Technique for conveying a wireless-standard signal through a barrier
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprisinga transmitter configured to generate a wireless networking signal conforming to a wireless networking standard, anda signal propagation structure that includes a signal guide, the signal propagation structure being configured to extend the wireless networking signal from a first side of a barrier to a second side of the barrier by causing the wireless networking signal to be guided as a electromagnetic wave along an electromagnetic-wave-guiding path through the barrier,wherein the barrier is an exterior wall of a building structure,wherein the signal propagation structure includes a coaxial waveguide,and wherein the coaxial waveguide comprises an electric power cable conveying domestic power through the barrier over at least one inner conductor, and a conductive medium disposed on the electric power cable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The RF signal generated by a ZigBee radio on the outside of a building structure is conveyed to the interior of the building by guiding it along an electric cable bundle that passes through the building'"'"'s wall to supply domestic electric power to the interior of the structure. The RF signal is launched by a unique coupler comprising a pair of insulated foil conductors.
667 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising
a transmitter configured to generate a wireless networking signal conforming to a wireless networking standard, and a signal propagation structure that includes a signal guide, the signal propagation structure being configured to extend the wireless networking signal from a first side of a barrier to a second side of the barrier by causing the wireless networking signal to be guided as a electromagnetic wave along an electromagnetic-wave-guiding path through the barrier, wherein the barrier is an exterior wall of a building structure, wherein the signal propagation structure includes a coaxial waveguide, and wherein the coaxial waveguide comprises an electric power cable conveying domestic power through the barrier over at least one inner conductor, and a conductive medium disposed on the electric power cable.
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2. An apparatus comprising
a transmitter configured to generate a wireless networking signal conforming to a wireless networking standard, and a signal propagation structure that includes a signal guide, the signal propagation structure being configured to extend the wireless networking signal from a first side of a barrier to a second side of the barrier by causing the wireless networking signal to be guided as a electromagnetic wave along an electromagnetic-wave-guiding path through the barrier, wherein the barrier is an exterior wall of a building structure, and wherein the signal propagation structure is configured to cause the wireless networking signal to be guided along the electromagnetic-wave-guiding path using transverse-magnetic surface wave propagation.
- 6. The apparatus of 2 wherein the signal propagation structure includes at least one electrical conductor that extends through the barrier.
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13. An apparatus comprising
a transmitter configured to generate a wireless networking signal conforming to a wireless networking standard, a signal propagation structure that includes a signal guide, the signal propagation structure being configured to extend the wireless networking signal from a first side of a barrier to a second side of the barrier by causing the wireless networking signal to be guided as a electromagnetic wave along an electromagnetic-wave-guiding path through the barrier, and a repeater configured to detect the guided electromagnetic wave at the second side of the barrier and to re-broadcast the detected wave, wherein the repeater is mounted on a circuit breaker panel disposed on the second side of the barrier and further comprises an antenna, mounted on the circuit breaker panel, from which the detected wave is re-broadcast.
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16. An apparatus comprising
a transmitter configured to generate a wireless networking signal conforming to a wireless networking standard, and a signal propagation structure that includes a signal guide, the signal propagation structure being configured to extend the wireless networking signal from a first side of a barrier to a second side of the barrier by causing the wireless networking signal to be guided as a electromagnetic wave along an electromagnetic-wave-guiding path through the barrier, wherein the barrier is an exterior wall of a building structure, and wherein the wireless networking standard is IEEE 802.15.4.
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18. An apparatus comprising
a transmitter configured to generate a wireless networking signal conforming to a wireless networking standard, a signal propagation structure that includes a signal guide, the signal propagation structure being configured to extend the wireless networking signal from a first side of a barrier to a second side of the barrier by causing the wireless networking signal to be guided as a electromagnetic wave along an electromagnetic-wave-guiding path through the barrier, and a repeater configured to detect the guided electromagnetic wave at the second side of the barrier and to re-broadcast the detected wave, wherein the barrier is an exterior wall of a building structure, and wherein the repeater is mounted on a circuit breaker panel disposed on the second side of the barrier and further comprises an antenna, mounted on the circuit breaker panel, from which the detected wave is re-broadcast.
Specification