Patent Publication Number: US-2022239770-A1

Title: Ruggedized voice and data communications system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE STATEMENT 
     The present patent application is a continuation of the patent application identified by U.S. Ser. No. 16/251,921, filed Jan. 18, 2019, which is a continuation of the patent application identified by U.S. Ser. No. 14/541,820, filed Nov. 14, 2014, which incorporates by reference the entire provisional patent application identified by U.S. Ser. No. 61/904,301, filed on Nov. 14, 2013, and claims priority thereto under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Remote and inhospitable environments, such as those often occurring around geological sites of interest, oilfield operations, highway construction, disaster response operations, rescue teams, and the like, often suffer from lack of reliable communications. Currently, communications devices equipped to connect to communication towers of a cellular network require stable power supplies. Such stable power supplies are generally unsuitable for remote or inhospitable environments or are too fragile to operate reliably in those environments. Therefore, a need exists for reliable long distance communication systems, compatible with existing voice and data networks, which may employ varying power types and reliabilities and survive in rugged terrain. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is a combination of communication and power control elements that has been packaged to function in hostile environments and rural areas where current communications infrastructure may be sparse or unavailable due to the limitations of previous technologies. 
     In some embodiments, a ruggedized voice and data communication system has at least two communications boards connected to the ruggedized enclosure. Each communications board may include at least one transceiver and a plurality of interfaces. A first communications board may include a primary network communicator and a second communications board may include a secondary network communicator. The primary network communicator includes a non-transitory memory connected to a processor. The non-transitory memory has computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to attempt a first network connection using at least one transceiver, and upon failure, enter a failover mode such that a second network connection is directly provided by the second communications board. The ruggedized voice and data communication system may also include at least one antenna in communication with at least one transceiver. The antenna may be configured to transmit and receive signals for the at least one transceiver. In some embodiments, the ruggedized voice and data communication system may also include a plurality of antenna in communication with at least one transceiver. 
     In some embodiments, a ruggedized voice and data communication system may include a plurality of transceivers. A first transceiver of the plurality of transceivers may be configured to communicate via a first protocol conforming to the requirements of a first network. A second transceiver of the plurality of transceivers may be configured to communicate via a second protocol conforming to the requirements of a second network. The first network and the second network may be different types of cellular telephone networks. The first transceiver may be configured to provide a first network GSM connection to the first network and the second transceiver is configured to provide a second network GSM connection to the second network. The ruggedized voice and data communication system may also include at least one processor running failover logic configured to switch communications from the first transceiver to the second transceiver responsive to the first transceiver failing to provide the first network GSM connection with the first network. The ruggedized voice and data communication system may have an antenna in communication with the plurality of transceivers. The antenna may be configured to connect with cell towers in remote areas. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a communication system using a ruggedized voice and data communication system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the ruggedized voice and data communication system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the ruggedized enclosure of the ruggedized voice and data communication system in a closed orientation. 
         FIG. 3B  is another perspective view of the ruggedized enclosure in the closed orientation. 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the ruggedized enclosure of  FIG. 3A  in an open orientation with a power system mounted in the ruggedized enclosure. 
         FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of a user interface plate of the ruggedized voice and data communication system of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3E  is a perspective view of the ruggedized voice and data communication system with the user interface plate and a user device. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the user interface plate, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side elevational view of the user interface plate of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  shows a communications board of the ruggedized voice and data communication system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, mounted to the user interface plate of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a ruggedized voice and data communication system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary logic flow diagram of a process for establishing communication between the ruggedized voice and data communication system of  FIG. 6  and one or more Wide Area and/or cellular networks. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible. 
     Unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concept. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise stated. 
     The terminology and phraseology used herein is for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” or “involving,” and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited. 
     Finally, as used herein any references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a ruggedized voice and data communications system. In some embodiments, the ruggedized voice and data communication system may include a portable wireless Internet access device and may employ a high-powered quad-band transmitter and receiver with integrated wireless routing facilities and a simulated dial-tone plain old telephone service (POTS) line to provide both voice and data access through cellular networks such as any GSM Cellular Network world-wide. The ruggedized voice and data communications system may be compatible with any analog wired or cordless desk or wall telephone and provide ring generator for incoming call signaling. 
