Method and apparatus for remote indication of faults in coaxial cable R-F transmission systems
OwnerWilliam O. Grantinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for locating faults or failures in R-F coaxial cable TV transmission facilities is shown and described. A fault locator signal frequency is inserted into a cable system, and low magnitude signals are emitted by means of a band pass filter and radiating element. The radiated R-F is detected to determine coaxial cable system operation. Band pass filters and radiating elements are located at each point to be tested. An apparatus for emitting a controlled narrow band of R-F energy which utilizes a band pass filter and a radiating element is also shown and described. This is the disclosure of intentional, controlled, discriminate R-F radiation used for fault detection and a coupler-band pass filter to accomplish it.
Claims17
A method of remote fault location for a coaxial cable R-F transmission system comprising the steps of:
- (1) inserting a predetermined fault locator signal frequency into said system;
- (2) locating a plurality of passive R-F emitting coupler-filter units each tuned to said predetermined fault locator signal frequency at points in said system where it is desired to detect possible system faults, and each radiating said R-F fault locator signal into free space;
- (3) traveling to and observing said predetermined fault locator signal frequency which is radiated into free space from each of said coupler-filter locations;
- and
- (4) investigating for a possible fault at each coupler-filter location where a fault locator signal frequency is absent.
A coupler-filter for transmitting a selected portion of an R-F signal spectrum from witin a coaxial cable transmission system to the free space region beyond said system comprising in combination:
- (a) means for attaching said signal coupler-filter to said coaxial cable transmission system;
- (b) pick up means for receiving R-F energy signals from said coaxial transmission system;
- (c) narrow band pass passive R-F filter means for permitting only a preselected band of R-F energy signals to pass through said coupler-filter;
- and
- (d) an R-F irradiating means for transmitting said preselected band of R-F energy in free space beyond said coaxial cable system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.