Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application for patent is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/013,428, filed Jan. 26, 1998, having the same inventor and assignee as herein named, which is incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, the present invention relates to the distribution of subscriber program material, and more particularly to distribution of television program material using wireless broadband loops and a bidirectional antenna array. 
     Conventionally, the use of wireless communication is restricted to cellular telephone systems for voice and limited data service. Recently, however, wireless communication services are being used for unswitched “broadcast” television distribution. These systems use a cellular structure with each cell transmitting in the direction of potential subscribers. Two of these systems include an early analog approach, referenced in “The M 3  Saxmundham Demonstrator-Multichannel TV Distribution by mm-Waves,” M. Pilgrim, R. P. I. Scott, R. D. Carver, and B. J. Ellis, British Telecom Tech., J. Vol. 7 No. 1, January 1989, and a digital broadcast approach, Application of Hye Crest Management, Inc. before the FCC, File No. 10380-CF-P-88, released Jan. 18, 1991, the latter being designed to take advantage of highly compressed digital video/audio codecs. 
     These approaches as well as other more recent developments in television and data signal broadcasting, allow subscribers to select information programs from a set of broadcast program materials. Once selected, a data stream of program material is received by the subscriber in a continuous downstream feed. Video on demand and pay-per-view systems for example, permit users to select a broadcast channel transmitting a movie or other program material for viewing. The channel is selected at the viewer&#39;s home, and the program is received at a designated, scheduled time. Conventionally, the downstream data flow is controlled by the distribution source, and the subscriber has little or no input as how the data stream is received. In other words, while the subscriber can request the program material or movie, he cannot start or stop the stream once it has begun. In addition, the subscriber cannot affect the downloading speed or sequence of the downloaded signal. Further, because conventional transmission facilities continually broadcast the material on a given channel, scrambling or blocking techniques are often required to prohibit unauthorized access of the material. 
     Conventional broadcast systems of this type also do not offer an upstream signaling capability that allow the user to transmit data via the network. If available, this upstream signaling capability could permit subscribers to utilize the high bandwidth transmission rates of a centralized control center for their own personal broadcast. Services, such as desktop video conferencing and home data transmission uplink, could be initiated from the subscriber&#39;s location and transmitted using a two-way communication center. 
     There is therefore a need for an economical approach for distributing a wide range of subscriber services to customers without access to conventional broadband wireline distribution systems. The solution should provide a low-powered, high bandwidth switched service system with the ability to provide the services to a large number of subscribers. The system should give subscribers both upstream and downstream signaling capabilities with control over the downstream program signal once it is requested. Preferably, the solution should also allow subscribers to use the capabilities of the two-way broadcasting center via upstream signaling. Finally, the solution should effectively deny unauthorized access to source material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Systems and methods consistent with the present invention permit distribution of subscriber services such as voice, video, and data by using millimeter wireless loops. Systems and methods of the present invention distribute the subscriber services from a cell center to a number of subscriber units. The cell center includes a switch mechanism that changes to a particular channel at the request of the subscriber. The requested service is then downloaded to the subscriber and processed. The cell center also includes a bidirectional antenna array specifically configured to provide coverage for a large number of subscribers. The antenna array includes a number of antenna units with alternate horizontal and vertical transmission modes. Each bidirectional antenna transmits downstream services and receives the upstream signaling requests from the subscriber units. 
     Specifically, the invention provides a communications system having a headend source of stored information signals coupled to a wideband wireless loop network. The network comprises: a plurality of cell centers each assigned to a subscriber service area including communication device configured to communicate with subscriber units within a designated subscriber service area; a plurality of antennas each dedicated to a segment of the subscriber service area and operable to communicate over a common frequency channel, and wherein the antenna corresponding to adjacent segments of the service area operate in different transmission modes; and a plurality of subscriber units, each unit including a receiver configured to receive a downstream information signal from an antenna, and a transmitter configured to transmit an upstream signal request to an antenna. 
     In another aspect the invention provides a method for providing subscriber services to a number of subscribers in a wideband wireless loop network having a headend source of stored or transported information signals coupled to a wideband wireless loop network, the network including a plurality of cell centers each providing service to a number of service area segments. The method comprising the steps of: initiating an upstream signal request at a subscriber unit located within a service area segment sending a polling message to subscriber units in the service area segment from a cell center to determine the presence of the upstream information request, wherein the cell center services the service area segment containing the requesting subscriber unit; transmitting, to the cell center, the upstream signal request upon the receipt of the polling message; switching, upon receipt of the upstream signal request, a selection device to a subscriber service channel, wherein the subscriber service channel broadcasts a subscriber service; transmitting the subscriber service, via the selected subscriber service channel, to the requesting subscriber unit in a downstream information signal; and receiving the downstream information signal at the requesting subscriber unit. 
     The summary and the following detailed description should not restrict the scope of the claimed invention. Both provide examples and explanations to enable others to practice the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate systems and methods consistent with this invention and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention. 
     In the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wideband services network configuration using wireless distribution loops consistent with this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a segmented cell antenna array consistent with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components of a cell center consistent with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the components of subscriber unit consistent with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a geographically segmented layout configuration and coverage area for the wireless cellular loops consistent with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description of implementations of this invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Where appropriate, the same reference numbers in different drawings refer to the same or similar elements. 
     Systems and methods of the present invention distribute source information, i.e., video, voice, data, information signals using millimeter wavelength, wireless loops set up between a cell center (CC) and various subscriber locations. Each video program or data source is generated in individual packets and multiplexed to form the downstream transport stream. For video sources, for example, an Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) compatible transport stream of 900 Mb/s (two 450 Mb/s channels) is used to download video program data to the subscriber. 
     The transport stream includes a series of packets each containing data, header, and address information. This approach allows the transport stream to be further divided into a set of time division multiplex (TDM) channels, with one group of TDM channels allocated for high band-width video source signals (4 Mb/s) and another group allocated for lower bandwidth signaling sources (64 Kb/s). Subscriber equipment is configured to capture the source data containing an appropriate address, interpret the header information, and decode the packet data for audio presentation and video display. Further, the addressing and packetization of the data stream allows only that data within a particular time slot to be received by a subscriber, thereby denying access to unauthorized subscribers. Preferably, similar approaches are used for other source data such as signaling, data, digitized phone, fax, video conferencing, etc. 
     The number of subscribers served by one such downstream transport signal depends upon several factors including, but not limited to, the transmitted data rate, the bit rate per audio/video program channel, the number of subscribers per unit area, the horizontal polar diagram of the antenna transmitting horn, the power of the transmitter coupled to antenna vertical gain, the modulation approach, and the path loss of the antenna that includes a safety factor for atmospheric attenuation. For example, if the transmitted bit rate were 900 Mb/s, the bit rate per channel were 4 Mb/s, and the average subscriber required two simultaneous entertainment channels, approximately 100 subscribers could be supported by one signal transmission. If, however, half the channels were in the broadcast mode, ie., not switched services, then 50 subscribers could be supported with switched services, and an unlimited number of subscribers could be supported with broadcast services. 
     In the upstream direction, subscribers preferably share a 50 Mb/s channel and signaling is accomplished using a polling approach or by transmitting an upstream message in assigned Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) timeslots. With the polling approach, the transmitter at the subscriber site initiates a request for a service. Preferably, the subscriber equipment places the initiated request in an output transmitter buffer that is accessible by CC  200 . CC  200  polls all the subscribers sites in a given service segment and retrieves the service request stored in the buffer and subsequently processes the service request. Alternatively, one or more TDMA timeslots are assigned to each subscriber, which allows the upstream message to be sent when the assigned timeslot occurs. Upon processing the request, CC switches to an appropriate service channel and the data is downloaded to the subscriber site. 
     The upstream signal could be an information request signal, requesting a downstream feed of an entertainment program, or a signal requesting a wider-bandwidth upstream channel for transmitting data such as voice and video signals to the CC. Data and voice signals are transmitted upstream at lower bandwidth than the downstream service signal and the actual transmission rate depends upon the type of service transmitted. Preferably, upstream signaling operates over a fraction of a 50 MHz upstream bandwidth, ie., 1 MHz. 
     A. System Equipment 
     FIG. 1 is a wideband configuration for a distribution network  100  using wireless broadcast loops consistent with the present invention. Distribution network  100  includes headend source  110  connected to a central office  120  via trunk  115 . Wideband communication trunk  125  connects central office  120  to a CC  200  and also connects CC  120  to other CCs such as CC  204 . CC  200  is also coupled to other CCs such as CC  202  via trunk  127 . Distribution network  100  also includes subscriber units  300  each coupled to CC  200  and receiving requested source material via wireless distribution loops  140 . 
     It is assumed that all source material is digitized, compressed, and multiplexed before entering network  100 . Preferably, digital video/audio NTSC television material entering network  100  is compressed to about 4 Mbs 3  in accordance with Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) international standard, MPEG-2 for NTSC/PAL/SECAM formats. In addition, higher data rates can be included for High Definition TV (HDTV) or lower rates may be considered for less demanding services (i.e., video conferencing, video phone). Headend device  110  receives source material such as telephone, data signal, information, audio/visual programs or other like information media from external locations such as long distance signal feed  10 , local feed  20 , satellite  35  and satellite signal receiver  30 , broadcast receiving antenna  40 , etc. 
