Low power microcellular wireless drop interactive network

• US 5,867,485 A
• Filed: 06/14/1996
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: BellSouth Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bergen, Richard Sammis, Chambers, Craig Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, DANG T
• Application Number:
  US08/663,651
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/7, 348/12, 370/315, 370/328, 370/329, 370/338, 370/343, 370/486, 370/487, 370/395, 370/389, 370/281, 370/276, 370/277, 370/278, 370/280, 370/282, 370/320, 370/337, 370/347, 370/344 , 370/464, 370/465, 370/442, 370/480, 370/485, 370/499, 455/3.1, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/3.2, 455/3.3, 455/4.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 375/217, 375/261, 375/298
• US Class Current: 370/281
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25753 Distribution optical network, e.g. between a base station and a plurality of remote units
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/27 specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/92 for local area
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Microcellular low power wireless networks for interactive, full duplex communication of video, data and telephony signals at microwave frequencies. Networks according to the present invention link a number of remote node transceivers to a central head office via fiber optic link. The remote node transceivers convert optical signals to radiofrequency energy in the microwave (preferably MMDS) range for robust and reliable communications that can, among other things, support basic lifeline telephone service. Low power and cross polarization techniques according to the present invention, together with modulation and multiplexing techniques, allow the limited bandwidth allotted in conventional microwave bands to accommodate analog and digital video, video on demand, data communications including graphics-rich internet traffic, and voice and digital telephony, in a full duplex, bi-directional fashion.

Claims

1. A network for communicating a plurality of signals between a headend control office and a plurality of subscriber stations in full duplex, bi-directional fashion, comprising:

a. a headend control office containing headend signal processing circuitry for receiving a plurality of video signals from a plurality of video sources, and a plurality of digital signals from a plurality of digital sources, and transmitting said video and digital signals to a plurality of remote node transceivers via a network medium, and for receiving a plurality of subscriber signals from said remote node transceivers;

b. a plurality of remote node transceivers coupled to said headend control office via said network medium, each of said transceivers adapted to receive said video and digital signals, and transmit said signals, via radiofrequency carrier in a first band of microwave frequencies comprising a range of between substantially 2500 and 2686 Mhz, and in a plurality of sectors, to a plurality of said subscriber stations, and to receive from said subscriber stations via radiofrequency carrier a plurality of multiplexed subscriber signals in a second band of microwave frequencies comprising a range of between substantially 2150 to 2162 Mhz, and transmit said subscriber signals to said headend control office via said network medium;

c. a plurality of subscriber stations, arranged in cells, each cell of subscriber stations corresponding to one of said remote node transceivers, each of said subscriber stations comprising;

1. a subscriber transceiver adapted to receive said radiofrequency-transmitted video and digital signals from its corresponding remote node transceiver and to transmit said multiplexed subscriber signals to said remote node transceiver via radiofrequency carrier;

2. subscriber station signal processing circuitry adapted to couple said video and digital signals to video and digital input/output devices, respectively, and to receive subscriber signals from said input/output devices and couple said subscriber signals to said subscriber transceiver; and

d. wherein a plurality of said subscriber transceivers are adapted to receive said radiofrequency-transmitted video and digital signals which are cross polarized with respect to radiofrequency signals which a plurality of other of said subscriber transceivers are adapted to receive.

2. A network according to claim 1 wherein the network medium comprises fiber optic links.

3. A network according to claim 2 wherein the headend control office comprises a plurality of satellite receivers for receiving video signals from satellite video transmissions and a plurality of broadcast receivers for receiving video signals from terrestrial video transmissions, and multiplexing circuitry, modulation circuitry and at least one fiber optic transmitter for multiplexing, modulating and transmitting said video and digital signals to said remote node transceivers via said fiber optic links.

4. A network according to claim 3 wherein at least some of the remote node transceivers comprise fiber optic receiver circuitry for receiving said video and digital signals, radiofrequency transmitter circuitry for transmitting said video and digital signals to said subscriber stations, radiofrequency receiver circuitry for receiving subscriber signals from said subscriber stations, fiber optic transmitter circuitry for transmitting said subscriber signals to said headend control office via said fiber optic links.

5. A network according to claim 3 wherein said subscriber station signal processing circuitry comprises a first diplexer circuitry adapted to separate said video and digital signals received from said subscriber transceiver from said subscriber signals, downconverter circuitry coupled to said first diplexer for downconverting said video and digital signals to a form adapted for transmission on coaxial cable, upconverter circuitry coupled to said first diplexer circuitry for upconverting said subscriber signals for coupling to said subscriber transceiver;

and second diplexer circuitry for coupling said video and digital signals to said input/output devices and for coupling said subscriber signals to said upconverter.

