Abstract: A first base station is operated by a first service provider and exchanges first information with first users over first wireless communication links. A mobile switching center provides mobile telephone service. An Internet access system provides Internet access service. A data system provides a data service. An Ethernet backhaul system uses an Ethernet format to exchange the first information between the first base station and the mobile switching center, Internet access system, and data system. There is a second service provider that is different from the first service provider, that operates a service system, and that operates a second base station that is co-located with the first base station and that exchanges second information with second users over second wireless communication links. The Ethernet backhaul system uses the Ethernet format to exchange the second information between the second base station and the service system of the second service provider.

Abstract: A communication system utilizes point-to-multipoint wireless links between base stations and wireless hubs that are co-located at some of the base stations. Bonded circuits may be used between the wireless hubs and a communication ring. A mobile switching center is coupled to the communication ring. The base stations and the mobile switching center exchange user communications in the Ethernet format over the point-to-multipoint wireless links, bonded circuits, and the communication ring.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a plurality of antenna elements onto a cell tower is disclosed. A plurality of antennas are mounted onto a mounting system. The mounting system is configured to attach to a cellular antenna mount using the same physical mounting system as the cellular antenna elements. The plurality of antennas provide multiple point-to-point links that may be used for wireless backhaul links or other applications.

Abstract: A communication system receives information from a first communication link. The communication system transfers a free-space optical signal carrying the information and transfers a high-GHz wireless signal carrying the information. The communication system receives the free-space optical signal carrying the information and receives the high-GHz wireless signal carrying the information. The communication system assesses communication performance for the free-space optical signal and the high-GHz wireless signal, and based on the communication performance, selects between the free-space optical signal and the high-GHz wireless signal to provide the information. The communication system transfers the information to a second communication link based on the selection.

Abstract: In a packet communication system, separate ports of a customer interface exchange Ethernet packets with the customer to provide multiple different services. The customer interface exchanges these Ethernet packets with a network interface over a TDM link. The network interface exchanges the Ethernet packets with a network router. The network router interworks between the Ethernet packets and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) tunnels. The customer interface, the network interface, and the network router provide Quality-of-Service (QoS) management for the services on a per service basis.

Abstract: An end-user communication device comprises a telephony interface, network interface, and control circuitry. The telephony interface exchanges telephony signals with a telephone connection to a telephone. The network interface exchanges Internet Protocol (IP) packets with an IP interface for an IP connection to a first service provider. The control circuitry interworks between the telephony signals and the IP packets. For a set of the IP packets being transferred to the IP interface, the control circuitry places a first IP address in the first set of the IP packets for use by the first service provider to route the first set of IP packets over a peer-to-peer IP connection to a second service provider and places packet telephony network addresses in the first set of the IP packets for use by a packet telephony network in the second service provider to provide telephony service.

Abstract: A radio access network has a reverse link frequency band for receiving signals from mobile stations and has first and second forward link frequency bands for transmitting signals to mobile stations. The second forward link frequency band has a greater frequency bandwidth than the first forward link frequency band and occupies a different part of the radio frequency spectrum. For certain types of communication sessions, such as voice and low-speed data, the reverse link frequency band and the first forward link frequency band are used. For other types of communication sessions, such as high-speed data and streaming video, the reverse link frequency band and the second forward link frequency band are used.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing high bandwidth signals is disclosed. The system and method use an E-band wireless RF link to reach from the central service node out to a service area. The E-band wireless RF link couples to either a passive optical network (PON) or a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM). When a DSLAM is used the signals are distributed to the end user sites using DSL across phone lines. When a PON is used the signals are distributed to the end user sites using the PON.

Abstract: A system and method that allows a consumer to monitor the electrical power usage in a residence is disclosed. The electrical use may be monitored at the service level, the circuit level, or at the group level. The electrical usage is communicated to a power monitoring system using a power line communications network (PLC). The monitored electrical usage can be accessed by both the utility supplying the electricity and by the consumer or owner of the residence.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter underdrain for supporting a filter media between at least two dividers forming at least one cell, which includes at least one porous plate for supporting the filter media for filtering a fluid, the porous plate spanning across at least one of the dividers; and a plurality of support members beneath the porous plate, the support members containing at least one port for draining the fluid after the fluid passes through the porous plate. The porous plates may be bound together by a lap joint and an end section may be included between at least two of the support members, the end section containing at least one pocket for holding the porous plate.

Abstract: The invention is comprised of communication devices designed to provide an array of communication services from network systems to a residential or business consumer through broadband wireless communications. The invention provides a diverse mixture of communication services by utilizing a media access control (MAC) and asynchronous time division multiplexing technique. The invention uses a time slotted transmission scheme where data from communication services are multiplexed according to their delivery requirements which include bandwidth, delay and loss requirements. The invention primarily is comprised of a subscriber unit system and a base station system. The base station system is connected to network systems by a metropolitan fiber ring or terrestrial microwave system using SONET and/or ATM/optic protocols.

Abstract: A correlated weather and communication performance measurement system includes a processing system and a communication interface. The communication interface receives performance data and weather data. The performance data indicates communication performance for a wireless communication system. The weather data indicates weather conditions for a geographic area including the wireless communication system. The processing system correlates in time the communication performance and the weather conditions for the wireless communication system, determines service levels that apply to the weather conditions, compares the service levels that apply to the weather conditions to the communication performance correlated in time to the weather conditions, and generates validation data based on the comparison to validate the service levels.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic backwash filter system that includes at least one influent port for introducing a fluid to the filter; a plurality of partitions forming a plurality of compartments for holding a filtering media for filtering the fluid; at least one porous plate for supporting the plurality of partitions; wherein each of the partitions is mounted atop a continuous portion of the porous plate; and at least one effluent port for draining the fluid away from the compartments. The filter may also include a filter media comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of sand, anthracite coal, and activated carbon.

Abstract: A DSL access multiplexer exchanges communications between DSL connections and premise connections. A premise wireless interface exchanges the communications between the premise connections and a wireless communication link. A network wireless interface exchanges the communications between the wireless communication link and network connections. The DSL connections, premise connections, and network connections are physically allocated to different service providers. The DSL access multiplexer, premise wireless interface, and network wireless interface maintain physical, spectral, and/or logical separation between the customer communications of the different service providers.

Abstract: A second service provider is coupled to a first service provider over a peer-to-peer Internet Protocol (IP) connection. The first service provider is coupled to end-user systems over IP connections. The second service provider comprises a router, service portal, and packet telephony network. The router routes a first set of IP packets between the peer-to-peer IP connection and a service connection based on a first set of IP addresses in the first set of the IP packets. The router routes a second set of the IP packets between the peer-to-peer IP connection and an Internet backbone IP connection based on a second set of the IP addresses in the second set of the IP packets. The service portal exchanges the first set of the IP packets with the service connection. The service portal provides protocol conversion between the first set of the IP packets and a first set of the service packets. The service portal exchanges the first set of the service packets with the packet telephony network.

Abstract: A correlated weather and communication performance measurement system includes a processing system and a communication interface. The communication interface receives performance data and weather data. The performance data indicates communication performance for a plurality of communication systems. The weather data indicates weather conditions for a geographic area including the communication systems. The processing system processes the performance data and the weather data to generate correlated data that correlates in time the communication performance and the weather conditions for each of the communication systems. The communication systems comprise at least one of extremely high-frequency wireless systems and free space optical systems.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter underdrain for supporting a filter media between at least two dividers forming at least one cell, which includes at least one porous plate for supporting the filter media for filtering a fluid, the porous plate spanning across at least one of the dividers; and a plurality of support members beneath the porous plate, the support members containing at least one port for draining the fluid after the fluid passes through the porous plate. The porous plates may be bound together by a lap joint and an end section may be included between at least two of the support members, the end section containing at least one pocket for holding the porous plate.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a first communication node connected to a second communication node by a wireline for integrating parallel layers of wireless communications for exchange with users. The first communication node comprising a free-space laser device, a first wireless system, and a first wireline device, and a second communication node comprising a second wireless system and a second wireline device.

Abstract: A second service provider is coupled to a first service provider over a peer-to-peer Internet Protocol (IP) connection. The first service provider is coupled to end-user systems over IP connections. The second service provider comprises a router, service portal, and packet telephony network. The router routes a first set of IP packets between the peer-to-peer IP connection and a service connection based on a first set of IP addresses in the first set of the IP packets. The router routes a second set of the IP packets between the peer-to-peer IP connection and an Internet backbone IP connection based on a second set of the IP addresses in the second set of the IP packets. The service portal exchanges the first set of the IP packets with the service connection. The service portal provides protocol conversion between the first set of the IP packets and a first set of the service packets. The service portal exchanges the first set of the service packets with the packet telephony network.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic backwash filter system that includes at least one influent port for introducing a fluid to the filter; a plurality of partitions forming a plurality of compartments for holding a filtering media for filtering the fluid; at least one porous plate for supporting the plurality of partitions; wherein each of the partitions is mounted atop a continuous portion of the porous plate; and at least one effluent port for draining the fluid away from the compartments. The filter may also include a filter media comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of sand, anthracite coal, and activated carbon.