Hybrid wireless optical and radio frequency communication link
First Claim
1. A node incorporating hybrid radio frequency and optical wireless communication links, the node comprising:
- a. at least one laser portion for transmitting data;
b. at least one radio frequency portion for transmitting data;
c. a data receiver for receiving data from a data source; and
d. a controller configured to receive data from a data source and connected with the laser portion and the radio frequency portion to allocate portions of the data to be transmitted through the laser portion and the radio frequency portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid wireless optical and radio frequency (RF) communication link utilizes parallel free-space optical and RF paths for transmitting data and control and status information. The optical link provides the primary path for the data, and the RF link provides a concurrent or backup path for the network data, as well as a reliable and primary path for the control and status information. When atmospheric conditions degrade the optical link to the point at which optical data transmission fails, the hybrid communication link switches to the RF link to maintain availability of data communications. The switch may occur automatically, based on an assessment of the quality of the optical signal communicated through the optical path.
126 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A node incorporating hybrid radio frequency and optical wireless communication links, the node comprising:
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a. at least one laser portion for transmitting data;
b. at least one radio frequency portion for transmitting data;
c. a data receiver for receiving data from a data source; and
d. a controller configured to receive data from a data source and connected with the laser portion and the radio frequency portion to allocate portions of the data to be transmitted through the laser portion and the radio frequency portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A network incorporating hybrid radio frequency and optical wireless communication links, said network comprising a plurality of nodes, each node including:
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a. at least one laser portion for transmitting data;
b. at least one radio frequency portion for transmitting data;
c. a data receiver for receiving data from a data source; and
d. a controller configured to receive data from a data source and connected with the laser portion and the radio frequency portion to allocate portions of the data to be transmitted through the laser portion and the radio frequency portion. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification