AU1454300A - Laser based wireless communications system and method - Google Patents

Laser based wireless communications system and method Download PDF

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Publication number
AU1454300A
AU1454300A AU14543/00A AU1454300A AU1454300A AU 1454300 A AU1454300 A AU 1454300A AU 14543/00 A AU14543/00 A AU 14543/00A AU 1454300 A AU1454300 A AU 1454300A AU 1454300 A AU1454300 A AU 1454300A
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transceiver
unit
data
manipulated
laser
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AU14543/00A
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Fred D. West
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TELLAIRE Corp
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TELLAIRE CORP
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
    • H04B10/11—Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
    • H04B10/114—Indoor or close-range type systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
    • H04B10/40—Transceivers

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Optical Communication System (AREA)

Description

WO 00/25433 PCTIUS99/25279 LASER BASED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD 5 RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) (1) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/106,050 filed on October 28, 1998. 10 TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to communication services. In particular, this invention relates to a laser based wireless communications system and method which transmits both dispersed and focused laser is energy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Current communication systems use both lasers and photodiodes. Wired communication systems couple laser 20 energy into an optical fiber and transmit that laser energy to a receiving photodiode. Transmission distances for wired communication systems can be in excess of 1,000 km supporting data rates of 6.0 Gbps and higher. Wireless communication systems utilize lasers to 25 transmit coherent and focused laser energy through space to a receiving photodiode. Typical atmospheric transmission distances for wireless communication systems are 50 meters (0.03 miles) to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) and may support data rates as high as 155 Mbps or greater. 30 Wireless laser communications systems, which are primarily used for point-to-point communication, focus the laser energy in such a way as to minimize the laser beam WO 00/25433 2 PCT/US99/25279 spot size. As distance increases, the laser beam spot size increases. Most existing laser communication systems operate at a wavelength of 870 nanometers (nm). At this wavelength, transmission distance is limited by atmospheric 5 conditions such as dust, rain, and humidity. Transmission distance may also be limited by the stability of the platforms the transmitting-and receiving elements are mounted to. Two basic methods of modulating a laser device within 10 a wireless communications system are through field modulation and intensity modulation. Field modulated data comes in the form of a continuous wave and serves as a very high-speed carrier. Much higher bandwidths can be supported using continuous wave methods, but usually have is shorter data transmission distance. Intensity modulation provides for varying the optical intensity and power in accordance with a modulation rule. Each data bit is represented by the presence or absence of a pulse of laser energy. Most current wireless communication systems use 20 intensity modulation which is easier to detect, but is limited in bandwidth. A system and method for incorporating higher power laser diodes, improved photodiodes, dispersing laser energy, multiple repeating transceivers, existing RF 25 transmission technology, and a novel topology will resolve most of the limitations imposed on current wireless laser communications systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 30 The present invention provides a laser based wireless communications system and method which substantially WO 00/25433 3 PCT/US99/25279 eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed laser based wireless communication systems and methods. More specifically, the present invention provides a 5 laser based wireless communications system and method. The laser based wireless communications system and method of the present invention includes a transceiver unit, an external transceiver unit (or head end), and a data feedback unit. The transceiver unit receives data from a lo data input source. The external transceiver unit continuously detects and receives transceiver modulated laser energy from the transceiver unit, manipulates the transceiver modulated laser energy yielding external transceiver manipulated laser energy, and transmits the 15 external transceiver manipulated laser energy to the data feedback unit. The external transceiver unit also receives data feedback unit manipulated laser energy from the data feedback unit, manipulates the data feedback unit manipulated laser energy yielding external transceiver 20 manipulated laser energy, and transmits the external transceiver manipulated laser energy back to the transceiver unit or other external transceiver units. The present invention provides an important technical advantage by providing laser based wireless communications 25 system and method which operates at a longer wavelength than current laser based wireless communication systems, thus improving transmission distances in atmospheric conditions such as dust, rain, and humidity. The present invention provides another important 30 technical advantage by providing laser based wireless communications system and method which eliminates the need WO 00/25433 4 PCT/US99/25279 for platforms, such as towers, thus significantly reducing the cost of setting up the laser based wireless communications system. However, the present invention may be configured to be used with or without platforms. 5 The present invention provides another important technical advantage by providing laser based wireless communications system and method where the laser beam is dispersed to end users and point-to-point within the communication system which provides for better 10 communication. The present invention provides another important technical advantage by providing laser based wireless communications system and method where the size of the laser beam may automatically adjust according to the is weather conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made 20 to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like features wherein: FIGURE 1 shows one embodiment of a laser based wireless communications system comprising a data input 25 source, a transceiver unit, an external transceiver unit, and a data feedback unit; FIGURE 2 shows one embodiment of a laser based wireless communications system comprising an originating signal driver, a transceiver unit, an external transceiver 30 unit, an internal transceiver interface unit, an internal WO 00/25433 5 PCT/US99/25279 transceiver, an interface unit, and a mobile external transceiver; FIGURE 3 shows one embodiment of the originating signal driver; 5 FIGURE 4 shows one embodiment of the transceiver unit; FIGURE 5 depicts point-to-point connectivity between two transceiver units; FIGURE 6 shows a side view of the laser transmitting unit; 10 FIGURE 7 illustrates conically dispersed laser energy; FIGURE 8 illustrates rectangularly dispersed laser energy; FIGURE 9 shows a side view of the photodiode receiving unit; 15 FIGURE 10 shows an end view of the photodiode receiving unit; FIGURE 11 shows a transceiver hub arrangement; FIGURE 12 details the transceiver hub mounting; FIGURE 13 depicts point-to-point connectivity from a 20 transceiver hub to remote transceivers; FIGURE 14 illustrates the transceiver hub and the various operation modes supported; FIGURE 15 depicts a laser based wireless communication system cell; 25 FIGURE 16 illustrates system connectivity methods; FIGURE 17 shows an external transceiver; FIGURE 18 illustrates the connectivity from the external transceiver to the internal transceiver interface unit; 30 FIGURE 19 shows an internal transceiver; FIGURE 20 illustrates examples of interface units; WO 00/25433 6 PCTIUS99/25279 FIGURE 21 depicts a method of internal wireless connectivity; FIGURE 22 shows a mobile external transceiver; FIGURE 23 illustrates a front view of one embodiment 5 of an external transceiver; FIGURE 24 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of an external transceiver; FIGURE 25 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of an external transceiver; 10 FIGURE 26 depicts a functional diagram of a head end; and FIGURE 27 depicts a functional diagram of a laser based wireless communication network. 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the FIGURES, like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 20 The laser based wireless communications system and method of the present invention includes a transceiver unit, an external transceiver unit, and a data feedback unit. The transceiver unit receives data from a data input source. The external transceiver unit continuously 25 detects and receives transceiver modulated laser energy from the transceiver unit, manipulates the transceiver modulated laser energy yielding external transceiver manipulated laser energy, and transmits the external transceiver manipulated laser energy to the data feedback 30 unit. The external transceiver unit also receives data feedback unit manipulated laser energy from the data WO 00/25433 PCT/US99/25279 feedback unit, manipulates the data feedback unit manipulated laser energy yielding external transceiver manipulated laser energy, and transmits the external transceiver manipulated laser energy back to the 5 transceiver unit or other external transceiver units. The laser based wireless communication system and method of the present invention is capable of providing high-speed broadband full duplex data services. These services may include, but are not limited to cable 10 television, high definition television, video-on-demand, high-speed internet connectivity, telecommunications, personal communications services, local area network, wide area network, other analog data formats, other digital data formats, and radio frequency communications. 15 FIGURE 1 depicts one embodiment of a laser based wireless communications system 100 comprising a data input source 75, a transceiver unit 30 (or head end), an external transceiver unit 39, and a data feedback unit 76. The transceiver unit 30 receives the input data from 20 the data input source 75, processes the input data for diode laser modulation in the support electronics section 27, and transmits the processed input data to the laser transmitting unit 28. The laser transmitting unit 28 modulates the processed input data and transmits the 25 resulting modulated laser energy to the external transceiver 39. The transceiver unit 30 also detects for a modulated signal from the external transceiver 39 at the photodiode receiving unit 29. The photodiode receiving unit receives 30 the modulated signal, separates the modulated signal from background noise yielding an output signal, and transmits WO 00/25433 8 PCTIUS99/25279 the resulting output signal to the electronics support section 27. The external transceiver 39 continuously detects and receives modulated laser energy from the laser transmitting 5 unit 28 of transceiver 30 and transmits the modulated laser energy to a data feedback unit 76. The external transceiver 39 also receives laser energy from the data feedback unit 76 and retransmits the laser energy back to the transceiver unit 30. 10 FIGURE 2 depicts another embodiment of a laser based wireless communications system 100. In this embodiment, the originating signal driver 51 serves as the data input source. The data feedback unit 76 includes an internal transceiver interface unit 56, an internal transceiver 60, 15 an interface unit 61, and a mobile external transceiver 68. The originating signal driver 51, shown in FIGURE 3, is the primary interface between the various electronic data service providers and the laser based wireless communication system 100. The originating signal driver 51 20 has a number of input/output ports 45-49 for interfacing between electronic data service providers or other output signal processing systems and the laser based wireless communications system 100. It accepts inputs in multiple forms including video on demand, analog data input/output, 25 telephone switch input/output, digital data input/output, and high definition television and cable television input/output. Each of these signal inputs and outputs is supported by a service provider. The cable television inputs and outputs would be serviced by a local or national 30 cable television service provider. The cable television service provider would provide a connection to the WO 00/25433 9 PCT/US99/25279 originating signal driver 51 instead of or in addition to an existing installed cable plant. The originating signal driver 51 processes, converts, and multiplexes the multiple input signals it receives from the multiple electronic 5 providers into a coaxial cable 50 and transmits the input data to an electronics support section 27 of transceiver 30 for atmospheric transmission. The originating transceiver unit 51 also receives data from a number of electronic support sections 27 which are 1o part of different transceiver units 30 through coaxial cable 50 or other output signal processing systems. The originating transceiver 51 can then transmit the received data back to the multiple electronic service providers. The originating signal driver 51 is capable of full duplex 15 operation in excess of 30 GHz. The originating signal driver 51 is derived from existing cable television satellite transceivers. These systems are capable of receiving and transmitting information in the GigaHertz range from orbiting 20 communications satellites. The originating signal driver 51 also employs components of existing cable television head-end or cable plant drivers. The cable plant driver accepts data formatted in a specific analog format for directly modulating laser diodes. The originating signal 25 driver 51 also uses components derived from existing net interface units. Net interface units provide data encoding in a packetized format. In addition the originating signal driver 51 employs digital signal processing technology and pseudo-random noise modulation (PRN) in addition to other 30 modulation methods.
WO 00/25433 10 PCT/US99/25279 The transceiver unit 30 receives the input data from the original signal driver 51, processes the input data for diode laser modulation in the support electronics section 27, and transmits the processed input data to the laser 5 transmitting unit 28. The laser transmitting unit 28 modulates the processed input data and transmits the resulting modulated laser energy to the external transceiver 39. The transceiver unit 30 also detects for a modulated 1o signal from the external transceiver 39 at the photodiode receiving unit 29. The photodiode receiving unit receives the modulated signal, separates the modulated signal from background noise yielding an output signal, and transmits the resulting output signal to the electronics support 15 section 27. The external transceiver 39 continuously detects and receives modulated laser energy from the laser transmitting unit 28 of transceiver 30 and transmits the modulated laser energy to an internal transceiver interface unit 56. The 20 external transceiver 39 also receives laser energy from the internal transceiver interface unit 56 and retransmits the laser energy back to the transceiver unit 30. The external transceiver 39 and internal transceiver interface unit 56 are connected through a wall or barrier 59 by a coaxial 25 cable 58. The internal transceiver interface unit 56 receives input and output data from the external transceiver 39 and the internal transceiver 60, thus providing full duplex connectivity. The internal transceiver interface unit 56 30 also supports additional addresses for each internal transceiver 60 and associated interface units 61.
WO 00/25433 PCT/US99/25279 The internal transceiver 60 receives input data from the internal transceiver interface unit 56 and provides line-of-site connectivity to a function specific interface unit 61. The internal transceiver 60 also receives data 5 back from the function specific interface unit 61 and transmits the data back to the internal transceiver interface unit 56 as well as other internal transceivers 60. Mobile external transceiver 68, which may be mounted 1o to an automobile, aircraft, or other mobile structure, is designed to receive and transmit data to and from external transceiver 39. FIGURE 4 shows a depiction of the transceiver unit 30. The transceiver unit consists of the a laser transmitting 15 unit 28, a photodiode receiving unit 29, and support electronics section 27. The support electronics section 27 is connected to the originating signal driver 51 through coaxial cable 50. FIGURE 5 depicts the point-to-point connectivity between two transceiver units 30 using focused 20 laser energy 31. The distance between the transceiver units 30 is in excess of thirty kilometers. FIGURE 6 depicts the various components of the laser transmitter unit 28 which embody principles of the invention. The laser transmitter is contained within the 25 outer housing 1 which provides protection for the internal components and a means of mounting the laser transmitter unit 28 to other elements. The inner laser and lens housing 8 provides support for the optical lenses 11 and 12 and the laser diode 7. The grooved adjustment rail 9 30 provides support for focusing lens 13 and allows lateral movement of focusing lens 13. The lens adjustment rail 3 WO 00/25433 12 PCT/US99/25279 is a fixed lateral gear which is adjusted using the lens adjustment drive gear 4. The lens adjustment module 2 may be remotely activated to provide for the lateral movement of focusing lens 13. The protective lens 16 provides 5 protection from atmospheric conditions and allows the passage of laser energy out of the laser transmitter unit 28. The laser diode 7 is connected to the support electronics section 27 of the transceiver unit 30 or another data input source through connector 6. 10 Data inputs in the form of electrical signals are processed in the support electronics section 25 for laser diode modulation. Laser diode modulation may be direct modulation or external modulation. The modulation format may be intensity or field modulation depending on the is application and system requirements. The modulation method may be frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, pseudo random noise modulation, or other selected modulation scheme to meet system requirements. The modulated laser energy 10 is output directly into 20 a series of optical lenses 11 and 12. The optical lenses collimate the laser energy and provide a specific transmission output pattern. The specific output transmission pattern may be focused, conically dispersed, or rectangularly dispersed, or another transmission pattern 25 may be used to meet system requirements. The collimated laser energy output 14 is focused or defocused by focusing lens 13. The resultant focused or dispersed laser energy 15 is passed through the protective lens 16. The protective lens 16 provides wavelength filtration to 30 concentrate the quantity of transmitted photons and WO 00/25433 13 PCT/US99/25279 provides protection for the components within the outer housing 1. As focusing lens 13 is moved by the lens adjustment module 2, lens adjustment rail 3 and the lens adjustment 5 drive gear 4, the lateral distance 5 determines the laser output mode. As focusing lens 13 is moved in one direction the effect is focused laser. energy 31 as depicted in FIGURE 5. Focused laser energy 31 provides the greatest distance capability. As focusing lens 13 continues to be altered 10 the effect shifts to the conical dispersed mode 32 as shown is FIGURE 7. The conical dispersed mode 32 provides the shortest data transmission distance since the laser power is spread through the volume of the cone. FIGURE 8 depicts the rectangular dispersed mode 33. In the rectangularly 15 dispersed mode 33 the laser energy is somewhat more focused and has a slightly greater data transmission distance. The laser transmitting unit 28 provides data transmission rates in excess of 6.0 GHz. In the point-to point mode, focused laser energy 31, the transmission 20 distances are in excess of 32 kilometers. In the conical dispersed laser energy mode 32, the transmission distances are in excess of 5 kilometers. In the rectangularly dispersed laser energy mode 33, the transmission distances are in excess of 6 kilometers. The bandwidth available 25 for all operational modes is in excess of 6.0 GHz. The photodiode receiving unit 29, shown in FIGURE 9, consists of a protective filtering lens 17 which acts as a white light noise filter, a wavelength specific filter 20, a photodiode 19, support electronics 25, and an output port 30 26. The output port 26 connects the photodiode receiving WO 00/25433 1 PCT/US99/25279 unit 29 to the support electronics section 27 of transceiver 30. The function of the photodiode receiving unit is to detect an appropriately modulated signal, separated the 5 modulated signal from background noise, format the received signal into the identical format it is transmitted in, and connect it to the originating signal driver 51 through the electronics support section 27 of transceiver 30 or other output signal processing system. 10 The protective filtering lens 17 which acts as a white light noise filter reduces the effect of background noise by reducing the number of photons which do not contain appropriately modulated data. Additional filtering is provided by the wavelength specific filter 20. These two is filters reduce the background noise to a point where the quantity of appropriately modulated photons is sufficient to replicate the transmitted data signal. The photodiode 19 is selected to meet system requirements and converts the detected photons into a small 20 electrical output signal. The small electrical output signal is processed by the support electronics section 25 back to the format of the appropriate modulation method. This processed signal is then output to the originating signal unit through the support electronics section 27 of 25 transceiver unit 30 for additional processing. FIGURE 9 illustrates the focused or dispersed laser energy 15 entering the photo diode receiving unit 29 through protective and filtering lens 17. The protective lens 17 reduces the effects of background noise from other 30 photon sources. Laser energy 15 is focused by the concave lens 18 into a concentrated and highly focused laser energy WO 00/25433 15 PCT/US99/25279 21. Laser energy 21 is then additionally filtered by a wavelength specific filter 20. This filtering reduces the number of unmodulated photons before being detected by photodiode 19. Mirror photodiode positioning housing 22 s may be adjusted into the mirror adjustment space 24 to allow focusing of the mirror and photodiode relative to laser energy 15. The support electronics section 25 contains pre-amplification, signal regeneration, and digital signal processing electronics and is connected to 10 the support electronics section 27 of the transceiver unit 30 through connector 26. The outer housing 23 provides protection for the internal components and allows mounting to other elements. FIGURE 10 is an end view of the photodiode receiving is unit 29 depicting the relationship of the concave mirror 18 to the photodiode 19. The use of concave mirror 18 allows for a smaller diameter aperture to focus the laser energy 15. When transceiver units 30 are combined together they 20 form a transceiver hub 74. A suggested configuration for transceiver units 30 is shown in FIGURE 11. This configuration consists of eight transceiver units 30 arranged in a circular configuration with each transceiver unit 30 being positioned at a forty-five degree angle 25 relative to the adjoining transceiver unit 30. This suggested configuration is defined as a transceiver hub 74. The transceiver hub 74 is positioned parallel to the ground. The top half of the transceiver hub mounting bracket 34 is attached to all of the transceiver units 30 30 and to the bottom half of the transceiver hub mounting bracket 35 as shown in FIGURE 12. The upper mounting WO 00/25433 16 PCTIUS99/25279 bracket 34 and the lower mounting bracket 35 may be segmented to provide autonomous mounting for each transceiver unit 30 within a defined transceiver hub 74. A stabilization platform 36 provides vibration isolation 5 between the tower mounting plate 37 and the mounted transceiver hub 74. Transceiver hubs 74 are designed to be placed on top of towers, buildings, or any structure of sufficient height to provide line of light connectivity to other transceiver hubs 74 or other transceiving units 30. 10 In addition, the stabilization platform maintains alignment with distant central transceiver hubs 38. This alignment is maintained through a laser gyroscopically maintained gimbal based alignment mechanism. The stabilization platform 36 may be segmented to provide is autonomous vibration isolation and alignment for each transceiver unit 30 within a central transceiver hub 38. The tower mounting plate 37 is used to securely attach the central transceiver hub 38 to an elevated tower or structure. 20 The central transceiver hub 38 with point-to-point focused laser energy 31 connectivity is depicted in FIGURE 13. The remote transceiver units 30 are autonomously mounted which allows them to adjust the maximize the received laser energy 31. The stabilization platform, 25 which is provides deviation inputs from the support electronics package 27 in the transceiver units and the support electronics 25 in the photodiode receiving units, allows constant monitoring of the received power relative to the stability and alignment of the transceiver units 30. 30 In this way, optimized connectivity is continuously WO 00/25433 17 PCT/US99/25279 maintained regardless of wind or other atmospheric conditions. Each transceiver unit 30 can be autonomously adjusted or may be adjusted and aligned within the central s transceiver hub 38. Each central transceiver hub 38 may have each transceiver unit 30 configured for a different operating mode as shown in,.,FIGURE 14. FIGURE 14 depicts a central transceiver hub 38 configured to support focused laser energy 31, conical dispersed laser energy 32, and 1o rectangular laser energy 33. In addition each central transceiver hub 38 has the capability of aligning itself to optimize transmission and reception of laser energy and reconfiguring its operational mode to maintain system integrity and connectivity. 15 A suggested topology for the laser based wireless communication cell is shown in FIGURE 15. Other topologies suggested are a single central transceiver hub 38 supporting multiple external transceivers 39 or other topologies as geography or applications may suggest. The 20 topology in FIGURE 15 consists of four central transceiver hubs 38 consisting of eight transceiver units 30. Point to-point connectivity is achieved through focused laser energy 31 between the four central transceiver hubs 38A, 38B, 38C, and 38D. Connectivity from the central 25 transceiver hubs 38 and the external transceivers 39 is accomplished with rectangularly focused laser energy 33 in order to maximize signal density. Each external transceiver 39 receives rectangularly focused laser energy 33 and automatically retransmits the received signal and 30 the added user data using conical laser energy 32. Conical laser energy 32 is used to improve shorter distance WO 00/25433 18 PCT/US99/25279 connectivity between external transceivers 39 while minimizing the possibility of signal interference from adjoining external transceivers 39. Conical laser energy may be narrowly dispersed to ensure that the receiving 5 external transceivers 39 are in continuous communication with transmitting external transceivers 39. Further laser energy may be dispersed such that only one receiving external transceiver 39 is illuminated by a transmitting external receiver 39. 10 In this suggested cell, central transceiver hub 38C transmits data using rectangularly focused laser energy 33 which is received by external transceiver 39D. External transceiver 39D retransmits the received signal which is detected by external transceiver 39E. External transceiver 15 39E repeats the signal which is then detected by external transceiver 39B. Each external transceiver 39 both repeats the originating signal and adds and removes individual user data. The data eventually connects from any given external transceiver 39 back into the central transceiver hub 38 and 20 eventually returns to the originating signal driver 51. Connectivity between laser based wireless communication system cells may be accomplished by interconnecting transceiver hubs 74, satellite up/down link, existing systems interconnected through the 25 originating signal driver 51, or other means available. Since the external transceivers 39 may have the receive threshold adjusted to detect the weakest discernible signal, proliferation of the signal is encouraged and data integrity maintained. 30 FIGURE 16 depicts methods of maintaining connectivity within a cell. Transceiver unit 30 transmits a signal WO 00/25433 19 PCT/US99/25279 using focused laser energy 31. The focused laser energy 31 is detected by the external transceiver 39 on structure 41 and is reflected by structure 41. The reflected laser energy is reflected by structure 44 and received by the 5 external transceiver 39 on structure 43. The external transceiver 39 on structure 43 retransmits the received signal using conical laser-.energy 32 which is received and retransmitted by the external transceiver 39 on structure 42. The conical laser energy 32 is then received by 10 transceiver unit 30B. A similar process is followed for establishing connectivity from transceiver unit 30B to transceiver unit 30A. The external transceiver unit 39, shown in FIGURE 17, consists of a laser transmitter unit 53, a photodiode 15 receiving unit 52, support electronics, and an input/output port 54 and 55 to the internal transceiver interface unit 56. The external transceiver 39 is generally mounted externally on a structure such as a house or office building. 20 The function of the external transceiver 39 is to detect dispersed laser energy and to transmit dispersed laser energy. In addition, it adds data signals from a specific address for transmission into the system. The dispersed laser mode is usually conical. The detected 25 laser energy is connected both to a repeater section and to an electronic support section of the external transceiver 39. The repeater section reformats the received data signal and re-transmits it in the original received format. The electronics section processes the received data signal 30 and isolates data signals specifically for the designated user. This is accomplished through assigning a specific WO 00/25433 2 0 PCT/US99/25279 internet protocol address to a specific user or by addressing data by another method. The received data which is designated for a specific address is processed by the support electronics section and connected to the internal 5 transceiver interface unit 56. In addition the address header is checked to identify the data as specifically f-or the designated user. If this is the case, the data addressed to the specific user is removed, amplified, processed, and connected either to the 1o existing internal wiring through connector 54 or to the internal transceiver interface unit 56 through connector 54. The external transceiver may have the signal detection threshold adjusted in order to minimize cross-talk between 15 co-located external transceivers. By adjusting the detectable level threshold, data signal propagation is increased relative to the number of external transceivers within a geographic region. The more external transceivers populating a given geographic area, the greater the data 20 signal density and signal integrity is improved. In FIGURE 18, rectangularly focused laser energy 32 is received by the external transceiver 39. The received data which is specifically addressed for this structure is connected through wall or barrier 59 using coaxial cable 58 25 into the internal transceiver interface unit 56. The internal transceiver interface unit 56 provides full duplex connectivity between the external transceiver 39 and the internal transceiver 60. The input and output data from the external transceiver 39 is through coaxial cable 58. 30 The input and output data supporting the internal transceiver 60 is optical using a light emitting diode 53 WO 00/25433 21 PCTIUS99/25279 and a photodiode 52. The internal transceiver interface unit 56 has a light emitting diode 57 as a transmitter and a photodiode 52 as a receiver. The internal transceiver interface unit supports additional addresses for each 5 internal transceiver and associated interface units. A master address is assigned to each specific user. A sub address is assigned by theinternal transceiver interface unit for each internal transceiver and a sub-sub-address is assigned for each interface unit. The internal transceiver 10 interface unit is capable of supporting more than 5 sub address layers. The internal transceiver 60, shown in FIGURE 19, provides full duplex connectivity to other internal transceivers 60 and full duplex connectivity to the address 15 and function specific interface units 61 and 62 as shown in FIGURE 20. The internal transceiver 60 uses a light emitting diode 57 as a transmitter and a photodiode 52 as a receiver. The internal transceiver 60 is usually placed within line-of-sight of the internal transceiver interface 20 unit 56. Interface units 61 and 62 are built into applications specific connectors such as the "RJ" series for local area network and telephone applications and "DB" series connectors for use on computer products. Interface units 61 and 62 may be embedded into any application 25 specific device connector. The interface units 61 and 62 use a light emitting diode 57 as a transmitter and a photodiode 52 as a receiver. The internal transceiver 60 assigns specific addresses to each unique interface unit 61 and 62. The internal transceiver interface unit 56 in 30 conjunction with the internal transceiver 60 is capable of supporting at least five sub-address layers.
