comprising:
 an input port configured to communicate CATV signals in a CATV signal frequency band with an external network;   a first multi-port splitter connected to a plurality of first broadband output ports;   a second multi-port splitter connected to a plurality of second broadband output ports; and   a first diplexer having a first high-pass terminal, a first low-pass terminal and a first common terminal;   a second diplexer having a second high-pass terminal, a second low-pass terminal and a second common terminal, wherein:   the first diplexer is configured to bidirectionally communicate the CATV signals in the CATV signal frequency band with the input port via the first low-pass terminal and bidirectionally communicate, via the first common terminal, the CATV signals in the CATV signal frequency band with the plurality of first broadband output ports connected to the first multi-port splitter;   the second diplexer is configured to bidirectionally communicate the CATV signals in the CATV signal frequency band with the input port via the second low-pass terminal and bidirectionally communicate, via the second common terminal, the CATV signals in the CATV signal frequency band with the plurality of second broadband output ports connected to the second multi-port splitter;   the first diplexer is further configured to bidirectionally communicate in-home network signals in an in-home network signal frequency band with the plurality of first broadband output ports of the first multi-port splitter via the first common terminal and bidirectionally communicate the in-home network signals in the in-home network signal frequency band with the plurality of second broadband output ports of the second multi-port splitter via the first high-pass terminal of the first diplexer, the second high-pass terminal of the second diplexer, and the second common terminal of the second diplexer; and   the first diplexer and the second diplexer are configured to prevent the in-home network signals in the in-home network signal frequency band from being transmitted to the input port.   
     
     
         2 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the first diplexer and the second diplexer are configured to bidirectionally communicate the in-home network signals between the plurality of first broadband output ports of the first multi-port splitter and the plurality of second broadband output ports of the second multi-port splitter without traversing a splitter between the first multi-port splitter and the second multi-port splitter. 
     
     
         3 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third splitter positioned upstream of the first diplexer and the second diplexer and downstream of the input port, wherein the third splitter is configured to produce a first copy of a downstream CATV signal received at the input port and transmit the first copy toward the first multi-port splitter via the first low-pass terminal and the first common terminal, and to produce a second copy of the downstream CATV signal and transmit the second copy toward the second multi-port splitter via the second low-pass terminal and the second common terminal.   
     
     
         4 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 a first leg of the third splitter is connected to the first low-pass terminal, and   a second leg of the third splitter is connected to the second low-pass splitter.   
     
     
         5 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first diplexer is configured to:   block signals in the in-home network frequency band between the first common terminal and the first low-pass terminal so as to prevent the signals in the in-home network frequency band from being transmitted to the input port via the third splitter,   block signals in the CATV signal frequency band between the first common terminal and the first high-pass terminal,   transmit signals only in the CATV signal frequency band between the first common terminal and the first low-pass terminal such that only the signals in the CATV signal frequency band are transmitted from the first low-pass terminal to the input port via the third splitter, and   transmit only signals in the in-home network signal frequency band between the first common terminal and the first high-pass terminal, and the second diplexer is configured to:   block signals in the in-home network frequency band between the second common terminal and the second low-pass terminal so as to prevent the signals in the in-home network frequency band from being transmitted to the input port via the third splitter,   block signals in the CATV signal frequency band between the second common terminal and the second high-pass terminal,   transmit signals only in the CATV signal frequency band between the second common terminal and the second low-pass terminal such that only the signals in the CATV signal frequency band are transmitted from the second low-pass terminal to the input port via the third splitter; and   transmit only signals in the in-home network signal frequency band between the second common terminal and the second high-pass terminal.   
     
     
         6 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a third diplexer having a third low-pass terminal and a third high-pass terminal;   a fourth splitter connected to the first high-pass terminal, the second high pass terminal, and the third high-pass terminal;   an attenuator circuit connected between the second high-pass terminal and the fourth splitter; and   wherein the fourth splitter is configured to:
 produce a first copy and a second copy of signals received from the second high-pass terminal; 
 transmit the first copy of signals to the first high-pass terminal; and 
 transmit the second copy of signals to the third high-pass terminal of the third diplexer. 
   
     
     
         7 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a third diplexer having a third low-pass terminal and a third high-pass terminal;   a fourth splitter connected to the first high-pass terminal, the second high pass terminal, and the third high-pass terminal;   an attenuator circuit connected between the third high-pass terminal and the fourth splitter; and   wherein the fourth splitter is configured to:
 produce a first copy and second copy of signals received from the third high-pass terminal; 
 transmit the first copy of signals to the first high-pass terminal; and 
 transmit the second copy of signals to the second high-pass terminal. 
   
     
     
         8 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a third diplexer having a third low-pass terminal and a third high-pass terminal;   a fourth splitter connected to the first high-pass terminal, the second high pass terminal, and the third high-pass terminal;   a first attenuator circuit connected between the third high-pass terminal and the fourth splitter;   a second attenuator circuit connected between the second high-pass terminal and the fourth splitter;   a third attenuator circuit connected between the first high-pass terminal and the fourth splitter; and   wherein the fourth splitter is configured to:
 produce a first copy and second copy of signals received from the third high-pass terminal; 
 transmit the first copy of signals to the first high-pass terminal; and 
 transmit the second copy of signals to the second high-pass terminal. 
   
     
     
         9 . A community access television (CATV) signal distribution system comprising:
 an input port configured to communicate signals in a CATV signal frequency band with an external network;   a first multi-port splitter connected to a plurality of first broadband output ports;   a second multi-port splitter connected to a plurality of second broadband output ports;   a first frequency-based signal separator; and   a second frequency-based signal separator, wherein:   the first frequency-based signal separator is configured to bidirectionally transmit CATV signals in the CATV signal frequency band between the first multi-port splitter and the external network via the input port;   the second frequency-based signal separator is configured to bidirectionally transmit the CATV signals in the CATV signal frequency band between the second multi-port splitter and the external network via the input port; and   the first frequency-based signal separator and the second frequency-based signal separator are configured to bidirectionally transmit in-home network signals in an in-home network signal frequency band between the first multi-port splitter and the second multi-port splitter, to prevent the in-home network signals from being transmitted from the first multi-port splitter to the input port, and to prevent the in-home network signals from being transmitted from the second multi-port splitter to the input port.   
     
     
         10 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first frequency-based signal separator and the second frequency-based signal separator do not include a splitter, and   the signals in the in-home network signal frequency band do not traverse a splitter between the first multi-port splitter and the second multi-port splitter.   
     
     
         11 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a third splitter positioned upstream of the first frequency-based signal separator and the second frequency-based signal separator and downstream of the input port, wherein the third splitter is configured to produce a first copy of a downstream CATV signal received at the input port and transmit the first copy toward the first multi-port splitter via the first frequency-based signal separator, and is configured to produce a second copy of the downstream CATV signal and transmit the second copy toward the second multi-port splitter via the second frequency-based signal separator.   
     
     
         12 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first frequency-based signal separator comprises:
 a first diplexer having a first high-pass terminal, a first low-pass terminal connected to the third splitter so as to receive the first copy therefrom, and a first common terminal connected to the first multi-port splitter; and 
   the second frequency-based signal separator comprises:
 second diplexer having a second high-pass terminal connected to the first high-pass terminal so as to bi-directionally transmit signals in the in-home network signal frequency band therebetween, a second low-pass terminal connected to the third splitter so as to receive the second copy therefrom, and a second common terminal connected to the second multi-port splitter. 
   
     
     
         13 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first frequency-based signal separator is configured to block signals in the in-home network frequency band between the first-multi-port splitter and the third splitter so as to prevent the signals in the in-home network frequency band from being transmitted to the input port via the third splitter,   the second frequency-based signal separator is configured to block signals in the in-home network frequency band between the second-multi-port splitter and the third splitter so as to prevent the signals in the in-home network frequency band from being transmitted to the input port via the third splitter, and   the first frequency-based signal separator and the second frequency-based signal separator are configured to transmit only signals in the in-home network signal frequency band between the first multi-port splitter and the second multi-port splitter.   
     
