Wireless Network Bridge Using White Space Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for wireless spectrum due to mobile device usage, particularly in areas lacking Wi-Fi access, leads to challenges in cellular network capacity and connectivity, especially in remote or infrastructure-poor regions, where users rely on cellular networks but often face poor coverage.
Innovation Solution
A network bridging system that utilizes unutilized frequency ranges, such as white spaces and frequencies made available through Licensed Shared Access (LSA)/Authorized Shared Access (ASA) schemes, to provide connectivity by bridging devices that amplify, modulate, and multiplex data signals for transmission over available spectrum segments, enabling access to the Internet even in areas with limited infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cellular networks are used to provide Internet access in areas lacking Wi-Fi infrastructure, then mobile users can access the Internet, but network capacity becomes insufficient and coverage deteriorates in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication spectrum into multiple frequency bands, utilizing both licensed cellular frequencies and unlicensed white space frequencies simultaneously. This allows the system to divide network traffic across multiple channels, effectively increasing overall network capacity while maintaining Internet access capability in remote areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a Wi-Fi access point for local device connectivity, a cellular receiver for receiving data from cellular networks, and a white space transmitter for long-range wireless communication. This multi-functionality enables the system to overcome cellular coverage limitations while maintaining Internet access.
2Productivity
If more mobile users access the Internet through cellular networks, then Internet connectivity increases, but overhead and network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridging device as an intermediary between cellular network users and the Internet. This device receives cellular data transmissions, processes them locally, and redistributes them to connected devices via Wi-Fi and white space communications. By acting as a local gateway, it reduces cellular network overhead by minimizing repeated connection setups and data routing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging device establishes and maintains a persistent cellular connection in advance, performing authentication and network registration beforehand. This preliminary action eliminates the need for each mobile device to individually connect to the cellular network, significantly reducing network overhead and simplifying the connection process for multiple users.
3Reliability
If licensed spectrum is used for cellular communication, then reliable connectivity is provided, but spectrum availability becomes limited in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges licensed cellular spectrum with unlicensed white space spectrum into a unified communication system. The bridging device simultaneously receives data on licensed frequencies and transmits it over both licensed and unlicensed bands, effectively combining the reliability of cellular networks with the availability of unused spectrum resources in remote areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension to spectrum utilization by operating in the white space frequency band (unused TV broadcast frequencies) in addition to traditional cellular bands. This dimensional expansion of spectrum usage provides additional available frequencies for communication in remote areas without interfering with existing cellular services.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure describes systems, and methods related to bridging communication networks. A computing device may identify one or more signals at one or more communication interfaces in accordance with one or more communication standards. The computing device may select one or more available frequency segments from a frequency spectrum database. The computing device may transform the one or more signals into one or more converted signals for transmission on a backhaul link, the backhaul link being established for two-way data communication using the one or more available frequency segments. The computing device may cause to send the one or more converted signals using the one or more available frequency segments.