| 摘要 |
A communication system (10) is disclosed which provides two-way communications access to a wide area network (WAN)(11) for a very large number of subscribers (17). It offers an inexpensive "last-mile" hookup from a subscriber terminal (15) to a communications hub (12). The hub (12) is connected to a WAN (11) such as the Internet. The system comprises service areas (14), 0.7 to 1.5 km radius (18), wherein the hub (12) and subscribers (17) are located. Subscribers (17) are connected to a subscriber terminal (15), directly or through a local area network (LAN)(39). Each terminal (15) communicates with the hub by a SHF radio link (13). Distributed routing of signals provides subscribers (17) with no-waiting, transmission of information at speeds about ten Mbps. Availability of a communication path approximates a fiber optic cable. The LAN (39) may be a local public switched telephone network. Each service area (14) is divided into one to forty sectors (16). Eight sectors (16) can support approximately 1,600 subscribers (17). Service areas (14) may be arranged to cover larger areas. Overlapping service areas (14) permit subscribers (17) to be within line-of-sight of a hub (12). Service area arrangement is readily adapted to terrain, existing structure and number of subscribers (17).
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