BACKHAUL LINK FOR DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a first dielectric coupler;
a second dielectric coupler;
an antenna;
a memory to store instructions; and
a processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, to facilitate execution of the instructions to perform operations, comprising;
receiving, by the antenna, a first wireless signal that is converted to a first guided electromagnetic wave that propagates along a first transmission medium;
receiving, by the first dielectric coupler, the first guided electromagnetic wave guided by the first transmission medium;
converting the first guided electromagnetic wave to an electronic signal; and
converting the electronic signal to a second guided electromagnetic wave, the second guided electromagnetic wave generated on a surface of a second transmission medium utilizing the second dielectric coupler.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.
115 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a first dielectric coupler; a second dielectric coupler; an antenna; a memory to store instructions; and a processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, to facilitate execution of the instructions to perform operations, comprising; receiving, by the antenna, a first wireless signal that is converted to a first guided electromagnetic wave that propagates along a first transmission medium; receiving, by the first dielectric coupler, the first guided electromagnetic wave guided by the first transmission medium; converting the first guided electromagnetic wave to an electronic signal; and converting the electronic signal to a second guided electromagnetic wave, the second guided electromagnetic wave generated on a surface of a second transmission medium utilizing the second dielectric coupler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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receiving, by an antenna of a waveguide system, a first wireless signal that is converted to a first guided electromagnetic wave guided by a first transmission medium; receiving, by a first dielectric coupler of the waveguide system, the first guided electromagnetic wave guided by the first transmission medium; converting, by the waveguide system, the first guided electromagnetic wave to an electronic signal; and converting, by the waveguide system, the electronic signal to a second guided electromagnetic wave, the second guided electromagnetic wave being coupled to a second transmission medium by a second dielectric coupler of the waveguide system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method, comprising:
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receiving, by an antenna, a first wireless signal that is converted to a first guided electromagnetic wave guided by a surface of a first dielectric transmission medium; receiving, by a first coupler, the first guided electromagnetic wave guided by the first dielectric transmission medium; converting, by a receiver, the first guided electromagnetic wave to an electronic signal; and converting, by a transmitter, the electronic signal to a second guided electromagnetic wave, the second guided electromagnetic wave being coupled to a second dielectric transmission medium by a second coupler. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification