System and Method for Signal Reception and Distribution

Abstract

A system and method for receiving and distributing an over-the-air signal over a network. At least one antenna receives an over-the-air signal containing a plurality of channels, at least one tuner isolates from the over-the-air signal information associated with a selected channel and produces an intermodulated carrier wave associated with the selected channel, at least one demodulator demodulates the intermodulated carrier wave to produce a data stream in a first format. Optionally a processor (for example a transcoder) converts the data stream in a first format into a second format. A communications interface produces a network transport stream from the data stream in the second format and distributes the network transport stream over the network. A line coupling unit (LCU) sets resistance/capacitance values which optimize the signal for distribution.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for optimizing the reception of an over-the-air signal, comprising:
 at least one antenna for receiving the over-the-air signal;   at least one line coupling unit (LCU) coupled to the at least one antenna for detecting an impedance on the at least one antenna and adjusting one or more characteristics of the LCU based on the detected impedance; and   at least one tuner for isolating, from the over-the-air signal, signal information associated with a selected signal frequency;   whereby the one or more characteristics of the LCU are adjusted on a substantially constant or intermittent basis to obtain the best available quality of signal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the signal information comprises signal quality parameters. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the LCU comprises a microcontroller for analyzing signal data. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the tuner produces a carrier wave associated with the selected frequency, and further comprising: 
 at least one demodulator for demodulating the carrier wave to isolate signal quality parameters associated with the carrier wave, whereby one or more characteristics of the LCU are adjusted to obtain the best available quality of carrier wave. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the antenna comprises a line of a local mains power supply network. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein:
 the line comprises a ground wire. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein:
 one or more characteristics of the LCU are adjusted when an impedance on a circuit within the mains power supply network changes. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the LCU is a passive LCU. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the LCU comprises a microcontroller. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein:
 an algorithm is used to make decisions related to or analyze data related to signal quality. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method of optimizing the reception of an over-the-air signal, comprising:
 a. receiving the over-the-air signal via at least one antenna coupled to a receiver through a line control unit (LCU);   b. detecting an impedance on the at least one antenna and adjusting a one or more characteristics of the LCU based on the detected impedance;   c. isolating, from the over-the-air signal, signal information associated with a selected signal frequency; and   d. adjusting one or more characteristics of the LCU on a substantially constant or intermittent basis to obtain the best available quality of signal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  comprising:
 at any time after step c, the step of analyzing signal data. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein:
 the receiver comprises a tuner for performing step c. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 a control signal is sent to the LCU to control the tuner. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 the tuner produces a carrier wave associated with the selected frequency, and further comprising: 
 before step d, demodulating the carrier wave to isolate signal quality parameters associated with the carrier wave, whereby one or more characteristics of the LCU are adjusted to obtain the best available quality of carrier wave. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein:
 the signal information comprises signal quality parameters. 
 
     
     
         17 . A system for receiving and distributing at least one signal over a network, comprising:
 at least one input comprising an antenna for receiving a signal containing at least one channel carrying content;   at least one other input for receiving the signal, or for receiving a different signal containing the at least one channel or a different channel containing the content;   a signal selector, for monitoring a signal output by each of the at least one input and the at least one other input, and selecting the one of the at least one input and the at least one other input which provides the best quality of signal containing the content.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein:
 at least one of the inputs comprises a line coupling unit (LCU) coupled to the at least one antenna or another antenna, for detecting an impedance on the antenna and adjusting one or more characteristics of the LCU based on the detected impedance.