Method and Apparatus for Providing Wireless Communications Within a Building

Abstract

A wireless distribution secured cabling system includes faceplates, each of which contains an antenna or other radiating element and an active amplifier, which serves as a bi-directional repeater for the wireless communication system. The system further includes a patch panel or distribution module which connects multiple cables, which may be either twisted pair or coaxial, to amplifier, acting as a power divider and/or an impedance matching device. An antenna, which may be mounted either outside of a building structure or inside the building structure, provides communications between the structured cabling system and a service provider base station.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A transmission system for distributing a combination of transmitted signals within a building structure via a common transmission path, the system comprising:
 at least one wall outlet assembly receiving a plurality of transmitted signals within the building structure, said plurality of transmitted signals comprising at least one wireless bridging signal and a task signal transmitted simultaneously via the common transmission path;   at least a first diplexer connected to said wall outlet assembly, said diplexer dividing said bridging signal into uplink and downlink channels for transmission to and from the building structure; and   a first amplifier connected to said first diplexer, said amplifier boosting uplink and downlink signal strengths for establishing communications in an appropriate direction via said common transmission path.   
     
     
         2 . A transmission system according to  claim 1 , wherein said wall outlet assembly receives a second wireless bridging signal via the common transmission path. 
     
     
         3 . A transmission system according to  claim 2 , wherein said wall outlet assembly comprises a second diplexer such that first and second wireless bridging signals are divided into respective uplink and downlink channels by respective first and second diplexers. 
     
     
         4 . A transmission system according to  claim 3 , wherein said wall outlet assembly comprises a second amplifier connected to said second diplexer for boosting uplink and downlink signal strengths of the second wireless bridging signal. 
     
     
         5 . A transmission system according to  claim 1 , wherein said wall outlet assembly further comprises an antenna for sending and receiving wireless signals within the building structure. 
     
     
         6 . A transmission system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a distribution module communication with said first wall outlet assembly, said distribution module directing the bridging signal to the building structure via the common transmission path. 
     
     
         7 . A transmission system according to  claim 6 , wherein said distribution module further comprises a power injector for transmitting a power signal from said distribution module to said first wall outlet assembly. 
     
     
         8 . A transmission system according to  claim 7 , wherein said distribution module further comprises filters for isolating said power signal from said bridging signal. 
     
     
         9 . A transmission system according to  claim 8  wherein said filters comprise high frequency chokes. 
     
     
         10 . A transmission system according to  claim 6 , further comprising a first antenna connected to said wall outlet assembly for directing transmitted signals to and from said wall outlet assembly and an external antenna connected to said distribution module for directing transmitted signals to and from said distribution module. 
     
     
         11 . A transmission system according to  claim 10 , wherein said common transmission path comprises either coaxial or twisted pair cabling and said wall unit adapter further comprises a conduit stem connecting said first antenna to said cabling. 
     
     
         12 . A transmission system for simultaneously distributing multiple transmitted signals within a building structure along a common transmission path, said transmission system comprising:
 a first distribution module receiving at least one bridging signal and directing the bridging signal to and from the building structure along a transmission path, said distribution module comprising a power injector component for transmitting a power signal simultaneously with said bridging signal via said common transmission path;   at least one wall outlet assembly positioned proximate the building structure and receiving said bridging signal and said power signal from said distribution module;   at least a first diplexer connected to said wall outlet assembly, said diplexer dividing said bridging signal into uplink and downlink channels for transmission to and from the building structure; and   a first amplifier connected to said first diplexer, said amplifier boosting uplink and downlink signal strengths for establishing communications in an appropriate direction via said common transmission path.   
     
     
         13 . A transmission system according to  claim 12 , wherein said transmission system comprises additional distribution modules arranged sequentially from said first distribution module, said additional distribution modules comprising sub-circuitry to automatically attenuate radio frequency power transmitted to said additional distribution modules. 
     
     
         14 . A transmission system according to  claim 12 , wherein said first distribution module further comprises an array of signal input elements for receiving multiple wireless bridging signals and an array of output elements for directing said multiple wireless bridging signals to said at least one wall outlet assembly. 
     
     
         15 . A transmission system according to  claim 12 , wherein said power injector component comprises a filter to isolate said bridging signals from said power signal. 
     
     
         16 . A transmission system for distributing wireless communications signals within a building structure via a pre-existing cable television transmission path in the building, the transmission system comprising:
 a distribution module receiving at least one wireless bridging signal and at least one television signal;   at least one wall outlet assembly connected to said distribution module via a television signal transmission cable, wherein said transmission cable transmits said at least one bridging signal simultaneously with said at least one television signal from said distribution module to said wall outlet assembly, said wall outlet assembly comprising at least a first diplexer connected to said wall outlet assembly, said diplexer dividing said bridging signal into uplink and downlink channels for transmission to and from the building structure and a first amplifier connected to said first diplexer, said amplifier boosting uplink and downlink signal strengths for establishing communications in an appropriate direction via said television signal transmission cable;   wherein said distribution module comprises a filter preventing the television signal from being directed into an operating band of the uplink and downlink channels.   
     
     
         17 . A transmission system according to  claim 16 , wherein said wall outlet assembly comprises a television signal jack, a broadcast antenna, or both. 
     
     
         18 . A transmission system according to  claim 16  further comprising a splitter for directing the television signal to a plurality of wall outlet assemblies along with a respective bridging signal. 
     
     
         19 . A transmission system according to  claim 16  further comprising a first antenna connected to said wall outlet assembly for directing said bridging signal to and from said wall outlet assembly and an external antenna connected to said distribution module for directing bridging signals to and from said distribution module. 
     
     
         20 . A transmission system according to  claim 16 , wherein said distribution module further comprises an array of signal input elements for receiving multiple wireless bridging signals and an array of output elements for directing said multiple wireless bridging signals to said at least one wall outlet assembly.