CN114884541A

CN114884541A - System and method for disseminating radio heads

Info

Publication number: CN114884541A
Application number: CN202210479592.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯蒂芬·G·珀尔曼; 罗杰·万德拉恩; 法迪·赛比; 马里奥·迪迪欧; 艾伦·伊维斯; 班雅维特·杰拉苏塔雅桑托恩; 兰恩·费里曼; 安东尼奥·福伦扎
Original assignee: Rearden LLC
Current assignee: Rearden LLC
Priority date: 2016-10-27
Filing date: 2017-10-25
Publication date: 2022-08-09
Also published as: JP2020500468A; AU2022259748A1; JP2023033354A; EP3533213A1; CN109906598B; WO2018081271A1; KR20240105520A; EP3533213A4; MX2019004614A; KR20190069460A; JP2023157956A; JP7539538B2; IL265969B2; MX2022015825A; JP7336015B2; BR112019008589A2; IL265969B1; KR102681166B1; IL265969A; AU2017350850A1

Abstract

Systems and methods of establishing radio daisy chains for convenient and aesthetically pleasing high density radio deployments are described.

Description

System and method for disseminating radio heads

Related information of divisional application

The scheme is a divisional application. The parent of this division is the invention patent application with application date of 2017, 10/25, application number of 201780066182.4 entitled "system and method for disseminating radio heads".

Cross reference to related applications

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/413,944 entitled "systems and Methods For Distributing Radioheads" filed on 2016, 10, 27, as filed on pending filing.

This patent application is also a co-pending application, in part, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/682,076 entitled "Systems And Methods For suspending Interference with action Used Spectrum", filed on 2017, 8, 21, claiming the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/380,126 entitled "Systems And Methods For suspending Interference with action Used Spectrum", filed on 2016, 8, 26; U.S. patent application serial No. 15/682,076 filed on 8/21/2017, or a continuation-in-part application filed on 27/2015 3/14/672,014 entitled "Systems and Methods for Current Spectrum use with active Used Spectrum", claiming rights and priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/980,479 filed on 16/2014 4/2014 under the heading of "Systems and Methods for Current Spectrum use with active Used Spectrum".

The present patent application may be related to the following co-pending U.S. patent applications and U.S. provisional applications:

U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/380,126 entitled Systems and Methods for lubricating Interference with activity Used Spectrum

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/611,565 entitled "Systems and Methods for Mapping Virtual Radio Instances of internal Physical Areas of science in Distributed Antenna Wireless Systems

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/086,700 entitled "Systems and Methods for expanding Inter-cell Multiplexing Gain in Wireless cell System" System Via Distributed Input Distributed Output Technology

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/844,355 entitled "Systems and Methods for Radio Frequency Call amplification Channel Recirculation in Distributed Input Distributed Output Wireless Communications" is provided

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/797,984 entitled "Systems and Methods for expanding Inter-cell Multiplexing Gain in Wireless cell System" System Via Distributed Input Distributed Output Technology

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/797,971 entitled "Systems and Methods for expanding Inter-cell Multiplexing Gain in Wireless cell System" System Via Distributed Input Distributed Output Technology

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/797,950 entitled "Systems and Methods for expanding Inter-cell Multiplexing Gain in Wireless cell System" System Via Distributed Input Distributed Output Technology

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/233,006 entitled "System and Methods for plated evaluation and obsol science of Multi user Spectrum

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/232,996 entitled "Systems and Methods to extract Areas of science in Wireless Systems

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/802,989 entitled "System And Method For Managing Handoff Of A Client Between differential Distributed-Input-Distributed-output (DIDO) network Based On Detected vector Of The Client

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/802,988 entitled "Interference Management, Handoff, Power Control And Link addition In Distributed-Input Distributed-output (DIDO) Communication Systems

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/802,975 entitled "System And Method For Link adaptation In DIDO Multicarrier Systems

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/802,974 entitled "System And Method For Managing Inter-Cluster Handoff Of Clients Which trap Multiple DIDO Clusters

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/802,958 entitled System And Method For Power Control And content group In A Distributed-Input-Distributed-output (DIDO) Network

U.S. Pat. No. 13/9685,997 entitled "Systems and Methods to enhance spatial distribution in distributed-input distributed-output wireless Systems

U.S. Pat. No. 9,386,465 issued on 2016, 7,5 and entitled System and Method For Distributed Antenna Wireless Communications

U.S. Pat. No. 9,369,888 issued on 2016, 6, 14 And entitled "Systems And Methods To associated transactions In Distributed Wireless Systems Via User Clusting

U.S. Pat. No. 9,312,929 entitled "System and Methods to Compensate for Doppler Effects in Distributed-Input Distributed Output Systems", entitled "System and Methods", entitled "United states patent application Ser. No. 4, 4 and 12 days 2016

U.S. Pat. No. 8,989,155 granted on 24/3/2015 entitled "Systems and Methods for Wireless Back in Distributed-Input Distributed-Output Wireless Systems

U.S. Pat. No. 8,971,380 issued On 3.3.2015 to 3.3 of System and Method for Adjusting DIDO Interference basis On Signal Strength Measurements

U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,815 issued on 2.18.2014 entitled "System and Method for Distributed Input Wireless Communications" and issued on 2.18.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,571,086 entitled "System and Method for DIDO Precoding Interpolation in Multicarrier Systems" entitled, "U.S. Pat. No. 10,2013, 29

U.S. Pat. No. 8,542,763 issued on 24/9/2013 and entitled "Systems and Methods To coordinated Transmissions In Distributed Wireless Systems Via User Clusting

U.S. Pat. No. 8,428,162 granted on 23/4/2013 entitled "System and Method for Distributed Input Distributed Output Wireless Communications" entitled System and Method

U.S. Pat. No. 8,170,081 issued On 5/1/2012 of the title "System And Method For adding DIDO Interference Based On Signal Strength Measurements

U.S. patent No. 8,160,121, entitled "System and Method for Distributed Input-Distributed Output Wireless Communications," granted on month 4, 2012, 17;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,885,354, 8/2/2011, entitled "System and Method For Enhancing Near Vertical incorporation Skywave (" NVIS ") Communication Using Space-Time Coding".

U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,030, 5/4/2010, entitled "System and Method For Spatial-Multiplexed Tropsophilic Scattercommunications";

U.S. patent No. 7,636,381 entitled "System and Method for Distributed Input Distributed Output Wireless Communication," granted 12 months and 22 days 2009;

U.S. patent No. 7,633,994 entitled "System and Method for Distributed Input Distributed Output Wireless Communication," granted 12 months and 15 days 2009;

U.S. patent No. 7,599,420 entitled "System and Method for Distributed Input Distributed Output Wireless Communication," granted on 10/6 th of 2009;

U.S. patent No. 7,418,053 entitled System and Method for Distributed Input Distributed Output Wireless Communication, granted on 26.2008.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to wireless communications. In particular, the present application relates to antenna systems.

Background

As the density of wireless communication systems steadily grows, radio deployment becomes increasingly difficult. There are challenges in finding the physical location where the radio is held, making a backhaul network (backhaul) and/or a fronthaul network (fronthaul), as used herein, which refers to the communication infrastructure that transmits radio signals in some form to the radio head, as opposed to a "backhaul network," as used herein, which transmits user data to a base station that generates radio waveforms to send the user data. With well-known cellular systems (e.g., LTE, UMTS) or well-known interference avoidance systems (e.g., Wi-Fi) to optimize performance and frequency reuse, base station or antenna planning requires that radios be deployed in certain locations for coverage and avoided in other locations to mitigate interference. Then, even assuming that technical problems can be overcome, there are still local and national government restrictions on the radio and antenna arrangements, for example, coming from considerations of the visual appearance of the radio and antenna. Even if the radio or antenna meets government approved standards, the approval process can be very slow, sometimes taking years to obtain approval for antenna deployment.

Throughout the history of radio communications, there have been a number of different methods of deploying radios and antennas, depending on the type of radio technology (e.g., satellite, mobile, television, etc.), the frequency of transmission (e.g., HF, VHF, UHF, microwave, millimeter wave, etc.), and the direction of transmission (e.g., omni-directional, high gain, or narrow beam, etc.). In addition, aesthetic considerations have often come into play, from the simple task of painting radios and antennas to match their surroundings, to the delicate task of modelling cellular towers into what appears to be a palm tree.

Since achieving optimal performance in conventional cellular and interference avoidance networks requires placing radios and antennas according to a particular plan (e.g., not too far apart so that coverage is lost, and not too close to avoid inter-cell interference), these requirements often conflict with other constraints, such as the availability of solutions to be deployed at the site and backhaul and/or fronthaul networks. Also, in many cases (e.g., historic buildings), there is no acceptable radio or antenna solution because the government will not permit anything on or near the historic building that will change the appearance of the building.

Radios and antennas have been placed on towers, roofs, utility poles, and on ropes between power lines and utility poles. Radios and antennas have been placed in the ceiling, on walls, on shelves, on desktops, etc. of indoor locations. Radios are also placed on structural components within the venue, under chairs, etc. Specialized antennas such as "leaky feeders" (described below) have been placed in tunnels. In short, the radio and antenna have been placed anywhere that is imaginable.

Examples of background art directed to attaching radios and antennas to power lines include those disclosed in US 7,862,837, US 8,780,901, and US 2014/0286444, and background art directed to attaching radios and antennas to utility poles includes those of Metricom Ricochet packet communications networks, for example, as disclosed in US 7,068,630.

Utility poles

400 or 401, such as shown in background art figure 4, are often divided into two zones, one zone being generally the higher zone, which may be referred to as "supply space," where electrical power lines are transmitted on-line, such as in the zone of cross-arm 403. One zone is generally the lower zone, this zone in which workers can safely attach communications cables and devices, referred to as the "communications space," with the communications cables and devices in this zone in background art fig. 5 shown at the height of cross-arm 402.

Some background art systems place radios and/or antennas in the supply zone on poles, as shown by radios and/or

antennas

410 and 411 in fig. 4, and/or place radios and/or antennas on the power lines themselves, as shown by radios and/or

antennas

420 and 421.

Some background systems place radios and/or antennas in the communication zones on poles, as shown by radios and/or

antennas

550 and 551 in fig. 5, and/or place radios and/or antennas on the cable (often a communication cable) cords between poles, as shown by radios and/or

antennas

540 and 541. The backhaul network or the fronthaul network may be transported over a communications cable 531, typically electrical (e.g., copper) or fiber, often protected by an insulating or outer tube 530, and often structurally supported from a mechanically strong cable 532, often made of braided steel. Sometimes, the radio is attached to a pole and/or cabling and the radio is coupled to an antenna on the pole or cabling, or embedded in the radio, as shown in figure 5. In some background art systems, the radio often draws power from the power line through a step-down power supply 561 and measures through a power meter 560 so that the cost of use of providing power through the power utility can be assessed. Radios such as 550 and 551 may also be used for the backhaul network or the fronthaul network.

Fig. 6 shows a background art configuration in which the antenna and/or radio is on a lamppost. As used herein, lampposts are poles with no overhead power or communication cables between them.

Antennas

601 and 602 may be coupled to

radios

611 and 612, or the antenna and radio may be in the same housing, and thus no

separate radio

611 or 612 is required. Backhaul or fronthaul network cabling (e.g., copper or fiber) may be conveyed through underground piping 630 (shown in phantom to indicate that the piping is underground and not visible), or backhaul or fronthaul network may be transmitted through wireless links between lampposts. If the backhaul or forwarding network is underground, it is typically transported from the underground pipe through the interior of the lamppost (e.g., if the lamppost is metallic or hollow), or as shown at 621 and 622, up through the pipe or tube from the ground to the side of the lamppost, through the

radios

611 and 612, or directly to the top of the lamppost. The method of using underground pipes for the return network or the forward network as shown for the lamppost in fig. 6 may also be applied to utility poles as shown in fig. 4 and 5, where cabling is delivered from the underground pipes through the inside of the utility pole (e.g., if the pole is metallic and hollow) or through pipes or tubes from the ground up to the side of the pole.

The backhaul network and/or the fronthaul network (whether to radios on poles or radios placed anywhere) may provide radio through a variety of media, including coaxial cable, fiber, line-of-sight wireless, non-line-of-sight wireless, etc. Various protocols can be used through the media, including ethernet, Common Public Radio Interface ("CPRI"), Multimedia Over Coax Alliance ("MoCA"), Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification ("DOCSIS"), Broadband Over Power Line ("BPL"), etc.

A wide variety of switches, splitters, hubs can be used to distribute wired (e.g., copper, fiber, etc.) communications. Analog splitters are often used to distribute coaxial connections (e.g., to distribute DOCSIS and/or MoCA data). Power socket couplings may be used to distribute BPL. Ethernet switches and hubs are often used to distribute copper and fiber ethernet connections. For convenience, many radios made for home or commercial applications have a built-in switch to pass through the ethernet network so that if the radio plugs into an ethernet cable, another ethernet socket on the radio is available for plugging in other devices.

Another background technology that has been used to distribute wireless connectivity via cables is referred to as "leaky feeders" or "leaky cables. Leaky feeders are cables that transmit wireless signals, but intentionally leak and absorb wireless radiation through the side of the cable. Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary background art leaky cable 700. The leaky cable is very similar to the coaxial cable in that it has an insulating and protective sheath 701, an outer conductor 702 (e.g., copper foil), a dielectric 704 (e.g., dielectric foam), and an inner conductor 705 (e.g., copper metal wire). However, unlike coaxial cables, there is a hole 703 in the outer conductor 702 that allows this wireless radiation to propagate out or into the leaky feeder 700.

Leaky feeders are often used in tunnels or wells (e.g., mining tunnels, subway tunnels) where the leaky feeder is attached to the side of the tunnel or well to run along the length of the tunnel or well. As such, regardless of where the user is located in a tunnel or well, the user will have wireless connectivity to nearby portions of the leaky feeder. Because leaky feeders leak wireless energy, leaky feeders often have radio frequency amplifiers that are periodically inserted to boost the signal power. Background art MIMO techniques can be used to increase capacity if two or more leaky feeders are laid together.

Leaky feeder deployment is convenient and fast because it is just like deploying cabling, where amplifiers are deployed only periodically between leaky feeder lengths to repeatedly recover signal magnitude.

The fundamental limitation of a leaky feeder is that the entire leaky feeder cabling length shares the same channel. Thus, users at the end of a leaky feeder share the channel with users at the middle of the leaky feeder and users at that end of the leaky feeder. While this may be acceptable in applications where users are sparsely dispersed along the length of the leaky feeder or where users have low data capacity requirements (e.g. for voice communications in mining tunnels or wells), it is not suitable in applications where there is a high density of users and/or where users have high data capacity requirements, since users throughout the entire length of the leaky feeder will share the same channel despite the fact that users are very far apart. Thus, while leaky feeder deployment is convenient and fast, it is because leaky feeder deployment is like deploying cabling with periodic amplifiers to provide deployment operational coverage against a dense density.

Regardless of the background used to deploy radios and/or antennas, and how to deploy backhaul or fronthaul networks, as mentioned, current wireless systems face a dense challenge. No good general purpose solution to provide high efficiency and reliable coverage and consistency of service is easy and quick to deploy and avoids being unsightly and/or subject to government restrictions. The following teachings address these issues.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present application provides a wireless system comprising: a first and a second interspersed wireless transceivers enclosed within a tube; a first wired connection and a second wired connection, the first wired connection and the second wired connection passing through the tube; wherein the first wired connection transmits/receives digital baseband data to/from the first interspersed wireless transceiver and the second wired connection transmits/receives digital baseband data to/from the second interspersed wireless transceiver, wherein the first interspersed wireless transceiver and the second interspersed wireless transceiver convert the digital baseband data to Radio Frequency (RF) signals, and wherein the digital baseband data comprises a pre-coded waveform and the RF waveforms are simultaneously transmitted or received from the first interspersed wireless transceiver and the second interspersed wireless transceiver to coherently sum in a manner to establish a plurality of mutually non-interfering wireless communication links for a plurality of User Equipment (UEs) wherein each UE simultaneously receives only its own data source in the same wireless spectrum without interfering while transmitting to other UEs The data sent.

In another aspect, the present application provides a method for transmitting/receiving a wireless signal, comprising: enclosing first and second interspersed wireless transceivers within a tube, threading first and second wired connections through the tube, and transmitting/receiving digital baseband data to/from the first interspersed wireless transceiver via the first wired connection, and transmitting/receiving digital baseband data to/from the second interspersed wireless transceiver via the second wired connection, wherein the first and second interspersed wireless transceivers convert the digital baseband data to Radio Frequency (RF) signals, and wherein the digital baseband data comprises precoded waveforms and simultaneously transmits or receives the RF waveforms from the first and second interspersed wireless transceivers to coherently sum in a manner to establish UEs for a plurality of user equipment devices (UEs) A plurality of non-interfering wireless communication links, wherein each UE simultaneously receives data only for its own data source in the same wireless spectrum without interfering with data simultaneously transmitted to other UEs.

Drawings

A preferred understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates distributed input distributed output ("DIDO") (now under the brand name pCell) ^TM ) The general framework of radio access networks (DRAN) and other multi-user multi-antenna system (MU-MAS) networks,

fig. 2a and 2b show the protocol stack of a Virtual Radio Instance (VRI) in accordance with the OSI model and the LTE standard.

FIG. 3 shows adjacent DRANs to extend DIDO (now under the brand name pCell) ^TM ) Wireless networks, and other MU-MAS networks.

