Utilizing speed and position information to select an operational mode in a wireless communication system

• US 8,700,020 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2012
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Shiu, Da-Shan, Terasawa, Daisuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly, Nghi H
• Application Number:
  US13/693,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20130178200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/101, 455/418, 455/441
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/022 Site diversity; Macro-diversity using two or more spaced independent antennas H04B7/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0613 using simultaneous transmission H04B7/0686 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0619 using feedback from receiving side feedback signaling for adaptive modulation/coding H04L1/0001
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0669 using different channel coding between antennas space-time coding H04L1/0618
• 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 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining an operational mode for use in a wireless communication system based on a location, a velocity, or both, of a wireless communication device (WCD) in relation to a wireless network infrastructure is described. The selected mode can be used by various devices within the communication system. Modes that are selected include transmit diversity and site selection diversity.

Claims

1. A method of selecting a desired transmit diversity mode in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

determining a velocity of a mobile wireless communication device in relation to a wireless network infrastructure;

estimating a predictability of a wireless environment based at least in part on the velocity; and

selecting, for use by the mobile wireless communication device or the wireless network infrastructure, between a transmit diversity mode and a site selection diversity mode based at least in part on the estimated predictability.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmit diversity mode comprises an open-loop diversity mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the open-loop diversity mode comprises a space time transmit diversity mode.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the open-loop diversity mode further comprises use of a beam forming antenna.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the beam forming antenna is a smart antenna.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the beam forming antenna is in the wireless communication device.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the beam forming antenna is in the wireless network infrastructure.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising adjusting an antenna beam pattern of the beam forming antenna based on a phase relation between at least two beacon signals transmitted in the wireless environment.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmit diversity mode comprises a closed loop diversity mode.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the velocity of the wireless communication device is determined in the wireless communication device.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the velocity of the wireless communication device is determined in the wireless network infrastructure.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a transmitter and a receiver for communicating in a wireless environment; and

a controller configured to estimate a predictability of the wireless environment based on a velocity of a wireless communication device in relation to a wireless network infrastructure, and based on the estimate to select between a transmit diversity mode and a site selection diversity mode for use in communicating signals between the wireless communication device and the wireless network infrastructure.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication device comprises the apparatus.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the wireless network infrastructure comprises the apparatus.

15. The device of claim 12, further comprising a beam forming antenna, wherein an antenna beam pattern of the beam forming antenna is adjusted based on the estimate.

16. A wireless communication system comprising:

means for determining a velocity of a mobile wireless communication device in relation to a wireless network infrastructure;

means for estimating a predictability of a wireless environment based at least in part on the velocity; and

means for selecting, for use by the mobile wireless communication device or the wireless network infrastructure, between a transmit diversity mode and a site selection diversity mode based at least in part on the estimated predictability.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the system comprises the wireless network infrastructure.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the system comprises the mobile wireless communication device.

19. A storage medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a processor to:

determine a velocity of a mobile wireless communication device in relation to a wireless network infrastructure;

estimate a predictability of a wireless environment based at least in part on the velocity; and

select, for use by the mobile wireless communication device or the wireless network infrastructure, between a transmit diversity mode and a site selection diversity mode based at least in part on the estimated predictability.