Bridged ultra-wideband communication method and apparatus

• US 7,046,618 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Holding 73 LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Pulse-Link Incorporated
• Inventors: Santhoff, John, Moore, Steven A., Rauvola, Roger, Krinke, Charles, Watkins, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Huy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Davis, Cynthia L.
• Application Number:
  US10/723,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20050111346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7163 using impulse radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for bridging data to and from different communication physical layers and protocols. The present invention comprises a communication system structured to “bridge” between conventional, narrowband carrier wave communication technology and ultra-wideband communication technology. The present invention may be used in wireless and wire communication networks such as hybrid fiber-coax networks. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a receiver structured to receive a substantially continuous sine wave carrier signal, the signal modulated to contain communication data;

a demodulator communicating with the receiver, the demodulator structured to demodulate the communication data from the substantially continuous sine wave carrier signal; and

an ultra wide band transmitter coupled to the demodulator, the transmitter including an electromagnetic pulse generating circuit, with the electromagnetic pulse generating circuit structured to transmit a plurality of electromagnetic pulses, with the pulses configured to include the communication data, wherein the electromagnetic pulse generating circuit comprises;

a control unit;

at least two current sources;

at least two switching elements connected to the current sources, each of the switching elements structured to receive a signal from the control unit;

a switch connected to the at least two switching elements, the switch structured to receive a signal from the control unit;

a load connected to the switch; and

a first set of resistive elements connected to the current sources, and to the switching elements, the resistive elements also connected to a second voltage level.

2. A communication system comprising:

a receiver structured to receive a substantially continuous sine wave carrier signal, the signal modulated to contain communication data;

a demodulator communicating with the receiver, the demodulator structured to demodulate the communication data from the substantially continuous sine wave carrier signal; and

an ultra wide band transmitter coupled to the demodulator, the transmitter including an electromagnetic pulse generating circuit, with the electromagnetic pulse generating circuit structured to transmit a plurality of electromagnetic pulses, with the pulses configured to include the communication data, wherein the electromagnetic pulse generating circuit comprises;

a control unit;

at least two current sources;

at least two switching elements connected to the current sources, each of the switching elements structured to receive a signal from the control unit;

a switch connected to the at least two switching elements, the switch structured to receive a signal from the control unit;

a load connected to the switch;

a first set of resistive elements connected to the current sources, and to the switching elements, the first set of resistive elements also connected to a second voltage level; and

a second set of resistive elements connected to the switching elements, and to the switch, the second set of resistive elements also connected to the second voltage level.