Patent Publication Number: US-11647162-B2

Title: MoCA entry device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/782,467, filed on Feb. 5, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/176,229, filed on Oct. 31, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/638,933, filed on Jun. 30, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/356,937, filed on Jun. 30, 2016. The content of each of these applications is incorporated herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention generally relates to cable television (CATV) networks and to in-home entertainment networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) entry device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     CATV networks supply and distribute high frequency “downstream” signals from a main signal distribution facility, known as a “headend,” to premises (e.g., homes and offices) of subscribers. The downstream signals can be provided to subscriber equipment, such as televisions, telephones, and computers. In addition, most CATV networks also receive “upstream” signals from subscriber equipment back to the headend of the CATV network. For example, a set top box can send an upstream signal including information for selecting programs for viewing on a television. Also, upstream and downstream signals are used by personal computers connected through the CATV infrastructure to the Internet. Further, voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephones use upstream and downstream signals to communicate telephone conversations. 
     To permit simultaneous communication of upstream and downstream CATV signals, and to permit interoperability of the subscriber equipment and the equipment associated with the CATV network infrastructure outside of subscriber premises, the downstream and upstream signals are confined to two different frequency bands. For example, in some CATV networks the downstream frequency band can be within the range of 54-1002 megahertz (MHz) and the upstream frequency band can be within the range of 5-42 MHz. 
     The downstream signals are delivered from the CATV network infrastructure to the subscriber premises at a CATV entry device, which is also commonly referred to as a network interface device, an entry adapter, a port adapter, or a drop amplifier. The entry device is a multi-port device that connects at an entry port to a CATV drop cable from the CATV network infrastructure and connects at a multiplicity of other input/output ports (hereinafter “ports”) to coaxial cables that extend throughout the subscriber premises to cable outlets. Each cable outlet is available to be connected to subscriber equipment such as television sets, computers, and telephone sets. The multiple ports of the entry device deliver the downstream signals to each cable outlet and conduct the upstream signals from the subscriber equipment through the entry device to the drop cable of the CATV infrastructure. 
     In addition to television sets, computers and telephones, a large number of other entertainment and multimedia devices are available for use in homes. For example, a digital video recorder (DVR) can be used to record broadcast programming, still photography and movies in a memory medium so that the content can be replayed on a display or television set at a later time selected by the user. As another example, video games are also played on personal computers or on gaming systems connected to television sets. Such video games may be those that interface real time through the CATV network&#39;s internet service provider. As a further example, signals from a receiver of satellite-broadcast signals may be distributed for viewing or listening throughout the home. These types of devices, which can also include conventional television sets, telephone sets, and other such devices connected to the Internet by the CATV network, are generically referred to as “multimedia devices.” 
     The desire to use multimedia devices at multiple different locations within the home or subscriber premises has led to the creation of MoCA. MoCA has developed specifications for products to create an in-home entertainment network for interconnecting multimedia devices. A MoCA in-home network uses the subscriber premise or in-home coaxial cable infrastructure originally established for distribution of CATV signals within the subscriber premises, principally because that coaxial cable infrastructure already exists in most homes and is capable of carrying much more information than is carried in the CATV frequency bands. A MoCA network is established by connecting MoCA-enabled or MoCA interface devices at the cable outlets in the rooms of the subscriber premises. These MoCA interface devices implement a MoCA communication protocol which encapsulates signals normally used by the multimedia devices within MoCA signal packets and then communicates the MoCA signal packets between other MoCA interface devices connected at other cable outlets. The receiving MoCA interface device removes the encapsulated multimedia signals from the MoCA signal packets, and delivers the multimedia signals to the connected display, computer, or other multimedia device from which the content is presented to the user. 
     Each MoCA-enabled device is capable of communicating with every other MoCA-enabled device in the subscriber premises to deliver the multimedia content. For example, the multimedia content that is available from one MoCA-enabled device can be displayed, played, or otherwise used on a different MoCA-enabled device at a different location within the subscriber premise, thereby avoiding physically relocating the originating multimedia device from one location to another within the subscriber premises. The communication of multimedia content over the MoCA network is beneficial because it more fully utilizes the multimedia devices present in modern homes. 
     In current entry devices for MOCA networks, the outputs on the downstream side communicate over the frequency range of 54 MHz to 1675 MHz. Accordingly, components of the MOCA entry device (e.g., filters and splitters) are configured to operate over this entire frequency range. However, doing so prevents the components from being optimized for any particular operating range, which reduces the performance (e.g., noise, power loss, and/or isolation) of the components while increasing their cost and/or complexity. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide an entry device. The entry device includes an entry port. The entry device also includes a low-band filter connected to the entry port and configured to pass the cable television (CATV) signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) signals from passing therethrough. The entry device also includes a high-band filter connected to the low-band filter and configured to pass the MoCA signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals from passing therethrough. The entry device also includes a broadband splitter connected to the low-band filter and the high-band filter. The entry device also includes a high-band splitter connected to the high-band filter. The entry device also includes a plurality of first output ports connected to the broadband splitter. The entry device also includes a plurality of second output ports connected to the high-band splitter. A first path extends from the entry port, through the low-band filter and the broadband splitter, to the first output ports. The first path is configured to pass the CATV signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of MoCA signals from passing therethrough. A second path extends from the entry port, through the low-band filter, the high-band filter, and the high-band splitter, to the second output ports. The second path is configured to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals and at least a portion of the MoCA signals from passing therethrough. A third path extends from the first output ports, through the broadband splitter, the high-band filter, and the high-band splitter, to the second output ports. The third path is configured to pass the MoCA signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals from passing therethrough. 
     An another embodiment, the entry device includes an entry port, a filter connected to the entry port, a plurality of first output ports, and a plurality of second output ports. A first path extends from the entry port, through the filter, to the first output ports. The first path is configured to pass cable television (CATV) signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) signals from passing therethrough. A second path extends from the entry port, through the filter, to the second output ports. The second path is configured to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals and at least a portion of the MoCA signals from passing therethrough. A third path extends from the first output ports, through the filter, to the second output ports. The third path is configured to pass the MoCA signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals from passing therethrough. 
     In yet another embodiment, the entry device includes an entry port, a filter connected to the entry port, a plurality of first output ports, and a plurality of second output ports. A first path extends from the entry port, through the filter, to the first output ports. The first path is configured to pass cable television (CATV) signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) signals from passing therethrough. A second path extends from the entry port, through the filter, to the second output ports. The second path is configured to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals and at least a portion of the MoCA signals from passing therethrough. A third path extends from the first output ports to the second output ports. The third path is configured to pass the MoCA signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals from passing therethrough. 
     It will be appreciated that this summary is intended merely to introduce some aspects of the present methods, systems, and media, which are more fully described and/or claimed below. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. 
         FIG.  1    shows a block diagram illustrating an example of an environment for a MoCA entry device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 A  shows a block diagram illustrating an example of an environment for a MoCA entry device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    shows a block diagram of an example of a MoCA entry device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    shows a block diagram of an example of a MoCA entry device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    shows a block diagram of an example of a MoCA entry device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    shows a block diagram of an example of a MoCA entry device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    shows a block diagram of an example of a MoCA entry device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 A  shows a block diagram of an example of a reflection filter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a passive MoCA entry device that splits signals into two paths and distributes the signals to broadband devices (e.g., CATV devices such as VOIPs, embedded multimedia port adapters (“eMTAs”), cable modem/gateways, and/or master DVR devices) in a broadband path, and high-band devices (e.g., multimedia devices) in a high-band path. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, components (e.g., resistors, capacitors, and inductors) used in circuits within the broadband path and the high-band path are optimized to transfer the frequencies of signals respectively carried by the paths. The optimization of the circuits tuned to the broadband path and the high-band path using high-precision components having physical configurations (size, core, and/or coils) that minimize loss (dB) in the operating frequency ranges of the paths, maximizes loss (dB) outside the operating frequency ranges of the paths, and minimizes reflections and/or sideband interference of the signals. By doing so, the circuits included each the broadband path and the high-band path can be simplified to reduce the cost of the MoCA entry device, as well as that of the multimedia devices in a subscriber premises. 
