|
CATV (originally an acronym for Community Antenna Television) is a system for distributing television signals within a community to multiple viewers. Nowadays, CATV often is used to refer to cable television, the most common community distribution system.
Television signals from multiple sources are combined by the head-end into a frequency band suitable for cable distribution. Typical cable bands are in the frequency ranges of 50-300/500 MHz and 30 to 870 MHz. From the head-end, the signal enters the distribution trunk where the amplifiers responsible for maintaining signal strength must have low noise and low distortion. Signal amplitude is controlled with AGC circuits using low distortion PIN attenuator diodes or variable gain Si RFICs.
Signals from the trunk line are split and distributed by feeder lines with bridger, line extension, and active tap amplifiers before arriving at the subscriber drop.
The distribution amplifiers require broad bandwidth, cascadability, low noise, and low distortion to sustain high picture quality. These demands are best met with the MSA and INA series of gain blocks.
Links to more information:
| 
to Cable Communication