CN101461270B

CN101461270B - Apparatus and method for wireless communication using directional and omni-directional antennas

Info

Publication number: CN101461270B
Application number: CN200780020502.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·南达; S·南大格帕兰; S·亚伯拉罕; J·R·沃尔顿; E·T·奥萨基
Original assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Current assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Priority date: 2006-06-06
Filing date: 2007-06-06
Publication date: 2013-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-06
Also published as: TW200816677A; CN101461270A

Abstract

Techniques for using at least one of omni-directional and directional antennas for communication are described. A station may be equipped antenna elements selectable for use as an omni-directional antenna or one or more directional antennas. The station may select the omni-directional antenna or a directional antenna for use for communication based on various factors such as, e.g., whether the location or direction of a target station for communication is known, whether control frames or data frames are being exchanged, etc.

Description

Be used for carrying out the apparatus and method of radio communication via directional antenna and omnidirectional antenna

Require priority according to 35U.S.C. § 119

That present patent application requires is that submit on June 6th, 2006, exercise question is that " DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA UTILIZATION IN WIRELESS MESH NETWORKS ", provisional application number are 60/811,578, the attorney of being distributed is the priority of 061377P1, this provisional application has transferred the application's assignee, so incorporate this paper into way of reference clearly.

Technical field

Put it briefly, the present invention relates to communication, specifically, the present invention relates to data transmission and reception in the cordless communication network.

Background technology

Cordless communication network can comprise a plurality of stations that can communicate each other via wireless medium.Each station can be fixed, and also can move, and can be arranged in wireless network Anywhere.A given station A can with another station B swap data, and each may not understand the position at other station when standing in exchanges data.The A that stands can launch on omnirange ground, thereby improves the possibility that station B successfully receives.Equally, the B that stands also can receive from all directions, thereby improves the possibility that slave station A receives transmission.But, may cause interference near other station from the theaomni-directional transmission of station A.Equally, the stand omnidirectional of B receives and also may cause receiving more interference from other station.Stand interference that A caused and the station interference that B received causes adverse influence to the performance at all influenced stations.

Therefore, need to improve the data transmission of cordless communication network and the technology of receptivity in the art.

Summary of the invention

The application has described the technology of using in omnidirectional antenna and the directional antenna that communicates one of at least.Directional antenna is can be via the antenna of launching and/or receive data less than the beamwidth of 360 ° (for example, from 10 ° to 120 °).Omnidirectional antenna is the antenna that can launch and/or receive data via 360 ° whole or major part.Omnidirectional antenna can be specially designed antenna, perhaps also can form or synthetic with a plurality of directional antennas.

In one aspect, the antenna element that station is equipped with can be selected as omnidirectional antenna or one pair or overpay directional antenna and communicate, wherein said omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna can be realized with variety of way described below.The omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna that are used to communicate by letter can be selected according to various factors in this station from these antenna unit, wherein these factors are in this way all: for example Tong Xin Target Station position or direction whether be known, exchange control frame or Frame or the like.In yet another aspect, this station can be selected a concrete directional antenna in every way from a plurality of available directional antennas.For example, a plurality of directional antennas each received signal intensity or received signal quality since the transmission of Target Station reception can be estimated in this station, and the directional antenna that can select to have highest received signal intensity or quality.Directional antenna can also be selected according to the position or the direction of Target Station in this station, wherein said Target Station be previously known or determine according to any location technology.

In a specific design scheme that is applicable to IEEE 802.11, this station uses omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna to ask to send and allow communicating by letter of transmission (RTS/CTS) with Target Station.This station can receive the RTS frame from Target Station via omnidirectional antenna, and for example selects directional antenna according to the arrival direction of RTS frame.This station can send the CTS frame to Target Station via omnidirectional antenna.Subsequently, this station can receive one or more Frames via selected directional antenna from Target Station in the duration of RTS frame indication.After this duration, omnidirectional antenna can be switched back in this station.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of device that is used for radio communication, comprising: a slice integrated circuit at least is used for: select the omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna that are used to communicate by letter, use selected antenna to communicate; Wherein, omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter comprise: select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and by estimating that when a Target Station does not send or receives grouping each interference in a plurality of directional antennas selects directional antenna to send Frame or from described Target Station receiving data frames to described Target Station, and from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of method of wireless communication that is used for, and comprising: omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter; Use selected antenna to communicate; Wherein, omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter comprise: select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and by estimating that when a Target Station does not send or receives grouping each interference in a plurality of directional antennas selects directional antenna to send Frame or from described Target Station receiving data frames to described Target Station, and from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of device that is used for radio communication, comprising: select module, select the omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna that are used to communicate by letter; Communication module uses selected antenna to communicate; Wherein, described selection module comprises: omnidirectional antenna is selected module, be used to select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and directional antenna is selected module, be used for selecting directional antenna to send Frame or from described Target Station receiving data frames, and from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference to described Target Station by each the interference of when a Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimating a plurality of directional antennas.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of access point in the wireless communication system, comprising: a slice integrated circuit at least is used for: select the omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna that are used to communicate by letter; Use selected antenna to communicate; A plurality of antenna elements can selectedly communicate as described omnidirectional antenna or described directional antenna; Wherein, omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter comprise: select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and by estimating that when a Target Station does not send or receives grouping each interference in a plurality of directional antennas selects directional antenna to send Frame or from described Target Station receiving data frames to described Target Station, and from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of terminal in the wireless communication system, comprising: a slice integrated circuit at least is used for: select the omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna that are used to communicate by letter; Use selected antenna to communicate; User interface is used to show the data that receive via selected antenna; Wherein, omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter comprise: select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and by estimating that when a Target Station does not send or receives grouping each interference in a plurality of directional antennas selects directional antenna to send Frame or from described Target Station receiving data frames to described Target Station, and from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of device that is used for radio communication, comprise: a slice integrated circuit at least, be used for: send request via omnidirectional antenna to a Target Station and send (RTS) frame, when described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the interference in a plurality of directional antennas, from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference, send at least one Frame to described Target Station via selected directional antenna.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of method of wireless communication that is used for, and comprising: send request via omnidirectional antenna to a Target Station and send (RTS) frame; When described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the interference in a plurality of directional antennas; From described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference; Send at least one Frame via selected directional antenna to described Target Station.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of device that is used for radio communication, comprising: be used for sending the module that request sends (RTS) frame via omnidirectional antenna to a Target Station; Be used for when described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the module of interference in a plurality of directional antennas; Be used for selecting from described a plurality of directional antennas the module of directional antenna based on estimated interference; Be used for sending to described Target Station the module of at least one Frame via selected directional antenna.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of device that is used for radio communication, comprise: a slice integrated circuit at least, be used for: receive request via omnidirectional antenna from a Target Station and send (RTS) frame, when described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the interference in a plurality of directional antennas, from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference, receive at least one Frame from described Target Station via selected directional antenna.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of method of wireless communication that is used for, and comprising: receive request via omnidirectional antenna from a Target Station and send (RTS) frame; When described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the interference in a plurality of directional antennas; From described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference; Receive at least one Frame via selected directional antenna from described Target Station.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kind of device that is used for radio communication, comprising: be used for receiving the module that request sends (RTS) frame via omnidirectional antenna from a Target Station; Be used for when described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the module of interference in a plurality of directional antennas; Be used for selecting from described a plurality of directional antennas the module of directional antenna based on estimated interference; Be used for receiving from described Target Station the module of at least one Frame via selected directional antenna.

