Modular electronic apparatus for distribution of satellite signals

A 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 with the chassis;
• and
• plural modules received in the chassis,
• wherein the chassis has a processing unit arranged to provide a user interface for the apparatus,
• wherein when a 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 and capabilities in processing RF communications signals including services providable to other modules in the chassis, wherein the processing unit is arranged to register the module in response to receiving the message over the common bus and has no prior knowledge of a module type and its capabilities, wherein at least one other module is arranged to adapt its behavior in response to receiving the message over the common bus,
• wherein a module inserted into the chassis and registered is arranged to provide a sub-user interface defining which information relating to the inserted module and controls for configuring the inserted module are to be displayed, and
• wherein the processing unit is arranged to request and receive the sub-user interface relating to the inserted and registered module over the common bus and to render the sub-user interface into the user interface such that a user is presented with information relating to the inserted and registered module and controls for configuring the inserted and registered module via the user interface and wherein in response to the user selecting one of the controls the processing unit communicates with the module over the common bus to cause a selected configuration of the module.