     Communication trunk line  125  couples central office device  120  to CC  200 , a distribution center for transmitting or broadcasting telephone, data, and information signals to subscriber units  300  via distribution loops  140 . Subscriber units  300  have upstream signaling capabilities that permit each subscriber location to request source material from CC  200  and transmit upstream signal data to CC  200 . When a source material request is received by CC  200 , it switches to an appropriate channel and downloads the material to subscriber unit  300 . Preferably, each subscriber unit  300  is assigned an address used by CC  200  to identify the source of the request. Once received, the requested material is decoded and displayed by equipment located at subscriber unit  300 . 
     For switched services, such as audio/video material, the selection apparatus, or switch, for responding to a subscriber unit&#39;s  300  request is preferably located at CC  200 . Alternatively, the selection device for other, less frequently accessed, services could be located in central office  120  or headend device  110 . This alternative approach reduces the need for expensive bandwidth capabilities on trunk lines  115  and  125 , while still giving subscribers access to a wide range of source material. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an antenna array assembly  205  located at CC  200 . FIG. 2 shows a configuration employing eight bidirectional antennas with each antenna connected to an individual transmitter and receiver (not shown). Preferably, the antenna array configuration permits service to a large area of subscriber sites by segmenting the service area in accordance with the coverage capabilities of each antenna assembly. The frequency pair used in each antenna is the same, but adjacent antennas operate in opposite transmission modes to avoid interference with their neighboring antennas. Antenna array  205  shows a collection of four vertical and four horizontal polarization antenna segments, alternating between vertical and horizontal polarization signal transmission modes. Alternatively, right and left circular polarization could be used. Preferably, the subtended angle of each antenna segment is selected to accommodate the maximum number of subscriber sites that can be served by a single transmitter site. For example, in the present embodiment, the eight segment antenna array allows for a subtended transmission angle of 45 degrees. 
     B. Antenna Components 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the components associated with each antenna segment in antenna array  205  of FIG.  2 . The components of CC  200  are basically divided in two categories, base equipment  210  and antenna assembly  235 . In addition, each segment includes frequency multiplier  265  that also supplies all relevant frequencies to the other seven segments in the array. Coaxial cables  203  are used to connect base equipment  210  located at the base of the antenna mast up to antenna assembly  235 . Alternatively, waveguides are used to link the two sections if millimeter wave modulators are used at the base. 
     Base equipment  210  includes a master frequency source  215 , a receiver (RX) demodulator and demultiplexer  220 , and a modulator  225  driven by two time division multiplexed (TDM) source signals via multiplexer  230 . Preferably, multiplexer  230  is driven by a multiplexed  200  channel video source (i.e., 4 Mb/s each), and m number of 64 Kb/s channels. Multiplexer  230  outputs two 450 Mb/s data streams and, in turn, feeds these two streams to modulator  225 . In this example, modulator  225  is a quadrature phase-shift key (QPSK) modulator; however, the present invention envisions using any type of modulation scheme such as CAP, DPCM, or 8PSK. 
     Antenna assembly  235  includes multiples of a nine inch horn  240 , a duplexer  245 , a front end receiving (RX) unit  250 , a transmitter frequency changer (F/C)  255 , and a transmitter (TX) driver device  260 . Master frequency source  215  is coupled via frequency multipliers  265  to F/Cs in all the other antennas in antenna array assembly  205 . Master frequency source  215  is the origin of all frequencies required to operate the system including the carrier and local oscillator frequency sources. Again, the present invention contemplates using any number modulation approaches including QPSK, 8PSK, or MSK, etc. In the example shown, QPSK is selected for the downstream traffic with a total multiplexed rate of 0.9 Gb/s and an operating bandwidth of about 500 MHz. 
     Duplexer  245  separates the upstream from the downstream carrier signals. This separation permits the unit to function both as a downstream transmitter and an upstream signal receiver. In the present preferred embodiment, downstream signaling is the signal or data transmission from CC  200  to subscriber unit  300 , while upstream signaling is the data transmission from subscriber unit  300  to CC  200 . Upon receiving the upstream signal, RX front end unit  250  converts the 30 GHz carrier signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) (i.e., 3 GHz) for transmission to base equipment  210 . Downstream signals are sent on the IFs from base equipment  210  to F/C  255  and TX driver  260  which amplifies the signal and forwards it for transmission to duplexer  245  and on to antenna horn  240 . 
     C. Subscriber Unit 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the components of subscriber unit  300  residing at a subscriber site location consistent with the present invention. Subscriber unit  300  includes a wireless network unit (WNU)  305  that is coupled to a roof-top assembly  345  via coaxial cable  303 . 
     WNU  305  includes a receiver (RX) demodulator and demultiplexer  310 , one or more audio/video decoders  315  (depending on the number of television sets serviced), demultiplexer  320 , a modulator  325 , a signal multiplexer  330 , and a master frequency source  335 . WNU  305  receives upstream source input requests from and delivers downstream source material to customer premises equipment (CPE)  400 . In this example, CPE  400  includes the components needed by the subscriber to utilize the requested source material. This equipment may include, but is not limited to, electronic devices such as televisions, computer monitors, telephones, facsimile machines, audio receivers, etc. 
     RX demodulator and demultiplexer  310  identifies and selects particular time slots or packets from the downloaded transport stream. The identified slots or packets are separated by RX demodulator and demultiplexer  310  into two output signals, one for audio/visual channels and the other for a set of multiplexed data channels. The 64 Kb/s data channels are further demultiplexed by demux  320 , using identifiers contained in the packet&#39;s header information. The demuxed 64 Kb/s channels are forwarded to CPE  400  for processing by the appropriate CPE  400  component (i.e., telephone, data, fax, narrow band audio/video conferencing, and signaling). RX demodulator and demultiplexer  310  also communicates standard command signals to modulator  325 . Decoders  315  provide audio/video analog channels (i.e., NTIA television) for connection to the associated CPE  400  equipment, namely television tuner/receiver units. Preferably, if the subscriber site has two television sets, WNU  305  would contain at least two audio/video decoders, which, in turn, may be MPEG-2 compatible. 
