RADIOTERMINALS AND OPERATING METHODS THAT RECEIVE MULTIPLE MEASURES OF INFORMATION FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES

• US 20110201326A1
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,340,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/026 Co-operative diversity, e.g. using fixed or mobile stations as relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0491 using two or more sectors, i.e. sector diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0837 using pre-detection combining H04B7/0868 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0854 using error minimizing algorithms, e.g. minimum mean squared error [MMSE], "cross-correlation" or matrix inversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/42 in systems with time, space, frequency or polarisation diversity

Abstract

A radioterminal includes a receiver that is configured to receive information from a base station by receiving a first measure of the information from the base station and a second measure of the information from a second device. The second device receives a measure of the information from the base station, responsively generates the second measure of the information and transmits the second measure of the information to the radioterminal over a short-range wireless link. Related methods are also described.

Claims

1. A radioterminal comprising:

a receiver that is configured to receive information from a base station by receiving a first measure of the information from the base station and a second measure of the information from a second device;

wherein the second device receives a measure of the information from the base station, responsively generates the second measure of the information and transmits the second measure of the information to the radioterminal over a short-range wireless link.

2. A radioterminal according to claim 1 wherein the second device is a radioterminal.

3. A radioterminal according to claim 1 wherein the base station transmits the information to the radioterminal co-channel with second information that the base station transmits to a second radioterminal, and wherein the radioterminal is configured to receive and decode the information that is co-channel with the second information.

4. A radioterminal according to claim 1 further comprising a transmitter that is configured to transmit return-link information to the base station co-channel with second return-link information that a second radioterminal transmits to the base station, and wherein the base station is configured to receive and decode the return-link information that is co-channel with the second return-link information.

5. A radioterminal according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of antenna elements.

6. A radioterminal operating method comprising:

receiving information from a base station by receiving a first measure of the information from the base station and a second measure of the information from a second device over a short-range wireless link;

wherein the second device receives a measure of the information from the base station, responsively generates the second measure of the information and transmits the second measure of the information to the radioterminal over the short-range wireless link.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the second device is a radioterminal.

8. A method according to claim 6 further comprising:

transmitting the information from the base station to the radioterminal co-channel with second information that the base station transmits to a second radioterminal; and

receiving and decoding the information that is co-channel with the second information at the radioterminal.

9. A method according to claim 6 further comprising:

transmitting return-link information to the base station co-channel with second return-link information that a second radioterminal transmits to the base station, wherein the base station is configured to receive and decode the return-link information that is co-channel with the second return-link information.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the radioterminal comprises a plurality of antenna elements.