A method and apparatus is disclosed to restrict the delivery of video, audio, and/or data to unauthorized end users in a satellite communications system. The satellite communications system includes one or more satellite receiving antennas, commonly referred to as a satellite dish, to receive downlink communications signals from one or more satellites. The transmission received by the one or more satellite receiving antennas is converted by an outdoor unit (ODU) for transmission to one or more indoor units (IDUs). The ODU receives control information from one or more satellites from the downlink communications signals, commonly referred to as in-band, and/or from out-of-band communications signals. The ODU may use the control information to restrict access to one or more communications channels embedded within the downlink communications signals to the unauthorized end users.

A method and apparatus is disclosed to restrict the delivery of video, audio, and/or data to unauthorized end users in a satellite communications system. The satellite communications system includes one or more satellite receiving antennas, commonly referred to as a satellite dish, to receive downlink communications signals from one or more satellites. The transmission received by the one or more satellite receiving antennas is converted by an outdoor unit (ODU) for transmission to one or more indoor units (IDUs). The ODU receives control information from one or more satellites from the downlink communications signals, commonly referred to as in-band, and/or from out-of-band communications signals. The ODU may use the control information to restrict access to one or more communications channels embedded within the downlink communications signals to the unauthorized end users.

A cascadable AGC amplifier in a signal distribution system includes a low noise cascadable amplifier having a through path and a cascadable output. The cascadable amplifier is also configured to provide AGC over a predetermined input power range. The cascadable AGC amplifier can be configured to provide gain or attenuation. When the cascadable AGC amplifier is implemented in a signal distribution system, typically as part of a signal distribution device, an input signal can be gain controlled and supplied to multiple signal paths without distortion due to degradation of signal to noise ratio or distortion due to higher order amplifier products. The distributed signal is not significantly degraded by distortion regardless of the number of cascadable AGC amplifiers connected in series or the position of the cascadable AGC amplifier in the signal distribution system.

A cascadable AGC amplifier in a signal distribution system includes a low noise cascadable amplifier having a through path and a cascadable output. The cascadable amplifier is also configured to provide AGC over a predetermined input power range. The cascadable AGC amplifier can be configured to provide gain or attenuation. When the cascadable AGC amplifier is implemented in a signal distribution system, typically as part of a signal distribution device, an input signal can be gain controlled and supplied to multiple signal paths without distortion due to degradation of signal to noise ratio or distortion due to higher order amplifier products. The distributed signal is not significantly degraded by distortion regardless of the number of cascadable AGC amplifiers connected in series or the position of the cascadable AGC amplifier in the signal distribution system.

Method for avoiding DiSEqC conflicts in a receiver connected to a coaxial cable wherein the receiver utilizes the Unicable communication, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of: obtaining a list of an identified group of receivers, the group being organized according to an identified order; using a second communication channel (102) to communicate with at least one other receiver from said identified group; receiving a token over the second communication channel (102); transmitting a DiSEqC command over the Unicable bus only when said token has been received; after executing said DiSEqC command (405), transmitting said token, over the second communication channel (102), to the next receiver identified by said order.

Disclosed is a tuner device including an input terminal, a separator, a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a tuner. The input terminal receives an input of a reception signal of satellite digital broadcasts. The separator is connected to the input terminal and adapted to frequency-separate a first signal and a second signal. The first signal is in a low-frequency domain of the reception signal, and the second signal is in a high-frequency domain of the reception signal. The first and second amplifiers respectively amplify the first and second signals. The tuner receives an input of output signals from the first and second amplifiers.

Disclosed is a tuner device including an input terminal, a separator, a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a tuner. The input terminal receives an input of a reception signal of satellite digital broadcasts. The separator is connected to the input terminal and adapted to frequency-separate a first signal and a second signal. The first signal is in a low-frequency domain of the reception signal, and the second signal is in a high-frequency domain of the reception signal. The first and second amplifiers respectively amplify the first and second signals. The tuner receives an input of output signals from the first and second amplifiers.

A method for adding a new radio receiver to a subscriber account includes the steps of: receiving a request to add a new radio receiver to the subscriber's account; selecting a new radio receiver to be added to the subscriber's account, the new radio receiver comprising an electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver; automatically establishing, by the transfer program, a communications link with a radio provider; automatically communicating, to the radio provider by the transfer program via the communications link, a request to add, to the subscriber's account, the electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver; and automatically confirming, with the radio provider via the communications link, that the new electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver has successfully been added to the subscriber's account.

An LNB downconverter comprising: two LNBs configured to receive their respective satellite signals: the first and second LNB being configured to output, four IF signals of different polarization and frequency range to a respective first and second Cross-bar Switch (CBS); wherein the first and second CBS, are configured to accept four RF inputs, and routing them, to any of four outputs, as configured by a Controller: wherein outputs of CBSs are connected to respective Satellite Channel Routers (SCRs) configured by the Controller to shift the frequency of their input signals to fixed intermediate frequencies; wherein outputs of SCRs are connected to respective Band Pass Filters (BPFs) whereas the fixed intermediate frequencies of SCRs are different and wherein the band passed by each BPF is non-overlapping; an Adder adding the signals on different frequencies, output by each BPF, to form a single output signal comprising data from both satellite signals.

An LNB downconverter comprising: two LNBs configured to receive their respective satellite signals: the first and second LNB being configured to output, four IF signals of different polarization and frequency range to a respective first and second Cross-bar Switch (CBS); wherein the first and second CBS, are configured to accept four RF inputs, and routing them, to any of four outputs, as configured by a Controller: wherein outputs of CBSs are connected to respective Satellite Channel Routers (SCRs) configured by the Controller to shift the frequency of their input signals to fixed intermediate frequencies; wherein outputs of SCRs are connected to respective Band Pass Filters (BPFs) whereas the fixed intermediate frequencies of SCRs are different and wherein the band passed by each BPF is non-overlapping; an Adder adding the signals on different frequencies, output by each BPF, to form a single output signal comprising data from both satellite signals.