MXPA94002753A - Mmds over-the-air bi-directional tv/data transmission system and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

An integrated bi-directional MMDS/MDS converter connected to an antenna for receiving MMDS programming for receiving information/data signals from a set top for retransmission of these signals back to central location. The integrated bi-directional converter has a down converter connected to the diplexer for down converting conventional programming signals into a group of converted programming signals in the 222 to 408 MHz range, an up converter for up converting data/information signals in the 116 to 128 MHz range from the communication line into MDS signals and delivers it into the diplexer. The diplexer applies the outgoing MDS data signals to the feed of the antenna for transmission. The integrated bi-directional MMDS/MDS converter of the present invention uses a common local oscillator for driving both the down converter and the up converter.

Description

APPLICATION FOR PATENT NO. SERIES 08/048985 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OFFICE OF PATENTS AND MARKS RIGHTS REGISTRATION SHEET (PRINTING OF THE RECORDING MACHINE) (SEAL OF THE PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE) 08 048985 SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TRANSMISSION OF DATA / TV OF MMDS TRANSPORTED BY AIR, BL-DIRECTIONAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless system that uses microwave frequencies to provide bi-directional transfer of programming information between a common focal point and a plurality of ^ remote locations. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of Multiple Point Distribution System with Multiple Channels (MMDS) frequencies to receive programming at remote sites and Multiple Point Distribution System (MDS) frequencies to transmit data / information from sites. remote. 2. Statement of the Problem Consumers receive television programs in one of four ways. Historically, television programming was transmitted from a central antenna to a number of aerial antennas within a given radius of a transmission tower. Then cable television emerged becoming available and allowed a much higher quality supply of television programming to a consumer's home. While the quality of programming increased substantially, consumers found a significant increase in costs for this programming. Satellite dishes for satellite reception (TVRO) represent a third supply system. An individual consumer pays several thousand dollars for the TVRO supply system and also pays a monthly fee for the programming. TVRO systems allow consumers in rural areas, however, to receive high quality programming via satellite, where conventional and cable television signals do not provide them. The fourth type of supply systems is commonly referred to as "wireless cable." In one sense, the wireless cable represents a return to the supply of historical television signals.A consumer acquires an aerial microwave antenna and directs it to a common microwave transmission source. / ^ "usually mounted on the top of a tower or a high sit such as the top of a mountain.The initial" cab cab "systems operated in the MDS 2150 MHz to 2162 MHz frequency range. Limited programming on one od channels are provided under MDS frequencies, with the emergence of Multi-Point Multiple Channel Distribution Systems (MMDS), with a frequency range of 2500 MHz to 2686 MHz, or plurality of channels can be simultaneously provided to aerial microwave antenna. "MMDS wireless cables are becoming popular throughout the nation and globally, mainly compared to the higher cost of acquiring cable and cable installation. For example, in a community of homes of 20,235 m2 (five acres) cable installation would be prohibitively expensive, while the provision of wireless cable to these sites would be significantly lower.

Simultaneously, with the development of television programming systems as described above, it is the need to provide back-feeding of the consumer the source for program delivery, such as for example pay-per-view (PPV) systems. Cable systems have the unique advantage of providing a solid b directional communication path between the consumer and the programming source. In TVRO wireless cable systems, there is no such link and the consumer must rely on making a flame * telephone to the programming source (or other location) to order pay-per-view programming. Pa-per-event programming is used as an example and it should be understood that many other services envisage a return dat transmission route from the consumer to the programming source (eg merchandise orders, computer data, etc.) . General Instruments, currently makes a team that »Provides standard telephone connection to send data back to the billing computer. This system identifies as Model No. 1507 MU and is available from Gener Instruments, 2200 Byberry Road, Hatboro, Pa 19040. This system is easily installed by a customer to access pay-per-view programming. The connection of a telephone line to a computer, however, is expensive and customers are sometimes on a long-distance trunk or commutator line.

There is a need for a wireless cable system < 0 to provide a data path / return information back to the programming source. The system that implements this must provide the return data path using the frequencies available and at low cost to the consumer. service should use the existing equipment as much as possible. Currently, the response frequencies of the Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS = Instructional Televisi Fixed Service) (2686.0625 MHz to 2689.8125 MHz), are considered to be * Use as return link frequencies by the FCC. FCC General File No. 90-60. This approach is costly and elaborate, due to the fact that the reception and transmission frequencies are so close to each other - normally they require antennas for separate transmission and reception and separate down-converter to receive the ITFS signal and transmitter (low energy to send back the return aud link). The energy required for the relatively small return link (less than 100 milli atts), but due to the proximity of the frequencies, the overload of a downconverter for reception is a problem. Another problem exists with the use of ITFS response frequencies in which interference and service interruption may result. The immediate proximity of the IT response frequencies (2686.025 / 2689.8125 MHz) to the ITFS / MMDS band (2500/2686 MH) would require high Q filters and physically large and costly filters to minimize interference between reception transmission signals. The use of the existing MDS frequencies to return information / data is not currently available, therefore there is a need to allow operators and users of wireless cable to use the MDS frequencies for pay-per-view programming, computer links, bank, home purchases, fire / security medical alarm, as well as to receive standard programming at a minimum cost To date this has only been available to wireless consumers through the use of standard telephone connections. present invention provides a previously established problem solution by providing a bidirectional transfer in two information / data programming senses between a common transmission point, such as a tower and each of the plurality of remote locations such as the place of a consumer. The present invention achieves by employing the same microwave antenna at the consumer site to receive programming and data transmission. A unique bi-directional converter is used to convert the microwave programming signals downwardly and to convert signals upwardly. of transmission in microond of data. The converter operates using transl or common components to minimize the cost to the consumer. The present invention employs a converter for transmitting / receiving mont in a mast, which incorporates a common local oscillator to both downconvert input microwave signals while simultaneously converting output information and data signals into the uplink. transmission tower. The present invention employs the existing M frequencies to down-convert signals * programming to the remote locations and provide a new one for the existing MDS frequencies for transmitting information / data from the remote locations to the transmitter with BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An integrated bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter describes, connected to an antenna to receive programming MMDS P an antenna and that is also connected to a communication line to receive information / data signals from a computer p retransmission of these signals back to a central location The present invention establishes an integrated directional converter having an operational down converter with a diplexer to convert conventional MMDS programming signals in a downward fashion to a group of programming signals converted in the range of 222 to 408 MHz, operating band separator with the down converter and receiving the group of converted programming signals to supply these signals to outside from the directional converter to the communications line. The present invention incorporates an upconverting operative with the band separator to convert upstream data / information signals from the communications line, as separated by the band separator from the converted programming signals that are transferred simultaneously. The upstream converter processes the data / information signals to the MDS data signals and supplies them with diplexer. The diplexer applies the salt MDS data signals to the antenna feed for transmission. This integrated bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter of the present invention employs a local oscillator to direct both down-converter and up-converter and commonly compares the diplexer and band separator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Figure 1 illustrates the present invention in the context of a wireless cable system, Figure 2 establishes the present invention, in the form of a block diagram of the various components contained therein in the location of the remote consumer, the Figure 3 establishes the present invention block diagram components at the location of the common transmi, and Figure 4 establishes the details of the converter b < Directional # of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 1. General In Figure 1, the present invention is illustrated in a conventional "wireless cable" MMDS system environment. common antenna 20 is located at a common or central focal point 1. Microwave transmitter 20 transmits programming signals 30. Typically, programming signals 30 are supplied from a satellite 40 transmitting programming 50 to a base station 60. At the station base is a set of electronic components 70 which in turn causes the programming s replenished and transmitted as programming 30 to an aerial antenna 80 located on the roof of a consumer's home 90. antenna 80 has a down converter 100 that converts form descending the programming signals and supplying them on the communication link 110 to the receiver 105. This is a typical prior art system for receiving programming M from the common transmitter 20. The plurality of homes simultaneously reci the programming 30. The present invention improves significantly on conventional programming supply system previously described when allowing that each location 90 transmits information / data back to antenna 20 at the common transmission location. In Figure 1, each location 90 provides with a converter equipment 120 that allows the consumer to feed data or information. The converted equipment connected to a data interface device 130 provides a bi-directional converter data 100 uplink cable 100 of the present invention. The data is converted upwardly and the antenna 80 transmits the data as the signal MDS 130 to the microwave antenna co 20, which is also configured to receive this signal and pa to supply the data to the central location 70 for processing. It will be understood that the converter equipment 1 may also comprise a personal computer or any other convenient type of the device. In this way, a bi-direction communication link is provided between the antenna 80 and the antenna 20, wherein antenna 20 transmits commonly programming 30 over frequency MMDS, to a plurality of aerial antennas 80 and wherein each of the plurality of aerial antennas 80 is capable of converting in ascending, independently but simultaneously, output data on the frequencies MDS. Therefore, the present invention significantly expands the capabilities of wireless cable communication, while making full use of the present MDS frequency range that until now had only been used for programming.

The bi-directional converter 100 of the present invention is the heart of the operation of the present invention and allows that two-way communication to employ existing antenna antennas 80 and share common components. The present invention offers significant advantages By eliminating the use of telephone lines, the present invention has a lower cost. By providing a self-contained system the use of an external entity such as a telephone company is not required. Combining the return information in the existing wireless cable dis increases the control reliability, while providing less interference service interruption. It will be expressly understood and as explained subsequently that the bi-directional converter of the present invention is not limited to the MMDS / MDS frequency ranges and that the concept contained in the directional converter of the present invention is found in other applications. . 2. Remote Location In Figure 2, the details of components located at the remote location such as the ho of a consumer 90 are established. The four basic components of Fig 1 are illustrated: the antenna 80, the bi-directional converter 1 the data interface 130 and the converter equipment 120.

The antenna 80 is a conventional MMDS antenna, such as that completely described in US Pat. 5,191,350, entitled "Vien's Low Load Parabolic Antenna, granted on March 2, 1993 and commonly owned by the transferee." Antenna 80 has a semi-parabolic reflector and microwave 82, a microwave feed 84 and a support boom. 86. The microwave signals are supplied to and from antenna 80 on link 200.

* In operation, the antenna 80 conventionally receives signals 30 that are supplied in the frequency range M (2500 MHz to 2686 MHz) and containing convention programming In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the ant 80 also retransmits information / data as represented by signal 130 in the MDS frequency range (2150 MHz to 2162 MHz). feed 84 is conventional and may be of the type as fully set forth in the prior art of the US patent. No. 5,191,350. "Power MMDS Dual Dipole Stack . { Stacked Dual Dipole MMDS Feed), patent application of E.U.A. Serial No. 07 / 733,108, filed on July 19, 19 also of common assignment to the assignee of the present invention establishes a stacked dipole power convention particularly well suited for retransmission of MDS data signals due to its superior power characteristics such as: much greater bandwidth, less VS R, much directivity and rejection of transversal polarity.

The bi-directional converter 100 of the present invention is interconnected to the antenna 80 on the link 200. The embodiment of Figure 2, the link 200 illustrates a common coaxial connection 210. The connection 210 is for illustration purposes only and shall be understood that a number of different approaches can be employed to connect the bi-directional converti 100 to the antenna 80. For example, in the US patent granted 5,202,699, entitled "Descending Converter and Integrated MMDS Antenna" (Integrated MMDS Antenna and D r * Converter), granted on April 13, 1993 (of common assignment), bi-directional converter 100 can be located in support boom 86 and directly coupled to the power thereby eliminating the need for a coax 210 connection entirely. 0 as described in US Patents. Us 4,791,717 ("Inter-digital Filter Apparatus and Construction Method") ("Interdigital Filter Apparatus and Method Construction") or 5,020,149 ("Integrated Descending Converter Interdigital Filter Apparatus and Method for its Construction (" Integrated Down Converter and Interdigital Filter Apparatus Method for Construction Thereof "), common property by present transferee, a current coaxial connection can be employed in this modality and as illustrated in Figure 1, the bi-directional convert 100 will be mounted on the rear part of the antenna. It will be expressly understood that the bi-directional physical location and the means for interconnecting it to antenna 80, may vary, under the teachings of the present invention, of application in application. The directional converter 100, under the teachings of the present invention, couples into the power supply 84 in order to convert MMDS signals 30 which transmits programming and to up-convert data and information into signals 130 in a downward fashion. The bi-directional converter 100 it will be discussed in detail in the following section with respect to Figure 3. bi-directional converter 100 connected to link 110, however it functions to convert in descending order l MMDS frequencies in a frequency range of 222 to 408 MHz, co represents by arrows 220 and to convert upward frequencies in the range 116 to 128 MHz, as represented by arrow 222 to the MDS frequency range. new, communication link 110, in the present invention is a coaxial cable having conventional coaxial connectors 230. As illustrated in Figure 1, coaxial 110 supplies MMDS 220 signals from the bi-directional converter 1 usually located on the antenna 80 down in place a consumer to the data interface device 130. The data interface device 130 functions to provide programming as represented by the arrow 2 on the coaxial connection 250 to the converter equipment 120 directly to the receiver 105. Again , the coaxial connection 2 has conventional coaxial connectors 260. The data interface 130 receives data, such as digital data on lines 270 and conventional connections 270 (a) and (b). data interface device 130 operates to supply the programming signals 240 to the converter equipment 120 from bi-directional converter and to process the digital signals from the converter equipment 120 (or from an alternate source such as a personal computer) into data signals 222 , ™ preference in the range 116 to 128 MHz. As illustrated in Figure 2, the data conversion 280 in the signals 222 is achieved by the use of a data processing 290. A band separator 292 is employed to supply signals of programming 240 to the converter equipment and supplying data signals from the data processor simultaneously to the coaxial 110. The band separator 292 * preference is a high pass / low pass separator, where low pass cutoff is 128 MHz and high pass cutoff is 222M Data processor 290 is an upconverter converts 10 MHz or other frequency signals that transports data that can be sent from the converter equipment to the required range of 116 to 128 MHz. The converter equipment 120 supplies the programming signals 240 to the television set 120 and generates the data / information signals 280 such as pay per event and similar.

. It will be understood that connections 250 and 270 between equ 11 * ß 120 and data interface 130 are exemplary and other approaches may be employed. For example, only cable connection can be used. In addition, the data interface 130 can be incorporated directly into the converter equipment. In summary, Figure 2 establishes the component in the remote locations 90. In operation, programming signals MMDS 30 are received by the antenna 80 reflected in power supply 84 that is supplied through the link 200 bi-directional converter 100. The bi-directional converter -directional then converts the programming signals into the MMDS range, a range of convenient frequencies such as in the range of 22 408 MHz and supplies them on the link 110 as programming signals 220. The data interface 130 decouples is signals and supplies them on link 250 as shown by programming signals 240, either to television 105 or ^ converter unit 120. Simultaneously, the converter eq 120 supplies information / data signals 280 or the link 270 at the data interface 130 which supplies it with data signals 222 in a convenient range of frequencies as from 116 to 128 MHz over link 110 and directional converter 100. Bi-directional converter 100 converts upstream data signals 222 of link 110, supplies over communications link 200 in power 84 of antenna 80, for transmission as MDS data signals 130 Therefore, the bi-directional converter can simultaneously link up and downlink signals that according to the preferred modality of the present invention, use the MMDS range to transport programming and the MDS range to carry data 3. Location Common Transmitter In Figure 3, the general components in common transmitter location 70, are illustrated. The common transmission and the antenna 20 in one mode, transmit in * simultaneous and receive signals 30 and 130. In another mode, transmit antenna 20 (a) and receive antenna 20 (b) s antennas separated in the same location. The programming receives in the power 300, such as from a parabolic antenna for satellite reception 60, the programming can be selectively supplied through encryption equipment 31 before supply to the electronic transmission components. * 320. These electrical components are conventional in MMDS industry. The receiving antenna receives the antenna signals 1 and supplies them in an MDS receiver 330. The MDS receivers 3 are conventionally available and have been used to receive MDS programming. However, the data recovery circuit 340, under the teachings of the present invention, receives an MDS signal and retrieves data and information therefrom. In one embodiment, the signals are supplied over lines 350 in encryption unit 310 and in another embodiment, the signals supply in lines 360 as data for current use below. In a pay-per-event environment, encryption unit 310 activates by signs on line 350. In another modality, such as in the purchase of articles and materials in a domestic catalog network, 360 data signals are supplied from the system. In summary, at the common remote location 70, the MMDS programming signal is conventionally supplied and the MDS signals modified to convey information and data, as illustrated in the previous section and the information and data retrieved, either to activate suitable encryption equipment to supply data out from the system. 4. Bi-Directional Converter A preferred embodiment of the bi-directional converter of the present invention is set forth in Figure 4. Bi-directional converter 100 employs a common diplexer 400, common band separator 410 and a common local oscillator 420. diplexer receives the MMDS signals of line 200 and send them in filter 430 designed for conventional MMDS groups A to G. Example of a 430 filter would be an interdigital filter MMDS. filter output 430 is supplied to a RF amplifier 440, which supplies the signal to a mixer 450 and the mixer to a band filter 460, which is then amplified by the amplifier 47. The amplified programming signals are then supplied through the separator band in communication link 11 Operation of MMDS filter 430, RF amplifier 440, mixer 450, bandpass filter 460 and amplifier 470 are conventional and the design of this in one mode, based on the downstream converter Commercial model QL-3010 available from the transferee, which is based on the US patent 4,791,717 and 5,020,149. In operation, local oscillator 420 operates at fixed frequency such as 2278 MHz and supplies a signal ÍWt mixer 450 that converts signals M into descending signals into programming signals 220. The return information path operates as follows. data signals 222 are received in the communication link 110. These data signals 222 are supplied simultaneously with the programming signals 220 and the band separator 4 separates the data signals 222 and supplies them to a 510 level amplifier and limiter. which is then supplied to a filter * bandpass 500. The amplified signals are then supplied to a mixer 520, for downstream supply RF amplifier 530 which supplies its output to the MDS filter 54. The amplifier 510 may also have circuitry for level limitation, to control the gain of the amplifier. amplified that is within any of the required transmission rules F such as for example 100 milliwatts. The filter output MDS 540 is supplied to the diplexer 400 which simultaneously supplies the output data / information MDS signals to its v. Again, the filter 540 in the preferred embodiment is # interdigital filter. It will be understood that Figure 4 illustrates the filt 430 and 540 as separate components of the diplexer 400 for discussion purposes and that the three are physically combined with each other in the preferred embodiment as illustrated by dotted lines 800. The bi-directional converter of Figure 4 employs jWt common local oscillator 420 resulting in cost savings design for the present invention. The bi-directional converter of Figure 4 is integral in a single housing that reduces the total cost of the invention. This particular design is important since a single converter is used to convert the MMDS signals downward while converting the MDS signals upward simultaneously. The present invention employs the MDS frequency range in a never-used form. That is, for the provision of information and data each of the plurality of remote locations 90 to the central transmission 20. 5. Operation Method With reference to Figure 2, the method of the present invention provides a bi-directional converter that simultaneously converting MM 220 programming signals into simultaneous form, while simultaneously converting data signals 222 into data signals MMDs 130.

* With reference to Figure 4, the diplexer 400 simultaneously receives MMDS programming signals 30 from the antenna 80 while transmitting MDS data signals outwardly. The diplexer 400 supplies MMDS programming signals to the downconverter 600 while simultaneously receiving MDS data signals from the upconverter 700. The downconverter 600 and the upconverter 700 commonly use the same local oscillator for conversion. The band separator 410 simultaneously receives the converted programming signals and supplies them to the communication link 110, as signals 220 and simultaneously receives the data signals 222 and supplies them to the upconverter 700. It will be expressly understood that the claimed invention is not limited to the description of the modality ? - preferred but encompasses other modifications and alterations within the scope and spirit of the inventive concept.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A bidirectional MMDS / MDS communication system, to receive MMDS programming and to transmit MDS data, the system comprises: an antenna, the antenna receives the MMDS programming, the antenna transmits the MDS data, a bi-directional converter connected to the antenna to down-convert the MMDS programming into a group of MMDS signals converted into a first predetermined frequency range, a receiver, a communication link, receiving means of the group of converted MMDS signals to supply the signals to the link receiver # communications, means to generate data in a second predetermined frequency range, the bidirectional converter is receptive of the data in the frequency range of 116 to 128 MHz, on the means of supply to up-convert the data into MDS signals, the receiving antenna of the MDS signals from the bi-directional convert to transmit the MDS signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined frequency range is 222 to 408 MHz.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined frequency range is 116 to 128 MHz.

4. An integrated bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter, connected to an antenna to receive MMDS signals and connected to a communication line to receive data transporting signals, the integrated bidirectional MMDS / MDS converter comprising: means connected to the antenna for sending outputs the MMDS signals, means connected to the diplexer to convert the MMDS signals into a group of MMDS signals converted in the range 222 to 408 MHz, means connected to the down converter and receivers of the MMDS signal group to supply the group of signals converted into the communication line, the supply means also receive the signals that transport data from the communications lines, means connected to the supply means to convert the signals that transport data to the MDS signals, the output means are also receivers of the signals MDS of the descending media converters, to supply the MDS signals to the ntena, and connecting means of the downstream converting means to the upstream converting means ffe to provide a common oscillator.

5. An integrated bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter connected to an antenna to receive MMDS signals and connected to a communications line to receive data transporting signals, the integrated bidirectional MMDS / MDS converter comprising: a diplexer connected to the antenna to send output the MMDS signals, a down converter connected to the diplexer to down-convert the MMDS signals into a group of MMDS signals converted in the range 222 to 408 MHz, a band separator connected to the downstream converter and receptive to the group of converted MMDS signals to supply the group of signals converted in the communications line, the band separator also receives the signals that transport data from the communications line, an upstream converter connected to the band separator, to up-convert the signals that transport data to MDS signals, the receptive diplexer of MDS signals of the convert upstream to supply the MDS signals to the antenna, and a local oscillator connected to the downstream jffc converter and to the upstream converter, to generate the converted signals.

6. The integrated bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter of claim 5, wherein the down converter further comprises: a filter connected to the diplexer, an RF amplifier connected to the filter output, * a receiver mixer of the RF amplifier output and the oscillator signal from the local oscillator, a bandpass filter connected to the aforementioned mixer output, and an amplifier connected to the bandpass filter, the output of the amplifier connected to the band separator.

7. The integrated bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter of claim 5, wherein the upconverter comprises: an amplifier with level control connected to the band separator, a bandpass filter connected to the output of the amplifier with a control of level, a mixer connected to the output of the bandpass filter and that receives the oscillator signal from the local oscillator, an RF amplifier connected to the output of the mixer, a filter connected to the output of the RF amplifier, to supply its output to the diplexer.

8. A bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter inte¬ * degree connected to an antenna to receive MMDS signals and connected to the communications line, to receive data transported, signals the integrated bidirectional MMDS / MDS converts comprising: a diplexer connected to the antenna to send out the MMDS signals, a descending converter connected to the diplexer to convert the MMDS signals in a downward manner into a group of converted programming signals, the down-converter comprising: (a) a filter connected to the diplexer, (b) an RF amplifier connected to the filter output aforementioned, (c) a mixer receptive to the output of the RF amplifier and the oscillator signal of the local oscillator, (d) a bandpass filter connected to the aforementioned mixer output, and (e) an amplifier connected to the bandpass filter, the output of the amplifier connected to the band separator, a band separator connected to the downstream converter and rec From the group of converted MMDS signals to supply the group of signals converted to the communication line, the band separator receives the signals that carry data from the communications line, an upstream converter connected to the band separator, to convert into a ascending the signals that carry data in MDS signals, the upstream converter comprising: (a) an amplifier with level control connected to the band separator, "» (b) a bandpass filter connected to the output of the aforementioned amplifier , (c) a mixer connected to the aforementioned bandpass filter output and receiver of the oscillator signal of the local oscillator, (d) an RF amplifier connected to the output of the mixer, and (e) a filter connected to the output of the amplifi¬ # RF sensor, to supply its output to the diplexer, the diplexer is the receiver of the MDS signals from the up converter, to supply the MDS signals to the antenna, and a local oscillator connected to the down converter and the up converter, for general light to generate converted signals.

9. The integrated bi-directional converter of claim 8, wherein each of the down-converting filter and the up-converting filter are interdigital filters.

10. The bi-directional integrating converter of claim 8, wherein the down converter filter, the up converter filter and the diplexer are a single component. • EXTRACT An integrated bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter connected with an antenna to receive MMDS programming and to receive data / information signals from a computer for retransmission of these signals back to the central location. The integrated bi-directional converter has a descending converter connected to the diplexer, to convert conventional programming signals into a group of programming signals converted in the range of 222 to 408 MHz in descending order, an up-converter to up-convert signals of information / data in the range of 116 to 128 MHz from the communications line in MDS signals and supplies them to the diplexer. ß The diplexer applies the output MDS data signals to the antenna feed for transmission. The integrated bi-directional MMDS / MDS converter of the present invention employs a common local oscillator to direct both the down converter and the up converter.