6. A network for communicating a plurality of signals between a headend control office and a plurality of subscriber stations in full duplex, bi-directional fashion, comprising:

a. a headend control office containing headend signal processing circuitry for receiving a plurality of video signals from a plurality of video sources, a plurality of digital signals from a plurality of digital sources, and a plurality of telephony signals from a public switched telecommunications network, and transmitting said video, digital and telephony signals to a plurality of remote node transceivers via a network medium, and for receiving a plurality of subscriber data and telephony signals from said remote node transceivers;

b. a plurality of remote node transceivers coupled to said headend control office via said network medium, each of said transceivers adapted to receive said video, digital and telephony signals, and transmit said signals, via radiofrequency carrier in a frequency band of substantially 2500 to 2686 Mhz, and in a plurality of sectors, to a plurality of said subscriber stations, and to receive from said subscriber stations via radiofrequency carrier in a frequency band of substantially 2150 and 2162 Mhz a plurality of multiplexed subscriber data and telephony signals and transmit said subscriber signals to said headend control office via said network medium;

c. a plurality of subscriber stations, arranged in cells, each cell of subscriber stations corresponding to one of said remote node transceivers, each of said subscriber stations comprising;

1. a subscriber transceiver adapted to receive said radiofrequency-transmitted video, digital and telephony signals from its corresponding remote node transceiver and to transmit said multiplexed subscriber data and telephony signals to said remote node transceiver via radiofrequency carrier;

2. subscriber station signal processing circuitry adapted to couple said video, digital and telephony signals to video, digital and telephony input/output devices, respectively, and to receive subscriber data and telephony signals from said input/output devices and couple said subscriber data and telephony signals to said subscriber transceiver; and

d. wherein a plurality of said subscriber transceivers are adapted to receive said radiofrequency-transmitted video and digital signals which are cross polarized with respect to radiofrequency signals which a plurality of other of said subscriber transceivers are adapted to receive.

7. A network according to claim 6 wherein at least some of said remote node transceivers are adapted to receive said subscriber signals from said subscriber stations via frequencies in a band different from the band in which the remote node transceivers transmit said video, digital and telephony signals.

8. A network according to claim 6 wherein at least one subscriber station within a cell is adapted to transmit radiofrequency signals which are cross polarized with respect to radiofrequency signals which other subscriber stations within said cell are adapted to transmit.

9. A network according to claim 6 wherein all subscriber stations within at least one cell are adapted to transmit radiofrequency signals which are not cross polarized with respect to one another, but which are cross polarized with respect to radiofrequency signals transmitted by subscriber stations in other cells.

10. A network according to claim 6 wherein the network medium comprises fiber optic links.

11. A network according to claim 10 wherein the headend control office comprises a plurality of satellite receivers for receiving video signals from satellite video transmissions, a plurality of broadcast receivers for receiving video signals from terrestrial video transmissions, interconnection circuitry coupled to a public switched telecommunications network coupling telephony signals to said headend control office, and multiplexing circuitry, modulation circuitry and at least one fiber optic transmitter for multiplexing, modulating and transmitting said video, digital and telephony signals to said remote node transceivers via said fiber optic links.

12. A network according to claim 10 wherein at least some of the remote node transceivers comprise fiber optic receiver circuitry for receiving said video, digital and telephony signals, radiofrequency transmitter circuitry for transmitting said video, digital signals and telephony signals to said subscriber stations, radiofrequency receiver circuitry for receiving subscriber data and telephony signals from said subscriber stations, and fiber optic transmitter circuitry for transmitting said subscriber signals to said headend control office via said fiber optic links.

13. A network according to claim 10 wherein said signal processing circuitry comprises first diplexer circuitry adapted to separate said video, digital and telephony signals received from said subscriber transceiver from said subscriber signals, downconverter circuitry coupled to said first diplexer for downconverting said video, digital and telephony signals to a form adapted for transmission on coaxial cable, upconverter circuitry coupled to said first diplexer circuitry for upconverting said subscriber signals for coupling to said subscriber transceiver;

and second diplexer circuitry for coupling said video, digital and telephony signals to said input/output devices and for coupling said subscriber signals to said upconverter.

14. A network according to claim 6 in which the subscriber station further comprises interface circuitry coupled to said second diplexer via coaxial cable, and is adapted to separate and route to appropriate input/output devices said video, digital and telephony signals.

