Method and system for 60 GHZ location determination based on varying antenna direction and coordination of WLAN/WPAN/GPS multimode devices

• US 8,126,425 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2011
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hansen, Christopher J., Karaoguz, Jeyhan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US13/052,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20110207444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 455/414.2, 455/456.1, 455/457, 455/16, 455/456.6, 340/426.19, 340/539.13, 340/584, 342/417
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Within a local region, information may be communicated between two or more wireless multimode communication devices (WMCD) comprising 60 GHz band and lower frequency band wireless interfaces. Spatial relationships between devices may vary. The 60 GHz interface may handle location determination operations and data transfers. The lower frequency band may support WPAN, WLAN and may handle coordination of communications and data transfers. The WMCDs may be coupled with a network. Antennas may be directional. Moreover, the spatial orientation of the antennas may be dynamically modified or swept across a specified angle. Furthermore, intelligent and/or adaptive antenna systems may be utilized. The WMCDs may utilize a position and/or time reference system to aid in location determination operations.

Claims

1. A method for enabling wireless communication, the method comprising:

in a first of a plurality of wireless multimode communication devices (WMCDs), each of which comprises an integrated 60 GHz interface and one or more lower radio frequency band interfaces;

sweeping a direction of transmitting 60 GHz signals or of receiving 60 GHz signals, through one or more angles, wherein a location of at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs is determined based on said sweeping said direction of said transmitting 60 GHz signals or of said receiving 60 GHz signals; and

coordinating communication between said first of said plurality of WMCDs and said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs via said one or more lower radio frequency band interfaces.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising one or both of:

determining said location of said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs based on measurements made via a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs and one or more of directional, steered, adaptive and intelligent antennas or antenna systems; and

communicating with said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDS via a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs and one or more of directional, steered, adaptive and intelligent antennas or antenna systems.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising transmitting and/or receiving a pilot signal or beacon signal via said transmitted 60 GHz signals or via said received 60 GHz signals for said determining a location.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising radiating a pilot and/or beacon signal in a stationary pattern via a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs for said determining a location.

5. The method according to claim 1, comprising determining a position reference system or a time reference system by said first of said plurality of WMCDs for said determining said location, based on one or more of:

a GPS system;

a terrestrial reference system;

another WMCD;

an indication of North, South, East, West and altitude;

a self determined reference system; and

user configuration.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising augmenting and/or improving precision of GPS position measurements for one or more of said plurality of WMCDs utilizing a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating one or more of location information, angle information, time information and WMCD coordinates to one or more of said plurality of WMCDs via one or more lower radio frequency band interfaces of said first of said plurality of WMCDs.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising processing spatial information to determine position and/or mapping of said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs based on radio measurements.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising, communicating one or more of high speed file transfers, audio and/or video data transfers, video streaming, single user wireless gaming and multiuser wireless gaming, utilizing a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs for said communicating.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising, dynamically modifying spatial orientation of antennas by said first of said plurality of WMCDs according to varying spatial relationships among two or more of said plurality of WMCDs.

11. A system for enabling wireless communication, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in a first of a plurality of wireless multimode communication devices (WMCDs), each of which comprises an integrated 60 GHz interface and one or more lower radio frequency band interfaces, said one or more circuits being operable to;

sweep a direction of transmitting 60 GHz signals or of receiving 60 GHz signals, through one or more angles, wherein a location of at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs is determined based on said sweeping said direction of said transmitting 60 GHz signals or of said receiving 60 GHz signals; and

coordinate communication between said first of said plurality of WMCDs and said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs via said one or more lower radio frequency band interfaces.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits in said first of said plurality of WMCDs is operable to one or both of:

determine said location of said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs based on measurements made via a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs and one or more of directional, steered, adaptive and intelligent antennas or antenna systems; and

communicate with said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDS via a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs and one or more of directional, steered, adaptive and intelligent antennas or antenna systems.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits in said first of said plurality of WMCDs is operable to one or both of:

transmit and/or receive a pilot signal or beacon signal via said transmitted 60 GHz signals or via said received 60 GHz signals for said determining a location; and

radiate a pilot and/or beacon signal in a stationary pattern via a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs for said determining a location.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits in said first of said plurality of WMCDs is operable to determine a position reference system or a time reference system for said determining said location, based on one or more of:

a GPS system;

a terrestrial reference system;

another WMCD;

an indication of North, South, East, West and altitude;

a self determined reference system; and

user configuration.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits in said first of said plurality of WMCDs is operable to augment and/or improve precision of GPS position measurements for one or more of said plurality of WMCDs utilizing a 60 GHz physical interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits in said first of said plurality of WMCDs is operable to communicate one or more of location information, angle information, time information and WMCD coordinates to one or more of said plurality of WMCDs via one or more lower radio frequency band interfaces of said first of said plurality of WMCDs.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits in said first of said plurality of WMCDs is operable to process spatial information to determine position and/or mapping of said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs based on radio measurements.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits in said first of said plurality of WMCDs is operable to communicate one or more of high speed file transfers, audio and/or video data transfers, video streaming, single user wireless gaming and multiuser wireless gaming, utilizing a 60 GHz interface of said first of said plurality of WMCDs for said communicating.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits in said first of said plurality of WMCDs is operable to dynamically modify spatial orientation of antennas according to varying spatial relationships among two or more of said plurality of WMCDs.

20. A non-transitory machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for enabling wireless communication, the at least one code section being executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform steps comprising:

in a first of a plurality of wireless multimode communication devices (WMCDs), each of which comprises an integrated 60 GHz interface and one or more lower radio frequency band interfaces;

sweeping a direction of transmitting 60 GHz signals or of receiving 60 GHz signals, through one or more angles, wherein a location of at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs is determined based on said sweeping said direction of said transmitting 60 GHz signals or of said receiving 60 GHz signals; and

coordinating communication between said first of said plurality of WMCDs and said at least one other of said plurality of WMCDs via said one or more lower radio frequency band interfaces.