Figure 4 is a background diagrammatic illustration of a utility pole having a radio and/or antenna in the "supply space".

Figure 5 is a background diagrammatic illustration of a utility pole having a radio and/or antenna in a "communication space".

Fig. 6 is a background art graphical illustration of a lamppost with a radio and/or antenna.

Fig. 7 is a background art graphical illustration of a leaky feeder.

Fig. 8a shows a coaxial cable embodiment of a radio daisy chain.

Fig. 8b shows a twisted pair embodiment of a radio daisy chain.

Fig. 8c shows a fibre embodiment of a radio daisy chain.

Fig. 8d shows a combined coaxial and twisted pair embodiment of a radio daisy chain.

Fig. 9a illustrates an embodiment of an architecture of a daisy-chained radio, which shows the basic architecture.

Fig. 9b illustrates an embodiment of an architecture of a daisy-chained radio, showing timing dispersion.

Fig. 9c illustrates an embodiment of an architecture of a daisy-chained radio, which illustrates power spreading.

Fig. 9d shows an embodiment of the architecture of a daisy-chained radio, which shows RF spreading.

Fig. 9e shows an embodiment of the architecture of a daisy-chained radio, showing the daisy-chained network implemented through a splitter.

Fig. 10a shows an embodiment of a daisy-chained radio with a sleeve or tube.

Fig. 10b shows an embodiment of a daisy-chained radio with a sleeve or tube containing one or more through cables.

Fig. 10c shows an embodiment with a daisy-chain radio with a sleeve or tube with one or more through-going cables and a support strand.

Fig. 10d shows an embodiment of a daisy-chained radio with a sleeve or tube with one or more through-going cables and a supporting strand with a data coupler and/or a power coupler.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a utility pole with daisy-chained radios.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of a lamppost with daisy-chain radios.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration of a building with daisy-chained radios.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of a daisy-chained radio in a non-straight deployment pattern.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic illustration of a daisy-chained radio in an array.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic illustration of daisy-chained radios deployed in a cloud radio access network.

Detailed Description

One solution to overcome many of the above background limitations is to utilize daisy-chained networks and power cables and small distributed radio heads in multi-user multi-antenna systems (MU-MAS). By making the radio heads very small, the radio heads can be made physically no larger than cabling, thus making the daisy-chain radio installation similar to a cable installation. Not only is cable installation often simpler than antenna or radio installation, but cable deployment often does not require government approval or, in most cases, is more readily approved than deploying large antennas or large radio enclosures. Furthermore, cables may often be partially or completely hidden from view in terms of aesthetics, while it may be more difficult or impractical to hide well-known radios and/or antennas.

Furthermore, in the embodiments detailed below, spectral efficiency may be greatly increased by implementing one or two networks using distributed input distributed output ("DIDO") techniques as described in the following patents, patent applications, and provisional applications, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present patent and incorporated by reference. These patents, applications, and provisional applications are sometimes collectively referred to herein as "related patents and applications".

U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/380,126 entitled Systems and Methods for lubricating Interference with activity Used Spectrum.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/672,014 entitled "Systems And Methods For Current Spectrum use with Activity Used Spectrum".

U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/980,479, filed on 16/4/2014, entitled "Systems And Methods For Current Spectrum use with Actively Used Spectrum".

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/802,958 entitled System And Method For Power Control And Antenna group In amplified-Input-Distributed-output (DIDO) Network

U.S. Pat. No. 13/9685997 entitled "Systems and Methods to enhance spatial distribution in distributed-input distributed-output wireless Systems

US patent No. 8,989,155 entitled "Systems and Methods for Wireless Back in Distributed-Input Distributed-Output Wireless Systems", entitled, "US patent No. 2015 3, 24

U.S. Pat. No. 8,571,086 entitled "System and Method for DIDO Precoding Interpolation in Multicarrier Systems" entitled, "10 months and 29 days of 2013

1. System and method for disseminating radio heads

1.1 MU-MAS System improved by embodiments of the present invention

The preferred embodiment of the present invention improves the multi-user multi-antenna System described in U.S. application serial No. 14/611,565 entitled System and Method for Distributed Input Distributed Wireless Communication, which is a partially-continuing application of this application, and other related patents and applications, and its counterparts in other national applications. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and the next six paragraphs describing such figures correspond to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and paragraph [ 0074-.

The preferred embodiments improve systems and methods for transferring multiple simultaneous non-interfering data streams within the same frequency band between a network and multiple coherent regions in a wireless link via Virtual Radio Instance (VRI). In one embodiment, the system is a multiuser multiple antenna system (MU-MAS) as depicted in FIG. 1. The color coding (using patterns, not colors) unit in fig. 1 shows a one-to-one mapping between the data source 101, VRI 106 and coherent region 103 as described below.

In fig. 1, the data source 101 is a data file or stream carrying web content, or a file in a local or remote server, such as text, image, sound, video, or a combination thereof. One or more data files or streams are sent or received between the network 102 and each coherent segment 103 in the wireless link 110. In one embodiment, the network is the internet or any wireline or wireless local area network.

A coherence region (area of coherence) is a volume in space in which the waveforms from different antennas of a MU-MAS add coherently in such a way that only the data output 112 of one VRI is received within that coherence region without any interference from other data outputs from other VRIs sent simultaneously on the same wireless link.In this patent application, we use the phrase "Coherence region" to describe the term as our previous patent application [ U.S. application Ser. No. 13/232,996 entitled "Systems and Methods to explicit Areas of Coherence in Wireless Systems]The coherent volume or personal cell described in (e.g., "pCels ^TM "103). In one embodiment, the coherence zone corresponds to the location of User Equipment (UE)111 or subscribers of the wireless network such that each subscriber is associated with one or more data sources 101. The size and shape of the coherent regions may vary depending on the propagation conditions and the type of MU-MAS precoding technique used to generate such coherent regions. In one embodiment of the present invention, while delivering content to users with good link reliability, the MU-MAS precoder dynamically adjusts the size and shape of the coherent region to adapt to changing propagation conditions.

A data source 101 is first sent to a DIDO Radio Access Network (DRAN)104 via a network 102. The DRAN then converts the data files or streams into a data format that can be received by the UE and sends such data files or streams to multiple coherence regions simultaneously, so that each UE receives its own data file or stream without interference from other data files or streams sent to other UEs. The DRAN consists of a gateway 105 that interfaces between the network and the VRI 106. The VRI converts the packets routed by the gateway into a data stream 112 that is either raw data or in a packet or frame structure, such data stream being fed to the MU-MAS baseband unit. In one embodiment, the VRI includes an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocol stack consisting of several layers: application layer, presentation layer, talk layer, transport layer, network layer, data link layer, and physical layer, as depicted in fig. 2 a. In another embodiment, the VRI includes only a subset of OSI layers.

In another embodiment, the VRIs are defined by different wireless standards. For example, but not by way of limitation, the first VRI consists of a protocol stack from the GSM standard, the second VRI from the 3G standard, the third VRI from the HSPA + standard, the fourth VRI from the LTE standard, and the fifth VRI from the LTE-a standard and the sixth VRI from the Wi-Fi standard. In an exemplary embodiment, the VRI includes a control plane or user plane protocol stack defined by the LTE standard. The user plane protocol stack is shown in figure 2 b. Each UE 202 communicates with its own VRI204 through PHY, MAC, RLC, and PDCP layers, with the gateway 203 being through the IP layer and the network 205 being through the application layer. For the control plane protocol stack, the UE also communicates directly with the mobility management physical (MME) through the NAS (as defined in the LTE standard stack) layer.

The Virtual Connection Manager (VCM)107 is responsible for assigning PHY layer identification (e.g., cell specific radio network temporary identifier, RNTI), VRI, and authentication and mobility of the UE for the UE. The data stream 112 at the output of the VRI is fed to a Virtual Radio Manager (VRM) 108. The VRM includes scheduler units (which schedule DL (downlink) and UL (uplink) packets for different UEs), baseband units (e.g., including FEC encoders/decoders, modulators/demodulators, resource grid establishers), and MU-MAS baseband processors (including precoding methods). In one embodiment, the data stream 112 is the I/Q samples at the output of the PHY layer in FIG. 2b, such samples are processed by the MU-MAS baseband processor. In a different embodiment, the data stream 112 is a MAC, RLC or PDCP packet sent to a scheduler unit that forwards such packets to the baseband unit. The baseband unit converts the packets into I/Q that are fed to the MU-MAS baseband processor.

The MU-MAS baseband processor is the core of the VRM, which converts M I/Q samples from M VRIs into N data streams 113 sent to N Access Points (APs) 109. In one embodiment, the data stream 113 is I/Q samples of N waveforms transmitted from the AP 109 over the wireless link 110. In this embodiment, the AP is comprised of an analog to digital/digital to analog ("ADC/DAC"), a radio frequency ("RF") chain, and an antenna. In a different embodiment, the data stream 113 is bits of information and MU-MAS precoding information that are combined at the AP to produce N waveforms that are sent over the wireless link 110. In this embodiment, each AP is equipped with a central processing unit ("CPU"), digital signal processor ("DSP") and/or system on a chip ("SoC") to perform additional baseband processing prior to the ADC/DAC unit.

