Apparatus for generating at least one signal based on at least one aspect of at least two received signals

• US 8,315,326 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aloft Media, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Agee, Brian G., Bromberg, Matthew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Payne, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haider, Syed
• Application Number:
  US13/022,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20110142025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 375/219, 375/232, 375/259, 375/267, 375/299, 375/341, 375/343, 375/345, 375/346, 370/206, 370/208, 370/210, 370/252, 370/329, 370/334, 370/343
• US Class Current: 375/267
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0408 using two or more beams, i.e. beam diversity
• 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: H04B 7/0465 taking power constraints at power amplifier or emission constraints, e.g. constant modulus, into account
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• 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 27/2646 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 72/00 : Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 : Wireless resource allocation
• 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 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An apparatus for generating at least one signal based on at least one aspect of at least two received signals is provided. The apparatus comprises: an antennae array of M antennae, where M is greater than or equal to two; at least one multiple-input and multiple-output capable transceiver in communication with each antenna in the antennae array of M antennae; and processing circuitry, the processing circuitry in communication with the multiple-input and multiple-output capable transceiver. In operation, the processing circuitry is capable of causing the apparatus to: receive at least two first signals, combine at least two of the at least two first signals, generate at least two second signals based on at least one aspect of the at least two first signals, and simultaneously transmit the at least two second signals; wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least one of the at least two second signals is capable of being received by a multiple-input capable node.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an antennae array of M antennae, where M is greater than or equal to two;

at least one multiple-input and multiple-output capable transceiver in communication with the antennae array of M antennae; and

processing circuitry, the processing circuitry in communication with the multiple-input and multiple-output 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, where first information is received that is associated with the at least one multiple input-capable node and is capable of being used for weight determination;

identify second information;

apply at least one weight to transmit data 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 transmitting at least one downlink 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 transmitting the at least one downlink signal such that the at least portion of the transmit data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different diversity channels that differ in at least one of a spatial respect or a polarization respect;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the third information is transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node such that a power level with which the at least one multiple input-capable node transmits is capable of being set based on the third information;

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.

50. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the particular signal includes information, and the power level is incrementally set.

51. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second information reflects, at least in part, a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR).

52. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operable to simultaneously link to different multiple input-capable nodes utilizing different spatial or polarization diversity channels;

modulate the transmit data utilizing a coding that is adaptively determined based on a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR); and

multiplex the transmit data with a pilot signal; and

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 downlink signal transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the apparatus is operable to utilize a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with interleaving;

perform quadrature amplitude modulation;

determine at least one receiver weight based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) function;

direct a null at an interferer to reduce interference therefrom, where the null is directed based on feedback received from the at least one multiple input-capable node;

direct a beam at the at least one multiple input-capable node in a manner that avoids interference in association with another multiple input-capable node; and

receive CRC information in association with received data and perform an error correction in association with the received data utilizing the CRC information.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the third information includes power-related information that is a function of a power constraint and is node-specific;

and the link to the different multiple input-capable nodes is carried out utilizing a space division multiple access protocol.

2. A multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable base node, comprising:

circuitry for;

linking 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 that differs from the first diversity channel in at least one aspect including a spatial aspect or a polarization aspect;

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

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

applying to the downlink data at least one base node weight that is 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 to the at least one multiple input-capable node;

communicating the power-related information to the at least one multiple input-capable node such that a power level with which the at least one multiple input-capable node transmits is capable of being set based on the power-related information; and

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.

3. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that internalized feedback is utilized so that a signaling process conveys optimization information.

4. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that receiver weight-related information is received from at least one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes in a form of a pilot signal that is multiplexed with received uplink data;

and at least one receiver weight is determined based on the receiver weight-related information.

5. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that reciprocity is utilized for local optimization.

6. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that uplink and downlink resources are allocated based on traffic conditions.

7. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to optimize a network capacity as a function of a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR).

8. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to optimize a network capacity as a function of a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR) and a link capacity.

9. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to determine at least one receiver weight based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) function.

10. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to receive CRC information in association with uplink data and perform an error correction in association with the uplink data utilizing the CRC information.

11. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to reduce timing offsets.

12. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to perform a synchronization operation in connection with the at least one multiple input-capable node to reduce at least one timing offset associated with communication therebetween.

13. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to perform quadrature amplitude modulation.

14. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to perform quadrature amplitude modulation in connection with the another signal.

15. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to direct a beam at the first multiple input-capable node in a manner that avoids interference in association with the second multiple input-capable node.

16. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable in a network that coordinates with the base node and at least one other base node, in order to direct a beam at the first multiple input-capable node in a manner that avoids interference in association with the second multiple input-capable node.

17. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to direct a null at an interferer to reduce interference therefrom.

18. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to direct a null at an interferer to reduce interference therefrom, where the null is directed based on feedback received from the at least one multiple input-capable node.

19. The base node of claim 2, and further comprising a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with interleaving.

20. The base node of claim 2, and further comprising circuitry for Turbo encoding in association with interleaved data.

21. The base node of claim 2, and further comprising a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with tone/slot interleaving.

22. The base node of claim 2, wherein:

the circuitry includes at least one component of at least one processor;

the at least one base node weight includes at least one transmit weight;

the base node is operable for global optimization;

the base node is operable for providing an opportunistic and multi-protocol network;

the base node is operable for enabling multiple, competing, cooperating sub-networks that are mutually and automatically adaptive and responsive;

the base node is operable for resolving an interplay between a local optimization and the global optimization;

the base node is operable for using a reception of signal information from other nodes both targeting the base node and not targeting the base node, to enhance both reception and transmission quality while minimizing feedback signals that are exchanged;

the base node is operable for providing network optimization that is capable of being extended to mixed networks;

the base node is operable for providing convergent methods for approximation;

the base node is operable for providing a computationally efficient mechanization for cross-correlation operations that take advantage of multiport signals on particular single channels;

the base node is operable for maximizing a use of local information and minimizing a use of global information;

the base node is operable for allowing specialization in a dynamic fashion;

the base node is operable for supporting diversity reception and transmission;

the base node is operable for permitting shared antenna usage amongst multiple nodes;

the base node is operable for adaptively selecting and using ad-hoc, single-frequency networks;

the base node is operable for equalizing a processing or duty cycle for message transmission and reception across both directions of a predetermined link;

the base node is operable for working in uncalibrated areas;

the base node is operable for adoption and use for transient nodes in areas, without requiring all possible combinations of channel responses;

the base node is operable for providing rapid correction for miscalibrated data;

the base node is operable for rapid and dynamic adaptation to channel response changes;

the base node is operable for providing a computationally efficient mechanization of cross-correlation operations for nodes and channels;

the base node is operable for reaching a working target capacity objective by iterating from an initial approximation to an acceptably-constrained solution;

the base node is operable such that power levels that solve a local target capacity objective minimize a transmitted energy;

the base node is operable such that quantities needed for a local solution only require local information to solve;

the base node is operable such that a power function minimizes transmitted energy at each respective node, hence minimizing co-channel interference while achieving targeted capacity rates;

the base node is operable for avoiding a need for estimating any channel matrices, and substantial lessening detailed and fine calculation and recalculation;

the at least one aspect includes the polarization aspect;

the base node is operable such that the modulating, the applying, the adding, the multiplexing, and the generating occur in a predetermined sequential order; and

the base node is operable such that the at least one base node weight is selected at the base node.

23. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that the first information is a function of a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR);

the second information includes weight-related information received from the at least one multiple input-capable node; and

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

24. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that the at least portion of the downlink data is redundantly transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing substantially the same time and frequency resource but a plurality of different diversity channels that differ in at least one of a spatial respect or a polarization respect.

25. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that the first information is a function of a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR);

the second information includes weight-related information;

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

the at least portion of the downlink data is redundantly transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node utilizing a plurality of different diversity channels that differ in at least one of a spatial respect or a polarization respect; and

the linking with the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes is carried out utilizing a space division multiple access protocol.

26. The base node of claim 25, wherein the base node is operable to utilize a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with interleaving;

perform quadrature amplitude modulation;

determine at least one receiver weight based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) function;

direct a null at an interferer to reduce interference therefrom;

direct a beam at the first multiple input-capable node in a manner that avoids interference in association with the second multiple input-capable node; and

receive CRC information in association with received data and perform an error correction in association with the received data utilizing the CRC information.

27. The base node of claim 25, wherein the base node is operable so as to dynamically change a particular channel to another channel different from a previous channel associated with the at least one downlink signal transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node.

28. The base node of claim 25, wherein the base node is operable to perform at least four of the following:

a) utilize a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with interleaving;

b) perform quadrature amplitude modulation;

c) determine at least one receiver weight based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) function;

d) direct a null at an interferer to reduce interference therefrom, where the null is directed based on feedback received from the at least one multiple input-capable node;

e) direct a beam at the first multiple input-capable node in a manner that avoids interference in association with the second multiple input-capable node; and

f) receive CRC information in association with received data and perform an error correction in association with the received data utilizing the CRC information.

29. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that the at least portion of the downlink data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different spatial diversity channels;

and the base node 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 downlink signal transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node.

30. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable such that the at least portion of the downlink data is redundantly transmitted utilizing a plurality of different polarization diversity channels;

and the base node 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 downlink signal transmitted to the at least one multiple input-capable node.

31. The base node of claim 2, wherein the base node is operable to utilize a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with interleaving;

perform quadrature amplitude modulation;

determine at least one receiver weight based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) function;

direct a null at an interferer to reduce interference therefrom, where the null is directed based on feedback received from the at least one multiple input-capable node;

direct a beam at the first multiple input-capable node in a manner that avoids interference in association with the second multiple input-capable node; and

receive CRC information in association with received data and perform an error correction in association with the received data utilizing the CRC information.

32. A multiple-input/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable user node, comprising:

circuitry for;

linking with a multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node utilizing a particular link;

receiving first information from the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node that is capable of being used for power level setting;

modulating uplink data;

adding a cyclic prefix to the uplink data;

multiplexing the uplink data with at least one pilot signal;

transmitting at least one uplink signal including at least a portion of the uplink data and at least a portion of the pilot signal to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, utilizing a power level that is set based on the first information;

communicating, to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node, second information that is capable of being used by the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node to base at least one base node weight upon;

dynamically changing a transmit channel to another channel different from a previous channel associated with the at least one uplink signal transmitted to the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node; and

dynamically routing utilizing another route different from a previous route, the dynamic routing including routing as a function of an interference associated with the particular link with the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node.

33. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable such that receiver weight-related information is sent from the user node in connection with the at least one pilot signal, such that the receiver weight-related information is capable of being utilized to determine at least one receiver weight.

34. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable to determine at least one receiver weight based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) function.

35. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable to receive CRC information in association with downlink data and perform an error correction in association with the downlink data utilizing the CRC information.

36. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable to perform quadrature amplitude modulation.

37. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable to perform quadrature amplitude modulation in connection with the at least one pilot signal.

38. The user node of claim 32, and further comprising a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with interleaving.

39. The user node of claim 32, and further comprising a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with interleaved data.

40. The user node of claim 32, and further comprising a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with tone/slot interleaving.

41. The user node of claim 32, wherein the at least one pilot signal includes pilot data.

42. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable such that the dynamic routing is performed in association with a link failure.

43. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable to perform diversity combining in association with received signals.

44. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable such that the dynamic routing is performed in association with route diversity adjustment.

45. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable such that the dynamic routing is performed based on network capacity.

46. A network including the user node of claim 32, and further comprising the multiple-input-and-multiple-output-capable node that is a base node including a multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver and circuitry for:

generating the first information for communication with the user node;

receiving the second information from the user node;

applying to downlink data the at least one base node weight that is determined based on the second information;

adding a cyclic prefix to the downlink data;

multiplexing the downlink data with another signal;

transmitting at least one downlink signal including at least a portion of the downlink data and at least a portion of the another signal to the user node; and

cooperating with the user node to enable the dynamic routing.

47. The network of claim 46, wherein the base node is operable to utilize a Turbo codec for Turbo encoding in association with interleaving;

perform quadrature amplitude modulation;

determine at least one receiver weight based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) function;

direct a null at an interferer to reduce interference therefrom, where the null is directed based on feedback received from the user node;

direct a beam at the user node in a manner that avoids interference in association with another user node; and

receive CRC information in association with received data and perform an error correction in association with the received data utilizing the CRC information.

48. The network of claim 46, wherein the base node is operable to downlink to different user nodes via different spatial or polarization diversity channels utilizing a space division multiple access protocol;

and adaptively modulate the downlink data utilizing a coding as a function of a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR); and

the base node is further configured so as to dynamically change a particular channel to another particular channel different from a previous particular channel associated with the at least one downlink signal transmitted to the at least one user node.

49. The user node of claim 32, wherein the user node is operable to modulate the downlink data utilizing a coding that is selected based on feedback from the base node.