Broadband communication platform and methods of network operation

• US 20030125089A1
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Wireless Sweden AB
• Original Assignee: Innovative Wireless Sweden AB
• Inventors: Pedersen, Erling
• Granted Patent: US 7,181,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/562.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/04 using two or more spaced independent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0408 using two or more beams, i.e. beam diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/08 at the receiving station
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/12 Frequency diversity

Abstract

A subscriber platform for broadband communication, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes an antenna, a plurality of transceivers, and a processor. The antenna supports communication via a plurality of directional beams. The plurality of frequency agile transceivers operate simultaneously, each transceiver being coupled to the antenna for communication via a respective directional beam. The processor is coupled to the plurality of transceivers. And, the transceivers are coupled to the antenna to communicate data among the directional beams as directed by the processor, communication including directional diversity and frequency diversity.

Claims

1. A subscriber platform for broadband communication, the platform comprising:

a. an antenna for communication via a plurality of directional beams;

b. a plurality of transceivers operating simultaneously, each transceiver coupled to the antenna for communication via a respective directional beam; and

c. a processor coupled to the plurality of transceivers, wherein the transceivers are coupled to the antenna to communicate data among the directional beams as directed by the processor, communication comprising directional diversity and frequency diversity.

2. The platform of claim 1 wherein:

a. the processor is further coupled to the antenna; and

b. the antenna provides beamforming as directed by the processor.

3. A subscriber platform for broadband communication, the platform comprising:

a. an antenna for communication via a plurality of directional beams;

b. a plurality of transceivers operating simultaneously, each transceiver coupled to the antenna for communication via a respective directional beam; and

c. a processor coupled to the plurality of transceivers, wherein;

(1) the processor comprises an interface for communicating with a provided display device that is local to the platform; and

(2) the transceivers are coupled to the interface and to the antenna to communicate data among the directional beams and the provided device as directed by the processor.

4. The platform of claim 3 wherein:

a. the processor is further coupled to the antenna; and

b. the antenna provides beamforming as directed by the processor.

5. A method for increasing throughput to a particular subscriber of a provided network of subscriber platforms, the method comprising:

a. a step for automatically recognizing that communication routes employing an added subscriber platform are available, the added subscriber platform being in communication with a plurality of subscriber platforms of the network; and

b. a step for automatically routing increased throughput for the particular subscriber via the added subscriber platform.

6. A method for increasing data communication to a particular subscriber of a provided network of subscriber platforms, the particular subscriber consuming data from a first source via a first route through the network, the method comprising:

a. a step for automatically recognizing that communication routes employing an added subscriber platform are available, the added subscriber platform being in communication with a plurality of subscriber platforms of the network; and

b. a step for automatically routing data from the second source to the particular subscriber via a second route that is at least in part independent of the first route.

7. A regional communication platform for broadband communication, the platform comprising:

a. an antenna for communication via a plurality of directional beams;

b. a plurality of transceivers operating simultaneously, each transceiver coupled to the antenna for communication via a respective directional beam; and

c. a processor coupled to the antenna and to the plurality of transceivers, wherein;

(1) the transceivers are coupled to the antenna to communicate data among the directional beams as directed by the processor using directional diversity and frequency diversity;

(2) a first beam of the plurality is for communication with a provided subscriber platform in a first direction at a first frequency; and

(3) a second beam of the plurality is for communication with a provided second regional communication platform in the same direction as the first direction at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

8. A regional communication platform for broadband communication, the platform comprising:

a. an antenna for communication via a plurality of directional beams;

b. a plurality of transceivers operating simultaneously, each transceiver coupled to the antenna for communication via a respective directional beam; and

c. a processor coupled to the antenna and to the plurality of transceivers, wherein;

(1) the transceivers are coupled to the antenna to communicate data among the directional beams as directed by the processor using directional diversity and frequency diversity; and

(2) the processor routes data to a selected destination being selected from at least one of a provided subscriber platform of a provided network of subscriber platforms, a provided second regional communication platform, and a network different from the provided network of subscriber platforms.