Network device and method employing omni-directional and directional antennas

• US 6,370,369 B1
• Filed: 06/22/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbH (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony International Europe Gmbh (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Zumkeller, Markus, Kraiem, Besma, Enderlein, Janos
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOORE, JAMES K
• Application Number:
  US09/599,338
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 455/101, 455/277.2, 455/277.1, 455/423, 375/347, 375/267
• US Class Current: 455/277.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0608 Antenna selection according to transmission parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0811 during preamble or gap period
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40052 High-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus bus transfer protocol on a daisy chain bus using an embedded synchronisation G06F13/426

Abstract

Performing an antenna diversity set-up according to the present invention a first mobile terminal (1) transmits a pre-defined antenna calibration signal to a second mobile terminal (15) using its omni-directional antenna (10). During the period of the transmitted signal the best receiving antenna (x) is identified at the second mobile terminal (15) by switching all its directional antennas (21 to 28) and its omni-directional antenna (20) into its receiving path and measuring the received signal quality, e.g. the received signal strength. The directional antenna (x) of the second network device (15) which is identified as best receiving antenna is then used for transmission and reception of data transfer with the first network device (1). Using this antenna, the second network device (15) transmits its pre-defined calibration signal to the first network device (1) which repeats a similar switching and measuring procedure with its directional antennas (11 to 14) and its omni-directional antenna (10) to identify its best receiving antenna (y). These two antennas (x, y) identified at the second network device (15) and the first network device (1) are then used for direct data transfer in-between these both devices. This inventive method is preferably used in direct mode within an IEEE 1394 based HIPERLAN type 2 wireless network.

Claims

1. Method to perform a transmit and receiving antenna diversity in-between a first network device (1) and a second network device (15) of a wireless network, characterized by the following steps:

using an omni-directional antenna (10) of the first network device (1) to transmit a calibration signal from the first network device (1) to the second network device (15);

identifying the best receiving antenna (x) of the second network device (15) by successively switching all directional antennas (21 to 28) and an omni-directional antenna (20) of the second network device (15) into its receiving path and respectively measuring the received signal quality, and setting said identified best receiving antenna (x) as transmit and receiving antenna of said second network device (15);

using the set transmit and receiving antenna (x) of said second network device (15) to transmit a calibration signal from the second network device (15) to the first network device (1); and

identifying the best receiving antenna (y) of the first network device (1) by successively switching all directional antennas (11 to 14) and said omni-directional antenna (10) of the first network device (1) into its receiving path and respectively measuring the received signal quality, and setting said identified best receiving antenna (y) as transmit and receiving antenna of said first network device (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said wireless network is an IEEE 1394 based HIPERLAN type 2 network.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said network device is a mobile terminal (1, 15) or a central controller (18).

4. Network device within a wireless network comprised of a number of directional antennas and having an omni-directional antenna, said network device being a first network device (1) and adapted to perform a transmit and receiving antenna diversity method with a second network device (15) of the wireless network, comprising the steps of:

using an omni-directional antenna (10) of the first network device (1) to transmit a calibration signal from the first network device (1) to the second network device (15);

identifying the best receiving antenna (x) of the second network device (15) by successively switching all directional antennas (21 to 28) and an omni-directional antenna (20) of the second network device (15) into its receiving path and respectively measuring the received signal quality, and setting said identified best receiving antenna (x) as transmit and receiving antenna of said second network device (15);

using the set transmit and receiving antenna (x) of said second network device (15) to transmit a calibration signal from the second network device (15) to the first network device (1); and

identifying the best receiving antenna (y) of the first network device (1) by successively switching all directional antennas (11 to 14) and said onmi-directional antenna (10) of the first network device (1) into its receiving path and respectively measuring the received signal quality, and setting said identified best receiving antenna (y) as transmit and receiving antenna of said first network device (1).

5. Network device according to claim 4, characterized in that said omni-directional antenna (10;

20) thereof is built by a parallel connection of at least some of said directional antennas (11 to 14;

21 to 28).

6. Network device according to claim 5, characterized in that said omni-directional antenna (10;

20) thereof is built by a parallel connection of all of said directional antennas (11 to 14;

21 to 28).