Methods and apparatus for overlapping MIMO physical sectors

• US 9,503,163 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woodbury Wireless LLC
• Original Assignee: Woodbury Wireless LLC
• Inventors: Lastinger, Roc, Spenik, John, Woodbury, Brian C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly, Nghi H
• Application Number:
  US14/476,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20140369438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/328, 455/422.1, 455/424, 455/443, 455/452.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/15 Performance testing
• 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 7/0495 using overlapping sectors in the same base station to implement MIMO for antennas

Abstract

A system for communicating with wireless devices. The systems includes radio groups whose MIMO physical sectors overlap. The MIMO physical sectors communicate using different channels. The MIMO physical sectors overlap to form an area of overlap. Each radio group includes directional antennas and radios. Radios are selectively coupled to the antennas. The antennas that are oriented so that the physical sectors of the antennas overlap to operate as MIMO antennas and form the MIMO physical sector for the radio group. The antennas operate as a MIMO antenna.

Claims

1. A system for wirelessly communicating with provided wireless devices via a plurality of multiple-input-multiple-output (“

MIMO”

) antennas, the system comprising;

a first radio group comprising at least three directional antennas and at least three radios, each radio coupled to at least one antenna, the radios and antennas of the first group cooperate to transmit and receive as a first MIMO antenna having a first MIMO physical sector; and

a second radio group comprising at least three directional antennas and at least three radios, each radio coupled to at least one antenna, the radios and antennas of the second group cooperate to transmit and receive as a second MIMO antenna having a second MIMO physical sector;

wherein;

the first MIMO antenna and the second MIMO antenna transmit and receive using a first channel and a second channel respectively, the first channel different from the second channel; and

the first MIMO physical sector overlaps at least 30 percent of an area of the second MIMO physical sector;

circuitry communicatively coupled to the first radio group and the second radio group;

said circuitry operable for enabling coordination between the first radio group and the second radio group in connection with a first transmission to a first MIMO-capable portable wireless device;

said system operable for;

identifying information that is a function of an interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first radio group and the second radio group;

altering at least one aspect of the first transmission in connection with at least one of;

multiple of the first directional antennas of the first radio group, or multiple of the second directional antennas of the second radio group, based on the information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first radio group and the second radio group; and

transmitting data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first radio group or the multiple second directional antennas of the second radio group.

2. A system, comprising:

a first multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO)-capable system component including;

a plurality of first directional antennas that are spatially diverse,

at least one first radio communicatively coupled to the first directional antennas, and

first circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one first radio;

a second MIMO-capable system component including;

a plurality of second directional antennas that are spatially diverse,

at least one second radio communicatively coupled to the second directional antennas, and

second circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one second radio; and

third circuitry communicatively coupled to the first circuitry of the first MIMO-capable system component and the second circuitry of the second MIMO-capable system component;

said third circuitry operable for enabling coordination between the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with a first transmission to a first MIMO-capable portable wireless device;

said system operable for;

identifying information that is a function of an interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

altering at least one aspect of the first transmission in connection with at least one of;

multiple of the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or multiple of the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, based on the information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmitting data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one first radio includes a single first radio that is communicatively coupled to the first directional antennas via a first switch or a first phased array, and the at least one second radio includes a single second radio that is communicatively coupled to the second directional antennas via a second switch or a second phased array.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the first directional antennas and the second directional antennas include MIMO antennas.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the identifying the information results from at least one measurement that produces the information.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is identified by enabling at least one of the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and at least one of the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, and measuring an ability of the at least one first directional antenna of the first MIMO-capable system component and the at least one second directional antenna of the second MIMO-capable system component to communicate with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is identified by:

the first MIMO-capable system component enabling the first directional antennas thereof to communicate with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device and identifying a first ability of the first MIMO-capable system component to communicate with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, and the second MIMO-capable system component enabling the second directional antennas thereof to communicate with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device and identifying a second ability of the first MIMO-capable system component to communicate with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is a function of at least one of:

a data throughput, a signal-to-noise ratio, a reduced signal error, a reduced data error, a reduced retransmission request, a reduced interference, a rejection of multipath signal, a higher transmission rate, or a signal strength, in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is a function of at least two of:

a data throughput, a signal-to-noise ratio, a signal error, a data error, a retransmission request, a multipath signal, a transmission rate, and a signal strength, in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is a function of at least three of:

a data throughput, a signal-to-noise ratio, a signal error, a data error, a retransmission request, a multipath signal, a transmission rate, and a signal strength, in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is a function of a data throughput in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is a function of a signal-to-noise ratio in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

14. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is a function of a signal strength in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the information is identified by receiving a report from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device that is based on a measurement performed by the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component communicate via the same channel, but have at least one particular aspect that is different in connection with the same channel.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one particular aspect is related to at least two of:

a throughput, a signal-to-noise ratio, a signal strength, and a multipath signal, in connection with the same channel.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one particular aspect is related to at least three of:

a throughput, a signal-to-noise ratio, a signal strength, and a multipath signal, in connection with the same channel.

19. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the identifying, the altering, and the transmitting result from the coordinating.

20. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the coordination enables the altering.

21. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the coordination enables the altering based on the information, to improve the transmission of the data in connection with the first transmission.

22. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the altering the at least one aspect includes selecting both the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, and the same data is transmitted in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device via a same channel, utilizing both the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the system is operable such that the same data is part of the same signal.

25. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable, for a first part of the first transmission during a first duration, to:

identify first information that is a function of an interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

select the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the first information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit first data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the system is further operable, for a second part of the first transmission during a second duration subsequent to the first duration, to:

identify second information that is a function of the interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

select the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, based on the second information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit second data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is operable such that the first information and the second information are a function of different parts of the interference.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is operable such that the first information and the second information are a function of the interference at different times.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is operable such that the first data and the second data are transmitted via a same channel.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is operable such that the first data and the second data are transmitted via different channels.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is operable, for a third part of the first transmission during a third duration subsequent to the second duration, to:

identify third information that is a function of the interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

select both the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, based on the third information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit multiple instances of third data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device via a same channel, utilizing both the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

33. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is operable, for a third part of the first transmission during a third duration subsequent to the second duration, to:

identify third information that is a function of the interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

altering beamforming in connection with at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, based on the third information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit third data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing the beamforming in connection with the at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

34. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are capable of communicating with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the same channel with at least one different channel characteristic.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least one of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, or a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least two of:

a channel characteristic related to a throughput-related aspect, a channel characteristic related to a signal-to-noise ratio-related aspect, a channel characteristic related to a signal strength-related aspect, and a channel characteristic related to a multipath signal-related aspect, in connection with the same channel.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least three of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, and a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least four of:

a channel characteristic related to a throughput-related aspect, a channel characteristic related to a signal-to-noise ratio-related aspect, a channel characteristic related to a signal strength-related aspect, and a channel characteristic related to a multipath signal-related aspect, in connection with the same channel.

39. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell configured to operate in a packet-switched cellular network and communicate with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the same channel and each with at least one different channel characteristic;

the third circuitry is operable for enabling coordination between the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, for improving the transmission of the data;

the system is operable such that the information is identified by receiving a report from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device that is a function of a measurement performed by the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least one of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, or a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least two of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, and a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least three of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, and a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

43. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the altering the at least one aspect includes selecting only one of:

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, and the data is transmitted in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing only the selected one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are capable of communicating with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the same channel and each with at least one different channel characteristic.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least one of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, or a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least two of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, and a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

48. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell configured to operate in a packet-switched cellular network and communicate with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the same channel and each with at least one different channel characteristic;

the third circuitry is operable for enabling coordination between the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, for improving the transmission of the data;

the system is operable such that the information is identified by receiving a report from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device that is based on a measurement performed by the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least three of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, or a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the system is operable such that the coordination is performed for selectively directing a beam associated with the first transmission to improve the transmission of the data.

51. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the altering the at least one aspect includes altering beamforming in connection with at least one of:

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, and the data is transmitted in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing the beamforming in connection with the at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are capable of communicating with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the same channel and each with at least one different channel characteristic.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least one of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, or a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least two of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, and a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

56. The system of claim 53, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least three of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, or a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

57. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable such that the beamforming involves at least one of selecting antennas or weighting.

58. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable, for a first part of the first transmission during a first duration, to:

identify first information that is a function of an interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

direct a first beam toward the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the first information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit first data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the first beam utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component;

wherein the system is further operable, for a second part of the first transmission during a second duration subsequent to the first duration, to;

identify second information that is a function of the interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

direct a second beam toward the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the second information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit second data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the second beam utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component.

59. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable, for the first transmission during a first duration, to:

identify first information that is a function of an interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

direct a first beam toward the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the first information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit first data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the first beam utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component;

wherein the system is further operable, for a second transmission during a second duration subsequent to the first duration, to;

identify second information that is a function of the interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

direct a second beam toward the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the second information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit second data in connection with the second transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the second beam utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component.

60. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable, for a part of the first transmission during a first duration, to:

identify first information that is a function of an interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

direct a first beam toward the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the first information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit first data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the first beam utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component;

wherein the system is further operable, for a part of a second transmission during the first duration, to;

identify second information that is a function of the interference in connection with a second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

direct a second beam toward the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the second information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit second data in connection with the second transmission to the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the second beam utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component.

61. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable, for a part of the first transmission during a first duration, to:

identify first information that is a function of an interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

direct a first beam toward the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the first information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit first data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the first beam utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component;

wherein the system is further operable, for a part of a second transmission during the first duration, to;

identify second information that is a function of the interference in connection with a second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

direct a second beam toward the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, based on the second information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit second data in connection with the second transmission to the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the second beam utilizing the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

62. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable such that, during another transmission separate from the first transmission, the system is operable, for a first part of the another transmission during a first duration, to:

identify first information that is a function of an interference in connection with a second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

select the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, based on the first information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit first data in connection with the another transmission to the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component;

said system is operable, during the another transmission, for a second part of the another transmission during a second duration subsequent to the first duration, to;

identify second information that is a function of the interference in connection with the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

select the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, based on the second information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

transmit second data in connection with the another transmission to the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

63. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is operable such that, during another transmission separate from the first transmission, the altering the at least one aspect includes selecting both the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, and the same data is transmitted in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

64. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the altering is performed to improve the first transmission in a packet-switched network independent of a handoff.

65. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell configured to operate in a packet-switched cellular network and communicate with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the same channel but each with at least one different channel characteristic;

the third circuitry is operable for enabling coordination between the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, for directing a beam associated with the first transmission to improve the transmission of the data;

the system is operable such that the information is identified by receiving a report from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device that is based on a measurement performed by the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device;

the system is operable such that the altering the at least one aspect includes altering the beam in connection with at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device; and

the system is operable such that the data is transmitted in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, via the beam in connection with the at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the system is operable such that the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least one of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, or a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

67. The system of claim 2, and further comprising:

a third MIMO-capable system component including;

a plurality of third directional antennas that are spatially diverse,

at least one third radio communicatively coupled to the third directional antennas, and

fourth circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one third radio;

said system operable for enabling coordination between the first MIMO-capable system component, the second MIMO-capable system component, and the third MIMO-capable system component in connection with a second transmission to a second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, said system operable for;

identifying particular information that is a function of an interference in connection with the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing all of the first MIMO-capable system component, the second MIMO-capable system component, and the third MIMO-capable system component;

altering at least one aspect of the second transmission in connection with at least one of;

multiple of the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, multiple of the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, or multiple of the third directional antennas of the third MIMO-capable system component in connection with the second transmission to the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, based on the particular information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing all of the first MIMO-capable system component, the second MIMO-capable system component, and the third MIMO-capable system component; and

transmitting particular data in connection with the second transmission to the second MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing at least one of;

the first MIMO-capable system component, the second MIMO-capable system component, or the third MIMO-capable system component.

68. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable for enabling coordination between the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component via the third circuitry in connection with a first reception from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device which includes a plurality of third directional antennas that are spatially diverse, said system operable for:

identifying additional information that is a function of the interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

altering at least one aspect of the first reception in connection with at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, based on the additional information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

receiving additional data in connection with the first reception from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

69. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable for enabling coordination between the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component via the third circuitry in connection with a first reception from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device which includes a plurality of third directional antennas that are spatially diverse, said system operable for:

identifying additional information that is a function of the interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component;

selecting both the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, and the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component in connection with the first reception from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, based on the additional information that is a function of the interference identified in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing both the first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component; and

receiving additional data in connection with the first reception from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both of the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component.

70. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is operable such that the altering is performed independent of a handoff.

71. The system of claim 2, and further comprising:

a third MIMO-capable system component including;

a plurality of third directional antennas that are spatially diverse, and

at least one third radio communicatively coupled to the third directional antennas;

a fourth MIMO-capable system component including;

a plurality of fourth directional antennas that are spatially diverse, and

at least one fourth radio communicatively coupled to the third directional antennas;

said system is operable to identify the information that is a function of the interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing the first MIMO-capable system component, the second MIMO-capable system component, the third MIMO-capable system component, and the fourth MIMO-capable system component;

said system is operable, for a first part of the first transmission during a first duration, to;

select at least one of;

the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, based on at least a part of the information; and

transmit first data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing at least one of;

the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, or the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component;

said system is operable, for a second part of the first transmission during a second duration, to;

select at least one of;

the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, or the third directional antennas of the third MIMO-capable system component, based on at least a part of the information; and

transmit second data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing at least one of;

the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, or the third directional antennas of the third MIMO-capable system component;

said system is operable, for a third part of the first transmission during a third duration, to;

select at least one of;

the third directional antennas of the third MIMO-capable system component, or the fourth directional antennas of the fourth MIMO-capable system component, based on at least a part of the information; and

transmit third data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing at least one of;

the third directional antennas of the third MIMO-capable system component, or the fourth directional antennas of the fourth MIMO-capable system component.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein the system is operable such that the selection of at least one of:

the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component, or the third directional antennas of the third MIMO-capable system component, is performed in connection with a first handoff.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the system is operable such that the selection of at least one of:

the third directional antennas of the third MIMO-capable system component, or the fourth directional antennas of the fourth MIMO-capable system component, is performed in connection with a second handoff.

