High speed data transmissions from pole to buildings

Numerous techniques have been investigated to increase the capacity of mobile radio systems, the most effective being the deployment of microcells. A microcell is the coverage area provided when the base station antenna is below the height of the surrounding (sub)urban sky-line. Typically antenna heights between 3 and 12 metres are used. The shape of the microcell is determined by the topology of the buildings surrounding the antenna, with the dimensions of the microcell dependent on the transmitter power. The authors conducted measurements using base stations situated at a low elevation on lamp-posts or utility poles in the streets to provide radio communications access to a number of adjacent houses. A digital CPM modem operating at data rates of 2, 4 and 8 Mb/s at carrier frequencies of 1.85, 2.43 and 3.55 GHz was used. The authors show that high bit rate transmission into buildings from close access points appears feasible