Abstract:
A high-performance portable microwave communication unit, consists of a directional antenna, RF transceiver and high-speed data/video processing unit for use in terrestrial point-to-point communications or as a ground station in a satellite communication system. For transportation, the unit is disassembled, folded down and stowed in two airline-checkable hard-shell cases. Each case can be equipped with shoulder straps such that it can be carried like a backpack, a set of wheels so it can be rolled, attached to a MOLLE frame so that it can be carried as a backpack and which allows attachment of accessories. The cases and their interiors have been designed to provide protection for the communication unit, while the construction of the unit itself involves novel mechanical features that allow for compact stowage as well as for rapid disassembly and assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a portable communications system for high-speed data and video transmission. 
   BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
   Due to the high performance demands, Satellite News Gathering (SNG) systems, systems for logging and transmitting data from remote exploration sites, certain portable military communication systems, and other systems using transmission of high bit rate data require large parabolic antennas, high-power RF amplifiers and complex electronics, and therefore are relatively large. 
   Prior art portable communications systems require relatively large containers or cases that allow for only short manual handling between transportation between vehicles. One of the best-packaged systems of this type, using only one (25″×24.5″×16″) suitcase is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,891. Such a suitcase cannot be checked onto an airplane with regular luggage. More compact systems exist, (e.g. European Patents EP1440612 and EP1380123) however, they are not very robust and are inconvenient to transport. They are therefore inappropriate for many applications, such as SNG and military applications. 
   Also known in the prior art are “wearable” communication systems. Such systems usually have their electronics permanently stowed in a backpack-type container. However, such systems (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,481 and US patent applications 20040088780 and 20040113836) are used for specialized military purposes, requiring electronics operating at lower frequencies and small antennas, (e.g. personal protection devices, location beacons, etc.). Such systems are totally inadequate for applications requiring transmission of data at high bit rates. 
   More generally, the prior art also includes “convertible” luggage systems that can be used either as a suitcase, backpack, and/or a wheeled suitcase (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,749,503; 6,742,684; and 6,530,507). However, these do not provide any protection for sensitive communications equipment. Specifically, such prior art systems do not provide for a hard shell case necessary to protect communications equipment. 
   Accordingly, the present invention addresses the above drawbacks of the prior art by providing a novel mechanical design of the communication unit and containment system, resulting in a rugged and portable high performance system for high speed data and/or video communications. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is an easily transportable communication unit for high-speed data/video transmission via a terrestrial or satellite communication system, and a containment system therefore. For transportation, the unit can disassembled, folded down and stowed in two cases, one containing primarily the antenna and RF components and the other the baseband electronics. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the cases are airline-checkable hard-shell suitcases with lifting handles, ergonomically sized and shaped for human backs, and are equipped with fastening means for attachment of a soft carrying handle, shoulder and waist pads and shoulder straps, a carriage with wheels, and/or a MOLLE frame. The MOLLE frame provides greater support for the user when carrying the cases over uneven terrain for long distances. It also provides the opportunity to attach accessories as may be required in, for example, military applications. 
   The baseband housing for the baseband electronics and the cases have been designed to provide three levels of shock and vibration protection of the communication unit, namely:
         a) the impact resistant shells of the cases themselves;   b) foam lining of the cases; and   c) a shock absorber mechanism within the baseband housing for the baseband unit.       

   The configuration of the communication unit&#39;s parts allows for compact stowage. The large 1 meter segmented antenna and RF components are mounted on a rotatable platform to which they are preferably pivotably attached by a quick-connect assembly containing guiding pins and thumb screws. The platform is attached to the baseband housing, which is equipped with two folding “legs” that can be extended into positions such that, together with the main body of the housing, three points of support are provided. This eliminates the need for a tripod, thereby saving both space and weight. The detachable quick-connect assembly provides an excellent separation point between the antenna assembly and the baseband housing that leads to compact stowage. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows the fully expanded, operational form of the communication unit; 
       FIG. 2  shows the antenna; 
       FIG. 3  shows the disassembled boom and feed assembly; 
       FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) show the detail of the boom attachment; 
       FIG. 5  is a back view of the antenna and baseband housing; 
       FIG. 6  shows the baseband housing in isolation with its legs folded; 
       FIG. 7  shows a side cutaway view of the compacted core of the antenna/RF subsystem, showing the main segment of the antenna with the plate containing RF electronics and elevation adjust rod, 3 other segments and the two parts of the boom/feed with LNBs; 
       FIG. 8  shows a side cutaway view of the compacted core of the antenna/RF subsystem; 
       FIG. 9  shows the baseband unit within the baseband housing; 
       FIG. 10  shows the baseband housing with two antenna segments enclosed in the baseband case with protective foam; 
       FIG. 11  shows a three-quarter view of one of the cases, closed and secured with straps; 
       FIG. 12  shows a front view of one of the cases with an attached carriage and wheels; 
       FIG. 13  shows the case and attachment points for the MOLLE frame; 
       FIG. 14  shows the MOLLE frame; 
       FIG. 15  shows the case attached to the MOLLE frame; 
       FIGS. 16(   a ) and  16 ( b ) show the attachment of shoulder and waist pads and a soft carrying handle to the case; 
       FIGS. 17(   a ) and  17 ( b ) show the attachment of shoulder straps and a soft carrying handle to the case; 
       FIG. 18  shows a side view of the case with shoulder and waist pads and shoulder straps; and 
       FIG. 19  shows a three-quarter view of the case with shoulder and waist pads and shoulder straps. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–6 , a communication unit is shown, that is capable of transmitting and receiving data and video via satellite, or terrestrial point-to-point, at speeds up to 4 Mb/s. To achieve such high performance, while preventing undue interference to or from other systems, a large (1 meter) parabolic antenna must be employed, together with a powerful RF amplifier. In the prior art this has resulted in relatively large communications systems whose portability has been limited. The innovative design of the present invention results in communication unit that is compact and that is easily transported, assembled and disassembled. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the communication unit  100  consists of a 1 m diameter parabolic segmented antenna  101  with a boom assembly  102  with a feed horn and receiver assembly  103  mounted on the end. The boom assembly  102  breaks into two parts for disassembly and transport. On the lower back part of the antenna  101 , the RF transmit (Tx) electronics assembly  104  is mounted to a U-shaped carrier  502 . When the communications unit  100  is deployed, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the antenna  101  and RF transmit electronics assembly  104  are mounted, (including alignment, azimuth and elevation adjustment mechanisms) on the baseband housing  105  (i.e. the housing for the “non-RF”, or “baseband” (BB) electronics). The baseband housing  105  has a main body  108  and foldable legs  106 , which together act as a tripod, providing a stable platform for the communication unit  100 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the antenna  101  is shown, having six segments  110 . The edges and interfaces between adjacent antenna segments  110  have a unique zig-zag configuration which imparts greater rigidity, and improved RF performance, to the assembled antenna  101  as compared to prior art antennas and reflectors. The segments  110  may be fastened to one another, without use of tools, by any appropriate quick-connect means, including clasps or clamps, catches and latches, thumb screws, etc. The boom assembly  102  connects to a U-shaped carrier  502  behind the main segment  112 . The antenna  101  may be made of plastic with a metallic mesh inside or any other suitable material. 
     FIG. 3  shows the various components of the boom assembly  102 . The boom assembly  102  consists of an upper boom arm  301  with a feed horn and receiver assembly  103  consisting of feed  302 , Transmit/Receive separator (OMT)  303  and receiver (LNB) with Transmit Reject Filter (TRF)  304 . The feed  302 , OMT  303  and LNB with TRF  304  are rotatable for polarization alignment by motor and gear  305 , or with manual override  306 . The Transmit port of the OMT  303  is connected, via flexible waveguide  307 , using quick-connect interface, to solid waveguide  308  running inside the upper boom arm  301 . The upper boom arm  301  is terminated with a quick connect device  309  which engages a complementary quick connect device on lower boom arm  311 . When the upper and lower boom arms  301  and  311  are connected, the solid waveguide  308  connects to the waveguide flange  310  of the lower boom arm  311 . The lower boom arm  311  is terminated with another quick-connect device  312  which connects to the U-shaped carrier  502  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
     FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) show that the quick-connect device  312  on the lower boom arm  311  attaches to the waveguide flange  402 , mounted on the U-shaped carrier  502 , which in turn is mounted on the main reflector segment  112 . 
     FIG. 5  shows the antenna  101  mounted to the baseband housing  105 . The main reflector segment  112  is attached to the U-shaped carrier  502  to which is attached the RF transmit (Tx) electronics assembly  104 . The U-shaped carrier  502  also has connected to it the elevation gear  504 , with elevation rod  505  and elevation motor  506 . The whole antenna assembly (antenna  101 , RF transmit (Tx) electronics assembly  104 , U-shaped carrier  502 , elevation gear  504 , elevation rod  505  and elevation motor  506 ) is mounted, via quick-connect assemblies  507  and  508 , on rotational platform  509  for azimuth alignment, driven by azimuth motor and gear-box  510 . The platform  509  and azimuth motor  510  are part of the baseband housing  105 . 
     FIG. 6  shows the baseband housing  105  with the legs  106  folded, after removal of the antenna assembly (not shown) from rotational platform  509 . Attachment points  602  are for the attachment of the quick-connect assembly  507  (see  FIG. 5 ). Attachment point  603  is for attaching the elevation quick-connect assembly  508  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
   In the preferred embodiment the baseband housing  105  is made of metal, preferably aluminium or composite, however, any suitable material may be used. 
     FIG. 7  shows how parts of the communication unit  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) can be compactly arranged for storage and transport in a portable case. The main segment  112  remains attached to the U-Shaped carrier  502 . The U-shaped carrier  502  encloses the RF transmit (Tx) electronics assembly  104  (not shown). Also attached to the U-shaped carrier  502  are the elevation gear  504 , elevation rod  505  and elevation motor  506 . Three antenna segments  110  are stacked on the main segment  112 . Antenna segments  110  preferably have patches of foam or rubber, or other suitable material, attached to the back, to provide separation between segments and protect them from scratching each other. 
   The upper boom arm  301  with the feed horn and receiver assembly  103  is shown on top of the uppermost antenna segment and the lower boom arm  311  is shown adjacent the U-Shaped carrier  502 . 
     FIG. 8  shows a cut-away view of the communication unit components of  FIG. 7 , arranged in the same manner as described in  FIG. 7 , in a portable case  801 . The case  801  has a bottom half  802  and top half  803 . The case has an impact-resistant outer shell  805  and is filled with protective foam  804  with cut-outs for the individual components of the communication unit. 
     FIG. 9  shows a cut-away view of the baseband housing  105  in which the baseband unit  901  is suspended by means of 8 shock absorbers  903 . The baseband unit  901  contains the components needed to process data to and from a laptop computer or similar device into form suitable for the RF transmit (Tx) electronics assembly  104  and the feed horn and receiver assembly (see  FIGS. 1–5 ). 
     FIG. 10  shows a cut-away view of a portable case  801  containing the baseband housing  105  and the remaining two antenna segments  110 . The case  801  is filled with protective foam  804 , which surrounds the baseband housing  105  and antenna segments  110 , providing shock and vibration protection. Therefore, during transportation, the baseband unit  901  (see  FIG. 9 ) is protected from shock and vibration by impact-resistant outer shell  805 , the protective foam  804  and the shock absorbers  903  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–10 , to disassemble the communication unit  100  for storage and transport, the boom assembly  102  is detached separated into two parts and the antenna segments  110  are separated. The main segment  112  with U-shaped carrier  502 , RF transmit (Tx) electronics assembly  104 , elevation gear  504 , with elevation rod  505  and elevation motor  506  are removed from the rotatable platform  509 , folded down and placed in one case  801  together with 3 antenna segments  110  and the boom assembly  102 . The baseband housing  105  with its legs  106  folded is placed into the other case  801  with the 2 remaining antenna segments  110 . 
   In the preferred embodiments the communications unit  100  has a 24V DC input for connection to a vehicle battery or generator, for example. Alternatively, or in addition, the communications unit  100  may be powered by 110/220 V AC. 
     FIG. 11  shows the external view of the case  801  with the two parts  802  and  803  of the case  801  closed together and secured with straps  1103 . The external surface of the case has channels through which the straps  1103  pass. The bottom surface of the case  801  is ergonomically shaped for greater comfort when the case  801  is worn as a backpack, either with shoulder straps attached directly to the case  801  or with a MOLLE frame (see below). 
     FIG. 12  shows the front (or top) view of the case  801  indicating the location of the lifting handles  1201 . The case  801  is shown mounted on a carriage  1205  with wheels  1208 . The carriage  1205  is connected to the case  801  by straps  1103 . The frame of the carriage  1205  can simply pass under the straps  1103  or, as shown in the Figure, the straps can pass through loops  1206  on the carriage. 
     FIGS. 13–15  demonstrate the attachment of the case  801  to a MOLLE frame  1301 . Straps  1302  are passed through the backside of the MOLLE frame  1301  and, together with case-securing straps  1103 , (see  FIG. 11 ) through the slots  1105  on case  801 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, the MOLLE frame  1301  may be connected to the case  801  by passing the case-securing straps  1103  through the frame portion  1305  of the MOLLE frame  1301 . The straps  1103  would also pass through slots  1105  in the shell of the case  801  as they normally do to secure the two halves of the case together. In the preferred embodiment the slots  1105  are positioned so that the straps  1103  are directly behind the shoulder  1601  and waist  1602  pads of the MOLLE frame  1301 . 
   In the preferred embodiment the case  801  is attached to the MOLLE frame  1301  at points corresponding approximately to the shoulder and waist level of a person carrying the case  801  on their back. 
     FIG. 15  shows a side view of the case  801 , mounted on the MOLLE frame  1301 . Referring to  FIGS. 13–15 , in the preferred embodiment the MOLLE frame  1301  has shoulder pads  1601 , waist pads  1602  and shoulder straps  1502 . The MOLLE frame  1301  also includes attachment points for tools and accessories and, therefore, is especially useful in military and outdoor applications. 
   Due to the size, weight and hard exterior of the case  801 , it is preferable to use the MOLLE frame when carrying the case  801  over uneven terrain and/or for long distances. 
     FIGS. 16(   a ) and  16 ( b ) show an alternate embodiment of the case  801  having additional slots  1604  (in addition to slots  1105 , see  FIG. 13) . The shoulder and waist pads  1601 ,  1602  are attached to the case  801  by passing the straps of the shoulder and waist pads  1601 ,  1602  through slots  1105  and  1604 . The conversion into a backpack is completed by adding the shoulder straps  1701  as shown in  FIGS. 17(   a ) and  17 ( b ). The ends of the shoulder straps  1701  are attached to case  801  by passing the strap ends through slots  1704 . Once the shoulder straps  1701  and the shoulder and waist pads  1601 ,  1602  are attached to the case  801 , the case  801  can be carried as a backpack (however, without a MOLLE frame, in contrast to the embodiment of  FIGS. 13–15) . A soft carrying handle  1605  may also be attached to the case  801  by passing the ends thereof through slots  1606 . This handle  1605  is intended for short handling before the case  801  is worn as a backpack. 
     FIGS. 18 and 19  show side and three-quarter views of the case  801  with the shoulder straps  1701 , waist pads  1602  and shoulder pads  1601  attached. 
   In the preferred embodiments of the invention the cases  801  are made of any suitable flexible, impact-resistant material which is relatively light and resistant to UV, mildew and corrosion. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12–19 , the preferred means for fastening the shoulder straps  1701 , shoulder and waist pads  1601 ,  1602 , the MOLLE frame  1301 , the wheeled carriage  1205  and the soft handle  1605  to the case  801  is by straps passed through slots  1105 ,  1704 ,  1604  in the shell of the case  801 . However, alternate fastening means may be used. Several alternate fastening means will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. For example, the case  801  may have threaded holes in its outer shell operative to receive screws, so that the shoulder straps  1701 , shoulder and waist pads  1601 ,  1602 , the MOLLE frame  1301 , the wheeled carriage  1205  and/or the soft handle  1605  can be screwed to the case  801 . Further examples of alternate fastening means include Velcro and/or any of a number of quick release mechanisms. 
   Greater size, space and weight savings, versatility and protection of the communications unit is achieved with the present invention, where the case  801  can be attached to a carriage  1205 , MOLLE frame  1301  and/or backpack pads  1601 ,  1602  and straps  1701 . 
   In an alternate embodiment of the case  801 , portions of the outer shell  805  at one end of the case  801  are cut out and wheels are mounted so that they form an integral part of the case  801 . A soft handle  1605  is fastened to the case  801  at the other end as shown in  FIGS. 17 ,  17 ( a ) and  18 , so that the case  801  can be wheeled along in a manner similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
   Although the embodiment of case  801  described throughout this application has two halves  802  and  803 , it will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that many alternate embodiments of the case will fall within the scope of the invention. For example, rather than comprising two halves, the case  801  could have a hollow “container” portion and a lid. Further, the lid and the hollow “container” portion may be connected by a hinge (the two halves  802  and  803  of the preferred embodiment may also be connected by a hinge). 
   The invention, as described above in detail, contains novel features both in the communication unit itself, as well as in the packaging for stowage and transportation. In case of the former, they include the shape and configuration of the antenna segments, the two-part boom/feed assembly with quick-connect devices, the RF carrier hinged design, the integration of the azimuth alignment motorized platform with the baseband housing, the baseband housing with foldable legs for tripod-like stability and the shock absorbers for the BB unit itself, all of which cooperate to form a communications system that can be stowed in two airline checkable cases. In case of the latter, the novel features include the hard-shell cases, which are capable of being used as an airline checkable suitcase, as a wheeled case, as a backpack mounted on a MOLLE frame, as a backpack without the MOLLE frame. 
   The novel features in the design of the communication unit itself as explained in  FIGS. 1–6  have made it possible to limit the dimensions of the two cases to airline check-in requirements. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the size of each case is 27″×19.5″×13.2″, and the mass of each case, including all the communication unit components stowed in it, does not exceed 22 kg. This enables easy manual transportation of the communication unit. 
   Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.