IN-BUILDING-COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20100197222A1
• Filed: 01/31/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl Frederick Scheucher
• Original Assignee: Karl Frederick Scheucher
• Inventors: SCHEUCHER, KARL FREDERICK
• Granted Patent: US 9,711,868 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/30 the primary active element being centre-fed and substantially straight, e.g. Yagi antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15557 Selecting relay station operation mode, e.g. between amplify and forward mode, decode and forward mode or FDD - and TDD mode

Abstract

An In-Building Communications system is disclosed which permits communication in tunnels, underground parking garages, tall buildings such as skyscrapers, buildings having thick walls of concrete or metal, and/or any building which has communication dead zones due to electromagnetic shielding. The invention includes a portable bi-directional amplifier (BDA) system, an outdoor antenna system attached to the building or independently mountable an indoor antenna system attached to the building or independently mountable inside the building, and a standardized, In-Building Communications (IBC) interface box affixed preferably to the exterior of the building. The interface box communicates with antenna systems attached to the building. The fire department or other emergency response personnel carry portable outdoor and indoor antenna systems and a portable, lithium-ion battery powered, bi-directional amplifier (BDA) system which may be connected to the building during an event such as a fire, earthquake, or an act of terrorism or whenever radio coverage enhancement is required. The portable BDA system is simply connected to the standardized, IBC interface box and powered thus restoring communications within.

Claims

1. A method for using a public safety radio on a regional radio system having one or more repeater donor sites and in a radio-communication dead zone or other area having poor radio communication, utilizing:

an omni directional indoor antenna;

a directional outdoor antenna;

a cable organizer, said cable organizer includes a first coaxial cable and a second coaxial cable;

said outdoor antenna affixed to said first coaxial cable;

said indoor antenna affixed to said second coaxial cable;

a portable bi-directional amplifier, said bi-directional amplifier includes;

an outdoor antenna connector, an indoor antenna connector, a power switch, delay circuitry for powering said amplifier to prevent interference between said indoor and outdoor antennas, a first connection mating with said first coaxial cable interconnected with said outdoor antenna, a second connection mating with said second coaxial cable interconnected with said indoor antenna, and, a portable on board power source for powering said amplifier;

said first coaxial cable interconnecting said outdoor antenna and said bi-directional amplifier;

said second coaxial cable interconnecting said indoor antenna and said bi-directional amplifier;

an outdoor antenna tripod stand for supporting and directing said outdoor antenna in the direction of as donor repeater site, and, a regional grid map for determining the aiming requirements to each donor repeater site;

comprising the steps of;

setting up said tripod stand, directing said outdoor antenna along a desired azimuth angle and elevation angle to engage a particular donor repeater site, raising a stand mast of said tripod to a desired height, said location of said distant donor repeater site is determined from said regional grid map;

positioning said bi-directional amplifier near said outdoor antenna;

removing said first coaxial cable from said cable organizer, attaching one end of said first coaxial cable to said outdoor antenna and the other end of said first coaxial cable to said outdoor antenna connector of said bi-directional amplifier;

connecting one end of said second coaxial cable to said indoor antenna connector of said bi-directional amplifier, activating said power switch and said delay circuitry, unfurling said second coaxial cable from said cable organizer, routing said unfurled second coaxial cable and said omni directional antenna into said radio communication dead zone or other area having poor radio communication; and

,

positioning said indoor antenna in said radio-communication dead zone or other area having poor radio communication.

2. A method for using a public safety radio on a regional radio system having one or more repeater donor sites and in a radio-communication dead zone or other area having poor radio communication, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

indicating the power status of the amplifier by transmitting a specific signal pattern on a display unit on the outside of said amplifier.

3. A method for using a public safety radio on a regional radio system having one or more repeater donor sites and in a radio-communication dead zone or other area having poor radio communication, as claimed in claim 1 wherein said delay circuitry delays power of said bi-directional amplifier for up to 25 minutes before said amplifier is powered.

4. A method for using a public safety radio on a regional radio system having one or more repeater donor sites and in a radio-communication dead zone or other area having poor radio communication, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of determining the location of said distant donor repeater site is determined from said regional grid map, includes

using said system grid map to identify several alternate donor repeater site locations in proximity to said location having said radio communication dead zone or other area having poor radio communication, said grid map has a North direction indicator, longitudinal indications, latitudinal indications, using said map to determine which donor repeater site to communicate with and directing said outdoor antenna in a correct azimuthal direction and elevating said outdoor antenna as required.

5. A method for deploying a portable communication radio coverage enhancement device, comprising the following steps:

selecting a tentative location for an outdoor antenna;

laying a portable antenna kit with orientation toward a structure entry;

extending tripod legs;

standing tripod upright with cable organizer aimed at said structure entry;

orienting a grid map at said tripod base;

removing top and bottom cable retention straps of said cable organizer;

aiming said outdoor antenna at a selected donor repeater site based upon said grid map at tripod base;

placing a portable amplifier near said tripod base;

connecting an outdoor antenna cable to said amplifier outdoor antenna port;

connecting an indoor antenna cable to said amplifier indoor antenna port;

powering said amplifier with delayed startup;

pulling an indoor antenna connected to said indoor antenna cable from clips of said cable organizer;

transporting said indoor antenna into said structure; and

,

positioning said indoor antenna near center of work area inside said structure.

6. A method for using a public safety radio on a regional radio system having one or more repeater donor sites and in a radio-communication dead zone or other area having poor radio communication, comprising the steps of:

transporting an indoor and outdoor kit to the building or other structure where In-Building Communication enhancement may be needed;

selecting a useable location for the outdoor antenna in view of a desired donor antenna tower;

removing the heavy-duty tripod stand from the outdoor kit duffel bag, extending its wide base legs, and set the stand upon the selected site;

removing the maximum-gain directional Yagi antenna from the duffel bag attaching its socket connector to the stand'"'"'s ball mount;

removing the flexible, low-loss, coaxial cable from the duffel bag and attach one end to the antenna;

aiming the antenna along the desired azimuth angle and adjust for the desired elevation angle thus aiming at the distant donor radio tower;

raising the stand mast to the desired height;

unfurling the flexible coaxial cable leading into the building through an available portal, reaching the location selected for the indoor kit, and attaching the cable to the outdoor antenna connector on the indoor kit case;

opening the indoor kit case, remove the omni directional indoor antenna from the snap mounts of the inside lid, close the kit case, and snap the indoor antenna into place upon the extended handle of the case;

attaching the short coax cable pigtail of the indoor antenna to the indoor antenna connector on the indoor kit case;

pressing and holding the rubber booted power switch for two (2) seconds to enable the system; and

,

attaching the AC power cord to the circular connector on the indoor kit.