David L Maples

US Patent:

7831213, Nov 9, 2010

Filed:

Nov 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/948723

Inventors:

Walter F. Rausch - Shawnee KS, US
William Bloomingdale - Leesburg VA, US
David A. Maples - Manassas VA, US

Assignee:

Clear Wireless LLC - Kirkland WA

International Classification:

H04B 1/44

US Classification:

455 78, 455 73, 455 83, 455341, 455291, 370275, 370280, 370294, 333100, 333101, 333124

Abstract:

Controlling a tower-top low noise amplifier (TTLNA) without transmit mode or receive mode timing control signals from a base station. The TTLNA system and associated components autonomously determine the proper mode of operation (transmit/receive), and automatically control the operation of a low noise amplifier (LNA) to prevent signal distortion and/or damage to the wireless system hardware. A preferred method comprises: at a TTLNA, measuring a transmit time period based on detecting radio frequency (RF) transmit signal energy; determining a receive time duration based on the measured time period and a predetermined frame time; and, configuring the TTLNA to a receive mode by placing a low noise amplifier into a receive signal path during the determined receive time duration.

US Patent:

7937063, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Aug 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/847023

Inventors:

Walter F. Rausch - Shawnee KS, US
David A. Maples - Manassas VA, US

Assignee:

Clear Wireless LLC - Kirkland WA

International Classification:

H04B 1/16

US Classification:

455341, 455293, 455291, 455 78, 455 80, 455 91, 455 88, 455101, 4555757, 4555621, 370294, 370275, 370280, 370278, 333101, 333100, 333124, 343844, 343872, 343904

Abstract:

A method and system for protecting a LNA by acquiring a radio frequency control channel signal at a tower top low noise amplifier (TTLNA) system. In response to acquiring the radio frequency control channel signal, LNA mode information is determined from the acquired radio frequency control channel signal. Based at least in part on the determination, the TTLNA is configured to either receive mode when the LNA mode information indicates receive mode or transmit mode when the LNA mode information indicates transmits mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the TTLNA is configured to receive mode only after a determination is made that there is no transmit energy present on the feedline connecting the BTS and the antenna. In another exemplary embodiment, the TTLNA is initialized in transmit mode.

US Patent:

8295774, Oct 23, 2012

Filed:

Dec 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/960511

Inventors:

Walter F. Rausch - Shawnee KS, US
Douglas A. Hyslop - Vienna VA, US
David A. Maples - Manassas VA, US
Ivy Y. Kelly - Overland Park KS, US

Assignee:

Clearwire IP Holdings LLC - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

H04B 17/00

US Classification:

455 6711, 455 82, 4555621, 4555757, 455341, 455561, 330124 D, 330124 R, 343844, 343853, 343797, 343702, 333100, 333101, 333124, 370275, 370280, 370294

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for determining uplink receive signal path characteristics in a wireless communication system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tower-top noise source (TTNS) is provided such that it is permanently affixed in close proximity to a receive antenna. The TTNS preferably has an output that includes a wideband noise signal having predetermined characteristics. The TTNS output is selectively connected to a receive signal path that includes a tower-top low-noise amplifier (TTLNA). An altered version of the wideband noise signal is received at the output of the receive signal path, and a characteristic of the altered wideband noise signal is measured.