Amphenol has been granted a patent for a coaxial tap in a hybrid fiber coaxial cable distribution system. The tap serves subscribers with an RF signal and an optional equipment supply voltage while passing the RF signal to downstream devices. The tap housing includes coaxial cable ports that connect to an upstream and downstream hardline, with the hardlines transporting RF signals and equipment supply voltage. The hardline circuits within the housing do not pass RF signals but continuously pass the equipment supply voltage between the hardlines, regardless of whether RF signals are conveyed to the subscriber ports. GlobalData’s report on Amphenol gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Amphenol, Flame-retardant PCBs was a key innovation area identified from patents. Amphenol's grant share as of September 2023 was 69%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Coaxial tap for distributing rf signal and equipment supply voltage
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11777268B2) describes a tap for use in a cable television distribution system. The tap housing includes coaxial cable ports that connect to an upstream hardline and a downstream hardline, which transport cable television signals and equipment supply voltage. The housing encloses both hardline circuits and drop circuits, with the drop circuits servicing subscriber ports. Importantly, the hardline circuits are designed to continuously pass the equipment supply voltage between the hardlines, regardless of whether RF signals are being conveyed to the subscriber ports.
The tap also includes a socket within the housing that is interconnected with the drop circuits. This socket is designed to removably receive an electronic module, which can include a directional coupler, a signal conditioner, or both. The tap entryway provides access to the socket and a passage for the electronic module, and a removable closure is included to block the entryway.
In some embodiments, the interconnection of the electronic module with the drop circuits is sensed, and the operation of an RF switch within the tap depends on this sensing. The electronic module can pass through a hole in a circuit board within the housing and includes side contacts or end contacts for electrical interconnection with the drop circuits.
Overall, this tap design allows for the continuous passage of equipment supply voltage between the upstream and downstream hardlines, even when RF signals are not being conveyed to the subscriber ports. The inclusion of the electronic module and the RF switch provides additional functionality and flexibility to the tap, allowing for the use of directional couplers, signal conditioners, or both. The ability to sense the interconnection of the electronic module with the drop circuits further enhances the operation of the tap.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