WO 00/25433 22 PCT/US99/25279 The internal transceiver 60 is designed to be mounted to a ceiling or wall internal to a structure. It preferably is line-of-sight to the internal transceiver interface unit 56 or line-of sight to another internal 5 transceiver 60 which provides connectivity to the internal transceiver interface unit 56. FIGURE 21 illustrates..internal connectivity. The external transceiver 39 receives, transmits, and removes addressed data for a specific user. The user specific data 10 in connected through wall or barrier 59 to the internal transceiver interface unit 56 which assigns a sub-address for each internal transceiver 60. The internal transceiver 60 then assigns a sub-sub-address to devices 61, 62, and 63. As each device has a unique address it may then 15 simultaneously transmit and receive data through the internal transceiver 60. An internal device may also connect with other internal devices through the internal transceiver 60. An internal device such as interface device 61 may then communicate with other similar devices 20 internally through the internal transceiver 60 or externally through the internal transceiver 60 to the internal transceiver interface unit 56 to the external transceiver 39 and back into the laser based wireless communication cell 100. 25 The combination of interface units 61 and internal transceivers 60 may be applied to local area networks. Since each device has a unique address throughout a given structure the use of interface units 61 and internal transceivers 60 provide a wireless connection 30 infrastructure for networks. In addition connectivity to internet is provided through the internal transceiver WO 00/25433 23 PCT/US99/25279 interface unit 56 and the external transceiver 39. The external transceiver 39 connects to and from the transceiver hub 74 and the originating signal driver 51. Telephone connectivity is supported by the telephone s interface unit 61 to and from the internal transceiver 60 which is then either connected to another internal telephone interface unit 61 or to the internal transceiver interface unit 56. The connectivity infrastructure remains essentially the same for any type of data signal or device 10 type. To support mobile applications there are two varieties of mobile external transceivers. The smaller of these is designed to be integrated into telephones and portable computers to support system connectivity. 15 The mobile external transceiver 68 shown in FIGURES 22A, 21B, and 21C functions in the same manner as the external transceiver 39. The mobile external transceiver 39 is designed to be mounted to an automobile, aircraft, or other mobile structure. The mobile external transceiver 68 20 consists of photodiode receiver 52 which is mounted within housing 65 and through the clear lens and filtering plate 66 above the flexible reflective sheet 71. A laser diode 53 is mounted within housing 65 and through the protective lens 64. Both the laser transmitting unit 28 and 25 photodiode receiving unit 29 are internally connected to the support electronics 73. The flexible reflective sheet 71 is connected to the housing 65 by springs 69. The entire assembly is connected to the external surface of the mobile unit with mounting plate 70. 30 As velocity increases the air flow through air intake/outlet 68A increases. As the air flow increases, WO 00/25433 24 PCT/US99/25279 the flexible reflective sheet 71 distorts as shown in FIGURE 22B. The distortion is directly proportional to velocity and provides a constantly changing mechanism for focusing laser energy onto the photodiode 52. The focal 5 length of the reflected laser energy will increase relative to velocity. As the focal length increase the focus of the reflective sheet 71 becomes. smaller thus concentrating more energy onto photodiode 52. The flexible reflective sheet 71 increases in depth within the plenum 67 until it is 10 restrained by the air pressure /vacuum differences as shown in FIGURE 22C which represents the maximum energy focus. This mechanism allows for a stable concentration of appropriately modulated photons at the photodiode 52 regardless of velocity or acceleration. 15 The external transceiver is presented in FIGUREs 23 through 25. The external Transceiver 200 is a unit designed to mounted at the peak of a slanted roof or at the top of a building. It consists of three main elements: A Protective Sphere 202 which houses the diameter 20 receiver mirror 204, the laser module 206 and the laser optics 208. The protective sphere 202 can be rotated 360 degrees horizontally and tilted from 0 degrees to 90 degrees vertically. Mounting pipe 210 which provides extension above the 25 peak of a roof or the edge of a building. Electronics Section 212 which contains the transmitter electronics 214 and the receiver electronics 216. In addition it contains the input/output port 220 to the structure on which the External transceiver 200 is mounted 30 and the power input 218 from the building.
