CATV signal splitter

Abstract

A signal splitter circuit accepts an input signal and conveys the input signal to two output ports. The circuit operates with minimal attenuation, throughout a very wide bandwidth, and also effectively isolates the output ports from each other. The signal from the input port is coupled to an autotransformer, and the ends of the autotransformer are connected to the respective output ports. A bridge load circuit which includes a transformer winding and a load connected in parallel, is inductively coupled to the autotransformer. The bridge load circuit has no connection to the splitter circuit, other than through the inductive coupling. The splitter circuit also includes inductors in series with the output ports and capacitors in parallel with the output ports. The circuit provides a balanced bridge circuit which cancels signals traveling between the output ports, and the inductors and capacitors provide impedance matching between the input port and output ports. The arrangement of the bridge load circuit places the leakage inductance of the autotransformer outside the effective path of the bridge load circuit, so that the leakage inductance cannot cause unwanted and unpredictable phase shifts at high frequencies.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.