Customer premises equipment architecture for bundled services in a fixed broadband wireless installation

One or more network devices receive, at a location outside a customer premises, a broadband signal from a base station of a wireless network and a satellite television signal from a satellite antenna. The one or more network devices combine, at the location outside the customer premises, the broadband signal with the satellite television signal in a single coaxial cable and send, via the single coaxial cable, the broadband signal and the satellite television signal to one or more devices inside the customer premises.

BACKGROUND

Bundled media services (e.g., combination packages of television, telephone, and broadband Internet services) have been successfully offered to households with wired connections to service provider networks. Households in areas without such wired connections (e.g., customer in regions that cannot be reached via conventional communication media, such as optical cables, copper cables, and/or other fixed wire-based technologies) may rely on fixed wireless services for some of these services (e.g., broadband access). However, previous generations of fixed wireless services have generally been unsuccessful. Expensive network equipment and customer premises equipment (CPE), high CPE installation costs, use of proprietary technology, and low data rates are among some of the reasons these fixed wireless services remained unpopular.

As wireless network data rates improve using fourth generation (4G) technologies, such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), network data rates have become more attractive for fixed wireless networks. However, CPE and installation costs have remained a barrier to successfully promoting bundled services over fixed wireless networks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Systems and/or methods described herein may provide a customer premises equipment (CPE) wireless architecture with simplified initial installation and reduced operational costs. Systems and/or methods described herein may allows cellular and satellite TV service providers to offer bundled services (e.g., voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), broadband access, satellite TV, etc.) in geographical areas not currently served by wired connections, such as digital subscribers lines (DSL) or cable.

In one example implementation, the systems and/or methods may receive, at a location outside a customer premises, a broadband signal from a base station of a wireless network and a satellite television signal from a satellite antenna. The systems and/or methods may combine, at the location outside the customer premises, the broadband signal with the satellite television signal in a single coaxial cable and send, via the single coaxial cable, the broadband signal and the satellite television signal to one or more devices inside the customer premises. The systems and/or methods may also receive, over the single coaxial cable, data from the one or more devices inside the customer premises and transmit the data, using a broadband signal, to the base station.

FIG. 1is a diagram of an example environment100in which systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented. As illustrated, environment100may include a customer premises network110, a base station120, a network130, a content provider140, and a satellite150. A single customer premises network110, base station120, network130, content provider140, and satellite150have been illustrated inFIG. 1for simplicity. In practice, there may be more customer premises networks110, base stations120, networks130, content providers140, and/or satellites150.

Customer premises network110may include one or more devices connected to each other, base station120, and/or satellite150. Devices in customer premises network110may include, for example, set-top boxes (STBs), televisions, computers, and home networking equipment (e.g., routers, cables, splitters, local gateways, etc.). Devices within customer premises network110may be connected via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, Telecommunications Industry Association category 5 (“cat 5”) cable, etc.) or wireless connections (e.g., using network devices such as those available under the IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN standards). In the example shown inFIG. 1, customer premises network110is connected to base station120through a two-way wireless connection (e.g., using an LTE band frequency) and connected to satellite150through a one-way (e.g., downlink) wireless connection (e.g., using a satellite TV band frequency). As shown, the two-way wireless connection and the one-way wireless connection may be implemented using a combined gateway that is described further herein.

Base station120may include one or more computation and/or communication devices that receive voice and/or data (e.g., video content) from service provider140(e.g., via network130) and transmit that voice and/or data to customer premises network110. Base station120may also include one or more devices that receive voice and/or data from customer premises network110and transmit that voice and/or data to service provider140(e.g., via network130). In one implementation, base station120may utilize LTE standards operating in a 700 MHz frequency band.

Network130may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephone network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an intranet, the Internet, an optical fiber (or fiber optic)-based network, a cable television network, a satellite television network, or a combination of networks.

Service provider140may include one or more server devices, or other types of computation or communication devices, that gather, process, search, and/or provide information in a manner described herein. In one implementation, service provider140may include a web server, computer system, an application, a cable head-end, and/or a broadcasting device capable of providing Internet Protocol (IP)-based content and/or services to devices in customer premises network110.

Satellite150may provide multimedia content from, for example, a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service provider (not shown). Satellite150may provide a downlink signal over a designated satellite TV band frequency, typically in the range of 950 MHz to 2150 MHz. The downlink signal may be received using a satellite antenna/receiver system at a customer premises to present satellite TV content to a user.

In implementations described herein, customer premises network110may combine LTE functionality with satellite TV service. Using a combined gateway that includes an outdoor LTE modem, both broadband (over LTE) service (e.g., via base station120) and satellite TV service (e.g., via satellite150) may be brought into customer premises network110over a single coaxial line. This architecture may reduce equipment installation time due to the use of a single coaxial line for all the services. Both installation costs and recurrent operational costs can be reduced.

While implementations herein are described primarily in the context of broadband services via LTE, other wireless protocols may be used. For example, components conforming to LTE standards described herein may be replaced by components conforming to other network protocols (e.g., Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), etc.).

AlthoughFIG. 1shows example components of environment100, in other implementations, environment100may contain fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and/or additional components than those depicted inFIG. 1. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of environment100may perform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of environment100.

FIG. 2is a diagram of an example customer premises network110according to an implementation described herein. As illustrated, customer premises network110may include an outdoor broadband unit200, a satellite antenna202, coaxial splitters210-1and210-2(referred to herein collectively as “coaxial splitters210” or generically as “coaxial splitter210”), a power injector220, set-top boxes (STBs)230-1and230-2(referred to herein collectively as “STBs230” or generically as “STB230”), televisions240-1and240-2(referred to herein collectively as “televisions240”), a coax/Cat 5 converter250, a local router260, and user devices270-1and270-2(referred to herein collectively as “user devices270” or generically as “user device270”). One outdoor broadband unit200, two coaxial splitters210, one power injector220, two STBs230, two televisions240, one coax/Cat 5 converter250, one local router260, and two user devices270have been illustrated inFIG. 2for simplicity. In practice, there may be more (or fewer) outdoor broadband units200, satellite antennas202, coaxial splitters210, power injectors220, STBs230, televisions240, coax/Cat 5 converters250, local routers260, and/or user devices270.

Outdoor broadband unit200may include one or more data processing and/or data transfer devices, such as a gateway, a router, a modem, a switch, a firewall, a network interface card (NIC), a hub, a bridge, a proxy server, an optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM), or some other type of device that processes and/or transfers data. In one example, outdoor broadband unit200may include a wireless gateway that provides a convergence point between wireless protocols (e.g., associated with base station120) and IP protocols (e.g., associated with user devices270). Outdoor broadband unit200may be physically deployed with satellite antenna202(e.g., on a roof or a side wall of a house associated with customer premises network110). For example, outdoor broadband unit200may utilize a pre-existing or new satellite TV installation in a way that both broadband (over LTE) service and satellite TV are brought indoors (e.g., inside the customer premises) over a single coaxial cable204. Outdoor broadband unit200is discussed further in connection with, for example,FIG. 3.

Satellite antenna202may provide an interface for television service broadcast from satellites. In one implementation, satellite antenna202may provide an entry point for a network (e.g., customer premises network110) that conforms to standards of the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA). Generally, MoCA-compliant devices may be used to implement a home network on existing coaxial cable, using, for example, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation that divides data into several parallel data streams or logical channels. Channel stacking technology, such as Single Wire Multiswitch (SWiM) technology, may be used to allocate logical channels using frequency blocks for user-selected programming to the SWiM compatible devices (e.g., STBs230). Satellite antenna202may communicate with an STB230to identify which blocks of channels can be used to send television signals to that particular STB230.

Coaxial splitters210may include conventional splitting technologies to filter LTE and satellite TV signals. In one implementation, each coaxial splitter210may include a SWiM splitter. For example, coaxial splitters210may facilitate allocating logical channels using different frequency blocks for viewer-selected television programming and broadband signals to the SWiM-compatible STBs230and/or local router260.

Power injector220may include a conventional mechanism for injecting DC power in a coaxial cable to power remotely-located devices, such as outdoor broadband unit200. Use of power injector220may allow components of outdoor broadband unit200to be powered via a coaxial cable (e.g., coaxial cable204) and eliminate the need for additional wiring.

STB230may include a device that receives and/or processes video content (e.g., from a satellite TV provider via satellite antenna202), and provides the video content to television240or another device. STB230may also include decoding and/or decryption capabilities and may further include a digital video recorder (DVR) (e.g., a hard drive). In one example implementation, STB230may be incorporated directly within television240. In another implementation, STB230and/or television240may be replaced with a computing device (e.g., a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, etc.), a cable card, a TV tuner card, or a portable communication device (e.g., a mobile telephone or a personal digital assistant (PDA)). In one implementation, STB230may conform to MoCA and SWiM standards.

Television240may include a television monitor that is capable of displaying video content, television programming, content provided by STB230, and/or content provided by other devices (e.g., a digital video disk (DVD) player, a video camera, etc., not shown) connected to television240. Coax-to-Cat 5 adapter250may include a conventional device to convert incoming signals from coaxial cables to outgoing signals on Cat 5 cables.

Local router260may include a device that may provide connectivity between equipment within customer premises (e.g., user devices270) and between the customer premises equipment and an external network (e.g., network130). In one implementation, local router260may include a wireless access point that employs one or more short-range wireless communication protocols for a wireless personal area network (WPAN) and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as, for example, IEEE 802.15 (e.g., Bluetooth) and IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi). In other implementations, different short-range wireless protocols and/or frequencies may be used. Local router260may also include one or more wired (e.g., Ethernet) connections. In one implementation, local router260may include a USB Ethernet Router that is capable of meeting LTE quality of service (QoS) standards.

User device270may include any device that is capable of communicating with customer premises network110via local router260. For example, user device270may include a mobile computation and/or communication device, such as a laptop computer, a radiotelephone, a personal communications system (PCS) terminal (e.g., that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing and data communications capabilities), a PDA (e.g., that can include a radiotelephone, a pager, Internet/intranet access, etc.), a wireless device, a smart phone, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a content recording device (e.g., a camera, a video camera, etc.), etc. In another example, user device270may include a fixed (e.g., provided in a particular location, such as within a customer's home) computation and/or communication device, such as a laptop computer, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a gaming system, etc.

In implementation described herein, customer premises equipment for wireless broadband service can be integrated with the satellite TV MoCA and SWiM environment to provide both TV services and broadband wireless service. With this architecture, the combination of outdoor broadband unit200and satellite antenna202may follow a channelization plan dubbed “Mid-RF” (425-650 MHz), requiring a single coax line (e.g., coaxial cable204) in the deployment. Coaxial cable204may feed the in-home coaxial installation to deliver the satellite TV services to the corresponding STBs230/televisions240and LTE services to local router260/user devices270.

AlthoughFIG. 2shows example components of customer premises network110, in other implementations, customer premises network110may contain fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and/or additional components than those depicted inFIG. 2. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of customer premises network110may perform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of customer premises network110.

FIG. 3is a diagram of example components of an outdoor portion300of customer premises network110. As illustrated, portion300may include outdoor broadband unit200and satellite antenna202. Outdoor broadband unit200may include a radio frequency (RF) antenna310, an LTE module320, and a broadband home router (BHR)330all housed in a radome340. Satellite antenna202my include features described above in connection with, for example,FIGS. 1 and 2. In one implementation, as shown inFIG. 3, outdoor broadband unit200may be mounted on an extension arm350connected to a pole supporting satellite antenna202.

RF antenna310may include an antenna to transmit and/or receive RF signals over the air. RF antenna310may, for example, receive RF signals from LTE module320/BHR330and transmit the RF signals over the air. Also, RF antenna310may, for example, receive RF signals over the air and provide them to LTE module320/BHR330. In one implementation, for example, LTE module320/BHR330may communicate with a base station (e.g., base station120) connected to a network (e.g., network130) to send and/or receive signals from user devices270. In implementations herein, RF antenna310may be enclosed by radome340, integrated with radome340, or external to radome340. While one RF antenna310is shown inFIG. 3, outdoor broadband unit200may include more than one antenna in other implementations.

In one implementation, RF antenna310may include a wideband multiple beam antenna, with partially overlapping antenna beams, spanning 360 degrees in azimuth (x-y plane). For example, antenna310may include between four and eight beams (e.g., to achieve desirable antenna gains and reduction of interference). Additionally, or alternatively, RF antenna310may employ two polarizations per beam for 2×2 downlink multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) operation.

In another implementation, RF antenna310may include a fixed dually-polarized directional antenna. As a directional antenna, RF antenna310may use polarizations matched to the polarizations of a particular base station (e.g., base station120). For example, polarization of RF antenna310may be matched in polarization with a serving enhanced Node B (eNB) or base station (e.g., base station120). Antenna pointing for the directional antenna may be conducted, for example, during installation of outdoor broadband unit200.

