Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Plural
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-22
2001-10-30
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Plural
C359S199200, C359S199200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310992
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to communication systems, and, in particular, to the interconnection of multiple modular electrical devices in a communication system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wireless communication systems typically utilize fixed position radio frequency base stations and control racks that facilitate communications to, from, and among a group of movable radios such as mobile radios and portable radios. The fixed position base stations may resemble card cages with multiple slots to accommodate multiple vertically inserted or horizontally inserted base station modules, such as a transmitter module, a receiver module, or a controller module, and are typically mounted in racks, which racks are located near one or more antennas. Typically, the base station modules are interconnected via parallel electrical paths provided by wire cables, by coaxial cables, by an interconnecting printed circuit board, or by some combination thereof.
When a new module is added to the base station, the new module must often be manually configured by a technician for proper operation in the base station. Depending upon the type of module, manual configuration can include programming the new module for the desired frequency of operation, querying the new module to confirm that it is correctly configured for proper operation in the slot into which the module has been inserted, and reprogramming a controller module to account for the new module. The technician might also manually enter data concerning the new module into the controller module.
The trend in the modular design of base stations is toward smaller modules and more modules per rack, quick and inexpensive module replacement and system expansion, and an automated set-up and reconfiguration process. However, squeezing more modules into a reduced volume raises the problem of an increased number of parallel electrical paths compressed into a smaller volume and increased opportunities for radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic interference both among the modules in the base station and among the base stations in racks in close proximity to each other.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and an apparatus for interconnecting multiple modular electrical devices, such as base station modules, in a communication system, wherein the method and apparatus can accommodate an increased number of modules in a smaller volume at reduced levels of RF electromagnetic interference and wherein the method and apparatus facilitates automated configuration and inter-module communication orchestrated by a controller module rather than by a technician.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6038048 (2000-03-01), Harris et al.
patent: 0 402 295 (1990-12-01), None
Gehrke James K.
Schroeder Daniel R.
Font Frank G.
Jacobs Jeffrey K.
May Steven A.
Motorola Inc.
Nguyen Tu T
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