Method and device for band translation

A method of band-stacking signals received at a low-noise block filter, comprising:

• receiving one or more input signals in a first input frequency band;
• receiving one or more input signals in a second input frequency band;
• mixing each of the input signals in the first input frequency band with a signal having a first local oscillator frequency to form one or more first mixer outputs;
• mixing each of the input signals in the second input frequency band with a signal having a second local oscillator frequency to form one or more second mixer outputs;
• combining at least one first mixer output with at least one second mixer output to form at least one combiner output;
• routing the at least one combiner output to a band translation block;
• and
• providing output from the band translation block in response to a request, the output containing at least one specific band from the at least one combiner output.

A band-stacked low-noise block converter, comprising:

• first and second inputs configured to receive first and second input signals in first and second input frequency bands respectively;
• a first mixer configured to mix the first input signal and a first oscillator signal into a first mixer output;
• a second mixer configured to mix the second input signal and a second oscillator signal into a second mixer output;
• an auxiliary input configured to receive an auxiliary input signal in an auxiliary input frequency band;
• and
• a band translation block having two outputs, the band translation block operationally coupled to the auxiliary input and the first and second mixer outputs, the band translation block configured to process requests and to output specific bands via the two outputs.

A method of supplying program information using two coaxial cables, the method comprising:

• selecting a first input band requested by a first tuner;
• down translating the first input band if the first input band is not in a low band;
• selecting a second input band requested by a second tuner;
• up translating the second input band if the second input band is not in a high band;
• combining the first and second translated bands on a single output feed whereby the single output feed has a low band and a high band;
• selecting an auxiliary input band requested by a third tuner;
• passing either the auxiliary input band or the single output feed to the first and second tuners via a first coaxial cable;
• and
• passing the other of the auxiliary input band or the single output feed to the third tuner via a second coaxial cable.

A band translation switch comprising:

• a first input amplifier on a substrate, the first amplifier having an input and an output, the first amplifier configured to receive a first signal in a first frequency band selected from a plurality of predetermined frequency bands;
• a second input amplifier on the substrate, the second amplifier having an input and an output, the second amplifier configured to receive a second signal in a second frequency band selected from the plurality of predetermined frequency bands;
• a switch on the substrate, the switch having first and second inputs connected to the first amplifier output and the second amplifier output, respectively, the switch also having a first switch output and a second switch output, the switch configured to selectively route a signal from the first switch input to one of the first switch output or the second switch output;
• a first band translation device on the substrate, the first band translation device having an input connected to the first switch output, the first band translation device configured to selectively frequency translate the first signal from the first frequency band to the second frequency band;
• and
• a second band translation device on the substrate, the second band translation device connected to the second switch output, the second band translation device configured to selectively frequency translate the second signal from the second frequency band to the first frequency band.