Wireless communications methods and systems using a remote, self-contained communications antenna unit

• US 7,107,075 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knight, Clifford Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Pablo N.
• Application Number:
  US09/752,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20020025836A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,083 Days
• Field of Search: 455/562, 455/11.1, 455 8- 9, 455/512, 455/520, 455524-525, 455/527, 455/453, 455/436, 455/343, 455/574, 455/32.3, 455126-127, 455517-518, 455/422, 455/450, 455/451, 455/452, 455454-455, 455/462, 455/507, 455/509, 455 62- 63, 455/621, 455/575, 455/12.1, 455/13.1, 455427-431, 455/575.9, 455/90.3, 455/561, 455/916, 455/67.1, 455/820, 455/525.1, 455/448, 455/562.1, 455/943, 455807-809, 455/516
• US Class Current: 455/562.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 with particular tuning means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/045 between access point and backbone network device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/12 between access points and access point controllers

Abstract

This invention provides wireless communications using a remote, self-contained communications antenna unit that transceives signals from a disconnected cell site and communicates these signals with a communications network. In an exemplary embodiment, the remote, self-contained communications antenna unit includes a transportation vehicle that carries a generator for power, backup batteries, transmitter and receiver equipment, a digital signal processor (DSX), a network interface unit, an air conditioner, and an extendible mast.

Claims

1. A remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus for establishing wireless communications, comprising:

equipment for

transceiving communication signals between said equipment and a disconnected cell site that has been disconnected from its cellular system, and

transceiving communication signals between said equipment and a communications network;

a mast for extending and collapsing an antenna; and

communication link means for setting up communication between the remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus and the disconnected cell site.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are for wireless paging devices.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are for digital processing devices.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site comprise any frequency signal in the electromagnetic spectrum.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said communications network comprises a celestial communications network.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said communications network comprises a terrestrial communications network.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said disconnected cell site transceives wireless communication signals with a wireless device;

and

wherein said equipment comprises;

a power source for providing power to said remote, self-contained communcations antenna apparatus;

a backup power source for providing backup power to said remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus;

a charging source for

charging said power source, and

charging said backup power source;

transceiving equipment for

transmitting and receiving said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site, and

transmitting and receiving said communication signals between said equipment and said communications network;

network interface equipment for

processing said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site, and

processing said communication signals between said equipment and said communications network;

a control unit for

managing said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site, and

managing said communication signals between said equipment and said communications network;

a data storage unit for storing data associated with

said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site, and

said communication signals between said equipment and said communications network;

environmental control equipment for controlling temperature; and

stabilizing equipment to secure and balance the attachment of said equipment to a vehicle;

wherein said control unit comprises a personal computer;

said vehicle comprises a trailer;

said vehicle is motorized;

said charging source charges said vehicle;

said mast comprises an extendible mast;

said signal processor comprises a digital signal processor

said power souce comprises a gasoline-powered generator;

said backup power source is a solar-powered generator; and

said network interface equipment communicates with a customer service unit of said disconnected cell site using wireless communications.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said wireless device comprises at least one of the following:

(a) a phone;

(b) a computer;

(c) a modem;

(d) a pager;

(e) a personal data assistant;

(f) a global positioning system receiver; and

(g) an interactive television.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said equipment comprises one or more of the following:

a power source for providing power to said remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus;

a backup power source for providing backup power to said remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus;

a charging source for

charging said power source, and

charging said backup power source;

transceiving equipment for

transmitting and receiving said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site, and

transmitting and receiving said communication signals between said equipment and said communications network;

network interface equipment for

processing said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site, and

processing said communication signals between said equipment and said communications network;

a control unit for

managing said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site, and

managing said communication signals between said equipment and said communications network;

a data storage unit for storing data associated with

said communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site, and

said communication signals between said equipment and said communications network;

environmental control equipment for controlling temperature; and

stabilizing equipment to secure and balance said equipment.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said control unit comprises a personal computer.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said mast comprises an extendible mast.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said signal processor comprises a digital signal processor.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said signal processor comprises an analog signal processor.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said power source comprises at least one of the following:

(a) a gasoline-powered generator;

(b) a solar-powered generator; and

(c) an electrical-powered generator.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said network interface unit communicates with a customer service unit of said disconnected cell site using wireless communications.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said network interface unit communicates with a customer service unit of said disconnected cell site using a wired medium.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said equipment is attached to a vehicle.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said vehicle comprises a trailer.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said vehicle comprises a motorized vehicle.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said charging source further charges said motorized vehicle.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are signals of wireless communications.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are transceived at 806–

960 MHz.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are transceived at 1710–

1855 MHz.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are transceived at 2500–

2690 MHz.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are transceived at 2.4–

2.5 GHz.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication signals between said equipment and said communication network are signals of wireless communications.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network are transceived at 806–

960 MHz.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network are transceived at 1710–

1855 MHz.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network are transceived at 2500–

2690 MHz.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network are transceived at 2.4–

2.5 GHz.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network comprise any frequency signal in the electromagnetic spectrum.

32. A method for establishing wireless communications, comprising:

transceiving wireless communication signals between a wireless device and a disconnected cell site that has been disconnected from its cellular system; and

transceiving communication signals between said disconnected cell site and a remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus with a mast for extending and collapsing an antenna;

transceiving communication signals between said remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus and a communications network;

wherein communication between the remote, self-contained communications antenna apparatus and the disconnected cell site is set up via a communication link means.