HK1078954B - Wireless distribution & collection system - Google Patents

Description

Wireless distribution and collection system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present invention claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 60/349,315 filed on month 18, 2002, and from U.S. patent application 10/056,663 filed on month 24, 2002, wherein the priority from U.S. patent application 10/056,663 filed on month 24, 2002 also claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 60/292,940 filed on month 24, 5, 2001, and provisional patent application 60/292,946 filed on month 24, 5, 2001, each of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of data transmission, and in particular to a system and method for wireless broadband data transmission.

Background

Today, the internet and World Wide Web (WWW) are the most viable areas of growth in the internet industry. In connection with the timeline of the computer industry, the internet has been evolving for many years, but the personalization of the internet and the proliferation of the WWW have accelerated growth at a rate even higher than the most optimistic expectation.

The amount of data transmitted over the internet is increasing and richer in multimedia content. The number of web pages and programs provided becomes so large that it becomes impractical to download or display using a dial-up connection, which is the method used by most internet users. People need speed to accomplish their tasks on the internet in a reasonable amount of time. The internet industry has often generated new ideas and methods to provide high speed internet connectivity, some of which are now popular, such as ISDN, DSL, CABLE, and finally, but not least, wireless methods.

Most vendors that provide wireless access use spread spectrum radio in point-to-point, or in some cases point-to-multipoint, networks. Spread spectrum radio provides internet connectivity using a direct connection method. It has a limited number of channels, can serve only a limited number of people, and is divided at an average speed among people connected to the radio. That is, if the radio is connected to a T1(1.54Mbps) internet connection, then this speed will be divided among the people using it. If the radio is connected to its full capacity (254 users), each customer will get less speed than a dial-up modem.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a system and method for transmitting and receiving data, which can overcome the existing problems of transmitting and receiving data.

In particular, a system and method for transmitting and receiving data is provided that allows high speed wireless connections that do not require channel allocation.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system for data transmission and reception is provided. The system includes a wireless data broadcast system that broadcasts outgoing data from a data network to a plurality of users using one or more wireless broadcast repeaters. A wireless data return path system receives incoming data from a plurality of users and provides the incoming data to a data network. The wireless data return path system further includes one or more wireless collector systems that receive data from a predetermined set of the plurality of users, and one or more return path repeater systems that receive data from the one or more predetermined wireless collector systems. The system also uses line-of-sight (line-of-sight) broadcasting in conjunction with satellite data transmission systems.

The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. An important technical advantage of the present invention is that the system and method for data transmission and reception uses a satellite data transmission system in a two-way environment to provide a terrestrial data transmission network. The present invention provides a high speed uplink using collectors and repeaters in conjunction with satellite data transmission technology, thereby providing a bi-directional high speed data network that cannot be provided using satellite or cable technology.

The advantages and advantageous features of the present invention and important aspects thereof will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram for broadcast transmission of data in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram for Wireless Distribution and Collection (WDCS), the system including one or more exemplary systems and components that may be included in a hub of a network to collect and distribute video, audio and data from end users, and that may be used by end users to receive and transmit information to the hub using user terminal devices;

fig. 3 is a system view for a broadcast repeater and distributor to provide broadcast data to end users in a coverage area according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a system diagram for providing a high speed collection system or return path over a wireless link in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a system view for a headend according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a system view for a dispenser and a collector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and is

FIG. 7 is a system diagram using interface modules, routers, and return path system classifiers/multiplexers.

Detailed Description

In the following description, like parts in this specification and the drawings will be respectively denoted by the same reference numerals. The figures may not be to scale and certain components may be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a system 100 for broadcast transmission of data, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the system 100 may be used to distribute data transmitted over the internet for a plurality of user broadcasts.

User 1_126 or user 2_128 may be a personal computer, a set-top box, or other suitable general or special purpose processing platform. User 1_126 or user 2_128 may connect to hub 120 using a transport protocol such as TCP/IP or other suitable protocol. In an exemplary embodiment, when hub 120 receives a request for information (RFI) from subscriber 1_126, using proxy 1_116 and proxy 2_118 or other suitable proxies, hub 120 retrieves the corresponding information from the internet, intranet, or other suitable network and broadcasts the retrieved information to subscriber 1_126 using gateway 112, modem 110, transmitter 108, and antenna 102. User 1_126 may receive information via dish antenna 132 and associated components, such as a receiver card of a general purpose processing platform. Using a regular dial-up uplink connection over the Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN), the downlink speed can be adjusted to equal a suitable speed, such as in excess of 1.54 Mbps.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a system 200 for Wireless Distribution and Collection (WDCS) that includes one or more exemplary systems and components that may be included in hub 120 to collect and distribute audio, video, and data from end users, and one or more exemplary systems and components that may be used by end users to receive and transmit information to hub 120 using user terminal devices.

