Radioterminals and operating methods that receive multiple measures of information from multiple sources

• US 8,340,592 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US13/095,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20110201326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 455/7, 455/11.1, 455/16, 455/67.11, 455/67.13, 455/522, 455/62.1, 455/226.1
• US Class Current: 455/67.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/026 Co-operative diversity, e.g. using fixed or mobile stations as relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0491 using two or more sectors, i.e. sector diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0837 using pre-detection combining H04B7/0868 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0854 using error minimizing algorithms, e.g. minimum mean squared error [MMSE], "cross-correlation" or matrix inversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/42 in systems with time, space, frequency or polarisation diversity

Abstract

A radioterminal includes a receiver that is configured to receive information from a base station by receiving a first measure of the information from the base station and a second measure of the information from a second device. The second device receives a measure of the information from the base station, responsively generates the second measure of the information and transmits the second measure of the information to the radioterminal over a short-range wireless link. Related methods are also described.

Claims

1. A radioterminal comprising:

a receiver that is configured to receive information from a base station by receiving a first measure of the information from the base station and a second measure of the information from a second device;

wherein the second device receives a measure of the information from the base station, responsively generates the second measure of the information and transmits the second measure of the information to the radioterminal over a short-range wireless link, and

wherein the base station transmits the information to the radioterminal and transmits second information to the second device, and wherein the radioterminal is configured to receive and decode the information.

2. A radioterminal according to claim 1 wherein the second device is a radioterminal.

3. A radioterminal according to claim 1 further comprising a transmitter that is configured to transmit return-link information to the base station co-channel with second return-link information that a second radioterminal transmits to the base station, and wherein the base station is configured to receive and decode the return-link information that is co-channel with the second return-link information.

4. A radioterminal according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of antenna elements.

5. A radioterminal operating method comprising:

receiving information from a base station by receiving a first measure of the information from the base station and a second measure of the information from a second device over a short-range wireless link;

wherein the second device receives a measure of the information from the base station, responsively generates the second measure of the information and transmits the second measure of the information to the radioterminal over the short-range wireless link;

transmitting the information from the base station to the radioterminal and transmitting second information to the second device; and

receiving and decoding the information.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the second device is a radioterminal.

7. A method according to claim 5 further comprising:

transmitting return-link information to the base station co-channel with second return-link information that a second radioterminal transmits to the base station, wherein the base station is configured to receive and decode the return-link information that is co-channel with the second return-link information.

8. A method according to claim 5 wherein the radioterminal comprises a plurality of antenna elements.