WO1998001922A1 - Systeme de communications a faisceau etroit focalise - Google Patents

Systeme de communications a faisceau etroit focalise Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998001922A1
WO1998001922A1 PCT/US1997/011829 US9711829W WO9801922A1 WO 1998001922 A1 WO1998001922 A1 WO 1998001922A1 US 9711829 W US9711829 W US 9711829W WO 9801922 A1 WO9801922 A1 WO 9801922A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signals
lens
antenna
communication
communication device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/011829
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Lakshman S. Tamil
Aubrey I. Chapman
Original Assignee
Focused Energy Holding Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Focused Energy Holding Inc. filed Critical Focused Energy Holding Inc.
Priority to PL97331992A priority Critical patent/PL184543B1/pl
Priority to CA002260200A priority patent/CA2260200C/fr
Priority to AU35963/97A priority patent/AU3596397A/en
Priority to BR9710291A priority patent/BR9710291A/pt
Publication of WO1998001922A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998001922A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/24—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
    • H01Q15/02—Refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens, prism
    • H01Q15/08—Refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens, prism formed of solid dielectric material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q19/00—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
    • H01Q19/06—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens
    • H01Q19/062—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens for focusing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q25/00—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns
    • H01Q25/007—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns using two or more primary active elements in the focal region of a focusing device
    • H01Q25/008—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns using two or more primary active elements in the focal region of a focusing device lens fed multibeam arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/24—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
    • H01Q3/242—Circumferential scanning

Definitions

  • This invention relates to line-of-sight wireless communication systems for microwave and millimeter wave communication, and more particularly to a wireless communication system for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication which uses a dielectric material lens antenna to focus received or transmitted information carrying radio frequency (rf) signals
  • Another type of wireless communication system is cellular communication
  • the communication devices broadcast and receive signals from and to a base station
  • the frequency of the signals broadcast from the base station and the frequency of the signals received by the base station are different
  • the different frequencies allow for simultaneous reception and transmission of information by a communication device
  • the ability to simultaneously receive and transmit information in one device is called duplex communication
  • the base station of a cellular cell typically comprises an antenna array having circuitry and computer control for receiving incoming signals, for transforming the signals without losing the information carried by the received signals, and an array of transmit antennas for transmitting the transformed signals to another communication device
  • each antenna is a dipole antenna
  • a major disadvantage of the transmit antennas currently used is that the antennas broadcast omnidirectionally
  • a more efficient communication system can be established if the transmit antennas are capable of beaming a signal directly to a desired receiver or receivers
  • Some methods for curing the fading problem are space diversity, frequency diversity, time diversity, and polarization diversity broadcasting
  • a beam forming antenna is an antenna that has the capability to form multiple rf beams which can be directed beams in selected directions
  • the base station and adjacent base stations can employ frequency reuse
  • Frequency reuse is the ability of a base station and adjacent base stations to use the same frequency to communicatively connect different users in separate communication systems without interference due to the use of the same frequency
  • the ability to employ frequency reuse increases the number of users who can use a communication network
  • frequency reuse is employed in cells that are separated by a sufficient distance so that the signals from a first cell using a particular frequency will not interfere with the signals of another cell using the same frequency
  • beam forming antenna frequency reuse can be utilized within a cell and between adjacent cells
  • U S Patent No 5,485,631 issued to Bruckert describes a multiple sectorized antenna system which achieves a low reuse factor
  • the reuse factor characterizes the proximity of the closest base station which can reuse a particular frequency
  • a key aspect of the present invention is the use of a dielectric material lens in a communication system to focus received or transmitted rf signals which pass through the lens
  • Such lenses have been used in other arts for many years
  • the lenses have been used as passive reflectors, and as antennas in radar systems involving navigation and aircraft landing
  • the lenses have been used as passive reflectors, and as antennas in radar systems involving navigation and aircraft landing
  • the lenses have been used as passive reflectors, and as antennas in radar systems involving navigation and aircraft landing
  • U S Patent No 3,703,723, issued to Albanese et al describes a Luneberg lens used as a passive reflector
  • U S Patent No 4,287,519, issued to Doi describes a Luneberg lens used as an antenna system which takes the place of three separate high gain antennas
  • U S Patent No 4,031,535, issued to Isbister describes a multiple frequency navigation radar system for determining the location and identification of navigational markers
  • U S Patent No 4,806,932 issued to Bechtel, describes a radar-optical transponding system for use in aircraft landing systems
  • a transceiver on an aircraft sends a signal to a ground based lens
  • the lens focuses the signal onto a transponder array, which adds identifier information and meteorological data to the signal and re-transmits the signal back to the aircraft's transceiver
  • the signal transmitted to the aircraft is used to guide the aircraft SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • the communication system for point-to-point or point-to- multipoint communication which uses a dielectric material lens antenna to focus received or transmitted rf energy.
  • the communication system is capable of serving multiple users and of handling multiple simultaneous communication links between various users.
  • the communication system can be designed so that the lens is used only to transmit rf signals Alternatively, the communication system can be designed so that the lens is capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving rf signals
  • the lens is directionally agile, and is capable of receiving and transmitting signals throughout a 360 degree area surrounding the lens.
  • the dielectric material lens When used to receive rf energy, the dielectric material lens focuses incoming rf signals onto signal processing equipment. When used to transmit rf energy, the dielectric material lens focuses outgoing rf signals into narrow beam signals which are transmitted directly to a desired receiver or receivers
  • the lens and signal processing equipment can be directly connected to a communication device, or the lens and signal processing equipment can act as a repeater, also called a base station. If the lens and signal processing equipment are directly connected to a communication device, signals received by the lens are fed to the signal processing equipment, and the resulting signal is sent to a user interface Output signals from the user interface are processed by the signal processing equipment and sent to the lens where the signals are broadcast as narrow beam rf signals directly to a second communication device or communication devices.
  • a first communication device broadcasts rf signals to the lens, and the lens sends the signals to the signal processing equipment.
  • the signal processing equipment sends processed signals back to the lens which broadcasts the signals as narrow beam rf signals directly to a second communication device or communication devices
  • a lens and corresponding signal processing equipment can be used to simultaneously establish many separate communication systems between various users
  • An object of this invention is to provide a wireless communication system which uses a dielectric material lens to focus transmitted rf signals into narrow beam rf signals
  • Another object is to provide a wireless communication system which uses a dielectric material lens to focus received rf signals onto signal processing equipment
  • Another object is to provide a communication system which uses a lens to broadcast narrow beams of rf signals directly to a desired receiver or receivers
  • Another object is to provide a wireless communication system capable of providing point-to-point or point-to-multipoint duplex communication for a large number of simultaneous users.
  • Another object is to provide a communication system which is capable of using frequency diversity, space diversity, or polarization diversity broadcasting to eliminate or minimize the problem of signal fading
  • Another object is to provide a communication system which is capable of using code division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing or space division multiplexing to increase the maximum number of simultaneous users that the communication system can accommodate
  • Another object is to provide a communication system which can employ frequency reuse to increase the number of simultaneous users that the communication system can accommodate
  • Another object is to provide a local area network communication system
  • Another object is to provide a lens and signal processing equipment which can be used as a base station of a cellular network. Further objects are to achieve the above with a system which is sturdy, compact, durable, simple, safe, efficient, versatile, ecologically compatible, energy conserving and reliable, yet is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, install, maintain and use
  • FIG 1 is a diagram of a communication system between a direct connected communication device, a base station, and a third communication device
  • FIG 2 is a diagram of a cellular network where separate cells are represented pictorially as hexagons
  • FIG 3 is a diagram of a point-to-multipoint communication system
  • FIG 4 is a diagram of the beam focusing pattern of received and transmitted rf energy for a spherical Luneberg lens where one focal point is located on the surface of the sphere and the other focal point is located at infinity
  • FIG 5 is a diagram of a constant-K lens fed with end-fire feeds
  • FIG 6A is a front view of a convex shaped dielectric lens
  • FIG 6B is a side view of a convex shaped dielectric lens
  • FIG 7 is a view of a spherical dielectric material lens with a partial cut away of the array of feed devices
  • FIG 8 is a block diagram of a receive module
  • FIG 9 is a block diagram of a transmit module for a direct connected communication device
  • FIG 10 is a block diagram of a transmit module for a base station
  • a communication system is designated generally as 10
  • the communication system is comprised of at least two communication devices 12, with at least one of the communication devices having a lens antenna 14
  • the lens antenna is comprised of a dielectric material lens 15, and signal processing equipment 16
  • the lens antenna can be used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals as shown in FIGS 1 and 2
  • the lens and signal processing equipment are used only to transmit rf signals as narrow beams directly to another communication device or communication devices
  • each communication device is given an individual alphanumeric designation
  • 12a and 12b are two distinct communication devices
  • information carrying signals that are received by or transmitted to a communication device are given alphanumeric designations, where the alphabetic character indicates the transmission source of the signal
  • rf signal 17b is a rf signal that was transmitted from communication device 12b
  • the information carried in an input or output rf signals can be voice or data information, or the information can be the signal itself, for example, a distress signal
  • a communicative connection formed by rf signals transmitted between a communication device 12 , a lens antenna 14 and another communication device 12 forms a communication system
  • a communication network is formed by all of the communication systems which can connect various users together As shown in FIGS 2 and 3, several individual communication devices 12 can be used to create the communication network used to communicatively connect a first communication device to a second communication device
  • the communication devices 12 are devices which are capable of transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals Some examples are cellular phones, pagers, and computers, televisions, automatic teller machines, and other electronic equipment which is connected to a transmitter and/or a receiver Also, a lens antenna 14 of this invention or a base station of a cellular network is a communication device 12
  • the lens antenna 14 can be a component of a communication device 12 that is directly connected to the communication device
  • Such direct connected communication devices 18, as shown in FIG 1, are comprised of a lens 15, signal processing equipment
  • the user interface is directly connected to the signal processing equipment by any conventional means, such as coaxial cable 22, fiber optic cable, or wiring
  • the lens antenna 14 can be base station 24 As shown in FIG 1, the base station, also designated as 12b, functions as a relay or repeater between two separate communication devices 12a and 12c The base station communicatively connects communication device 12a to communication device 12c by narrow beam rf signals 17
  • the dielectric material lens 15 is preferably a variable refractive index lens, such as a Luneberg lens
  • FIG 4 shows a diagram of the beam focusing pattern of received and transmitted rf energy for a spherical Luneberg lens
  • a dielectric material lens 15 made of a material having a constant refractive index may be used as a somewhat optically degraded substitute for a variable refractive index lens
  • a lens is a constant dielectric constant (constant-K) lens and is shown in FIG 5
  • the lens has focusing properties similar to those of a variable refractive index lens, but small aberrations in the resulting focused beam are present Such aberrations are small for most practical applications and have negligible effect
  • the dielectric constant should be within the range of approximately 2 0 to 3 5
  • a lens 15 used in the communication system 10 of the present invention is preferably spherical, but other shapes can be used for specific applications
  • the lens should have a shape wherein at least one surface of the lens is a quadric surface.
  • a convex shaped lens 30, as shown in FIG 6A and 6B, can be used if full 360° directional agility is not desired or required
  • One application for such lenses is in long distance rf signal transmission systems
  • the directivity and beam width of a focused beam 17 output from a lens 15 can be controlled by modifying the illumination taper and by radially adjusting the effective phase center of feed device 34 with respect to the focal point of the lens
  • the beam width of a signal broadcast through the lens is also a function of the wavelength of the signal, and of the diameter of the lens
  • the signal processing equipment 16 comprises array 32 of feed devices 34, receive modules 36, transmit modules 38, cross connect 40, duplex switch 42, and controller 44.
  • the number and positioning of the feed devices of the feed device array surrounding the lens 15 determines the directional range of the communication system.
  • the feed device array encircles the lens, providing a full 360° directional range
  • Typical feed devices include small aperture waveguide horns, open end waveguides, dielectric-loaded waveguides, patch antennas, and end-fire antennas
  • the array can be made of a combination of types of feed devices, for example, the array could be comprised of dual frequency patch antennas covering a portion of the lens, and rf horns covering another portion of the lens
  • the feed devices are patch antennas so that the feed devices do not block a signal from passing through and beyond the lens When a feed device broadcasts a signal through the lens, the signal is focused into a narrow beam signal which occupies a fixed solid angle in space
  • Receive modules 36 and transmit modules 38 are connected to each feed device 34 of the feed device array 32.
  • a single transmit module and a single receive module can be used to feed and receive to and from the feed device array, but it is preferable to have several interconnected receive and transmit modules, so that a receive module and a transmit module handle only a portion of the feed device array
  • the exact number of receive or transmit modules required is a function of the user load that the lens handles
  • a receive module 36 receives focused receive signals 26 that were fed to a feed device 34 from the lens 15
  • FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a basic embodiment of the receive module circuitry
  • the received signals from the lens are routed to low noise amplifier 46
  • the amplified signals are sent to mixer 48
  • Reference signals which are generated by oscillator 50 and amplified by amplifier 52 are also sent to the mixer 48
  • the mixer product is sent to band-pass filter 54 to filter out unwanted mixer products
  • the resulting signals are sent to amplifier 56
  • Gain control signals from gain control 58 control the gain of amplifier 56
  • Resulting signals 57 are passed to a transmit module 38 if the communication device is a base station 24, or the resulting signals are passed to a user interface 20 if the communication device is a direct connected communication device 18
  • a transmit module 38 sends output signals 78 to a feed device 34
  • FIG 9 shows a block diagram of a basic embodiment of the transmit module circuitry for a direct connected communication device 18.
  • Signals 79 from the user interface 20 are sent to amplifier 60
  • Gain control signals from gain control 62 control the gain of the amplifier 60
  • the signals from the amplifier 60 are sent to mixer 64
  • the mixer 64 is also fed with reference signals which are generated by oscillator 66 and amplified by amplifier 68
  • the resulting signals are sent to mixer 70
  • Mixer 70 is also fed with supervisory signals 72 from controller 44
  • the resulting signals are sent to band-pass filter 74
  • the signals are then sent to amplifier 76, which generates output signals 78
  • FIG 10 shows a block diagram of a basic embodiment of transmit module circuitry for a base station 24 Input signals 57 from the receive module are sent to mixer
  • the mixer 64 is also fed with reference signals which are generated by oscillator 66 and amplified by amplifier 68 The resulting signals are sent to mixer 70 Mixer 70 is also fed with supervisory signals 72 from controller 44 The resulting signals are sent to band- pass filter 74 The signals are then sent to amplifier 76, which generates output signals 78
  • output signals 78 from the amplifier 76 of the transmit module 38 are sent through the duplex switch 42, the cross connect 40, and a feed device 34
  • the feed device transmits the signals to the lens 15, which converts the signals to narrow beam rf signals 17 A cross connect and/or a duplex switch are not necessary for all applications
  • the transmit module 38 adds supervisory signals 72 to the signal stream in the transmit module
  • the supervisory signals are supplied to the transmit module by the controller 44 Typically, the supervisory signals contain information relating to the source and destination of the signal, as well as identification of the device 12 that has most recently broadcast the signal This information is used to ensure that a signal is broadcast to a desired location If a lens antenna 14 receives signals which do not have supervisory signals indicating that the signals are sent to the lens antenna which received the signals, the signal processing equipment 16 will not process the signals
  • the cross connect 40 allows the controller 44 to direct the output signals 78 from a transmit module 38 to the proper feed device 34 or feed devices that will ensure that the output rf signals from a lens 15 will reach the proper destination
  • the controller 44 for broadcast station 86, and the controller 44 for any base station 24 that receives the broadcast signals stores location information for all devices that are to receive narrow beam signals 17 transmitted from the broadcast station or base stations The location information is used by the controller 44 and the cross connect 40 to ensure that output signals 78 are fed to the proper feed device 34 or feed devices so that desired communication devices 12 will receive the narrow beam signals 17 transmitted from the broadcast station 86 or base stations 24.
  • a first communication device such as 12b transmits signals 78 through the same feed device 34 which received signals 19a from a second communication device 12a
  • the cross connect 40 and controller 44 direct output signals 78 through the same feed device which receives signals from the communication device being transmitted to This eliminates the need for storing information relating to the location of communication devices within a communication network
  • the duplex switch 42 prevents output signals 78 from being received by the feed device array 32 and being re-processed by the signal processing equipment 16 when the output signals 78 are broadcast through the lens 15 If the lens antenna 14 is used only to transmit rf signals, a duplex switch is not needed
  • the controller 44 provides the supervisory signals 72 to the transmit module
  • the controller in conjunction with the cross connect 40 determines which feed device 34 of the feed device array 32 the output signals 78 are sent to so that the corresponding narrow beam rf signals 17 that are broadcast from the lens 15 will reach a desired communication device 12
  • the circuitry of the receive and transmit modules 36, 38 and of the controller 44 can incorporate systems for minimizing the effect of signal fading, and for increasing the number of users who can simultaneously use the communication system
  • Space diversity, time diversity, frequency diversity, and polarization diversity circuitry can be incorporated in the signal processing equipment to minimize the effect of signal fading