1.2 daisy chained radios over coax

FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d show several preferred embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 8a shows an embodiment in which the radio 801 is a wireless transceiver. Each end of radio 801 has a connector (such as, but not limited to, F-type, BNC, SMA, etc.) that is couplable on the left to a coaxial cable (such as, but not limited to, RG-6, RG-59, triaxial, biaxial, semi-rigid, 50 ohm, 75 ohm, etc.) 841 through connector 845 and on the right to a coaxial cable 842 through connector 846. A smaller diagrammatic illustration of the radio 801 is shown below the larger diagrammatic illustration. As can be seen in this smaller illustration (with most of the details removed), radio 801 may be daisy-chained on the left with radio 800 through coaxial cable 841 and on the right with radio 802 through coaxial cable 842. Radio 802 is then daisy-chained to the right with radio 803. In this illustration, radio 803 is shown at the end of the daisy chain. Radio 800 and coaxial cable 840 are shown at the beginning of the daisy chain, which may be used to connect to, but are not limited to, more radios, power, data connections, networks, computing resources and/or RF signals, and/or other digital or analog signals. The

radios

800, 801, 802, 803 and/or additional radios coupled to this daisy chain may be largely the same or similar structure and/or configuration radios, or such radios may be quite different in structure and/or configuration.

The daisy chain of coaxial cables may use any standard or proprietary network protocol including, but not limited to, MoCA, ethernet, and/or DOCSIS, among others.

Turning again to the larger diagrammatic illustration (including details) of the radio 801 above the daisy chain, in one embodiment, the radio 801 has one or more antennas 890, which may be internal or external to the radio 801 housing. The antenna(s) may be any type of antenna including, but not limited to, a patch antenna, a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, a printed circuit board ("PCB") antenna, a yagi antenna, etc. In one embodiment, there is a single antenna 890. In another embodiment, there are more than one antenna 890, and another embodiment at least two antennas 890 are cross-polarized with respect to each other. In another embodiment, an antenna or antenna 890 is external to the radio 801 and coupled to one or more connectors 891, which may be coaxial connectors or other conductive connectors, or may be through non-conductive connectors, including (but not limited to) RF or inductive connections. An external antenna may also be coupled to the radio 801 without coupling through a connector, including (but not limited to) via a fixed wired connection.

In one embodiment, the radio 801 receives power (in the form of DC or AC power) from an external power source coupled through one or both

coaxial cables

841 or 842. In another embodiment, the radio 801 receives power from an external power source coupled to a connector 892, which may be any type of connector including, but not limited to, a DC or AC power connector (e.g., EIAJ-01, EIAJ-02, EIAJ-03, EIAJ-04, EIAJ-05, Molex connector, etc.). In another embodiment, the radio 801 conductively receives power without a connector, including (but not limited to) through a wired connection. In another embodiment, the radio 801 receives power wirelessly, including but not limited to, receiving power wirelessly through a rectenna, through an inductive coupling, through an antenna 890, through an external antenna, through a photovoltaic cell, or through other wireless transmission means.

In one embodiment, the radio 801 receives and/or transmits timing signals, calibration signals, and/or analog or digital signals (collectively, "additional signals") coupled through one or more connectors 893. Such timing signals may include, but are not limited to, frequency, pulses per second "PPS", synchronization, and/or global positioning satellite ("GPS") signals. Such calibration signals may include, but are not limited to, one or more of power level information, channel state information, power information, RF channel information, and/or predistortion information in analog and/or digital form. In one embodiment, these additional signals are received and/or transmitted wirelessly. In one embodiment, these additional signals are received and/or transmitted via coaxial cables 841 and/or 842. In one embodiment, these additional signals are transmitted and/or received from the radio 801. In one embodiment, such additional signals are transmitted and/or received from one or more external devices. In one embodiment, the one or more external devices are one or more additional radios in the MU-MAS. In one embodiment, the one or more external devices are one or more user devices in the MU-MAS. In one embodiment, the one or more external devices are one or more devices that are not radios in the MU-MAS.

1.3 daisy chained radios over twisted pair cables

Fig. 8b shows an embodiment of a wireless transceiver in which radio 811 is similar to radio 801 disclosed above, except that each end of radio 811 has a network connector 855 and 856 (such as, but not limited to, RJ-45, RJ-11 connectors), with such network connectors coupled to twisted pair cables (such as, but not limited to, category 3, category 4, category 5e, category 6a, telephone lines, etc.), with the exception that such twisted pair cables would then be connected to twisted pair cable 851 through connector 855 on the left and to twisted pair cable 852 through connector 856 on the right.

The daisy chain of twisted pair cables may use any standard or proprietary network protocol including, but not limited to, ethernet.

A smaller illustration of the radio 811 is shown below the larger illustration. As can be seen in this smaller illustration (with most of the details removed), radio 811 may be daisy-chained with radio 810 through twisted-pair cable 851 on the left and with radio 812 through twisted-pair cable 852 on the right. Radio 812 is then daisy chained to the right with radio 813. In this illustration, radio 813 is shown at the end of the daisy chain. The radio 810 and twisted pair cable 850 are shown at the beginning of the daisy chain, the twisted pair cable may be used to connect to, but not limited to, more radios, power, data connections, networks, computational resources and/or RF signals, and/or other digital or analog signals.

Radios

810, 811, 812, 813 and/or additional radios coupled to this daisy chain may be largely the same or similar structure and/or configuration radios, or such radios may be quite different in structure and/or configuration.

Turning again to a larger schematic illustration (including details) of the radio 811 above the daisy chain, the radio has connectors and features similar to those described above for radio 801. In other embodiments, the radio 811 has: one or more antennas 890, which may be internal or external to the radio 811 housing; and one or more antenna connectors 891, as detailed above with respect to the radio 801.

In one embodiment, the radio 811 receives power (in the form of DC or AC power) from an external power source coupled through one or both twisted

pair cables

851 or 852. In other embodiments, radio 811 receives power from an external power source coupled to connector 892 and/or wirelessly, as detailed above with respect to radio 801.

In one embodiment, the radio 811 receives and/or transmits additional signals coupled through one or more connectors 812. In one embodiment, these additional signals are received and/or transmitted wirelessly. In one embodiment, these additional signals are received and/or transmitted over twisted pairs 851 and/or 852. In one embodiment, these additional signals are transmitted and/or received from radio 811. In other embodiments, such additional signals are transmitted and/or received from one or more external devices, as detailed above with respect to radio 801.

1.4 radio daisy chained via fiber Cable

Fig. 8c shows an embodiment in which radio 821 is a wireless transceiver similar to

radios

801 and 811 disclosed above, except that each end of radio 821 has a network connector 865 and 866 (such as, but not limited to, ST, DC, SC, LC, MU, MT-RJ, MPO connectors), such network connectors are coupled to a fiber cable (such as, but not limited to, multimode, single mode, etc.), and such fiber cable would then be connected to fiber cable 861 through connector 865 on the left and to fiber cable 862 through connector 866 on the right.

The daisy-chain of fiber cables may use any standard or proprietary network protocol including, but not limited to, ethernet networks and/or common public radio interfaces ("CPRI"), etc.

A smaller diagrammatic illustration of the radio 821 is shown below the larger diagrammatic illustration. As can be seen in this smaller illustration (with most of the details removed), the radio 821 may be daisy-chained to the radio 820 on the left through fiber cable 861 and to the radio 822 on the right through fiber cable 863. And, radio 822 is then daisy-chained to the right with radio 823. In this illustration, radio 823 is shown at the end of the daisy chain. Radio 820 and fiber cable 860 are shown at the beginning of the daisy chain, which can be used to connect to, but are not limited to, more radios, power, data connections, networks, computing resources and/or RF signals, and/or other digital or analog signals.

Radios

820, 821, 822, 823 and/or additional radios coupled to this daisy chain may be largely the same or similar structure and/or configuration radios, or such radios may be quite different in structure and/or configuration.

Turning again to the larger schematic illustration (including details) of the radio 821 above the daisy chain, which has connectors and features similar to those described above for

radios

801 and 811. In other embodiments, the radio 811 has: one or more antennas 890, which may be internal or external to the radio 811 housing; and one or more antenna connectors 891, as detailed above with respect to the radio 801.

In one embodiment, the radio 821 receives power from an external power source coupled from light transmitted through one or two

fiber cables

861 or 862 and converted to power (such as, but not limited to, conversion via photovoltaic cells or rectennas in response to light wavelengths). In other embodiments, radio 821 receives power from an external power source coupled to connector 892 and/or wirelessly, as detailed above with respect to radio 801.

In one embodiment, the radio 821 receives and/or transmits additional signals coupled through one or more connectors 893. In one embodiment, these additional signals are received and/or transmitted wirelessly. In one embodiment, these additional signals are received and/or transmitted over fiber cables 861 and/or 862. In one embodiment, these additional signals are transmitted and/or received from the radio 821. In other embodiments, such additional signals are transmitted and/or received from one or more external devices, as detailed above with respect to radio 801.

1.5 radios daisy chained using more than one type of cable

Comparing

radios

801, 811, and 821, it can be seen that such radios are quite similar in structure, with one difference being: in the case of radio 801, such daisy-chained cables are coaxial cables; in the case of radio 811, such daisy-chained cables are twisted pair cables; in the case of radio 821, such daisy-chained cables are fiber cables. Comparing coaxial cables to twisted pair cables, coaxial cables and twisted pair cables share many similarities with respect to electrical characteristics, including, but not limited to, the ability to transmit DC or AC power and the ability to transmit RF signals. Depending on the particular type of coaxial or twisted pair cable, the cable may differ with respect to electrical or RF characteristics in, but not limited to, efficiency of transmitting different DC or AC voltages or currents, efficiency of transmitting different wavelengths of RF radiation, cable leakage at different wavelengths of RF radiation, impedance at different frequencies, resistance to DC, number of conductors in the cable, and signal power that may be transmitted.

Comparing fiber cables to twisted pair cables or coaxial cables, the main difference is that fiber cables transmit optical radiation wavelengths and are not conductive for transmitting electrical power or RF radiation wavelengths (e.g., at wavelengths below the optical radiation wavelengths that the fiber cables are designed to transmit). Different types of fibers transmit different wavelengths of optical radiation of different characteristics, but as a data transmission medium, fiber cables typically experience less signal quality loss (such as, but not limited to, signal-to-noise ratio ("SNR")) for a given distance than coaxial or twisted pair cables, making it feasible to maintain high signal quality for fiber cables over long distances, and impractical for coaxial or twisted pair cables. In addition, in practice, fibers typically transmit larger bandwidth and higher data rate signals than coaxial or twisted pair cables. The fiber cable may be fabricated in the same cable sleeve as a conductive cable, such as, but not limited to, a coaxial cable, a twisted pair cable, or other conductive cable, so that the conductively coupled electrical power and/or RF radiation wavelengths may be transmitted simultaneously with the optical radiation on the fiber. Alternatively, upon deployment, the fiber cable may be tied or wrapped with the conductive cable to achieve a similar result.

Furthermore, different particular cables have different physical characteristics, which may be relevant in different deployment cases. Cables vary in thickness, weight, flexibility, durability, flame retardant capability, cost, and the like. The selection of which type of cable (coaxial, twisted pair, or fiber) to use, and within each type of cabling, the particular selection of which type of cabling (such as, but not limited to, RG-6, RG-89, category 5e, category 6, multi-mode single mode, etc.) and connectors ((but not limited to) F-type, BNC, RJ-45, RJ-11, ST, DC) to use in daisy-chained

radios

801, 811, and/or 821, may be determined based on a number of factors, including (but not limited to): what cabling has been placed in place at the installation station; the cost of cabling; the length of the cabling; the size, cost, power consumption, heat dissipation, performance characteristics of the

radios

801, 811, 821, or 831; aesthetic considerations; environmental considerations; regulatory requirements; and the like.

In some cases, more than one type of cable characteristic for a daisy chain may be desired for a given radio. In one embodiment, shown in fig. 8d, the radio 831 uses two or more types of cables for daisy chaining. Radio 831 has two different types of connectors on each side to accommodate two different types of cables,

connectors

875 and 876 are coaxial cable connectors, and

connectors

885 and 886 are twisted pair connectors. A coaxial cable 871 and a twisted-pair cable 881 are connected to the left, and a coaxial cable 872 and a twisted-pair cable 882 are connected to the right. In another embodiment, one or other of the connectors is a fiber connector to which the fiber cable is attached. In another embodiment, one, some, or all of the daisy-chained connectors on

radios

801, 811, 821, or 831 are for different types of cables. In another embodiment, one, some, or all of the daisy chain connectors on

radios

801, 811, 821, or 831 are connectors for modules containing physical layer transceivers and connectors to which twisted pair cables, fiber cables, coaxial cables, or some other form of cable can be connected, such as, but not limited to, a small form factor pluggable ("SFP") module.

A smaller illustration of the radio 831 is shown below a larger illustration. As can be seen in this smaller illustration (with most of the details removed), radio 831 may be daisy-chained with radio 830 on the left through

cables

871 and 881 and with

radios

872 and 832 on the right through cable 882. And, radio 832 is then daisy-chained to the right with radio 833. In this illustrative illustration, radio 833 is shown at the end of the daisy chain. Radio 830 and

cables

870 and 880 are shown at the beginning of the daisy chain, the cables may be used to connect to, but are not limited to, more radios, power, data connections, networks, computing resources and/or RF signals, and/or other digital or analog signals.

Radios

830, 831, 832, 833 and/or additional radios coupled to this daisy chain can be largely the same or similar structure and/or configuration radios, or such radios can be quite different in structure and/or configuration. Similarly, embodiments of

radios

801, 811, 821 or 831 including daisy-chained connectors such as described in the preceding paragraphs may be daisy-chained together. Antenna couplings (such as described above with antenna 890, connector 891, or as described through other means), power couplings (such as described above with connector 892, or as described through other means), and/or additional signal couplings (such as described above with connector 893, or as described through other means) are suitable for embodiments of

radios

801, 811, 821, or 831 including a daisy-chain connector as described in the preceding paragraphs.

2. Embodiments of daisy-chained radio architectures

Fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e illustrate several embodiments of the

radios

801, 811, 821, and 831 of fig. 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8 d. The embodiments shown in each of fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e are each applicable to any of

radios

801, 811, 821 and 831 having the components shown in the figures of the given specification.

Fig. 9a illustrates a radio that may be plugged into a network daisy chain that is coupled to a data center or other computing and/or data resource via a network link (described in further detail below in connection with fig. 16). Two network physical interfaces (PHYs) are shown in fig. 9a, with PHY 901 coupled to upstream network 900 ("upstream" meaning closer to the data center in daisy chain) and PHY 901 connected to downstream network 906 ("downstream" meaning further from the data center in daisy chain). PHY 901 is coupled to network switch 903 over a physical interconnect 902 (such as, but not limited to, a bus, a serial interconnect, etc.), and PHY 906 is coupled to network switch 903 over a physical interconnect 904. The network switch 903 may be configured to route data upstream or downstream between the PHYs 905 and 901 (thus enabling network "pass-through") and/or may be configured to route some or all of the data to the baseband processing and control unit 910 through physical interconnects. In one embodiment, the switch is configured for specific routing of some or all of the data. In another embodiment, the switch is configured to route data based on a source address or destination address associated with the data (e.g., without limitation, an IP address of the data).

The network switch 903 is coupled to a baseband processing and control unit 910 that processes data (such as, but not limited to, 8-bit, 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit or any length data samples; fixed length digital values, floating point digital values, compressed digital values, bit encoded digital values) of data packets to/from the network switch 903 as data to be streamed (such as, but not limited to, being sent as consecutive samples) to/from the analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog unit 911, or controls data using such data packets.

Data to be streamed to/from unit 910 is either directly streamed to/from unit 910 without further processing, or additional processing is applied to the data stream. Additional processing may include (but is not limited to): buffering the data; keeping the data to be released in coordination with a specific trigger or timing event; compressing and/or decompressing the data; filtering the data through, but not limited to, a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) or other filter; resampling the data to a different clock rate, higher or lower than the received clock rate, or using a different time reference; adjusting the magnitude of the data in proportion; limiting the data to a maximum value; deleting data samples from the stream; inserting data sample sequences in the stream; scrambling or descrambling the data; or encrypting or decrypting the data; and the like. Unit 910 may also include dedicated hardware or computational means to implement, but is not limited to, some or all of the operations and/or functions of the wireless protocols referenced in this paragraph, which may be implemented while waiting, sending, or receiving data (to/from network switch 903 or to/from unit 912 and after analog-to-digital-to-analog conversion in unit 911).

Data to/from unit 903 may be used as control data (without limitation) to send and receive messages to/from any subsystem in the radio, within unit 910 and also to/from other units, for example (without limitation) as shown by interconnect 913 connected to/from unit 910 and RF processing unit 912. Such messages may be used for any purpose whatsoever, including (but not limited to): any of the subsystems configured in the radio; reading the status of any subsystem in the radio; transmitting or receiving timing information; rerouting the data stream; controlling a power level; changing the sample rate; changing a transmission/reception frequency; changing the bandwidth; changing the duplex; switching between a transmit mode and a receive mode; controlling filtering; configuring a network mode; loading an image to a memory subsystem or reading a unified image from the memory subsystem; or load images to a programmable gate array (FPGA) or read images from the FPGA, etc.

Analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog unit 911 converts the digital data samples received from unit 910 into one or more analog voltages and/or currents that are coupled to RF processing unit 912 and converts the one or more analog voltages and/or currents from unit 912 into digital data samples that are sent to unit 910. Unit 911 may be implemented to receive data in a parallel or serial fashion, with any data sample size and any data rate fixed or configurable.

In the transmit path, one or more analog voltages and/or currents received by the RF processing unit 912 may be coupled as RF signals directly to one or more antenna outputs 914, or such signals may be used as one or more baseband signals modulated onto one or more carrier frequencies synthesized into RF waveforms by the RF processing unit, and the modulated signals on such carrier frequencies are then coupled to one or more antennas 914. Such signals from unit 910 may be in the form of, but are not limited to, fundamental frequency waveforms or fundamental frequency I/Q waveforms.

In the receive path, RF signals received from one or more antennas 914 are coupled directly to the unit 911 as voltages and/or currents, or such signals are modulated from one or more carrier frequencies into fundamental frequency waveforms or fundamental I/Q waveforms, which are coupled to the unit 911 as voltages and/or currents to be converted into a data stream.

RF unit 912 may include, but is not limited to, other RF processing functions including power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, filters, attenuators, circulators, switches, and balun, among others.

The antenna 914 may be any type of antenna including, but not limited to, a patch antenna, a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, or a PCB antenna, a yagi antenna, etc. In one embodiment, there is a single antenna 890. In another embodiment, there are more than one antenna 890, and another embodiment at least two antennas 890 are cross-polarized with respect to each other.

Fig. 9b shows an additional embodiment of the radio shown in fig. 9a, showing a different embodiment of the timing subsystem. Unit 920 is a frequency and/or synchronization spreading and synthesizing unit that may be implemented, but not limited to, in a single device or in multiple devices. Unit 920 distributes timing signals, including but not limited to frequency and synchronization signals, to other subsystems within the radio. As shown in fig. 9b, these subsystems may include, but are not limited to, a baseband and control unit 910, an analog-to-digital-to-analog unit 911, an RF processing unit 912, a network PHY 901, a network switch 903, and/or a network PHY 902. Such timing signals that are spread out to different subsystems may be, but are not limited to, the same timing signals, different timing signals that are synchronous with each other, different timing signals that are not synchronous with each other, timing signals that are synchronous with an external reference, and/or timing signals that are altered synchronously or asynchronously based on, but not limited to, configuration or other factors.

Such timing signals may be at any frequency, including but not limited to 10MHz, and such timing signals may be, but not limited to, the same frequency, different frequencies, varying frequencies, and/or variable frequencies. Such timing signals may use any timing reference, including but not limited to an external reference, an internal reference, or a combination of external and internal references.

External timing references include (but are not limited to): timing reference 922 derived from timing references transmitted through the daisy chain, whether upstream 921 to downstream 923 or downstream 923 to upstream 921; a global positioning satellite training oscillator ("GPSDO") 924 that derives timing references (e.g., 10MHz frequency and PPS) from radio signals received from global positioning satellites; an external frequency reference; an external PPS 940; and/or derive network timing signals from upstream network 900 or downstream network 906 via network PHY 901, network switch 903, and/or network PHY 905. Network timing references include, but are not limited to, timing references derived from Ethernet SyncE (e.g., ITU g.8261, ITU g.8262, ITU g.8264, etc.); IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (Precision Time Protocol); and/or frequency and synchronization signals derived from network signals, protocols, or traffic (traffic).

Internal timing references include, but are not limited to, oscillator 928 and/or controlled oscillator 929.

Oscillators

928 and 929 may be any type of oscillator and are not limited to: quartz crystal oscillator, rubidium clock, cesium clock, and/or resistor-capacitor network oscillator, inductor-capacitor resonant circuit.

Oscillators

928 and 929 may be of any stable level, including (but not limited to): unstable; a temperature compensated oscillator; and/or a temperature controlled oscillator.

Oscillators

928 and 929 can be of any precise level including (but not limited to): low precision, one part per million ("ppm"); one part per billion ("ppb"); with any accuracy in the frequency ranges, with any allen development, with any short-term or long-term stability. The oscillator 929 may have an external input that controls its frequency by controlling it with (but not limited to): analog values of voltage, current, resistance, etc.; digital values coupled in series, parallel, etc.; and/or frequency, etc. If oscillator 929 is controlled by an analog value, the oscillator may be controlled by, but is not limited to, a potentiometer in a voltage divider network, a digital-to-analog converter 930 (which receives digital value 931 from unit 910 or another source), etc. If oscillator 929 is controlled by a digital value, the oscillator is controlled by, but not limited to, digital value 931 from unit 910 or another source, etc. The frequency of controlled oscillator 929 may be a free-running frequency, or synchronized to any type of internal or external timing source, including but not limited to timing from a network, timing from a daisy chain separate from a network, timing from a data center, timing from a wireless protocol, etc.

Timing on a daisy-chained network may be natural timing or may be synchronized using any of a number of network synchronization methods, including but not limited to SyncE and/or IEEE 1588, among others. The synchronization protocol may have its own self-synchronization mechanism, or timing signal 927 may be passed from one

network PHY

901 or 905 to another and/or to/from network switch 903.

Fig. 9c shows an additional embodiment of the radio shown in fig. 9a and 9b, showing a power conversion and distribution system. Unit 950 power converts/distributes the unit and may be implemented, but is not limited to, in a single device or multiple devices to implement converting power and distributing power to various subsystems through couplings, such as, but not limited to, metal lines, printed circuit board traces, and/or through components, wireless transmission, etc. Unit 950 distributes power within the radio, including (but not limited to): different voltages; different independent power buses (whether the same or different voltages); different current levels; AC or DC power; wireless power; and the like. As shown in fig. 9c, the subsystems that receive power from unit 950 may include, but are not limited to, a fundamental and control unit 910, an analog-to-digital-to-analog unit 911, an RF processing unit 912, a network PHY 901, a network switch 903, and/or a network PHY 902. The power couplings that are distributed to the different subsystems may be (but are not limited to): a same power coupling; different power couplings, which are of the same or different voltage and/or current; and/or variable voltage, etc.

The power may be at any voltage or current, including but not limited to AC, DC, 1 volt ("V"), 2.2V, 3.3V, 5V, -5V, 6V, 12V, variable voltage. The power may be from any source, including but not limited to, an external source, an internal source, or a combination of external and internal sources.

External power sources include (but are not limited to): a pass-through power source 952 derived from power transmitted through a daisy chain, whether the upstream power coupling 951 to the downstream power coupling 953 or the downstream power coupling 953 to the upstream power coupling 951; wireless power 954, which may be from, but is not limited to, radio wave transmission (such as, but not limited to, received through a rectenna), inductive power (such as, but not limited to, coupled through a transformer), optical energy (such as, but not limited to, coupled through a photovoltaic cell, a rectenna, etc.); network power transmitted through a daisy-chain network, through a direct coupling 957 from the upstream network 900 to the downstream network 906, or through a switch and/or power insertion in one or both of the

network PHYs

900 or 905 or the network switch 903; through a network power coupling 956 from

network PHY

901, 903, or 905; and/or external power connections 955 via, but not limited to, cables, sockets, conductive contacts; and the like.

Power transmission through the daisy chain may be always transferred via the upstream power coupling 951 to/from the downstream power coupling 953 or via the upstream network 900 to/from the downstream network 906, or may be allowed only if the radio is configured to transfer power transmission, or an external condition (e.g., detecting that a suitable device is connected to either end of the daisy chain) triggers to allow power transfer. Any type of device may be used to control whether power is transferred through, including but not limited to, mechanical relays and/or transistors, including but not limited to Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), and the like.

The internal power source includes any type of battery 958 including, but not limited to, lithium ion, lithium polymer, fuel cell, and generator.

Fig. 9d illustrates an additional embodiment of the radio illustrated in fig. 9a, 9b, and 9c, showing an upstream RF link 961 and a downstream RF link 963 coupled to the RF processing unit 912. The RF links 961 and 963 may be coupled in a daisy chain by: conductive couplings such as, but not limited to, coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, etc.); or fiber if the RF frequency modulates a carrier wavelength (such as, but not limited to, infrared radiation, visible radiation, and/or ultraviolet radiation, etc.) propagating through the fiber; or wireless coupling, including (but not limited to) through any kind of antenna, and/or through inductive coupling.

The RF links 961 and 963 may: coupled together through RF link 962 and then to unit 912 as shown in fig. 9 d; or each RF link may be individually coupled to unit 912; or RF links, are coupled to each other but not to unit 912. Each of these couplings (whether between each other or to unit 912) may be through any of the RF (including optical wavelength) couplings as detailed in the preceding paragraphs. The coupling may be via (but not limited to) one or more (or any type): direct connection; an RF splitter; an RF attenuator; an RF balun; an RF filter; a power amplifier; and/or low noise amplifiers, etc. The RF coupling may not be connected to anything, or to one or more of the antennas 914. The RF coupling can transmit signals at one or more RF center frequencies and transmit signals of one or more bandwidths. Such RF signals may be transmitted, received, or both at one time to/from any of unit 912, link 961, and/or link 963. Such RF signals may transmit any kind of information and/or signal reference information including, but not limited to, data, control signals, RF protocols, beacons, RF timing signals, RF channels, RF power references, RF predistortion information, RF interference information, RF calibration information, frequencies, and/or PPS.

Fig. 9e shows an additional embodiment of the radio shown in fig. 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d, showing an upstream network link 900 and a downstream network link 906, where the networks are common RF channels rather than switched links. For example, this is a common configuration used with coaxial networks using network protocols such as, but not limited to, MoCA and DOCSIS. The upstream network link 900 and the downstream network link 906 are coupled to an RF splitter 972, which is coupled to a network PHY 971, which is coupled to the baseband processing and control 910. The RF splitter 972 may include more than 3 branches and further may include a power amplifier to amplify some or all of the RF signal in one or more directions. The RF splitter 972 may also include attenuators and/or filters to limit which RF frequency bands pass in different paths. The RF splitter 972 may also pass power to one or more, and may also insert power to one or more of its branches.

The embodiments of

radios

801, 811, 821 and 831 shown in fig. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d may have internal components corresponding to one or more of the embodiments described above in fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e, sometimes as stand-alone components and sometimes as combined components. For example, but not limited to,

radios

801, 811, 821, and 831 each have upstream and downstream daisy-chained cable connections, which are coaxial cables (e.g., 841/842 and 871/872), twisted-pair cables (e.g., 851/852 and 881/882), or fiber cables (e.g., 861/862). These daisy-chained connections may correspond to the embodiments in fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e, which are upstream and downstream daisy-chained connections, such as 900/906, 911/923, 951/953 and 961/963. A daisy-chained cable in a

radio

801, 811, 821 or 831 can be used in connection with the embodiments described in fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e if the daisy-chained cable can be physically combined with the embodiments. For example, a daisy chain of coaxial and twisted pair cables may be used to conductively transmit upstream power 951 and downstream power 953 (such as, but not limited to, using any of a number of well-known coaxial cable power technologies or power over ethernet technologies), but a fiber cable does not have this capability, however, a fiber cable may transmit power transmitted in optical form and converted to power, such as, but not limited to, using photovoltaic cells. Each of such daisy-chained cables may also transmit upstream standard and proprietary network protocols 900 and downstream standard and proprietary network protocols 906, including but not limited to ethernet networks, as mentioned above. All daisy-chain cables may also transmit

timing information

921 and 923, and all daisy-chain cables may provide network timing 926 using network protocols and signals to transmit timing information. Such daisy-chained cables can transmit upstream RF 961 and downstream RF 963 at certain frequencies/wavelengths (such as, but not limited to, many coaxial cables can efficiently transmit 1GHz frequencies, many twisted pair cables can efficiently transmit 100MHz frequencies, and many fiber cables can efficiently transmit 1300nm wavelengths).

In the case of radio 831, a plurality of daisy-chained cable pairs may each correspond to one of the daisy-chained connections shown in fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e, or each correspond to a plurality of daisy-chained connections.

The antenna 890 and/or antenna connector 891 of

radio

801, 811, 821 or 831 may correspond to the antenna 914 of fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e and/or the antenna on element 924 and/or 954.

The power connector 892 of the

radio

801, 811, 821 or 831 may correspond to the external power 955 of fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9 e. The antenna 890 and/or antenna connector 891 of the

radio

801, 811, 821, or 831 can also correspond to an antenna of the wireless power receiver 954.

Connector 893 of

radio

801, 811, 821 or 831 may transmit additional signals corresponding to external frequency 925, PPS 940, or RF link 962 coupled to unit 912.

3. Radio daisy chain in sleeve or tube

Fig. 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d illustrate several embodiments, wherein the radio daisy-chained radio embodiments illustrated in fig. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d and described above are housed within a sleeve or tube, along with the daisy-chained radio architecture embodiments illustrated in fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e and described above. For purposes of illustration, the daisy chain radio shown in fig. 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d lacks many of the details of the radio daisy chain described above, but any of the above-described daisy chain embodiments applicable to the sleeve or tube embodiments shown in any of fig. 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d may be used in this embodiment. Note that the sleeve or tube can take many forms, including, but not limited to, a flexible plastic tube that completely encloses the radio daisy chain, or a rigid plastic tube that partially encloses the radio chain.

Fig. 10a shows a daisy-chained sleeve or tube 1010

encapsulating radios

1000, 1001, 1002, 1003. The daisy chain shows

network cables

1020 and 1021 extending from both sides and such network cables may be connected to, but not limited to, additional daisy chains or radios, upstream or downstream network connections, power supplies, RF sources, timing sources, etc. In fact, daisy-chained connections may be connected as described in any of the large number of embodiments described above.

Fig. 10b shows a sleeve or tube encapsulated daisy-chained radio. The daisy chain shows the radio daisy chain described in the previous paragraph, but in this embodiment the sleeve or tube 1011 also encapsulates the through cable 1030. The pass-through cable 1030 may be a cable for any purpose including, but not limited to, a coaxial cable, twisted pair cable, or coaxial cable that carries high data rate data and/or a power cable. There may be one or more pass-through cables 1030.

Fig. 10c shows a sleeve or tube 1012 encapsulating a daisy-chained radio and pass-through cable, as described in the preceding paragraph, but in this embodiment the sleeve or tube is physically reinforced by support strands 1040 and can be made of any of a wide variety of materials, including galvanized steel. An example of such a sleeve or tube 1012 containing galvanized steel support strands is "Figure 8" brand tube from dura-line, the specification of which is currently available at http:// www.duraline.com/conduit/Figure-8. The support strands 1040 may help support the tubes in aerial deployment of the tubes, for example, between utility poles.

Fig. 10d shows a daisy-chained sleeve or tube 1012 (illustrated in reduced size) encapsulating a radio and a pass-through cable including support strands 1040 as described in the previous paragraph, but in this embodiment the daisy-chained sleeve or tube 1012 is connected in a continuous daisy-chain with other sleeves or tubes. In this embodiment, there are data and/or power couplers 1050 between each sleeve or tube daisy chain 1012, which may be used for (but are not limited to) coupling power into the daisy chain ends 1020 or 1021 and/or may be used to couple data to/from the daisy chain ends 1020. The data and/or power coupler 1050 may be suspended from the support strands 1040 or physically supported through another member. The power may come from any power source, including but not limited to through power cable 1030 and/or photovoltaic cells, etc. The data connection may come from any source, including through a high bandwidth fiber twisted pair or coaxial cable 1030. The data and/or power coupler 1050 may be practical because daisy-chained cabling will typically have limitations in power and/or data throughput, and each

radio

1000, 1001, 1002, and 1003 on the daisy chain will draw a certain amount of power and consume a certain amount of data throughput. Once the power and/or data capacity of the daisy chain cable is exhausted, no more radios may be attached to the daisy chain. The pass-through cable 1030 may be designated to transmit sufficient power for a number of daisy chains, and the pass-through cable 1030 may be designated to support sufficiently high data throughput to support a number of daisy chains. For example, but not limiting of, if a daisy-chain cable supports a 1GB (gigabit) Ethernet with Power over Ethernet + ("PoE +") Power limit (limited to about 25 watts ("W")), and each radio consumes 225Mbps data rate and 6W Power, if there are 4 radios in the daisy-chain, there will be 900Mbps data rate and 24W Power, and there will not be sufficient data rate or Power for the other radio. If there are one or more pass-through cables 1030 that can (a) transmit 250W power and (b)10Gbps data rates, it will be sufficient to support 10 daisy chains, each with 4 radios (24W 10-240W, 900Mbps 10-9 Gbps). The data and/or power coupler 1050 may couple power to the daisy-chain cable in any of a number of ways, including using a commercially available PoE + switch that includes a 10Gbps fiber port and one or more 1Gbps PoE + ports. Note that while the PoE + standard (e.g., IEEE 802.3at-2009) may not support power daisy chaining, PoE + may still be used to provide power to the first daisy-chained radio attached to the PoE + switch, and thereafter dedicated power insertion onto the daisy chain may be used. Proprietary power insertion techniques include, but are not limited to, coupling power to network signal conductors in a daisy-chained network cable.