     In some embodiments, the ruggedized voice and data communication system may be implemented as a portable device housed in a rugged enclosure, such as a resin case, designed to enable construction personnel, oil and gas exploration personnel, offshore personnel, sailors, and others to access the internet and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) utilizing a powerful transmitter and a high-gain antenna to connect with cell towers in remote areas where the current cellular telephone and other Wi-Fi devices/or modems may be unable to establish connectivity. 
     The ruggedized voice and data communications system may be deployed in remote locations without access to commercial power and may rely on petroleum-powered generator sets. Field generator power may be fraught with frequency shifts, voltage fluctuations, and interruptions. In at least some embodiments, the present disclosure may provide a power conditioning function by use of a power supply and battery management device that may accept any alternating current source from 90 Volts to 260 Volts at any frequency between 45 and 65 Hertz or 12 Volts D.C. In some embodiments, the ruggedized voice and data communications system may integrate a battery, such as a gel cell or Lithium-ion battery, to mitigate power outages and provide uninterruptable power without human intervention. 
     At least some embodiments of the ruggedized voice and data communication system may include wireless networking functionality and components to communicate using Ethernet and 802.11 networking protocols. In some embodiments, the ruggedized voice and data communication system may also include functionality and a method to permit wireless printing through a universal serial bus (USB) port and 802.11 Wi-Fi components. In some embodiments, the ruggedized voice and data communications system may incorporate a voice interface providing POTS line features utilizing Dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF signaling) and a ringing generator. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is a block diagram of a communication system  10 . The communication system  10  may include a ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 , at least one communication tower  14  in communication with the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 , a communication network switch facility  16  in communication with the at least one communication tower  14 , a PSTN  18  in communication with the communication network switch facility  16 , and a data communication network  20  in communication with the at least one communication tower  14 . A plurality of user devices  22  may be in communication with the communication system  10  at differing locations in relation to the communication system  10 . For example, a first user device  22 - 1  and a second user device  22 - 2  of the plurality of user devices  22  may be in communication with the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 . A third user device  22 - 3  may be in communication with the PSTN  18  and thereby may be in communication with at least the first user device  22 - 1  by utilizing one or more elements of the communication system  10 . 
     The at least one communication tower  14  may include, but is not limited to a cell site and/or base transceiver station. The cell site may be implemented as an antenna configured with one or more communications equipment. The one or more communications equipment may be positioned on a radio mast, a tower, or other location above ground level. The at least one communication tower  14  may create a cell within a cellular network such as a GSM communications network. The communications equipment may be one or more antennae, one or more set of transceivers having at least one transmitter and receiver, digital signal processors, and other suitable communications equipment. 
     The communication network switch facility  16  may include, but is not limited to, regional centers, international gateway exchanges, sectional centers, primary centers, toll centers, tandem switches, and/or telephone exchanges. In some embodiments, the communication network switch facility  16  and the PSTN  18  may be implemented together. In some other embodiments, the communication network switch facility  16  may be a telephone central office to which a voice connection may be established. The PSTN  18  may be an aggregate and include telephone lines, fiber optic cables, microwave transmission links, cellular networks, communications satellites, undersea telephone cables, switching centers, and/or combinations thereof. 
     The data communication network  20  may receive data from the plurality of user devices  22  and/or the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  via the at least one communication tower  14 , the communication network switch facility  16 , and/or the PSTN  18 . In some embodiments, the data communication network  20  may be implemented as a wireless and/or wired network (e.g., the world wide web or Internet, or any other computer network configured to allow bidirectional exchange of data and/or signals between computer processors), and may permit bi-directional communication of information and/or data between the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  and/or the plurality of user devices  22 . 
     The data communications network  20  may be almost any type of network. For example, the network may interface by optical and/or electronic interfaces, and/or may use a plurality of network topographies and/or protocols including, but not limited to, Ethernet, TCP/IP, circuit switched paths, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the network may be implemented as the World Wide Web (or Internet), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan network, a wireless network, a cellular network, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a 3G network, a 4G network, a satellite network, a radio network, an optical network, a cable network, a public switched telephone network, an Ethernet network, combinations thereof, and/or the like. It is also conceivable that in the near future, embodiments of the present disclosure may use more advanced networking topologies. 
     The plurality of user devices  22  may be connected or otherwise operably coupled to the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  via the data communication network  20 , the PSTN  18 , and/or via a direct wired or wireless communication link to the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 . Each of the plurality of user devices  22  may be implemented as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a desktop computer, a computer terminal, a computer workstation, an e-book reader, a wireless network-capable handheld device, a digital video recorder, a personal digital assistant, a printer, or combinations thereof, for example. The user device  22 , in some embodiments, may be provided with one or more processor (not shown), one or more non-transitory processor readable medium (not shown), an input device  24 , an output device  26 , and a communications device  28 . 
     In some embodiments one or more input devices  24  may be capable of receiving information input from a user, processors, and/or environment, and transmit such information to the processor and/or the data communication network  20 . The one or more input devices  24  may include, but are not limited to, implementations as a keyboard, a touchscreen, a mouse, a microphone, a telephone handset, a fingerprint reader, infrared port, slide-out keyboard, flip-out keyboard, cell phone, PDA, remote control, network interface, speech recognition, gesture recognition, eye tracking, brain-computer interface, combinations thereof, and/or other suitable input devices. 
     The output device(s)  26  may be capable of outputting information in a form perceivable by a user and/or processor(s). The output devices  26  may include, but are not limited to, implementations as a screen, a touchscreen, a speaker, a printer, a website, a television set, a smart phone, a PDA, a cell phone, a laptop computer, and optical head-mounted display (OHMD), combinations thereof, and/or other suitable output devices capable of rendering data in a user perceivable format. In some embodiments, the input device  24  and the output device  26  may be housed in a single device. 
     The communications device  28  may be a transceiver, an antenna, combinations thereof and/or other suitable communications device capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals from the communication system  10 . 
     The user device  22  may be configured to interface with the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 , the data communication network  20 , and/or the PSTN  18  via a wireless or wired interface. The one or more non-transitory processor readable medium of the user device  22  may store processor executable instructions or software applications, and a web browser or a smartphone application (e.g., native software application running on a user device and configured to communicate with other user devices) configured to employ one or more communication protocols for communication with other user devices over the PSTN  18  and/or the data communication network  20 . In some embodiments, the one or more communication protocols may be GSM related protocols, General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) protocols, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) protocols, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) protocols, Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocols, 802.11 protocols, and/or other communications protocols. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  according to some embodiments is shown. The ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  is provided with a ruggedized enclosure  30 , a communications board  32  mounted within the enclosure  30 , a power system  34  coupled to the communications board  32  and supplying power thereto in a predetermined voltage, a plurality of ports  36 , and an antenna  38  coupled to a first port  36 - 1  of the plurality of ports  36 . 
     The communications board  32  includes at least one transceiver  40  and a plurality of interfaces  42  electrically coupled to the at least one transceiver  40 . In some embodiments, the communications board  32  may be implemented on a single silicon circuit board with the at least one transceiver  40  and the plurality of interfaces  42  positioned on the silicon circuit board. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the communications board  32  may be provided with a first transceiver  40 - 1  and a second transceiver  40 - 2 . The first transceiver  40 - 1  may be configured to transmit and receive signals through the antenna  38  via the communications tower  14 . In some embodiments, the first transceiver  40 - 1  may be a GSM transceiver capable of transmitting/receiving packetized voice and data transmissions over a GSM network, for example. Alternatively, the first transceiver  40 - 1  may be a CDMA transceiver capable of transmitting/receiving packetized voice and data transmission over a CDMA network. 
     The second transceiver  40 - 2  may be configured to transmit and receive signals via 802.11 protocols, for example, to form a Local Area Network (LAN) capable of receiving data to be relayed to the communication system  10  via the first transceiver  40 - 1  and the antenna  38 . In some embodiments, the second transceiver  40 - 2  may be implemented as a wireless router implementing 802.11 communication protocols. 
     In some embodiments, a data packet modem (not shown) may be included in the communications board  32  to transfer data between the first transceiver  40 - 1  and the second transceiver  40 - 2 . For example, in some embodiments, the data packet modem may receive packetized data from the second receiver  40 - 2  which conforms to 802.11 protocols. 
     The data packet modem may process and/or re-encode the packetized data of the second receiver  40 - 2  and transfer the re-encoded packetized data to the first transceiver  40 - 1  for transmission in a cellular network, such as a CDMA and/or GSM network. In some embodiments, the data packet modem may also receive packetized data from the first transceiver  40 - 1  and transfer, along with processing and/or re-encoding, the packetized data to the second transceiver  40 - 2  for transmission to the user device  22  in communication with the second transceiver  40 - 2 . In some further embodiments, the data packet modem may perform similar processing and re-encoding functions for packetized data routed through the plurality of ports  36 . The plurality of interfaces  42  may be provided as a POTS interface  42 - 1 , a USB interface  42 - 2 , a first Ethernet interface  42 - 3 , and a second Ethernet interface  42 - 4 . Although the plurality of interfaces  42  are shown as specific types of interfaces, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the plurality of interfaces  42  may vary in type. The POTS interface  42 - 1  may be implemented as a POTS simulator providing an analog telephone interface circuit. 
     In some embodiments, the first transceiver  40 - 1  may include a high-power transmitter, such as a 2 watt transmitter. In some embodiments, the first transceiver  40 - 1  may be configured to transmit at frequencies in a range between 670 MHz and 6.0 GHz, for example. In other embodiments, the transmitter may be configured to transmit at frequencies in a range between 700 MHz and 2.1 GHz, for example. In yet other embodiments, the transmitter may be configured to transmit at frequencies in a range between about 900 MHz and about 1.2 GHz, for example. 
     In some embodiments, the second transceiver  40 - 2  may conform to 802.11 and applicable Federal Communications Commission standards for 802.11 transceivers, including standards for power output and frequency range. 
     In some embodiments, the power system  34  may be provided with a power supply  44 , a battery  46 , and a polarity protection unit  48 . The power supply  44  may be dimensioned and configured to be positioned within the ruggedized enclosure  30 . In some embodiments, the power supply  44  may be connected to the ruggedized enclosure  30  via a power system mounting plate, described in more detail below. 
     The power supply  44  may include a battery charger  44 - 1  and a switching power supply  44 - 2 . In some embodiments, the switching power supply  44 - 2  may also function as a power inverter. The switching power supply  44 - 2  may provide protection against overvoltage, under voltage, unstable frequencies, high-voltage spike protection, and power surges. The switching power supply  44 - 2  may be configured to receive power which varies in both voltage and frequency. For example, in some embodiments, a first voltage range, such as voltages in the range from 90-250 Volts A.C. may be at a frequency range between 50 and 60 Hz. The A.C. power may be in a range from about 100 mA to about 500 mA, for example. The switching power supply  44 - 2  may also be configured to receive D.C. voltage in a range between 10.5 and 12.5 Volts D.C., for example. The D.C. power may be in a range of about 2,500 mA, for example. 
     The switching power supply may, in some embodiments, convert the received A.C. power into D.C. power conforming to the frequency and voltage used by the communications board  32 . In some embodiments, the switching power supply  44 - 2  may be configured to receive D.C. power from a cigarette lighter adapter, for example. In either event, the power supply  44  is configured to convert the power in the first voltage range, for example 90 Volts A.C., into a second voltage, for example 12 Volts D.C., suitable for the communications board  32  and supply the second voltage to the communications board  32 . The power supply  44  may also be configured to provide battery management, including battery charging and logic level voltage control, as well as power conditioning and power conversion from A.C. to D.C. 
     The battery  46  may be implemented as a gel cell battery, a Lithium Ion battery, and/or any other suitable battery. The battery  46  may be dimensioned and configured to be positioned within the ruggedized enclosure  30  and connected thereto via the power system mounting plate that is described in more detail later. In some embodiments, the battery  46  may be configured to provide 12 Volt D.C. power to the communications board  32 . In some embodiments, the battery  46  may be configured to provide uninterruptable power to the power supply  44  to be conditioned into power suitable for the communications board  32 . For example, in some embodiments, the communications board  32  may use 5 Volts D.C. power and the power supply  44  may act as a D.C. to D.C. converter. In this embodiment, when no A.C. power is applied to the power system  34 , the power supply  44  may convert the 12 Volt D.C. power of the battery  46  into the 5 Volt D.C. power used by the communications board  32 . The transition between A.C. power received by the power system  34  and D.C. power provided by the battery  46  to the power supply  44  may be performed without user interaction. In some embodiments, the battery  46  may be configured to continually provide power to the communications board  32  without user intervention until a user selects a battery interface switch, described in greater detail below. 
     The polarity protection unit  48  may also employ a diode bridge in an arrangement of four diodes in a bridge circuit configuration that provides the same, or substantially the same polarity of output for either polarity of input. The polarity protection unit  48  may permit normal functioning of D.C. powered equipment when a battery has been installed backwards, or when the leads (wires) from a D.C. power source has been reversed. The polarity protection unit  48  may also protect the power system  34  and the communications board  32  from potential damage caused by reverse polarity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the plurality of ports  36  may include the first port  36 - 1 , a second port  36 - 2 , a third port  36 - 3 , a fourth port  36 - 4 , and a fifth port  36 - 5 . In this example, the first port  36 - 1  is an antenna port configured to couple the antenna  38  to the communications board  32 . The second port  36 - 2  is a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) port. In at least some embodiments, the second port  36 - 2  may be a 6P6C jack conforming to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 8877 for use with registered jacks such as RJ11, RJ14, and RJ 25 modular connectors. The second port  36 - 2  may be electrically coupled to the POTS interface  42 - 1  to provide telephone service functionality to an analog telephone connected to the second port  36 - 2 . The third port  36 - 3  is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port  36 - 3 . The third port  36 - 3  may be electrically coupled to the USB interface  42 - 2 . The fourth and fifth ports  36 - 4  and  36 - 5  may be two Ethernet ports  36 - 4  and  36 - 5 . In at least some embodiments, the fourth and fifth ports  36 - 4  and  36 - 5  may be 8P8C jacks for use with RJ45 modular connectors. The fourth and fifth ports  36 - 4  and  36 - 5  may be electrically coupled to the first and second Ethernet interfaces  42 - 3  and  42 - 4 , respectively. 
     The antenna  38  may be implemented as a unity gain antenna, a base load antenna, a high-gain antenna, a monopole antenna, a high-gain monopole antenna, a directional antenna, a log periodic antenna, a Yagi, a marine antenna, any other suitable antenna, and/or combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the antenna  38  may be a 5 and ½ dB gain antenna, a 9 dB gain marine antenna, a 10 dB gain log periodic antenna, or a 19 dB gain Yagi antenna, depending on conditions in which the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  is being deployed. The antenna  38  may be connected to the antenna port  36 - 1  and thereby be electrically coupled to the first transceiver  40 - 1  to receive and transmit voice and/or data communications to the at least one communications tower  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3A-3E , an embodiment of the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  and the ruggedized enclosure  30  is depicted. In some embodiments, the ruggedized enclosure  30  has a first mating component  50  and a second mating component  52  which form the ruggedized enclosure  30 . The ruggedized enclosure  30  may have a plurality of sides  54  defining an interior  56  and an exterior  58 . The ruggedized enclosure  30  is also provided with one or more hinges  60 , one or more closure mechanism  62 , a port opening  64  formed within one of the plurality of sides  54  and extending between the interior  56  and the exterior  58 , and a plurality of through holes  66  formed within at least one of the plurality of sides  54  and extending between the interior  56  and the exterior  58 . The first and second mating components  50  and  52  may be formed from a rigid polycarbonate plastic material, resin material, metal, or any other suitable material capable of providing protection to the communication board  32  and the power system  34  mounted therein. 
     The one or more hinges  60  are located on a first side  54 - 1  of the plurality of sides  54  to permit opening and closure of the ruggedized enclosure  30 . Although shown on the exterior  58  of the ruggedized enclosure  30 , one skilled in the art would understand that the one or more hinges  60  may be positioned on the interior  56  or the exterior  58 . The one or more closure mechanism  62  is located on a second side  54 - 2  to secure the first and second mating component  50  and  52  together in a closed relationship. Although the first and second sides  54 - 1  and  54 - 2  are shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E  as positioned opposite to one another, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the one or more hinges  60  and the one or more closure mechanism  62  may be provided on non-opposing ones of the plurality of sides  54 . The one or more closure mechanism  62  may be a latch, a buckle, a lock, a strap, a snap, or any other suitable mechanism configured to secure the first and second mating components  50  and  52 . 
     The port opening  64  is formed in and defined by a third side  54 - 3  of the ruggedized enclosure  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3C , the port opening  64  may be positioned on the third side  54 - 3  separate from the one or more hinges  60  and the one or more closure mechanism  62 , but it should be understood that the port opening  64  may be formed in any of the plurality of sides  54 . The plurality of through holes  66  are formed within the third side  54 - 3  passing from the exterior  58  to the interior  56  of the ruggedized enclosure  30 . Certain of the plurality of through holes  66  may be configured to receive a connection member (not shown) to mount a jacking plate  68 , discussed in greater detail below, to which the plurality of ports  36  may be mounted. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C , the jacking plate  68  is provided with a first portion  70 , a second portion  72  formed at an angle with respect to the first portion  70 , a plurality of port holes  74  formed as through holes within the first portion  70 , and a plurality of mounting holes  76  formed as through holes within the first and second portions  70  and  72 . In some embodiments, the jacking plate  68  may be mounted to the interior  56  of the ruggedized enclosure  30  via connection members (not shown) extending through certain of the plurality of mounting holes  76  formed in the first portion  70  of the jacking plate  68  and certain of the plurality of through holes  66  in the third side  54 - 3  of the ruggedized enclosure  30 . 
     In some embodiments, the jacking plate  68  may be mounted to the ruggedized enclosure  30  with a seal (not shown) to form a dust or water tight connection. The plurality of ports  36  may be connected to the jacking plate  68  to provide a connection between the communications board  32  and the power system  34 , in the interior  56  of the ruggedized enclosure  30 , and the plurality of user devices  22  outside of the ruggedized enclosure  30 . The plurality of ports  36  may be connected to the jacking plate  68  via connection members (not shown) and mounting holes, via soldering, clamps, clips, or any other suitable connection mechanism. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in some embodiments, the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  may be provided with a plurality of interfaces  80  to provide power input and outputs to the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 . The plurality of interfaces  80  may be connected to the jacking plate  68  via certain of the plurality of port holes  74  in the first portion  70 . As shown, the plurality of interfaces  80  may include a battery interface switch  80 - 1 , a D.C. power interface  80 - 2 , and an A.C. power interface  80 - 3 . The battery interface switch  80 - 1  may be configured to disconnect or otherwise disable the battery  46  from operation as an uninterruptable power supply. In some embodiments, where the battery  46  operates on a continuous basis, deactivation of the battery  46  using the battery interface switch  80 - 1  prevents the battery  46  from draining during storage or unpowered transportation of the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 . In some embodiments, the D.C. power interface  80 - 2  may be configured to be connected to a 12 volt D.C. barrel connector often used in vehicles as a power adapter connection to a vehicle&#39;s cigarette lighter. In some embodiments, the D.C. power interface  80 - 2  may be configured to be connected to a photovoltaic system to obtain solar power, a wind turbine to obtain wind power, or other suitable power generation mechanism. In some embodiments, the A.C. power interface  80 - 3  may be implemented as an A.C. entrance connection through which an A.C. power cable may be connected between the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  and a source of A.C. power, such as a petroleum based generator. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3C , in some embodiments, a power system mounting plate  82  is used to mount the power system  34  to the interior  46  of the ruggedized enclosure  30 . The power system mounting plate  82  may be provided with a first portion  84 , a second portion  86  positioned at an angle with respect to the first portion  84 , and a plurality of through holes  88  formed within and defined by the first and second portions  84  and  86 . The power supply  44 , the battery  46 , and the polarity protection unit  48  may be mounted to the power system mounting plate  82  via connecting members (not shown) extending through first through holes (not shown) of the plurality of through holes  88  in the first portion  84  of the power system mounting plate  82 . The power system mounting plate  82  may then be mounted to the interior  56  of the ruggedized enclosure  30  via connecting members (not shown) extending through second through holes  88 - 2  of the plurality of through holes  88  in the first portion  84 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3D, 3E, 4A, 4B, and 5 , the communications board  32  is mounted to a user interface plate  90 . The user interface plate  90  may be connected to the jacking plate  68  and the power system mounting plate  82  to enclose the communications board  32  and the power system  34  within a first portion  92  of the ruggedized enclosure  30 . The user interface plate  90  may be provided with a first portion  94 , a second portion  96  positioned at an angle with respect to the first portion  94 , a plurality of first through holes  98  formed in and extending through the first portion  94 , a plurality of second through holes  100  formed in and extending through the second portion  96 , and one or more indicator  102 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3D and 4A , the user interface plate  90  is provided, in some embodiments, with a plurality of communication board mounting holes  98 - 1 - 98 - 4  of the first through holes  98  which may cooperate with connection members  99 - 1 - 99 - 4  (see  FIG. 5 ) to enable mounting the communications board  32  to the user interface plate  90 . In at least some embodiments, the communications board  32  may be mounted to the user interface plate  90  using spacer elements to mount the communications board  32  a distance away from the user interface plate  90  while maintaining a distance from the power system  34 . Jacking plate mounting through holes  98 - 5  and  98 - 6  of the first through holes  98  may cooperate with connection members (not shown) to enable connecting the user interface plate  90  with the jacking plate  68 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4B and 5 , certain of the second through holes  100  may be a plurality of fan connection mounting holes  100 - 1 - 100 - 4 . The fan connection mounting holes  100 - 1 - 100 - 4  may cooperate with connection members  104 - 1 - 104 - 4  to enable mounting of a fan  106  to the second portion  96  of the user interface plate  90 . The fan  106  may be a 12 volt D.C. fan, or any other suitable fan, dimensioned and configured to be mounted to the user interface plate  90 . In some embodiments, the fan  106  may circulate air through the ruggedized enclosure  30  so as to equalize temperature between the first portion  92  housing the communication board  32  and the power system  34  and a second portion  108  configured to receive and house the user device  22 - 1 . Certain of the second through holes  100  may be a mounting plate through hole  100 - 5  positioned within the second portion  96  of the user interface plate  90  and configured to cooperate with a connection member (not shown) to connect the user interface plate  90  with the power system mounting plate  82 . 
     The one or more indicator  102  may be lighted indicators, LED lights, an LCD display, an LED display, or any other suitable indicator. The one or more indicator  102  may provide the user with a user interaction element, indicating presence, absence, and/or levels of power, connectivity, communication speed, communication strength, battery life, and other predetermined feedback from the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 - 1 . The ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 - 1  is designed to leverage the coverage of multiple carriers to expand the effective coverage area of the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 - 1  in remote areas and provide a double failover capacity by having two carriers as well as multiple cellular modems/transceivers. Having two carriers as well as multiple cellular modems/transceivers greatly expands coverage and reliability of the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 - 1  as compared to the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 . 
     The ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 - 1  may be provided with the ruggedized enclosure  30 , a plurality of communications boards  32  mounted within the enclosure  30 , the power system  34  coupled to the communications board  32  and supplying power thereto in a predetermined voltage, and the antenna  38  coupled to the plurality of communications boards  32 . In some embodiments, the antenna  38  may include a 0.7 GHz to 2.7 GHz combiner to provide a single external antenna to service the multiple cellular modems/transceivers of the communications boards  32 . 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of communications boards  32  within the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 - 1  may leverage coverage of multiple carriers (i.e., voice and data telecommunications providers) to expand effective coverage area of the system  12 - 1  in remote areas. In addition, in some embodiments, the plurality of communications boards  32  within the system  12 - 1  may provide a failover capacity by the inclusion of two or more modems and/or two or more carriers as described in further detail herein. 
     In some embodiments, one or more communications boards  32  within the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12 - 1  may be the only provider within the system for voice or data transmission. For example, the communications board  32 - 1  may be the only provider of cellular voice data (e.g., via GSM network connection). Network connectivity for voice transmission may be easier to establish versus network connectivity for data transmission. For example, reliable connections for a phone call through a GSM network may be more stable than establishment of a stable data connection as bandwidth needed for data is generally larger. To that end, multiple carrier functionality may be designed to provide redundancy and/or expand the scope of service for network connectivity in some embodiments. 
     The communications board  32 - 1  may be similar in construction and design as the communication board  32  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . For example, the communications board  32 - 1  may be provided with the first transceiver  40 - 1  and the second transceiver  40 - 2  with the first transceiver  40 - 1  configured to transmit and receive signals through the antenna  38 . The first transceiver  40 - 1  may be a GSM transceiver capable of transmitting and/or receiving packetized voice and data transmissions over a GSM network, for example. The second transceiver  40 - 2  may be configured to transmit and/or receive signals via 802.11 protocols, for example, to form a LAN capable of receiving data via the first transceiver  40 - 1  and the antenna  38 . The second transceiver  40 - 2  may be a wireless router implementing 802.11 communication protocols, for example. 
     The communications board  32 - 2  may include a third transceiver  40 - 3  configured to receive and transmit signals through the antenna  38 . The third transceiver  40 - 3  may be capable of functioning on both GSM and CDMA cellular networks. For example, in some embodiments, the third transceiver  40 - 3  may be a 3G device capable of High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) on GSM networks. Additionally, on CDMA networks, the 3G data protocol may be referred to as Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized (EVDO). Exemplary communications boards  32 - 2  may include, but are not limited to, the CloudGate manufactured and distributed by Option located in Rolling Meadows, Ill. In some embodiments, the third transceiver  40 - 3  is a 2-watt cellular device configured to only provide a cellular data connection that does not include the voice channel capabilities of the first transceiver  40 - 1 . 
     In some embodiments, the communications board  32 - 2  may also include a fourth transceiver  40 - 4  configured to transmit and receive signals via 802.11 protocols, for example, to form a LAN capable of receiving data to be related via the third transceiver  40 - 3  and the antenna  38 . In some embodiments, the fourth transceiver  40 - 4  may be implemented as a wireless router implementing 802.11 communication protocols, for example. Additionally, the communications board  32 - 2  may include one or more Ethernet ports, USB ports, serial ports, WiFi ports, general purpose input/output (ports, and/or the like. 
     In some embodiments, software and/or other computer executable logic stored on the communications board  32 - 1  may include one or more instructions for a failover process and/or switching process to switch the cellular network protocol that is being used to communicate with the cell tower  14 . Generally, the communications board  32 - 1  and the communications board  32 - 2  may communicate via a communication line  110  (e.g., RJ45 Ethernet cable connection). As the communication board  32 - 2  has the ability to provide either a CDMA or a GSM connection to a network, the communications board  32 - 2  may serve as the primary network connection. The failover process may be initiated by the communication board  32 - 1  such that the third transceiver  40 - 3  of the communications board  32 - 2  serves as the primary network connection, and if the communications board  32 - 2  fails to provide the network connection, the first transceiver  40 - 1  of the communication board  32 - 1  may automatically provide the network connection on a GSM network, for example. In this example, the first transceiver  40 - 1  of the communications board  32 - 1  serves as the secondary network connection and the third transceiver  40 - 3  of the communications board  32 - 2  serves as the primary network connection. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart  112  of an exemplary method of providing a network connection to more than one type of cellular telephone network using the ruggedized voice and data communication system  12  having multiple cellular telephone transceivers on at least one of a plurality of communications boards  32 . 
     In a step  114 , the communications board  32 - 1  may be placed as the secondary network communicator and the communications board  32 - 2  may be placed as the primary network communicator. For example, in some embodiments, instructions when executed by one or more processors of the communications board  32 - 1  cause the communications board  32 - 1  to enter a failover mode such that a network connection is provided by the communications board  32 - 2 . 
     In a step  116 , the communications board  32 - 2  may provide either a first network connection (e.g., CDMA) or a second network connection (e.g., GSM). For example, in some embodiments, the communications board  32 - 2  may first identify and/or obtain a GSM network connection. If a GSM network connection is unavailable, in a step  118 , the communications board  32 - 2  may attempt to provide a CDMA network connection. 
     During the transition between the GSM network connection and the CDMA network connection, for example, by the communications board  32 - 2 , in a step  120 , the communications board  32 - 1  may provide an interim network connection. This process may be automatic in that no user intervention is needed. Additionally, the logic running on at least one processor of the communications board  32 - 1  may perform one or more status checks on the network connection that may be provided by the communications board  32 - 1 , and one or more status checks on the network connection provided by the communications board  32 - 2 . If network connectivity is deemed insufficient (e.g., signal strength below a predetermined level, bandwidth below a predetermined level), the communications board  32 - 1  may seek to utilize connectivity via first transceiver  40 - 1  of the communications board  32 - 1  or the third transceiver  40 - 3  of the communications board  32 - 2  to establish sufficient network connectivity based on data obtained via the one or more status checks. 
     In some embodiments, additional communications boards  32  may be used. For example, a transceiver of a first communications board may utilize protocols conforming to requirements of GSM networking capabilities, a transceiver of a second communications board may utilize protocols conforming to requirements of GSM networking capabilities, and a transceiver of a third communications board may utilize protocols conforming to requirements of CDMA networking capabilities. In this example, the first, second and third communications board may be coupled such that the first communications board may monitor the second and third communications boards to determine the appropriate network connectivity to be used to as described herein. 
     Although the preceding description has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, it extends to functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.