Adaptive broadband platforms and methods of operation

• US 20070082674A1
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Wireless Sweden AB
• Original Assignee: Innovative Wireless Sweden AB
• Inventors: Lastinger, Roc, Pedersen, Erling
• Granted Patent: US 8,428,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/026 Co-operative diversity, e.g. using fixed or mobile stations as relays
• 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: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• 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 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/06 based on characteristics of available antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation

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 method performed by a subscriber platform for communication with other subscriber platforms, the method comprising:

a. determining a first tiling pattern, the tiling pattern associated with a respective set of sector allocation patterns stored in the subscriber platform, each sector allocation pattern associated with a respective set of channels;

b. selecting a first sector allocation pattern from the set of sector allocation patterns associated with the selected tiling pattern; and

c. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the set of channels associated with selected sector allocation pattern.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first tiling pattern is determined in accordance with a set of tiling patterns stored in the subscriber platform.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

a. each respective channel has a respective direction;

b. each sector allocation pattern has a geometric relationship among the directions of the channels of the associated set of channels; and

c. the method further comprises;

(1) determining a first received signal strength by receiving via a first channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern;

(2) determining a second received signal strength by receiving via either the first channel or via a second channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern; and

(3) determining a reference direction of an antenna beam for at least one channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern in accordance with the first received signal strength, the second received signal strength, and the geometric relationship of the selected sector allocation pattern; and

(4) communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the selected allocation pattern oriented in accordance with the reference direction.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein:

a. each respective channel has a respective direction; and

b. the method further comprises;

(1) determining a first received signal strength by receiving in a first direction;

(2) determining a second received signal strength by receiving in a second direction;

(3) determining a reference direction in accordance with the first received signal strength and the second received signal strength; and

(4) communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the selected allocation pattern oriented in accordance with the reference direction.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein:

a. each respective channel has a respective direction; and

b. the method further comprises;

(1) determining a reference direction in accordance with a magnetic compass; and

(2) communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the selected allocation pattern oriented in accordance with the reference direction.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein:

a. each respective channel has a respective direction; and

b. the method further comprises;

(1) determining a signal strength by receiving via a first channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern;

(2) providing a feedback signal in response to the signal strength;

(3) determining a reference direction in accordance with the feedback signal; and

(4) communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the selected allocation pattern oriented in accordance with the reference direction.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the feedback signal provides guidance for a user to manually orient the subscriber platform.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising indicating to a user, in accordance with the feedback signal, at least one of a received signal strength and a recommended change in orientation;

so that a user'"'"'s movement of the subscriber platform aids in orienting the selected sector allocation pattern.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a. receiving indicia of a second tiling pattern via a channel of the first set of channels, the second tiling pattern being associated with a second set of sector allocation patterns stored in the subscriber platform; and

b. selecting a second sector allocation pattern from the second set of sector allocation patterns, the second sector allocation pattern identifying a second set of channels; and

c. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the second set of channels.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising discontinuing communication in accordance with the first set of channels.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising communicating via the first set of channels a request for the indicia of the second tiling pattern.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a. determining a first communication range via communication in a first sector of the selected sector allocation pattern;

b. determining a second communication range via communication in a second sector of the selected sector allocation pattern, the second communication range being greater than the first communication range; and

c. communicating with the other subscriber platforms using less than all sectors of the plurality.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a. determining a first communication range via communication in a first sector of the selected sector allocation pattern;

b. determining a second communication range via communication in a second sector of the selected sector allocation pattern, the second communication range being greater than the first communication range; and

c. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the selected sector allocation pattern and the first communication range.

14. A memory comprising indicia of instructions for performance of the method of claim 1 by a processor.

15. A subscriber platform for communication with other subscriber platforms, the subscriber platform comprising:

a. means for determining a first tiling pattern, the tiling pattern associated with a respective set of sector allocation patterns stored in the subscriber platform, each sector allocation pattern associated with a respective set of channels;

b. means for selecting a first sector allocation pattern from the set of sector allocation patterns associated with the selected tiling pattern; and

c. means for communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the set of channels associated with selected sector allocation pattern.

16-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A subscriber platform comprising:

a. a memory comprising indicia of a first set of tiling patterns and a second set of sector allocation patterns; and

b. means for communicating with other subscriber platforms in accordance with a tiling pattern of the first set and a sector allocation pattern of the second set;

wherein;

c. each tiling pattern comprises at least four sector allocation patterns of the second set; and

d. each sector allocation pattern comprises a respective first pair of sectors for communication via a respective first communication channel, and a respective second pair of sectors for communication via a respective second communication channel, the respective channels being members of a third set of three communication channels.

29. The subscriber platform of claim 28 wherein:

a. the second set comprises at least six unique sector allocation patterns; and

b. the first set comprises;

(1) a first tiling pattern having the first sector allocation pattern and the fourth sector allocation pattern;

(2) a second tiling pattern having the second sector allocation pattern and the fifth sector allocation pattern;

(3) a third tiling pattern having the third sector allocation pattern and the sixth sector allocation pattern;

(4) a fourth tiling pattern having the first sector allocation pattern, the second sector allocation pattern, the fourth sector allocation pattern, and the fifth sector allocation pattern;

(5) a fifth tiling pattern having the first sector allocation pattern, the third sector allocation pattern, the fourth sector allocation pattern, and the sixth sector allocation pattern; and

(6) a sixth tiling pattern having the second sector allocation pattern, the third second sector allocation pattern, the fifth sector allocation pattern, and the sixth sector allocation pattern.

30. A subscriber platform comprising:

a. a memory comprising indicia of a first set of tiling patterns and a second set of sector allocation patterns; and

b. means for communicating with other subscriber platforms in accordance with a tiling pattern of the first set and a sector allocation pattern of the second set;

wherein;

c. each tiling pattern comprises three sector allocation patterns of the second set; and

d. each sector allocation pattern comprises a respective first pair of sectors for communication via a respective first communication channel and a respective second pair of sectors for communication via a respective second communication channel, the respective channels being members of a third set of three communication channels.

31. The subscriber platform of claim 30 wherein:

a. the second set comprises at least six unique sector allocation patterns; and

b. the first set comprises;

(1) a first, second, third, and fourth unique tiling patterns each having the first sector allocation pattern, the second sector allocation pattern, and the third sector allocation pattern; and

(2) a fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth unique tiling patterns each having the fourth sector allocation pattern, the fifth sector allocation pattern, and the sixth sector allocation pattern.

32. A subscriber platform comprising:

a. a plurality of transceivers each operative on a respective channel to communicate in a respective sector;

b. a memory having indicia of a plurality of sector allocation patterns; and

c. a processor coupled to the memory and to the plurality of transceivers that selects a sector allocation pattern of the plurality, and that assigns a respective channel and sector to each transceiver in accordance with the selected sector allocation pattern.

33-46. -46. (canceled)