1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to controlling direction-agile antennas and more specifically to retrofitting an existing wireless device to control such an antenna.
2. Background Art
There are a number of wireless devices that provide neither the reach nor the range required by end-users. Available solutions include pointed directional antennas and range extenders in which increased coverage distance is obtained by limiting the directional coverage of the signal wave propagation pattern. These solutions are essentially trade-offs between coverage and increased signal gain.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,832 B1 owned by Airgain, Inc. (formerly known as AM Group Corporation), describes a direction-agile antenna system for communications in a wireless network, generally comprising an antenna capable of transmitting an electromagnetic signal in a direction having an antenna gain; and a controller connected to the antenna, that is capable of generating a direction-selection signal to steer the electromagnetic signal to a selected direction corresponding to a high gain position in response to detecting an expected signal transmitted within the network.
Implementing a direction-agile antenna system in new wireless devices is relatively simple to do. The challenge is retrofitting wireless devices that have been sold to end-users, specifically in controlling the direction-agile antenna that will replace, for instance, the standard dipole antenna.
Several solutions for the controlling function are possible, including updating the wireless device firmware as provided, for example, in Airgain's Ethernet Wireless Bridge product. However, in this product, there is a dedicated electrical connector that carries the agile-antenna control signals. Existing wireless devices that require retrofitting do not have such a dedicated electrical connector.
There are a number of alternative solutions provided by embodiments of the present invention including:
The various embodiments, features and advances of the present invention will be understood more completely hereinafter as a result of a detailed description thereof in which reference will be made to the following drawings:
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Operating indicator lights are light emitting diodes which indicate certain electronic activities within a wireless device. They indicate on or off modes and are controlled by microprocessors inside the wireless device unit.
By incorporating additional software in the microprocessors, additional control signals which may take the form of high-frequency, pulse-code modulated signals invisible to the naked eye, are generated to steer the electromagnetic signal transmitted through the direction-agile antenna. These control signals can be in the form of binary information which manifest the numbers 1, 2, 3 . . . , n. The signals are transmitted in serial form and read by an optical receiver (see
The serial to parallel converter and the pin diode switch driver in the retrofitted wireless device are powered by direct current which is obtained through a branched cable power supply.
Having thus disclosed preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention, it being understood that various modifications, additions and alternative applications are contemplated and that the scope of protection hereof is limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/562,053 filed Apr. 13, 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60562053 | Apr 2004 | US |