Thomas R Schmutz

Author:

Thomas Schmutz

ISBN #:

3716511374

Author:

Thomas Schmutz

ISBN #:

3906770532

US Patent:

6339694, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

Mar 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/280542

Inventors:

Michael A. Komara - Indialantic FL
Thomas R. Schmutz - Indialantic FL
Jeffrey R. Nuckols - Indialantic FL
Roger L. Overton - New York NY

Assignee:

Airnet Communications Corporation - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04B 715

US Classification:

455 111, 455343, 455574

Abstract:

A method and apparatus employing automatic radio frequency (RF) muting and wireless remote control of RF downlink transmission is disclosed for the protection of a downlink amplifier of a wireless repeater system. The present invention has broad application in systems where a RF controller controls the function of a remote RF re-transmitter. A control module in the remote RF re-transmitter disables a downlink amplifier when a initial power-up, power reset, or transmission lull occurs. A control signal from the RF controller enables the downlink amplifier when the RF controller is ready to transmit. In another embodiment of the present invention, a control module disables a downlink amplifier and automatic level control (ALC) of the remote RF re-transmitter during a initial power-up, power reset or transmission lull. When an enable signal is sent by the RF controller the control module enables the downlink amplifier and initializes the ALC with an initial attenuation values. In another embodiment of the present invention adapted to be used in a system with a base transceiver station and a remote RF cell controller.

US Patent:

6370185, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Aug 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/636344

Inventors:

Thomas R. Schmutz - Indialantic FL
Michael A. Komara - Indialantic FL
John R. Noll - Palm Bay FL

Assignee:

Airnet Communications Corporation - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04L 2560

US Classification:

375214, 455 17

Abstract:

The invention discloses a method and apparatus for supporting increased capacity on a backhaul communications link carrier frequency of a wireless communication system the uses a repeater station. Uplink RF carrier signals from a plurality of mobile units each having a first modulation scheme, are received at a serving repeater station. These uplink signals containing traffic and control information are demodulated and then re-modulated by a second modulation scheme having a higher-order modulation than the first modulation scheme. The re-modulated signal containing a plurality of uplink carrier signals within a single RF carrier signal is then transmitted over an uplink channel of a backhaul communication link. Additionally, the invention discloses a method for aggregating data on the uplink channel of a backhaul communications link. A plurality of uplink RF carrier signals from a plurality of mobile units are each received at a repeater station.

US Patent:

6477388, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Jul 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/363846

Inventors:

Thomas R. Schmutz - Indialantic FL

Assignee:

Airnet Communications Corporation - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04Q 720

US Classification:

455522, 455561, 455127

Abstract:

A method and apparatus to manage RF power in a broadband transceiver station (BTS) that includes a multi-carrier common RF power source such as a multi-carrier power amplifier (MCPA), for maintaining carrier power at a prescribed level. The power is managed by a power banking agent which is a module of the BTS system software. On a new channel request, the power banking agent determines if the request can be satisfied at the requested level. Otherwise, the power banking agent determines if the channel request can be satisfied at a lower power level. The power banking agent also manages active channels by reclaiming power from channels requiring less power and/or by allocating more power to the channels requiring more power. If the power banking agent cannot satisfy a request, the power banking agent will queue the request until a later time in the event that additional power becomes available. The power banking agent also processes alarms which can occur in the event of a MCPA module addition or MCPA module failure.

US Patent:

6487187, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

Nov 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/198808

Inventors:

Thomas R. Schmutz - Indialantic FL
Michael A. Komara - Indialantic FL
Roger L. Overton - New York NY
Jeffrey W. Smith - Palm Bay FL
David D. Coons - Melbourne FL
Jeffrey R. Nuckols - Indialantic FL

Assignee:

Airnet Communications Corporation - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04B 7212

US Classification:

370337, 370347, 455101, 455131, 455422, 455507

Abstract:

