Window Mounted Wireless Gateway Optical Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile network internet services experience degradation in indoor environments due to signal attenuation by building structures, and conventional RF repeaters often introduce interference that worsens outdoor reception.
Innovation Solution
A window-mounted wireless gateway system comprising paired outdoor and indoor units that communicate via optical transmission through the window, converting RF signals to optical signals and back to RF or Wi-Fi signals for indoor distribution without interfering with outdoor signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If RF repeaters are deployed to amplify radio signals for indoor coverage, then indoor signal strength is improved, but outdoor signal quality degrades due to interference and retransmission of entire frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical transmission medium (fiber optic cable or wireless optical communication) as an intermediary between the outdoor RF signal receiver and indoor Wi-Fi transmitter. This intermediary converts RF signals to optical signals for transmission through the window, eliminating the need for RF repeaters that cause interference. The optical medium acts as a mediator that carries data without electromagnetic interference, resolving the contradiction between providing indoor coverage and maintaining outdoor signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic RF-based repeater system with an optical transmission system. Instead of using RF repeaters to amplify radio waves (mechanical/electromagnetic approach), the system uses optical transmission through the window to carry signal data. This substitution eliminates the harmful retransmission of entire frequency bands and interference with outdoor signals, while still providing indoor coverage through Wi-Fi.
2Area of stationary object
If RF repeaters are placed indoors to provide coverage, then indoor coverage is improved, but signal quality degrades because the repeater amplifies poor-quality or incoherent signals
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission system serves as a mediator that receives clean RF signals from the outdoor unit, converts them to optical signals, and transmits them through the window to the indoor unit. This intermediary approach ensures that only high-quality signals are transmitted indoors, eliminating the problem of amplifying poor or incoherent signals. The optical medium preserves signal integrity across the transmission boundary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the signal transmission path into distinct functional components: an outdoor unit for RF reception, an optical transmission path through the window, and an indoor unit for Wi-Fi distribution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others, ensuring signal quality is maintained from the clean outdoor RF signal through to the indoor Wi-Fi output.
3Ease of operation
If building structures are present, then indoor environment is created, but radio signal attenuation occurs causing service degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission system acts as an intermediary that bypasses the signal attenuation problem caused by building structures. Instead of trying to push RF signals through walls and windows (where they are attenuated), the system converts RF signals to optical signals that can pass through the window glass without significant attenuation. This mediator approach overcomes the physical barrier of the building structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter from RF electromagnetic waves to optical waves. This parameter change allows the signal to penetrate the window and building structures effectively, as optical signals experience much less attenuation in glass and clear materials compared to RF signals. The conversion between RF and optical domains resolves the attenuation problem.
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 system effectively extends mobile internet coverage indoors without degrading outdoor performance, providing stable and interference-free internet services by using optical transmission to bypass signal attenuation and interference issues.
Implementation Method 1
The outdoor unit may include one or more antennas and a wireless modem for receiving and decoding the RF signals... The system may convert the decoded RF signals into an optical-based signal that may be transmitted by a transmitter or a through the glass to an aligned or paired receiver in the indoor unit
Implementation Method 2
The indoor unit may then convert the optical-based signal into a wired and/or wireless indoor signal which may be distributed throughout the indoor environment
Implementation Method 3
The units may communicate with each other via an optical transmission through the windowpane
Data Source
AI summary
A window mounted wireless gateway system having an indoor unit to communicate with user equipment within a physical structure and an outdoor unit configured to communicate with a network. The indoor unit and outdoor unit may, respectively, be applied to the interior and exterior panes of a window of the structure. The indoor and outdoor units may be in optical communication with each other via optical signals transmitted through the window.