Multi-standard coverage map generation
View Patent ↗A satellite reception assembly may receive signals on a block of frequencies that encompasses channels of one or more wireless networks. The satellite reception assembly may convey information about signals received on the block of frequencies to a centralized location which may utilize the information to determine characteristics, such as coverage area and/or usage, of the wireless network(s). Additionally or alternatively, such information from a plurality of satellite reception assemblies may be aggregated and made available to third parties which may use the aggregate information, in combination with knowledge about the wireless network(s), to determine characteristics of the wireless network(s).
1. A system comprising:
one or more circuits operable to:
receive a block of frequencies;
processes said received block of frequencies to recover signals of a first wireless network, said first wireless network being a satellite broadcast network;
transmit said signals of said first wireless network to a receiver;
process said received block of frequencies to recover signals of a second wireless network; and
transmit said signals of said second wireless network to an analyzer that is operable to determine coverage and/or usage of said second wireless network.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said one or more circuits reside in a satellite reception assembly.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said satellite reception assembly is intended for installation at a satellite subscriber's home or office.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein said satellite reception assembly comprises a parabolic reflector, a feed horn, and a low-noise block downconverter mounted to a rigid support structure.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second wireless network is a cellular, WiMAX, WiGig, or Wi-Fi network.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to select among a plurality of antennas for receiving said block of frequencies.
7. A method performed by a satellite reception assembly, the method comprising:
receiving signals in a first frequency band, said frequency band encompassing signals of a plurality of wireless networks;
analyzing said received signals to determine coverage and/or usage of each of said plurality of wireless networks; and
making said determined coverage and/or usage available to one or more network operators associated with said plurality of wireless networks.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said satellite reception assembly comprises a parabolic reflector, a feed horn, and a low-noise block downconverter mounted to a rigid support structure.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said satellite reception assembly provides satellite television service to a home or office at which it is installed.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said plurality of wireless networks comprises one or more of the following: a satellite broadcast network, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a WiMAX network, and a WiGig network.
11. A system comprising:
one or more circuits for use in a satellite reception assembly, said one or more circuits being operable to:
receive a channel of a first wireless network, process said received channel of said first wireless network, and transmit said processed received channel of said first wireless network to a receiver, wherein said first wireless network is a satellite broadcast network; and
receive a channel of a second wireless network and output information about said channel of said second wireless network to an analyzer that is operable to determine coverage and/or usage of said second wireless network.
12. The one or more circuits of claim 11 , wherein said satellite reception assembly comprises a parabolic reflector, a feed horn, and a low-noise block downconverter mounted to a rigid support structure.
13. The one or more circuits of claim 11 , wherein said satellite reception assembly provides satellite television service to a home or office at which it is installed.
14. The one or more circuits of claim 11 , wherein said second wireless network is one of a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a WiMAX network, and a WiGig network.
15. A method comprising:
receiving, from each one of a plurality of satellite reception assemblies, information about a channel of a wireless network received by said one of said plurality of satellite reception assemblies;
analyzing said channel information to determine coverage and/or usage of said wireless network.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said satellite reception assembly comprises a parabolic reflector, a feed horn, and a low-noise block downconverter mounted to a rigid support structure.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein at least one of said plurality of satellite reception assemblies provides satellite television service to a home or office at which it is installed.
18. The method of claim 15 comprising transmitting said determined coverage and/or usage to a network operator associated with said wireless network.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein said wireless network is a cellular, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or WiGig network.
20. The method of claim 17 , comprising generating a map depicting said determined coverage and/or usage of said wireless network.