LOCAL AREA NETWORK COMPUTER SYSTEM UTILIZING RADIATING TRANSMISSION LINE

摘要

A radio frequency communication system utilizing aradiating transmission line for communicating data signals isdisclosed. The data signals convey digital data to remotelylocated data devices, including computers, equipment controlsystems and digital video cameras. The data signals have awide bandwidth of about 0.5 MHz to 32 MHz. In this way, thecommunication system creates a local area network by means ofthe radiating communication line. The communication systemis intended to be used in environments where radio waves donot propagate well, such as in underground environments, andin particular mines. The communication system comprises atleast one amplifier connected to the radiating transmissionline for periodically amplifying the data signals bydemodulating the data signals to recover the data containedtherein and then modulating the recovered data into aregenerated radio frequency at a power level permittingtransmission and radiation of the regenerated radio frequencydata signal. The regeneration amplifiers comprise aprocessor for temporarily storing and performing errordetection and correction functions on the recovered data.The regeneration amplifiers also comprise a device fortracking the data devices within the coverage area of theregeneration amplifier. Information regarding the datadevices within the coverage area of each regenerationamplifier is sent to a system server of the communicationsystem and the system server utilizes this information toaccount for delays caused by the regeneration amplifier. Thecommunication system may support cable modem protocols suchas DOCSIS.