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

• US 7,299,074 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knight, Clifford Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Pablo N.
• Application Number:
  US11/530,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 455 8- 9, 455/11.1, 455/512, 455/520, 455524-525, 455/527, 455/574, 455/32.3, 455126-127, 455517-518, 455/453, 455/436, 455/343, 455450-452, 455/422, 455454-455, 455/507, 455/509, 455/462, 455 62- 63, 455/621, 455/575.1, 455/525.7, 455/12.1, 455/13.1, 455427-431, 455/575.9, 455/90.3, 455/561, 455/961, 455/67.1, 455/820, 455/525.1, 455/448, 455/562.1, 455/943, 455/916, 455807-809
• 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 interlace 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 wireless system, and

transceiving communication signals between said equipment and a communications network; 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 the communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are signals of wireless communications.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are transceived at 806-960 MHz.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are transceived at 1710-1855 MHz.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are transceived at 2500-2690 MHz.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said disconnected cell site are transceived at 2.4-2.5 GHz.

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

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

9. 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.

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

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network are transceived at 806-960 MHz.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network are transceived at 1710-1855 MHz.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network are transceived at 2500-2690 MHz.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network are transceived at 2.4-2.5 GHz.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wireless communication signals between said equipment and said communications network comprise any frequency signal in the electromagnetic spectrum.

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

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

18. 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 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 the attachment of said equipment to a vehicle.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, 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.

20. 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.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said control unit comprises a personal computer.

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

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said vehicle comprises a trailer.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said vehicle comprises a motorized vehicle.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said charging source further charges said motorized vehicle.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said mast comprises an extendible mast.

27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said signal processor comprises a digital signal processor.

28. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said signal processor comprises an analog signal processor.

29. The apparatus of claim 20, 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.

30. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said network interface unit communicates with a customer service unit of said disconnected cell site using wireless communications.

31. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said network interface unit communicates with a customer service unit of said disconnected cell site using a wired medium.

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 wireless system; and

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

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.