WAVEGUIDE-BASED WIRELESS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

• US 20090325628A1
• Filed: 09/08/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wireless Expressways, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Charles D. Becker
• Inventors: BECKER, Charles D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,078,215 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/523
• 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 wireless distribution system adapted for installation with, or integrated into, a mechanical carrier tray assembly, comprising:

a carrier tray;

a first hollow waveguide of consistent cross section serving the dual purpose of a functioning wireless communications waveguide and a structural element of the mechanical carrier tray assembly, the mechanical carrier tray assembly supports cables, pipes, tubing, or ducts; and

a signal coupler coupled to the first hollow waveguide at a preselected location along the first hollow waveguide for interchanging energy with the first hollow waveguide.

2. The wireless distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a port on the signal coupler for connection to a wireless radiating device;

and

a radiating device connected to the port of the signal coupler.

3. The wireless distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a pre-positioned aperture in the first hollow waveguide wherein the pre-positioned aperture is a direct radiator from the first hollow waveguide to free space.

4. The wireless distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a second hollow waveguide of consistent cross section serving the dual purpose of a functioning wireless communications waveguide and a structural element of the mechanical carrier tray assembly.

5. The wireless distribution system of claim 4 wherein the cross section of the first hollow waveguide and the cross section of the second hollow waveguide are of similar dimensions to propagate similar groups of frequencies.

6. The wireless distribution system of claim 4 wherein the cross section of the first hollow waveguide and the cross section of the second hollow waveguide are of different dimensions to propagate different groups of frequencies.

7. The wireless distribution system of claim 4 further comprising a signal coupler coupled to the second hollow waveguide at a preselected location along the second hollow waveguide, wherein the preselected location along the first hollow waveguide and the preselected location along the second hollow waveguide are at the same lineal position on each of the first and second hollow waveguides.

8. The wireless distribution system of claim 4 further comprising a signal coupler coupled to the second hollow waveguide at a preselected location along the second hollow waveguide, wherein the preselected location along the first hollow waveguide and the preselected location along the second hollow waveguide are at different lineal positions on each of the first and second hollow waveguides.

9. The wireless distribution system of claim 1 wherein a variable amount of signal energy is coupled from the first hollow waveguide by adjusting a mechanical variable on the signal coupler.

10. The wireless distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first hollow waveguide comprises a hollow material whose inner surface is a highly conductive metal configured to minimize radio frequency resistive losses due to skin effect at high frequencies.

11. The wireless distribution system of claim 1 wherein the shape of the first hollow waveguide is round, elliptical, rectangular, or any linear hollow shape of consistent cross section.

12. The wireless distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first hollow waveguide is coupled to a separate hollow waveguide for further transmission.

13. The wireless distribution system of claim 12 wherein an intermediate transmission line is coupled between the first hollow waveguide and the separate hollow waveguide.

14. The wireless distribution system of claim 1 wherein the wireless distribution system meets government and industry fire and smoke regulations for use in a HVAC return air plenum.

15. A dual purpose wireless distribution and fire extinguishing system comprising:

a metallic pipe that functions as a hollow wireless waveguide temporally used as a conduit for distribution of wireless signals and temporally used as a delivery conduit for a fire extinguishing fluid, the metallic pipe containing an initially pressurized gas whose decrease in pressure will trigger the release of the fire extinguishing fluid into the metallic pipe;

a signal coupler coupled to the metallic pipe at a preselected location along the metallic pipe for interchanging electromagnetic energy with the metallic pipe, and in fluid connection with the metallic pipe to transfer the fire extinguishing fluid; and

a dual purpose head attached to the signal coupler that acts as both a wireless radio antenna in a wireless distribution system and a normally functioning fire extinguisher head, whereby the head opens a fluid path that causes a decrease in pressure in the metallic pipe upon detection of excess heat.

16. The dual purpose wireless distribution and fire extinguishing system of claim 15 wherein an inner surface of the metallic pipe is coated with a metal of high electrical conductivity that is sufficiently thick for the carriage of high frequency wireless signals.

17. The dual purpose wireless distribution system and fire extinguishing system of claim 15 wherein the topology of pipe distribution, fittings, bends, and connections allow for waveguide signal distribution and the flow of the fire extinguishing fluid.

