Powerline Signal Conditioner for In-Building Wireless Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in providing efficient in-building coverage due to signal interference from building materials, requiring expensive dedicated physical media like optical fibers or coaxial cables, and labor-intensive wiring, as well as susceptibility to signal degradation.
Innovation Solution
The system transmits digital service signals through existing electrical power distribution lines, using small electrical appliances with signal conditioners and optional repeaters that demodulate and modulate signals to reduce bandwidth requirements and eliminate the need for dedicated physical media, thereby leveraging the existing powerline for signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated physical media (optical fibers or coaxial cables) are used to transmit RF service signals in distributed antenna systems, then signal transmission quality is improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling existing power lines to serve dual purposes: their original function of power distribution and a new function of digital signal transmission. This eliminates the need for dedicated physical media while utilizing already-installed infrastructure throughout the building, thereby reducing system cost and installation complexity while maintaining signal transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal conditioners as intermediary devices that bridge the gap between power lines and digital service signals. These conditioners condition the power line environment to accommodate digital signal transmission, enabling reliable communication over the power line infrastructure without requiring dedicated communication cables
2Area of stationary object
If analog RF service signals are transmitted over physical media, then signal coverage is maintained, but bandwidth requirements and susceptibility to degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the analog RF signal transmission mechanism with a digital service signal transmission mechanism over power lines. Digital signals require significantly less bandwidth than analog RF signals and are less susceptible to degradation, while still achieving comprehensive signal coverage through the distributed antenna system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal representation from analog RF to digital service signals. This parameter change reduces bandwidth requirements and improves signal integrity, as digital signals can be regenerated and are less affected by noise and interference during transmission over the power line infrastructure
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
This approach reduces bandwidth needs, eliminates costly dedicated media and labor, and minimizes signal degradation by transmitting digital signals over powerlines, enhancing wireless coverage while reducing costs and improving signal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a signal conditioner, connected to one or more BTS through one or more antenna feeds, adapted to recover the forward link DSS from the forward link RSS produced by the BTS by demodulating the RSS
Implementation Method 2
one or more distributed antenna modules at the structure for modulating an RF carrier with the forward link DSS to produce the forward link RSS for wirelessly transmitting to subscribers units at the structure
Implementation Method 3
The DSS is transmitted towards the subscriber units by way of the existing electrical power distribution line (i.e., powerline) of the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of transmitting and receiving RF service signals between a base transceiver station (BTS) of a wireless communication system and subscriber units within a structure. In the forward link, the system demodulates the RF service signal from a BTS to recover a digital service signal; conditions the digital service signal for transmission via the powerline of a structure; and modulates an RF carrier with the digital service signal to generate the RF service signal for wireless transmission to subscriber units within the structure. In the reverse link, the system demodulates the RF service signal from subscriber unit(s) to generate a digital service signal; conditions the digital service signal for transmission via the powerline; and modulates an RF carrier with the digital service signal to generate the RF service signal for transmission to the BTS. Another embodiment eliminates the modulation of an RF carrier with the digital service signal to generate an RF service and vice-versa at the BTS.