Method and apparatus for extending high bandwidth communication services to the edge of the network
First Claim
1. A method of providing communications services, comprising:
- interconnecting a data link from a high bandwidth network to a base unit; and
transmitting subterranean wireless signals from the base unit to a second unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
High bandwidth services provided in the core of the network may be extended to the network edge by utilizing one or more underground wireless communications links. The underground communications link may be formed by burying a broadcasting antenna in a first underground location and then burying another underground antenna at a geographic point where services are desired. By transmitting the signals underground, it is possible to reach a large number of remote sites without undertaking the expense associated with providing direct high-speed fiber optic, cable, or wireline connections to those sites. Additionally, since the transmission is underground, the wireless communications may be provided in a portion of the spectrum otherwise licensed for use aboveground. This reuse of spectrum in a different transmission medium results in a large increase in the amount of data that may be transmitted over the existing allocated wireless spectrum.
261 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of providing communications services, comprising:
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interconnecting a data link from a high bandwidth network to a base unit; and
transmitting subterranean wireless signals from the base unit to a second unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for extending a high bandwidth communications network, comprising:
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a base unit configured to receive high bandwidth communications signals from the high bandwidth communications network; and
a subterranean antenna connected to said base unit and configured to broadcast subterranean wireless signals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A network, comprising:
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a base unit configured to receive signals from a high bandwidth communications link and to transmit said high frequency high bandwidth signals under ground as high frequency high bandwidth underground data signals; and
a plurality of remote units, each said remote unit having the ability to receive the high frequency high bandwidth underground data signals. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification