Single transceiver architecture for a wireless network

• US 20080019341A1
• Filed: 05/05/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Rearden, LLC
• Inventors: Perlman, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,471,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15507 Relay station based processing for cell extension or control of coverage area, network planning with network coordinated processing with regard to cell extension H04W16/26; network topologies using dedicated repeater stations H04W84/047; terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from an other terminal H04W88/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15542 Selecting at relay station its transmit and receive resources selection of wireless resources by user or terminal H04W72/02; arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path by two-dimensional division of the resources H04L5/0003, or by allocating sub-channels H04L5/003
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A network for wireless transmission of data includes a source access point, a destination device and a plurality of wireless repeaters that provide a transmission link between the source access point and the destination device. The plurality of access points each includes a single transceiver with separate transmitter and receiver sections operable to simultaneously transmit and receive data on different frequency channels. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A system comprising:

a source device that transmits a first block of data during a first time interval, the source device ceasing transmission during a second time interval and then transmitting a second block of data on a first frequency during a third time interval;

a destination device; and

a plurality of wireless repeaters arranged to provide a pipelined data transmission link between the source device and the destination device, each of the repeaters having a transceiver coupled with a non-directional antenna, a first wireless repeater being operable to receive the first block of data from the source device during the first time interval, store the first block of data in a memory, and then transmit the first block of data within the second time interval, a second repeater within an in-band interference range of the source device being operable to receive the first block of data from the first wireless repeater during the second time interval, store the first block of data, and then transmit the first block of data within the third time interval using a second frequency that is non-interfering with respect to the first frequency.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the source device is operable to alternate between transmitting and not transmitting data for a plurality of successive time intervals that includes the first, second and third time intervals, the source device transmitting during odd-numbered time intervals and not transmitting during even-numbered time intervals.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first repeater receives and stores data in the memory during the odd-numbered time intervals, and transmits the stored data within the even-numbered time intervals.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the second repeater receives and stores the data during the even-numbered time intervals and transmits the data using the second frequency during the odd-numbered time intervals.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the destination device receives the first block of data from a last repeater in the pipelined data transmission link.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein a the second frequency is in a 5 GHz frequency band.

16. A system comprising:

a source device that transmits data packets;

a destination device that receives the data packets; and

a plurality of wireless repeaters configured in a network chain to provide a pipelined data transmission link between the source device and the destination device in accordance with a transmission protocol, at least two non-adjacent wireless repeaters in the network chain being located within an in-band interference range of each other, each of the wireless repeaters having only a single transceiver coupled with a non-directional antenna, and

wherein the source device is operable to alternate between transmitting and not transmitting data packets for a plurality of successive time intervals, the source device transmitting during odd-numbered time intervals and not transmitting during even-numbered time intervals.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein according to the transmission protocol, data throughput is maintained as additional ones of the wireless repeaters are inserted in the in the network chain.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the destination device is located beyond an in-band interference range, yet within a maximum bandwidth range, of a last repeater in the network chain.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the transmission protocol allows for additional ones of the wireless repeaters to be inserted into the pipelined data transmission link.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein each of the plurality of wireless repeaters transmits and receives in a 2.4 GHz frequency band.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein a first repeater in the network chain receives data from the source device in a 2.4 GHz frequency band and transmits in a 5 GHz frequency band, and a last repeater in the transmission link receives data in the 5 GHz frequency band and transmits to the destination device in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

22-29. -29. (canceled)

30. A system comprising:

a source device having a non-directional antenna, the source device being operable to alternate between transmitting and not transmitting data packets for a plurality of successive time intervals, the source device transmitting on a first frequency during odd-numbered time intervals and not transmitting during even-numbered time intervals; and

N wireless repeaters, where N is an integer greater than one, each of the N wireless repeaters having a non-directional antenna, and each being configured in a network chain that provides for pipelined transmission of data packets, odd-numbered wireless repeaters being operable to receive data packets during the odd-numbered time intervals, store the data packets in a memory, and then transmit the data packets within the even-numbered time intervals, even-numbered wireless repeaters being operable to receive data packets during the even-numbered time intervals, store the data packets in a memory, and then transmit the data packets within the odd-numbered time intervals.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein each of the N wireless repeaters transmits using a frequency that does not interfere with either the source device or with any other one of the wireless repeaters in the network chain that is within an in-band interference range and is transmitting at the same time.

32. The system of claim 30 further comprising a destination device that receives data packets from the Nth wireless repeater in the network chain.

33. The system of claim 30 wherein a the Nth wireless repeater in the network chain transmits in a 2.4 GHz frequency band.

34. The system of claim 30 wherein the first frequency is in a 2.4 GHz frequency band.

35. The system of claim 30 wherein at least one of the N wireless repeaters transmits in a 5 GHz frequency band.

36. The system of claim 30 wherein a the 1^st wireless repeater in the network chain receives the data packets from the source device on the first frequency and re-transmits the data packets on a different frequency in a 5 GHz frequency band.

37. The system of claim 30 wherein each of the N wireless repeaters transmits at a data rate substantially equal to that of the source device.

38. The system of claim 30 wherein at least one of the N wireless repeaters comprises a single transceiver.

39. A system comprising:

a source device operable to alternate between transmitting and not transmitting data for a plurality of successive time intervals, the source device transmitting on a first frequency during odd-numbered time intervals and not transmitting during even-numbered time intervals;

a destination device; and

a plurality of wireless repeaters arranged to provide a pipelined data transmission link between the source device and the destination device, each of the repeaters having a transceiver coupled with a non-directional antenna, a first wireless repeater being operable to receive data during the odd-numbered time intervals and transmit data within the even-numbered time intervals, a second repeater within an in-band interference range of the source device being operable to receive the first block of data from the first wireless repeater during the second time interval, store the first block of data, and then transmit the first block of data within the third time interval using a second frequency that is non-interfering with respect to the first frequency, one or more of the wireless repeaters being located in the pipelined data transmission link beyond an in-band interference range, yet within a maximum bandwidth range, of a next repeater in the pipeline, and further

wherein at least one of the wireless repeaters includes;

an input/output (I/O) unit to receive encryption key information that authenticates use in the pipelined data transmission link; and

a ROM to store the encryption key information.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the at least one of the wireless repeaters further comprises a connector coupled to the I/O unit, the connector for receiving a wire plug coupled to an external device that provides the encryption key information.

41. The system of claim 39 wherein the at least one of the wireless repeaters further comprises an indicator panel that provides a visual indication of transmission signal strength, the indicator panel being coupled to the I/O unit.