Enclosed space communication systems and related methods

• US 8,725,188 B1
• Filed: 08/13/2009
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sierra Nevada Co. LLC
• Original Assignee: Kutta Technologies, Inc. (Sierra Nevada Co. LLC)
• Inventors: Murphy, Patrick A., Simms, Geoffrey D., Savoca, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Fayyaz
• Application Number:
  US12/540,835
• Time in Patent Office: 1,734 Days
• Field of Search: 455 7- 25, 455/118, 455/131, 455/190.1, 455/313, 455/314, 455/323, 370/315, 370/318, 370/320
• US Class Current: 455/517
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels

Abstract

Systems and methods for communication in enclosed areas. Implementations may include a high-frequency (HF) conversion side including an HF modulator and HF demodulator which is coupled with an HF antenna. A medium-frequency (MF) conversion side including an MF modulator and an MF demodulator which is coupled with an MF antenna may also be included. The HF conversion side may be coupled to the MF conversion side at the HF demodulator and the HF modulator. The HF conversion side may be physically separate from the MF conversion side.

Claims

1. A system for communicating voice or data information in an enclosed space, the system comprising:

a high-frequency (HF) conversion side comprising an HF modulator and an HF demodulator and coupled with an HF antenna; and

a medium-frequency (MF) conversion side comprising an MF modulator and an MF demodulator and coupled with an MF antenna;

wherein the HF conversion side is coupled to the MF conversion side at the HF demodulator and the HF modulator;

wherein the HF conversion side is adapted to receive a first HF signal from the HF antenna and produce a first baseband signal and to receive a second baseband signal from the MF conversion side and produce a second HF signal;

wherein the MF conversion side is adapted to receive the first baseband signal and produce a first MF signal and to receive a second MF signal from the MF antenna and produce the second baseband signal; and

wherein the HF conversion side is physically separate from the MF conversion side.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the HF conversion side is coupled to the MF conversion side through one or more cables.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the HF conversion side is acoustically coupled to the MF conversion side.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the HF conversion side is included in an HF radio included in an enclosure, and a push-to-talk button on the HF radio is pressed by an actuator within the enclosure in response to an HF control logic signal received by the HF side from the MF conversion side.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the HF conversion side and the MF conversion side are included in a single enclosure.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the HF conversion side is included in a first enclosure and the MF conversion side is included in a second enclosure.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the MF modulator and the MF demodulator are physically separate and included in an MF modulator enclosure and in an MF demodulator enclosure, respectively.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the MF modulator and the MF demodulator are coupled through a cable.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the MF modulator and the MF demodulator are coupled through a first MF antenna coupled to the MF modulator and through a second MF antenna coupled to the MF demodulator.

10. A system for communicating voice or data information in an enclosed space, the system comprising:

a high-frequency (HF) unit comprising an HF modulator, an HF demodulator, and an HF sense controller, the HF unit coupled with an HF antenna; and

a medium-frequency (MF) unit comprising an MF modulator, an MF demodulator, and an MF sense controller, the MF unit coupled with an MF antenna;

wherein the HF unit is coupled to the MF unit at the HF demodulator, the HF modulator, and the HF sense controller; and

wherein the HF unit is comprised in a first enclosure and the MF unit is comprised in a second enclosure physically separated from the first enclosure and coupled with the MF unit through one or more cables; and

wherein the HF unit is adapted to switch from a receive mode to a transmit mode in response to an MF to HF control logic signal and wherein the MF unit is adapted to switch from a receive mode to a transmit mode in response to an HF to MF control logic signal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the HF to MF control logic signal is sent by proxy when an HF baseband signal with an amplitude above a predetermined threshold is detected by the MF modulator.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the HF to MF control logic signal and the MF to HF control logic signal are sent in response to receiving a continuous tone-coded squelch system (CTCSS) tone.

13. A system for communicating voice or data in information in an enclosed space, the system comprising:

a high-frequency (HF) unit comprising an HF modulator, an HF demodulator, and an

HF sense controller, the HF unit coupled with an HF antenna; and

a medium-frequency (MF) unit comprising an MF modulator, an MF demodulator, and an MF sense controller, the MF unit coupled with an MF antenna;

wherein the HF unit is coupled to the MF conversion side at the HF demodulator, the HF modulator, and the HF sense controller; and

wherein the HF unit is comprised in a first enclosure and the MF unit is comprised in a second enclosure physically separated from the first enclosure and coupled with the MF unit through one or more cables;

wherein the MF modulator and the MF demodulator are physically separate and the MF modulator is included in the second enclosure and the MF demodulator is included in a third enclosure; and

wherein the MF modulator and the MF demodulator are coupled through a first MF antenna coupled to the MF modulator and through a second MF antenna coupled to the MF demodulator.