WO1999062280A1 - A communications network and a device for use in that network - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile or cellular telephone communications network (1) includes a plurality of network nodes in the form of mobile telephones (2, 3 and 4). Each telephone has at least one public channel (5) for routing data within the network. The telephones also have at least one private channel (6) for originating and receiving data for its respective node. Each telephone is dynamically reconfigurable such that its connection with one or more other nodes within the network is dynamically allocated when the node first enters the network.

Description

TITLE: A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK AND A DEVICE FOR USE IN

THAT NETWORK

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communications network and in particular to a

communications network including a plurality of network nodes.

The invention has been developed primarily for a mobile or cellular

communications network and will be described hereinafter with reference to that

application. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to that

particular field of use and is also suitable for other wireless and land line

communications.

Background of the Invention

Present generation telecommunications networks typically rely on base stations

having a cell size (that is, a transmission and reception footprint) of the order of one

kilometre in radius. Smaller cells are occasionally used to fill transmission and reception

gaps caused by terrain or structural interference. Large cells in telecommunications

networks have worked adequately with previous generation protocols and transmission

rates. However, next and future generation networks have substantially increased

bandwidth requirements due to increases in the number of users, user population per unit

area and the users' telecommunications demands for higher data rates. Unfortunately,

signal quality in RF networks falls logarithmically with distance from a

transmitter/receiver.

One way to reconcile this need for higher bandwidth to larger numbers of users is

to reduce the size of transmission and reception cells from about one kilometre in radius to hundreds of metres. Such small cell telecommunications networks are sometimes

referred to as microcellular networks. Unfortunately, smaller cell size and the

corresponding use of relatively low power microcellular base stations can lead to

increased rates of service outage due to more nulls in the coverage area. The resultant

poor service quality is an impediment to customer acceptance of such new networks.

To avoid these problems, it is necessary to ensure easy deployment of the requisite

base stations so that large numbers can be deployed quickly as the network is initially

installed and additional elements can quickly and flexibly added to network to minimise

holes in the service area after installation. Known techniques of base station use

necessitates an enormous capital cost and significant ongoing maintenance costs.

Moreover, the number of base stations deployed must be sufficient to

accommodate the peak demand, notwithstanding that that peak demand will only need

be required infrequently over a given day. To further complicate matters, the peak

demand for different base stations will not only vary in quantity, but in time of

occurrence. For example, for a base station in a city's CBD the peak demand will occur

during business hours, while for a base station in a residential suburb, the peak demand

will more likely occur out of business hours. This geographic and temporal dynamic

demand for bandwidth is a significant concern and contributes greatly to the cost of

existing networks.

Disclosure of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention, at least in the preferred embodiments to

overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or

at least to provide a useful alternative. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a communications

network including a plurality of network nodes each having at least one public channel

for routing data within the network and at least one private channel for originating and

receiving data for its respective node, each node being dynamically reconfigurable such

that its connection with one or more other nodes within the network is dynamically

allocated when the node first enters the network.

Preferably, at least one of the plurality of nodes is interconnected to a plurality of

nodes simultaneously. More preferably, the at least one node is connected to a.plurality

of adjacent nodes to facilitate transmission power requirements.

Preferably also, the at least one public channel and the at least one private channel

function in duplex mode. In other embodiments, however, simplex operation is utilised.

That is, the at least one public channel and the at least one private channel operate

discretely and sequentially on a single channel or multiple channels.

In a preferred form, each node includes an in-circuit reconfigurable gate array

processor for configuring respective nodes. More preferably, the reconfigurable gate

array processor includes a plurality of logic cells and operates in real time. In other

embodiments, however, the array processor operates partially in real time, while in still

further embodiments some operations are performed in real time and others partially in

real time. Even more preferably, the reconfigurable gate array processor is in electrical

communication with and configured by a processor executing a software program.

Preferably also, the reconfigurable gate array processor operates as a plurality of

digital transceivers and routing circuits. Preferably, the processor controlling the reconfigurable gate array processor is in

electrical communication with a non-volatile memory means for providing

predetermined access to a plurality of node configuration templates, the microprocessor

selectively implementing one of the plurality of templates in the reconfigurable gate

array processor logic cells.

Preferably also, the circuit configuration templates are loaded into the

reconfigurable gate array processor under software control for allowing channel

equalisation algorithms to be adapted in real time to match fluctuating channel

conditions. Preferably also, the array processor includes reconfiguration decision control

circuitry wherein at least some components of this circuitry are implemented as

reconfigurable logic within the array processor.

Preferably, the processor controlling the reconfigurable gate array processor is also

implemented within the array processor to reduce the need for off chip routing of signals

between the processors.

In a preferred form, the nodes configured for routing or carriage services such that

when the node carries en route through traffic destined for nodes other than the current

node, received signals are regenerated and retransmitted to the next node in the network

route. Preferably also, the nodes are dynamically reconfigured to accommodate a

plurality of telecommunication protocols or media access protocols. More preferably,

the nodes are dynamically reconfigured to accommodate a plurality of air interface

standards to allow a user to roam between heterogenous network service areas. Preferably, the reconfigurable gate array processor operates parallel digital

transceivers such that each active connection to another network node has allocated to it

at least one of those transceivers.

Preferably also, the reconfigurable gate array processor establishes a plurality of

signal circuits for each active node connection. More preferably, each signal circuit is

comprised of a serially generated sequence of sub-circuits that progressively process the

incoming data signal to provide the required response. In some cases the desired

response will be to retransmit the data signal, while in other cases to ignore the data

signal and take no further action.

In a preferred form, the reconfigurable gate array processor is configured to

implement a large number of parallel receivers, at least one for each active node.

Preferably, the network operates with a radio frequency carrier. More preferably,

the network is cellular. Even more preferably, the network is configured for digital

communication. However, in other embodiments, use is made of analog carriers.

Preferably also, the plurality of nodes are movable. More preferably, at least some

of the nodes are stationary. Even more preferably, the movable nodes are respective

mobile telephones and the stationary nodes are respective base stations.

In other embodiments the movable nodes include respective mobile pagers.

Preferably, the reconfigurable gate array processor is configured to operate as a

OFDMA/CDMA transceiver.

Preferably also, the nodes include an antenna having an output electrically

connected to a bypass filter, the filter providing an output signal which is passed through

a low noise amplifier and an A/D converter. In a preferred form, the templates allow the reconfigurable gate array processor to

dynamically perform one or more of the following functions: n-point inverse fast Fourier

transform; inverse n-point discrete Fourier transform; a pseudo random code generation;

correlation; channel equalisation; wavelet transformation; DPSK modulation and

demodulation; QPSK modulation and demodulation; GMSK modulation and

demodulation; PPM modulation and demodulation; PWM modulation and

demodulation; M-ary modulation and demodulation; direct digital frequency

synthesising; filtering; control of the front end media access circuits; and forward error

correction.

Preferably, each node is dynamically reconfigurable such that its connection with

one or more other nodes within the network is dynamically allocated in response to one

or more of the following:

the geographic location of the node with respect to any other node; and

the number and bandwidth of the public and private channels.

More preferably, the dynamic allocation is continuously carried out.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a communications

device for a communications network including a plurality of communication nodes, the

device including:

first means for establishing communication between the device and at least two

nodes in the network and for receiving from those nodes a first data signal having

address information and message information wherein the address information

corresponds to one of the nodes in the network; second means for generating a second data signal having address information and

message information wherein the address information corresponds to one of the nodes in

the network;

third means for providing the first data signal to one of the at least two nodes such

that the data signal is communicated to the node in the network which corresponds to the

address information; and

fourth means for receiving the first data signal and, if the address information

corresponds to the device, extracting the message information, or otherwise

communicating the first signal to the other of the at least two nodes.

Preferably, the first means establishes communication with more than two nodes

and in circumstances where the fourth means communicates the first signal, that

communication is provided to only one of the other nodes.

Preferably also, the first data signal is coded to prevent extraction of the message

information by a node other than that corresponding to the address information.

In a preferred form, the device is a mobile telephone and the nodes are like mobile

telephones.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of

communication utilising a communications device in a communications network

including a plurality of communication nodes, the method including the steps of:

establishing communication between the device and at least two nodes in the

network and for receiving from those nodes a first data signal having address

information and message information wherein the address information corresponds to

one of the nodes in the network; generating a second data signal having address information and message

information wherein the address information corresponds to one of the nodes in the network;

providing the first data signal to one of the at least two nodes such that the data

signal is communicated to the node in the network which corresponds to the address

information; and

receiving the first data signal with the device and, if the address information

corresponds to the device, extracting the message information or, otherwise,

communicating the first signal to the other of the at least two nodes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example

only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a communications network according to

the invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of one type of node of the network of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a block diagram of another node of the network of Figure 1.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Referring to Figure 1, a mobile or cellular telephone communications network 1

includes a plurality of network nodes in the form of mobile telephones 2, 3 and 4. Each

telephone has at least one public channel, which is designated by the reference numeral

5, for routing data within the network. The telephones also have at least one private

channel, which is designated by the reference numeral 6, for originating and receiving

data for its respective node. Each telephone is dynamically reconfigurable such that its connection with one or more other nodes within the network is dynamically allocated

when the node first enters the network.

The public channel of each node carries en route through traffic destined for nodes

other than the current node. The signals are regenerated and retransmitted to the next

nodes in the network route. The private channel of each node is for originating user

communications and for receiving user communications with the current node as source

or final destination respectively. In this embodiment the private and public channels

each operate in full duplex, that is to say each has receiver and transmitter circuits which

operate concurrently.

While in this embodiment node 2, 3 and 4 are each mobile telephones, in other

embodiments the nodes are other wireless transceivers or network base stations. As will

be appreciated, the mobile telephones are multichannel systems which carry both

network traffic and traffic intended for that particular telephone. Accordingly, the more

telephones that are part of the network, the greater the network capacity to route data to a

desired destination. Moreover, each mobile telephone will be available for routing

network data independently of whether it is receiving data on the private channel.

Indeed, when the private channel or channels are not being used, they too are used to

carry network traffic.

It will be appreciated that although only three nodes are illustrated in Figure 1, the

invention is applicable to networks having more than three nodes. More particularly,

and as will be understood form the teaching in this specification, preferred embodiments

of the invention will accommodate considerable numbers of nodes without being limited

by the bandwidth considerations suffered by the prior art networks. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art by the teaching herein that the capacity of the

network to accommodate users is not limited by the maximum circuit capacity or fixed

aggregate bandwidth of a node, as network traffic is simply re-routed through other

nodes should any particular node be operating at capacity. The prior art networks,

however are limited by the maximum capacity of a single base station to transmit the

desired information.

Preferably, the signal sent by one node to another includes both address

information and message information. The address information is, in some

embodiments, the information corresponding to the address assigned to a particular node

and which is the ultimate destination node for the message information. In other

embodiments, however, the address information corresponds to the address assigned to

the node which is to next receive the signal. In still further embodiments, the network

operates according to a 'virtual circuit' concept where links go through a setup and tear

down process as required. This is similar to existing time division voice networks. In

other embodiments the addresses specify circuit identifiers or packet headers with source

destination addresses. Again, all these different modes of operation are encompassed by

the present invention.

A particularly preferred transmission method for commercial wireless networks is

cell based transmission. That is, fixed length packets or 'cells' which are hardware

switched with the deterministic delays required for voice transport. Moreover, the cells

also support segmentation and reassembly of variable length packets as used in TCP/IP

networks. Furthermore, such network architecture supports hybrid time division

multiplexed digital switching fabrics embedded in the reconfigurable array along with variable length packet based routed channels. The latter approach allows for optimal

allocation of voice and data resources and a migration path from legacy networks

although not inherently supporting the full multimedia integration possible with the

fixed length cell based link protocols.

Telephones 2, 3 and 4 are in a reconfigurable mesh network architecture such that

each node is able to communicate a data signal having message information and address

information with any other node in the network. However, this communication occurs at

both a public and a private level. Each node has a specific address within the network

which is designated in the address information of any data signal. Accordingly, a data

signal will be transmitted into the network using the public channel. As the data signal

progresses through the network it is inspected at each node to determine whether the

address information corresponds to the address of the respective node. If so, the

message information is extracted by the node. Otherwise, the data signal is passed to

another node and onward toward its intended destination node. In some embodiments

the data signal is one of a plurality of data signals provided by one node which

collectively contain a message. Once sufficient of the signals are received at the

destination node, the respective message information is extracted and sequenced to

construct the message.

In the illustrated embodiment, telephone 2 and 4 are logged onto network 1 and

configured to communicate with telephone 3. In other embodiments, node 2 is also

configured to communicate with a number of other nodes (not shown) either

simultaneously or sequentially. As to which of the other nodes in the network that telephone 2 communicates with

is determined on a signal strength basis. That is, once telephone 2 is switched on and in

transmission range of any one or more other nodes in network 1 , it determines the

identity of those nodes and electronically configures itself to communicate with them

and become part of the network. Accordingly, in circumstances where telephone 2 is

"out of range" of a node that is a base station and yet within transmission and reception

range of a node that is, say, telephone 3, then communication will be established with

telephone 3 and the network enlarged to include telephone 1.

The nodes also include the necessary circuitry and software to ensure adequate

handoff capability. This is of particular importance for two nodes that are moving

relative to each other.

All the nodes in network 1 periodically investigate the network and to establish the

nodes which are juxtaposed such that the signal strength will allow effective

communication therebetween. Accordingly, the network is continually and dynamically

reconfiguring itself based upon the geographical disposition of the mobile and/or

stationary nodes.

As the density of the network increases each node need only communicate with the

two or three closest adjacent nodes. However, as a whole, nodes will be continually

entering and exiting the network and, as such, a continual reconfiguration will occur.

Referring to Figure 2 there is illustrated a block diagram of a node of network 1 in

the form of a mobile telephone 10. In this case, the network nodes are connected via an

analog channel and, as such, telephone 10 includes an analog to digital converter 11 to

provide the digital inputs a reconfigurable array 13. The outputs of array 13 drive a digital to analog converter circuit 12. As discussed further below, array 13 is

programmed to provide one of a multitude of functions that are dynamically varied to

accommodate the vast range of adaptability required by telephone 10.

Array 13 accommodates real time sequential and parallel implementation of the

circuitry blocks that are required to integrate telephone 10 into the multichannel

communication network. That is, the array processor creates a first circuitry block to

perform a required operation and, while that operation is being performed, creates a

second circuitry block to receive the output of the first block. If necessary the processor

array stores the output in an intermediate buffer. As will be appreciated by those skilled

in the art, a number of different circuitry blocks are able to be created in parallel and

series to perform the required operations. Preferably, the array processor creates, in

parallel, a plurality of circuitry blocks, each operating on a signal for a respective

channel of the multichannel network that is established through telephone 10.

Turning once again to Figure 2, array 13 is monitored and reprogrammed by a

microprocessor 14 which, in accordance with the present processing requirements of the

array, fetches circuit configuration templates from a nonvolatile memory 15. These

templates include encoded instructions for connecting the logic cells of array 13 into

predetermined circuits for performing the functions necessary at that time. While in this

embodiment the functions are executed synchronously within the array, in other

embodiments this occurs asynchronously in serial or in parallel fashion. Moreover, in

other less preferred embodiments, telephone 11 includes dedicated circuitry outside of

array 13 for performing predetermined communications functions. It will be understood that the components of the telephone illustrated in Figure 2

are, in other embodiments, implemented as separate integrated circuits. Further

embodiments include these components as templates which are stored in memory 15 and

physically embodied, as required, within some portion of array 13.

In circumstances where array 13 is large enough, the entire integrated circuit

requirements are embodied in templates and selectively given form by the array.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a mobile telephone 20 where the reconfigurable

gate array processor has been configured to operate as a OFDMA/CDMA transceiver.

More particularly, telephone 20 includes a media access front end 1. This front end

includes an antenna, a bandpass filter, and a low noise amplifier. The output signal from

the amplifier is provided to an analog to digital converter 2. As would be appreciated,

such a receiver must provide n-point inverse fast Fourier transforms 3 and n separate

sliding window correlator functions 4, where n is the number of active connections that

telephone 21 has with adjacent nodes. Moreover, as stated above, n varies greatly over

time. This does not, however pose a difficulty for telephone 20, as the reconfigurable

network processor dynamically provides the required number of channels to correspond

to the number of active node connections. That is, if a small number of active

connections or channels are desired, each of those channels will enjoy the use of a large

fraction of the available bandwidth of the medium. Alternatively, if the network traffic

for a large number of users must be routed through telephone 20, each of the channels

provided by the array processor will be a small fraction of the total channel capacity.

Clearly, any combination in the continuum between these extremes is achievable. Configuration and reconfiguration is established in real-time and, as such, the

performance limitation of task-switching, as experienced in software based

implementations, is avoided. Moreover, such an arrangement has a clear advantage over

known designs which have a fixed number of user ports embodied in hardware.

The converse of the above also applies. If a particular user desires a large

bandwidth this is provided. While this would at first appear to slow the network

considerable, the effect is reduced as the remaining information is routed to its

destination via an alternative series of nodes.

The maximum number of users connected to the network or the number of signal

processing functions able to be performed on a data stream is a function of the speed and

size of the memory storing the configuration templates and the time required to achieve

partial or full reconfiguration. Once the array is initially configured, however, stable

real-time performance is assured. In the prior art, the maximum number of users is

predetermined by the number of physical receive or transmit circuits in hardware

implementations or the variable task switching speed of relatively slow software based

implementations.

As described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, it is preferable that each node in

network 1 contains an in-circuit reconfigurable array processor including thousands of

logic gates which are selectively configured to operate as one or ore of a plurality of

digital transceivers and routing circuits. The configuration is driven by a microprocessor

executing a software program which is responsive to various inputs including, in some

embodiments, a centralised network control. In some embodiments, a plurality of such

transceivers operate in parallel within the reconfigurable gate array processor, one allocated for each active connection to a network node. As nodes leave the network, the

circuits are deconfigured or reassigned to new nodes entering the network. In this

manner a flexible network architecture is achieved with high throughput, redundancy

and diversity for mitigating the effect of bit error rates in the channel.

The number of network ports is dynamically reconfigurable. Any given node is

configured to perform network functions such as routing traffic to a greater or lesser

degree concurrently with other network functions such as originating or receiving

communications as required by the network requirements in the locale of the node.

Each node entering the network adds one unit of public network "infrastructure"

circuitry and one unit of private originate and receive user network access circuitry. The

two units operate in full duplex, or on a time shared basis in simplex implementations

where one receiver and one receiver is time shared between these roles. In the preferred

embodiments this feature ensures that the network's capability to service the traffic is

commensurate with the capacity to load the network with traffic in any given area. Since

the concentration of network traffic is linked to the location and concentration of user

nodes originating and receiving traffic, this also ensures the automatic deployment of

network infrastructure where it is needed on a dynamic basis. This flexibility is an

advantage over all conventional network architectures which must be designed for peak

load conditions.

The embodiments described provide an effective solution to the problem of

allocating bandwidth where and when it is needed and is completely scalable to the

physical limits on spatial diversity and the power, bandwidth and interference limited

capacity of the medium. As the concentration of nodes increases the distances between nodes generally decreases and, consequently, the power output of each node is reduced

to increase spatial diversity by reducing the total noise power and internode interference.

A densely interconnected mesh configuration is the result with a multitude of network

paths available to traffic streams incoming and outgoing from a given network sector.

Since a connection between two non- adjacent nodes cannot be closed unless both

a transmitter and receiver are available, the preferred embodiments guarantees the

availability of through links by pairing the receive and transmit channels of nearby

nodes. The maximum number of nodes denied access to a through traffic public channel

will not exceed n modulo 2, or 1, where n is the number of nodes within range in an

arbitrary region of the network service area. Thus, the network is consistently non-

blocking despite the dynamic variations in network traffic distribution.