     Additionally, some embodiments of the MoCA entry device disclosed herein minimize a number of ports for the broadband devices. For example, the MoCA entry device may only include one broadband port, and some other embodiments may include only two broadband ports. As splitting of the broadband signal among a number of broadband ports is avoided, the MoCA entry device minimizes degradation (e.g., power loss) of the broadband signal. Thus, MoCA entry device disclosed herein is optimal for architectures that use a single modem/gateway device (e.g., a CATV set-top box) capable of communicating with both broadband devices in the CATV band (e.g., 5-1002 MHz) and high-band devices the MoCA frequency band (e.g., 1125-1675 MHz). Such modem/gateway device permits information that is transmitted by a service provider (e.g., a CATV system) to be shared amongst device in a MoCA network of a subscriber by permitting information included in the source signal (e.g., the CATV band) to be rebroadcast within the MoCA network. 
       FIG.  1    shows a block diagram illustrating an example environment  10  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The environment  10  includes a MoCA entry device  100 , a premises  103 , and a headend  107 . The MoCA entry device  100  can be installed between the premises  103  (e.g., a home or business of a CATV subscriber) and a cable (e.g., COAX cable) connecting the headend  107  (e.g., an infrastructure of a CATV service that provides high-definition multimedia content and broadband Internet service). The MoCA entry device  100  includes an entry port  111 , one or more broadband ports  113 A and  113 B (e.g., CATV ports), and a multiplicity of high-band ports  115  (e.g., MoCA ports), a filter device  117 , a broadband path  125 , and a high-band path  127 . 
     The entry port  111  can connect to the headend  107  from which it receives/transmits a source signal  116  having a CATV frequency band (C). In embodiments, the CATV frequency band (C) can have a range between about 5 MHz to about 1002 MHz (e.g., a CATV signal). For example, the headend can be part of the infrastructure of a CATV service provider and the entry port  111  can connect to a drop cable of the CATV service provider. While  FIG.  1    illustrates a signal entry port, it is understood that the MoCA entry device  100  can include two or more entry ports  111  which receive respective source signals  116  that are combined by a splitter/combiner device and provided to the filter device  117 . 
     The filter device  117  connects the entry port  111  to the broadband path  125  and the high-band path  127 . In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the filter device  117  receives the source signal  116  from the entry port  111  and passes it to the broadband path  125 , while blocking the source signal  116  from the high-band path  127 . In some embodiments, the filter device  117  is a diplexer having a low-band filter  119  and a high-band filter  121 . The low-band filter  119  can be configured to bidirectionally pass the CATV frequency band (C) of the source signal  116  between the entry port  111  and the broadband path  125  and reject any frequencies greater than the CATV frequency band (C). For example, the low-band filter  119  can reject frequencies greater than about 1000 MHz (e.g., above the CATV band). Additionally, the high-band filter  121  of the filter device  117  can be a high-pass filter configured to reject all frequencies less than about 1125 MHz (e.g., frequencies below the MoCA band), which includes the CATV frequency band (C) of the source signal  116 . In some embodiments, the high-band filter  121  can be a band-pass filter that rejects frequencies of the CATV signal  116  outside range of about 1125 MHz to about 1675 MHz. As such, the high-band filter  121  blocks communication of the source signal  116  from the filter device  117  to the high-band path  127 . 
     The broadband path  125  and the high-band path  127  are physical, conductive (e.g., wired) signal paths. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the broadband path  125  connects between the filter device  117  and the broadband ports  113 A and/or  113 B, and bidirectionally communicates broadband signal  123  to/from a gateway device  135  (e.g., a CATV gateway devices, such as a set-top box) and/or a broadband device  136  (e.g., a modem) in the premises  103 . The broadband signal  123  can have a range between about 5 MHz to about 1675 MHz, which includes the CATV frequency band (C) of the source signal  116  (e.g., about 5 MHz-1002 MHz) and a high frequency band (M) (e.g., the MoCA band) of high-band signal  124  (e.g., about 1125 MHz-1675 MHz). In some embodiments, the broadband path  125  includes a broadband splitter  129 , which splits the broadband signal  123  provided downstream from the filter device  117  and feeds it to the broadband ports  113 A and  113 B. Additionally, in the upstream direction, the broadband splitter  129  can combine broadband signals  123  from the gateway device  135  and/or the broadband device  136  into a composite signal. Notably, the hashed lines of broadband port  113 B and broadband device  136  indicate that they are optional. And, as described previously herein, some embodiments of the MoCA entry device  100  may only include a single broadband port  113 A for connection to a single broadband device, which may be the gateway device  135  that networks with high-band devices  137  in the premises  103  (e.g., in a MoCA network). 
     The broadband splitter  129  can be ferrite, resistive, or transmission line splitter. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the broadband splitter  129  is configured to operate only at frequencies at and below about 1675 MHz by, for example, using components (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors) that minimize noise, reflection, power loss, leakage, etc. over the frequency range of the broadband path  125 . In some embodiments, the broadband path  125  lacks any splitter, such as broadband splitter  129 . Instead, a single broadband downstream port  113 A connects directly to the filter device  117  via transmission lines without any intervening splitter, combiner directional coupler, or similar component. In such embodiments, the transmission lines can be optimized to operate at frequencies at and below about 1675 MHz. 
     The high-band path  127  connects the broadband downstream ports  113  to the high-band ports  115 , and bidirectionally communicates high-band signals  124  having a high frequency band (M) (e.g., MoCA band signals) from the gateway device  135  and/or the broadband device  136  to one or more high-band devices  137  (e.g., MoCA devices) in the premises  103 , and vice versa. The high-band path  127  includes high-band splitter  131 , which a one or more devices configured to receive the high-band signal  124  (e.g., a high-band component of the broadband signal  123 ) from the filter device  117  (e.g., high-band filter  121 ) as an input, split such signal, and output it to the high-band ports  115 . In the reverse direction, the high-band splitter  131  is configured to receive a number of high-band signals  124  as inputs to a two or more terminals, combine such signals into a composite high-band signal  124 , and output the composite high-band signal  124  to the filter device  117 . 
     The high-band splitter  131  can include one or more ferrite, resistive, or transmission line splitters. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, components of the high-band splitter  131  can be optimized for the frequencies of the high-band signal  124 . Additionally, the high-band splitter  131  operate only at frequencies at or above 1000 MHz using components that minimize noise, reflection, power loss, leakage etc. over the frequency range of the high-band path  127 . In some embodiments, the high-band splitter  131  operate only at frequencies at or between 1100 MHZ and 2000 MHz. Additionally, in some embodiments, the components of the high-band splitter  131  are optimized to operate only at frequencies at or between 1125 MHZ and 1675 MHz 
     Referring now to the signal flow of the MoCA entry device  100  from entry port  111  to the broadband ports  113 A and/or  113 B, the entry port  111  can receive the source signal  116  from the headend  107  via the entry port  111 , which can be connected to the low-band filter  119  of the filter device  117 . The low-band filter  119  can pass the source signal  116  to the broadband port  113 A via the broadband path  125 . In some embodiments, the broadband path  125  includes a broadband splitter  129  the divides the source signal  116  and provides it to broadband ports  113 A and  113 B, as previously described. 
     Referring now to the signal flow of the MoCA entry device  100  from the entry port  111  to the downstream high-band ports  115 , the entry port  111  can receive a source signal  116  as described above. However, the high-band filter  121  blocks the CATV frequency band (C) of the source signal  116 , which prevents the source signal  116  from passing to the downstream high-band ports  115 . Rather, the source signal  116  can only flow downstream to the downstream broadband ports  113 A and/or  113 B. 
     Referring now to the signal flow of the MoCA entry device  100  from the broadband ports  113 A and/or  113 B to the entry port  111 , the broadband ports  113 A and/or  113 B can receive the broadband signal  123  from the gateway device  135  and/or the broadband device  136 . As described previously herein, the broadband signal  123  can have a range between about 5 MHz to about 1675 MHz, which includes a CATV frequency band (C) component and a high frequency band (M) component. The broadband path  125  receives the broadband signal  123  as an input from broadband ports  113 A and/or  113 B and provides it to the filter device  117 . In some embodiments, the broadband splitter  129  in the broadband path  125  combines the broadband signals  123  received from the gateway device  135  and the broadband device  136 . As described previously herein, the low-band filter  119  of the filter device  117  only passes the CATV frequency band (C) of the broadband signal  123  upstream to the entry port  111 . Accordingly, the filter device  117  blocks the high frequency band (M) component of the broadband signal  124  from passing to the entry port  111 . The filter device  121  permits high frequency band (M) of the broadband  123  to pass to the high-band path  127 . 
