IP Library Granted Patent US 11,075,441
Granted Patent B2
US 11,075,441 · App. 16/508,212 · Granted Jul 27, 2021

Deployable radio units

Inventors: Brian Cherdak (Fairfax, VA); Allen Paul Nichols (Arlington, VA); Jonathan F. Mitchell (Arlington, VA)
Assignee: CACI, INC.—FEDERAL
H01Q1/241H01Q1/002H04B1/0064H04B1/04H04B2001/0408
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,075,441
App. No.
16/508,212
Granted
Jul 27, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A radio system can have an antenna interface unit (AIU), a processor controller unit (PCU), and an interface cable. The AIU can be coupled to one or more antennae and can be configured to receive signals and/or convert the signals to digital signals. The PCU can be coupled to the AIU. The PCU can be configured to receive the analog signals via the interface cable, which can be configured to convey signals according to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and RF protocols. The interface cable can be configured to provide power from the PCU to the AIU. The PCU can include a contactor controller for protecting against reverse polarity DC power connection.

Claims (52)

1. A radio system, comprising:

an antenna interface unit coupled to at least one antenna, wherein the antenna interface unit is configured to receive analog signals, filter the analog signals, and amplify the analog signals;

a processor controller unit coupled to the antenna interface unit, wherein the processor controller unit is configured to receive the analog signals via an interface cable and to convert the analog signals into digital signals;

wherein the interface cable is configured to convey power and a signal selected from the group consisting of a Wi-Fi signal, an Ethernet signal, or an analog RF signal;

wherein the length of the interface cable is automatically calculated by measuring a voltage drop across the interface cable;

wherein signal gain is amplified automatically to compensate for signal power loss across the interface cable in order to optimize the radio system based on cable length;

wherein the interface cable is configured to provide power from the processor controller unit to the antenna interface unit; and

wherein the processor controller unit includes a contactor controller to prevent reverse polarity in the radio system.

2. The radio system according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna interface unit further comprises a high band RF conditioning unit and a low band RF conditioning unit.

3. The radio system according to claim 2 , wherein the antenna interface unit further comprises two transmission power amps.

4. The radio system according to claim 1 , wherein the interface cable is configured to convey analog RF signals.

5. The radio system according to claim 4 , wherein the analog RF signal includes a GPS signal.

6. The radio system according to claim 1 , further comprising a PCU that performs digital signal processing to analyze signals detected by the AIU.

7. The radio system according to claim 1 , wherein the contactor controller further comprises a high voltage regulator.

8. The radio system according to claim 7 , wherein the contactor controller further comprises a reverse-biased diode.

9. The radio system according to claim 1 , wherein the signal gain is amplified based on the measured voltage drop.

10. The radio system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor controller unit comprises a processor control module having RF componentry.

11. The radio system according to claim 10 , wherein the RF componentry is isolated from the processor control module by an RF mezzanine.

12. The radio system according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna interface unit and the processor controller unit dissipate heat.

13. The radio system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor controller unit is configured to receive an AC power supply and to receive a DC power supply.

14. The radio system according to claim 13 , wherein the contactor controller is configured to prevent power spikes and power loss within the radio system when switched between the AC power supply and the DC power supply.

15. A radio system, comprising:

an antenna interface unit coupled to at least one antenna, wherein the antenna interface unit is configured to receive analog signals, filter the analog signals, and amplify the analog signals;

a processor controller unit coupled to the antenna interface unit, wherein the processor controller unit is configured to receive the analog signals via an interface cable and to convert the analog signals into digital signals;

wherein the interface cable is configured to convey power and a signal selected from the group consisting of a Wi-Fi signal, an Ethernet signal, or an analog RF signal;

wherein the length of the interface cable is automatically calculated;

wherein signal gain is amplified automatically to compensate for signal power loss across the interface cable in order to optimize the radio system based on cable length;

wherein the interface cable is configured to provide power from the processor controller unit to the antenna interface unit;

wherein the processor controller unit includes a contactor controller to prevent reverse polarity in the radio system; and

wherein the processor control unit comprises a processor control module, an RF mezzanine, a main motherboard having a central processing unit, and SSD memory.

16. The radio system according to claim 15 , wherein the processor controller unit further comprises a server motherboard and subsystems for signal reception, analog-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, and one or more Ethernet switches.

17. The radio system according to claim 16 , wherein the antenna interface unit and the processor controller unit each dissipate heat.

18. A radio system, comprising:

an antenna interface unit coupled to at least one antenna, wherein the antenna interface unit is configured to receive analog signals, filter the analog signals, and amplify the analog signals;

a processor controller unit coupled to the antenna interface unit, wherein the processor controller unit is configured to receive the analog signals via an interface cable and to convert the analog signals into digital signals;

wherein the interface cable is configured to convey power and a signal selected from the group consisting of a Wi-Fi signal, an Ethernet signal, or an analog RF signal;

wherein the length of the interface cable is automatically calculated;

wherein signal gain is amplified automatically to compensate for signal power loss across the interface cable in order to optimize the radio system based on cable length;

wherein the interface cable is configured to provide power from the processor controller unit to the antenna interface unit;

wherein the processor controller unit includes a contactor controller to prevent reverse polarity in the radio system;

wherein the processor controller unit comprises a processor control module having RF componentry; and

wherein the RF componentry is isolated from the processor control module by an RF mezzanine.

19. A radio system, comprising:

an antenna interface unit coupled to at least one antenna, wherein the antenna interface unit is configured to receive analog signals, filter the analog signals, and amplify the analog signals;

a processor controller unit coupled to the antenna interface unit, wherein the processor controller unit is configured to receive the analog signals via an interface cable and to convert the analog signals into digital signals;

wherein the interface cable is configured to convey power and a signal selected from the group consisting of a Wi-Fi signal, an Ethernet signal, or an analog RF signal;

wherein the length of the interface cable is automatically calculated;

wherein signal gain is amplified automatically to compensate for signal power loss across the interface cable in order to optimize the radio system based on cable length;

wherein the interface cable is configured to provide power from the processor controller unit to the antenna interface unit;

wherein the processor controller unit includes a contactor controller to prevent reverse polarity in the radio system;

wherein the processor controller unit is configured to receive an AC power supply and to receive a DC power supply; and

wherein the contactor controller is configured to prevent power spikes and power loss within the radio system when switched between the AC power supply and the DC power supply.

Assignments (3)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 22, 2025
From: CACI, INC. - FEDERAL
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 069987/0475 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 13, 2021
From: CACI, INC. - FEDERAL
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 058741/0731 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2019
From: CHERDAK, BRIAN; NICHOLS, ALLEN PAUL; MITCHELL, JONATHAN F.
To: CACI, INC. - FEDERAL
Reel/Frame 050104/0863 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62729328 · Sep 10, 2018
Related Publication 20200335852A1 · Oct 22, 2020