LTE module320may include hardware or a combination of hardware and software having communication capability via an air interface. For example, LTE module320may receive broadband signals and/or VoIP signals from base station120(e.g., via RF antenna310) and transmit broadband signals and/or VoIP signals to base station120(e.g., via RF antenna310). LTE module320may employ frequency division duplex (FDD) and/or time division duplex (TDD) techniques to facilitate downlink and uplink transmissions. In one implementation, LTE module320may include a beam selection mechanism that selects the best antenna beam, from RF antenna310, according to a certain optimization criteria. Beam selection may be performed, for example, during initial installation and/or regular maintenance of outdoor broadband unit200. Additionally, or alternatively, LTE module320may select any of the RF antenna310beams, based on real-time measurements, during normal operation.

BHR330may include a device for buffering and forwarding data packets toward destinations. For example, BHR330may receive data packets from base station120(e.g., via LTE module320) and forward the data packets toward user devices270. In addition, BHR330may receive data packets from user devices270(e.g., via local router260) and forward the data packets toward recipient devices (e.g., service provider140) via network130. BHR330may include a bridge device to receive signals from LTE module320via a wired USB connection and convert the signals to an Ethernet over coax signal. The Ethernet over coax signal may be assigned a logical channel (e.g., according to SWiM guidelines) and may be combined with coaxial input from satellite antenna202. In one implementation, the output from BHR330may be inserted in a Mid-RF MoCA channel that is separate from the 950 MHz to 2150 MHz range of a typical satellite TV system. BHR330may combine coaxial input from satellite antenna202with output from BHR330within the Mid-RF MoCA channel and/or other logical channels. In implementations described herein, “Mid-RF” may correspond to 425-650 MHz.

Radome340(shown with cut-away view to reveal LTE module320and BHR330) may provide a weatherproof enclosure to protect RF antenna310, LTE module320, BHR330and/or other components of outdoor broadband unit200. Generally, radome340may include any RF transparent structure that protects components in an outdoor environment.

Outdoor broadband unit200may be integrated with the SWiM environment associated with satellite antenna202to provide both TV services and broadband wireless service. With this architecture, outdoor broadband unit200may follow a Mid-RF channelization plan, requiring only one coax line leading from outdoor broadband unit200/satellite antenna202. This single coaxial line may feed the in-home coaxial installation to deliver satellite TV service and LTE service to corresponding STBs230and user devices270(e.g., as shown inFIG. 2). Components of outdoor broadband unit200, such as RF antenna310, LTE module320, and BHR330, may be powered using coax cable204.

AlthoughFIG. 3shows example components of network portion300, in other implementations, network portion300may contain fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and/or additional components than depicted inFIG. 3. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of network portion300may perform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of network portion300.

FIG. 4is a diagram of example components of a device400that may correspond to one of the devices of environment100and/or customer premises network110. One or more of the devices depicted inFIGS. 5 and 7(and described below) may contain comparable configurations. As illustrated, device400may include a bus410, a processing unit420, a memory430, an input device440, an output device450, and a communication interface460.

Bus410may permit communication among the components of device400. Processing unit420may include one or more processors or microprocessors that interpret and execute instructions. In other implementations, processing unit420may be implemented as or include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or the like.

Memory430may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that stores information and instructions for execution by processing unit420, a read only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device that stores static information and instructions for the processing unit420, and/or some other type of magnetic or optical recording medium and its corresponding drive for storing information and/or instructions.

Input device440may include a device that permits an operator to input information to device400, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a pen, a microphone, one or more biometric mechanisms, and the like. Output device450may include a device that outputs information to the operator, such as a display, a speaker, etc.

Communication interface460may include any transceiver-like mechanism that enables device400to communicate with other devices and/or systems. For example, communication interface460may include mechanisms for communicating with other devices, such as other devices of environment100and/or customer premises network110.

As described herein, device400may perform certain operations in response to processing unit420executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory430. A computer-readable medium may be defined as a physical or logical memory device. A logical memory device may include memory space within a single physical memory device or spread across multiple physical memory devices. The software instructions may be read into memory430from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface460. The software instructions contained in memory430may cause processing unit420to perform processes described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

AlthoughFIG. 4shows example components of device400, in other implementations, device400may contain fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, or additional components than depicted inFIG. 4. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of device400may perform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of device400.

