Wireless system for providing symmetrical, bidirectional broadband telecommunications and multimedia services employing a computer-controlled radio system

• US 6,628,627 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1998
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rafael Realty Holdings, Inc. (IDT Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Winstar Communications, Inc. (GVC Networks LLC)
• Inventors: Zendle, Allan M., Ackerman, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, BRENDA H
• Application Number:
  US09/112,504
• Time in Patent Office: 1,909 Days
• Field of Search: 370/321, 370/334, 370/336, 370/347, 370/395, 370/396, 370/409, 370/442, 370/458, 370/485, 370/498, 370/310, 370/310.2, 370/312, 370/326, 370/328, 370/432
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5607 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5615 Network termination, e.g. NT1, NT2, PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5616 Terminal equipment, e.g. codecs, synch.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

A multi-service subscriber radio unit includes an antenna and a transceiver which is operatively coupled to the antenna. The radio unit further includes a modem which is coupled to the transceiver and a packet control unit. The packet control unit provides multi-service packetized data for transmission (up-link) to the modem and receives multi-service packetized data from the modem (down-link). The packet control unit extracts service specific packetized data from the received multi-service packetized data and also generates the transmit multi-service packetized data from a plurality of service specific data from customer premise equipment. A plurality of service interface units are included which provide a suitable electrical interface between the customer premise equipment and the radio unit. A distribution control unit is interposed between the packet control unit and the plurality of service interface units. The distribution control unit directs service specific data to and from the service interface units.

Claims

1. A multi-service subscriber radio unit comprising:

an antenna;

a transceiver, said transceiver being operatively coupled to said antenna;

a modem, said modem being operatively coupled to said transceiver;

a packet control unit, said packet control unit providing up-link multi-service packetized data to said modem and receiving down-link multi-service packetized data from said modem, said packet control unit extracting service specific packetized data from said down-link multi-service packetized data and generating said up-link multi-service packetized data from a plurality of service specific data;

a plurality of service interface units providing and receiving service specific packetized data; and

a distribution control unit, said distribution control unit being operatively coupled to said packet control unit and said plurality of service interface units, said distribution control unit directing the service specific data to and from said service interface units.

2. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 1, wherein said packetized data takes the form of Asynchronous Transfer Mode protocol data.

3. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 1, wherein said plurality of service interface units include at least one of an Internet service interface, a television set top box interface, and a telephony interface.

4. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 1, wherein said transceiver, said modem, said packet control unit, said distribution control unit and said plurality of service interface units are formed as an integrated printed circuit board, said circuit board being formed for insertion into a standard computer interface slot.

5. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 1, wherein said antenna and said transceiver are integrated as an outdoor unit and said modem, said packet control unit, said distribution control unit and said plurality of service interface units are integrated as an indoor unit, said outdoor unit and said indoor unit being coupled by a high bandwidth conduit.

6. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 1, wherein said transceiver supports a multiple access protocol.

7. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 6, wherein said multiple access protocol is time division multiplexing.

8. A communications system providing access between customer premise equipment and service providers comprising:

a hub site, said hub site being operatively coupled to a plurality of service providers and exchanging packetized service data therewith, said hub site merging said packetized service data into multi-service data, said hub site including a hub radio for establishing bidirectional multi-service wireless data communications in a coverage sector; and

a remote subscriber terminal, said remote subscriber terminal including a subscriber radio for communicating with said hub radio, said remote subscriber terminal having means for receiving said multi-service data from said hub radio, means for extracting a plurality of service specific signals therefrom and means for directing said service specific signals to a plurality of customer premise equipment, said remote subscriber terminal also having means for receiving a plurality of service specific signals from said plurality of customer premise equipment and means for transmitting a multi-service signal to said hub radio, whereby bidirectional multi service communication is provided.

9. A circuit card for a personal computer providing multi-service radio communications, the circuit card comprising:

a transceiver, said transceiver having a port for operatively coupling to an antenna;

a modem, said modem being operatively coupled to said transceiver;

a packet control unit, said packet control unit providing up-link multi-service packetized data to said modem and receiving down-link multi-service packetized data from said modem, said packet control unit extracting service specific packetized data from said down-link multi-service packetized data and generating said up-link multi-service packetized data from a plurality of service specific data, said packet control unit being operatively coupled to the personal computer for receiving control signals therefrom and providing data thereto;

a plurality of service interface units providing and receiving service specific packetized data; and

a distribution control unit, said distribution control unit being operatively coupled to said packet control unit and said plurality of service interface units, said distribution control unit directing the service specific data to and from said service interface units.

10. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 9, wherein said packetized data takes the form of Asynchronous Transfer Mode protocol data.

11. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 9, wherein said plurality of service interface units include at least one of an Internet service interface, a television set top box interface, and a telephony interface.

12. A multi-service subscriber radio unit comprising:

an outdoor unit, said outdoor unit including;

an antenna; and

a transceiver, said transceiver being operatively coupled to said antenna; and

an indoor unit, said indoor unit being operatively coupled to said outdoor unit, said indoor unit including;

a modem, said modem being operatively coupled to said transceiver;

a packet control unit, said packet control unit providing up-link multi-service packetized data to said modem and receiving down-link multi-service packetized data from said modem, said packet control unit extracting service specific packetized data from said down-link multi-service packetized data and generating said up-link multi-service packetized data from a plurality of service specific data;

a plurality of service interface units providing and receiving service specific packetized data; and

a distribution control unit, said distribution control unit being operatively coupled to said packet control unit and said plurality of service interface units,

said distribution control unit directing the service specific data to and from said service interface units.

13. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 12, wherein said packetized data takes the form of Asynchronous Transfer Mode protocol data.

14. A multi-service subscriber radio unit as defined by claim 12, wherein said plurality of service interface units include at least one of an Internet service interface, a television set top box interface, and a telephony interface.