     For upstream signaling, CPE  400  upstream data (ie., signaling, telephone, fax, data, narrow-band video conferencing, etc.) is preferably generated in identifiable packets with appropriate header and addressing information. These packets are multiplexed in mux  330  and held in a buffer (not shown) until processed by modulator  325 . As described above, the modulator  325  is periodically activated, or polled, by control signals from CC  200  and the buffer holds the upstream data packets until the information is requested by CC  200 . Alternatively, the subscriber is assigned a TDMA timeslot and the information packet is retrieved from the subscriber when the assigned timeslot is reached in the data stream. Upon the receipt of the control signals from CC  200 , modulator  325  empties the buffer and forwards the packet or packets to a rooftop assembly. Modulator  325  is preferably a QPSK modulator to match modulator  225  in base equipment  210 . Alternatively, if the polling approach is not used, the packets are held until the TDMA timeslot assigned the particular subscriber, or CPE  400 , is received. 
     The rooftop assembly includes a module  345  coupled to a small antenna  343  (i.e., 1-foot diameter reflector). Module  345  includes a receiver (RX) front end  350 , frequency converter (F/C) unit  355 , a transmitter (TX) driver  360 , a duplexer  365 , and a frequency multiplier  375 . Together, F/C unit  355 , TX driver  360 , and duplexer  365  operate as an upstream signal transmitter that has an IF and local oscillator input. Preferably, the local oscillator input is derived from the downstream carrier signal generated by master frequency source  335  contained in WNU  305 . RX front end  350  is coupled to WNU  305  via an IF frequency output that is output through coaxial connection  303 . Preferably, DC power is provided to rooftop assembly  340  through two of the three conductors in coaxial connection  303 . 
     Components in the subscriber site rooftop assembly  385  operate in the same manner as those of CC  200 &#39;s antenna assembly  235 . 
     D. Signal Transmission 
     Systems and methods consistent with the present invention permit information and signal communication over a wide coverage area. The directional antenna array described in the context of FIGS. 2 and 3 permits broadcast of downstream information program material to a plurality of home-based subscriber units upon the request of an upstream signal request. The directional antenna array and the segmentation of the service areas permits a large number of subscriber sites to be serviced by each CC. In addition, upstream signals may be transmitted from the subscriber unit and distributed with the two-way transmitter/receiver residing in the CC. 
     The following summarizes the steps performed to complete an information request and download a video/audio information program. First, a user selects a television channel using a key pad or other selection device. Next, this selection is combined with a packet identifier that includes header and address data, together which identify the type of CPE and particular subscriber requesting the information program. The packet is held in a buffer location of mux  330  until requested by CC  200 . CC  200  periodically polls the subscriber sites in its particular service segment by sending command signals to modulator  325 . These command signals, in turn, instruct modulator  325  to obtain the packet from the buffer and process it for transmission to CC  200  via the rooftop assembly  385  and antenna horn  343 . 
     Upon receipt of the service request packet, CC  200  processes the signal and switches to the channel broadcasting the requested information program. Preferably, the selected program has previously been assigned to a broadcast channel, and therefore once the switching process occurs, the program information signal is downloaded to the subscriber site by the transport stream previously described. The switching apparatus is preferably located at CC  200 ; however, in the alternative, it may be located at central office  120  or headend device  110 . This feature reduces the bandwidth requirement on trunk lines  115  and  125 . In addition, switched broadcast channels allow for the transport of an unlimited number of-programs from headend  110  to CPF  400 . Further, conventional CATV distribution systems are limited because the switching functions reside at the CPE and therefore each channel must be sent to all the subscribers within the system. The present preferred embodiment eliminates this limitation by placing the channel switching mechanism throughout distribution network  100  including at headend  110 , central office  120 , and CC  200 . 
     FIG. 5 is a geographically segmented layout configuration and coverage area for the wireless cellular loops consistent with the present invention. FIG. 5, in conjunction with the following example, demonstrates that by creating and analyzing a model meeting the predicted service needs of subscribers, the approach of the present invention can provide adequate service. One modeling approach is based upon the coverage provided by remote line units (RLU) of a telephone network and apply the data to a cellular architecture system. 
     A RLU provides service for up to 750 homes. The maximum local loop length is in the range of 2000 ft to 5000 ft (670 m to 1700 m). Therefore, the area covered by any particular RLU is in the range of 1.4×10 6  to 9.1×10 6  m. This means that the density of homes lies in the region of 121/km 2  to 536/km 2  and thus, each home can be allocated an area from 1,900 to 12,000 m 2  (ie., between 130 ft 2  and 330 ft 2 ). 
     It should be noted that the following assumptions were made regarding the values of certain network parameters. These assumptions include: 
     1. Maximum path distance=870 meters. 
     2. Transmitted carrier=30 GHz. 
     3. QPSK Modulation. 
     4. Transmitted bit rate=900 Mb/s (2×450 Mb/s). 
     5. RF Bandwidth=0.5 GHz. 
     6. Compressed digital video/audio=4 Mb/s (MPEG-2). 
     7. Number of switched digital channels=200 (allowing for overheads and voice/data). 
     8. Half the subscribers use the switched channels. 
     9. Average number of video/audio channels per home=2. 
     Based upon the housing density, the total number of switched video/audio channels required is: 
     
       
         π×750 2 ×2/(12,000 or 1900)m 2 =from 300 to 1900 channels  (1) 
       
     
     Therefore, the needed number of segments is from 300/200=2 to 1,930/200=10 or between 180 degrees and 36 degrees per segment. 
     With a segmentation of 45 degrees and a maximum free-space distance of 0.9 Km, the area of one segment is: 
     
       
         π×800 2 /8=2.5×10 5  m 2   (2) 
       
     
     The number of subscriber sites served equals 100 and the area per subscriber site is 2.5×10 5 /100=2500 m 2 . 
     A line-of-sight path between a cell antenna and a subscriber site antenna is also essential to the above analysis. In addition, “shadow” areas may be covered by low-powered repeater sites appropriately distributed, or alternatively possibly making use of wire or fiber drops. It may prove necessary in some cases for an additional RF carrier frequency to be available when polarization protection is not feasible, for example, near the border between two segments. A transmission path analysis reveals the feasibility of the disclosed cellular approach and additional assumptions are made regarding the path components. The cell 45-degree antenna is assumed to have a vertical angle of 12 degrees and a gain of 21 dBi which can be expected from an economical horn design. The receiving antenna dish is assumed to be ⅓ meter in diameter with a gain of 36 dB with a 2.5 degree beam width. The receiver noise figure is assumed to be 6 dB, and a safety factor of 20 dB is assumed that includes rain attenuation. With these assumptions, the required transmitter power is below 400 mW. Tables 1-3 show the parameters used in the analysis. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Parameter Variables 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Transmitter Carrier Frequency (F) 
                 30.00 
                 GHz 
               
               
                 Transmitted Signal Bandwidth (BW) 
                 0.50 
                 6Hz 
               
               
                 Transmitter Antenna Beamwidth (TXANTBW) 
                 45.00 
                 deg 
               
               
                 Receiver Diameter (D) 
                 0.33 
                 meters 
               
               
                 Path Length (PL) 
                 0.90 
                 Km 
               
               
                 Carrier-To-Noise Ratio 
                 15.00 
                 DB 
               
               
                 Rain Attenuation (RAT) 
                 20.00 
                 DB 
               
               
                 Receiver Noise Figure (NF) 
                 6.00 
                 DB 
               
               
                 Thermal Noise Power Density (No) 
                 −204.00 
                 DBW/Hz 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Computations and Results 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Transmitter Antenna 1 Gain, Lower Cost (TAG) 
                 16.00 
                 DB 
               
               
                 Transmitter Antenna 2 Gain, Higher Cost 
                 24.00 
                 DB 
               
               
                 Receiver Antenna Gain (RAG) 
                 36.99 
                 DB 
               
               
                 3-DB Antenna Beamwidth 
                 2.32 
                 degrees 
               
               
                 Receiver Noise 
                 864.51 
                 DEG K 
               
               
                 Free Space Loss (FSL) 
                 121.10 
                 DB 
               
               
                 Path Loss, Antenna Gains, &amp; RAT (PTHL) 
                 88.10 
                 DB 
               
               
                 Path Loss with Antenna 2 Gain 
                 80.10 
                 DB 
               
               
                 Receiver Noise in Selected BW 
                 −111.01 
                 DBW 
               
               
                 Received Signal Power 
                 −96.01 
                 DBW 
               
               
                 Transmitter Power (TX. Antenna 1) 
                 −7.91 
                 DBW 
               
               
                 Transmitter Power (TX. Antenna 2) 
                 −15.91 
                 DBW 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Formulas 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Transmitter Antenna Gain 
                 17.08 + 20 log(F) + 20 log(Antenna Dia.) 
               
               
                 Free Space Loss (DB) 
                 96.6 + 20 log(F) + 20 log(PL/1.609) 
               
               
                 Receiver Antenna Gain (DB) 
                 17.08 + 20 log(F) + 20 log(D) 
               
               
                 Receiver Antenna Beamwidth 
                 22.97/(F × D) Degrees 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The specification does not limit the invention. Instead it provides examples and explanations to allow persons of ordinary skill to appreciate different ways to practice this invention. The following claims define the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Technology Category: h