Wireless access point

• US 8,299,978 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2006
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cambium Networks Limited (Cambium Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Xirrus Incorporated
• Inventors: Gates, Dirk Ion, Mathews, James Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hu, Jennifer F
• Application Number:
  US11/816,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20100061349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,427 Days
• Field of Search: 343/910, 343/908, 343/725, 343/844, 343/799, 370/338
• US Class Current: 343/910
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/007 specially adapted for indoor communication
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/106 using two or more intersecting plane surfaces, e.g. corner reflector antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/285 Planar dipole H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/02 Data link layer protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

A wireless access point is provided for transmitting radio signals that has isolators positioned about the perimeter of the wireless access point dividing the perimeter of the wireless access point into segments and reflector plates positioned within each segment for directing the transmission of the radio signals within each segment.

Claims

1. A wireless access point for transmitting radio signals, the wireless access point comprising:

an array portion configured to fasten to a securing portion to define an array portion side and a securing portion side of the wireless access point, the securing portion configured to attach to a mounting element for operation of the wireless access point, the array portion and securing portion positioned in substantially parallel planes and having a shape defining a perimeter of the wireless access point when fastened;

absorptive isolators positioned about the perimeter of the wireless access point dividing the perimeter of the wireless access point into sectors in a circular pattern around a center of the perimeter of the wireless access point, where the absorptive isolators are of a material that absorbs electromagnetic energy;

antennas positioned within each sector, the antennas oriented to transmit and receive signals radially from the sector corresponding to each antenna;

at least one reflector plate positioned in the sectors between the antennas and the wireless access point center and oriented substantially perpendicular to the array portion to direct the radio signals within each sector so that the radio signals radiate from the wireless access point radially in a 360 degree pattern; and

at least one deflector plate positioned in the sectors in a plane substantially parallel with the array portion and oriented relative to the antennas so as to direct the radio signals within each sector outwardly from the array portion side of the wireless access point in a 180 degree pattern relative to a line in the plane of the array portion that crosses the center of the circular pattern of the sectors where the at least one deflector late is of a material that reflects electromagnetic energy.

2. The wireless access point of claim 1 where the isolators are foam.

3. A wireless access point for transmitting radio signals, the wireless access point comprising:

an array portion configured to fasten to a securing portion to define an array portion side and a securing portion side of the wireless access point, the securing portion configured to attach to a mounting element for operation of the wireless access point, the array portion and securing portion positioned in substantially parallel planes and having a shape defining a perimeter of the wireless access point when fastened;

a plurality of antenna sectors arranged in a generally circular pattern and capable of transmitting signals outwardly 360 degrees from the center of the wireless access point;

absorptive isolators made of an absorptive material that absorbs electromagnetic energy located between each antenna sector;

a reflective surface within each antenna sector, the reflective surface positioned on an interior perimeter of the wireless access point and oriented substantially perpendicular to the array portion to direct the transmission of radio signals radially in a 360 degree pattern surrounding the wireless access point; and

a deflective surface positioned within each antenna sector in a plane substantially parallel with the array portion and oriented to direct the radio signals within each sector outwardly from the array portion side of the wireless access point in a 180 degree pattern relative to any line in the plane of the array portion that crosses the center of the circular pattern of the sectors, where the at least one deflector plate is of a material that reflects electromagnetic energy.

4. The wireless access point of claim 3 where the wireless access point further includes a digital section and the deflective surface acts as an isolation barrier between the central digital section and the antenna sectors.

5. The wireless access point of claim 3 where the absorptive isolators are foam.

6. The wireless access point of claim 3 where the reflector surface includes a ground plate.

7. The wireless access point of claim 3 where the deflector surface includes a ground plate.

8. The wireless access point of claim 3 where the reflector surface includes a reflective ring.

9. The wireless access point of claim 3 where the reflector surface includes a both a reflective ring and a ground plate.

10. The wireless access point of claim 3 where the wireless LAN array is generally round in shape.

11. The wireless access point of claim 3 where the wireless LAN array is generally elliptical in shape.

12. The wireless access point of claim 3 where wireless access point further includes a digital suppression element and where the digital suppression element, antenna reflective surface and antenna deflector surface are made from one contiguous piece of conductive and reflective material and are inherently grounded together.