In-building communications hybrid system apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A hybrid in-building communications system comprising:
- a donor antenna system;
an indoor antenna system;
an interface box;
a structure;
a portable bi-directional amplifier system;
said donor antenna system comprises a first antenna and a first cable;
said indoor antenna system comprises a second antenna and a second cable;
said interface box comprises a housing with a door, a first interface pass through connector having a first side and a second side, and a second interface pass through connector having a first side and a second side;
said second side of said first interface pass through connector and said second side of said second interface pass through connector are accessible from the exterior of said structure when said door of said interface box is open;
said first antenna is mounted to a first surface of said structure;
said second antenna is mounted to a second surface of said structure;
said interface box is mounted to a third surface of said structure;
said first cable connects said first antenna to said first side of said first interface pass through connector;
said second cable connects said second antenna to said first side of said second interface pass through connector;
said portable bi-directional amplifier system comprises a bi-directional amplifier, a downlink antenna port, an uplink antenna port, a battery power supply, a third cable, and a fourth cable;
said third cable removably connects said downlink antenna port and said second side of said first interface pass through connector;
said fourth cable removably connects said uplink antenna port and said second side of said second interface pass through connector, andsaid bi-directional amplifier, when connected by said third and fourth cables and powered by said battery power supply, amplifies a first signal received from said first antenna and transmits said amplified first signal on said second antenna and amplifies a second signal received from said second antenna and transmits said amplified second signal on said first antenna.
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Abstract
An In-Building Communications system is disclosed which permits communication in tunnels, underground parking garages, tall buildings such as skyscrapers, buildings having thick walls of concrete or metal, and/or any building which has communication dead zones due to electromagnetic shielding. The invention includes a portable bi-directional amplifier (BDA) system, an outdoor antenna system attached to the building or independently mountable, an indoor antenna system attached to the building or independently mountable inside the building, and a standardized, In-Building Communications (IBC) interface box affixed preferably to the exterior of the building. The interface box communicates with antenna systems attached to the building. The fire department or other emergency response personnel carry portable outdoor and indoor antenna systems and a portable, lithium-ion battery powered, bi-directional amplifier (BDA) system which may be connected to the building during an event such as a fire, earthquake, or an act of terrorism or whenever radio coverage enhancement is required. The portable BDA system is simply connected to the standardized, IBC interface box and powered thus restoring communications within.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A hybrid in-building communications system comprising:
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a donor antenna system; an indoor antenna system; an interface box; a structure; a portable bi-directional amplifier system; said donor antenna system comprises a first antenna and a first cable; said indoor antenna system comprises a second antenna and a second cable; said interface box comprises a housing with a door, a first interface pass through connector having a first side and a second side, and a second interface pass through connector having a first side and a second side; said second side of said first interface pass through connector and said second side of said second interface pass through connector are accessible from the exterior of said structure when said door of said interface box is open; said first antenna is mounted to a first surface of said structure; said second antenna is mounted to a second surface of said structure; said interface box is mounted to a third surface of said structure; said first cable connects said first antenna to said first side of said first interface pass through connector; said second cable connects said second antenna to said first side of said second interface pass through connector; said portable bi-directional amplifier system comprises a bi-directional amplifier, a downlink antenna port, an uplink antenna port, a battery power supply, a third cable, and a fourth cable; said third cable removably connects said downlink antenna port and said second side of said first interface pass through connector; said fourth cable removably connects said uplink antenna port and said second side of said second interface pass through connector, and said bi-directional amplifier, when connected by said third and fourth cables and powered by said battery power supply, amplifies a first signal received from said first antenna and transmits said amplified first signal on said second antenna and amplifies a second signal received from said second antenna and transmits said amplified second signal on said first antenna. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A hybrid in-building communications system comprising:
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an outdoor antenna system; an indoor antenna system; an interface box; a structure; a bi-directional amplifier system; said outdoor antenna system comprises a first antenna and a first cable; said indoor antenna system comprises a second antenna and a second cable; said interface box comprises a housing with a door, a first interface pass through connector having a first side and a second side, a second interface pass through connector having a first side and a second side, a third interface pass through connector having a first side and a second side, and a fourth interface pass through connector having a first side and a second side; said second side of said first interface pass through connector, said second side of said second interface pass through connector, said second side of said third interface pass through connector, and said second side of said fourth interface pass through connector are accessible from the exterior of said structure when said door of said interface box is open; said first antenna is mounted to a first exterior surface of said structure; said second antenna is mounted to a first interior surface of said structure; said interface box is mounted to a second exterior surface of said structure; said bi-directional amplifier system is positioned interior to said structure; said first cable connects said first antenna to said first side of said first interface pass through connector; said second cable connects said second antenna to said first side of said second interface pass through connector; said bi-directional amplifier system comprises a bi-directional amplifier, a downlink antenna port, an uplink antenna port, a third cable, and a fourth cable; said third cable connects said downlink antenna port and said first side of said third interface pass through connector; said fourth cable connects said uplink antenna port and said first side of said fourth interface pass through connector; a fifth cable removably connects said second side of said third interface pass through connector to said second side of said first interface pass through connector; a sixth cable removably connects said second side of said fourth interface pass through connector to said second side of said second interface pass through connector, and said bi-directional amplifier, when said fifth and said sixth cables are connected, amplifies a first signal received from said first antenna and transmits said amplified first signal on said second antenna and amplifies a second signal received from said second antenna and transmits said amplified second signal on said first antenna. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for operating a hybrid in-building communications system comprising the steps of:
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transporting a portable bi-directional amplifier system to the exterior of a structure having an interface box; unlocking a door of said interface box; opening said door of said interface box; connecting, using a first cable, a downlink port of said portable bi-directional amplifier system to an outdoor antenna port of said interface box; connecting, using a second cable, an uplink port of said portable bi-directional amplifier system to an indoor antenna port of said interface box; powering said portable bi-directional amplifier system using a battery power supply; receiving a first signal from said outdoor antenna port; amplifying said first signal using a bi-directional amplifier; transmitting said first signal to said indoor antenna port; receiving a second signal from said indoor antenna port; amplifying said second signal using said bi-directional amplifier; transmitting said second signal to said outdoor antenna port; monitoring, using a controller, the power of said first and second signals, and indicating, using said controller and a status light, the operational status of said bi-directional amplifier.
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Specification