CA2270429A1

CA2270429A1 - Direct broadcast satellite system for multiple dwelling units

Info

Publication number: CA2270429A1
Application number: CA002270429A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Abram Novak
Original assignee: Ethnic-American Broadcasting Co.; Abram Novak
Current assignee: ETHNIC-AMERICAN BROADCASTING Co
Priority date: 1996-11-18
Filing date: 1997-11-18
Publication date: 1998-05-28
Also published as: US5787335A; AU5358198A; WO1998022992A2; WO1998022992A3

Abstract

A system is provided for distribution of broadcast and direct satellite television signals (12) to multiple user, for example, within a multiple dwelling building. In one embodiment broadcast signals (18) are combined (42, 44) with right- and left-hand satellite signals and provided by a dual transmission line distribution system to user locations. In an alternate embodiment, satellite signals corresponding to one polarization are converted to a separate frequency band to provide a combined signal incorporating left-and right-hand corresponding satellite signals and broadcast signals for distribution.

Description

DIRECT BjtOADCAST SATELLITE SYSTEM
FOR MULTIPLE DWELLING UNITS
This invention relates to systems for receiving direct satellite signals for television, and particularly to arrangements for receiving such signals in a multiple-dwelling environment.
Direct satellite television systems for use in private homes have recently become popular as a replacement for cable television service. A
typical single family home installation for such systems is shown in block diagram in Figure 1. The system includes a parabolic satellite receiving antenna 12, which provides separate signal outputs corresponding to satellite transmission signals which are left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized. A switch 14 is provided in the vicinity of receiving antenna 12 to select one of the antenna output signals, according to the desired viewing channel. Within the home there is provided a satellite receiver 1 b which has separate RF cable inputs for receiving signals from satellite antenna 12 over cable 20 and signals from off air receiving antenna 18 over cable 22.
When receiver 16 is tuned to receive off air television broadcast signals, an internal RF switch connects antenna cable 22 to output cable 23 and a 2 0 television set 24.
When receiver 16 is tuned for satellite reception, the satellite signal on cable 20 is down converted by receiver 16 to a selected television channel, and the signal as converted, is provided to television set 24 on cable 23. A control signal for the operation of switch 14 is provide by receiver 16 on RF cable 20, according to the 2 5 selected satellite channel. While the configuration of Figure 1 is effective in a single-family home environment, it cannot effectively be used in a multi-family dwelling unit, because of the need to switch antenna polarization according to the satellite viewing channel selected by the receiver.

Further, there are alternate satellite services available at ka-band that require a linearly polarized receiving antenna. The signals from such additional antennas cannot be easily provided to residents of mufti-family dwelling units.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a direct-satellite television receiving configuration suitable for use in a multiple-dwelling environment, wherein a common satellite antenna, or antennas, and a common off air broadcast receiving antenna are used to provide signals to multiple apartment units in a multiple-dwelling environment in an arrangement wherein the occupants of each dwelling unit have an option of whether to receive satellite broadcasts by subscription, and have the capability to select either a broadcast channel or a satellite viewing channel independently of channel selections by other subscribers within the multiple-dwelling environment.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a system which uses commercially available components or components having only minor modifications.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a system for distributing satellite television signals to multiple users. The system includes a satellite antenna system for receiving satellite signals with first and second polarization and for providing such signals on oufiput first and second transmission 2 5 lines. The system includes a dual transmission line distribution system for providing signals corresponding to both polarizations to a plurality of user locations, and a switch at each selected user location for selectively connecting either the first or second signal to a satellite receiver.
In a preferred embodiment the system further includes a broadcast 3 o signal antenna system for receiving broadcast signals and combining them with at least one of the satellite signals for distribution in the dual transmission-line distribution system. At each user location there may be provided means for providing the broadcast signals to a television receiver. Preferably the broadcast signals are combined with both of the satellite signals. In this case, a double-pole, double-throw switch can be used to couple the broadcast signals to the television receiver and for selectively connecting the satellite signals to the satellite receiver.
Alternately, a diplexer can be used to separate the broadcast television signals.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a signal up-converter is provided for converting the second satellite signal to a second frequency band, higher than its original frequency band.
The first and second satellite signals are thereafter combined to provide a combined satellite signal to a single transmission line distribution system.
Preferably, broadcast signals from a broadcast receiving antenna system are also combined with the combined satellite signals.
Methods for distributing signals are also provided.
In a still further arrangement, a third satellite signal may be distributed.
In this arrangement, there is provided a dual frequency converter for converting the second and third satellite signals to frequencies above and below the first satellite signal.
2 0 Signals may also be distributed in two stages for some applications. In a first distribution stage signals are distributed on separate transmission lines to a plurality of frequency converters. Thereafter the signals are distributed to users on a common transmission line, preferably using broad band diode steered splitters.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other 2 5 and further obj ects, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a direct satellite television receiving arrangement according to the prior art.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a satellite television signal distribution system for a multiple dwelling unit according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an alternate satellite television signal distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a dual directional coupler for the system of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a user location configuration for the system of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an alternate user location configuration for the system of Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a user location configuration for the distribution system of Figure 3.
2 0 Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a further alternate satellite television signal distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 9 is a block diagram showing a further alternate satellite television signal distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing an upconverter for use in the Figure 8 2 5 system.
Figure 11 is a diagram showing an upconverter for use in the Figure 9 system.
Figure 12 is a diagram showing a downconverter for use in the Figure 8 system.
3 0 Figure 13 is a diagram showing a downconverter for use in the Figure 9 system.
Figure 14 is a diagram showing an alternate downconverter for use in the Figure 9 system.

5 'DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED 'EMBODIMENTS
Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention for loop thru distributing broadcast and satellite television signals to multiple users in an apartment building. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the building has 6 floors with 4 apartments on each floor.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that this example is exemplary only and that the principles of the invention can be adapted to dwellings having greater or fewer apartments, and can be applied to communities having dwelling units in separate, attached or unattached units, such as condominiums.
The system of Figure 2 is configured to provide the residents with options as to whether or not they desire to subscribe to a satellite-based, direct broadcast television system, and also provides a master television antenna system available to a11 residents, similar to currently used master antenna systems.
This provides the ability to rebuild an existing master antenna television system by replacing old directional couplers with new ones and using existing cables and 2 0 conduits.
As illustrated in Figure 2, selected subscriber apartments are equipped with satellite receivers 16 while others are equipped with standard television sets 24 only. The system includes a signal acquisition arrangement, which is preferably located on the building roof adj acent the satellite antenna 12 and broadcast receiving 2 5 antenna 18. It is also possible to locate some of the acquisition equipment in other portions of the building to accommodate existing cable systems. The signal acquisition equipment includes a parabolic satellite antenna with dual feed, dual polarity low noise block-converter feed 12 having outputs for left and right hand circular polarization, which are provided to separate amplifiers 30 and 32.
The low 3 0 noise block-converter feed and amplifiers are powered by a power supply 34 and power inserter 36 which may be arranged remote from the amplifiers 30, 32, which are preferably at or close to antenna 12.
Signals received on broadcast antenna 18 are provided to an amplifier 38 and thereafter to power divider 40. These broadcast signals are thereafter 3 5 combined with the amplified satellite signals corresponding to left and right hand polarization in combiners 42 and 44 respectively. In a typical arrangement the satellite signals are in a frequency band of 950 to 1450 MHZ, while broadcast signals from antenna 18 are within the frequency range 50 to 860 MHZ. Accordingly, combiners 42, 44, which may be diplexers, can provide an output having an overall frequency band of SO to 1450 MHZ and containing both broadcast and satellite signals.
The output of combiner 42 is provided to splitter 46 and thereafter to transmission lines 48, 49, 50 and 51 which are serially routed through each of the apartments in the building. Likewise, the output of combiner 44 is provided to sputter 52 and routed to all apartments over transmission lines 53, 54, 56 and 58.
Each apartment is provided with a dual output coupler 60, which has a coupling value dependent on its position within the distribution system.
Coupler 60 is shown in Figure 4.
Accordingly, dual couplers 60a provide output coupling of -25db, couplers 60b provide -20db, couplers 60c provide -l6db, couplers 60d provide -l2db, 2 0 couplers 60e provide -l2db and couplers 60f provide -l Odb.
The variation in coupling values of dual couplers 60 provides a relatively constant signal level for the output broadcast and satellite signals at each apartment, as indicated by the typical signal levels indicated in Figure 2.
Signal levels required on the customer satellite device input should be 2 5 not less than 0 dbmv for the satellite signal and +6 dbmv for the OFF-AIR
signal.
Dual couplers 60 consist of conventional high frequency directional coupler devices with the selected values of coupled signal level. Essentially, each of the two directional couplers incorporated into device 60, provides a coupled signal from one of the transmission lines to an output terminal.
3 0 The equipment at each user installation depends on the service requested by that individual user. Accordingly, a user who merely desires to receive broadcast television signals may connect his television receiver 24 to either of the outputs of dual coupler 60, since both outputs include a signal corresponding to the broadcast signals received by antenna 18. No further equipment or signal processing 3 5 is needed.