  • time division multiplex, frequency division multiplex, polarization division multiplex, code division multiplex and space division multiplex circuitry can be incorporated in the signal processing equipment to increase the number of users who can simultaneously use the communication system
  • Such circuitry is known in the art of cellular communication and is not described in detail here
  • the electronic sub-systems that comprise a receive module 36 and/or a transmit module 38 can be made from separate components, or the components can be combined onto an integrated circuit, such as a monolithic microwave integrated circuit
  • the lens 15 of a direct connected communication device 18, or the lens 15 of a base station 24 forms narrow beam rf signals 17 which are transmitted to desired communication devices 12 Because the beams are narrow and directionally oriented, adjacent cells in a cellular network can reuse some of the frequency spectrum used by communication devices which broadcast narrow beam signals in a neighboring cell as long as the narrow beam signals do not overlap and interfere with each other This is known as frequency reuse Frequency reuse by a single lens antenna 14 can be accomplished by using polarization division multiplexing, space division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, or time division multiplexing to broadcast separate signals on the same frequency
  • a communication system 10 is comprised of at least two communication devices 12, at least one of which has a dielectric material lens 15 and signal processing equipment 16.
  • the dielectric material lens focuses received and transmitted rf signals Signals transmitted and/or received by the lens are processed by the signal processing equipment
  • FIGS 1, 2, and 3 Such communication systems are shown in FIGS 1, 2, and 3
  • FIG. 1 shows a direct connect communication device 18 which is communicatively connected to a base station 24, which in turn is communicatively connected to another communication device 12a
  • the direct connect device is indicated generally as 12c and the base station is indicated generally as 12b
  • the communication device 12c broadcasts omnidirectionally as indicated by reference numerals 19
  • direct connect communication device 18 is connected directly to the lens antenna 14
  • received rf signals carrying information 80 are focused by the lens 15 onto the signal processing equipment 16
  • the signal processing equipment receives signals 26 from the lens
  • the information contained in the signals 26 is sent from the signal processing equipment to user interface 20 of the communication device
  • Output signals 79 from the user interface, which carry information 82, are sent to the signal processing equipment
  • the output signals 78 from the signal processing equipment are passed through the lens and broadcast as narrow beam rf signals 17 to another communication device, which is base station 24 in FIG 1
  • a lens antenna 14 can function as a base station 24
  • a communication device 12c broadcasts input rf signals, which carry information 82, to the lens 15 of the base station
  • the lens focuses the received signals 26 onto the signal processing equipment 16
  • the signal processing equipment processes the received signals, and sends output signals 78 back to the lens
  • the output signals are passed through the lens and broadcast as narrow beam rf signals 17 which still carry the information 82
  • the narrow beam signals are transmitted to another communication device, 12a as shown in FIG 1
  • the communication systems between the three communication devices 12a, 12b, and 12c in FIG 1 form a full duplex communication network
  • the direct connect communication device 18 receives information 80 at the same time that it broadcasts information 82
  • communication device 12a receives information 82 at the same time that it broadcasts information 80
  • the base station 24 functions as a relay or repeater between the other two communication devices
  • the base station 24 of FIG 1 connects communication device 12a to communication device 12c
  • the base station can simultaneously connect many other communication devices together
  • FIG 2 shows a cellular network where the base stations are referenced as 24 a - f.
  • Central switching station 88 can connect to other types of communication networks, such as a wire or cable connected communication system, or a long distance rf signal transmission system This is represented in FIG 2 by reference number 90
  • the central switching station is interrogated by the base stations to determine the target locations of desired communication devices 12 and the most efficient route for sending signals to the desired communication devices For example if communication device 12o which is served by base station 24b is used to communicate with communication device 12p, which is served by base station 24f, the switching office could route the communication through base station 24d, as shown, or base station 24e Also, if one of the base stations used in a communication link fails or becomes overburdened, the switching office can re-route communication traffic through other base stations
  • a communication device 12 has a transmitter and a receiver, although there are applications where a communication device is not required to have both a transmitter and a receiver.
  • a point-to-multipoint wireless communication system 10 can be used to broadcast signals to many different receivers 12, as shown in FIG. 3
  • the lens antenna 14 receives signals from broadcast station 86
  • the station can be directly connected to the lens antenna by connector 84, as shown in FIG.
  • the station can transmit rf signals to the signal processing equipment 16
  • the broadcast station broadcasts signals through the lens as narrow beam signals 17 to each of the receivers
  • the broadcast station 86 does not receive signals, so the broadcast station does not have a receive module 36, or a duplex switch 42 Since the receivers 12 do not broadcast information back to the broadcast station, the receivers are not equipped with transmitters
  • the number of users who can receive the signals broadcast by the broadcast station can be greatly increased if the signals are broadcast to several base stations 24, which in turn re-transmit the signals as narrow beam signals to various users
  • a communication device 12c may receive narrow beam signals 17 from two or more different lens antennas 14 In FIG. 3, communication device 12c receives signals 17a and 17d The circuitry (not shown) of the communication device would be able to distinguish the best signal and use that signal Alternatively, the communication device could use both signals Also, the signals 17a and 17d received by communication device 12c would not necessarily have to carry the same information
  • FIG. 3 shows a point-to-multipoint communication system in which the lens 14 and signal processing equipment 16 are used for transmission only
  • a system can be designed so that the lens and signal processing equipment can accommodate both transmission and reception of signals in a point -to-multipoint system by including receive modules 36, transmit modules 38, and duplex switches 42 in the signal processing equipment of each lens 14 which is to receive and transmit; and by having transmitters and receivers in each communication device which receives the originally broadcast signals
  • the controller 44 can store information concerning the location of all the communication devices 12 within the network and broadcast signals directly to desired communication devices.
  • an inquiring communication device can broadcast an inquiry signal throughout the directional range of the lens antenna 14.
  • the inquiry signal when received by the desired communication devices would cause the desired communication devices to send response signals back to the inquiring lens.
  • the inquiring communication device can then transmit signals through the feed devices 34 which received the response signals. This establishes a direct communication system between the inquiring communication device and a second communication device Establishing a communication system in a cellular network is well known in the art of cellular communication and is not described here.
  • the controller 44 will direct output signals 78 from the transmit module 38 to a feed device 34
  • the feed device transmits to the lens, which will cause the output signals to be broadcast as narrow beam rf signals 17 to the desired communication device 12.
  • the same signal can be transmitted to more than one feed device if point-to-multipoint communication is desired.
  • the output signals 78 to a communication device 12 can be directed by the controller 44 out of the feed device 34 which last received input signals from the communication device 12.
  • each feed device that received the signals from the communication device 12 is used to broadcast a narrow beam signal to the communication device.
  • the invention relates to line-of-sight microwave and millimeter wave communication.
  • the lens should be positioned as high as possible.
  • Stationary lenses are preferably mounted on towers 92.
  • the lenses of a local area network can be positioned anywhere as long as there are no obstructions which block the possible rf signals paths between the various lenses of the network.
  • a plurality of lenses and the corresponding signal processing equipment 16 of each lens can be networked together by cable or other means to increase the information handling capacity of a lens or to provide a way of bypassing an obstruction which blocks a specific directional range
  • a lens 14 with signal processing equipment 16 can be mounted on a satellite to provide an extended area of coverage for a network
  • a lens 14 and corresponding signal processing equipment 16 can be used to simultaneously establish many separate communication systems between many users.
  • base station 24b is used to simultaneously establish communication systems and networks between communication devices 12o and 12p, 12g and 12h, and 12i and 12j
  • Microwave Telecommunications The small size, low power, and low costs of this technology provide the opportunity to establish a much more cost effective microwave telecommunications system than exists today
  • a microwave telecommunications system based on the microwave lens antenna could be installed in a developing country for a fraction of the cost of the current technology
  • the microwave lens antenna could be used to replace the aging system of microwave communications devices, which reside in the towers covering the face of the U S
  • the communication system can transmit verbal or digital data at rates which significantly exceed older microwave transmission capabilities
  • the microwave lens antenna technology can transmit data in the megabytes per second range, a quantum leap over the 28,800 bps Baud Modem available to computer networking today Colleges, universities, research facilities, industry, police, etc. have requirements to link computer systems between facilities on a mission basis This computer networking is currently accomplished by either laying specialized cables (expensive, time-consuming, and often impractical) or by linking through the telephone modem (slow data transfer)
  • a small 6 inch diameter version of the microwave lens antenna can be linked by simply achieving a line-of-sight within a range of 75 miles.
  • Each user can establish a security code that would ensure that the point-to-point communication was secure.
  • the high data transmission rates can effectively link computers and projects with real-time data transfer
  • the Luneberg lens and the constant-K lens are capable of focusing high frequency radio waves much more effectively than conventional antennas, such as horns and parabolic antennas, in smaller sizes
  • conventional antennas such as horns and parabolic antennas
  • the use of a Luneberg lens to focus 35 GHz may well result in a much less expensive anti-collision system
  • the communication technology described herein consists of a compact microwave interrogation unit that can focus a signal into a beam width of 2 degrees or less by means of a lens This focused beam can be aimed at a specific target and used to initiate a response, which would provide real-time identification of the subject target, as well as any number of other data elements
  • the system is capable of accurately determining the range between the interrogation unit and the target.
  • the equipment required by the target consists of a simple transponder capable of transmitting the required data via a small stub antenna
  • the system is capable of operating at ranges up to 25 kilometers with a signal power of 0 75 watts with no danger to operator or other human or animal life
  • the meter reader would be equipped with an interrogation unit When a valid interrogation signal from the interrogation unit is sensed by the meter, the meter would respond with the meter identification number and the current reading of the electricity used The interrogation unit would record the data, along with the current time and date of the reading Given an appropriate location of the meter, the entire operation could be conducted while the meter reader remained in a car
  • ATM Automatic Teller Machines
  • Backbone Link for Cellular Regions Currently, cellular regions are linked together either by a microwave tower system supported by often unreliable, expensive radios and/or satellites
  • One base station based on the present invention with 20 locations engineered into it can displace 280 microwave tower antennas and 280 radios and 28 towers, resulting in a significant cost savings, while making it possible to avoid using expensive satellites, and passing on significant savings to consumers Moreover, such a system would be more reliable and much less costly to maintain

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Optical Communication System (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système d'établissement de communications sans fil et d'utilisation de celui-ci, utilisant une antenne à lentille dotée d'une lentille à corps diélectrique. La lentille focalise des signaux de sortie HF en des signaux HF faisceau lumineux étroit, qui sont dirigés sur un dispositif récepteur spécifique. La lentille focalise des signaux d'entrée HF sur un équipement processeur de signaux. On peut avoir recours à ce système de communications fonctionnant entre deux dispositifs de communication ou davantage, qui utilise une lentille à corps diélectrique et un équipement processeur de signaux, pour établir des communications point à point ou point à multipoint.
PCT/US1997/011829 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 Systeme de communications a faisceau etroit focalise WO1998001922A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL97331992A PL184543B1 (pl) 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 System łączności mikrofalowej lub za pomocą fali milimetrowej
CA002260200A CA2260200C (fr) 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 Systeme de communications a faisceau etroit focalise
AU35963/97A AU3596397A (en) 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 Focused narrow beam communication system
BR9710291A BR9710291A (pt) 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 Sistema de comunica-Æo de irradia-Æo estreita ajustada

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US67741396A 1996-07-09 1996-07-09
US08/677,413 1996-07-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998001922A1 true WO1998001922A1 (fr) 1998-01-15

Family

ID=24718610

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/011829 WO1998001922A1 (fr) 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 Systeme de communications a faisceau etroit focalise

Country Status (5)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3596397A (fr)
BR (1) BR9710291A (fr)
CA (1) CA2260200C (fr)
PL (1) PL184543B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998001922A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000076030A1 (fr) * 1999-06-07 2000-12-14 Spike Broadband Systems, Inc. Systemes d'antennes sectorises multimodales
US6583767B1 (en) 1998-06-09 2003-06-24 Radiant Networks Plc Transmitter, receiver and transceiver apparatus
EP1363410A1 (fr) * 2001-10-31 2003-11-19 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Dispositif d'emission radio et procede de communication radio
US6748218B1 (en) 2000-04-10 2004-06-08 Remec, Inc. Wireless communication methods and systems using multiple sectored cells
US7061883B2 (en) 1996-12-18 2006-06-13 Radiant Networks Plc Communications system and method

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0015018A1 (fr) * 1979-02-06 1980-09-03 Philips Norden AB Lentille diélectrique formant antenne
DE4430832A1 (de) * 1994-05-23 1995-11-30 Horn Wolfgang Mehrstrahlantenne, Sende-/Empfangseinrichtung und Betriebsverfahren dazu
WO1996021164A1 (fr) * 1994-12-30 1996-07-11 Focused Energy Technologies, Inc. Systeme d'atterrissage pour avion utilisant des hyperfrequences

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0015018A1 (fr) * 1979-02-06 1980-09-03 Philips Norden AB Lentille diélectrique formant antenne
DE4430832A1 (de) * 1994-05-23 1995-11-30 Horn Wolfgang Mehrstrahlantenne, Sende-/Empfangseinrichtung und Betriebsverfahren dazu
WO1996021164A1 (fr) * 1994-12-30 1996-07-11 Focused Energy Technologies, Inc. Systeme d'atterrissage pour avion utilisant des hyperfrequences

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7061883B2 (en) 1996-12-18 2006-06-13 Radiant Networks Plc Communications system and method
US7082112B2 (en) 1996-12-18 2006-07-25 Radiant Networks Plc Communications system and method
US7099297B2 (en) 1996-12-18 2006-08-29 Radiant Networks Pc Communications system and method
US6583767B1 (en) 1998-06-09 2003-06-24 Radiant Networks Plc Transmitter, receiver and transceiver apparatus
WO2000076030A1 (fr) * 1999-06-07 2000-12-14 Spike Broadband Systems, Inc. Systemes d'antennes sectorises multimodales
US6748218B1 (en) 2000-04-10 2004-06-08 Remec, Inc. Wireless communication methods and systems using multiple sectored cells
EP1363410A1 (fr) * 2001-10-31 2003-11-19 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Dispositif d'emission radio et procede de communication radio
EP1363410A4 (fr) * 2001-10-31 2010-10-20 Panasonic Corp Dispositif d'emission radio et procede de communication radio

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL184543B1 (pl) 2002-11-29
CA2260200A1 (fr) 1998-01-15
BR9710291A (pt) 1999-08-17
PL331992A1 (en) 1999-08-16
CA2260200C (fr) 2004-11-09
AU3596397A (en) 1998-02-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6169910B1 (en) Focused narrow beam communication system
EP0851698B1 (fr) Systèmes de communication sans fil
US6426814B1 (en) Spatially switched router for wireless data packets
US7379673B2 (en) Mobile communications system
US3340531A (en) Satellite communication system
US6735438B1 (en) Antenna for air-to-ground communication
US5736959A (en) Earth-fixed cell beam management for satellite communication system using dielectic lens-focused scanning beam antennas
EP0753210B1 (fr) Antennes cellulaires en diversite d'espace et d'angle et procedes
US6912075B1 (en) Ring architecture for an optical satellite communication network with passive optical routing
US20140198709A1 (en) Distributed satcom aperture on fishing boat
JPH08213945A (ja) 衛星通信システム
JP2001522160A (ja) 非陸上セルラー移動体遠隔通信局
CN101176367A (zh) 通过蜂窝基站塔与飞机通信的布置、系统和方法
WO1996008877A3 (fr) Reseau de communication par satellites a terminaux a ouverture ultra-faibles sans variation brusque
US6075483A (en) Method and system for antenna beam steering to a satellite through broadcast of satellite position
US6208312B1 (en) Multi-feed multi-band antenna
WO2004025900A2 (fr) Systeme de communication mobile
CA2260200C (fr) Systeme de communications a faisceau etroit focalise
AU2020102544A4 (en) PCML- Movable Satellite: Propagation Impairments for Movable Satellite Communication Links at The Microwave Frequencies in Defined Location
EP1098455B1 (fr) Routeur avec de la communation spatiale pour des paquets de données transmis sans fil
JPH05175933A (ja) 屋内通信方式
US7860453B2 (en) Method and apparatus for receiving dual band signals from an orbital location using an outdoor unit with a subreflector and additional antenna feed
US20170005402A1 (en) Multiband communications and repeater system
US6829479B1 (en) Fixed wireless back haul for mobile communications using stratospheric platforms
WO1998015033A1 (fr) Ensemble a lentille dielectrique pour antenne d'alimentation

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH HU IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2260200

Country of ref document: CA

Ref country code: CA

Ref document number: 2260200

Kind code of ref document: A

Format of ref document f/p: F

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 1998505316

Format of ref document f/p: F

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase