Backhaul link for distributed antenna system

• US 10,225,840 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2017
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• 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: Henry, Paul Shala, Barnickel, Donald J., Barzegar, Farhad, Blandino, George, Gerszberg, Irwin, Willis, III, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Doan, Phuoc H
• Application Number:
  US15/698,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20170374666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 455 412, 398 76, 375260, 370252, 370329
• 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 first coupler;

a second coupler;

an antenna;

a memory to store instructions; and

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

receiving, by the antenna, a first wireless signal that is converted to a first guided electromagnetic wave that propagates along a first transmission medium, wherein the first wireless signal conveys a modulated signal generated by a first communication device;

receiving, by the first coupler, the first guided electromagnetic wave guided by the first transmission medium;

converting the first guided electromagnetic wave to an electrical signal; and

converting the electrical signal to a second guided electromagnetic wave, the second guided electromagnetic wave generated on a surface of a second transmission medium utilizing the second coupler, wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave conveys the modulated signal, and wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave is directed to another system that converts the second guided electromagnetic wave to a second wireless signal conveying the modulated signal, and wherein the second wireless signal is directed to a second communication device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave and the second guided electromagnetic wave propagate in a same longitudinal direction.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical signal is converted to the second guided electromagnetic wave by a transmitter.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a plurality of processors operating in a distributed processing environment.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the modulated signal comprises speech data.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave is received by a receiver and converted to the electrical signal by the receiver.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second transmission medium comprises a portion of the first transmission medium.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a waveguide system that is a component of a distributed antenna system.

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

10. A method, comprising:

receiving, by an antenna of a waveguide system, a first wireless signal that is converted to a first guided electromagnetic wave guided by a first transmission medium, wherein the first wireless signal conveys a modulated signal generated by a first communication device;

receiving, by a first coupler of the waveguide system, the first guided electromagnetic wave guided by the first transmission medium;

converting, by the waveguide system, the first guided electromagnetic wave to an electrical signal; and

converting, by the waveguide system, the electrical signal to a second guided electromagnetic wave, the second guided electromagnetic wave being coupled to a second transmission medium by a second coupler of the waveguide system, wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave conveys the modulated signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the waveguide system comprises a receiver for receiving the first guided electromagnetic wave and for converting the first guided electromagnetic wave to the electrical signal.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the waveguide system further comprises a transmitter for converting the electrical signal to the second guided electromagnetic wave.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second transmission medium comprises a portion of the first transmission medium.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave is directed to another waveguide system that converts the second guided electromagnetic wave to a second wireless signal including the modulated signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second wireless signal is directed to a second communication device for processing the modulated signal.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the antenna is part of a distributed antenna system.

17. A method, comprising:

receiving, by an antenna, a first wireless signal that is converted to a first guided electromagnetic wave guided by a surface of a first dielectric transmission medium, wherein the first wireless signal conveys a modulated signal generated by a first communication device;

receiving, by a first coupler, the first guided electromagnetic wave guided by the first dielectric transmission medium;

converting, by a receiver, the first guided electromagnetic wave to an electrical signal; and

converting, by a transmitter, the electrical signal to a second guided electromagnetic wave, the second guided electromagnetic wave being coupled to a second dielectric transmission medium by a second coupler, wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave conveys the modulated signal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first coupler comprises a first dielectric coupler.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second coupler comprises a second dielectric coupler.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave is directed to a system that converts the second guided electromagnetic wave to a second wireless signal including the modulated signal, and wherein the second wireless signal is directed to a second communication device.