Distributed phased arrays based MIMO (DPA-MIMO) for next generation wireless user equipment hardware design and method

A method of data communication using a distributed phased array multiple input multiple output (DPA-MIMO) system having a plurality of distributed beamforming (BF) modules, a plurality of intermediate frequency (IF) radios, and a baseband processing unit, the method comprising:

• receiving one or more reference signals on said distributed BF modules from a communicating station outside the DPA-MIMO wireless communication system;
• performing beam sweeping and channel estimation by said distributed BF modules, said intermediate frequency (IF) radios and said baseband processing unit;
• determining whether a BF module is blocked or not based on results of the abeam sweeping and channel estimation step, and performing blockage detection for every BF module by said baseband processing unit;
• for one or more BF modules detected as blocked, powering down said blocked BF modules or entering said blocked BF modules into a stand-by state until a time interval having passed and the one or more reference signals is received on said blocked BF modules;
• for one or more BF modules detected as unblocked, performing beam steering and beam alignment, using the unblocked BF modules, with beams from the communicating station to optimize communication link performance including signal strength, power usage, and transmission data rate;
• performing baseband digital beamforming by said baseband processing unit to further optimize communication link performance;
• and
• transmitting and receiving wireless data signals on configured beams from the unblocked BF modules, the IF radios and the baseband processing unit.

A method of data communication using a multiplexed distributed phased array multiple input multiple output (DPA-MIMO) system having one or more beamforming (BF) modules, intermediate frequency (IF) radios, and a baseband processing unit, the method comprising:

• performing spectrum sensing on the one or more BF modules to determine available frequencies, and traffic controlled by the baseband processing unit through signaling path enabled by the intermediate frequency (IF) radios;
• determining network/protocol availability on every BF module;
• examining application requirement to determine needed resources;
• selecting one or more networks/protocols that collectively fulfill application requirements including quality of service for communication;
• configuring and initializing different BF module and IF radio combinations for a choice of one or more wireless networks/protocols;
• and
• transmitting and receiving wireless data on the DPA-MIMO system.