Reverse sectorization wireless communication

• US 7,561,895 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2000
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International (Lumen Technologies, Inc.), Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Perini, Patrick L., Cook, Charles I., Schwengler, Thomas, Arend, Brian L., Hohnstein, Donald L., Dougherty, Angus O., Wells, Guy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US09/658,241
• Time in Patent Office: 3,231 Days
• Field of Search: 455/561, 455/562, 455/550, 455/17, 455/450, 455/422, 455/447, 455/575.7, 455/524, 455/560, 455/562.1, 455/509, 455/513, 370/342, 370/328, 370/337, 370/324, 370/331, 370/347, 370/336, 370/419
• US Class Current: 455/524
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1207 for fastening a rigid aerial element
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0491 using two or more sectors, i.e. sector diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Reverse sectorization is implemented by subscriber units with directionality and wireless system access points using substantially uniform transmission coverage. Each access point has at least one omnidirectional antenna forming a substantially uniform coverage area around the access point. Each subscriber unit has at least one directional antenna forming a directional coverage area. Subscriber units communicate with a particular access point through transmissions between the subscriber unit directional antenna and the omnidirectional antenna for the particular access point. The directional antenna may include a plurality of antenna patches with the subscriber unit selecting at least one antenna patch as the directional antenna. The directional antenna may also be positioned to optimize transmissions between the subscriber unit and the particular access point.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising:

a plurality of access points, each access point having at least one omnidirectional antenna forming a substantially uniform coverage area around the access point; and

a plurality of subscriber units, each subscriber unit having at least one directional antenna forming a directional coverage area, the directional coverage area selectable from a plurality of directional coverage areas provided by the subscriber unit;

whereby each subscriber unit communicates with a particular access point through a reverse sectorization transmission between the subscriber unit directional antenna and the omnidirectional antenna.

2. A wireless communication system as in claim 1 further comprising a routing network interconnecting the plurality of access points.

3. A wireless communication system as in claim 2 wherein the routing network comprises a distributed network of distribution points.

4. A wireless communication system as in claim 3 wherein at least one distribution point is in the same location as one access point.

5. A wireless communication system as in claim 2 wherein at least one access point is in wireless communication with the routing network through at least one backhaul antenna.

6. A wireless communication system as in claim 1 wherein transmissions between the subscriber unit and the access point comprise packetized information.

7. A wireless communication system as in claim 1 wherein the subscriber unit is a terminal network controller comprising at least one interface, each interface providing access to the wireless communication system.

8. A wireless communication system as in claim 7 wherein the terminal network controller further comprises a routing switch routing information packets to and from the at least one interface.

9. A wireless communication system as in claim 1 wherein the directional antenna comprises a plurality of antenna patches, the subscriber unit selecting at least one antenna patch as the directional antenna.

10. A wireless communication system as in claim 1 wherein the directional antenna is operative to be positioned to optimize transmissions between the subscriber unit and the particular access point.

11. A wireless communication system comprising:

a plurality of access points, each access point transmitting and receiving information packets, each information packet transmitted through reverse sectorization over a substantially uniform coverage area around the access point;

a network of distribution points in communication with the access points, the distribution points routing information packets between the access points based upon a forwarding equivalency class for each access point; and

a plurality of subscriber units, each subscriber unit transmitting and receiving information packets, each subscriber unit transmitting information packets through reverse sectorization over a focused directional coverage area.

12. A method of reverse sectorization communication comprising:

enabling a communication path for at least one access point, the at least one access point including an omnidirectional antenna;

enabling a channel between the at least one access point and one of a plurality of subscriber units by selecting one of a plurality of antenna directions in the subscriber unit, the selected antenna direction activating a directional antenna;

transmitting, through reverse sectorization, at least one information packet in a uniform coverage area around each access point; and

receiving the at least one information packet at each access point, the received information packet being transmitted from the directional antenna.

13. A method of wireless communication as in claim 12 wherein transmitting, through reverse sectorization, at least one information packet in a uniform coverage area around each access point comprises transmitting from the omnidirectional antenna.

14. A method of wireless communication as in claim 12 wherein transmitting, through reverse sectorization, at least one information packet in a uniform coverage area around each access point comprises transmitting from the directional antenna.

15. A method of wireless communication as in claim 12 further comprising enabling the subscriber unit to select at least one of a plurality of antenna elements to form the directional antenna.

16. A method of wireless communication as in claim 12 further comprising enabling the subscriber unit to aim the directional antenna.

17. A method of wireless communication as in claim 12 wherein transmitting through reverse sectorization is accomplished through a wireless transmission.

18. A method of wireless communication as in claim 12 further comprising routing the received information packet to one of a plurality of interfaces at the subscriber unit.