Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a microwave signal using two millimeter-wave frequencies. A first millimeter-wave up-conversion frequency, which is generated from a lower frequency source, is used to up-convert a baseband and/or intermediate signal into a first millimeter-wave signal, which is then down-converted into a microwave signal using a second millimeter-wave down-conversion frequency generated from the same lower frequency source. Each of the first and second millimeter-wave frequencies is associated with a phase noise that is higher than a phase noise associated with the lower frequency source, however, the frequency differential between the first millimeter-wave frequency and the second millimeter-wave frequency is free of the higher phase noise, as a result of the two millimeter-wave signal being generated from the single lower frequency source, thereby causing the resultant microwave signal to be free of the higher phase noise as well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a microwave signal using two millimeter-wave frequencies. A first millimeter-wave up-conversion frequency, which is generated from a lower frequency source, is used to up-convert a baseband and/or intermediate signal into a first millimeter-wave signal, which is then down-converted into a microwave signal using a second millimeter-wave down-conversion frequency generated from the same lower frequency source. Each of the first and second millimeter-wave frequencies is associated with a phase noise that is higher than a phase noise associated with the lower frequency source, however, the frequency differential between the first millimeter-wave frequency and the second millimeter-wave frequency is free of the higher phase noise, as a result of the two millimeter-wave signal being generated from the single lower frequency source, thereby causing the resultant microwave signal to be free of the higher phase noise as well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing millimeter-wave radio components in synthesizing microwave signals. A first up-conversion frequency generated using millimeter-wave radio components is used to up-convert a baseband signal into a first millimeter-wave signal, which is then down-converted into a microwave signal using a second and lower down-conversion frequency generated using additional millimeter-wave radio components. Using millimeter-wave conversion frequencies allows for tight integration of multiple transmission and reception chains while facilitating good coexistence of different microwave channels, and further allows for a wide span of frequencies over which microwave transmissions can be made.

Abstract: System and method for fine-tuning electromagnetic beams. One embodiment includes an array of electromagnetic radiators and beam-narrowing configuration. The array of electromagnetic radiators together generates an electromagnetic beam toward a configurable direction. The beam-narrowing configuration narrows the electromagnetic beam and consequently fine-tune the configurable direction. Optionally, the array of electromagnetic radiators is a phased-array that achieves the configurable direction electronically. Additionally or alternatively, the array of electromagnetic radiators is a millimeter-wave array, and the electromagnetic beam is a millimeter-wave beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating through a glass window barrier, in which one communication device, placed outdoors near the glass window, utilizes optical signals to propagate communication signals through the glass window, and thereby communicate with another communication device placed indoors near the same glass window. The outdoor communication device receives power from a power source located indoors, in which power is transported from the indoor power source to the outdoor communication device through the same glass window in a form of an alternating magnetic field. The outdoor communication device may be either placed near the glass window or mechanically fixed to the glass window on one side, and the indoor communication device may be either placed near the glass window or mechanically fixed to the glass window on the other side. Certain known properties of glass windows are exploited, such as transparency to both optical radiation and magnetic fields.

Abstract: Systems and methods for: suggesting network topologies for a wireless communication network such as a millimeter-wave network; using drones for determining a line-of-sight condition between pairs of geospatial locations where communication nodes in the network are to be placed; and wirelessly interconnecting pairs of nodes in the network according to the a line-of-sight conditions previously determined using the drones. The drones may test for a line-of-sight condition using any number of methods, including laser range-finding, signaling between two of the drones, and pattern matching of visual imagery. A network planning tool may be used to suggest the network topologies, communicate and control the drones, and come to a final conclusion regarding the actual network topology selected, the placement of the communication nodes, and the specific wireless links to be used in interconnecting the nodes in the final network.

Abstract: System and methods to facilitate simultaneous millimeter-wave transmissions over a common frequency. A plurality of millimeter-wave communication nodes are arranged or selected so as to form a spatially non-straight graph. Millimeter-wave beams are electronically steered from at least some millimeter-wave communication nodes toward adjacent millimeter-wave communication nodes, in which the millimeter-wave beams are narrow enough to miss non-adjacent nodes but still reach the adjacent nodes; a condition that is directly facilitated by the spatial properties of the graph, and thereby allowing all of the beams in the spatially non-straight graph to share the common frequency without causing inter-node interferences.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a millimeter-wave wireless point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication system which enables determining preferred directions of transmissions, and transmitting in such preferred directions without routing radio-frequency signals. The system comprises a millimeter-wave focusing element, multiple millimeter-wave antennas, and multiple radio-frequency-integrated circuits (“RFICs”). In various embodiments, preferred directions are determined, and millimeter-wave beams are transmitted in the preferred directions.

Abstract: A millimeter-wave communication component includes at least two millimeter-wave antennas located at two opposite sides thereof, in which the entire millimeter-wave communication component constitutes a single rigid mechanical element that can be easily mounted on a side of a pole, such that the millimeter-wave communication component is situated in front of the pole, and thereby positioning one of the millimeter-wave antennas to the right of the pole, and one of the other millimeter-wave antennas to the left of the pole. Said positioning of the two millimeter-wave antennas enables them to generate two millimeter-wave radiation pattern that together, and cooperatively, cover an entire and continuous sector surrounding the back of the pole. Further millimeter-wave antennas may be added to complete the coverage to a continuous 360 degrees coverage, while maintaining simple installation of the millimeter-wave communication component on the pole as a single rigid mechanical element.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for fault-tolerant and otherwise optimized communication, in which a system includes communication nodes connected by wireless data links together forming a ring structure, as well as additional wireless data links operative to partition the ring structure into multiple sub-ring structures. The system is operative to select, per each of the sub-ring structures, one of the wireless data links to remain dormant, thereby effectively creating a certain communication tree structure. The system is further operative, upon detecting a communication problem or inefficiency in any or all of the sub-ring structures, to shut-down, per sub-ring structure detected, the problematic or otherwise inefficient wireless data link, and to reactivate instead the dormant wireless data link, thereby effectively switching to a new communication tree structure, and thus resolving the problem or otherwise improving efficiency.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a millimeter-wave antenna system configured to enhance the gain in a communication network, in which one or more slotted wave-guides produce radiating slot structures that form accurate high-gain millimeter-wave radiation patterns. The system comprises one or more slotted wave-guides to transport millimeter-waves, a PCB including a substrate lamina and an electrically-conductive lamina with two or more highly accurate slots, and an electrically-conductive metal cover that intersects the electrically-conductive lamina to form an enclosed wave-guide cavity. Various embodiments of methods for producing the millimeter-wave antenna system, including different techniques for creating the accuracy of the slots in the slotted wave-guides.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating through a glass window barrier, in which one communication device, placed outdoors near the glass window, utilizes optical signals to propagate communication signals through the glass window, and thereby communicate with another communication device placed indoors near the same glass window. The outdoor communication device receives power from a power source located indoors, in which power is transported from the indoor power source to the outdoor communication device through the same glass window in a form of an alternating magnetic field. The outdoor communication device may be either placed near the glass window or mechanically fixed to the glass window on one side, and the indoor communication device may be either placed near the glass window or mechanically fixed to the glass window on the other side. Certain known properties of glass windows are exploited, such as transparency to both optical radiation and magnetic fields.

Abstract: Systems and methods for: suggesting network topologies for a wireless communication network such as a millimeter-wave network; using drones for determining a line-of-sight condition between pairs of geospatial locations where communication nodes in the network are to be placed; and wirelessly interconnecting pairs of nodes in the network according to the a line-of-sight conditions previously determined using the drones. The drones may test for a line-of-sight condition using any number of methods, including laser range-finding, signaling between two of the drones, and pattern matching of visual imagery. A network planning tool may be used to suggest the network topologies, communicate and control the drones, and come to a final conclusion regarding the actual network topology selected, the placement of the communication nodes, and the specific wireless links to be used in interconnecting the nodes in the final network.

Abstract: System and method for fine-tuning electromagnetic beams. One embodiment includes an array of electromagnetic radiators and beam-narrowing configuration. The array of electromagnetic radiators together generates an electromagnetic beam toward a configurable direction. The beam-narrowing configuration narrows the electromagnetic beam and consequently fine-tune the configurable direction. Optionally, the array of electromagnetic radiators is a phased-array that achieves the configurable direction electronically. Additionally or alternatively, the array of electromagnetic radiators is a millimeter-wave array, and the electromagnetic beam is a millimeter-wave beam.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for facilitating operation of a millimeter-wave communication component in conjunction with another component, in which the millimeter-wave communication component is mechanically fixed to or with the other components and is therefore oriented in a certain direction that is not necessarily aligned with a target node. The embedded millimeter-wave communication component compensates for said orientation by steering, electronically, a millimeter-wave beam toward the target node. The millimeter-wave communication component may be embedded in or with the other component using a built-in connector, or it may be a-priori embedded in or with the other component.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a communication system operative to form, direct, and narrow communication beams using an array of electromagnetic radiators and a beam-narrowing architecture. A beam-width of an electromagnetic beam is narrowed, thereby increasing the concentration of electromagnetic energy in the beam and achieving a significant antenna gain. In various embodiments, the direction of an electromagnetic beam may be altered to improve communication between a transmitter and a receiver. In various embodiments, the system is a millimeter-wave system with a millimeter-wave array and millimeter-wave beams.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for facilitating operation of a millimeter-wave communication component in conjunction with another component, in which the millimeter-wave communication component is mechanically fixed to or with the other components and is therefore oriented in a certain direction that is not necessarily aligned with a target node. The embedded millimeter-wave communication component compensates for said orientation by steering, electronically, a millimeter-wave beam toward the target node. The millimeter-wave communication component may be embedded in or with the other component using a built-in connector, or it may be a-priori embedded in or with the other component.

Abstract: A compact millimeter-wave radio system is comprised of an antenna body with reflector region and waveguide region all made from a single piece of material, and a radio receiver that is mounted on a substrate which is mechanically fixed to and held by the waveguide region. The system presents compact, relatively inexpensive, and relatively effective heat dissipation, solution for receiving and transmitting millimeter waves.

Abstract: System and methods to adapt a network of millimeter-wave communication nodes to a changing condition. The system detects a changing condition and concludes that the network needs to be adjusted. As a result, the system transitions, substantially instantaneously, between a current network topology to a new network topology, by instructing each of several millimeter-wave communication nodes to electronically steer the respective millimeter-wave beam away from current destination node and toward another destination node. The end result is that several of the beams change direction during a short period of time, thereby transitioning to the new network topology without impacting ongoing communication. In some embodiments, the transition between network topologies is done multiple times in a systematic fashion so as to generally find an optimal network topology and not as a response to a changing condition. In some embodiments, the transition between network topologies is a normal ongoing mode of operation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a millimeter-wave wireless point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication network in which the different atmospheric absorption rates of different millimeter-wave frequencies are utilized to improve communication performance of the entire system. The network comprises one or more communication systems operating at a millimeter-wave frequency, in which each system is comprised of at least one or more point-to-point or point-to-multipoint radio transceivers. In various embodiments, the different atmospheric absorption rates of different millimeter-wave frequencies are used to reduce electromagnetic interference, to compensate for changing path-loss conditions, and/or to optimize inter-link interferences to enhance communication performance.