Apparatus for providing communication services and methods thereof

• US 9,596,001 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2016
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gerszberg, Irwin, Barzegar, Farhad, Henry, Paul Shala, Bennett, Robert, Barnickel, Donald J, Willis, Thomas M. III
• Primary Examiner(s): DOBSON, DANIEL G
• Application Number:
  US15/176,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20160294444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/08 Locating faults in cables, transmission lines, or networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25752 Optical arrangements for wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/04 using two or more spaced independent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2278 using correlation techniques, e.g. for spread spectrum signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/26 Systems using multi-frequency codes H04L27/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for modulating a first electrical signal to generate first modulated electromagnetic waves, and transmitting the first modulated electromagnetic waves on a waveguide located in proximity to a transmission medium. In one embodiment, the first electromagnetic waves can induce second electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of the transmission medium. The second electromagnetic waves can have a first spectral range that is divided into, contains or otherwise includes a first control channel and a first plurality of bands. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

generating, by an apparatus, first modulated electromagnetic waves;

transmitting, by the apparatus, the first modulated electromagnetic waves via a waveguide coupler located in proximity to a transmission medium, wherein the first modulated electromagnetic waves generate second electromagnetic waves that propagate at least in part on an outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the second electromagnetic waves have a first spectral range, and wherein the first spectral range includes a first control channel and a first plurality of bands; and

transmitting, by a first antenna coupled to the transmission medium, a first wireless signal based on the second electromagnetic waves received from the transmission medium.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the apparatus, fourth electromagnetic waves on the outer surface of the waveguide coupler, wherein the fourth electromagnetic waves are generated from third electromagnetic waves propagating on the outer surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the fourth electromagnetic waves have a second spectral range, and wherein the second spectral range is divided into a second control channel and a second plurality of bands.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first spectral range and the second spectral range are separated by a guard band, and wherein the third electromagnetic waves are generated from a second wireless signal received by a second antenna of a distributed antenna system.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein a first portion of the first plurality of bands and a second portion of the second plurality of bands are utilized by a first service provider of communication services, and wherein a third portion of the first plurality of bands and a fourth portion of the second plurality of bands are utilized by a second service provider of communication services.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the second spectral range comprises a communication link for downstream communications.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the first spectral range has a first spread spectrum profile, and wherein the second spectral range has a second spread spectrum profile.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first spread spectrum profile and the second spread spectrum profile have a power level and a frequency range corresponding to unlicensed spectrum.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first spectral range comprises a communication link for upstream communications.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless signal is directed to a second antenna of a distributed antenna system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second antenna is coupled to a processing system that determines from the first control channel that signals in a frequency band of the first plurality of bands are to be frequency converted for wireless delivery to a mobile communication device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the signals in the frequency band comprise modulated signals.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing, by the apparatus, control information in the first control channel for identifying a processing system of a distributed antenna system which is to process signals in one of the first plurality of bands.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the waveguide coupler comprises a dielectric coupler.

14. A system, comprising:

a launcher to facilitate generation of first electromagnetic waves;

a coupler coupled to a transmission medium to facilitate propagation of the first electromagnetic waves along the coupler to generate second electromagnetic waves that propagate on a surface of the transmission medium, wherein the second electromagnetic waves have a first spectral range that includes a first control channel and a first plurality of bands; and

a first antenna coupled to the transmission medium to facilitate transmission of a first wireless signal generated according to the second electromagnetic waves received from the transmission medium.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first wireless signal is directed to a second antenna of a distributed antenna system.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein information included in the first control channel directs a processing system coupled to the second antenna to process signals in one of the first plurality of bands.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a receiver that facilitates receiving fourth electromagnetic waves via the coupler, wherein the fourth electromagnetic waves are generated from third electromagnetic waves propagating on the surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the fourth electromagnetic waves have a second spectral range, and wherein the second spectral range is divided into a second control channel and a second plurality of bands.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first spectral range and the second spectral range are separated by a guard band, and wherein the third electromagnetic waves are generated from a second wireless signal received by the second antenna of the distributed antenna system.

19. A system, comprising:

a processing system including a processor; and

a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising;

generating an electromagnetic wave that propagates on a surface of a transmission medium, the electromagnetic wave having a spectral range that includes a control channel and a plurality of bands, each band including a modulated signal; and

transmitting, by a first antenna coupled to the transmission medium, a wireless signal based on the electromagnetic wave received from the transmission medium.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the wireless signal is directed to a second antenna of a distributed antenna system, and wherein information included in the control channel directs a processing system coupled to the second antenna to frequency convert the modulated signal included in one of the plurality of bands for wireless delivery to a mobile communication device.