Millimeter-wave communications using a reflector
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorAlberto Valdes-Garcia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for establishing a non-line of sight millimeter wave connection that include a transmitter unit having beam-steering capability, a receiver unit having beam-steering capability, and a reflecting unit in a position having a line-of-sight path to the transmitter unit and the receiver unit. The reflecting unit includes an attachment mechanism configured to attach to a mounting point on an object or surface, a reflecting surface that is reflective to millimeter-wave radiation, and an adjustable pivot connected between the attachment mechanism and the reflecting surface configured to permit directional positioning of the reflecting surface relative to the attachment mechanism.
Claims20
A reflector, comprising:
- an attachment mechanism connecting to a mounting point on an object or surface;
- a reflecting surface that is reflective to millimeter-wave (mmWave) radiation;
- an adjustable pivot connected between the attachment mechanism and the reflecting surface configured to permit directional positioning of the reflecting surface relative to the attachment mechanism such that a non-line-of-sight connection between an mmWave transmitter and an mmWave receiver is formed;
- a motor disposed in a joint of the adjustable pivot, configured to adjust the pivot to change the directional position of the reflecting surface relative to the attachment mechanism;
- a signal strength detector configured to measure the intensity of the mmWave radiation at the reflector;
- and
- a broadcast device, disposed within the reflecting surface with respect to the mmWave transmitter and receiver, configured to electromagnetically broadcast link status information for the mmWave transmitter and receiver at a frequency low enough to pass through obstacles that absorb mmWave frequencies,
- wherein the signal strength detector and the broadcast device are disposed within apertures in the reflecting surface.
A communication system, comprising:
- a millimeter-wave (mmWave) transmitter unit configured to perform beam-steering;
- an mmWave receiver unit configured to perform beam-steering;
- and
- a reflecting unit disposed in a position having a line-of-sight path to the transmitter unit and the receiver unit, comprising:
- a reflective surface;
- a flexible mount for positioning the reflective surface to form a non-line-of-sight path between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit;
- a motor disposed in a joint of the flexible mount, configured to change the directional position of the reflecting surface relative to an attachment mechanism;
- a signal strength detector configured to detect mmWave radiation;
- and
- a broadcast device configured to electromagnetically broadcast link status information for the mmWave transmitter and receiver at a frequency low enough to pass through obstacles that absorb mmWave frequencies,
- wherein the broadcast device and the signal strength detector are disposed within apertures in the reflective surface.
A method for establishing a non-line-of-sight connection comprising:
- providing a reflector having a flexible mount at a location in a line-of-sight path from both a transmitter unit and a receiver unit, the reflector further detecting signal strength using a signal strength detector;
- adjusting the transmitter unit to steer a beam toward the reflector;
- adjusting the receiver unit to steer a receiving pattern toward the reflector;
- if the receiver unit cannot form a connection with the transmitter unit through the reflector, adjusting the flexible mount of the reflector, using a motor in the flexible mount, into a direction that forms a non-line-of-sight path between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit;
- and
- electromagnetically broadcasting link status information for the transmitter and the receiver using a broadcast device at a frequency low enough to pass through obstacles that absorb mmWave frequencies,
- wherein the signal strength detector and the broadcast device are disposed within apertures in the reflector.
A computer readable storage medium comprising a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the steps of:
- adjusting a flexible mount of a reflector having a reflective surface until a signal from a transmitter is detected;
- determining a link state between the transmitter and a receiver by way of the reflector using a signal strength detector;
- adjusting the flexible mount, using a motor in the flexible mount, into a direction that forms a non-line-of-sight path between the transmitter unit and a receiver unit based on the determined link state;
- and
- electromagnetically broadcasting link status information for the transmitter and the receiver from the reflector using a broadcast device at a frequency low enough to pass through obstacles that absorb mmWave frequencies,
- wherein the signal strength detector and the broadcast device are disposed within apertures in the reflector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.