Gateway Outdoor Unit Access Point for Extended Wi-Fi Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide reliable Internet access to user devices outside buildings, especially in rural and mountainous areas where cellular connections are not available, due to signal strength degradation and practical limitations of internal network extenders in external environments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a gateway, an integrator node, and a gateway outdoor unit access point (GOUAP) that uses multimedia over cable (MOCA) technology for power and data links, combined with Wi-Fi technologies to establish communication between user devices and the cloud, even when devices are outside the building, by combining satellite and cellular signals for enhanced connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If internal network extenders are used to extend wireless signal range within a home, then WLAN coverage is improved, but the system becomes impractical for external environments due to environmental, power, and other concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the network coverage problem into two distinct segments: indoor coverage handled by traditional INEs and outdoor coverage handled by the GOUAP. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific environment, with the GOUAP designed specifically for outdoor ruggedness and the INEs maintaining their simpler indoor functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The GOUAP acts as an intermediary device between the indoor router/INEs and outdoor user devices. It receives wireless signals from indoor extenders, processes them, and retransmits them outdoors, bridging the gap between indoor network infrastructure and outdoor coverage needs.
2Ease of operation
If users move outside the building, then mobility is improved, but wireless signal strength and connectivity deteriorate due to distance and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple communication technologies into a unified outdoor access solution. The GOUAP combines Wi-Fi radio frequency communication with MOCA (Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance) technology, creating a hybrid system that leverages the strengths of both technologies to provide reliable outdoor connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The GOUAP is designed as a multi-functional device that can operate in multiple modes: it can function as a traditional Wi-Fi extender, as a MOCA network interface, or as both simultaneously. This universality allows it to adapt to different deployment scenarios and maintain connectivity across various environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an integrator node (IN), external to a building. A gateway, within the building, is coupled to the integrator node by a first link. A gateway outdoor unit access point (GOUAP) is coupled to the IN by a second link. The GOUAP is coupled to a user device by a third link. The gateway is coupled to a Cloud. The GOUAP provides access to the Cloud, by the user device, when the user device is outside the building. The first link and/or the second link utilizes MOCA. The third link utilizes Wi-Fi. An Internal Network Extender (INE) is coupled to the gateway by a fifth link and located within the building. While the user device is external to the building, the user device utilizes the third link, the second link, and the first link to communicatively couple with the gateway.