Various aspects of the present invention and feature are hereinafter described in further detail.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows wireless lan (wlan).

Fig. 2 shows wireless mesh (mesh) net.

Fig. 3 shows the block diagram at two stations in the wireless network.

Fig. 4 A, Fig. 4 B and Fig. 4 C show three kinds of designs of omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna.

Fig. 5 A shows the example of an omni-beam pattern.

Fig. 5 B shows the example of a directional beam pattern.

Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B show processing and the device that is used for day line options respectively.

Fig. 7 shows and is used for the processing that the sector is selected.

Fig. 8 shows the processing that is used for rate selection.

Fig. 9 A and Fig. 9 B show respectively and are used for processing procedure and the device on two links the station operated.

Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B show processing and the device that is used in RTS/CTS exchange transmit data frames respectively.

Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B show processing and the device that is used at RTS/CTS exchange receiving data frames respectively.

Embodiment

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described.It is evident that the application's content can realize with various ways, the disclosed any ad hoc structure of the application, function or the two only are illustrative.According to the application's content, those of ordinary skill in the art should be appreciated that the disclosed aspect of the application can be independent of any others and realize, and can make up these aspects two or more in various manners.For example, use the aspect that the application sets forth of any amount can implement device or can implementation method.In addition, use other structure, function or the 26S Proteasome Structure and Function except that one or more aspects that the application sets forth or be different from the 26S Proteasome Structure and Function of one or more aspects that the application sets forth, can realize this kind device or realize the method.

The technology that the application describes can be used for various cordless communication networks, for example wireless lan (wlan), wireless MAN (WMAN), wireless wide area network (WWAN), wireless mesh network or the like.Term " network " and " system " often use interchangeably.WLAN can realize any wireless technology in IEEE 802.11 series standards, the high performance radio local area network (Hiperlan) etc.WMAN can realize IEEE 802.16 or the like.WWAN can be a cellular network, for example code division multiple access (CDMA) network, time division multiple access (TDMA) network, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) network, quadrature FDMA (OFDMA) network, Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) network or the like.Some technical elements that is used to realize IEEE 802.11 wireless networks has hereinafter been described.

Fig. 1 shows the WLAN 100 with an access point 110 and a plurality of station 120.As a rule, WLAN can comprise the access point of any amount and the station of any amount.The station is the equipment that can communicate via wireless medium and another station.Stand and to be referred to as terminal, mobile radio station, subscriber equipment, subscriber station or the like.Standing can be cell phone, handheld device, wireless device, PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), laptop computer, radio modem, radio telephone or the like.Access point is to provide the station of inserting distribution services for the station that is associated with access point via wireless medium.Access point also is referred to as base station, base station transceiver (BTS), Node B or the like.Stand and 120 can communicate and/or communicate via peer link each other with access point 110.Access point 110 can be couple to data network 130, and can communicate via data network and miscellaneous equipment.Data network 130 can be internet, Intranet or some other wired or wireless networks.

Fig. 2 shows and can have the wireless mesh network 200 that disposes in higher density population characteristic's the focus region usually such as campus area, down town, shopping plaza or some.Wireless mesh network 200 can carry out work according to IEEE 802.11 wireless technologys or some other wireless technologys.Wireless mesh network 200 comprises a plurality of nodes, and the latter is called grid point 220,230 and 240.

Grid point

220 and 230 can be transmitted the business of other grid point.Grid point 240 is branches and leaves grid points of not transmitting other grid point business.

As a rule, each grid point can be a station, also can be an access point.In example shown in Figure 2,

grid point

220 and 230 can be an access point, and grid point 240 can be branches and leaves station and/or access point.Access point 220 can be directly connected to backhaul network 210, and the latter can be the wired infrastructure as wireless mesh network 200 backbone networks.By only making a part of access point directly be connected to backhaul network 210, can reduce networking and operating cost.For through backhaul network 210 reciprocal exchanges of business, access point 230 can communicate by letter each other and/or and access point 220 communicate via grid communication between access point.Access point 230 can be used as to access point 220 and transmits professional entity.Branches and leaves station 240 can communicate with access point 220 and/or 230.

In grid network 200, data (or grouping) frame can flow from the source to purpose through the route of being made up of one or more grid points.Routing algorithm can be used for determining described frame arrive the destination a series of grid points of process.In some cases, access point may take place congested, therefore, in order to remove network congestion, can ask to transmit other professional access point to congested access point and slow down.

Fig. 3 shows the design block diagram at two

stations

310 and 350 in the wireless network.For the WLAN among Fig. 1 100, standing 310 can be access point 110, and standing 350 can be one of them of station 120.Standing 310 can also be one of them of station 120, and standing 350 can be access point 110.For the grid network among Fig. 2 200, standing 310 and 350 can all be grid point 220,230 or 240.As a rule, " station " that the application describes can be that the station (STA) of inserting distribution services is not provided, and can also provide the access point (AP) that inserts distribution services.

Stand and 310 can use a plurality of (T) antenna element 320a to carry out data transmission and reception to 320t.Stand and 350 can use a plurality of (R) antenna element 352a to carry out data transmission and reception to 352r.As a rule, T and R can be integer values arbitrarily.In some designs, T and R can equal 2 or 4.As mentioned below, the antenna element at each station may be used to synthetic omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna.

At station 310, emission (TX) data processor 312 can receive business datum and/or slave controller/selector/processor 330 other data of reception from data source (not drawing).TX data processor 312 can be handled the data that (for example, format, encode, interweave and sign map) received and generate data symbol, and wherein data symbol is a modulation symbols for data.TX spatial processor 314 can be multiplexing with data symbol and frequency pilot sign, if be suitable for then carry out emission space and handle, and provides T output symbol to flow to modulator (MOD), demodulator (DEMOD) and switch unit 318.The output code laminar flow be modulated and be generated in unit 318 can to each output symbol stream (for example, the output symbol of OFDM or the like stream).(for example, transforming to simulation, amplification, filtering, up-conversion and power amplification) each output code laminar flow can also be regulated to generate radio frequency (RF) signal in unit 318.Unit 318 T RF signal can be routed to can launch these RF signals T antenna element 320a to 320t.

At station 350, R antenna element 352a can receive these radiofrequency signals of being launched by station 310 to 352r, and each pair antenna 352 can provide the signal that is received to modulator, demodulator and switch unit 360.(for example, separate to be in harmonious proportion and regulate) signal that each received can be handled by the mode opposite with the performed processing in unit 318 in unit 360, thereby obtains the symbol that received.Receiving (RX) spatial processor 360 can carry out spatial matched filtering to the symbol that receives from all R antenna element 352a to 352r, and the data symbol estimator is provided, and wherein these data symbol estimators are the estimations to the data symbol of 310 emissions of standing.RX data processor 362 can also further be handled (for example, symbol de-maps, deinterleaving and decoding) data symbol estimator, and provides the data of being decoded to data sink (not drawing) and/or controller/selector/processor 370.

Channel processor 374 can be handled 360 symbols that received from the unit, is received the received signal intensity transmitted and/or received signal quality, Interference Estimation value or the like with channel estimating amount, the institute of deriving station 310.Processor 374 can be derived RX spatial processor 360 employed spatial filter matrices, to be used for spatial matched filtering.Processor 374 can also be derived TX spatial processor 314 employed emission guiding matrixes, to be used for emission.As mentioned below, processor 374 can also be determined other characteristic of the wireless medium and/or the transmission that receives.

Be used for to slave station 350 arrive at a station 310 transmission processing can be used for the arrive at a station processing of 350 transmission of slave station 310 identical or different.At station 350, from the business datum of data source (not drawing) and/or other data of coming self-controller/selector/processor 370 (for example, feedback information) can (for example handle by TX data processor 380, encode, interweave and sign map), carry out multiplexing with frequency pilot sign, carry out spatial manipulation by TX spatial processor 382 then, and (for example do further processing by unit 360, modulation and adjusting) to generate R radiofrequency signal, wherein these radiofrequency signals can be launched to 352r via antenna element 352a.

At station 310,350 RF signals transmitted of standing can be received to 320t by antenna element 320a, and handle the symbol that is received to obtain by unit 318.The symbol that is received can be handled (for example, spatial matched filtering) by RX spatial processor 340, and and then handle (for example, symbol de-maps, deinterleaving and decoding) by RX data processor 342, to obtain the data of decoding.Channel processor 334 can be handled 318 symbols that received from the unit, is received the received signal intensity transmitted or received signal quality, Interference Estimation value or the like with channel estimating amount, the institute of deriving station 350.Processor 334 can also for example come derived space electric-wave filter matrix, emission guiding matrix or the like according to this channel estimating amount.Processor 334 can also be determined other characteristic of the wireless medium and/or the transmission that receives.

Controller/selector/

processor

330 and 370 can be distinguished the operation at control station 310 and station 350.For example, controller/selector/

processor

330 and 370 can be selected the omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna that are used to communicate by

letter.Memory

332 and 372 can be distinguished the data and the program code at storage sites 310 and station 350.

In one aspect, stand and to be equipped with the omnidirectional antenna that is used for data transmission and/or reception and one pair or to overpay directional antenna.As a rule, antenna can comprise a single antenna unit or a set of being made up of a plurality of antenna elements.Can realize omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna with different designs.These antenna can or can be shared common antenna element with different antenna element formation.Can also select omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna in various manners, for use.

Fig. 4 A shows the block diagram of the design 410 of the omnidirectional antenna that is used for Fig. 3 station 310 and directional antenna.In this design, standing 310 comprises T the antenna element 320a that is couple to unit 318a to 320t, and wherein unit 318a is a kind of design of unit 318 among Fig. 3.

In the design shown in Fig. 4 A, each antenna element 320 and a multiplier, switch 414, a modulator 416 and a demodulator 418 are associated.For the data transmission via antenna element 320a, modulator 416a provides the signal of modulation to switch 414a, and wherein switch 414a is routed to multiplier 412a with this signal.Multiplier 412a is with the signal and the weight w that are modulated ₁Multiply each other, and provide RF signal to antenna 320a.For the Data Receiving via antenna element 320a, multiplier 412a will be from the signal and the weight w of antenna element 320a reception ₁Multiply each other, and the signal of convergent-divergent is provided.Switch 414a is routed to demodulator 418a with the signal of convergent-divergent from multiplier 412a.With antenna element 320b to 320t signal separately by carrying out route and convergent-divergent with the mode of the signal similar of antenna element 320a.

Can select weight w ₁To w _T, to be used for antenna element 320a to synthetic omni-beam of 320t or directional beam.These weights depend on layout and design, the wave beam of expectation and the possible other factors of antenna element 320a to 320t.These weights can be based on Computer Simulation, experience and measure or the like and to determine.These weights w ₁To w _TCan put on the analog signal in RF signal shown in Fig. 4 A or modulator 416 and the demodulator 418.These weights w ₁To w _TCan also put on the digital signal of TX spatial processor 314 transmission paths of Fig. 3 and/or on the digital signal of RX spatial processor 340 RX path.

As a rule, antenna element 320a can be used for the directional antenna of synthetic any amount to 320t.In a kind of design, antenna element 320a is used for synthetic Third Mate's directional antenna to 320t, and this Third Mate's directional antenna is with about 120 ° interval directed outward.The wave beam of each directional antenna can have the beamwidth above 120 °, and can be overlapping at edge and adjacent beams.Can also synthesize still less or more directional antenna.As a rule, antenna element 320a can be used for synthesizing the directional antenna of any amount to 320t, and wherein these directional antennas can point to specific direction (for example, separately 120 °), perhaps can be spaced apart with the low-angle incremental mode.

Fig. 4 B shows the block diagram of the design 430 of the omnidirectional antenna that is used for Fig. 3 station 310 and directional antenna.In this design, standing 310 comprises four groups of antennas that are couple to unit 318b, and every group has T antenna element, and wherein unit 318b is the another kind of design of unit 318 among Fig. 3.First group comprises that T the antenna element 320a0 that is used for omnidirectional antenna is to 320t0.Second group comprises that T the antenna element 320a1 that is used for sector 1 directional antenna is to 320t1.The 3rd group comprises that T the antenna element 320a2 that is used for sector 2 directional antennas is to 320t2.The 4th group comprises that T the antenna element 320a3 that is used for sector 3 directional antennas is to 320t3.Three directional antennas that are used for three sectors can be with about 120 ° interval directed outward, and wherein each directional antenna can have the beamwidth above 120 °.Can design each group antenna element, to realize the expectation wave beam of corresponding omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna.For each antenna beam, can realize the lifting of performance by using not on the same group antenna element.

Can select four groups of antenna elements wherein one group be used for communication.Selected one group of T antenna element can be corresponding to 320t with the antenna element 320a among Fig. 3.

Unit 318b comprise T switch 434a to 434t, T modulator 436a to 436t and T demodulator 438a to 438t.Switch 434a is couple to four antenna element 320a0,320a1,320a2 and 320a3 in four groups of antenna elements, also is couple to modulator 436a and demodulator 438a.For data transmission, switch 434a is connected to antenna element selected group with the signal of modulation from modulator 436a.For Data Receiving, switch 434a is connected to demodulator 438a with received signal antenna element from selected group.Can be by being connected and operating switch, the modulator and demodulator of other antenna element with the similar mode of switch 434a, modulator 436a and demodulator 438a.

