Modular electronic apparatus for distribution of satellite signals
AssigneeEtl Systems Limited
InventorsEsen Bayar, Sebastien Francis Butstraen, Simon Richard Swift
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The application relates to modular electronic apparatus (1) for distribution of RF communication signals. The apparatus comprises a chassis (2) arranged to removably receive plural modules (3), at least some of which are arranged to receive and process RF communication signals. A communication path (17) is provided for modules to communicate with each other and/or with the chassis. Plural modules received in the chassis. When a module is received in the chassis, it is arranged to broadcast a message over the communication path indicating its presence in the chassis and its type. At least one other module is arranged to adapt its behaviour in response to the message.
Claims17
Modular electronic apparatus for distribution of RF communication signals, comprising:
- a chassis arranged to removably receive plural modules, at least some of which are arranged to receive and process RF communication signals;
- a common bus for modules to communicate with each other;
- and
- plural modules received in the chassis, wherein the chassis has an interface module including a processing unit arranged to provide a user interface for the apparatus,
- wherein when a first module is received in the chassis, it is arranged to broadcast a message over the common bus indicating its presence in the chassis and its type, wherein a second module is arranged to adapt its behavior in response to the message without the interface module controlling the process, wherein the first module is arranged to perform peer control, whereby through a peer control channel over the common bus, the first module requests services from other modules registered in the chassis including the second module, wherein the services comprise one or more of:
- switching, gain configuration, frequency configuration, power, and cooling,
- wherein the second module is a shared resource, arranged to receive requests for that resource through the peer control channel from other modules registered in the chassis including the first module, determine whether it has sufficient resources to meet that request, and if so, to supply the requested resource, or else to send a message indicating that the request cannot be met.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.