Waveguide-based wireless distribution system and method of operation

• US 20070063914A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wireless Expressways, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Charles Becker
• Inventors: Becker, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,606,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/840
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/60 wet, i.e. containing extinguishing material even when not in use
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0018 using gases or vapours that do not support combustion, e.g. steam, carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/23 for a bundle of pipes or a plurality of pipes placed side by side in contact with each other F16L3/237 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/26 specially adapted for supporting the pipes all along their length, e.g. pipe channels or ducts channels for electric cables formed by wire H02G3/0443
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/12 Hollow waveguides H01P3/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/127 with a circular, elliptic, or parabolic cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/103 Hollow-waveguide/coaxial-line transitions
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/12 Coupling devices having more than two ports H01P5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/18 consisting of two coupled guides, e.g. directional couplers
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/007 specially adapted for indoor communication
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/0233 Horns fed by a slotted waveguide array biconical horns H01Q13/06
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/22 Longitudinal slot in boundary wall of waveguide or transmission line H01Q13/203 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0043 Slotted waveguides combination with horns H01Q13/0233
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The design and use of a simplified, highly efficient, waveguide-based wireless distribution system are provided. A low-loss waveguide is used to transport wireless signals from a signal source or sources to one or more receiver locations. One or more adjustable signal coupling devices partially insert into the waveguide at predetermined locations along the length of the system to provide variable, controlled extraction of one or more wireless signals. Low-loss impedance matching circuitry is provided between the waveguide coupling devices and output connectors to maintain high system efficiency. The system offers the capability of supplying signals of high strength and high quality to a large number of receivers in a wide wireless coverage area via a plurality of signal radiators. Some embodiments of the system are readily adaptable for wireless distribution service in HVAC plenum spaces. A system that combines the functions of fire extinguishing and waveguide wireless distribution is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A simplified, high-efficiency, distribution system for carrying wireless signals between at least one signal source and at least one location proximate to a signal receiver, comprising:

a wireless waveguide for communicating said wireless communication signals from said wireless signal source to said wireless receiver location, said wireless waveguide comprising a hollow cross-section structural construction, said hollow cross-section structural construction comprising a highly conductive inner surface;

at least one wireless signal coupling device inserted into said wireless waveguide at at least one predetermined location along said wireless waveguide;

impedance matching circuitry which impedance transforms and connects the output of said coupling device to at least one wireless signal connector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the said waveguide comprises two or more physically separate sections that are joined together to form said wireless waveguide.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said hollow waveguide is capable of operated in one or more waveguide propagation modes.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said hollow cross-section structural construction of said waveguide comprises an essentially elliptical construction.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said hollow cross-section structural construction of said waveguide comprises an essentially rectangular construction.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said hollow cross-section structural construction of said waveguide comprises an essentially circular construction.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said hollow cross-section structural construction of said waveguide comprises essentially any one or a plurality of shapes for supporting the propagation of electromagnetic energy in a desired frequency range.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless waveguide comprises an essentially metal construction.

9. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein the waveguide is fabricated using an extrusion process.

10. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein the waveguide is fabricated using a modified, precursor hollow shape.

11. The waveguide of claim 1, wherein forming and punching processes are used to fabricate wireless waveguides from a starting sheet metal.

12. The processes of claim 11, wherein the waveguide is partially fabricated from a starting sheet metal stock.

13. The processes of claim 11, wherein the starting sheet metal process comprises a sheet metal that is coated with a highly conductive coating on at least the surface that becomes the inside surface of the final wireless waveguide.

14. The processes of claim 11, wherein the final sheet metal form is closed through crimping or welding.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless waveguide comprises an essentially plastic construction.

16. The waveguide of claim 15, wherein the inner surface of the plastic form is composed of a highly conductive metal.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said system contains at least one radio frequency detector.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more signals of pre-determined frequencies are multiplexed onto the wireless waveguide by using one or more propagation modes within the waveguide.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein a signal interface assembly is attached to the said waveguide and said interface assembly is a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, filter, filters, combiner, duplexer, amplifier, amplifiers, or any combination of these, or any other passive or active radio frequency device adapted for connection of wireless signals into and/or out of a waveguide.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless waveguide is mechanically attached to a structure used for the support of cables or pipes.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless waveguide forms at least a portion of a supporting structure for cables or pipes.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is integrated into architectural features of a building.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless distribution system is fabricated with suitable materials to comply with relevant fire safety regulations pertaining to installation of the wireless distribution system in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) plenum spaces of a building.

24. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one pre-positioned aperture located along said wireless waveguide.

25. The pre-positioned aperture of claim 24, wherein the aperture is a direct radiator from the waveguide to free space.

26. The direct radiating aperture of claim 25, wherein the aperture is variable in size of opening.

27. The pre-positioned aperture of claim 24, wherein the pre-positioned aperture is initially covered with removable material that seals and reestablishes the radio frequency integrity of the waveguide when it is placed over the aperture.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal coupling device partially inserts into said hollow cross-section structural construction for providing a variable coupling of a desired level of one or more signals from inside said wireless waveguide to impedance matching circuitry whose output connects to a connector port outside said wireless waveguide.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said signal coupling and impedance matching circuitry attaches directly to an electromagnetic radiating device for radiating electromagnetic energy from said wireless waveguide.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal coupling device operates essentially by sampling the electric field within said wireless waveguide.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein said impedance matching circuitry comprises circuitry for transforming lower, reactive, impedances of a probe within said wireless waveguide into higher, non-reactive impedances for output from said impedance matching circuitry.

32. The signal coupling device of claim 1, wherein a variable inductance is used in electrical tandem with the said coupling device to variably cancel out capacitive reactance inherent in the impedance of the electric probe as the depth of penetration of the electric probe into the waveguide is changed.

33. The probe assembly of claim 31 wherein the said variable inductance is formed interior to an element of the probe device.

34. The signal coupler of claim 32 wherein the variable inductance decreases in inductance as the electric probe is extended into the waveguide.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal coupling device operates essentially by sampling the magnetic field with a conductor loop within said wireless waveguide.

36. The signal coupling device of claim 35, wherein a variable capacitance is used in electrical tandem with the said coupling device to variably cancel out inductive reactance inherent in the impedance of the conductor loop probe as the size of the loop probe in the waveguide is changed.

37. The signal coupling circuitry of claim 36, wherein the said variable capacitance is formed interior to an element of the conductor loop probe device.

38. The signal coupling circuitry of claim 36, wherein the variable capacitance increases as the conductor loop probe is extended into the waveguide.

39. The signal coupling circuitry of claim 35, wherein the amount of coupling from the wireless waveguide is varied by rotating the conductor loop probe inside the waveguide.

40. The wireless waveguide of claim 1, wherein two or more sections of the wireless waveguide are mechanically and electrically connected in tandem by using a wrap-around metal sleeve.

41. The wrap-around sleeve of claim 40, wherein the sleeve is secured with one or more encircling clamps.

42. The wireless waveguide of claim 1, wherein two or more sections of the wireless waveguide are mechanically and electrically connected using fastened, clam-shell shaped joining devices.

47. The system of claim 15 further comprising electric or conductor loop signal coupling devices.

48. The system of claim 15 further comprising impedance matching circuitry between said electric or magnetic loop signal coupling device and said output connector.

43. A simplified, high-efficiency, remotely adjustable waveguide distribution system for carrying wireless signals between at least one signal source and at least one location proximate to a signal receiver, comprising:

a wireless waveguide for communicating said wireless communication signals from said wireless signal source to said wireless receiver location, said wireless waveguide comprising a hollow cross-section structural construction, said hollow cross-section structural construction comprising a highly conductive inner surface;

at least one remotely adjustable wireless signal coupling device at least partially inserted into said wireless waveguide at at least one predetermined location along said wireless waveguide;

impedance matching circuitry which impedance transforms and connects the impedance of at least one said signal coupling device to at least one wireless signal connector.

44. The system of claim 43, further comprising electrical signaling and control circuitry for performing electrical signaling functions for the control and monitoring of said remotely adjustable wireless signal coupler device.

45. The system of claim 43, further comprising at least one radio frequency detector for monitoring signals at at least one predetermined point in said wireless waveguide.

46. The remotely adjustable wireless signal coupling device of claim 43 wherein said coupling device has at least one sensor incorporated for measuring and reporting mechanical position data of the coupling device.

49. A dual-function waveguide-based wireless distribution system comprising:

at least one wireless waveguide;

a fluid or gaseous fire extinguishing medium;

at least one combined-function antenna and fluid or gas-emitting assembly; and

wherein said at least one wireless waveguide, antenna, and fluid or gas emitting assembly associate for the combined function of providing said dual-function waveguide-based wireless distribution and fire extinguishing system.