Preferably, use is made of orthogonal code division multiple access (CDMA) and

orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) techniques to eliminate the

need for frequency reuse planning of shared media. The advantages of these techniques

will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The reconfigurable array processor, in some embodiments, implements a large

number of parallel receivers, one or more for each active node. Where more than one

receiver is tracking the signal from one node the multipath channel delays are exploited

to achieve a diversity gain, that is to say the signal is accumulated over several

propagation paths between the transmitter and receiver and thereby enhanced.

Channel equalisation algorithms are also used in some embodiments in real time to

match the fluctuating channel conditions which change on a wide range of time scales

from microseconds to years. The templates stored in the nonvolatile memory encode logic circuits for

performing functions in the gate array including one or more or the following functions:

n-point discrete Fourier transforms; inverse n-point discrete Fourier transforms; pseudo

random code generation;, correlation;, channel equalisation algorithms; wavelet

transformations, DPSK modulation and demodulation; QPSK modulation and

demodulation; GMSK modulation and demodulation; PPM modulation and

demodulation; PWM modulation and demodulation; M-ary modulation and

demodulation; direct digital frequency syn hesising; filtering; power control for the front

end media access circuits; forward error correction; and many others not explicitly

named but apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that any such additional

functions which could be encoded for reconfiguration of a field programmable logic gate

array are to be included within the scope of the invention. The invention allows for

loading of other circuit configurations throughout the service life of the node.

It will also be appreciated that many of the functions referred to above necessitate

rapid and multiple multiplication operations which are time consuming and processor

intensive. In cases where the multiple calculations include a built in redundancy or are

otherwise reducible to simpler addition operations, the appropriate template is supplied

to the array processor. In situations such as filtering this often results in significantly

less gates in the array being used for that operation and, as such, more of the gates being

available for performing a different function. Accordingly, not only is less time taken to

achieve the calculation itself, other activities are carried out in parallel.

The preferred embodiments allow the combining of the advantages of both

application specific integrated circuits and general purpose digital signal processors without suffering from their disadvantages. That is, the high speed of application

specific integrated circuits is combined with the flexibility of digital signal processor and

microprocessor architectures in a compact universal design. This is achieved, however,

without the inflexibility of the specific circuits or the relatively slow performance of the

signal processors.

In the described embodiments multiple link protocols, media access protocols and

"air interface" standards are accommodated by dynamically reconfiguring the network

node as needed. For example, when the user is roaming between heterogeneous network

service areas the templates are varied to provide a seamless means of communication to

the user.

In some preferred embodiments some or all of the reconfigurable array processor is

dynamically configured as a neural network to simulate the communications network. It

operates as an associative memory which learns to identify any suboptimal routes even

though they appear locally to be optimal.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it

will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it may be embodied in many other

forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:-

1. A communications network including a plurality of network nodes each having

at least one public channel for routing data within the network and at least one private

channel for originating and receiving data for its respective node, each node being

dynamically reconfigurable such that its connection with one or more other nodes

within the network is dynamically allocated when the node first enters the network.

2. A network according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of nodes is

simultaneously interconnected to more than one of the other nodes.

3. A network according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least one node is

connected to a plurality of adjacent nodes to facilitate transmission power

requirements.

4. A network according to claim 1 wherein the at least one public channel and the

at least one private channel function in duplex.

5. A network according to claim 1 wherein the at least one public channel and the

at least one private channel function in simplex.

6. A network according to claim 1 wherein each node includes an in-circuit

reconfigurable gate array processor for configuring respective nodes.

7. A network according to claim 6 wherein the reconfigurable gate array processor

includes a plurality of logic cells.

8. A network according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the reconfigurable gate array

processor is in electrical communication with and configured by a processor executing

a software program.

9. A network according to claim 6 wherein the reconfigurable gate array processor

operates as a plurality of digital transceivers and routing circuits.

10. A network according to claim 8 wherein the processor controlling the

reconfigurable gate array processor is in electrical communication with a non-volatile

memory means for providing predetermined access to a plurality of node

configuration templates, the microprocessor selectively implementing one or more of

the plurality of templates in the reconfigurable gate array processor logic cells.

