Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide communications to a subscriber level of a network using a hybrid communication network. Preferred embodiments of a hybrid communication network of the present invention provide communications using both fiber media and electrically conductive media. Preferred embodiments of the present invention bring fiber optic cables to a point just beyond the last transformer before a subscriber in the power grid. At a point on the subscriber side of the last transformer, e.g., a low voltage subscriber distribution point transformer, the communication signal is preferably coupled from the fiber optic cable of the preferred embodiment to the power transmission line.

Abstract: A surveillance system can be designed to take advantage of the disruption of the electromagnetic propagation (EMP) of the radio waves as they propagate through a spatial volume from a transmitter to a receiver. This disruption is well-known in the RF field and is usually removed from becoming a problem in any bidirectional transmission by a variety of sophisticated techniques. Advantage is taken of the fact that the presence and/or movement of objects within the range of the transmission has some effect on the resultant reception. Thus, the disruption of the EMP between two points can be used to provide surveillance information over a wide area. In one embodiment, radios are used that can detect and adapt to changes in the EMP medium and thus are able to adapt to changing circumstances in real-time.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a radio network. A user at a central site may choose specific radios to be tested and specific test parameters for each one. The user may specify start and stop times, sample rates, whether one or multiple links are to be simultaneously tested, whether results should be presented as snap shots, statistical tables/graphs/charts, or as correlated data from multiple links. Distributed testing is permitted, in which the operational characteristics of one radio are varied, and another radio is monitored for a corresponding change. Once data has been gathered from one or more tests on one or more links, the data may be returned to the central site for analysis and presentation to the user in the selected format.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for planning the deployment of a plurality of receiver/transmitter pairs such that wireless communication links may be established meeting design criteria and allowing for the addition of future wireless communication links. A master planning tool is preferably provided which utilizes a simplified set of design rules in order to allow for the analysis of a large number of mutually interfered wireless communication links. Preferably, link analysis is accomplished in multiple orders of analysis, such as a master planning analysis, a wireless link design analysis, a field verification analysis, and/or an in-service analysis. Link planning according to the present invention provides for high density deployment of radios, such as for a urban area radio network.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus incorporating 1+1 protection in a point-to-point radio system includes redundant microwave radio transceiver pairs, each transceiver including identical controls for identifying faults and reconfiguring to accommodate failures. Each transceiver includes receiver and transmitter monitoring circuitry for detecting a loss of received signal or transmitted signal, respectively. Fault signals are generated in response to loss of signal which are then processed by a designated master processor implementing a set of rules for identifying a likely failure corresponding to the faults detected. According to the rule, a partial loss of received signal by one of the receivers indicates a failure of that receiver, while loss of signal by both receivers is interpreted as a failure of the corresponding far-end transmitter. Conversely, receipt of a loss of signal message from a far-end radio station is interpreted as a failure of the active transmitter or the master controller.

Abstract: Distortion introduced into a multiamplitude signal format or amplitude and phase signal format by a high power microwave amplifier is compensated by a system which adapts itself to non-linearities present in the amplifier and predistorts the input signals before they are subjected to the non-linearities created by the amplifier. The degree of predistortion is non-fixed and varies or is updated as the non-linear conversion characteristics of the amplifier change with time. The distortion can also be compensated by using a power curve look-up table.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for deploying a plurality of point-to-point receiver transmitter pairs such that the main beam of transmitting radio does not point directly at any receiving radio antenna other than the desired receiving antenna. A three dimensional lattice matrix deploying nodes in different horizontal planes and aligning the nodes such that nodes of a particular row of nodes do not point directly at one another is used. Accordingly, particular horizontal and vertical angles, ideally greater than ½ the main beamwidth, are used to align nodes of the lattice. Additionally, inter-nodal distances and polarization isolation are taught to improve mutual interference.