Method and system for 60 GHz distributed communication

• US 9,608,674 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2015
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Ahmadreza, Rofougaran, Maryam
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsvey, Gennadiy
• Application Number:
  US14/638,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20150180515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0071 using a common intermediate frequency for more than one band H04B1/0075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0608 Antenna selection according to transmission parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Methods and systems for 60 GHz distributed communication are disclosed and may include generating IF signals from baseband signals in a computing device with wireless capability. The IF signals may be communicated to remote RF modules within the computing device via coaxial lines. The IF signals may be up-converted to RF signals and transmitted via the RF modules. The IF signals in the coaxial lines may be tapped via taps coupled to the RF modules. The baseband signals may comprise video data, Internet streamed data, and/or data from a local data source. The RF signals may be communicated to a display device. Control signals for the RF devices may be communicated utilizing the coaxial lines. One or more of the RF devices may be selected based on a direction to a receiving device. The remote RF devices may comprise mixers. The RF signals may comprise 60 GHz signals.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, the method comprising:

in a wireless communication device comprising a body and a plurality of remote RF modules within said body of said wireless communication device, the plurality of remote RF modules providing no additional power amplification,

generating an IF signal from a baseband signal in said wireless communication device;

amplifying said IF signal with a power amplifier in a final amplification stage prior to conveyance to the remote RF modules via one or more coaxial lines, the amplified IF signal being an analog signal;

communicating the amplified IF signal, over a first communication path that includes a common coaxial line in said body of said wireless communication device to a first remote RF module that operates in a first RF band, and over a second communication path that includes the common coaxial line to a second RF module that operates in a second RF band that is different that the first RF band;

up-converting the amplified IF signal to a first RF signal in the first RF band at the first remote RF module, and a second RF signal in the second RF band at the second RF module;

communicating a first low frequency control signal at a lower frequency band than the IF signal to the first remote RF module and a second low frequency signal to the second RF module over the common coaxial line; and

concurrently transmitting said first RF signal via a first antenna and transmitting the second RF signal via a second antenna.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising splitting the amplified IF signal at a first tap to provide a tapped portion of the amplified IF signal to the first remote RF module, and providing another tapped portion of the amplified IF signal to the second RF module.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating with circuitry the first low frequency control signal.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said baseband signal comprises one or more of:

video data, streamed Internet data, and/or data from a local data source.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting the first RF signal comprises transmitting said first RF signal to a display device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the first RF signal over a plurality of antennas.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first remote RF module comprises a mixer.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first RF band comprise 60 GHz.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the up-converting is directly up-converting.

10. A system for wireless communication, the system comprising:

one or more circuits in a body of a wireless communication device, said one or more circuits comprising a plurality of remote RF modules within said body of said wireless communication device, the plurality of remote RF modules providing no additional power amplification, wherein said one or more circuits are configured to

generate an IF signal from a baseband signal in said wireless communication device;

amplify the IF signal with a power amplifier as a final amplification stage to create amplified IF signal, the amplified IF signal being an analog signal;

communicate the amplified IF signal, over a first communication path that includes a common coaxial line within said body of said wireless communication device to a first remote RF module that operates in a first RF band, and over a second communication path that includes the common coaxial line to a second RF module that operates in a second RF band that is different that the first RF band;

up-convert the amplified IF signal to a first RF signal in the first RF band at the first remote RF module, and a second RF signal in the second RF band at the second RF module;

communicate a first low frequency control signal at a lower frequency band than the IF signal to the first remote RF module and a second low frequency signal to the second RF module over the common coaxial line; and

concurrently transmit said first RF signal via a first antenna and transmitting the second RF signal via a second antenna.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said one or more circuits are configured to split the amplified IF signal at a first tap to provide a tapped portion of the amplified IF signal to the first remote RF module, and providing another tapped portion of the amplified IF signal to the second RF module.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said one or more circuits are configured to generate the first low frequency control signal.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein said baseband signal comprises one or more of:

video data, streamed Internet data, and/or data from a local data source.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein said one or more circuits are configured to transmit said first RF signal to a display.

15. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a third antenna, wherein said first RF signal is also transmitted over the third antenna.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein said first remote RF module comprises a mixer.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first RF band comprise 60 GHz.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to directly up-convert an amplified IF signal to the first RF signal.