Patent ID: 7983365

Claim:
A method for automatically setting an operative state of a wideband amplifier in a multi-channel television receiver, the method comprising the steps of: measuring at least one signal quality parameter; and deciding to switch the amplifier either to its ON state (active state) or to its OFF state (inactive state) on the basis of the measured parameter, wherein the step of deciding to switch the amplifier to its ON state (active state) is exclusively taken during at least one time interval when the receiver is switched to a channel, or during activation of the multi-channel television receiver, or during an installation process when all channels are scanned wherein the step of deciding to switch the amplifier comprises the steps of: a) switching the amplifier to its OFF state (inactive state); b) measuring a value of S IP (LNA=OFF) said at least one signal quality parameter while the amplifier is maintained in its OFF state; c) switching the amplifier to its ON state (active state); d) measuring a value of S IP (LNA=ON) said at least one signal quality parameter while the amplifier is maintained in its ON state; e) comparing the two measured values (S IP (LNA=OFF); S IP (LNA=ON)); f) the difference between the two measured values (S IP (LNA=OFF); S IP (LNA=ON)) indicates more intermodulation products in the case when the amplifier' is in its OFF state as compared to the case when the amplifier is in its ON state, deciding to switch the amplifier to its ON state; g) if the difference between the two measured values (S IP (LNA=OFF); S IP (LNA=ON)) indicates more intermodulation products in the case when the amplifier is in its ON state as compared to the case when the amplifier is in its OFF state, deciding to switch the amplifier to its OFF state.