EP1600015A2

EP1600015A2 - Multi-band wifi, cellular and catv upstream service over catv network

Info

Publication number: EP1600015A2
Application number: EP04709804A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mordechai Passover Israel LTD. ZUSSMAN; Dan Passover Israel LTD. SHKLARSKY
Original assignee: PASSOVER Inc
Current assignee: PASSOVER Inc
Priority date: 2003-02-10
Filing date: 2004-02-10
Publication date: 2005-11-30
Also published as: WO2004073331A2; CA2515645A1; WO2004073331A3

Abstract

A system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network includes an integrated up/down converter at active points in the CATV network, a PINDU at each respective user site, and an integrated cellular/WLAN/CATV site. The PINDUs and the integrated site perform up/down conversion of the WiFi and cellular signals according to a frequency allocation plan so that the WiFi and cellular signals are carried in a band above the CATV programming when on the CATV cable system. The up/down converters at the active points in the CATV network allow the converted WiFi and cellular signals to pass over the active points.

Description

MULTI-BAND WIFI, CELLULAR AND CATV UPSTREAM SERVICE OVER

CATV NETWORK

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/445,835, filed February 10, 2003, which is incorporated by reference, herein, in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a new system and topology for providing cellular and WiFi service in multiple bands by using a cable TV network. The system can improve the in-building coverage, total available capacity and high data throughput of different cellular and WiFi networks, using a single CATV network. The cellular networks may have multiple air interfaces, different frequency bands and may be operated, simultaneously, by different cellular service providers. The WiFi systems can operate, simultaneously by different standards .

[0003] The new system topology can provide additional uplink bandwidth to the CATV network thus increasing the number of CATV subscribers using simultaneously data services .

[0004] In particular, the invention relates to an extension to conventional mobile radio networks and WiFi networks using cable TV or HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coax) networks. According to an embodiment, mobile radio networks and WiFi networks are merged into cable TV networks to provide improved voice & data services and coverage, while enhancing network capacity. According to another embodiment, cable TV networks are used to provide in-building access for any combination of UMTS, GSM900, GSM1800, PCS1900, TDMA800, CDMA800 or PDC mobile radio terminals, in a mobile radio network.

[0005] According to another embodiment, any combination of UMTS, GSM900, GSM1800, PCS1900, TDMA800, CDMA800 or PDC type of signals are combined and carried together on the CATV system, without interfering with each other, or the CATV service.

[0006] According to another embodiment, cable TV networks are used to provide in-building access for any combination of 802.11b, 802.11a WiFi networks.

[0007] According to another embodiment, cable TV networks are used to provide in-building access for any combination of UMTS, GSM900, GSM1800, PCS1900, TDMA800, CDMA800 or PDC mobile radio terminals, in a mobile radio network together with any combination of 802.11b, 802.11a WiFi networks .

[0008] According to another embodiment, cable TV networks are used to provide enhanced uplink capacity to the CATV networks . [0009] According to another embodiment, integration of multiple air interfaces, different frequency bands cellular networks, together with multiple WiFi standards and enhances CATV uplink data services are used to support full in building coverage with increased capacity and high data rate . Related work

[0010] The basic theory by which mobile radio and cellular networks and WiFi networks operate is well known. UMTS, GSM, CDMA, TDMA, PDC and 802.11b or 802.11a, 802. llg and 802. lie are examples of a mobile radio cellular network and WiFi networks.

[0011] Geographically distributed network access points, each defining cells of the network, characterize cellular radio networks. The geographically distributed network access points are typically referred to as base stations BS or base transceiver stations BTS, and includes transmission and reception equipment for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from mobile radio terminals (MT) .

[0012] Each cell (or sector) is using only part of the total spectrum resources licensed to the network operator, but the same capacity resources (either frequency or code, may be used many times in different cells, as long as the cell to cell interference is kept to a well defined level. This practice is known as the network reuse factor. The cells may be subdivided further, thus defining microcells. Each such microcell provides cellular coverage to a defined (and usually small) area. Microcells are usually limited in terms of their total available capacity.

[0013] One of the major problems this system can solve is the inability of present (frequency or code) reuse techniques (sectorization and cell-area subdivision) to deal with the 'third dimension' problem. Traditional cellular networks are designed and deployed to provide mostly outdoors service. Such networks have no means to deal with the problem of user terminals at higher-than- usual elevations, e.g. upper floors of high-rise office or residential buildings.

