Network access communication system
US6665296B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/14
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communication system (10) is disclosed which provides two-way communications access to a wide area network (WAN)(11) for a very large number of subscribers (17). It offers an inexpensive “last-mile” hookup from a subscriber terminal (15) to a communications hub (12). The hub (12) is connected to a WAN (11) such as the Internet. The system comprises service areas (14), 0.7 to 1.5 km radius (18), wherein the hub (12) and subscribers (17) are located. Subscribers (17) are connected to a subscriber terminal (15), directly or through a local area network (LAN)(39). Each terminal (15) communicates with the hub by a SHF radio link (13). Distributed routing of signals provides subscribers (17) with no-waiting, transmission of information at speeds about ten Mbps. Availability of a communication path approximates a fiber optic cable. The LAN (39) may be a local public switched telephone network. Each service area (14) is divided into one to forty sectors (16). Eight sectors (16) can support approximately 1,600 subscribers (17). Service areas (14) may be arranged to cover larger areas. Overlapping service areas (14) permit subscribers (17) to be within line-of-sight of a hub (1…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.