Fibre-Radio Network 60GHz Wireless Access Node Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless local area networks face limitations in providing multi-gigabit data rates, supporting numerous client terminals, and ensuring security in dense modular environments, particularly in environments like office blocks or ships with many users in close proximity.

Innovation Solution

A fibre-radio communication network utilizing a 60GHz frequency range with integrated wireless access nodes, each comprising a media converter module and a wireless access point module, connected via fibre optic cables to a base station, providing secure and high-data-rate wireless communications within confined compartments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If wireless communications use conventional frequency bands (2.4GHz or 5GHz), then coverage range is extended, but data rate is limited and security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from conventional 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands to the 60GHz band, enabling multi-gigabit data rates (theoretically up to 7 Gbit/s) while the short propagation distance inherent to this frequency provides natural security containment within compartments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by confining wireless communications to specific local compartments rather than allowing broad coverage. Each compartment becomes a secure local network zone where 60GHz signals naturally attenuate at boundaries, providing security without sacrificing data rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If wireless access nodes are deployed to support more client terminals, then network capacity increases, but signal containment and security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of client terminalsVSAvoidsignal containment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into multiple independent compartment units, each with its own wireless access node operating in the 60GHz band. This segmentation allows numerous client terminals to be supported across different compartments while maintaining signal containment within each segment, as 60GHz signals naturally attenuate at compartment boundaries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If fibre optic cables are used to connect wireless access nodes, then data transmission reliability improves, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates fibre optic cable routing into the modular compartment design during the construction phase, performing the complex installation work beforehand. This preliminary action embeds the fibre infrastructure within the modular units, making subsequent deployment of wireless access nodes straightforward while maintaining reliable fibre-connected architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables simultaneous support for multiple client terminals with data rates up to 7 Gbit/s, enhances security by containing wireless signals within compartments, and maintains reliability despite electromagnetic interference, while being cost-effective and adaptable for both construction and operational phases.

Implementation Method 1

a first fibre optic cable arranged to couple the base station to the wireless access node

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical communication: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

a wireless transmission in the 60GHz range for wireless communication with a client terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3111719B1Fibre-radio communication network and fibre-radio communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP3111719B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3111719B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3111719B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A fibre-radio communication network includes a base station (300) and wireless access nodes (100) coupled by fibre optic (cables125). The base station (300) includes a switch module (320) arranged to switch Ethernet signals on a local area network, and a media converter rack module (310) comprising media converter units MC1-MC6 arranged to convert between a baseband Ethernet signal carried by the fibre optic cables (125) and an Ethernet digital signal for the switch. The wireless access node (100) comprises a media converter module (120) which converts between a baseband Ethernet signal carried by the fibre optic cables and an Ethernet digital signal; and a wireless access point module (110) comprising a local modem which converts between the Ethernet digital signal received over the fibre optic cables and a wireless transmission in a 60GHz range for wireless communication with a client terminal (400) in the vicinity of the wireless access node (100).