Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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REPEATER AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This
application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
15/179,339, filed June 10, 2016. All sections of the aforementioned
application are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The
subject disclosure relates to communications via microwave transmission
in a communication network.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As
smart phones and other portable devices increasingly become ubiquitous,
and data usage increases, macrocell base station devices and existing wireless
infrastructure in turn require higher bandwidth capability in order to address
the increased
demand. To provide additional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being
pursued, with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much smaller
areas than
traditional macrocells.
[0004] In
addition, most homes and businesses have grown to rely on broadband data
access for services such as voice, video and Internet browsing, etc. Broadband
access
networks include satellite, 4G or 5G wireless, power line communication,
fiber, cable,
and telephone networks.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005]
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not
necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1
is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment
of a guided-wave communications system in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0007] FIG. 2
is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment
of a transmission device in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0008] FIG. 3
is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[0009] FIG. 4
is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[00010] FIG. 5A is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a frequency response in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[00011] FIG. 5B is a graphical diagram illustrating example, non-limiting
embodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of an insulated wire depicting
fields of
guided electromagnetic waves at various operating frequencies in accordance
with
various aspects described herein.
[00012] FIG. 6 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[00013] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[00014] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[00015] FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a stub coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein.
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[00016] FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment
of an
electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[00017] FIGs. 10A and 10B are block diagrams illustrating example, non-
limiting
embodiments of couplers and transceivers in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[00018] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a dual stub coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[00019] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a repeater system in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[00020] FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[00021] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a waveguide system in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[00022] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a guided-wave communications system in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[00023] FIGs. 16A & 16B are block diagrams illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a system for managing a power grid communication system in
accordance
with various aspects described herein.
[00024] FIG. 17A illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a
communication
network of the system of FIGs. 16A and 16B.
[00025] FIG. 17B illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a
communication
network of the system of FIGs. 16A and 16B.
[00026] FIG. 18A illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a communications system in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
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[00027] FIG. 18B illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a network termination in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[00028] FIG. 18C illustrates a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[00029] FIG. 18D illustrates a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[00030] FIG. 18E illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a host node device in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[00031] FIG. 18F illustrates a combination pictorial and block diagram
illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of downstream data flow in accordance with
various
aspects described herein.
[00032] FIG. 18G illustrates a combination pictorial and block diagram
illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of upstream data flow in accordance with
various
aspects described herein.
[00033] FIG. 18H illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a client node device in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[00034] FIG. 19A illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of an access point repeater in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[00035] FIG. 19B illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a mini-repeater in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[00036] FIG. 19C illustrates a combination pictorial and block diagram
illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a mini-repeater in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[00037] FIG. 19D illustrates a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
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[00038] FIG. 20A ¨ 20D illustrate flow diagrams of example, non-limiting
embodiments of methods in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[00039] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a
computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[00040] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a
mobile network platform in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[00041] FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a
communication device in accordance with various aspects described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00042] One or more embodiments are now described with reference to the
drawings,
wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.
In the
following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set
forth in order
to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,
however,
that the various embodiments can be practiced without these details (and
without
applying to any particular networked environment or standard).
[00043] In an embodiment, a guided wave communication system is presented for
sending and receiving communication signals such as data or other signaling
via guided
electromagnetic waves. The guided electromagnetic waves include, for example,
surface
waves or other electromagnetic waves that are bound to or guided by a
transmission
medium. It will be appreciated that a variety of transmission media can be
utilized with
guided wave communications without departing from example embodiments.
Examples
of such transmission media can include one or more of the following, either
alone or in
one or more combinations: wires, whether insulated or not, and whether single-
stranded
or multi-stranded; conductors of other shapes or configurations including wire
bundles,
cables, rods, rails, pipes; non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods,
rails, or other
dielectric members; combinations of conductors and dielectric materials; or
other guided
wave transmission media.
[00044] The inducement of guided electromagnetic waves on a transmission
medium
can be independent of any electrical potential, charge or current that is
injected or
otherwise transmitted through the transmission medium as part of an electrical
circuit.
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For example, in the case where the transmission medium is a wire, it is to be
appreciated
that while a small current in the wire may be formed in response to the
propagation of the
guided waves along the wire, this can be due to the propagation of the
electromagnetic
wave along the wire surface, and is not formed in response to electrical
potential, charge
or current that is injected into the wire as part of an electrical circuit.
The
electromagnetic waves traveling on the wire therefore do not require a circuit
to
propagate along the wire surface. The wire therefore is a single wire
transmission line
that is not part of a circuit. Also, in some embodiments, a wire is not
necessary, and the
electromagnetic waves can propagate along a single line transmission medium
that is not
a wire.
[00045] More generally, "guided electromagnetic waves" or "guided waves" as
described by the subject disclosure are affected by the presence of a physical
object that
is at least a part of the transmission medium (e.g., a bare wire or other
conductor, a
dielectric, an insulated wire, a conduit or other hollow element, a bundle of
insulated
wires that is coated, covered or surrounded by a dielectric or insulator or
other wire
bundle, or another form of solid, liquid or otherwise non-gaseous transmission
medium)
so as to be at least partially bound to or guided by the physical object and
so as to
propagate along a transmission path of the physical object. Such a physical
object can
operate as at least a part of a transmission medium that guides, by way of an
interface of
the transmission medium (e.g., an outer surface, inner surface, an interior
portion
between the outer and the inner surfaces or other boundary between elements of
the
transmission medium), the propagation of guided electromagnetic waves, which
in turn
can carry energy, data and/or other signals along the transmission path from a
sending
device to a receiving device.
[00046] Unlike free space propagation of wireless signals such as unguided (or
unbounded) electromagnetic waves that decrease in intensity inversely by the
square of
the distance traveled by the unguided electromagnetic waves, guided
electromagnetic
waves can propagate along a transmission medium with less loss in magnitude
per unit
distance than experienced by unguided electromagnetic waves.
[00047] Unlike electrical signals, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate
from a
sending device to a receiving device without requiring a separate electrical
return path
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between the sending device and the receiving device. As a consequence, guided
electromagnetic waves can propagate from a sending device to a receiving
device along a
transmission medium having no conductive components (e.g., a dielectric
strip), or via a
transmission medium having no more than a single conductor (e.g., a single
bare wire or
insulated wire). Even if a transmission medium includes one or more conductive
components and the guided electromagnetic waves propagating along the
transmission
medium generate currents that flow in the one or more conductive components in
a
direction of the guided electromagnetic waves, such guided electromagnetic
waves can
propagate along the transmission medium from a sending device to a receiving
device
without requiring a flow of opposing currents on an electrical return path
between the
sending device and the receiving device.
[00048] In a
non-limiting illustration, consider electrical systems that transmit and
receive electrical signals between sending and receiving devices by way of
conductive
media. Such systems generally rely on electrically separate forward and return
paths.
For instance, consider a coaxial cable having a center conductor and a ground
shield that
are separated by an insulator. Typically, in an electrical system a first
terminal of a
sending (or receiving) device can be connected to the center conductor, and a
second
terminal of the sending (or receiving) device can be connected to the ground
shield. If
the sending device injects an electrical signal in the center conductor via
the first
terminal, the electrical signal will propagate along the center conductor
causing forward
currents in the center conductor, and return currents in the ground shield.
The same
conditions apply for a two terminal receiving device.
[00049] In contrast, consider a guided wave communication system such as
described
in the subject disclosure, which can utilize different embodiments of a
transmission
medium (including among others a coaxial cable) for transmitting and receiving
guided
electromagnetic waves without an electrical return path. In one embodiment,
for
example, the guided wave communication system of the subject disclosure can be
configured to induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along an
outer surface
of a coaxial cable. Although the guided electromagnetic waves will cause
forward
currents on the ground shield, the guided electromagnetic waves do not require
return
currents to enable the guided electromagnetic waves to propagate along the
outer surface
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of the coaxial cable. The same can be said of other transmission media used by
a guided
wave communication system for the transmission and reception of guided
electromagnetic waves. For example, guided electromagnetic waves induced by
the
guided wave communication system on an outer surface of a bare wire, or an
insulated
wire can propagate along the bare wire or the insulated bare wire without an
electrical
return path.
[00050] Consequently, electrical systems that require two or more conductors
for
carrying forward and reverse currents on separate conductors to enable the
propagation of
electrical signals injected by a sending device are distinct from guided wave
systems that
induce guided electromagnetic waves on an interface of a transmission medium
without
the need of an electrical return path to enable the propagation of the guided
electromagnetic waves along the interface of the transmission medium.
[00051] It is further noted that guided electromagnetic waves as described in
the
subject disclosure can have an electromagnetic field structure that lies
primarily or
substantially outside of a transmission medium so as to be bound to or guided
by the
transmission medium and so as to propagate non-trivial distances on or along
an outer
surface of the transmission medium. In other embodiments, guided
electromagnetic
waves can have an electromagnetic field structure that lies primarily or
substantially
inside a transmission medium so as to be bound to or guided by the
transmission medium
and so as to propagate non-trivial distances within the transmission medium.
In other
embodiments, guided electromagnetic waves can have an electromagnetic field
structure
that lies partially inside and partially outside a transmission medium so as
to be bound to
or guided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate non-trivial
distances along
the transmission medium. The desired electronic field structure in an
embodiment may
vary based upon a variety of factors, including the desired transmission
distance, the
characteristics of the transmission medium itself, and environmental
conditions/characteristics outside of the transmission medium (e.g., presence
of rain, fog,
atmospheric conditions, etc.).
[00052] Various embodiments described herein relate to coupling devices, that
can be
referred to as "waveguide coupling devices", "waveguide couplers" or more
simply as
"couplers", "coupling devices" or "launchers" for launching and/or extracting
guided
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electromagnetic waves to and from a transmission medium at millimeter-wave
frequencies (e.g., 30 to 300 GHz), wherein the wavelength can be small
compared to one
or more dimensions of the coupling device and/or the transmission medium such
as the
circumference of a wire or other cross sectional dimension, or lower microwave
frequencies such as 300MHz to 30GHz. Transmissions can be generated to
propagate as
waves guided by a coupling device, such as: a strip, arc or other length of
dielectric
material; a horn, monopole, rod, slot or other antenna; an array of antennas;
a magnetic
resonant cavity, or other resonant coupler; a coil, a strip line, a waveguide
or other
coupling device. In operation, the coupling device receives an electromagnetic
wave
from a transmitter or transmission medium. The electromagnetic field structure
of the
electromagnetic wave can be carried inside the coupling device, outside the
coupling
device or some combination thereof. When the coupling device is in close
proximity to a
transmission medium, at least a portion of an electromagnetic wave couples to
or is
bound to the transmission medium, and continues to propagate as guided
electromagnetic
waves. In a reciprocal fashion, a coupling device can extract guided waves
from a
transmission medium and transfer these electromagnetic waves to a receiver.
[00053] According to an example embodiment, a surface wave is a type of guided
wave that is guided by a surface of a transmission medium, such as an exterior
or outer
surface of the wire, or another surface of the wire that is adjacent to or
exposed to another
type of medium having different properties (e.g., dielectric properties).
Indeed, in an
example embodiment, a surface of the wire that guides a surface wave can
represent a
transitional surface between two different types of media. For example, in the
case of a
bare or uninsulated wire, the surface of the wire can be the outer or exterior
conductive
surface of the bare or uninsulated wire that is exposed to air or free space.
As another
example, in the case of insulated wire, the surface of the wire can be the
conductive
portion of the wire that meets the insulator portion of the wire, or can
otherwise be the
insulator surface of the wire that is exposed to air or free space, or can
otherwise be any
material region between the insulator surface of the wire and the conductive
portion of
the wire that meets the insulator portion of the wire, depending upon the
relative
differences in the properties (e.g., dielectric properties) of the insulator,
air, and/or the
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conductor and further dependent on the frequency and propagation mode or modes
of the
guided wave.
[00054] According to an example embodiment, the term "about" a wire or other
transmission medium used in conjunction with a guided wave can include
fundamental
guided wave propagation modes such as a guided waves having a circular or
substantially
circular field distribution, a symmetrical electromagnetic field distribution
(e.g., electric
field, magnetic field, electromagnetic field, etc.) or other fundamental mode
pattern at
least partially around a wire or other transmission medium. In addition, when
a guided
wave propagates "about" a wire or other transmission medium, it can do so
according to a
guided wave propagation mode that includes not only the fundamental wave
propagation
modes (e.g., zero order modes), but additionally or alternatively non-
fundamental wave
propagation modes such as higher-order guided wave modes (e.g., Pt order
modes, 2nd
order modes, etc.), asymmetrical modes and/or other guided (e.g., surface)
waves that
have non-circular field distributions around a wire or other transmission
medium. As
used herein, the term "guided wave mode" refers to a guided wave propagation
mode of a
transmission medium, coupling device or other system component of a guided
wave
communication system.
[00055] For example, such non-circular field distributions can be unilateral
or multi-
lateral with one or more axial lobes characterized by relatively higher field
strength
and/or one or more nulls or null regions characterized by relatively low-field
strength,
zero-field strength or substantially zero-field strength. Further, the field
distribution can
otherwise vary as a function of azimuthal orientation around the wire such
that one or
more angular regions around the wire have an electric or magnetic field
strength (or
combination thereof) that is higher than one or more other angular regions of
azimuthal
orientation, according to an example embodiment. It will be appreciated that
the relative
orientations or positions of the guided wave higher order modes or
asymmetrical modes
can vary as the guided wave travels along the wire.
[00056] As used herein, the term "millimeter-wave" can refer to
electromagnetic
waves/signals that fall within the "millimeter-wave frequency band" of 30 GHz
to 300
GHz. The term "microwave" can refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that fall
within a
"microwave frequency band" of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The term "radio frequency"
or
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"RF" can refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that fall within the "radio
frequency
band" of 10 kHz to 1 THz. It is appreciated that wireless signals, electrical
signals, and
guided electromagnetic waves as described in the subject disclosure can be
configured to
operate at any desirable frequency range, such as, for example, at frequencies
within,
above or below millimeter-wave and/or microwave frequency bands. In
particular, when
a coupling device or transmission medium includes a conductive element, the
frequency
of the guided electromagnetic waves that are carried by the coupling device
and/or
propagate along the transmission medium can be below the mean collision
frequency of
the electrons in the conductive element. Further, the frequency of the guided
electromagnetic waves that are carried by the coupling device and/or propagate
along the
transmission medium can be a non-optical frequency, e.g. a radio frequency
below the
range of optical frequencies that begins at 1 THz.
[00057] As used herein, the term "antenna" can refer to a device that is part
of a
transmitting or receiving system to transmit/radiate or receive wireless
signals.
[00058] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a network termination
includes
a network interface configured to receive downstream data from a communication
network and to send upstream data to the communication network. A downstream
channel modulator modulates the downstream data into downstream channel
signals
corresponding to downstream frequency channels of a guided wave communication
system. A host interface sends the downstream channel signals to the guided
wave
communication system and to receive upstream channel signals corresponding to
upstream frequency channels from the guided wave communication system. An
upstream channel demodulator demodulates upstream channel signals into the
upstream
data.
[00059] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes
receiving
downstream data from a communication network; modulating the downstream data
into
upstream channel signals corresponding to downstream frequency channels of a
guided
wave communication system; sending the downstream channel signals to the
guided
wave communication system via a wired connection; receiving upstream channel
signals
corresponding to upstream frequency channels from the guided wave
communication
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system via the wired connection; demodulating the upstream channel signals
into
upstream data; and sending the upstream data to the communication network.
[00060] In accordance with one or more embodiments, A network termination
includes a downstream channel modulator configured to modulate downstream data
into
downstream channel signals to convey the downstream data via a guided
electromagnetic
wave that is bound to a transmission medium of a guided wave communication
system.
A host interface sends the downstream channel signals to the guided wave
communication system and to receive upstream channel signals corresponding to
upstream frequency channels from the guided wave communication system. An
upstream channel demodulator demodulates upstream channel signals into
upstream data.
[00061] In accordance with one or more embodiments, A host node device
includes at
least one access point repeater (APR) configured to communicate via a guided
wave
communication system. A terminal interface receives downstream channel signals
from a
communication network. A first channel duplexer transfers the downstream
channel
signals to the at least one APR. The at least the one APR launches the
downstream
channel signals on the guided wave communication system as guided
electromagnetic
waves.
[00062] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes
receiving
downstream channel signals from a communication network; launching the
downstream
channel signals on a guided wave communication system as guided
electromagnetic
waves; and wirelessly transmitting the downstream channel signals to at least
one client
node device.
[00063] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a host node device
includes a
terminal interface configured to receive downstream channel signals from a
communication network and send upstream channel signals to the communication
network. At least one access point repeater (APR) launches the downstream
channel
signals as guided electromagnetic waves on a guided wave communication system
and to
extract a first subset of the upstream channel signals from the guided wave
communication system. A radio wirelessly transmits the downstream channel
signals to
at least one client node device and to wirelessly receive a second subset of
the upstream
channel signals from the at least one client node device.
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[00064] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a client node device
includes a
radio configured to wireles sly receive downstream channel signals from a
communication
network. An access point repeater (APR) launches the downstream channel
signals on a
guided wave communication system as guided electromagnetic waves that
propagation
along a transmission medium and to wireles sly transmit the downstream channel
signals
to at least one client device.
[00065] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes wireles
sly
receiving downstream channel signals from a communication network; launching
the
downstream channel signals on a guided wave communication system as guided
electromagnetic waves that propagation along a transmission medium; and
wirelessly
transmitting the downstream channel signals to at least one client device.
[00066] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a client node device
includes a
radio configured to wireles sly receive downstream channel signals from a
communication
network and to wirelessly transmit first upstream channel signals and second
upstream
channel signals to the communication network. An access point repeater (APR)
launches
the downstream channel signals on a guided wave communication system as guided
electromagnetic waves that propagation along a transmission medium, to extract
the first
upstream channel signals from the guided wave communication system, to
wirelessly
transmit the downstream channel signals to at least one client device and to
wireles sly
receive the second upstream channel signals from the communication network.
[00067] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a repeater device includes
a
first coupler configured to extract downstream channel signals from first
guided
electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium of a guided wave
communication system. An amplifier amplifies the downstream channel signals to
generate amplified downstream channel signals. A channel selection filter
selects one or
more of the amplified downstream channel signals to wirelessly transmit to the
at least
one client device via an antenna. A second coupler guides the amplified
downstream
channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided wave communication
system to
propagate as second guided electromagnetic waves. A channel duplexer transfers
the
amplified downstream channel signals to the coupler and to the channel
selection filter.
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[00068] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes
extracting
downstream channel signals from first guided electromagnetic waves bound to a
transmission medium of a guided wave communication system; amplifying the
downstream channel signals to generate amplified downstream channel signals;
selecting
one or more of the amplified downstream channel signals to wireles sly
transmit to the at
least one client device via an antenna; and guiding the amplified downstream
channel
signals to the transmission medium of the guided wave communication system to
propagate as second guided electromagnetic waves.
[00069] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a repeater device includes
a
first coupler configured to extract downstream channel signals from first
guided
electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium of a guided wave
communication system. An amplifier amplifies the downstream channel signals to
generate amplified downstream channel signals. A channel selection filter
selects one or
more of the amplified downstream channel signals to wirelessly transmit to the
at least
one client device via an antenna. A second coupler guides the amplified
downstream
channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided wave communication
system to
propagate as second guided electromagnetic waves.
[00070] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram 100 illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown. In
operation, a
transmission device 101 receives one or more communication signals 110 from a
communication network or other communications device that includes data and
generates
guided waves 120 to convey the data via the transmission medium 125 to the
transmission device 102. The transmission device 102 receives the guided waves
120
and converts them to communication signals 112 that include the data for
transmission to
a communications network or other communications device. The guided waves 120
can
be modulated to convey data via a modulation technique such as phase shift
keying,
frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation,
multi-
carrier modulation such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and via
multiple
access techniques such as frequency division multiplexing, time division
multiplexing,
code division multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes
and via
other modulation and access strategies.
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[00071] The communication network or networks can include a wireless
communication network such as a mobile data network, a cellular voice and data
network, a wireless local area network (e.g., WiFi or an 802.xx network), a
satellite
communications network, a personal area network or other wireless network. The
communication network or networks can also include a wired communication
network
such as a telephone network, an Ethernet network, a local area network, a wide
area
network such as the Internet, a broadband access network, a cable network, a
fiber optic
network, or other wired network. The communication devices can include a
network
edge device, bridge device or home gateway, a set-top box, broadband modem,
telephone
adapter, access point, base station, or other fixed communication device, a
mobile
communication device such as an automotive gateway or automobile, laptop
computer,
tablet, smartphone, cellular telephone, or other communication device.
[00072] In an example embodiment, the guided wave communication system of
diagram 100 can operate in a bi-directional fashion where transmission device
102
receives one or more communication signals 112 from a communication network or
device that includes other data and generates guided waves 122 to convey the
other data
via the transmission medium 125 to the transmission device 101. In this mode
of
operation, the transmission device 101 receives the guided waves 122 and
converts them
to communication signals 110 that include the other data for transmission to a
communications network or device. The guided waves 122 can be modulated to
convey
data via a modulation technique such as phase shift keying, frequency shift
keying,
quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multi-carrier
modulation such
as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and via multiple access
techniques such as
frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division
multiplexing,
multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes and via other modulation and
access
strategies.
[00073] The transmission medium 125 can include a cable having at least one
inner
portion surrounded by a dielectric material such as an insulator or other
dielectric cover,
coating or other dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer
surface and a
corresponding circumference. In an example embodiment, the transmission medium
125
operates as a single-wire transmission line to guide the transmission of an
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electromagnetic wave. When the transmission medium 125 is implemented as a
single
wire transmission system, it can include a wire. The wire can be insulated or
uninsulated,
and single-stranded or multi-stranded (e.g., braided). In other embodiments,
the
transmission medium 125 can contain conductors of other shapes or
configurations
including wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes. In addition, the
transmission medium
125 can include non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods, rails, or other
dielectric
members; combinations of conductors and dielectric materials, conductors
without
dielectric materials or other guided wave transmission media. It should be
noted that the
transmission medium 125 can otherwise include any of the transmission media
previously discussed.
[00074] Further, as previously discussed, the guided waves 120 and 122 can be
contrasted with radio transmissions over free space / air or conventional
propagation of
electrical power or signals through the conductor of a wire via an electrical
circuit. In
addition to the propagation of guided waves 120 and 122, the transmission
medium 125
may optionally contain one or more wires that propagate electrical power or
other
communication signals in a conventional manner as a part of one or more
electrical
circuits.
[00075] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram 200 illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a transmission device is shown. The transmission device
101 or
102 includes a communications interface (IF) 205, a transceiver 210 and a
coupler 220.
[00076] In an example of operation, the communications interface 205 receives
a
communication signal 110 or 112 that includes data. In various embodiments,
the
communications interface 205 can include a wireless interface for receiving a
wireless
communication signal in accordance with a wireless standard protocol such as
LTE or
other cellular voice and data protocol, WiFi or an 802.11 protocol, WIMAX
protocol,
Ultra Wideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol, a direct
broadcast satellite
(DBS) or other satellite communication protocol or other wireless protocol. In
addition
or in the alternative, the communications interface 205 includes a wired
interface that
operates in accordance with an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB)
protocol, a
data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital
subscriber
line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or other wired protocol.
In
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additional to standards-based protocols, the communications interface 205 can
operate in
conjunction with other wired or wireless protocol, including any of the
current or planned
variations of the standard protocols above, modified for example for operation
in
conjunction with network that incorporates a guided wave communication system,
or a
different protocol altogether. In addition, the communications interface 205
can
optionally operate in conjunction with a protocol stack that includes multiple
protocol
layers including a MAC protocol, transport protocol, application protocol,
etc.
[00077] In an example of operation, the transceiver 210 generates an
electromagnetic
wave based on the communication signal 110 or 112 to convey the data. The
electromagnetic wave has at least one carrier frequency and at least one
corresponding
wavelength. The carrier frequency can be within a millimeter-wave frequency
band of
30GHz ¨ 300GHz, such as 60GHz or a carrier frequency in the range of 30-40GHz
or a
lower frequency band of 300 MHz ¨ 30GHz in the microwave frequency range such
as
26-30GHz, 11 GHz, 6 GHz or 3GHz, but it will be appreciated that other carrier
frequencies are possible in other embodiments. In one mode of operation, the
transceiver
210 merely upconverts the communications signal or signals 110 or 112 for
transmission
of the electromagnetic signal in the microwave or millimeter-wave band as a
guided
electromagnetic wave that is guided by or bound to the transmission medium
125. In
another mode of operation, the communications interface 205 either converts
the
communication signal 110 or 112 to a baseband or near baseband signal or
extracts the
data from the communication signal 110 or 112 and the transceiver 210
modulates a high-
frequency carrier with the data, the baseband or near baseband signal for
transmission. It
should be appreciated that the transceiver 210 can modulate the data received
via the
communication signal 110 or 112 to preserve one or more data communication
protocols
of the communication signal 110 or 112 either by encapsulation in the payload
of a
different protocol or by simple frequency shifting. In the alternative, the
transceiver 210
can otherwise translate the data received via the communication signal 110 or
112 to a
protocol that is different from the data communication protocol or protocols
of the
communication signal 110 or 112.
[00078] In an example of operation, the coupler 220 couples the
electromagnetic wave
to the transmission medium 125 as a guided electromagnetic wave to convey the
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communications signal or signals 110 or 112. While the prior description has
focused on
the operation of the transceiver 210 as a transmitter, the transceiver 210 can
also operate
to receive electromagnetic waves that convey other data from the single wire
transmission medium via the coupler 220 and to generate communications signals
110 or
112, via communications interface 205 that includes the other data. Consider
embodiments where an additional guided electromagnetic wave conveys other data
that
also propagates along the transmission medium 125. The coupler 220 can also
couple
this additional electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium 125 to the
transceiver 210 for reception.
[00079] The transmission device 101 or 102 includes an optional training
controller
230. In an example embodiment, the training controller 230 is implemented by a
standalone processor or a processor that is shared with one or more other
components of
the transmission device 101 or 102. The training controller 230 selects the
carrier
frequencies, modulation schemes and/or guided wave modes for the guided
electromagnetic waves based on feedback data received by the transceiver 210
from at
least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the guided
electromagnetic wave.
[00080] In an example embodiment, a guided electromagnetic wave transmitted by
a
remote transmission device 101 or 102 conveys data that also propagates along
the
transmission medium 125. The data from the remote transmission device 101 or
102 can
be generated to include the feedback data. In operation, the coupler 220 also
couples the
guided electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium 125 and the
transceiver
receives the electromagnetic wave and processes the electromagnetic wave to
extract the
feedback data.
[00081] In an example embodiment, the training controller 230 operates based
on the
feedback data to evaluate a plurality of candidate frequencies, modulation
schemes and/or
transmission modes to select a carrier frequency, modulation scheme and/or
transmission
mode to enhance performance, such as throughput, signal strength, reduce
propagation
loss, etc.
[00082] Consider the following example: a transmission device 101 begins
operation
under control of the training controller 230 by sending a plurality of guided
waves as test
signals such as pilot waves or other test signals at a corresponding plurality
of candidate
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frequencies and/or candidate modes directed to a remote transmission device
102 coupled
to the transmission medium 125. The guided waves can include, in addition or
in the
alternative, test data. The test data can indicate the particular candidate
frequency and/or
guide-wave mode of the signal. In an embodiment, the training controller 230
at the
remote transmission device 102 receives the test signals and/or test data from
any of the
guided waves that were properly received and determines the best candidate
frequency
and/or guided wave mode, a set of acceptable candidate frequencies and/or
guided wave
modes, or a rank ordering of candidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes.
This
selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided-mode(s) are generated by
the training
controller 230 based on one or more optimizing criteria such as received
signal strength,
bit error rate, packet error rate, signal to noise ratio, propagation loss,
etc. The training
controller 230 generates feedback data that indicates the selection of
candidate
frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s) and sends the feedback data to the
transceiver
210 for transmission to the transmission device 101. The transmission device
101 and
102 can then communicate data with one another based on the selection of
candidate
frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s).
[00083] In other embodiments, the guided electromagnetic waves that contain
the test
signals and/or test data are reflected back, repeated back or otherwise looped
back by the
remote transmission device 102 to the transmission device 101 for reception
and analysis
by the training controller 230 of the transmission device 101 that initiated
these waves.
For example, the transmission device 101 can send a signal to the remote
transmission
device 102 to initiate a test mode where a physical reflector is switched on
the line, a
termination impedance is changed to cause reflections, a loop back mode is
switched on
to couple electromagnetic waves back to the source transmission device 102,
and/or a
repeater mode is enabled to amplify and retransmit the electromagnetic waves
back to the
source transmission device 102. The training controller 230 at the source
transmission
device 102 receives the test signals and/or test data from any of the guided
waves that
were properly received and determines selection of candidate frequenc(ies)
or/and guided
wave mode(s).
[00084] While the procedure above has been described in a start-up or
initialization
mode of operation, each transmission device 101 or 102 can send test signals,
evaluate
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candidate frequencies or guided wave modes via non-test such as normal
transmissions or
otherwise evaluate candidate frequencies or guided wave modes at other times
or
continuously as well. In an example embodiment, the communication protocol
between
the transmission devices 101 and 102 can include an on-request or periodic
test mode
where either full testing or more limited testing of a subset of candidate
frequencies and
guided wave modes are tested and evaluated. In other modes of operation, the
re-entry
into such a test mode can be triggered by a degradation of performance due to
a
disturbance, weather conditions, etc. In an example embodiment, the receiver
bandwidth
of the transceiver 210 is either sufficiently wide or swept to receive all
candidate
frequencies or can be selectively adjusted by the training controller 230 to a
training
mode where the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is sufficiently wide
or swept to
receive all candidate frequencies.
[00085] Referring now to FIG. 3, a graphical diagram 300 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In
this
embodiment, a transmission medium 125 in air includes an inner conductor 301
and an
insulating jacket 302 of dielectric material, as shown in cross section. The
diagram 300
includes different gray-scales that represent differing electromagnetic field
strengths
generated by the propagation of the guided wave having an asymmetrical and non-
fundamental guided wave mode.
[00086] In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution corresponds to a
modal
"sweet spot" that enhances guided electromagnetic wave propagation along an
insulated
transmission medium and reduces end-to-end transmission loss. In this
particular mode,
electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium 125 to propagate
along an
outer surface of the transmission medium ¨ in this case, the outer surface of
the insulating
jacket 302. Electromagnetic waves are partially embedded in the insulator and
partially
radiating on the outer surface of the insulator. In this fashion,
electromagnetic waves are
"lightly" coupled to the insulator so as to enable electromagnetic wave
propagation at
long distances with low propagation loss.
