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Methods and apparatus for synchronously combining signals from plural transmitters

  • US 20050031045A1
  • Filed: 02/12/2002
  • Published: 02/10/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. In a communication system comprising at least a plurality of transmitting communication devices and a receiving communication device, a method of combining signals respectively transmitted from the transmitting communication devices to enhance reception at the receiving communication device, comprising:

  • (a) coordinating transmissions of the plurality of the transmitting communication devices such that a plurality of transmitted signals are respectively transmitted over the same communication channel by the plurality of transmitting communication devices substantially simultaneously, each of the transmitted signals including an information signal which is coherently combinable with corresponding information signals in others of the transmitted signals;

    (b) receiving the transmitted signals at the receiving communication device such that respective arrival times of the transmitted signals are offset from one another as a function of respective positions of the transmitting communication devices;

    (c) time aligning the transmitted signals to compensate for the respective arrival times of the transmitted signals;

    (d) combining the transmitted signals to form a combined signal including at least a combined information signal; and

    (e) detecting the combined signal to determine the presence of the transmitted signals.

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