Multi-mode wireless communication link

A communication system comprising first and second transmitters, which are coupled to transmit respective first and second Radio Frequency (RF) signals carrying first and second data over a wireless communication channel, to select an operational mode from a group of operational modes and to operate in the selected operational mode, wherein the group of the operational modes comprises at least two of:

• a protection mode, wherein the second transmitter serves as backup to the first transmitter;
• a spatial multiplexing mode, in which the first data is different from the second data, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously;
• and
• a beam-forming mode, in which the first data is identical to the second data, the second RF signal comprises a phase-shifted replica of the first RF signal, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously, and
• wherein the first and second transmitters are coupled to produce the first and second RF signals using respective first and second Local Oscillator (LO) signals that are phase-synchronized with one another.

A communication system comprising first and second transmitters, which are coupled to transmit respective first and second Radio Frequency (RF) signals carrying first and second data over a wireless communication channel, to select an operational mode from a group of operational modes and to operate in the selected operational mode, wherein the group of the operational modes comprises at least two of:

• a protection mode, wherein the second transmitter serves as backup to the first transmitter;
• a spatial multiplexing mode, in which the first data is different from the second data, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously;
• and
• a beam-forming mode, in which the first data is identical to the second data, the second RF signal comprises a phase-shifted replica of the first RF signal, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously, and
• wherein the first and second transmitters are coupled to produce the first and second RF signals using respective first and second Local Oscillator (LO) signals that are not phase-synchronized with one another.

A method for communication, comprising:

• transmitting first and second Radio Frequency (RF) signals carrying first and second data over a wireless communication channel by respective first and second transmitters;
• evaluating a system condition and, responsively to the evaluated condition, selecting an operational mode from a group of operational modes and causing the first and second transmitters to operate in the selected operational mode, wherein the group of the operation modes comprises at least two of:
• a protection mode, wherein the second transmitter serves as backup to the first transmitter;
• a spatial multiplexing mode, in which the first data is different from the second data, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously;
• and
• a beam-forming mode, in which the first data is identical to the second data, the second RF signal comprises a phase-shifted replica of the first RF signal, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously;
• receiving the first and second RF signals using respective first and second receivers, to produce first and second received signals;
• and
• processing the first and second received signals so as to decode at least part of the first and second data in accordance with the selected operational mode.

A method for communication, comprising:

• transmitting first and second Radio Frequency (RF) signals carrying first and second data over a wireless communication channel by respective first and second transmitters;
• and
• selecting an operational mode from a group of operational modes and causing the first and second transmitters to operate in the selected operational mode, wherein the group of the operation modes comprises at least two of:
• a protection mode, wherein the second transmitter serves as backup to the first transmitter;
• a spatial multiplexing mode, in which the first data is different from the second data, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously;
• and
• a beam-forming mode, in which the first data is identical to the second data, the second RF signal comprises a phase-shifted replica of the first RF signal, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously,
• wherein transmitting the first and second RF signals comprises producing the RF signals using respective first and second Local Oscillator (LO) signals that are phase-synchronized with one another.

A method for communication, comprising:

• transmitting first and second Radio Frequency (RF) signals carrying first and second data over a wireless communication channel by respective first and second transmitters;
• and
• selecting an operational mode from a group of operational modes and causing the first and second transmitters to operate in the selected operational mode, wherein the group of the operation modes comprises at least two of:
• a protection mode, wherein the second transmitter serves as backup to the first transmitter;
• a spatial multiplexing mode, in which the first data is different from the second data, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously;
• and
• a beam-forming mode, in which the first data is identical to the second data, the second RF signal comprises a phase-shifted replica of the first RF signal, and the first and second transmitters transmit simultaneously,
• wherein transmitting the first and second RF signals comprises producing the RF signals using respective first and second Local Oscillator (LO) signals that are not phase-synchronized with one another.