Wireless system for communication

• US 8,687,531 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: BelAir Networks (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Smith, Mark Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Chirag
• Assistant Examiner(s): Esmaeilian, Majid
• Application Number:
  US12/964,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20110075646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310
• US Class Current: 370/310
• 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 system for 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) a housing (containing the data modem, the first radio transceiver, a radio processor, and a power supply) connected to an outdoor supporting structure, which supports a coaxial cable carrying an RF signal and AC power; (ii) a splitter to split the RF signal from the AC power, wherein the radio processor sends a digital signal to the first radio transceiver, which sends the signal to a first antenna, and wherein the signal is provided from the first antenna to a second antenna coupled to the second radio transceiver at a user device, wherein the system communicates the signal from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver and then to a second radio processor coupled to the user device; and wherein the DC power is provided to the data modem, the first radio transceiver, and the radio processor.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system for communicating information from a bidirectional high speed data modem via a data connection using a first radio transceiver at a first location and a second radio transceiver at a second location, comprising:

a housing containing (i) the bidirectional high speed data modem operably connected to the first radio transceiver, (ii) a first processor, and (iii) a power supply, wherein the housing comprises a mounting bracket connected to a cable strand, such that a top of the housing is disposed vertically below a location at which the cable strand supports a shielded two-conductor coaxial cable which carries an RF signal and AC power; and

a splitter engaging the coaxial cable to split the RF signal from the AC power, wherein the power supply converts the AC power to DC power;

wherein the first processor receives a signal from the bidirectional high speed data modem and sends a corresponding signal to the first radio transceiver which sends a corresponding wireless to a first antenna, and wherein the wireless signal is transmitted from the first antenna to a second antenna coupled to a mobile user device; and

wherein the system communicates the signal from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver and then to a second processor, both contained in the mobile user device.

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

WAN”

) connection.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem communicates with a wireless Local Area network (“

LAN”

) connection.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem comprises a data over cable system interface specifications (DOCSIS)-compliant modem.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the DOCSIS-compliant modem has a functionality comprising automatic registration, encryption, and automatic assignment of IP addresses.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile user device comprises a 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 system 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 system of claim 7, wherein the housing further comprises a second bidirectional high speed data modem disposed in parallel communication with the bidirectional high speed data modem.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem is connected to the cable strand independent of a connection to a utility pole.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a detector for detecting a first location of the mobile user device.

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

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising cooling structure configured to provide cooling to the housing.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising cooling and heating structure configured to provide cooling and heating to the housing.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the data connection comprises an Ethernet connection, and wherein the digital signal comprises an Ethernet signal.

15. The system 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 system of claim 1, further comprising at least one software switch component configured to change the operation of the bidirectional high speed data modem.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein:

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

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem is compliant with existing cable standards, including DOCSIS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket is configured to couple the housing to an aerial cable strand.

26. A wireless communication device for communicating information from a bidirectional high speed data modem using a first radio transceiver at a first location and a second radio transceiver at a second location, comprising:

a weather-resistant housing containing (i) the bidirectional high speed data modem operably connected to a first radio transceiver, (ii) a first radio processor, and (iii) a power supply, wherein the housing further comprises mounting structure configured to connect the housing to an outdoor aerial cable strand such that a top of the housing is disposed vertically below a location at which the cable strand supports a shielded two-conductor coaxial cable which carries an RF signal and power; and

a splitter adapted to engage the coaxial cable and split the RF signal from the power, wherein the power supply outputs DC power to at least one of the bidirectional high speed data modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first radio processor.

27. A device according to claim 26, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem comprises is a data over cable system interface specifications (DOCSIS)-compliant modem.

28. A device according to claim 26, further comprising cooling structure configured to provide cooling to the housing.

29. A device according to claim 26, further comprising cooling and heating structure configured to provide cooling and heating to the housing.

30. A device according to claim 26, wherein the data connection comprises an Ethernet connection.

31. A device according to claim 26, 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.

32. A device according to claim 26, further comprising at least one software switch configured to change the operation of the device.

33. A device according to claim 26, wherein the first processor comprises a card.

34. A device according to claim 26, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem is compliant with existing cable standards, including DOCSIS.

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

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

37. A device according to claim 26, wherein the housing is weatherproof.

38. A device according to claim 37, wherein the housing is sealed.

39. A device according to claim 26, further comprising a lightning protection device coupled to the housing.

40. A device according to claim 26, wherein the splitter is disposed inside the housing.

41. A device according to claim 26, wherein the first processor is configured to send a signal from the first radio transceiver to a first antenna, and further comprising a second antenna coupled to a user device, the second antenna receiving the signal from the first antenna and providing it to a second radio transceiver and then to a second processor, both contained in the user device.

