Dual channel high speed wireless data transfer device

• US 5,999,519 A
• Filed: 07/28/1997
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Geo-Comm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Geo-Comm Incorporated
• Inventors: Roberts, John W., Basile, Philip C., Tansky, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZAMANI, ALI A
• Application Number:
  US08/901,073
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 455/313, 455/102, 455/103, 455/73, 370/316, 370/319, 370/310, 370/315, 370/339, 370/343, 370/344
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/04 using two or more spaced independent antennas

Abstract

A millimeter wave link provides a means for easily transporting multiple high speed data channels, in excess of 100 Mb/s, a distance of up to 10 km, without requiring elaborate modulators and demodulators. This invention also provides fast setup, versatility, and is portable, which makes it desirable for field use. In addition, it can be set up for long term high speed data collection in a virtually permanent environment. The unidirectional link of the present invention is intended for use in experimental data collection systems, where portability, ease of setup and high speed data transfer are required. University environments as well as independent research and development institutions can benefit significantly from its use.

Claims

1. A portable wireless communication device for relaying high speed data over a relatively short distance at a transmit frequency in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz comprising:

a) a first modulator including a first input port receiving high speed data at a data rate up to approximately 155 Megabits per second, bi-phase modulating the data on a first carrier frequency and translating a resulting signal to a frequency in excess of 1 Gigahertz;

b) a second modulator including a second input port receiving high speed data at a data rate up to approximately 155 Megabits per second, bi-phase modulating the data on a second carrier frequency, which is separated from the first carrier frequency by approximately 300 Megahertz, and translating a resulting signal to a frequency in excess of approximately 1 Gigahertz;

c) a transmitter being coupled to the first and second modulators, said transmitter including;

(i) a power combiner forming a combined signal from the bi-phase modulated data on the first carrier frequency output by the first modulator and the bi-phase modulated data on the second carrier frequency output by the second modulator; and

(ii) an upconverter translating the combined signal output from the power combiner up in frequency to a frequency in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz;

d) an antenna being coupled to the transmitter and radiating an RF signal in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz, said antenna including;

(i) a micro patch antenna array having a plurality of individual antenna elements with a linear field distribution across said plurality of elements, said linear field distribution reducing a first five to ten significant side lobes, while maintaining acceptable antenna efficiency;

(ii) an input port being coupled to the transmitter; and

(iii) a corporate antenna feed system distributing RF power from the antenna input port to each of the plurality of individual antenna elements; and

e) a case containing the first modulator, the second modulator, the transmitter, and the transmit antenna, said case having a size of approximately twelve inches by twelve inches by six inches.

2. A portable wireless communication device for receiving high speed data from a corresponding transmitting device relayed over a relatively short distance at a transmit frequency in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz comprising:

a) an antenna for receiving an RF signal in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz, said antenna including;

(i) a micro patch antenna array having a plurality of individual antenna elements with a linear field distribution across said plurality of elements, said linear field distribution reducing a first five to ten significant side lobes, while maintaining acceptable antenna efficiency;

(ii) an output port outputting a signal in excess of 40 Gigahertz; and

(iii) a corporate antenna feed system distributing RF power from each of the plurality of individual antenna elements to the output port;

b) a receiver being coupled to the output port of the antenna, receiving two bi-phase signals, which are equally spaced about a center frequency in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz, said receiving including;

(i) a down converter translating the input signal down to a center frequency of approximately one Gigahertz; and

(ii) a filter separating the two bi-phase signals into two IF channels at approximately 300 Megahertz;

c) a first demodulator being coupled to the receiver and converting one of the two IF channels into a non-return-to-zero coded signal;

d) a second demodulator being coupled to the receiver and converting the other of the two IF channels into a non-return-to-zero coded signal; and

e) a case containing the first modulator, the second modulator, the transmitter, and the transmit antenna, said case having a size of approximately twelve inches by twelve inches by six inches.

3. A portable communication system comprising:

a) a transmitting device for relaying high speed data over a relatively short distance at a transmit frequency in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz including;

(i) a first modulator including a first input port receiving high speed data at a data rate up to approximately 155 Megabits per second, bi-phase modulating the data on a first carrier frequency and translating a resulting signal to a frequency in excess of 1 Gigahertz;

(ii) a second modulator including a second input port receiving high speed data at a data rate up to approximately 155 Megabits per second, bi-phase modulating the data on a second carrier frequency, which is separated from the first carrier frequency by approximately 300 Megahertz, and translating a resulting signal to a frequency in excess of approximately 1 Gigahertz,

(iii) a transmitter being coupled to the first and second modulators, said transmitter having;

(1) a power combiner forming a combined signal from the bi-phase modulated data on the first carrier frequency output by the first modulator and the bi-phase modulated data on the second carrier frequency output by the second modulator; and

(2) an upconverter translating the combined signal output from the power combiner up in frequency to a frequency in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz;

(iv) an antenna being coupled to the transmitter and radiating an RF signal in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz, said antenna having;

(1) a micro patch antenna array having a plurality of individual antenna elements with a linear field distribution across said plurality of elements, said linear field distribution reducing a first five to ten significant side lobes, while maintaining acceptable antenna efficiency;

(2) an input port being coupled to the transmitter; and

(3) a corporate antenna feed system distributing RF power from the antenna input port to each of the plurality of individual antenna elements; and

(v) a case containing the first modulator, the second modulator, the transmitter, and the transmit antenna, said case having a size of approximately twelve inches by twelve inches by six inches; and

b) a receiving device for receiving high speed data from the transmitting device relayed over a relatively short distance at a transmit frequency in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz including;

(i) an antenna for receiving an RF signal in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz, said antenna including;

(1) a micro patch antenna array having a plurality of individual antenna elements with a linear field distribution across said plurality of elements, said linear field distribution reducing a first five to ten significant side lobes, while maintaining acceptable antenna efficiency;

(2) an output port outputting a signal in excess of 40 Gigahertz; and

(3) a corporate antenna feed system distributing RF power from each of the plurality of individual antenna elements to the output port;

(ii) a receiver being coupled to the output port of the antenna, receiving two bi-phase signals, which are equally spaced about a center frequency in excess of approximately 40 Gigahertz, said receiving including;

(1) a down converter translating the input signal down to a center frequency of approximately one Gigahertz; and

(2) a filter separating the two bi-phase signals into two IF channels at approximately 300 Megahertz;

(iii) a first demodulator being coupled to the receiver and converting one of the two IF channels into a non-return-to-zero coded signal;

(iv) a second demodulator being coupled to the receiver and converting the other of the two IF channels into a non-return-to-zero coded signal; and

(v) a case containing the first modulator, the second modulator, the transmitter, and the transmit antenna, said case having a size of approximately twelve inches by twelve inches by six inches.