[00087] As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies primarily or
substantially outside of the transmission medium 125 that serves to guide the
electromagnetic waves. The regions inside the conductor 301 have little or no
field.
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Likewise regions inside the insulating jacket 302 have low field strength. The
majority
of the electromagnetic field strength is distributed in the lobes 304 at the
outer surface of
the insulating jacket 302 and in close proximity thereof. The presence of an
asymmetric
guided wave mode is shown by the high electromagnetic field strengths at the
top and
bottom of the outer surface of the insulating jacket 302 (in the orientation
of the diagram)
¨ as opposed to very small field strengths on the other sides of the
insulating jacket 302.
[00088] The example shown corresponds to a 38 GHz electromagnetic wave guided
by
a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation of thickness of
0.36 cm.
Because the electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium 125 and
the
majority of the field strength is concentrated in the air outside of the
insulating jacket 302
within a limited distance of the outer surface, the guided wave can propagate
longitudinally down the transmission medium 125 with very low loss. In the
example
shown, this "limited distance" corresponds to a distance from the outer
surface that is less
than half the largest cross sectional dimension of the transmission medium
125. In this
case, the largest cross sectional dimension of the wire corresponds to the
overall diameter
of 1.82 cm, however, this value can vary with the size and shape of the
transmission
medium 125. For example, should the transmission medium 125 be of a
rectangular
shape with a height of .3cm and a width of .4cm, the largest cross sectional
dimension
would be the diagonal of .5cm and the corresponding limited distance would be
.25cm.
The dimensions of the area containing the majority of the field strength also
vary with the
frequency, and in general, increase as carrier frequencies decrease.
[00089] It should also be noted that the components of a guided wave
communication
system, such as couplers and transmission media can have their own cut-off
frequencies
for each guided wave mode. The cut-off frequency generally sets forth the
lowest
frequency that a particular guided wave mode is designed to be supported by
that
particular component. In an example embodiment, the particular asymmetric mode
of
propagation shown is induced on the transmission medium 125 by an
electromagnetic
wave having a frequency that falls within a limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc)
of the lower
cut-off frequency Fc for this particular asymmetric mode. The lower cut-off
frequency Fc
is particular to the characteristics of transmission medium 125. For
embodiments as
shown that include an inner conductor 301 surrounded by an insulating jacket
302, this
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cutoff frequency can vary based on the dimensions and properties of the
insulating jacket
302 and potentially the dimensions and properties of the inner conductor 301
and can be
determined experimentally to have a desired mode pattern. It should be noted
however,
that similar effects can be found for a hollow dielectric or insulator without
an inner
conductor. In this case, the cutoff frequency can vary based on the dimensions
and
properties of the hollow dielectric or insulator.
[00090] At frequencies lower than the lower cut-off frequency, the asymmetric
mode
is difficult to induce in the transmission medium 125 and fails to propagate
for all but
trivial distances. As the frequency increases above the limited range of
frequencies about
the cut-off frequency, the asymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the
insulating jacket 302. At frequencies much larger than the cut-off frequency,
the field
strength is no longer concentrated outside of the insulating jacket, but
primarily inside of
the insulating jacket 302. While the transmission medium 125 provides strong
guidance
to the electromagnetic wave and propagation is still possible, ranges are more
limited by
increased losses due to propagation within the insulating jacket 302 -- as
opposed to the
surrounding air.
[00091] Referring now to FIG. 4, a graphical diagram 400 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In
particular,
a cross section diagram 400, similar to FIG. 3 is shown with common reference
numerals
used to refer to similar elements. The example shown corresponds to a 60 GHz
wave
guided by a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation of
thickness of 0.36
cm. Because the frequency of the guided wave is above the limited range of the
cut-off
frequency of this particular asymmetric mode, much of the field strength has
shifted
inward of the insulating jacket 302. In particular, the field strength is
concentrated
primarily inside of the insulating jacket 302. While the transmission medium
125
provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave and propagation is still
possible,
ranges are more limited when compared with the embodiment of FIG. 3, by
increased
losses due to propagation within the insulating jacket 302.
[00092] Referring now to FIG. 5A, a graphical diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a frequency response is shown. In particular, diagram
500
presents a graph of end-to-end loss (in dB) as a function of frequency,
overlaid with
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electromagnetic field distributions 510, 520 and 530 at three points for a
200cm insulated
medium voltage wire. The boundary between the insulator and the surrounding
air is
represented by reference numeral 525 in each electromagnetic field
distribution.
[00093] As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3, an example of a desired
asymmetric
mode of propagation shown is induced on the transmission medium 125 by an
electromagnetic wave having a frequency that falls within a limited range
(such as Fc to
2Fc) of the lower cut-off frequency Fc of the transmission medium for this
particular
asymmetric mode. In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution 520 at
6 GHz falls
within this modal "sweet spot" that enhances electromagnetic wave propagation
along an
insulated transmission medium and reduces end-to-end transmission loss. In
this
particular mode, guided waves are partially embedded in the insulator and
partially
radiating on the outer surface of the insulator. In this fashion, the
electromagnetic waves
are "lightly" coupled to the insulator so as to enable guided electromagnetic
wave
propagation at long distances with low propagation loss.
[00094] At lower frequencies represented by the electromagnetic field
distribution 510
at 3 GHz, the asymmetric mode radiates more heavily generating higher
propagation
losses. At higher frequencies represented by the electromagnetic field
distribution 530 at
9 GHz, the asymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the insulating
jacket
providing too much absorption, again generating higher propagation losses.
[00095] Referring now to FIG. 5B, a graphical diagram 550 illustrating
example, non-
limiting embodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of a transmission medium
125, such
as an insulated wire, depicting fields of guided electromagnetic waves at
various
operating frequencies is shown. As shown in diagram 556, when the guided
electromagnetic waves are at approximately the cutoff frequency (fc)
corresponding to the
modal "sweet spot", the guided electromagnetic waves are loosely coupled to
the
insulated wire so that absorption is reduced, and the fields of the guided
electromagnetic
waves are bound sufficiently to reduce the amount radiated into the
environment (e.g.,
air). Because absorption and radiation of the fields of the guided
electromagnetic waves
is low, propagation losses are consequently low, enabling the guided
electromagnetic
waves to propagate for longer distances.
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[00096] As shown in diagram 554, propagation losses increase when an operating
frequency of the guide electromagnetic waves increases above about two-times
the cutoff
frequency (f)¨or as referred to, above the range of the "sweet spot". More of
the field
strength of the electromagnetic wave is driven inside the insulating layer,
increasing
propagation losses. At frequencies much higher than the cutoff frequency (fc)
the guided
electromagnetic waves are strongly bound to the insulated wire as a result of
the fields
emitted by the guided electromagnetic waves being concentrated in the
insulation layer of
the wire, as shown in diagram 552. This in turn raises propagation losses
further due to
absorption of the guided electromagnetic waves by the insulation layer.
Similarly,
propagation losses increase when the operating frequency of the guided
electromagnetic
waves is substantially below the cutoff frequency (f,), as shown in diagram
558. At
frequencies much lower than the cutoff frequency (fc) the guided
electromagnetic waves
are weakly (or nominally) bound to the insulated wire and thereby tend to
radiate into the
environment (e.g., air), which in turn, raises propagation losses due to
radiation of the
guided electromagnetic waves.
[00097] Referring now to FIG. 6, a graphical diagram 600 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In
this
embodiment, a transmission medium 602 is a bare wire, as shown in cross
section. The
diagram 600 includes different gray-scales that represent differing
electromagnetic field
strengths generated by the propagation of a guided wave having a symmetrical
and
fundamental guided wave mode at a single carrier frequency.
[00098] In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by the
transmission
medium 602 to propagate along an outer surface of the transmission medium ¨ in
this
case, the outer surface of the bare wire. Electromagnetic waves are "lightly"
coupled to
the wire so as to enable electromagnetic wave propagation at long distances
with low
propagation loss. As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies
substantially
outside of the transmission medium 602 that serves to guide the
electromagnetic waves.
The regions inside the conductor 625 have little or no field.
[00099] Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram 700 illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In particular a coupling
device is
presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or
102
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presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. The coupling device includes an arc
coupler 704
coupled to a transmitter circuit 712 and termination or damper 714. The arc
coupler 704
can be made of a dielectric material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g.,
Teflon,
polyethylene, etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic, non-metallic,
etc.) material,
or any combination of the foregoing materials. As shown, the arc coupler 704
operates as
a waveguide and has a wave 706 propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide
surface of the arc coupler 704. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of
the arc
coupler 704 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission medium, (such
as
transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate coupling between the arc
coupler 704
and the wire 702 or other transmission medium, as described herein to launch
the guided
wave 708 on the wire. The arc coupler 704 can be placed such that a portion of
the
curved arc coupler 704 is tangential to, and parallel or substantially
parallel to the wire
702. The portion of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be an
apex of the
curve, or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire 702.
When the arc
coupler 704 is positioned or placed thusly, the wave 706 travelling along the
arc coupler
704 couples, at least in part, to the wire 702, and propagates as guided wave
708 around
or about the wire surface of the wire 702 and longitudinally along the wire
702. The
guided wave 708 can be characterized as a surface wave or other
electromagnetic wave
that is guided by or bound to the wire 702 or other transmission medium.
[000100] A portion of the wave 706 that does not couple to the wire 702
propagates as a
wave 710 along the arc coupler 704. It will be appreciated that the arc
coupler 704 can
be configured and arranged in a variety of positions in relation to the wire
702 to achieve
a desired level of coupling or non-coupling of the wave 706 to the wire 702.
For
example, the curvature and/or length of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel
or
substantially parallel, as well as its separation distance (which can include
zero separation
distance in an embodiment), to the wire 702 can be varied without departing
from
example embodiments. Likewise, the arrangement of arc coupler 704 in relation
to the
wire 702 may be varied based upon considerations of the respective intrinsic
characteristics (e.g., thickness, composition, electromagnetic properties,
etc.) of the wire
702 and the arc coupler 704, as well as the characteristics (e.g., frequency,
energy level,
etc.) of the waves 706 and 708.
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[000101] The guided wave 708 stays parallel or substantially parallel to the
wire 702,
even as the wire 702 bends and flexes. Bends in the wire 702 can increase
transmission
losses, which are also dependent on wire diameters, frequency, and materials.
If the
dimensions of the arc coupler 704 are chosen for efficient power transfer,
most of the
power in the wave 706 is transferred to the wire 702, with little power
remaining in wave
710. It will be appreciated that the guided wave 708 can still be multi-modal
in nature
(discussed herein), including having modes that are non-fundamental or
asymmetric,
while traveling along a path that is parallel or substantially parallel to the
wire 702, with
or without a fundamental transmission mode. In an embodiment, non-fundamental
or
asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimize transmission losses and/or obtain
increased propagation distances.
[000102] It is noted that the term parallel is generally a geometric construct
which often
is not exactly achievable in real systems. Accordingly, the term parallel as
utilized in the
subject disclosure represents an approximation rather than an exact
configuration when
used to describe embodiments disclosed in the subject disclosure. In an
embodiment,
substantially parallel can include approximations that are within 30 degrees
of true
parallel in all dimensions.
[000103] In an embodiment, the wave 706 can exhibit one or more wave
propagation
modes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or design of
the
coupler 704. The one or more arc coupler modes of wave 706 can generate,
influence, or
impact one or more wave propagation modes of the guided wave 708 propagating
along
wire 702. It should be particularly noted however that the guided wave modes
present in
the guided wave 706 may be the same or different from the guided wave modes of
the
guided wave 708. In this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guided
wave
706 may not be transferred to the guided wave 708, and further one or more
guided wave
modes of guided wave 708 may not have been present in guided wave 706. It
should also
be noted that the cut-off frequency of the arc coupler 704 for a particular
guided wave
mode may be different than the cutoff frequency of the wire 702 or other
transmission
medium for that same mode. For example, while the wire 702 or other
transmission
medium may be operated slightly above its cutoff frequency for a particular
guided wave
mode, the arc coupler 704 may be operated well above its cut-off frequency for
that same
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mode for low loss, slightly below its cut-off frequency for that same mode to,
for
example, induce greater coupling and power transfer, or some other point in
relation to
the arc coupler's cutoff frequency for that mode.
[000104] In an embodiment, the wave propagation modes on the wire 702 can be
similar to the arc coupler modes since both waves 706 and 708 propagate about
the
outside of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702 respectively. In some embodiments,
as the
wave 706 couples to the wire 702, the modes can change form, or new modes can
be
created or generated, due to the coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the
wire 702.
For example, differences in size, material, and/or impedances of the arc
coupler 704 and
wire 702 may create additional modes not present in the arc coupler modes
and/or
suppress some of the arc coupler modes. The wave propagation modes can
comprise the
fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM00), where only small
electric
and/or magnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the
electric and
magnetic fields extend radially outwards while the guided wave propagates
along the
wire. This guided wave mode can be donut shaped, where few of the
electromagnetic
fields exist within the arc coupler 704 or wire 702.
[000105] Waves 706 and 708 can comprise a fundamental TEM mode where the
fields
extend radially outwards, and also comprise other, non-fundamental (e.g.,
asymmetric,
higher-level, etc.) modes. While particular wave propagation modes are
discussed above,
other wave propagation modes are likewise possible such as transverse electric
(TE) and
transverse magnetic (TM) modes, based on the frequencies employed, the design
of the
arc coupler 704, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702, as well as
its surface
characteristics, its insulation if present, the electromagnetic properties of
the surrounding
environment, etc. It should be noted that, depending on the frequency, the
electrical and
physical characteristics of the wire 702 and the particular wave propagation
modes that
are generated, guided wave 708 can travel along the conductive surface of an
oxidized
uninsulated wire, an unoxidized uninsulated wire, an insulated wire and/or
along the
insulating surface of an insulated wire.
[000106] In an embodiment, a diameter of the arc coupler 704 is smaller than
the
diameter of the wire 702. For the millimeter-band wavelength being used, the
arc coupler
704 supports a single waveguide mode that makes up wave 706. This single
waveguide
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mode can change as it couples to the wire 702 as guided wave 708. If the arc
coupler 704
were larger, more than one waveguide mode can be supported, but these
additional
waveguide modes may not couple to the wire 702 as efficiently, and higher
coupling
losses can result. However, in some alternative embodiments, the diameter of
the arc
coupler 704 can be equal to or larger than the diameter of the wire 702, for
example,
where higher coupling losses are desirable or when used in conjunction with
other
techniques to otherwise reduce coupling losses (e.g., impedance matching with
tapering,
etc.).
[000107] In an embodiment, the wavelength of the waves 706 and 708 are
comparable
in size, or smaller than a circumference of the arc coupler 704 and the wire
702. In an
example, if the wire 702 has a diameter of 0.5 cm, and a corresponding
circumference of
around 1.5 cm, the wavelength of the transmission is around 1.5 cm or less,
corresponding to a frequency of 70 GHz or greater. In another embodiment, a
suitable
frequency of the transmission and the carrier-wave signal is in the range of
30 ¨ 100
GHz, perhaps around 30-60 GHz, and around 38 GHz in one example. In an
embodiment, when the circumference of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702 is
comparable
in size to, or greater, than a wavelength of the transmission, the waves 706
and 708 can
exhibit multiple wave propagation modes including fundamental and/or non-
fundamental
(symmetric and/or asymmetric) modes that propagate over sufficient distances
to support
various communication systems described herein. The waves 706 and 708 can
therefore
comprise more than one type of electric and magnetic field configuration. In
an
embodiment, as the guided wave 708 propagates down the wire 702, the
electrical and
magnetic field configurations will remain the same from end to end of the wire
702. In
other embodiments, as the guided wave 708 encounters interference (distortion
or
obstructions) or loses energy due to transmission losses or scattering, the
electric and
magnetic field configurations can change as the guided wave 708 propagates
down wire
702.
[000108] In an embodiment, the arc coupler 704 can be composed of nylon,
Teflon,
polyethylene, a polyamide, or other plastics. In other embodiments, other
dielectric
materials are possible. The wire surface of wire 702 can be metallic with
either a bare
metallic surface, or can be insulated using plastic, dielectric, insulator or
other coating,
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jacket or sheathing. In an
embodiment, a dielectric or otherwise non-
conducting/insulated waveguide can be paired with either a bare/metallic wire
or
insulated wire. In other embodiments, a metallic and/or conductive waveguide
can be
paired with a bare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In an embodiment, an
oxidation layer
on the bare metallic surface of the wire 702 (e.g., resulting from exposure of
the bare
metallic surface to oxygen/air) can also provide insulating or dielectric
properties similar
to those provided by some insulators or sheathings.
[000109] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 706, 708 and
710 are
presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 706 induces or
otherwise launches
a guided wave 708 on a wire 702 that operates, for example, as a single wire
transmission
line. Wave 710 represents the portion of wave 706 that remains on the arc
coupler 704
after the generation of guided wave 708. The actual electric and magnetic
fields
generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on the
frequencies
employed, the particular wave propagation mode or modes, the design of the arc
coupler
704, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702, as well as its surface
characteristics, its optional insulation, the electromagnetic properties of
the surrounding
environment, etc.
[000110] It is noted that arc coupler 704 can include a termination circuit or
damper 714
at the end of the arc coupler 704 that can absorb leftover radiation or energy
from wave
710. The termination circuit or damper 714 can prevent and/or minimize the
leftover
radiation or energy from wave 710 reflecting back toward transmitter circuit
712. In an
embodiment, the termination circuit or damper 714 can include termination
resistors,
and/or other components that perform impedance matching to attenuate
reflection. In
some embodiments, if the coupling efficiencies are high enough, and/or wave
710 is
sufficiently small, it may not be necessary to use a termination circuit or
damper 714.
For the sake of simplicity, these transmitter 712 and termination circuits or
dampers 714
may not be depicted in the other figures, but in those embodiments,
transmitter and
termination circuits or dampers may possibly be used.
[000111] Further, while a single arc coupler 704 is presented that generates a
single
guided wave 708, multiple arc couplers 704 placed at different points along
the wire 702
and/or at different azimuthal orientations about the wire can be employed to
generate and
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receive multiple guided waves 708 at the same or different frequencies, at the
same or
different phases, at the same or different wave propagation modes.
[000112] FIG. 8, a block diagram 800 illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In the embodiment shown, at least a
portion of
the coupler 704 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission medium,
(such as
transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate coupling between the arc
coupler 704
and the wire 702 or other transmission medium, to extract a portion of the
guided wave
806 as a guided wave 808 as described herein. The arc coupler 704 can be
placed such
that a portion of the curved arc coupler 704 is tangential to, and parallel or
substantially
parallel to the wire 702. The portion of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel
to the wire can
be an apex of the curve, or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel
to the wire
702. When the arc coupler 704 is positioned or placed thusly, the wave 806
travelling
along the wire 702 couples, at least in part, to the arc coupler 704, and
propagates as
guided wave 808 along the arc coupler 704 to a receiving device (not expressly
shown).
A portion of the wave 806 that does not couple to the arc coupler propagates
as wave 810
along the wire 702 or other transmission medium.
[000113] In an embodiment, the wave 806 can exhibit one or more wave
propagation
modes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or design of
the
coupler 704. The one or more modes of guided wave 806 can generate, influence,
or
impact one or more guide-wave modes of the guided wave 808 propagating along
the arc
coupler 704. It should be particularly noted however that the guided wave
modes present
in the guided wave 806 may be the same or different from the guided wave modes
of the
guided wave 808. In this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guided
wave
806 may not be transferred to the guided wave 808, and further one or more
guided wave
modes of guided wave 808 may not have been present in guided wave 806.
[000114] Referring now to FIG. 9A, a block diagram 900 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a stub coupler is shown. In particular a coupling
device that
includes stub coupler 904 is presented for use in a transmission device, such
as
transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. The stub
coupler
904 can be made of a dielectric material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g.,
Teflon,
polyethylene and etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic, non-metallic,
etc.)
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material, or any combination of the foregoing materials. As shown, the stub
coupler 904
operates as a waveguide and has a wave 906 propagating as a guided wave about
a
waveguide surface of the stub coupler 904. In the embodiment shown, at least a
portion
of the stub coupler 904 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission
medium,
(such as transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate coupling between the
stub
coupler 904 and the wire 702 or other transmission medium, as described herein
to
launch the guided wave 908 on the wire.
[000115] In an embodiment, the stub coupler 904 is curved, and an end of the
stub
coupler 904 can be tied, fastened, or otherwise mechanically coupled to a wire
702.
When the end of the stub coupler 904 is fastened to the wire 702, the end of
the stub
coupler 904 is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702.
Alternatively, another
portion of the dielectric waveguide beyond an end can be fastened or coupled
to wire 702
such that the fastened or coupled portion is parallel or substantially
parallel to the wire
702. The fastener 910 can be a nylon cable tie or other type of non-
conducting/dielectric
material that is either separate from the stub coupler 904 or constructed as
an integrated
component of the stub coupler 904. The stub coupler 904 can be adjacent to the
wire 702
without surrounding the wire 702.
[000116] Like the arc coupler 704 described in conjunction with FIG. 7, when
the stub
coupler 904 is placed with the end parallel to the wire 702, the guided wave
906
travelling along the stub coupler 904 couples to the wire 702, and propagates
as guided
wave 908 about the wire surface of the wire 702. In an example embodiment, the
guided
wave 908 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.
[000117] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 906 and 908
are
presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 906 induces or
otherwise launches
a guided wave 908 on a wire 702 that operates, for example, as a single wire
transmission
line. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such
wave
propagation may vary depending on one or more of the shape and/or design of
the
coupler, the relative position of the dielectric waveguide to the wire, the
frequencies
employed, the design of the stub coupler 904, the dimensions and composition
of the wire
702, as well as its surface characteristics, its optional insulation, the
electromagnetic
properties of the surrounding environment, etc.
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[000118] In an embodiment, an end of stub coupler 904 can taper towards the
wire 702
in order to increase coupling efficiencies. Indeed, the tapering of the end of
the stub
coupler 904 can provide impedance matching to the wire 702 and reduce
reflections,
according to an example embodiment of the subject disclosure. For example, an
end of
the stub coupler 904 can be gradually tapered in order to obtain a desired
level of
coupling between waves 906 and 908 as illustrated in FIG. 9A.
[000119] In an embodiment, the fastener 910 can be placed such that there is a
short
length of the stub coupler 904 between the fastener 910 and an end of the stub
coupler
904. Maximum coupling efficiencies are realized in this embodiment when the
length of
the end of the stub coupler 904 that is beyond the fastener 910 is at least
several
wavelengths long for whatever frequency is being transmitted.
[000120] Turning now to FIG. 9B, a diagram 950 illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various
aspects
described herein is shown. In particular, an electromagnetic distribution is
presented in
two dimensions for a transmission device that includes coupler 952, shown in
an example
stub coupler constructed of a dielectric material. The coupler 952 couples an
electromagnetic wave for propagation as a guided wave along an outer surface
of a wire
702 or other transmission medium.
[000121] The coupler 952 guides the electromagnetic wave to a junction at xo
via a
symmetrical guided wave mode. While some of the energy of the electromagnetic
wave
that propagates along the coupler 952 is outside of the coupler 952, the
majority of the
energy of this electromagnetic wave is contained within the coupler 952. The
junction at
xo couples the electromagnetic wave to the wire 702 or other transmission
medium at an
azimuthal angle corresponding to the bottom of the transmission medium. This
coupling
induces an electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer
surface of
the wire 702 or other transmission medium via at least one guided wave mode in
direction 956. The majority of the energy of the guided electromagnetic wave
is outside
or, but in close proximity to the outer surface of the wire 702 or other
transmission
medium. In the example shown, the junction at xo forms an electromagnetic wave
that
propagates via both a symmetrical mode and at least one asymmetrical surface
mode,
such as the first order mode presented in conjunction with FIG. 3, that skims
the surface
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of the wire 702 or other transmission medium.
[000122] It is noted that the graphical representations of guided waves are
presented
merely to illustrate an example of guided wave coupling and propagation. The
actual
electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation
may vary
depending on the frequencies employed, the design and/or configuration of the
coupler
952, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702 or other transmission
medium, as
well as its surface characteristics, its insulation if present, the
electromagnetic properties
of the surrounding environment, etc.
[000123] Turning now to FIG. 10A, illustrated is a block diagram 1000 of an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a coupler and transceiver system in accordance with
various
aspects described herein. The system is an example of transmission device 101
or 102.
In particular, the communication interface 1008 is an example of
communications
interface 205, the stub coupler 1002 is an example of coupler 220, and the
transmitter/receiver device 1006, diplexer 1016, power amplifier 1014, low
noise
amplifier 1018, frequency mixers 1010 and 1020 and local oscillator 1012
collectively
form an example of transceiver 210.
[000124] In operation, the transmitter/receiver device 1006 launches and
receives waves
(e.g., guided wave 1004 onto stub coupler 1002). The guided waves 1004 can be
used to
transport signals received from and sent to a host device, base station,
mobile devices, a
building or other device by way of a communications interface 1008. The
communications interface 1008 can be an integral part of system 1000.
Alternatively, the
communications interface 1008 can be tethered to system 1000. The
communications
interface 1008 can comprise a wireless interface for interfacing to the host
device, base
station, mobile devices, a building or other device utilizing any of various
wireless
signaling protocols (e.g., LTE, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.xx, etc.) including an
infrared
protocol such as an infrared data association (IrDA) protocol or other line of
sight optical
protocol. The communications interface 1008 can also comprise a wired
interface such
as a fiber optic line, coaxial cable, twisted pair, category 5 (CAT-5) cable
or other
suitable wired or optical mediums for communicating with the host device, base
station,
mobile devices, a building or other device via a protocol such as an Ethernet
protocol,
universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable service interface
specification
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(DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE
1394)
protocol, or other wired or optical protocol. For embodiments where system
1000
functions as a repeater, the communications interface 1008 may not be
necessary.
[000125] The output signals (e.g., Tx) of the communications interface 1008
can be
combined with a carrier wave (e.g., millimeter-wave carrier wave) generated by
a local
oscillator 1012 at frequency mixer 1010. Frequency mixer 1010 can use
heterodyning
techniques or other frequency shifting techniques to frequency shift the
output signals
from communications interface 1008. For example, signals sent to and from the
communications interface 1008 can be modulated signals such as orthogonal
frequency
division multiplexed (OFDM) signals formatted in accordance with a Long-Term
Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or other wireless 3G, 4G, 5G or higher voice
and data
protocol, a Zigbee, WIMAX, UltraWideband or IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol; a
wired
protocol such as an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a
data over
cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber
line (DSL)
protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol or other wired or wireless protocol.
In an
example embodiment, this frequency conversion can be done in the analog
domain, and
as a result, the frequency shifting can be done without regard to the type of
communications protocol used by a base station, mobile devices, or in-building
devices.
As new communications technologies are developed, the communications interface
1008
can be upgraded (e.g., updated with software, firmware, and/or hardware) or
replaced and
the frequency shifting and transmission apparatus can remain, simplifying
upgrades. The
carrier wave can then be sent to a power amplifier ("PA") 1014 and can be
transmitted
via the transmitter receiver device 1006 via the diplexer 1016.
[000126] Signals received from the transmitter/receiver device 1006 that are
directed
towards the communications interface 1008 can be separated from other signals
via
diplexer 1016. The received signal can then be sent to low noise amplifier
("LNA") 1018
for amplification. A frequency mixer 1020, with help from local oscillator
1012 can
downshift the received signal (which is in the millimeter-wave band or around
38 GHz in
some embodiments) to the native frequency. The communications interface 1008
can
then receive the transmission at an input port (Rx).
[000127] In an embodiment, transmitter/receiver device 1006 can include a
cylindrical
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or non-cylindrical metal (which, for example, can be hollow in an embodiment,
but not
necessarily drawn to scale) or other conducting or non-conducting waveguide
and an end
of the stub coupler 1002 can be placed in or in proximity to the waveguide or
the
transmitter/receiver device 1006 such that when the transmitter/receiver
device 1006
generates a transmission, the guided wave couples to stub coupler 1002 and
propagates as
a guided wave 1004 about the waveguide surface of the stub coupler 1002. In
some
embodiments, the guided wave 1004 can propagate in part on the outer surface
of the stub
coupler 1002 and in part inside the stub coupler 1002. In other embodiments,
the guided
wave 1004 can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of
the stub
coupler 1002. In yet other embodiments, the guided wave 1004 can propagate
substantially or completely inside the stub coupler 1002. In this latter
embodiment, the
guided wave 1004 can radiate at an end of the stub coupler 1002 (such as the
tapered end
shown in FIG. 4) for coupling to a transmission medium such as a wire 702 of
FIG. 7.
Similarly, if guided wave 1004 is incoming (coupled to the stub coupler 1002
from a wire
702), guided wave 1004 then enters the transmitter / receiver device 1006 and
couples to
the cylindrical waveguide or conducting waveguide. While transmitter/receiver
device
1006 is shown to include a separate waveguide -- an antenna, cavity resonator,
klystron,
magnetron, travelling wave tube, or other radiating element can be employed to
induce a
guided wave on the coupler 1002, with or without the separate waveguide.
[000128] In an embodiment, stub coupler 1002 can be wholly constructed of a
dielectric
material (or another suitable insulating material), without any metallic or
otherwise
conducting materials therein. Stub coupler 1002 can be composed of nylon,
Teflon,
polyethylene, a polyamide, other plastics, or other materials that are non-
conducting and
suitable for facilitating transmission of electromagnetic waves at least in
part on an outer
surface of such materials. In another embodiment, stub coupler 1002 can
include a core
that is conducting/metallic, and have an exterior dielectric surface.
Similarly, a
transmission medium that couples to the stub coupler 1002 for propagating
electromagnetic waves induced by the stub coupler 1002 or for supplying
electromagnetic waves to the stub coupler 1002 can, in addition to being a
bare or
insulated wire, be wholly constructed of a dielectric material (or another
suitable
insulating material), without any metallic or otherwise conducting materials
therein.
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[000129] It is noted that although FIG. 10A shows that the opening of
transmitter
receiver device 1006 is much wider than the stub coupler 1002, this is not to
scale, and
that in other embodiments the width of the stub coupler 1002 is comparable or
slightly
smaller than the opening of the hollow waveguide. It is also not shown, but in
an
embodiment, an end of the coupler 1002 that is inserted into the
transmitter/receiver
device 1006 tapers down in order to reduce reflection and increase coupling
efficiencies.
[000130] Before coupling to the stub coupler 1002, the one or more waveguide
modes
of the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device 1006 can
couple to the
stub coupler 1002 to induce one or more wave propagation modes of the guided
wave
1004. The wave propagation modes of the guided wave 1004 can be different than
the
hollow metal waveguide modes due to the different characteristics of the
hollow metal
waveguide and the dielectric waveguide. For instance, wave propagation modes
of the
guided wave 1004 can comprise the fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode
(Quasi-TEM00), where only small electrical and/or magnetic fields extend in
the direction
of propagation, and the electric and magnetic fields extend radially outwards
from the
stub coupler 1002 while the guided waves propagate along the stub coupler
1002. The
fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode wave propagation mode may or may
not
exist inside a waveguide that is hollow. Therefore, the hollow metal waveguide
modes
that are used by transmitter/receiver device 1006 are waveguide modes that can
couple
effectively and efficiently to wave propagation modes of stub coupler 1002.
[000131] It will be appreciated that other constructs or combinations of the
transmitter/receiver device 1006 and stub coupler 1002 are possible. For
example, a stub
coupler 1002' can be placed tangentially or in parallel (with or without a
gap) with
respect to an outer surface of the hollow metal waveguide of the
transmitter/receiver
device 1006' (corresponding circuitry not shown) as depicted by reference
1000' of FIG.
10B. In another embodiment, not shown by reference 1000', the stub coupler
1002' can
be placed inside the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device
1006'
without an axis of the stub coupler 1002' being coaxially aligned with an axis
of the
hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device 1006'. In either of
these
embodiments, the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device
1006' can
couple to a surface of the stub coupler 1002' to induce one or more wave
propagation
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modes of the guided wave 1004' on the stub coupler 1002' including a
fundamental mode
(e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric
mode).
[000132] In one embodiment, the guided wave 1004' can propagate in part on the
outer
surface of the stub coupler 1002' and in part inside the stub coupler 1002'.
In another
embodiment, the guided wave 1004' can propagate substantially or completely on
the
outer surface of the stub coupler 1002'. In yet other embodiments, the guided
wave 1004'
can propagate substantially or completely inside the stub coupler 1002'. In
this latter
embodiment, the guided wave 1004' can radiate at an end of the stub coupler
1002' (such
as the tapered end shown in FIG. 9) for coupling to a transmission medium such
as a wire
702 of FIG. 9.
[000133] It will be further appreciated that other constructs the
transmitter/receiver
device 1006 are possible. For example, a hollow metal waveguide of a
transmitter/receiver device 1006" (corresponding circuitry not shown),
depicted in FIG.
10B as reference 1000", can be placed tangentially or in parallel (with or
without a gap)
with respect to an outer surface of a transmission medium such as the wire 702
of FIG. 4
without the use of the stub coupler 1002. In this embodiment, the guided wave
generated
by the transmitter/receiver device 1006" can couple to a surface of the wire
702 to
induce one or more wave propagation modes of a guided wave 908 on the wire 702
including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental
mode
(e.g., asymmetric mode). In another embodiment, the wire 702 can be positioned
inside a
hollow metal waveguide of a transmitter/receiver device 1006" (corresponding
circuitry
not shown) so that an axis of the wire 702 is coaxially (or not coaxially)
aligned with an
axis of the hollow metal waveguide without the use of the stub coupler
1002¨see FIGs.
10B reference 1000". In this embodiment, the guided wave generated by the
transmitter/receiver device 1006" can couple to a surface of the wire 702 to
induce one
or more wave propagation modes of a guided wave 908 on the wire including a
fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g.,
asymmetric mode).
[000134] In the embodiments of 1000" and 1000", for a wire 702 having an
insulated
outer surface, the guided wave 908 can propagate in part on the outer surface
of the
insulator and in part inside the insulator. In embodiments, the guided wave
908 can
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propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the insulator,
or
substantially or completely inside the insulator. In the embodiments of 1000"
and
1000", for a wire 702 that is a bare conductor, the guided wave 908 can
propagate in
part on the outer surface of the conductor and in part inside the conductor.
In another
embodiment, the guided wave 908 can propagate substantially or completely on
the outer
surface of the conductor.
[000135] Referring now to FIG. 11, a block diagram 1100 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a dual stub coupler is shown. In particular, a dual
coupler design
is presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device 101
or 102
presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. In an embodiment, two or more couplers
(such as
the stub couplers 1104 and 1106) can be positioned around a wire 1102 in order
to
receive guided wave 1108. In an embodiment, one coupler is enough to receive
the
guided wave 1108. In that case, guided wave 1108 couples to coupler 1104 and
propagates as guided wave 1110. If the field structure of the guided wave 1108
oscillates
or undulates around the wire 1102 due to the particular guided wave mode(s) or
various
outside factors, then coupler 1106 can be placed such that guided wave 1108
couples to
coupler 1106. In some embodiments, four or more couplers can be placed around
a
portion of the wire 1102, e.g., at 90 degrees or another spacing with respect
to each other,
in order to receive guided waves that may oscillate or rotate around the wire
1102, that
have been induced at different azimuthal orientations or that have non-
fundamental or
higher order modes that, for example, have lobes and/or nulls or other
asymmetries that
are orientation dependent. However, it will be appreciated that there may be
less than or
more than four couplers placed around a portion of the wire 1102 without
departing from
example embodiments.
[000136] It should be noted that while couplers 1106 and 1104 are illustrated
as stub
couplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein including arc
couplers,
antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, etc., could likewise be used. It
will also be
appreciated that while some example embodiments have presented a plurality of
couplers
around at least a portion of a wire 1102, this plurality of couplers can also
be considered
as part of a single coupler system having multiple coupler subcomponents. For
example,
two or more couplers can be manufactured as single system that can be
installed around a
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wire in a single installation such that the couplers are either pre-positioned
or adjustable
relative to each other (either manually or automatically with a controllable
mechanism
such as a motor or other actuator) in accordance with the single system.
[000137] Receivers coupled to couplers 1106 and 1104 can use diversity
combining to
combine signals received from both couplers 1106 and 1104 in order to maximize
the
signal quality. In other embodiments, if one or the other of the couplers 1104
and 1106
receive a transmission that is above a predetermined threshold, receivers can
use
selection diversity when deciding which signal to use. Further, while
reception by a
plurality of couplers 1106 and 1104 is illustrated, transmission by couplers
1106 and
1104 in the same configuration can likewise take place. In particular, a wide
range of
multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission and reception techniques can be
employed for transmissions where a transmission device, such as transmission
device 101
or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1 includes multiple transceivers and
multiple
couplers.
[000138] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 1108 and 1110
are
presented merely to illustrate the principles that guided wave 1108 induces or
otherwise
launches a wave 1110 on a coupler 1104. The actual electric and magnetic
fields
generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on the
frequencies
employed, the design of the coupler 1104, the dimensions and composition of
the wire
1102, as well as its surface characteristics, its insulation if any, the
electromagnetic
properties of the surrounding environment, etc.
[000139] Referring now to FIG. 12, a block diagram 1200 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a repeater system is shown. In particular, a repeater
device 1210
is presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device 101
or 102
presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. In this system, two couplers 1204 and
1214 can be
placed near a wire 1202 or other transmission medium such that guided waves
1205
propagating along the wire 1202 are extracted by coupler 1204 as wave 1206
(e.g. as a
guided wave), and then are boosted or repeated by repeater device 1210 and
launched as
a wave 1216 (e.g. as a guided wave) onto coupler 1214. The wave 1216 can then
be
launched on the wire 1202 and continue to propagate along the wire 1202 as a
guided
wave 1217. In an embodiment, the repeater device 1210 can receive at least a
portion of
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the power utilized for boosting or repeating through magnetic coupling with
the wire
1202, for example, when the wire 1202 is a power line or otherwise contains a
power-
carrying conductor. It should be noted that while couplers 1204 and 1214 are
illustrated
as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein including
arc couplers,
antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, or the like, could likewise be
used.
[000140] In some embodiments, repeater device 1210 can repeat the transmission
associated with wave 1206, and in other embodiments, repeater device 1210 can
include
a communications interface 205 that extracts data or other signals from the
wave 1206 for
supplying such data or signals to another network and/or one or more other
devices as
communication signals 110 or 112 and/or receiving communication signals 110 or
112
from another network and/or one or more other devices and launch guided wave
1216
having embedded therein the received communication signals 110 or 112. In a
repeater
configuration, receiver waveguide 1208 can receive the wave 1206 from the
coupler 1204
and transmitter waveguide 1212 can launch guided wave 1216 onto coupler 1214
as
guided wave 1217. Between receiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide
1212,
the signal embedded in guided wave 1206 and/or the guided wave 1216 itself can
be
amplified to correct for signal loss and other inefficiencies associated with
guided wave
communications or the signal can be received and processed to extract the data
contained
therein and regenerated for transmission. In an embodiment, the receiver
waveguide
1208 can be configured to extract data from the signal, process the data to
correct for data
errors utilizing for example error correcting codes, and regenerate an updated
signal with
the corrected data. The transmitter waveguide 1212 can then transmit guided
wave 1216
with the updated signal embedded therein. In an embodiment, a signal embedded
in
guided wave 1206 can be extracted from the transmission and processed for
communication with another network and/or one or more other devices via
communications interface 205 as communication signals 110 or 112. Similarly,
communication signals 110 or 112 received by the communications interface 205
can be
inserted into a transmission of guided wave 1216 that is generated and
launched onto
coupler 1214 by transmitter waveguide 1212.
[000141] It is noted that although FIG. 12 shows guided wave transmissions
1206 and
1216 entering from the left and exiting to the right respectively, this is
merely a
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simplification and is not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments,
receiver
waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide 1212 can also function as
transmitters and
receivers respectively, allowing the repeater device 1210 to be bi-
directional.
[000142] In an embodiment, repeater device 1210 can be placed at locations
where
there are discontinuities or obstacles on the wire 1202 or other transmission
medium. In
the case where the wire 1202 is a power line, these obstacles can include
transformers,
connections, utility poles, and other such power line devices. The repeater
device 1210
can help the guided (e.g., surface) waves jump over these obstacles on the
line and boost
the transmission power at the same time. In other embodiments, a coupler can
be used to
jump over the obstacle without the use of a repeater device. In that
embodiment, both
ends of the coupler can be tied or fastened to the wire, thus providing a path
for the
guided wave to travel without being blocked by the obstacle.
[000143] Turning now to FIG. 13, illustrated is a block diagram 1300 of an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance with various
aspects
described herein. In particular, a bidirectional repeater device 1306 is
presented for use
in a transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in
conjunction
with FIG. 1. It should be noted that while the couplers are illustrated as
stub couplers,
any other of the coupler designs described herein including arc couplers,
antenna or horn
couplers, magnetic couplers, or the like, could likewise be used. The
bidirectional
repeater 1306 can employ diversity paths in the case of when two or more wires
or other
transmission media are present. Since guided wave transmissions have different
transmission efficiencies and coupling efficiencies for transmission medium of
different
types such as insulated wires, un-insulated wires or other types of
transmission media and
further, if exposed to the elements, can be affected by weather, and other
atmospheric
conditions, it can be advantageous to selectively transmit on different
transmission media
at certain times. In various embodiments, the various transmission media can
be
designated as a primary, secondary, tertiary, etc. whether or not such
designation
indicates a preference of one transmission medium over another.
[000144] In the embodiment shown, the transmission media include an insulated
or
uninsulated wire 1302 and an insulated or uninsulated wire 1304 (referred to
herein as
wires 1302 and 1304, respectively). The repeater device 1306 uses a receiver
coupler
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1308 to receive a guided wave traveling along wire 1302 and repeats the
transmission
using transmitter waveguide 1310 as a guided wave along wire 1304. In
other
embodiments, repeater device 1306 can switch from the wire 1304 to the wire
1302, or
can repeat the transmissions along the same paths. Repeater device 1306 can
include
sensors, or be in communication with sensors (or a network management system
1601
depicted in FIG. 16A) that indicate conditions that can affect the
transmission. Based on
the feedback received from the sensors, the repeater device 1306 can make the
determination about whether to keep the transmission along the same wire, or
transfer the
transmission to the other wire.
[000145] Turning now to FIG. 14, illustrated is a block diagram 1400
illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater system. In
particular, a
bidirectional repeater system is presented for use in a transmission device,
such as
transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. The
bidirectional
repeater system includes waveguide coupling devices 1402 and 1404 that receive
and
transmit transmissions from other coupling devices located in a distributed
antenna
system or backhaul system.
[000146] In various embodiments, waveguide coupling device 1402 can receive a
transmission from another waveguide coupling device, wherein the transmission
has a
plurality of subcarriers. Diplexer 1406 can separate the transmission from
other
transmissions, and direct the transmission to low-noise amplifier ("LNA")
1408. A
frequency mixer 1428, with help from a local oscillator 1412, can downshift
the
transmission (which is in the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some
embodiments) to a lower frequency, such as a cellular band (-1.9 GHz) for a
distributed
antenna system, a native frequency, or other frequency for a backhaul system.
An
extractor (or demultiplexer) 1432 can extract the signal on a subcarrier and
direct the
signal to an output component 1422 for optional amplification, buffering or
isolation by
power amplifier 1424 for coupling to communications interface 205. The
communications interface 205 can further process the signals received from the
power
amplifier 1424 or otherwise transmit such signals over a wireless or wired
interface to
other devices such as a base station, mobile devices, a building, etc. For the
signals that
are not being extracted at this location, extractor 1432 can redirect them to
another
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frequency mixer 1436, where the signals are used to modulate a carrier wave
generated
by local oscillator 1414. The carrier wave, with its subcarriers, is directed
to a power
amplifier ("PA") 1416 and is retransmitted by waveguide coupling device 1404
to
another system, via diplexer 1420.
[000147] An LNA 1426 can be used to amplify, buffer or isolate signals that
are
received by the communication interface 205 and then send the signal to a
multiplexer
1434 which merges the signal with signals that have been received from
waveguide
coupling device 1404. The signals received from coupling device 1404 have been
split
by diplexer 1420, and then passed through LNA 1418, and downshifted in
frequency by
frequency mixer 1438. When the signals are combined by multiplexer 1434, they
are
upshifted in frequency by frequency mixer 1430, and then boosted by PA 1410,
and
transmitted to another system by waveguide coupling device 1402. In an
embodiment
bidirectional repeater system can be merely a repeater without the output
device 1422. In
this embodiment, the multiplexer 1434 would not be utilized and signals from
LNA 1418
would be directed to mixer 1430 as previously described. It will be
appreciated that in
some embodiments, the bidirectional repeater system could also be implemented
using
two distinct and separate unidirectional repeaters. In an alternative
embodiment, a
bidirectional repeater system could also be a booster or otherwise perform
retransmissions without downshifting and upshifting. Indeed in example
embodiment,
the retransmissions can be based upon receiving a signal or guided wave and
performing
some signal or guided wave processing or reshaping, filtering, and/or
amplification, prior
to retransmission of the signal or guided wave.
[000148] Referring now to FIG. 15, a block diagram 1500 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown. This
diagram
depicts an exemplary environment in which a guided wave communication system,
such
as the guided wave communication system presented in conjunction with FIG. 1,
can be
used.
[000149] To provide network connectivity to additional base station devices, a
backhaul
network that links the communication cells (e.g., microcells and macrocells)
to network
devices of a core network correspondingly expands. Similarly, to provide
network
connectivity to a distributed antenna system, an extended communication system
that
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links base station devices and their distributed antennas is desirable. A
guided wave
communication system 1500 such as shown in FIG. 15 can be provided to enable
alternative, increased or additional network connectivity and a waveguide
coupling
system can be provided to transmit and/or receive guided wave (e.g., surface
wave)
communications on a transmission medium such as a wire that operates as a
single-wire
transmission line (e.g., a utility line), and that can be used as a waveguide
and/or that
otherwise operates to guide the transmission of an electromagnetic wave.
[000150] The guided wave communication system 1500 can comprise a first
instance of
a distribution system 1550 that includes one or more base station devices
(e.g., base
station device 1504) that are communicably coupled to a central office 1501
and/or a
macrocell site 1502. Base station device 1504 can be connected by a wired
(e.g., fiber
and/or cable), or by a wireless (e.g., microwave wireless) connection to the
macrocell site
1502 and the central office 1501. A second instance of the distribution system
1560 can
be used to provide wireless voice and data services to mobile device 1522 and
to
residential and/or commercial establishments 1542 (herein referred to as
establishments
1542). System 1500 can have additional instances of the distribution systems
1550 and
1560 for providing voice and/or data services to mobile devices 1522-1524 and
establishments 1542 as shown in FIG. 15.
[000151] Macrocells such as macrocell site 1502 can have dedicated connections
to a
mobile network and base station device 1504 or can share and/or otherwise use
another
connection. Central office 1501 can be used to distribute media content and/or
provide
internet service provider (ISP) services to mobile devices 1522-1524 and
establishments
1542. The central office 1501 can receive media content from a constellation
of satellites
1530 (one of which is shown in FIG. 15) or other sources of content, and
distribute such
content to mobile devices 1522-1524 and establishments 1542 via the first and
second
instances of the distribution system 1550 and 1560. The central office 1501
can also be
communicatively coupled to the Internet 1503 for providing internet data
services to
mobile devices 1522-1524 and establishments 1542.
[000152] Base station device 1504 can be mounted on, or attached to, utility
pole 1516.
In other embodiments, base station device 1504 can be near transformers and/or
other
locations situated nearby a power line. Base station device 1504 can
facilitate
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connectivity to a mobile network for mobile devices 1522 and 1524. Antennas
1512 and
1514, mounted on or near utility poles 1518 and 1520, respectively, can
receive signals
from base station device 1504 and transmit those signals to mobile devices
1522 and
1524 over a much wider area than if the antennas 1512 and 1514 were located at
or near
base station device 1504.
[000153] It is noted that FIG. 15 displays three utility poles, in each
instance of the
distribution systems 1550 and 1560, with one base station device, for purposes
of
simplicity. In other embodiments, utility pole 1516 can have more base station
devices,
and more utility poles with distributed antennas and/or tethered connections
to
establishments 1542.
[000154] A transmission device 1506, such as transmission device 101 or 102
presented
in conjunction with FIG. 1, can transmit a signal from base station device
1504 to
antennas 1512 and 1514 via utility or power line(s) that connect the utility
poles 1516,
1518, and 1520. To transmit the signal, radio source and/or transmission
device 1506
upconverts the signal (e.g., via frequency mixing) from base station device
1504 or
otherwise converts the signal from the base station device 1504 to a microwave
band
signal and the transmission device 1506 launches a microwave band wave that
propagates
as a guided wave traveling along the utility line or other wire as described
in previous
embodiments. At utility pole 1518, another transmission device 1508 receives
the guided
wave (and optionally can amplify it as needed or desired or operate as a
repeater to
receive it and regenerate it) and sends it forward as a guided wave on the
utility line or
other wire. The transmission device 1508 can also extract a signal from the
microwave
band guided wave and shift it down in frequency or otherwise convert it to its
original
cellular band frequency (e.g., 1.9 GHz or other defined cellular frequency) or
another
cellular (or non-cellular) band frequency. An antenna 1512 can wireless
transmit the
downshifted signal to mobile device 1522. The process can be repeated by
transmission
device 1510, antenna 1514 and mobile device 1524, as necessary or desirable.
[000155] Transmissions from mobile devices 1522 and 1524 can also be received
by
antennas 1512 and 1514 respectively. The transmission devices 1508 and 1510
can
upshift or otherwise convert the cellular band signals to microwave band and
transmit the
signals as guided wave (e.g., surface wave or other electromagnetic wave)
transmissions
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over the power line(s) to base station device 1504.
[000156] Media content received by the central office 1501 can be supplied to
the
second instance of the distribution system 1560 via the base station device
1504 for
distribution to mobile devices 1522 and establishments 1542. The transmission
device
1510 can be tethered to the establishments 1542 by one or more wired
connections or a
wireless interface. The one or more wired connections may include without
limitation, a
power line, a coaxial cable, a fiber cable, a twisted pair cable, a guided
wave transmission
medium or other suitable wired mediums for distribution of media content
and/or for
providing internet services. In an example embodiment, the wired connections
from the
transmission device 1510 can be communicatively coupled to one or more very
high bit
rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) modems located at one or more
corresponding service
area interfaces (SAIs ¨ not shown) or pedestals, each SAT or pedestal
providing services
to a portion of the establishments 1542. The VDSL modems can be used to
selectively
distribute media content and/or provide internet services to gateways (not
shown) located
in the establishments 1542. The SAIs or pedestals can also be communicatively
coupled
to the establishments 1542 over a wired medium such as a power line, a coaxial
cable, a
fiber cable, a twisted pair cable, a guided wave transmission medium or other
suitable
wired mediums. In other example embodiments, the transmission device 1510 can
be
communicatively coupled directly to establishments 1542 without intermediate
interfaces
such as the SAIs or pedestals.
[000157] In another example embodiment, system 1500 can employ diversity
paths,
where two or more utility lines or other wires are strung between the utility
poles 1516,
1518, and 1520 (e.g., for example, two or more wires between poles 1516 and
1520) and
redundant transmissions from base station/macrocell site 1502 are transmitted
as guided
waves down the surface of the utility lines or other wires. The utility lines
or other wires
can be either insulated or uninsulated, and depending on the environmental
conditions
that cause transmission losses, the coupling devices can selectively receive
signals from
the insulated or uninsulated utility lines or other wires. The selection can
be based on
measurements of the signal-to-noise ratio of the wires, or based on determined
weather/environmental conditions (e.g., moisture detectors, weather forecasts,
etc.). The
use of diversity paths with system 1500 can enable alternate routing
capabilities, load
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balancing, increased load handling, concurrent bi-directional or synchronous
communications, spread spectrum communications, etc.
[000158] It is noted that the use of the transmission devices 1506, 1508, and
1510 in
FIG. 15 are by way of example only, and that in other embodiments, other uses
are
possible. For instance, transmission devices can be used in a backhaul
communication
system, providing network connectivity to base station devices. Transmission
devices
1506, 1508, and 1510 can be used in many circumstances where it is desirable
to transmit
guided wave communications over a wire, whether insulated or not insulated.
Transmission devices 1506, 1508, and 1510 are improvements over other coupling
devices due to no contact or limited physical and/or electrical contact with
the wires that
may carry high voltages. The transmission device can be located away from the
wire
(e.g., spaced apart from the wire) and/or located on the wire so long as it is
not
electrically in contact with the wire, as the dielectric acts as an insulator,
allowing for
cheap, easy, and/or less complex installation. However, as previously noted
conducting
or non-dielectric couplers can be employed, for example in configurations
where the
wires correspond to a telephone network, cable television network, broadband
data
service, fiber optic communications system or other network employing low
voltages or
having insulated transmission lines.
[000159] It is further noted, that while base station device 1504 and
macrocell site 1502
are illustrated in an embodiment, other network configurations are likewise
possible. For
example, devices such as access points or other wireless gateways can be
employed in a
similar fashion to extend the reach of other networks such as a wireless local
area
network, a wireless personal area network or other wireless network that
operates in
accordance with a communication protocol such as a 802.11 protocol, WIMAX
protocol,
UltraWideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol or other wireless
protocol.
[000160] Referring now to FIGs. 16A & 16B, block diagrams 1600 and 1650
illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a system for managing a
power grid
communication system are shown. Considering FIG. 16A, a waveguide system 1602
is
presented for use in a guided wave communications system, such as the system
presented
in conjunction with FIG. 15. The waveguide system 1602 can comprise sensors
1604, a
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power management system 1605, a transmission device 101 or 102 that includes
at least
one communication interface 205, transceiver 210 and coupler 220.
[000161] The waveguide system 1602 can be coupled to a power line 1610 for
facilitating guided wave communications in accordance with embodiments
described in
the subject disclosure. In an example embodiment, the transmission device 101
or 102
includes coupler 220 for inducing electromagnetic waves on a surface of the
power line
1610 that longitudinally propagate along the surface of the power line 1610 as
described
in the subject disclosure. The transmission device 101 or 102 can also serve
as a repeater
for retransmitting electromagnetic waves on the same power line 1610 or for
routing
electromagnetic waves between power lines 1610 as shown in FIGs. 12-13.
[000162] The transmission device 101 or 102 includes transceiver 210
configured to,
for example, up-convert a signal operating at an original frequency range to
electromagnetic waves operating at, exhibiting, or associated with a carrier
frequency that
propagate along a coupler to induce corresponding guided electromagnetic waves
that
propagate along a surface of the power line 1610. A carrier frequency can be
represented
by a center frequency having upper and lower cutoff frequencies that define
the
bandwidth of the electromagnetic waves. The power line 1610 can be a wire
(e.g., single
stranded or multi-stranded) having a conducting surface or insulated surface.
The
transceiver 210 can also receive signals from the coupler 220 and down-convert
the
electromagnetic waves operating at a carrier frequency to signals at their
original
frequency.
[000163] Signals received by the communications interface 205 of transmission
device
101 or 102 for up-conversion can include without limitation signals supplied
by a central
office 1611 over a wired or wireless interface of the communications interface
205, a
base station 1614 over a wired or wireless interface of the communications
interface 205,
wireless signals transmitted by mobile devices 1620 to the base station 1614
for delivery
over the wired or wireless interface of the communications interface 205,
signals supplied
by in-building communication devices 1618 over the wired or wireless interface
of the
communications interface 205, and/or wireless signals supplied to the
communications
interface 205 by mobile devices 1612 roaming in a wireless communication range
of the
communications interface 205. In embodiments where the waveguide system 1602
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functions as a repeater, such as shown in FIGs. 12-13, the communications
interface 205
may or may not be included in the waveguide system 1602.
[000164] The electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the power
line
1610 can be modulated and formatted to include packets or frames of data that
include a
data payload and further include networking information (such as header
information for
identifying one or more destination waveguide systems 1602). The networking
information may be provided by the waveguide system 1602 or an originating
device
such as the central office 1611, the base station 1614, mobile devices 1620,
or in-building
devices 1618, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the modulated
electromagnetic
waves can include error correction data for mitigating signal disturbances.
The
networking information and error correction data can be used by a destination
waveguide
system 1602 for detecting transmissions directed to it, and for down-
converting and
processing with error correction data transmissions that include voice and/or
data signals
directed to recipient communication devices communicatively coupled to the
destination
waveguide system 1602.
[000165] Referring now to the sensors 1604 of the waveguide system 1602, the
sensors
1604 can comprise one or more of a temperature sensor 1604a, a disturbance
detection
sensor 1604b, a loss of energy sensor 1604c, a noise sensor 1604d, a vibration
sensor
1604e, an environmental (e.g., weather) sensor 1604f, and/or an image sensor
1604g.
The temperature sensor 1604a can be used to measure ambient temperature, a
temperature of the transmission device 101 or 102, a temperature of the power
line 1610,
temperature differentials (e.g., compared to a setpoint or baseline, between
transmission
device 101 or 102 and powerline 1610, etc.), or any combination thereof. In
one
embodiment, temperature metrics can be collected and reported periodically to
a network
management system 1601 by way of the base station 1614.
[000166] The disturbance detection sensor 1604b can perform measurements on
the
power line 1610 to detect disturbances such as signal reflections, which may
indicate a
presence of a downstream disturbance that may impede the propagation of
electromagnetic waves on the power line 1610. A signal reflection can
represent a
distortion resulting from, for example, an electromagnetic wave transmitted on
the power
line 1610 by the transmission device 101 or 102 that reflects in whole or in
part back to
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the transmission device 101 or 102 from a disturbance in the power line 1610
located
downstream from the transmission device 101 or 102.
[000167] Signal reflections can be caused by obstructions on the power line
1610. For
example, a tree limb may cause electromagnetic wave reflections when the tree
limb is
lying on the power line 1610, or is in close proximity to the power line 1610
which may
cause a corona discharge. Other obstructions that can cause electromagnetic
wave
reflections can include without limitation an object that has been entangled
on the power
line 1610 (e.g., clothing, a shoe wrapped around a power line 1610 with a shoe
string,
etc.), a corroded build-up on the power line 1610 or an ice build-up. Power
grid
components may also impede or obstruct with the propagation of electromagnetic
waves
on the surface of power lines 1610. Illustrations of power grid components
that may
cause signal reflections include without limitation a transformer and a joint
for
connecting spliced power lines. A sharp angle on the power line 1610 may also
cause
electromagnetic wave reflections.
[000168] The disturbance detection sensor 1604b can comprise a circuit to
compare
magnitudes of electromagnetic wave reflections to magnitudes of original
electromagnetic waves transmitted by the transmission device 101 or 102 to
determine
how much a downstream disturbance in the power line 1610 attenuates
transmissions.
The disturbance detection sensor 1604b can further comprise a spectral
analyzer circuit
for performing spectral analysis on the reflected waves. The spectral data
generated by
the spectral analyzer circuit can be compared with spectral profiles via
pattern
recognition, an expert system, curve fitting, matched filtering or other
artificial
intelligence, classification or comparison technique to identify a type of
disturbance
based on, for example, the spectral profile that most closely matches the
spectral data.
The spectral profiles can be stored in a memory of the disturbance detection
sensor 1604b
or may be remotely accessible by the disturbance detection sensor 1604b. The
profiles
can comprise spectral data that models different disturbances that may be
encountered on
power lines 1610 to enable the disturbance detection sensor 1604b to identify
disturbances locally. An identification of the disturbance if known can be
reported to the
network management system 1601 by way of the base station 1614. The
disturbance
detection sensor 1604b can also utilize the transmission device 101 or 102 to
transmit
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electromagnetic waves as test signals to determine a roundtrip time for an
electromagnetic wave reflection. The round trip time measured by the
disturbance
detection sensor 1604b can be used to calculate a distance traveled by the
electromagnetic wave up to a point where the reflection takes place, which
enables the
disturbance detection sensor 1604b to calculate a distance from the
transmission device
101 or 102 to the downstream disturbance on the power line 1610.
[000169] The distance calculated can be reported to the network management
system
1601 by way of the base station 1614. In one embodiment, the location of the
waveguide
system 1602 on the power line 1610 may be known to the network management
system
1601, which the network management system 1601 can use to determine a location
of the
disturbance on the power line 1610 based on a known topology of the power
grid. In
another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can provide its location to the
network
management system 1601 to assist in the determination of the location of the
disturbance
on the power line 1610. The location of the waveguide system 1602 can be
obtained by
the waveguide system 1602 from a pre-programmed location of the waveguide
system
1602 stored in a memory of the waveguide system 1602, or the waveguide system
1602
can determine its location using a GPS receiver (not shown) included in the
waveguide
system 1602.
[000170] The power management system 1605 provides energy to the
aforementioned
components of the waveguide system 1602. The power management system 1605 can
receive energy from solar cells, or from a transformer (not shown) coupled to
the power
line 1610, or by inductive coupling to the power line 1610 or another nearby
power line.
The power management system 1605 can also include a backup battery and/or a
super
capacitor or other capacitor circuit for providing the waveguide system 1602
with
temporary power. The loss of energy sensor 1604c can be used to detect when
the
waveguide system 1602 has a loss of power condition and/or the occurrence of
some
other malfunction. For example, the loss of energy sensor 1604c can detect
when there is
a loss of power due to defective solar cells, an obstruction on the solar
cells that causes
them to malfunction, loss of power on the power line 1610, and/or when the
backup
power system malfunctions due to expiration of a backup battery, or a
detectable defect
in a super capacitor. When a malfunction and/or loss of power occurs, the loss
of energy
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sensor 1604c can notify the network management system 1601 by way of the base
station
1614.
[000171] The noise sensor 1604d can be used to measure noise on the power line
1610
that may adversely affect transmission of electromagnetic waves on the power
line 1610.
The noise sensor 1604d can sense unexpected electromagnetic interference,
noise bursts,
or other sources of disturbances that may interrupt reception of modulated
electromagnetic waves on a surface of a power line 1610. A noise burst can be
caused
by, for example, a corona discharge, or other source of noise. The noise
sensor 1604d
can compare the measured noise to a noise profile obtained by the waveguide
system
1602 from an internal database of noise profiles or from a remotely located
database that
stores noise profiles via pattern recognition, an expert system, curve
fitting, matched
filtering or other artificial intelligence, classification or comparison
technique. From the
comparison, the noise sensor 1604d may identify a noise source (e.g., corona
discharge or
otherwise) based on, for example, the noise profile that provides the closest
match to the
measured noise. The noise sensor 1604d can also detect how noise affects
transmissions
by measuring transmission metrics such as bit error rate, packet loss rate,
jitter, packet
retransmission requests, etc. The noise sensor 1604d can report to the network
management system 1601 by way of the base station 1614 the identity of noise
sources,
their time of occurrence, and transmission metrics, among other things.
[000172] The vibration sensor 1604e can include accelerometers and/or
gyroscopes to
detect 2D or 3D vibrations on the power line 1610. The vibrations can be
compared to
vibration profiles that can be stored locally in the waveguide system 1602, or
obtained by
the waveguide system 1602 from a remote database via pattern recognition, an
expert
system, curve fitting, matched filtering or other artificial intelligence,
classification or
comparison technique. Vibration profiles can be used, for example, to
distinguish fallen
trees from wind gusts based on, for example, the vibration profile that
provides the
closest match to the measured vibrations. The results of this analysis can be
reported by
the vibration sensor 1604e to the network management system 1601 by way of the
base
station 1614.
[000173] The environmental sensor 1604f can include a barometer for measuring
atmospheric pressure, ambient temperature (which can be provided by the
temperature
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sensor 1604a), wind speed, humidity, wind direction, and rainfall, among other
things.
The environmental sensor 1604f can collect raw information and process this
information
by comparing it to environmental profiles that can be obtained from a memory
of the
waveguide system 1602 or a remote database to predict weather conditions
before they
arise via pattern recognition, an expert system, knowledge-based system or
other artificial
intelligence, classification or other weather modeling and prediction
technique. The
environmental sensor 1604f can report raw data as well as its analysis to the
network
management system 1601.
[000174] The image sensor 1604g can be a digital camera (e.g., a charged
coupled
device or CCD imager, infrared camera, etc.) for capturing images in a
vicinity of the
waveguide system 1602. The image sensor 1604g can include an electromechanical
mechanism to control movement (e.g., actual position or focal points/zooms) of
the
camera for inspecting the power line 1610 from multiple perspectives (e.g.,
top surface,
bottom surface, left surface, right surface and so on). Alternatively, the
image sensor
1604g can be designed such that no electromechanical mechanism is needed in
order to
obtain the multiple perspectives. The collection and retrieval of imaging data
generated
by the image sensor 1604g can be controlled by the network management system
1601,
or can be autonomously collected and reported by the image sensor 1604g to the
network
management system 1601.
[000175] Other sensors that may be suitable for collecting telemetry
information
associated with the waveguide system 1602 and/or the power lines 1610 for
purposes of
detecting, predicting and/or mitigating disturbances that can impede the
propagation of
electromagnetic wave transmissions on power lines 1610 (or any other form of a
transmission medium of electromagnetic waves) may be utilized by the waveguide
system 1602.
[000176] Referring now to FIG. 16B, block diagram 1650 illustrates an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power grid 1653 and a
communication
system 1655 embedded therein or associated therewith in accordance with
various
aspects described herein. The communication system 1655 comprises a plurality
of
waveguide systems 1602 coupled to power lines 1610 of the power grid 1653. At
least a
portion of the waveguide systems 1602 used in the communication system 1655
can be in
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direct communication with a base station 1614 and/or the network management
system
1601. Waveguide systems 1602 not directly connected to a base station 1614 or
the
network management system 1601 can engage in communication sessions with
either a
base station 1614 or the network management system 1601 by way of other
downstream
waveguide systems 1602 connected to a base station 1614 or the network
management
system 1601.
[000177] The network management system 1601 can be communicatively coupled to
equipment of a utility company 1652 and equipment of a communications service
provider 1654 for providing each entity, status information associated with
the power
grid 1653 and the communication system 1655, respectively. The network
management
system 1601, the equipment of the utility company 1652, and the communications
service
provider 1654 can access communication devices utilized by utility company
personnel
1656 and/or communication devices utilized by communications service provider
personnel 1658 for purposes of providing status information and/or for
directing such
personnel in the management of the power grid 1653 and/or communication system
1655.
[000178] FIG. 17A illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a method 1700 for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a
communication
network of the systems of FIGs. 16A & 16B. Method 1700 can begin with step
1702
where a waveguide system 1602 transmits and receives messages embedded in, or
forming part of, modulated electromagnetic waves or another type of
electromagnetic
waves traveling along a surface of a power line 1610. The messages can be
voice
messages, streaming video, and/or other data/information exchanged between
communication devices communicatively coupled to the communication system
1655.
At step 1704 the sensors 1604 of the waveguide system 1602 can collect sensing
data. In
an embodiment, the sensing data can be collected in step 1704 prior to,
during, or after
the transmission and/or receipt of messages in step 1702. At step 1706 the
waveguide
system 1602 (or the sensors 1604 themselves) can determine from the sensing
data an
actual or predicted occurrence of a disturbance in the communication system
1655 that
can affect communications originating from (e.g., transmitted by) or received
by the
waveguide system 1602. The waveguide system 1602 (or the sensors 1604) can
process
temperature data, signal reflection data, loss of energy data, noise data,
vibration data,
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environmental data, or any combination thereof to make this determination. The
waveguide system 1602 (or the sensors 1604) may also detect, identify,
estimate, or
predict the source of the disturbance and/or its location in the communication
system
1655. If a disturbance is neither detected/identified nor predicted/estimated
at step 1708,
the waveguide system 1602 can proceed to step 1702 where it continues to
transmit and
receive messages embedded in, or forming part of, modulated electromagnetic
waves
traveling along a surface of the power line 1610.
[000179] If at step 1708 a disturbance is detected/identified or
predicted/estimated to
occur, the waveguide system 1602 proceeds to step 1710 to determine if the
disturbance
adversely affects (or alternatively, is likely to adversely affect or the
extent to which it
may adversely affect) transmission or reception of messages in the
communication
system 1655. In one embodiment, a duration threshold and a frequency of
occurrence
threshold can be used at step 1710 to determine when a disturbance adversely
affects
communications in the communication system 1655. For illustration purposes
only,
assume a duration threshold is set to 500 ms, while a frequency of occurrence
threshold is
set to 5 disturbances occurring in an observation period of 10 sec. Thus, a
disturbance
having a duration greater than 500ms will trigger the duration threshold.
Additionally,
any disturbance occurring more than 5 times in a 10 sec time interval will
trigger the
frequency of occurrence threshold.
[000180] In one embodiment, a disturbance may be considered to adversely
affect
signal integrity in the communication systems 1655 when the duration threshold
alone is
exceeded. In another embodiment, a disturbance may be considered as adversely
affecting signal integrity in the communication systems 1655 when both the
duration
threshold and the frequency of occurrence threshold are exceeded. The latter
embodiment is thus more conservative than the former embodiment for
classifying
disturbances that adversely affect signal integrity in the communication
system 1655. It
will be appreciated that many other algorithms and associated parameters and
thresholds
can be utilized for step 1710 in accordance with example embodiments.
[000181] Referring back to method 1700, if at step 1710 the disturbance
detected at step
1708 does not meet the condition for adversely affected communications (e.g.,
neither
exceeds the duration threshold nor the frequency of occurrence threshold), the
waveguide
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system 1602 may proceed to step 1702 and continue processing messages. For
instance,
if the disturbance detected in step 1708 has a duration of 1 msec with a
single occurrence
in a 10 sec time period, then neither threshold will be exceeded.
Consequently, such a
disturbance may be considered as having a nominal effect on signal integrity
in the
communication system 1655 and thus would not be flagged as a disturbance
requiring
mitigation. Although not flagged, the occurrence of the disturbance, its time
of
occurrence, its frequency of occurrence, spectral data, and/or other useful
information,
may be reported to the network management system 1601 as telemetry data for
monitoring purposes.
[000182] Referring back to step 1710, if on the other hand the disturbance
satisfies the
condition for adversely affected communications (e.g., exceeds either or both
thresholds),
the waveguide system 1602 can proceed to step 1712 and report the incident to
the
network management system 1601. The report can include raw sensing data
collected by
the sensors 1604, a description of the disturbance if known by the waveguide
system
1602, a time of occurrence of the disturbance, a frequency of occurrence of
the
disturbance, a location associated with the disturbance, parameters readings
such as bit
error rate, packet loss rate, retransmission requests, jitter, latency and so
on. If the
disturbance is based on a prediction by one or more sensors of the waveguide
system
1602, the report can include a type of disturbance expected, and if
predictable, an
expected time occurrence of the disturbance, and an expected frequency of
occurrence of
the predicted disturbance when the prediction is based on historical sensing
data collected
by the sensors 1604 of the waveguide system 1602.
[000183] At step 1714, the network management system 1601 can determine a
mitigation, circumvention, or correction technique, which may include
directing the
waveguide system 1602 to reroute traffic to circumvent the disturbance if the
location of
the disturbance can be determined. In one embodiment, the waveguide coupling
device
1402 detecting the disturbance may direct a repeater such as the one shown in
FIGs. 13-
14 to connect the waveguide system 1602 from a primary power line affected by
the
disturbance to a secondary power line to enable the waveguide system 1602 to
reroute
traffic to a different transmission medium and avoid the disturbance. In an
embodiment
where the waveguide system 1602 is configured as a repeater the waveguide
system 1602
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can itself perform the rerouting of traffic from the primary power line to the
secondary
power line. It is further noted that for bidirectional communications (e.g.,
full or half-
duplex communications), the repeater can be configured to reroute traffic from
the
secondary power line back to the primary power line for processing by the
waveguide
system 1602.
[000184] In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can redirect traffic
by
instructing a first repeater situated upstream of the disturbance and a second
repeater
situated downstream of the disturbance to redirect traffic from a primary
power line
temporarily to a secondary power line and back to the primary power line in a
manner
that avoids the disturbance. It is further noted that for bidirectional
communications
(e.g., full or half-duplex communications), repeaters can be configured to
reroute traffic
from the secondary power line back to the primary power line.
[000185] To avoid interrupting existing communication sessions occurring on a
secondary power line, the network management system 1601 may direct the
waveguide
system 1602 to instruct repeater(s) to utilize unused time slot(s) and/or
frequency band(s)
of the secondary power line for redirecting data and/or voice traffic away
from the
primary power line to circumvent the disturbance.
[000186] At step 1716, while traffic is being rerouted to avoid the
disturbance, the
network management system 1601 can notify equipment of the utility company
1652
and/or equipment of the communications service provider 1654, which in turn
may notify
personnel of the utility company 1656 and/or personnel of the communications
service
provider 1658 of the detected disturbance and its location if known. Field
personnel from
either party can attend to resolving the disturbance at a determined location
of the
disturbance. Once the disturbance is removed or otherwise mitigated by
personnel of the
utility company and/or personnel of the communications service provider, such
personnel
can notify their respective companies and/or the network management system
1601
utilizing field equipment (e.g., a laptop computer, smartphone, etc.)
communicatively
coupled to network management system 1601, and/or equipment of the utility
company
and/or the communications service provider. The notification can include a
description
of how the disturbance was mitigated and any changes to the power lines 1610
that may
change a topology of the communication system 1655.
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[000187] Once the disturbance has been resolved (as determined in decision
1718), the
network management system 1601 can direct the waveguide system 1602 at step
1720 to
restore the previous routing configuration used by the waveguide system 1602
or route
traffic according to a new routing configuration if the restoration strategy
used to mitigate
the disturbance resulted in a new network topology of the communication system
1655.
In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can be configured to monitor
mitigation of the disturbance by transmitting test signals on the power line
1610 to
determine when the disturbance has been removed. Once the waveguide system
1602
detects an absence of the disturbance it can autonomously restore its routing
configuration without assistance by the network management system 1601 if it
determines the network topology of the communication system 1655 has not
changed, or
it can utilize a new routing configuration that adapts to a detected new
network topology.
[000188] FIG. 17B illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a method 1750 for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a
communication
network of the system of FIGs. 16A and 16B. In one embodiment, method 1750 can
begin with step 1752 where a network management system 1601 receives from
equipment of the utility company 1652 or equipment of the communications
service
provider 1654 maintenance information associated with a maintenance schedule.
The
network management system 1601 can at step 1754 identify from the maintenance
information, maintenance activities to be performed during the maintenance
schedule.
From these activities, the network management system 1601 can detect a
disturbance
resulting from the maintenance (e.g., scheduled replacement of a power line
1610,
scheduled replacement of a waveguide system 1602 on the power line 1610,
scheduled
reconfiguration of power lines 1610 in the power grid 1653, etc.).
[000189] In another embodiment, the network management system 1601 can receive
at
step 1755 telemetry information from one or more waveguide systems 1602. The
telemetry information can include among other things an identity of each
waveguide
system 1602 submitting the telemetry information, measurements taken by
sensors 1604
of each waveguide system 1602, information relating to predicted, estimated,
or actual
disturbances detected by the sensors 1604 of each waveguide system 1602,
location
information associated with each waveguide system 1602, an estimated location
of a
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detected disturbance, an identification of the disturbance, and so on. The
network
management system 1601 can determine from the telemetry information a type of
disturbance that may be adverse to operations of the waveguide, transmission
of the
electromagnetic waves along the wire surface, or both. The network management
system
1601 can also use telemetry information from multiple waveguide systems 1602
to isolate
and identify the disturbance. Additionally, the network management system 1601
can
request telemetry information from waveguide systems 1602 in a vicinity of an
affected
waveguide system 1602 to triangulate a location of the disturbance and/or
validate an
identification of the disturbance by receiving similar telemetry information
from other
waveguide systems 1602.
[000190] In yet another embodiment, the network management system 1601 can
receive
at step 1756 an unscheduled activity report from maintenance field personnel.
Unscheduled maintenance may occur as result of field calls that are unplanned
or as a
result of unexpected field issues discovered during field calls or scheduled
maintenance
activities. The activity report can identify changes to a topology
configuration of the
power grid 1653 resulting from field personnel addressing discovered issues in
the
communication system 1655 and/or power grid 1653, changes to one or more
waveguide
systems 1602 (such as replacement or repair thereof), mitigation of
disturbances
performed if any, and so on.
[000191] At step 1758, the network management system 1601 can determine from
reports received according to steps 1752 through 1756 if a disturbance will
occur based
on a maintenance schedule, or if a disturbance has occurred or is predicted to
occur based
on telemetry data, or if a disturbance has occurred due to an unplanned
maintenance
identified in a field activity report. From any of these reports, the network
management
system 1601 can determine whether a detected or predicted disturbance requires
rerouting
of traffic by the affected waveguide systems 1602 or other waveguide systems
1602 of
the communication system 1655.
[000192] When a disturbance is detected or predicted at step 1758, the network
management system 1601 can proceed to step 1760 where it can direct one or
more
waveguide systems 1602 to reroute traffic to circumvent the disturbance. When
the
disturbance is permanent due to a permanent topology change of the power grid
1653, the
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network management system 1601 can proceed to step 1770 and skip steps 1762,
1764,
1766, and 1772. At step 1770, the network management system 1601 can direct
one or
more waveguide systems 1602 to use a new routing configuration that adapts to
the new
topology. However, when the disturbance has been detected from telemetry
information
supplied by one or more waveguide systems 1602, the network management system
1601
can notify maintenance personnel of the utility company 1656 or the
communications
service provider 1658 of a location of the disturbance, a type of disturbance
if known,
and related information that may be helpful to such personnel to mitigate the
disturbance.
When a disturbance is expected due to maintenance activities, the network
management
system 1601 can direct one or more waveguide systems 1602 to reconfigure
traffic routes
at a given schedule (consistent with the maintenance schedule) to avoid
disturbances
caused by the maintenance activities during the maintenance schedule.
[000193] Returning back to step 1760 and upon its completion, the process can
continue
with step 1762. At step 1762, the network management system 1601 can monitor
when
the disturbance(s) have been mitigated by field personnel. Mitigation of a
disturbance
can be detected at step 1762 by analyzing field reports submitted to the
network
management system 1601 by field personnel over a communications network (e.g.,
cellular communication system) utilizing field equipment (e.g., a laptop
computer or
handheld computer/device). If field personnel have reported that a disturbance
has been
mitigated, the network management system 1601 can proceed to step 1764 to
determine
from the field report whether a topology change was required to mitigate the
disturbance.
A topology change can include rerouting a power line 1610, reconfiguring a
waveguide
system 1602 to utilize a different power line 1610, otherwise utilizing an
alternative link
to bypass the disturbance and so on. If a topology change has taken place, the
network
management system 1601 can direct at step 1770 one or more waveguide systems
1602 to
use a new routing configuration that adapts to the new topology.
[000194] If, however, a topology change has not been reported by field
personnel, the
network management system 1601 can proceed to step 1766 where it can direct
one or
more waveguide systems 1602 to send test signals to test a routing
configuration that had
been used prior to the detected disturbance(s). Test signals can be sent to
affected
waveguide systems 1602 in a vicinity of the disturbance. The test signals can
be used to
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determine if signal disturbances (e.g., electromagnetic wave reflections) are
detected by
any of the waveguide systems 1602. If the test signals confirm that a prior
routing
configuration is no longer subject to previously detected disturbance(s), then
the network
management system 1601 can at step 1772 direct the affected waveguide systems
1602 to
restore a previous routing configuration. If, however, test signals analyzed
by one or
more waveguide coupling device 1402 and reported to the network management
system
1601 indicate that the disturbance(s) or new disturbance(s) are present, then
the network
management system 1601 will proceed to step 1768 and report this information
to field
personnel to further address field issues. The network management system 1601
can in
this situation continue to monitor mitigation of the disturbance(s) at step
1762.
[000195] In the aforementioned embodiments, the waveguide systems 1602 can be
configured to be self-adapting to changes in the power grid 1653 and/or to
mitigation of
disturbances. That is, one or more affected waveguide systems 1602 can be
configured to
self-monitor mitigation of disturbances and reconfigure traffic routes without
requiring
instructions to be sent to them by the network management system 1601. In this
embodiment, the one or more waveguide systems 1602 that are self-configurable
can
inform the network management system 1601 of its routing choices so that the
network
management system 1601 can maintain a macro-level view of the communication
topology of the communication system 1655.
[000196] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGs. 17A and 17B, respectively,
it is to be
understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by
the order of
the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently
with other
blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all
illustrated blocks
may be required to implement the methods described herein.
[000197] Turning now to FIG. 18A, a block diagram 1800 is shown illustrating
an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a communications system in accordance with
various aspects described herein. In particular, a communication system is
shown that
includes client node devices 1802, a host node device 1804, guided wave
communication
systems 1810 that include mini-repeaters (MR) 1806, client devices 1812 and
network
termination 1815. The
network termination 1815 communicates upstream and
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downstream data 1816 with a network 1818 such as the Internet, a packet
switched
telephone network, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet
protocol (IP)
based television network, a cable network, a passive or active optical
network, a 4G or
higher wireless access network, WIMAX network, UltraWideband network, personal
area network or other wireless access network, a broadcast satellite network
and/or other
communications network. The upstream and downstream data 1816 can include
voice,
data or text communications, audio, video, graphics, and/or other media. The
client
devices 1812 can include mobile phones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless
modems,
mobile wireless gateways, home gateway devices, and/or other stationary or
mobile
computing devices.
[000198] In particular, downstream data from the network termination 1815 is
sent to
the host node device 1804 that transfers the downstream data directly to
client devices
1812 in range via wireless link 1814. The host node device 1804 also couples
to one or
more guided wave communication systems 1810 to send the downstream data to
client
devices 1812 via mini-repeaters 1806 via wireless links 1814' that are further
remote
from the host node device 1804. In addition, the host node device 1804 sends
the
downstream data via wireless links 1808 to one or more client node devices
1802, that
may be beyond the range of the guided wave communication systems 1810. The
client
node devices 1802 send the downstream data to client devices 1812 via wireless
links
1814". The client node devices 1802 repeat the downstream data to additional
guided
wave communication systems 1810' and wireless links 1808' to service client
devices
1812 that are further remote, via MRs 1806 and/or additional client node
devices that are
not expressly shown.
[000199] In addition, upstream data received from client devices 1812 via
wireless links
1814" can be transferred back to the network terminal 1815 via client node
devices 1802,
wireless links 1808 and host node device 1804. Upstream data received from
client
devices 1812 via wireless links 1814' can be transferred back to the network
terminal
1815 via guided wave communication system 1810 and host node device 1804.
Upstream data received from client devices 1812 via wireless links 1814 can be
transferred back to the network terminal 1815 via host node device 1804.
Upstream data
from client devices 1812 that are more remote can be transferred back to the
network
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terminal 1815 via wireless links 1808' and/or guided wave communication
systems
1810', client node devices 1802, wireless links 1808 and host node device
1804, etc. It
should be noted that communication system shown can separate upstream and
downstream data 1816 into multiple upstream and downstream channels and
operate a
spatial channel reuse scheme to service mobile client devices 1812 in adjacent
areas with
minimal interference.
[000200] In various embodiments, the communication system shown is used in
conjunction with a public utility such as an electrical power company
distribution system.
In this case, the host node device 1804, client node devices 1802 and/or the
mini-
repeaters 1806 are supported by utility poles of the distribution system and
the guided
wave communication systems 1810 can operate via a transmission medium that
includes
segments of an insulated or bare medium voltage power line and/or other
transmission
line or supporting wire of the distribution system. In particular, guided wave
communication systems 1810 can convey one or more channels of upstream and
downstream data 1816 via guided electromagnetic waves that are guided by or
bound to
the outer surface of the bare or insulated wire.
[000201] It should be noted that while the client node devices 1802, host node
devices
1804, and MRs 1806 have been described as communicating with client devices
1812 via
wireless links 1814, 1814' and 1814", one or more wired links could likewise
be
employed. In this case, the client devices 1812 can further include personal
computers,
laptop computers, netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along
with
digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interface
specification
(DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, telephones, media players, televisions,
an
optical modem, a set top box or home gateway and/or other access devices.
[000202] In various embodiments, the network termination 1815 performs
physical
layer processing for communication with the client devices 1812. In this case,
the
network termination performs the necessary demodulation and extraction of
upstream
data and modulation and other formatting of downstream data, leaving the host
node
device 1804, client node devices 1802 and mini-repeaters 1806 to operate via
simple
analog signal processing. As used herein analog signal processing includes
filtering,
switching, duplexing, duplexing, amplification, frequency up and down
conversion, and
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other analog processing that does not require either analog to digital
conversion or digital
to analog conversion. In
accordance with other embodiments, the network terminal
operates in conjunction with a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) that sends
streams
of data to the host node device 1804, client node devices 1802 and mini-
repeaters 1806
that operate via simple signal processing that can includes switching, routing
or other
selection of packets in a packet stream to be received from and sent to
multiple
destinations and/or other fast processes that operate in a data domain that
can be
implemented, for example, with low power devices and/or inexpensive hardware.
[000203] Further implementation regarding the communication system shown in
diagram 1800, including many optional functions and features, are provided in
conjunction with FIGs. 18B-18H, 19A-19D and 20A-20D that follow.
[000204] Turning now to FIG. 18B, a block diagram 1820 is shown illustrating
an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a network termination 1815 in accordance
with
various aspects described herein. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 18A,
the
network termination 1815 performs physical layer processing for communication
with the
client devices 1812. In this case, the network termination 1815 performs the
necessary
demodulation and extraction of upstream data and modulation and other
formatting of
downstream data.
[000205] In particular, network termination 1815 includes a network interface
1835
configured to receive downstream data 1826 from a communication network and to
send
upstream data 1836 to the communication network, such as network 1818. A
downstream channel modulator 1830 is configured to modulate the downstream
data
1826 into downstream channel signals 1828 corresponding to downstream
frequency
channels of a guided wave communication system, such as guided wave
communication
system 1810. A host interface 1845 is configured to send the downstream
channel
signals 1828 to one or more guided wave communication system 1810 or 1810'
via, for
example, host node device 1804, and/or client node device 1802. The host
interface 1845
also receives upstream channel signals 1838 corresponding to upstream
frequency
channels from the guided wave communication system 1810 or 1810', via, for
example,
host node device 1804 and/or client node device 1802. An upstream channel
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demodulator 1840 is configured to demodulate upstream channel signals 1838
received
via the host node device 1804, into the upstream data 1836.
[000206] In various embodiments, the downstream channel modulator 1830
modulates
one or more of the downstream channel signals 1828 to convey the downstream
data
1826 via the guided wave communication system 1810 as guided electromagnetic
waves,
such as guided waves 120 that are bound to a transmission medium 125 discussed
in
conjunction with FIG. 1. The upstream channel demodulator 1840 demodulates one
or
more of the upstream channel signals 1838 conveying upstream data 1836
received via
the guided wave communication system 1810 as guided electromagnetic waves,
such as
guided waves 120 that are bound to a transmission medium 125 discussed in
conjunction
with FIG. 1.
[000207] In various embodiments, the network interface 1835 can include one or
more
optical cable interfaces, telephone cable interfaces, coaxial cable
interfaces, Ethernet
interfaces or other interfaces, either wired or wireless for communicating
with the
communication network 1818. The host node interface 1845 can include a fiber
optical
cable interface for communicating with the host node device 1804; however
other wired
or wireless interfaces can likewise be used for this purpose.
[000208] In various embodiments, the number of the upstream frequency channels
is
less than the number of the downstream frequency channels in accordance with
an
asymmetrical communication system, however the number of the upstream
frequency
channels can greater than or be equal to the number of the downstream
frequency
channels in the case where a symmetrical communication system is implemented.
[000209] The upstream channel signals and downstream channel signals can be
modulated and otherwise formatted in accordance with a DOCSIS 2.0 or higher
standard
protocol, a WiMAX standard protocol, a 802.11 standard protocol, a 4G or
higher
wireless voice and data protocol such as an LTE protocol and/or other standard
communication protocol. In addition to protocols that conform with current
standards,
any of these protocols can be modified to operate in conjunction with a
communications
network as shown. For example, a 802.11 protocol or other protocol can be
modified to
include additional guidelines and/or a separate data channel to provide
collision
detection/multiple access over a wider area (e.g. allowing devices that are
communicating
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via a particular frequency channel to hear one another). In various
embodiments all of
the upstream channel signals 1838 and downstream channel signals 1828 are
formatted in
accordance with the same communications protocol. In the alternative however,
two or
more differing protocols can be employed to, for example, be compatible with a
wider
range of client devices and/or operate in different frequency bands.
[000210] When two or more differing protocols are employed, a first subset of
the
downstream channel signals 1828 can be modulated by the downstream channel
modulator 1830 in accordance with a first standard protocol and a second
subset of the
downstream channel signals 1828 can be modulated in accordance with a second
standard
protocol that differs from the first standard protocol. Likewise a first
subset of the
upstream channel signals 1838 can be received via the host interface 1845 in
accordance
with a first standard protocol for demodulation by the upstream channel
demodulator
1840 in accordance with the first standard protocol and a second subset of the
upstream
channel signals 1838 can be received via the host interface 1845 in accordance
with a
second standard protocol for demodulation by the upstream channel demodulator
1840 in
accordance with the second standard protocol that differs from the first
standard protocol.
[000211] Turning now to FIG. 18C, a graphical diagram 1850 is shown
illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with
various
aspects described herein. In particular, the downstream channel band 1844
includes a
plurality of downstream frequency channels represented by separate spectral
symbols.
Likewise the upstream channel band 1846 includes a plurality of upstream
frequency
channels represented by separate spectral symbols. These separate spectral
symbols are
meant to be placeholders for the frequency allocation of each individual
channel signal.
The actual spectral response of will vary based on the protocol and modulation
employed
and further as a function of time.
[000212] As previously discussed, the number of the upstream frequency
channels can
be less than or greater than the number of the downstream frequency channels
in
accordance with an asymmetrical communication system. In this case, the
upstream
channel band 1846 can be narrower or wider than the downstream channel band
1844. In
the alternative, the number of the upstream frequency channels can be equal to
the
number of the downstream frequency channels in the case where a symmetrical
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communication system is implemented. In this case, the width of the upstream
channel
band 1846 can be equal to the width of the downstream channel band 1844 and
bit
stuffing or other data filing techniques can be employed to compensate for
variations in
upstream traffic.
[000213] While the downstream channel band 1844 is shown at a lower frequency
than
the upstream channel band 1846, in other embodiments, the downstream channel
band
1844 can be at a higher frequency than the upstream channel band 1846.
Further, while
the downstream channel band 1844 and upstream channel band 1846 are shown as
occupying a single contiguous frequency band, in other embodiments, two or
more
upstream and/or two or more downstream channel bands can be employed,
depending on
available spectrum and/or the communication standards employed.
