Transponder systems and methods for radio-over-fiber (ROF) wireless picocellular systems
First Claim
1. A transponder system with enhanced antenna directivity, for use in a radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system, comprising:
- a transponder having a converter pair unit adapted to convert radio-frequency (RF) electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa, and an antenna system having at least one antenna element operably coupled to the converter pair unit; and
at least one radiation-reflecting member arranged relative to the at least one antenna element so as to provide enhanced antenna directivity as compared to not having the at least one radiation-reflecting member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Transponder systems and methods for radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system are disclosed. One type of transponder system includes a RoF transponder used in combination with at least one radiation-reflector assembly to provide for enhanced antenna directivity of the transponder. Another type of transponder system is a transponder node assembly, wherein two or more transponders are integrated into a single assembly, thereby reducing cost while facilitating RoF wireless picocellular system deployment. Another type of transponder system provides one or more transponders in a RoF wireless picocellular system with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, and uses an RFID tag reader to locate and read information from the transponders, as well as to perform transponder mode selection. Another type of transponder system is directed to a tether cable assembly that includes a dispensible/retractable coiled tether cable housed in a protective housing for connecting the tether cable to a transponder.
150 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A transponder system with enhanced antenna directivity, for use in a radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system, comprising:
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a transponder having a converter pair unit adapted to convert radio-frequency (RF) electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa, and an antenna system having at least one antenna element operably coupled to the converter pair unit; and at least one radiation-reflecting member arranged relative to the at least one antenna element so as to provide enhanced antenna directivity as compared to not having the at least one radiation-reflecting member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing enhanced antenna directivity for a radio-over-fiber (RoF) transponder for a wireless picocellular system, the transponder having an antenna system with at least one antenna element, the method comprising:
arranging at least one radiation-reflecting member relative to the at least one antenna element so as to provide enhanced antenna directivity as compared to not having the at least one radiation-reflecting member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A radiation-reflector assembly for a transponder system for a radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system, comprising:
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a radiation-reflecting member adapted to reflect radio-frequency (RF) radiation; a support member arranged to support the radiation-reflecting member; and a mounting member arranged to engage the support member so as to support the support member and radiation-reflecting member in a position relative to the antenna system so as to provide enhanced antenna directivity as compared to the absence of the radiation-reflecting member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A transponder radio-frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:
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a radio-over-fiber (RoF) transponder adapted to convert radio-frequency (RF) electrical signals to RF optical signals and vice versa; a RFID tag positioned relative to the transponder and adapted to produce a RFID-tag signal that functions as a ping signal to locate the RFID tag; and a RFID tag reader adapted to cause the RFID tag to emit the RFID-tag signal and to detect and process the RFID tag signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A tether cable assembly for a radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system having an optical fiber cable, comprising:
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a tether cable having at least one optical fiber, at least one electrical wire, and proximal and distal ends; a spool around which the tether cable can be coiled and uncoiled; a housing surrounding the spool and having a first slot sized to pass the tether cable; a RoF transponder connected to tether cable proximate end; and wherein the tether cable distal end is adapted to operably couple to the optical fiber cable. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of storing and/or dispensing a tether cable for a radio-over-fiber (RoF) transponder, comprising:
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coiling a tether cable on a spool, wherein the tether cable has a minimum bending radius and includes proximal and distal ends, with the transponder operably coupled to one of the tether cable proximal and distal ends, the tether cable further including at least one optical fiber and at least one wire, and wherein said coiling is performed so that all parts of the tether cable have a bending radius greater than the minimum bending radius; housing the spool in a protective housing having at least one slot sized to allow the tether cable to pass therethrough to allow the tether cable to be dispensed from or retracted to the spool.
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Specification