Communications system and method

• US 20060094470A1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NextG Networks
• Original Assignee: Microwave Photonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Beacham, Keith, Wake, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,313,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/562.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

A signal distribution system for distributing signals, such as for outdoor wireless networks, comprises a number of remote hubs, each of which can direct wireless signals to a number of antennas. The antennas are used to provide wireless service to the service users, such as mobile units, within their geographic coverage area. The remote hubs are connected to main hubs, which are usually located centrally. Each main hub can support a number of remote hubs. The main hubs are connected to a number of base stations (again usually located centrally) in a flexible and re-configurable manner using a switch matrix. Some remote hubs may also include switched matrices for a further level of signal routing.

Claims

1. A communications system comprising:

a plurality of base stations transmitting signals;

a plurality of distributed antennas in communication with mobile devices;

a switch matrix in operation with the plurality of base stations to route the signals to the plurality of distributed antennas; and

a plurality of links for transmitting the routed signals from the switch matrix to the plurality of distributed antennas, wherein at least one of the plurality of links is a wireless link.

2. The communications system of claim 1 further comprising at least one hub between the switch matrix and the plurality of distributed antennas for transmitting routed signals from the switch matrix to the plurality of distributed antennas.

3. The communications system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of distributed antennas are arranged in a plurality of clusters and wherein the hub transmits routed signals to only a cluster of distributed antennas.

4. The communications system of claim 3 further comprising at least one remote hub between the hub and the cluster of distributed antennas for transmitting routed signals from the hub to the cluster.

5. The communications system of claim 4 further wherein at least one antenna in the cluster of distributed antennas comprises a remote unit with an antenna.

6. The communications system of claim 4 wherein the remote hub comprises a switch matrix to route signals from the hub to a group of distributed antennas in the cluster.

7. The communications system of claim 4 further comprising:

a second remote hub between the hub and the cluster for transmitting routed signals from the hub to the cluster; and

a link between the remote hub and the second remote hub.

8. The communications system of claim 7 further comprising a control system and wherein each of the remote hub and the second remote hub comprises a switch matrix controlled by the control system.

9. The communications system of claim 1 wherein the wireless link transmits routed signals at a radio carrier frequency band of at least one of the plurality of base stations.

10. The communications system of claim 1 wherein the wireless link transmits routed signal at a radio carrier frequency band different from a radio carrier frequency band of at least one of the plurality of base stations.

11. The communications system of claim 1 wherein the wireless link is a free space optical link that transmits routed signals at an optical frequency.

12. The communications system of claim 1 wherein all the plurality of links are wireless links.

13. A communications method comprising:

transmitting signals from a plurality of base stations to a switch matrix;

routing the signals by the switch matrix; and

transmitting routed signals to a plurality of distributed antennas via a plurality of links wherein at least one of the plurality of links is a wireless link.

14. The communications method of claim 13 wherein the step of transmitting comprises a first step of transmitting routed signals to a hub and a second step of transmitting routed signals from the hub to the plurality of distributed antennas.

15. The communications method of claim 14 wherein the second step of transmitting comprises sending routed signals from the hub to only a cluster of distributed antennas from the plurality of antennas.

16. The communications method of claim 15 wherein the step of sending comprises a first step of sending routed signals from the hub to a remote hub and a second step of sending routed signals from the remote hub to the cluster.

17. The communications method of claim 16 wherein the second step of sending comprises routing signals by a switch matrix in the remote hub to a group of distributed antennas in the cluster.

18. The communications method of claim 16 further comprising:

transmitting signals routed signals from the hub to the cluster by a second remote hub; and

connecting the remote hub and the second remote hub.