Method and system for a scalable radio architecture

• US 20050174966A1
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alereon Incorporated (PNG Telecommunications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alereon Incorporated (PNG Telecommunications, Inc.)
• Inventors: Short, Robert T., Lansford, James L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,018,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7163 using impulse radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/023 Multiplexing of multicarrier modulation signals multicarrier modulation H04L27/2601
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/06 the signals being represented by different frequencies combined with time-division multiplexing H04L5/26

Abstract

Systems and methods for a scalable architecture for radio device and systems are disclosed. This architecture employs a scalable bandwidth to deliver higher data rates and transmission ranges to devices that need them, while still delivering lower power solutions for devices which utilize a smaller bandwidth. These systems and methods may divide the available frequency spectrum into a set of fundamental sub-bands. Different devices may use various multiples of these sub-bands depending on their needs. Devices employing this architecture are also capable of interoperation with one another regardless of the bandwidth they utilize. A device may scan through each sub-band within which the device intends to operate, searching for a common beacon transmitted by other devices utilizing the sub-band. If a beacon is found the device can choose to interoperate with the other device or, alternatively, continue scanning the sub-bands until an unused sub-band is found.

Claims

1. A method for a scalable architecture for wireless devices, comprising:

selecting a channel on which to transmit, wherein the channel is selected from a plurality of sets of channels, each set of channels comprising one or more channels of the same bandwidth and formed by aggregating an equal number of contiguous bandwidth sub-bands from a set of sub-bands, each of the set of sub-bands being of substantially equal and substantially orthogonal bandwidths; and

transmitting on at least one sub-band, including a first sub-band, which comprise the channel selected.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a first beacon on the first sub-band.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first beacon is transmitted at a regular interval.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting the bandwidth utilized by the device on the first sub-band.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first beacon is a pseudo random code.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the length of the pseudo random code corresponds to a number of tones in the first sub-band.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pseudo random code comprises at least one Barker code, or concatenated Barker codes.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a symbol of the pseudo random code is transmitted in substantially every tone of the first sub-band.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein selecting a channel on which to transmit comprises scanning one or more of the set of sub-bands for a second beacon transmitted by a device transmitting on a second sub-band.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising deciding whether to interoperate with the second device if the second beacon is found.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one sub-band includes the second sub-band if interoperation with the second device is wanted.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one sub-band does not include the second sub-band if the first device does not want to interoperate with the second device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first sub-band is the second sub-band.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first channel and second channel have different bandwidths.

15. A system for interoperable wireless devices, comprising

a first device operable to select a first channel on which to transmit, wherein the first channel is selected from a plurality of sets of channels, each set of channels comprising one or more channels of the same bandwidth and formed by aggregating an equal number of contiguous bandwidth sub-bands from a set of sub-bands, each of the set of sub-bands being of substantially equal and substantially orthogonal bandwidths;

and

transmit on a first at least one sub-band, including a first sub-band, which comprise the selected first channel.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first device is further operable to transmit a first beacon on the first sub-band.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first device is further operable to transmit the beacon at a regular interval.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first device is further operable to transmit the bandwidth utilized by the first device on the first sub-band.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the first beacon is a pseudo random code.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the length of the pseudo random code corresponds to a number of tones in the first sub-band.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the pseudo random code comprises at least one Barker code, or concatenated Barker codes.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first device is further operable to transmit a symbol of the pseudo random code in substantially every tone of the first sub-band.

23. The system of claim 16, further including

a second device operable to select a second channel on which to transmit, wherein the channel is selected from the plurality of sets of channels;

transmit on a second at least one sub-band, including a second sub-band, comprising the selected second channel selected; and

transmit a second beacon on the second sub-band.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the first device is further operable to scan one or more of the set of sub-bands for the second beacon.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the first device is further operable to decide whether to interoperate with the second device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first at least one sub-band includes the second sub-band if the first device wants to interoperate with the second device.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the first at least one sub-band does not include the second sub-band if the first device does not want to interoperate with the second device.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the first sub-band is the second sub-band.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the first channel and second channel have different bandwidths.

30. A system for interoperable wireless devices, comprising a set of devices, wherein each device is operable to:

select a first channel from one or more of a plurality of sets of channels, each set of channels comprising one or more channels of the same bandwidth and formed by aggregating an equal number of contiguous bandwidth sub-bands from a set of sub-bands, each of the set of sub-bands being of substantially equal and substantially orthogonal bandwidths;

transmit on at least one sub-band, including a first sub-band, which comprise the first channel;

transmit a first beacon on the first sub-band at a regular interval;

scan one or more of the set of sub-bands for the beacon transmitted by a second device in the set of devices on a second sub-band; and

interoperate with the second device, wherein interoperating with the second devices comprises selecting the first channel to include both the first sub-band and the second sub-band.