     Referring now to the signal flow of the MoCA entry device  100  from the broadband ports  113 A and  113 B to high-band ports  115 , the broadband ports  113 A and  113 B and the broadband path  125  can receive the broadband signal  123  and pass such signal to the filter device  117  as described previously herein. However, as detailed above, the high-band filter  121  blocks the CATV frequency band (C) component of the broadband signal  123  from passing to the high-band path  127 . Instead, in some embodiments, the high-band filter  121  only passes frequencies above the CATV frequency band (C). for example, the high-band filter  121  may only pass the high frequency band (M) to the high-band path  127  and rejects all frequencies outside such band. In some other embodiments, the filter device  117  does not include the high-band filter, and the CATV frequency band (C) is substantially or entirely rejected by frequency-selective components (e.g., transmission lines and splitters) of the high-band splitter  131 . Accordingly, the filter device  117  blocks the CATV frequency band (C) component of the broadband signal  123  from passing to the high-band path  127 . 
     Referring now to the signal flow of the MoCA entry device  100  from the broadband ports  115 , the high-band ports  115  can receive one or more high-band signals  124  having a high frequency band (M) from one or more high-band devices  137 . The high-band path  127  includes a high-band splitter  129  having a two or more terminals respectively connected to the two or more high-band ports  115 . The high-band splitter  131  combines the high-band signals  124  into a combined signal, which the high-band splitter provides as an input to the filter device  117 . As described previously herein, the filter device  117  passes the high frequency band (M) of the high-band signals to the broadband path  125 , and blocks the high frequency band (M) from passing to the entry port  111 . In embodiments, the high-band filter  121  of the filter device  117  passes the high frequency band (M) of the high-band signals to the broadband path  125 , and the low-band filter  119  of the filter device  117  rejects the high frequency band (M). The broadband path  125  then passes the high-band signal  124  to the broadband ports  113 A and/or  113 B. Accordingly, the gateway device  135 , the broadband device  136 , and the high-band devices  137  can bidirectionally communicate via the high frequency band (M) to form, for example, a MoCA network. However, the low-band filter  119  prevents such signals for being communicated from the entry port  111 , which prevents leakage of subscriber information from the MoCA network from the premises  103  via the entry port  111 . 
     As set forth in detail above, the MoCA entry device  100  is configured such that the high-band filter  121  and/or high-band splitter  131  in the high-band path  127  substantially block signals outside the high frequency band (M) of the high-band signals  124  (e.g., about 1125 MHz-1675 MHz). As such, embodiments of the MoCA entry device  100  disclosed herein optimize the high-band path  127  for the particular, limited frequency band of the high-band signals  124 . Additionally, the high-band splitter  131  and/or the high-band path  127  operate only at frequencies at or above 1000 MHz using components that minimize noise, reflection, power loss, leakage etc. over the high frequency band (M) of the high-band signals  124 . 
       FIG.  1 A  shows a block diagram illustrating an example environment  10  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The environment  10  includes a MoCA entry device  150 , a premises  103 , and a headend  107 , which can be same or similar to those previously described. As also, previously described, the MoCA entry device  150  can be installed between the premises  103  (e.g., a home or business of a CATV subscriber) and a cable (e.g., COAX cable) connecting the headend  107  (e.g., an infrastructure of a CATV service that provides high-definition multimedia content and broadband Internet service). 
