Heterogeneous network optimization and organization utilizing modal antenna techniques and master-slave schemes

• US 9,883,322 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2015
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera AVX Components San Diego Inc (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ethertronics, Inc. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Desclos, Laurent, Pajona, Olivier
• Primary Examiner(s): Mesfin, Yemane
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rose, Derrick V
• Application Number:
  US14/845,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20160192113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements

Abstract

A communication system is described where multiple communication networks are simultaneously accessible from a plurality of fixed and/or mobile communication devices. A Master and Slave hierarchy is implemented among the communication devices to improve communication properties on one or multiple networks. Slave devices are configured to access cellular networks through routing of data with a master device within a sub-network.

Claims

1. A communication system, comprising:

a first wireless network having a network footprint confined within an area of a second wireless network;

the first network comprising at least one of;

a wireless local area network (WLAN) having an access point configured to couple with one or more devices, or

a combination of two or more devices configured to communicate with each other;

wherein the one or more devices coupled to the access point, or alternatively, the combination of two or more devices configured to communicate with each other, defines a plurality of devices coupled to the first network;

the second network comprising a cellular communication network having at least one base station terminal positioned in proximity with the first network;

the communication system further comprising;

at least one master device selected from the plurality of devices coupled to the first network, said master device being configured to communicate with each of the first network and the second network; and

a plurality of slave devices consisting essentially of the remaining devices of the plurality of devices coupled to the first network that are not designated as one of the at least on master device, wherein each of said slave device is configured to communicate with the first network, and further configured to communicate with the second network via an associated master device of the at least one master device;

wherein at least one device of the plurality of devices coupled to the first network comprises;

a modal antenna, said modal antenna having a plurality of antenna modes, wherein the modal antenna is configured to produce a distinct antenna radiation pattern associated with each of said plurality of modes; and

wherein said modal antenna comprises;

an antenna radiating element positioned above a circuit board forming an antenna volume therebetween;

a first parasitic conductor positioned adjacent to the radiating element and within the antenna volume, the first parasitic conductor element being coupled to a first active tuning component for adjusting a reactance of the first parasitic conductor to adjust a frequency response of the antenna; and

a second parasitic conductor element positioned adjacent to the radiating element and outside of the antenna volume, the second parasitic conductor element being coupled to a second active tuning component for adjusting a reactance of the second parasitic conductor to steer the antenna radiation pattern associated with the antenna.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said first network comprises a wireless local area network (WLAN) having an access point configured to couple with one or more devices.

3. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said first network comprises a combination of two or more devices configured to communicate with each other.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said first network comprises each of:

a wireless local area network (WLAN) having an access point configured to couple with one or more devices, or a combination of two or more devices configured to communicate with each other;

wherein the one or more devices coupled to the access point, or alternatively, the combination of two or more devices configured to communicate with each other, defines a plurality of devices coupled to the first network.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein each device of the plurality of devices coupled to the first network comprises:

a modal antenna, said modal antenna having a plurality of antenna modes, wherein the modal antenna is configured to produce a distinct antenna radiation pattern associated with each of said plurality of modes.

6. The communication system of claim 1, comprising a network controller having an algorithm residing therein, said network controller configured to:

request a quality metric factor (QMF) and a quality of service (QOS) requirement from each device of the plurality of devices;

receive a QMF and QOS from each device;

determine which device of the plurality of devices has the best QMF and designating the device having the best QMF as one of the at least one master device; and

designating one or more of the remaining devices of the plurality of devices as slaves.

7. A method for selecting each of a master device and one or more slave devices within an aggregate network, said aggregate network comprising a first non-cellular network and a second cellular network, wherein it is desirable to reduce the number of devices connected to the cellular network, the method comprising:

among a plurality of devices coupled to the cellular network, one or more of said plurality of devices comprising a modal antenna having a plurality of antenna modes, wherein the modal antenna is configured to produce a distinct antenna radiation pattern associated with each of said plurality of antenna modes, and in a first iteration, selecting a temporary master device, and designating one or more remaining devices of the plurality of devices as slave devices;

with the temporary master device, broadcasting over the non-cellular network a request to all devices coupled to the non-cellular network for a quality metric factor (QMF) and a quality of service (QOS) requirement for each of the cellular and non-cellular networks;

if all devices coupled to the non-cellular network deliver the requested QMF and QOS data, then generating a consolidated matrix using the QMF and QOS data of each device, and defining a cost function based on a strategy of service chosen;

otherwise, repeating a broadcast over the non-cellular network a request to all devices coupled to the non-cellular network for a QMF and a QOS requirement for each of the cellular and non-cellular networks;

determining a minimized cost function and an associated configuration with one or more of the devices chosen for configuration as master devices;

with the temporary master device, communicating to one or more of the slave devices instructions to reconfigure as a master device, such that in a second iteration the aggregate network comprises at least one master device;

for each master device of the second iteration, notifying one or more devices to configure as a slave device associated therewith;

with each slave device, configuring an antenna mode for optimizing communication link quality with the associated master device; and

upon a network event, requesting a reconfiguration of the aggregate network;

wherein each of the master devices is configured to communicate with each of the first non-cellular network and the second cellular network; and

wherein each of the slave devices is configured to communicate with the first non-cellular network, but said slave devices must access services of the second cellular network through a routing with the associated master device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said QMF comprises at least one of:

signal to interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR);

receive signal strength indicator (RSSI);

throughput data rates in Rx, Tx, or a combination thereof;

or Channel quality indicator (CQI).

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said cost function is optimized for minimum data rate warranty.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said cost function is optimized for balance data rate.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said network event comprises one of:

introduction of a new device in the aggregate network, or a change in position of one or more of said plurality of devices.

12. A method for selecting each of a master device and one or more slave devices within an aggregate network, said aggregate network comprising a first non-cellular network and a second cellular network, wherein it is desirable to reduce the number of devices connected to the cellular network, the method comprising:

among a plurality of devices coupled to the cellular network, one or more of said plurality of devices comprising a modal antenna having a plurality of antenna modes, wherein the modal antenna is configured to produce a distinct antenna radiation pattern associated with each of said plurality of antenna modes, and in a first iteration, selecting a temporary master device, and designating one or more remaining devices of the plurality of devices as slave devices;

with the temporary master device, broadcasting over the non-cellular network a request to all devices coupled to the non-cellular network for configuration of the modal antenna in a first mode of the plurality of modes thereof, and with each respective device in the first mode, obtaining a quality metric factor (QMF) and a quality of service (QOS) requirement for each of the cellular and non-cellular networks with the antenna in the first mode, the QMF and QOS data forming a quality matrix of the device in the first mode, then repeating with all devices for each subsequent mode of the plurality of antenna modes thereof for procuring a quality matrix for each device containing data associated with the device in each of the plurality of modes;

if all devices coupled to the non-cellular network deliver the requested quality matrix for each mode, then generating a consolidated global signal quality matrix, and defining a cost function based on a strategy of service chosen;

otherwise, repeating a broadcast over the non-cellular network a request to all devices coupled to the non-cellular network for a quality matrix of each mode of the plurality of modes;

determining a minimized cost function and an associated configuration with one or more of the devices chosen for configuration as master devices;

with the temporary master device, communicating to one or more of the slave devices instructions to reconfigure as a master device, such that in a second iteration the aggregate network comprises at least one master device;

for each master device of the second iteration, notifying one or more devices to configure as a slave device associated therewith;

with each slave device, configuring an antenna mode for optimizing communication link quality with the associated master device; and

upon a network event, requesting a reconfiguration of the aggregate network;

wherein each of the master devices is configured to communicate with each of the first non-cellular network and the second cellular network; and

wherein each of the slave devices is configured to communicate with the first non-cellular network, but said slave devices must access services of the second cellular network through a routing with the associated master device.

13. The method of claim 12, said first non-cellular network comprising:

a combination of two or more devices configured to communicate with each other.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said QMF comprises at least one of:

signal to interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR);

receive signal strength indicator (RSSI);

throughput data rates in Rx, Tx, or a combination thereof;

or Channel quality indicator (CQI).

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said cost function is optimized for minimum data rate warranty.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said cost function is optimized for balance data rate.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said network event comprises one of:

introduction of a new device in the aggregate network, or a change in position of one or more of said plurality of devices.