Amplifier for extended spectrum DOCSIS
AssigneeARRIS Enterprises LLC
InventorsDavid B. Bowler, Jeffrey A. Boast, Michael R. Morisseau, Samuel D. Francois, Brent D. Arnold
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for amplifying signals propagated along a span of cable that imposes a loss tilt, and such that the loss tilt is canceled so as to provide unity gain, by modulating amplification as a function of frequency of an amplifier adjacent the span.
Claims18
An amplifier having a northbound port and a southbound port and positioned adjacent a span of a transmission medium that propagates a signal to be amplified by the amplifier, the span causing a loss profile of the propagated signal specified by a magnitude of loss that varies as a function of frequency, the amplifier comprising:
- a first gain block proximate the northbound port and a second gain block proximate the southbound port, the first and second gain blocks together arranged along a signal path of the amplifier;
- and
- a respective attenuator and a respective equalizer, each positioned between the first and second gain blocks, and together configured to modify at least one of a tilt and a gain of the amplifier so as to be equal and opposite the loss profile of the span;
- wherein the signal path of the amplifier between the first gain block and the second gain block is at least one of (1) free from receptacles that receive a plug-in cable simulator and (2) free from a plug-in cable simulator needed to achieve unity gain of the amplifier.
A method of amplifying a signal, received by a first amplifier and propagated by a span of cable adjacent the first amplifier, the span of cable causing a loss tilt comprising a signal power as a function of frequency, the method comprising:
- amplifying the signal by a first gain block and thereafter attenuating the amplified signal by a first magnitude;
- and
- equalizing the attenuated and amplified signal to provide an equalized signal having an amplifier tilt of a second magnitude, and amplifying the attenuated and amplified signal by a second gain block;
- wherein the first magnitude and the second magnitude together cancel the loss tilt caused by the span of cable;
- wherein a signal path between the first gain block and the second gain block is at least one of (1) free from receptacles that receive a plug-in cable simulator and (2) free from a plug-in cable simulator needed to achieve unity gain of the amplifier.
An amplifier having a northbound port and a southbound port, the amplifier comprising:
- a first gain block proximate the northbound port and a second gain block proximate the southbound port, the gain blocks together arranged along a signal path of the amplifier;
- and
- at least one first receptacle configured to receive a respective attenuator, and at least one second receptacle configured to receive a respective equalizer, the at least one first receptacle and the at least one second receptacle positioned between the first gain block and the second gain block;
- wherein the signal path of the amplifier between the first gain block and the second gain block is free from a receptacle for a plug-in cable simulator needed to achieve unity gain of the amplifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.