Method and system for robust, secure, and high-efficiency voice and packet transmission over ad-hoc, mesh, and MIMO communication networks

• US 8,363,744 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2007
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2001
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aloft Media, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Agee, Brian G., Bromberg, Matthew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Payne, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haider, Syed
• Application Number:
  US11/880,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20080232238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,017 Days
• Field of Search: 375/219, 375/232, 375/259, 375/260, 375/267, 375/299, 375/341, 375/343, 375/345, 375/346, 370/206, 370/208, 370/210, 370/252, 370/329, 370/334, 370/343
• US Class Current: 375/267
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0408 using two or more beams, i.e. beam diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0443 utilizing "waterfilling" technique
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0465 taking power constraints at power amplifier or emission constraints, e.g. constant modulus, into account
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/26 Systems using multi-frequency codes H04L27/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2602 Signal structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2605 Symbol extensions, e.g. Zero Tail, Unique Word [UW]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2607 Cyclic extensions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2627 Modulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2646 using feedback from receiver for adjusting OFDM transmission parameters, e.g. transmission timing or guard interval length
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0044 allocation of payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/005 of common pilots, i.e. pilots destined for multiple users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/04 based on wireless node resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/241 : taking into account channel quality metrics, e.g. SIR, SNR, CIR, Eb/lo
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/265 : taking into account the quality of service QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/42 : in systems with time, space, frequency or polarisation diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/00 : Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 : Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 : based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Using at least one MIMO-capable transceiver allows weighting calculations for signals transmitted and received, and enables individual packets to adapt, in a scalable, flexible, and responsive fashion to the real-world dynamics of a continuously varying communications network environment. The method and system of this invention use adaptively-derived diversity means to rapidly and efficiently distinguish the desired signal from noise, network interference, and external interference impinging on the network'"'"'s transceivers and can transmit with lessened overhead. ADC operations and signal transformations continuously update combiner weights to match dynamically-varying environmental and traffic conditions, thereby continuously matching necessitated signal and waveform transformations with environmental and signal effects and sources. Successive iterations of the adaptation algorithm let each node'"'"'s multiport combiner and distribution weights approach the MIMO channel'"'"'s Shannon capacity in high-rate networks, or to minimize power needed to close links at a specified rate in low-rate networks, e.g. Voice-Over-IP networks.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas, where M is greater than or equal to two;

at least one multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver in communication with the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas;

encoding circuitry capable of causing first data to be encoded;

decoding circuitry capable of causing second data to be decoded; and

processing circuitry capable of causing diversity combining, the processing circuitry in communication with the multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the encoding circuitry, and the decoding circuitry, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

receive at least two first diverse signals,

combine at least two of the at least two first diverse signals,

generate at least two second diverse signals based on at least one aspect of the at least two first diverse signals,

simultaneously transmit the at least two second diverse signals, wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in a mesh network including at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node and at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node in a separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, such that at least one of the at least two second diverse signals is capable of being received by the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network,

dynamically change a transmit frequency of the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals capable of being received by the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, and

dynamically re-route the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the dynamically re-routing of the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network in the separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals based on a perceived unacceptable interference associated with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a first set of the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas are capable of receiving the at least two first diverse signals.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a second set of the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas are capable of simultaneously transmitting the at least two second diverse signals.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first set of the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas capable of receiving the at least two first diverse signals is distinct from the second set of the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas capable of simultaneously transmitting the at least two second diverse signals.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first set of the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas capable of receiving the at least two first diverse signals is the same as the second set of the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas capable of simultaneously transmitting the at least two second diverse signals.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas is circularly symmetric.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the processing circuitry includes digital signal processing circuitry capable of performing digital signal processing to convert analog radio signals into digital signals and digital signals into analog radio signals.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver includes a multitone transmission element.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver including the multitone transmission element is capable of multitone transmitting a first multitone format capable of being used by a first transceiver that is different than a second multitone format capable of being used by a second transceiver.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the processing circuitry includes a transceiver controller.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver includes at least one Fixed-Fourier Transform enabling chip.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of implementing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing utilizing the at least one Fixed-Fourier Transform enabling chip.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is a vector orthogonal frequency division multiplexing transceiver.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the vector orthogonal frequency division multiplexing transceiver is capable of linearly combining data received over each antenna in the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the encoding circuitry is capable of incorporating QAM or PSK symbols prior to transmission.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the decoding circuitry is capable of interpreting QAM or PSK symbols.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the encoding circuitry is capable of performing trellis encoding.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in the mesh network including the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, and at least one third multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, the at least one third multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node including a destination node for data associated with the at least two second diverse signals.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is configured to dynamically re-route the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network for routing to the destination node.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that dynamically re-routing the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network in a separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals based on a perceived unacceptable SINR associated with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals is capable of being received by a relay node located in the mesh network.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least two second diverse signals are capable of being simultaneously transmitted as frequency coincident communications.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least two second diverse signals are capable of being transmitted as time and frequency coincident communications.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the at least two second diverse signals includes generating spatially diverse signals.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the spatially diverse signals includes transmitting the spatially diverse signals from the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the at least two second diverse signals includes generating polarization diverse signals.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the polarization diverse signals includes transmitting the spatially diverse signals from a polarization diverse antenna array.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the at least two second diverse signals includes generating route diverse signals.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the route diverse signals includes transmitting the spatially diverse signals to a node in a location separate than a location of the apparatus.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that simultaneously transmitting the at least two second diverse signals includes transmitting such that at least two of the at least two second diverse signals are capable of being received by a non-multiple-input and non-multiple-output capable node.

31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmit beamforming utilizing one or more digital signal processing (DSP) techniques.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the transmit beamforming includes constructing linear distribution weights.

33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that linear combiner weights obtained during a receive operation are capable of being used to construct linear distribution weights for a subsequent transmit operation.

34. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that linear combiner weights obtained during a receive operation are capable of being used to construct linear distribution weights for a subsequent transmit operation by setting transmission gains proportional to the distribution weights.

35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least two second diverse signals include at least one cyclic prefix.

36. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further capable of causing the apparatus to calculate weights associated with the at least two first diverse signals.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the processing circuitry is further capable of causing the apparatus to apply the calculated weights to transmit data.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing circuitry is further capable of causing the apparatus to add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

and

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas is capable of transmitting the at least two second diverse signals of data including the transmit data.

39. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the at least two second diverse signals based on the at least one aspect of the at least two first diverse signals includes constructing linear distribution weights based on the at least two first diverse signals.

40. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the at least two second diverse signals based on the at least one aspect of the at least two first diverse signals includes utilizing linear combiner weights obtained during a receive operation to construct linear distribution weights for a subsequent transmit operation.

41. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that generating the at least two second diverse signals based on the at least one aspect of the at least two first diverse signals includes utilizing linear combiner weights obtained during a receive operation to construct linear distribution weights for a subsequent transmit operation by setting transmission gains proportional to the distribution weights.

74. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that each communication includes communication via at least one other component.

75. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the processing circuitry includes a plurality of components for collectively causing the apparatus to receive, combine, generate, transmit, dynamically change, and dynamically re-route.

76. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the processing circuitry includes a plurality of components for causing the apparatus to receive, combine, generate, transmit, dynamically change, and dynamically re-route;

and the receive and the combine are capable of being carried out by a single component of the processing circuitry.

77. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the dynamically re-route includes dynamically re-routing a link on which the at least two second diverse signals are transmitted.

42. An apparatus, comprising:

at least two antennas;

a multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver in communication with the at least two antennas;

encoding circuitry capable of causing first data to be encoded;

decoding circuitry capable of causing second data to be decoded;

processing circuitry capable of causing diversity combining, the processing circuitry in communication with the multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the encoding circuitry, and the decoding circuitry, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

receive a first spatially diverse signal,

calculate weights associated with the first spatially diverse signal,

apply the weights to transmit data, and

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in a mesh network including at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node and at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node in a separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, such that the at least two antennas are capable of transmitting a second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network,

dynamically change a transmit frequency of the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data transmitted to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, and

dynamically re-route the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamically re-routing of the second spatially diverse signal to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network in the separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the second spatially diverse signal based on a perceived unacceptable interference associated with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in the mesh network including the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, and at least one third multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, the at least one third multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node including a destination node for data associated with the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the apparatus is configured to dynamically re-route the spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network for routing to the destination node.

