Apparatus for calculating weights associated with a received signal and applying the weights to transmit data

• US 8,451,929 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• 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): Fan, Chieh M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haider, Syed
• Application Number:
  US13/022,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20110255577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 375/219, 375/232, 375/259, 375/260, 375/267, 375/299, 375/341, 375/343, 375/345, 375/346, 375/350, 370/203, 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 calculating weights associated with a received signal and applying the weights to transmit data 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; and processing circuitry capable of causing diversity combining, 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 a first signal, calculate weights associated with the first signal, and apply the weights to 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 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 in communication with the 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;

link to 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, using a space-division multiple access protocol, 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, using the space-division multiple access protocol;

identify information in association with a single one of the plurality of multiple-input-capable nodes, the information including first information capable of being used to determine a coding, second information capable of being used to determine weights, and third information that is node-specific and capable of being used to generate power-related information;

modulate transmit data, the transmit data being processed utilizing the coding that is determined based on the first information;

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

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplex the transmit data with at least one predetermined signal; and

generate power-related information based on the third information;

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

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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the transmit data is redundantly transmitted to the single multiple-input-capable node utilizing the plurality of different diversity channels.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that different parts of the at least portion of the transmit data is simultaneously transmitted to the single multiple-input-capable node utilizing the plurality of different diversity channels.

4. An apparatus, comprising:

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

encoding circuitry capable of causing first data to be encoded;

decoding circuitry capable of causing second data to be decoded; and

processing circuitry in communication 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;

link to 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, and

linking to the second multiple-input-capable node;

receive information from at least one of the plurality of multiple-input-capable nodes, the information including first information that is capable of being used to determine weights;

identify second information that is node-specific;

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 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 at least one transmit signal 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 at least one multiple-input-and-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable transceiver is capable of causing transmission 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 further configured so as to dynamically change a transmit frequency resource to another frequency resource different from a previous frequency resource;

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

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

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the third information is dynamically generated by the apparatus, and transmitted for the setting of the power level with which the at least one multiple-input-capable node transmits utilizing the dynamically generated third information;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the transmit data is processed utilizing a coding rate that is based on fourth information;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the fourth information is based on a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR).

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the linking to the plurality of multiple-input-capable nodes is accomplished utilizing at least one of a time-division multiplexing protocol or a frequency-division multiplexing protocol.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the setting includes a repetitive dynamic adjustment.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first information is a function of a signal to interference and noise ratio.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second information is a function of a signal to interference and noise ratio.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second information is specific to a node from which the second information is received.

10. The apparatus of claim 4, the second information is a function of a health of a channel.

11. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second information includes interference-related information that is node-specific.

12. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second information includes capacity-related information that is node-specific.

13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fourth information is a function of an aspect of a channel.

14. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fourth information is a function of a health of a channel.

15. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fourth information includes interference-related information that is node-specific.

16. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fourth information includes capacity-related information that is node-specific.

17. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the power level is that with which the at least one multiple-input-capable node transmits over at least one of a plurality of channels or links.

18. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmit beamforming.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the transmit beamforming includes constructing linear distribution weights.

20. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is configured for multi-path operation.

21. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is operable such that random access packets are utilized, and at least one of receive or transmit operations are carried out on the same frequency channels for each link.

22. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is operable such that random access packets are utilized, and receive and transmit operations are carried out on the same frequency channels.

23. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is operable such that random access packets are utilized, and receive and transmit operations are carried out on the same frequency channels for each link.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

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

encoding circuitry capable of causing first data to be encoded;

decoding circuitry capable of causing second data to be decoded; and

processing circuitry in communication 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;

link to 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, and

linking to the second multiple-input-capable node;

receive first information from at least one of the plurality of multiple-input-capable nodes, the first information capable of being used to determine weights;

identify second information that is associated with at least one node;

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

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplex the transmit data with at least one pilot signal; and

generate third information based on the second information;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the transmit data is modulated, the transmit data being processed utilizing a coding that is optimized based on fourth information identified in association with 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 at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the at least one pilot signal 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, 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 further configured so as to dynamically change a transmit channel to another channel different from a previous channel;

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 transmit signal;

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;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that network control or feedback aspects are utilized as part of a signal encoding process and included in a first direction of a signaling or optimization process, based on an environmental condition'"'"'s effect upon signals in a second direction of the signaling or optimization process;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the power level is set based on a signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR) and a power constraint;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the power level is set by increasing or decreasing the power level utilizing quantized steps.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmit beamforming.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the transmit beamforming includes constructing linear distribution weights.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured for multi-path operation.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured for setting the power level by fixed increments, for reducing an amount of network control information required to be communicated.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the link to the plurality of multiple- input-capable nodes utilizes feedback for multiple-output minimum mean-square error (MMSE) beam or null steering.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the beam or null steering includes null steering.

31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus includes a first base station capable of operating in a network including a second base station, such that the first base station links to the at least one multiple-input-capable node utilizing a first spatial or polarization diversity channel while the second base station links to the same at least one multiple-input-capable node utilizing a second spatial or polarization diversity channel.

32. An apparatus, comprising:

transceiver hardware that is multiple-input-multiple-output capable and includes at least one transmitter wireless element that is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable and at least one receiver wireless element; and

circuitry capable of working in association with the transceiver hardware, the circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

communicate with a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node, by;

communicating with the first multiple input-capable node, and

communicating with the second multiple input-capable node;

process transmit data utilizing a coding that is variable;

modulate the transmit data;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplex the transmit data with at least one particular signal;

transmit at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the particular signal to a node, wherein the apparatus includes a cellular base station and the node includes one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes that includes a cellular mobile device; and

transmit power-related information to the cellular mobile device for controlling, at least in part, a power level with which the cellular mobile device transmits;

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

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the adaptive routing includes causing routing based on a link quality of a link, so that the adaptive routing is configured to;

cause linkage between the cellular mobile device and the cellular base station utilizing the link, and

based on the link quality of the link, cause linkage between the cellular mobile device and another cellular base station utilizing another link;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that one or more network control or feedback aspects are utilized as part of a signal encoding process and included in a first direction of a signaling or optimization process, based on an environmental condition'"'"'s effect upon signals in a second direction of the signaling or optimization process;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a synchronization signal is transmitted as part of a carrier signal, for synchronization of a plurality of different nodes;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization includes a coarse synchronization;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a fine synchronization is carried out utilizing the at least one particular signal;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization signal is transmitted utilizing one or more tones during at least one time period.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the link utilizes a first spatial or polarization diversity channel and the another link utilizes a second spatial or polarization diversity channel.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the link and the another link utilize different diversity channels.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the link and the another link exist simultaneously.

36. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the link is replaced by the another link.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the linkage between the cellular mobile device and another cellular base station is caused, further based on an availability of the another link.

38. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the link quality involves a failure.

39. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the link quality involves a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR).

40. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmit beamforming.

41. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured for allowing power control based on a target signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR) and a power constraint.

42. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured for controlling a transmit power level by increasing or decreasing the power level by fixed increments.

43. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured for controlling a transmit power level by increasing or decreasing the power level by fixed increments, for reducing an amount of network control information required to be communicated.

44. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the link to the plurality of multiple-input-capable nodes utilizes feedback for multiple-output minimum mean-square error (MMSE) beam or null steering.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the beam or null steering includes null steering.

46. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus includes a first cellular base station capable of operating in a cellular network including a second cellular base station, such that the first cellular base station links to the cellular mobile device utilizing a first spatial or polarization diversity channel while the second cellular base station links to the cellular mobile device utilizing a second spatial or polarization diversity channel.

48. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the one or more tones include a plurality of tones grouped into narrowband frequency channels in connection with the at least one transmit signal.

49. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that an upper guard tone and a lower guard tone are utilized in connection with the at least one transmit signal.

50. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a plurality of aspects of at least one particular link are grouped together for measuring an aggregate flow.

51. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a sequence is transmitted to train beamforming weights.

52. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a training sequence is explicitly transmitted to train beamforming weights.

53. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the power level is repeatedly controlled utilizing quantized steps.

54. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the transmit data is processed to generate an intermediate signal that is mapped to individual tones.

55. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one transmit signal is transmitted utilizing at least a portion of a plurality of time division duplex (TDD) frames, each TDD frame including a plurality of uplink subframes and a plurality of downlink subframes.

56. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the apparatus utilizes channel sounding in connection with an estimation of at least one aspect of at least one channel.

57. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a committed bit-rate service.

58. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that each of the plurality of multiple-input nodes utilizes a different coding rate at each instance of time.

59. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus is configured such that guard-time gaps are utilized.

47. An apparatus, comprising:

a multiple-input-multiple-output/orthogonal frequency division multiplexing sub-system for receiving multiple polarization diverse or spatial diverse channels; and

circuitry for;

communicating with a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node, by;

communicating with the first multiple input-capable node, and

communicating with the second multiple input-capable node;

processing transmit data utilizing a coding that is variable;

modulating the transmit data;

adding a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplexing the transmit data with at least one particular signal;

transmitting at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the particular signal to a node, wherein the apparatus includes a cellular base station and the node includes one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes that includes a cellular mobile device; and

transmitting power-related information to the cellular mobile device for setting a power level with which the cellular mobile device transmits;

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

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the adaptive routing includes routing based on a link quality of a link, by;

causing linkage between the cellular mobile device and the cellular base station utilizing the link, and

based on the link quality of the link, causing linkage between the cellular mobile device and another cellular base station utilizing another link;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a synchronization signal is transmitted as part of a carrier signal, for synchronization of a plurality of different nodes;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization includes a coarse synchronization;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a fine synchronization is carried out utilizing the at least one particular signal;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization signal is transmitted utilizing one or more tones during at least one time period.

60. An apparatus, comprising:

transceiver hardware that is multiple-input-multiple-output capable and includes at least one transmitter wireless element that is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable and at least one receiver wireless element; and

circuitry capable of working in association with the transceiver hardware, the circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

communicate with a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input- capable node, by;

communicating with the first multiple input-capable node, and

communicating with the second multiple input-capable node;

process transmit data utilizing a coding that is variable;

modulate the transmit data;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplex the transmit data with at least one particular signal;

transmit at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the particular signal to a node, wherein the apparatus includes a cellular base station and the node includes one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes that includes a cellular mobile device; and

transmit power-related information to the cellular mobile device for controlling, at least in part, a power level with which the cellular mobile device transmits;

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

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the adaptive routing includes allowing routing based on a link quality of a link, the adaptive routing including allowing linkage between the cellular mobile device and the cellular base station utilizing the link, and allowing linkage between the cellular mobile device and another cellular base station utilizing another link, based on the link quality of the link;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a synchronization signal is transmitted in association with a carrier signal, for synchronization purposes;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization purposes involves a coarse synchronization;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a fine synchronization is carried out utilizing the at least one particular signal;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization signal is transmitted utilizing one or more tones during at least one time period.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the synchronization signal includes at least one of:

a single synchronization signal, a universal synchronization signal, or a commonly observable synchronization signal.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the coarse synchronization is carried out by combinations of dedicated tones and slots.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the coarse synchronization is carried out to maximize a synchronization possible for minimal transmission density.

64. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the coarse synchronization is performed prior to multitone demodulation.

65. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the coarse synchronization is performed using an envelope feature of a waveform.

66. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the fine synchronization is performed after multitone demodulation.

67. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the fine synchronization is performed using dedicated synchronization symbols and tones.

68. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the synchronization signal is GPS-related.

69. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the coarse synchronization is performed using control or MAC channels.

70. An apparatus, comprising:

transceiver hardware that is multiple-input-multiple-output capable and includes at least one transmitter wireless element that is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable and at least one receiver wireless element; and

circuitry capable of working in association with the transceiver hardware, the circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

communicate with a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node, by;

communicating with the first multiple input-capable node, and

communicating with the second multiple input-capable node;

process transmit data utilizing a coding that is variable;

modulate the transmit data;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplex the transmit data with at least one particular signal;

transmit at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the particular signal to a node, wherein the apparatus includes a cellular base station and the node includes one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes that includes a cellular mobile device; and

transmit power-related information to the cellular mobile device for controlling, at least in part, a power level with which the cellular mobile device transmits;

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

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the adaptive routing includes routing based on a link quality of a link, by;

linking via the previous route between the cellular mobile device and the cellular base station utilizing the link, and

based on the link quality of the link, linking via the another route between the cellular mobile device and another cellular base station utilizing another link;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for;

variably changing a coding rate as a function of a signal-to-interference- and-noise ratio (SINR);

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a synchronization signal is transmitted as part of a carrier signal, for synchronization of a plurality of different nodes;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization includes a coarse synchronization;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a fine synchronization is carried out utilizing the at least one particular signal;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization signal is transmitted utilizing one or more tones during at least one time period.

71. An apparatus, comprising:

transceiver hardware that is multiple-input-multiple-output capable and includes at least one transmitter wireless element that is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-capable and at least one receiver wireless element; and

circuitry capable of working in association with the transceiver hardware, the circuitry capable of causing the apparatus to;

communicate with a plurality of multiple input-capable nodes including a first multiple input-capable node and a second multiple input-capable node, by;

communicating with the first multiple input-capable node, and

communicating with the second multiple input-capable node;

process transmit data utilizing a coding that is variable;

modulate the transmit data;

add a cyclic prefix to the transmit data;

multiplex the transmit data with at least one particular signal;

transmit at least one transmit signal including at least a portion of the transmit data and at least a portion of the particular signal to a node, wherein the apparatus includes a cellular base station and the node includes one of the plurality of multiple input-capable nodes that includes a cellular mobile device; and

transmit power-related information to the cellular mobile device for controlling, at least in part, a power level with which the cellular mobile device transmits;

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

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the adaptive routing includes routing based on a link quality of a link, in that the adaptive routing is configured to;

link between the cellular mobile device and the cellular base station utilizing the link, and

based on the link quality of the link, link between the cellular mobile device and another cellular base station utilizing another link;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for supporting open loop power control by multiplexing the at least one particular signal, for processing and use by the cellular mobile device in adjusting the power level with which the cellular mobile device transmits;

wherein the apparatus is further configured for supporting closed loop power control by transmitting cellular mobile device-specific information to the cellular mobile device, for processing and use by the cellular mobile device in adjusting the power level with which the cellular mobile device transmits, in connection with a power constraint;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a synchronization signal is transmitted as part of a carrier signal, for synchronization of a plurality of different nodes;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization includes a coarse synchronization;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that a fine synchronization is carried out utilizing the at least one particular signal;

wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the synchronization signal is transmitted utilizing one or more tones during at least one time period.