42. The system of claim 26, wherein the housing mounting structure is adapted to connect the housing to an outdoor aerial support device.

43. A wireless communication system for communicating information from an interchangeable bidirectional high speed data modem via an Ethernet connection using a first radio transceiver at a first location and a second radio transceiver at a second location, comprising:

a housing containing (i) the interchangeable bidirectional high speed data modem operably connected to a first radio transceiver, (ii) a first radio processor, and (iii) a power supply, wherein the housing comprises a mounting structure configured to be connected to an

outdoor aerial cable strand such that a top of the housing is disposed vertically below a location at which the cable strand supports a shielded two-conductor coaxial cable which carries an RF signal and AC power;

a splitter engaging the coaxial cable to split the RF signal from the AC power, wherein the power supply converts the AC power to DC power;

wherein the first radio processor receives a signal from the high speed data modem and sends a corresponding signal to the first radio transceiver, and wherein a corresponding wireless signal is then sent to the first antenna, and wherein the wireless signal is provided from the first antenna to a second antenna coupled to the second radio transceiver at a user device;

wherein the system communicates the wireless signal from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver and then to a second radio processor contained in the user device; and

wherein the DC power from the power supply is provided to the interchangeable bidirectional high speed data modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first radio processor.

44. The system according to claim 43, further comprising cooling structure configured to provide cooling to the housing.

45. The system according to claim 43, further comprising cooling and heating structure configured to provide cooling and heating to the housing.

46. The system according to claim 43, 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.

47. The system according to claim 43, further comprising at least one software switch configured to change the operation of at least one of the bidirectional high speed data modem.

48. The system according to claim 43, wherein the first processor comprises a card.

49. The system according to claim 43, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem is compliant with DOCSIS.

50. The system according to claim 43, wherein the housing includes plural radio transceivers.

51. The system according to claim 43, further comprising a GPS location device in communication with the first antenna.

52. The system according to claim 43, wherein the housing is weatherproof.

53. The system according to claim 43, wherein the splitter is disposed inside the housing.

54. The system of claim 43, wherein the housing mounting structure is configured to be connected to an aerial outdoor supporting structure.

55. The system of claim 43, 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.

56. The system of claim 43, 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.

57. The system of claim 43, wherein the system communicates the wireless signal from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver within a mobile user device.

58. The system of claim 43, wherein the system communicates the wireless signal from the second antenna to the second radio transceiver and then to a user device.

59. A wireless communication system for communicating information from a bidirectional high speed data modem via an Ethernet connection using a first radio transceiver at a first location and a plurality of electronic devices, each comprising at least one second radio transceiver, at one or more locations different than said first location, comprising:

a housing containing (i) the bidirectional high speed data modem operably connected to the first radio transceiver, (ii) a first radio processor, and (iii) a power supply, wherein the housing is coupled to mounting structure which is coupled to an outdoor aerial cable strand such that a top of the housing is disposed vertically below a location at which the cable strand supports a shielded two-conductor coaxial cable which carries an RF signal and power;

a splitter engaging the coaxial cable to split the RF signal from the power, wherein the power supply receives the split-off power;

wherein the first radio processor sends a signal to the first radio transceiver, and wherein the first radio transceiver sends a transmit signal to the first antenna and then from the first antenna to a second antenna coupled to one of the second radio transceivers coupled to a user device;

wherein the system communicates the signal from the second antenna to the one second radio transceiver; and

wherein the power from the power supply is provided to the interchangeable bidirectional high speed data modem, the first radio transceiver, and the first radio processor.

60. The system according to claim 59, further comprising cooling structure configured to provide cooling to the housing.

61. The system according to claim 59, further comprising cooling and heating structure configured to provide cooling and heating to the housing.

62. The system according to claim 59, 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.

63. The system according to claim 59, further comprising at least one software switch configured to change the operation of the bidirectional high speed data modem.

64. The system according to claim 59, wherein the first processor comprises a card.

65. The system according to claim 59, wherein the bidirectional high speed data modem is compliant with DOCSIS.

66. The system according to claim 59, wherein the housing includes plural radio transceivers.

67. The system according to claim 59, further comprising a GPS location device in communication with the first processor.

68. The system according to claim 59, wherein the housing is weatherproof.