Claims
- 1. A point to multipoint wireless communication system, said system comprising:
an access point configured to receive data signals from an external system, the access point having an antenna, a processor, and circuitry in communication with the access point antenna and controlled by the access point processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals corresponding to the data signals to, and to receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, a geographic area; and a plurality of subscriber units disposed within the area, each said subscriber unit having an antenna, a processor and circuitry controlled by the subscriber unit processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals to, and receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, the access point for communication with external systems, wherein the access point allocates data bandwidth among the subscriber units based at least in part on the past use of bandwidth to transmit data between the access point and the subscriber units (“data bandwidth”).
- 2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the access point allocates higher priority for data bandwidth to subscriber units that have more recently used data bandwidth.
- 3. The system as in claim 2, wherein the access point defines discrete first groups of subscriber units, assigns the subscriber units to the first groups based on the frequency of the subscriber units' use of data bandwidth, and allocates data bandwidth priority to subscriber units in the first groups based on the first groups to which the subscriber units are respectively assigned.
- 4. The system as in claim 3, wherein the access point defines a second group of subscriber units, wherein a predetermined set of subscriber units is assigned to the second group, and wherein the access point allocates a predetermined data bandwidth priority to subscriber units assigned to the second group.
- 5. The system as in claim 4, wherein the access point assigns subscriber units in the second group simultaneously to the first groups.
- 6. The system as in claim 4, wherein the access point defines a third group of subscriber units to which are assigned subscriber units that are newly installed in the area and subscriber units that are in a power off condition, and wherein the access point moves a subscriber unit from the third group to the first groups when said subscriber unit meets predetermined conditions.
- 7. The system as in claim 6, wherein, when a subscriber unit in a first group below a highest priority first group uses data bandwidth, the access point assigns the subscriber unit to a higher priority first group and, when a subscriber unit in a first group above a lowest priority first group fails to use data bandwidth within a predetermined time, assigns the subscriber unit to a lower priority first group.
- 8. The system as in claim 7, wherein the predetermined time varies among the first groups.
- 9. The system as in claim 1, wherein the access point assigns data bandwidth priority levels to the subscriber units, wherein the access point advances a subscriber unit's priority level based on the subscriber unit's use of data bandwidth and lowers a subscriber unit's priority level if the subscriber unit does not use data bandwidth within a predetermined time period.
- 10. The system as in claim 1, wherein
the access point assigns a timer to each subscriber unit, wherein expiration of a subscriber unit's timer makes the subscriber unit eligible for data bandwidth allocation, the access point selects a subscriber unit to which to allocate bandwidth among those subscriber units, if any, whose timers have expired, the access point resets a subscriber unit's timer for a shorter expiration period, up to a minimum expiration period, when the subscriber unit uses data bandwidth, and the access point resets a subscriber unit's timer for a longer expiration period if the subscriber unit fails to use data bandwidth for a predetermined period of time.
- 11. The system as in claim 10, wherein the minimum expiration period is zero.
- 12. The system as in claim 10,
wherein the access point defines discrete first groups of subscriber units, and wherein the timers are assigned to respective first groups, so that the subscriber units are assigned to the timers through the subscriber units' assignment to the respective first groups.
- 13. The system as in claim 12, wherein the expiration period of the timer of each first group of a plurality of the first groups varies inversely with the number of subscriber units in said first group.
- 14. The system as in claim 12, wherein the access point selects a subscriber unit from a first group, if any, for which the timer for said first group has expired and resets said first group's timer upon selecting a subscriber unit from said first group.
- 15. The system as in claim 13, wherein each timer for each group of said plurality of first groups has a minimum value, regardless of the number of subscriber units included in said first group.
- 16. The system as in claim 12, wherein
the access point defines a second group of subscriber units, a predetermined set of subscriber units is assigned to the second group, a timer is assigned to the second group, the access point selects a subscriber unit to which to allocate data bandwidth among the subscriber units of a first or second group, if any, whose timer has expired, and the access point polls the second group before polling the first group.
- 17. The system as in claim 1, wherein each subscriber unit is assigned an information rate corresponding to a rate at which data bandwidth between the access point and said subscriber unit is used, wherein the access point tracks the actual rate at which data bandwidth between the access point and the subscriber unit is used, and wherein the access point selects a subscriber unit for allocation of data bandwidth only among those subscriber units having an actual information rate within the subscriber unit's assigned information rate.
- 18. The system as in claim 17, wherein the assigned information rate is comprised of a dedicated part and a variable part, and wherein the variable part is based on an overall data bandwidth usage between the access point and the subscriber units.
- 19. A point to multipoint wireless communication system, said system comprising:
a plurality of access points configured to receive data signals from an external system, each access point having an antenna, a processor, and circuitry in communication with the access point antenna and controlled by the access point processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals corresponding to the data signals to, and to receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, a geographic area; and a plurality of subscriber units disposed within the area for each access point, each said subscriber unit having an antenna, a processor and circuitry controlled by the subscriber unit processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals to, and receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, the subscriber unit's access point for communication with the external system, wherein each access point defines discrete first groups of subscriber units, assigns the subscriber units in its area to the first groups based at least in part on the frequency of use of bandwidth to transmit data between the access point and the subscriber units (“data bandwidth”), and allocates transmit data bandwidth priority to subscriber units in the first groups based on the first groups to which the subscriber units are respectively assigned, wherein, when a subscriber unit in a first group below a highest priority first group uses data bandwidth, the access point assigns the subscriber unit to a higher priority first group and, when a subscriber unit in a first group above a lowest priority first group fails to use data bandwidth within a predetermined time, assigns the subscriber unit to a lower priority first group.
- 20. A method of allocating bandwidth availability within a point to multipoint wireless communication system, said method comprising the steps of:
providing an access point configured to receive data signals from an external system, the access point having an antenna, a processor, and circuitry in communication with the access point antenna and controlled by the access point processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals corresponding to the data signals to, and to receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, a geographic area; providing a plurality of subscriber units disposed within the area, each said subscriber unit having an antenna, a processor and circuitry controlled by the subscriber unit processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals to; and receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, the access point, allocating data bandwidth among the subscriber units based at least in part on the past use of bandwidth to transmit data between the access point and the subscriber units (“data bandwidth”).
- 21. The method as in claim 20, wherein the allocating step includes allocating higher priority for data bandwidth to subscriber units that have more recently used data bandwidth.
- 22. The method as in claim 21, including
defining discrete first groups of subscriber units, assigning the subscriber units to the first groups based on the frequency of the subscriber unit's use of data bandwidth, and allocating data bandwidth priority to subscriber units in the first groups based on the first groups to which the subscriber units are respectively assigned.
- 23. The method as in claim 20, wherein the allocating step includes
assigning transmit data bandwidth priority levels to the subscriber units, advancing a subscriber unit's priority level based on the subscriber unit's use of data bandwidth, and lowering a subscriber unit's priority level if the subscriber unit does not use data bandwidth within a predetermined time period.
- 24. The method as in claim 20, wherein the allocating step includes
assigning a timer to each subscriber unit, wherein expiration of a subscriber unit's timer makes the subscriber unit eligible for transmit data bandwidth allocation, selecting a subscriber unit to which to allocate transmit data bandwidth among those subscriber units, if any, whose timers have expired, resetting a subscriber unit's timer for a shorter expiration period, up to a minimum expiration period, when the subscriber unit uses data bandwidth, and resetting a subscriber unit's timer for a longer expiration period if the subscriber unit fails to use data bandwidth for a predetermined period of time.
- 25. The method as in claim 24,
including defining discrete first groups of subscriber units, and wherein the timers are assigned to respective first groups, so that the subscriber units are assigned to the timers through the subscriber units' assignment to the respective first groups.
- 26. The method as in claim 25, wherein the selecting step includes selecting a subscriber unit to which to allocate transmit data bandwidth among the subscriber units of a first group, if any, for which the timer for said first group has expired, and resetting said first group's timer upon selecting a subscriber unit from said first group.
- 27. A patch array antenna, said antenna comprising:
a planar base on which is defined a ground plane and feed positions that are electrically isolated from the ground plane; a plurality of patch elements configured to resonate over a predetermined frequency range, each patch element
isolated from the ground plane and disposed on the base over the ground plane so that an air dielectric is defined between the patch element and the ground plane, and defining a resonant portion that is electrically connected to a respective feed position; a feed network defined on the base that electrically connects the feed positions to one or more output points on the base.
- 28. The antenna as in claim 27, wherein the ground plane is defined on a first planar side of the base, and the feed network is defined on a second planar side of the base opposite the first side.
- 29. The antenna as in claim 28, wherein the base is comprised of a polymer substrate, wherein the ground plane is comprised of a metallic foil sheet on one side of the polymer substrate, and the feed network is comprised of metallic foil traces on an opposite side of the polymer substrate.
- 30. The antenna as in claim 29, wherein the feed network is a corporate network extending from the feed positions to a single output point.
- 31. The antenna as in claim 27, wherein each patch element includes a planar metallic main portion.
- 32. The antenna as in claim 31, wherein the main portions are disposed in a common plane.
- 33. The antenna as in claim 32, wherein each patch element includes a metallic connector extending from a resonant area of the main portion to the base and electrically connected to a respective feed position.
- 34. The antenna as in claim 33, wherein each patch element includes a post extending from a non-resonant area of the main portion to the base.
- 35. The antenna as in claim 33, wherein the patch elements are disposed so that the main portions and metallic connectors of the patch elements are in the same alignment and define an antenna polarization.
- 36. A patch array antenna, said antenna comprising:
a planar base having a substrate, on a first planar side of which is defined a metallic foil ground plane and feed positions that are electrically isolated from the ground plane and extend through the substrate to an opposite second side of the substrate; a plurality of patch elements configured to resonate over a predetermined frequency range, each patch element
isolated from the ground plane and disposed on the base over the ground plane so that an air dielectric is defined between the patch element and the ground plane, including a planar metallic main portion defining a resonant area and disposed in a common plane with the main portions of the other patch elements, and including a metallic first post extending from the resonant area to the base and electrically connecting the resonant area to a respective feed position, wherein the patch elements are disposed so that the main portions and first posts of the patch elements are in the same alignment and define an antenna polarization; and a metallic foil trace feed network defined on the second side of the substrate that electrically connects the feed positions to one or more output points on the base.
- 37. The antenna as in claim 36, wherein each patch element includes a second post extending from a non-resonant area of the main portion to the base.
- 38. The antenna as in claim 36, wherein the main portions are square shaped.
- 39. The antenna as in claim 37, wherein the first and second posts are stamped from the main portion.
- 40. A point to multipoint wireless communication system, said system comprising:
an access point configured to receive signals from an external system, the access point having an antenna, a processor, and circuitry in communication with the access point antenna and controlled by the access point processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals corresponding to the data signals to, and to receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, a geographic area; and a plurality of subscriber units disposed within the area, each said subscriber unit having an antenna, a processor and circuitry controlled by the subscriber unit processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals to, and receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, the access point for communication with the external system, wherein each of the access point antenna and the subscriber unit antennas includes
a planar base on which is defined a ground plane and feed positions that are electrically isolated from the ground plane, a plurality of patch elements configured to resonate over a predetermined frequency range, each patch element
isolated from the ground plane and disposed on the base over the ground plane so that an air dielectric is defined between the patch element and the ground plane, and defining a resonant portion that is electrically connected to a respective feed position, and a feed network defined on the base that electrically connects the feed positions to one or more output points on the base.
- 41. The system as in claim 40, wherein the ground plane is defined on a first planar side of the base, and the feed network is defined on a second planar side of the base opposite the first side.
- 42. The system as in claim 41, wherein the base is comprised of a polymer substrate, wherein the ground plane is comprised of a metallic foil sheet on one side of the polymer substrate, and the feed network is comprised of metallic foil traces on an opposite side of the polymer substrate.
- 43. The system as in claim 40, wherein
each patch element includes a planar metallic main portion, the main portions are disposed in a common plane, and each patch element includes a metallic connector extending from a resonant area of the main portion to the base and electrically connected to a respective feed position.
- 44. The system as in claim 43, wherein each patch element includes a post extending from a non-resonant area of the main portion to the base.
- 45. The system as in claim 43, wherein the patch elements are disposed so that the main portions and metallic connectors of the patch elements are in the same alignment and define an antenna polarization.
- 46. The system as in claim 45, wherein each of the access point and the subscriber units includes a first said antenna and a second said antenna respectively aligned in vertical and horizontal polarization.
- 47. The system as in claim 46, wherein the circuitry of each of the access point and the subscriber units is configured to selectively switch between the first antenna and the second antenna.
- 48. A point to multipoint wireless communication system, said system comprising:
an access point configured to receive data signals from an external system, the access point having an antenna, a processor, and circuitry in communication with the access point antenna and controlled by the access point processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals corresponding to the data signals to, and to receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, a geographic area; and a plurality of subscriber units disposed within the area, each said subscriber unit having an antenna, a processor and circuitry controlled by the subscriber unit processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals to, and receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, the access point for communication with the external system, wherein each of the access point antenna and the subscriber unit antennas includes
a planar base having a substrate, on a first planar side of which is defined a metallic foil ground plane and feed positions that are electrically isolated from the ground plane and extend through the substrate to an opposite second side of the substrate, a plurality of patch elements configured to resonate over a predetermined frequency range, each patch element
isolated from the ground plane and disposed over the ground plane so that an air dielectric is defined between the patch element and the ground plane, including a planar metallic main portion defining a resonant area and disposed in a common plane with the main portions of the other patch elements, and including a metallic first post extending from the resonant area to the base and electrically connecting the resonant area to a respective feed position, wherein the patch elements are disposed so that the main portions and first posts of the patch elements are in the same alignment and define an antenna polarization, and a metallic foil trace feed network defined on the second side of the substrate that electrically connects the feed positions to one or more output points on the base.
- 49. The system as in claim 48, wherein each patch element includes a second post extending from a non-resonant area of the main portion to the base.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Ser. No. ______, filed by Yun-Hsiang K. Hsu and Christopher A. Gustaf on Oct. 1, 2002, entitled “Wireless Point to Multipoint System,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.