Methods and apparatus for high throughput multiple radio wireless cells and networks

• US 20050003763A1
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woodbury Wireless LLC
• Original Assignee: Rotani, Inc.
• Inventors: Spenik, John, Lastinger, Roc, Woodbury, Brian C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,359,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/63.100
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2605 Array of radiating elements provided with a feedback control over the element weights, e.g. adaptive arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/382 for resource allocation, admission control or handover
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/022 Site diversity; Macro-diversity using two or more spaced independent antennas H04B7/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0408 using two or more beams, i.e. beam diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0491 using two or more sectors, i.e. sector diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0495 using overlapping sectors in the same base station to implement MIMO for antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/00 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/02 Resource partitioning among network components, e.g. reuse partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/12 Fixed resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 using polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for high throughput wireless cells and networks are described. The wireless cells may be equipped with multiple radios. Antennas may be arranged into overlapping and non-overlapping patterns. Channels may be assigned to foster servicing clients, and inter-cell communication. Attenuation may be used to decrease interference. Networks may be formed using a variety of methods and apparatus.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless apparatus having a plurality of antennas, wherein each of said plurality of antennas is associated with a physical sector;

determining a threshold value of an interfering signal;

polling each of said plurality of antennas to detect an interfering signal; and

,

disabling each of said plurality of antennas detecting said threshold value of said interfering signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical sectors form an overlapping coverage pattern.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said disabling step further comprises disabling each of said plurality of antennas having a physical sector that overlaps the physical sector of said disabled antennas.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless apparatus is adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

5. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless apparatus configured to at least partially attenuate incoming signals having a plurality of antennas, wherein each of said plurality of antennas is associated with a physical sector;

determining a threshold value of an interfering signal;

polling each of said plurality of antennas to detect an interfering signal; and

,

attenuating said incoming signals of each said plurality of antennas detecting said threshold value of an interfering signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said physical sectors form an overlapping coverage pattern.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said attenuating step further comprises attenuating said incoming signals of each of said plurality of antennas having a physical sector that overlaps the physical sector of said attenuated antennas.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said wireless apparatus is adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

9. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting a network having a plurality of wireless cells;

wherein each wireless cell of said network has an area of coverage, and a plurality of antennas, wherein each of said antennas is associated with a physical sector;

determining a threshold value of an interfering signal;

determining a threshold area of coverage;

selecting a preliminary wireless cell of said network;

polling each of said antennas of said preliminary wireless cell to detect an interfering signal;

marking said preliminary wireless cells where any of said plurality of antennas of said preliminary wireless cell detects said threshold value of an interfering signal;

changing to a next wireless cell of said network;

repeating said polling step, said marking step, and said changing step until all of said wireless cells of said network have been tested;

replacing each of said marked wireless cells with a plurality of smaller wireless cells each having an area of coverage smaller than said marked wireless cell, wherein the cumulative area of coverage of said smaller wireless cells equals about the area of coverage of said marked wireless cell;

eliminating all wireless cells having an area of coverage less than said threshold area of coverage; and

,

repeating said selecting step, said polling step, send marking step, said changing step, said repeating step, said replacing step, and said eliminating step until each wireless cell of said network does not detect a threshold value of interfering signals.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said physical sectors form an overlapping coverage pattern.

11. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting a network having a plurality of wireless cells;

wherein each wireless cell of said network has a channel assignment pattern, and a plurality of antennas, wherein each of said antennas is associated with a physical sector, wherein each physical sector uses the channel assigned according to said channel assignment pattern, and wherein said channel assignment pattern establishes network communication characteristics;

determining a threshold value of an interfering signal;

selecting a preliminary wireless cell of said network;

polling each of said plurality of antennas of said preliminary wireless cell to detect an interfering signal;

determining a channel of any interfering signal;

marking each of said physical sectors of said preliminary wireless cell where said antenna of said physical sector detects said threshold value of an interfering signal and said interfering signal uses the same channel as said physical sector;

changing to a next wireless cell of said network;

repeating said polling step, said determining step, said marking step, and said changing step until all of said wireless cells of said network have been tested; and

,

determining a new channel assignment pattern;

wherein marked physical sectors are assigned a different channel and said network retains said network communication characteristics.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said physical sectors form an overlapping coverage pattern.

13. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a summation device;

at least one gain device interfaces with said summation device;

at least one attenuation module interfaces with each of said gain devices; and

,

at least two antennas interfaces with each of said attenuation modules.

14. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless apparatus having attenuation in a receive path of said wireless apparatus;

detecting a client signal level in said receive path;

detecting a noise source level in said receive path; and

,

adjusting the attenuation of said receive path to achieve a desired ratio between said client signal level and said noise source signal level.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said client signal level is higher than said noise source signal level and increasing attenuation increases said ratio between said between said client signal level and said noise source signal level.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said noise source signal level is higher than said client signal level and increasing attenuation decreases said ratio between said between said client signal level and said noise source signal level.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said wireless apparatus is adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

18. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless apparatus having attenuation in a receive path, and a plurality of antennas;

wherein each antenna is associated with a physical sector;

selecting a preliminary antenna;

detecting a client signal level in said receive path through said preliminary antenna;

detecting a noise source signal level in said receive path through said preliminary antenna;

recording said client signal level and said noise source signal level;

changing to a next antenna;

repeating said detecting step, said detecting step, said recording step, and said changing step until said client signal level and said noise signal level have been detected in said receive path through all of said plurality of antennas; and

,

using the antenna that provides a higher ratio of said client signal level to said noise source signal level.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said using step further comprises adjusting said attenuation in said receive path to achieve a desired ratio between said client signal level and said noise source signal level.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said physical sectors form an overlapping coverage pattern.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said wireless apparatus is adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

22. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting an antenna array having a plurality of antennas and a plurality of attenuation modules, wherein each antenna of said plurality of antennas has a receive path and is associated with at least one attenuation module, and wherein each attenuation module of said plurality of attenuation modules attenuates at least one of incoming and outgoing signals;

detecting a client signal level in said receive path of each of said plurality of antennas;

detecting a noise source signal level in said receive path of each of said plurality of antennas; and

,

adjusting the attenuation of each of said attenuation modules to achieve a desired ratio between said client signal level and said noise signal level for each antenna of said plurality of antennas.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said antenna array is adaptive.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said antenna array is associated with a MIMO antenna.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one antenna of said plurality of antennas is adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

37. The method of claim 22, wherein said wireless apparatus is adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

26. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting an antenna array having a plurality of antennas, at least one summation device and at least one attenuation module, wherein each summation device has a receive path, wherein each summation device is associated with at least one attenuation module, and wherein said attenuation modules attenuate at least one of incoming and outgoing signals;

detecting a client signal level in the receive path of each of said summation devices;

detecting a noise source signal level in the receive path of each of said summation devices; and

,

adjusting the attenuation of each of said attenuation modules to achieve a desired ratio between said client signal level and said noise signal level for each of said summation devices.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said antenna array is adaptive.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said antenna array is associated with a MIMO antenna.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one antenna of said plurality of antennas is adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

30. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

an attenuation module;

a summation device interfaces with said attenuation module;

at least one gain device interfaces with said summation device; and

,

at least one antenna interfaces with each of said gain devices.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said antennas form an antenna array.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said antenna array is associated with a MIMO antenna.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein said antennas form an antenna array.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein said antenna array is associated with a MIMO antenna.

33. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

an attenuation module;

a summation device interfaces with said attenuation module;

at least one antenna interfaces with each of said summation device.

36. A method for facilitating the reduction of interference, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless apparatus having attenuation in a receive path, and a plurality of antennas;

determining a threshold level of interference;

polling each of said plurality of antennas to detect a threshold level of interference; and

,

adjusting the attenuation in said receive path to reduce interference below said threshold level.

38. An apparatus configured to facilitate signal attenuation, comprising:

an RF switch having a receive and a transmit path;

a first attenuation device interfaces with said transmit path of said RF switch;

a second attenuation device interfaces with said receive path of said RF switch; and

,

an antenna sharing device interfaces with said first attenuation device and said second attenuation device.

39. An apparatus configured to facilitate signal attenuation, comprising:

an RF switch having a receive and a transmit path;

an attenuation device interfaces with said receive path of said RF switch; and

,

an antenna sharing device interfaces with said attenuation device and said transmit path of said RF switch.

40. An apparatus configured to facilitate signal attenuation, comprising:

an antenna sharing device;

a first attenuation device interfaces with said antenna sharing device; and

,

a second attenuation device interfaces with said antenna sharing device.

41. An apparatus configured to facilitate signal attenuation, comprising:

an antenna sharing device; and

,

an attenuation device interfaces with said antenna sharing device.

42. An apparatus configured to facilitate signal attenuation, comprising:

an RF switch having a receive and a transmit path;

a first attenuation device interfaces with said transmit path of said RF switch; and

,

a second attenuation device interfaces with said receive path of said RF switch.

43. An apparatus configured to facilitate signal attenuation, comprising:

an RF switch having a receive and a transmit path; and

,

an attenuation device interfaces with said receive path of said RF switch.

44. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said processor; and

,

a plurality of antennas interface with each of said radios, wherein each of said plurality of antennas is associated with a physical sector, and wherein the physical sectors of said plurality of antennas form an overlapping coverage pattern.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein at least one of said antennas is directional.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of said antennas is at least one of patch, omni-directional with reflector, omni-directional positioned in a horn, yagi, MIMO, array, adaptive array, dish, beam, and parabolic antennas.

47. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein at least one of said processor, said radios, and said antennas are adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

48. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said plurality of radios includes six radios, and said plurality of antennas includes six antennas.

49. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form an angle of coverage of at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

50. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein each physical sector of said plurality of antennas overlaps at least one physical sector by at least one of about 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.

51. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said processor;

at least one RF switch interfaces with said radios; and

,

a plurality of antennas interface with each of said RF switches, wherein each of said plurality of antennas is associated with a physical sector, and wherein the physical sectors of said plurality of antennas form an overlapping coverage pattern.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said processor interfaces with said RF switches.

53. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein at least one of said antennas is directional.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said directional antennas are at least one of patch, omni-directional with reflector, omni-directional positioned in a horn, yagi, MIMO, array, adaptive array, dish, beam, and parabolic antennas.

55. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein at least one of said processor, said radios, said RF switches, and said antennas are adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

56. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said radios include three radios, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes six antennas.

57. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form an angle of coverage of at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

58. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein each physical sector of said plurality of antennas overlaps at least one physical sector by at least one of about 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.

59. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said processor;

at least one RF switch interfaces with said radios;

at least one attenuation module interfaces with each of said RF switches; and

,

a plurality of antennas interface with each of said attenuation modules.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said processor interfaces with said RF switches.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said attenuation modules are adjustable and interface with said processor.

62. The apparatus of claim 59, further comprising each of said antennas is associated with a physical sector, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form a coverage pattern selected from the group of overlapping and non-overlapping.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form an angle of coverage of at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

64. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein at least one of said antennas is directional.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein said directional antennas are at least one of patch, omni-directional with reflector, omni-directional positioned in a horn, yagi, MIMO, array, adaptive array, dish, beam, and parabolic antennas.

66. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein at least one of said processor, said radios, said attenuation modules, said RF switches, and said antennas are adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

67. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said radios include three radios, said RF switches include one RF switch, said attenuation modules include six attenuation modules, and said plurality of antennas includes six antennas.

68. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said radios include two radios, said RF switches include one RF switch, said attenuation modules include four attenuation modules, and said plurality of antennas includes four antennas.

69. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said radios include two radios, said RF switches include one RF switch, said attenuation modules include three attenuation modules, and said plurality of antennas includes three antennas.

70. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said processor;

at least one attenuation module interfaces with each of said radios;

at least one RF switch interfaces with said attenuation modules; and

,

a plurality of antennas interface with each of said RF switches.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein said processor interfaces with said RF switches.

72. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein said attenuation modules are adjustable and interface with said processor.

73. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising each of said antennas is associated with a physical sector, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form a coverage pattern selected from the group of overlapping and non-overlapping.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form an angle of coverage of at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

75. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein at least one of said antennas is directional.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said directional antennas are at least one of patch, omni-directional with reflector, omni-directional positioned in a horn, yagi, MIMO, array, adaptive array, dish, beam, and parabolic antennas.

77. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein at least one of said processor, said radios, said attenuation modules, said RF switches, and said antennas are adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

78. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein said radios include three radios, said attenuation modules include three attenuation modules, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes six antennas.

79. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein said radios include two radios, said attenuation modules include two attenuation modules, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes four antennas.

80. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein said radios include two radios, said attenuation modules include two attenuation modules, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes three antennas.

81. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said processor;

at least one attenuation module interfaces with each of said radios; and

,

at least one antenna interfaces with each of said attenuation modules.

82. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said attenuation modules are adjustable and interface with said processor.

83. The apparatus of claim 81, further comprising each of said antennas is associated with a physical sector, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form a coverage pattern selected from the group of overlapping and non-overlapping.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form an angle of coverage of at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

85. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein at least one of said antennas is directional.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein said directional antennas are at least one of patch, omni-directional with reflector, omni-directional positioned in a horn, yagi, MIMO, array, adaptive array, dish, beam, and parabolic antennas.

87. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein at least one of said processor, said radios, said attenuation modules, and said antennas are adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

88. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said radios include six radios, said attenuation modules include six attenuation modules, and said plurality of antennas includes six antennas.

89. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said radios include four radios, said attenuation modules include four attenuation modules, and said plurality of antennas includes four antennas.

90. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein said radios include three radios, said attenuation modules include three attenuation modules, and said plurality of antennas includes three antennas.

91. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

a packet switch interfaces with said processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said packet switch;

at least one attenuation module interfaces with each of said radios;

at least one RF switch interfaces with said attenuation modules; and

,

a plurality of antennas interface with each of said RF switches.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, further comprising a network IO connection, said network IO connection interfaces with said packet switch.

93. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein said processor interfaces with said RF switches.

94. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein said attenuation modules are adjustable and interface with said processor.

95. The apparatus of claim 91, further comprising each of said antennas is associated with a physical sector, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form a coverage pattern selected from the group of overlapping and non-overlapping.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form an angle of coverage of at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

97. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein at least one of said antennas is directional.

98. The apparatus of claim 97, wherein said directional antennas are at least one of patch, omni-directional with reflector, omni-directional positioned in a horn, yagi, MIMO, array, adaptive array, dish, beam, and parabolic antennas.

99. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein at least one of said processor, said packet switch, said radios, said attenuation modules, said RF switches, and said antennas are adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

100. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein said radios include three radios, said attenuation modules include three attenuation modules, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes six antennas.

101. The apparatus of claim 91 wherein said radios include two radios, said attenuation modules include two attenuation modules, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes four antennas.

102. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein said radios include two radios, said attenuation modules include two attenuation modules, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes three antennas.

103. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said processor;

a first RF switch interfaces with said radios;

a second RF switch interfaces with said radios;

a plurality of antenna sharing devices, having a receive path, a transmit path, and

a combined path;

said receive path and said transmit path interface with said second RF switch, said combined path interfaces with said first RF switch;

at least one attenuation module interfaces with said first RF switch; and

,

a plurality of antennas interface with each of said attenuation modules.

104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein said processor interfaces with said first and said second RF switches.

105. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein said attenuation modules are adjustable and interface with said processor.

106. The apparatus of claim 103, further comprising each of said antennas is associated with a physical sector, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form a coverage pattern selected from the group of overlapping and non-overlapping.

107. The apparatus of claim 106, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form an angle of coverage of at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

108. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein at least one of said antennas is directional.

109. The apparatus of claim 108, wherein said directional antennas are at least one of patch, omni-directional with reflector, omni-directional positioned in a horn, yagi, MIMO, array, adaptive array, dish, beam, and parabolic antennas.

110. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein at least one of said processor, said packet switch, said radios, said attenuation modules, said RF switches, and said antennas are adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

111. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein said radios include four radios, said attenuation modules include six attenuation modules, and said plurality of antennas includes six antennas.

112. The apparatus of claim 103 wherein said radios include two radios, said attenuation modules include two attenuation modules, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes four antennas.

113. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein said radios include two radios, said attenuation modules include two attenuation modules, said RF switches include one RF switch, and said plurality of antennas includes three antennas.

114. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said processor;

at least one attenuation module interfaces with each of said radios;

at least one antenna control device interfaces with each of said attenuation modules; and

,

a plurality of antennas interface with said antenna control devices.

115. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein said attenuation modules are adjustable and interface with said processor.

116. The apparatus of claim 114, further comprising each of said antennas is associated with a physical sector, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form a coverage pattern selected from the group of overlapping and non-overlapping.

117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas form an angle of coverage of at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

118. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein at least one of said antennas is directional.

119. The apparatus of claim 118, wherein said directional antennas are at least one of patch, omni-directional with reflector, omni-directional positioned in a horn, yagi, MIMO, array, adaptive array, dish, beam, and parabolic antennas.

120. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein at least one of said processor, said radios, said attenuation modules, and said antennas are adapted for at least one of IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, IEEE 802.15, and IEEE 802.16 communication protocols.

121. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein said radios include six radios, said attenuation modules include six attenuation modules, and said plurality of antennas includes six antennas.

122. An apparatus configured to facilitate wireless communication, comprising:

a processor;

at least one radio interfaces with said processor;

at least one antenna control device interfaces with each of said radios; and

,

a plurality of antennas interface with said antenna control devices, said antennas forming an overlapping coverage pattern.

123. A method for facilitating network formation, said method comprising:

selecting a plurality of wireless cells having physical sectors, an angle of coverage, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage, a channel assignment pattern, and an orientation, wherein said physical sectors form a coverage pattern selected from the group of overlapping and non-overlapping; and

,

placing at least a portion of the area of coverage of each of said plurality of wireless apparatus substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of at least one of said plurality of wireless cells;

thereby locating physical sectors in an opposing position;

124. The method of claim 123, wherein said channel assignment pattern assigns at least two of said physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.

125. The method of claim 123, wherein said channel assignment pattern assigns no physical sectors located in an opposing position are assigned the same channel.

126. The method of claim 123, wherein said area of coverage of said plurality of wireless apparatus vary by a factor of about one-half raised to an integer power.

127. The method of claim 123, wherein said angle of coverage is about 360-degrees, said shape of coverage is similar to a hexagon, said orientation for each of said plurality of wireless cells is substantially similar, and said coverage pattern for physical sectors is overlapping.

128. The method of claim 123, wherein said angle of coverage is about 360-degrees, said shape of coverage is similar to a square, and said orientation for each of said plurality of wireless cells is substantially similar.

129. A method for facilitating network formation, said method comprising:

selecting a plurality of wireless cells having physical sectors, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage similar to a triangle, a channel assignment pattern, and a similar orientation;

dividing said plurality of wireless cells into a first group and a second group;

rotating said orientation of said wireless cells of said second group about 60-degrees in a direction selected from the group of clockwise and counter-clockwise; and

,

placing the area of coverage of each of said wireless cells of said first group substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of at least one of said wireless cells of said second group;

thereby locating physical sectors in an opposing position.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein said channel assignment pattern assigns at least two of said physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.

131. The method of claim 129, wherein said channel assignment pattern assigns no physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.

132. The method of claim 129, wherein said area of coverage of said plurality of wireless apparatus vary by a factor of about one-half raised to an integer power.

133. A method for facilitating network formation, said method comprising:

selecting a first group of three wireless cells, wherein each wireless cell has physical sectors, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage similar to a triangle, a channel assignment pattern, and a predetermined orientation;

selecting a second group of three wireless cells, wherein each wireless cell has physical sectors, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage similar to a triangle, and an orientation similar to said wireless cells of said first group;

rotating said orientation of said wireless cells of said second group about 60-degrees in a direction selected from the group of clockwise and counter-clockwise;

forming a module using said wireless cells of said first group and said second group, said module having an area of coverage and a shape of coverage similar to a hexagon, wherein said area of coverage of each of said wireless cells from said first group is substantially adjacent to said area of coverage of two wireless cells from said second group, and a vertex of said shape of coverage of each wireless cell of said first and said second groups touches a vertex of all said wireless cells;

replicating a plurality of modules; and

,

placing at least a portion of the area of coverage of each of said plurality of modules substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of at least one of said plurality of modules;

thereby locating physical sectors of said wireless cells of said modules in an opposing position.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein said channel assignment pattern assigns at least two of said physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.

135. The method of claim 133, wherein said channel assignment pattern assigns no physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.

136. The method of claim 133, wherein said area of coverage of said plurality of modules vary by a factor of about one-half raised to an integer power.

137. A method for facilitating formation of overlapping coverage, said method comprising:

determining an angle of coverage, an area of coverage, and a shape of coverage;

selecting a wireless apparatus having a plurality of directional antennas each antenna having a physical sector associated therewith;

dividing said directional antennas into at least two groups;

positioning said antennas of each of said groups, wherein the physical sectors of said antennas of each of said groups are substantially non-overlapping; and

,

superimposing said groups, wherein each physical sector of each of said groups overlaps a physical sector of at least one of said groups, wherein the physical sectors of said groups cover said angle of coverage and said area of coverage.

138. The method of claim 137, wherein said shape of coverage is similar to a shape selected from the group of a triangle, a square, a hexagon, and an octagon.

139. The method of claim 137, wherein the number of antennas in each of said groups is selected from the group of three, four, six, and twelve.

140. The method of claim 137, wherein said antennas of each of said groups have a plane of polarization selected from the group of horizontal and vertical.

141. The method of claim 137, wherein each physical sector of each of said groups overlaps a physical sector of at least one of said groups by an amount selected from the group of about 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.

142. The method of claim 137, wherein said angle of coverage is at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270 and 360 degrees.

143. The method of claim 137, wherein said area of coverage varies by a factor of about one-half raised to an integer power.

144. The method of claim 137, wherein the physical sectors of each of said groups are substantially adjacent.

145. The method of claim 137, wherein each physical sector associated with each of said antennas of each of said groups has a substantially similar angle of coverage.

146. A method for facilitating the assignment of channels to at least partially overlapping physical sectors, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless cell having at least three groups of non-overlapping physical sectors each group superimposed such that each physical sector of each of said groups at least partially overlaps at least one physical sector of at least one of said groups; and

,

assigning a channel to each physical sector in each of said groups.

147. The method of claim 146, wherein each physical sector of said groups is assigned a unique channel.

148. The method of claim 146, wherein each physical sector of each of said groups is assigned a same channel.

149. The method of claim 146, wherein adjacent physical sectors of each of said groups are assigned different channels.

150. The method of claim 146, wherein the channel assigned to each overlapping physical sector of each of said groups is different from the channel assigned to each overlapped physical sector of each of said groups.

151. The method of claim 146, wherein the channels assigned to adjacent, overlapping, and overlapped physical sectors are different.

152. The method of claim 146, wherein each of said groups has three substantially adjacent, non-overlapping physical sectors, an angle of coverage of each of said groups is at least one of about 45, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.

153. A method for facilitating forming non-overlapping coverage, said method comprising:

determining an angle of coverage, an area of coverage, and a shape of coverage;

selecting a wireless apparatus adapted to attenuate incoming signals and having a plurality of directional antennas having physical sectors, positioning said directional antennas, whereby said physical sectors of said directional antennas are substantially non-overlapping, substantially cover the angle of coverage, and substantially provide the shape of coverage; and

,

adjusting a size of the physical sectors of said directional antennas, whereby the physical sectors substantially cover the area of coverage.

154. The method of claim 153, wherein said shape of coverage is similar to a square, said angle of coverage is 360-degrees, the number of said plurality of directional antennas is four, and each of said physical sectors has an angle of coverage of about 90-degrees.

155. The method of claim 153, wherein said shape of coverage is similar to a triangle, said angle of coverage is 360-degrees, the number of said plurality of directional antennas is three, and each of said physical sectors has an angle of coverage of about 120-degrees.

156. A method for facilitating the assignment of channels to physical sectors, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless cell having four adjacent, substantially non-overlapping physical sectors, each of said physical sectors having an angle of coverage of about 90-degrees, said wireless cell having a shape of coverage similar to a square; and

,

assigning a channel to each physical sector.

157. The method of claim 156, wherein said physical sectors pointing in an opposite direction are assigned the same channel.

158. The method of claim 156, wherein said channels are selected from a group of C1, C2, and C3.

159. A method for facilitating the assignment of channels to physical sectors, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless cell having three substantially adjacent, substantially non-overlapping physical sectors, each of said physical sectors having an angle of coverage of about 120-degrees, said wireless cell having a shape of coverage similar to a triangle; and

,

assigning a channel to each physical sector.

160. The method of claim 159, wherein said channels are selected from a group of C1, C2, and C3.

161. A method for facilitating network formation using clusters, said method comprising:

selecting a plurality of clusters having physical sectors, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage, a similar orientation, and a channel assignment pattern; and

,

placing the area of coverage of each of said plurality of clusters substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of at least one of said plurality of clusters;

thereby locating physical sectors in an opposing position;

162. The method of claim 161, wherein two sides of said shape of coverage of substantially adjacent clusters substantially touch.

163. The method of claim 161, wherein said channel assignment pattern assigns at least two of said physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.

164. The method of claim 161, wherein said channel assignment pattern assigns no physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.

165. The method of claim 161, wherein said area of coverage of said plurality of clusters vary by a factor of about one-half raised to an integer power.

166. A method for facilitating formation of clusters, said method comprising:

selecting a first, a second, and a third wireless cell having physical sectors, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage similar to a hexagon, and a channel assignment pattern;

placing the area of coverage of said first wireless cell substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of said second wireless cell, wherein one side of the shape of coverage of each wireless cell substantially touch;

thereby locating physical sectors in an opposing position;

placing the area of coverage of said third wireless cell substantially adjacent to the areas of coverage of said first and of said second wireless cells, wherein a first side and a second side of said shape of coverage of said third wireless cell substantially touches said shape of coverage of said first and said second wireless cells respectively;

thereby locating physical sectors in an opposing position;

thereby a vertex of said shape of coverage of each wireless cell touches a vertex of all of said wireless cells; and

,

assigning a channel to each physical sector.

167. The method of claim 166, wherein at least two of said physical sectors located in an opposing position are assigned the same channel.

168. The method of claim 166, wherein none of said physical sectors located in an opposing position are assigned the same channel.

169. A method for facilitating forming non-overlapping coverage, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless apparatus having three directional antennas;

wherein each directional antenna has an angle of coverage of about 120-degrees, and a physical sector; and

,

positioning said directional antennas;

wherein each of said physical sectors is substantially adjacent to two of said physical sectors, and said physical sectors of each antenna combine to form an shape of coverage similar to a triangle.

170. A method for facilitating forming non-overlapping coverage, said method comprising:

selecting a wireless apparatus having four directional antennas;

wherein each directional antenna has an angle of coverage of about 90-degrees, and a physical sector; and

,

positioning said directional antennas;

wherein each of said physical sectors is substantially adjacent to two of said physical sectors, each physical sector faces a direction opposite of one other physical sector, and the physical sectors of each antenna combine to form an shape of coverage similar to a square.

171. A method for facilitating the assignment of channels to network, said method comprising:

selecting a network having opposing physical sectors and a plurality of wireless cells, each of said wireless cells having a shape of coverage similar to a triangle;

identifying a master wireless cell;

assigning said master wireless cell a hop number of zero;

setting a current hop number to zero;

setting a next hop number to one;

identifying a wireless cells physically closest to each of said current hop number cells;

assigning an identified cell said next hop number;

incrementing said current hop number and said next hop number by one;

repeating said identifying step, said assigning step, and said incrementing step until all wireless cells of said network are assigned a hop number;

selecting a channel assignment pattern;

assigning said channel assignment pattern to said master wireless cell and to all wireless cells having an even hop number;

rotating said channel assignment pattern about 60-degrees in a direction selected from the group of clockwise and counter-clockwise;

assigning said rotated channel assignment pattern to all wireless cells having an odd hop number;

172. The method of claim 171, wherein at least two of said opposing physical sectors are assigned the same channel.

173. The method of claim 171, wherein none of said opposing physical sectors are assigned the same channel.

174. A method for facilitating the assignment of channels to network, said method comprising:

selecting a network having opposing physical sectors and a plurality of wireless cells, each of said wireless cells having a shape of coverage similar to a square;

identifying a master wireless cell;

assigning said master wireless cell a hop number of zero;

setting a current hop number to zero;

setting a next hop number to one;

identifying a wireless cells physically closest to each of said current hop number cells;

assigning an identified cell said next hop number;

incrementing said current hop number and said next hop number by one;

repeating said identifying step, said assigning step, and said incrementing step until all wireless cells of said network are assigned a hop number;

forming a nine-cell channel pattern by assigning a channel assignment pattern to said master wireless cell, to each of said wireless cells assigned a hop number of one, and to each of said wireless cells that are substantially adjacent to two wireless cells assigned a hop number of one;

assigning said nine-cell channel pattern to said plurality of wireless cells such that the center cell of said nine-cell channel assignment pattern falls only on wireless cells assigned an even hop number.

175. The method of claim 174, wherein at least two of said opposing physical sectors are assigned the same channel.

176. The method of claim 174, wherein none of said opposing physical sectors are assigned the same channel.

177. A method for facilitating the implementation of networks, said method comprising:

collecting information about a physical space;

determining a position of a nearby foreign wireless cell;

determining desired network performance characteristics;

transferring the information about said physical space, said position, and said desired network performance characteristics to a computer program configured to calculate optimal network configurations;

using said computer program to calculate various optimal network configurations;

wherein calculations are done in at least one of the following manners, fully automatically, semi-automatically, manually, using a predetermined library of wireless components, using wireless cells of different sizes, providing visual output, and requiring visual input;

selecting a network configuration;

physically placing wireless apparatus according to said network configuration;

communicating with each cell using said computer program to adjust wireless cell parameters specified in said network configuration.

178. The method of claim 177, further comprising using said computer program to test said wireless apparatus, collecting actual performance data, using actual performance data to calculate various new optimal network configurations, repeating said selecting step, said physically placing step, and said communicating step.