System and method for reconfiguring rf signals in a multi-input receiver

An input port configuration block (IPCB) comprising an input side, an output side, at least two two-way connection modules, at least one four-way connection module, at least one direct connection module, a plurality of electronic signal pathways, and a configuration block controller, wherein:

• the plurality of electronic signal pathways extend from the input side of the IPCB to the output side of the IPCB via at least one of the connection modules;
• each connection module comprises a connection module input port, a connection module output port, and a mechanical diversion switch;
• the two-way connection modules additionally comprise a two-way power splitter and a mechanical interruption switch positioned within at least one of the electronic signal pathways between the input side of the IPCB and the two-way power splitter to control whether the input port of the two-way connection module is communicatively coupled to the two-way power splitter;
• the four-way connection module additionally comprises a four-way power splitter and a mechanical interruption switch positioned within at least one of the electronic signal pathways between the input side of the IPCB and the four-way power splitter to control whether an input port of the four-way connection module is communicatively coupled to the four-way power splitter;
• the mechanical diversion switches and the plurality of electronic signal pathways are positioned and configured such that the mechanical diversion switch of each connection module communicatively couples a splitter bypass signal, a 1×2 signal, or a 1×4 signal to the connection module output port on a selective basis;
• the configuration block controller is programmed to control open and closed states of the mechanical diversion and interruption switches such that the IPCB is selectively configurable into an N=1 configuration, an N=2 configuration, an N=3 configuration, and an N=4 configuration;
• an RF signal at one connection module input port is transferred in substantially equivalent power components to four connection module output ports in the N=1 configuration;
• an RF signal at two connection module input ports is transferred in substantially equivalent power components to four connection module output ports in the N=2 configuration;
• an RF signal at three connection module input ports is transferred in substantially equivalent power components to three connection module output ports in the N=3 configuration;
• and
• an RF signal at four connection module input ports is transferred in substantially equivalent power components to four connection module output ports in the N=4 configuration.

A multi-input receiver comprising a plurality of RF antennas, a multi-channel receiver, an input port configuration block (IPCB), and a configuration block controller, wherein:

• the plurality of RF antennas are communicatively coupled an input side of the IPCB;
• the multi-channel receiver is communicatively coupled to an output side of the IPCB;
• the IPCB comprises at least two two-way connection modules, at least one four-way connection module, at least one direct connection module, and a plurality of electronic signal pathways;
• the plurality of electronic signal pathways extend from the input side of the IPCB to the output side of the IPCB via at least one of the connection modules;
• each connection module comprises a connection module input port communicatively coupled to an RF antenna of the plurality of RF antennas, a connection module output port communicatively coupled to a channel of the multi-channel receiver, and a mechanical diversion switch;
• the two-way connection modules additionally comprise a two-way power splitter and a mechanical interruption switch positioned within at least one of the electronic signal pathways between the input side of the IPCB and the two-way power splitter to control whether the input port of the two-way connection module is communicatively coupled to the two-way power splitter;
• the four-way connection module additionally comprises a four-way power splitter and a mechanical interruption switch positioned within at least one of the electronic signal pathways between the input side of the IPCB and the four-way power splitter to control whether an input port of the four-way connection module is communicatively coupled to the four-way power splitter;
• the mechanical diversion switches and the plurality of electronic signal pathways are positioned and configured such that the mechanical diversion switch of each connection module communicatively couples a splitter bypass signal, a 1×2 signal, or a 1×4 signal to the connection module output port on a selective basis, such that each bypass signal bypasses the two-way power splitters and the four-way power splitter, each 1×2 signal extends from one of the two-way power splitters, and each 1×4 signal extends from the four-way power splitter;
• the configuration block controller is programmed to control open and closed states of the mechanical diversion and interruption switches such that the IPCB is selectively configurable into an N=1 configuration, an N=2 configuration, an N=3 configuration, and an N=4 configuration;
• an RF signal at one connection module input port is transferred in substantially equivalent power components to four connection module output ports in the N=1 configuration;
• the four-way connection module is configured to receive an RF signal and the connection module input ports of the two-way connection modules and the direct connection module are terminated in the N=1 configuration,
• an RF signal at two connection module input ports is transferred in substantially equivalent power components to four connection module output ports in the N=2 configuration;
• both two-way connection modules are configured to receive an RF signal and the connection module input ports of the four-way connection module and the direct connection module are terminated in the N=2 configuration,
• an RF signal at three connection module input ports is transferred in substantially equivalent power components to three connection module output ports in the N=3 configuration;
• any three connection modules of the two-way connection modules, the four-way connection module, and the direct connection module are configured to receive an RF signal and the connection module input port of a module not configured to receive an RF signal is terminated in the N=3 configuration;
• an RF signal at four connection module input ports is transferred in substantially equivalent power components to four connection module output ports in the N=4 configuration;
• and
• each connection module is configured to receive an RF signal in the N=4 configuration.