Universal companion interface for gateway

Abstract

The technology described herein is generally directed towards a gateway device (e.g., a cable modem or telecommunications modem) that is coupled to a base component. The base component couples to an interchangeable lid that is coupled to an electronic device. This forms a sealed housing for outdoor use, e.g., between a provider head end and the subscriber(s). A universal interface provides power or a network connection, or both, to the electronic device. The base component and/or the sealed housing protect the internal components against environmental effects. The base component and/or the sealed housing protect against external RF signals from entering, and internally generated RF signals from exiting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising, an outdoor base component that accommodates a gateway device, the base component configured to couple to an interchangeable lid component to form a housing when the interchangeable lid component is coupled to the base component, the base component configured to support an electronic device coupled to the interchangeable lid component, and the base component configured to provide a universal interface that provides at least one electrical connection between the electronic device and the gateway device. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the universal interface is accessible through the interchangeable lid component. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the universal interface is accessible through the outdoor base component. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outdoor base component protects the gateway device against external environmental effects. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a sealed housing that protects the gateway device against external environmental effects when the interchangeable lid component is coupled to the outdoor base component. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device coupled to the interchangeable lid component is built into the interchangeable lid component. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outdoor base component is further configured to be strand mounted. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the outdoor base component protects the gateway device against external sources of electromagnetic radiation, and protects against external emission of RF signals internally-generated within the outdoor base component. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outdoor base component that accommodates the gateway device accommodates a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network gateway device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the universal interface that provides the at least one electrical connection between the electronic device and the gateway device provides power to the electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the universal interface that provides the at least one electrical connection between the electronic device and the gateway device provides a data communication port for the electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the base component is configured to deter unauthorized access to the gateway device. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 an interchangeable lid component coupled to an electronic device; and   a base component that couples to the interchangeable lid component to form a housing, the base component containing a gateway device and supporting the interchangeable lid component and electronic device, the housing configured with a universal interface that provides at least one electrical connection between the electronic device and the gateway device.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is sealed to protect the gateway device against external environmental effects. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the base component comprises a Faraday cage that surrounds the gateway device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the universal interface that provides the at least one electrical connection between the electronic device and the gateway device provides power to the electronic device and provides a data communication port for the electronic device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the base component comprises an access deterrent component that deters unauthorized access to the gateway device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the base component is configured to be strand mounted. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the interchangeable lid component coupled to the electronic device contains the electronic device. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising an interchangeable lid component coupled to an electronic device, the interchangeable lid component configured to couple to a base component that contains a gateway device, to form a housing that supports the interchangeable lid component and electronic device, the housing configured with a universal interface that provides at least one electrical connection between the electronic device and the gateway device.