3. Practical deployment of radio daisy chains

Figure 11 shows a utility pole containing a daisy-chained radio in a sleeve and tube, such as described in figures 10a and 10 d. The sleeve or tube 1012 suspended between two utility poles is the same as that shown in fig. 10d containing 4 daisy-chained

radios

1000, 1001, 1002, and 1003, with the daisy-chained ends coupled to data and/or power couplers 1050 that couple to high speed data from the pass-through cable 1030 and receive power from the power converter 1100 that couples to high power electrical lines in the power zone of the utility pole and reduces the voltage for the unit 1050. The power meter 1101 monitors power usage for billing or other purposes. Because connecting to high voltage electrical lines can be expensive, the power converter 1100 may be used to provide sufficient power to many cells 1050, with power being transferred between the cells 1050 in the pass-through strands 1030.

Also shown in figure 11 is an embodiment of the vertical deployment of the daisy-chained radios in a sleeve or tube 1010 attached to the side of the pole. This corresponds to the middle sleeve or tube 1010 shown in fig. 10 a. At one end, daisy chain network connection 1020 is attached to unit 1050 for data and power. This is because this daisy chain terminates when it reaches the ground, there is no need to continue the daisy chain network connection at the bottom end, and there is no need for a pass-through cable. Furthermore, because the pole provides structural stability, no support strands are required. Note also that unit 1050 is coupled to 3 daisy chains, two mostly horizontal aerial daisy chains between poles and one vertical daisy chain on the side of the poles. Not all daisy chains must be of a sequential wire network topology; such daisy chains can take any of a number of topologies. For example, but not limited to, this unit 1050 could support 3 daisy-chains by using a PoE + network switch that has 3 ports for the 3 daisy-chains and 1 port for high bandwidth pass-through cables. (e.g., 31 Gbps PoE + connections to the 3 daisy chains and 110 Gbps fiber connection for through cables).

The embodiment of the daisy-chained cable illustrated in fig. 11 is merely exemplary. Any number of daisy-chained radio configurations in any topology may be used depending on, but not limited to, deployment requirements, municipality regulations, cost constraints, span distances, etc. Obviously, the radio daisy chain looks no different from cabling. In many autonomous areas, cabling does not require permission, or is easier to obtain than antenna permission. Furthermore, from an aesthetic point of view, the cable is less visible than a large antenna.

Fig. 12 shows two lampposts to which a radio daisy chain 1010 is attached. The illustrated embodiment conforms to the radio daisy chain 1010 of fig. 10 a. In this embodiment, data and power connections are coupled through underground piping 1251, with data and/or power couplers 1250 operating below the utility pole in the same manner as the data and power couplers 1050 shown in fig. 10d and 11. As is evident from fig. 11, the radio daisy chain does not look different from cabling. In many autonomous areas, cabling does not require permission, or is easier to obtain than antenna permission. Furthermore, from an aesthetic point of view, the cable is less visible than a large antenna.

Fig. 13 shows a building containing a number of radio daisy chains attached to the inside and outside of the building. All of these radio data chains will be connected to data and power connections, but for illustration, the data and power connections have been omitted. Radio daisy chain 1300 is at the edge of the roof. For antennas, the roof edge is a highly advantageous location because of the high angular visibility to the street without obstruction. In general, a large number of antennas on the edge of a roof will be unsightly, but sleeves or tubes can be made difficult to see because of, but not limited to, the small size of the sleeve or tube, can be painted with a color that matches the background, can be actually placed in a recess on a building, is actually flexible and can conform to the shape of architectural features on a building, such as, but not limited to, a cornice, and because cables are already present on many buildings and do not look different.

Fig. 13 shows other arrangements of radio daisy chains, including: radio daisy chain 1301, which is above the architectural features on the window to make them less visible; and a radio daisy chain 1302 placed near the substrate along the wall (perhaps pressed into a recess on the wall to be more hidden); and a radio daisy chain 1303 placed vertically along the corner of the wall, perhaps along the downcomer, to be less visible. Radio daisy chain 1304 is also shown indoors, perhaps above ceiling tiles or in a wall. Note that in this embodiment the radio daisy chain is not in the sleeve or tube, as there would be no such need, and the daisy chain can be placed with exposed radios and cables. Specifically, the radio daisy chain can be placed in a wide variety of locations, indoors and outdoors. In all of these embodiments, the radio daisy chain is deployed where it is convenient to deploy the radio daisy chain and where the radio daisy chain is aesthetically acceptable.

Fig. 14 illustrates how the radio daisy chain need not be deployed in a straight line, but may be deployed in any shape that meets the physical and/or aesthetic requirements of the site. Note that the radio daisy chain need not be deployed in only 2 dimensions; the radio daisy chain may be deployed in the x, y and z dimensions. In fact, the better the performance of the preferred MU-MAS embodiment is generally, using the more angular diversity.

Fig. 15 shows how radio daisy chains can also be deployed in an array topology. An 8 x 8 array of 64 radios is shown in this embodiment, with 16 daisy-chains connected to a network switch such as, but not limited to, a PoE + switch. Such an array may be used for many applications, including beamforming and MIMO.

Fig. 16 shows how a cloud radio access network ("C-RAN") architecture can be used with a radio daisy-chain. In one embodiment, the fundamental frequency waveform is computed in a data center server. The data center server may serve as a local network 1601 to the data center (such as, but not limited to, if the data center is in a venue and the local network is spread throughout the venue), connected to a switch that is connected to a plurality of radio daisy chains.

Line-of-sight microwave 1602 may serve as a data link that extends a greater distance than a local area network and may also be connected to a switch that is connected to multiple radio daisy chains.

The fibers 1603 may extend over very long distances without line-of-sight requirements and may be connected to switches connected to a plurality of radio daisy chains. In addition, the switch can couple the replicated fiber 1604 to another switch, which can then connect another group of multiple radio daisy chains.

While the graphical illustration in fig. 16 shows a straight daisy chain, as mentioned previously, the daisy chain can be bent into any shape that is convenient and aesthetically pleasing.

The C-RAN topology shown in fig. 16 supports pCell shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3 and related patents and applications ^TM MU-MAS systems. Unlike other wireless technologies, pCell supports very high density radio deployments and is not dependent on a particular radio or antenna arrangement (e.g., in comparison to)In other words, cellular technology requires a certain radio spacing according to the cell plan). As such, pCell technology is highly suitable for the daisy-chained radio embodiments described herein, and is able to be placed with the radio at a convenient and aesthetic place.

Embodiments of the invention may include various steps that have been described above. Such steps may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor to perform such steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performing the steps, or by any combination of programmed computer components and custom hardware components.

As described herein, instructions may refer to a particular configuration of hardware, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), configured to perform certain operations or have predetermined functions or software instructions stored in a memory embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium. Thus, the techniques shown in the figures can be implemented using program code and data stored and executed on one or more electronic devices. Such electronic devices store and communicate (internally and/or over a network) program code and data with a computer-readable medium, such as non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., magnetic disks; optical disks; random access memories; read only memories; flash memory devices; phase change memories) and transitory computer-readable communication media (e.g., electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.).

Throughout this detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and functions have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Accordingly, the scope and spirit of the invention should be judged in terms of the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a plurality of wireless transceivers coupled together in a wired daisy chain configuration, a plurality of digital baseband waveforms transmitted/received through the daisy chain,

wherein the radios of two or more of the plurality of transceivers receive frequency, number of pulses per second, global positioning satellite, or other timing information (collectively "timing information") from signals carried on the daisy chain.

2. A system, comprising:

wherein the wireless transports of two or more of the plurality of wireless transceivers receive timing information from signals outside the daisy chain.

3. A system, comprising:

a plurality of wireless transceivers coupled together in a wired daisy chain configuration, a plurality of digital baseband waveforms transmitted/received through the daisy chain, wherein two or more wireless transmitters of the plurality of wireless transceivers wirelessly receive timing information.

4. A system, comprising:

wherein two or more of the wireless transceivers receive power from the daisy chain.

5. A system, comprising:

wherein two or more of the wireless transceivers receive power wirelessly.

6. A system, comprising:

wherein two or more of the wireless transceivers receive power level information, channel station information, power information, RF channel information, predistortion, or other calibration information (collectively "calibration information") from signals of the loads on the daisy chain.

7. A system, comprising:

wherein two or more of the wireless transceivers receive calibration information from signals outside the daisy chain.

8. A system, comprising:

wherein two or more of the wireless transceivers wirelessly receive calibration information.

9. A system, comprising:

wherein the daisy chain of wireless transceivers is waterproof.

10. A method for transmitting/receiving a baseband signal to/from a wireless transceiver, comprising:

a plurality of wireless transceivers are arranged in a wired daisy chain,

transmitting/receiving a plurality of digital baseband waveforms through the daisy chain,

transmitting/receiving digital baseband waveforms from the plurality of digital baseband waveforms at each wireless transceiver and modulating RF signals, an

Different baseband waveforms are transmitted or received at two or more wireless transceivers.