15. A network for communicating a plurality of signals between a headend control office and a plurality of subscriber stations in full duplex, bi-directional fashion, comprising:

a. a headend control office containing headend signal processing circuitry for receiving a plurality of video signals from a plurality of video sources, a plurality of digital signals from a plurality of digital sources, and a plurality of telephony signals from a public switched telecommunications network, and transmitting said video, digital and telephony signals to a plurality of remote node transceivers via a plurality of fiber optic links and for receiving a plurality of subscriber data and telephony signals from said remote node transceivers, said circuitry comprising a plurality of satellite receivers for receiving video signals from satellite video transmissions, a plurality of broadcast receivers for receiving video signals from terrestrial video transmissions, interconnection circuitry coupled to a public switched telecommunications network coupling telephony signals to said headend control office, and multiplexing circuitry, modulation circuitry and at least one fiber optic transmitter for multiplexing, modulating and transmitting said video, digital and telephony signals to said remote node transceivers via said fiber optic links;

b. a plurality of remote node transceivers coupled to said headend control office via said network medium, each of said transceivers adapted to receive said video, digital and telephony signals, and transmit said signals, via radiofrequency carrier in a frequency band of substantially 2500 to 2686 Mhz, and in a plurality of sectors, to a plurality of said subscriber stations, and to receive from said subscriber stations via radiofrequency carrier in a band of substantially 2150 to 2162 Mhz a plurality of multiplexed subscriber data and telephony signals and transmit said subscriber signals to said headend control office via said fiber optic links, said remote node transceivers comprising fiber optic receiver circuitry for receiving said video, digital and telephony signals, radiofrequency transmitter circuitry for transmitting said video, digital signals and telephony signals to said subscriber stations, radiofrequency receiver circuitry for receiving subscriber data and telephony signals from said subscriber stations, and fiber optic transmitter circuitry for transmitting said subscriber signals to said headend control office via said fiber optic links;

c. a plurality of subscriber stations, arranged in cells, each cell of subscriber stations corresponding to one of said remote node transceivers, each of said subscriber stations comprising;

1. a subscriber transceiver adapted to receive said radiofrequency-transmitted video, digital and telephony signals from its corresponding remote node transceiver and to transmit subscriber data and telephony signals to said remote node transceiver via radiofrequency carrier;

2. subscriber station signal processing circuitry adapted to couple said video, digital and telephony signals to video, digital and telephony input/output devices, respectively, and to receive subscriber data and telephony signals from said input/output devices and couple said subscriber data and telephony signals to said subscriber transceiver, said signal processing circuitry comprising first diplexer circuitry adapted to separate said video, digital and telephony signals received from said subscriber transceiver from said subscriber signals, downconverter circuitry coupled to said first diplexer for downconverting said video, digital and telephony signals to a form adapted for transmission on coaxial cable, upconverter circuitry coupled to said first diplexer circuitry for upconverting said subscriber signals for coupling to said subscriber transceiver; and

second diplexer circuitry for coupling said video, digital and telephony signals to said input/output devices and for coupling said subscriber signals to said upconverter; and

d. wherein a plurality of said subscriber transceivers are adapted to receive said radiofrequency-transmitted video and digital signals which are cross polarized with respect to radiofrequency signals which a plurality of other of said subscriber transceivers are adapted to receive.

16. A network according to claim 15 wherein at least one subscriber station within a cell is adapted to transmit radiofrequency signals which are cross polarized with respect to radiofrequency signals which other subscriber stations within said cell are adapted to transmit.

17. A network according to claim 15 wherein all subscriber stations within at least one cell are adapted to transmit radiofrequency signals which are not cross polarized with respect to one another, but which are cross polarized with respect to radiofrequency signals transmitted by subscriber stations in other cells.

18. A network according to claim 15 in which the remote node transceivers and said subscriber stations contain power backup circuitry for assuring reliability of the network to transmit and receive said telephony signals.

19. A network according to claim 15 comprising modulation circuitry adapted for modulating said telephony signals in a manner that ensures telephonic communications.

20. A network according to claim 15 in which the subscriber station further comprises interface circuitry coupled to said second diplexer via coaxial cable, and is adapted to separate and route to appropriate input/output devices said video, digital and telephony signals.

21. A network according to claim 15 in which said video signals are coupled to an input/output device comprising analog video circuitry and a remote control for generating subscriber data signals.

22. A network according to claim 15 in which said video signals are coupled to an input/output device comprising a keyboard for generating subscriber data signals.

23. A network according to claim 15 in which said digital signals are coupled to an input/output device comprising analog video circuitry.

24. A network according to claim 15 in which said digital signals are coupled to an input/output device comprising analog video circuitry, digital video circuitry, and a keyboard for generating subscriber data signals.

25. A network according to claim 15 in which said digital signals are coupled to an input/output device comprising a computer.

26. A network according to claim 15 in which said digital signals are coupled to an input/output device adapted to input and output internet-compatible signals.

27. A network according to claim 15 in which said digital signals are coupled to an input/output device adapted to input and output data signals in a session on a network.