WO 00/25433 25 PCTIUS99/25279 Multiple mounting flanges 222 are attached to the outer case of the Electronics Section 212 to allow maximum flexibility for connecting directly to the building. At least one restraining straps 224 retains the mounting pipe s 210 by being bolted into the outercase of the Electronics Section 212. This minimizes vibration by improving stability. Transmitter electronics 214 are positioned less than 36" from laser module 206. This allows the data rate of 2.48 Gbit/sec or greater to be transferred to the laser 10 module 206. The Receiver Electronics 216 is connected to the Collimator 226, which is positioned in the center of the Mirrors 204, by a single mode optical fiber. Collimator 226 is held in position by 4 Collimator Support Bars 228. These bars are hollow and the single mode optical fiber is (not shown) is threaded through the support bar 228 and into the Mounting Pipe 210. The optical fiber is then fed out of Mounting Pipe 228 into the Receiver Electronics 216 In the embodiment shown, Mirrors 204 are contained inside a section of PVC Pipe 230 and epoxied to the back of 20 the Mounting Flange 232. FIGURE 24 presents a side view of External transceiver 200. In this specific embodiment Collimator 226 is wavelength specific at 1550 nm as is the Daylight Filter 234. Protective Sphere 202 is constructed of a material 25 designed to block white light sources. The spherical shape, or similar shape, of the Protective Sphere minimizes the chance of foreign materials adhering to the surface beneath the horizontal equator of Protective Sphere 202. As Collimating Lens 208 is located in the lower hemisphere, 30 Collimating Lens 208 should remain reasonably clean. Protective Sphere 202 may be constructed of 2 hemispheres WO 00/25433 26 PCTIUS99/25279 epoxied together and may be cleaned with a water hose. While Protective Sphere 202 is not hermetically sealed, the units contained within the Protective Sphere 202 are hermetically sealed. 5 FIGURE 24 depicts a side view of External Transceiver. Mounting Pipe 210 is shown mounted to the back of the electronics section 214. -Restraining Straps 224 are bolted directly into the structure containing electronics section 214 to reduce vibration. Power is provided from the 10 structure via power input 218. FIGURE 25 depicts External Transceiver 200 as viewed from above. This Figure depicts the relationship of the Mounting Pipe 210 to the other elements of external transceiver 200. The PVC Pipe is shown to contain the is mirror assemblies. Mounting Pipe 210 passes through PVC Pipe 230. In an additional embodiment of the present invention the transceiver unit may be a Head End as described below. FIGURE 26 depicts the head end. 20 Head End 300 (HE): HE 300 gathers various data streams such as video 302, telephone 304, Internet 306, and other like interactive data streams 308 for transmission over an area containing thousands of users. HE 300 multiplexes the data streams together and converts them to 25 a single laser output. HE 300 may contain from 1 to 4 laser/PIN transceiver units (or sub-head end 310). Head End 300 is connected to Sub-Head End 310 either by optical fiber 312 or by laser link 314. Head End 300 performs the following: WO 00/25433 27 PCT/US99/25279 System Console 316 allows an operator to monitor and control the operation of the network from a single location. HE 300 maintains the network database 318. The 5 database 318 contains data defined, gathered, and used by HE 300 to perform the following functions: (1) Initialization Control - Initializes the network and all of its elements, including the backbone. This function will also automatically and dynamically react to 10 network problems to rapidly heal the system in the face of disruption from power failures, bad weather, and other disruptive events. (2) Sub-Head End Control Function - Controls the local Sub-Head End and all remote Sub-Head Ends attached to is the network; controls all communications channels, data gathering activities, and control loops for the Sub-Head Ends. (3) Bandwidth Allocation - the automatic and dynamic reallocation of Internet Bandwidth as needed to temporarily 20 allocate any end user additional bandwidth. (4) Tuning Control - Continually monitor the health and operation of the network and all laser links including the laser links that are not primary data paths. (5) Service Function - Assists in the installation 25 and maintenance of Network Components. This includes the generation of an action plan and topological map automatic real time exchange of information while service personnel are on-site, and record keeping of such installation data such as GPS readings, signal levels, error rates, etc. In 30 addition this function will coordinate the configuration of the entire system to accommodate scheduled events and WO 00/25433 28 PCT/US99/25279 different operating environments that may arise. Such events might include reserved bandwidth, special events, and routine maintenance; (6) Recording Systems - record data for the following 5 applications: a) Snapshot Data - gathering streams of data that reflect the operation-of the system. b) Network Operation Parameters - Accumulate Network statistics that are vital to the operation and 10 expansion of the network. Monitoring, flagging, and controlling congestion within the network as it develops. c) Accounting - Documents the services consumed by each users. d) Video Stream - Monitoring the integrity of is the video stream. e) Telephone Stream - Monitoring the integrity of the telephone traffic streams. f) Internet Stream - Monitoring the integrity of the ISP traffic streams. 20 (7) Security - Implementing the selected security algorithms to effect an acceptable level of security for the digital traffic on the network. (8) Documents Function - Provides access to system design and control documents for internal personnel and 25 authorized service personnel off-site. (9) Reformatting Rack - An electronic system which provides the interface between the Sub-Head End, the video media service provider, and control function equipment. It will perform at least the following tasks: WO 00/25433 29 PCT/US99/25279 a) Reformat the signals provided by the video media service provider to suit entry into and exit from the Sub-Head End. b) Support dedicated high-speed channels that 5 will allow the Head End control functions to communicate rapidly and reliably with individual Super External Transceivers and External Transceivers. (10) Media Service Provider Systems - interface with the reformatting rack, which provides all necessary 10 conversion functions. (11) One or more Sub-Head End systems - To prepare data for the Super External Transceiver. (12) One or more Super External Transceivers - To convert the data to laser beams and back again. 15 Sub-Head End (SubHE) 310:A SubHE 310 is responsible for receiving the HE 300 signal through either laser duplex 314 or optical fiber 312. SubHE routes the broadcast/interactive data to the Super External 20 Transceiver (SuperET) 316 and receiving interactive data from the SuperET 316 and External Transceiver (ET) 300. Sub-Head End 310 is smaller than the Head End 300. It is designed to off-load Internet 304 and telephone 306 traffic from the network into the Internet 318 and public switched 25 telephone network 320. Sub-Head End 310 receives control and video feed information from the Head End 300, mixes it with Internet data and voice data. The data is formatted for transmission and interfaces with the Network using a Super External Transceiver 316. 30 a) Sub-Head End 310 will contain the interface between a Super External Transceiver 316 and the Telephone WO 00/25433 30 PCT/US99/25279 Media Service Provider equipment connected to the PSTN 320. It will reformat the signals offered by the Telephone Media Service Provider to suite entry and exit from a Super External Transceiver 316. 5 b) Sub-Head End 310 will contain the interface between a Super External Transceiver 316 and the Internet Media Service Provider equipment connected to the local Internet Backbone 318. c) Sub-Head End 310 will contain the interface 10 between a Super External Transceiver 316 and the Head End 300 feed from the Head End reformatting rack 322 from local or equivalent remote feed. FIGURE 27 depicts a network using the above-described equipment. Super External Transceiver 316 will be a double 15 stacked External Transceiver with twice as many lasers and receivers. Every External Transceiver Ring 324 will have at least one Super External Transceiver 316. Super External Transceivers 316 will communicate with one another so the External Transceiver Rings 324 can communicate with 20 one another much the way a bridge connects two Local Area Networks. The Super External Transceivers 316 will be arranged in a tree structure with a Head End 300 at the root. Using a tree analogy, the Network will have a Head End 300 as the root, Sub-Head Ends 310 as the trunk, Super 25 External Transceivers 316 as the branches, and rings 320 of External Transceivers 200 as the leaves. Each Super External Transceiver 316 will contain at least the following: a) Two External Transceiver Cards each supporting 30 one transceiver.
WO 00/25433 31 PCT/US99/25279 b) A high-speed board between the External Transceiver Cards that emulates a laser connection between the two External Transceivers. c) Either a second power supply or a larger power 5 supply. The basic element of the of the Network is the External Transceiver 200 that Will consist of two lasers, two receivers, optics, a circuit board, power supply, and support electronics. External Transceivers 200 will 10 communicate in a ring 324 structure that must incorporate a Super External Transceiver 316. In summary, the laser based wireless communications system and method of the present invention includes a transceiver unit, an external transceiver unit, and a data is feedback unit. The transceiver unit receives data from a data input source. The external transceiver unit continuously detects and receives transceiver modulated laser energy from the transceiver unit, manipulates the transceiver modulated laser energy yielding external 20 transceiver manipulated laser energy, and transmits the external transceiver manipulated laser energy to the data feedback unit. The external transceiver unit also receives data feedback unit manipulated laser energy from the data feedback unit, manipulates the data feedback unit 25 manipulated laser energy yielding external transceiver manipulated laser energy, and transmits the external transceiver manipulated laser energy back to the transceiver unit or other external transceiver units. Although the present invention has been described in 30 detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without WO 00/25433 32 PCT/US99/25279 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the appended claims.

Claims (53)

1. A laser based wireless communications system comprising: a transceiver unit operable to receive data from a s data input source; an external transceiver unit operable to detect and receive transceiver modulated laser energy from said transceiver unit, manipulate said transceiver modulated laser energy yielding external transceiver manipulated 10 laser energy and transmit said external transceiver manipulated laser energy to unit and at least one of a data feedback and other external transceiver unit, said external transceiver unit further operable to receive data feedback unit manipulated laser energy from said data feedback unit, 15 manipulate said data feedback unit manipulated laser energy yielding said external transceiver manipulated laser energy, and transmit said external transceiver manipulated laser energy back to at least on of said transceiver unit and other external transceiver unit. 20
2. The laser based wireless communications system of Claim 1, wherein said data input source can be an originating signal driver comprising a plurality of input/output signal ports, said originating signal driver 25 operable to receive said data in multiple forms from a plurality of electronic data service providers, process, convert, and multiplex said data into a serial output channel and transmit said processed, converted, and multiplexed data to a first support electronics section of 30 said transceiver unit through a coaxial cable or other output signal processing system, said originating signal WO 00/25433 34 PCT/US99/25279 driver further operable to receive transceiver manipulated data from said first support electronics section of said transceiver unit through said at least one of a coaxial cable and other output signal processing system. 5
3. The laser based wireless communications system of Claim 1, wherein said transceiver unit is further operable to process said received data in said first support electronics section for laser diode modulation, modulate 10 said processed data in a first laser transmitting unit portion yielding laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy, and output said laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy to said external transceiver, said transceiver unit further operable to detect an external transceiver 15 modulated signal from said external transceiver at a first photodiode receiving unit portion of said transceiver unit, separate said external transceiver modulated signal from background noise yielding a first photodiode receiving unit manipulated output signal, and transmit said electrical 20 output signal to said data input source through to a least one of said coaxial cable and other output signal processing system.
4. The laser based wireless communications system of 25 Claim 1, wherein said data feedback unit comprises: an internal transceiver interface unit operable to receive said external transceiver manipulated data from said external transceiver unit and internal transceiver manipulated data from an internal transceiver, said 30 internal transceiver interface unit further operable to transmit internal transceiver interface unit manipulated WO 00/25433 35 PCTIUS99/25279 data to said external transceiver and said internal transceiver; said internal transceiver operable to receive internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data from said 5 internal transceiver interface unit and interface unit manipulated data from an interface unit, said internal transceiver further operable to transmit internal transceiver manipulated data to at least one of said internal transceiver interface unit and said interface 10 unit; and said interface unit operable to receive internal transceiver manipulated data from said internal transceiver and to transmit interface unit manipulated data to said internal transceiver. 15
5. The laser based wireless communications system of Claim 1, wherein said data feedback unit comprises: a mobile external transceiver operable to receive said external transceiver manipulated data from said external 20 transceiver and to transmit mobile external transceiver manipulated data to said external transceiver.
6. The laser based wireless communications system of Claim 1, wherein said data feedback unit comprises: 25 an internal transceiver interface unit operable to receive said external transceiver manipulated data from said external transceiver unit and internal transceiver manipulated data from an internal transceiver, said internal transceiver interface unit further operable to 30 transmit internal transceiver interface unit manipulated WO 00/25433 36 PCT/US99/25279 data to said external transceiver and said internal transceiver; said internal transceiver operable to receive said internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data from 5 said internal transceiver interface unit and interface unit manipulated data from an interface unit, said internal transceiver further operable to transmit said internal transceiver manipulated data to said internal transceiver interface unit and said interface unit; 10 said interface unit operable to receive said internal transceiver manipulated data from said internal transceiver and to transmit said interface unit manipulated data to said internal transceiver; and a mobile external transceiver operable to receive 15 external transceiver manipulated data from said external transceiver and to transmit mobile external transceiver manipulated data to said external transceiver.
7. The system of Claim 6, wherein said internal 20 transceiver is further operable to provide full duplex line-of-sight connectivity to other internal transceivers.
8. The system of Claim 6, wherein said transceiver unit comprises: 25 said first support electronics section operable to receive input data from said data input source through said coaxial cable, process said input data for diode modulation yielding first electronics section manipulated data and transmit said first electronics section manipulated data to 30 said first laser transmitting unit through a first connector, said first support electronics section further WO 00/25433 PCT/US99/25279 operable to receive said first photodiode receiving unit manipulated data from said first photodiode receiving unit through a second connector, manipulate said first photodiode receiving unit manipulated data yielding said 5 first support electronics section manipulated data, and transmit said first support electronics section manipulated data to said input data source through said coaxial cable, said first support electronics section further operable to constantly monitor received power relative to the stability 10 and alignment of said transceiver unit; said first laser transmitting unit operable to receive said first electronics support section processed data from said first support electronics section, modulate said first support electronics section processed data 15 yielding said first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy, output said first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy directly into a series of optical lenses, provide a specific transmission output pattern of said first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy by 20 collimating said first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy using said optical lenses and transmit said collimated first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy to said external transceiver; and said first photodiode receiving unit operable to 25 detect said external transceiver modulated signal from said external transceiver, separate said external transceiver modulated signal from background noise yielding said first photodiode receiving unit manipulated output signal, format said first photodiode receiving unit manipulated output 30 signal into the identical format it was transmitted in, and transmit said first photodiode receiving unit manipulated WO 00/25433 38 PCT/US99/25279 output signal to said first support electronics section of said transceiver unit.
9. The system of Claim 3, wherein said first laser 5 transmitting unit comprises: said first connector operable to connect a modulated laser diode of said laser transmitting unit to said first support electronics section of said transceiver unit or another data input source, said modulated laser 10 diode emitting said first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy toward a collimating lens configuration; a second support electronics section operable to process said first support electronics section manipulated data in the form of electrical signals for laser diode 15 modulation; a focusing lens operable to receive collimated first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy from said optical lenses; a lens adjustment mechanism operable to laterally 20 adjust said focusing lens; a protective lens operable to protect said first laser transmitting unit from atmospheric conditions and allow the passage of first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy out of said first laser transmitting 25 unit; and an inner laser and lens housing operable to provide support for said optical lenses and said laser diode. 30
10. The system of Claim 3, wherein said first photodiode receiving unit comprises: WO 00/25433 3 9 PCTIUS99/25279 a protective filtering lens operable to filter said external transceiver modulated laser energy received from said external transceiver unit to reduce the effects of background noise from other photon sources; 5 a concave lenses for focusing said external transceiver unit modulated laser energy received by said first photodiode receiving,.unit into a concentrated and highly focused laser energy; a wavelength specific filter for filtering said 1o highly focused laser energy to reduce the number of unmodulated photons before being detected by a photodiode; a mirror adjustment space which provides room for a mirror photodiode positioning housing to be adjusted to allow for the focusing of said mirror and said photodiode 15 relative to said highly focused laser energy; a third support electronics section comprising pre-amplification, signal regeneration, and digital signal processing electronics, said second support electronics section is connected to said first support electronics 20 section of said transceiver unit through said second connector; and an outer housing for providing protection and for mounting to other elements. 25
11. The system of Claim 1, wherein said external transceiver unit comprises: a second photodiode receiving unit operable to receive said laser transmitting unit manipulated data from said laser transmitting unit portion of said transceiver 30 unit; WO 00/25433 40 PCT/US99/25279 a second laser transmitting unit operable to transmit second laser transmitting unit manipulated data to said first photodiode receiving unit portion of said transceiver unit; s a third connector operable to connect said external transceiver to said internal transceiver interface unit; a fourth connector operable to hardwire said external transceiver unit to a specific user; 10 a fourth support electronics section operable to reformat said received signal and immediately retransmit it serving a system repeater function; and a repeater section operable to reformat said received data signal and re-transmit it in the original 15 received format.
12. The system of Claim 2, wherein said originating signal driver accepts input data in digital and analog form, is derived from existing cable television satellite 20 transceivers, utilizes components of existing cable television head-end or cable plant drivers, and uses components derived from existing net interfaces.
13. The system of Claim 12, wherein said cable plant 25 drivers accept data input formatted in a specific analog format for directly modulating laser diodes.
14. The system of Claim 2, wherein said originating signal driver utilizes digital signal processing technology 30 and pseudo-random noise modulation (PRN) in addition to WO 00/25433 41 PCT/US99/25279 other modulation methods and is capable of full duplex operation in excess of 30 GHz.
15. The system of Claim 9, wherein said second 5 support electronics section, laser diode, focusing lens and adjustment mechanism, optical lenses, and protective lens of said first or second laser transmitting unit are housed in a weather-proofed housing for protection, further wherein said weather proofed housing can be used to mount 1o said first or second laser transmitting unit to other elements.
16. The system of Claim 9, wherein said laser diode modulation may be produced by indirect or driven 15 modulation, wherein the format of said laser diode modulation may be either intensity or field modulation.
17. The system of Claim 8, wherein said lens adjustment mechanism is comprised of: 20 a lens adjustment drive gear a grooved adjustment rail operable to provide support and allow lateral and angular movement of said lens using said lens adjustment gear; a lens adjustment rail for laterally adjusting 25 said focusing lens; and a lens adjustment module operable to provide lateral movement of said focusing lens.
18. The system of Claim 16, wherein the specific 30 output patterns of said modulated laser energy collimated and transmitted out of said optical lenses can be focused, WO 00/25433 42 PCT/US99/25279 conically dispersed, rectangularly dispersed, or any number of transmission patterns, further wherein the transmission distances of said plurality of specific output patterns is in excess of 50 meters and the bandwidth of said plurality 5 of specific output patterns is in excess of 6.0 GHz.
19. The system of Claim 18, wherein the output field pattern from said optical lenses can be altered from focused laser energy output to dispersed laser energy lo output or can be altered from conical to rectangular by adjusting said focusing lens with said lens adjustment mechanism.
20. The system of Claim 11, wherein said first and is second laser transmitting units provide data transmission rates in excess of 1.0 GHz.
21. The system of Claim 11, wherein said first and second photodiode receiving units further comprise a white 20 light noise filter.
22. The system of Claim 1, wherein transceiver units are combined together to form a transceiver hub and placed on top of a tower, building, or any structure of sufficient 25 height to provide line of light connectivity to other transceiver hubs or other transceiver units.
