Systems and etiquette for home gateways using white space

• US 8,995,292 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Inventors: Wu, Shiquan, Yee, Jung
• Primary Examiner(s): CATTUNGAL, AJAY P
• Application Number:
  US13/334,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20120096498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 370/235, 370/252, 370/254, 370/294, 370/329, 370/330, 370/321, 370/326, 370/344, 370/433, 370/401, 455/69, 455/67.11, 455/101, 455/449, 455/450, 455/550.1, 455/561
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2602 Signal structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/003 Arrangements for allocating sub-channels of the transmission path
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/02 Resource partitioning among network components, e.g. reuse partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Methods and systems for sharing white space with primary services and other emerging services are provided. Signal distribution within a specified location, such as a dwelling, is performed using a home gateway that identifies unused white space, reserves such white space spectrum, and delivers data to one or more devices at the respective location using the reserved spectrum. Signalling between the devices and the gateway is performed over a shared signalling channel, which enables the gateway to advise the devices from where and when to receive data. The gateway also uses a common spectrum reservation OFDM symbol to advise the neighbouring gateways of the local spectrum reservation.

Claims

1. A data distribution unit for transmitting data signals carrying user data to a wireless enabled device located within a specified area, comprising:

a backhaul interface configured to receive a plurality of data signals from a plurality of signal sources;

a processor configured to select, from the backhaul interface, a data signal from a signal source, convert the data signal to a baseband signal in accordance with a first protocol

associated with the wireless enabled device, and partition the baseband signal into component signals based on bands in a white space channel identified in TV spectrum as available for communication in the specified area; and

a distributor coupled to the processor, the distributor configured to receive an identification of the white-space channel, and convert the component signals for transmission on the white-space channel, the distributor comprising

branches connected to the processor, the branches being tuned on carrier frequencies associated with the white-space channel, and

a radio frequency (RF) combiner for combining outputs of the branches at an input of an antenna, wherein the number of component signals is less than or equal to the number of branches.

2. A data distribution unit as in claim 1, wherein the white space channel is formed of a number of cells of TV spectrum that are not currently used in the specified area.

3. A data distribution unit as in claim 2, wherein the identification of the white-space channel includes a carrier frequency, a frequency band, and a time interval for each of the cells.

4. A data distribution unit as in claim 1, wherein the number of component signals is equal to the number of bands in the white space channel.

5. A data distribution unit as in claim 1, wherein the identification of the white-space channel includes a carrier frequency, a frequency band, and a time interval.

6. A data distribution unit as in claim 1, wherein the partition of the baseband signal operates so as to not interfere with any primary service available in the specified area.

7. A method for distribution of data signals carrying user data to a wireless enabled device located within a specified area, comprising:

selecting a data signal from a signal source received via a backhaul connection;

converting the data signal to a baseband signal according to a first protocol associated with the wireless enabled device;

separating the baseband signal into component signals, wherein the number of component signals is equal to the number of bands in a white space channel identified in TV spectrum as available for communication in the specified area;

selecting a carrier frequency for each of the component signals in a part of the TV spectrum that is not currently used by a primary service;

modulating the component signals over a respective carrier frequency; and

adjusting powers of the component signals to a respective value.

8. A method as in claim 7, wherein the white space channel is formed of a number of cells of TV spectrum that are not currently used in the specified area.

9. A method as in claim 8, further comprising transmitting the converted component signals on the white-space channel to the wireless enabled device for allowing the wireless enabled device to reproduce the user data.

10. A method as in claim 7, further comprising

routing the component signals along the branches of a branch distributor having a number of branches greater than or equal to the number component signals.

11. A method as in claim 10, further comprising providing a signaling channel for enabling the wireless enabled device to transmit and receive messages to and from the distributor.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein the signaling channel has a carrier frequency selected in a fixed relationship with the beginning of an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) channel.

13. A method as in claim 7, further comprising synchronizing the converted component signals to a digital TV broadcast signal available in the specified area.

14. A method for distribution of data signals carrying user data to a wireless enabled device located within a specified area, comprising:

receiving a data signal via a backhaul connection;

converting the received data signal to a baseband signal according to a protocol associated with the wireless enabled device;

separating the baseband signal into component signals, the number of component signals equal to a number of bands in a white space channel identified in TV spectrum as available for communication in the specified area; and

converting the component signals for transmission to the wireless enabled device on the white-space channel.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein converting the component signals for transmission on a white-space channel comprises:

up-converting each of the component signals using a respective carrier frequency; and

combining the up-converted signals to produce a transmitted signal.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the white space channel includes discontinuous frequency bands in multiple TV channels, and the carrier frequencies used for up-converting correspond to the frequency bands.

17. A method as in claim 16, wherein the discontinuous frequency bands include a frequency band having a bandwidth narrower than a TV channel.