     
         14 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a third frequency-based signal separator;   a fourth splitter connected to a high-pass terminal of the first frequency-based signal separator, a high-pass terminal of the second frequency-based signal separator, and a high-pass terminal of the third frequency-based signal separator;   an attenuator circuit connected between the high-pass terminal of the second frequency-based signal separator and the fourth splitter; and   wherein the fourth splitter is configured to:
 produce a first copy and a second copy of signals received from the high-pass terminal of the second frequency-based signal separator; 
 transmit the first copy of signals to the high-pass terminal of the first frequency-based signal separator; and 
 transmit the second copy of signals to the high-pass terminal of the third frequency-based signal separator. 
   
     
     
         15 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a third frequency-based signal separator;   a fourth splitter connected to a high-pass terminal of the first frequency-based signal separator, a high-pass terminal of the second frequency-based signal separator, and a high-pass terminal of the third frequency-based signal separator;   an attenuator circuit connected between the high-pass terminal of the third frequency-based signal separator and the fourth splitter; and   wherein the fourth splitter is configured to:
 produce a first copy and a second copy of signals received from the high-pass terminal of the third frequency-based signal separator; 
 transmit the first copy of the signals to the high-pass terminal of the first frequency-based signal separator; and 
 transmit the second copy of the signals to the high-pass terminal of the second frequency-based signal separator. 
   
     
     
         16 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a third first frequency-based signal separator having a high-pass terminal;   a fourth splitter connected to the high-pass terminal of the first frequency-based signal separator, a high pass terminal of the second frequency-based signal separator, and the high-pass terminal of the third frequency-based signal separator;   a first attenuator circuit connected between the high-pass terminal of the third frequency-based signal separator and the fourth splitter;   a second attenuator circuit connected between the high-pass terminal of the second frequency-based signal separator and the fourth splitter;   a third attenuator circuit connected between the high-pass terminal of the first frequency-based signal separator and the fourth splitter; and   wherein the fourth splitter is configured to:
 produce a first copy and a second copy of signals received from the high-pass terminal of the third frequency-based signal separator; 
 transmit the first copy of signals to the high-pass terminal of the first frequency-based signal separator; and 
 transmit the second copy of signals to the high-pass terminal of the second frequency-based signal separator. 
   
     
     
         17 . A community access television (CATV) signal distribution system comprising:
 an input port configured to communicate signals in a CATV signal frequency band with an external network;   a first multi-port splitter connected to a plurality of first broadband output ports;   a second multi-port splitter connected to a plurality of second broadband output ports; and   a frequency-based signal separator configured to bidirectionally transmit in-home network signals in an in-home network signal frequency band between the first multi-port splitter and the second multi-port splitter, to prevent the in-home network signals from being transmitted from the first multi-port splitter to the input port, to prevent the in-home network signals from being transmitted from the second multi-port splitter to the input port, to bidirectionally transmit CATV signals in the CATV signal frequency band between the input port and the first multi-port splitter, and to bidirectionally transmit the CATV signals in the CATV frequency band between the input port and the second multi-port splitter.   
     
     
         18 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 17 , wherein the frequency-based signal separator does not include a splitter, and wherein the signals in the in-home network signal frequency band do not traverse a splitter between the first and the second multi-port splitters. 
     
     
         19 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 17 , further comprising a third splitter positioned upstream of the frequency-based signal separator and downstream of the input port, wherein the third splitter is configured to produce a first copy of a downstream CATV signal received at the input port and transmit the first copy toward the first multi-port splitter via the frequency-based signal separator, and to produce a second copy of the downstream CATV signal and transmit the second copy toward the second multi-port splitter via the frequency-based signal separator. 
     
     
         20 . The community access television (CATV) signal distribution system of  claim 19 , wherein the frequency-based signal separator comprises:
 a first diplexer having a high-pass terminal, a low-pass terminal connected to the third splitter so as to receive the first copy therefrom, and a common terminal connected to the first multi-port splitter; and   a second diplexer having a high-pass terminal connected to the high-pass terminal of the first diplexer so as to bi-directionally transmit signals in the in-home network signal frequency band therebetween, a low-pass terminal connected to the third splitter so as to receive the second copy therefrom, and a common terminal connected to the second multi-port splitter.