Patent ID: 7987486
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: H04H,H04N

Abstract:
1. A system for distributing signals, comprising: a multiswitch, each input of the multiswitch receiving a satellite signal; a plurality of tuners, each tuner coupled to a frequency translation module output of the multiswitch, wherein each tuner accepts the satellite signal and tunes to a specific frequency band of the satellite signal to deliver a selected transponder signal, each tuner receiving commands based on tuner commands from at least one bidirectional Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD); a plurality of demodulators, coupled to the plurality of tuners in a respective fashion, for demodulating the selected transponder signal into a plurality of demodulated signals, each demodulated signal comprising a plurality of packets; an interface for delivering the demodulated signals to the at least one bidirectional IRD, wherein at least the demodulated signals and the tuner commands are carried on a single connection output between the at least one bidirectional IRD and the interface; and a legacy output, coupled to the multiswitch separately from the interface and receiving a satellite signal directly from an output of the multiswitch, wherein the at least one legacy output is dedicated to a legacy IRD signal format and is incompatible with the single connection output.