System and method for transmitting data

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The above mentioned problems with transmission system and other problems are addressed by the present invention and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
A transmission system is described which provides a more efficient use of assigned spectrum while allowing bi-directional communication.
In particular, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a transmission system that communicates data to a number of subscribers.
The transmission system includes a transceiver that has a number of highly directional antennas.
A number of digital repeaters are disposed in a geographic region serviced by the transceiver.
The repeaters include a sectorized antenna that communicates with subscribers in a number of sectors of the geographic region of the repeater.
The repeater also includes an upstream demodulator/modulator circuit.
The upstream demodulator/modulator circuit demodulates data from signals from subscribers that were modulated with a first modulation technique, and generates a re-modulated signal with the data using a second modulation technique.
The second modulation technique is different from the first modulation technique such that the signals from the subscribers from the number of sectors are combined in the re-modulated signal so as to increase the capacity of the transmission system.
The digital repeaters also include a highly directional antenna, that is coupled to the demodulator/modulator circuit and that communicates the re-modulated signal to the transceiver.