Local multi-point distribution system architectures

#The present invention relates to architectures for local multipoint distribution system (LMDS) applications.

#Local multipoint distribution system (LMDS) in an existing architecture involves broadcasting microwave signals at frequencies at or above 28 Ghz to small receiver dishes, typically installed on the top of apartment buildings. At that high frequency, line-of-sight is required for maximum signal performance. The received LMDS signal may then be distributed through the building. LMDS technologies may also be used at lower frequencies to limit the strict line-of-sight limitations. In general, existing LMDS systems use the LMDS receiver to serve one customer or subscriber, with each different customer or subscriber having a dedicated LMDS receiver.

#Although existing deployment of LMDS technologies has been quite limited, the higher frequencies and additional bandwidth associated therewith is not yet being utilized to its full potential. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for LMDS architectures that overcome limitations of the prior art and utilize LMDS technologies to the fullest.

#FIG. 1 is a broadband communication system utilizing a first LMDS architecture of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a broadband communication system utilizing a second LMDS architecture of the present invention; and

#FIG. 3 is a broadband communication system utilizing a third LMDS architecture of the present invention, and further illustrates LMDS architecture supplementing an existing wireline network (shown in dashed line).

#With reference to FIG. 1, a broadband communication system of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. System 10 includes a central office 12 connected to a high speed network 14. A suitable high speed network is an asynchronic transfer mode (ATM) network. Network 14 is connected by a fiber 16 to a local multipoint distribution system (LMDS) hub 18. Fiber 16 is used to send a signal from central office 12 to LMDS hub 18. As such, the signal may be routed along line 20 to antenna 22, which in turn transmits the signal. In one suitable implementation, line 20 is coaxial cable. Tower antenna 22 transmits the signal which is received by a local multipoint distribution system (LMDS) remote terminal 24. LMDS remote terminal 24 and tower antenna 22 communicate in preferably two-way communication as indicated by double arrow 26. Remote terminal 24 operates to separate the received signal into a plurality of customer signals corresponding to a plurality of customers. Each customer is served by a separate digital signal line 28, 30, 32. Customer signal lines 28, 30, 32 connect to customer sites 34, 36, 38, respectively. Of course, it is to be appreciated that digital signal lines 28, 30, 32 may take a variety of forms. For example, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the digital signal lines of this LMDS architecture and other LMDS architectures of the present invention are xDSL (of which VDSL is a suitable category thereof), and DS lines such as DS0 and DS1 lines.

#With reference to FIG. 2, a broadband communication system made in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated at 50. System 50 includes a central office 52 connected to a high speed network 54, and including an LMDS hub 56. LMDS hub 56 is connected to an antenna 58. Antenna 58 is operative to transmit a signal. Antenna 58 transmits the signal for reception by receiving antenna 60 at LMDS remote terminal 62. Preferably, system 50 is configured for two-way communication as indicated by double arrow 64.

#Remote terminal 62 is shown in greater detail than remote terminal 24 (FIG. 1); but, of course, it is to be appreciated that various arrangements for the internal workings of the remote terminals are apparent to and appreciated by those skilled in the LMDS communications art. Remote terminal 62 includes an LMDS modem 66 to convert the radio frequency signal to a digital signal, and is connected to a multiplexer 68. Depending on what types of drops extend from multiplexer 68, multiplexer 68 may take a variety of forms, such as for example, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) or a traditional demultiplexer for use with DS0 standard two wire twisted pairs. A plurality of customer digital signal lines, with separate lines indicated at 70, 72, 74 connect to customer sites 76, 78, 80, respectively.