# US 2021/0344873 A1 · Distribution Element for a Self-Calibrating RF Network and System and Method for Use of the Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0344873 A1 - Document ID: US20210344873A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/346,432 - Filed: 2021-06-14 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-03 - Assignees: Enseo, LLC - Applicants: Enseo, LLC - Inventors: William C. Fang; Raymond S. Horton; Vanessa Ogle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210344873A1 ## CPC - H04N 7/173: with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal - H04N 7/102: {Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers (H04N7/108 takes precedence)} - H04N 7/106: {for domestic distribution} - H04N 21/438: Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving encoded video stream packets from an IP network - H04N 21/44209: {Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network (arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896)} - H04N 21/6168: {involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem} - H04N 21/64738: {Monitoring network characteristics, e.g. bandwidth, congestion level (data switched network analysis H04L41/14; monitoring functioning in data switched networks H04L43/0817; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10)} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A distribution element for a self-calibrating RF network and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the distribution element, the distribution element is located between a headend layer and an endpoint layer. An upstream directional control circuit and a downstream directional control circuit are positioned in a spaced opposing relationship such that respective upstream line and the downstream line are separated into a forward line and reverse line therebetween while being combined at the respective upstream directional control circuit and the downstream directional control circuit. A pair of amplifier circuits positioned between the upstream and downstream control circuits are under the control of a controller to amplify and shape the signal of the forward line and the reverse line. The controller monitor and analyzes signals through the distribution element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A distribution element located between the headend layer and the endpoint layer of a self-calibrating RF network, the distribution element comprising: an upstream directional control circuit configured to receive a forward transmission path on an upstream line from a headend layer, the upstream directional control circuit configured to transmit a reverse transmission path on the upstream line to the headend layer; a downstream directional control circuit configured to transmit the forward transmission path on a downstream line to an endpoint layer, the downstream directional control circuit configured to receive a reverse transmission path on the downstream line from the endpoint layer; the upstream directional control circuit and the downstream directional control circuit being positioned in a spaced opposing relationship such that the respective upstream line and the downstream line are separated into a forward line and reverse line therebetween, while being combined at the respective upstream directional control circuit and the downstream directional control circuit; and a controller comprising: a processor, a memory, and an RF interface, a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, and the RF interface, the memory including a profile defining signal-to-noise ratios, the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: receive a loopthrough signal from the upstream directional control circuit via the RF interface, and utilize the profile to analyze the loopthrough signal relative to the signal-to-noise ratios. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The distribution element as recited in claim 1, wherein the upstream directional control circuit further comprises a directional coupler connected to the upstream line, the directional coupler driving a signal to the controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The distribution element as recited in claim 1, wherein the downstream directional control circuit further comprises a directional coupler connected to the downstream line, the directional coupler driving a signal to the controller. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The distribution element as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one network adapter, the network adapter configured to receive the profile. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The distribution element as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one network adapter selected from the group consisting of DOCSIS network adapters, modems, ethernet network adapters, and Wi-Fi network adapters. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The distribution element as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to generate test signals and test patterns for the upstream directional control circuit via the RF interface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The distribution element as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to generate test signals and test patterns for the downstream directional control circuit via the RF interface. ### Claim 8 A distribution element located between the headend layer and the endpoint layer of a self-calibrating RF network, the distribution element comprising: an upstream directional control circuit configured to receive a forward transmission path on an upstream line from a headend layer, the upstream directional control circuit configured to transmit a reverse transmission path on the upstream line to the headend layer; a downstream directional control circuit configured to transmit the forward transmission path on a downstream line to an endpoint layer, the downstream directional control circuit configured to receive a reverse transmission path on the downstream line from the endpoint layer; the upstream directional control circuit and the downstream directional control circuit being positioned in a spaced opposing relationship such that the respective upstream line and the downstream line are separated into a forward line and reverse line therebetween while being combined at the respective upstream directional control circuit and the downstream directional control circuit; and a controller comprising: a processor, a memory, and an RF interface, a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, and the RF interface, the memory including a profile defining signal shape in terms of power and equalization, the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: receive a loopthrough signal from the upstream directional control circuit via the RF interface, and utilize the forward window profile and the reverse window profile to analyze the loopthrough signal relative to the signal shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The distribution element as recited in claim 8, wherein the upstream directional control circuit further comprises a directional coupler connected to the upstream line, the directional coupler driving a signal to the controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The distribution element as recited in claim 8, wherein the downstream directional control circuit further comprises a directional coupler connected to the downstream line, the directional coupler driving a signal to the controller. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The distribution element as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least one network adapter, the network adapter configured to receive the profile. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The distribution element as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least one network adapter selected from the group consisting of DOCSIS network adapters, modems, ethernet network adapters, and Wi-Fi network adapters. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The distribution element as recited in claim 8, wherein the memory further comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to generate test signals and test patterns for the upstream directional control circuit via the RF interface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The distribution element as recited in claim 8, wherein the memory further comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to generate test signals and test patterns for the downstream directional control circuit via the RF interface. ### Claim 15 A distribution element for a self-calibrating RF network having a headend layer and an endpoint layer with the distribution element located therebetween in a middle stage, the distribution element comprising: an upstream directional control circuit configured to receive a forward transmission path on an upstream line from the headend layer, the upstream directional control circuit configured to transmit a reverse transmission path on the upstream line to the headend layer; a downstream directional control circuit configured to transmit the forward transmission path on a downstream line to the endpoint layer, the downstream directional control circuit configured to receive a reverse transmission path on the downstream line from the endpoint layer; the upstream directional control circuit and the downstream directional control circuit being positioned in a spaced opposing relationship such that the respective upstream line and the downstream line are separated into a forward line and reverse line therebetween while being combined at the respective upstream directional control circuit and the downstream directional control circuit; and a controller comprising: a processor, a memory, an RF interface, and a network adapter, a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, the RF interface, and the network adapter, the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: receive a profile via the network adapter, the profile defining signal-to-noise ratios and signal shape in terms of power and equalization, the profile being created at the headend layer with data from the headend layer and the endpoint layer, store the profile, receive a loopthrough signal from the upstream directional control circuit via the RF interface, the loopthrough signal providing calibration for the middle stage of the self-calibrating RF network between the headend layer and the endpoint layer, and utilize the profile to analyze the loopthrough signal relative to the signal-to-noise ratio and signal shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The distribution element as recited in claim 15, wherein the upstream directional control circuit further comprises a directional coupler connected to the upstream line, the directional coupler driving a signal to the controller. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The distribution element as recited in claim 15, wherein the downstream directional control circuit further comprises a directional coupler connected to the downstream line, the directional coupler driving a signal to the controller. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The distribution element as recited in claim 15, further comprising at least one network adapter selected from the group consisting of DOCSIS network adapters, modems, ethernet network adapters, and Wi-Fi network adapters. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The distribution element as recited in claim 15, wherein the memory further comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to generate test signals and test patterns for the upstream directional control circuit via the RF interface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The distribution element as recited in claim 15, wherein the memory further comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to generate test signals and test patterns for the downstream directional control circuit via the RF interface.