Dynamically optimized smart antenna system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for use in establishing and maintaining wireless data links, the system comprising:
- an antenna system capable of being selectively configured to transmit or receive an electromagnetic signal in a plurality of selected patterns; and
a controller coupled to the antenna system and configured to transmit at least one polling request through the antenna system, detect one or more responses to the at least one polling request while the antenna system is configured in at least two different selected patterns, determine a selected pattern for the antenna system based on the responses to the polling request received while the antenna system is configured in the at least two different selected patterns and transmit a signal to the antenna system indicating the selected pattern for the antenna system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communications network includes a plurality of wireless devices equipped with direction-agile antenna systems to allow the wireless devices to establish and maintain wireless data links with each other.
67 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for use in establishing and maintaining wireless data links, the system comprising:
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an antenna system capable of being selectively configured to transmit or receive an electromagnetic signal in a plurality of selected patterns; and a controller coupled to the antenna system and configured to transmit at least one polling request through the antenna system, detect one or more responses to the at least one polling request while the antenna system is configured in at least two different selected patterns, determine a selected pattern for the antenna system based on the responses to the polling request received while the antenna system is configured in the at least two different selected patterns and transmit a signal to the antenna system indicating the selected pattern for the antenna system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of improving a wireless communication link using an antenna system having multiple patterns, the method comprising:
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transmitting at least one request from the antenna system; scanning the antenna system in multiple patterns; detecting responses to the request while the antenna system is configured in at least two different selected patterns during the scanning; determining a pattern of the antenna system based on the detected responses; and transmitting or receiving a signal from the antenna system in the determined pattern. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for use in establishing and maintaining wireless communications using an antenna system with the capability to transmit and receive signals in a direction having a positive antenna gain and to vary that, the method comprising:
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transmitting a communication from the antenna system; electronically steering the antenna gain of the antenna system through multiple directions; detecting a response signal to the communication while the antenna system is being steered through multiple directions; selecting the direction of the antenna gain based upon at least one characteristic of the response signal received at different directions of the antenna gain; and transmitting or receiving a signal from the antenna system in the selected direction.
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26. A method of improving a wireless communication link using an antenna system with the capability to transmit and receive signals in more than one pattern, the method comprising:
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transmitting from a device one or more signals that expect a response; receiving one or more signals that expect a response at the antenna system from a device when the antenna system is configured in at least two different selected patterns; determining a pattern of the antenna system based on the received signals; and transmitting a response to the one or more signals that request a response in the determined pattern. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An antenna system for use in establishing and maintaining wireless data links, the system comprising:
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an antenna having a plurality of antenna elements arranged for use as a phased array capable of selectively transmitting or receiving an electromagnetic signal in a plurality of patterns; and a controller coupled to the antenna and configured to transmit polling requests through the antenna, detect responses to the polling requests while the antenna is configured in at least two different selected patterns, determine a selected pattern of the antenna for transmitting or receiving based on the responses to the polling requests, transmit a signal to the antenna indicating the selected pattern of the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. An antenna system for use in establishing and maintaining wireless data links, the system comprising:
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an antenna system capable of selectively transmitting or receiving an electromagnetic signal in a plurality of directions; and a controller coupled to the antenna system and configured to send a signal to the antenna system to cause it to orient its gain in multiple directions, transmit polling requests through the antenna system, detect responses to the polling requests while the antenna system is oriented in at least two different directions, determine a selected direction for the orientation of the gain of the antenna system based on the responses received while the antenna system was oriented in at least two different directions, and transmit a direction control signal to the antenna system indicating the selected direction for the orientation of the gain of the antenna system. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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Specification