     The MoCA entry device  150  includes an entry port  111 , one or more broadband ports  113 A and  113 B (e.g., CATV ports), and a multiplicity of high-band ports  115  (e.g., MoCA ports), a filter device  117 , a broadband path  125 , a high-band path  127 , a broadband splitter  129 , and a high-band splitter  131  (such as a Wilkinson Splitter). These elements and the signal flows among them can be the same or similar to those previously described. Differently from the previous example shown in  FIG.  1   , the filter device  117  can include a low-pass filter (rather than low-band filter  119  and high-band filter  121 ) that connects the entry port  111  to the broadband path  125  and the high-band path  127 . In accordance with some embodiments, the filter device  117  receives the source signal  116  having the CATV frequency band (C) from the entry port  111  and passes it to the broadband path  125  and the high-band path. The low-pass filter  150  that bidirectionally passes signals having the CATV frequency band (C) and rejects any frequencies greater than the CATV frequency band (C). Accordingly, in the reverse direction, the filter device  117  rejects the high frequency band (M) of the high-band signal  124 , included in the broadband signal  123 . Doing so prevents leakage of subscriber information from the premises  103  via the entry port  111 , as previously described. 
     Additionally, in accordance with some embodiments, the high-band path  127  connects the broadband downstream ports  113  to the high-band ports  115 , and bidirectionally communicates high-band signals  124  having a high frequency band (M) (e.g., MoCA band signals) from the gateway device  135  and/or the broadband device  136  to one or more high-band devices  137  (e.g., MoCA devices) in the premises  103 , and vice versa. The high-band path  127  includes high-band splitter  131 . The high-band splitter  131  can include one or more devices that receive a broadband signal  123 , including the source signal  116  from the filter device  117  and high-band signals  124  from the gateway device  135 , the broadband device  136 , and/or the high-band devices  137 . In accordance with some embodiments, the high-band splitter  131  is constructed using one or more components (e.g., transmission lines and/or splitters) optimized to pass the high frequency band (M) of the high-band signals  124 , while rejecting the frequency band (C) of source signal  116 . For example, the high-band splitter  131  may operate only at frequencies using components that minimize noise, reflection, power loss, leakage etc. over the frequency range of the high-band path  127 . In some embodiments, the high-band splitter  131  operates only at frequencies at or between 1100 MHZ and 2000 MHz. Additionally, in some embodiments, the high-band splitter  131  operate only at frequencies at or between 1125 MHZ and 1675 MHz. Accordingly, the high-band splitter  131  passes only the high-band portion (M) of the broadband signal  123  to the high-band devices  137  via the high-band ports  115 . In the reverse direction, the high-band splitter  131  is configured to receive a number of high-band signals  124  as inputs to a two or more terminals, combine such signals into a composite high-band signal  124 , and output the composite high-band signal  124  to the filter device  117  and the broadband path  125 . 
       FIG.  2    shows an example of a MoCA entry device  200  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The MoCA entry device  200  includes entry port  111 , broadband downstream ports  113 , high-band ports  115 , filter device  117 , low-band filter  119 , high-band filter  121 , broadband path  125 , high-band path  127 , broadband splitter  129 , and high-band splitter  131 , which can be the same or similar to those previously described herein. The low-band filter  119  passes a broadband signal  123  by filtering a source signal  116  received from the entry port  111 , as previously described herein, and outputs the broadband signal  123  to the broadband splitter  129 . In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the broadband splitter  129  can be one-input, two-output splitter optimized for an operational frequency range below 1675 MHz. 
     The high-band filter  121  passes a high-band signal  124  (e.g., a MoCA signal) from one or more broadband devices (e.g., gateway device  135 ) connected via the broadband downstream ports  113 , as previously described herein, to multiple (e.g., two or more) high-band ports  115  through a network of one-input, two-output splitters  131 A,  131 B, and  131 C (collectively referred to herein as splitters  131 ). For example, as shown in  FIG.  2   , a first high-band splitter  131 A can feed two high-band splitter  131 B, which can each feed two more high-band splitter  131 C, to output the high-band signal  124  to each of eight high-band ports  115 . In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the high-band splitter  131  can be configured for an operational frequency range only above 1125 MHz. And, in embodiments each of the high-band splitter  131  can have a narrow operational frequency band between about 1125 MHz and about 1675 MHz. Because each of the high-band splitter  131  only operate over such frequencies, the margin of tolerance and/or accuracy of the high-band splitter  131  minimizes error accumulation over the network of high-band splitter  131 . Notably, the number of high-band splitter  131  illustrated in  FIG.  2    is limited to eight for the sake of illustration. However, it is understood that the number of high-band ports  115  and splitters  131  can be increased or decreased in implementations consistent with the present disclosure. For example, in embodiments, the high-band splitter  131 A can feed two high-band splitter  131 B to provide four outputs to each of four MoCA ports  115 . 
       FIG.  3    shows an example of a MoCA entry device  300  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The MoCA entry device  300 , can include entry port  111 , a single broadband port  113 , multiple high-band ports  115 , filter device  117 , low-band filter  119 , high-band filter  121 , broadband path  125  high-band path  127 , and high-band splitter  131 , which can be the same or similar to those previously described herein. Differently from the previous embodiments, the broadband path  125  lacks any broadband splitter (e.g., broadband splitter  129 ). Rather, the low-band filter  119  directly connects to the single broadband port  119  via the broadband path  125 , which feeds the broadband signal  123  to single broadband device (e.g., a gateway device  135 ). Thus, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the broadband path  125  is simplified by reducing components (e.g., CATV band splitters), which also reduces cost and complexity of the MoCA entry device  300 . Further, because the broadband path  125  lacks any splitter, the MoCA entry device  300  minimizes attenuation of the source signal  116  and the broadband downstream signal  123 . 
       FIG.  4    shows an example of a MoCA entry device  400  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The MoCA entry device  400  includes entry port  111 , broadband ports  113 , high-band ports  115 , filter device  117 , low-band filter  119 , high-band filter  121 , broadband path  125 , a high-band path  127 , and high-band splitter  131 , which can be the same or similar to those previously described herein. Differently, the broadband path  125  includes a directional coupler  405  including an input port (E) connected to the filter device  117 , a through port (T) connected to broadband port  113 A, and a coupled port (C) connected to broadband port  113 B. The input port (E) passes a majority of the power of broadband signal  123  to broadband port  113 A. For example, the directional coupler  405  can attenuate the broadband signal  123  by less than one decibel (dB) between the input port (E) and the through port (T). In comparison, the directional coupler  405  can attenuate the broadband signal  123  provided to the broadband port  113 B by over 6 dB between the input port (E) and the coupled port (C). In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the directional coupler  405  allows connection to a telephone device (e.g., a voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP) device) connected to broadband port  113 B that is unaffected by reflections from an active device (e.g., a gateway device) that may be connected to broadband port  113 A. Additionally, the directional coupler  405  can allow the telephone device connected to broadband port  113 B to communicate in situations when power to a subscriber residence is lost. 
       FIG.  5    shows an example of a MoCA entry device  500  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The MoCA entry device  500  includes entry port  111 , broadband downstream ports  113 A . . .  113   n , high-band ports  115 , filter device  117 , low-band filter  119 , high-band filter  121 , broadband path  125 , high-band path  127 , and high-band splitter  131 , which can be the same or similar to those previously described herein. Differently, the broadband path  125  includes a one-to-n broadband splitter  505  having n terminal respectively connected to broadband ports  113 A . . .  113   n , wherein n can be any integer value greater than two (2). Thus, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the broadband path  125  can be customized to connect to any number of broadband devices (e.g., gateway device  135  and or broadband device  136 ) in a subscriber premises. 
       FIG.  6    shows an example of a MoCA entry device  600  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The MoCA entry device  600  can include entry port  111 , broadband ports  113 , high-band ports  115 , broadband path  125 , and high-band path  127 , which can be similar to those previously described herein. Different from embodiments previously described herein, the MoCA entry device  600  includes an isolation filter  605  and a reflection filter  630 , that can be separated (e.g., distributed) in the MoCA entry device  600 , rather than combined in a single filter device (e.g., filter device  117 ). The isolation filter  605  rejects the high frequency band (M) so as to prevent leakage of high-band signals  124  from the entry port  111 . Thus, the isolation filter  605  can provide point of entry isolation, while allowing source signal  116  to pass to a splitter  610  in the broadband path  125 . In some embodiments, the isolation filter  605  is a low pass filter that only passes frequencies below 1100 MHz. In other embodiments, the isolation filter  605  only passes frequencies below 1000 MHz, such as low-band frequency (C). The reflection filter  630  can be a filter device that may include high pass and low pass elements, as detailed below. 
     In implementations, the reflection filter  630  can balance power between the broadband ports  113  and the high-band ports  115  by reflecting a portion of the power of high-band signals  124  in the high-band path  127  back to the high-band ports  115 . In some implementations, the reflection filter  630  rejects the low frequency band (C) (e.g., CATV frequency bands) using a combination of high pass filtering and the low frequency filtering inherently provided by high band splitters and transmission lines. Additionally, the reflection filter  630  can throttle the power of the high-band signal  124 . Doing so allows the reflection filter  630  to decrease the power of the high-band signal  124  transmitted from the high-band path  127  to the broadband path  123 , while increasing power at all of the high-band ports  115  in the high-band path  127 . 
     In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the entry port  111  can provide the source signal  116  having a frequency band (C) to the isolation filter  605 . After passing through the isolation filter  605 , the source signal  116  is split between the broadband bath  125  and the high-band path  127  at circuit node  635 . In the broadband path  125 , a splitter device  610  connects the isolation filter  605  of the filter device  117  (and the reflection filter  630  of the high band path) to the broadband ports  113 . The splitter device  610  includes terminal (E), terminal (A), and terminal (B). The terminal (E) receives the source signal  116  having CATV frequency band (C) as an input from the isolation filter  605  and the high-frequency band (M) as an input from the hybrid filter  630 . The splitter  610  splits the source signal  116  and outputs such signal via terminal (A) and terminal (B), which connect to the broadband ports  113 . 
     In the reverse direction from the broadband ports  113 , one or more of the terminals (A or B) of the splitter device  610  receives the broadband signal  123  having frequency bands (C) and (M) as an input from the broadband ports  113  and  113 . The low-band signal (C) portion of the broadband signal  123  can pass through isolation filter  605  to the entry port  111 , whereas the isolation filter blocks the high-band (M) portion from passing to the entry port  111 . Additionally, at circuit node  635 , the broadband signal  123  can flow to the high-band path  127  via the reflection filter  630 , which allows the high-frequency band (M) to pass to the high-band ports  115 . Accordingly, a broadband device (e.g., gateway device  135  or broadband device  136 ) connected to broadband port  113  can bidirectional communicate with high-band devices (e.g., high-band devices  137 ) connected to the high-band port  115  and to a source connected to entry port  111  via the splitter device  610 . 
     In the direction from the high-band ports  115 , one or more of the high-band ports  115  can receive the high band signals  124 . The high-band signals  124  can be shared among the high-band ports  115  via splitters  131 . Additionally, the high-band signal  124  can be communicated to the circuit node  635  via the reflective filter  630 . As described previously, the high-band signal  124  can be communicated to the broadband ports  113  via the splitter  620 , whereas they are blocked from the entry port  111  by the isolation filter  605 . Further, as described above, the reflection filter  630  can throttle the amount of power of the high-band signal  127  exiting the high-band path  127  so as to increase the signal power of the signal communicated among the high-band ports. 
       FIG.  6 A  shows a block diagram of an example of a reflection filter  630  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The reflection filter  630  can include a high-pass filter  650  and a low-pass filter  655  that filter low-band frequencies (e.g., low band frequency (C). The high-pass filter  650  can be a resistive-captive-type high-pass filter and the low-pass filter  655  can be an inductive-type low-pass filter. In some embodiments, the low-pass filter  655  can be a high-band reflector (or low pass element) that throttles the signal strength of the high-band signal  124  to attenuate a high-band signal  124  bidirectionally passing through the reflection filter  630 . Doing so allows the reflection filter  630  to decrease the power of the high-band signal  124  transmitted from the high-band path  127  to the broadband path  123 , while increasing power at all of the high-band ports  115  in the high-band path  127 . For example, because the path between the high-band path  127  to the broadband path  123  is low loss (e.g., 6 dB) and the loss between adjacent high-band ports  115  is high (e.g., 25 dB), the low-pass filter  655  can reflect the high-band signal  124  flowing to the broadband path  123  and, instead, distribute its power among the high-band ports, thereby increasing signal strength at the high-band parts  115 . 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.