Waveguide-based wireless distribution system and method of operation
First Claim
1. A wireless distribution system comprising:
- a waveguide with a hollow cross-sectional structure and a conductive inner surface that supports the transmission of wireless signal energy from a wireless signal source to a location proximate to a wireless receiver location;
an originating port connected to the waveguide for signal injection and extraction; and
a signal coupling device coupled to the wireless waveguide, the signal coupling device includes;
a conductive longitudinal ground shell;
a hollow center conductor contained within the conductive longitudinal ground shell;
a first dielectric contained within a first longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell and surrounding the hollow center conductor contained within the first longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell;
a second dielectric contained within a second longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell and surrounding the hollow center conductor contained within the second longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell; and
a conductive longitudinal probe with a proximal end partially contained within the hollow center conductor thereby forming a section of a transmission line within the hollow center conductor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The design and use of a simplified, highly efficient, waveguide-based wireless distribution system are provided. A low-loss waveguide is used to transport wireless signals from a signal source or sources to one or more receiver locations. One or more adjustable signal coupling devices partially insert into the waveguide at predetermined locations along the length of the system to provide variable, controlled extraction of one or more wireless signals. Low-loss impedance matching circuitry is provided between the waveguide coupling devices and output connectors to maintain high system efficiency. The system offers the capability of supplying signals of high strength and high quality to a large number of receivers in a wide wireless coverage area via a plurality of signal radiators. Some embodiments of the system are readily adaptable for wireless distribution service in HVAC plenum spaces. A system that combines the functions of fire extinguishing and waveguide wireless distribution is also disclosed.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A wireless distribution system comprising:
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a waveguide with a hollow cross-sectional structure and a conductive inner surface that supports the transmission of wireless signal energy from a wireless signal source to a location proximate to a wireless receiver location; an originating port connected to the waveguide for signal injection and extraction; and a signal coupling device coupled to the wireless waveguide, the signal coupling device includes; a conductive longitudinal ground shell; a hollow center conductor contained within the conductive longitudinal ground shell; a first dielectric contained within a first longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell and surrounding the hollow center conductor contained within the first longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell; a second dielectric contained within a second longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell and surrounding the hollow center conductor contained within the second longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell; and a conductive longitudinal probe with a proximal end partially contained within the hollow center conductor thereby forming a section of a transmission line within the hollow center conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An electric signal coupler for coupling wireless signals out of and into a waveguide, comprising:
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a conductive longitudinal ground shell; a hollow center conductor contained within the conductive longitudinal ground shell; a first dielectric contained within a first longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell and surrounding the hollow center conductor contained within the first longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell; a second dielectric contained within a second longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell and surrounding the hollow center conductor contained within the second longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell; a conductive longitudinal probe contained within the hollow conductor; and a bidirectional radio frequency port located at an end of the conductive longitudinal ground shell. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A magnetic signal coupler for coupling wireless signals out of and into a waveguide, comprising:
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a conductive longitudinal ground shell; a hollow center conductor contained within the conductive longitudinal ground shell; a first dielectric contained within a first longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell and surrounding the hollow center conductor contained within the first longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell; a second dielectric contained within a second longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell and surrounding the hollow center conductor contained within the second longitudinal section of the conductive longitudinal ground shell; a conductive longitudinal probe contained within the hollow conductor; a magnetic loop probe extending into the waveguide and connected between the conductive longitudinal probe and the conductive longitudinal ground shell; and a bidirectional radio frequency port coupled to the hollow center conductor and located at an end of the conductive longitudinal ground shell. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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46. A wireless distribution system comprising:
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a waveguide with a hollow cross-sectional structure and a conductive inner surface that supports the transmission of wireless signal energy from a wireless signal source to a location proximate to a wireless receiver location; an originating port coupled to the waveguide for injection and extraction of wireless signal energy; and a signal coupling device coupled to the waveguide, the signal coupling device includes; an input port for introduction and extraction of wireless signal energy; an output port for introduction and extraction of wireless signal energy; an impedance transforming section connected between the input port and the output port; a conductor at least partially contained within the impedance transforming section; and a probe coupled to the conductor, wherein the conductor is configured such that the conductor provides a reactive impedance component that substantially cancels a reactive impedance component of the probe when the probe is contained at least partially within the interior of the waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification