Patents Assigned to Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8503336
    Abstract: A system and method for design, tracking, measurement, prediction and optimization of data communications networks includes a site specific model of the physical environment, and performs a wide variety of different calculations for predicting network performance using a combination of prediction modes and measurement data based on the components used in the communications networks, the physical environment, and radio propagation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Benjamin Henty
  • Patent number: 8290499
    Abstract: A computerized model provides a display of a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed. The communications network is comprised of several components, each of which are selected by the design engineer and which are represented in the display. Errors in the selection of certain selected components for the communications network are identified by their attributes or frequency characteristics as well as by their interconnection compatibility for a particular design. The effects of changes in frequency on component performance are modeled and the results are displayed to the design engineer. A bill of materials is automatically checked for faults and generated for the design system and provided to the design engineer. For ease of design, the design engineer can cluster several different preferred components into component kits, and then select these component kits for use in the design or deployment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Rappaport, Roger B. Skidmore, Eric Reifsneider
  • Patent number: 8019352
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the position of wireless devices within a wireless communication network combines measured RF channel characteristics for the wireless device with one or more predicted performance lookup tables, each of which correlates an RF channel characteristic to some higher order network performance metric and/or a position within an environmental model. Measured RF channel characteristics for wireless devices are compared against the performance lookup tables to determine the sent of lookup tables that most closely match the measured RF channel characteristics. The positions within the environmental model corresponding to the selected set of matching lookup tables are identified as possible locations for the wireless device. The performance lookup tables are uniquely constructed by site-specific location, technology, wireless standard, and equipment types, and/or the current operating state of the communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Rappaport, Roger R. Skidmore, Veeraraghavan Anantha, Eric Reifsnider
  • Patent number: 7711687
    Abstract: A Building Database Manipulator to build databases for a variety of physical environments including definitions of buildings, terrain and other site parameters, by scanning in or rapidly editing data. Raster scans may be entered or object files in various formats may be used as input. Detailed information is stored in the drawing database about the object's location, radio frequency attenuation, color, and other physical information such as electrical characteristics and intersections of the object with the ground, floors, ceilings, and other objects when objects are formatted in a drawing. The formatting process is strictly two-dimensional in nature, but the resulting drawing is a true three-dimensional environment. The user sees the three-dimensional building structure by altering the views. The resulting database may be used in a variety of modeling applications, but is especially useful for engineering, planning and management tools for in-building or microcell wireless systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7680644
    Abstract: A computerized model provides a display of a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed. The communications network is comprised of several components, each of which are selected by the design engineer and which are represented in the display. Errors in the selection of certain selected components for the communications network are identified by their attributes or frequency characteristics as well as by their interconnection compatibility for a particular design. The effects of changes in frequency on component performance are modeled and the results are displayed to the design engineer. A bill of materials is automatically checked for faults and generated for the design system and provided to the design engineer. For ease of design, the design engineer can cluster several different preferred components into component kits, and then select these component kits for use in the design or deployment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Eric Reifsneider
  • Patent number: 7596518
    Abstract: An automated method for quickly generating a complete bill of materials and total cost information in real time. Components for a desired system are specified and/or replaced by substitute components, while continuously predicting the wireless system performance. A design engineer builds a model of the desired wireless communications system and specifies each component necessary to provide sufficient or optimal system performance. A parts list is maintained, in real time, that contains a definition of each system component and its associated performance and cost parameters. As the user changes wireless system designs through a series of “what-if” scenarios, components are replaced with substitute components, cable lengths are modified, antenna systems and base station parameters are re-designed and moved to alternate locations, etc. The bill of materials is automatically updated and component costs and total system costs are immediately available to the design engineer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S Rappaport, Roger R. Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7574323
    Abstract: A computerized system allows for collecting data for a spatially distributed group of objects or networks by either skilled or unskilled personnel and for analyzing the collected data in an environmental database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Benjamin Henty
  • Patent number: 7299168
    Abstract: A method for displaying the results of predicted wireless communication system performance as a three-dimensional region of fluctuating elevation and/or color within a three-dimensional computer drawing database consisting of one or more multi-level buildings, terrain, flora, and additional static and dynamic obstacles (e.g., automobiles, people, filing cabinets, etc.). The method combines computerized organization, database fusion, and site-specific performance prediction models. The method enables a design engineer to visualize the performance of any wireless communication system as a three-dimensional region of fluctuating elevation, color, or other aesthetic characteristics with fully selectable display parameters, overlaid with the three-dimensional site-specific computer model for which the performance prediction was carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Rappaport, Roger R. Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7295960
    Abstract: A method is presented for determining optimal or preferred configuration settings for wireless or wired network equipment in order to obtain a desirable level of network performance. A site-specific network model is used with adaptive processing to perform efficient design and on-going management of network performance. The invention iteratively determines overall network performance and cost, and further iterates equipment settings, locations and orientations. Real time control is between a site-specific Computer Aided Design (CAD) software application and the physical components of the network allows the invention to display, store, and iteratively adapt any network to constantly varying traffic and interference conditions. Alarms provide rapid adaptation of network parameters, and alerts and preprogrammed network shutdown actions may be taken autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Rappaport, Roger Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7295119
    Abstract: A system and method for providing security to a wireless communication system having wireless communication components positioned at different locations within a physical environment are provided. The wireless communication components include an access point and a network device. A site-specific computerized representation of the physical environment displays the location of the wireless communication components including the access point and network device. The access point and network device identify the presence or a physical location of a possible intruder or intruder devices. An indicator is presented in the site-specific representation on the display when an erroneous authentication request or other undesired transmission is received by the network device or the access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Rappaport, Roger R. Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7286971
    Abstract: A method for visualizing and efficiently making comparisons of communication system performance utilizing predicted performance, measured performance, or other performance data sets is described. A system permits visualizing the comparisons of system performance data in three-dimensions using fluctuating elevation, shape, and/or color within a three-dimensional computer drawing database consisting of one or more multi-level buildings, terrain, flora, and additional static and dynamic obstacles (e.g., automobiles, people, filing cabinets, etc.). The method enables a design engineer to visually compare the performance of wireless communication systems as a three-dimensional region of fluctuating elevation, color, or other aesthetic characteristics with fully selectable display parameters, overlaid with the three-dimensional site-specific computer model for which the design was carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Brian Gold
  • Patent number: 7246045
    Abstract: A method for visualizing and efficiently making comparisons of communication system performance utilizing predicted performance, measured performance, or other performance data sets is described. A system permits visualizing the comparisons of system performance data in three-dimensions using fluctuating elevation, shape, and/or color within a three-dimensional computer drawing database consisting of one or more multi-level buildings, terrain, flora, and additional static and dynamic obstacles (e.g., automobiles, people, filing cabinets, etc.). The method enables a design engineer to visually compare the performance of wireless communication systems as a three-dimensional region of fluctuating elevation, color, or other aesthetic characteristics with fully selectable display parameters, overlaid with the three-dimensional site-specific computer model for which the design was carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communication, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Brian Gold
  • Patent number: 7243054
    Abstract: A network which includes electromagnetic components, such as a wireless communications system, is designed, optimized, modified and/or saved or exported to another applications program using a graphical interface. A display may present a graphical rendering of performance characteristics in a site specific manner showing elements such as walls, doors, windows, furniture, people, foliage, and terrain. The locations where performance characteristic information are presented can be automatically selected and adjusted to present more or less information. The display can be viewed at multiple perspectives, and the viewing angle can be adjusted. In one embodiment, the display can graphically present information related to two different performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Rappaport, Roger R. Skidmore
  • Publication number: 20070117567
    Abstract: A computerized model provides a display of a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed. The communications network is comprised of several components, each of which are selected by the design engineer and which are represented in the display. Errors in the selection of certain selected components for the communications network are identified by their attributes or frequency characteristics as well as by their interconnection compatibility for a particular design. The effects of changes in frequency on component performance are modeled and the results are displayed to the design engineer. A bill of materials is automatically checked for faults and generated for the design system and provided to the design engineer. For ease of design, the design engineer can cluster several different preferred components into component kits, and then select these component kits for use in the design or deployment process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Eric Reifsneider
  • Patent number: 7155228
    Abstract: A method for engineering management and planning for the design of a wireless communications network in three-dimensions (3-D) combines computerized organization, database fusion, and radio frequency (RF) site-specific planning models. The method enables a designer to keep track of wireless system performance throughout the process of pre-bid design, installation and maintenance of a wireless system. Using a database of information that defines the desired environment, predictions of antenna coverage, system coverage and interference, and other wireless system performance criteria, such as frame error rate and network throughput, can be made. Watch points are created-to ensure, in real time, that any modifications to the design of the wireless system do not degrade the performance of the system with respect to the watch point locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Rappaport, Roger R. Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7096160
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring and monitoring wireless network performance in campus and indoor environments provides for embedding measured network and signal properties at one or more locations within a facility into a site specific computer model which represents the facility. The computer representation is preferably three dimensional. The system and method allows for automatic, periodic, or location specific taking of measurements, and automatic or periodic embedding of measured data. The system and method allows real time or non-real time measurement and storing of performance data, and the invention is useful for test, measurement, verification, and in-situ or remote monitoring for on-going validation and maintenance of wireless networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger R. Skidmore, Theodore S. Rappaport
  • Patent number: 7055107
    Abstract: A method for engineering management and planning for the design of a communications network in three dimensions (3-D) combines computerized organization, database fusion, and site-specific communication system performance prediction models. The method enables a designer to keep track of communication system performance through the process of pre-bid, design, installation and maintenance of a communication system. Automated selection, placement and configuration of communication component equipment can be performed using desired performance criteria identified at finite locations within the environment along with a finite set of communication component models and suitable locations and configurations in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Praveen Sheethalnath
  • Patent number: 7035642
    Abstract: A method for engineering management and planning for the design of a wireless communications network in three-dimensions (3-D) combines computerized organization, database fusion, and radio frequency (RF) site-specific planning models. The method enables a designer to keep track of wireless system performance throughout the process of pre-bid design, installation and maintenance of a wireless system. Using a database of information that defines the desired environment, predictions of antenna coverage, system coverage and interference, and other wireless system performance criteria, such as frame error rate and network throughput, can be made. Watch points are created to ensure, in real time, that any modifications to the design of the wireless system do not degrade the performance of the system with respect to the watch point locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Rappaport, Roger R. Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7019753
    Abstract: A computerized system allows for collecting data for a spatially distributed group of objects or networks by either skilled or unskilled personnel and for analyzing the collected data in an environmental database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Benjamin Henty
  • Patent number: 6973622
    Abstract: A system and method for design, tracking, measurement, prediction and optimization of data communications networks includes a site specific model of the physical environment, and performs a wide variety of different calculations for predicting network performance using a combination of prediction modes and measurement data based on the components used in the communications networks, the physical environment, and radio propagation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Rappaport, Roger Skidmore, Benjamin Henty