U.S. patent application number 12/181235 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for system and method for communicating information from wireless sources to locations within a building.
This patent application is currently assigned to Johnson Controls Technology Company. Invention is credited to Jerald P. Martocci, John I. Ruiz.
Application Number | 20090067363 12/181235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40337589 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090067363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruiz; John I. ; et
al. |
March 12, 2009 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION FROM WIRELESS
SOURCES TO LOCATIONS WITHIN A BUILDING
Abstract
A system provides radio frequency signals devices inside a
building. The system includes one or more receivers, each receiver
configured to receive one or more radio frequency signals from at
least one source. The system further includes a device configured
to receive the signals from the receiver or receivers. The device
combines the received signals into a combination signal and
converts the combination signal to a digital signal. The digital
signal is then provided over a digital communications medium within
the building. The system further includes an antenna system
configured to receive the digital signal and to retransmit the
radio frequency signals from the sources to the devices inside the
building.
Inventors: |
Ruiz; John I.; (New Berlin,
WI) ; Martocci; Jerald P.; (Greenfield, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-5306
US
|
Assignee: |
Johnson Controls Technology
Company
|
Family ID: |
40337589 |
Appl. No.: |
12/181235 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60962697 |
Jul 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 8/005 20130101;
H04W 24/00 20130101; H04W 84/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/315 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/14 20060101
H04B007/14 |
Claims
1. A system for communicating information from a first
communication source and a second communication source to
electronic devices located within a building via an in-building
communications network, the system comprising: a receiver
configured to receive first radio frequency information transmitted
from the first communication source, the receiver configured to
simultaneously receive second radio frequency information
transmitted from the second communication source; a processing
circuit configured to combine the first and second radio frequency
information as broadband information and to digitize the broadband
information for transmission via the in-building communications
network as a digital signal; and an in-building antenna system
configured to receive the digital signal and to provide a
reproduction of the first radio frequency information to the first
electronic device within the building and a reproduction of the
second radio frequency information to the second electronic device
within the building via radio frequency communications.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first radio frequency
information comprises first radio frequency signals having a first
center frequency and wherein the second radio frequency information
comprises second radio frequency signals having a second center
frequency, and wherein the first center frequency and the second
center frequency are separated by at least 500 MHz.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit includes a
digital signal processor (DSP) configured to conduct the
digitization.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit includes a
combiner and an analog to digital converter (ADC).
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit comprises
a passive multiplexer configured to conduct the combination.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the passive multiplexer is a
diplexer or a triplexer.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit comprises
a first analog to digital converter to digitize the first radio
frequency information and a second analog to digital converter to
digitize the second radio frequency information.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the in-building antenna system
comprises a digital to analog converter configured to convert the
digital signal to the first radio frequency information and the
second radio frequency information and wherein the in-building
antenna system further comprises an amplifier configured to amplify
the first and second radio frequency information via one or more
antennas.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit includes a
general purpose processor configured to provide the digitization
based on computer code stored in memory of the processing
circuit.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the in-building communications
network is an internet protocol (IP) network.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is a
mobile phone, the first communication source is a mobile
communications tower, and wherein the second electronic device is a
text-messaging device, and the second communication source is a
mobile communications antenna.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a first
antenna for receiving the first radio frequency information and a
second antenna for receiving the second radio frequency
information.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is
configured to digitize broadband analog information.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the broadband analog
information spans from 800 MHz to 2.1 GHz.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the broadband analog
information spans from 400 MHz to 6.0 GHz.
16. A method for providing radio frequency signals to devices
inside a building, the method comprising: receiving first radio
frequency information from a first communication source; receiving
second radio frequency information from a second communication
source; combining the first radio frequency information and the
second radio frequency information to form a broadband analog
signal; digitizing the broadband analog signal to form a digitized
signal; distributing the digitized signal to a digital
communication medium located within the building; receiving the
digitized signal from the digital communication medium; converting
the digitized signal to the first radio frequency information and
the second radio frequency information; and providing the first
radio frequency information and the second radio frequency
information to locations inside the building using an antenna
system.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first radio frequency
information and the second radio frequency information provided to
locations inside the building are identifiable and recoverable to
electronic devices inside the building.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein audio information provided in
the first radio frequency information is recoverable by a portable
electronic device receiving the first radio frequency information
provided to the locations inside the building.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the first radio
frequency information and the second radio frequency information to
locations inside the building using an antenna system include
transmitting the first radio information at around 850 MHz and the
second radio information at around 1850-1990 MHz.
20. A broadband RF repeater system, comprising: a processing
circuit to receive RF information from one or more antennas, to
combine the received RF information to form broadband RF
information, and to digitize the broadband RF information; and a
digital communications medium communicably coupling the processing
circuit and local antennas of a distributed antenna system.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/962,697, filed Jul. 31, 2007,
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of
building communications systems. The present disclosure relates
more specifically to radio frequency repeaters and distributed
antenna systems.
[0003] Structural interference often prevents radio frequency (RF)
information originating from wireless sources (e.g., sources, local
sources, etc.) from being adequately received within the walls
and/or rooms of a building. Conventional repeater systems are
configured to receive narrow-band RF communications originating
from outside the building and to repeat the signal at local
antennas (e.g., distributed antennas) provided within the building.
There is a need for improved systems and methods for communicating
information from wireless sources (e.g., located external to a
building) to electronic devices located within the building.
SUMMARY
[0004] The invention relates to a system for communicating
information from a first communication source and a second
communication source located external to a building to electronic
devices located within the building via an in-building
communications network. The system includes a receiver configured
to receive first radio frequency information transmitted from the
first communication source, the receiver configured to
simultaneously receive second radio frequency information
transmitted from the second communication source. The system
further includes a processing circuit configured to combine the
first and second radio frequency information as broadband
information and to digitize the broadband information for
transmission via the in-building communications network as a
digital signal. The system yet further includes an in-building
antenna system configured to receive the digital signal and to
provide the a reproduction of the first radio frequency information
to the first electronic device within the building and a
reproduction of the second radio frequency information to the
second electronic device within the building via radio frequency
communications.
[0005] The invention relates to a method for providing radio
frequency signals from to devices inside a building. The method
includes the steps of receiving first radio frequency information
from a first communication source and receiving second radio
frequency information from a second communication source. The
method further includes combining the first radio frequency
information and the second radio frequency information to form a
broadband analog signal and digitizing the broadband analog signal
to form a digitized signal. The method yet further includes the
steps of distributing the digitized signal to a digital
communication medium located within the building and receiving the
digitized signal via the digital communication medium. The method
further includes the steps of converting the digitized signal to
the first radio frequency information and the second radio
frequency information and providing the first radio frequency
information and the second radio frequency information to locations
inside the building using an antenna system.
[0006] The invention relates to a system for providing radio
frequency signals from to devices inside a building. The system
includes a plurality of receivers, each receiver configured to
receive a radio frequency signal from at least one remote source
located outside the building. The system further includes a device
configured to receive signals from the plurality of the receivers.
The device combines the received signals into a combination signal
and converts the combination signal to a digital signal. The
digital signal is then provided over a digital communications
medium within the building. The system further includes an antenna
system configured to receive the digital signal and to retransmit
the radio frequency signals from the sources to the devices inside
the building by converting the digital signal.
[0007] Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features
and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like
elements, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building having a
plurality of devices, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for communicating
information from wireless sources to locations within a building,
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for communicating
information from wireless sources to locations within a building,
according to another exemplary embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for using a system for
communicating information from wireless sources to locations within
a building, according to an exemplary embodiment; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a building automation
system (BAS) that may be used with the systems and methods
described in the present application, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the
exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the
application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth
in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be
understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description
only and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0015] Referring generally to the Figures, a system for providing
RF signals originating from outside a building and/or inside the
building to devices inside the building is shown. The system uses
one or more receivers (e.g., receiving antennas and/or related
circuitry) to receive RF signals from one or more of sources (e.g.,
a mobile communications tower, a mobile communications antenna,
cellular phone towers, municipal Wi-Fi systems, etc.). The system
combines the received RF signals into broadband information (e.g.,
a broadband analog signal) and digitizes the broadband information
to create a digital signal. The digital signal is then provided
over a high speed digital communications medium (e.g., an internet
protocol (IP) network, an Ethernet network, an optical digital
medium, etc.). The digital communications medium can be configured
for long cable runs into the building. One or more in-building
antennas (e.g., a distributed antenna system) can be dispersed
within the building and connected to the digital communications
medium. The in-building antennas (and/or one or more
digital-to-analog converters connected thereto) convert the digital
signal back into analog RF information that can be transmitted as
RF signals inside the building.
[0016] According to some exemplary embodiments, the system provides
a broadband RF repeater system that is configured to utilize a
digital cable run between the injection point (where RF signals
from outside the building are received) and the local antennas of a
distributed antenna system.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building 10. As
illustrated, building 10 can include any number of floors, rooms,
spaces, zones, other building structures and/or building areas.
Building 10 can be any area of any size or type. Due to any number
of reasons, RF signals from sources 11, 12, and 13 may experience
difficulty reaching electronic devices (e.g., electronic device 22)
located within the building. Building 10 is shown to include and/or
be located near antennas 14, 15, and 16. Antennas 14, 15, and 16
are configured to receive RF information from sources 11, 12, and
13. A system then provides the RF information from antennas 14, 15,
and 16 to antenna 20. Antenna 20 can then retransmit (i.e.,
rebroadcast, repeat, etc.) the RF information to an electronic
device 22 located within the building.
[0018] Referring still to FIG. 1, sources 11, 12, and 13 may be any
source located on the exterior of and remotely from building 10.
According to an exemplary embodiment, each of sources 11, 12, and
13 is configured to provide different RF communications. For
example, remote source 11 may provide GSM communications (e.g., in
the 450 MHz band, 480 MHz band, 850 MHz band, 900 MHz band, etc.)
while remote source 12 provides PCS communications (e.g., in the
1900 MHz band) and remote source 13 provides RF communications in
the 700 MHz band. The sources can provide communications from the
same or different service providers and be spaced at varying
distances from the building. The sources can be mobile phone
towers, text-messaging towers, paging towers, television towers,
municipal WiFi sources, an IEEE 802.11 source, an IEEE 802.15
source, an IEEE 802.16 source, a ZigBee-compatible source, etc.
[0019] Referring further to FIG. 1, receivers 14, 15, and 16 are
shown. As shown, receivers 14, 15, and 16 provide a one-to-one
relationship with sources 11, 12, and 13. According to various
exemplary embodiments, one antenna may be provided and configured
to receive many frequencies concurrently. According to yet other
embodiments, multiple antennas may be provided for each remote
source. While receivers 14, 15, and 16 are shown as coupled to the
top of building 10, receivers 14, 15, and 16 can be provided in any
manner anywhere on or near building 10. In some embodiments,
receivers 14, 15, and 16 can be within building 10 but near an
exterior wall. Receivers 14, 15, and 16 can be or include antennas
or antenna systems configured to receive RF information. For
example, receivers 14, 15, and 16 can include or be coupled to one
or more antenna elements, tuners, power control circuitry, filters,
one or more amplifiers, and/or any other circuitry. Considered
together, receivers 14, 15, and 16 and associated receiving
circuitry can be considered a single receiver configured to receive
RF information from multiple sources simultaneously.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of system 200
is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. System 200 is shown
to include the receivers or antennas 14, 15, and 16, an analog
combiner 202, and an analog-to-digital converter (i.e., ADC, A/D
converter) 204. System 200 is further shown to include a digital
communication medium 205 connecting A/D converter 204 to a
digital-to-analog converter (i.e., DA, DAC, D/A converter) 206. D/A
converter 206 is shown coupled to antenna system 208 which can
include one or more local antennas 20, 24, 28. Local antennas 20,
24, 28 can repeat the RF information received from sources 11, 12,
and 13 at receivers 14, 15, and 16 to electronic devices 22, 26,
and 30 located within the building 10.
