SYSTEMS AND ETIQUETTE FOR HOME GATEWAYS USING WHITE SPACE

• US 20120096498A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Inventors: Wu, Shiquan, Yee, Jung
• Granted Patent: US 8,995,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2602 Signal structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/003 Arrangements for allocating sub-channels of the transmission path
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/02 Resource partitioning among network components, e.g. reuse partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Methods and systems for sharing white space with primary services and other emerging services are provided. Signal distribution within a specified location, such as a dwelling, is performed using a home gateway that identifies unused white space, reserves such white space spectrum, and delivers data to one or more devices at the respective location using the reserved spectrum. Signalling between the devices and the gateway is performed over a shared signalling channel, which enables the gateway to advise the devices from where and when to receive data. The gateway also uses a common spectrum reservation OFDM symbol to advise the neighbouring gateways of the local spectrum reservation.

Claims

1. A data distribution unit for transmitting data signals carrying user data to a wireless enabled device located within a specified area, comprising:

a processor adapted to

select a data signal from a signal source,

convert the data signal to a baseband signal in accordance with a first protocol associated with the wireless enabled device, and

adjust parameters of the baseband signal so as to comply with a second protocol associated with white space; and

a distributor coupled to the processor, the distributor adapted to receive an identification of a white-space channel in TV spectrum available for communication in the specified area, and convert the adjusted baseband signal for transmission on the white-space channel.

2. A data distribution unit as in claim 1, further comprising an antenna for transmitting the adjusted baseband signal on the white-space channel to the wireless enabled device for enabling the wireless enabled device to reproduce the user data.

3. A data distribution unit as in claim 1, wherein the white space channel is formed of M cells of TV spectrum that are not currently used in the specified area.

4. A data distribution unit as in claim 3, wherein the distributor comprises:

N branches connected to the output of the processor, the N branches being tuned on carrier frequencies associated with the white-space channel, and

a radio frequency (RF) combiner for combining outputs of the N branches at the input of the antenna, wherein M≦

N.

5. A data distribution unit as in claim 4, wherein the baseband signal is partitioned between M branches of the distributor.

6. A data distribution system as in claim 3, wherein the identification of the white-space channel includes a carrier frequency, a frequency band, and a time interval for each of the M cells.

7. A data distribution system as in claim 1, wherein the identification of the white-space channel includes a carrier frequency, a frequency band, and a time interval.

8. A data distribution system as in claim 1, wherein the second protocol provides for adjusting the parameters of the baseband signal so as to not interfere with any primary service available in the specified area.

9. A method for distribution of data signals carrying user data to a wireless enabled device located within a specified area, comprising:

selecting a data signal from a signal source;

converting the data signal to a baseband signal according to a first protocol associated with the wireless enabled device;

adjusting parameters of the baseband signal so as to comply with a second protocol associated with white space; and

converting the adjusted baseband signal for transmission on a white-space channel identified in TV spectrum as available for communication in the specified area.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the white space channel is formed of M cells of TV spectrum that are not currently used in the specified area.

11. A method as in claim 10, further comprising transmitting the adjusted baseband signal on the white-space channel to the wireless enabled device for allowing the wireless enabled device to reproduce the user data.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein adjusting the parameters of the baseband signal comprises:

separating the baseband signal into M component signals;

routing the component signals along M branches of an N branch distributor, where M≦

N; and

processing the M component signals according to the second protocol.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein processing the M component signals according to the second protocol comprises:

selecting a carrier frequency, time interval, and frequency band for each of the M component signals in a part of the TV spectrum that is not currently used by a primary service;

modulating the M component signals over a respective carrier frequency; and

adjusting powers of the M component signals to a respective preset value.

14. A method as in claim 9, further comprising synchronizing the adjusted baseband signal to a digital TV broadcast signal available in the specified area.

15. A method as in claim 12, further comprising providing a signalling channel for enabling the wireless enabled device to transmit and receive messages to and from the distributor.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the signalling channel uses a carrier frequency within a portion of the white space available in the specified area.

17. A method as in claim 15, wherein the signalling channel has a carrier frequency selected in a fixed relationship with the beginning of an ATSC channel.

18. A method as in claim 15, wherein the signalling channel is shared by at least two wireless enabled devices present in the specified area.

19. A method as in claim 15, wherein the signalling channel is established over a data network.