WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS METHODS AND SYSTEMS USING A REMOTE, SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA UNIT

• US 20080070633A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.,FORMERLY KNOWN AS BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP.
• Original Assignee: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.,FORMERLY KNOWN AS BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP.
• Inventors: Knight, Clifford
• Granted Patent: US 7,463,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/561
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 with particular tuning means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/045 between access point and backbone network device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/12 between access points and access point controllers

Abstract

This invention provides wireless communications using a remote, self-contained communications antenna unit that transceives signals from a disconnected cell site and communicates these signals with a communications network. In an exemplary embodiment, the remote, self-contained communications antenna unit includes a transportation vehicle that carries a generator for power, backup batteries, transmitter and receiver equipment, a digital signal processor (DSX), a network interface unit, an air conditioner, and an extendible mast.

Claims

1. A method for establishing wireless communications, comprising:

transceiving wireless communication signals between a wireless device and a disconnected cell site;

transceiving communication signals between said disconnected cell site and an external communications antenna apparatus; and

transceiving communication signals between said external communications antenna apparatus and a communications network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the disconnected cell site has been disconnected from its wireless system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the external communications antenna apparatus comprises a remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein communication between the external communications antenna apparatus and the disconnected cell site is set up via a communication link means.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication signals between said cell site and said communication apparatus are signals of wireless communications.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are for wireless paging devices.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication signals between said communication apparatus and said communication network are signals of wireless communications.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said communications network comprises a celestial communications network.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein said communications network comprises a terrestrial communications network.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless device comprises at least one of the following:

(a) a phone;

(b) a computer;

(c) a modem;

(d) a pager;

(e) a personal data assistant;

(f) a global positioning system receiver; and

(g) an interactive television.

11. A method for establishing wireless communications, comprising:

receiving wireless communication signals at a disconnected cell site the signals received from a wireless;

transmitting communication signals from the disconnected cell site to an external communications antenna apparatus;

wherein the communication antenna apparatus transmits communications signals to a communications network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the disconnected cell site has been disconnected from its wireless system.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the external communications antenna apparatus comprises a remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein communication between the external communications antenna apparatus and the disconnected cell site is set up via a communication link means.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication signals between said cell site and said communication apparatus are signals of wireless communications.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are for wireless paging devices.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication signals between said communication apparatus and said communication network are signals of wireless communications.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said communications network comprises a celestial communications network.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said communications network comprises a terrestrial communications network.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein said wireless device comprises at least one of the following:

(a) a phone;

(b) a computer;

(c) a modem;

(d) a pager;

(e) a personal data assistant;

(f) a global positioning system receiver; and

(g) an interactive television.