An ideal tap may have a plurality of ports that include at least an input port configured for receiving downstream (DS) signals from and transmitting upstream (US) signals to nodes upstream from the tap within the coaxial network, and one or more other ports that comprise at least one of an output port configured for transmitting downstream (DS) signals to and receiving upstream (US) signals from nodes downstream from the tap within the coaxial network, and a drop port for receiving signal from and transmitting signals to customer premise equipment (CPE) in the coaxial network. The ideal tap may further include processing circuits for handling signals received and transmitted via the tap, with the one or more processing circuits being configured to meet particular predefined tap performance criteria, and to specifically apply, during handling of signals in the tap, frequency shifting based on one or more frequency spectrum shift conditions.

A multi-tap device for a cable television (CATV) system includes a tap housing and a faceplate configured to be connected to the tap housing. The device also includes a first circuit board configured to be connected to the tap housing. The device also includes a second circuit board configured to be connected to the faceplate and to the first circuit board. The device also includes an access cover connected to the tap housing. The access cover is configured to be opened to provide access to disconnect the first circuit board from the tap housing and from the second circuit board and to subsequently remove the first circuit board from the tap housing, thereby changing a tap value of the multi-tap device. The second circuit board is configured to remain connected to the faceplate and positioned within the tap housing when the first circuit board is removed from the tap housing.

A multi-tap device for a cable television (CATV) system includes a tap housing and a first circuit board positioned within and removably connected to the tap housing. A directional coupler is connected to the first circuit board. A faceplate is integral with the tap housing. One or more subscriber tap ports are connected to the faceplate. An access cover is connected to the tap housing. The access cover is configured to be opened to provide access to an interior of the tap housing for a user to disconnect the first circuit board from the tap housing.

A metal foil flaring apparatus includes a frame, a flaring mechanism mounted on the frame and having a flaring mouth adapted to open and close, and a first driver mounted on the frame and adapted to drive the flaring mouth to open and close. The flaring mouth has a cone shape gradually contracted toward a front end of the flaring mouth. The front end of the flaring mouth is adapted to be forwardly inserted in a first direction between an inner insulation layer of a cable and a metal foil wrapped around the inner insulation layer when the flaring mouth is closed, flaring the metal foil outwardly into the cone shape.

A signal conditioning module for a cable tap may include a reversible jumper having at least one pair of U-shaped wires, a first body configured to receive the at least one pair of U-shaped wires on opposite ends within the first body and protruding through recesses within the first body; and a second body configured to cover the first body and retain the at least one pair of wires in place. The first body and the second body are configured to be connected together to form a t-shape, the first body and the second body having a set of first edges that are angled with respect to opposite second edges. A printed circuit board (PCB) includes at least two sets of contacts, wherein the PCB is configured to connect with the reversible jumper and selectively form a first electrical path of at least two electrical paths through the PCB when the reversible jumper is installed in the PCB in a first position.

In various embodiment, the disclosed systems, methods and apparatuses are directed to active taps. In particular, the disclosure is directed to providing an input port of a device to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal; providing a plurality of output ports of the device to transmit second RF signals based on the first RF signal; coupling a bidirectional amplifier to the input port and at least a portion of the plurality of output ports; and modifying, using the bidirectional amplifier, the magnitude of at least the first RF signal. Further, a controller may be coupled to the cable modem; further the controller may be used to control the bidirectional amplifier or operate, based on instructions received from the cable modem, relays associated with the plurality of output ports of the active tap.

Contact members and electrical connectors incorporating the contact members. The contact members have an outer conductor, an inner conductor, and a protective insulator that extends outside of the front end of the outer conductor for closed entry mating.

A contact member includes, an outer conductor including a mating interface section that includes a front end of the outer conductor, a termination section including a rear end of the outer conductor, and a middle section therebetween joining the mating interface and termination sections; an inner conductor received in the mating interface section; and a protective insulator including a main portion received in the mating interface section of the outer conductor and supporting the inner conductor and including an end portion configured for closed entry mating. The end portion has an end face extending outside of the front end of the outer conductor.

There is provided a face plate (36) for a cable tap (10) comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) (40) and first and second electrically conductive interface elements (32, 32) in contact with the PCB (40), wherein the first interface element (32) has a first impedance and is configured to engage with an input connector (24) within a back box (12) and the second interface element (32) has a second impedance and is configured to engage with an output connector (24) within the back box (12). The interface elements are elongate pins, typically with a length in the range 2 to 25 mm. A support structure (42) disposed around each interface element. Part of the support structure (42) forms a boss (64, 64) mountable on electrical switches associated with a power bar (70) within a back box.

To allow a fit-in state between electrical connectors to be firmly maintained, elastic arm-shaped members provided to a conductive shell member so as to elastically displace to a direction orthogonal to a fit-in direction of a mating connector are each provided with an engaging piece having a connector contact surface which the mating connector faces from the depth in the fit-in direction and a shell contact surface which a part of the conductive shell member faces from the front in the fit-in direction. When an external force is applied to the mating connector in a fit-in state to a removing direction opposite to the fit-in direction, the engaging piece is brought into a state of being interposed between the mating connector and the conductive shell member. This avoids a situation in which the engaging piece is removed from the mating connector to cause a lock release.