Heterogeneous network optimization utilizing modal antenna techniques

• US 10,219,208 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2015
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera AVX Components Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ethertronics, Inc. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Desclos, Laurent, Pajona, Olivier
• Primary Examiner(s): Kading, Joshua
• Application Number:
  US14/821,655
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/00 Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system means for positioning H01Q1/125
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/00 Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements combinations of separate active antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system H01Q21/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/20 for indoor coverage or short range network deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A communication system is described where multiple communication networks are simultaneously accessible from a plurality of fixed and/or mobile communication devices. A Master and Slave hierarchy is implemented among the communication devices to improve communication properties on one or multiple networks. A network system controller is implemented to select the network with optimal communication characteristics for subsets of communication devices as well as assigning Master status to a communication device within these subsets.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system, comprising:

two or more cellular base stations forming a cellular network;

an access point located within a communication footprint associated with the cellular network, the access point forming a WLAN network; and

a plurality of client devices connected to at least one of the cellular network and the WLAN network;

the system further comprising a controller coupled to the at least one of the cellular network and the WLAN network, wherein the controller is configured to designate one of the plurality of client devices as a master device, and wherein the controller is configured to designate the remaining devices of the plurality of client devices as slave devices;

one or more of the plurality of client devices comprising a multi-mode antenna, wherein the multi-mode antenna is selectable in one of a plurality of possible antenna modes, each of the antenna modes exhibiting a distinct radiation pattern characteristic;

the master device configured to communicate instructions to the slave devices having a multi-mode antenna, wherein the instructions are implemented by each slave device to configure the selected antenna mode thereof.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the master device is configured to relay the instructions based on link quality for each device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the master device is configured to relay the instructions based on link quality between the devices and the at least one of the cellular network and WLAN network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the client devices comprises a mobile phone.