[0021] Referring still to FIG. 2, analog combiner 202 is a circuit
configured to combine analog signals of RF information received at
antennas 14-16. Combiner 202 can be implemented in a number of
ways. For example, analog combiner 202 can be a passive combiner,
an active multiplexer, a passive multiplexer, an active diplexer, a
passive diplexer, an active triplexer, a passive triplexer, or the
like. Combiner 202 can be a multiplexer configured to implement
frequency domain multiplexing or any other multiplexing scheme.
According to an exemplary embodiment, combiner 202 is designed to
combine a variety of RF signals from a variety of sources operating
at a variety of frequencies. Combiner 202 is configured to output
one or more multiplexed analog signals. According to an exemplary
embodiment, the output multiplexed analog signal is a broadband
signal that can include a wide band of RF information. For example,
the output multiplexed analog signal can include analog information
having a center frequency that is separated from a center frequency
of the other analog information by at least 500 MHz. According to
other various exemplary embodiments the output multiplexed analog
signal can include analog information spanning about 1000 MHz. For
example, first RF information and second RF information can be
received at receivers 14, 15, and 16 and combined using combiner
202. The first RF information can be transmitted at the 850 MHz
band and the second RF information can be transmitted at a band
spanning 1850-1990 MHz. Wider bands of RF information can be
combined using combiner 202, according to various embodiments
(e.g., 800 MHz to 2.1 GHz, 400 MHz to 2.6 MHz, 450 MHz to 5 GHz,
400 MHz to 6 GHz, etc.). In other words, the broadband analog
information created by combiner 202 spans a wide range of
frequencies. It should be appreciated that combiner 202 can include
any number of high pass, low pass, bandpass filters, controlled
switches, and/or any other electronics components.
[0022] A/D converter 204 is configured to receive the broadband
analog information, including the RF information received at
receivers 14-16, and to convert the broadband analog information to
digital information. A/D converter 204 can be of any type suitable
for converting broadband analog information to digital information.
For example, A/D converter 204 can be a linear A/D converter or a
non-linear A/D converter. A/D converter 204 can have any sampling
frequency suitable for the analog information being converted. It
should be appreciated that the sampling frequency should be high
relative to the rate of change of the input broadband analog
information so that the output of the downstream D/A converter 206
is an accurate reproduction of the original analog signal(s). While
some ways of implementing A/D converter 204 may be more desirable
than others for this application, any type of A/D converter may be
provided. For example, A/D converter 204 might be a direct
conversion ADC, a flash ADC, a successive-approximation ADC, a
ramp-compare ADC, a delta-encoded ADC, a pipeline ADC, a
sigma-delta ADC, or otherwise. A/D converter 204 may include or be
one or more integrated circuits, microcontrollers, and/or digital
signal processors. According to yet other exemplary embodiments A/D
converter 204 can be driven partially by computer software.
[0023] Digital communications medium 205 can be any digital
communications link, bus, cable, and/or network capable of
transmitting digital information from A/D converter 204 to D/A
converter 206. Digital communications medium 205 can be wired
and/or wireless. For example, digital communications medium 205 can
be a direct cable (e.g., single cable) run from A/D converter 204
to D/A converter 206. Digital communications medium 205 can also be
a cable-based network such as an Ethernet network. The digital
communications medium can use a pre-existing network (e.g., a
building's IP network) to transfer data or use a dedicated network.
Portions of the network can be wireless. For example, part of the
digital communications medium can be an IEEE 802.11 communications
link. Any wired or wireless digital communications medium can be
used to carry the digital information sent from A/D converter 204
to D/A converter 206.
[0024] D/A converter 206 is configured to receive digital signals
(e.g., binary signals) from digital communications medium 205 and
to convert the received signals to analog signals (e.g.,
continuously varying signals) for providing to antenna system 208.
D/A converter 206 can be of any type suitable for accurately
converting the digital information into a broadband analog signal
(or a plurality of narrowband signals) accurately (e.g., so that
the analog signal provided to antenna system 208 and the resulting
RF signals can recognized by end electronic devices 22, 26, and 30
substantially as the original RF signals from sources 11, 12, and
13 would have been recognized). The resolution and sampling
frequency of the D/A converter 206 should be sufficiently high to
achieve the accuracy target. While certain implementations of D/A
converter 206 may be more desirable than others for this
application, any type of D/A converter may be provided. For
example, D/A converter 206 might be or include a pulse width
modulator, an oversampling DAC, an interpolating DAC, a delta-sigma
DAC, a thermometer coded DAC, a segmented DAC, and/or a hybrid DAC
(using a combination of techniques or DAC types). D/A converter 206
may include or be one or more integrated circuits,
microcontrollers, and/or digital signal processors. According to
yet other exemplary embodiments, D/A converter 206 can be driven
partially by computer software.
[0025] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, D/A converter
206 is considered part of in-building antenna system 208 (e.g.,
distributed antenna system) and is configured to receive the
digital signal (from A/D converter 204), to convert the digital
signal to analog signals, and to provide the analog signals to
antennas 20, 24, and/or 28. Antenna system 208 (using antennas 20,
24, and/or 28) then provides RF information to the electronic
devices 22, 26, 30 within the building via RF communications.
Antennas 20, 24, and/or 28 may be antennas of any type or size.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the antennas are wide band
antennas and are able to transmit a large portion (e.g.,
substantially all) of any broadband signals provided to them.
According to yet other exemplary embodiments, D/A converter 206
acts as and/or includes splitter components to provide narrowband
analog signals to particular antennas 20, 24, and/or 28. For
example, an 850 MHz band mobile phone signal might be provided to
antenna 20 while a 2.4 GHz band signal is provided to antenna 24.
Antennas 20, 24, and/or 28 can include any configuration of
transmitter, tuner, amplifier, and/or other suitable
electronics.
[0026] While electronic devices 22, 26, and 30 are shown as
portable electronic devices (e.g., a personal digital assistant, a
mobile phone, a text-messaging device, a laptop, etc.), any number
or type of in-building electronic devices can be provided to
receive communications from antenna system 208.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, another exemplary system for
communicating information from sources to locations within building
300 is shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the system is
shown to include a single wideband receiving antenna 309 coupled to
processing circuit 310. Processing circuit 310 can be housed in a
single device or distributed across multiple devices. Antenna 309
may be referred to as building 300's "injection point." Processing
circuit 310 is shown to include a tuner 313, a combiner 311, a
receiver 312, a processor 314, memory 315, and a power supply unit
(PSU) 316. Processing circuit 310 is further shown to include
digital signal processor (DSP) 320 including wideband A/D converter
322. Yet further, processing circuit 310 includes interface 324 for
communicably coupling to digital communications medium 305.
[0028] Radio frequency information transmitted from sources 302,
304, 306, and/or 308 are received by antenna 309. Antenna 309 can
include multiple receiving elements, one or more demultiplexers,
one or more filters, and the like to facilitate recognized
communications from the sources. Tuner 313 can be configured to
tune the antenna for reception and/or to convert received RF
signals to analog signals that can be processed by other downstream
components. Receiver 312 can include any filtering, amplifying,
and/or demodulation components configured to further extract and/or
process analog signals that can be processed by other downstream
components. Combiner 311 can be of the type described with
reference to FIG. 2 or otherwise. Processor 315 can be one or more
general purpose processors, integrated circuits, and/or specific
purpose processors for supervising and/or facilitating the
activities of processing circuit 3 10. Processor 315 can work in
conjunction with memory 315 to buffer information received at
antenna 309. Memory 315 can be used for temporary or buffer storage
for any of the components of processing circuit 310. Memory 315 can
also be used to store computer code (e.g., compiled code,
executable code, script code, etc.) for completing the activities
of processing circuit 310 and/or other activities described in the
present application. PSU 316 can include any number of power input
components, power storage components, power filtering components,
rectifying components, inverting components, converting components,
and/or any other components that can be configured to provide
usable power to processing circuit 310 and/or antenna 309. DSP 320
can be one or more microcontrollers, processors, integrated
circuits and/or other electronics components configured to take the
analog signals received by antenna 309 (and accompanying
components) and to convert the analog signals into a digital stream
so that the analog signals can be reconverted/reconstructed into RF
signals for transmission to in-building electronic devices. DSP 320
can include and/or utilize one or more A/D converter 322 circuits
configured to conduct the digitization of the broadband analog
information. Interface 324 can be any jack, terminal, solder point,
transmitter, transceiver, modulator, and/or other hardware or
software configured to negotiate the transmission of digital
information over digital communications medium 305. For example,
interface 324 can include clock circuitry that can use a received
and/or sent clock signal to synchronize the digital signal with
downstream DACs.
[0029] Referring further to FIG. 3, digital communications medium
305 is configured to provide digital signals transmitted by
processing circuit 310 to antenna system 328. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, antenna system 328 includes a plurality of DACs
330-335, one for each antenna 340-345. According to various
exemplary embodiments, antennas 340-345 can each transmit a
different narrowband portion of the analog signals received by
processing circuit 310, multiple antennas can transmit the same
narrowband portion of the analog signals received by processing
circuit 310, some antennas can receive narrowband portions while
others receive wideband portions, etc. It should be appreciated
that other hardware and/or software components can be included with
and/or coupled to DACs 330-335. For example, an amplifier can be
provided between the output of DAC 330 and antenna 340.
[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, DACs 330-335 can be
configured to extract only those portions of the digital signal
that the DAC and/or its corresponding antenna are configured to
receive. For example, while the entire broadband analog signal can
be converted to digital and communicated on digital communications
medium 305, a DAC and corresponding antenna can be configured to
extract only certain frequencies from the digital signal. These
settings can be made using DIP switches or other user interface
components (e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI), a wireless
configuration tool, a set of buttons, etc.) local to the DAC and/or
antenna or the settings can be adjusted via an attached computer
system (e.g., building automation system (BAS) 326). For example, a
feature of BAS 326 (and/or of a BAS supervisory controller, a BAS
enterprise server, or a BAS application data server) can be to
provide a GUI for allowing users of the BAS to configure
distributed antenna system 328 and/or processing circuit 3 10.
Further, the BAS can receive RF information received at antenna 309
via digital communications medium 305 and process the data for BAS
purposes. For example, one of the sources 302-308 could provide
weather data (e.g., from the National Weather Service) and this
weather data could be provided to the BAS via digital
communications link 305. Further, if the BAS includes a suitable
DAC and antenna (as shown), wireless BAS devices dispersed around
the building can receive and interpret the weather data for use in
various control strategies.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of a process 400 for
distributing RF communications from sources to in-building
electronic devices is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.
Process 400 is shown to include the step of receiving RF signals
from sources (step 402). Receiving RF signals from sources at step
402 can include receiving first radio frequency information from a
first communication source and receiving second radio frequency
information from a second communication source. The RF signals can
be received at one or a plurality of antennas and/or antenna
elements. The RF signals are then converted to analog electronic
signals and the analog electronic signals can be combined (step
404). Combining analog signals at step 404 can include combining
the first radio frequency information and the second radio
frequency information to form a broadband analog signal. The
combined analog signal (e.g., the broadband analog signal) is then
provided to an A/D converter (step 406) for digitizing the
broadband analog signal to form a digitized signal (step 408). The
digital signal is then distributed to a digital communications
medium (e.g., a network, an IP network, a dedicated cable network,
etc.) located within the building (step 410). Process 400 is then
shown to include receiving the digitized signal at the D/A
converter (step 412) and converting the digitized signal to one or
more analog signals (step 414). For example, converting the digital
signal at step 414 can include converting the digitized signal to
the first radio frequency signal (e.g., a signal faithful to the
original first RF signal received in step 402) and the second radio
frequency signal (e.g., a signal faithful to the original second RF
signal received in step 402). The analog signal or signals are then
provided to one or more local or distributed antennas located
within the building (step 416). For example, step 416 can include
providing the first RF information and the second RF information to
an antenna system (e.g., a distributed antenna system) configured
to transmit the first RF information and the second RF information
so that the information is identifiable to and recoverable by
electronic devices inside the building. For example, mobile phone
audio information provided in the first RF information may be
recoverable by a portable electronic device receiving the first RF
information retransmitted via the distributed antenna system.
[0032] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, according to various exemplary
embodiments, the systems shown can also be used to communicate
signals from electronic devices located inside the building to
remote sources and/or sources located in different locations within
the building. For example, antenna 20 can receive signals from
device 22, and an A/D converter located with D/A converter 206 can
convert the signals for communications via the digital
communications medium 205. Further, a D/A converter located near
A/D converter 204 can convert the digital signals for transmission
via antennas 14, 15, 16 to sources 11, 12, 13. Any number of
splitters or inverse multiplexers can be provided near antennas 14,
15, 16 for facilitating communications in the direction of sources
11, 12, 13. In other words, the systems and methods disclosed in
FIGS. 1-4 can be bidirectional.
[0033] Referring further to FIGS. 1-4, in some exemplary
embodiments a combiner is not utilized prior to the A/D conversion.
In other words, individual analog bands can be digitized by one or
more D/A converters and the resulting digital signals can be send
via the digital communications medium through the building.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 5, a diagram of a BAS 500 that can be
used with the systems and methods described in FIGS. 1-4 is shown,
according to an exemplary embodiment. A BAS is in general, a
hardware and/or software system configured to control, monitor, and
manage equipment in or around a building or building area. BAS
equipment can include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC) system, a security system, a lighting system, a fire
alerting system, an elevator system, another system that is capable
of managing building functions, or any combination thereof. The BAS
as illustrated and discussed in the present disclosure is an
example of a BAS that may be used in conjunction with the systems
and methods of the present disclosure; however, other BASs may be
used as well. In many cases the systems and methods described in
FIGS. 1-4 will be used independently of a BAS.
[0035] Referring further to FIG. 5, BAS 500 may include one or more
supervisory controllers (e.g., a network automation engine (NAE))
102 connected to a proprietary digital communications network 305
such as an IP network (e.g., Ethernet, WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth,
etc.). Supervisory controllers 102 may support various field-level
communications protocols and/or technology, including various
Internet Protocols (IP), BACnet over IP, BACnet
Master-Slave/Token-Passing (MS/TP), N2 Bus, N2 over Ethernet,
Wireless N2, LonWorks, ZigBee, and any number of other standard or
proprietary field-level building management protocols and/or
technologies. Supervisory controllers 102 may include varying
levels of supervisory features and building management features.
The user interface of supervisory controllers 102 may be accessed
via terminals 104 (e.g., web browser terminals) capable of
communicably connecting to and accessing supervisory controllers
102. For example, FIG. 5 shows multiple terminals 104 that may
variously connect to supervisory controllers 102 or other devices
of BAS 100. For example, terminals 104 may access connected
supervisory controllers 102 via a WAN, an Internet location, a
local IP network, or via a connected wireless access point.
Terminals 104 may also access connected supervisory controllers 102
to provide information to another source, such as printer 132.