FIG. 5is a diagram of an example customer premises network500according to another implementation described herein. Generally, customer premises network500moves MoCA routing functions to the indoor portion of the customer premises, in contrast with the arrangement of customer premises network110described above.

Outdoor broadband unit510may include one or more devices to send/receive LTE signals and to merge received LTE signals with satellite TV signals. In one example, outdoor broadband unit510may include a wireless gateway that provides a convergence point between wireless protocols (e.g., associated with base station120) and IP protocols (e.g., associated with user devices270). Outdoor broadband unit510may be physically deployed with satellite antenna202(e.g., on a roof or a side wall of a house associated with customer premises network110). For example, outdoor broadband unit510may utilize a pre-existing or new satellite TV installation in a way that both broadband (over LTE) service and satellite TV are brought inside the customer premises over coaxial cable204. Outdoor broadband unit510is discussed further in connection with, for example,FIG. 6.

MoCA/WiFi router520may include a device that provides connectivity between equipment within customer premises (e.g., user devices270) and between the indoor customer premises equipment and outdoor broadband unit510. MoCA/WiFi router520may receive the combined input from both outdoor broadband unit510and satellite antenna202that is brought inside the customer premises over coaxial cable204. MoCA/WiFi router520may buffer and forward data packets toward destinations (e.g., particular user devices270). MoCA/WiFi router520may employ one or more short-range wireless communication protocols for a wireless personal area network (WPAN) and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as, for example, IEEE 802.15 (e.g., Bluetooth) and IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi). In other implementations, different short-range wireless protocols and/or frequencies may be used. MoCA/WiFi router520may also include one or more wired (e.g., Ethernet) connections. In one implementation, MoCA/WiFi router520may include a USB Ethernet router that is capable of meeting LTE quality of service (QoS) standards.

FIG. 6provides a diagram of example components of an outdoor portion600of customer premises network500. As illustrated, portion600may include outdoor broadband unit510and satellite antenna202. Outdoor broadband unit510may include a bridge610, RF antenna310, and LTE module320, all housed in radome340. In one implementation, as shown inFIG. 6, outdoor broadband unit510may be mounted on extension arm350connected to a pole supporting satellite antenna202. RF antenna310, LTE module320, and radome340may include the features described above in connection with, for example,FIG. 3.

Bridge610may include device to combine coaxial input from satellite antenna202with output from LTE module320into a single coax line (e.g., coaxial cable204using a Mid-RF MoCA channel). Bridge610may, for example, receive signals from LTE module320via a wired USB connection and convert the signals to an Ethernet over coax signal. The Ethernet over coax signal may be assigned a logical channel (e.g., according to SWiM guidelines) and may be combined with coaxial input, within the Mid-RF MoCA channel and/or on other logical channels, from satellite antenna202. In an implementation, bridge610may include weather-proof construction and/or materials to limit effects of weather conditions that may not be overcome by use of radome340(e.g., hot/cold, moisture, etc.).

The arrangement of components of customer premises network500, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, may reduce the overall power consumption and heat dissipation for outdoor broadband unit510(e.g., in contrast with the power consumption and heat dissipation of outdoor broadband unit200). Also, the arrangement of components of customer premises network500may provide different power supply options for MoCA/WiFi router520, since MoCA/WiFi router520would not be limited to receiving power via coaxial cable204. Thus, the arrangement of components of customer premises network500may allow for a different level of sophistication/complexity for MoCA/WiFi router520(e.g., in contrast with the design of outdoor broadband unit200), and may reduce the overall cost of equipment for customer premises network500.

AlthoughFIGS. 5 and 6show example components of customer premises network500, in other implementations, customer premises network500may contain fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and/or additional components than those depicted inFIGS. 5 and 6. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of customer premises network500may perform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of customer premises network500.

FIG. 7is a diagram of an example customer premises network700according to another implementation described herein. Generally, customer premises network700may be independent of any satellite signal, in contrast with the arrangement of customer premises networks110and500described above. Customer premises network700may be used to provide, for example, broadband, video, and VoIP services using LTE.

Referring toFIG. 7, customer premises network700may include a media server710, display devices720-1and720-2(referred to herein collectively as “display devices720” or generically as “display device720”), coaxial cable204, coaxial splitter210-1, power injector220, user devices270-1and270-2, outdoor broadband unit510, and MoCA/WiFi router520. One media server710, two display devices720, one coaxial cable204, one coaxial splitter210-1, one power injector220, two user devices270, one outdoor broadband unit510, and one MoCA/WiFi router520have been illustrated inFIG. 7for simplicity. In practice, there may be more (or fewer) media servers710, display devices720, coaxial cables204, coaxial splitters210, power injectors220, user devices270, outdoor broadband units510, and/or MoCA/WiFi routers520. Coaxial cable204, coaxial splitters210, power injectors220, user devices270, outdoor broadband unit510, and/or MoCA/WiFi router520may include the features described above in connection with one or more of, for example,FIGS. 1-6.

Media server710may include one or more server entities, or other types of computation or communication devices, that gather, process, search, and/or provide information in a manner described herein. In one implementation, media server710may include a device (e.g., a computer system and/or an application-specific circuit) capable of processing, storing, and/or generating media streams. In one implementation, media server710may receive multimedia content from network130(e.g., via outdoor broadband unit510and MoCA/WiFi router520) and send the multimedia content to one or more display devices720and/or user devices (e.g., via MoCA/WiFi router520).

Display device720may include a display via which a user may view multimedia content (including, for example, video-on-demand, IPTV, and/or interactive television applications). Display device720may refer to any device that can receive and display multimedia content delivered over network130and/or through media server710for perception by users. Display device720may include technologies, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light-emitting diode (LED) displays, plasma displays, cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, etc. In one implementation, display device720may include a wireless communication device that is capable of communicating with media server710via MoCA/WiFi router520.

In customer premises network700, outdoor broadband unit510may receive LTE signals that are provided to other devices within customer premises network700. As described above with respect toFIG. 6, outdoor broadband unit510may include bridge610(as well as RF antenna310, LTE module320, and radome340). Bridge610may, for example, receive signals from LTE module320via a wired USB connection and convert the signals to an Ethernet over coax signal. The Ethernet over coax signal may be assigned a logical channel (e.g., according to SWiM guidelines). In contrast with the configuration of customer premises network500, in customer premises network700, outdoor broadband unit510may not be connected to a satellite antenna. Thus, signals from bridge610(e.g., sent over coaxial cable240) may only include signals from LTE module320and the entire frequency range of the MidRF MoCA channel (e.g., 425-650 MHz) may be available for LTE signals.

The arrangement of components of customer premises network700may reduce the overall power consumption and heat dissipation for outdoor broadband unit510(e.g., in contrast with the power consumption and heat dissipation of outdoor broadband unit200). Also, the arrangement of components of customer premises network700may provide different power supply options for MoCA/WiFi router520, since MoCA/WiFi router520would not be limited to receiving power via coaxial cable204. Thus, the arrangement of components of customer premises network700may allow for a different level of sophistication/complexity for MoCA/WiFi router520(e.g., in contrast with the design of outdoor broadband unit200), and may reduce the overall cost of equipment for customer premises network700.

AlthoughFIG. 7shows example components of customer premises network700, in other implementations, customer premises network700may contain fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, and/or additional components than those depicted inFIG. 7. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of customer premises network700may perform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of customer premises network700.

FIG. 8provides a diagram of a switch frequency plan800for a single coaxial cable (e.g., coaxial cable204) providing broadband service and satellite TV service. As shown inFIG. 8, a Mid-RF MoCA network channel may have a frequency range of 425-650 MHz that can coexist with a 950 MHz to 2150 MHz range of a typical satellite TV system. As described above in connection with, for example,FIGS. 2-6, a Mid-RF MoCA network channel may include LTE signals from/to outdoor broadband unit200(in customer premises network110) or outdoor broadband unit510(in customer premises network500). LTE signals inserted in the Mid-RF MoCA network channel may share bandwidth (e.g., within the frequency range of 425-650 MHz) with LAN communications for satellite TV services. Thus, LTE data may be practically transmitted at speeds of about 50 Mbps over the shared Mid-RF MoCA network channel.

In another implementation, another channel, such as a Low-RF MoCA channel, may be provided. As show inFIG. 8, the Low-RF channel may have a frequency range of about 100-225 MHz that can coexist with both the Mid-RF MoCA channel and the satellite TV band. With this architecture, the combination of outdoor broadband unit200(in customer premises network110) or outdoor broadband unit510(in customer premises network500) and satellite antenna202may follow a channelization plan that includes both Low-RF and Mid-RF, requiring only one coax line204in the deployment. The dual MoCA channels (e.g., the Low-RF and Mid-RF channels) may provide higher available bandwidth for LTE data services. For example, the Low-RF channel may be reserved for LTE signals, while the Mid-RF channel may be reserved for LAN communications for satellite TV services. The dedicated a Low-RF channel may provide an LTE data rate of up to 110 Mbps, in contrast with a typical LTE data rate of 50 Mbps when LTE and satellite TV share a MoCA channel.

FIG. 9provides a diagram of an example LTE carrier frequency plan900for multiple LTE carriers. While some service providers may currently have a single carrier frequency block (e.g., “Carrier1,” “Carrier2,” Carrier3,” or “Carrier4”) designated for LTE services, other service providers may have multiple carrier frequency blocks. The multiple carrier frequency blocks may be adjacent (e.g., “Carrier1” and “Carrier2”), as indicated by reference number910; non-adjacent within the same frequency band (e.g., “Carrier1” and “Carrier3”), as indicated by reference number920; or non-adjacent in different frequency bands (e.g., “Carrier1” and “Carrier4”), as indicated by reference number930.

Service providers using a single carrier frequency block (e.g., one of E-UTRA Operating Band nos. 13, 14, or 17) may typically have 10 MHz available for downlinks and 10 MHz available for uplinks to provide broadband services to a customer premises (e.g., customer premises network110, customer premises network500, customer premises network700, etc.). LTE carrier aggregation may include use of multiple carrier frequency blocks to provide LTE services. In one implementation, outdoor broadband unit200may simultaneously transmit and receive data in different LTE carriers (e.g., “Carrier1,” “Carrier2,” etc.). For example, using the dual MoCA channels (e.g., the Low-RF and Mid-RF channels) described above inFIG. 8, outdoor broadband unit510(e.g., in customer premises network700) may provide dedicated MoCA channels for each carrier. For example, the Low-RF channel may be reserved for LTE signals from “Carrier1,” while the Mid-RF channel may be reserved for LTE signals from “Carrier2.”

In one implementation, outdoor broadband unit510may include two RF antennas310to receive LTE signals over multiple carriers. For example, in the case of non-adjacent inter-band carriers930, one RF antenna310may be included for “Carrier1” (e.g., for a 700 MHz frequency band) and another RF antenna310may be included for “Carrier4” (e.g., for a 1.7/2.1 GHz frequency band). In other implementations, a single RF antenna310may be modified with additional degrees of freedom to facilitate LTE signals over multiple carrier frequencies.

AlthoughFIG. 9shows an example LTE carrier frequency plan900for multiple LTE carriers that may be used with outdoor broadband unit510, in other implementations, different combinations of carrier frequencies may be used.

While OFDM techniques have been described above to support provision of broadband (over LTE) service and satellite TV service to a customer premises network over a single coaxial line, time division duplex (TDD) techniques may also be used where the same block of frequencies are used to support both downlink and uplink services. TDD techniques may be used, for example, in customer premises network110, customer premises network500, and/or customer premises network700.

In implementations described herein, application of TDD may permit RF antenna310(FIG. 3) to be implemented as a narrowband multiple beam antenna instead of wideband antenna. For example, RF antenna310may include a narrowband multiple beam antenna, with partially overlapping antenna beams, spanning 360 degrees in azimuth. As a narrowband antenna, RF antenna310may provide, for example, higher antenna gain (as compared to a wideband antenna), a flat response over the narrowband, a higher antenna polarization isolation (as compared to a wideband antenna), and better (higher) front-to-back (F/B) ratio than a wideband antenna. Also, as a narrowband antenna, RF antenna310may have a smaller footprint than a wideband antenna due to the higher frequency bands (e.g., above 2 GHz) typically used for TDD. Furthermore, beam selection circuitry for LTE module320, responsible for selecting the best possible beam for RF antenna310in downlink and uplink transmissions, may be simplified, since the same beam is used for both downlink and uplink. The beam selection mechanism of LTE module320may also include additional constraints when implementing TDD. For example, since downlink and uplink transmissions split time resources, channel measurements conducted by LTE module320may have to be conducted during a duty cycle allocated for downlink transmissions.

Each of customer premises network110, customer premises network500, and/or customer premises network700may use a single LTE uplink transmitter and dual LTE downlink receivers included, for example, in LTE module320. In another implementation, LTE module320may include multiple transmitters and multiple receivers. For example, to enhance the spectral efficiency of the uplink and downlink and thereby improve the end user data rates, N×N uplink and downlink MIMO may be employed. Transmitting and receiving multiple streams by LTE module320using the same LTE air interface resources. However, the multiple beam configuration of RF antenna310may be modified to accommodate multiple transmitters and receivers per beam. RF antenna310may employ multiple antennas per beam, which are realized using a combination of spatial and polarization diverse antennas.

In implementations described herein, each of customer premises network110, customer premises network500, and/or customer premises network700may perform beam selection based on downlink signal quality, and the same antenna beam is used for the uplink as well. However, there may be situations where an optimal beam for the downlink would yield a sub-optimal performance for the uplink. In another implementation, LTE module320may include separate RF switching circuitry for the uplink transmission. LTE module320may select the optimal beam for the uplink transmission based on, for example, transmit power and uplink throughput measurements. LTE module320may also make sure that both the downlink and uplink beams point to the same LTE cell (e.g., base station120).

FIG. 10is a flow chart of an example process1000for combining LTE functionality with satellite TV service according to implementations described herein. In one implementation, process1000may be performed by outdoor broadband unit200. In another implementation, some or all of process1000may be performed by another device or group of devices, including or excluding outdoor broadband unit200.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, process1000may include receiving an LTE signal from a base station (block1010). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIG. 3, LTE module320of outdoor broadband unit320may receive broadband signals and/or VoIP signals from base station120(e.g., via RF antenna310) and transmit broadband signals and/or VoIP signals to base station120(e.g., via RF antenna310). LTE module320may employ frequency division duplex (FDD) and/or time division duplex (TDD) techniques to facilitate downlink and uplink transmissions. In one implementation, LTE module320may include a beam selection mechanism that selects the best antenna beam, from RF antenna310, according to a certain optimization criteria. Beam selection may be performed, for example, during initial installation and/or regular maintenance of outdoor broadband unit200. Additionally, or alternatively, LTE module320may select any of the RF antenna310beams, based on real-time measurements, during normal operation.

Returning toFIG. 10, process1000may include receiving a satellite TV signal from a satellite antenna (block1020), and combining, outside the customer premises and in a single coaxial line, the LTE signal and the satellite TV signal (block1030). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIG. 3, BHR330of outdoor broadband unit320may include a bridge device to receive signals from LTE module320via a wired USB connection and convert the signals to an Ethernet over coax signal. The Ethernet over coax signal may be assigned a logical channel (e.g., according to SWiM guidelines) and may be combined with coaxial input from satellite antenna202. In one implementation, the output from BHR330may be inserted in a MidRF MoCA channel that is separate from the 950 MHz to 2150 MHz range of a typical satellite TV system. BHR330may combine coaxial input from satellite antenna202with output from BHR330within the MidRF MoCA channel and/or other logical channels.

Returning toFIG. 10, process1000may include forwarding, via the single coax line, the LTE signal and the satellite TV signal to devices inside the customer premises (block1040). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIG. 3, outdoor broadband unit200may follow a MidRF channelization plan, requiring only one coax line leading from outdoor broadband unit200/satellite antenna202. This single coaxial line may feed the in-home coaxial installation to deliver satellite TV service and LTE service to corresponding STBs230and user devices270(e.g., as shown inFIG. 2).

Systems and/or methods described herein may provide a customer premises equipment (CPE) wireless architecture with simplified initial installation and reduced operational costs. The systems and/or methods may receive, at a location outside a customer premises, a broadband signal from a base station of a wireless network and a satellite television signal from a satellite antenna. The systems and/or methods may combine, at the location outside the customer premises, the broadband signal with the satellite television signal in a single coaxial cable and send, via the single coaxial cable, the broadband signal and the satellite television signal to one or more devices inside the customer premises.

For example, while a series of blocks has been described with regard toFIG. 10, the order of the blocks may be modified in other implementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel.

Further, certain portions of the invention may be implemented as “logic” that performs one or more functions. This logic may include hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit or a field programmable gate array, or a combination of hardware and software.