Apparatus for transmitting a signal including transmit data to a multiple-input capable node

• US RE45,807 E1
• Filed: 04/15/2014
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Agee, Brian G, Bromberg, Matthew C
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Linh M
• Application Number:
  US14/253,593
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 375/232, 375/260, 375/267, 370/328, 370/329, 370/343
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0443 utilizing "waterfilling" technique
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/26 Systems using multi-frequency codes H04L27/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2602 Signal structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2605 Symbol extensions, e.g. Zero Tail, Unique Word [UW]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2607 Cyclic extensions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2627 Modulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/263 modification of IFFT/IDFT modulator for performance improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2646 using feedback from receiver for adjusting OFDM transmission parameters, e.g. transmission timing or guard interval length
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0044 allocation of payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/005 of common pilots, i.e. pilots destined for multiple users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/04 based on wireless node resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/241 taking into account channel quality metrics, e.g. SIR, SNR, CIR, Eb/lo
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/265 taking into account the quality of service QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/42 : in systems with time, space, frequency or polarisation diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 : Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/042 : in downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 : based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/085 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/1222 : in Global System for Mobile Communications [GSM] networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/142 : in Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/144 : in Bluetooth and Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/146 : in Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access [WiMAX] networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/164 : in Satellite Navigation receivers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/166 : in Radio Frequency Identification [RF-ID] transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/22 : in peer-to-peer [P2P], ad hoc and mesh networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/23 : in Voice over IP [VoIP] networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/444 : using two or more spaced independent antennas

Abstract

An apparatus for transmitting a signal including the transmit data to a multiple-input capable node is provided. The apparatus comprises: at least two antennas; a multiple-input and multiple-output capable transceiver in communication with each of the at least two antennas; encoding circuitry capable of causing first data to be encoded; decoding circuitry capable of causing second data to be decoded; processing circuitry capable of causing diversity combining, the processing circuitry being in communication with the multiple-input and multiple-output capable transceiver, the encoding circuitry, and the decoding circuitry. In operation, the processing circuitry is capable of causing the apparatus to: receive a first signal, calculate weights associated with the first signal, apply the weights to transmit data, and add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data. Additionally, the apparatus is configured such that the at least two antennas are capable of transmitting a second signal including the transmit data to a multiple-input capable node.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least two antennas;

a multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver in communication with each of the at least two antennas;

encoding circuitry capable of causing first data to be encoded;

decoding circuitry capable of causing second data to be decoded;

processing circuitry capable of working in association with the at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the encoding circuitry, and the decoding circuitry, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

identify information associated with at least one of a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes, the information including first information that is capable of being used to base weights upon, and second information that is node-specific;

apply the weights to transmit data, where the weights are based upon the first information;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data; and

generate third information based upon the second information;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of causing transmission of at least one signal including at least a portion of the transmit data to the at least one multiple input-capable node, where the third information is transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power level with which the at least one multiple input-capable node transmits;

wherein the apparatus is configured so as to dynamically change a transmit channel to another channel different from a previous channel associated with the at least one signal transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node;

wherein the apparatus is further configured so as to allow dynamic routing of an additional signal utilizing another route different from a previous route associated with the at least one signal;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing of the additional signal includes allowing routing of the additional signal as a function of an interference associated with at least one link.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmit beamforming.

3. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver;

processing circuitry capable of working in association with the at least one multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

link to a multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node;

receive first information that is capable of being used in association with setting a power level; and

add a cyclic prefix to transmit data;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of causing transmission of at least one signal including at least a portion of the transmit data to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, utilizing the power level that is set based on the first information;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the at least one multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of causing transmission, to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, of second information that is capable of being used by the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node to base weights upon;

wherein the apparatus is further configured so as to dynamically change a particular channel to another channel different from a previous channel associated with the at least one signal transmitted to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node;

wherein the apparatus is further configured so as to allow dynamic routing utilizing another route different from a previous route associated with the at least one signal;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes allowing routing as a function of an interference associated with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first information includes a target objective.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first information is based on a power constraint.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first information includes capacity maximization information.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first information includes power minimization information.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second information includes weight-related information.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second information includes weights.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is operable such that diversity combining is carried out;

the particular channel includes a transmit frequency;

the first information involves a power constraint; and

the second information includes weight-related information.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the dynamic routing is carried as a function of a link failure.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the link includes an uplink.

13. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the power level is calculated at and by the at least one multiple input-capable node;

and the interference includes a perceived unacceptable interface.

14. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the interference associated with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node includes interference associated with at least one link with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node.

15. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver includes a receiver element and a transmitter element that are both orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one transceiver;

communication circuitry that is multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable; and

processing circuitry capable of working in association with the communication circuitry and the at least one transceiver, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

link to a multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node;

identify information, the information including first information that is capable of being used for setting a power level;

modulate transmit data; and

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one transceiver is capable of causing transmission of at least one signal including at least a portion of the transmit data to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, utilizing the power level that is set based on the first information;

wherein the apparatus is further configured so as to dynamically change a transmit channel to another channel different from a previous channel associated with the at least one signal transmitted to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for dynamic routing utilizing another route different from a previous route;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes routing as a function of an interference associated with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the transmit channel includes a transmit frequency;

and the first information is a function of a power constraint.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the transmit data is variably modulated based on second information that is a function of a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver; and

processing circuitry in communication with the at least one multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

link to a multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node;

identify information, the information including first information that is capable of being used in association with setting a power level;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data; and

multiplex the transmit data with at least one pilot signal;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of causing transmission of at least one signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the at least one pilot signal to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, utilizing the power level that is set based on the first information;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the at least one multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of allowing receipt of reception data in a manner such that at least a portion of the reception data is redundantly received at the apparatus utilizing a plurality of different diversity channels;

wherein the apparatus is further configured so as to allow dynamic routing utilizing another route different from a previous route;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes routing as a function of an interference associated with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus is operable such that diversity combining is carried out;

the reception data is redundantly received simultaneously utilizing a single frequency; and

the first information has an associated power constraint.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the dynamic routing is carried as a function of a link failure.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

circuitry for linking, via a downlink, a multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable base node with a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node, by;

linking to the first multiple input-capable node utilizing a first diversity channel, and

linking to the second multiple input-capable node utilizing a second diversity channel, in association with the linking to the first multiple input-capable node utilizing the first diversity channel;

circuitry for identifying information, the information including first information that is capable of being used to determine a coding, second information that is capable of being used to determine base node weights, and third information that is specific to at least one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes;

circuitry for modulating downlink data utilizing the coding that is determined based on the first information;

circuitry for applying the base node weights to the downlink data, the base node weights being determined based on the second information;

circuitry for adding a cyclic prefix to the downlink data;

circuitry for multiplexing the downlink data with another signal;

circuitry for generating power-related information based on the third information;

circuitry for transmitting at least one downlink signal including at least a portion of the downlink data and at least a portion of the another signal from the base node to the at least one multiple input-capable node;

circuitry for causing communication of the power-related information from the base node to the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power level with which the at least one multiple input-capable node transmits; and

circuitry for dynamically routing utilizing another route different from a previous route associated with the at least one downlink signal, the dynamic routing including routing as a function of an interference.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the coding that is variably determined based on the first information.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, and further comprising circuitry for dynamically changing a transmit channel to another channel different from a previous channel.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is operable such that one or more portions of the downlink data is redundantly transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing a plurality of different diversity channels.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the power-related information is further based on a particular signal received from the at least one multiple input-capable node.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is a component of a system including the at least one multiple input-capable node, which comprises:

circuitry for receiving, at the at least one multiple input-capable node, the power-related information;

circuitry for adding a cyclic prefix to uplink data; and

circuitry for transmitting at least one uplink signal including at least a portion of the uplink data to the base node, utilizing the power level that is set based on the power-related information.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the another signal includes a pilot signal.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the circuitry for identifying information identifies the information by receiving the information.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the base node links with the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes simultaneously using the same frequency;

the first information is a function of a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio;

the second information includes weight-related information; and

the power-related information is a function of a power constraint.

31. A method, comprising:

linking, via a downlink, a multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable base node with a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node, by;

linking to the first multiple input-capable node utilizing a first diversity channel, and

linking to the second multiple input-capable node utilizing a second diversity channel, simultaneously with the linking to the first multiple input-capable node utilizing the first diversity channel;

identifying information, the information including first information that is capable of being used to determine a coding, second information that is capable of being used to determine base node weights, and third information that is associated with at least one of a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes;

modulating downlink data utilizing the coding that is determined based on the first information;

applying the base node weights to the downlink data, the base node weights being determined based on the second information;

adding a cyclic prefix to the downlink data;

multiplexing the downlink data with another signal;

generating power-related information based on the third information;

transmitting at least one downlink signal including at least a portion of the downlink data and at least a portion of the another signal from the base node to the at least one multiple input-capable node;

communicating the power-related information from the base node to the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power level with which the at least one multiple input-capable node transmits;

dynamically routing utilizing another route different from a previous route associated with the at least one downlink signal, the dynamic routing including routing as a function of an interference;

receiving, at the at least one multiple input-capable node, the power-related information;

adding a cyclic prefix to uplink data; and

transmitting at least one uplink signal including at least a portion of the uplink data to the base node, utilizing the power level that is set based on the power-related information.

32. An apparatus, comprising:

a multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver; and

processing circuitry in communication with the at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

receive a particular signal from at least one of a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes;

identify information associated with the at least one multiple input-capable node, the information including first information that is received from the at least one multiple input-capable node and is capable of being used to base weights upon, and second information;

apply the weights to transmit data, where the weights are based on the first information;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data; and

generate third information based on the second information and the particular signal;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of causing transmission of at least one signal including at least a portion of the transmit data to the at least one multiple input-capable node;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of causing transmission of the at least one signal such that the at least portion of the transmit data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different diversity channels;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the third information is transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node for setting a power level with which the at least one multiple input-capable node transmits;

wherein the apparatus is further configured so as to allow dynamic routing utilizing another route different from a previous route;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes allowing routing as a function of an interference associated with at least one link.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the second information is identified by being received from the at least one multiple input-capable node;

and the information is associated with the at least one multiple input-capable node by being associated with a link associated with the at least one multiple input-capable node.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the second information is included with the particular signal.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the redundantly transmitted transmit data is transmitted in a time and frequency coincident manner;

the first information includes weight-related information;

the second information is based on a certain signal received from the at least one multiple input-capable node; and

the third information is based on a power constraint.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the dynamic routing is carried as a function of a link failure.

37. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver;

processing circuitry in communication with the at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver, the processing circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

identify information associated with at least one of the a plurality of multiple-input-capable nodes, the information including first information that is capable of being used to determine weights, and second information;

apply the weights to transmit data, where the weights are determined based on the first information;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data; and

generate third information based on the second information;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of causing transmission of diverse signals including at least a portion of the transmit data to the at least one multiple-input-capable node, such that the at least portion of the transmit data is transmitted to the at least one multiple-input-capable node utilizing a plurality of different diversity channels;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the third information is transmitted to the at least one multiple-input-capable node for setting a power level with which the at least one multiple-input-capable node transmits;

wherein the apparatus is further configured so as to cause dynamic routing utilizing another route different from a previous route;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the dynamic routing includes routing as a function of an interference associated with at least one link.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the transmitted transmit data is time-coincidently and frequency-coincidently transmitted redundantly;

the first information includes weight-related information;

the second information is based on a particular signal received from the at least one multiple input-capable node; and

the third information is based on a power constraint.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the particular signal includes pilot data.