Distributed access gateway and wireless router pods and public safety communications infrastructure incorporating the same

• US 7,522,876 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weatherproof Wireless, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Phc, Llc
• Inventors: Meitzen, Henry D., Pipkin, Maurice L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US11/108,388
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 455/7, 455/11.1, 455/13.1, 455/575.1, 455/90.3, 455/128, 455/16, 709/227, 709/217
• US Class Current: 455/7
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

An access gateway/wireless router pod for a public safety communications infrastructure, a method of manufacturing the same and a public safety communications infrastructure incorporating the pod. In one embodiment, the pod includes: (1) a weather-resistant housing having a battery compartment, (2) at least one electronic module located within the housing, (3) an antenna coupled to the housing, (4) a mounting bracket couplable to the housing and configured to mount the housing to a fixture and (5) an electrical harness coupled to the housing and configured to couple the at least one electronic module to a source of electric power associated with the fixture.

Claims

1. An access gateway/wireless router pod for a public safety communications infrastructure, comprising:

a weather-resistant housing having a battery compartment, said weather-resistant housing including first and second shells and a gasket located therebetween;

a wireless router and an access gateway located within said housing;

an antenna coupled to said housing and coupled to at least one of said wireless router and said access gateway through an antenna connection;

a mounting bracket couplable to said housing and configured to mount said housing to a fixture; and

an electrical harness coupled to said housing and configured to couple said wireless router and said access gateway to a source of electric power associated with said fixture.

2. The pod as recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket includes first and second portions and said fixture is a streetlight.

3. The pod as recited in claim 1 wherein said battery compartment is externally configured to be accessible without opening said weather-resistant housing.

4. The pod as recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket includes first and second portions and said fixture is a traffic light.

5. The pod as recited in claim 1 wherein said fixture is selected from the group consisting of:

a building, and

a bridge.

6. The pod as recited in claim 1 wherein said antenna is coupled to both of said wireless router and said access gateway through said antenna connection allowing both of said wireless router and said access gateway to use said antenna.

7. The pod as recited in claim 1 wherein said weather-resistant housing is a dielectric structure in the form of a clamshell.

8. A method of manufacturing an access gateway/wireless router pod for a public safety communications infrastructure, comprising:

forming a weather-resistant housing having a battery compartment;

placing at least one electronic module within said housing;

coupling an antenna to said housing;

providing a mounting bracket configured to be couplable to said housing and mount said housing to a fixture; and

coupling an electrical harness to said housing and configured to couple said at least one electronic module to a source of electric power associated with said fixture.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said weather-resistant housing includes first and second shells and a gasket located therebetween.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said battery compartment is configured to be accessible without opening said weather-resistant housing.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said mounting bracket includes first and second portions and said fixture is selected from the group consisting of:

a streetlight, and

a traffic light.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said fixture is selected from the group consisting of:

a building, and

a bridge.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said at least one electronic module is selected from the group consisting of:

an access gateway, and

a wireless router.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said electrical harness includes an interface configured to interpose a lamphead and a sensor of said fixture.