Hybrid wireless/wired RoF transponder and hybrid RoF communication system using same
First Claim
1. A hybrid transponder for distributing wireless and wired signals from a hybrid head-end unit to at least one client device, comprising:
- a hybrid converter adapted to convert wireless and wired optical signals from the hybrid head-end unit to wired and wireless electrical signals and vice versa;
a frequency multiplexer/demultiplexer (M/D) electrically connected to the hybrid converter and adapted to multiplex and demultiplex the wired and wireless electrical signals;
an antenna system electrically connected to the frequency M/D via a signal-directing element configured to allow the antenna system to transmit and receive wireless signals from the at least one client device; and
a wireline cable port electrically connected to the frequency M/D and adapted to connect to a wireline cable to carry wired electrical signals to and from the at least one client device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A radio-over-fiber (RoF) hybrid wired/wireless transponder is disclosed that is configured to provide both wireless and wired communication between a hybrid head-end and one or more client devices. The hybrid transponder includes optical-to-electrical (O/E) and electrical-to-optical (E/O) conversion capability and is configured to frequency multiplex/demultiplex electrical “wired” signals and electrical “wireless” signals. The electrical wireless signals are wirelessly communicated to the client device(s) via a multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system within a cellular coverage area. The electrical wired signals are communicated to the client device(s) via a wireline cable that plugs into a wireline cable port on the transponder. The hybrid RoF system includes a hybrid head-end capable of transmitting and receiving wired and wireless optical signals, and an optical fiber cable that is optically coupled to the hybrid head-end and to at least one hybrid transponder. Drop-down transponder configurations that allow for easy wired and wireless connectivity between the client device(s) to the transponder(s) are also disclosed.
380 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hybrid transponder for distributing wireless and wired signals from a hybrid head-end unit to at least one client device, comprising:
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a hybrid converter adapted to convert wireless and wired optical signals from the hybrid head-end unit to wired and wireless electrical signals and vice versa; a frequency multiplexer/demultiplexer (M/D) electrically connected to the hybrid converter and adapted to multiplex and demultiplex the wired and wireless electrical signals; an antenna system electrically connected to the frequency M/D via a signal-directing element configured to allow the antenna system to transmit and receive wireless signals from the at least one client device; and a wireline cable port electrically connected to the frequency M/D and adapted to connect to a wireline cable to carry wired electrical signals to and from the at least one client device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of providing wired and wireless connectivity to at least one client device from a hybrid head-end unit, comprising:
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deploying at least one hybrid transponder optically coupled to the hybrid head-end unit and adapted to convert optical wired and wireless signals from the hybrid head-end unit into electrical wired and wireless signals; and in the at least one hybrid transponder, (i) directing the electrical wireless signals to a multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system so as to wirelessly communicate with the at least one client device; and (ii) directing the electrical wired signals to a wireline cable port and to the at least one client device via a wireline cable operably connecting the at least one hybrid transponder to the at least one client device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A hybrid Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communication system capable of providing wireless and wired connectivity to at least one client device, comprising:
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a hybrid head-end unit adapted to transmit and receive wired and wireless optical signals over an optical fiber cable; at least one hybrid transponder optically coupled to the optical fiber cable and configured to convert wired and wireless optical signals to corresponding wired and wireless electrical signals and vice versa, the at least one hybrid transponder further configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless electrical signals to the at least one client device via an antenna system and to wire-transmit the wired electrical signals to the at least one client device via a wireline cable that operably connects the at least one hybrid transponder to the at least one client device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification