KR20010020470A - Metropolitan Wide Area Network - Google Patents

Abstract

The wide area network has at least two hub zones interconnected by a communication backbone. Each hub zone provides radio coverage for at least one sector. At least two remote zones exist in each sector and are connected to the corresponding hub zone via a broadband wireless point-multi point system. The wide area network preferably comprises at least one service node accessible to the remote zone via the hub zone and the backbone.

Description

Metropolitan Wide Area Network

Conventionally, point-to-point narrow band, point-to-multi point narrow band, and point-to-point wideband fixed wireless systems are generally point broadband fixed wireless systems) are known. In addition, point-to-multipoint wireless technology is a known technique generally used for narrowband communication such as voice. Narrowband systems are typically systems capable of generating data at or below 1.544 megabits per second on a single line or channel, while broadband systems can generate data at or above 1.544 megabits per second on a single line or channel. It is a system that can be generated. On the other hand, narrowband "point-multi point" systems are used for voice communication, while point-multi point systems generally do not apply to broadband telecommunication networks.

Today's narrowband point-multipoint systems can synthesize a group of 24 64 Kbps channels on a "T1" circuit. However, the T1 line is still considered a narrowband facility used to support multiple voice channels. In addition, narrowband point-multipoint systems have been used for voice telephony networks for many years in Europe.

Point-to-point broadband technology is also known. In the frequency range of 37 to 40 GHz (typically " 38 GHz "), point-to-point broadband wireless systems are used. When a 38 GHz broadband wireless link is designed, its performance is functionally equivalent to that of optical cable telecommunications.

Fixed wireless technology has become popular as a means of transmission of remote mobile services because of its low cost, fast installation and ease of operation. The process of connecting two sites to point-to-point wireless service consists of installing a roof top antenna on top of two buildings with the accompanying indoor facilities. Physical wiring does not need to be connected between buildings, which represents a significant advantage over copper or optical cable technology. Bringing fiber or copper wiring into the building can be expensive, as well as other costs associated with breaking roads and obtaining permits. The deployment of broadband fixed wireless systems does not require civil engineering in most cases, making installations faster and more economical than traditional "last mile" interconnection methods in metropolitan area telecommunications networks.

Recently, 38 GHz fixed wireless technology has many features that are of commercial interest as telecommunications transmission media. The 38 GHz fixed wireless technology provides an ultra wideband path for voice, data, multimedia and video. Recent technology allows link distances of up to 5 miles. Since transmission of the full millimeter microwave is likely to cause rainfall reduction, the actual distance is a function of the geographic location or “rain region”. In climates where much precipitation is generalized, shorter link distances may be required to achieve the same performance and availability as optical cables.

Wireless transmission of 38 GHz millimeter microwaves requires unobstructed line-of-sight transmission. In practice, small diameter antennas are installed on the roof of the office building, and in some cases, on the windows of the office building. These antennas typically have a diameter of 12 to 24 inches, although smaller antennas may be used. Manufacturers display mean time between failure (MTBF) statistics for over 10 years for wireless and modem components, which means that the hardware is reliable. Thus, the latest 38 GHz fixed wireless technology is ideally suited for wideband point-point commercial voice and data applications with high availability of 1.544 Mbps (T1) to 45 Mbps (DS3).

An example of a typical wireless broadband point-to-point commercial application is the interconnection of multiple servers in a university campus, ie a local area network (LAN) of a campus. Another example of such wireless broadband point-to-point commercial applications is metropolitan wide area networking. Here, multiple campus LANs located in the same city are interconnected via a 38 GHz wireless facility. Access-only interchange carriers (IXCs), Internet service providers (ISPs), and other alternative access devices are common point-point business applications for 38 GHz wireless links. In the frequency range of 38 GHz, cellular and personal telecommunications service (PCS) operators are available in their backbone network to support backhaul between antenna locations, base stations and mobile telephone switching offices (MTSOs). It is also possible to deploy high radio facilities. 38 GHz wireless point-point technology also requires mission critical protection channels and other point-to-point routing operations that require extension from the optical cable network to the location where the optical cable is not provided. It is used to provide point alternate routing. Finally, interconnection with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to provide local dial tone by competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) using 38 GHz wireless point-point technology. The method is becoming increasingly popular.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a basic wireless point-point facility that provides an interconnect function for a customer's service. This interconnect will support wideband (data, video, etc.) and narrowband (voice) applications. The customer's building is indicated at 200 and may include multiple antennas. The customer building 200 is connected to another building 202 that houses the telecommunications switch 203. These buildings are connected by a wireless link between two rooftop antennas, one antenna 204 installed in the customer building and the other antenna 205 installed in the building housing the telecommunication switch 203. . The bandwidth at this connection may be a 28 Ti circuit, or DS3 (45 Mbps). The switch 203 is connected to a PSTN 206, i.e. a public circuit switched telephone network for local service, and a long distance telephone network 207 for long distance service. The switch 203 also provides access to the Internet 208 by telephone line.

3 is a table showing the FCC spectrum allocation plan for 38 GHz, consisting of a total of 14 channels. Each channel has a bandwidth of 100 MHz. Each 100 MHz channel consists of two 50 MHz subchannels, one of which is a transmission subchannel and the other being a reception subchannel. These two 50 MHz subchannels are separated by a spectrum of 700 MHz. As shown in FIG. 3, the sub channel 1A is a transmission channel having a bandwidth of 50 MHz, while the sub channel 1B is a reception channel having a bandwidth of 50 MHz. The sub channel 1A is separated by 70 MHz from the sub channel 1B. According to this frequency band separation method, spectrum of 14 channels (1400 MHz, i.e. 1.4 GHz) is generated in the FCC allocation of 38 to 40 GHz.

Referring to FIG. 4, a diagram of basic spectrum management issues associated with the use of a wireless point-point system in a metropolitan area is shown in block diagram form. Since the buildings are adjacent to each other in the metropolitan area, the broadcast of information on the radio link may overlap, which uses the same channel 1A / 1B in an adjacent system that is impossible. In FIG. 3, one antenna installed in one building transmits the signal to the antenna of the intended receiver, but part of the signal may be received by an antenna installed in an adjacent building. The alteration of such a signal is called "co-channel interference".

In FIG. 4 the main building 401 including the switch 402 is connected to remote buildings 404A, 404B, 404C and 404D, each with its corresponding rooftop antenna via four rooftop antennas 403A, 401B, 401C and 401D, respectively. do. Between these buildings a conceptual diagram of the spectrum used by each of the wireless point-point systems is shown. As buildings get closer together, the transmission signals between the buildings begin to overlap. To prevent the co-channel interference described in the preceding paragraph, different channels must be used to connect adjacent buildings. For example, channels 1A / 1B are used for building 404D and channels 2A / 2B are used for building 404C. Although the channels 1A / 1B partially overlap the transmission of the channels 2A / 2B, different frequencies (channels) are used by the two systems, thereby protecting them from co-channel interference. Thus, while an antenna in one building may transmit part of its signal to an unintended receive antenna, each system is " tuned " at a different frequency, and signal transmission from adjacent systems using different frequencies is avoided. Ignored

The frequency management technique shown in FIG. 4 prevents co-channel interference in wireless networks deployed in overcrowded urban areas. However, using an FCC channel to prevent the co-channel interference does not maximize the ability to transmit information in the licensed spectrum, and therefore the use of the FCC channel is inefficient. There is a need for a solution to this problem.

5 illustrates another spectrum management problem associated with a point-to-point system. Building 501 is connected to building 502 through channel 1, and building 503 is connected to building 504 through channel 2. Thick connecting lines 505 and 506 indicate intended wireless transmission. However, since the "transmit beam" is tilted about 2 degrees at the source, signals may occur in the range of the transmit beam of the originating system although they may be received by another unintended system. The dashed-dotted line 507 shows a case in which the building 4 system incorrectly receives a transmission signal of the building 1 system. If two distinct frequencies are used, no co-channel interference will occur. Once again, frequency management techniques in wireless point-to-point networks require the use of multiple channels to prevent interference rather than causing the spectrum to be used to change the incremental bandwidth.

The rooftop space is large and in many cases there are restrictions on the number, size and location of the antennas placed on the roof. Because point-to-point systems use separate antennas for each wireless connection, the space to be installed is a limiting factor on the roof of the building. As the number of point-to-point systems to be deployed in a building increases, not only is there a limit to the number of systems that can be deployed in spectrum management considerations, but also the physical space that can be allocated to each antenna on the roof of the building is also limited. There is no limit to the number. Therefore, there is a need for a solution capable of allowing an expansion of the number of users without having to cope with the expansion of the capacity of the wireless communication network and the increase in the number of rooftop antennas.

Point-to-point systems provide the user with a full period connection. The full period connection is " always on " (connected and activated) waiting for transmission of information. The entire spectrum of wireless connections uses a dedicated spectrum once allocated that is not available to other users. Thus, wireless point-point systems are suitable for applications involving near or long distance transmission. Point-to-point systems do not efficiently support variable "bursty" data services with variable bit rates or bandwidth requirements that are not constant. Each system uses the assigned channel based on the overall time " always on " time regardless of the duration of the transmission or the amount of information on the link, thereby allowing the point-point system for variable bit rate applications. The bandwidth used is consumed. There is a need for a solution that enables more efficient use of spectrum for "burst" data services, such as LAN-LAN data transmission.

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 050,252, entitled "Metropolitan Area Network Architecture and Telecommunication System," filed June 19, 1997. .

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to metropolitan wide area networks for telecommunication systems, and more particularly to intelligent metropolitan broadband backbone networks and wireless points operating in a millimeter microwave radio range to enable a variety of enhanced voice, broadband data and multimedia telecommunication services. It relates to integration with a wireless point-to-multi point system.

1 is a schematic depiction of a realistic configuration of a regional metropolitan area broadband telecommunication network using a fixed wireless point-point system operating at 38 GHz to provide customer access to a regional metropolitan area broadband telecommunication network.

2 is a schematic depiction of a typical point-point system configuration known for providing customer access to remote services via a switch.

FIG. 3 illustrates a 38 GHz spectrum allocation method in which a 100 MHz channel is divided into 50 MHz subchannels and each transmit and receive subchannel is separated by a spectrum of 700 MHz for transmission and reception of a signal.

4 illustrates a fixed wireless point-point system deployed in a hubbed network configuration according to the prior art, in which there is a one-to-one relationship between a hub and a customer building wireless system. Redundant areas are depicted illustrating the co-channel interference occurring in a communication network.

5 is a depiction diagram illustrating another co-channel interference phenomenon occurring in a fixed wireless point-point system of the prior art.

Figure 6A illustrates a fixed wireless point-to-multipoint realization in which there is a one-to-many relationship between a hub and a customer system in a sector deployed in the system of the present invention.

6B is another block diagram illustrating the hub of FIG. 6A for use in the communications network of the present invention.

7 is a block diagram illustrating a regional metropolitan area wide area telecommunication network in accordance with the present invention using fixed wireless point-multi point technology operating at 38 GHz to provide customer access to a backbone network and various telecommunication services.

8 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a subscriber system used in the system of the present invention.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a "modern" regional metropolitan area broadband telecommunications infrastructure capable of supporting enhanced voice and data services.

It is yet another object of the present invention to use the radio spectrum as a key enabler to access local metropolitan area broadband telecommunications networks providing improved voice and data services.

It is yet another object of the present invention to maximize the utilization of the allocated spectrum available in local metropolitan area wide area telecommunication networks.

It is another object of the present invention to overcome the spectrum management limitations associated with the use of point-point fixed wireless telecommunication systems.

It is still another object of the present invention to use multiple channels to change another network capacity in a local metropolitan area wide area telecommunication network.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the number of wireless telecommunication systems required on the roof of a building to provide access to a local metropolitan area broadband telecommunication network.

According to one embodiment of the communication network of the present invention, the wide area network has at least two hub zones interconnected by a communication backbone. Each hub zone provides radio coverage in at least one sector. At least two remote zones exist in each sector and are connected to the corresponding hub zone via a point-multi point broadband wireless system. Preferably, the communication network has at least one service node accessible to the remote zone via the hub zone and the backbone.

According to another embodiment of the communication network of the present invention, a local metropolitan area broadband telecommunication network provides fixed wireless broadband local loop access to a plurality of subscribers. The subscribers have a subscriber radio that operates at a frequency corresponding to the cell sector in which the subscriber resides. At least one of the subscribers has a plurality of associated customer premise equipment and is provided with means for statistical multiplexing the subscriber device of the plurality of premises communication facilities. The communication network has a plurality of hub zones interconnected by a Sonet based back bone. The hub zone comprises a plurality of hub zone radios operating at a selectable frequency with at least one radio corresponding to the cell sector. The hub zone further includes means for dynamically allocating a communication bandwidth among a plurality of subscribers in each cell sector. The communication network preferably includes a plurality of value added service nodes connected to the backbone and accessible to subscribers via the hub zone and the backbone. The network is connected to each hub zone by a control network and provides a remote control subscriber access to the value adding service node as well as a central operation node for remote access and control of the hub zone. It is further provided.

The objects, advantages and features of the communication network of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments to be described below, and embodiments of the communication network according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1. Network Topology

The communication network of the present invention uses a fixed wireless microwave scheme that allows for a many-to-one relationship between a hub system and a remote system located in a customer building. Called "multi access" or "point-to-multi point," this technology combines the characteristics of spectral efficiency (and thus available bandwidth) with enhanced intelligence in metropolitan wide area networks. It can support commercial and residential broadband multimedia services, as well as traditional voice and data telephone services.

FIG. 6A illustrates a point-to-multi point system featuring a "one to many" relationship between a hub and a customer building wireless system. In FIG. 6A, the hub zone 601 is equipped with antennas 602, 603, and 604. The antenna 602 transmits a signal to a “sector” 605 that covers the physical space occupied by the multi-subscriber buildings 606, 607, 608, and 609. All antennas installed in the buildings 606, 607, 608, and 609 of the sector 605 communicate with a single hub antenna 602 of the sector 605. The sectors can be 15 to 90 degrees wide. All buildings in the sector generally use a single channel, so that co-channel interference no longer occurs for buildings in the same sector.

To prevent co-channel interference at the edge of the sector, the hub zone 601 actually assigns frequencies to adjacent sectors that are separated from each other. For example, the channel 1A / 1B may be allocated to the sector 602 and the channel 2A / 2B may be allocated to the sector 604. Thus, a point-multi point system is sufficient for each channel allocated within a sector, compared to the spectrum management requirements of a point-point system that only requires the use of multiple channels in the same geographic area to avoid co-channel interference. Allows information to be transmitted by use.

6B illustrates an embodiment of a hub zone 601 for use in the communications network of the present invention. Antennas 602, 603 ... 60n correspond to frequency channels. In general, one frequency channel is assigned to the corresponding cell sector 605. However, when additional bandwidth is needed, the network of the present invention prepares for allocating multiple channels to one or more cell sectors. Each antenna preferably has a corresponding hub radio unit. In order to prevent signal loss associated with 38 GHz coaxial lines and waveguides, the hub radio is preferably integrated into a corresponding antenna as an integrated device installed on the rooftop of a building or on a tower.

The hub zone also has a hub indoor unit (IDU) 622 coupled to the hub wireless device 624 via an interfacility link 624. The interconnect facility line 624 is a broadband connection, preferably for the form of a fiber connection. The hub IDU is coupled to one or more hub controllers 626 that manage operations and data transfer within the hub zone 601. The backbone interface 628 performs a connection with the network backbone and performs data transmission.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a communication network in accordance with the present invention of a commercial metropolitan area telecommunication network using a 38 GHz multiple access wireless technology. The network has a broadband backbone 702 that can be realized using fiber, copper or wireless technology. The large square shape located above the ring represents a point-multi point hub 704 each covering at least one cell sector 706. In a commercial urban environment, the cell sector 706 is arranged so that the bandwidth is directed to a geographic location with an appropriate building (customer) density. Once on the backbone 702, customer traffic is routed to multiple network nodes providing value addition services. Examples of such service nodes include local exchange carrier switches 706, inter-exchange carrier switches 708, Internet access points 710, and video. And video service points 712. The communication network of the present invention also has at least one central mode of operation 713 connected to each hub 704 via a control network 715, such as a frame relay network.

The architecture of the 38 GHz wireless point-to-multipoint telecommunications network generally consists of a cell 714 having a diameter of 3-5 miles (link distance of 1.5-3 miles). Each cell 714 consists of a number of sectors 706-1, 706-2,..., 706-n having a sector width of 15-90 degrees. The hub 704 is located in the center of each cell, and multiple remote subscriber systems (subscribers) located within a customer building in one sector communicate with the hub radio to establish a wireless link. Bandwidth within a given sector is allocated among the remote subscriber systems prepared in the sector by the corresponding hub 704. Sectors can use the full bandwidth of a single licensed channel, or multiple channels can be " stacked " in one sector to meet the overall customer demand for bandwidth. If multiple channels are used, the additional hub radio 620 and antennas for the sector are added to the hub 704.

Allocation of the optimal sector width is an important issue. One design goal is to minimize the cost of the required effective radiated power (ERP). Narrow sectors yield higher antenna gain, thus requiring less power to achieve a given ERP. However, because each sector requires its own wireless system, narrow sectors increase the cost of the equipment required to cover a given geographical area. In the final analysis, the hub design is a function of the overall customer needs for geographical distribution and capacity of the customer location.

In the point-to-multipoint metropolitan area telecommunication network of the present invention, the hubs 704 are preferably interconnected by a fiber or high capacity microwave radio facility in a SONET ring configuration on the backbone 702. Service nodes such as the inter-carrier carrier switch 708, Internet service provider 710, local PSTN switch 706, and video source 712 are in some cases the fiber ring via co-location with the hub. Are interconnected to. Thus, once a customer is connected to the network via a wireless access link, they will be able to access some or all of the services supported by the various service nodes.

This network solution requires transmission and routing capabilities on the backbone to facilitate connectivity between multiple customer locations and between customer locations and network service nodes. Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM) is a preferred transport layer protocol for the metropolitan area telecommunication network architecture of the present invention. It is also conceivable that more traditional connection-oriented or synchronous telephony transport protocols will be used as the operator transitions to the entire ATM network over time. For this reason, an ATM (OC-3c) and STM (DS-3) interface is preferably placed between the hub 704 and the backbone 702.

2. Wireless ATM

The network architecture of the present invention uses asynchronous transmission mode (ATM) as the basic means for transmission in the network. The ATM is a packetized transmission technology that organizes information into cells. The cell has a "header" and a "payload". The header describes the type of data in the payload and where the data will end. The cell is passed through the network via various paths and can arrive out of order at the endpoint. Due to the header information contained in the cell, the correct cell order is reconstructed before delivery to the campus communication facility. The ATM cell can transmit many standard telecommunications voice, data and video services by encapsulating the data in the payload. Thus, the ATM can integrate voice, data and video in a single telecommunications transport network.

An important structural element of the telecommunication network of the present invention is the use of ATM in the wireless point-to-multipoint transmission (wireless interface). The customer's specific services (Ethernet, Frame Relay, DS-1, DS-3, ISDN, Voice) are encapsulated in the ATM payload between the subscriber 716 and the hub 704. Thus, services that are handled very efficiently by cell-based protocols are advantageous for end-to-end ATM transport in the network, while services that must be channelized on the backbone for the time being In the sub 704, time division multiplexing is performed. In both cases, all services are transmitted over the ATM over the air, thereby enabling significant custom bandwidth capabilities in the network.

3. Modulation and system capacity

Wireless equipment using modulation technologies such as QPSK and 4PSK yields an effective data rate of 1 bit / hertz per second. The maximum point of today's fixed wireless technology is because the 38 GHz spectrum is allocated on a 50 MHz full duplex channel (ie 50 MHz in each direction for 100 MHz per license channel). Multipoint data rates are 45 Mbps or DS-3. Higher-order modulation techniques such as 16 QAM and 64 QAM will yield data rates as high as 4-5 bits / Hz per second with improved overall system gain. This significantly increases the available bandwidth per channel. Thus, a data transfer rate of OC-3 (155 Mbps) / channel per sector and faster data transfer rate can be achieved at 38 GHz. Spectral efficiency of 6-8 bits / Hz is expected. Multi-sector, multi-channel cells supporting an overall data transfer rate of several gigabits per second of available bandwidth can be easily achieved based on a relatively conservative design. The loss preservation design will yield higher cell capacity.

4. Bandwidth on Demand

Since data is encapsulated into cells for transmission by the wireless network, it is possible to use the radio spectrum more efficiently than is possible in non-ATM wireless implementations. This is the result of a technique called "statistical multiplexing". The statistical multiplexing technique takes advantage of the fact that any occurrence of data transmission in the system and that not all users need bandwidth at any time. Due to the statistical multiplexing technique, cells containing data generated by different users can be transmitted by the minimum required spectrum. In this case, users share the allocated spectrum in the wireless ATM network, and the combined bandwidth requirements of all users in the system are provided by the spectrum available within the system at any given moment.

As a result, a "statistical gain" in data capacity is achieved so that the telecommunications network operator needs all the users at a given subscriber location (e.g., a multi-family leased office building) to always have all the capacity allocated to that location. Based on the assumption that we do not, we can "subscribe more than necessary" to the wireless link. Oversubscription rates (statistical gains) as high as 10 to 1 (10: 1) are transmitted in the shortest burst of information ("bursty data"), as in the case of LAN-LAN communication. This is possible in the case of a link. Statistical gains of 2: 1 or 3: 1 are more likely in networks where traffic mixing is more severely skewed towards voice or other services that require point-to-point access techniques over the network (line) for the duration of the communication. Typically appears.

The ATM cell header also contains a parameter that allows each cell to be prioritized. Thus, the highest priority cell is transmitted immediately over the network, while the lower priority cell may be delayed until the higher priority cell is switched. Due to the nature of ATM, support of services is allowed with varying "Quality of Service", or QOS. When this priority system is used in conjunction with the statistical multiplexing technique, information is transmitted very efficiently over the wireless network. For example, a large file can be split into cells and transmitted over a network with other cells of a small file distributed in a packet stream, so that the small files can wait for the transfer of the large file to be completed. There is no need, and the network operates more efficiently.

Dynamic bandwidth allocation between subscribers 716 is made within a given sector 706. Thus, the instantaneous requirement of a high bit rate burst for a given subscriber 716 is satisfied by using the bandwidth in sector 706 that has not been used by another subscriber. This can be done to the subscriber through on-demand variable allocation of time slots (time division multiple access or TDMA) or frequency (frequency division multiple access or PDMA), or a combination of the two multiplexing techniques (required allocation multiple access or Demand Assigned Muliple). Access is achieved.

When these techniques for dynamically allocating bandwidth between buildings within a sector, combined with ATM statistical multiplexing techniques (oversubscription) of bandwidth allocated to customers in each building, result in radio spectrum used in the network of the present invention. The ability to transmit information greatly increases. In addition, using highly efficient modulation methods such as 16 QAM and 64 QAM increases the information transmission capability.

5. Hubbing Architecture

The system of the present invention utilizes a deployment method known as "hubbing", which is concentrated at one edge or "hub" of many wireless links on a single building roof. Each hub 704 may be connected to a large number of remote wireless systems 716 using a wireless link. The hub 704 includes an ATM switching device or a TDM multiplexing device to establish a connection between subscribers by connecting a wireless link on the backbone 702 or to connect subscribers to other locations on the network to access services. . Through the hobbing process, the use of networking technology significantly increases the effective range of wireless access links, as well as providing a variety of voice, data, and multimedia service connections.

The hubing architecture of the present invention can be mode applied to fixed wireless point-point and point-multi point systems. In the case of a wireless point-point system, each hub is connected to a backbone network by supporting one antenna for each link. Thus, the rooftop space imposes a limitation on the number of antennas (and thus links to the network) that can be supported by a single hub using a fixed wireless point-point system. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a network architecture employing a 38 GHz wireless point-point telecommunication system in which wireless facilities connect customer locations to a metropolitan backbone network. This system utilizes a point-to-point system in which communication occurs between the hub 100 and a particular building 102 or between the university campus 104. The backbone network consists of high capacity telecommunications transmission facilities 106 that connect ring-shaped hubs, each hub connected to each building or campus location via a "last mile" wireless connection.

For fixed wireless point-to-point systems, fewer hub antennas vary between 15-90 degrees and provide access to customer buildings in a sector that contains a large number of customer buildings. In either case, the hubing architecture provides efficient access to the network backbone, enabling communication between subscribers and allowing subscribers access to value-added services added to the network.

6. Remote Subscriber System Equipment and Service Support

In the system of the present invention, subscriber 716 may take the form of a single customer, a multi-user system in a building, or a customer campus. 8 shows an embodiment of a subscriber system for use with a multi-user system in a building.

Referring to FIG. 8, antenna 602 is integrated with a wireless transceiver in a sealed small outdoor unit (ODU) 804 for installation on a building rooftop. The ODU is preferably secured by standard 4 inch pole mounts for quick and low cost installation. The outdoor device 804 is connected to an indoor unit (IDU) 806 that is typically disposed in a common space within a building via an inter-facility link (IFL) 808 consisting of coaxial cable or fiber. .

The use of fiber in the IFL 808 provides a significant advantage for devices in the building where the conduits are already tightly packed into the telecommunications facility, leaving no room for new cables to move. This is a commonly encountered installation problem. Fiber is much thinner than coaxial cables, so it is easier to pull through existing building conduits than coaxial cables, making installation work much faster and less expensive than with cables.

Another advantage of using fiber in the IFL 808 is associated with signal loss between the IDU 806 and the ODU 804. The physical characteristics of coaxial cables limit signal propagation to less than 1000 feet in most cases. This emphasizes the restriction in separation between the ODU 804 and the IDU 806. Since the public space provided for telecom (including IDU) equipment in most commercial office buildings is located in the basement and the ODU 804 is installed on the roof, this creates a problem for installation in large buildings, such as 15 stories. do. The optical cable does not cause the problem of distance limitation between the IDU 806 and the ODU 804. Thus, the installation is not obstructed by the location of public spaces for telecommunications equipment in the building.

The indoor device 806 is used to interface with customer premise equipment (CPE) 810. A preferred embodiment of the indoor device has a chassis with a slot for receiving a service specific line card 812. The line card 812 is physically inserted into the chassis when the customer is installed. The line card 812 is provided to support specific telecommunication services (DS-1, DS-3, ISDN, frame relay, Ethernet, token ring, ATM, etc.). The line card 812 is connected to a backplane for converting a protocol to an ATM for hub transmission and for converting a protocol from ATM to a service specific protocol for transmission from the hub. The chassis preferably supports 10-20 line cards 812, each of which may provide multiple ports for interconnection with the CPE. For example, a typical DS-1 line card allows the connection of four DS-1 lines (4 x DS-1) per card. Because line cards are inexpensive, the incremental cost of adding customers to the network is very low once the basic remote system equipment is in place in the building. Once installed, the services provided by the line card 812 may be locally available, and remotely by commands generated by the central operating node 713 (see FIG. 7) being moved through the network. .

In this way, the indoor device effectively meets the needs for telecommunication services. Most small and medium commercial office buildings can be supported by the 10-20 card chassis described above. For very large buildings, two or more IDUs can be interconnected in a "delay chain" manner that expands the number of available service interfaces, and the campus space and main distributed frames are arranged to provide customers. It can be installed on different floors that may be. In addition, the present invention provides a very small and low-cost indoor device with a fixed service interface for providing customers living in a small office / home office (SOHO). Rather than using a chassis and backplane architecture, these small IDUs are low-cost, fully integrated sealing devices manufactured to support predetermined service behavior. An example of this kind of low edge IDU provides an interface for 64 Kbps multiple voice lines and an Ethernet port to connect to a remote office LAN.

7. Operational Considerations

In addition to improved spectral efficiency and thus increased bandwidth, significant savings in operating and equipment costs can be achieved with 38 GHz point-multi-point wireless technology. Replacing multiple antennas on the hub roof with one or more point-multi point hub antennas eliminates the complexity of operation and reduces installation costs. Once the hub 704 is installed, the act of adding the customer to the network is to install the subscriber system 716 in the customer building in the cover section 706. This contrasts with the requirement to design and install equipment that supports the two edges of all links, as in today's 38 GHz point-to-point wireless technology.

In addition, service delivery and configuration changes can be managed remotely via definable software service attributes that are downloaded via the network to subscriber systems located in customer buildings. Services are provided, monitored, modified and controlled from a central network operation center by a technician with the appropriate license. The system software enables "see through" the provision of services from the hub to the end-user service interface card of the remote subscriber system.

8. Service

The communication network of the present invention may support some and all services that can be supported by wireless line telecommunication technology. These services include two broadly defined categories of services: traditional telecommunications services and emerging broadband multimedia services.

The traditional telecommunications services for commercialization include (1) voice level local and long distance services, (2) DS-1, n × DS-1 and DS-3 rate point-to-point facilities for voice and data, (3) switching data services such as switched 56 Kbps and frame relay, and (4) high capacity point-point data facilities with operation at OC-3 speeds and above.

The emerging broadband multimedia services supported by the network of the present invention include high-speed Internet access, web hosting and information services, unique LAN-LAN services such as Ethernet and token ring, and desktop video, business related commercial video programming and video on demand. Video services such as education (remote education). Wireless customer access links to the network are actually provided at a predetermined data transfer rate, thereby meeting the bandwidth requirements of such services.

Residential customers are provided with a range of services for telecommuting and small office / home office (SOHO) applications. Service packages for these customers may include high speed internet access for local and long distance telephone service, information services and e-mail, and selectable video programming. Access to the network may be provided at a predetermined rate for the residential customer.

ATM Quality of Service (QOS) parameters may be used to support a usage based broadband multimedia data service. For example, a customer may subscribe to a 2 Megabit Committed Information Rate (CIR) connection to the network. The overhead of this customer's ATM cell guarantees 2 megabits of actual throughput whenever the customer requires the bandwidth on the network. If 2 megabits of network capacity (spectrum in a fixed wireless point-multi point access network) is not used by the customer, it can be used for other transmissions on the network.

ATM QOS parameters can be used to provide variable levels of throughput on the network, which allows network operators to establish pricing to occur concurrently with these levels of throughput. For voice services that do not specifically tolerate inherent delays in out-of-order cell movement, Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVC) schemes guarantee direct throughput at predetermined data rates. The PVC uses a fixed fixed bandwidth of the network whenever there is a service request. Although the delay associated with the reordering of the cell is measured in milliseconds, the PVC effectively establishes an end-to-end path through the network in which the cell is transmitted in turn to the ATM network. To overcome the above problems. In fixed wireless point-to-multipoint networks, bandwidth is allocated based on the total time between the subscriber system and the hub for the duration of the voice call.

Other ATM-based services use a Switched Virtual (SVC), which allocates bandwidth to user transmissions in a hierarchical priority scheme, ranging from guaranteed data throughput to the movement of data based on "capacity availability". Circuit) technology. The SVC effectively supports variable bit rate (burst) data services, such as most LAN communications, and the QOS parameters are arranged to manage throughput in relation to the importance of the data and the price of the service provided to the customer.

In the network of the present invention, event data is collected and stored on the system for billing based on the type of service provided to the customer. When billing for a data service, the time of day the service is provided, the network resources used by the customer (eg peak data rate, sustained data rate, number / type of packets transmitted), quality of service provided, data The number of packets lost due to congestion or other network transmission error, and other factors that are not generally considered in billing algorithms for traditional telecommunication services can be considered. In the case of voice services, billing data is collected from a call detail record (CDR) format by switch equipment deployed in the network.

The point-multi-point broadband metropolitan area telecommunications network of the present invention can support a wide range of future business and personal telecommunication services such as vehicle data applications using onboard computer systems that integrate city and highway maps with geolocation data and local traffic information. will be. Collision avoidance radars are another vehicle application. In addition, point-to-multipoint networks can support a host of personal computing applications with wireless broadband connectivity, including portable personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable web terminals, and campus wide mobile LANs. .

Thus far, the present invention has been disclosed and described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments and alternative embodiments thereof, but the above disclosure is merely an application of the present invention, and best mode for carrying out the present invention. It is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein.

In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art can easily understand that the present invention can be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit or the field of the present invention provided by the following claims. There will be.

Claims (38)

In the wide area network, At least two hub zones interconnected by the communication backbone and each providing coverage in at least one sector; At least two remote zones corresponding to each sector; And a point-to-point broadband wireless system that allows the at least two remote zones to connect to a corresponding hub zone. 10. The wide area network of claim 1, further comprising at least one service node operably connected to at least one of the hub zones. 3. The wide area network of claim 2, wherein the at least one service node comprises at least one of an internet service node, a long distance telephone service node, a local telephone service node, and a video service node. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two remote zones is: An outdoor device having a wireless transceiver operatively connected to the antenna; A plurality of indoor devices operatively connected to the plurality of premises communication facilities; And an inter-facility link connecting said outdoor device to said plurality of indoor devices, wherein said wireless transceiver supports said plurality of on-premises communication facilities. 5. The wide area network of claim 4, further comprising means for statistical multiplexing of the wireless device of the plurality of premises communication facilities. The method of claim 4, wherein the indoor device, A chassis having receiving means for a plurality of line cards; And a line card providing a service specific interface between the chassis and the premises communications facility. 7. The wide area network of claim 6, wherein the line card can support additional indoor devices in a delay chain configuration. 5. The wide area network of claim 4, wherein the inter-facility link is a fiber link. 5. The wide area network of claim 4, wherein the remote zone is located in a multi-storey house and the indoor unit is installed in multiple floors of the house. 2. The wide area network of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two remote zones comprises an integrated device that provides selected services to the premises communications facility. The wide area network according to claim 1, wherein the point-to-multipoint broadband wireless system located in each hub comprises: A first wireless device operating at a first selectable frequency and providing an effective range for the first sector; A second wireless device operating at a second selectable frequency and providing coverage for a second sector substantially adjacent to the first sector; And frequency selecting means for selecting the first selectable frequency and the second selectable frequency from a plurality of available frequencies such that the first and second selectable frequencies are actually separated to minimize co-channel interference. Features wide area network. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one third wireless device operating at a third selectable frequency and providing additional coverage to one of the first sector and the second sector, wherein the frequency selecting means Further selecting the third selectable frequency such that the first, second, and third selectable frequencies actually differ. 12. The wide area network of claim 11, wherein the hub zone comprises a plurality of adjacent and non-adjacent sectors, and wherein the frequency selecting means reuses the available frequencies on the non-adjacent sectors. 2. The wide area network of claim 1, wherein the communication backbone and the broadband wireless system support respective packet based data transfer protocols. 15. The wide area network of claim 14, wherein said packet based data transfer protocol is in asynchronous transmission mode. 15. The wide area network of claim 14, wherein said packet-based data transfer protocol for a hub zone communication backbone includes an asynchronous transfer mode and a synchronous transfer mode. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the packet is an ATM packet having a header portion and a payload portion having a quality of service parameter, wherein the communication network further comprises means for allocating a system bandwidth based on the quality of service parameter. Wide area network. A broadband local metropolitan area telecommunications network providing fixed broadband wireless area access, Each of the subscriber wireless devices operating at a frequency corresponding to the cell sector in which the subscriber resides, wherein at least one subscriber has a plurality of associated premises communication facilities and performs statistical multiplexing operation between the premises communication facility and the wireless device. A plurality of subscribers having means; At least one wireless device interconnected by a sonnet-based backbone, having a plurality of hub zone wireless devices corresponding to a cell sector and operating at a selectable frequency, the communication bandwidth being among the plurality of subscribers in each cell sector A plurality of hub zones with means for dynamically allocating; A plurality of value addition service nodes connected to the backbone and accessed by fraudulent subscribers through the hub zone and the backbone; A central operating node connected to each hub zone by a central network and providing remote control of the hub zone and remote control of the subscriber access to the service node. 19. The broadband local metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 18, wherein the plurality of value addition service nodes comprises at least one of an internet service node, a long distance telephone service node, a local telephone service node, and a video service node. . 19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of subscribers is: An outdoor device having a wireless transceiver operatively connected to the antenna; A plurality of indoor devices operatively connected to the plurality of premises communication facilities; And an inter-facility link connecting said outdoor device to said plurality of indoor devices, wherein said subscriber wireless device supports said plurality of on-premises communication facilities. The method of claim 20, wherein the indoor device, A chassis having receiving means for a plurality of line cards; And a line card providing a service specific interface between the chassis and the premises communications facility. 22. The wide area metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 21, wherein the inter-facility link is a fiber link. 21. The telecommunications network of claim 20, wherein the at least one subscriber is located in a multi-storey house and at least one of the plurality of indoor devices is installed in multiple floors of the house. 19. The broadband local metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 18, wherein at least one of the subscribers is an integrated subscriber device that provides selected services to the premises communications facility. 19. The broadband local metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 18, wherein the plurality of hub radios located in each hub, A first sector wireless device operating at a first selectable frequency and providing an effective range for the first sector; A second sector wireless device operating at a second selectable frequency and providing coverage to a second sector substantially adjacent to the first sector; And frequency selecting means for selecting the first selectable frequency and the second selectable frequency from a plurality of available frequencies such that the first and second selectable frequencies are actually separated to minimize co-channel interference. Features a broadband provincial metro area telecommunication network. 27. The wireless device of claim 25, wherein the plurality of hub radios comprises at least one third sector radio device operating at a third selectable frequency and further providing coverage to one of the first and second sectors. And wherein said frequency selecting means further selects said third selectable frequency such that said first, said second, and said third selectable frequencies are actually different. . 27. The wide area metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 25, wherein the hub zone covers a plurality of adjacent and non-adjacent sectors, and the frequency selecting means reuses the available frequencies on the non-adjacent sectors. 19. The wide area metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 18, wherein the backbone, the subscriber radio and the hub radio each support a packet based data transfer protocol. 29. The wide area metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 28, wherein the packet-based data transfer protocol is in asynchronous transmission mode. 29. The wide area metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 28, wherein the packet-based data transfer protocol for a backbone communication hub includes an asynchronous transmission mode and a synchronous transmission mode. 19. The wide area metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 18, wherein the subscriber radio and the hub radio transmit data on a frequency channel using high dimensional modulation techniques. 32. The wide area metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 31, wherein the high dimensional modulation technique is one of 16 QAM and 64 QAM. 30. The wide area metropolitan area telecommunications network of claim 29, wherein the central operating node comprises means for collecting packet quality and packet volume data about the subscriber, the data being provided to a billing system. In a broadband telecommunications architecture, A first hub zone providing broadband wireless communication to a first plurality of subscribers in a first region; A second hub zone providing broadband wireless communication to a second plurality of subscribers in a second region; A communication backbone interconnecting the first hub zone and the second hub zone to enable communication between the first plurality of subscribers in the first zone and the second plurality of subscribers in the second zone. Broadband telecommunications network architecture comprising a. 35. The wideband telecommunications architecture of claim 34, wherein the wideband wireless communication comprises a point-point communication link. 35. The wideband remote network architecture of claim 34, wherein the wideband wireless communication comprises a point-multi point communication link. 35. The wideband telecommunications network architecture of claim 34, further comprising a plurality of value addition service nodes connected to the backbone and accessed by the subscriber through the hub zone. In a method for obtaining effective bandwidth in a point-to-multipoint system between a hub with multiple customers and a plurality of subscribers operating on a frequency channel, Dynamically allocating a bandwidth among the plurality of subscribers; Communicating on the frequency channel using a high dimensional modulation technique; Using at the subscriber side a statistical multiplexing technique of the plurality of customers.