Wireless system for communication

• US 8,340,064 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: BelAir Networks (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Smith, Mark Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Ferris, Derrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Esmaeilian, Majid
• Application Number:
  US12/964,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20110164600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/338
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/403 with centralised control, e.g. polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

A method of wirelessly communicating from a high speed data modem using a first radio transceiver at a first location and a second radio transceiver at a second location preferably includes: (i) attaching a housing (containing the data modem and the first radio transceiver, a radio processor, and a power supply) to an outdoor supporting structure that supports a coaxial cable carrying an RF signal and AC power; (ii) using a splitter to split the RF signal from the AC power; (iii) transmitting the RF signal to the data modem, and transmitting the AC power to the power supply; (iv) providing a digital signal from the data modem to the radio processor; (v) converting the AC power to DC; (vi) using the DC power to run the data modem, the first radio transceiver, and the radio processor; (vii) communicating the digital signal from the radio processor to the first radio transceiver and then to a first antenna; (viii) transmitting a wireless signal from the first antenna to a second antenna; and (ix) communicating the wireless signal from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver, then to a second radio processor contained in a user device.

Claims

1. A method of wirelessly communicating information from a bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem via a data connection using a first radio transceiver at a first location and a second radio transceiver at a second location, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching a weather resistant housing containing (i) the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, (ii) the first radio transceiver, (iii) a first processor, and (iv) a power supply, to an outdoor cable strand using a mounting bracket, wherein the cable strand supports a shielded two-conductor coaxial cable simultaneously carrying an RF data signal and cable AC power, the mounting bracket having a height configured to position a top of the housing vertically below a point at which the coaxial cable is supported by the strand;

using a splitter to engage the shielded two-conductor coaxial cable and split the RF data signal from the cable AC power;

providing the RF data signal from the splitter to the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, and providing the cable AC power to the power supply;

providing a digital signal, corresponding to the RF data signal, from the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem to the first processor;

converting the cable AC power to DC power and stepping down the voltage with the power supply;

using the DC power from the power supply to run the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first processor;

communicating the digital signal from the first processor to the first radio transceiver;

providing a transmission signal, corresponding to the communicated digital signal, from the first radio transceiver to a first antenna;

beaming a wireless signal, corresponding to the transmission signal, from the first antenna to a second antenna on a mobile user device; and

communicating the beamed signal from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver and then to a second processor, both contained within the user device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem communicates with a Wide Area Network (“

WAN”

) connection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem wirelessly communicates with a Local Area Network (“

LAN”

) connection.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of arranging a plurality of housings in a network, and wherein backhaul communications of the network are carried over plural shielded two-conductor coaxial cables.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the DOCSIS modem has a functionality comprising automatic registration, encryption, and automatic assignment of IP addresses.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile user device comprises at least one of a computer, a portable computer, a local area network (LAN), a network hub, a remote terminal unit for monitoring remote equipment, a digital camera, a fax, a phone, a mobile phone, an Ethernet switch, and a router.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of a material comprising at least one of molded plastic, a metal, a composite material, and weatherproof sealed coated laminate.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first transceiver is disposed in parallel communication with a further transceiver disposed in the housing.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is connected to the strand independent of a connection to a utility pole.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a detector for detecting a first location of the client device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional high speed cable modem comprises a router.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing cooling structure to the housing.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing cooling and heating structure to the housing.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of disposing a location device in the housing.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem, the first radio transceiver, the first processor, and the power supply, are all mounted on a single device.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using at least one software component to change the operation of at least one of:

the bidirectional high speed cable modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first processor.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the first radio transceiver, and the first processor, comprises a card.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of attaching two mounting brackets to the housing.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing includes plural radio transceivers.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a GPS location device in communication with the first processor and configured to detect the location of the housing.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is weatherproof.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the housing is sealed.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising a lightning protection device coupled to the housing.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the splitter is disposed inside the housing.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the housing includes the step of attaching the mounting bracket to the housing and to an aerial outdoor cable strand.

26. A method of wirelessly communicating information from a bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem using a first radio transceiver at a first location and a second radio transceiver at a second location, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching a housing containing (i) the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem coupled to the first radio transceiver, (ii) a first radio processor, and (iii) a power supply, directly to an outdoor aerial cable strand using a mounting structure, wherein the aerial cable strand supports a shielded two-conductor coaxial cable simultaneously carrying an RF data signal and cable AC power, the mounting structure having a height configured to position a top of the housing vertically below a point at which the coaxial cable is supported by the aerial cable strand;

using a splitter to engage the shielded two-conductor coaxial cable and split the RF data signal from the cable AC power;

transmitting the RF data signal from the splitter to the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, and transmitting the cable AC power from the splitter to the power supply;

providing a digital signal, corresponding to the RF data, from the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem to the first radio processor;

converting the cable AC power to DC and stepping down the voltage with the power supply;

using the DC power from the power supply to run the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first radio processor;

communicating the digital signal from the first radio processor to the first radio transceiver and then, communicating a corresponding transmission signal to a first antenna;

wirelessly transmitting a wireless signal corresponding to the transmission signal from the first antenna to a second antenna; and

communicating a digital signal, corresponding to the received wireless signal, from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver, and then communicating a signal corresponding to the digital signal to a second radio processor;

the second antenna, the second radio transceiver, and the second radio processor being contained in a user device.

27. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of arranging a plurality of housings in a network, and wherein backhaul communications of the network are carried over plural shielded two-conductor coaxial cables.

28. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of disposing a location device in the housing.

29. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of disposing cooling structure configured to provide cooling to the housing.

30. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of disposing cooling and heating structure configured to provide cooling and heating to the housing.

31. A method according to claim 26, wherein the mounting structure comprises two mounting brackets.

32. A method according to claim 26, wherein the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, the first radio transceiver, the first processor, and the power supply, are all mounted on a single device.

33. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of using at least one software component to change the operation of at least one of:

the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first processor.

34. A method according to claim 26, wherein at least one of:

the first radio transceiver, and the first processor, comprises a card.

35. A method according to claim 26, wherein the housing includes plural radio transceivers.

36. A method according to claim 26, further comprising a GPS location device in communication with the first radio processor.

37. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of attaching the housing includes the step of attaching two mounting structures to an aerial outdoor cable strand.

38. The method of claim 26, wherein the user device comprises at least one of a computer, a local area network, a network hub, a remote terminal unit for monitoring remote equipment, a fax, a phone, an Ethernet switch, and a router.

39. The method of claim 26, wherein the user device comprises at least one of a laptop, a personal digital assistant, a personal electronic device communicating with a satellite, a cell phone, a GPS location device, and a digital camera.

40. The method of claim 26, wherein the second antenna, the second radio transceiver, and the second radio processor being contained in a mobile user device.

41. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of communicating the digital signal from the second antenna includes the step of communicating the digital signal from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver, and then communicating a signal corresponding to the digital signal to the second radio processor, and then to a separate user device.

42. A method of wirelessly communicating information from a bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem via a data connection using (i) a first radio transceiver at a first location and (ii) a plurality of electronic devices, each comprising a radio transceiver, at locations other than the first location, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching a housing containing (i) the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, (ii) the first radio transceiver, (ii) a first radio processor, and (iii) a power supply, to an outdoor cable strand using a mounting structure, wherein the cable strand supports a shielded two-conductor coaxial cable simultaneously carrying an RF data signal and cable AC power, the mounting structure having a height configured to position a top of the housing vertically below a point at which the coaxial cable is supported by the strand;

using a splitter to engage the shielded two-conductor coaxial cable and split the RF data signal from the cable AC power;

transmitting, from the splitter, the RF data signal to the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, and the AC power to the power supply;

providing a digital signal, corresponding to the RF data signal, from the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem to the first radio processor;

converting the cable AC power to DC power and stepping down the voltage with the power supply;

providing the DC power from the power supply to the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first radio processor;

communicating the digital signal from the first radio processor to the first radio transceiver, and then providing a transmission signal, corresponding to the digital signal, to a first antenna; and

transmitting a wireless signal, corresponding to the transmission signal, from the first antenna to at least one transceiver of the plurality of electronic devices.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein the power supply comprises a switching power supply.

44. A method according to claim 42, wherein the mounting structure comprises plural mounting brackets.

45. A method according to claim 42, further comprising the step of arranging a plurality of housings in a network, and wherein backhaul communications of the network are carried over plural shielded two-conductor coaxial cables.

46. A method according to claim 42, further comprising cooling structure configured to provide cooling to the housing.

47. A method according to claim 42, further comprising cooling and heating structure configured to provide cooling and heating to the housing.

48. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of disposing a location device in the housing.

49. A method according to claim 42, wherein the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, the first radio transceiver, the first processor, and the power supply, are all mounted on a single device.

50. A method according to claim 42, further comprising the step of using at least one software component to change the operation of at least one of:

the bidirectional high speed DOCSIS cable modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first processor.

51. A method according to claim 42, wherein the housing includes plural radio transceivers.

52. A method according to claim 42, further comprising the step of providing a GPS location device in communication with the first radio processor.

53. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of attaching the housing includes the step of attaching the mounting structure to an aerial outdoor cable strand.

54. The method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of electronic devices comprises at least one mobile device.

55. The method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of electronic devices comprises at least one non-mobile device.

56. A method of arranging a wireless communication device, comprising:

providing a weather-resistant housing having disposed therein;

(i) a DOCSIS cable modem, (ii) a radio transceiver, (iii) a radio processor, and (iv) a power supply, the housing further having mounting structure configured to hang the housing from an outdoor aerial cable strand such that a top of the housing hangs below a point at which a shielded two-conductor coaxial cable is supported by the strand;

providing a connector coupled to the housing and configured to couple to the shielded two-conductor coaxial cable that provides both an RF signal and AC power;

providing a splitter connected to the connector and configured to split the RF signal from the AC power, such that the RF signal is provided to the DOCSIS cable modem and the AC power is supplied to the power supply; and

coupling an antenna to the housing and to the radio transceiver.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of providing at least one cooling structure configured to cool contents of the housing.

58. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of arranging a plurality of housings in a network, and wherein backhaul communications of the network are carried over plural shielded two-conductor coaxial cables.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the housing is connected to the strand independent of a connection to a utility pole.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the mounting structure is configured to hang the housing from more than one point on the cable strand.