Subscriber unit in a hybrid link incorporating spatial multiplexing
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsPeroor K. Sebastian, Robert W. Heath, Jr., Arogyaswami J. Paulraj
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for implementing spatial multiplexing in conjunction with the one or more multiple access protocols during the broadcast of information in a wireless network. A subscriber unit for use in a cellular system is disclosed. The subscriber unit includes a plurality of spatially separate antennas and a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of substreams of a datastream on an assigned channel or slot of a multiple access protocol. The transmitter is arranged to apply each substream to an associated one of the spatially separate antennas.
Claims21
A repeater base station suitable for use in conjunction with a master base station that is part of a cellular network, the repeater base station including:
- a slave base station;
- and
- a wireless interface unit comprising,
- a plurality of spatially separate antennas;
- and
- a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of substreams of a datastream on an assigned channel or slot of a multiple access protocol, the transmitter to apply each substream to an associated one of the spatially separate antennas, the transmitter further being responsive to a control signal from the master base station to vary the number of applied substreams.
A unit for use in a communications network that delivers DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) service to customers, the unit comprising:
- a head end DSL modem to communicate with a remotely located DSL modem using a DSL protocol;
- and
- a wireless access unit to receive a datastream from the head end DSL modem, the wireless access unit including, a plurality of spatially separate antennas and a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of substreams of the datastream on an assigned channel or slot of a multiple access protocol, the transmitter being to apply each substream to an associated one of the spatially separate antennas and to vary the number of applied substreams in response to a control signal.
A unit for use in a communications network that delivers high speed data delivery service to customers, the unit comprising:
- a head end cable modem unit to communicate with a remotely located cable modem over a cable;
- a wireless access unit to receive a datastream from the head end cable modem, the wireless access unit including a plurality of spatially separate antennas and a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of substreams of the datastream on an assigned channel or slot of a multiple access protocol, the transmitter being to apply each substream to an associated one of the spatially separate antennas and to vary the number of applied substreams in response to a control signal.
A method of communicating between a remote location and one or more base stations in a cellular network, the method comprising:
- transmitting a datastream from the remote location to a wireless access unit over a wired connection using a communications protocol selected from the group consisting of an xDSL protocol, a cable modem protocol and a networking protocol;
- forming a plurality of substreams from the datastream, the number of substreams being varied in response to a received control signal;
- and
- transmitting the substreams to the one or more base stations in parallel from spatially separate antennas on an assigned channel or slot using a multiple access protocol.
A basestation comprising:
- a plurality of spatially separate antennas;
- and
- a transmitter for transmitting two or more substreams of a datastream on an assigned communication channel, the transmitter to apply each substream to an associated one of the spatially separate antennas, the transmitter further being responsive to a control signal to vary the number of applied substreams.
A method of establishing a downlink communication channel comprising:
- receiving a datastream for transmission to a mobile unit;
- and
- selectively parsing the datastream into a variable number of substreams for transmission to the mobile unit through up to a commensurate number of antennas based, at least in part, on a received control signal;
- and
- transmitting the plurality of substreams of the datastream on an assigned channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.