Patent Application
20050259773
The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for synchronizing transmissions within such communication systems.
Communication systems often synchronize their transmisions in order to reduce system interference. More particularly, because several transmitters may need to transmit information within a communication system, it is beneficial to synchronize transmissions among the transmitters so that overall system interference is reduced. Because of this, each transmitter within the communication system must be provided with an accurate time source to aid synchronization. Prior-art communications have placed very accurate and expensive clocks in each transmitter, or have placed Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers within each transmitter to provide the clocking signal. Other prior-art systems reduce the amount of equipment needed by feeding a clocking signal to each transmitter via cabling.
Regardless of the prior-art technique used to synchronize a communication system, each of the above methods requires either clocking equipment to exist at each transmitter, or excessive cabling in order to provide the clocking signal. Therefore a need exists for a method and apparatus for synchronizing transmissions that does not require clocking equipment to exist at each transmitter, and does not require excess cabling to provide the clocking signal to the transmitter.
To address the above-mentioned need a method and apparatus for synchronizing transmissions within a communication system is provided herein. In order to properly synchronize a communication system, a synchronization pulse is combined with DC power distribution. This is accomplished by interrupting the DC power that is supplied to each access point radio. The interruption occurs on a rising edge of the precision timing reference and lasts for a predetermined time. This pulsed-DC signal is utilized for synchronization purposes, and in particular to prevent transmission by an access point during a receive cycle of other access points. This technique is preferred over prior-art synchronization techniques since the above technique does not require clocking equipment to exist at each access point, nor does it require excess cabling utilized to provide the clocking signal.
The present invention encompasses a method for synchronizing transmissions within a communication system. The method comprises the steps of utilizing a timing signal to produce a pulsed-DC signal, and outputting the pulsed-DC signal to a radio, wherein the pulsed-DC signal is utilized both to power the radio, and as a timing source for synchronization purposes.
The present invention additionally encompasses a method for synchronizing transmission within a communication system. The method comprises the steps of receiving a pulsed-DC signal and utilizing the pulsed-DC signal as both a power source and as a timing signal for synchronizing transmissions.
The present invention additionally encompasses an apparatus comprising pulse-shaping logic having a timing signal as an input and outputting a pulsed-DC signal, and a power amplifier having the pulsed-DC signal as an input and outputting the pulsed-DC signal to a radio, wherein the pulsed-DC signal is utilized both to power the radio, and as a timing source for synchronization purposes.
The present invention additionally encompasses an apparatus comprising a power supply receiving a pulsed-DC signal, timing circuitry receiving the pulsed-DC signal, and outing a timing signal, and a transmitter utilizing the power supply as a power source and utilizing the iteming signal for synchronization.
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like components,
During operation, backhaul master 104 receives a remote internet feed comprising data to be transmitted to at least one service module 103. The data is passed to cluster management module 101 where it is routed to the appropriate access point 102. In particular, cluster management module 101 comprises an Ethernet switch that directs data to an appropriate access point 102. Each access point 102 comprises a direct 100baseT Ethernet connection to cluster management module 101. Each access point 102 is designed to serve up to 200 subscriber modules 103, with the six access points 102 in cluster 105 capable of serving 1200 service modules 103. Once data is received by an access point, the access point determines the appropriate service module 103 and transfers the data to the service module via an over-the-air communication link. Each service module 103 comprises a direct Ethernet connection to a local node, providing a remote data feed. For example service module 103 may provide a backhaul to 802.11 hot spot 105, or deliver internet access to personal computer 106, or backhaul to internet webcam 107.
As discussed above, because several access points 102 may need to simultaneously transmit information within communication system 100, it is beneficial to synchronize transmissions among the transmitters so that overall system interference is reduced. Because of this, each transmitter within the communication system must be provided with an accurate time source to aid in synchronization. Within the Canopy system cluster management module 101 provides synchronization to cluster 105. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention cluster management module 101 is equipped with a GPS receiver and provides a GPS timing pulse to each access point 102. Each access point 102 then utilizes this timing information to synchronize transmission/reception of data. Without the timing pulse, an unsynchronized transmitter may transmit during a receive cycle of other access points 102. This can cause one or more access points 102 to receive an undesired signal that is strong enough to make the access point insensitive to the desired signal.
As discussed above, prior-art systems feed the clocking signal to each transmitter via separate cabling (i.e., separate from data and power cabling). In order to reduce the amount of cabling within the communication system 100, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the synchronization pulse is combined with DC power distribution. This is accomplished by interrupting the DC power that is supplied to each access point 102. The interruption occurs on a rising edge of the precision timing reference and lasts for a predetermined time. In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the precision timing reference occurs every second lasting for 143 microseconds. All access points 102 comprise components that allow the power supplies to operate unaffected by the pulses. For example, power diode 220 is used to block the discharge of a storage capacitor.
Once access point 102 receives the amplified pulsed-DC signal 301, signal 301 is directed towards power supply 219 and timing logic 221. Power supply 219 comprises a storage capacitor utilizing DC signal 301 as a charging source to power transmitter 223. In particular the Canopy radio uses a switching power supply to generate supply voltages that the logic and RF section use for operation. In addition, timing logic 221 utilizes DC signal 301 to properly align transmitter 223. In particular the timing pulse drives a digital phase lock loop (not shown). The digital phase lock loop is used to align every access point radio's 2.5 msec TDM frame. This frame alignment allows the access points 102 and back hauls 104 to synchronize transmit and receive portions of the frame.
Because both access point power and synchronization takes place via the same DC signal, the need for an extra timing cable is eliminated. This technique is preferred over prior-art synchronization techniques since the extra cabling is eliminated without requiring clocking equipment to exist at each access point 102.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although timing logic 221 and power supply 219 are shown existing outside transmitter 223, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that such circuitry may be located within transmitter 223. Additionally, although the pulsed-DC signal is produced based on a received GPS signal, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the pulsed-DC signal may be created based on any highly-accurate clocking source. It is intended that such changes come within the scope of the following claims.
