Patent ID: 7197294

Claim:
A device for segmenting a radio frequency network, the device comprising: a module for receiving and segmenting radio frequency network signals, said module having a housing defining an interior; said housing having a back of electrically conductive material and a front; a plurality of coax connectors mounted at said back of said housing with outer shields of said connectors electrically coupled to said back of the housing; radio frequency circuitry for performing segmenting functions, said radio frequency circuitry at least partially within said interior of said housing, said radio frequency circuitry being electrically interconnected with said coax connectors; said radio frequency circuitry further including at least one removable plug for modifying network signals; said plug being accessible from said front of said housing; wherein said housing includes front face structure; said front face structure defining an opening; said at least one removable plug being sized to pass through said opening; wherein a guiding member is provided adjacent to said opening to assist in guiding said plug as it is inserted through said opening; wherein said front face structure, while providing an opening that exposes said plug, otherwise generally covers said radio frequency circuitry; a removable cover mounted to said housing for covering said plug; a chassis, said chassis having receiving locations for receiving and holding a plurality of modules; a monitor coax connector mounted to said housing, wherein said radio frequency circuitry further comprises at least one coupler for diverting a portion of a radio frequency signal to said monitor coax connector; wherein said monitor coax connector is accessible from said front of said housing.