Method and system for distributed transceivers for distributed access points connectivity

• US 9,197,982 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2013
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Golba LLC
• Original Assignee: Golba LLC
• Inventors: Moshfeghi, Mehran
• Primary Examiner(s): Nooristany, Sulaiman
• Application Number:
  US13/919,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20140044041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/334, 370/337
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/26 using historical data, averaging values or statistics
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/309 Measuring or estimating channel quality parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/336 Signal-to-interference ratio [SIR] or carrier-to-interference ratio [CIR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/382 for resource allocation, admission control or handover
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/024 Co-operative use of antennas of several sites, e.g. in co-ordinated multipoint or co-operative multiple-input multiple-output [MIMO] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0689 using different transmission schemes, at least one of them being a diversity transmission scheme
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0697 using spatial multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0871 using different reception schemes, at least one of them being a diversity reception scheme
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/12 Frequency diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/033 using the transitions of the received signal to control the phase of the synchronising-signal-generating means, e.g. using a phase-locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/10 Dynamic resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 : Network topologies

Abstract

A controlling entity communicates with a plurality of network devices having a plurality of distributed transceivers and one or more corresponding antenna arrays. The controlling entity receives information, such as location information, propagation environment characteristics, physical environment characteristics and/or link parameters and quality from the network devices and/or communication devices that are communicatively coupled to the plurality of network devices. The controlling entity coordinates communication of data streams for the distributed transceivers and the antenna arrays based on the received information. The network device comprises an access point, a router, a switching device, a gateway and/or a set top box. The controlling entity is located within or external to one of the network devices. One or more functions performed by the controlling entity are split between the controlling entity and one or more of the network devices.

Claims

1. A method of communicating data to an electronic device that is operable to communicate with a plurality of network devices, wherein the electronic device and each of said plurality of network devices comprises a plurality of distributed transceivers, each distributed transceiver comprising an antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas, the method comprising:

identifying a first pair of transceivers comprising a first transceiver of the electronic device and a transceiver of a first network device of said plurality of network devices to communicate a first data stream from the first network device to the electronic device;

identifying a second pair of transceivers comprising a second transceiver of the electronic device and a transceiver of a second network device of said plurality of network devices to communicate a second data stream from the second network device to the electronic device;

identifying antenna patterns for the antenna arrays of the first and second pairs of transceivers such that a cross-interference between the first and second data streams at the electronic device is below a threshold;

coordinating a communication of the first data stream from the antenna array of the identified transceiver of the first network device to the antenna array of the first transceiver of the electronic device using (i) the antenna pattern identified for the first pair of transceivers and (ii) a first frequency; and

coordinating, concurrently with said first data stream, a communication of the second data stream from the antenna array of the identified transceiver of the second network device to the antenna array of the second transceiver of the electronic device using (i) the antenna pattern identified for the second pair of transceivers and (ii) said first frequency.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second network devices comprises one of an access point, a router, a switching device, a gateway, and a set top box.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying the first and second pairs of transceivers and identifying the antenna patterns are performed by a controlling entity integrated within one of said plurality of network devices.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

receiving information regarding at least one of (i) propagation environment characteristics, (ii) physical environment characteristics, (iii) a location of the electronic device, (iv) a location of the first network device, (v) a location of the second network device, and (vi) link quality; and

adaptively adjusting the antenna patterns of one or more of said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers based on said received information.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

receiving information regarding at least one of (i) propagation environment characteristics, (ii) physical environment characteristics, (iii) a location of the electronic device, (iv) a location of the first network device, (v) a location of the second network device, and (vi) link quality;

storing said received information to generate a history of received information;

aggregating said history of received information with current information received regarding at least one of (i) propagation environment characteristics, (ii) physical environment characteristics, (iii) a location of the electronic device, (iv) a location of the first network device, (v) a location of the second network device, and (vi) link quality; and

adaptively adjusting the antenna patterns of one or more of said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers based on said aggregated history of received information and current received information.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

determining that the cross-interference between the first and second data streams at the electronic device is exceeding said threshold;

adaptively controlling said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers to utilize a different mode of operation, wherein said different mode of operation comprises one of a spatial diversity mode, a frequency diversity mode, a frequency multiplexing mode, and a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) mode.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising backhauling traffic from one or more of said first and second network devices via one or more wired or wireless communication links.

8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising configuring said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers to utilize different modulation schemes, constellations, protocols, frequencies, wireless standards or bandwidths to handle different types of data traffic.

25. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying the first and second pairs of transceivers and identifying the antenna patterns are performed by a controlling entity located external to said first and second network devices.

26. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

receiving information regarding at least one of (i) propagation environment characteristics, (ii) physical environment characteristics, (iii) a location of the electronic device, (iv) a location of the first network device, (v) a location of the second network device, and (vi) link quality; and

configuring said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers to utilize different modulation schemes, constellations, protocols, frequencies, wireless standards or bandwidths based on said received information.

27. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a non-mobile communication device.

28. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first data stream and the second data stream are independent streams.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein said independent streams each comprise a different coding.

30. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antenna patterns for the first and second pairs of transceivers are calculated based on the location of the electronic device and the network devices.

31. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antenna patterns for the first and second pairs of transceivers are calculated based on a geometry of the environment comprising a presence of reflective surfaces and obstructive elements in the environment.

32. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first network device concurrently communicates with a set of network devices in the plurality of network devices other than the second network device using a sets of distributed transceivers in the plurality of distributed transceivers of the first network device.

9. A system, comprising:

a controlling entity comprising one or more processors that are operable to coordinate communication of data to an electronic device by a plurality of network devices, wherein the electronic device and each of said plurality of network devices comprises a plurality of distributed transceivers, each distributed transceiver comprising an antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas, the controlling entity configured to;

identify a first pair of transceivers comprising a first transceiver of the electronic device and a transceiver of a first network device of said plurality of network devices to communicate a first data stream from the first network device to the electronic device;

identify a second pair of transceivers comprising a second transceiver of the electronic device and a transceiver of a second network device of said plurality of network devices to communicate a second data stream from the second network device to the electronic device;

identify antenna patterns for the antenna arrays of the first and second pairs of transceivers such that a cross-interference between the first and second data streams at the electronic device is below a threshold;

coordinate a communication of the first data stream from the antenna array of the identified transceiver of the first network device to the antenna array of the first transceiver of the electronic device using (i) the antenna pattern identified for the first pair of transceivers and (ii) a first frequency; and

coordinate, concurrently with said first data stream, a communication of the second data stream from the antenna array of the identified transceiver of the second network device to the antenna array of the second transceiver of the electronic device using (i) the antenna pattern identified for the second pair of transceivers and (ii) said first frequency.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein each of said first and second network devices comprises one of an access point, a router, a switching device, a gateway, and a set top box.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein said controlling entity is integrated within one of said plurality of network devices.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the controlling entity is further configured to:

receive information regarding at least one of (i) propagation environment characteristics, (ii) physical environment characteristics, (iii) a location of the electronic device, (iv) a location of the first network device, (v) a location of the second network device, and (vi) link quality; and

adaptively control adjustment of the antenna patterns of one or more of said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers based on said received information.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the controlling entity is further configured to:

receive information regarding at least one of (i) propagation environment characteristics, (ii) physical environment characteristics, (iii) a location of the electronic device, (iv) a location of the first network device, (v) a location of the second network device, and (vi) link quality;

store said received information to generate a history of received information;

aggregate said history of received information with current information received regarding at least one of (i) propagation environment characteristics, (ii) physical environment characteristics, (iii) a location of the electronic device, (iv) a location of the first network device, (v) a location of the second network device, and (vi) link quality; and

adaptively control adjustment of the antenna patterns of one or more of said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers based on said aggregated history of received information and current received information.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the controlling entity is further configured to:

determine that that cross-interference between the first and second data streams at the electronic device is exceeding said threshold;

adaptively control said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers to utilize a different mode of operation, wherein said different mode of operation comprises one of a spatial diversity mode, a frequency diversity mode, a frequency multiplexing mode, and a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) mode.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein the controlling entity is further configured to backhaul traffic from one or more of said first and second network devices via one or more wired or wireless communication links.

16. The system according to claim 9, wherein the controlling entity is further configured to configure said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers to utilize different modulation schemes, constellations, protocols, frequencies, wireless standards or bandwidths to handle different types of data traffic.

17. The system according to claim 9, wherein the controlling entity is located external to said first and second network devices.

18. The system according to claim 9, the controlling entity further configured to:

receive information regarding at least one of (i) propagation environment characteristics, (ii) physical environment characteristics, (iii) a location of the electronic device, (iv) a location of the first network device, (v) a location of the second network device, and (vi) link quality; and

configure said first and second pairs of distributed transceivers to utilize different modulation schemes, constellations, protocols, frequencies, wireless standards or bandwidths based on said received information.

19. The system according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a non-mobile communication device.

20. The system according to claim 9, wherein the first data stream and the second data stream are independent streams.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein said independent streams each comprise a different coding.

22. The system according to claim 9, wherein the antenna patterns for the first and second pairs of transceivers are calculated based on the location of the electronic device and the network devices.

23. The system according to claim 9, wherein the antenna patterns for the first and second pairs of transceivers are calculated based on a geometry of the environment comprising a presence of reflective surfaces and obstructive elements in the environment.

24. The system according to claim 9, wherein the first network device concurrently communicates with a set of network devices in the plurality of network devices other than the second network device using a sets of distributed transceivers in the plurality of distributed transceivers of the first network device.