[000214] Turning now to FIG. 18D, a graphical diagram 1852 is shown
illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with
various
aspects described herein. As previously discussed two or more different
communication
protocols can be employed to communicate upstream and downstream data. In the
example shown, the downstream channel band 1844 includes a first plurality of
downstream frequency channels represented by separate spectral symbols of a
first type
representing the use of a first communication protocol. The downstream channel
band
1844' includes a second plurality of downstream frequency channels represented
by
separate spectral symbols of a second type representing the use of a second
communication protocol. Likewise the upstream channel band 1846 includes a
first
plurality of upstream frequency channels represented by separate spectral
symbols of the
first type representing the use of the first communication protocol. The
upstream channel
band 1846' includes a second plurality of upstream frequency channels
represented by
separate spectral symbols of the second type representing the use of the
second
communication protocol.
[000215] While the individual channel bandwidth is shown as being roughly the
same
for channels of the first and second type, it should be noted that upstream
and
downstream frequency channels may be of differing bandwidths and first
frequency
channels of the first and second type may be of differing bandwidths,
depending on
available spectrum and/or the communication standards employed.
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[000216] Turning now to FIG. 18E, a block diagram 1860 is shown illustrating
an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a host node device 1804 in accordance with
various aspects described herein. In particular, the host node device 1804
includes a
terminal interface 1855, duplexer/triplexer assembly 1858, two access point
repeaters
(APR) 1862 and radio 1865.
[000217] The access point repeaters 1862 couple to a transmission medium 125
to
communicate via a guided wave communication system (GWCS) 1810. The terminal
interface 1855 is configured to receive downstream channel signals 1828, via a
network
terminal 1815, from a communications network, such as network 1818. The
duplexer/triplexer assembly 1858 is configured to transfer the downstream
channel
signals 1828 to the APRs 1862. The APRs launch the downstream channel signals
1828
on the guided wave communication system 1810 as guided electromagnetic waves.
In
the example shown the APRs 1862 launch the downstream channel signals 1828 in
different directions (designed direction A and direction B) on transmission
medium 125
of the guided wave communication system 1810 as guided electromagnetic waves.
[000218] Consider example where the transmission medium is a bare or insulated
wire.
One APR 1862 can launch the downstream channel signals 1828 in one
longitudinal
direction along the wire while the other APR 1862 launches the downstream
channel
signals in the opposite longitudinal direction along the wire. In other
network
configurations where several transmission media 125 converge at the host node
device
1804, three or more APRs 1862 can be included to launch guided waves carrying
the
downstream channel signals 1828 outward along each transmission medium. In
addition
to launching guided wave communications, one or more of the APRs 1862 also
communicates one or more selected downstream channel signals 1828 to client
devices in
range of the host node device 1804 via wireless links 1814.
[000219] The duplexer/triplexer assembly 1858 is further configured to
transfer the
downstream channel signals 1828 to the radio 1865. The radio 1865 is
configured to
wirelessly communicate with one or more client node devices 1802 in range of
the host
node device 1804. In various embodiments, the radio 1865 is an analog radio
that
upconverts the downstream channel signals 1828 via mixing or other heterodyne
action to
generate upconverted downstream channel signals that are communicated to one
or more
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client node devices 1802. The radio 1865 can include multiple individual
antennas for
communicating with the client node devices 1802, a phased antenna array or
steerable
beam or multi-beam antenna system for communicating with multiple devices at
different
locations. In an embodiment, the downstream channel signals 1828 are
upconverted in a
60 GHz band for line-of-sight communications to a client node device 1802 some
distance away. The duplexer/triplexer assembly 1858 can include a duplexer,
triplexer,
splitter, switch, router and/or other assembly that operates as a "channel
duplexer" to
provide bi-directional communications over multiple communication paths.
[000220] In addition to downstream communications destined for client devices
1812,
host node device 1804 can handle upstream communications originating from
client
devices 1812 as well. In operation, the APRs 1862 extract upstream channel
signals 1838
from the guided wave communication system 1810, received via mini-repeaters
1806
from wireless links 1814' and/or client node devices 1802 from wireless links
1814" or
from other devices more remote. Other upstream channel signals 1838 can be
received
via APRs 1862 via communication over wireless link 1814 and via radio 1865
from client
node devices 1802 in direct communication with client devices 1812 via
wireless links
1814" or indirect communication via either guided wave communication systems
1810'
or other client node devices 1802. In situations where the radio 1865 operates
in a higher
frequency band, the radio 1865 downconverts upconverted upstream channel
signals.
The duplexer/triplexer assembly 1858 transfers the upstream channels signals
1838
received by the APRs 1862 and downconverted by the radio 1865 to the terminal
interface 1855 to be sent to the network 1818 via network termination 1815.
[000221] Consider an example where the host node device 1804 is used in
conjunction
with a public utility such as an electrical power company distribution system.
In this
case, the host node device 1804, client node devices 1802 and/or the mini-
repeaters 1806
can be supported by utility poles, other structures or power lines of the
distribution
system and the guided wave communication systems 1810 can operate via a
transmission
medium 125 that includes segments of an insulated or bare medium voltage power
line
and/or other transmission line or supporting wire of the distribution system.
[000222] In a particular example, 2n mini-repeaters 1806 on 2n utility poles
in two
directions along the power line from the utility pole that supports the host
node device
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1804 can each receive and repeat downstream channel signals 1828 in the
direction of the
client node devices 1802 that can, for example, be supported by the (n+ 1)st
utility pole in
each direction from the host node device 1804. The mini-repeaters 1806 can
each
communicate one or more selected downstream channel signals with client
devices 1812
in range via wireless links 1814'. In addition, the host node device 1804
transfers the
downstream channel signals 1828 directly to client devices 1812 via wireless
link 1808 ¨
for wireless communication to client devices 1812 in range of the client node
devices
1802 via wireless links 1814" and further downstream via guided wave
communication
systems 1810' and/or wireless link 1808' to other additional client node
devices 1802 and
mini-repeaters 1806 that operate in a similar fashion. The host node device
1804 operates
in a reciprocal fashion to receive upstream channel signals 1838 from client
devices
1812, either directly via wireless link 1814, or indirectly via guided wave
communication
systems 1810 and 1810' and mini-repeaters 1806, client node devices 1802,
wireless
links 1814' and 1814" and combinations thereof.
[000223] Turning now to FIG. 18F, a combination pictorial and block diagram
1870 is
shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of downstream data flow
in
accordance with various aspects described herein. It should be noted that the
diagram is
not shown to scale. In particular, consider again an example where a
communication
system is implemented in conjunction with a public utility such as an
electrical power
company distribution system. In this case, the host node device 1804, client
node devices
1802 and mini-repeaters 1806 are supported by utility poles 1875 of the
distribution
system and the guided wave communication systems 1810 of FIG. 18A operate via
a
transmission medium 125 that includes segments of an insulated or bare medium
voltage
power line that is supported by the utility poles 1875. Downstream channel
signals 1828
from the network termination 1815 are received by the host node device 1804.
The host
node device 1804 wirelessly transmits selected channels of the downstream
channel
signals 1828 to one or more client devices 1812-4 in range of the host node
device 1804.
The host node device 1804 also sends the downstream channel signals 1828 to
the mini-
repeaters 1806-1 and 1806-2 as guided waves bound to the transmission medium
125. In
addition, the host node device 1804 optionally upconverts the downstream
channels
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signals 1828 as downstream channel signals 1828' and sends the downstream
channel
signals 1828' wirelessly to the client node devices 1802-1 and 1802-2.
[000224] The mini-repeaters 1806-1 and 1806-2 communicate selected downstream
channel signals 1828 with client devices 1812-3 and 1812-5 that are in range
and repeat
the downstream channel signals 1828 as guided waves sent to mini-repeaters
1806-3 and
1806-4. The
mini-repeaters 1806-3 and 1806-4 communicate selected downstream
channel signals 1828 with client devices 1812-2 and 1812-6 that are in range.
The client
node devices 1802-1 and 1802-2 operate to repeat downstream channel signals
1828" as
guided waves to mini-repeaters further downstream and wirelessly as downstream
channel signals 1828' to additional client node devices that are also not
expressly shown.
The client node devices 1802-1 and 1802-2 also operate to communicate selected
downstream channel signals 1828 with client devices 1812-1 and 1812-7 that are
in
range.
[000225] It should be noted that downstream channel signals 1828 can flow in
other
ways as well. Consider the case where the guided wave communication path
between
host node device 1804 and mini-repeater 1806-1 is impaired by a break or
obstruction on
the line, equipment failure or environmental conditions. The downstream
channel signals
1828 can flow as guided waves from client node device 1802-1 to mini-repeater
1806-3
and to mini-repeater 1806-1 to compensate.
[000226] Turning now to FIG. 18G, a combination pictorial and block diagram
1878 is
shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of upstream data flow
in
accordance with various aspects described herein. Consider again an example
where a
communication system is implemented in conjunction with a public utility such
as an
electrical power company distribution system. In this case, the host node
device 1804,
client node devices 1802 and mini-repeaters 1806 are supported by utility
poles 1875 of
the distribution system and the guided wave communication systems 1810 of FIG.
18A
operate via a transmission medium 125 that includes segments of an insulated
or bare
medium voltage power line that is supported by the utility poles 1875. As
previously
discussed, the host node device 1804 collects upstream channels signals 1838
from
various sources for transfer to the network termination 1815.
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[000227] In particular, upstream channel signals 1838 in selected channels
from client
devices 1812-4 are wirelessly communicated to host node device 1804. Upstream
channel signals 1838 in selected channels from client devices 1812-3 and 1812-
5 are
wirelessly communicated to mini-repeaters 1806-1 and 1806-2 that transfer
these
upstream channel signals 1838 to the host node device 1804 as guided waves.
Upstream
channel signals 1838 in selected channels from client devices 1812-2 and 1812-
6 are
wireless communicated to mini-repeaters 1806-3 and 1806-4 that transfer these
upstream
channel signals 1838 to the host node device 1804 as guided waves, via mini-
repeaters
1806-1 and 1806-2. Upstream channel signals 1838 in selected channels from
client
devices 1812-1 and 1812-7 are wirelessly communicated to client node devices
1802-1
and 1802-2 are optionally upconverted and added to other upstream channel
signals
1838' received wirelessly from additional client node devices and other
upstream channel
signals 1838" received as guided waves from other mini-repeaters can also be
optionally
upconverted for wireless transmission to the host node device 1804.
[000228] It should be noted that upstream channel signals 1838 can flow in
other ways
as well. Consider the case where the guided wave communication path between
host
node device 1804 and mini-repeater 1806-1 is impaired by a break or
obstruction on the
line, equipment failure or environmental conditions. The upstream channel
signals 1838
from client devices 1812-3 can flow as guided waves from mini-repeater 1806-1
to mini-
repeater 1806-3 and to client node device 1802-1 for wireless transfer to host
node device
1804, to compensate.
[000229] Turning now to FIG. 18H, a block diagram 1880 is shown illustrating
an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a client node device 1802 in accordance
with
various aspects described herein. The client node device 1802 includes a radio
1865
configured to wirelessly receive downstream channel signals 1828 from a
communication
network, via for example a host node device 1804 or other client node device
1802. The
access point repeater 1862 is configured to launch the downstream channel
signals 1828
on a guided wave communication system 1810 as guided electromagnetic waves
that
propagation along a transmission medium 125 and to wirelessly transmit one or
more
selected downstream channel signals 1828 to one or more client devices via
wireless link
1814".
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[000230] In various embodiments, the radio 1865 is an analog radio that
generates the
downstream channel signals 1828 by downconverting RF signals that have a
higher
carrier frequencies compared with carrier frequencies of the downstream
channel signals
1828. For example, the radio 1865 downconverts upconverted downstream channel
signals from a host node device 1804 or other client node device 1802 via
mixing or other
heterodyne action to generate the downstream channel signals 1828. The radio
1865 can
include multiple individual antennas for communicating with the host node
device 1804
and other client node devices 1802, a phased antenna array or steerable beam
or multi-
beam antenna system for communicating with multiple devices at different
locations. In
an embodiment, the downstream channel signals 1828 are downconverted from a 60
GHz
band for line-of-sight communications. In addition, radio 1865 can operate as
a repeater
to receive downstream channel signals 1828 via wireless link 1808 from the
host node
device 1804 and repeat them on wireless link 1808' for transmission to other
client node
devices 1802.
[000231] In addition to downstream communications destined for client devices
1812,
client node device 1802 can handle upstream communications originating from
client
devices 1812 as well. In operation, the APRs 1862 extract upstream channel
signals 1838
from the guided wave communication system 1810, received via mini-repeaters
1806 of
guided wave communication systems 1810 or 1810'. Other upstream channel
signals
1838 can be received via APR 1862 via communication over wireless links 1814"
in
direct communication with client devices 1812. In
situations where the radio 1865
operates in a higher frequency band, the radio 1865 upconverts upstream
channel signals
1838 received via the APR 1862 for communication via link 1808 to the host
node
device. In addition, radio 1865 can operate as a repeater to receive upstream
channel
signals 1838 via wireless link 1808'from other client node devices 1802 and
repeat them
on wireless link 1808 for transmission to the host node device 1804.
[000232] Turning now to FIG. 19A, a block diagram 1900 is shown illustrating
an
example, non-limiting embodiment of an access point repeater 1862 in
accordance with
various aspects described herein. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 18E
and 18H,
the access point repeater 1862 couples to a transmission medium 125 to
communicate
upstream channel signals 1838 and downstream channel signals 1828 via a guided
wave
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communication system (GWCS) 1810 to and from either radio 1865 of client node
device
1802 or duplexer 1858 of host node device 1804. In addition, the APR 1862
communicates selected upstream and downstream channels with client devices
1812 via
wireless link 1814 or 1814".
[000233] In the embodiment shown, the APR 1862 includes an amplifier, such as
bidirectional amplifier 1914 that amplifies the downstream channel signals
1828 from
either radio 1865 (when implemented in a client node device 1802) or
duplexer/triplexer
assembly 1858 (when implemented in host node device 1804) to generate
amplified
downstream channel signals. The two-way (2:1) duplexer/diplexer 1912 transfers
the
amplified downstream channel signals 1828 to the coupler 1916 and to the
channel
selection filter 1910. The channel selection filter 1910 is configured to
select one or more
of the amplified downstream channel signals to wirelessly communicate with
client
devices 1812 in range via an antenna 1918 and wireless link 1814. In
particular, channel
selection filter 1910 can be configured to operate different APRs 1862 in
accordance with
one or more different channels in accordance with the physical location of the
host node
device 1804 or client node device 1802 and a spatial channel reuse scheme for
wireless
links 1814 that communicate with client devices 1812 in different locations.
In various
embodiments, the channel selection filter 1910 includes a filter, such as an
analog or
digital filter that passes one or more selected frequency channels while
filtering-out or
attenuating other frequency channels. In the alternative, channel selection
filter 1910 can
include a packet filter or data filter that passes one or more selected
channel streams
while filtering or blocking other channel streams. The
coupler 1916 guides the
amplified downstream channel signals to a transmission medium 125 of the
guided wave
communication system 1810 or 1810' to be launched as guided electromagnetic
waves.
[000234] As previously discussed the APR 1862 is also capable of processing
upstream
channel signals 1838 in a reciprocal fashion. In this mode of operation, the
coupler 1916
extracts guided electromagnetic waves containing upstream channel signals from
the
transmission medium 125 of the guided wave communication system 1810 or 1810'.
Other upstream channel signals 1838 are received via antenna 1918 and channel
selection
filter 1910. The upstream channel signals 1838 from each of these media are
combined
by the duplexer/diplexer 1912 and amplified by bidirectional amplifier 1914
for transfer
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to radio 1865 or duplexer/triplexer assembly 1858, depending on the
implementation of
the APR 1862. The duplexer/diplexer 1912 can include a duplexer, diplexer,
splitter,
switch, router and/or other assembly that operates as a "channel duplexer" to
provide bi-
directional communications over multiple communication paths.
[000235] Turning now to FIG. 19B, a block diagram 1925 is shown illustrating
an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a mini-repeater in accordance with various
aspects
described herein. In particular, a repeater device, such as mini-repeater 1806
includes a
coupler 1946 configured to extract downstream channel signals 1828 from guided
electromagnetic waves in either direction A or B that are bound to a
transmission medium
125 of a guided wave communication system 1810 or 1810'. An amplifier, such as
bidirectional amplifier 1944 amplifies the downstream channel signals 1828 to
generate
amplified downstream channel signals. The two-way (2:1) channel duplexer 1942
transfers the amplified downstream channel signals 1828 to the coupler 1946
and to the
channel selection filter 1940. The channel selection filter 1940 is configured
to select one
or more of the amplified downstream channel signals to wirelessly communicate
with
client devices 1812 in range via an antenna 1948 and wireless link 1814. In
particular,
channel selection filter 1940 can be configured to operate different mini-
repeaters 1806 in
accordance with one or more different channels in accordance with the physical
location
of mini-repeaters 1806 and a spatial channel reuse scheme for wireless links
1814 that
communicate with client devices 1812 in different locations. The coupler 1946'
guides
the amplified downstream channel signals to a transmission medium 125 of the
guided
wave communication system 1810 or 1810' to be launched as guided
electromagnetic
waves on the transmission medium 125.
[000236] As previously discussed the mini-repeater 1806 is also capable of
processing
upstream channel signals 1838 in a reciprocal fashion. In this mode of
operation, the
coupler 1946' extracts guided electromagnetic waves containing upstream
channel
signals from the transmission medium 125 of the guided wave communication
system
1810 or 1810'. Other upstream channel signals 1838 are received via antenna
1948 and
channel selection filter 1940. The upstream channel signals 1838 from each of
these
media are combined by the two-way channel duplexer 1942 and amplified by
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bidirectional amplifier 1944 for transfer to coupler 1946 to be launched on
guided wave
communication system 1810 on either direction A or B.
[000237] Turning now to FIG. 19C, a combination pictorial and block diagram
1950 is
shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a mini-repeater in
accordance
with various aspects described herein. In particular, mini-repeater 1806 is
shown as
bridging an insulator 1952 on a utility pole of electric power utility. As
shown the mini-
repeater 1806 is coupled to a transmission medium, in this case, a power line
on both
sides of the insulator 1952. It should be noted however that other
installations of mini-
repeater 1806 are likewise possible. Other electric power utility
installations include
being supported by other utility structures or by a power line or supporting
wire of the
system. In addition, mini-repeater 1806 can be supported by other transmission
media
125 or supporting structures for other transmission media 125.
[000238] Turning now to FIG. 19D, a graphical diagram 1975 is shown
illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with
various
aspects described herein. In particular a frequency channel selection is
presented as
discussed in conjunction with either channel selection filter 1910 or 1940. As
shown, a
particular upstream frequency channel 1978 of upstream frequency channel band
1846
and a particular downstream frequency channel 1976 of downstream channel
frequency
band 1844 is selected to be passed by channel selection filter 1910 or 1940,
with the
remaining portions of upstream frequency channel band 1846 and downstream
channel
frequency band 1844 being filtered out ¨ i.e. attenuated so as to mitigate
adverse effects
of analog processing of the desired frequency channels that are passed by the
channel
selection filter 1910 or 1940. It should be noted that while a single
particular upstream
frequency channel 1978 and particular downstream frequency channel 1976 are
shown as
being selected by channel selection filter 1910 or 1940, two or more upstream
and/or
downstream frequency channels may be passed in other embodiments.
[000239] It should be noted that while the foregoing has focused on the host
node
device 1804, client node devices 1802 and mini-repeaters 1810 operating on a
single
transmission medium such as a single power line, each of these devices can
operate to
send and receive on two or more communication paths, such as separate segments
or
branches of transmission media in different directions as part of a more
complex
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transmission network. For example, at a node where first and second power line
segments of a public utility branch out, a host node device 1804, client node
device 1802
or mini-repeaters 1810 can include a first coupler to extract and/or launch
guided
electromagnetic waves along the first power line segment and a second coupler
to extract
and/or launch guided electromagnetic waves along the second power line
segment.
[000240] Turning now to FIG. 20A, flow diagrams 2000 of example, non-limiting
embodiment of methods, are shown. In particular, methods are presented for use
with one
or more functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-19. These
methods
can be performed separately or contemporaneously. Step 2002 includes receiving
downstream data from a communication network. Step 2004 includes modulating
the
downstream data into upstream channel signals corresponding to downstream
frequency
channels of a guided wave communication system. Step 2006 includes sending the
downstream channel signals to the guided wave communication system via a wired
connection. Step 2008 includes receiving upstream channel signals
corresponding to
upstream frequency channels from the guided wave communication system via the
wired
connection. Step 2010 includes demodulating the upstream channel signals into
upstream
data. Step 2012 includes sending the upstream data to the communication
network.
[000241] In various embodiments, the downstream channel modulator modulates
the
downstream channel signals to convey the downstream data via a guided
electromagnetic
wave that is guided by a transmission medium of the guided wave communication
system. The transmission medium can include a wire and the guided
electromagnetic
wave can be bound to an outer surface of the wire.
[000242] In various embodiments, a number of the upstream frequency channels
is less
than, greater than or equal to a number of the downstream frequency channels.
A first
subset of the upstream channel signals can be demodulated in accordance with a
first
standard protocol and a second subset of the upstream channel signals can be
demodulated in accordance with a second standard protocol that differs from
the first
standard protocol.
Likewise, a first subset of the downstream channel signals can be modulated in
accordance with a first standard protocol and a second subset of the
downstream channel
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signals can be modulated in accordance with a second standard protocol that
differs from
the first standard protocol.
[000243] In various embodiments, the host interface couples to a host node
device of
the guided wave communication system via a fiber optic cable to send the
downstream
channel signals and receive the upstream channel signals. At least a portion
of the
upstream channel signals and at least a portion of the downstream channel
signals are
formatted in accordance with a data over cable system interface specification
protocol or
a 802.11 protocol.
[000244] Turning now to FIG. 20B, a flow diagram 2020 of an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a method, is shown. In particular, a method is presented for use
with one
or more functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-19. Step
2022
includes receiving downstream channel signals from a communication network.
Step
2024 includes launching the downstream channel signals on a guided wave
communication system as guided electromagnetic waves. Step 2026 includes
wirelessly
transmitting the downstream channel signals to at least one client node
device.
[000245] In various embodiments, wirelessly transmitting the downstream
channel
signals includes: upconverting the downstream channel signals to generate
upconverted
downstream channel signals; and transmitting the upconverted downstream
channel
signals to the at least one client node device. Launching the downstream
channel signals
on the guided wave communication system as guided electromagnetic waves can
include:
launching the downstream channel signals on the guided wave communication
system as
first guided electromagnetic waves in a first direction along a transmission
medium; and
launching the downstream channel signals on the guided wave communication
system as
second guided electromagnetic waves in a second direction along the
transmission
medium.
[000246] In various embodiments, the transmission medium includes a wire and
launching the downstream channel signals on the guided wave communication
system as
the first guided electromagnetic waves includes coupling the downstream
channel signals
to an outer surface of the wire for propagation in the first direction, and
launching the
downstream channel signals on the guided wave communication system as the
second
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guided electromagnetic waves includes coupling the downstream channel signals
to the
outer surface of the wire for propagation in the second direction.
[000247] The method can further include: amplifying the downstream channel
signals
to generate amplified downstream channel signals; selectively filtering one or
more of the
amplified downstream channel signals to generate a subset of the amplified
downstream
channel signals; and wirelessly transmitting the subset of the amplified
downstream
channel signals to a plurality of client devices via an antenna. Launching the
downstream
channel signals on the guided wave communication system as guided
electromagnetic
waves can include: amplifying the downstream channel signals to generate
amplified
downstream channel signals; and coupling the amplified downstream channel
signals to
an outer surface of a transmission medium for propagation as the guided
electromagnetic
waves.
[000248] The method can also include extracting first upstream channel signals
from
the guided wave communication system; and sending the first upstream channel
signals
to the communication network and/or wirelessly receiving second upstream
channel
signals from the at least one client node device and sending the second
upstream channel
signals to the communication
[000249] Turning now to FIG. 20C, a flow diagram 2040 of an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a method, is shown. In particular, a method is presented for use
with one
or more functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-19. Step
2042
includes wireles sly receiving downstream channel signals from a communication
network. Step 2044 includes launching the downstream channel signals on a
guided
wave communication system as guided electromagnetic waves that propagation
along a
transmission medium. Step 2046 includes wirelessly transmitting the downstream
channel signals to at least one client device.
[000250] In various embodiments, the transmission medium includes a wire and
the
guided electromagnetic waves are bound to an outer surface of the wire.
Wirelessly
transmitting the downstream channel signals to at least one client device can
include:
amplifying the downstream channel signals to generate amplified downstream
channel
signals; selecting one or more of the amplified downstream channel signals;
and
wireles sly transmitting the one or more of the amplified downstream channel
signals to
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the at least one client device via an antenna. Launching the downstream
channel signals
on the guided wave communication system as guided electromagnetic waves that
propagation along the transmission medium can include: amplifying the
downstream
channel signals to generate amplified downstream channel signals; and guiding
the
amplified downstream channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided
wave
communication system.
[000251] In various embodiments, wirelessly receiving downstream channel
signals
from the communication network can include: downconverting RF signals that
have a
higher carrier frequencies compared with carrier frequencies of the downstream
channel
signals. The method can further include: extracting first upstream channel
signals from
the guided wave communication system; and wirelessly transmitting the first
upstream
channel signals to the communication network. The method can further include:
wirelessly receiving second upstream channel signals from the at least one
client device;
and wirelessly transmitting the second upstream channel signals to the
communication
network. The transmission medium can includes a power line of a public
utility.
[000252] Turning now to FIG. 20D, a flow diagram 2060 of an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a method, is shown. In particular, a method is presented for use
with one
or more functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-19. Step
2062
includes extracting downstream channel signals from first guided
electromagnetic waves
bound to a transmission medium of a guided wave communication system. Step
2064
includes amplifying the downstream channel signals to generate amplified
downstream
channel signals. Step 2066 includes selecting one or more of the amplified
downstream
channel signals to wireles sly transmit to the at least one client device via
an antenna.
Step 2068 includes guiding the amplified downstream channel signals to the
transmission
medium of the guided wave communication system to propagate as second guided
electromagnetic waves.
[000253] In various embodiments, the transmission medium includes a wire and
the
first guided electromagnetic waves and the second guided electromagnetic waves
are
guided by an outer surface of the wire. At least a portion of the downstream
or upstream
channel signals can be formatted in accordance with a data over cable system
interface
specification protocol. At least a portion of the downstream or upstream
channel signals
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can be formatted in accordance with an 802.11 protocol or a fourth generation
or higher
mobile wireless protocol.
[000254] In various embodiments, the method includes wirelessly receiving
upstream
channel signals from the at least one client device via the antenna;
amplifying the
upstream channel signals to generate amplified upstream channel signals; and
guiding the
amplified upstream channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided
wave
communication system to propagate as third guided electromagnetic waves. The
downstream channel signals can correspond to a number of the downstream
frequency
channels and the upstream channel signals can correspond to a number of the
upstream
that is less than or equal to the number of the downstream frequency channels.
At least a
portion of the upstream channel signals can be formatted in accordance with
either a data
over cable system interface specification protocol, a 802.11 protocol or a
fourth
generation or higher mobile wireless protocol.
[000255] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGs. 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D, it
is to be
understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by
the order of
the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently
with other
blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all
illustrated blocks
may be required to implement the methods described herein.
[000256] Referring now to FIG. 21, there is illustrated a block diagram of a
computing
environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. In order to
provide
additional context for various embodiments of the embodiments described
herein, FIG.
21 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general
description of a
suitable computing environment 2100 in which the various embodiments of the
subject
disclosure can be implemented. While the embodiments have been described above
in
the general context of computer-executable instructions that can run on one or
more
computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments can be
also
implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination
of
hardware and software.
[000257] Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components,
data
structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular
abstract data types.
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Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods
can be
practiced with other computer system configurations, comprising single-
processor or
multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well
as
personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be
operatively
coupled to one or more associated devices.
[000258] As used herein, a processing circuit includes processor as well as
other
application specific circuits such as an application specific integrated
circuit, digital logic
circuit, state machine, programmable gate array or other circuit that
processes input
signals or data and that produces output signals or data in response thereto.
It should be
noted that while any functions and features described herein in association
with the
operation of a processor could likewise be performed by a processing circuit.
[000259] The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth, as used in the
claims, unless
otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only and doesn't otherwise indicate
or imply any
order in time. For instance, "a first determination," "a second
determination," and "a third
determination," does not indicate or imply that the first determination is to
be made
before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.
[000260] The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be also
practiced
in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by
remote
processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a
distributed
computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote
memory storage devices.
[000261] Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which can
comprise
computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, which two terms
are
used herein differently from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage
media
can be any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer and
comprises
both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way
of
example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be
implemented in
connection with any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-
readable instructions, program modules, structured data or unstructured data.
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[000262] Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,
random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable
programmable read only memory (EEPROM),flash memory or other memory
technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk
(DVD) or
other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk
storage or
other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media
which can
be used to store desired information. In this regard, the terms "tangible" or
"non-
transitory" herein as applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media,
are to be
understood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers
and do not
relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media
that are not
only propagating transitory signals per se.
[000263] Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local
or
remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data
retrieval
protocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the information stored
by the
medium.
[000264] Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,
data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data in a
data signal
such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism, and
comprises any information delivery or transport media. The term "modulated
data
signal" or signals refers to a signal that has one or more of its
characteristics set or
changed in such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By
way of
example, and not limitation, communication media comprise wired media, such as
a
wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,
RF,
infrared and other wireless media.
[000265] With reference again to FIG. 21, the example environment 2100 for
transmitting and receiving signals via or forming at least part of a base
station (e.g., base
station devices 1504, macrocell site 1502, or base stations 1614) or central
office (e.g.,
central office 1501 or 1611). At least a portion of the example environment
2100 can
also be used for transmission devices 101 or 102. The example environment can
comprise a computer 2102, the computer 2102 comprising a processing unit 2104,
a
system memory 2106 and a system bus 2108. The system bus 2108 couples system
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components including, but not limited to, the system memory 2106 to the
processing unit
2104. The processing unit 2104 can be any of various commercially available
processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can
also be
employed as the processing unit 2104.
[000266] The system bus 2108 can be any of several types of bus structure that
can
further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a
peripheral
bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus
architectures.
The system memory 2106 comprises ROM 2110 and RAM 2112. A basic input/output
system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable
programmable read only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic
routines that help to transfer information between elements within the
computer 2102,
such as during startup. The RAM 2112 can also comprise a high-speed RAM such
as
static RAM for caching data.
[000267] The computer 2102 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD)
2114
(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 2114 can also be configured
for
external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive
(FDD) 2116,
(e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette 2118) and an optical disk
drive 2120,
(e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 2122 or, to read from or write to other high
capacity
optical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 2114, magnetic disk drive
2116 and
optical disk drive 2120 can be connected to the system bus 2108 by a hard disk
drive
interface 2124, a magnetic disk drive interface 2126 and an optical drive
interface 2128,
respectively. The interface 2124 for external drive implementations comprises
at least
one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and
Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other
external drive connection
technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described herein.
[000268] The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media
provide
nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable
instructions, and so
forth. For the computer 2102, the drives and storage media accommodate the
storage of
any data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of computer-
readable
storage media above refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic
diskette,
and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by
those
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skilled in the art that other types of storage media which are readable by a
computer, such
as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the
like, can also be
used in the example operating environment, and further, that any such storage
media can
contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods described
herein.
[000269] A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 2112,
comprising an operating system 2130, one or more application programs 2132,
other
program modules 2134 and program data 2136. All or portions of the operating
system,
applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 2112. The
systems
and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially
available operating systems or combinations of operating systems. Examples of
application programs 2132 that can be implemented and otherwise executed by
processing unit 2104 include the diversity selection determining performed by
transmission device 101 or 102.
[000270] A user can enter commands and information into the computer 2102
through
one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 2138 and a pointing
device,
such as a mouse 2140. Other input devices (not shown) can comprise a
microphone, an
infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch
screen or the like.
These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 2104
through an
input device interface 2142 that can be coupled to the system bus 2108, but
can be
connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial
port, a game
port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface, etc.
[000271] A monitor 2144 or other type of display device can be also connected
to the
system bus 2108 via an interface, such as a video adapter 2146. It will also
be
appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 2144 can also be any
display
device (e.g., another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet
computer, etc.)
for receiving display information associated with computer 2102 via any
communication
means, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the
monitor
2144, a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not
shown), such
as speakers, printers, etc.
[000272] The computer 2102 can operate in a networked environment using
logical
connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote
computers,
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such as a remote computer(s) 2148. The remote computer(s) 2148 can be a
workstation,
a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer,
microprocessor-
based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and
typically comprises many or all of the elements described relative to the
computer 2102,
although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 2150 is
illustrated. The
logical connections depicted comprise wired/wireless connectivity to a local
area network
(LAN) 2152 and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 2154. Such
LAN
and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and
facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which
can connect
to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.
[000273] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 2102 can be
connected to the local network 2152 through a wired and/or wireless
communication
network interface or adapter 2156. The adapter 2156 can facilitate wired or
wireless
communication to the LAN 2152, which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed
thereon for communicating with the wireless adapter 2156.
[000274] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 2102 can
comprise a modem 2158 or can be connected to a communications server on the
WAN
2154 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 2154,
such as
by way of the Internet. The modem 2158, which can be internal or external and
a wired
or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus 2108 via the input
device interface
2142. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the
computer
2102 or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device
2150. It
will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other
means of
establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.
[000275] The computer 2102 can be operable to communicate with any wireless
devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., a
printer,
scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable data assistant,
communications
satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly
detectable tag
(e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise
Wireless Fidelity
(Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a
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predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc
communication
between at least two devices.
[000276] Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a
bed in a
hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless
technology
similar to that used in a cell phone that enables such devices, e.g.,
computers, to send and
receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-
Fi
networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag etc.)
to provide
secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to
connect
computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which can use
IEEE
802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz
radio bands
for example or with products that contain both bands (dual band), so the
networks can
provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet
networks
used in many offices.
[000277] FIG. 22 presents an example embodiment 2200 of a mobile network
platform
2210 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosed
subject matter
described herein. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 2210
can
generate and receive signals transmitted and received by base stations (e.g.,
base station
devices 1504, macrocell site 1502, or base stations 1614), central office
(e.g., central
office 1501 or 1611),or transmission device 101 or 102 associated with the
disclosed
subject matter. Generally, wireless network platform 2210 can comprise
components,
e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that
facilitate both
packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous
transfer
mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well
as control
generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting
example,
wireless network platform 2210 can be included in telecommunications carrier
networks,
and can be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.
Mobile
network platform 2210 comprises CS gateway node(s) 2222 which can interface CS
traffic received from legacy networks like telephony network(s) 2240 (e.g.,
public
switched telephone network (PS TN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a
signaling system #7 (SS7) network 2270. Circuit switched gateway node(s) 2222
can
authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks.
Additionally,
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CS gateway node(s) 2222 can access mobility, or roaming, data generated
through SS7
network 2270; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location
register (VLR),
which can reside in memory 2230. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 2222 interfaces
CS-
based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 2218. As an example, in a
3GPP
UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 2222 can be realized at least in part in
gateway
GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and
specific
operation of CS gateway node(s) 2222, PS gateway node(s) 2218, and serving
node(s)
2216, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile
network
platform 2210 for telecommunication.
[000278] In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and
signaling, PS
gateway node(s) 2218 can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions
with served
mobile devices. Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged
with
networks external to the wireless network platform 2210, like wide area
network(s)
(WANs) 2250, enterprise network(s) 2270, and service network(s) 2280, which
can be
embodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile
network
platform 2210 through PS gateway node(s) 2218. It is to be noted that WANs
2250 and
enterprise network(s) 2260 can embody, at least in part, a service network(s)
like IP
multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio technology layer(s) available in
technology
resource(s) 2217, packet-switched gateway node(s) 2218 can generate packet
data
protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data structures
that facilitate
routing of packetized data also can be generated. To that end, in an aspect,
PS gateway
node(s) 2218 can comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway
(TTG) in
3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetized
communication
with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.
[000279] In embodiment 2200, wireless network platform 2210 also comprises
serving
node(s) 2216 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) within
technology
resource(s) 2217, convey the various packetized flows of data streams received
through
PS gateway node(s) 2218. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s)
2217 that rely
primarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without
reliance on PS
gateway node(s) 2218; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part
a mobile
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switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 2216
can
be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).
[000280] For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication,
server(s) 2214
in wireless network platform 2210 can execute numerous applications that can
generate
multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g.,
schedule, queue,
format ...) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise add-on features to
standard
services (for example, provisioning, billing, customer support ...) provided
by wireless
network platform 2210. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a voice
call or data
session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s) 2218 for
authorization/authentication
and initiation of a data session, and to serving node(s) 2216 for
communication
thereafter. In addition to application server, server(s) 2214 can comprise
utility server(s),
a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, an operations and
maintenance server,
a security server that can implement at least in part a certificate authority
and firewalls as
well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security
server(s) secure
communication served through wireless network platform 2210 to ensure
network's
operation and data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication
procedures
that CS gateway node(s) 2222 and PS gateway node(s) 2218 can enact. Moreover,
provisioning server(s) can provision services from external network(s) like
networks
operated by a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 2250 or Global
Positioning
System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can also provision
coverage through networks associated to wireless network platform 2210 (e.g.,
deployed
and operated by the same service provider), such as the distributed antennas
networks
shown in FIG. 1(s) that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more
network
coverage. Repeater devices such as those shown in FIGs. 7, 8, and 9 also
improve
network coverage in order to enhance subscriber service experience by way of
UE 2275.
[000281] It is to be noted that server(s) 2214 can comprise one or more
processors
configured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro network
platform 2210.
To that end, the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored in
memory
2230, for example. It is should be appreciated that server(s) 2214 can
comprise a content
manager 2215, which operates in substantially the same manner as described
hereinbefore.
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[000282] In example embodiment 2200, memory 2230 can store information related
to
operation of wireless network platform 2210. Other operational information can
comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served through wireless
platform
network 2210, subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes,
e.g.,
promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical
specification(s)
consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio,
or wireless,
technology layers; and so forth. Memory 2230 can also store information from
at least
one of telephony network(s) 2240, WAN 2250, enterprise network(s) 2270, or SS7
network 2260. In an aspect, memory 2230 can be, for example, accessed as part
of a data
store component or as a remotely connected memory store.
[000283] In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the
disclosed subject
matter, FIG. 22, and the following discussion, are intended to provide a
brief, general
description of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of the
disclosed
subject matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been described
above in
the general context of computer-executable instructions of a computer program
that runs
on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the disclosed
subject matter also can be implemented in combination with other program
modules.
Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, data
structures,
etc. that perform particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract data
types.
[000284] FIG. 23 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device
2300.
The communication device 2300 can serve as an illustrative embodiment of
devices such
as mobile devices and in-building devices referred to by the subject
disclosure (e.g., in
FIGs.15, 16A and 16B).
[000285] The communication device 2300 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless
transceiver 2302 (herein transceiver 2302), a user interface (UI) 2304, a
power supply
2314, a location receiver 2316, a motion sensor 2318, an orientation sensor
2320, and a
controller 2306 for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 2302 can
support short-
range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth , ZigBee ,
WiFi,
DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth
and
ZigBee are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group and
the
ZigBee Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies can include, for
example, CDMA-
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1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well
as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.
The
transceiver 2302 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline
access
technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies
(such as
TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.
[000286] The UI 2304 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 2308
with a
navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a
navigation disk for
manipulating operations of the communication device 2300. The keypad 2308 can
be an
integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device 2300 or an
independent
device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a
USB cable) or
a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth . The keypad 2308 can
represent a
numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with
alphanumeric keys. The UI 2304 can further include a display 2310 such as
monochrome
or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or
other
suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the
communication
device 2300. In an embodiment where the display 2310 is touch-sensitive, a
portion or
all of the keypad 2308 can be presented by way of the display 2310 with
navigation
features.
[000287] The display 2310 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a
user
interface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, the
communication device
2300 can be adapted to present a user interface having graphical user
interface (GUI)
elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The touch
screen
display 2310 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of
sensing
technology to detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed
on a
portion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to
control the
manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface. The
display
2310 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication
device 2300
or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered
wireline
interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.
[000288] The UI 2304 can also include an audio system 2312 that utilizes audio
technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of
a
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human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free
operation). The
audio system 2312 can further include a microphone for receiving audible
signals of an
end user. The audio system 2312 can also be used for voice recognition
applications.
The UI 2304 can further include an image sensor 2313 such as a charged coupled
device
(CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.
[000289] The power supply 2314 can utilize common power management
technologies
such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation
technologies, and/or
charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the
communication device 2300 to facilitate long-range or short-range portable
communications. Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can
utilize
external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface
such as a
USB port or other suitable tethering technologies.
[000290] The location receiver 2316 can utilize location technology such as a
global
positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a
location of
the communication device 2300 based on signals generated by a constellation of
GPS
satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as
navigation. The
motion sensor 2318 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an
accelerometer, a
gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the
communication device 2300 in three-dimensional space. The orientation sensor
2320 can
utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the
orientation of
the communication device 2300 (north, south, west, and east, as well as
combined
orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).
[000291] The communication device 2300 can use the transceiver 2302 to also
determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth , or other wireless
access points by
sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator
(RSSI) and/or
signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The
controller 2306
can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal
processor
(DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,
and/or a video
processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM
or
other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling,
and
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processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication
device 2300.
[000292] Other components not shown in FIG. 23 can be used in one or more
embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communication device
2300 can
include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber
Identity
Module (SIM) card or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC
cards
can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing
subscriber
data, and so on.
[000293] Turning now to FIG. 24A, a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment of a communication system in accordance with various
aspects of
the subject disclosure is shown. The communication system can include a macro
base
station 2402 such as a base station or access point having antennas that
covers one or
more sectors (e.g., 6 or more sectors). The macro base station 2402 can be
communicatively coupled to a communication node 2404A that serves as a master
or
distribution node for other communication nodes 2404B-E distributed at
differing
geographic locations inside or beyond a coverage area of the macro base
station 2402.
The communication nodes 2404 operate as a distributed antenna system
configured to
handle communications traffic associated with client devices such as mobile
devices
(e.g., cell phones) and/or fixed/stationary devices (e.g., a communication
device in a
residence, or commercial establishment) that are wirelessly coupled to any of
the
communication nodes 2404. In particular, the wireless resources of the macro
base
station 2402 can be made available to mobile devices by allowing and/or
redirecting
certain mobile and/or stationary devices to utilize the wireless resources of
a
communication node 2404 in a communication range of the mobile or stationary
devices.
[000294] The communication nodes 2404A-E can be communicatively coupled to
each
other over an interface 2410. In one embodiment, the interface 2410 can
comprise a
wired or tethered interface (e.g., fiber optic cable). In other embodiments,
the interface
2410 can comprise a wireless RF interface forming a radio distributed antenna
system. In
various embodiments, the communication nodes 2404A-E can be configured to
provide
communication services to mobile and stationary devices according to
instructions
provided by the macro base station 2402. In other examples of operation
however, the
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communication nodes 2404A-E operate merely as analog repeaters to spread the
coverage of the macro base station 2402 throughout the entire range of the
individual
communication nodes 2404A-E.
[000295] The micro base stations (depicted as communication nodes 2404) can
differ
from the macro base station in several ways. For example, the communication
range of
the micro base stations can be smaller than the communication range of the
macro base
station. Consequently, the power consumed by the micro base stations can be
less than
the power consumed by the macro base station. The macro base station
optionally directs
the micro base stations as to which mobile and/or stationary devices they are
to
communicate with, and which carrier frequency, spectral segment(s) and/or
timeslot
schedule of such spectral segment(s) are to be used by the micro base stations
when
communicating with certain mobile or stationary devices. In these cases,
control of the
micro base stations by the macro base station can be performed in a master-
slave
configuration or other suitable control configurations. Whether operating
independently
or under the control of the macro base station 2402, the resources of the
micro base
stations can be simpler and less costly than the resources utilized by the
macro base
station 2402.
[000296] Turning now to FIG. 24B, a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment of the communication nodes 2404B-E of the communication
system
2400 of FIG. 24A is shown. In this illustration, the communication nodes 2404B-
E are
placed on a utility fixture such as a light post. In other embodiments, some
of the
communication nodes 2404B-E can be placed on a building or a utility post or
pole that is
used for distributing power and/or communication lines. The communication
nodes
2404B-E in these illustrations can be configured to communicate with each
other over the
interface 2410, which in this illustration is shown as a wireless interface.
The
communication nodes 2404B-E can also be configured to communicate with mobile
or
stationary devices 2406A-C over a wireless interface 2411 that conforms to one
or more
communication protocols (e.g., fourth generation (4G) wireless signals such as
LTE
signals or other 4G signals, fifth generation (5G) wireless signals, WiMAX,
802.11
signals, ultra-wideband signals, etc.). The communication nodes 2404 can be
configured
to exchange signals over the interface 2410 at an operating frequency that is
may be
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higher (e.g., 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, 80GHz or higher) than the operating
frequency
used for communicating with the mobile or stationary devices (e.g., 1.9GHz)
over
interface 2411. The high carrier frequency and a wider bandwidth can be used
for
communicating between the communication nodes 2404 enabling the communication
nodes 2404 to provide communication services to multiple mobile or stationary
devices
via one or more differing frequency bands, (e.g. a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band,
a 2.4
GHz band, and/or a 5.8 GHz band, etc.) and/or one or more differing protocols,
as will be
illustrated by spectral downlink and uplink diagrams of FIG. 25A described
below. In
other embodiments, particularly where the interface 2410 is implemented via a
guided
wave communications system on a wire, a wideband spectrum in a lower frequency
range
(e.g. in the range of 2-6 GHz, 4-10 GHz, etc.) can be employed.
[000297] Turning now to FIGs. 24C-24D, block diagrams illustrating example,
non-
limiting embodiments of a communication node 2404 of the communication system
2400
of FIG. 24A is shown. The communication node 2404 can be attached to a support
structure 2424 of a utility fixture such as a utility post or pole as shown in
FIG. 24C.
The communication node 2404 can be affixed to the support structure 2424 with
an arm
2426 constructed of plastic or other suitable material that attaches to an end
of the
communication node 2404. The communication node 2404 can further include a
plastic
housing assembly 2416 that covers components of the communication node 2404.
The
communication node 2404 can be powered by a power line 2426 (e.g., 110/226
VAC).
The power line 2426 can originate from a light pole or can be coupled to a
power line of
a utility pole.
[000298] In an embodiment where the communication nodes 2404 communicate
wirelessly with other communication nodes 2404 as shown in FIG. 24B, a top
side 2412
of the communication node 2404 (illustrated also in FIG. 24D) can comprise a
plurality
of antennas 2422 (e.g., 16 dielectric antennas devoid of metal surfaces)
coupled to one or
more transceivers such as, for example, in whole or in part, the transceiver
1400
illustrated in FIG. 14. Each of the plurality of antennas 2422 of the top side
2412 can
operate as a sector of the communication node 2404, each sector configured for
communicating with at least one communication node 2404 in a communication
range of
the sector. Alternatively, or in combination, the interface 2410 between
communication
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nodes 2404 can be a tethered interface (e.g., a fiber optic cable, or a power
line used for
transport of guided electromagnetic waves as previously described). In
other
embodiments, the interface 2410 can differ between communication nodes 2404.
That is,
some communications nodes 2404 may communicate over a wireless interface,
while
others communicate over a tethered interface. In yet other embodiments, some
communications nodes 2404 may utilize a combined wireless and tethered
interface.
[000299] A bottom side 2414 of the communication node 2404 can also comprise a
plurality of antennas 2424 for wireles sly communicating with one or more
mobile or
stationary devices 2406 at a carrier frequency that is suitable for the mobile
or stationary
devices 2406. As noted earlier, the carrier frequency used by the
communication node
2404 for communicating with the mobile or station devices over the wireless
interface
2411 shown in FIG. 24B can be different from the carrier frequency used for
communicating between the communication nodes 2404 over interface 2410. The
plurality of antennas 2424 of the bottom portion 2414 of the communication
node 2404
can also utilize a transceiver such as, for example, in whole or in part, the
transceiver
1400 illustrated in FIG. 14.
[000300] Turning now to FIG. 25A, a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment of downlink and uplink communication techniques for
enabling a
base station to communicate with the communication nodes 2404 of FIG. 24A is
shown.
In the illustrations of FIG. 25A, downlink signals (i.e., signals directed
from the macro
base station 2402 to the communication nodes 2404) can be spectrally divided
into
control channels 2502, downlink spectral segments 2506 each including
modulated
signals which can be frequency converted to their original/native frequency
band for
enabling the communication nodes 2404 to communicate with one or more mobile
or
stationary devices 2506, and pilot signals 2504 which can be supplied with
some or all of
the spectral segments 2506 for mitigating distortion created between the
communication
nodes 2504. The pilot signals 2504 can be processed by the top side 2416
(tethered or
wireless) transceivers of downstream communication nodes 2404 to remove
distortion
from a receive signal (e.g., phase distortion). Each downlink spectral segment
2506 can
be allotted a bandwidth 2505 sufficiently wide (e.g., 50MHz) to include a
corresponding
pilot signal 2504 and one or more downlink modulated signals located in
frequency
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channels (or frequency slots) in the spectral segment 2506. The modulated
signals can
represent cellular channels, WLAN channels or other modulated communication
signals
(e.g., 10-26 MHz), which can be used by the communication nodes 2404 for
communicating with one or more mobile or stationary devices 2406.
[000301] Uplink modulated signals generated by mobile or stationary
communication
device can in their native/original frequency bands can be frequency converted
and
thereby located in frequency channels (or frequency slots) in the uplink
spectral segment
2510. The uplink modulated signals can represent cellular channels, WLAN
channels or
other modulated communication signals. Each uplink spectral segment 2510 can
be
allotted a similar or same bandwidth 2505 to include a pilot signal 2508 which
can be
provided with some or each spectral segment 2510 to enable upstream
communication
nodes 2404 and/or the macro base station 2402 to remove distortion (e.g.,
phase error).
[000302] In the embodiment shown, the downlink and uplink spectral segments
2506
and 2510 each comprise a plurality of frequency channels (or frequency slots),
which
can be occupied with modulated signals that have been frequency converted from
any
number of native/original frequency bands (e.g. a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band,
a 2.4
GHz band, and/or a 5.8 GHz band, etc.). The modulated signals can be up-
converted to
adjacent frequency channels in downlink and uplink spectral segments 2506 and
2510. In
this fashion, while some adjacent frequency channels in a downlink spectral
segment
2506 can include modulated signals originally in a same native/original
frequency band,
other adjacent frequency channels in the downlink spectral segment 2506 can
also
include modulated signals originally in different native/original frequency
bands, but
frequency converted to be located in adjacent frequency channels of the
downlink
spectral segment 2506. For example, a first modulated signal in a 1.9GHz band
and a
second modulated signal in the same frequency band (i.e., 1.9GHz) can be
frequency
converted and thereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of a downlink
spectral
segment 2506. In another illustration, a first modulated signal in a 1.9GHz
band and a
second communication signal in a different frequency band (i.e., 2.4GHz) can
be
frequency converted and thereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of a
downlink
spectral segment 2506. Accordingly, frequency channels of a downlink spectral
segment
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2506 can be occupied with any combination of modulated signals of a same or
differing
signaling protocols and of a same or differing native/original frequency
bands.
[000303] Similarly, while some adjacent frequency channels in an uplink
spectral
segment 2510 can include modulated signals originally in a same frequency
band,
adjacent frequency channels in the uplink spectral segment 2510 can also
include
modulated signals originally in different native/original frequency bands, but
frequency
converted to be located in adjacent frequency channels of an uplink segment
2510. For
example, a first communication signal in a 2.4GHz band and a second
communication
signal in the same frequency band (i.e., 2.4GHz) can be frequency converted
and thereby
positioned in adjacent frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment 2510.
In another
illustration, a first communication signal in a 1.9GHz band and a second
communication
signal in a different frequency band (i.e., 2.4GHz) can be frequency converted
and
thereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of the uplink spectral
segment 2506.
Accordingly, frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment 2510 can be
occupied
with any combination of modulated signals of a same or differing signaling
protocols and
of a same or differing native/original frequency bands. It should be noted
that a downlink
spectral segment 2506 and an uplink spectral segment 2510 can themselves be
adjacent to
one another and separated by only a guard band or otherwise separate by a
larger
frequency spacing, depending on the spectral allocation in place.
[000304] Turning now to FIG. 25B, a block diagram 2520 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In
particular, the
communication node device such as communication node 2404A of a radio
distributed
antenna system includes a base station interface 2522, duplexer/diplexer
assembly 2524,
and two transceivers 2530 and 2532. It should be noted however, that when the
communication node 2404A is collocated with a base station, such as a macro
base
station 2402, the duplexer/diplexer assembly 2524 and the transceiver 2530 can
be
omitted and the transceiver 2532 can be directly coupled to the base station
interface
2522.
[000305] In various embodiments, the base station interface 2522 receives a
first
modulated signal having one or more down link channels in a first spectral
segment for
transmission to a client device such as one or more mobile communication
devices. The
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first spectral segment represents an original/native frequency band of the
first modulated
signal. The first modulated signal can include one or more downlink
communication
channels conforming to a signaling protocol such as a LTE or other 4G wireless
protocol,
a 5G wireless communication protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a WiMAX
protocol,
a 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol and/or other
communication
protocol. The duplexer/diplexer assembly 2524 transfers the first modulated
signal in the
first spectral segment to the transceiver 2530 for direct communication with
one or more
mobile communication devices in range of the communication node 2404A as a
free
space wireless signal. In various embodiments, the transceiver 2530 is
implemented via
analog circuitry that merely provides: filtration to pass the spectrum of the
downlink
channels and the uplink channels of modulated signals in their original/native
frequency
bands while attenuating out-of-band signals, power amplification,
transmit/receive
switching, duplexing, diplexing, and impedance matching to drive one or more
antennas
that sends and receives the wireless signals of interface 2410.
[000306] In other embodiments, the transceiver 2532 is configured to perform
frequency conversion of the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to the first
modulated signal at a first carrier frequency based on, in various
embodiments, an analog
signal processing of the first modulated signal without modifying the
signaling protocol
of the first modulated signal. The first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency can
occupy one or more frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 2506. The
first
carrier frequency can be in a millimeter-wave or microwave frequency band. As
used
herein analog signal processing includes filtering, switching, duplexing,
diplexing,
amplification, frequency up and down conversion, and other analog processing
that does
not require digital signal processing, such as including without limitation
either analog to
digital conversion, digital to analog conversion, or digital frequency
conversion. In other
embodiments, the transceiver 2532 can be configured to perform frequency
conversion of
the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first carrier
frequency by
applying digital signal processing to the first modulated signal without
utilizing any form
of analog signal processing and without modifying the signaling protocol of
the first
modulated signal. In yet other embodiments, the transceiver 2532 can be
configured to
perform frequency conversion of the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment to
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the first carrier frequency by applying a combination of digital signal
processing and
analog processing to the first modulated signal and without modifying the
signaling
protocol of the first modulated signal.
[000307] The transceiver 2532 can be further configured to transmit one or
more
control channels, one or more corresponding reference signals, such as pilot
signals or
other reference signals, and/or one or more clock signals together with the
first modulated
signal at the first carrier frequency to a network element of the distributed
antenna
system, such as one or more downstream communication nodes 2404B-E, for
wireless
distribution of the first modulated signal to one or more other mobile
communication
devices once frequency converted by the network element to the first spectral
segment.
In particular, the reference signal enables the network element to reduce a
phase error
(and/or other forms of signal distortion) during processing of the first
modulated signal
from the first carrier frequency to the first spectral segment. The control
channel can
include instructions to direct the communication node of the distributed
antenna system
to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the
first modulated
signal in the first spectral segment, to control frequency selections and
reuse patterns,
handoff and/or other control signaling. In embodiments where the instructions
transmitted and received via the control channel are digital signals, the
transceiver can
2532 can include a digital signal processing component that provides analog to
digital
conversion, digital to analog conversion and that processes the digital data
sent and/or
received via the control channel. The clock signals supplied with the downlink
spectral
segment 2506 can be utilize for synchronize timing of digital control channel
processing
by the downstream communication nodes 2404B-E to recover the instructions from
the
control channel and/or to provide other timing signals.
[000308] In various embodiments, the transceiver 2532 can receive a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency from a network element such as a
communication
node 2404B-E. The second modulated signal can include one or more uplink
frequency
channels occupied by one or more modulated signals conforming to a signaling
protocol
such as a LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communication
protocol, an
ultra-wideband protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local area network
protocol and/or
other communication protocol. In particular, the mobile or stationary
communication
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device generates the second modulated signal in a second spectral segment such
as an
original/native frequency band and the network element frequency converts the
second
modulated signal in the second spectral segment to the second modulated signal
at the
second carrier frequency and transmits the second modulated signal at the
second carrier
frequency as received by the communication node 2404A. The transceiver 2532
operates
to convert the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency to the
second
modulated signal in the second spectral segment and sends the second modulated
signal
in the second spectral segment, via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 2524 and
base station
interface 2522, to a base station, such as macro base station 2402, for
processing.
[000309] Consider the following examples where the communication node 2404A is
implemented in a distributed antenna system. The uplink frequency channels in
an uplink
spectral segment 2510 and downlink frequency channels in a downlink spectral
segment
2506 can be occupied with signals modulated and otherwise formatted in
accordance with
a DOCSIS 2.0 or higher standard protocol, a WiMAX standard protocol, an ultra-
wideband protocol, a 802.11 standard protocol, a 4G or 5G voice and data
protocol such
as an LTE protocol and/or other standard communication protocol. In addition
to
protocols that conform with current standards, any of these protocols can be
modified to
operate in conjunction with the system of FIG. 24A. For example, a 802.11
protocol or
other protocol can be modified to include additional guidelines and/or a
separate data
channel to provide collision detection/multiple access over a wider area (e.g.
allowing
network elements or communication devices communicatively coupled to the
network
elements that are communicating via a particular frequency channel of a
downlink
spectral segment 2506 or uplink spectral segment 2510 to hear one another). In
various
embodiments all of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral
segment 2510
and downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectral segment 2506 can all
be
formatted in accordance with the same communications protocol. In the
alternative
however, two or more differing protocols can be employed on both the uplink
spectral
segment 2510 and the downlink spectral segment 2506 to, for example, be
compatible
with a wider range of client devices and/or operate in different frequency
bands.
[000310] When two or more differing protocols are employed, a first subset of
the
downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 2506 can be
modulated in
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accordance with a first standard protocol and a second subset of the downlink
frequency
channels of the downlink spectral segment 2506 can be modulated in accordance
with a
second standard protocol that differs from the first standard protocol.
Likewise a first
subset of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment 2510
can be
received by the system for demodulation in accordance with the first standard
protocol
and a second subset of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral
segment 2510
can be received in accordance with a second standard protocol for demodulation
in
accordance with the second standard protocol that differs from the first
standard protocol.
[000311] In accordance with these examples, the base station interface 2522
can be
configured to receive modulated signals such as one or more downlink channels
in their
original/native frequency bands from a base station such as macro base station
2402 or
other communications network element. Similarly, the base station interface
2522 can be
configured to supply to a base station modulated signals received from another
network
element that is frequency converted to modulated signals having one or more
uplink
channels in their original/native frequency bands. The base station interface
2522 can be
implemented via a wired or wireless interface that bidirectionally
communicates
communication signals such as uplink and downlink channels in their
original/native
frequency bands, communication control signals and other network signaling
with a
macro base station or other network element. The duplexer/diplexer assembly
2524 is
configured to transfer the downlink channels in their original/native
frequency bands to
the transceiver 2532 which frequency converts the frequency of the downlink
channels
from their original/native frequency bands into the frequency spectrum of
interface 2410
¨ in this case a wireless communication link used to transport the
communication signals
downstream to one or more other communication nodes 2404B-E of the distributed
antenna system in range of the communication device 2404A.
[000312] In various embodiments, the transceiver 2532 includes an analog radio
that
frequency converts the downlink channel signals in their original/native
frequency bands
via mixing or other heterodyne action to generate frequency converted downlink
channels
signals that occupy downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectral
segment 2506.
In this illustration, the downlink spectral segment 2506 is within the
downlink frequency
band of the interface 2410. In an embodiment, the downlink channel signals are
up-
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converted from their original/native frequency bands to a 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60
GHz, 70
GHz or 80 GHz band of the downlink spectral segment 2506 for line-of-sight
wireless
communications to one or more other communication nodes 2404B-E. It is noted,
however, that other frequency bands can likewise be employed for a downlink
spectral
segment 2506 (e.g., 3GHz to 5 GHz). For example, the transceiver 2532 can be
configured for down-conversion of one or more downlink channel signals in
their
original/native spectral bands in instances where the frequency band of the
interface 2410
falls below the original/native spectral bands of the one or more downlink
channels
signals.
[000313] The transceiver 2532 can be coupled to multiple individual antennas,
such as
antennas 2422 presented in conjunction with FIG. 24D, for communicating with
the
communication nodes 2404B, a phased antenna array or steerable beam or multi-
beam
antenna system for communicating with multiple devices at different locations.
The
duplexer/diplexer assembly 2524 can include a duplexer, triplexer, splitter,
switch, router
and/or other assembly that operates as a "channel duplexer" to provide bi-
directional
communications over multiple communication paths and via one or more
original/native
spectral segments of the uplink and downlink channels.
[000314] In addition to forwarding frequency converted modulated signals
downstream
to other communication nodes 2404B-E at a carrier frequency that differs from
their
original/native spectral bands, the communication node 2404A can also
communicate all
or a selected portion of the modulated signals unmodified from their
original/native
spectral bands to client devices in a wireless communication range of the
communication
node 2404A via the wireless interface 2411. The duplexer/diplexer assembly
2524
transfers the modulated signals in their original/native spectral bands to the
transceiver
2530. The transceiver 2530 can include a channel selection filter for
selecting one or
more downlink channels and a power amplifier coupled to one or more antennas,
such as
antennas 2424 presented in conjunction with FIG. 24D, for transmission of the
downlink
channels via wireless interface 2411 to mobile or fixed wireless devices.
[000315] In addition to downlink communications destined for client devices,
communication node 2404A can operate in a reciprocal fashion to handle uplink
communications originating from client devices as well. In operation, the
transceiver
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2532 receives uplink channels in the uplink spectral segment 2510 from
communication
nodes 2404B-E via the uplink spectrum of interface 2410. The uplink frequency
channels in the uplink spectral segment 2510 include modulated signals that
were
frequency converted by communication nodes 2404B-E from their original/native
spectral bands to the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment
2510. In
situations where the interface 2410 operates in a higher frequency band than
the
native/original spectral segments of the modulated signals supplied by the
client devices,
the transceiver 2532 down-converts the up-converted modulated signals to their
original
frequency bands. In situations, however, where the interface 2410 operates in
a lower
frequency band than the native/original spectral segments of the modulated
signals
supplied by the client devices, the transceiver 2532 up-converts the down-
converted
modulated signals to their original frequency bands. Further, the transceiver
2530
operates to receive all or selected ones of the modulated signals in their
original/native
frequency bands from client devices via the wireless interface 2411. The
duplexer/diplexer assembly 2524 transfers the modulated signals in their
original/native
frequency bands received via the transceiver 2530 to the base station
interface 2522 to be
sent to the macro base station 2402 or other network element of a
communications
network. Similarly, modulated signals occupying uplink frequency channels in
an uplink
spectral segment 2510 that are frequency converted to their original/native
frequency
bands by the transceiver 2532 are supplied to the duplexer/diplexer assembly
2524 for
transfer to the base station interface 2522 to be sent to the macro base
station 2402 or
other network element of a communications network.
[000316] Turning now to FIG. 25C, a block diagram 2535 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In
particular, the
communication node device such as communication node 2404B, 2404C, 2404D or
2404E of a radio distributed antenna system includes transceiver 2533,
duplexer/diplexer
assembly 2524, an amplifier 2538 and two transceivers 2536A and 2536B.
[000317] In various embodiments, the transceiver 2536A receives, from a
communication node 2404A or an upstream communication node 2404B-E, a first
modulated signal at a first carrier frequency corresponding to the placement
of the
channels of the first modulated signal in the converted spectrum of the
distributed
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antenna system (e.g., frequency channels of one or more downlink spectral
segments
2506). The first modulated signal includes first communications data provided
by a base
station and directed to a mobile communication device. The transceiver 2536A
is further
configured to receive, from a communication node 2404A one or more control
channels
and one or more corresponding reference signals, such as pilot signals or
other reference
signals, and/or one or more clock signals associated with the first modulated
signal at the
first carrier frequency. The first modulated signal can include one or more
downlink
communication channels conforming to a signaling protocol such as a LTE or
other 4G
wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communication protocol, an ultra-wideband
protocol, a
WiMAX protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol and/or
other
communication protocol.
[000318] As previously discussed, the reference signal enables the network
element to
reduce a phase error (and/or other forms of signal distortion) during
processing of the
first modulated signal from the first carrier frequency to the first spectral
segment (i.e.,
original/native spectrum). The control channel includes instructions to direct
the
communication node of the distributed antenna system to convert the first
modulated
signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the
first spectral
segment, to control frequency selections and reuse patterns, handoff and/or
other control
signaling. The clock signals can synchronize timing of digital control channel
processing
by the downstream communication nodes 2404B-E to recover the instructions from
the
control channel and/or to provide other timing signals.
[000319] The amplifier 2538 can be a bidirectional amplifier that amplifies
the first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency together with the reference
signals, control
channels and/or clock signals for coupling via the duplexer/diplexer assembly
2524 to
transceiver 2536B, which in this illustration, serves as a repeater for
retransmission of the
amplified the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency together
with the
reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals to one or more others
of the
communication nodes 2404B-E that are downstream from the communication node
2404B-E that is shown and that operate in a similar fashion.
[000320] The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency
together
with the reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals are also
coupled via the
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duplexer/diplexer assembly 2524 to the transceiver 2533. The transceiver 2533
performs
digital signal processing on the control channel to recover the instructions,
such as in the
form of digital data, from the control channel. The clock signal is used to
synchronize
timing of the digital control channel processing. The transceiver 2533 then
performs
frequency conversion of the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment in accordance with the
instructions and
based on an analog (and/or digital) signal processing of the first modulated
signal and
utilizing the reference signal to reduce distortion during the converting
process. The
transceiver 2533 wirelessly transmits the first modulated signal in the first
spectral
segment for direct communication with one or more mobile communication devices
in
range of the communication node 2404B-E as free space wireless signals.
[000321] In various embodiments, the transceiver 2536B receives a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency in an uplink spectral segment 2510 from
other
network elements such as one or more other communication nodes 2404B-E that
are
downstream from the communication node 2404B-E that is shown. The second
modulated signal can include one or more uplink communication channels
conforming to
a signaling protocol such as a LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G
wireless
communication protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless
local
area network protocol and/or other communication protocol. In particular, one
or more
mobile communication devices generate the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment such as an original/native frequency band and the downstream network
element
performs frequency conversion on the second modulated signal in the second
spectral
segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency and
transmits the
second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency in an uplink spectral
segment
2510 as received by the communication node 2404B-E shown. The transceiver
2536B
operates to send the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency
to amplifier
2538, via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 2524, for amplification and
retransmission via
the transceiver 2536A back to the communication node 2404A or upstream
communication nodes 2404B-E for further retransmission back to a base station,
such as
macro base station 2402, for processing.
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[000322] The transceiver 2533 may also receive a second modulated signal in
the
second spectral segment from one or more mobile communication devices in range
of the
communication node 2404B-E. The transceiver 2533 operates to perform frequency
conversion on the second modulated signal in the second spectral segment to
the second
modulated signal at the second carrier frequency, for example, under control
of the
instructions received via the control channel, inserts the reference signals,
control
channels and/or clock signals for use by communication node 2404A in
reconverting the
second modulated signal back to the original/native spectral segments and
sends the
second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency, via the
duplexer/diplexer
assembly 2524 and amplifier 2538, to the transceiver 2536A for amplification
and
retransmission back to the communication node 2404A or upstream communication
nodes 2404B-E for further retransmission back to a base station, such as macro
base
station 2402, for processing.
[000323] Turning now to FIG. 25D, a graphical diagram 2540 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, a
spectrum
2542 is shown for a distributed antenna system that conveys modulated signals
that
occupy frequency channels of a downlink segment 2506 or uplink spectral
segment 2510
after they have been converted in frequency (e.g. via up-conversion or down-
conversion)
from one or more original/native spectral segments into the spectrum 2542.
[000324] In the example presented, the downstream (downlink) channel band 2544
includes a plurality of downstream frequency channels represented by separate
downlink
spectral segments 2506. Likewise the upstream (uplink) channel band 2546
includes a
plurality of upstream frequency channels represented by separate uplink
spectral
segments 2510. The spectral shapes of the separate spectral segments are meant
to be
placeholders for the frequency allocation of each modulated signal along with
associated
reference signals, control channels and clock signals. The actual spectral
response of
each frequency channel in a downlink spectral segment 2506 or uplink spectral
segment
2510 will vary based on the protocol and modulation employed and further as a
function
of time.
[000325] The number of the uplink spectral segments 2510 can be less than or
greater
than the number of the downlink spectral segments 2506 in accordance with an
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asymmetrical communication system. In this case, the upstream channel band
2546 can
be narrower or wider than the downstream channel band 2544. In the
alternative, the
number of the uplink spectral segments 2510 can be equal to the number of the
downlink
spectral segments 2506 in the case where a symmetrical communication system is
implemented. In this case, the width of the upstream channel band 2546 can be
equal to
the width of the downstream channel band 2544 and bit stuffing or other data
filing
techniques can be employed to compensate for variations in upstream traffic.
While the
downstream channel band 2544 is shown at a lower frequency than the upstream
channel
band 2546, in other embodiments, the downstream channel band 2444 can be at a
higher
frequency than the upstream channel band 2546. In addition, the number of
spectral
segments and their respective frequency positions in spectrum 2542 can change
dynamically over time. For example, a general control channel can be provided
in the
spectrum 2542 (not shown) which can indicate to communication nodes 2404 the
frequency position of each downlink spectral segment 2506 and each uplink
spectral
segment 2510. Depending on traffic conditions, or network requirements
necessitating a
reallocation of bandwidth, the number of downlink spectral segments 2506 and
uplink
spectral segments 2510 can be changed by way of the general control channel.
Additionally, the downlink spectral segments 2506 and uplink spectral segments
2510 do
not have to be grouped separately. For instance, a general control channel can
identify a
downlink spectral segment 2506 being followed by an uplink spectral segment
2510 in an
alternating fashion, or in any other combination which may or may not be
symmetric. It
is further noted that instead of utilizing a general control channel, multiple
control
channels can be used, each identifying the frequency position of one or more
spectral
segments and the type of spectral segment (i.e., uplink or downlink).
[000326] Further, while the downstream channel band 2544 and upstream channel
band
2546 are shown as occupying a single contiguous frequency band, in other
embodiments,
two or more upstream and/or two or more downstream channel bands can be
employed,
depending on available spectrum and/or the communication standards employed.
Frequency channels of the uplink spectral segments 2510 and downlink spectral
segments
2506 can be occupied by frequency converted signals modulated formatted in
accordance
with a DOCSIS 2.0 or higher standard protocol, a WiMAX standard protocol, an
ultra-
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wideband protocol, a 802.11 standard protocol, a 4G or 5G voice and data
protocol such
as an LTE protocol and/or other standard communication protocol. In addition
to
protocols that conform with current standards, any of these protocols can be
modified to
operate in conjunction with the system shown. For example, a 802.11 protocol
or other
protocol can be modified to include additional guidelines and/or a separate
data channel
to provide collision detection/multiple access over a wider area (e.g.
allowing devices
that are communicating via a particular frequency channel to hear one
another). In
various embodiments all of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink
spectral segments
2510 and downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectral segments 2506 are
all
formatted in accordance with the same communications protocol. In the
alternative
however, two or more differing protocols can be employed on both the uplink
frequency
channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 2510 and downlink frequency
channels
of one or more downlink spectral segments 2506 to, for example, be compatible
with a
wider range of client devices and/or operate in different frequency bands.
[000327] It should be noted that, the modulated signals can be gathered from
differing
original/native spectral segments for aggregation into the spectrum 2542. In
this fashion,
a first portion of uplink frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment
2510 may be
adjacent to a second portion of uplink frequency channels of the uplink
spectral segment
2510 that have been frequency converted from one or more differing
original/native
spectral segments. Similarly, a first portion of downlink frequency channels
of a
downlink spectral segment 2506 may be adjacent to a second portion of downlink
frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 2506 that have been
frequency
converted from one or more differing original/native spectral segments. For
example,
one or more 0.9 GHz 802.11 channels that have been frequency converted may be
adjacent to one or more 5.8 GHz 802.11 channels that have also been frequency
converted to a spectrum 2542 that is centered at 80 GHz. It should be noted
that each
spectral segment can have an associated reference signal such as a pilot
signal that can be
used in generating a local oscillator signal at a frequency and phase that
provides the
frequency conversion of one or more frequency channels of that spectral
segment from its
placement in the spectrum 2542 back into it original/native spectral segment.
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[000328] Turning now to FIG. 25E, a graphical diagram 2550 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular a
spectral
segment selection is presented as discussed in conjunction with signal
processing
performed on the selected spectral segment by transceivers 2530 of
communication node
2440A or transceiver 2532 of communication node 2404B-E. As shown, a
particular
uplink frequency portion 2558 including one of the uplink spectral segments
2510 of
uplink frequency channel band 2546 and a particular downlink frequency portion
2556
including one of the downlink spectral segments 2506 of downlink channel
frequency
band 2544 is selected to be passed by channel selection filtration, with the
remaining
portions of uplink frequency channel band 2546 and downlink channel frequency
band
2544 being filtered out ¨ i.e. attenuated so as to mitigate adverse effects of
the processing
of the desired frequency channels that are passed by the transceiver. It
should be noted
that while a single particular uplink spectral segment 2510 and a particular
downlink
spectral segment 2506 are shown as being selected, two or more uplink and/or
downlink
spectral segments may be passed in other embodiments.
[000329] While the transceivers 2530 and 2532 can operate based on static
channel
filters with the uplink and downlink frequency portions 2558 and 2556 being
fixed, as
previously discussed, instructions sent to the transceivers 2530 and 2532 via
the control
channel can be used to dynamically configure the transceivers 2530 and 2532 to
a
particular frequency selection. In this fashion, upstream and downstream
frequency
channels of corresponding spectral segments can be dynamically allocated to
various
communication nodes by the macro base station 2402 or other network element of
a
communication network to optimize performance by the distributed antenna
system.
[000330] Turning now to FIG. 25F, a graphical diagram 2560 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, a
spectrum
2562 is shown for a distributed antenna system that conveys modulated signals
occupying
frequency channels of uplink or downlink spectral segments after they have
been
converted in frequency (e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or
more
original/native spectral segments into the spectrum 2562.
[000331] As previously discussed two or more different communication protocols
can
be employed to communicate upstream and downstream data. When two or more
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differing protocols are employed, a first subset of the downlink frequency
channels of a
downlink spectral segment 2506 can be occupied by frequency converted
modulated
signals in accordance with a first standard protocol and a second subset of
the downlink
frequency channels of the same or a different downlink spectral segment 2510
can be
occupied by frequency converted modulated signals in accordance with a second
standard
protocol that differs from the first standard protocol. Likewise a first
subset of the uplink
frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment 2510 can be received by the
system for
demodulation in accordance with the first standard protocol and a second
subset of the
uplink frequency channels of the same or a different uplink spectral segment
2510 can be
received in accordance with a second standard protocol for demodulation in
accordance
with the second standard protocol that differs from the first standard
protocol.
[000332] In the example shown, the downstream channel band 2544 includes a
first
plurality of downstream spectral segments represented by separate spectral
shapes of a
first type representing the use of a first communication protocol. The
downstream
channel band 2544' includes a second plurality of downstream spectral segments
represented by separate spectral shapes of a second type representing the use
of a second
communication protocol. Likewise the upstream channel band 2546 includes a
first
plurality of upstream spectral segments represented by separate spectral
shapes of the
first type representing the use of the first communication protocol. The
upstream channel
band 2546' includes a second plurality of upstream spectral segments
represented by
separate spectral shapes of the second type representing the use of the second
communication protocol. These separate spectral shapes are meant to be
placeholders for
the frequency allocation of each individual spectral segment along with
associated
reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals. While the individual
channel
bandwidth is shown as being roughly the same for channels of the first and
second type,
it should be noted that upstream and downstream channel bands 2544, 2544',
2546 and
2546' may be of differing bandwidths. Additionally, the spectral segments in
these
channel bands of the first and second type may be of differing bandwidths,
depending on
available spectrum and/or the communication standards employed.
[000333] Turning now to FIG. 25G, a graphical diagram 2570 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular a
portion of
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the spectrum 2542 or 2562 of FIGs. 25D-25F is shown for a distributed antenna
system
that conveys modulated signals in the form of channel signals that have been
converted in
frequency (e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or more
original/native
spectral segments.
[000334] The portion 2572 includes a portion of a downlink or uplink spectral
segment
2506 and 2510 that is represented by a spectral shape and that represents a
portion of the
bandwidth set aside for a control channel, reference signal, and/or clock
signal. The
spectral shape 2574, for example, represents a control channel that is
separate from
reference signal 2579 and a clock signal 2578. It should be noted that the
clock signal
2578 is shown with a spectral shape representing a sinusoidal signal that may
require
conditioning into the form of a more traditional clock signal. In other
embodiments
however, a traditional clock signal could be sent as a modulated carrier wave
such by
modulating the reference signal 2579 via amplitude modulation or other
modulation
technique that preserves the phase of the carrier for use as a phase
reference. In other
embodiments, the clock signal could be transmitted by modulating another
carrier wave
or as another signal. Further, it is noted that both the clock signal 2578 and
the reference
signal 2579 are shown as being outside the frequency band of the control
channel 2574.
[000335] In another example, the portion 2575 includes a portion of a downlink
or
uplink spectral segment 2506 and 2510 that is represented by a portion of a
spectral shape
that represents a portion of the bandwidth set aside for a control channel,
reference signal,
and/or clock signal. The spectral shape 2576 represents a control channel
having
instructions that include digital data that modulates the reference signal
2579, via
amplitude modulation, amplitude shift keying or other modulation technique
that
preserves the phase of the carrier for use as a phase reference. The clock
signal 2578 is
shown as being outside the frequency band of the spectral shape 2576. The
reference
signal 2579, being modulated by the control channel instructions, is in effect
a subcarrier
of the control channel and is in-band to the control channel. Again, the clock
signal
2578 is shown with a spectral shape representing a sinusoidal signal, in other
embodiments however, a traditional clock signal could be sent as a modulated
carrier
wave or other signal. In this case, the instructions of the control channel
can be used to
modulate the clock signal 2578 instead of the reference signal 2579.
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[000336] Consider the following example, where the control channel is carried
via
modulation of a reference signal 2579 in the form of a continuous wave (CW)
from
which the phase distortion in the receiver is corrected during frequency
conversion of the
downlink or uplink spectral segment 2506 and 2510 back to its original/native
spectral
segment. The control channel can be modulated with a robust modulation such as
pulse
amplitude modulation, binary phase shift keying, amplitude shift keying or
other
modulation scheme to carry instructions between network elements of the
distributed
antenna system such as network operations, administration and management
traffic and
other control data. In various embodiments, the control data can include
without
limitation:
= Status information that indicates online status, offline status, and
network
performance parameters of each network element.
= Network device information such as module names and addresses, hardware
and software versions, device capabilities, etc.
= Spectral information such as frequency conversion factors, channel
spacing,
guard bands, uplink/downlink allocations, uplink and downlink channel
selections, etc.
= Environmental measurements such as weather conditions, image data, power
outage information, line of sight blockages, etc.
[000337] In a further example, the control channel data can be sent via ultra-
wideband
(UWB) signaling. The control channel data can be transmitted by generating
radio
energy at specific time intervals and occupying a larger bandwidth, via pulse-
position or
time modulation, by encoding the polarity or amplitude of the UWB pulses
and/or by
using orthogonal pulses. In particular, UWB pulses can be sent sporadically at
relatively
low pulse rates to support time or position modulation, but can also be sent
at rates up to
the inverse of the UWB pulse bandwidth. In this fashion, the control channel
can be
spread over an UWB spectrum with relatively low power, and without interfering
with
CW transmissions of the reference signal and/or clock signal that may occupy
in-band
portions of the UWB spectrum of the control channel.
[000338] Turning now to FIG. 25H, a block diagram 2580 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a transmitter is shown. In particular, a transmitter
2582 is shown
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for use with, for example, a receiver 2581 and a digital control channel
processor 2595 in
a transceiver, such as transceiver 2533 presented in conjunction with FIG.
25C. As
shown, the transmitter 2582 includes an analog front-end 2586, clock signal
generator
2589, a local oscillator 2592, a mixer 2596, and a transmitter front end 2584.
[000339] The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency
together
with the reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals are coupled
from the
amplifier 2538 to the analog front-end 2586. The analog front end 2586
includes one or
more filters or other frequency selection to separate the control channel
signal 2587, a
clock reference signal 2578, a pilot signal 2591 and one or more selected
channels signals
2594.
[000340] The digital control channel processor 2595 performs digital signal
processing
on the control channel to recover the instructions, such as via demodulation
of digital
control channel data, from the control channel signal 2587. The clock signal
generator
2589 generates the clock signal 2590, from the clock reference signal 2578, to
synchronize timing of the digital control channel processing by the digital
control channel
processor 2595. In embodiments where the clock reference signal 2578 is a
sinusoid, the
clock signal generator 2589 can provide amplification and limiting to create a
traditional
clock signal or other timing signal from the sinusoid. In embodiments where
the clock
reference signal 2578 is a modulated carrier signal, such as a modulation of
the reference
or pilot signal or other carrier wave, the clock signal generator 2589 can
provide
demodulation to create a traditional clock signal or other timing signal.
[000341] In various embodiments, the control channel signal 2587 can be either
a
digitally modulated signal in a range of frequencies separate from the pilot
signal 2591
and the clock reference 2588 or as modulation of the pilot signal 2591. In
operation, the
digital control channel processor 2595 provides demodulation of the control
channel
signal 2587 to extract the instructions contained therein in order to generate
a control
signal 2593. In particular, the control signal 2593 generated by the digital
control
channel processor 2595 in response to instructions received via the control
channel can
be used to select the particular channel signals 2594 along with the
corresponding pilot
signal 2591 and/or clock reference 2588 to be used for converting the
frequencies of
channel signals 2594 for transmission via wireless interface 2411. It should
be noted that
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in circumstances where the control channel signal 2587 conveys the
instructions via
modulation of the pilot signal 2591, the pilot signal 2591 can be extracted
via the digital
control channel processor 2595 rather than the analog front-end 2586 as shown.
[000342] The digital control channel processor 2595 may be implemented via a
processing module such as a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal
processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,
programmable
logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, digital circuitry, an analog to
digital
converter, a digital to analog converter and/or any device that manipulates
signals (analog
and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational
instructions. The
processing module may be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated
memory
element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices,
and/or
embedded circuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit,
and/or
processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access
memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory,
flash
memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note
that if
the processing module includes more than one processing device, the processing
devices
may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or
wireless bus
structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect
coupling via
a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that the memory
and/or
memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be
embedded
within, or external to, the microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal
processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,
programmable
logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, digital circuitry, an analog to
digital
converter, a digital to analog converter or other device. Still further note
that, the memory
element may store, and the processing module executes, hard coded and/or
operational
instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions
described herein
and such a memory device or memory element can be implemented as an article of
manufacture.
[000343] The local oscillator 2592 generates the local oscillator signal 2597
utilizing
the pilot signal 2591 to reduce distortion during the frequency conversion
process. In
various embodiments the pilot signal 2591 is at the correct frequency and
phase of the
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local oscillator signal 2597 to generate the local oscillator signal 2597 at
the proper
frequency and phase to convert the channel signals 2594 at the carrier
frequency
associated with their placement in the spectrum of the distributed antenna
system to their
original/native spectral segments for transmission to fixed or mobile
communication
devices. In this case, the local oscillator 2592 can employ bandpass
filtration and/or
other signal conditioning to generate a sinusoidal local oscillator signal
2597 that
preserves the frequency and phase of the pilot signal 2591. In other
embodiments, the
pilot signal 2591 has a frequency and phase that can be used to derive the
local oscillator
signal 2597. In this case, the local oscillator 2592 employs frequency
division, frequency
multiplication or other frequency synthesis, based on the pilot signal 2591,
to generate
the local oscillator signal 2597 at the proper frequency and phase to convert
the channel
signals 2594 at the carrier frequency associated with their placement in the
spectrum of
the distributed antenna system to their original/native spectral segments for
transmission
to fixed or mobile communication devices.
[000344] The mixer 2596 operates based on the local oscillator signal 2597 to
shift the
channel signals 2594 in frequency to generate frequency converted channel
signals 2598
at their corresponding original/native spectral segments. The transmitter
(Xmtr) front-
end 2584 includes a power amplifier and impedance matching to wireles sly
transmit the
frequency converted channel signals 2598 as a free space wireless signals via
one or more
antennas, such as antennas 2424, to one or more mobile or fixed communication
devices
in range of the communication node 2404B-E.
[000345] Turning now to FIG. 251, a block diagram 2585 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a receiver is shown. In particular, a receiver 2581 is
shown for
use with, for example, transmitter 2582 and digital control channel processor
2595 in a
transceiver, such as transceiver 2533 presented in conjunction with FIG. 25C.
As
shown, the receiver 2581 includes an analog receiver (RCVR) front-end 2583,
local
oscillator 2592, and mixer 2596. The digital control channel processor 2595
operates
under control of instructions from the control channel to generate the pilot
signal 2591,
control channel signal 2587 and clock reference signal 2578.
[000346] The control signal 2593 generated by the digital control channel
processor
2595 in response to instructions received via the control channel can also be
used to
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select the particular channel signals 2594 along with the corresponding pilot
signal 2591
and/or clock reference 2588 to be used for converting the frequencies of
channel signals
2594 for reception via wireless interface 2411. The analog receiver front end
2583
includes a low noise amplifier and one or more filters or other frequency
selection to
receive one or more selected channels signals 2594 under control of the
control signal
2593.
[000347] The local oscillator 2592 generates the local oscillator signal 2597
utilizing
the pilot signal 2591 to reduce distortion during the frequency conversion
process. In
various embodiments the local oscillator employs bandpass filtration and/or
other signal
conditioning, frequency division, frequency multiplication or other frequency
synthesis,
based on the pilot signal 2591, to generate the local oscillator signal 2597
at the proper
frequency and phase to frequency convert the channel signals 2594, the pilot
signal 2591,
control channel signal 2587 and clock reference signal 2578 to the spectrum of
the
distributed antenna system for transmission to other communication nodes 2404A-
E. In
particular, the mixer 2596 operates based on the local oscillator signal 2597
to shift the
channel signals 2594 in frequency to generate frequency converted channel
signals 2598
at the desired placement within spectrum spectral segment of the distributed
antenna
system for coupling to the amplifier 2538, to transceiver 2536A for
amplification and
retransmission via the transceiver 2536A back to the communication node 2404A
or
upstream communication nodes 2404B-E for further retransmission back to a base
station, such as macro base station 2402, for processing.
[000348] Turning now to FIG. 26A, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2600, is shown. Method 2600 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Method 2600
can begin
with step 2602 in which a base station, such as the macro base station 2402 of
FIG. 24A,
determines a rate of travel of a communication device. The communication
device can
be a mobile communication device such as one of the mobile devices 2406
illustrated in
FIG. 24B, or stationary communication device (e.g., a communication device in
a
residence, or commercial establishment). The base station can communicate
directly
with the communication device utilizing wireless cellular communications
technology
(e.g., LTE), which enables the base station to monitor the movement of the
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communication device by receiving location information from the communication
device,
and/or to provide the communication device wireless communication services
such as
voice and/or data services. During a communication session, the base station
and the
communication device exchange wireless signals that operate at a certain
native/original
carrier frequency (e.g., a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, a 2.4 GHz band, and/or
a 5.8
GHz band, etc.) utilizing one or more spectral segments (e.g., resource
blocks) of a
certain bandwidth (e.g., 10-26MHz). In some embodiments, the spectral segments
are
used according to a time slot schedule assigned to the communication device by
the base
station.
[000349] The rate of travel of the communication device can be determined at
step 2602
from GPS coordinates provided by the communication device to the base station
by way
of cellular wireless signals. If the rate of travel is above a threshold
(e.g., 25 miles per
hour) at step 2604, the base station can continue to provide wireless services
to the
communication device at step 2606 utilizing the wireless resources of the base
station. If,
on the other hand, the communication device has a rate of travel below the
threshold, the
base station can be configured to further determine whether the communication
device
can be redirected to a communication node to make available the wireless
resources of
the base station for other communication devices.
[000350] For example, suppose the base station detects that the communication
device
has a slow rate of travel (e.g., 3 mph or near stationary). Under certain
circumstances,
the base station may also determine that a current location of the
communication device
places the communication device in a communication range of a particular
communication node 2404. The base station may also determine that the slow
rate of
travel of the communication device will maintain the communication device
within the
communication range of the particular communication node 2404 for a
sufficiently long
enough time (another threshold test that can be used by the base station) to
justify
redirecting the communication device to the particular communication node
2404. Once
such a determination is made, the base station can proceed to step 2608 and
select the
communication node 2404 that is in the communication range of the
communication
device for providing communication services thereto.
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[000351] Accordingly, the selection process performed at step 2608 can be
based on a
location of the communication device determined from GPS coordinates provided
to the
base station by the communication device. The selection process can also be
based on a
trajectory of travel of the communication device, which may be determined from
several
instances of GPS coordinates provided by the communication device. In some
embodiments, the base station may determine that the trajectory of the
communication
device will eventually place the communication device in a communication range
of a
subsequent communication node 2404 neighboring the communication node selected
at
step 2608. In this embodiment, the base station can inform multiple
communication
nodes 2404 of this trajectory to enable the communication nodes 2404
coordinate a
handoff of communication services provided to the communication device.
[000352] Once one or more communication nodes 2404 have been selected at step
2608, the base station can proceed to step 2610 where it assigns one or more
spectral
segments (e.g., resource blocks) for use by the communication device at a
first carrier
frequency (e.g., 1.9GHz). It is not necessary for the first carrier frequency
and/or spectral
segments selected by the base station to be the same as the carrier frequency
and/or
spectral segments in use between the base station and the communication
device. For
example, suppose the base station and the communication device are utilizing a
carrier
frequency at 1.9GHz for wireless communications between each other. The base
station
can select a different carrier frequency (e.g., 900 MHz) at step 2610 for the
communication node selected at step 2608 to communicate with the communication
device. Similarly, the base station can assign spectral segment(s) (e.g.,
resource blocks)
and/or a timeslot schedule of the spectral segment(s) to the communication
node that
differs from the spectral segment(s) and/or timeslot schedule in use between
the base
station and the communication device.
[000353] At step 2612, the base station can generate first modulated signal(s)
in the
spectral segment(s) assigned in step 2610 at the first carrier frequency. The
first
modulated signal(s) can include data directed to the communication device, the
data
representative of a voice communication session, a data communication session,
or a
combination thereof. At step 2614, the base station can up-convert (with a
mixer,
bandpass filter and other circuitry) the first modulated signal(s) at the
first native carrier
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frequency (e.g., 1.9GHz) to a second carrier frequency (e.g., 80GHz) for
transport of such
signals in one or more frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 2506
which is
directed to the communication node 2404 selected at step 2608. Alternatively,
the base
station can provide the first modulated signal(s) at the first carrier
frequency to the first
communication node 2404A (illustrated in FIG. 24A) for up-conversion to the
second
carrier frequency for transport in one or more frequency channels of a
downlink spectral
segment 2506 directed to the communication node 2404 selected at step 2608.
[000354] At step 2616, the base station can also transmit instructions to
transition the
communication device to the communication node 2404 selected at step 2608. The
instructions can be directed to the communication device while the
communication
device is in direct communications with the base station utilizing the
wireless resources
of the base station. Alternatively, the instructions can be communicated to
the
communication node 2404 selected at step 2608 by way of a control channel 2502
of the
downlink spectral segment 2506 illustrated in FIG. 25A. Step 2616 can occur
before,
after or contemporaneously with steps 2612-2614.
[000355] Once the instructions have been transmitted, the base station can
proceed to
step 2624 where it transmits in one or more frequency channels of a downlink
spectral
segment 2506 the first modulated signal at the second carrier frequency (e.g.,
80GHz) for
transmission by the first communication node 2404A (illustrated in FIG. 24A).
Alternatively, the first communication node 2404A can perform the up-
conversion at step
2614 for transport of the first modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency in one or
more frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 2506 upon receiving
from the
base station the first modulated signal(s) at the first native carrier
frequency. The first
communication node 2404A can serve as a master communication node for
distributing
downlink signals generated by the base station to downstream communication
nodes
2404 according to the downlink spectral segments 2506 assigned to each
communication
node 2404 at step 2610. The assignment of the downlink spectral segments 2506
can be
provided to the communication nodes 2404 by way of instructions transmitted by
the first
communication node 2404A in the control channel 2502 illustrated in FIG. 25A.
At step
2624, the communication node 2404 receiving the first modulated signal(s) at
the second
carrier frequency in one or more frequency channels of a downlink spectral
segment
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2506can be configured to down-convert it to the first carrier frequency, and
utilize the
pilot signal supplied with the first modulated signal(s) to remove distortions
(e.g., phase
distortion) caused by the distribution of the downlink spectral segments 2506
over
communication hops between the communication nodes 2404B-D. In particular, the
pilot
signal can be derived from the local oscillator signal used to generate the
frequency up-
conversion (e.g. via frequency multiplication and/or division). When down
conversion is
required the pilot signal can be used to recreate a frequency and phase
correct version of
the local oscillator signal (e.g. via frequency multiplication and/or
division) to return the
modulated signal to its original portion of the frequency band with minimal
phase error.
In this fashion, the frequency channels of a communication system can be
converted in
frequency for transport via the distributed antenna system and then returned
to their
original position in the spectrum for transmission to wireless client device.
[000356] Once the down-conversion process is completed, the communication node
2404 can transmit at step 2622 the first modulated signal at the first native
carrier
frequency (e.g., 1.9GHz) to the communication device utilizing the same
spectral
segment assigned to the communication node 2404. Step 2622 can be coordinated
so that
it occurs after the communication device has transitioned to the communication
node
2404 in accordance with the instructions provided at step 2616. To make such a
transition seamless, and so as to avoid interrupting an existing wireless
communication
session between the base station and the communication device, the
instructions provided
in step 2616 can direct the communication device and/or the communication node
2404
to transition to the assigned spectral segment(s) and/or time slot schedule as
part of
and/or subsequent to a registration process between the communication device
and the
communication node 2404 selected at step 2608. In some instances such a
transition may
require that the communication device to have concurrent wireless
communications with
the base station and the communication node 2404 for a short period of time.
[000357] Once the communication device successfully transitions to the
communication
node 2404, the communication device can terminate wireless communications with
the
base station, and continue the communication session by way of the
communication node
2404. Termination of wireless services between the base station and the
communication
device makes certain wireless resources of the base station available for use
with other
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communication devices. It should be noted that although the base station has
in the
foregoing steps delegated wireless connectivity to a select communication node
2404, the
communication session between base station and the communication device
continues as
before by way of the network of communication nodes 2404 illustrated in FIG.
24A. The
difference is, however, that the base station no longer needs to utilize its
own wireless
resources to communicate with the communication device.
[000358] In order to provide bidirectional communications between the base
station and
the communication device, by way of the network of communication nodes 2404,
the
communication node 2404 and/or the communication device can be instructed to
utilize
one or more frequency channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 2510 on
the
uplink illustrated in FIG. 25A. Uplink instructions can be provided to the
communication
node 2404 and/or communication device at step 2616 as part of and/or
subsequent to the
registration process between the communication device and the communication
node
2404 selected at step 2608. Accordingly, when the communication device has
data it
needs to transmit to the base station, it can wirelessly transmit second
modulated signal(s)
at the first native carrier frequency which can be received by the
communication node
2404 at step 2624. The second modulated signal(s) can be included in one or
more
frequency channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 2510 specified in
the
instructions provided to the communication device and/or communication node at
step
2616.
[000359] To convey the second modulated signal(s) to the base station, the
communication node 2404 can up-convert these signals at step 2626 from the
first native
carrier frequency (e.g., 1.9GHz) to the second carrier frequency (e.g.,
80GHz). To enable
upstream communication nodes and/or the base station to remove distortion, the
second
modulated signal(s) at the second carrier frequency can be transmitted at step
2628 by the
communication node 2404 with one or more uplink pilot signals 2508. Once the
base
station receives the second modulated signal(s) at the second carrier
frequency via
communication node 2404A, it can down-convert these signals at step 2630 from
the
second carrier frequency to the first native carrier frequency to obtain data
provided by
the communication device at step 2632. Alternatively, the first communication
node
2404A can perform the down-conversion of the second modulated signal(s) at the
second
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carrier frequency to the first native carrier frequency and provide the
resulting signals to
the base station. The base station can then process the second modulated
signal(s) at the
first native carrier frequency to retrieve data provided by the communication
device in a
manner similar or identical to how the base station would have processed
signals from the
communication device had the base station been in direct wireless
communications with
the communication device.
[000360] The foregoing steps method 2600 provide a way for a base station 2402
to
make available wireless resources (e.g., sector antennas, spectrum) for fast
moving
communication devices and in some embodiments increase bandwidth utilization
by
redirecting slow moving communication devices to one or more communication
nodes
2404 communicatively coupled to the base station 2402. For example, suppose a
base
station 2402 has ten (10) communication nodes 2404 that it can redirect mobile
and/or
stationary communication devices to. Further suppose that the 10 communication
nodes
2404 have substantially non-overlapping communication ranges.
[000361] Further suppose, the base station 2402 has set aside certain spectral
segments
(e.g., resource blocks 5, 7 and 9) during particular timeslots and at a
particular carrier
frequency, which it assigns to all 10 communication nodes 2404. During
operations, the
base station 2402 can be configured not to utilize resource blocks 5, 7 and 9
during the
timeslot schedule and carrier frequency set aside for the communication nodes
2404 to
avoid interference. As the base station 2402 detects slow moving or stationary
communication devices, it can redirect the communication devices to different
ones of
the 10 communication nodes 2404 based on the location of the communication
devices.
When, for example, the base station 2402 redirects communications of a
particular
communication device to a particular communication node 2404, the base station
2402
can up-convert resource blocks 5, 7 and 9 during the assigned timeslots and at
the carrier
frequency to one or more spectral range(s) on the downlink (see FIG. 25A)
assigned to
the communication node 2404 in question.
[000362] The communication node 2404 in question can also be assigned to one
or
more frequency channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 2510 on the
uplink
which it can use to redirect communication signals provided by the
communication
device to the base station 2402. Such communication signals can be up-
converted by the
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communication node 2404 according to the assigned uplink frequency channels in
one or
more corresponding uplink spectral segments 2510 and transmitted to the base
station
2402 for processing. The downlink and uplink frequency channel assignments can
be
communicated by the base station 2402 to each communication node 2404 by way
of a
control channel as depicted in FIG. 25A. The foregoing downlink and uplink
assignment
process can also be used for the other communication nodes 2404 for providing
communication services to other communication devices redirected by the base
station
2402 thereto.
[000363] In this illustration, the reuse of resource blocks 5, 7 and 9 during
a
corresponding timeslot schedule and carrier frequency by the 10 communication
nodes
2404 can effectively increase bandwidth utilization by the base station 2402
up to a factor
of 10. Although the base station 2402 can no longer use resource blocks 5, 7
and 9 it set
aside for the 10 communication nodes 2404 for wirelessly communicating with
other
communication devices, its ability to redirect communication devices to 10
different
communication nodes 2404 reusing these resource blocks effectively increases
the
bandwidth capabilities of the base station 2402. Accordingly, method 2600 in
certain
embodiments can increase bandwidth utilization of a base station 2402 and make
available resources of the base station 2402 for other communication devices.
[000364] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the base station
2402 can be
configured to reuse spectral segments assigned to communication nodes 2404 by
selecting one or more sectors of an antenna system of the base station 2402
that point
away from the communication nodes 2404 assigned to the same spectral segments.
Accordingly, the base station 2402 can be configured in some embodiments to
avoid
reusing certain spectral segments assigned to certain communication nodes 2404
and in
other embodiments reuse other spectral segments assigned to other
communication nodes
2404 by selecting specific sectors of the antenna system of the base station
2402. Similar
concepts can be applied to sectors of the antenna system 2424 employed by the
communication nodes 2404. Certain reuse schemes can be employed between the
base
station 2402 and one or more communication nodes 2404 based on sectors
utilized by the
base station 2402 and/or the one or more communication nodes 2404.
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[000365] Method 2600 also enables the reuse of legacy systems when
communication
devices are redirected to one or more communication nodes. For example, the
signaling
protocol (e.g., LTE) utilized by the base station to wirelessly communicate
with the
communication device can be preserved in the communication signals exchanged
between the base station and the communication nodes 2404. Accordingly, when
assigning spectral segments to the communication nodes 2404, the exchange of
modulated signals in these segments between the base station and the
communication
nodes 2404 can be the same signals that would have been used by the base
station to
perform direct wireless communications with the communication device. Thus,
legacy
base stations can be updated to perform the up and down-conversion process
previously
described, with the added feature of distortion mitigation, while all other
functions
performed in hardware and/or software for processing modulated signals at the
first
native carrier frequency can remain substantially unaltered. It should also be
noted that,
in further embodiments, channels from an original frequency band can be
converted to
another frequency band utilizing by the same protocol. For example, LTE
channels in the
2.5 GHz band can be up-converted into a 80 GHZ band for transport and then
down-
converted as 5.8 GHz LTE channels if required for spectral diversity.
[000366] It is further noted that method 2600 can be adapted without departing
from the
scope of the subject disclosure. For example, when the base station detects
that a
communication device has a trajectory that will result in a transition from
the
communication range of one communication node to another, the base station (or
the
communication nodes in question) can monitor such a trajectory by way of
periodic GPS
coordinates provided by the communication device, and accordingly coordinate a
handoff
of the communication device to the other communication node. Method 2600 can
also be
adapted so that when the communication device is near a point of transitioning
from the
communication range of one communication node to another, instructions can be
transmitted by the base station (or the active communication node) to direct
the
communication device and/or the other communication node to utilize certain
spectral
segments and/or timeslots in the downlink and uplink channels to successfully
transition
communications without interrupting an existing communication session.
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[000367] It is further noted that method 2600 can also be adapted to
coordinate a
handoff of wireless communications between the communication device and a
communication node 2404 back to the base station when the base station or the
active
communication node 2404 detects that the communication device will at some
point
transition outside of a communication range of the communication node and no
other
communication node is in a communication range of the communication device.
Other
adaptations of method 2600 are contemplated by the subject disclosure. It is
further
noted that when a carrier frequency of a downlink or uplink spectral segment
is lower
than a native frequency band of a modulated signal, a reverse process of
frequency
conversion would be required. That is, when transporting a modulated signal in
a
downlink or uplink spectral segment frequency down-conversion will be used
instead of
up-conversion. And when extracting a modulated signal in a downlink or uplink
spectral
segment frequency up-conversion will be used instead of down-conversion.
Method
2600 can further be adapted to use the clock signal referred to above for
synchronizing
the processing of digital data in a control channel. Method 2600 can also be
adapted to
use a reference signal that is modulated by instructions in the control
channel or a clock
signal that is modulated by instructions in the control channel.
[000368] Method 2600 can further be adapted to avoid tracking of movement of a
communication device and instead direct multiple communication nodes 2404 to
transmit
the modulated signal of a particular communication device at its native
frequency without
knowledge of which communication node is in a communication range of the
particular
communication device. Similarly, each communication node can be instructed to
receive
modulated signals from the particular communication device and transport such
signals in
certain frequency channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 2510
without
knowledge as to which communication node will receive modulated signals from
the
particular communication device. Such an implementation can help reduce the
implementation complexity and cost of the communication nodes 2404.
[000369] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26A, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
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what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000370] Turning now to FIG. 26B, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2635, is shown. Method 2635 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2636
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 2637 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 2638 includes
transmitting, by the
system, a reference signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency to a
network element of a distributed antenna system, the reference signal enabling
the
network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting the first modulated
signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment for
wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to the mobile
communication device in
the first spectral segment.
[000371] In various embodiments, the signal processing does not require either
analog
to digital conversion or digital to analog conversion. The transmitting can
comprise
transmitting to the network element the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency as a free space wireless signal. The first carrier frequency can be
in a
millimeter-wave frequency band.
[000372] The first modulated signal can be generated by modulating signals in
a
plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol can
comprise a
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
[000373] Converting by the system can comprise up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
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the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. Converting by the
network
element can comprises down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[000374] The method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element, wherein the
mobile
communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[000375] The second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral
segment, and
wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
[000376] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26B, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000377] Turning now to FIG. 26C, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2640, is shown. Method 2635 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2641
include
receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference
signal and a
first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the first modulated
signal including first
communications data provided by a base station and directed to a mobile
communication
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device. Step 2642 includes converting, by the network element, the first
modulated
signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in a first
spectral segment
based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the
reference
signal to reduce distortion during the converting. Step 2643 includes
wirelessly
transmitting, by the network element, the first modulated signal at the first
spectral
segment to the mobile communication device.
[000378] In various embodiments the first modulated signal conforms to a
signaling
protocol, and the signal processing converts the first modulated signal in the
first spectral
segment to the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency without
modifying the
signaling protocol of the first modulated signal. The converting by the
network element
can include converting the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment without modifying the signaling
protocol of
the first modulated signal. The method can further include receiving, by the
network
element, a second modulated signal in a second spectral segment generated by
the mobile
communication device, converting, by the network element, the second modulated
signal
in the second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at a second
carrier
frequency; and transmitting, by the network element, to an other network
element of the
distributed antenna system the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency.
The other network element of the distributed antenna system can receive the
second
modulated signal at the second carrier frequency, converts the second
modulated signal at
the second carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second
spectral
segment, and provides the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to the
base station for processing. The second spectral segment can differs from the
first
spectral segment, and the first carrier frequency can differ from the second
carrier
frequency.
[000379] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26C, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
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[000380] Turning now to FIG. 26D, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2645, is shown. Method 2645 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2646
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 2647 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 2648 includes
transmitting, by the
system, instructions in a control channel to direct a network element of the
distributed
antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. Step 2649 includes
transmitting, by
the system, a reference signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency
to the network element of a distributed antenna system, the reference signal
enabling the
network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting the first modulated
signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment for
wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to the mobile
communication device in
the first spectral segment, wherein the reference signal is transmitted at an
out of band
frequency relative to the control channel.
[000381] In various embodiments, the control channel is transmitted at a
frequency
adjacent to the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency and/or
at a frequency
adjacent to the reference signal. The first carrier frequency can be in a
millimeter-wave
frequency band. The first modulated signal can be generated by modulating
signals in a
plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol can
comprise a
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
[000382] The converting by the system can comprises up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
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the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The converting by
the network
element can comprise down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[000383] The method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element, wherein the
mobile
communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[000384] The second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral
segment, and
wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
[000385] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26D, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000386] Turning now to FIG. 26E, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2650, is shown. Method 2650 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2651
includes
receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference
signal, a
control channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the
first
modulated signal including first communications data provided by a base
station and
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directed to a mobile communication device, wherein instructions in the control
channel
direct the network element of the distributed antenna system to convert the
first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal
in a first
spectral segment, wherein the reference signal is received at an out of band
frequency
relative to the control channel. Step 2652 includes converting, by the network
element,
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first
modulated signal in the
first spectral segment in accordance with the instructions and based on a
signal
processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the reference signal to
reduce
distortion during the converting. Step 2653 includes wirelessly transmitting,
by the
network element, the first modulated signal at the first spectral segment to
the mobile
communication device.
[000387] In various embodiments, the control channel can be received at a
frequency
adjacent to the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency and/or
adjacent to the
reference signal.
[000388] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26E, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000389] Turning now to FIG. 26F, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2655, is shown. Method 2655 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2656
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 2657 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 2658 includes
transmitting, by the
system, instructions in a control channel to direct a network element of the
distributed
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antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. Step 2659 includes
transmitting, by
the system, a reference signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency
to the network element of a distributed antenna system, the reference signal
enabling the
network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting the first modulated
signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment for
wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to the mobile
communication device in
the first spectral segment, wherein the reference signal is transmitted at an
in-band
frequency relative to the control channel.
[000390] In various embodiments, the instructions are transmitted via
modulation of the
reference signal. The instructions can be transmitted as digital data via an
amplitude
modulation of the reference signal. The first carrier frequency can be in a
millimeter-
wave frequency band. The first modulated signal can be generated by modulating
signals
in a plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol
can comprise
a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
[000391] The converting by the system can comprises up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The converting by
the network
element can comprise down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[000392] The method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element, wherein the
mobile
communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
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can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[000393] The second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral
segment, and
wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
[000394] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26F, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000395] Turning now to FIG. 26G, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2660, is shown. Method 2660 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2661
includes
receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference
signal, a
control channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the
first
modulated signal including first communications data provided by a base
station and
directed to a mobile communication device, wherein instructions in the control
channel
direct the network element of the distributed antenna system to convert the
first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal
in a first
spectral segment, and wherein the reference signal is received at an in-band
frequency
relative to the control channel. Step 2662 includes converting, by the network
element,
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first
modulated signal in the
first spectral segment in accordance with the instructions and based on a
signal
processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the reference signal to
reduce
distortion during the converting. Step 2663 includes wirelessly transmitting,
by the
network element, the first modulated signal at the first spectral segment to
the mobile
communication device.
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[000396] In various embodiments, the instructions are received via
demodulation of the
reference signal and/or as digital data via an amplitude demodulation of the
reference
signal.
[000397] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26G, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000398] Turning now to FIG. 26H, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2665, is shown. Method 2665 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2666
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 2667 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 2668 includes
transmitting, by the
system, instructions in a control channel to direct a network element of the
distributed
antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. Step 2669 includes
transmitting, by
the system, a clock signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency to
the network element of a distributed antenna system, wherein the clock signal
synchronizes timing of digital control channel processing of the network
element to
recover the instructions from the control channel.
[000399] In various embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, by
the
system, a reference signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency to a
network element of a distributed antenna system, the reference signal enabling
the
network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting the first modulated
signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment for
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wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to the mobile
communication device in
the first spectral segment. The instructions can be transmitted as digital
data via the
control channel.
[000400] In various embodiments, the first carrier frequency can be in a
millimeter-
wave frequency band. The first modulated signal can be generated by modulating
signals
in a plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol
can comprise
a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
[000401] The converting by the system can comprises up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The converting by
the network
element can comprise down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[000402] The method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element, wherein the
mobile
communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[000403] The second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral
segment, and
wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
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[000404] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26H, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000405] Turning now to FIG. 261, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2670, is shown. Method 2670 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2671
includes
receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a clock
signal, a control
channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the first
modulated signal
including first communications data provided by a base station and directed to
a mobile
communication device, wherein the clock signal synchronizes timing of digital
control
channel processing by the network element to recover instructions from the
control
channel, wherein the instructions in the control channel direct the network
element of the
distributed antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in a first spectral segment. Step 2672
includes
converting, by the network element, the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment in
accordance with
the instructions and based on a signal processing of the first modulated
signal. Step 2673
includes wirelessly transmitting, by the network element, the first modulated
signal at the
first spectral segment to the mobile communication device. In various
embodiments, the
instructions are received as digital data via the control channel.
[000406] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 261, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000407] Turning now to FIG. 26J, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2675, is shown. Method 2675 can be used with one or
more
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functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2676
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 2677 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 2678 includes
transmitting, by the
system, instructions in an ultra-wideband control channel to direct a network
element of
the distributed antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. Step
2659 includes
transmitting, by the system, a reference signal with the first modulated
signal at the first
carrier frequency to the network element of a distributed antenna system, the
reference
signal enabling the network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting
the first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal
in the first
spectral segment for wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to
the mobile
communication device in the first spectral segment.
[000408] In various embodiments, wherein the first reference signal is
transmitted at an
in-band frequency relative to the ultra-wideband control channel. The method
can further
include receiving, via the ultra-wideband control channel from the network
element of a
distributed antenna system, control channel data that includes include: status
information
that indicates network status of the network element, network device
information that
indicates device information of the network element or an environmental
measurement
indicating an environmental condition in proximity to the network element. The
instructions can further include a channel spacing, a guard band parameter, an
uplink/downlink allocation, or an uplink channel selection.
[000409] The first modulated signal can be generated by modulating signals in
a
plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol can
comprise a
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
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[000410] The converting by the system can comprises up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The converting by
the network
element can comprise down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[000411] The method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element, wherein the
mobile
communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[000412] The second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral
segment, and
wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
[000413] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26J, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000414] Turning now to FIG. 26K, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 2680, is shown. Method 2680 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-25. Step 2681
includes
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receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference
signal, an
ultra-wideband control channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier
frequency,
the first modulated signal including first communications data provided by a
base station
and directed to a mobile communication device, wherein instructions in the
ultra-
wideband control channel direct the network element of the distributed antenna
system to
convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first
modulated
signal in a first spectral segment, and wherein the reference signal is
received at an in-
band frequency relative to the control channel. Step 2682 includes converting,
by the
network element, the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to
the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment in accordance with the
instructions and
based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the
reference
signal to reduce distortion during the converting. Step 2683 includes
wirelessly
transmitting, by the network element, the first modulated signal at the first
spectral
segment to the mobile communication device.
[000415] In various embodiments, wherein the first reference signal is
received at an in-
band frequency relative to the ultra-wideband control channel. The method can
further
include transmitting, via the ultra-wideband control channel from the network
element of
a distributed antenna system, control channel data that includes include:
status
information that indicates network status of the network element, network
device
information that indicates device information of the network element or an
environmental
measurement indicating an environmental condition in proximity to the network
element.
The instructions can further include a channel spacing, a guard band
parameter, an
uplink/downlink allocation, or an uplink channel selection.
[000416] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 26K, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[000417] In the subject specification, terms such as "store," "storage," "data
store," data
storage," "database," and substantially any other information storage
component relevant
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to operation and functionality of a component, refer to "memory components,"
or entities
embodied in a "memory" or components comprising the memory. It will be
appreciated
that the memory components described herein can be either volatile memory or
nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile and nonvolatile memory, by
way of
illustration, and not limitation, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, disk
storage, and
memory storage. Further, nonvolatile memory can be included in read only
memory
(ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),
electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can
comprise
random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of
illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as
synchronous
RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data
rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM
(SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory
components of systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without
being
limited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.
[000418] Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can be
practiced
with other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or
multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframe computers,
as
well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone,
smartphone, watch, tablet computers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-
based or
programmable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated
aspects
can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are
performed
by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network;
however, some if not all aspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on
stand-alone
computers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be
located in
both local and remote memory storage devices.
[000419] Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificial
intelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more features described
herein. For
example, artificial intelligence can be used in optional training controller
230 evaluate
and select candidate frequencies, modulation schemes, MIMO modes, and/or
guided
wave modes in order to maximize transfer efficiency. The embodiments (e.g., in
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connection with automatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a
maximum
value/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) can employ
various
AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the
classifier can be employed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell
site of the
acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute
vector, x = (x 1,
x2, x3, x4, ..., xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that
is, f(x) =
confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or
statistical-based
analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to prognose
or infer an action
that a user desires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine
(SVM) is an
example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a
hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts
to split the
triggering criteria from the non-triggering events.
Intuitively, this makes the
classification correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to
training data. Other
directed and undirected model classification approaches comprise, e.g., naïve
Bayes,
Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and
probabilistic
classification models providing different patterns of independence can be
employed.
Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statistical regression that
is utilized to
develop models of priority.
[000420] As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments can
employ
classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as
well as implicitly
trained (e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical
information,
receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via a
learning or
training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module.
Thus, the
classifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a number of
functions,
including but not limited to determining according to a predetermined criteria
which of
the acquired cell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or
which of the
acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existing communication
network
coverage, etc.
[000421] As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments,
the terms
"component," "system" and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, a
computer-
related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatus with one or
more specific
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functionalities, wherein the entity can be either hardware, a combination of
hardware and
software, software, or software in execution. As an example, a component may
be, but is
not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an
object, an
executable, a thread of execution, computer-executable instructions, a
program, and/or a
computer. By way of illustration and not limitation, both an application
running on a
server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside
within a
process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one
computer
and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these
components can
execute from various computer readable media having various data structures
stored
thereon. The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such
as in
accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one
component
interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system,
and/or across a
network such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). As another
example, a
component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by
mechanical parts
operated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software
or firmware
application executed by a processor, wherein the processor can be internal or
external to
the apparatus and executes at least a part of the software or firmware
application. As yet
another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific
functionality
through electronic components without mechanical parts, the electronic
components can
comprise a processor therein to execute software or firmware that confers at
least in part
the functionality of the electronic components. While various components have
been
illustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiple
components can be
implemented as a single component, or a single component can be implemented as
multiple components, without departing from example embodiments.
[000422] Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,
apparatus
or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering
techniques to
produce software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a
computer
to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term "article of manufacture"
as used
herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any
computer-
readable device or computer-readable storage/communications media. For
example,
computer readable storage media can include, but are not limited to, magnetic
storage
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devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g.,
compact disk
(CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices
(e.g., card,
stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many
modifications
can be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit
of the
various embodiments.
[000423] In addition, the words "example" and "exemplary" are used herein to
mean
serving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described
herein as
"example" or "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or
advantageous
over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example or
exemplary is
intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this
application, the term
"or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That
is, unless
specified otherwise or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to
mean any of
the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X
employs
both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing
instances.
In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the
appended claims
should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise
or clear
from context to be directed to a singular form.
[000424] Moreover, terms such as "user equipment," "mobile station," "mobile,"
subscriber station," "access terminal," "terminal," "handset," "mobile device"
(and/or
terms representing similar terminology) can refer to a wireless device
utilized by a
subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive or convey
data, control,
voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-
stream. The
foregoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the
related
drawings.
[000425] Furthermore, the terms "user," "subscriber," "customer," "consumer"
and the
like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless context warrants
particular
distinctions among the terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can
refer to human
entities or automated components supported through artificial intelligence
(e.g., a
capacity to make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical
formalisms), which
can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.
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[000426] As employed herein, the term "processor" can refer to substantially
any
computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising,
single-
core processors; single-processors with software multithread execution
capability; multi-
core processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution
capability;
multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel
platforms; and
parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor
can refer to
an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
digital signal
processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic
controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate
or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof
designed to
perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale
architectures
such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,
switches and
gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user
equipment. A
processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing processing
units.
[000427] As used herein, terms such as "data storage," data storage,"
"database," and
substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation
and
functionality of a component, refer to "memory components," or entities
embodied in a
"memory" or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the
memory components or computer-readable storage media, described herein can be
either
volatile memory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile and
nonvolatile
memory.
[000428] What has been described above includes mere examples of various
embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable
combination of
components or methodologies for purposes of describing these examples, but one
of
ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and
permutations
of the present embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments
disclosed and/or
claimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and
variations
that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to
the extent
that the term "includes" is used in either the detailed description or the
claims, such term
is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as
"comprising"
is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
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[000429] In addition, a flow diagram may include a "start" and/or "continue"
indication. The "start" and "continue" indications reflect that the steps
presented can
optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with other
routines. In this
context, "start" indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may
be preceded by
other activities not specifically shown. Further, the "continue" indication
reflects that the
steps presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by
other
activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a
particular
ordering of steps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that the
principles of
causality are maintained.
[000430] As may also be used herein, the term(s) "operably coupled to",
"coupled to",
and/or "coupling" includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect
coupling
between items via one or more intervening items. Such items and intervening
items
include, but are not limited to, junctions, communication paths, components,
circuit
elements, circuits, functional blocks, and/or devices. As an
example of indirect
coupling, a signal conveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified
by one or
more intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format of information
in a
signal, while one or more elements of the information in the signal are
nevertheless
conveyed in a manner than can be recognized by the second item. In a further
example of
indirect coupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the
second item, as a
result of actions and/or reactions in one or more intervening items.
[000431] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described
herein, it
should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves the same or similar
purpose
may be substituted for the embodiments described or shown by the subject
disclosure. The subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all
adaptations or
variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and
other
embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the subject
disclosure. For
instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can be combined
with one
or more features of one or more other embodiments. In one or more embodiments,
features that are positively recited can also be negatively recited and
excluded from the
embodiment with or without replacement by another structural and/or functional
feature. The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of
the subject
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disclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functions described
with respect
to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed alone or in
combination
with other steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other
embodiments
or from other steps that have not been described in the subject disclosure.
Further, more
than or less than all of the features described with respect to an embodiment
can also be
utilized.
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