74. The system of claim 2, and further comprising the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

75. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of:

said first MIMO-capable system component and the second MIMO-capable system component are components of the same wireless cell;

said first MIMO-capable system component includes a first radio group, and the second MIMO-capable system component includes a second radio group;

said first directional antennas are MIMO antennas;

said second directional antennas are MIMO antennas;

said first directional antennas and the second directional reduce the effects of noise on transmission and reception;

said first directional antennas exhibit temporal diversity;

said second directional antennas exhibit temporal diversity;

said at least one first radio is communicatively coupled to the first directional antennas via at least one switch;

said at least one first radio is communicatively coupled to the first directional antennas via at least one phased array;

said at least one first radio includes a single radio that is communicatively coupled to the plurality of first directional antennas;

said at least one second radio is communicatively coupled to the second directional antennas via at least one switch;

said at least one second radio is communicatively coupled to the second directional antennas via at least one phased array;

said at least one second radio includes a single radio that is communicatively coupled to the plurality of second directional antennas;

said first circuitry includes at least one controller;

said second circuitry includes at least one controller;

said third circuitry includes at least one processor;

said system is part of a cellular network;

said system is part of a WiMax network;

said system includes at least one wireless cell;

said identifying includes measuring;

said information includes a measurement of a signal-to-noise ratio;

said interference includes noise;

said altering is performed by the third circuitry;

said altering includes selecting both the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component and the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component;

said altering the at least one aspect includes altering the at least one aspect in connection with only the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component;

said transmitting the data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device includes transmitting the data utilizing the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component;

said first directional antennas and the second directional antennas have associated therewith a MIMO virtual sector including an area where a MIMO physical sector is to operate;

said first directional antennas and the second directional antennas form MIMO virtual sectors that are capable of being selected to provide MIMO physical sectors;

said first directional antennas and the second directional antennas are positioned in fixed positions to form MIMO virtual sectors that are capable of being selected to communicate using one or more MIMO physical sectors associated with the MIMO virtual sectors;

said multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component include all of the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable system component, the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component include all of the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable system component;

or

said first portable wireless device including at least one of a mobile device, a client, a computer, or a hand-held device.

76. A method, comprising:

providing access to a packet-switched network including a wireless cell having;

a first multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO)-capable wireless cell component including;

a plurality of first directional antennas that are spatially diverse,

at least one first radio communicatively coupled to the first directional antennas, and

first circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one first radio;

a second MIMO-capable wireless cell component including;

a plurality of second directional antennas that are spatially diverse,

at least one second radio communicatively coupled to the second directional antennas, and

second circuitry communicatively coupled to the at least one second radio; and

third circuitry communicatively coupled to the first circuitry of the first MIMO-capable wireless cell component and the second circuitry of the second MIMO-capable wireless cell component, said third circuitry operable for enabling coordination between the first MIMO-capable wireless cell component and the second MIMO-capable wireless cell component for improving communication with a first MIMO-capable portable wireless device utilizing the same channel, but with each of the first MIMO-capable wireless cell component and the second MIMO-capable wireless cell component communicating with at least one different channel characteristic in connection with the same channel;

identifying information that is a function of an interference in connection with the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing both the first MIMO-capable wireless cell component and the second MIMO-capable wireless cell component;

altering at least one aspect of a first transmission in connection with at least one of;

multiple of the first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable wireless cell component, or multiple of the second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable wireless cell component, based on the information and the coordination; and

transmitting data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device, utilizing at least one of;

the multiple first directional antennas of the first MIMO-capable wireless cell component or the multiple second directional antennas of the second MIMO-capable wireless cell component.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the information is identified by receiving a report from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device that is based on a measurement performed by the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.

78. The method of claim 76, wherein the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least one of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, or a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

79. The method of claim 76, wherein the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least two of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, and a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.

80. The method of claim 76, wherein the at least one different channel characteristic includes at least three of:

a channel characteristic that is throughput-related, a channel characteristic that is signal-to-noise ratio-related, a channel characteristic that is signal strength-related, and a channel characteristic that is multipath signal-related, in connection with the same channel.