Window-Mounted Optical Gateway for Indoor Coverage Without RF Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile network internet services experience degradation in indoor environments due to radio signal attenuation by building structures, and conventional RF repeaters amplify interference in outdoor environments, forcing a trade-off between indoor and outdoor service quality.
Innovation Solution
A window-mounted Wi-Fi gateway system with paired outdoor and indoor units that communicate via an optical link through the windowpane, converting RF signals to Wi-Fi or optical signals to extend indoor coverage without interfering with outdoor performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If outdoor RF repeaters are deployed to amplify radio signals for indoor coverage, then indoor signal strength is improved, but outdoor signal quality deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical link as an intermediary medium to transfer data between outdoor and indoor units. Instead of directly amplifying RF signals indoors (which causes outdoor interference), the system converts RF signals to optical signals for transmission through the window, then converts back to RF indoors. This intermediary optical transmission path eliminates the harmful RF interference in outdoor environments while maintaining indoor coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional RF signal transmission mechanism with an optical transmission mechanism. The outdoor unit converts RF signals to optical signals, which are then transmitted through the window glass. This substitution of transmission medium (from RF to optical) allows data to pass through the barrier without generating RF interference in the outdoor environment, resolving the contradiction between indoor coverage and outdoor signal quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RF repeaters retransmit entire frequency bands to improve indoor coverage, then signal availability is improved, but spectrum interference increases reducing outdoor reception
Solution Approach 1:
The optical link serves as an intermediary that carries data without requiring RF frequency transmission. The outdoor unit receives RF signals, converts them to data, transmits this data optically through the window, and the indoor unit converts it back to RF for local distribution. This process provides comprehensive signal coverage indoors while avoiding the harmful effect of retransmitting entire frequency bands in the RF spectrum, thus eliminating outdoor spectrum interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter from RF frequency to optical wavelength for the path through the window. By transforming the signal from electromagnetic RF waves to optical waves, the system achieves full-spectrum data transmission capability without occupying or interfering with any RF frequency bands in the outdoor environment. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between comprehensive coverage and spectrum interference.
3Reliability
If indoor repeaters are placed to improve signal quality, then signal coherence is improved, but the repeater amplifies poor-quality or noisy signals
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit performs preliminary signal processing by receiving and converting RF signals to optical signals before transmission through the window. This preliminary conversion ensures that the signal is captured in optimal outdoor conditions before entering the building, preventing the amplification of already-degraded indoor signals. The signal quality is preserved from the source, and the optical transmission maintains this quality throughout the barrier crossing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional indoor RF amplification mechanism with an optical transmission mechanism. Instead of placing an RF repeater indoors that would amplify degraded or noisy RF signals, the system uses optical transmission through the window. Optical signals are not subject to RF interference and noise in the indoor environment, thus maintaining signal coherence and quality without the harmful effect of amplifying poor-quality signals.
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 provides enhanced indoor mobile internet coverage without degrading outdoor reception, mitigating signal degradation and interference, and allowing seamless communication across physical barriers.
Implementation Method 1
The optical unit of the exterior unit may include one or more optical sensors configured to communicate data to a corresponding optical unit of the interior unit via optical transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus and system for facilitating communications across a physical barrier are discussed herein. In some examples, the system may comprise a first unit to be mounted outside a window and a second unit to be mounted inside the window. A first unit may include at least a power unit, a Wi-Fi unit, and/or an optical unit. The second unit may also include at least a corresponding power unit. In some examples, the second unit may include a corresponding Wi-Fi unit and/or a corresponding optical unit. The first unit can determine capability information associated with the second unit and can configure the first unit based on the capability information. In some examples, the first unit can function as a Wi-Fi mesh system to provide a backhaul connection to access points(s) and/or wireless resources to user equipment.