Wi-Fi Repeater Using Digital Signal Conversion Over Ethernet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi coverage extension methods face limitations due to the need for coaxial cables and complex handover mechanisms, particularly when dealing with multi-antenna access points, and are inconvenient and expensive to implement.
Innovation Solution
A Wi-Fi signal repeating device that receives a digital signal from a Wi-Fi access point via a wired connection, converts it into an analogue signal, and retransmits it, allowing for extended coverage without the need for coaxial cables and simplifying handover processes by maintaining signal integrity and channel information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wired extension using coaxial cable is used to transport the radio signal in analogue form, then the Wi-Fi coverage can be extended, but the installation becomes inconvenient and expensive requiring pre-existing or new coaxial cable laying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/coaxial cable-based analogue signal transmission system with a digital signal transmission system using standard Ethernet cables. The access point converts radio signals to digital signals for transmission over the cable, and the extension module converts digital signals back to radio signals, eliminating the need for coaxial cable infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal transmission parameter from analogue radio frequency signals to digital baseband signals for cable transmission. This parameter change allows the use of standard Ethernet cables with much lower bandwidth requirements, making installation convenient and cost-effective while maintaining signal integrity through digital transmission.
2Area of stationary object
If a wired extension using coaxial cable is used to transport the radio signal in analogue form, then the Wi-Fi coverage can be extended, but the system becomes expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive coaxial cable infrastructure with inexpensive standard Ethernet cable infrastructure. By transmitting digital signals instead of analogue radio signals over the cable, the system can use readily available Ethernet cables that are already present in most buildings, dramatically reducing implementation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standard Ethernet cables, which are cheap and widely available, replacing expensive coaxial cables. The digital signal transmission approach allows the use of these inexpensive cables without compromising signal quality, making the overall system much more cost-effective to implement.
3Area of stationary object
If the prior art system is transposed to a multi-antenna access point, then coverage extension is achieved, but it requires connecting each antenna with a dedicated coaxial cable making the system complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function: the access point handles digital signal generation and distribution, while the extension module handles radio signal transmission. This segmentation allows a single Ethernet cable to carry all necessary signal information for multiple antennas, avoiding the need for separate coaxial cables for each antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex multi-coaxial-cable connection system with a simple single-Ethernet-cable connection. By using digital signal transmission and processing, the system can distribute signals to multiple antennas through a single cable, dramatically reducing system complexity while supporting multi-antenna configurations.
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 effectively extends Wi-Fi coverage without the drawbacks of prior art, ensuring seamless handover and optimal channel selection, while being compatible with multi-antenna access points and reducing installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
digital-analogue conversion means configured to convert the digital signal received via said wired connection into an analogue signal
Data Source
AI summary
A device for repeating a Wi-Fi signal transmitted by an access point and a system for extending the coverage of the Wi-Fi access point. The device for repeating the Wi-Fi signal is configured to: receive, via a wired connection connected to a device for extending a Wi-Fi access point, a digital signal resulting from the analogue-digital conversion of an analogue signal from a power division of a signal intended to be transmitted by the Wi-Fi access point around a predetermined carrier frequency so as to deliver a first Wi-Fi signal; convert the digital signal received via the wired connection into an analogue signal and transmit the analogue signal around the predetermined carrier frequency, so as to deliver a second Wi-Fi signal substantially identical to the first Wi-Fi signal.