AU2002214841A1 - Improvements in and relating to telecommunications systems - Google Patents

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of wireless telecommunications. BACKGROUND ART

Current telecommunications systems and methods rely on switched public exchange points to provide connection, be it inbound or outbound to the world wide web, whilst other methods of wireless transmission are susceptible to interference, attenuation, eavesdropping, poor transmission rates and network congestion due to high levels of packet loss.

Other wireless broadband systems are not generally portable.

US (United States) patent 6240073 discloses a two way communication system via satellite for internet access purposes.

AU (Australian) patent 740115 (199890224) discloses a system for providing remote user terminals with portable internet access using a satellite system. The remote user communicates with the internet via a low earth orbit satellite. Data from the internet can be downloaded to the remote user via a digital radio broadcast satellite.

AU (Australian) patent 20903/01 discloses a self aligning wireless interface system which couples a portable computer to the internet via a satellite.

EP (European) patent 734140 discloses a satellite telecommunications system for remote access to the internet.

AU (Australian) patent 21964/01 (Equivalent to WO 01/45332) discloses a method of controlling internet data flow between a local network and a remote network via a geostationary link.

AU (Australian) patent 28697/00 (Equivalent to WO 00/46669) discloses a telecommunications system over a satellite network.

EP (European) patent 1024610 and US (United States) patent 5896558 each disclose an internet service provider system using satellite.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system of providing broadband data connections using the radio wave spectrum and time domain pulses, which operates completely independently of any wire or fibre optic terrestrial infrastructure for carriage of data traffic in a cost effective manner. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Broadly stated the present invention provides a method of wireless communications comprising the steps of providing a ground based computer system and connecting the computer system to a telephone network carrier via satellite.

The invention provides a method of communication comprising the steps of:

(a) utilising an international geostationary satellite from a base station connected to the internet to provide access to a remote operations centre via the satellite, and

(b) providing a wireless link to a user via the operations centre utilising multiple radio frequencies.

The satellite link can be optimised by the use of various compression algorithms and encapsulation.

The satellite link from the base station is bi-directional and incorporates a broadcasting platform to provide multi casting content through the satellite link.

The communications between the base station and the operations centre is via the satellite.

The operations centre can communicate through the satellite to replicas of itself. Individual users communicate via an operations centre before establishing a link with the satellite and base station.

The operations centre incorporates multiple R.F. platforms including reverse doppler-effect methods of transmission of data, voice and video.

The base station antenna system is sectorised to provide cellular and overlapping coverage within three hundred and sixty degrees.

Each operations centre can contain multiple caching facilities for storage and dispersal of requested internet content. Access to a public switched exchange can be provided through a gateway-multiplexer.

The invention utilises a mesh-type satellite-based topology for backbone switching and point-to-multi-point wireless distribution to direct data traffic between computers connected to a network carrier.

Arrangements of remotely positioned access points may route the local wireless data traffic to a self-contained A-CLASS Satellite Ground Station, described as a Network Operation Centre (NOC).

The NOC may be portable, self-powered A-CLASS Satellite Ground Station with a multiple receive and transmit link to a geo-stationary satellite, which is equipped with an access point (point-to-multi-point radio transmitter/receiver system) giving broadband access for multiple wireless connections over large distances.

An access point attached to the NOC may utilise frequency hopping spread spectrum and time domain duplexing transmission techniques for the local distribution of high bandwidth asynchronous transmission of Internet Protocol (IP) applications.

These applications may include telephony, video conferencing, data streaming and data transference. Access points can include an antenna array to propagate a radio signal in three dimensions (radio footprint).

A wireless bridging device may be used to provide replication of access points over a greater distance.

Each access point can be scaled to provide instantaneous connections to many thousands of Internet and telephone users.

Access points can be arranged to form overlapping radio footprints providing seamless connections in a mobile environment (roaming).

The access points can be equipped with software-defined radios that provide variable rates of data throughput to standardized Wireless Network Adapters (WNAs) at selectable licensed radio frequencies.

The WNA can provide voice, video and data connections and can be attached to a range of antenna systems so that a minimum level power is achieved within range of the access point.

Other devices can be attached to a WNA providing wireless remote connection, monitoring and manipulation.

Throughout the path from the carrier to the users computer attached to the WNA and back, all data packets in the application layer (the application layer includes html, xml, text, images, Java, audio and video, and other server side applications) are encapsulated and compressed in real-time by a pair of network appliances using a private compressions algorithm (A compression algorithm transforms an existing packet of data to a smaller replication of itself).

The primary compression appliance is connected at the Carriers facilities (router and/or switch), and the secondary compression appliance is connected to the NOC.

The data packets are then converted through the encapsulation appliance for transfer over the satellite link and then reconverted at the NOC before being de-compressed or re-routed directly to a computer attached the network.

Each computer connected to a WNA is equipped with a transparent application that decompresses the data packets in real time. . The incoming data files are multicast from the carrier to each NOC and are stored in a high memory capacity cache ( An intelligent cache, and clones of itself are connected throughout the Internet to enhance delivery of web page content) system that provides recurring delivery of the data packet requests containing web page content, text messages, email attachments, and streaming data.

The cache balances the delivery time for data traffic over the satellite link by filing idle space with automated requests for updated data (web content).

Each cache is transparently inter-connected to a replication of itself at exchange points attached at high capacity switching points throughout the International Backbones and will automatically update each at a specified time. The caching system contains COTS artificially intelligent routines that can forecast user content requirements and bandwidth traffic requirements for the network based on historic usage patterns.

A biller server (AAA) is used to manage the billing and payments process and a Service Level Policy Appliance is attached to provide Quality of Service (QOS) through the back office network.

A firewall appliance protects the network servers, routers and appliances from unauthorised access.

The policy switch at each NOC is used to shape the variable rates of bandwidth throughput to the individual WNA and to bill each according to its bandwidth usage.

Each adapter is assigned a unique identification number that corresponds to an activity log and a fixed Internet Protocol (IP) address.

Each WNA will be provided access to the existing Telephone Exchange via a data multiplexing system that will convert voice over IP traffic to protocols acceptable to the local PSTN.

Power to the NOC may be provided via a combination of either solar, wind, battery or conventional public electricity.

Power supplied to the Access Points, Bridges and Servers are protected from voltage variations by a conditioning uninterrupted power supply.

Remote (Remote access points are connected to the SSCM via a wireless bridge and are powered by a small battery that is charged by a wind generator) access points are powered by solar panels and wind-powered generators. The WNAs are either powered through a computer or via an external power adapter.

All computer equipment, amplifiers, conditioners and power supplies may be housed in a secure, containerized transportable shelter.

The shelter can be modularized to form a low cost, aggregated and co- located multiple tier communications infrastructure facility.

The attached schematic diagram indicates the above mentioned features and relationships. The invention has been designed to be upgradable from any remote position in the Internet, and encompass any existing computer driven device that is equipped with a WNA.

Other fields in which it may have applications include: The military, health care, heavy industry, primary production, mining and exploration of minerals, transportation, natural resource management, environmental protection, commerce and the arts.

The invention can be modified to support multiple radio transmission technologies (Other data and telephony radio frequencies can be analysed, converted and the data repropogated through the access point) in conjunction with the appropriated frequency propagation methods.

The incorporated compression algorithm can be modified to suit carrier specific routing sequences (These can include DVB, VSAT, GSM and ODFM methods of transmitting data via the Satellite). The intelligent caching system contained within the invention can be modified to accommodate future file extensions and transmissions protocols

The satellite coverage provided by the carrier is being increased as they deploy more geo-stationary satellites in the equatorial plane.

Further forms of the present system may include:

ξ Autonomous content filters for security, cultural and ethnic- specific regulatory requirements. ξ Tethered balloon antenna systems providing temporary and/or emergency broadband radio links. ξ Multiple frequency carrier routing via satellite with enhancements to throughput, redundancy and latency (Latency is a time delay of data packet requests for information between computer networks) . ξ Multiple frequency and time domain protocols utilising Ultra- wide band and pulse on radio technologies from 500Mhz to

50Ghz. ξ Remote WNA-equipped computers can be arranged in such a way as to operated as a super processor (A super processor can be used to offset commercial processing demand-shared processing) for distributed computing. ξ Alternative power supply sources. ξ Wireless broadband billboards.

The present invention has many advantages and by using this satellite- based international internet access system, a user has unlimited, broadband access via secure spread spectrum and time domain duplexing radio technology. Normal telephone calls can be made through the system to local and international dialed prefixes, and to specifically configured cordless telephones within the wireless area that are equipped with a WNA.

The system can also provide telemetry, positioning and tracking of WNA-equipped devices. Each system module can provide thousands of users with a single hop to the NOC servers.

Other applications that can be driven within the system include; streaming and tunneling of free-to-air international television channels, digitized movies of choice based on user demand. Internet-based commerce- facilitating applications, domain hosting, public phone network number translations, site maintenance and traffic analysis.

Self contained public kiosks are also included an annex to the system, acting as remote stand alone, close range access points for indoor radio propagation points for WNAs. Aspects of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is an overall system illustration, and Figure 2 is a schematic drawing showing the general arrangement of the equipment provided to a receiver/local carrier, and Figure 3 is a schematic drawing showing the general arrangement of the equipment provided to a sender/carrier, and

Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of a typical user station. With respect to figure 1 of the drawings elements of the communication system of the present invention and the context in which it operates are shown with individual elements marked, IT for an internet connection from the base station B, ST for a satellite, NOC for operation centres, AT for an antenna and U for user stations.

With respect to Figure 2 of the drawings, the receiver /local carrier can be provided with a system which includes ISM, U-NII and other approved microwave or pulse-type antennas 1 , 2 respectively coupled to a wireless bandwidth traffic management and distribution system 3 including the transponder sets indicated in the diagram.

The management of throughput data 15 (bandwidth) can be managed in real-time to provide assigned levels of performance and QOS according to the policy within the network.

The transponders 3 are connected to a multiple network server processing system 4 including the individual components indicated.

Storage and processing is delegated to the individual components indicated according to the tasks required and the monitoring which is necessary for the system to operate.

For Internet connections in countries other than the United States the Internet traffic profile is largely asymmetric in nature, that is there is a larger amount of data incoming from the United States in comparison to the amount of data outgoing to the United States.

Accordingly, a ratio of 12:1 is typically used for asymmetric backbone connections. The asymmetric configuration allows ISPs to operate more efficiently as it provides the ability to purchase the exact amount of capacity required in each direction.

The implementation of the asymmetric service is similar to that of the duplex connection however an additional data translation stage is required to provide a full duplex connection to the backbone provider.

The router located at one of the backbone distribution points (Panamsat Teleports) is used to convert the asymmetric output of the modem (v.35, G.703 or HSSI), to provide a full duplex service which can then be terminated on the backbone provider CSU/DSU.

For the asymmetric solution, a transmit capable earth station is also required at the customers premises consisting of an antenna, Low Noise Block (LNB), High Power Amplifier (HPA) and upconverter.

For circuits up to 8.448 Mbps, a modern featuring low Bit Error Rates (BER) and high-speed variable modulation techniques is required.

A Comstream CM701 is the modem of choice as it features Reed Solomon modulation and V.35 and G.703 interfaces. The modem is connected to a network router.

For higher data throughput up to 45Mbps, a modem featuring Fast Shift Key (FSK), 8 x Phase Shift Key (8PSK) is required.

A newtec 2026 modulator and a Newtec 2063 demodulator have been chosen as these modems incorporate Forward Error Correction R5/6 with Reed Solomon coding.

The 8PSK option allows a higher order of modulation to be implemented therefore reducing the due to increase carrier to noise requirement.

The NewTech G.703 or HSSi interface can be connected directly to a router.

The functional block diagram of Figure 3 outlines the configuration of the network and RF signal flow, and figure 4 is a schematic drawing of a typical user station.

The present invention provides the following advantages: ξ users can roam while still connected to the internet. ξ there are no telephone line costs. ξ variable network confirmed information rate (CIR). ξ faster connection to the internet. ξ single hop internet connection via satellite link to US backbone. ξ higher data throughputs via a wireless internet connection. ξ storage of subscriber hard-drive content on secure network servers. ξ duplicable network access points in remote and offshore locations. ξ fast deployment of high speed wireless network nodes. ξ highly efficient high capacity caching server. ξ delivery of uninterrupted streaming digital media and live broadcasting tunneling. ξ enhanced profitability produced by efficient network management.

Because the present invention provides modularity, scalability, mobility, variable information rate, multiple feed satellite carrier frequencies, customisable compression and encapsulation algorithms, intelligent multi-cast caching, dynamic bandwidth shaping, policy management, video on demand served within the network, the ability to be deployed to any fixed position on the globe, the fact that the architecture of the network topology can be scaled according to demand, or modified to suit future additional nodes and that internet bandwidth can be "tuned" to specific voice, data and multimedia requirements in real time, it has the further distinct advantage of enabling communications to be established rapidly in remote and in emergency situations.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and modifications and additions thereto may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:

1. A method of communication comprising the steps of:

(c) utilising an international geostationary satellite from a base station connected to the internet to provide access to a remote operations centre via the satellite, and

(d) providing a wireless link to a user via the operations centre utilising multiple radio frequencies.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the satellite link is optimised by the use of various compression algorithms and encapsulation.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the satellite link from the base station is bi-directional and incorporates a broadcasting platform to provide multi-casting content through the satellite link.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the communications between the base station and the operations centre is via the satellite.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operations centre can communicate through the satellite to replicas of itself.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein individual users communicate via an operations centre before establishing a link with the satellite and base station.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operations centre incorporates multiple R.F. platforms including reverse doppler effect methods of transmission of data, voice and video.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base station antenna system is sectorised to provide cellular and overlapping coverage within three hundred and sixty degrees.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein each operations centre contains multiple caching facilities for storage and dispersal of requested internet content.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 including providing access to a public switched exchange through a gateway-multiplexer.