Modular transmission system and method

A modular transmission system comprising:

• means for receiving an input signal comprising a wireless cable channel;
• means for dividing said input signal into a plurality of divided signals;
• means for amplifying a first one of said plurality of divided signals by a predetermined amount using discrete amplifiers so as to produce a first amplified divided signal;
• means for separately amplifying a remaining portion of said plurality of divided signals by a predetermined amount so as to produce a plurality of amplified divided signals;
• means for combining said first amplified divided signal with said plurality of amplified divided signals and outputting a composite amplified output signal at a predetermined power level;
• means for determining a number of amplified divided signals combined by said means for combining;
• means for monitoring a level of said amplified output signal;
• and
• means for adjusting a level of said amplified output signal based on the number of amplified divided signals determined by said means for determining.

A method for amplifying a signal comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input signal comprising a wireless cable channel;
• dividing said input signal into a plurality of divided signals;
• amplifying a first one of said plurality of divided signals by a predetermined amount using discrete amplifiers and producing a first amplified divided signal;
• amplifying separately a remaining portion of said plurality of divided signals by a predetermined amount and producing a plurality of amplified divided signals;
• combining said first amplified divided signal with said plurality of amplified divided signals and outputting a composite amplified output signal at a predetermined power level;
• determining a number of amplified divided signals combined in said combining step;
• monitoring a level of said amplified output signal;
• and
• adjusting a level of said amplified output signal based on the number of amplified divided signals determined in said determining step.

A radio frequency transmitter network comprising:

• a first transmitter configured to transmit a radio frequency signal to a first subscriber receiver located in a first coverage area;
• and
• a second transmitter configured to transmit said radio frequency signal to another subscriber located in a second coverage area, said first transmitter and said second transmitter each comprising,
• an input signal connector configured to connect to a signal source and receive an input signal therefrom,
• a modular amplifier comprising,
• a divider circuit that divides said input signal into a plurality of divided signals, and
• N power amplifier modules, each configured to receive and amplify at least one of said divided signals and to provide a corresponding amplified output signal, N being an integer greater than or equal to two,
• a plurality of transmission lines, each having a first end coupled to a corresponding one of said N power amplifier modules and configured to couple respective amplified output signals therefrom, said plurality of transmission lines each having a second end,
• a radial combiner comprising N radial combiner input terminals coupled to respective of said second ends of said transmission lines, said radial combiner having an output connector through which an output signal is output at a predetermined output power level, and
• a controller connected to said amplifier and configured to adjust a power level of said input signal so as to produce said predetermined output power level of said output signal based on the number of the amplified output signals applied to said N radial combiner input terminals, said controller having an external interface configured to receive and transmit network messages therethrough.

A radio frequency transmitter network comprising:

• first transmitter means for transmitting a radio frequency signal to a first subscriber receiver located in a first coverage area;
• and
• second transmitter means for transmitting said radio frequency signal to another subscriber located in a second coverage area, said first transmitter and said second transmitter each comprising,
• means for receiving said radio frequency signal as an input signal comprising a wireless cable channel,
• means for dividing said input signal into a plurality of divided signals,
• means for amplifying a first one of said plurality of divided signals by a predetermined amount using discrete amplifiers so as to produce a first amplified divided signal,
• means for separately amplifying a remaining portion of said plurality of divided signals by a predetermined amount so as to produce a plurality of amplified divided signals,
• means for combining said first amplified divided signal with said plurality of amplified divided signals and outputting a composite amplified output signal at a predetermined power level,
• means for determining a number of amplified divided signals combined by said means for combining;
• means for monitoring a level of said amplified output signal, and
• means for adjusting a level of said amplified output signal based on the number of amplified divided signals determined by said means for determining.

A method for transmitting a radio frequency signal in a network comprising:

• receiving a radio frequency signal as an input signal comprising a wireless cable channel;
• dividing said input signal into a plurality of divided signals;
• amplifying a first one of said plurality of divided signals by a predetermined amount using discrete amplifiers and producing a first amplified divided signal;
• amplifying separately a remaining portion of said plurality of divided signals by a predetermined amount so as to produce a plurality of amplified divided signals;
• combining said first amplified divided signal with said plurality of amplified divided signals and outputting a composite amplified output signal at a predetermined power level;
• determining a number of amplified divided signals combined in said combining step;
• monitoring a level of said amplified output signal, and
• adjusting a level of said amplified output signal based on the number of amplified divided signals determined in said determining step;
• transmitting said amplified output signal to a first coverage area;
• and
• transmitting another amplified output signal to a second coverage area.