US5584058A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for combining multiple transmitters in a multiple channel communication system
Assignee: Radio Frequency Systems Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-07
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Granted: 1996-12-10
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Expires: 2014-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A system (10) for combining a plurality of transmission channels within a multiple channel communication system includes a master computer (20) that controls the transmission frequency and schedule of a plurality of channel transmitters (18). Each channel transmitter (18) is electrically connected to a channel transmitter combiner filter (12). Each channel transmitter combiner filter (12) is fixedly tuned to a unique bandwidth window along the electromagnetic spectrum, and two sets (24), (26) of channel transmitter combiner filters are formed of the channel transmitter combiner filters (12) whose unique bandwidth windows are adequately spaced for electrical isolation along the electromagnetic spectrum. Each set (24), (26) of channel transmitter combiner filters is electrically connected to a common antenna (28) by means of a three decibel (3 dB) coupler (22).
Inventors
- 👤 Pitt W. Arnold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/08; H01; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/20; H01P1/213; H01P1/2138; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/02; H04B1/04; H04B1/0483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A multiple channel communication system comprising: N channel transmitter combiner filters (F 1 , F 2 , . . . F 16 ), each having an input and an output and each having a unique bandpass bandwidth window, where N is an integer greater than two; N channel transmitters (T 1 , T 2 , . . . T 16 ), each having an output, the output of each channel transmitter connected to an input of a different channel transmitter combiner filter, each channel transmitter generating a controllable transmission output at any one of a plurality of frequencies all within the bandwidth window of the interconnected channel transmitter combiner filter; means, interconnected to each channel transmitter, for controlling the transmission output frequency of each channel transmitter so that the transmission output frequency of each channel transmitter is within the unique bandpass bandwidth window of the particular channel transmitter combiner filter to which said each channel transmitter is interconnected; means for grouping at least some of the outputs of a first subset of the N channel transmitter combiner filters into a first set of channel transmitter combiner filters; means for grouping at least some of the outputs of a second subset of N channel transmitter combiner filters into a second set of channel transmitter combiner filters and means for combining the outputs of the at the least first and second sets of channel transmitter combiner filters at an electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
A multiple channel communication system comprising: N channel transmitter combiner filters (F 1 , F 2 , . . . F 16 ), each having an input and an output and each having a unique bandpass bandwidth window, where N is an integer greater than two; N channel transmitters (T 1 , T 2 , . . . T 16 ), each having an output, the output of each channel transmitter connected to an input of a different channel transmitter combiner filter, each channel transmitter generating a controllable transmission output at any one of a plurality of frequencies all within the bandwidth window of the interconnected channel transmitter combiner filter; means, interconnected to each channel transmitter, for controlling the transmission output frequency of each channel transmitter so that the transmission output frequency of each channel transmitter is within the unique bandpass bandwidth window of the particular channel transmitter combiner filter to which said each channel transmitter is interconnected; means for grouping at least some of the outputs of a first subset of the N channel transmitter combiner filters into a first set of channel transmitter combiner filters; means for grouping at least some of the outputs of a second subset of N channel transmitter combiner filters into a second set of channel transmitter combiner filters and means for combining the outputs of the at the least first and second sets of channel transmitter combiner filters at an electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as described in claim 1, wherein each of said N unique transmission bandwidth windows is within a cellular telephone communication transmission band of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as described in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the transmission output frequency of each of said N channel transmitters is a master computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 1 wherein the N channel transmitter combiner filters are grouped into first and second sets of channel transmitter combiner filters, wherein said unique bandwidth windows of the first set of channel transmitter combiner filters are adjacent to said unique bandwidth windows of the second set of channel transmitter combiner filters along the electromagnetic spectrum, and wherein the outputs of the first set of channel transmitter combiner filters are electrically connected to each other and wherein the outputs of the second set of channel transmitter combiner filters are electrically connected to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as described in claim 4, wherein each said set of channel transmitter combiner filters is electrically connected to said electromagnetic radiation means by a three decibel (3 dB) coupler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as described in claim 5, wherein said electromagnetic radiation means is a single antenna.