Backhaul link for distributed antenna system

• US 9,699,785 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2015
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2012
• 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: Willis, III, Thomas M., Blandino, George, Henry, Paul Shala, Barnickel, Donald J, Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin
• Primary Examiner(s): AJIBADE AKONAI, OLUMIDE
• Application Number:
  US14/788,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20150304045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 455 7, 455402, 34031001, 34031003, 34031011, 34031007, 340 1232, 340 1323, 375211, 375222, 375257
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25759 Details of the reception of RF signal or the optical conversion before the optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5479 using repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/38 for signals in two different frequency ranges transmitted in opposite directions over the same transmission path
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides
• 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 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/047 using dedicated repeater stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a memory to store instructions; and

a processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, to facilitate execution of the instructions to perform operations, comprising;

facilitating receipt of a first guided electromagnetic surface wave via a first coupler coupled to a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic surface wave is guided by a surface of the transmission medium;

converting the first guided electromagnetic surface wave to an electronic signal;

converting the electronic signal to a second guided electromagnetic surface wave; and

facilitating transmission of the second guided electromagnetic surface wave via a second coupler coupled to the transmission medium, wherein the second guided electromagnetic surface wave is guided by the surface of the transmission medium.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guided electromagnetic surface wave is received via a receiver and the second guided electromagnetic surface wave is transmitted by a transmitter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guided electromagnetic surface wave and the second guided electromagnetic surface wave travel in a same direction along the surface of the transmission medium.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an inductive power supply that provides power to the system, wherein the inductive power supply receives the power from the transmission medium.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise amplifying the electronic signal.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first coupler comprises a quasi-optical coupler.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the quasi-optical coupler comprises a lens for receiving a wireless signal generated by the first guided electromagnetic surface wave being reflected by a reflector coupled to the transmission medium.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second coupler comprises a quasi-optical coupler.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the quasi-optical coupler comprises a lens for sending a wireless signal to a reflector coupled to the transmission medium to induce propagation of the second guided electromagnetic surface wave via the transmission medium.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a waveguide system.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guided electromagnetic surface wave and the second guided electromagnetic surface wave have an operating frequency in a millimeter-wave frequency range.

12. A method, comprising:

facilitating, by a waveguide system, receipt of a first guided electromagnetic surface wave via a first coupler coupled to a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic surface wave is guided by a surface of the transmission medium;

converting, by the waveguide system, the first guided electromagnetic surface wave to an electronic signal;

converting, by the waveguide system, the electronic signal to a second guided electromagnetic surface wave; and

facilitating, by the waveguide system, transmission of the second guided electromagnetic surface wave via a second coupler coupled to the transmission medium, wherein the second guided electromagnetic surface wave is guided by the surface of the transmission medium.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the waveguide system comprises a receiver for receiving the first guided electromagnetic surface wave and for converting the first guided electromagnetic surface wave to the electronic signal.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the waveguide system further comprises a transmitter for converting the electronic signal to the second guided electromagnetic surface wave and for transmitting the second guided electromagnetic surface wave.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first guided electromagnetic surface wave and the second guided electromagnetic surface wave travel in a same direction along the surface of the transmission medium.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the first coupler comprises a dielectric material, and wherein the second coupler comprises a dielectric material.

17. A method, comprising:

receiving, via a first coupler coupled to a first transmission medium, a first electromagnetic surface wave guided by a first surface of the first transmission medium;

converting the first electromagnetic surface wave to an electronic signal;

converting the electronic signal to a second electromagnetic surface wave; and

transmitting, via a second coupler coupled to a second transmission medium, the second electromagnetic surface wave that propagates along a second surface of the second transmission medium.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first coupler comprises a reflector coupled to the first transmission medium, and wherein the receiving further comprises reflecting the first electromagnetic surface wave from the reflector for providing a wireless signal.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second coupler comprises a reflector coupled to the second transmission medium, and wherein the transmitting further comprises transmitting a wireless signal to the reflector for inducing propagation of the second electromagnetic surface wave via the second transmission medium.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first electromagnetic surface wave and the second electromagnetic surface wave have an operating frequency in a millimeter-wave frequency range, and wherein the first transmission medium and the second transmission medium are a same transmission medium.