In a conventional Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) wireless system, the specified distance between a mobile unit and the base transceiver system (BTS) cannot exceed predetermined distances because of time slot synchronization constraints. Furthermore, the varying distances between mobile units and the BTS create timing differences in the random access control channel (RACCH) bursts in the initial uplink signal from the mobile stations. In this approach to extending TDMA system coverage, in-band translator components are located in the center of remote cells which would normally contain a base transceiver system. The in-band translators include a loop back circuit that permits a host BTS to measure the backhaul propagation time delay by sending test access signals between the host BTS and the distant in-band translators. After backhaul timing delay is compensated in the BTS, then the in-band translator uses downlink time slot recovery to synchronize slot-by-slot uplink diversity selection and automatic level control. Recovery of timing bursts on downlink from the BTS allows for determination of burst, frame, and multiframe timing for downlink and uplink in the in-band translator.

US Patent:

6687509, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Nov 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/726874

Inventors:

Thomas R. Schmutz - Indialantic FL
Michael A. Komara - Indialantic FL

Assignee:

Airnet Communications Corporation - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04B 700

US Classification:

455522, 455 69, 370315, 370318

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for dynamically controlling signal power levels in a bi-directional backhaul communication link between a base station and a repeater station is provided. The signal power level of a signal transmitted between a base station and a repeater station is measured at the receiver of the signal. Once the received signal power level has been measured, the power level data based on the received signal power level is automatically transmitted from the receiving station back to the source of the measured signal over the backhaul link. Upon receipt at the source, the power level data is extracted and analyzed to determine if the source needs to alter its transmitted power. Once the power level data is analyzed to determine if a change in the transmitted power is required, the source can automatically respond by increasing, decreasing, or maintaining the transmitted power.

US Patent:

6690662, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Sep 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/397921

Inventors:

Michael A. Komara - Indialantic FL
Thomas R. Schmutz - Indialantic FL
Roger L. Overton - Huntington Station NY

Assignee:

Airnet Communications Corporation - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04B 7216

US Classification:

370342, 375214, 375350, 455 111, 455424, 455561

Abstract:

An approach to improving TDMA system operation is disclosed wherein in-band translator components are located in the center of remote cells which would normally contain a base transceiver system (BTS). The in-band. translators employ wireless in-band signaling for downlink transmission of commands from an operation and maintenance center (OMC) and uplink transmission of status-indicating and alarm signal data. The remotely located repeaters of the present invention have frequency shift key detection and demodulation capability incorporated in the downlink path, while also incorporating FSK modulation capability into the uplink path. This allows the repeater to extract commands from the serving BTS downlink signal and act on them. It also allows for the repeater to transmit status-indicating signals and alarms to the OMC via the uplink path to the serving BTS.

US Patent:

6718160, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/747672

Inventors:

Thomas R. Schmutz - Indialantic FL

Assignee:

Airnet Communications Corp. - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04B 715

US Classification:

455 111, 455 16, 455446, 455450

Abstract:

A method for automatically configuring a wireless repeater in a cellular communication system includes the steps of selecting a repeater configuration associated with at least one predetermined cell, identifying a specific repeater installed in the predetermined cell, and providing the repeater configuration to the specific repeater using a wireless transmission from a remote control facility. An apparatus includes structures for the automatic configuration of a wireless repeater in a cellular communication system.

US Patent:

6748212, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Dec 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/736031

Inventors:

Thomas R. Schmutz - Indialantic FL
Michael A. Komara - Indialantic FL

Assignee:

Airnet Communications Corporation - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H04B 714

US Classification:

455424, 455423, 4554221, 455 16, 455 6711, 455 6713

Abstract:

The invention discloses a method and apparatus for diagnosing a backhaul communications link between a repeater station and a base transceiver station of a wireless communication system. Adjacent and co-channel interference can severely degrade the performance of the backhaul communication link. As a result, the conditions on the backhaul link channels can be continually monitored to ensure optimal performance of the link. Each RF channel on the backhaul communication link is individually diagnosed. A signal is then sent over the RF channel and the signal strength is measured along with any adjacent and co-channel interference. The measured statistics are then sent back to the base transceiver station. In a further embodiment of the invention, the power level of a RF carrier signal on the backhaul communication link is measured and the carrier signal is then turned off. The power levels on the adjacent channelsâabove and below are then measured.