45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that dynamically re-routing the spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the spatially diverse signal including the transmit data based on a perceived unacceptable SINR associated with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data is capable of being received by a relay node located in the mesh network.

47. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the second spatially diverse signal includes at least two signals.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the apparatus is further configured to simultaneously transmit the at least two signals.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the at least two signals are capable of being simultaneously transmitted as frequency coincident communications.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the apparatus is further configred such that the at least two signals are capable of being simultaneously transmitted as time and frequency coincident communications.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that simultaneously transmitting the at least two signals includes transmitting such that at least one of the at least two signals are capable of being received by a non-multiple-input and non-multiple-output capable node.

52. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the at least two signals are spatially diverse signals.

53. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the at least two signals are polarization diverse signals.

54. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the at least two signals are route diverse signals.

55. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmit beamforming utilizing one or more digital signal processing (DSP) techniques.

56. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the processing circuitry is further capable of causing the apparatus to receive at least two first diverse signals.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processing circuitry is further capable of causing the apparatus to combine at least two of the at least two first diverse signals, the combing of the at least two of the at least two first diverse signals including implementing beamforming.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein processing circuitry is further capable of causing the apparatus to generate at least two second diverse signals utilizing the combined at least two of the at least two first diverse signals.

59. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least two first diverse signals include at least one cyclic prefix.

60. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the calculated weights include beamforming weights.

61. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the calculated weights include transmit weights.

62. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one circuit configured to operate with a spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas, where M is greater than or equal to one, the at least one circuit further configured to operate with a multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver in communication with the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas, the at least one circuit configured to cause the apparatus to;

receive a first spatially diverse signal,

identify information associated with the first spatially diverse signal,

increase a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) associated with the first spatially diverse signal, based on the identified information,

simultaneously transmit at least two second spatially diverse signals, wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in a mesh network including at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node and at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node in a separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, such that at least one of the at least two second spatially diverse signals is capable of being received by the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network,

dynamically change a transmit frequency of the at least one of the at least two second spatially diverse signals capable of being received by the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, and

dynamically re-route the at least one of the at least two second spatially diverse signals to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the dynamically re-routing of the at least one of the at least two second spatially diverse signals to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network in the separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the at least one of the at least two second spatially diverse signals based on a perceived unacceptable interference associated with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the information is received from pilot data.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the apparatus is configured such that increasing the SINR associated with the first spatially diverse signal includes maximizing the SINR associated with the first spatially diverse signal, based on the identified information.

65. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one circuit configured to operate with at least two antennas, the at least one circuit further configured to operate with a multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver in communication with the at least two antennas, the at least one circuit configured to cause the apparatus to;

receive a first spatially diverse signal,

calculate weights associated with the first spatially diverse signal,

apply the weights to transmit data, and

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in a mesh network including at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node and at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node in a separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, such that the at least two antennas are capable of transmitting a second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network,

dynamically change a transmit frequency of the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data transmitted to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, and

dynamically re-route the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamically re-routing of the second spatially diverse signal to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network in the separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the second spatially diverse signal based on a perceived unacceptable interference associated with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the apparatus is configured such that dynamically re-routing the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data based on a perceived unacceptable SINR associated with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

67. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in the mesh network including the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, and at least one third multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node, the at least one third multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node including a destination node for data associated with the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the apparatus is configured to dynamically re-route the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network for routing to the destination node.

69. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data is capable of being received by a relay node located in the mesh network.

70. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the at least one circuit is further configured to cause the apparatus to incorporate network control data in the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data.

71. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the at least one circuit is further configured to cause the apparatus to incorporate feedback data in the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data.

72. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmit beamforming utilizing one or more digital signal processing (DSP) techniques.

73. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform dynamic digital beamforming.

78. A sub-system, comprising:

a spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas, where M is greater than or equal to two;

at least one multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable radio circuit in communication with the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas;

encoding circuitry capable of causing first data to be encoded;

decoding circuitry capable of causing second data to be decoded; and

processing circuitry in communication with the multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable radio circuit, the encoding circuitry, and the decoding circuitry, the processing circuitry capable of causing the sub-system to;

receive at least two first diverse signals,

combine at least two of the at least two first diverse signals,

generate at least two second diverse signals based on at least one aspect of the at least two first diverse signals,

simultaneously transmit the at least two second diverse signals, wherein the sub-system is configured to operate in a mesh network including at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node and at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node in a separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, such that at least one of the at least two second diverse signals is transmitted to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network,

dynamically change a transmit frequency to another frequency different from a previous frequency of the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals transmitted to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, and

dynamically re-route additional signals via another route different from a previous route of the at least one of the at least two second diverse signals, the another route being to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network;

wherein the sub-system is configured such that the dynamically re-routing of the additional signals to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network in the separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the additional signals based on a perceived unacceptable interference associated with at least one link with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

79. A sub-system, comprising:

at least one circuit configured to operate with a spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas, where M is greater than or equal to one, the at least one circuit further configured to operate with a multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable radio circuit in communication with the spatially diverse antenna array of M antennas, the at least one circuit configured to cause the sub-system to;

receive a first spatially diverse signal,

identify information associated with the first spatially diverse signal,

increase a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) associated with the first spatially diverse signal, based on the identified information,

simultaneously transmit at least two second spatially diverse signals, wherein the sub-system is configured to operate in a mesh network including at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node and at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node in a separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, such that at least one of the at least two second spatially diverse signals is transmitted to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network,

dynamically change a transmit frequency to another frequency different from a previous frequency of the at least one of the at least two second spatially diverse signals transmitted to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, and

dynamically re-route additional signals via another route different from a previous route of the at least one of the at least two second spatially diverse signals, the another route being to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network;

wherein the sub-system is configured such that the dynamically re-routing of the additional signals to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network in the separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the additional signals based on a perceived unacceptable interference associated with at least one link with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

80. A sub-system, comprising:

at least one circuit configured to operate with at least two antennas, the at least one circuit further configured to operate with a multiple-input and multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable radio circuit in communication with the at least two antennas, the at least one circuit configured to cause the sub-system to;

receive a first spatially diverse signal,

calculate weights associated with the first spatially diverse signal,

apply the weights to transmit data, and

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

wherein the sub-system is configured to operate in a mesh network including at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node and at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node in a separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, such that the at least two antennas are capable of transmitting a second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network,

dynamically change a transmit frequency to another frequency different from a previous frequency of the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data transmitted to the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network, and

dynamically re-route an additional signal via another route different from a previous route of the second spatially diverse signal including the transmit data, the another route being to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network;

wherein the sub-system is further configured such that the dynamically re-routing of the additional signal to the at least one second multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network in the separate physical location than the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network includes re-routing the additional signal based on a perceived unacceptable interference associated with at least one link with the at least one first multiple-input and multiple-output-capable node of the mesh network.

81. An apparatus, comprising:

a multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing- capable transceiver; and

processing circuitry in communication with the at least one multiple-input-and- multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

link with a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node, utilizing a wireless cellular network, by;

linking with the first multiple input-capable node utilizing a first diversity channel, and

linking, in association with the linking with the first multiple input-capable node utilizing the first diversity channel, with the second multiple input-capable node utilizing a second diversity channel that differs from the first diversity channel in at least one aspect including a spatial aspect or a polarization aspect;

receive a first signal from at least one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes utilizing the wireless cellular network;

identify information associated with the at least one multiple input- capable node, the information including first information that is received from the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing the wireless cellular network and is capable of being used to base weights upon, the information further including second information that is capable of being used to base third information upon;

modulate transmit data utilizing a coding that is variably determined;

apply the weights to the transmit data, where the weights are based on the first information;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplex the transmit data with a second signal; and

generate the third information based on the second information and the first signal;

wherein the apparatus is configured for causing transmission of at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the second signal to the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for causing transmission of the at least one transmit signal such that the at least portion of the transmit data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different diversity channels utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for causing transmission of the third information to the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power level with which the at least one multiple input-capable node transmits;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for dynamically changing a particular channel to another channel different from a previous channel;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for dynamic routing utilizing another route different from a previous route;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes allowing routing as a function of an interference associated with at least one link.

82. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the apparatus is operable such that at least a portion of the redundantly transmitted transmit data is transmitted in a time and frequency coincident manner;

the first information includes weight-related information;

the second information is specific to at least one node; and

the third information is based on a power constraint.

83. A network, comprising:

a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node; and

a plurality of base stations in communication via a backhaul network, at least one of the base stations including;

a multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver; and

processing circuitry in communication with the at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the processing circuitry capable of causing the at least one base station to;

link with the multiple input-capable nodes, utilizing a wireless cellular network, by;

linking with the first multiple input-capable node utilizing a first diversity channel, and

linking, in association with the linking with the first multiple input-capable node utilizing the first diversity channel, with the second multiple input-capable node utilizing a second diversity channel that differs from the first diversity channel in at least one aspect including a spatial aspect or a polarization aspect;

receive a particular signal from at least one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes utilizing the wireless cellular network;

identify information associated with the at least one multiple input-capable node, the information including first information that is received from the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing the wireless cellular network and is capable of being used to base weights upon, the information further including second information that is capable of being used to base third information upon;

modulate transmit data utilizing a coding that is variably determined;

apply the weights to the transmit data, where the weights are based on the first information;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplex the transmit data with another signal; and

generate the third information based on the second information and the particular signal;

wherein the at least one base station is configured for causing transmission of at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the another signal to the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the at least one base station is further configured for causing transmission of the at least one transmit signal such that the at least portion of the transmit data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different diversity channels utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the at least one base station is further configured for causing transmission of the third information to the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power with which the at least one multiple input-capable node transmits utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the at least one base station is further configured for dynamically changing a particular channel to another channel different from a previous channel;

wherein the at least one multiple input-capable node and the at least one base station are configured so as to allow dynamic routing utilizing a particular route different from a previous route, where the dynamic routing includes allowing routing as a function of an interference associated with at least one link.

84. An apparatus, comprising:

multiple-input-capable circuitry for;

linking with a multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node utilizing a particular link in a wireless cellular network;

receiving first information from the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node that is capable of being used for power setting;

modulating uplink data;

multiplexing the uplink data with at least one separate signal;

transmitting at least one uplink signal including at least a portion of the uplink data and at least a portion of the at least one separate signal to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, utilizing a power that is set based on the first information;

communicating, to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, second information that is capable of being used by the multiple- input-and-multiple-output-capable node to base at least one base node weight upon;

wherein the apparatus is operable to cooperate with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node which takes the form of a base node including multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable circuitry for;

generating the first information for communication with the apparatus;

receiving the second information from the apparatus;

applying to downlink data the at least one base node weight that is determined based on the second information;

transmitting at least one downlink signal including at least a portion of the downlink data to the apparatus; and

cooperating with the apparatus for interference-based routing.

85. An apparatus, comprising:

multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable hardware including at least one wireless transmitter element that is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable, and at least one wireless receiver element;

circuitry in communication with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable hardware and operable to;

receive feedback from at least one of a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes utilizing a wireless cellular network;

modulate transmit data utilizing a coding that is variably determined;

utilize weights in association with the transmit data, based on at least a portion of the feedback;

incorporate at least one particular signal with the transmit data;

transmit at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the at least one particular signal to the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing the wireless cellular network; and

generate information for communication with the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power-related value capable of being utilized by the at least one multiple input-capable node during communication utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the apparatus is further operable to perform multiple-user communication with multiple of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node, utilizing a same time-frequency resource over the wireless cellular network, by;

communicating with the first multiple input-capable node utilizing a first spatial or polarization diversity channel, and communicating with the second multiple input- capable node utilizing a second spatial or polarization diversity channel;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for dynamic routing utilizing a particular route different from a previous route;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes routing as a function of an interference associated with at least one link.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the feedback includes data.

87. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the feedback is configured to reduce network control information that displaces network content that is communicated.

88. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the feedback includes link quality-related information.

89. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the information is generated based on at least a portion of the feedback.

90. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the information is generated as a function of a power constraint and a power minimization function.

91. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the coding is determined based on at least a portion of the feedback.

92. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the coding is determined based on a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR).

93. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is further operable to perform single-user communication with the at least one multiple input-capable node such that downlink data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different spatial or polarization diversity channels utilizing the wireless cellular network.

94. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is further operable to perform single-user communication with the at least one multiple input-capable node such that downlink data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different spatial or polarization diversity channels utilizing the wireless cellular network, in a manner that the multiple-user communication is performed in association with a first communication, and the single-user communication is performed in association with a second communication.

95. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus is further operable to perform the multiple-user communication in a first mode of operation, and single-user communication with the at least one multiple input-capable node such that downlink data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different spatial or polarization diversity channels utilizing the wireless cellular network, in a second mode of operation.

96. An apparatus, comprising:

multiple-input-capable hardware including at least one wireless receiver element that is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable, and at least one wireless transmitter element;

circuitry in communication with the multiple-input-capable hardware and operable for;

communicating with a multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node via a link in a wireless cellular network;

receiving at least one value from the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node that is capable of being used for power control;

modulating uplink data;

incorporating at least one particular signal with the uplink data;

transmitting at least one uplink signal including at least a portion of the uplink data and at least a portion of the particular signal to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, utilizing a power that is controlled based on the at least one value;

communicating, to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, feedback that is capable of being used by the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node to base at least one weight upon; and

interference-based routing utilizing a particular route different from a previous route, the interference-based routing including routing as a function of an interference associated with the link with the multiple- input-and-multiple-output-capable node;

wherein the apparatus is operable to cooperate with a base station that is capable of;

communication with the apparatus and another node, utilizing a same time-frequency resource over the wireless cellular network, by;

communicating with the apparatus utilizing a first spatial or polarization diversity channel, and communicating with the another node utilizing a second spatial or polarization diversity channel; and

communication with the apparatus such that at least some downlink data is redundantly transmitted to the apparatus utilizing a plurality of different spatial or polarization diversity channels utilizing the wireless cellular network.

97. An apparatus, comprising:

multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable hardware including at least one wireless transmitter element that is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable, and at least one wireless receiver element;

circuitry in communication with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable hardware and operable to;

receive feedback from at least one of a plurality of multiple input- capable nodes utilizing a wireless cellular network;

modulate transmit data utilizing a coding that is variably determined;

utilize weights in association with the transmit data, based on at least a portion of the feedback;

incorporate at least one particular signal with the transmit data;

transmit at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the at least one particular signal to the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing the wireless cellular network; and

generate information for communication with the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power-related value capable of being utilized by the at least one multiple input-capable node during communication utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the apparatus is further operable to perform communication with the at least one multiple input-capable node such that downlink data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different spatial or polarization diversity channels utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for dynamic routing utilizing a particular route different from a previous route;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes routing as a function of an interference associated with at least one link.

98. An apparatus, comprising:

multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable hardware including at least one wireless transmitter element that is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable, and at least one wireless receiver element;

circuitry in communication with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable hardware and operable to;

receive feedback from at least one of a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes utilizing a wireless cellular network;

modulate transmit data utilizing a coding that is variably determined;

utilize weights in association with the transmit data, based on at least a portion of the feedback;

incorporate at least one particular signal with the transmit data;

transmit at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the at least one particular signal to the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing the wireless cellular network; and

generate information for communication with the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power-related value capable of being utilized by the at least one multiple input-capable node during communication utilizing the wireless cellular network;

wherein the apparatus is further operable to dynamically change a particular channel to another channel different from a previous channel;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for dynamic routing utilizing a particular route different from a previous route;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes routing as a function of an interference associated with at least one link.