Movable access points and repeaters for minimizing coverage and capacity constraints in a wireless communications network and a method for using the same
First Claim
1. A moving access point, adapted for use within an adhoc communications network to provide a mobile wireless user terminal with access to the network, said moving access point comprising:
- a first transceiver, adapted to select a first communication protocol and use said first protocol to transmit and receive communications signals to and from a fixed access point to provide said mobile wireless user terminal with access to said adhoc communications network;
a second transceiver, adapted to select a second communication protocol and use said second protocol to transmit and receive communications signals to and from at least one mobile terminal in response to a hole in communication with said fixed access point to provide said mobile wireless user terminal with access to the adhoc communications network;
a structure, adapted to house said first and second transceiver, and being adapted to mount on or in a mobile vehicle; and
a power connection, adapted to couple to a substantially constant power supply, to provide substantially constant power to said first and second transceiver.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for improving the ability of a wireless communications network, such as a packet-switched data communications network, to provide service to mobile user terminals. The system and method employs a mobile access point, adapted for use with the packet-switched communications network, to provide a mobile wireless user terminal with access to the network, and a method for using the same. The mobile access point can be mounted to a mobile vehicle and receives substantially constant power from the vehicle, and is adapted to transmit and receive communications signals to and from wireless user terminals, fixed access points and other networks and mobile access points. The mobile access point includes at least one or more transceivers, which allows the access point to support multiple wireless communication protocols. A first protocol may be supported allowing network access, and a second protocol may be used for backhaul service.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A moving access point, adapted for use within an adhoc communications network to provide a mobile wireless user terminal with access to the network, said moving access point comprising:
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a first transceiver, adapted to select a first communication protocol and use said first protocol to transmit and receive communications signals to and from a fixed access point to provide said mobile wireless user terminal with access to said adhoc communications network; a second transceiver, adapted to select a second communication protocol and use said second protocol to transmit and receive communications signals to and from at least one mobile terminal in response to a hole in communication with said fixed access point to provide said mobile wireless user terminal with access to the adhoc communications network; a structure, adapted to house said first and second transceiver, and being adapted to mount on or in a mobile vehicle; and a power connection, adapted to couple to a substantially constant power supply, to provide substantially constant power to said first and second transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for providing a moving access point in an adhoc communications network to provide a mobile wireless user terminal with access to the network, said method comprising:
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coupling said moving access point to a mobile vehicle; providing said mobile wireless user terminal with access to said adhoc communications network by transmitting and receiving communications signals between said moving access terminal and a fixed access point using a first communication protocol; detecting a hole in communications with said fixed access point; providing said mobile wireless user terminal with access to the adhoc communications network by transmitting and receiving communications signals between said moving access terminal and at least one mobile terminal using a second communication protocol; and providing substantially constant power to said moving access point. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification