Distributing DBS Content to Multiple Receivers Over a Single Coaxial Cable

A method comprising:

• at a satellite transponder switch (STS) configured to serve a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs):
• maintaining a table that maps each of the plurality of STBs to a corresponding one of a plurality of carrier frequencies wherein each of the plurality of carrier frequencies is unique to a particular STB of the plurality of STBs;
• receiving a first request from a first STB for a first transponder band and a second request from a second STB for a second transponder band;
• receiving contact on a control channel from the first STB during power-up of the first STB;
• assigning a first carrier frequency to the first STB in response to contact from the first STB on the control channel;
• frequency shifting the first transponder band to a first carrier frequency assigned to the first STB in the table and the second transponder band to a second carrier frequency assigned to the second STB in the table;
• and
• outputting a signal that comprises the frequency-shifted first and second transponder bands to the first STB and the second STB, wherein the frequency-shifted first and second transponder bands are separated by a separation band and wherein a first carrier frequency of the signal is unique to the first STB and a second carrier frequency of the signal is unique to the second STB.

A method comprising:

• at a satellite transponder switch (STS) configured to serve a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs):
• maintaining a table that maps each of the plurality of STBs to a corresponding one of a plurality of carrier frequencies wherein each of the plurality of carrier frequencies is unique to a particular STB of the plurality of STBs;
• receiving a first request from a first STB for a first transponder band;
• receiving contact on a control channel from the first STB during power-up of the first STB;
• assigning a first carrier frequency to the first STB in response to contact from the first STB on the control channel;
• frequency shifting the first transponder band to a first carrier frequency assigned to the first STB in the table;
• and
• outputting a signal that comprises the frequency-shifted first transponder band to the first STB, wherein the signal contains a carrier frequency that is unique to the first STB.