# US 9,438,344 B2 · Distributed outdoor network apparatus and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,438,344 B2 - Document ID: US9438344B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/703,022 - Filed: 2015-05-04 - Published: 2015-08-20 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-11 - Assignees: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC - Applicants: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC - Inventors: Charles I. Cook - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438344B2 ## CPC - H04B 10/25753: {Distribution optical network, e.g. between a base station and a plurality of remote units} - H04B 10/25752: {Optical arrangements for wireless networks} - H04B 10/806: {Arrangements for feeding power} - H04Q 11/0067: {Provisions for optical access or distribution networks, e.g. Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GE-PON), ATM-based Passive Optical Network (A-PON), PON-Ring} - H01B 9/005: {including optical transmission elements} - H01Q 1/246: {specially adapted for base stations} - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract Novel tools and techniques providing for the robust wireless distribution of communications signals from a provider to multiple customer premises. Certain embodiments comprise one or more modular communications apparatuses which are located near to customer premises. The modular communications apparatuses features an enclosure which is, at least in part, transparent to radio frequencies. A modular communications apparatus also typically includes one or more communications radios or transmitter/receiver devices within the enclosure. The apparatus also includes at least one and possibly more than one antenna located within the enclosure along with wire or cable-based signal output apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular communications apparatus comprising: a housing comprising multiple vertically stacked housing modules, wherein at least a first housing module of the vertically stacked housing modules is transparent to radio frequencies; a communications radio located within a second module of the multiple vertically stacked housing modules; an antenna located within the first housing module, the antenna being in electronic communication with the communications radio, the antenna being further configured to transmit a wireless communications signal to multiple wireless devices located within multiple customer premises; a power converter module within one of the housing modules configured to receive input power from at least one of a local power feed, power from a customer premises and power over a network; and a base supporting the multiple vertically stacked housing modules. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular communications apparatus of claim 1 where only the uppermost housing module is transparent to radio frequencies. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The modular communications apparatus of claim 2 further comprising multiple integrated height extension joints connecting adjacent housing modules. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular communications apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wired communications switch within a housing module, having a wired signal output, wherein the wired communications switch comprises at least one of an Ethernet switch and a mini D-SLAM. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modular communications apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fiber management module within one of housing modules configured to receive an optical communications signal input, wherein the fiber management module is further configured to provide optical communications output over an optical fiber to multiple optical communications devices located within multiple customer premises. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The modular communications apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communications radio comprises at least one of a WiFi radio, an LTE radio, a VDSL2 radio, a G fast radio and an ONU radio. ### Claim 7 A method of distributing communications signals from a provider to multiple customer premises comprising: providing a modular communications apparatus outside of multiple customer premises, the modular communications apparatus comprising; a housing comprising multiple vertically stacked housing modules, wherein at least a first housing module of the vertically stacked housing modules is transparent to radio frequencies; a communications radio located within a second module of the multiple vertically stacked housing modules; an antenna located within the first housing module, the antenna being in electronic communication with the communications radio; a power converter within one of the housing modules; and a base supporting the multiple vertically stacked housing modules; providing input power to the power converter module from at least one of a local power feed, power from a customer premises and power over a network; and transmitting a wireless communications signal from the communications radio, through the antenna to multiple wireless devices located within multiple customer premises. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising: providing multiple vertically stacked housing modules where only the uppermost housing module is transparent to radio frequencies; and selecting the height of the antenna by adding or removing housing modules from the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method claim 7 further comprising providing a wired communications switch comprising at least one of an Ethernet switch and a mini D-SLAM. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method claim 7 further comprising providing an optical communications signal from a communications output of a fiber management module to multiple optical communications devices located within multiple customer premises. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method claim 7 further comprising providing a communications radio comprising at least one of a WiFi radio, an LTE radio, a VDSL2 radio, a G fast radio and an ONU radio. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method claim 7 further comprising further comprising providing power to the communications radio form a power converter module. ### Claim 13 A communications system comprising: multiple modular communications apparatuses, with each modular communications apparatus comprising: a housing comprising multiple vertically stacked housing modules, wherein at least a first housing module of the vertically stacked housing modules is transparent to radio frequencies; a communications radio located within a second module of the multiple vertically stacked housing modules; an antenna located within the first housing module, the antenna being in electronic communication with the communications radio, the antenna being further configured to transmit a wireless communications signal to multiple wireless devices located within multiple customer premises; a power converter module within one of the housing modules configured to receive input power from at least one of a local power feed, power from a customer premises and power over a network; and a base supporting the multiple vertically stacked housing modules; and an optical fiber network providing the optical communications signal to the fiber management module of each modular communications apparatus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The communications system of claim 13 further comprising: a multifiber optical cable transmitting the optical communications signal to an optical splitter; and branch optical fibers transmitting the optical communications signal from the optical splitter to multiple modular communications apparatuses. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The communications system of claim 14 further comprising at least one lateral optical fiber transmitting the optical communications signal from the fiber management module of a first modular communications device to the fiber management module of a second modular communications device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The communications system of claim 13 wherein at least one modular communications apparatus further comprises multiple vertically stacked housing modules where only the uppermost housing module is transparent to radio frequencies. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The communications system of claim 13 wherein a fiber management module of at least one modular communications apparatus is configured to provide optical communications output over an optical fiber to multiple optical communications devices located within multiple customer premises.