Interface module 214 provides exemplary connectivity to one or more networks and router 215. The interface module 214 may receive and transmit data over a suitable data interface, such as a suitable number of T1, T3, OC3, DS1, DS3, or OC3 data connections, or other data connections. Internal routes may be handled by router 215 at suitable data processing speeds, such as 12.6 gigabits per second (Gbps) or higher. Router 215 may include a suitable number of input-output interfaces, such as 12 as shown, each providing a predetermined data bandwidth, may use an equal data bandwidth, or other suitable configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the front panel of router 215 may provide fire wire interfaces, status lights, switches, speedometers and other information, and the back of router 215 may be used to provide input interfaces, test ports and management ports. Router 215 may be a special purpose router configured to independently use a suitable number of data connections, such as four T1 data connections, to perform load balancing and/or to combine one or more independent data connections into a single data connection. In another exemplary embodiment, each input/output port may be configured to allow a user to manage the functionality of each port.

Interface module 214 is coupled to enterprise network 202 and may be a bearer type module that may accommodate PSTN212, internet 204, frame relay, ATM switches, private networks, or other suitable data traffic. As used herein, the term "coupled" and its cognate terms such as "coupled" and "connected" can include physical connections (such as copper conductors), virtual connections (such as through randomly designated memory locations of a data storage device), logical connections (such as through logic gates of a semiconductor device), other suitable connections, or suitable combinations of these connections. In an exemplary embodiment, the systems and components and other systems and components are connected by an intervening system and component, such as an operating system. Router 215 may connect uplink 216 to a suitable port, such as port 12, and downlink 218 to a different suitable port, such as port 1. Uplink 216 is a suitable system for transmitting data to end users at high speeds, such as an internet broadcast system, a satellite system, or a cable system. Satellite systems and cable systems are typically provided for transmitting broadcast data to end users, but cannot be configured to receive data from users. System 200 may be used to transmit and receive data, either alone or in combination with other systems.

The user terminal equipment may include an antenna 226, an up-converter 242, a down-converter 228, a modulator 236, a demodulator 230, a router 232, a POTS gateway 237 with foreign exchange station (FXS) interface 238 and FXS phone 240, a general purpose processing platform 234, a television signal display system, or other suitable system or component.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user computer 234 may transmit one or more RFI packets to the interface module 214 via the router 232, the modulator 236, the upconverter 242 and the antenna 226. Hub 120 receives RFI packets directly or through return path system repeater 224 via antenna 222, down converter 223, and after sorting and multiplexing using return path system sorter-multiplexer 218. Data from return path system classifier-multiplexer 218, such as TCP/IP packet data or other suitable data, is sent to the internet or other suitable destination through router 215 and interface module 214.

Router 215 may include a software stack that processes incoming data to extract destination data, process control data, or other suitable data, and router 215 may perform handshaking and robust link processing between a user and hub 120. Router 215 may route data to or from internet 204, PSTN212, or a private network, or other suitable location from which router 215 may also return data to a user using uplink 216.

When the requested information arrives at router 215, the data may be transmitted to the user via uplink 216, up-converter 220, antenna 222, antenna 226 at the user location, down-converter 228, demodulator 230, where demodulator 230 may also decode the data to extract TCP/IP packets or data transmitted according to another suitable protocol. The router 232 routes the data to an appropriate local destination, such as an end user computer, telephone or television.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a system 300 for broadcasting repeaters 310A and 310B and distributors 312A and 312B to provide broadcast data to end users in coverage areas 314A, 314B, and 314C, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Uplink 216 may transmit data to the user through IP data gateway 304, modulator 306, upconverter 220, and antenna 222. Data may be compressed using suitable data compression, modulation and encoding processes, such as MPEG2, MPEG4, DVB and QPSK, encoding the data for transmission and transmitting the data over the available spectrum. Upconverter 220 and antenna 222 may operate at a suitable frequency, such as a frequency between 2.0 and 40.0 GHz. The IP gateway 304 and modulator 306 may be configured to transmit data at a suitable speed based on a transmission frequency, such as 240 Mbps.

The end user may receive data directly from antenna 22, as shown in area 314A, or directly through broadcast repeater 310A, from distributor 312A, as shown in area 314A, or through broadcast repeater 310A and broadcast repeater 310B, as shown in area 214B, or in other suitable manners. The system 300 may also allow users to receive high-speed downloads and use PSTN dial-up connections for loading, such as for delivery of video-on-demand, remote classroom content delivery, delivery of rich media content from application service providers, or in other applications where a high-speed return path is not required by the user.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of a system 400 for providing a collection system or return path at high speed and over a wireless link in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Collectors 408A, 408B, and 408C in service areas 314A, 314B, and 314C, respectively, collect data from users in their respective associated service areas and transmit the data to hub 120 via antenna 222, return path system repeaters 406A and 406B, or other suitable processing. Hub 120 may receive broadband data, such as millions of data packets per second, over carrier microwave or other suitable wireless frequencies. The signal is downconverted by downconverter 223 and transmitted to return path system classifier-multiplexer 218 where the data is demodulated and decoded. The extracted data packets may be transmitted over the internet 204, a local area network, or other suitable medium.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of a system 500 for a headend according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Broadcast repeater 310A is a retransmission transmitter (transponder) that receives the incoming carrier wave on antenna 504 at frequency F1 and converts the frequency to F2 for transmission to the user or distributor 506 using antenna 502.

Return path system repeater 224 receives carrier waves from end users or from collector 508 at frequency F3 and converts the frequency to F4 for transmission to hub 120 or another repeater using antenna 504.

The broadcast repeater 310 and the return path repeater 224 may be mounted in the same location, such as on poles and towers, or in different locations, or other suitable locations, and the locations of the broadcast repeater 310 and the return path repeater 224 may be selected to accommodate the distribution of the service area population.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a system 600 for a distributor 506 collection 508, according to an example embodiment of the invention. The distributor 506 and collector 508 may be mounted in a single housing, separate housings, in the same location for ease of maintenance and service, or in different locations, or in other suitable manners, and the distributor 506 and collector 508 may also include low power frequency retransmission transmitters. Distributor 506 may receive carrier waves from hub 120 or broadcast repeater 310 using antenna 512 at frequency F5 and convert the frequency to F6 for transmission to the user using antenna 510. Collector 508 may receive data from a user via antenna 510 at frequency F7 and may convert the signal to frequency F8 for transmission to hub 120, return path repeater 224, or other suitable system or component using antenna 512.

In an exemplary embodiment, the end user may use either path, such as receiving data on a broadcast channel and transmitting data over a suitable existing connection. In another exemplary embodiment, the user may transmit data to hub 120 and receive the data using an existing cable system, satellite system, or other suitable system. Likewise, the broadcast and return paths of system 100 may be used exclusively, or in other suitable embodiments.

System 600 allows outgoing and incoming wireless data transmissions to be independently forwarded to a distance that can be extended using broadcast repeater 224, such as where hub 120 is used to broadcast high bandwidth content using DVB/MPEG encoding or other suitable processing. Hub 120 may receive data from users using one or more collectors 508 (at low power), where collectors 508 are located near users and transmit data, and data return path repeater 224 in turn transmits data to hub 120, which allows the service area of system 100 to be significantly enlarged relative to other wireless data broadcast systems, such as those that transmit and receive data from the same radio transceiver to cover a limited area. A connection to the network is only required at hub 120, whereas the prior art requires an internet connection at each transceiver.

System 600 allows hub 120 to serve a large number of users based on the required load at speeds in excess of 1.54Mbps, it can deliver content to a single user at speeds greater than or equal to 100Mbps when it is a multicast system, and can receive content from a single user at 6Mbps or faster. Router 215 operating at 12.6Gbps may be used and at this rate, over 50,000 users may be allowed at hub 120. Caching of content, either directly from hub 120 or over a VPN connection, may be used to maximize internet bandwidth usage, among other suitable processes. The network may also be used to transmit voice lines using a PSTN network and a gateway.

