Star Topology Fixed Wireless Access Network
A high frequency data network access system leverages commodity WiFi chipsets and specifically multi spatial stream (e.g., 802.11 ac) chipsets in combination with phased array antenna systems at the aggregation nodes. Examples can be very spectrally efficient with both polarization and frequency diversity.
1 . A wireless access system, the system comprising:
endpoint nodes installed at a premises; and
an aggregation node communicating with the endpoint nodes and including a phased array antenna system that divides an area of coverage into multiple subsectors.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the phased array antenna system includes:
at least one transmit phased array antenna for transmitting information to the endpoint nodes; and
at least one receive phased array antenna for receiving information from the endpoint nodes.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the phased array antenna system produces multiple transmit and receive beams for the subsectors simultaneously.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the phased array antenna system divides the area of coverage into four or more subsectors.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the phased array antenna system comprises at least one phased array antenna that is steered in only one dimension.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one dimensional phased array antenna produces the multiple subsectors in an azimuth direction.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the one dimensional phased array antenna is pancaked in a vertical direction.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the endpoint nodes and the aggregation node communicate in a spectral band of 10 GHz to 300 GHz.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the endpoint nodes and the aggregation node communicate in a spectral band of 30 GHz to 60 GHz.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the phase array antenna system comprises an antenna array with a two dimensional arrangement of antenna apertures.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the two dimensional arrangement of antenna apertures comprises at least 5 columns of antenna apertures.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the two dimensional arrangement of antenna apertures comprises at least 5 rows of antenna apertures.
13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the columns are driven by different ports of a phase control device.
14 . A method for providing fixed wireless access, the method comprising:
dividing an area of coverage into multiple subsectors with a phased array antenna system; and
communicating with endpoint nodes installed at endpoint premises located within the different ones of the subsectors.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the phased array antenna system includes:
at least one transmit phased array antenna for transmitting information to the endpoint nodes; and
at least one receive phased array antenna for receiving information from the endpoint nodes.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising simultaneously producing multiple transmit and receive beams for the subsectors simultaneously with the phased array antenna system.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the phased array antenna system divides the area of coverage into four or more subsectors.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the phased array antenna system comprises at least one one dimensional phased array antenna.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the one dimensional phased array antenna produces the multiple subsectors in an azimuth direction.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the one dimensional phased array antenna is pancaked in a vertical direction.
21 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the endpoint nodes and the aggregation node communicate in a spectral band of 10 GHz to 300 GHz, or more specifically in a spectral band of 30 GHz to 60 GHz.