23. The system of Claim 1 wherein said external transceiver may have the signal detection threshold 30 adjusted in order to minimize cross-talk between co-located external transceivers. WO 00/25433 43 PCTIUS99/25279
24. The system of Claim 1, wherein said external transceiver manipulated laser energy illuminates only one of said external transceiver units. 5
25. The system of Claim 13, wherein said fourth electronic support section-processes the received data signal, isolates the data signals specifically for the designated user by assigning a specific internet protocol io address to a specific user or by addressing data by another method, and transmits said data signal to said internal transceiver interface unit.
26. The system of Claim 6, wherein said data received is by said internal transceiver interface unit is optical.
27. A laser based wireless communications system comprising: an originating signal driver comprising a plurality of 20 input/output signal ports for interfacing between a plurality of electronic data service providers and a transceiver unit, operable to receive said data in multiple forms from a plurality of electronic data service providers, process, convert, and multiplex said data into a 25 serial output channel and transmit said processed, converted, and multiplexed data to a first support electronics section of said transceiver unit through at least a coaxial cable and other output signal processing system, said originating signal driver further operable to 30 receive transceiver manipulated data from said first support electronics section of said transceiver unit WO 00/25433 44 PCT/US99/25279 through at least one of said coaxial cable and other output signal processing system; said transceiver unit operable to receive input data from said originating at least one of a signal driver and 5 other data input source through said coaxial cable, process said received data in said first support electronics section for laser diode modulation, modulate said processed data in a first laser transmitting unit portion yielding laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy, and output 1o said laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy to said external transceiver, said transceiver unit further operable to detect an external transceiver modulated signal from said external transceiver at a first photodiode receiving unit portion of said transceiver unit, separate is said external transceiver modulated signal from background noise yielding a first photodiode receiving unit manipulated output signal, and transmit said electrical output signal to said data input source through at least one of said coaxial cable and other output signal 20 processing system; said external transceiver unit operable to continuously detect and receive transceiver modulated laser energy from said transceiver unit, manipulate said transceiver modulated laser energy yielding external 25 transceiver manipulated laser energy and transmit said external transceiver manipulated laser energy to at least one of an internal transceiver interface unit and other external transceiver units, said external transceiver unit further operable to receive internal transceiver interface 30 unit manipulated laser energy from said internal transceiver interface unit, manipulate said internal WO 00/25433 45 PCT/US99/25279 transceiver interface unit manipulated laser energy yielding said external transceiver manipulated laser energy, and transmit said external transceiver manipulated laser energy back to at least one of said transceiver unit s and other external transceiver units; said internal transceiver interface unit operable to receive said external transceiver manipulated data from said external transceiver unit and internal transceiver manipulated data from an internal transceiver, said io internal transceiver interface unit further operable to transmit internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data to said external transceiver and said internal transceiver; said internal transceiver operable to receive said 15 internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data from said internal transceiver interface unit and interface unit manipulated data from an interface unit, said internal transceiver further operable to transmit said internal transceiver manipulated data to said at least one of 20 internal transceiver interface unit and said interface unit; said interface unit operable to receive said internal transceiver manipulated data from said internal transceiver and to transmit said interface unit manipulated data to 25 said internal transceiver; and a mobile external transceiver operable to receive external transceiver manipulated data from said external transceiver and to transmit mobile external transceiver manipulated data to said external transceiver. 30
28. A method for providing both dispersed and focused WO 00/25433 46 PCT/US99/25279 laser energy using a laser based wireless communications system, comprising the steps of: receiving data from a data input source at a transceiver unit; 5 continuously detecting and receiving transceiver modulated laser energy from said transceiver unit at an external transceiver unit; manipulating said transceiver modulated laser energy yielding external transceiver manipulated laser energy; 10 transmitting said external transceiver manipulated laser energy from said external transceiver unit to a data feedback unit; receiving data feedback unit manipulated laser energy at said external transceiver unit from said data feedback 15 unit; manipulating said data feedback manipulated laser energy yielding external transceiver manipulated laser energy; transmitting said external transceiver manipulated 20 laser energy from said external transceiver unit back to at least one of said transceiver unit and other external transceiver units.
29. The method for providing both dispersed and 25 focused laser energy using a laser based wireless communications system of Claim 28, wherein said data feedback unit comprises: an internal transceiver interface unit operable to receive said external transceiver manipulated data from 30 said external transceiver unit and internal transceiver manipulated data from an internal transceiver, said WO 00/25433 47 PCTIUS99/25279 internal transceiver interface unit further operable to transmit internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data to said external transceiver and said internal transceiver; 5 said internal transceiver operable to receive internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data from said internal transceiver interface unit and interface unit manipulated data from an interface unit, said internal transceiver further operable to transmit internal 10 transceiver manipulated data to said internal transceiver interface unit or said interface unit; and said interface unit operable to receive internal transceiver manipulated data from said internal transceiver and to transmit interface unit manipulated data to said is internal transceiver.
30. The method for providing both dispersed and focused laser energy using a laser based wireless communications system of Claim 28, wherein said data 20 feedback unit comprises: a mobile external transceiver operable to receive said external transceiver manipulated data from said external transceiver and to transmit mobile external transceiver manipulated data to said external transceiver; and 25 a transceiver hub to provide connectivity between said external transceivers.
31. The method for providing both dispersed and focused laser energy using a laser based wireless 30 communications system of Claim 28, wherein said data feedback unit comprises: WO 00/25433 48 PCTIUS99/25279 an internal transceiver interface unit operable to receive said external transceiver manipulated data from said external transceiver unit and internal transceiver manipulated data from an internal transceiver, said 5 internal transceiver interface unit further operable to transmit internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data to said external transceiver and said internal transceiver; said internal transceiver operable to receive said 10 internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data from said internal transceiver interface unit and interface unit manipulated data from an interface unit, said internal transceiver further operable to transmit said internal transceiver manipulated data to said internal transceiver is interface unit or said interface unit; said interface unit operable to receive said internal transceiver manipulated data from said internal transceiver and to transmit said interface unit manipulated data to said internal transceiver; 20 a mobile external transceiver operable to receive external transceiver manipulated data from said external transceiver and to transmit mobile external transceiver manipulated data to said external transceiver; and a transceiver hub providing connectivity between said 25 mobile external transceivers.
32. The method for providing both dispersed and focused laser energy using a laser based wireless communications system of Claim 28, wherein said data input 30 source can be an originating signal driver comprising a plurality of input/output signal ports, said originating WO 00/25433 49 PCT/US99/25279 signal driver operable to receive said data in multiple forms from a plurality of electronic data service providers, process, convert, and multiplex said data into a serial output channel and transmit said processed, s converted, and multiplexed data to a first support electronics section of said transceiver unit through at least one of a coaxial cable and other output signal processing system, said originating signal driver further operable to receive transceiver manipulated data from said 1o first support electronics section of said transceiver unit through at least one of said coaxial cable and other output signal processing system.
33. The method for providing both dispersed and 15 focused laser energy using a laser based wireless communications system of Claim 31, further comprising the steps of: receiving said external transceiver manipulated data at said internal transceiver interface unit from said 20 external transceiver; receiving internal transceiver manipulated data at said internal transceiver interface unit from an internal transceiver; transmitting internal transceiver interface unit 25 manipulated data to said external transceiver and said internal transceiver; receiving internal transceiver interface unit manipulated data at said internal transceiver from said internal transceiver interface unit; 30 receiving interface unit manipulated data at said internal transceiver from an interface unit; WO 00/25433 50 PCT/US99/25279 transmitting internal transceiver manipulated data to said internal transceiver interface unit and said interface unit; receiving internal transceiver manipulated data at s said interface unit from said internal transceiver; transmitting said interface unit manipulated data from said interface unit to said.internal transceiver; receiving said external transceiver manipulated data at a mobile external transceiver unit from said external 10 transceiver; and transmitting mobile external transceiver manipulated data to said external transceiver.
