Abstract:
An approach to integrate a wireless data network blanket into the high-capacity fixed FttX (Fiber-to-the-Premises/Curb/Neighborhood) network at intersection points throughout the overlay rather than interconnecting them as two disparate networks in order to provide a plurality of data containing video, audio, voice communications, broadcast radio programming, and data both fixed and mobile. This approach is applicable to PON (Passive Optical Networks) and active networks alike, though the implementations vary slightly. Considerations must still be made for security.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Current practice is to design and deploy separate fixed communication and wireless telephone (e.g. cellular with data, 2.5 &amp; 3G or Generation) or data-only (e.g. Wi-Fi) networks and then offer similar services such as telephony, internet access and steaming video over each. These two (2) separate networks are then linked by a private connection or over the Internet. A simpler (i.e. cleaner, less complicated, more reliable) approach is to integrate this wireless connection into the high-capacity fixed network at intersection points through out the overlay rather than interconnecting them as two disparate networks. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This method of delivering low and high bandwidth mobile network applications encompassing VAD (Video, Audio including telephony or radio and Data) takes advantage of the co-located fixed network which is already in place or is being installed, as a backbone to deliver these same services wirelessly. One efficient method of providing high bandwidth mobile services (e.g. streaming video, VOD, Video On Demand, and RAD, Radio On Demand) is through the use of relatively low powered microcells such as those used in commercially available IEEE standard 802.11 a/b/g/n (Wi-Fi) or 802.16 (Wi-Max) data networks (which can also be used for determining location without need of GPS, Global Positioning System) connected in an overlapping manner as to form a blanket (contiguous domes or bubbles) of coverage along traffic ways. Exact implementations could change as technologies evolve. 
   The utility is the underlying multimedia high capacity network available to the users wirelessly and mobile, subject only to the limitations of the wireless technology implemented at a particular node. Use of IPv6 will leverage its inherent QoS (Quality Of Service) and mobility features. 
   Other patents have described applications using currently implemented technologies, which require service(s) to be delivered to the premises. This system describes co-locating contiguous wireless data Points Of Presence (WAPs) along the route(s) as the conductors are implemented, either aerial or buried, for new high bandwidth communications networks. The services provided can be linked to those delivered to the fixed network users. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  shows an active network implementation using multi-conductor cable which will probably but not necessarily be buried to carry signals from both the router/switch and the WMAN Switch (Wireless Metropolitan Area Network Switch, similar to a WLAN, Wireless Local Area Network switch). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a PON (Passive Optical Network) implementation where each WAP (Wireless Access Point) has its own wavelength (lambda) circuit back to the WMAN Switch at the CO (Central Office). 
       FIG. 3  details a PON system which uses just one of the light wavelengths to carry all of the wireless traffic between the WMAN Switch and the CO with P-t-P (Point-To-Point) links between the switch and the WAPs. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Interconnection of a wireless data network, which may also carry video and voice, to a metropolitan area network (MAN) is most effectively done in an integrated fashion by merging the two networks. 
     FIG. 1  shows the active implementation of the invention. Information is delivered to a neighborhood network router/switch  120  from a high-capacity circuit  115  along a major traffic-way  105 , possibly connected in a ring configuration. From this point a multi-conductor cable  130  distributes the data into the neighborhood with breakout points  135  for clusters of premises  150  (homes and/or businesses). From this cable hub  135  single cables are delivered to individual locations  150 , however those crossing under a traffic-way  110  may share a single tunnel or conduit  140 . 
   At this hub  135 , a WAP  145  may be installed as needed for mobile coverage depending on the proximity of the next hub  135  and the range of the wireless equipment. The conductor attached to the WAP  145  returns to the location of the router/switch  120  where it is connected instead to a WMAN Switch  125  that is in turn linked to the router/switch  120 . Alternatively the WMAN Switch  125  may at some time be built into the router/switch  120 . 
   The other conductors broken out in the cable hub  135  connect over single cables to IADs (Integrated Access Device)  155  within the premises  150 . Attached to the IAD through “home-run” cables are computers, phones, gaming systems, TV/STBs (Set Top Boxes, which may be built in), etc. The consumer may also attach their own local WAP for wireless connectivity to various devices within the premises, or may rely on the strength of the curbside WAP  145  and associated security. 
   At implementation, as the feeder cable is being placed along the major traffic-way  105  to or from the router/switch  120 , additional cables are brought with it from the WMAN Switch  125  to WAPs  160  spaced along this route  105  as to provide continuous wireless coverage from neighborhood to neighborhood. 
     FIG. 2  shows the PON implementation where the WMAN Switch has been located at the serving central office. Information from the OLT (Optical Line Terminal) is delivered through a high-capacity circuit  215  along a major traffic-way  205 , to PON (Passive Optical Network) Splitters  237  which distribute the data into the neighborhood at breakout points  235  for clusters of premises  250  (homes and/or businesses). From this cable hub  235 , single wavelengths are separated and delivered to ONU (Optical Network Units)  255  at individual locations  250 ; however those crossing under a traffic-way  210  may share a single tunnel or conduit  240 . 
   At the hub  235 /splitter  237 , a WAP  245  may be installed as needed for mobile coverage depending on the proximity of the next hub  235  and the range of the wireless equipment. The wavelength attached to the WAP  245  returns to the Central Office  220  where it is connected instead to a WMAN Switch  225  that is in turn linked to the network. A similar approach is possible with cable modems. 
   Attached to the premises ONU  255  through “home-run” cables are computers, phones, gaming systems, TV/STBs (Set Top Boxes, which may be built in), etc. The consumer may also attach their own local WAP for wireless connectivity to various devices within the premises, or may rely on the strength of the curbside WAP  245  and associated security. 
   At implementation, as the feeder cable  215  is being placed along the major traffic-way  205  to or from the Central Office, additional wavelengths are brought with it from the WMAN Switch  225  to a PON Splitter  239  that feeds WAPs  260  spaced along this route  205  as to provide continuous wireless coverage from neighborhood to neighborhood. 
     FIG. 3  shows the PON implementation with collocated WMAN Switch. Information from the OLT (Optical Line Terminal) is delivered through a high-capacity circuit  315  along a major traffic-way  305 , to PON (Passive Optical Network) Splitters  337  which distribute the data into the neighborhood at breakout points  335  for clusters of premises  350  (homes and/or businesses). From this cable hub  335 , single wavelengths are separated and delivered to ONU (Optical Network Units)  355  at individual locations  350 ; however those crossing under a traffic-way  310  may share a single tunnel or conduit  340 . 
   Attached to the premises ONU though “home-run” cables are computers, phones, gaming systems, TV/STBs (Set Top Boxes, which may be built in), etc. The consumer may also attach their own local WAP for wireless connectivity to various devices within the premises, or may rely on the strength of the curbside WAP  345  and associated security. 
   At some hub  335 /splitter  337  locations, one wavelength is fed to a WMAN Switch  325  located near one WAP  345  and from which individual P-t-P (Point-To-Point) circuits  340  feed additional WAPs  345  that may be installed as needed for mobile coverage, depending on the proximity of the next hub  335  and the range of the wireless equipment. These P-t-P circuits  340  should be installed at the same time the PON distribution conductors are placed. 
   At implementation, as the feeder cable  315  is being placed along the major traffic-way  305  to or from the Central Office, additional conductors are brought with it from a local WMAN Switch  325  to feed WAPs  360  spaced along this route  305  as to provide continuous wireless coverage from neighborhood to neighborhood. 
   While in range, dual-mode phones and other wireless devices off-load the cellular network onto the WMAN freeing precious and more expensive WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network, cellular) bandwidth. This is especially attractive as the WMAN is a high capacity wireless data network repeated every few hundred feet or so, allowing for a myriad of services. Once out of range of the wireless data network footprint, coverage reverts to the cellular voice and data network. 
   This wireless blanket is also useful for utility (electric, gas or water, etc) monitoring and control telemetry without costly and complicated cable installations. Other types are envisioned and encouraged.