Return path filter

A passive filter for controlling the return path loss in a communication system having a forward path and a return path, said filter comprising:

• a housing having an interior volume of less than about 5 cubic inches;
• a first terminal and a second terminal;
• a first passive filter network, mounted inside said housing and coupled to said first and said second terminals and to ground, said first filter network having a passband which passes signals in the forward path of the communication system and a stop band which attenuates signals in the return path of the communication system;
• a second passive filter network, mounted inside said housing and coupled to said first and said second terminals and to ground, said second filter network having a passband which passes signals in the return path of the communication system and a stop band which attenuates signals in the forward path of the communication system,
• said second filter network further including a passive attenuator network which attenuates signals in the return path of the communication system as the signals pass through said second filter network.

A method of controlling the return path loss in a communication system having a forward path and a return path, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) passing signals in the forward path of the communication system through a highpass filter passband;
• (b) passing signals in the return path of the communication system through a bandpass filter passband or window;
• and
• (c) attenuating the window by a predetermined amount such that the signals passing through the window are attenuated thereby.

A passive filter for controlling the return path loss in a communication system having a forward path and a return path, said passive filter comprising:

• a housing having an interior volume of less than about 5 cubic inches;
• a first terminal and a second terminal;
• a passive filter network, mounted inside said housing and coupled to said first and said second terminals and to ground, said filter network having a first passband which passes signals in the forward path and a second passband which passes signals in the return path, said filter network including
• a passive attenuator circuit, associated with the second passband, which attenuates signals in the return path by a predetermined amount as the signals pass through the second passband of said filter network.