11. A network according to claim 10 wherein the circuit configuration templates are

loaded into the reconfigurable gate array processor under software control for allowing

channel equalisation algorithms to be adapted in real time to match fluctuating channel

conditions.

12. A network according to claim 9 wherein the nodes configured for routing or

carriage services are such that when the node carries en route through traffic destined

for nodes other than the current node, received signals are regenerated and

retransmitted to the next node in the network route.

13. A network according to claim 1 wherein the nodes are dynamically reconfigured

to accommodate a plurality of telecommunication protocols or media access protocols.

14. A network according to claim 1 wherein the nodes are dynamically reconfigured

to accommodate a plurality of air interface standards to allow a user to roam between

heterogenous network service areas.

15. A network according to claim 6 wherein the reconfigurable gate array processor

operates in a parallel with a digital transceiver such that one transceiver is allocated

for each active connection of the respective node to another node in the network.

16. A network according to claim 6 wherein the reconfigurable gate array processor

of a node leaving the network is deconfigured or reassigned to a new node entering the

network.

17. A network according to claim 6 wherein the reconfigurable gate array processor

for a particular node is configured to implement a number of parallel receivers, at least

one for each active node associated with that particular node.

18. A network according to claim 1 which operates with radio frequency waves.

19. A network according to claim 1 which is cellular.

20. A network according to claim 1 which is configured for digital communication.

21. A network according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of nodes are movable.

22. A network according to claim 1 or claim 21 wherein at least some of the nodes

are stationary.

23. A network according to claim 22 wherein the movable nodes are respective

mobile telephones and the stationary nodes are base stations.

24. A network according to claim 6 wherein the reconfigurable gate array processor

is configured to operate as a OFDMA/CDMA transceiver.

25. A network according to claim 6 wherein the templates allow the reconfigurable

gate array processor to dynamically perform one or more of the following functions:

n-point inverse fast Fourier transform; inverse n-point discrete Fourier transform; a

pseudo random code generation; correlation; channel equalisation; wavelet

transformation; DPSK modulation and demodulation; QPSK modulation and

demodulation; GMSK modulation and demodulation; PPM modulation and

demodulation; PWM modulation and demodulation; M-ary modulation and demodulation; direct digital frequency synthesising; filtering; control of the front end

media access circuits; and forward error correction.

26. A network according to claim 25 wherein two or more of the functions are

performed simultaneously.

27. A network according to claim 1 wherein each node is dynamically

reconfigurable such that its connection with one or more other nodes within the

network is dynamically allocated in response to one or more of the following:

the geographic location of the node with respect to any other node; and

the number and bandwidth of the public and private channels.

28. A communications device for a communications network including a plurality of

communication nodes, the device including:

first means for establishing communication between the device and at least two

nodes in the network and for receiving from those nodes a first data signal having

address information and message information wherein the address information

corresponds to one of the nodes in the network;

second means for generating a second data signal having address information

and message information wherein the address information corresponds to one of the

nodes in the network;

third means for providing the first data signal to one of the at least two nodes

such that the data signal is communicated to the node in the network which

corresponds to the address information; and fourth means for receiving the first data signal and, if the address information

corresponds to the device, extracting the message information, or otherwise

communicating the first signal to the other of the at least two nodes.

29. A device according to claim 28 wherein the first means establishes

communication with more than two nodes and in circumstances where the fourth

means communicates the first signal, that communication is provided to only one of

the other nodes.

30. A device according to claim 28 wherein the first data signal is coded to prevent

extraction of the message information by a node other than that corresponding to the

address information.

31. A method of communication utilising a communications device in a

communications network including a plurality of communication nodes, the method

including the steps of:

establishing communication between the device and at least two nodes in the

network and for receiving from those nodes a first data signal having address

information and message information wherein the address information corresponds to

one of the nodes in the network;

generating a second data signal having address information and message

information wherein the address information corresponds to one of the nodes in the

network;

providing the first data signal to one of the at least two nodes such that the data

signal is communicated to the node in the network which corresponds to the address

information; and receiving the first data signal with the device and, if the address information

corresponds to the device, extracting the message information or, otherwise,

communicating the first signal to the other of the at least two nodes.