Abstract An interface device permits installation of a video system by directing broadband RF signals from an outdoors transmission line to an indoors receiver and by providing electrical power from the receiver to the transmission line for the antenna electronics without requiring a hole for passage of a coaxial cable. Power transmission circuitry includes a first inductor mounted adjacent the first side of a window and connected to the first transmission line to receive DC electrical power therefrom. A square wave drive signal is applied to switch apparatus that converts the DC power received by the inductor into time-varying electrical signals that produce a time-varying magnetic field. A second inductor mounted adjacent the dielectric layer opposite the first inductor receives the transmitted power via magnetic induction. A rectifier circuit connected between the second inductor and the second transmission line converts electrical power output therefrom into DC electrical power and supplies the DC electrical power to the second transmission line. A feedback circuit maintains the frequency of the drive signal at the value for maximum power transfer. The RF signal transmission circuitry includes apparatus connected to the second transmission line to receive broadband RF signals therefrom and produce a pair of balanced feed signals. The feed signals are capacitively coupled across window glass and fed into a coaxial cable for transmission to the receiver.
An interface circuit for transmitting electrical signals between a first transmission line that is connected to a receiver on a first side of a dielectric layer and a second transmission line that is connected to antenna electronics on a second side of the dielectric layer, comprising: power transmission circuitry that includes: a first inductor mounted adjacent the first side of the dielectric layer and connected to the first transmission line to receive DC electrical power therefrom; a switch connected to the inductor, the switch being arranged to convert the DC power received by the inductor into time-varying electrical signals that produce a time-varying magnetic field; a second inductor mounted adjacent the dielectric layer opposite the first inductor, the second inductor being within the time-varying magnetic field such that electrical power is transmitted through the dielectric layer via magnetic induction; and a rectifier circuit connected between the second inductor and the second transmission line to convert electrical power output therefrom into DC electrical power and supply the DC electrical power to the second transmission line; and RF signal transmission circuitry that includes: apparatus connected to the second transmission line to receive broadband RF signals therefrom and produce a pair of balanced feed signals; a first pair of plates mounted adjacent the second side of the dielectric layer; a second pair of plates mounted adjacent the first side of the dielectric layer; the first and second pairs of plates being arranged to conduct the RF signals from the second transmission line across the dielectric layer; and apparatus connected between the second pair of plates to convert the balanced feed into an unbalanced feed that is input to the first transmission line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
An interface circuit for transmitting electrical signals between a first transmission line that is connected to a receiver on a first side of a dielectric layer and a second transmission line that is connected to antenna electronics on a second side of the dielectric layer, comprising: power transmission circuitry that includes: a first inductor mounted adjacent the first side of the dielectric layer and connected to the first transmission line to receive DC electrical power therefrom; a switch connected to the inductor, the switch being arranged to convert the DC power received by the inductor into time-varying electrical signals that produce a time-varying magnetic field; a second inductor mounted adjacent the dielectric layer opposite the first inductor, the second inductor being within the time-varying magnetic field such that electrical power is transmitted through the dielectric layer via magnetic induction; and a rectifier circuit connected between the second inductor and the second transmission line to convert electrical power output therefrom into DC electrical power and supply the DC electrical power to the second transmission line; and RF signal transmission circuitry that includes: apparatus connected to the second transmission line to receive broadband RF signals therefrom and produce a pair of balanced feed signals; a first pair of plates mounted adjacent the second side of the dielectric layer; a second pair of plates mounted adjacent the first side of the dielectric layer; the first and second pairs of plates being arranged to conduct the RF signals from the second transmission line across the dielectric layer; and apparatus connected between the second pair of plates to convert the balanced feed into an unbalanced feed that is input to the first transmission line.