34. The method of Claim 33, further comprising the 15 steps of: at said originating signal driver: receiving data input in multiple forms from said plurality of electronic data service providers and a first support electronics section of said transceiver unit 20 through said coaxial cable or said other output signal processing system; processing, converting, and multiplexing said input data into a serial output channel; and transmitting said processed, converted, and 25 multiplexed input data to said first support electronics section of said transceiver unit through at least one of said coaxial cable and said other output signal processing system. 30
35. The method of Claim 28, further comprising the steps of: WO 00/25433 51 PCT/US99/25279 at said transceiver unit: processing said received data in said first support electronics section for laser diode modulation; modulating said processed input data in a laser 5 transmitting unit portion yielding laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy; outputting said laser transmitting modulated laser energy to said external transceiver; detecting an external transceiver modulated 10 signal from said external transceiver at a photodiode receiving unit portion; separating said external transceiver modulated signal from background noise yielding a photodiode receiving unit manipulated output signal; and 15 transmitting said photodiode receiving unit manipulated output signal to said originating signal driver through at least one of said coaxial cable and said other output signal processing system. 20
36. The method of Claim 31, further comprising the step of providing full duplex line-of-sight connectivity at said internal transceiver to other internal transceivers and to function specific interface units. 25
37. The method of Claim 31, further comprising the steps of: at said first support electronics section: receiving input data from said data input source through said coaxial cable; 30 processing said input data for diode modulation yielding first electronics section manipulated data; WO 00/25433 52 PCT/US99/25279 transmitting said first electronics section manipulated data to said first laser transmitting unit through a first connector; receiving first photodiode receiving unit 5 manipulated data from said first photodiode receiving unit through a second connector; manipulating said..first photodiode receiving unit manipulated data yielding said first support electronics section manipulated data; 10 transmitting said first support electronics section manipulated data to said input data source through said coaxial cable; and constantly monitoring received power relative to the stability and alignment of said transceiver unit; 15 at said first laser transmitting unit: receiving said first electronics support section processed data from said first support electronics section; modulating said first support electronics section processed data yielding said first laser transmitting unit 20 modulated laser energy; outputting said first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy directly into a series of optical lenses; providing a specific transmission output pattern 25 of said first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy by collimating said first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy using said optical lenses; and transmitting said collimated first laser transmitting unit modulated laser energy to said external 30 transceiver; at said first photodiode receiving unit: WO 00/25433 53 PCT/US99/25279 detecting said external transceiver modulated signal from said external transceiver; separating said external transceiver modulated signal from background noise yielding said photodiode 5 receiving unit manipulated output signal; formatting said photodiode receiving unit manipulated output signal into the identical format it was transmitted in; and transmitting said photodiode receiving unit 10 manipulated output signal to said first support electronics section of said transceiver unit.
38. The method of Claim 34, further comprising the steps of: 15 at said laser transmitting unit: connecting a modulated laser diode of said laser transmitting unit to said first support electronics section of said transceiver unit or another data input source; modulating laser energy from said modulated laser 20 diode toward a collimating lens configuration; processing said input data in the form of electrical signals for laser diode modulation at a second support electronics section; receiving collimated modulated laser energy at a 25 focusing lens from said optical lenses; laterally adjusting said focusing lens using a lens adjustment mechanism; protecting said laser transmitting unit from atmospheric conditions using a protective lens; 30 allowing the passage of laser energy out of said laser transmitting unit through said protective lens; and WO 00/25433 54 PCT/US99/25279 providing support for said optical lenses and said laser diode using an inner laser and lens housing.
39. The method of Claim 34, further comprising the s steps of: at said photodiode receiving unit: filtering said modulated laser energy received from said external transceiver unit to reduce the effects of background noise from other photon sources; 10 focusing said modulated laser energy received by said photodiode receiving unit into a concentrated and highly focused laser energy; filtering said highly focused laser energy to reduce the number of unmodulated photons before being 15 detected by a photodiode; providing room for a mirror photodiode positioning housing to be adjusted to allow for the focusing of said mirror and said photodiode relative to said laser energy; and 20 providing an outer housing for protection and for mounting said photodiode receiving unit to other elements.
40. The method of Claim 28, further comprising the steps of: 25 at said external transceiver unit: receiving laser transmitting unit manipulated data from said laser transmitting unit portion of said transceiver unit; transmitting laser transmitting unit manipulated 30 data from external transceiver to said photodiode receiving unit portion of said transceiver unit; WO 00/25433 55 PCTIUS99/25279 connecting said external transceiver to said internal transceiver interface unit; assigning said external transceiver unit to a specific user. 5 WO 00/25433 56 PCT/US99/25279
41. The method of Claim 32, wherein said originating signal driver provides an interface between electronic data service providers, accepts inputs in multiple forms including digital and analog, is derived from existing 5 cable television satellite transceivers, utilizes components of existing cable television head-end or cable plant drivers, uses components derived from existing net interfaces, utilizes digital signal processing technology and pseudo-random noise modulation (PRN) in addition to 10 other modulation methods, and is capable of full duplex operation in excess of 100 GHz.
42. The method of Claim 37, wherein said second support electronics section, laser diode, focusing lens and 15 adjustment mechanism, optical lenses, and protective lens of said laser transmitting unit are housed in a weather proofed housing for protection, further wherein said weather proofed housing can be used to mount said laser transmitting unit to other elements. 20
43. The method of Claim 34, further comprising the step of modulating said laser diode directly or externally, wherein the method of said modulation may be frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, pseudo-random noise 25 modulation, or other selected modulation schemes.
44. The method of Claim 43, wherein the specific output patterns of modulated laser energy collimated and transmitted out of said optical lenses can be focused, conically dispersed, rectangularly dispersed, further 30 wherein the transmission distances of said plurality of specific output patterns is in excess of 50 meters and the WO 00/25433 57 PCT/US99/25279 bandwidth of said plurality of specific output patterns is in excess of 100 GHz.
45. The method of Claim 44, further comprising the s step of altering the output field pattern from said optical lenses from focus laser output to dispersed laser energy output or from conical to rectangular by altering the physical configuration of said focusing lens. 10
46. The method of Claim 28, further comprising the step of providing data transmission rates in excess of 100 mbits/sec.
47. The system of Claim 34, wherein said photodiode 15 receiving unit further comprises a white light noise filter.
48. The system of Claim 34, wherein said photo diode receiving unit further comprises a wavelength specific 20 filter.
49. A laser based wireless communication system with RF redundancy, the laser based communication systems comprising: a first transceiver capable of receiving and 25 transmitting data; a second transceiver in communication with first transceiver and capable of receiving and transmitting data; and a RF communications system in communication with 30 the first and second transceivers capable of receiving and transmitting data in place of the first and second WO 00/25433 58 PCT/US99/25279 transceivers if the communication between the first and the second transceiver is determined below a predetermined threshold level. 5
50. The laser based wireless communication system with RF redundancy according to claim 49, further comprising a third transceiver in communication with at least one of the first and second transceivers capable of receiving and transmitting data, wherein the RF 10 communication system is in communication with the third transceiver and is capable of transmitting data in place of at least one of the first, second and third transceivers if the communication between one of the first, second or third transceivers is determined below a predetermined threshold is level.
51. A laser based wireless communication system with RF redundancy, the laser based communication systems comprising: a first transceiving means for receiving and 20 transmitting data; a second transceiving means in communication with first transceiving means and capable of receiving and transmitting data; and a RF communication means for communicating with the 25 first and second transceivers means for receiving and transmitting data in place of the first and second transceiving means if the communication between the first and the second transceiving means is determined below a predetermined threshold level 30 WO 00/25433 59 PCT/US99/25279
52. A mobile external transceiver mounted to a mobile structure, the mobile external transceiver comprising: a housing; a medium intake formed in one side of the 5 housing; a medium outlet formed in the housing opposing the air intake; a first lens connected to the housing at one end; a laser diode disposed within the housing io connected to and extending through the first lens; a second lens disposed within and connected to the housing adjacent to the laser diode and first lens; a flexible sheet adjacent to the second lens disposed within and connected to the housing, the flexible is sheet in communication with and responsive to air flowing through the housing through the medium intake and medium outlet, wherein the flexible sheet modifies laser energy intensity from the laser diode onto the photodiode in response to the medium flowing through the housing. 20
53. The mobile external transceiver according to claim 52, wherein the medium is at least one of air, water and a non-solid substance.
AU14543/00A 1998-10-28 1999-10-28 Laser based wireless communications system and method Abandoned AU1454300A (en)

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US10605098P 1998-10-28 1998-10-28
US60106050 1998-10-28
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TWI382272B (en) * 2008-06-25 2013-01-11 Nat Applied Res Laboratories Satellite optical lens
FR3034597B1 (en) 2015-03-30 2018-04-27 Universite De Technologie De Compiegne OPTICAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE IN FREE SPACE

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