[0014] The overall demand for both indoor and outdoor mobile services had caused cellular network operators to develop an intensive network of BTSs in urban areas. This has improved spectrum utilization (increased network capacity) at ground level, but has aggravated the problem in high-rise buildings where MTs now 'see' several BTSs on the same frequency or code. Overcoming this problem is an important aim of the present invention.

[0015] Cells in a cellular radio network are typically connected to a higher-level entity; known as Mobile Switching Center (MSC) , which provides certain control^' and switching functions for all the BTSs connected to it. All MSCs are connected to each other, and also to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) , or may themselves have such a PSTN interface .

[0016] The conventional implementation of UMTS, GSM1800 or PCS1900 radio networks has had some important limitations. When operating above 1GHz, it is necessary in a conventional mobile radio network to build numerous base stations to provide the necessary geographic coverage and to supply enough capacity for high-speed data applications. The base stations require an important amount of real estate, and are very unsightly. [0017] Another limitation is that, since cellular towers are expensive, and require real estate and costly equipment, it is economically feasible to include in a network only a limited number of them. Accordingly, the size of cells might be quite large, and it is therefore necessary to command the mobile radio terminals to radiate at high-power so as to transmit radio signals, strong enough for the geographically dispersed cellular towers to receive .

[0018] As the cell radius becomes larger, the average effective data rate per user in most packets based protocols decreases accordingly and the high-speed data service might deteriorate.

[0019] Yet another limitation to cellular radio networks as conventionally implemented is that the cellular antennas are typically located outside of buildings, even though it would be highly beneficial to provide cellular service inside buildings. The penetration of cellular signals for in-building applications requires high power sites, or additional sites or repeaters to overcome the inherent attenuation inherent with in-building penetration. As frequency increases, the in-building signal level decreases accordingly.

[0020] Because the base station antennas are usually located outside of buildings, it is difficult for mobile radio terminals to transmit signals strong enough to propagate effectively from inside of the building to outside of the building. Therefore, the use of mobile terminals inside buildings results in reduced data rate and consumes substantial, amount of the limited battery time .

[0021] Yet another limitation of UMTS, GSM900, GSM1800, PCS1900, TDMA800, CDMA800 or PDC radio networks as conventionally implemented is the inherent limited capacity of each and every BTS to provide voice and data service. This capacity shortage is due to the way the spectrum resources are allocated to each BTS. [0022] To provide for reasonable voice & data quality, each BTS can use only a part of the total spectrum resources owned by the cellular operator. Other BTSs could reuse the same part of the spectrum resources as a given BTS, but a pattern of geographic dispersion would have to be respected. This is called a code reuse factor for CDMA based technologies, and frequency reuse factor for TDMA based technologies .

[0023] The WLAN (WiFi) is a flexible data communication system implemented as an extension to, or as an alternative for, a wired LAN. WLAN networks are designed to support high data rate in building applications. In a typical Wireless LAN configuration, a transmitter/receiver device, called an access point, connects the user wireless device to the wired network fixed location using standard Ethernet connection (cable, ADSL, TI etc.). The access point receives, buffers, and transmits data between the Wireless LAN and the wired network infrastructure. A single access point can support a small group of users and functions within ranges of up to several hundred feet. End users access the WLAN through wireless LAN modem device. This is why it is necessary for a conventional Wireless LAN system to have an access point at any floor in the building and/or every 100 to 500 feet range, (to provide full coverage and good receiving signal performance by each of the participants in order to solve collision problems) . This limitation is related directly to the maximum range that can be achieved by the conventional Wireless LAN systems. [0024] Another limitation is related to the propagation phenomena that directly affect the data throughput of the network. The distance over which RF waves can communicate is a function of the transmitted power, receiver sensitivity and the propagation path, especially in indoor environments. Interactions with typical building objects, including walls, metal, and even people, can affect the energy propagation, and thus the range and coverage of a particular system and the unit's reaction at this specific covered area. [0025] One way to mitigate the above-identified disadvantages of conventional mobile networks and WLAN networks is by using the Access part of a CATV network for the benefit of the cellular radio network and the WLAN networks. The CATV network is near-ubiquitous, in most urban areas. The delivery of cellular signals and WLAN signals directly to the mobile subscriber's premises, by using the CATV network, allows reducing the reuse factor and hence brings an increase of an order of magnitude in the network's available capacity. This is due to the fact that the propagation conditions are greatly improved by using the CATV as an access path inside buildings, instead of transmitting from outdoor towers .

[0026] CATV data services to date are growing due to the demand of new multimedia applications, Internet and voice over IP requirements. All these applications are two-way applications requiring high throughput data both in upstream and downstream directions. The downstream capacity of the CATV is large enough to support multi- simultaneous high data rate users. As the number of the simultaneous users is growing, the upstream part of the CATV limits the throughput of the system. Based on today's architecture the upstream frequency is 5 to 42 MHz, which enables to support 1000 simultaneous users with 50 Kbps data throughput for each user. Increase in the requirements for data throughput will reduce the number of simultaneous users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0027] It is therefore an object to overcome the above-identified limitations of the present mobile networks, WLAN networks and Upstream CATV capacity. [0028] According to one aspect of the system, there is provided an extension to conventional mobile radio networks, WLAN networks and enhances upstream CATV, whereby a CATV network is enabled to transport mobile radio traffic, WLAN traffic and enhances upstream CATV traffic. According to another aspect of the system, there is provided a CATV network capable of handling traffic in a pre-determined configuration of UMTS, GSM900, GSM1800, ' PCS1900, TDMA800, CDMA800 or PDC, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802. llg, 802. lie, 802. llf (or other wireless protocols now used or developed hereafter) and enhanced CATV simultaneously, without degrading the CATV services .

[0029] To achieve the above and other objects, the CATV network functions as an access element of the cellular network, WLAN networks namely in its RF propagation-radiation section. According to the system described herein, -- the capabilities of existing CATV networks are substantially preserved. That is to say, the signals sent according to the radio communications protocol traverse the CATV network on non-utilized CATV frequencies (typically 960-2000MHz) , but it reaches the mobile terminals both cellular and WiFi exactly at the same standard frequency as was originally produced by the base station.

[0030] The radio frequencies and channel structures of UMTS, GSM900, GSM1800, PCS1900, TDMA800, CDMA800, PDC, 802.11b or 802.11a, 802. llg, 802. lie and the CATV networks are different. The CATV network is modified so as to permit the propagation of the RF signals of the mobile radio network, WLAN networks and CATV upstream which are frequency translated to propagate over the CATV system in the 960-2000MHzband.

[0031] This frequency band (960-2000MHz) is not used at all by the CATV operators, but it may be used to carry combinations of UMTS, GSM900, GSM1800, PCS1900, TDMA800, CDMA800, PDC, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802. llg, 802. lie or CATV upstream signals by properly upgrading the CATV infrastructure .

[0032] A conventional CATV network is a two-way network having a tree and branch topology with cables, amplifiers, signal splitters / combiners and filters. According to one aspect of the system, the cables and other passive components like signal splitters/combiners are not modified, but the other active elements such as amplifiers and filters are. Thus, the system includes new components for a CATV system that permits to overlay a multi-band, multi-standard, bi-directional communication system. The modified components allow both types of signals (the CATV up and down signals, the cellular up and down signals, and the WLAN up and down signals) to be carried by the network simultaneously or in any allowed combination (cellular with WLAN, cellular with CATV upstream, WLAN with CATV upstream or each of the above by itself) in a totally independent manner. [0033] An important aspect of the system described herein is that the cables (fiber and coaxial) used in cable TV networks are not severely limited as to bandwidth. Practical cable TV networks are bandwidth limited by the bandwidth and signal loading limitations of practical repeater amplifiers. Cable TV networks now use filters to segment cable spectrum into two bands - one for 'upstream' communications and the other for downstream 'communications'. By adding duplexers and filters to provide additional spectrum segmentation it allows additional amplifiers to handle upstream and downstream cellular network traffic.

[0034] According to another aspect of the system, there is provided a integrated up/down converter system at each LEX amplifier section of the CATV system to adjust the CATV upgraded frequencies (960 to 2000 MHz) to the original upstream CATV frequencies 5 to 42 MHz, to the shifted frequencies of the cellular PassOver in door unit, and to the shifted frequencies of the WLAN PassOver in door unit (see Fig. 2)

[0035] According to another aspect of the system, there is provided a PassOver In Door Unit (PINDU, see Fig 3) . The PINDU is a component that acts as a transmit/receive antenna and frequency translator for any combination of cellular and the WLAN signals and as a cable TV input/output unit for the cable TV network. Most of the existing CATV video signals are already limited to frequencies under 750MHz (other CATV networks goes up to 860 MHz) so the standardized cellular signals are translated to above this limit. The different types of signals (CATV, Cellular & WLAN) can coexist within the same coaxial cable due to this fact . [0036] This system modifies the CATV network in a way that permits the CATV transmissions to be maintained in their original format and frequency assignments. The modifications to the CATV network use only linear components such ^' as filters and amplifiers. The modifications are simple, robust and affordable.

[0037] The invention is taught below by way of various specific exemplary embodiments explained in detail, and illustrated in the enclosed drawing figures .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The drawing figures depict, in highly simplified schematic form, embodiments reflecting the principles of the invention. Many items and details that will be readily understood by one familiar with this field have been omitted so as to avoid obscuring the invention. In the drawings:

[0039] Fig. 1 shows an example of integrated cellular, WLAN and CATV site.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows how the sub-bands frequencies created at the integrated site to be carried on the CATV network are up/down converted.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows a PINDU configuration where the CATV upstream and down stream signals are carried on their original CATV frequencies . [0042] Fig. 4 shows a frequency assignment allocation of the various CATV upstream cellular and WLAN at the central site.

[0043] Fig. 5 shows another frequency assignment allocation of the various CATV upstream cellular and WLAN at the central site.

[0044] Fig. 6 shows frequency assignment of an integrated Cellular WLAN and CATV upstream network, where the converted frequencies from the Head End to the CATV network as described in Fig. 4 and 5 are converted to new frequencies to be transmitted on the CATV network to a first group of 500 Homes Passed customer premises PINDUs . [0045] Fig. 7 shows a frequency assignment of an integrated Cellular WLAN and CATV upstream network, where the converted frequencies from the Head End to the CATV network as described in Fig. 4 and 5 are converted to new frequencies to be transmitted on the CATV network to the second group of 500 Homes Passed customer premises PINDUs .

[0046] Fig. 8 shows a CATV Upstream Frequency Chart for groups of 500 Homes Passed (HP) (representing full node of 2000 HP 4X500 HP) .

[0047] Fig. 9 shows a WiFi Frequency Chart for groups of 500 Homes Passed (HP) (representing full node of 2000 HP 4X500 HP) . [0048] Fig. 10 shows an example of cellular frequency allocation for UMTS and GSM 1800 at the customer premises .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0049] The invention will now be taught using various exemplary embodiments. Although the embodiments are described in detail, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to just these embodiments, but has a scope that is significantly broader. The appended claims should be consulted to determine the true scope of the invention.

[0050] Fig. 1 shows an example of integrated cellular, WLAN and CATV site. The integrated site represents one node connection. An enlarged system with more than one node is possible through duplication of the ideas represented by this specific site. In this example, a number of cellular operators with the same technology (GSM 1800) and operators with different technologies are shown (GSM 1800 and UMTS) ; any combination of cellular operator/technologies is relevant. WLAN services based on 802.11a, b, e, g or other can be integrated on the same network, as well as a number of WLAN access points of the same network. In this example, upstream CATV signals are up/down converted to increase node capacity. The figure shows how the original CATV upstream signals as well as the Cellular and WLAN signals are up/down converted and combined to be carried over the assigned 960 to 2000 MHz frequencies over the CATV network.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows how the sub-bands ^■ frequencies created at the integrated site, to be carried on the CATV network, are up/down converted at each CATV amplifier section to the (1) original CATV upstream signals; (2) shifted up/down frequencies of the PassOver cellular indoor unit; and (3) shifted up/down frequencies of the PassOver WLAN indoor unit. Both up-link and downlink frequencies of the 960 to 2000 MHz segments are reassigned to 5 to 42 MHz for upstream CATV signals, and to 960 to 1155 MHz for cellular and WLAN signals to be carried to the customer premises PINDU, where the shifted signals will be translated to the original cellular and WLAN signals.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows a PINDU configuration where the CATV upstream and down stream signals are carried on their original CATV frequencies. The other part of the PINDU describes the up/down converter part of the unit where cellular and or WLAN signals are converted from 960 to 1155 MHz to the original cellular, WLAN frequencies. This PINDU can support by duplication of the up/down portion of the unit number of cellular operator/technologies as well as number of WLAN standards . [0053] Fig. 4 shows a frequency assignment allocation of the various CATV upstream cellular and WLAN at the central site. The frequencies are assigned to be carried on the CATV network. For example the 5 - 42 MHz upstream frequency is converted to 4*35 MHz (1300 to 1500 MHz) thus enables to increase the upstream capacity by 4 times . Other optimal frequency translations can be done to increase capacity to 10*35 MHz or even 20*35 MHz. In this case the frequency band required for the upstream signals will be up to 400 MHz and 800 MHz bandwidth correspondingly. The decision on the bandwidth is due to capacity requirements. The cellular frequencies are converted to 75 MHz uplink (1500 - 1575) and 75 MHz downlink (960 - 1035) to enable up to 7 operators/technologies to operate on the same network. If additional operators/technologies are required, the bandwidth can be extended. The WLAN frequencies are converted to 200 MHz uplink (1600 - 1800) and 200 MHz downlink (1100 - 1300) to enable up to 4 access points working together on the same node. If additional access points are required the bandwidth can be extended. [0054] Fig. 5 shows another frequency assignment allocation of the various CATV upstream cellular and WLAN at the central site. The frequencies are assigned to be carried on the CATV network. For example the 5 - 42 MHz upstream frequency is converted to 10*35 MHz (1300 to 1700 MHz) thus enabling to increase the upstream capacity by 10 times. The cellular frequencies are converted to 75 MHz uplink (1700 - 1775) and 75 MHz downlink (960 - 1035) to enable up to 7 operators/technologies to operate on the same network. The WLAN frequencies are converted to 200 MHz uplink (1800 - 2000) and 200 MHz downlink (1100 - 1300) to enable up to 4 access point working together on the same node. Other combinations of frequency assignment (i.e., other frequency allocation plans) can be designed based on the capacity requirements of Cellular, WLAN and CATV upstream signals.

[0055] Fig. 6 shows frequency assignment of an integrated Cellular WLAN and CATV upstream network, where the converted frequencies from the Head End to the CATV network as described in Fig. 4 and 5 are converted to new frequencies to be transmitted on the CATV network to the first group of 500 Homes Passed customer premises PINDUs. For example the first set of the CATV upstream frequencies 1300 to 1337 MHz is reconverted to the original CATV upstream frequencies 5 to 42 MHz. The first set of WLAN uplink and downlink frequencies 1200 to 1220 MHz and 1600 to 1620 MHz are converted to 960 to 980 MHz and 1080 to 1100 MHz correspondingly. The Cellular frequencies 960 to 1035 MHz and 1500 to 1575 MHz are converted to 980 to 1035 MHz (in this case the cellular frequency bandwidth will be reduced to 980 to 1035 MHz decreasing the number of cellular operators /technologies to 5 scarifying 20 MHz for the WLAN network) and to 1100 to 1155 MHz (in this case the cellular frequency bandwidth will be reduced to 1100 to 1155 MHz decreasing the number of cellular operators /technologies to 5 scarifying 20 MHz for the benefit of the WLAN network) . [0056] Fig. 7 shows frequency assignment of an integrated Cellular WLAN and CATV upstream network, where the converted frequencies from the Head End to the CATV network as described in Figs . 4 and 5 are converted to new frequencies to be transmitted on the CATV network to the second group of 500 Homes Passed customer premises PINDUs. For example the second set of the CATV upstream frequencies 1350 to 1387 MHz is reconverted to the original CATV upstream frequencies 5 to 42 MHz. The second set of WLAN uplink and downlink frequencies 1230 to 1250 MHz and 1630 to 1650 MHz are converted to 960 to 980 MHz and 1080 to 1100 MHz correspondingly. The Cellular frequencies 960 to 1035 MHz and 1500 to 1575 MHz are converted to 980 to 1035 MHz (in this case the cellular frequency bandwidth will be reduced to 980 to 1035 MHz decreasing the number of cellular operators /technologies to 5 scarifying 20 MHz for the WLAN network) and to 1100 to 1155 MHz (in this case the cellular frequency bandwidth will be reduced to 1100 to 1155 MHz decreasing the number of cellular operators /technologies to 5 scarifying 20 MHz for the benefit of the WLAN network) .

[0057] Fig. 8 shows, CATV Upstream Frequency Chart for groups of 500 Homes Passed (HP) (representing full node of 2000 HP 4X500 HP) , The Upstream signals 5 - 42 MHz coming from the Cable Modem (CM) at the customer premises for each group of 500 Homes Passed (HP) is converted at the LEX Amplifier junction to 1300-1337 MHz, 1350 - 1387 MHz, 1400 - 1437 MHz and 1450 - 1487 MHz correspondingly. This set of frequencies is transmitted on the CATV network to be received by the Up/Down Converter (UDC) at the integrated site. At the integrated site the received signals by the UDC are down converted back to 5 - 42 MHz to be integrated into the CMTS (Cable Modem Terminal System) .

[0058] Fig. 9 shows a WiFi Frequency Chart for groups of 500 Homes Passed (HP) (representing a full node of 2000 HP, 4X500 HP) . The frequency chart is an example of the 802.11b standard, any other 802.11 standard like 802.11a, e.g., or Hyper-WLAN is applicable. Other wireless standards developed hereafter will also be applicable. The Access point TDD signals at 2412 MHz ± 10 MHz are converted to 1100 - 1120 MHz, 1130 - 1150 MHz, 1160 - 1180 MHz, 1190 - 1210 MHz downlink signals and to 1600 - 1620 MHz, 1630 - 1650 MHz, 1660 - 1680 MHz, 1690 - 1710 MHz uplink signals correspondingly. This set of frequencies is transmitted over the CATV network. At each LEX amplifier junction the uplink and downlink frequencies are converted to 960 - 980 MHz downlink and 1080 - 1100 MHz uplink signals to be carried to the 500 HP customer premises, entering the customer PINDU. If the number of simultaneous WiFi users is increased, additional access points can be added to the system and the frequency band may be increased to support additional access points. At the customer premises, the PINDU reconverts the WiFi signals to their original signals 2412 MHz + 10 MHz to be transmitted at the customer premises. The frequency bandwidth allocated to the WiFi and the cellular systems can be adjusted according to the network requirements and design.

[0059] Fig. 10 shows an example of cellular frequency allocation for UMTS and GSM 1800 at the customer premises. Other cellular systems like GSM 900, PCS and others can be incorporated into the frequency band. The frequency band assigned to the cellular will be adjusted to fit both WLAN and cellular. This set of frequencies 960 - 1035 MHz downlink and 1080 - 1155 MHz uplink is converted from 960 - 1035 MHz downlink and 1500 - 1575 MHz coming from the CATV network. The 960 - 1155 MHz frequencies at the PINDU customer premises and at the UDC are reconverted to the original cellular frequencies to be transmitted to the customer cellular terminal unit and to the Base Station.

[0060] Many variations to the above-identified embodiments are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Possible variations have been presented throughout the foregoing discussion. Moreover, it will be appreciated that combinations and subcombinations of the various embodiments described above will occur to those familiar with this field, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the provision of WLAN service over a CATV network using switching mode PCF can be integrated into the foregoing approaches, including the conversion of TDD WLAN signals to FDD, as described in the provisional application entitled WLAN SERVICES OVER CATV NETWORK USING SWITCHING MODE PCF PROTOCOL, filed on the February 10, 2003, by the same inventors, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for its teaching thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS There is claimed:

1. A system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network, comprising: an integrated up/down converter at active points in the CATV network; a PINDU at respective user sites; a frequency allocation plan; and an integrated cellular/WLAN/CATV site, wherein the ^• PINDU and the integrated site perform up/down conversion of the WiFi and cellular signals according to the frequency allocation plan so that the WiFi and cellular signals are carried in a band above the CATV programming, and wherein the up/down converters at the active points in the CATV network allow the converted WiFi and cellular signals to pass over the active points.

2. The system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network according to claim 1, wherein one or more of UMTS, GSM900, GSM1800, PCS1900, TDMA800, CDMA800 and PDC type of signals are combined and carried together on the system, without interfering with each other, or the CATV service.

3. The system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network according to claim 1, wherein the WiFi and cellular signals are up/down converted and combined to be carried over assigned 960 to 2000 MHz frequencies over the CATV network.

4. The system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network according to claim 1, wherein the band above the CATV programming is a band of 960-1155 MHz.

5. The system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network according to claim 1, wherein the band above the CATV programming is a band of 960-1035 MHz.

6. The system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network according to claim 1, wherein the band above the CATV programming has uplink and downlink bands of 960-1035 MHz and 1080-1155 MHz, in any order .

7. The system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network according to claim 1, wherein sub-bands ' frequencies are created at the integrated cellular/WLAN/CATV site, to be carried on the CATV network, and are up/down converted at a CATV amplifier section to the original CATV upstream signals, and to shifted up/down frequencies of the PINDU.

8. The system for carrying multi-band WiFi, cellular, and CATV signals over a CATV network according to claim 7, wherein both up-link and downlink frequencies of 960 to 2000 MHz segments are reassigned to 5 to 42 MHz for upstream CATV signals, and to 960 to 1155 MHz for cellular and WLAN signals to be carried to a customer premises PINDU, where the shifted signals are translated to the original cellular and WLAN signals.

9. An integrated cellular/WLAN/CATV site that creates sub-bands' frequencies to be carried on the CATV network, that are up/down converted at a CATV amplifier section to the (1) original CATV upstream signals; (2) shifted up/down frequencies of a WLAN outdoor unit; and (3) shifted up/down frequencies of a WLAN indoor unit.

10. A PINDU comprising an up/down converter and operable to act as a transmit/receive antenna and frequency translator for any combination of cellular and WLAN signals, and as a cable TV input/output unit for the cable TV network.

11. The PINDU according to claim 10, wherein CATV upstream and down stream signals are processed on their original CATV frequencies, and where the up/down converter converts cellular and/or WLAN signals from 960 to 2000 MHz to their original cellular and WLAN frequencies .

12. A PINDU operable to support multi-band bidirectional cellular communication at an indoor termination point of a CATV network, comprising: a frequency converter for converting original frequency uplink WiFi and cellular signals, to corresponding shifted uplink multi-band WiFi and cellular signals, and converting shifted downlink WiFi and cellular signals, received from the CATV network, to original frequency downlink WiFi and cellular signals, wherein the shifted multi-band WiFi and cellular signals have respective sub-band frequencies in accordance with a frequency allocation plan.

13. A method for providing WiFi and cellular communication through a CATV network, comprising: providing an integrated up/down converter at an active point in a CATV network; and communicating frequency shifted WiFi and cellular signals, over the CATV network, between a cellular/WLAN/CATV site and a PINDU, wherein CATV signals are communicated via the active point and the WiFi and cellular signals are communicated via the integrated up/down converter; wherein the frequency shifted WiFi and cellular signals comprise multi-band traffic.

14. The method for providing WiFi and cellular communication through a CATV network according to claim 13, further comprising, at the PINDU: receiving shifted downlink multi-band WiFi and cellular signals from the CATV network; converting the shifted downlink multi-band WiFi and cellular signals to original frequency downlink multi- band WiFi and cellular signals; outputting the original frequency downlink multi- band WiFi and cellular signals to an antenna; receiving original frequency uplink multi-band WiFi and cellular signals from the antenna; converting the original frequency uplink multi-band WiFi and cellular signals to shifted uplink multi-band WiFi and cellular signals; and outputting the shifted uplink multi-band WiFi and cellular signals to the CATV network.

15. The method for providing WiFi and cellular communication through a CATV network according to claim 13, further comprising: at the PINDU, communicating CATV signals between the cable TV network and at least one CATV device by coaxial cable .

16. The method for providing WiFi and cellular communication through a CATV network according to claim 15, wherein the at least one CATV device is one or more of a TV, a set top box, and a cable modem.

17. The method for providing WiFi and cellular communication through a CATV network according to claim 13, wherein the original frequency WiFi and cellular communication signals are shifted to a band higher in frequency than the CATV signals.

18. The method for providing WiFi and cellular communication through a CATV network according to claim 17, wherein the band is 960-1155 MHz.

19. The method for providing WiFi and cellular communication through a CATV network according to claim 17, wherein the band is 960-1035 MHz.

20. The method for providing WiFi and cellular communication through a CATV network according to claim 13, wherein the up/down converter performs the steps of: receiving, as a coupled signal, the CATV signals and the WiFi and cellular communication signals; differentiating between the CATV signals of the coupled signal and the frequency shifted WiFi and cellular communication signals of the coupled signal; passing the CATV signals of the coupled signal through the active point of the CATV network; passing only the frequency shifted WiFi and cellular communication signals of the coupled signal around the active point of the CATV network; and after the passing steps, recombining the CATV signals with the frequency shifted WiFi and cellular communication signals to provide a signal for further communication over the CATV network.