System and method for mass broadband communications

Abstract

After the claims, please insert the following Abstract:-The invention provides a broadband mass communications network system and method comprising a plurality of patches (10), each patch including a plurality of subscribers, and each subscriber having a respective subscriber unit (12) for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from other subscribers. Each subscriber unit comprises an indoor interface unit (20) for user access to the system and an outdoor mounted communication unit (18) for the transmission and reception of signals. The signals are impressed on a carrier signal operating at frequencies in the range from infra-red to ultra-violet, the subscriber units of a respective patch being arranged to transmit the carrier signals substantially omni-directionally and to communicate by way of direct line of sight connections within the patch. Objects (16) within and / or around the respective patch are employed to determine and / or modify the propagation pattern of the carrier signal and to define boundaries for the patch. Respective patches are inter-connected by way of patch interface points (46), each patch interface point being connected to respective subscriber units from at least two adjacent patches by communication means other than that between respective subscriber units within the patches.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for high density user communication. Background technique [0002] For many years, the problem of simultaneously providing high-speed telecommunications services to large numbers of residential and small business customers in an economical manner has been difficult to solve. For low bandwidth (eg, less than about 56,000 bits per second (bps)) communication between users, existing telephone systems are quite adequate. However, when several orders of magnitude higher bandwidth (eg 2-6 Mbs in streaming high-quality images) is required between users, traditional devices and methods are no longer sufficient. [0003] Accordingly, various technologies have been developed to attempt to provide users with this type of information in a manner that allows owners and / or operators of the required equipment to deploy it and then charge for its use for a net profit, possibly over a period of several years. bandw...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0010] 3. The complexity of the deployed equipment and thus the manufacturing cost; especially the user's house equipment

[0041] 6. The system should satisfactorily support existing services and have significant room to support new unforeseen services

[0043] 8. Subscriber units should be as small and light as possible, and include no moving parts (for example, for directional lasers and antennas) that could easily negatively affect the reliability of the unit

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