Apparatus for monitoring a communications system
OwnerWilliam C. Gilbertinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for monitoring the status of and controlling faults at remotely-located components in a single line communications system wherein return data signals from the components are transmitted in the 50 kHz to 200 kHz range, and coupled to the low pass filters commonly used to bypass the active components, thereby permitting the return of signals to the system head-end.
Claims15
Apparatus for monitoring and transmitting status of components at remote locations in a communications system, said system transmitting information signals and address codes within a frequency band from a head-end to a plurality of spaced utilization circuits, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) high frequency demodulating means for recovering said address information at each said remote location;
- (b) status monitoring means for storing data indicative of component status at each said remote location and providing same upon being addressed;
- (c) low frequency modulating means for encoding a first carrier at a first frequency with data from status monitoring means in said system;
- (d) first means for coupling said low frequency modulating means to the head-end whereby said first carrier is transmitted to said head-end;
- (e) low frequency demodulating means for decoding a second carrier at a second frequency and recovering data from other of said remote locations, said demodulating means being coupled to said low frequency modulating means for supplying data thereto;
- and
- (f) second means for coupling said low frequency demodulating means to other of said remote locations for receiving low frequency signals therefrom.
In a communications system of the type wherein VHF signals are transmitted from a head-end to a multiplicty of users at different locations via a single transmission line, a status monitoring system for placement at remote locations along said cable which comprises:
- (a) head-end modem means for encoding address signals on said VHF signal and decoding low frequency signals received thereby;
- and
- (b) a plurality of power inserters spaced along said transmission line, each of said power inserters being coupled to an external power supply and comprising:
- (i) VHF demodulating means for receiving a VHF signal transmitted from the head-end and recovering address information therefrom;
- (ii) status monitoring means for storing data indicative of local conditions and providing same upon being addressed;
- (iii) low frequency modulating means for encoding a first carrier signal with data from a status monitoring means;
- (iv) low frequency demodulating means for decoding a second carrier from another power inserter and recovering data therefrom, said demodulating means being coupled to said modulating means for supplying data thereto;
- and
- (v) means for coupling the low frequency modulating and demodulating means to said transmission line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.