Radio frequency tap unit which can be reconfigured with minimal disruption of service

In a system for distributing a signal having a radio frequency component and an operational power signal component over a network of radio frequency cables, a reconfigurable signal tap unit comprising:

• base means, having an input port coupled to receive the distributed signal from a first one of said radio frequency cables, means for separating the radio frequency signal component and the operational power signal component from said distributed signal and an output port for providing at least said operational power signal component to a second one of said radio frequency cables;
• signal coupling means, mechanically removably coupled to said base means, for receiving, when coupled to said base means, said separated radio frequency signal component to the substantial exclusion of the operational power signal component, and for providing said separated radio frequency signal component at an output terminal;
• and
• signal splitting means, mechanically removably coupled to said base means, for receiving, when coupled to said base means, the radio frequency signal component provided by said coupling means, for separating said radio frequency signal into a plurality of output signals and for providing said plurality of output signals at a respective plurality of output terminals
• wherein said base means is adapted to accept one of N signal coupling means, having respectively different operational characteristics, and one of M signal splitting means, providing respectively different numbers of output signals, to exhibit one of N times M respectively different configurations, where N and M are integers.

In a system for distributing a cable television signal, including an operational power signal component and a radio frequency component, to a plurality of subscribers via a network of radio frequency cables, a modular signal tap comprising:

• a base module including
• an input port coupled to receive said cable television signal from one of said radio frequency cables;
• means for separating said operational power signal component and said radio frequency signal component from said cable television signal;
• and
• means for providing at least said operational power signal component to a further one of said radio frequency cables;
• a signal coupling module removably coupled to said base module for receiving the separated radio frequency signal component to the substantial exclusion of the operational power signal component and for providing at least a portion of said separated radio frequency signal component at an output terminal;
• and
• a signal splitting module removably coupled to said base module and to the output terminal of said signal coupling module for receiving the radio frequency signal provided thereby and for dividing said received radio frequency signal into a plurality of signals for distribution to respective ones of said subscribers;
• wherein said base module is adapted to accept one of N signal coupling modules, having respectively different operational characteristics, and one of M signal splitting modules, having respectively different numbers of subscriber taps, to exhibit one of N times M respectively different configurations, where N and M are integers.