Abstract:
A non-invasive testing system for video signals includes a jack having a monitor conductor connected across an amplification circuit to a central conductor. The amplification circuit amplifies the power of a signal drawn off of the central conductor such that the power level at the monitor conductor is substantially equal to the power level on the central conductor. When it is desired to test a power level of a signal being produced by a video source, test equipment is connected to the monitor conductor to permit non-invasive testing of the signal.
Abstract:
A retainer assembly is disclosed for a fiber optic connector. The assembly includes a frame having a forward wall and a retainer to be received within an access opening in the forward wall. The retainer includes first and second fasteners. Each of the fasteners has forward and rear retaining surfaces spaced apart a thickness of the wall to receive an edge of the wall between the forward and rear retaining surfaces. The second fastener is resiliently displaceable between a fastening or rest position and a displaced position to permit the retainer to be easily inserted or removed from the frame.
Abstract:
A telecommunication system includes an added bit signalling method and apparatus for conveying signalling information between a head end (300) and multiple remote ends (500) connected over a passive distribution network. In accordance with the present invention, an added bit (NB) having an identifiable data sequence patterned thereon is appended to each channel within a succession of frames. The present invention therefore appends an added-bit sequence to each channel such that each channel sample carries its own multiframe and alignment information. The remote ends monitor the added bits to locate multiframing and alignment information and to identify individual time slots within each frame. The added bit can be further utilized for out-of-band signalling or to provide an additional data links.
Abstract:
A variable attenuator (10) for a fiber optic transmission system includes first and second optical fibers (18, 18') which are axially aligned. The fibers are provided with spherical polishes (30, 30'). The radius (R, R') of each of the polishes originates at an axis which is offset from an axis of the fiber cores (20, 20').
Abstract:
A method for fabricating an optical attenuator from first and second optical fibers includes placing the fibers in closely spaced overlapped relation to define an overlapped portion of the fibers. Energy is initially applied to the overlapped portion to at least partially fuse the first and second fibers at the overlapped portion.
Abstract:
An amplifier switch controller is provided for use in a headend cable transmission system having first and second amplifiers and amplifier input and output paths connected to one of the first and second amplifiers, which becomes the currently activated amplifier. The amplifier switch controller comprises an input sampler for sampling a combined signal on the input signal path and measuring an input signal level. The amplifier switch controller also comprises an output sampler for sampling the amplified combined signal on the output signal path and measuring an output signal level. A program means receives the input and output signal levels and determines whether the currently activated amplifier is not functioning properly. If it is not functioning properly, the program means generates a control signal to a switch. In response to the control signals, the switch disconnects the input and output signal paths from the currently activated amplifier and connects each of the input and output signal paths to the other one of the first and second amplifiers.
Abstract:
A jack module including a switching jack subassembly and monitor jack assembly includes a printed circuit board between the subassemblies. The subassemblies and circuit board are commonly housed. The printed circuit board contains monitor circuitry.
Abstract:
A microcellular communications network includes a plurality of base station units (106) and corresponding antenna units (102). The base station units are housed in a common location (114). Each includes either conventional transmitters and receivers or all digital transmitter and receiver equipment, and interface circuitry (112) to a mobile telecommunications switching office (110). The microcell traffic output is applied to a frame generator/multiplexer. The output of the frame generator/multiplexer is applied to a digitally modulated laser. The laser output is conveyed by fiber to a remote antenna unit, which demultiplexes the microcell traffic signal and applies it to a digital-to-analog converter. The output of the digital-to-analog converter is applied to a power amplifier, which in turn is connected to a main antenna. RF signals from the mobile units are received at both a main and a diversity antenna. The received signals are filtered, digitized, multiplexed together and transmitted over the optical fiber back to the base station. The strongest signal is selected for use. Deployment of an all digital microcellular communications system occurs in two stages. The method thus allows for the benefit of a digital system to be accomplished in the early stages of the upgrade while without the expense of modifying the digital microcell antenna units in the second stage of the upgrade. Digital filtering of the digitized RF signal is also provided, so that only those channels associated with a cell are extracted for transmission to and from the antenna unit, and a digital passive handoff system provides for an FFT analysis of all traffic in the cell and passive switching in response thereto.