Wideband signal distribution system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The foregoing and additional objects are attained in accordance with the principles of this invention by providing a wideband cabling system which functions as "passive" infrastructure to distribute wideband signals modulated onto RF carriers within a specified frequency band among a plurality of outlets.
The system includes a distribution unit, the subject of the companion case, having a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, a transmission path, which may include coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, and twisted pair wire cable, transmission paths known in the art, a combiner for applying signals appearing at the plurality of input ports to the transmission path, and a splitter for applying signals appearing on the transmission path to all of the plurality of output ports.
The system preferably includes a plurality of twisted pair wire cables, each extending between a respective one of the distribution unit ports and a respective one of the plurality of outlets, and a plurality of baluns, each of the baluns terminating a respective end of a respective one of the twisted pair wire cables.
A further aspect of this invention is the provision of incorporating into the system the use of coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, and combinations thereof with or without the traditional twisted wire pairs.
This added dimension to the invention allows for the potential for a more expansive system, such as in a broad complex--a university campus being a prime example.
These features will become more apparent in the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.