Fig. 4 C shows the block diagram of the design 450 of the omnidirectional antenna that is used for Fig. 3 station 310 and directional antenna.In this design, standing 310 comprises three groups of antennas that are couple to unit 318c, and every group has T antenna element, and wherein unit 318c is the another kind of design of unit 318 among Fig. 3.First group comprises T antenna element 320a1 to 320t1, and second group comprises T antenna element 320a2 to 320t2, and the 3rd group comprises T antenna element 320a3 to 320t3, and wherein these antenna unit is as mentioned described in Fig. 4 B.Can select these three groups of antenna elements wherein one group come perhaps can to select all these three groups of antenna elements to be used for omnidirectional antenna as directional antenna.Can form virtual-antenna by three antenna elements (for example, antenna element 320a1,320a2 and 320a3) that make up in these three groups.

Unit 318c comprises T group circuit, and wherein each group circuit comprises switch 452,454 and 456, combiner 462, switch 464, modulator 466 and demodulator 468.If selected omnidirectional antenna, then switch 452a is couple to combiner 462a with antenna element 320a1, if selected the directional antenna of sector 1, then switch 452a is couple to switch 464a with antenna element 320a1.If selected omnidirectional antenna, then switch 452b is couple to combiner 462a with antenna element 320a2, if selected the directional antenna of sector 2, then switch 452b is couple to switch 464a with antenna element 320a2.If selected omnidirectional antenna, then switch 452c is couple to combiner 462a with antenna element 320a3, if selected the directional antenna of sector 3, then switch 452c is couple to switch 464a with antenna element 320a3.For data transmission, combiner 462a provides this signal from switch 464a received signal and to switch 452a, 452b and 452c.For Data Receiving, combiner 462a will make up from the signal that switch 452a, 452b and 452c are received, and the signal of this combination is provided to switch 464a.For data transmission, institute's modulation signal of switch 464a automodulation in the future device 466a is connected to switch 452a, 452b and 452c or combiner 462a.For Data Receiving, switch 464a will be connected to demodulator 438a from the signal of switch 452a, 452b and 452c or combiner 462a.Can be by being connected and operating these parts of other antenna element with the similar mode of switch, combiner, the modulator and demodulator of first antenna element.

In another kind of design, standing 310 comprises: (1) is used for first group of at least one pair of antenna that other station with wireless network communicates; (2) be used for second group of at least one pair of antenna communicating with another network (for example, backhaul network).First antenna sets be can design and first frequency band (2.4GHz or the 5GHz that for example, are used for IEEE 802.11) or some other frequency bands are used for.Can design second antenna sets and be used for second frequency band (for example, 3.5GHz) or some other frequency bands.Antenna sets can comprise omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna the two, and can shown in Fig. 4 A, Fig. 4 B or Fig. 4 C, realize like that.Perhaps, antenna sets can only comprise omnidirectional antenna.In a kind of design, first group only comprises omnidirectional antenna, and second group comprise omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna the two.Two antenna sets can be used the different circuit that transmits and receives.In the case, standing 310 can communicate with two stations via two antenna sets simultaneously, for example, communicates via a station in first antenna sets and the grid network, communicates via second antenna sets and grid access point.

Fig. 5 A has provided the example of omni-beam pattern, and it can obtain with the Antenna Design scheme that provides among Fig. 4 A, Fig. 4 B and Fig. 4 C.This omni-beam pattern has similar antenna gain for all direction in spaces.

Fig. 5 B has provided the example of directional beam pattern, and it can obtain with the Antenna Design scheme that provides among Fig. 4 A, Fig. 4 B and Fig. 4 C.This directional beam pattern has high antenna gain in beamwidth, and has little antenna gain outside beamwidth.Can select beamwidth according to the lap of expecting between number of sectors of supporting and the directional beam.

Fig. 4 A has provided three kinds of design examples that are used for omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna to Fig. 4 C, wherein these examples can be used to stand 310 and the station 350.Can also realize omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna with other design.These antenna can also be realized with the antenna element of any amount.Antenna element can be dipole antenna, paster antenna, microstrip antenna, stripline antenna, print dipole antennas, inverse-F antenna or the like.

Following aspect goes for standing 310 and the communication between 350 of standing:

● day line options: be meant omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter;

● the sector is selected: be meant from spendable all directional antennas in station and select specific directional antenna.

● rate selection: be meant and select one or more data rates to be used for transmission.

For clarity, hereinafter major part is that the angle of slave station 310 is described.Standing 350 is Target Stations, and wherein Target Station is the station of exchange (for example, send and/or receive) grouping.

Can carry out a day line options according to various standards, these standards for example are: whether the position of Target Station 350 or direction are the received signal intensity/quality of known, the information type that sends or receive, Target Station 350, from the interference at other station or the like.In a kind of design, if, then select omnidirectional antenna for use if the position of Target Station 350 or direction are unknown or target when being a plurality of station.Stand 310 can be in any given time receives from wireless network the frame at any station.Stand and 310 can use omnidirectional antenna to come station received frame from unknown position.Stand and 310 can also use omnidirectional antenna to the station of unknown position frame emission.Stand and 310 can also use omnidirectional antenna to send given frame (for example, control frame) to a plurality of stations known or unknown position.

In a kind of design,, then select directional antenna for use if the position of Target Station 350 or direction are known.According to the transmission of Target Station 350 transmissions, location estimation amount of Target Station 350 or the like, can determine the position or the direction of Target Station 350.

Based on context, stand and 310 can select omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna to come and the communicating by letter of Target Station 350.Stand and 310 can also select omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna by oneself, and need be from the input of Target Station 350.The use of directional antenna (when may the time) space that can increase wireless network utilizes again, and the space utilizes and can improve overall performance.

Can carry out the sector in various manners selects.In a kind of design, carry out the sector selection according to the signal strength signal intensity of reception or the power of reception.Stand and 310 can receive transmission from Target Station 350 via station each directional antennas available of 310.For example by the power addition of T the received signal that will receive from T antenna element of directional antenna, the 310 received signal intensity that can determine each directional antenna of standing.For different Antenna Design schemes, standing 310 can be with the institute received power addition of different modes with each directional antenna.For example, stand and 310 can apply not synthetic different directional antenna under the situation of weight on the same group at RX spatial processor 340.In the case, standing 310 can be with 318 symbols that receive and one group of multiplied by weight of each directional antenna from the unit, thereby obtains the output symbol of this directional antenna, and determines the received signal intensity of this directional antenna subsequently according to these output symbols.Under any circumstance, stand and 310 can select to have the directional antenna of strong cohesiveness collection of letters intensity for use.

In another kind of design, carry out the sector according to the received signal quality and select, wherein received signal quality can be provided by signal to noise ratio (snr), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), carrier wave and interference ratio (C/I) or the like.The received signal quality has been considered institute's received power and noise and interference.Therefore, the received signal quality is more suitable in the data rate that is used for data transmission is selected.Stand and 310 can receive transmission from Target Station 350 via each directional antenna.310 signal qualitys that can determine transmission that each directional antenna receives of standing, and select directional antenna with highest received signal quality.

In another kind of design, carry out the sector according to Target Station 350 previous information and select.For example, can determine the position or the direction of Target Station 350 according to above-described any design.Can select to be used for to stand 350 directional antenna and it is kept at memory.After this,, then from memory, can obtain the directional antenna that previous station is for this reason selected again, thereby be used for and the communicating by letter of this station if run into identical Target Station 350.For example according to received signal intensity or the received signal quality measured in current communication period, can confirm the directional antenna that obtains again, thereby guarantee that the directional antenna that obtains again remains one pair of best antenna.

In another kind of design, carry out the sector according to tracing table and select, wherein tracing table comprises the information at other station in the wireless network.These information can comprise each station position or direction, be applicable to the directional antenna at each station or the like.Just can upgrade these information as long as receive transmission from other station.

Can carry out rate selection according to various factors, wherein the type of these factors such as the antenna that is the signal quality that received, selects to use, the transmission that will send, Interference Estimation value or the like.Different antennas can be associated with different antenna gains, wherein antenna gain be previous characterize with known.By considering the different antennae gain of station 310 and station 350 employed different antennae, can select one or more data rates.

Stand and 310 can use its antenna element to send or receive single single output of input (SISO) transmission, single many outputs of input (SIMO) transmission, many single outputs of input (MISO) transmission or multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) transmission.For SISO or SIMO, standing 310 can be via sending single data flow with selected omnidirectional antenna or the corresponding single virtual-antenna of directional antenna.For MISO, standing 310 can send single data flow via a plurality of antenna elements of selected antenna.For MIMO, standing 310 can send a plurality of data flow simultaneously via a plurality of antenna elements.Wherein, can send each data flow from an antenna element omnirange ground.Can also use emission guiding (transmit steering) technology to send each data flow, therefore, on selected orientation/virtual-antenna, send for this data flow from all antenna elements.Different data flow can send with different emission guiding vectors, and therefore sends on different orientation/virtual-antennas.

Standing 310 can be to estimating via omnidirectional antenna and the observed interference of each directional antenna.When station 350 does not send or receives grouping, stand and 310 can estimate interference on this antenna, thereby institute's received power mainly is the transmission from other station by institute's received power of measuring given antenna.Because other station can be launched at any time, fluctuate in time so disturb, it can be quantized by statistical parameter.In a kind of design, the interference of given antenna can be provided by cumulative density function (CDF), and wherein for given level of interference x, the interference of CDF indication measurement is lower than the percentage of time of x.For example, CDF can indicate, and for 5% time of directional antenna, interference level is-85dBm; For 5% time of omnidirectional antenna, interference level is-75dBm.

For Data Receiving, stand 310 can estimate from Target Station 350 receive the transmission signal quality.Stand and 310 can select data rate, for example use data rate and the corresponding tracing table of received signal quality according to the signal quality that is received.Stand and 310 can also use according to the Interference Estimation value and to keep out of the way (backoff).For example, standing 310 can be worth determined amount by Interference Estimation and reduce the signal quality that is received, and selects data rate according to the received signal quality that reduces.For the MIMO transmission, the 310 execution following steps of standing: (1) carries out the order selection, to determine to send the quantity of data flow; (2) flow selection, to determine to use which antenna element or which virtual-antenna for each data flow.Stand 310 according to signal quality that is received and possible Interference Estimation value, can also carry out rate selection, thereby select suitable data rate or select a common data rate for all data flow for each data flow.

Stand and 310 can estimate to receive the signal quality of transmission, and select directional antenna to use based on omnidirectional antenna slave station 350.In the case, module gain, the antenna gain by considering omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna and/or disturb difference in suppressing stood and 310 can be adjusted received signal quality or data rate.Stand and 310 can also use from the lower limit of the determined data rate of omnidirectional antenna as the directional antenna data rate.

Stand 310 according to the difference in the signal quality that is received, the antenna gain, Interference Estimation value or the like, can select to be used for one or more data rates of one or more data flow.Standing 310 can send selected data rate to station 350, wherein stands 350 can send data with selected data rate.

For data transmission, stand and 310 can for example use omnidirectional antenna to send transmission to Target Station 350.Stand and 350 can estimate the signal quality that received, select one or more data rates according to the signal quality that is received, and send selected data rate to station 310.310 use omnidirectional antenna to send original transmission if stand, and for select directional antenna to the subsequent data transmission at station 350, so, module gain, antenna gain by considering omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna and/or disturb difference in suppressing stood and 310 can be adjusted the data rate that slave station 350 is received.

Stand and 310 can use the Interference Estimation value to keep out of the way (backoff) data rate.Stand and 310 can also use the Interference Estimation value to select antenna.For example, the antenna that can select to have less interference uses, and does not perhaps use the antenna with excessive interference.

Fig. 6 A shows the design of the processing 600 that is used for day line options.Handling 600 can be carried out by station (for example, access point or the station in IEEE 802.11WLAN or the grid network).Can select the omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna (module 612) that are used to communicate by letter.Can be in various manners and come sky line options in the Executive Module 612 according to various factors.In a kind of design, if the position or the direction of the Target Station of communication are unknown, then can select omnidirectional antenna, if the position of Target Station or direction are known, then can select directional antenna.In another kind of design, can select omnidirectional antenna to be used for control frame, if the position of Target Station or direction are known then can select directional antenna to be used for Frame.Can from a plurality of (for example, three) available directional antenna, select directional antenna to use, perhaps can be according to synthesizing directional antenna from the transmission that Target Station received.Selected antenna can be used for communication, for example sends and/or receive data (module 614).

Can obtain omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna in various manners.In a kind of design, one group of antenna element can be used for communicating by letter.Can synthesize omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna with this group antenna element, for example, as shown in Fig. 4 A.In another kind of design, omnidirectional antenna can be realized with at least one antenna element, and at least one pair of directional antenna can be realized with at least one group of antenna element, for example, and as shown in Fig. 4 B.In another kind of design, overpay directional antenna and can realize, and omnidirectional antenna can form with these many group antenna elements with many groups antenna element, for example, as shown in Fig. 4 C.Can also otherwise realize or synthetic omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna.

Fig. 6 B shows the design of the device 650 that is used for day line options.Device 650 comprises: the omnidirectional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter or the module (module 652) of directional antenna; Be used to use selected antenna to communicate the module (module 654) of (for example, sending and/or receive data).Module 652 and 654 can comprise one or more pieces integrated circuits (IC), processor, electronic equipment, hardware device, electronic building brick, logical circuit, memory or the like or its combination in any.

Fig. 7 shows the design of the processing 700 that is used for the sector selection.Can slave station receive (for example being used for control frame) transmission (module 712).Can receive transmission via omnidirectional antenna, wherein omnidirectional antenna can be a real omnidirectional antenna or by overpaying (for example, the receiving transmission by all these directional antennas) that directional antenna synthesizes.Can from one group of antenna, select directional antenna (module 714) according to the transmission that is received.This group antenna can only comprise directional antenna, perhaps this group antenna comprise omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna the two.Overpay directional antenna and can realize (for example, as shown in Fig. 4 B and Fig. 4 C), perhaps can synthesize and overpay directional antenna (for example, as shown in Fig. 4 A) based on single group antenna element with on the same group antenna element not.In a kind of design, can determine the arrival direction that transmits.Can from overpay available directional antenna, select a directional antenna of the most approaching transmission arrival direction to use.In another kind of design, can with at least one antenna element be tuned to the transmission arrival direction.In another kind of design, can determine that a plurality of directional antennas receive the signal strength signal intensity of transmission separately, and the directional antenna that can select to have highest received signal intensity.In another kind of design, can determine that a plurality of directional antennas receive the signal quality of transmission separately, and the directional antenna that can select to have the highest received signal quality.Can also select directional antenna according to the Interference Estimation value.

Selected directional antenna can be used for communicating with the station (module 716).For Data Receiving, can receive at least one Frame from this station via selected directional antenna.For data transmission, can send at least one Frame to this station via selected directional antenna.

Fig. 8 shows the design of the processing 800 that is used for rate selection.Can receive transmission (module 812) from a station via omnidirectional antenna.Can select directional antenna (module 814) according to the transmission that is received.Can select data rate (module 816) according to transmission that is received and selected directional antenna.Can come to carry out swap data (module 818) via selected directional antenna with according to selected data rate with described station.

For module 816, can determine the signal quality of the transmission that receives.Can also estimate the interference of selected directional antenna.Can determine the difference between the antenna gain of the antenna gain of omnidirectional antenna and selected directional antenna.Thereby, select data rate according to difference or its combination in any of the signal quality that is received, Interference Estimation value, antenna gain.Can also select data rate according to other factors.For the MIMO transmission, can select one or more speed according to how handling and send data flow.

Fig. 9 A shows the design that is used for the processing 900 of active station on two links.Said station can communicate (module 912) via omnidirectional antenna with first stop on first link.Said station can communicate (module 914) via directional antenna with second station on second link.The wireless medium that first link is shared corresponding to the station in the wireless network (for example, IEEE 802.11WLAN or grid network).Second link is corresponding to the backhaul of wired access point.First link can be corresponding to identical or different frequency bands with second link.Said station can communicate with first stop on first frequency band and communicate with second station on second frequency band simultaneously.First frequency band and second frequency band can be overlapping or can be not overlapping.If these band overlappings, then they can be partly overlapping, and perhaps frequency band can be fully and other band overlapping.

First link can be used for identical wireless network with second link, and first stop and second station can be same stations.In a kind of design, can on first link, exchange control frame via omnidirectional antenna, can on second link, exchange Frame via directional antenna.Can use omnidirectional antenna by minimally, for example obtain a spot of data, which should use pay directional antenna to judge.

Fig. 9 B shows the design that is used for the device 950 operated on two links.Device 950 comprises: be used for the module (module 952) that communicates with first stop on first link via omnidirectional antenna; Be used for the module (module 954) that on second link, communicates via directional antenna with second station.Module 952 and module 954 can comprise one or more pieces integrated circuits, processor, electronic equipment, hardware device, electronic building brick, logical circuit, memory or the like or its combination in any.

Omnidirectional antenna can be used to communicate by letter with directional antenna in every way.A kind of detailed directions of the these antenna that is used to communicate by letter is hereinafter described.

In IEEE 802.11, stand and avoid (CSMA/CA) agreement to compete wireless medium by the access/conflict of carrier sense multichannel, wherein the CSMA/CA agreement prevents that adjacent station from launching simultaneously.In addition, stand and be used on wireless medium, transmitting by using the RTS/CTS exchange can reserve a certain amount of time.For this exchange, a given station A can send the RTS frame of the duration that comprises request to another station B, and the B that wherein stands can be the access point that is used for this exchange.The duration of request can cover the time quantum that needs unsettled data of emission and relevant signaling.The B that stands can ratify this request, and sends the CTS frame to station A.Subsequently, in the duration of being ratified, the A that stands can launch on wireless medium.

RTS/CTS exchange is intended to prevent the interference of concealed nodes, and wherein concealed nodes is outside the scope of communicating with one another but still to causing the station of interference each other.For example, can be to hide mutually at two stations of access point opposite side, but being transmitted in of they may the phase mutual interference on the access point.For RTS/CTS exchange is become effectively, near all adjacent stations the station A and the B that stands should decode RTS and/or CTS frame, and their network allocation vector (NAV) timer is set according to being included in duration in RTS and the CTS frame.Because RTS and CTS frame can arrive from any direction, so each station uses omnidirectional antenna to receive these frames.In order to ensure receiving these control frames, people expect to stand and receive all control frames (for example, RTS and CTS frame) via omnidirectional antenna all the time.But,, may have the adjacent station of can not decode RTS and/or CTS frame for example owing to the geographical position and the other factors at adjacent station.Therefore, in the duration of being ratified, these adjacent stations may not keep mourning in silence, and may disturb from the transmission of A or station B of standing from the transmission at these adjacent stations, thereby reduce the effective speed of transmission.

Directional antenna is by to suppressing from the interference that arrives with the direction that transmits and receives station direction apart from each other, thereby directional antenna can be used to reduce the adverse effect of interference.This interference suppresses can improve SNR and allow the more use of high data rate.Therefore, directional antenna and use RTS/CTS are combined, can increase throughput.

Figure 10 A shows the design of the processing 1000 that is used for the RTS/CTS exchange of the A of cell site execution.At first, the A that stands selects omnidirectional antenna to launch (module 1012).The A that stands comprises the RTS frame (module 1014) of the duration of request to the B of receiving station emission via omnidirectional antenna.After this, the A slave station B that stands receives CTS frame (module 1016), and for example uses above-described any design to determine the arrival direction of CTS frame (module 1018).The A that stands selects near the directional antenna of CTS frame arrival direction, and wherein CTS frame arrival direction is the direction (module 1020) of the B of receiving station.Subsequently, in the duration of being ratified, the A that stands is transmitted in one or more Frames (module 1022) that short frame crack (SIFS) began in the time via selected directional antenna to station B.The B that stands uses omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna slave station A to receive these Frames.After the duration of being ratified, the A of cell site can switch back omnidirectional antenna.

The A of cell site can cause less interference to other station by using directional antenna to the B of receiving station transmit data frames.In addition, directional antenna can have higher gain than omnidirectional antenna, and wherein for the arrive at a station transmission of B of slave station A, directional antenna allows to use more high data rate.In case finish the transfer of data of the B that arrives at a station, the A that stands just can get back to theaomni-directional transmission.

Figure 10 B shows the design of the device 1050 that is used for the RTS/CTS exchange.Device 1050 comprises: be used to the module (module 1052) of selecting omnidirectional antenna to launch; Be used for launching to the B of receiving station the module (module 1054) of the RTS frame of the duration that comprises request via omnidirectional antenna; Be used for the module (module 1056) that slave station B receives the CTS frame; Be used for determining the module (module 1058) of CTS frame arrival direction; Be used to select module (module 1060) near the directional antenna of CTS frame arrival direction; In the duration of being ratified, be transmitted in the module (module 1062) of one or more Frames that SIFS begins in the time to station B via selected directional antenna.Module 1052 to 1062 can comprise one or more pieces integrated circuits, processor, electronic equipment, hardware device, electronic building brick, logical circuit, memory or the like or its combination in any.

In the design shown in Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B, if the direction of the B of receiving station is known, then the A of cell site uses directed data transmission between the RTS/CTS commutation period.When the direction of receiving station was the unknown, the A that stands was using theaomni-directional transmission At All Other Times.Therefore, the A that stands to be using directional transmissions with the mode of IEEE 802.11 back compatibles, thereby can increase throughput.

Figure 11 A shows the design that the B of receiving station carries out the processing 1100 that is used for the RTS/CTS exchange.At first, the B that stands selects omnidirectional antenna to carry out Data Receiving (module 1112).The B that stands receives the RTS frame from the A of cell site, and determines destination/recipient's (module 1114) of this RTS frame.B is the destination (module 1116 ' being ') of RTS frame if stand, and the B that stands so is via omni-directional antenna transmission CTS frame (module 1118).The B that stands for example uses above-described any design to determine the arrival direction of RTS frame (module 1120).The B that stands selects near the directional antenna of RTS frame arrival direction, and wherein RTS frame arrival direction is the direction (module 1122) of the A of cell site.

The A of cell site receives the CTS frame, and uses omnidirectional antenna or directional antenna to begin transmit data frames.If the B of receiving station detects data (module 1124 ' being ') at SIFS in the time, the B that stands so receives one or more Frames (module 1126) via selected directional antenna slave station A in the duration of being ratified.After the duration of being ratified, if perhaps SIFS do not detect in the time from the station A data (module 1124 ' denying '), if perhaps station B is not purpose recipient's (module 1116 ' denying ') of this RTS frame, the B that stands can switch back omnidirectional antenna.

B uses directional antenna slave station A receiving data frames because stand, so can suppress the interference from other station.Therefore, comparing does not have data rate possible under the directional reception situation, and the arrive at a station transmission of B can be used higher data rate for slave station A.In case the transfer of data from station A is finished, the B that stands just can get back to omnidirectional and receive.

Figure 11 B shows the design of the device 1150 that is used for the RTS/CTS exchange.Device 1150 comprises: be used to select omnidirectional antenna to carry out the module (module 1152) of Data Receiving; Be used for receiving the RTS frame, and determine the destination/recipient's of this RTS frame module (module 1154) from the A of cell site; Be used for module (module 1156) via omni-directional antenna transmission CTS frame; Be used for determining the module (module 1158) of RTS frame arrival direction; Be used to select module (module 1160) near the directional antenna of RTS frame arrival direction; Be used for receiving the module (module 1162) of one or more Frames via selected directional antenna slave station A in the duration of approval.Module 1152 to 1162 can comprise one or more pieces integrated circuits, processor, electronic equipment, hardware device, electronic building brick, logical circuit, memory or the like or its combination in any.

In the design shown in Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B, if the direction of the A of cell site is known, then the B of receiving station uses directional reception between the RTS/CTS commutation period.When the direction of cell site was the unknown, the B that stands was using omnidirectional to receive At All Other Times.Therefore, the B that stands to be using directional reception with the mode of IEEE 802.11 back compatibles, thereby can increase throughput.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that information and signal can use multiple different technology and method to represent.For example, data, instruction, order, information, signal, bit, symbol and the chip of mentioning in the description on run through can be represented with voltage, electric current, electromagnetic wave, magnetic field or particle, light field or particle or its combination in any.

Those skilled in the art be to be further appreciated that various exemplary box, module, circuit and the algorithm steps described in conjunction with the application's invention all can be embodied as electronic hardware, computer software or its combination.In order clearly to represent the interchangeability between the hardware and software, above various exemplary parts, frame, module, circuit and step have all been carried out describe, in general terms around its function.Be embodied as hardware or be embodied as software as for this function, depend on specific application and design constraint that whole system applied.Those skilled in the art can be at each application-specific, realizes described function in the mode of accommodation, and still, this realization decision-making should not be construed as and deviates from protection scope of the present invention.

Be used to carry out general processor, digital signal processor (DSP), integrated circuit (IC), field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components or its combination in any of the described function of the application, can realize or carry out in conjunction with the described various exemplary logic diagrams of the application's invention, module and circuit.IC can be application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (ASIC), and IC can comprise one or more processors, memory or the like or its combination in any.General processor can be a microprocessor, and perhaps, this processor also can be processor, controller, microcontroller or the state machine of any routine.Processor also may be embodied as the combination of computing equipment, and for example, the combination of DSP and microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessor, one or more microprocessor combine with the DSP kernel, perhaps any other this kind structure.The device of realizing the application institute description technique can be IC, comprise the equipment of IC or one group of IC, above the hardware cell of describing any one or make up or the like.

Software module or its combination that can directly be presented as hardware, carry out by processor in conjunction with the step of described method of the application's invention or algorithm.Software module can be arranged in the storage medium of RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, eprom memory, eeprom memory, register, hard disk, mobile disk, CD-ROM or any other form known in the art.A kind of exemplary storage medium is connected to processor, thereby makes the processor can be from this read information, and can be to this storage medium writing information.Perhaps, storage medium also can be the part of processor.Processor and storage medium can be arranged in IC.This IC can be arranged in user terminal.Certainly, processor and storage medium also can be used as discrete assembly and are present in the user terminal.

For making those of ordinary skills can realize or use the present invention, be described around the present invention above.To those skilled in the art, all be conspicuous to various modifications of the present invention, and the general principles of the application's definition also can be applicable to other modification on the basis that does not break away from protection range of the present invention.Therefore, the present invention is not limited to described example of the application and design, but consistent with the widest scope of disclosed principle of the application and novel features.

Claims

1. device that is used for radio communication comprises:

At least a slice integrated circuit is used for:

Omnidirectional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter or directional antenna,

Use selected antenna to communicate;

Wherein, omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna of selecting to be used to communicate by letter comprises:

Select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and

By estimating that when a Target Station does not send or receives grouping each interference in a plurality of directional antennas selects directional antenna to send Frame or from described Target Station receiving data frames to described Target Station, and from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference.

2. device according to claim 1 also comprises:

A plurality of antenna elements can selectedly communicate as described omnidirectional antenna or described directional antenna.

3. device according to claim 1 also comprises:

First group of at least one antenna element of described omnidirectional antenna;

Second group of at least one antenna element of described directional antenna.

4. device according to claim 1 also comprises:

A plurality of antenna elements of described a plurality of directional antennas, wherein, described omnidirectional antenna is based on that described a plurality of antenna element forms.

5. device according to claim 1, wherein, select described directional antenna to comprise: selection has the directional antenna of the interference of minimum estimation from described a plurality of directional antennas.

6. device according to claim 1 wherein, selects described directional antenna to comprise: each directional antenna of not selecting the interference with too much estimation in described a plurality of directional antenna.

7. device according to claim 1 wherein, estimates that each the interference in described a plurality of directional antenna comprises: when described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, measure each the received power in the described directional antenna.

8. device according to claim 1, wherein, the described integrated circuit of a slice at least is used for:

Via selected directional antenna, send at least one Frame to described Target Station.

9. device according to claim 1, wherein, the described integrated circuit of a slice at least is used for:

Select data rate according to the transmission and the selected directional antenna that receive,

Via selected directional antenna with according to selected data rate, with described Target Station swap data.

10. device according to claim 9, wherein, the described integrated circuit of a slice at least is used for:

Estimate the received signal quality of described transmission,

Determine the difference between the antenna gain of the antenna gain of described omnidirectional antenna and selected directional antenna,

Select described data rate according to the difference between described received signal quality and the described antenna gain.

11. device according to claim 9, wherein, the described integrated circuit of a slice at least is used for:

Further select described data rate according to the interference of estimated selected directional antenna.

12. device according to claim 11, wherein, the described integrated circuit of a slice at least is used for:

Estimate the received signal quality of described transmission,

Interference according to estimated selected directional antenna reduces described received signal quality,

Select described data rate according to the received signal quality that is reduced.

13. one kind is used for method of wireless communication, comprises:

Omnidirectional antenna that selection is used to communicate by letter or directional antenna;

Use selected antenna to communicate;

Select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and

14. method according to claim 13 also comprises:

A plurality of antenna elements are provided, and described a plurality of antenna elements can selectedly communicate as described omnidirectional antenna or described directional antenna.

15. method according to claim 13 also comprises:

Provide first group of at least one antenna element, as described omnidirectional antenna;

Provide second group of at least one antenna element, as described directional antenna.

16. method according to claim 13 also comprises:

Provide a plurality of antenna elements as described a plurality of directional antennas;

Form described omnidirectional antenna based on described a plurality of antenna elements.

17. method according to claim 13 wherein, is used selected directional antenna to communicate and is comprised:

Via selected directional antenna, receive at least one Frame from described Target Station.

18. method according to claim 13 wherein, is used selected directional antenna to communicate and is comprised:

19. method according to claim 13 also comprises:

Select data rate according to the transmission and the selected directional antenna that receive;

20. method according to claim 19, wherein, the described data rate of described selection comprises:

Estimate the received signal quality of described transmission;

Determine the difference between the antenna gain of the antenna gain of described omnidirectional antenna and selected directional antenna;

21. method according to claim 19, wherein, the described data rate of described selection comprises:

22. method according to claim 21, wherein, the described data rate of described selection comprises:

Estimate the received signal quality of described transmission;

Interference according to estimated selected directional antenna reduces described received signal quality;

23. a device that is used for radio communication comprises:

Select module, select the omnidirectional antenna or the directional antenna that are used to communicate by letter;

Communication module uses selected antenna to communicate;

Wherein, described selection module comprises:

Omnidirectional antenna is selected module, is used to select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and

Directional antenna is selected module, be used for selecting directional antenna to send Frame or from described Target Station receiving data frames, and from described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference to described Target Station by each the interference of when a Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimating a plurality of directional antennas.

24. device according to claim 23 also comprises:

Be used to provide the module of a plurality of antenna elements, described a plurality of antenna elements can selectedly communicate as described omnidirectional antenna or described directional antenna.

25. device according to claim 23 also comprises:

Be used to provide the module of first group of at least one antenna element as described omnidirectional antenna;

Be used to provide the module of second group of at least one antenna element as described directional antenna.

26. device according to claim 23 also comprises:

Be used to provide the module of a plurality of antenna elements as described a plurality of directional antennas;

Form the module of described omnidirectional antenna based on described a plurality of antenna elements.

27. device according to claim 23, wherein, the module of using selected directional antenna to communicate comprises:

Be used for receiving from described Target Station the module of at least one Frame via selected directional antenna.

28. device according to claim 23, wherein, the module of using selected directional antenna to communicate comprises:

Be used for sending to described Target Station the module of at least one Frame via selected directional antenna.

29. device according to claim 23 also comprises:

Data rate is selected module, is used for selecting data rate according to the transmission and the selected directional antenna that receive;

Data exchange module is used for via selected directional antenna with according to selected data rate and described Target Station swap data.

30. device according to claim 29, wherein, described data rate selects module to comprise:

Be used to estimate the module of the received signal quality of described transmission;

Be used for determining the module of difference between the antenna gain of the antenna gain of described omnidirectional antenna and selected directional antenna;

Be used for selecting the module of described data rate according to the difference between described received signal quality and the described antenna gain.

31. device according to claim 29, wherein, described data rate selects module to comprise:

Be used for further selecting the module of described data rate according to the interference of estimated selected directional antenna.

32. device according to claim 31, wherein, described data rate selects module to comprise:

Be used for reducing the module of described received signal quality according to the interference of estimated selected directional antenna;

Be used for selecting the module of described data rate according to the received signal quality that is reduced.

33. a kind of access point in the wireless communication system comprises:

At least a slice integrated circuit is used for:

Use selected antenna to communicate;

A plurality of antenna elements can selectedly communicate as described omnidirectional antenna or described directional antenna;

Select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and

34. a kind of terminal in the wireless communication system comprises:

At least a slice integrated circuit is used for:

Use selected antenna to communicate;

User interface is used to show the data that receive via selected antenna;

Select described omnidirectional antenna to exchange control frame, and

35. a device that is used for radio communication comprises:

At least a slice integrated circuit is used for:

Send request via omnidirectional antenna to a Target Station and send the RTS frame,

When described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the interference in a plurality of directional antennas,

From described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference,

Send at least one Frame via selected directional antenna to described Target Station.

36. one kind is used for method of wireless communication, comprises:

Send request via omnidirectional antenna to a Target Station and send the RTS frame;

When described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the interference in a plurality of directional antennas;

From described a plurality of directional antennas, select directional antenna based on estimated interference;

37. a device that is used for radio communication comprises:

Be used for sending the module that request sends the RTS frame to a Target Station via omnidirectional antenna;

Be used for when described Target Station does not send or receives grouping, estimate each the module of interference in a plurality of directional antennas;

Be used for selecting from described a plurality of directional antennas the module of directional antenna based on estimated interference;

38. a device that is used for radio communication comprises:

At least a slice integrated circuit is used for:

Receive request via omnidirectional antenna from a Target Station and send the RTS frame,

Receive at least one Frame via selected directional antenna from described Target Station.

39. according to the described device of claim 38, wherein, the described integrated circuit of a slice at least is used for sending permission via described omnidirectional antenna and sends the CTS frame.

40. according to the described device of claim 38, wherein, the described integrated circuit of a slice at least is used for:

Determine received signal quality according to described RTS frame,

Select data rate based on described received signal quality and selected directional antenna,

According to selected data rate and described Target Station swap data.

41. according to the described device of claim 38, wherein, the described integrated circuit of a slice at least is used for:

In the duration of described RTS frame indication, use described directional antenna,

After the described duration, switch to described omnidirectional antenna.

42. one kind is used for method of wireless communication, comprises:

Receive request via omnidirectional antenna from a Target Station and send the RTS frame;

43., also comprise according to the described method of claim 42:

Send permission via described omnidirectional antenna and send the CTS frame.

44. a device that is used for radio communication comprises:

Be used for receiving the module that request sends the RTS frame from a Target Station via omnidirectional antenna;

45., also comprise according to the described device of claim 44:

Be used for sending the module that allows to send the CTS frame via described omnidirectional antenna.