18. A wireless distribution system comprising:

a waveguide with a longitudinally consistent hollow cross-sectional structure and electrically conductive inner surface that supports the transmission of wireless signal energy from a wireless signal source to a location proximate to a wireless receiver location;

a plurality of signal ports to inject and extract wireless signal energy; and

a plurality of signal coupling devices coupled to the plurality of signal ports, each of the plurality of signal coupling devices includes;

an impedance transforming section connected between an input port and an output port of each of the signal coupling devices;

a conductor at least partially contained within the impedance transforming section;

a signal probe inserted into the waveguide and coupled to the conductor, wherein the impedance transforming section and the conductor are configured to present to the signal probe a substantially conjugate impedance of the signal probe impedance when the signal probe is contained at least partially within an interior of the waveguide; and

a signal radiating device is connected to the output port of each of the plurality of signal coupling devices.

19. The wireless distribution system of claim 18 further comprising an additional waveguide with a longitudinally consistent hollow cross-sectional structure and electrically conductive inner surface that supports the transmission of wireless signal energy from a wireless signal source to a location proximate to a wireless receiver.

20. The wireless distribution system of claim 19 wherein at least one of the plurality of signal couplers is spaced at the same linear location along the waveguide as a signal coupler coupled to the additional waveguide.

21. The wireless distribution system of claim 18 wherein at least two of the plurality of signal probes are configured at the same linear location along the waveguide and are coupled to the waveguide with substantially 90 degrees of separation relative to an axis of the waveguide.

22. The wireless distribution system of claim 19 wherein the waveguide and the additional waveguide are both configured to transport a group of frequencies in the same bandwidth, and the group of frequencies in the waveguide is uncorrelated with the group of frequencies in the additional waveguide in at least instantaneous amplitude, frequency, or phase.

23. A method of operating a wireless distribution system comprising:

providing the wireless distribution system that includes;

a waveguide with a longitudinally consistent hollow cross-sectional structure and electrically conductive inner surface that supports the transmission of wireless signal energy from a wireless signal source to a location proximate to a wireless receiver location,

a plurality of signal ports to inject and extract wireless signal energy, and

a plurality of signal coupling devices coupled to the plurality of signal ports, each of the plurality of signal coupling devices includes;

an impedance transforming section connected between an input port and an output port of each of the signal coupling devices,

a conductor at least partially contained within the impedance transforming section,

a signal probe inserted into the waveguide and coupled to the conductor, wherein the impedance transforming section and the conductor are configured to present to the signal probe a substantially conjugate impedance of the signal probe impedance when the signal probe is contained at least partially within an interior of the waveguide, and

a signal radiating device is connected to the output port of each of the plurality of signal coupling devices; and

inserting a first group of wireless signals in a preselected bandwidth into the waveguide.

24. The method of operating a wireless distribution system of claim 23 further comprising inserting a second group of wireless signals into the waveguide, where the first and second groups of wireless signals occupy different frequencies.

25. The method of operating a wireless distribution system of claim 23 further comprising inserting a second group of wireless signals into the waveguide, where the frequencies of the first and second groups of wireless signals are in the same bandwidth and the first group of wireless signals is uncorrelated with at least the instantaneous amplitude, frequency or phase of the second group of wireless signals.

26. The method of operating a wireless distribution system of claim 23 further comprising:

receiving in a first receiver a first group of wireless output signals originating from one of the plurality of signal radiating devices;

receiving in a second receiver a second group of wireless output signals originating from a different one of the plurality of signal radiating devices that is different than the first group of wireless signals in at least instantaneous amplitude, frequency or phase; and

deriving separate information from each of the first and second groups of wireless output signals.

27. The method of operating a wireless distribution system of claim 26 wherein the first and second groups of wireless signals are each formatted under the IEEE 802.11n standard.

28. The method of operating a wireless distribution system of claim 23 further comprising:

providing an additional waveguide with a longitudinally consistent hollow cross-sectional structure and electrically conductive inner surface that supports the transmission of wireless signal energy from a wireless signal source to a location proximate to a wireless receiver location,

receiving in a first receiver a first group of wireless output signals radiating from the waveguide provided in the wireless distribution system;

receiving in a second receiver a second group of wireless output signals radiating from the additional waveguide that is different than the first group of wireless signals in at least instantaneous amplitude, frequency or phase; and

deriving separate information from each of the first and second groups of wireless output signals.