[0036] Supervisory controllers 102 may be connected to any number
of BAS devices. The devices may include, among other devices,
devices such as field equipment controllers (FECs) 106 and 110 such
as field-level control modules, variable air volume modular
assemblies (VMAs) 108, integrator units, room controllers 112
(e.g., a variable air volume (VAV) device or unit), other
controllers 114, unitary devices 116, zone controllers 118 (e.g.,
an air handling unit (AHU) controller), boilers 120, fan coil units
122, heat pump units 124, unit ventilators 126, expansion modules,
blowers, temperature sensors, flow transducers, other sensors,
motion detectors, actuators, dampers, heaters, air conditioning
units, etc. These devices may generally be controlled and/or
monitored by supervisory controllers 102. Data generated by or
available on the various devices that are directly or indirectly
connected to supervisory controllers 102 may be passed, sent,
requested, or read by supervisory controllers 102 and/or sent to
various other systems or terminals 104 of BAS 100. The data may be
stored by supervisory controllers 102, processed by supervisory
controllers 102, transformed by supervisory controllers 102, and/or
sent to various other systems or terminals 104 of BAS 500. As shown
in FIG. 5, the various devices of BAS 500 may be connected to
supervisory controllers 102 with a wired connection or with a
wireless connection.
[0037] Still referring to FIG. 5, an enterprise server 130 (e.g.,
an application and data server (ADS)) is shown, according to an
exemplary embodiment. Enterprise server 130 is a server system that
includes a database management system (e.g., a relational database
management system, Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Server Express, etc.)
and server software (e.g., web server software, application server
software, virtual machine runtime environments, etc.) that provide
access to data and route commands to BAS 500. For example,
enterprise server 130 may serve user interface applications.
Enterprise server 130 may also serve applications such as Java
applications, messaging applications, trending applications,
database applications, etc. Enterprise server 130 may store trend
data, audit trail messages, alarm messages, event messages, contact
information, and/or any number of BAS-related data. Terminals may
connect to enterprise server 130 to access the entire BAS 500 and
historical data, trend data, alarm data, operator transactions, and
any other data associated with BAS 500, its components, or
applications. Various local devices such as printer 132 may be
attached to components of BAS 500 such as enterprise server
130.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, BAS 500 can include or be coupled to the
systems shown and described in FIG. 3 (and/or the other Figures of
the present application). For example, digital communications
medium 305 can be the same digital communications medium/network
used by the BAS. RF information received at antenna 309 can be
processed as previously described by processing circuit 310 and
provided via digital communications network 305 to D/A converter
330 and antenna 340. According to an exemplary embodiment, antenna
340 can also be used for BAS activities (e.g., wireless sensing,
network routing, wireless control applications, etc.).
[0039] While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures
and described herein are presently preferred, it should be
understood that the embodiments are offered by way of example only.
Accordingly, the present application is not limited to a particular
embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless
fall within the scope of the appended claims.
[0040] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and
program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing
various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may
be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special
purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated
for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system.
[0041] The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods
as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative
only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail
in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g.,
variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions
of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting
arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For
example, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise
varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions
may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.
The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied
or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other
substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in
the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary
embodiments without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0042] Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure
include program products comprising machine-readable media for
carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data
structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any
available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way
of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk
storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium
which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the
form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and
which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose
computer or other machine with a processor. When information is
transferred or provided over a network or another communications
connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of
hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the
connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection
is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the
above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media.
Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions
and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a
certain function or group of functions. It should be noted that
computer code (e.g., source code, machine-executable instructions,
and the like) for the system can be downloaded from a remote source
(e.g., a server computer) via a network such as the internet and
stored in local memory for use by a processing circuit as described
herein.
[0043] It should be noted that although the figures may show a
specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ
from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed
concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will
depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer
choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.
Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with
standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other
logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,
comparison steps and decision steps.
* * * * *