Fig. 7 is a diagram of a system 700 that uses interface module 214, router 215, and return path system sorter/multiplexer 218. The return path system sorter/multiplexer 218 may accommodate the return path data. In an exemplary embodiment, the return path system classifier/multiplexer 218 may support 2000 subscribers, such as by using 20 cards 702, where each card handles incoming high speed data packets from up to 100 subscribers. The return path system sorter/multiplexer 218 may demodulate and decode the data for each user and assign it to a predetermined time slot. The return path system sorter/multiplexer 218 may operate at clock speeds in the megahertz range or greater using Time Delay Sorting and Multiplexing (TDSM). The present invention uses a mathematical principle that suggests that two packets cannot arrive at exactly the same time. This allows each user to transmit on the same frequency, so that the configuration of the CPE is not a hub 120 constraint, thereby avoiding the constraint that the spread spectrum process requires transmitter and receiver synchronization.

In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless distributor and collector system as shown herein may provide wireless microwave links to users from a central location, such as hub 120, connected to the internet, PSTN, private network, or other suitable data source. For example, by using an omni-directional antenna, in a terrestrial environment (i.e., surface line-of-sight broadcasting), the transmission path to the user may use satellite transmission techniques to broadcast voice data, video data, packet data, and other suitable data to the user at greater than 100Mbps in a multicast process. Each user receives, decodes, and demodulates the signal using a user end equipment (CPE), and can do so at speeds greater than 6Mbps using existing satellite data transmission techniques. Although the user may use a return path at their discretion, such as dial-up or ISDN, return path repeater 224 may also transmit data back to hub 120 where appropriate. Hub 120 may be configured to accommodate more than 50,000 users and, through the use of return path repeaters 224 and distributors 506, provide coverage over an area encompassed by a radius of more than 50 miles. Similarly, using 45, 60, 90 or 180 degree broadcast and receive sectors may provide data throughput of 120, 800, 600, 400 or 200Mbps per hub, respectively.

The return path system includes a collector 508 that can collect data from users and transmit the data to hub 120. The customer's CPE may include a modulator, up-converter and antenna to send data to the collector 508 at a low power level recognized by the RCC. The collector 508 may receive data at a first frequency and transmit the data to hub 120 or receive data at a second frequency and transmit the data to return path repeater 224. The collector 508 encompasses a smaller range, such as a 3 to 5 mile radius and is configured for a low cost, and also allows data to be transmitted to hub 120 that is 50 miles or more away from the user, such as by using a suitable number of return path repeaters 224. Using a bandwidth of 6Mhz or less, the modulator for each user can operate at speeds in excess of 10 Mbps. Each user may transmit signals at the same or different frequencies and data may arrive at hub 120 at the same or different times. The return path system classifier/multiplexer may use time delay multiple access (time delay multiple access) instead of time division multiple access, allowing incoming data traffic to be classified and assigned to specific time slots for up to 2000 users or more. Hub 120 may be expanded to accommodate a suitable number of subscribers by adding more return path system classifiers/multiplexers.

Routers operating on the broadcast and return path data may be provided that operate at 12.6Gbps and allow the broadcast and return paths to operate independently or with each other. If the broadcast system is used independently, the user can send information using other suitable processes, such as dial-up or ISDN, and can receive downloads from the broadcast path at high speed. Likewise, the return path may be used independently or in conjunction with the broadcast path.

The system may operate at a suitable frequency, such as between 2GHz and 40GHz, and is therefore suitable for use in the FCC proposed supergroup HIPERLAN UNIT at 300Mhz spectrum at 5.15-5.25GHz (which may be used for CPE), 5.25-5.35GHz (which may be used for collector/repeater), and 5.725-5.825GHz (which may be used for hub) at 200mW, 1Watt, and 4Watts power, respectively.

Although exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods of the present invention have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and substitutions can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (1)

1. A system for data transmission and reception, comprising:

a wireless data broadcasting system that broadcasts data from a data network to a plurality of users, the wireless data broadcasting system further comprising:

one or more wireless broadcast repeaters;

a wireless data return path system that receives incoming data from a plurality of users and provides the incoming data to a data network, the wireless data return path system further comprising:

one or more wireless collector systems that receive data from a predetermined set of multiple users;

one or more return path system repeaters that receive data from one or more predetermined wireless collector systems; and

wherein the system uses terrestrial line-of-sight broadcasting in conjunction with a satellite data transmission system.