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as described in claim 4, wherein each said set of channel transmitter combiner filters is directly electrically connected to said electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as described in claim 7, wherein said electromagnetic radiation means is a separate antenna for each of said first and second sets of fixedly tuned channel transmitter combiner filters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as described in claim 1, wherein each of said N channel transmitter combiner filters is housed in one of a plurality of multiple filter assemblies, each filter assembly having at least two input ports and one common output port, each input port connected to an output of one channel transmitter, and the output port of each assembly connected to the electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of multiple filter assemblies comprises: a housing; a plurality of resonant cavities within said housing; a like plurality of the input ports mounted to said housing to interface with each of said plurality of resonant cavities; and wherein the common output port is mounted to said housing to interface with all of said plurality of resonant cavities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as described in claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of multiple filter assemblies further comprises a plurality of resonators and coupling straps for fixedly setting the bandpass bandwidth of each of said N channel transmitter combiner filters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system as described in claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of multiple filter assemblies incorporate four of said N channel transmitter combiner filters into a four resonant cavity housing, wherein each of said four channel transmitter combiner filters is associated with one of said four resonant cavities, wherein each of said four resonant cavities has one of said input ports, and wherein all of said four resonant cavities share the common output port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as described in claim 12, wherein each of said four resonant cavities contains two resonators, and wherein each of said four resonant cavities contains one coupling strap.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for combining N channel transmitters in a multiple channel communication system, where N is an even integer greater than two, wherein each of said N channel transmitters operates at any one of a unique plurality of selectable transmission frequencies, and wherein each frequency of each of said unique plurality of selectable transmission frequencies is within a unique bandwidth window, said method comprising the steps of: fixedly setting N channel transmitter combiner filters so that each channel transmitter combiner filter covers a unique bandwidth window; electrically connecting each of the N channel transmitters to one of said N fixedly tuned channel transmitter combiner filters; controlling each of said N channel transmitters to transmit at any one of a plurality of selectable transmission frequencies within the unique bandwidth window of the particular channel transmitter combiner filter to which the respective channel is connected; grouping said N of channel transmitter combiner filters whose unique bandwidth windows are not adjacent along the electromagnetic spectrum into at least one set of channel transmitter combiner filters; electrically connecting the outputs of each said set of channel transmitter combiner filters; and electrically connecting each said set of outputs of the channel transmitter combiner filters to an electromagnetic radiation means; whereby controlled transmissions from N channel transmitters are passed through said electrically connected ones of said N channel transmitter combiner filters and are broadcast by said electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for combining N channel transmitters in a multiple channel communication system, where N is an even integer greater than two, wherein each of said N channel transmitters operates at any one of a unique plurality of selectable transmission frequencies, and wherein each frequency of each of said unique plurality of selectable transmission frequencies is within a unique bandwidth window, said method comprising the steps of: fixedly setting N channel transmitter combiner filters so that each channel transmitter combiner filter covers a unique bandwidth window; electrically connecting each of the N channel transmitters to one of said N fixedly tuned channel transmitter combiner filters; controlling each of said N channel transmitters to transmit at any one of a plurality of selectable transmission frequencies within the unique bandwidth window of the particular channel transmitter combiner filter to which the respective channel is connected; grouping said N of channel transmitter combiner filters whose unique bandwidth windows are not adjacent along the electromagnetic spectrum into at least one set of channel transmitter combiner filters; electrically connecting the outputs of each said set of channel transmitter combiner filters; and electrically connecting each said set of outputs of the channel transmitter combiner filters to an electromagnetic radiation means; whereby controlled transmissions from N channel transmitters are passed through said electrically connected ones of said N channel transmitter combiner filters and are broadcast by said electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as described in claim 14, wherein said step of electrically connecting each said set of outputs of the channel transmitter combiner filters to an electromagnetic radiation means comprises the sub steps of: electrically connecting each said set of outputs to a 3 dB coupler; and electrically connecting said 3 dB coupler to a single antenna.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as described in claim 14, wherein said step of electrically connecting each said set of outputs of the channel transmitter combiner filters to an electromagnetic radiation means comprises the sub step of electrically connecting each set of outputs to a separate antenna.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
168 words
A multiple channel communication system comprising: N channel transmitter combiner filters, where N is an even integer greater than two, each filter having an input and an output, and each having a unique bandpass bandwidth window, said N channel transmitter combiner filters being grouped into two sets of channel transmitter combiner filters in an interleaving fashion according to their unique bandwidth windows, with no two filters within a set having unique bandwidth windows which are immediately adjacent along the electromagnetic spectrum; N channel transmitters, each transmitter operating at any one of a plurality of selectable transmission frequencies all within the unique bandwidth window of one of the N channel transmitter combiner filters, each transmitter having an output connected to the input of said one combiner filter; means for controlling the operation of each of said N channel transmitters; means for combining the outputs of each set of channel transmitter combiner filters; and means for transferring said combined outputs of each set of filters to an electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
168 words
A multiple channel communication system comprising: N channel transmitter combiner filters, where N is an even integer greater than two, each filter having an input and an output, and each having a unique bandpass bandwidth window, said N channel transmitter combiner filters being grouped into two sets of channel transmitter combiner filters in an interleaving fashion according to their unique bandwidth windows, with no two filters within a set having unique bandwidth windows which are immediately adjacent along the electromagnetic spectrum; N channel transmitters, each transmitter operating at any one of a plurality of selectable transmission frequencies all within the unique bandwidth window of one of the N channel transmitter combiner filters, each transmitter having an output connected to the input of said one combiner filter; means for controlling the operation of each of said N channel transmitters; means for combining the outputs of each set of channel transmitter combiner filters; and means for transferring said combined outputs of each set of filters to an electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 17, wherein each of said N channel transmitters transmits at a frequency within a cellular telephone communication transmission band of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 17, wherein said means for controlling the operation of each of said N channel transmitters is a master computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 17, wherein the means for transferring the combined outputs of each set of filters to an electromagnetic radiation means is a three decibel (3 dB) coupler, connected to the combined outputs of both sets of filters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 20, wherein the electromagnetic radiation means is a single antenna.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 17, wherein the electromagnetic radiation means is a separate antenna for each set of filters.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 17, wherein at least some of the N channel transmitter filters are housed in a multiple filter assembly, each filter assembly having at least two input ports and one common output port, each input port connected to an output of one channel transmitter, and the output port of each assembly connected to the electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
77 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 23, wherein each of said plurality of multiple filter assemblies comprises: a housing; a second plurality of resonant cavities within said housing; wherein a second plurality of the input ports are mounted to said housing to interface with each of said second plurality of resonant cavities; and wherein the common output port is mounted to said housing to interface with all of said second plurality of resonant cavities.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
76 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 17, wherein the first and second sets of filters are each divided into subsets, and wherein each said subset of filters is housed in a corresponding multiple filter assembly, each filter assembly having at least two input ports and one common output port, each input port connected to an output of one channel transmitter, and the output port of each assembly connected to the electromagnetic radiation means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
76 words
A multiple channel communication system as defined in claim 25, wherein each of said plurality of multiple filter assemblies comprises: a housing; a second plurality of resonant cavities within said housing; wherein a second plurality of the input ports are mounted to said housing to interface with each of said plurality of resonant cavities; and wherein the common output port is mounted to said housing to interface with all of said second plurality of resonant cavities.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-10 | 2000-06-10 | 2000-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-10 | 2004-06-10 | 2004-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-10 | 2008-06-10 | 2008-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |