(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0158801 A1
`Crilly, JR. et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 31, 2002
`
`US 2002O1588O1A1
`
`(54) WIRELESS PACKET SWITCHED
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND
`NETWORKS USINGADAPTIVELY STEERED
`ANTENNA ARRAYS
`(76) Inventors: William J. Crilly JR., Liberty Lake,
`WA (US); Ken Biba, San Francisco,
`CA (US); Ronald J. Conley, Liberty
`Lake, WA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`LEE & HAYES, PLLC
`421 W. RIVERSIDEAVE, STE 500
`SPOKANE, WA99201 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`09/976,246
`(22) Filed:
`Oct. 12, 2001
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/287,163, filed on Apr.
`27, 2001.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G01S 3/16
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 342/378
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Methods, apparatuses and Systems are provided for use in a
`wireless routing network. One apparatus, for example,
`includes an adaptive antenna that is configurable to receive
`a transmission signal from a transmitter and in response
`transmit corresponding outgoing multi-beam electromag
`netic signals exhibiting a plurality of Selectively placed
`transmission peaks and transmission nulls within a far field
`region of a coverage area. The adaptive antenna may also be
`configured to Selectively receive at least one incoming
`electromagnetic Signal directed through the coverage area.
`The adaptive antenna includes at least one antenna array and
`logic. The antenna array has a plurality of antenna elements.
`The logic is operatively coupled to the antenna array and
`configured to Selectively control the placement of the trans
`mission peaks and transmission nulls within the outgoing
`multi-beam electromagnetic Signals. The logic may also be
`configured to Selectively control the reception of at least one
`incoming electromagnetic Signal. The logic is configured to
`be responsive to routing information. Such routing informa
`tion may be dynamically maintained in one or more routing
`tables.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`162
`
`f
`/
`-
`f / Noise/WLAN
`/ Interference
`
`Receiver
`114
`
`Receiver
`114
`
`Receiver
`114
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 31, 2002. Sheet 1 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`106C
`
`WIRELESS
`ROUTER
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`104
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`ROUTER
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ANTENNA ARRAY
`
`114
`
`112
`
`TRANSMITTER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONTROL LOGIC
`ROUTING
`NFORMATION
`120
`
`118
`
`COMMUNICATION
`INTERFACES
`
`114
`
`
`
`RECEIVER
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 2 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`150 y
`
`A(9) P Aazimuth (8)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A
`
`/ / / Y-7 vs.
`f /Noise/WLAN
`} / Interference
`
`
`
`
`
`Receiver
`114
`
`Receiver
`114
`
`Receiver
`114
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 3 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`174-
`
`Peak
`Null
`/
`
`Angle Off
`Boresight
`
`17Oa
`
`184b. t;
`
`-
`
`* (ii
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 4 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`200 y
`
`CTS About To Be Transmitted
`
`ASCERTAIN
`NEIGHBORS
`
`
`
`202
`
`Potential For
`Interference From
`Neighbor?
`
`No
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`If Many, Than Use
`' ' ' '.
`Omnidirectional, if
`Few, Then Use
`Directed Beams
`
`DEVELOP CTS
`BEAMS TO
`NEIGHBORS
`
`2O6
`
`DEVELOPNARROW
`BEAM CTS
`
`Pattern
`
`POWer
`Pattern
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002. Sheet 5 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`UnWanted
`Coupling
`
`
`
`242
`
`244
`
`246
`
`
`
`
`
`CANCEL TONES
`(E.G., BASED ON ANON
`LINEAR AMPLIFIER MoDEL)
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publicati
`on Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 6 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`
`
`Tx Signal
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`Unwanted
`Coupling
`
`
`
`FOREACH (OFDM) TONE
`BASED ON DETECTED
`COUPLING DURING AT LEAST
`ONE TEST PHASE
`
`APPLY THE SCALE FACTORS
`TO TAPPED ADAPTIVE
`ANTENNA SIGNALS
`
`COMBINE THE RESULTING
`SCALED TAPPED ADAPTIVE
`ANTENNA SIGNALS WITH THE
`RECEIVED SIGNALS TO
`REMOVE UNWANTED
`COUPLNG
`
`282
`
`284
`
`286
`
`288
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 7 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`- - - - - m ms a - - - - - H -
`
`Clean
`
`Non-Flat
`Coupling
`
`300
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`y DETERMINE A SCALE FACTOR
`FOREACH (OFDM) TONE
`BASED ON DETECTED
`COUPLING DURING AT LEAST
`ONE TEST PHASE
`
`CONDUCT NORMAL
`TRANSMISSIONS
`
`APPLY THE SCALEFACTORS
`TO ATAPPED ADAPTIVE
`ANTENNA SIGNAL
`
`FEEDBACK THE RESULTING
`SCALED TAPPED ADAPTIVE
`ANTENNA SIGNAL AND
`COMBINE T WITH THE
`SIGNAL TO BE TRANSMITTED
`TO REDUCE UNWANTED
`COUPLING ARTIFACTS N THE
`RECEIVED SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`302
`
`304
`
`306
`
`308
`
`22, toa
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 8 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`
`
`314
`
`2 317b,
`317 XYZ. 31.8b.
`
`3.18a
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 9 of 18
`
`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`320
`
`322-
`
`324
`-4-
`
`326
`
`N
`
`328
`-4
`
`€
`
`5.25 5.35
`
`5.725 5.825
`
`GHz
`
`340
`
`--
`
`/ 1.
`
`N
`
`/ 348
`
`Y
`
`1
`346
`
`- - - - N - 7 - c.
`
`342
`
`N
`
`/
`
`344
`
`348-
`
`22, 15
`
`360
`' M1-M2 Fred.
`P
`Packets - A -
`M-N Freq
`M-N Freq.
`N-C Freq.
`34. Fres.
`344b
`w
`C
`346b
`346a
`C
`s 346d
`
`342b
`
`\ M-N Freq.
`IN 344c
`N-CF v.A
`-C Freq v.
`
`346f
`
`346e
`22, 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 10 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`400 y
`
`ATA FIRST WIRELESS ROUTING DEVICE, MEASURE ANUNWANTED
`SIGNAL FROMA SECOND WIRELESS ROUTING DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THE FIRST WIRELESS ROUTING DEVICE PROVIDES INFORMATION
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE MEASURED SIGNAL TO THE SECOND
`WIRELESS ROUTING DEVICE
`
`THE SECOND WIRELESS ROUTING DEVICE, ADAPTIVELY APPLIES A
`NULL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE FIRST WIRELESS ROUTING DEVICE,
`BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE FIRST WIRELESS
`ROUTING DEVICE
`
`
`
`402
`
`404
`
`4O6
`
`- Y - 7-2, (6-f
`
`-------
`
`22, f62
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 11 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`430
`
`428 \
`it Elements
`- - - To DACS
`
`N
`# Elements
`
`221-y
`Tx Complex
`Sample
`1 2 3 4.
`
`1
`
`2
`
`Switch At
`Sample
`
`Rate
`
`3
`
`of || || || -
`
`MN
`| it Elements
`
`O
`
`Converts To Parallel
`
`Each Stage is
`
`Parraled Due
`To The Up
`
`Sample Rate
`(x # Elements)
`
`III fif )
`22, 1662
`
`432 N
`
`lm
`Nulls S.
`\
`
`Passband or
`1 Main Beam
`
`Re
`
`Z-plane
`
`22, toZP
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 12 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`434-y
`
`Input
`Complex
`Samples
`
`
`
`CORDIC Stages
`
`22, to2
`
`Samples To DACs
`
`zzzz
`
`
`
`
`
`CORDIC
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 13 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`
`
`X.
`
`FIR
`
`444
`
`442
`
`O
`
`X
`
`FIR
`
`444
`
`442
`
`XE
`
`FIR
`
`444
`
`442
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 14 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`
`
`Routing Information
`
`Demands
`Uplink
`
`Contraints
`
`Search
`Receiver
`
`Time
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002. Sheet 15 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`520 y
`
`ed 522e
`
`Angle
`
`522b
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`13 522C
`524 -
`()
`
`522d
`
`Frequency
`
`
`
`CORDIC
`FFT/DFT
`
`Antenna Array
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002. Sheet 16 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`600 y
`
`Rx RF Processing
`
`602
`
`Spatial FFT
`
`Channel
`EStimation
`
`Total POWer
`Calculation
`
`Divider/
`PrOCeSSOr
`
`614
`
`616
`
`Extract Non
`System Signal
`Parameters
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Known
`Sequence
`CrOSS
`Correlator
`
`
`
`
`
`Extract
`System Signal
`Parameters
`
`
`
`618
`
`Rx Spatial
`Logic
`
`612
`
`622
`
`Tx Spatial
`Logic
`
`620
`
`Compute & Store
`Weight Matrix
`
`22, 22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 17 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`7OO N
`
`702 \
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`718
`
`Carrier Modulation
`
`Channel
`Estimation
`
`Cyclic Extension
`Windowing
`
`
`
`716
`
`Symbol Timing/Cyclic
`Extension Removal
`
`Parallel To Serial
`Conversion
`
`715
`
`
`
`Serial To Parallel
`Conversion
`
`714
`
`
`
`
`
`712
`
`710
`
`708
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pilot Removal
`
`Symbol Slicing
`
`Deinterleaving
`
`
`
`728
`
`730
`
`
`
`
`
`Encoding
`
`704
`
`Viterbi Decoding
`
`732
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 31, 2002 Sheet 18 of 18 US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`
`
`802
`
`

`

`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`Oct. 31, 2002
`
`WIRELESS PACKET SWITCHED
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
`USINGADAPTIVELY STEERED ANTENNA
`ARRAYS
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application is related to and hereby claims
`priority to provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/287,
`163, filed Apr. 27, 2001, and titled “Improved Multipath
`Communication Methods And Arrangements', and which is
`included herein by reference.
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`0002 This invention relates to data communications, and
`more particularly to wireleSS communication Systems, appa
`ratuses and related methods that use adaptively Steered
`antenna arrayS.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0.003 Computers and other like devices can be intercon
`nected in a variety of ways to allow data to be communicated
`between them. One of the most common ways to provide
`Such data communication is through a wired network. Wired
`networks, Such as, e.g., wide area networks (WANs) and
`local area networks (LANs) tend to have a high bandwidth
`and therefore can be configured to carry digital data at high
`data rates. One obvious drawback to wired networks is that
`a user's movement is constrained since the computer needs
`to be physically connected to the network. Thus, for
`example, a user of a portable computer will need to remain
`near to a wired network junction to stay connected to the
`wired network.
`0004. An alternative to wired networks is a wireless
`network that is configured to Support Similar data commu
`nications but in a more accommodating manner. Here, the
`user of a portable device will be free to move around a
`region that is Supported by the wireleSS network. A well
`known example of a wireleSS network is a cellular telephone
`network. Indeed, in the past, cellular telephone modems
`have proven popular for use with portable laptop computers
`and other like devices, despite their relatively low band
`width.
`0005. In the future it is expected that higher bandwidth
`wireleSS networks will become more popular, especially in
`creating metropolitan area networks (MANs) in which users,
`i.e., Subscribers, have the ability to freely move their por
`table communicating devices around within a coverage area.
`Many conventional wireleSS communication Systems and
`networks tend to use omni-directional antennas to transmit
`and receive data packets, for example, from a router to a
`Subscriber's device. Being omni-directional, however, Such
`transmissions may interfere with or otherwise restrict the use
`of other communicating devices that operate in the same
`frequency band.
`0006 Consequently, there is a need for improved packet
`Switched wireleSS data communication Systems, networks
`and related methods that effectively overcome Such potential
`bottlenecks and other related problems.
`SUMMARY
`0007. In accordance with certain aspects of the present
`invention, improved packet Switched wireleSS data commu
`nication Systems, networks, apparatuses, and related meth
`ods are provided.
`
`0008. By way of example, the above stated needs and
`other are met by an apparatus that can be used in a wireleSS
`routing network, in accordance with certain implementa
`tions of the present invention.
`0009. The apparatus includes an adaptive antenna that is
`configurable to receive a transmission signal from a trans
`mitter and in response transmit corresponding outgoing
`multi-beam electromagnetic signals exhibiting a plurality of
`Selectively placed transmission peaks and transmission nulls
`within a far field region of a coverage area. In certain further
`implementations, the adaptive antenna is also configured to
`Selectively receive at least one incoming electromagnetic
`Signal directed through the coverage area.
`0010. The adaptive antenna in certain implementations
`includes at least one antenna array and logic. The antenna
`array has a plurality of antenna elements. The logic is
`operatively coupled to the antenna array and configured to
`Selectively control the placement of the transmission peaks
`and transmission nulls within the outgoing multi-beam elec
`tromagnetic Signals. When applicable, the logic is also
`configured to Selectively control the reception of the at least
`one incoming electromagnetic Signal.
`0011. The above logic can be configured to be responsive
`to routing information in Selectively controlling the place
`ment of the transmission peaks and transmission nulls within
`the outgoing multi-beam electromagnetic Signals, and Selec
`tively controlling the reception of the at least one incoming
`electromagnetic Signal. In certain implementations, at least
`a portion of the routing information is dynamically deter
`mined and maintained by the logic. By way of example, the
`routing information may include transmit power level infor
`mation, transmit data rate information, antenna pointing
`direction information, weighting information, constraints
`information, transmission null location information, trans
`mission peak location information, Quality of Service (QoS)
`information, priority information, data packet lifetime infor
`mation, frequency information, timing information, and/or
`keep out area information.
`0012 All or part of this routing information may be
`Stored in one or more routing tables. The routing table(s)
`may further include routing information Such as, e.g., IP
`address information, MAC address information, protocol
`identifying information, modulation method identifying
`information, Connection ID (CID) information, node direc
`tional information, node transmit power level information,
`node received signal strength indicator (RSSI) level infor
`mation, transmit channel information, backup transmit chan
`nel information, receive channel information, backup
`receive channel information, transmission data rate infor
`mation, receive data rate information, and interference null
`ing information.
`0013 The logic may also maintain weighting values
`within the routing information. The weighting values are
`asSociated with a Selected weighting pattern that is to be
`applied to Selectively control the placement of the transmis
`Sion peaks and transmission nulls within the outgoing multi
`beam electromagnetic Signals, and further configured to
`Selectively control the reception of the at least one incoming
`electromagnetic Signal. Here, for example, weighting values
`W(z) may be associated with a polynomial expansion W(z)=
`wo-w, Z+Waz-i-Waz+W,z'+...+w;z. In certain implemen
`tations, the weighting values essentially define one or more
`
`

`

`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`Oct. 31, 2002
`
`ZeroS of the polynomial expansion. These Zeros are associ
`ated with a direction that a transmission null is Selectively
`placed.
`In still further implementations, the logic further
`0.014.
`includes a Search receiver that is configured to determine at
`least one transmission constraint based at least in
`0.015
`part on the received signal. The transmission con
`Straint can be included in the routing information.
`0016. The logic may also include a scheduler that is
`configured to establish at least one traffic Schedule based at
`least in part on the routing information. Here, the routing
`information can further include transmission demand infor
`mation. The scheduler can establish one or more traffic
`Schedules by determining at least one assignment for an
`outgoing data transmission. In certain implementations, the
`scheduler includes COordinate Rotation DIgital Computer
`(CORDIC)-based transforming resources that are config
`urable to be applied to a combined angular, frequency and
`time arrangement of outgoing electromagnetic Signals in
`establishing the assignment. To help Support this and other
`functions performed in the logic, the routing information
`may still further include, for example, Quality of Service
`(QoS) information, Subscriber information, queue informa
`tion, peak data rate information, Sustained data rate infor
`mation, latency information, and/or isochronous perfor
`mance information. In Still other implementations, the
`routing table may include one or more primitive routines
`that are configured to Support the Scheduler.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0017 FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a wireless
`network in accordance with certain exemplary implementa
`tions of the present invention.
`0.018
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting certain fea
`tures of a wireleSS routing device that is Suitable for use in
`a wireless network, for example, as in FIG. 1.
`0.019
`FIG. 3 is block diagram depicting a weighting
`multiplier function and associated far field transmission
`pattern amplitude associated therewith, in accordance with
`certain exemplary implementations of the present invention.
`0020 FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram showing the
`reception and weighing of various Signals by the wireleSS
`routing device, for example, as in FIG. 2.
`0021 FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate exemplary antenna
`array panels and graphs that illustrate an approximate uni
`form distribution pattern associated there with.
`0022 FIG. 5C is a block diagram depicting an antenna
`array panel, for example as in FIG. 5A, that is coupled to a
`plurality of receiverS/transmitters and various input weight
`ing Value pairs.
`0023 FIG.5D is a block diagram depicting logic, includ
`ing a Search receiver, that is operatively coupled to a
`plurality of receiverS/transmitters, for example, as in FIG.
`5C.
`0024 FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting a process for
`Selectively developing CTS is transmission beams, in accor
`dance with certain exemplary implementations of the
`present invention.
`
`0025 FIG. 7 illustrates an antenna array panel having
`different polarized elements, in accordance with certain
`exemplary implementations of the present invention.
`0026 FIG. 8A is a block diagram depicting a transmis
`Sion path and reception path configured to reduce unwanted
`coupling between antenna elements, in accordance with
`certain exemplary implementations of the present invention.
`0027 FIG. 8B is a flow diagram depicting a process
`associated with FIG. 8A.
`0028 FIG. 9A is a block diagram depicting a transmis
`Sion path and reception path configured to reduce unwanted
`coupling between antenna elements, in accordance with
`certain further exemplary implementations of the present
`invention.
`0029 FIG. 9B is a flow diagram depicting a process
`associated with FIG. 9A.
`0030 FIG. 10A is a block diagram depicting a transmis
`Sion path and reception path configured to reduce unwanted
`coupling between antenna elements, in accordance with
`certain other exemplary implementations of the present
`invention.
`0031
`FIG. 10B is a flow diagram depicting a process
`associated with FIG. 10A.
`0032 FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B illustrate the use of a
`barrier with an antenna array panel configured to reduce
`unwanted coupling between antenna elements, in accor
`dance with certain exemplary implementations of the
`present invention.
`0033 FIG. 12 is a graph depicting exemplary polarized
`channels within a two-band, multibeam and multi-frequency
`System, in accordance with certain implementations of the
`present invention.
`0034 FIG. 13 is a block diagram depicting three nodes
`within a wireless routing network and a plurality of Scatter
`ing objects, in accordance with certain exemplary imple
`mentations of the present invention.
`0035 FIG. 14 is a block diagram depicting a hierarchical
`Structure of various nodes within a wireleSS routing network,
`in accordance with certain exemplary implementations of
`the present invention.
`0036 FIG. 15 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary
`reciprocal and feedback process, in accordance with certain
`implementations of the present invention.
`0037 FIG. 16A is a graph depicting an approximation of
`a far field pattern having a desired peak at a first location and
`another beam having a peak at a nulled location of the far
`field pattern, in accordance with certain exemplary imple
`mentations of the present invention.
`0038 FIG. 16B is a block diagram depicting several
`transmission paths having spatial processing logic that is
`operatively coupled to a corresponding plurality of digital to
`analog converters, in accordance with certain exemplary
`implementations of the present invention.
`0039 FIG. 16C is a block diagram depicting spatial
`processing logic that includes a finite impulse response
`(FIR) filter, in accordance with certain exemplary imple
`mentations of the present invention.
`
`

`

`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`Oct. 31, 2002
`
`0040 FIG. 16D is a graph illustratively depicting Zeros/
`nulls Selectively placed around a unit circle.
`0041
`FIG. 16E is a block diagram depicting a cascaded
`set of CORDIC stages in an FIR filter, in accordance with
`certain exemplary implementations of the present invention.
`0.042
`FIG. 16F is a block diagram depicting an iterative
`CORDIC stage in an FIR filter, in accordance with certain
`further exemplary implementations of the present invention.
`0043 FIGS. 17A and 17B are block diagrams depicting
`Spatial processing logic, in accordance with certain exem
`plary implementations of the present invention.
`0044 FIG. 18 is a block diagram depicting scheduling
`logic, in accordance with certain exemplary implementa
`tions of the present invention.
`004.5
`FIG. 19 is a graph illustratively depicting a traffic
`Schedule associated with Scheduling logic, for example, as in
`FIG. 18, in accordance with certain exemplary implemen
`tations of the present invention.
`0.046
`FIG. 20 is a graph depicting scheduled transmis
`Sions, with respect to angle, frequency and time, in accor
`dance with certain exemplary implementations of the
`present invention.
`0047 FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram depicting an
`exemplary process flow for use in Scheduling and transmit
`ting data packets, in accordance with certain exemplary
`implementations of the present invention.
`0.048
`FIG. 22 is a functional flow diagram depicting
`various processing associated with an exemplary Search
`receiver process, in accordance with certain exemplary
`implementations of the present invention.
`0049 FIG. 23 is a functional flow diagram depicting
`various exemplary functions performed within an OFDM
`receiver path and an OFDM transmitter path, in accordance
`with certain implementations of the present invention.
`0050 FIG. 24 is block diagram illustratively depicting a
`wireless routing network wherein dual band, dual protocol
`OFDM/OFDMA techniques may be implemented to over
`come the presence of obstacles between a wireleSS routing
`device and a CPE device, in accordance with certain imple
`mentations of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`0051)
`Introduction:
`In accordance with certain aspects of the present
`0.052
`invention, a wireless routing network is provided. Typically,
`the wireless routing network would include at least one
`wireless routing device that is configured to communicate
`over a wireleSS communication link with at least one con
`Sumer premise equipment (CPE) device. It is expected,
`however, that most implementations of the wireleSS routing
`network will include a plurality of wireless routing devices
`and CPE devices. When the wireless network includes a
`plurality of wireless routing devices, then at least a portion
`of the wireless routing devices are configured to communi
`cate with one another over wireleSS communication linkS. In
`certain implementations, Some of the wireleSS routing
`devices may also be connected together via a wired com
`munication link.
`
`0053. In this manner, a wireless local area network
`(WLAN), wireless wide area network (WAN), wireless
`metropolitan area network (MAN), or other like network
`arrangement can be provided.
`0054 With this in mind, the following description iden
`tifies various Systems, apparatuses and related methods that
`may be included in such wireless networks. It should be
`understood, however, that these are examples only and that
`not all of the techniques taught herein need be implemented
`in a given wireleSS network. Furthermore, those skilled in
`the art will also recognize that many of the detailed exem
`plary apparatuses and methods presented herein are also
`applicable/adaptable for use in other communication Sys
`temS.
`0055. In accordance with certain preferred implementa
`tions of the present invention, the wireless routing network
`provides improved performance over conventional wireleSS
`network arrangements by utilizing multibeam receiving/
`transmitting adaptive antennas, when practical. In certain
`implementations, Simultaneous transmission and reception
`may occur at a wireless routing device by applying multi
`channel techniques. To help accomplish Simultaneous trans
`mission and reception, techniques are provided for Sched
`uling and conducting operations even in the presence of
`either Self-interference and/or external interferences. To
`Support the operation of the wireleSS network, novel Storage
`and discovery techniques have been developed that allow
`Spatial information about the network's nodes, coverage
`areas and/or potential interference signals to be collected.
`Accordingly, the wireless routing network provided herein
`represents a significant improvement over conventional
`wireleSS networks that use Switched beam and/or omnidi
`rectional antennas.
`0056 Terminology:
`0057. As used herein, the terms “adaptive antenna’ refer
`to an arrangement that includes an antenna array having a
`plurality of antenna elements, and operatively Supporting
`mechanisms (e.g., circuits, logic, etc.) that are part of a
`wireless routing device and configured to produce a trans
`mission pattern that Selectively places transmission nulls
`and/or peaks in certain directions within an applicable
`coverage area. A transmission peak occurs in the transmis
`Sion pattern when a not insignificant amount of energy is
`directed in a particular direction. Transmission peaks are,
`therefore, preferably associated with the path and/or multi
`paths to a desired receiving node, Such as, e.g., another
`wireless routing device or a CPE device. In Some cases,
`Sidelobes may also be considered to represent transmission
`peaks.
`0058 Conversely, a transmission null occurs in the trans
`mission pattern when no transmission of energy occurs in a
`particular direction, or a relatively insignificant amount of
`energy is transmitted in a particular direction. Thus, a
`transmission null is preferably associated with the path or
`multipaths towards an undesired, possibly interfering,
`device and/or object. Transmission nulls may also be asso
`ciated with the intent to maximize power in another direc
`tion (i.e., associated with a transmission peak), increase data
`integrity/Security, and/or Save power, for example.
`0059. The decision to place a transmission null and/or
`peak in a particular direction is preferably made based on
`
`

`

`US 2002/0158801 A1
`
`Oct. 31, 2002
`
`collected (or otherwise provided) routing information. AS
`described in greater detail in Subsequent Sections, the rout
`ing information may include a variety of data associated
`with the operation of a wireless routing device and other
`devices at other locations or nodes within the wireleSS
`network.
`0060 AS used herein, the term “logic' refers to hardware,
`firmware, Software, or any combination thereof that may be
`implemented to perform the logical operations associated
`with a given task. Such, logic may further include any
`Supporting circuitry that may be required to complete a
`given task including Supportive non-logical operations. For
`example, "logic' may also include analog circuitry, memory,
`input/output (I/O) circuitry, interface circuitry, power pro
`Viding/regulating circuitry, etc.
`0061 Wireless Routing Information Using Adaptive
`Antennas:
`0.062
`FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary wireless routing net
`work 100 having two wireless routing devices 102a-b and
`three CPE devices 106a-c. In this example, wireless routing
`device 102a is operatively coupled to an external network
`104. Here, for example, wireless routing device 102a is
`connected to network 104 via a wired communication link.
`External network 104 may be any type of network from
`which information (e.g., in the form of data packets) is
`received and to which Similar information can be provided.
`In certain implementations, for example, external network
`104 includes the Internet.
`0.063 As shown, wireless routing device 102a is config
`ured to communicate over wireless links with CPE devices
`106a and 106b. Similarly, wireless routing device 102b is
`configured to communicate over a wireless link to CPE
`device 106c.
`0.064 CPE devices 106a-c are representative of any
`device that is Suitable for use in receiving and transmitting
`information over the applicable wireleSS link. Hence, in
`certain exemplary implementations, a CPE device may
`include a computer or other like device having the requisite
`communication interfaces.
`0065 FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary wireless routing
`device 102 having an adaptive antenna comprising an
`antenna array 110 and control logic 112. Antenna array 110
`and control logic 112 are both coupled to a receiver 114 and
`a transmitter 116. A communication interface 118 is also
`provided and coupled to receiver 114 and transmitter 116.
`Within control logic 112, a block is provided to represent the
`routing information 120. It should be understood, however,
`that although illustratively depicted within logic 112, routing
`information 120 may be maintained in an external memory
`(not shown). Note that there can be more than one receiver
`and more than one transmitter. By way of example, in certain
`implementations a dedicated receiver/transmitter pair is
`asSociated with each antenna element within the antenna
`array.
`0.066 As illustrated by the lobes of the multibeam pattern
`122 emanating from antenna array 110, transmission peaks
`have been Selected So as to illuminate buildings 124 and a
`mobile user 126 with transmitted energy, while transmission
`nulls have been Selected So as to not significantly illuminate
`an external transmitter 128 and a residence 130 with any
`Significant amount of transmitted energy even though they
`
`are located within a potential coverage area 132. Hence, by
`Selectively and adaptively placing transmission peaks and
`nulls within potential coverage area 132, information in the
`form of data packets can be routed through wireless routing
`network 100.
`0067 Routing information 120 may, for example, include
`desirable transmit power level information, transmit data
`rate information, antenna pointing direction information,
`weighting information, constraints information, null/zero
`location information, peak location information, Quality of
`Service information, priority information, lifetime informa
`tion, frequency information, timing information, user and
`node authentication information, keep out area information,
`etc., that is associated with each Sending/receiving node
`within the network, or interferers, and the like. In certain
`implementations, at least Some of routing information 120 is
`maintained within one or more routing tables or like data
`Structure(s).
`0068 The purpose of the routing table(s) is to have a
`Storage mechanism that is capable of providing a highly
`reliable wireless link in the presence of interference and with
`a provision for a minimization of interference generated.
`This is important, because the capacity of the wireleSS
`network is often limited by the amount or level of interfer
`ence present. With the adaptability and control techniques
`provided in the present invention, Such limitations may be
`reduced and most of the effects associated with Such inter
`ferences ameliorated.
`0069. In accordance with certain further aspects of the
`present invention, the routing table(s) also provides the
`capability for each routing decision to be based on a point
`to-point wireleSS System design.
`0070 By way of example, routing table(s) entries may
`include all or part of the following information:
`0.071) IP address (e.g., IPv6) of a node in the wire
`leSS network—e.g., as an index,
`0072 48-bit unique address-e.g., IEEE 802.1
`MAC address,
`0073 Protocol ID—e.g., IEEE 802.11, 802.16.1,
`etc.,
`0074) Modulation method,
`0075 Connection ID (CID) of a node-e.g., as used
`in an IEEE 802.16.1 MAC,
`0076 Nominal direction to a node-e.g., one or two
`dimension,
`0077 Nominal transmit power level to a node,
`0078 Nominal received signal strength indicator
`(RSSI) level from a node,
`0079 Nominal channel to transmit on, and perhaps
`a ba