Patent · US Expired

Tuned signal detector for use with a radio frequency receiver

US5404161A · kind A · utility

94Cited by
28References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 27, 1993
Grant dateApr 4, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 27, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D30/70
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is a tuned channel detector which includes a cable path between a radio frequency source and a receiver such as a TV, wherein the radio frequency source passes first through an attenuator and second through a signal selection module comprising two opposing directional couplers and a single-pole/double-throw switch. The channel to which the TV is tuned is determined by measuring the TV's local oscillator signal from the cable which feeds the radio frequency signal to the TV and, additionally or alternatively, by comparing the signal strength of the input and reflected TV carrier signals at and around the channels under test. Signal detection is further enhanced by modulating the signal mixed with the local oscillator with a tone and/or testing only during certain intervals such as the vertical synchronization interval or the power line cycle. A tone detector having a synchronous rectifier is used to detect low level local oscillator signals. Tuned channel detection is further enhanced through the use of artificial intelligence techniques.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.