Architecture for signal distribution in wireless data networks
First Claim
1. A distribution network for coupling wireless metropolitan area network signals between an internetworking device and a plurality of remotely located access points, to provide wireless metropolitan area network service within a geographic coverage area composed of microcells, the distribution network making use of available transport cabling, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of cable access points, each deployed within a respective one of the microcells, the cable access points each further comprising;
i) a wireless metropolitan area network access point, for receiving wireless metropolitan area network signals from computing equipment located within the respective microcell, and converting such signals to local area network compatible signals;
ii) an access point remote converter, for receiving the local area network compatible signals from the wireless metropolitan area network access point and converting such signals to transport modulated format signals suitable for transmission over the available transport cabling; and
(b) a head end access point, comprising;
i) a head end remote bridge, connected to receive the transport modulated format signals from the transport cabling, and to convert such signals to local area network compatible signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A simple and low cost architecture for coupling wireless metropolitan area network and mobile broadband wireless network signals between geographically distributed access points and centrally located internetworking devices. A cable access point (CAP) is associated with each respective microcell. Each CAP includes a remote bridge to convert such signals to a convenient transport format depending upon the available cabling. For example, if the available cabling is a cable television (CATV) plant, the transport signals are first converted to a T1/T3 format and up-converted to a carrier frequency suitable for the CATV plant. Alternatively, the transport signals may be converted to cable modem signals. If the available cabling is twisted pair telephone type wiring, the remote bridge converts the transport signals to a suitable Digital Subscriber Line (XDSL) format. The transport signals are collected at a central distribution or head end access point (HAP). At this location, a remote bridge then converts the signals from the up-converted T1 format or the xDSL format, back to the Ethernet local area network format. These Ethernet signals are then suitable for coupling to a local area network hub or other internetworking equipment such as switches, bridges, routers, and gateways.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A distribution network for coupling wireless metropolitan area network signals between an internetworking device and a plurality of remotely located access points, to provide wireless metropolitan area network service within a geographic coverage area composed of microcells, the distribution network making use of available transport cabling, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of cable access points, each deployed within a respective one of the microcells, the cable access points each further comprising;
i) a wireless metropolitan area network access point, for receiving wireless metropolitan area network signals from computing equipment located within the respective microcell, and converting such signals to local area network compatible signals;
ii) an access point remote converter, for receiving the local area network compatible signals from the wireless metropolitan area network access point and converting such signals to transport modulated format signals suitable for transmission over the available transport cabling; and
(b) a head end access point, comprising;
i) a head end remote bridge, connected to receive the transport modulated format signals from the transport cabling, and to convert such signals to local area network compatible signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A distribution network for coupling mobile broadband wireless network signals (e.g. IEEE 802.20) between an internetworking device and a plurality of remotely located access points, to provide mobile broadband wireless service within a geographic coverage area composed of microcells, the distribution network making use of available transport cabling, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of cable access points, each deployed within a respective one of the microcells, the cable access points each further comprising;
i) a broadband mobile wireless network access point, for receiving mobile broadband wireless network signals from computing equipment located within the respective microcell, and converting such signals to local area network compatible signals;
ii) an access point remote converter, for receiving the local area network compatible signals from the mobile broadband wireless network access point and converting such signals to transport modulated format signals suitable for transmission over the available transport cabling; and
(b) a head end access point, comprising;
i) a head end remote bridge, connected to receive the transport modulated format signals from the transport cabling, and to convert such signals to local area network compatible signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20)
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- 16. A distribution network as in claim 111 wherein the cable access point and head end access point use a cable modem to perform the transport modulation, conversion, and bridging functions.
Specification