In the event a user desires to subscribe to direct satellite television services, that user needs to be provided with additional equipment as shown in Figure 5. In connection with the Figure 5 arrangement the additional equipment consists of a double-pole, double- throw switch 62, having inputs connected to the cables carrying the combined left-hand and right-hand satellite signals and the broadcast signal. In this user installation the satellite receiver 16 and television set 24 are identical to those used in the prior art single-family home installation depicted in Figure I . The double-pole, double-throw switch 62 has inputs connected to the outputs of dual coupler 60 corresponding to the combined satellite and broadcast antenna signals, and has outputs connected to the off air and satellite inputs of receiver 16.
When receiver 16 is tuned to receive a satellite channel, the switch signal on cable 20 controls switch 62 thus directing an appropriate combined signal to the satellite terminal of receiver 16.
When receiver 16 is tuned to receive off air broadcast television signals, the position of switch 62 is unimportant, since either position of switch 62 2 o provides the off air signal on cable 22.
Another arrangement shown in Figure 6 uses a combined diplexer/switch 62' instead of double-pole, double-throw switch 62. Diplexer continuously provides the off air signal on cable 22 and single-pole, single-throw switch 65 selects the satellite signal. Using the arrangement of Figure 6, it is 2 5 unnecessary to provide the off air signal on both distribution cables, it being only necessary to provide the off air broadcast signal combined with one polarization, such as the LHCP signal provided to diplexer 64, as shown in Figure 6. This arrangement, however, makes the configuration sensitive to installation errors in connecting cables to coupler 60.
3 0 Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment for the distribution system of the present invention wherein only a single transmission line distribution system is required.
The Figure 3 embodiment has a disadvantage, in that it is necessary to provide modifications to the satellite receiver of the standard type in order to 3 5 implement the single cable distribution system, as will be explained.

In the system of Figure 3, right and left-hand polarization signals are provided by antenna 12 to corresponding amplifiers 30 and 32 as in the Figure embodiment. The signal corresponding to right-hand polarization, which has an initial frequency band of 950 to 1450 MHZ is provided to up converter and combiner 72 wherein the frequency band is converted, for example, to the frequency band of 1690 to 2190 MHZ and thereafter combined with the signal corresponding to left-hand polarization. As an alternate the frequency band may be selected to be any appropriate value, sucj as 152S to 2025 MHz. Preferably combining is done in a diplexer, which provides an output combined satellite signal having a fiequency band of 950 to 2190 MHz. Broadcast signals received on antenna 18 and amplified by amplifier 38 are combined with the output of head-end amplifier 74 in combiner 42' whose output includes signals in the range of 50 to 860 MHZ corresponding to broadcast television signals, signals in the range of 950 to 1450 MHz, corresponding to left-hand circular polarization signals, and signals in the range of 1690 to 2190 MHZ corresponding to the frequency up-converted right-hand polarization satellite 2 0 signals.
All of these combined signals are provided to splitter 46' for distribution to the user locations utilizing a single cable distribution network. At each user location there is provided a suitable coupler 76 for providing output signals to a satellite receiver or television set, according to the requirements of the individual user.
2 5 Where a user desires to only receive broadcast transmissions, the signal from couplers 76 may be directly provided to a television set 24.
The television set responds only to the signals in the frequency range 50 to 860 MHz and provides normal television operation.
Where the user desires to receive direct satellite television signals, as 3 0 well as broadcast signals, the signal from coupler 76 is provided to specially adapted satellite receiver 70 as shown in Figure 7. Receiver 70 incorporates a standard satellite receiver 16, diplexer 78 switch 80 and a down converter 82.
Switch 80 is operated similar to switch 62 of Figure 4 to select between satellite signals corresponding to left and right hand circular polarization. If, 3 5 for example, signals corresponding to left hand circularly polarized transmissions WO 98l22992 PCT/US9?/Z1086 contain the desired channel, switch 80 is configured to connect the signal from coupler 76 through diplexer 78 to the input of satellite receiver 16.
On the other hand, if the up-converted satellite signals corresponding to right-hand circular polarization are to be received, switch 80 is operated by a control signal on line 20 to connect the signal from coupler 76 through diplexer 78 to down converter 82 and thereafter to the input terminal of satellite receiver 16.
Alternately a specially designed receiver which equipped with a RF
tuner operating directly with the input frequencies of 9S0 - 2190 MHZ may be provided.
Referring to Figure 8, there is shown an alternate arrangement for a satellite and broadcast television system according to the present invention, which is intended to take advantage to the extent possible of available components. The system illustrated in Figure 2 include series connected couplers in the distribution cables that must operate from the VHF broadcast frequency band through the MHZ distribution frequency of the satellite signal. The system of Figure 3 uses 2 0 signals from 50 through 2190 MHZ. It is difficult to provide components, such as amplifiers or couplers that operate efficiently over such a wide band.
The alternate system of Figure 8 provides for separate series connected couplers for each of the two satellite signals and the off air signal through cables 10l, 103 and 105, which have couplers 100, 102 and 104 providing the signals to a sub-2 5 distribution system, for example on each floor of the building.
Accordingly, couplers 100a, 100b, 102a, 102b etc. and amplifier 30', 32' in cables 101 and 103 can be designed to operate over only the 950-1450 MHZ band. Likewise, couplers 104 and amplifier 38' are required only to operate over the VHF-~UI~ TV range, so conventional commercial components can be used.
3 0 The sub-distribution system of the Figure 8 installation include upconverter 110, amplifier 112, diplexer 114, divider 116 and diode steered splitters 118 to individual customer drops. Within a customer installation, where multiple receivers and television sets are to be serviced, there may be provided an amplifier 120 and a further diode steered splitter 112 which connects to downconverters 3 5 associated with satellite receivers 70 and TV sets 24.

5 Upconvertrer 110 is shown in Figure 10. Signal inputs are provided from couplers 100, 102 and 104. The signal from coupler 100 is up-converted from 950-1450 to 1525 to 2025 MHZ using local oscillator 170, mixer 172 and high pass filter 174. This is combined in diplexer 176 to provide a combined satellite signal over a 9S0-2025 MHZ band, which is amplified in amplifier 112. The off air signal 1 o from coupler 104 is combined in diplexer 114 to provide an output composite signal for distribution. It is to be noted that power for the active components in upconverter 110 is provided over the RF cable from the downconverters and eventually from the receivers. A power by-pass 178 is provided to provide do power to components in the upstreaml serial distribution system.
Since power for upconverter 110 is provided from the receiver, the distribution of signals is preferably provided using diode-steered splitters 118, which effectively open-circuit an output line if the receiver is not present, since the corresponding diode is reverse biased Divider 1 I6 may also be a diode-steered splitter. Further, interference from unterminated transmission lines giving anomalous 2 0 impedance at the junction is avoided.
Downconverter 124, which is provided at each satellite equipped customer station is shown in Figure 12. The signal from upconverter 110, provided through diode steered splitters, 118 is input at terminal 180. The off air signal is filtered by low-pass filter I 82 and provided to output terminal 184 fi om which it is 2 5 provided to the "off air" terminal of the satellite receiver 70.
The satellite receiver 70 provides alternative 13 or 18 volt do power on the satellite input cable connected to terminal 186 of downconverter 124. The alternate voltage levels are used in a conventional installation, as shown in Figure 1, to operate polarization switch 14. In downconverter 124 the voltage levels are used to 3 0 operate switches 190 and 192. In the position shown in Figure 12 switches I90 and 192 connect the composite satellite signal from high pass filter 183 to receiver 70, which receives signals in the 950 to 1450 frequency band, corresponding to the RHCP
signal channel.
When the d.c. signal is at the other level, the composite satellite signal 3 5 from high pass filter l83 is provided to a dual conversion heterodyne circuit, which WO 98l22992 PCT/US97I21086 transposes the 1525-2025 MHz. LHCP satellite signal into the 950 to 1450 MHZ
band. The dual conversion includes local oscillators 194 and 200, mixers 196 and 202 and low pass filters 198 and 203. Dual conversion is used to avoid local oscillator harmonies in the passband. The downconverter also includes a d.c. bypass 188 to provide d.c. power from the satellite receive to the upstream components.
A still fiuther embodiment of the invention using separate distribution of satellite signals to sub-distribution systems is shown in Figure 9. The Figure 9 system is similar in overall configuration to the Figure 8 system, but provides four vertical series distribution cables 142, 144, 146 and 148, each with series connected couplers 150, 152, 154 and l56.
The Figure 9 system is arranged to provide the conventional LHCP and RHCP satellite signals from direct broadcast satellite (DBS) antenna 12' and additionally provides downconverted signals derived from linearly polarized fixed satellite system signals (FSS) received by a fixed satellite services separate antenna fed on antenna I2'. The FSS signals are transposed to the same 950-1450 2 o intermediate frequency band as the LHCP and RHCP signals. The fss signals are distributed via series coupled cable 142, the other satellite signals are distributed via cables 144 and 146. Off air signals are separately received on VHF antenna 17 and UHF antenna 19. UHF signals are transposed in UHF to VHF converter 140 and combined with VHF signals in diplexer 141 fox distribution over series coupled cable 2 5 148 in the SO to 300 MHZ band.
Sub-distribution systems, for example, one on each floor or each two or more floors of an apartment building, are provided with an upconverter 160, amplifier 112 and diplexer 114. Signal splitter 116 and diode steered splitters 118 provide the composite signal to individual apartments.
3 o Upconverter 160 is arranged to provide a composite satellite signal from the three satellite signals for combination with the off air signal and local distribution to users. The configuration for upconverter 160 is shown in Figure 11.
Upconverter 160 is similar to upconverter 110 in that the LHCP signal from coupler l52 is upconverted to 1525-2025 MHz using local oscillator 220, mixer 222 and high 3 5 pass filter 226. The filtered output is then combined in diplexer 230 with the RHCP

signal from coupler 154. The signal from local oscillator 220 is also provided to mixer 224 wherein it is combined with the FSS derived signal from coupler 150.
The effect is to downconvert the signal following low-pass filter 228 to the 37S-875 MHz band. After amplification of both signals in amplifiers 232 and 234, the fss, downconverted signal is combined with the other satellite signals in diplexer 236 and 1 o with the off air signals in diplexer 238. The output at terminal 242 is a four band signal covering the frequency range 50-2025 MHz. D.C. bypass and power supply 240 is also provided to supply power to upstream components and the active elements of upconverter 160.
Figure 13 illustrates the downconverter 162 for use in the distribution system of Figure 9. The composite signal from upconverter 160, after distribution by diode steered splitters 118 is provided to terminal 244. Low pass filter 246 separates the off air signal in the 50-300 MHz band and provides the separated signal to terminal 276 for connection to the "off air" terminal of satellite receiver 70. High pass filter 248 separates the three-band satellite signals and provides them to three-2 o way switch 250. Switch 250 includes two poles corresponding to the poles of switch 192 in downconverter 124. In the leftmost position (corresponding to 18v.
d.c.), the composite signal is supplied through switch 252 to satellite signal output terminal 278, which is connected to the satellite input of the satellite receiver 70 for reception of the 950 to 1450 MHZ band of the composite signal. The center position (13v.
d.c.) 2 5 of switches 250 and 252 provides a two-stage heterodyne downconversion of signals using local oscillators 254, 256, mixers 258, 262 and filters 266 to 270, which convert the 1425-2025 MHZ band signals to the 950-1450 band for reception in satellite receiver 70. The third position of switches 250 and 252 is controlled by a combination 13v. d.c. supply voltage and a 22 Khz tone provided to satellite RF port 3 0 278 from receiver 70. In the third position the composite satellite signal is up-converted from the 375-875 MHZ band corresponding to the Ku-band signal in mixers 260 and 264 and using filters 268 and 272. The order of application of the local oscillator signals is reversed to effect conversion from the 375-875 MHZ
band to the 950-1450 MHZ band.

An alternate arrangement for a downconverter 162' is shown in Figure 14. In the downconverter l62', input filters 246, 248 and switches 250, 252 are the same as in the downconverter 162. A single local oscillator 300 is provided to supply signals to mixers 302, 304. Mixer 304 responds to upconvert the 375-875 MHz band to 950 to 1450 MHz. Mixer 302 responds to convert the 152S-2025 MHz frequency band to 950 tp 1450 MHz. Bandpass filter 306, 308 are provided at the mixer outputs.
While there have been described what are believed to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications thereof may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim a11 such changes and modifications as fall with the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for distributing broadcast and satellite television signals to multiple users, comprising a satellite antenna system for receiving satellite signals having first and second polarizations and for providing corresponding first and second satellite signals on respective first and second transmission lines; a broadcast signal antenna system for receiving broadcast signals and for combining said broadcast signals with said satellite signals on at least one of said transmission lines; a dual transmission line distribution system for providing said satellite and broadcast signals to a plurality of user locations; means at said user locations for providing said broadcast signals to a user's television receiver; and a switch at selected user locations for selectively connecting said first or second satellite signals to a satellite signal receiver.

2. A system as specified in claim 1 wherein said broadcast signal antenna system combines said broadcast signals with both of said first and second satellite signals.

3. A system as specif ed in claim 2 wherein a double-pole, double-throw switch is provided at said selected user locations, and wherein said double pole switch comprises said means for providing said broadcast signals to said television receiver and said switch for connecting said first or second satellite signals to a satellite receiver.

4. A system as specified in claim 1 wherein said means for providing said broadcast signals to a television receiver comprises a diplexer.

5. A system for distributing broadcast and satellite television signals to multiple users, comprising: a satellite antenna system for receiving satellite signals having first and second polarizations and a first frequency band, and for providing corresponding first and second satellite signals on respective first and second transmission lines; a signal up-converter for converting said second satellite signal to a second frequency, band higher than said first frequency band; a diplexer for combining said first satellite signal having said first frequency band and said up-converted second satellite signal having said second frequency band to provide combined satellite signals; a broadcast signal antenna system for receiving broadcast signals and for combining said broadcast signals and said combined satellite signals; a transmission line distribution system for providing said combined satellite and broadcast signals to a plurality of user locations; means at said user location for providing said broadcast signals to a user's television receiver; and a satellite signal receiver at selected user locations for receiving said combined satellite signal.

6. A system as specified in claim 5 wherein said means for providing said broadcast signals to a television receiver comprises a diplexer.

7. A system for distributing satellite television signals to multiple users, comprising: a satellite antenna system for receiving satellite signals having first and second polarizations and for providing corresponding first and second satellite signals on respective first and second transmission lines; a dual transmission line distribution system, including series-connected couplers having selected coupling ratios, for providing said first and second satellite signals to a plurality of user locations; and a switch at selected user locations for selectively connecting said first or second satellite signals to a satellite signal receiver.

8. A system for distributing satellite television signals to multiple users, comprising: a satellite antenna system for receiving satellite signals having first and second polarizations and a first frequency band, and for providing corresponding first and second satellite signals on respective first and second transmission lines; a signal up-converter for converting said second satellite signal to a second frequency band higher than said first frequency band; a diplexer for combining said first satellite signal having said first frequency band and said up- converted second satellite signal having said second frequency band to provide combined satellite signals; a transmission line distribution system for providing said combined satellite signals to a plurality of user locations; and a satellite signal receiver at selected user locations for receiving said combined satellite signal.

9. A method for distributing satellite television signals to users at multiple user locations from a common satellite antenna system having first and second output antenna ports corresponding to left and right-hand polarized satellite signals comprising distributing signals from each of said output ports to said user locations over common transmission lines, coupling signals from said common transmission lines by series-connected couplers at said user locations and switching at each user location to selectively connect one of said signals to a satellite signal receiver.

10. A method for distributing satellite television signals to multiple users from a common satellite antenna system having first and second output ports corresponding to left and right hand polarized satellite signals consisting of converting signals from one of said output ports to a selected frequency band, higher than the frequency band of signals from the other of said output ports, combining said converted signals with the signals from said other output port, and distributing said combined signals to user locations.

11. A system for distributing broadcast television signals in a first frequency band and at least two satellite television signals in a second frequency band to a plurality of user locations, comprising a multiple transmission line distribution system for providing said broadcast and satellite television signals to a plurality of a frequency converters for converting at least one of said satellite television signals to a third frequency band non-overlapping with said first and second frequency bands, means for combining said frequency converted satellite television signal, said other satellite television signal and said broadcast television signal to provide a composite signal, and a second distribution system for providing said composite signal to a plurality of user locations.

12. A system as specified in claim 11 wherein said multiple transmission line distribution system comprises series connected couplers.

13. A system as specified in claim 11 wherein said second distribution system comprises diode steered splitters.

14. A system as specified in claim 11 wherein there is further provided a frequency converter at selected user locations for converting said one satellite television signal from said third to said second frequency band.

15. A system for distributing first, second and third satellite television signals in a first frequency band to a plurality of user locations, comprising a dual frequency converter for converting said second satellite television signal to a second frequency band and said third satellite television signal to a third frequency band and a combiner for combining said first satellite television signal with said frequency-converted second and third satellite television signals to form a composite signal, a distribution system for distributing said composite signal to a plurality of user locations and means at said user locations for selectively receiving one of said first, second and third satellite television receivers.

16. A system as specified in claim 15, wherein said dual frequency converter converts said second satellite television signal to a second frequency band higher than said first frequency band and converts said third television signal to a third frequency band lower than said first frequency band.

17. A system as specified in claim 15 wherein said means for receiving said satellite television signals comprises first and second frequency converters and switches for selecting said frequency converters.

18. A system as specified in claim 15 wherein there is provided means for combining off air television signals with said composite signal.

19. A system as specified in claim 15 wherein said distribution system comprises diode-steered splitters.

20. A method for distributing first, second and third satellite television signals in a first frequency band to a plurality of user locations, comprising frequency converting said second satellite television signals to a second frequency band, frequency converting said third satellite signals to a third frequency band, combining said first satellite television signals with said frequency converted second and third satellite signals to form composite signals and distributing said composite signals.

21. A method as specified in claim 20 further comprising the step of combining said composite signal with broadcast television signals.