KR101712230B1 - Methods of radio communication involving multiple radio channels, and radio signal repeater and mobile station apparatuses implementing same - Google Patents

Abstract

Receiving a first message from a first remote wireless station on a first wireless channel, transmitting a first message to a second remote wireless station on a second wireless channel, sending a second message from a second remote wireless station on a third wireless channel And transmitting a second message on a fourth wireless channel to a first remote station. A method for facilitating wireless communication is disclosed. A wireless communication method includes receiving a first wireless signal on a first wireless channel from a first remote wireless station, transmitting a second wireless signal on a second wireless channel to a first remote wireless station, Receiving a third wireless signal from a wireless station, and transmitting a fourth wireless signal on a fourth wireless channel to a second remote wireless station. A wireless signal repeater and a mobile station device are also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication method including a plurality of wireless channels, and a wireless signal repeater and a mobile station that implement the wireless communication method.

<Cross reference of related application>

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 245,349, filed September 24, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to wireless communication, and more particularly, to a wireless communication method including a plurality of wireless channels and an implementation apparatus thereof.

Numerous wireless communication standards are known. For example, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard is a wireless communication standard for mobile telephones and specifies radio frequencies from about 380 MHz to about 2 GHz. Other wireless communication standards for mobile telephones include Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) standards and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standards, which also generally define radio frequencies below about 2.5 GHz. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and 802.16 standards are other wireless communication standards that define wireless signals with frequencies below about 5 GHz.

These standards generally define radio signals at relatively low radio frequencies, and generally lower radio frequencies allow lower operating bandwidths than higher radio frequencies. However, higher radio frequencies generally have a shorter range and are generally more sensitive to environmental interference (e.g., rain and oxygen absorption) than lower radio frequencies. This shorter range may require a closer radio frequency repeater, but there is a disadvantage that placing the known repeater closer together can cause interference between the repeater's signals. Therefore, many known standards for wireless communications have the disadvantage of defining a radio signal at a relatively low radio frequency, avoiding this drawback of higher radio frequencies and using commercial radio hardware, but providing a lower bandwidth due to the relatively low radio frequencies And is limited to the available radio frequency bands at such relatively low radio frequencies.

<Overview>

According to one exemplary embodiment, a method of facilitating wireless communication is provided. The method includes receiving a first wireless signal encoded in a first message from a first remote station on a first wireless channel in a wireless signal repeater; Transmitting a second wireless signal encoded with the first message from the wireless signal repeater to a second remote wireless station on a second wireless channel different from the first wireless channel after receiving the first wireless signal; Receiving, at the wireless signal repeater, a third wireless signal encoded with a second message from the second remote station on a third wireless channel different from the first and second wireless channels; And after receiving the third wireless signal, transmitting, from the wireless signal repeater to the first remote station on a fourth wireless channel different from the first, second and third wireless channels, a fourth And transmitting the radio signal.

The first, second, third and fourth radio channels may be frequency division multiplexed on the first, second, third and fourth different radio frequency bands, respectively.

The first and fourth radio channels may be time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and the second and third radio channels may be time division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band have.

The method further comprises receiving, in the wireless signal repeater, configuration information encoded in a configuration information signal in a configuration radio frequency band different from a radio frequency band of each of the first, second, third and fourth radio channels .

The configured radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.

The first, second, third and fourth radio channels may have respective radio frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.

The step of transmitting the second wireless signal may include amplifying the first wireless signal, and the step of transmitting the fourth wireless signal may include amplifying the third wireless signal.

The step of transmitting the second radio signal may comprise digitally decoding the first message from the first radio signal and encoding the decoded first message for the second radio signal , The step of transmitting the fourth radio signal may comprise digitally decoding the second message from the third radio signal and encoding the decoded second message for the fourth radio signal have.

The method includes determining a first signal-to-noise ratio indicative of a ratio of the strength of the first wireless signal to noise in the first wireless signal at the wireless signal repeater; And determining a second signal-to-noise ratio indicative of a ratio of the strength of the third wireless signal to noise in the third wireless signal at the wireless signal repeater. If the first signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a first criterion, the step of transmitting the second radio signal may include amplifying the first radio signal. Wherein if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the first criterion, then transmitting the second radio signal comprises digitally decoding the first message from the first radio signal, And encoding the decoded first message for the first message. When the second signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a second criterion, the step of transmitting the fourth radio signal may include amplifying the third radio signal. Wherein if the second signal-to-noise ratio does not meet the second criterion, transmitting the fourth wireless signal digitally decoding the second message from the third wireless signal, And encoding the decoded second message for the first time.

Wherein if the first signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a first threshold, the first signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the first criterion, and if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the first threshold, 1 signal-to-noise ratio may not meet the first criterion. Wherein if the second signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a second threshold, the second signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the second criterion, and if the second signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the second threshold, 2 signal-to-noise ratio may not meet the second criterion.

The method includes receiving, at the wireless signal repeater, a fifth wireless signal encoded with the first message from the first remote wireless station on the second wireless channel before transmitting the second wireless signal, The radio signal being stronger than the fifth radio signal; And determining that the first wireless signal is stronger than the fifth wireless signal by comparing signal intensities of the first and fifth wireless signals, respectively. Wherein the transmitting the second wireless signal comprises selecting the second wireless channel instead of the first wireless channel for the second wireless signal in response to determining that the first wireless signal is stronger than the fifth wireless signal . &Lt; / RTI &gt;

The method includes receiving a sixth wireless signal encoded in a third message from the first remote wireless station on the first wireless channel at the wireless signal repeater; After receiving the sixth radio signal, transmitting a seventh radio signal encoded with the third message to a third remote station on a fifth radio channel different from the first, second, third and fourth radio channels ; Receiving, at the wireless signal repeater, an eighth wireless signal encoded with a fourth message from the third remote wireless station on the fifth wireless channel; And transmitting the ninth radio signal encoded with the fourth message to the first remote station on the fourth radio channel after receiving the eighth radio signal.

The fifth radio channel may have a radio frequency of less than about 5 GHz.

Receiving the sixth wireless signal may include receiving the sixth wireless signal on a subchannel of a first wireless channel associated with the third remote wireless station. The transmitting of the seventh radio signal may comprise transmitting the seventh radio signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. Receiving the eighth wireless signal may include receiving the eighth wireless signal on a subchannel of the fifth wireless channel associated with the third remote wireless station. The transmitting the ninth radio signal may comprise transmitting the ninth radio signal on a subchannel of the fourth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station.

The sixth radio signal may include a destination field including destination data specifying the third remote station.

The method includes receiving the second wireless signal from the wireless signal repeater at the second remote station; And after receiving the second wireless signal, transmitting a tenth wireless signal encoded with the first message from the second remote station to the fourth remote station on the first wireless channel.

The method may further comprise receiving an eleventh wireless signal encoded with the second message from the fourth remote station on the fourth wireless channel at the second remote station before transmitting the third wireless signal have.

According to another exemplary embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving a first wireless signal encoded in a first message from a first remote station on a first wireless channel; Means for transmitting a second radio signal to a second remote radio station on a second radio channel different from the first radio channel after receiving the first radio signal, the second radio signal being encoded with the first message, -; Means for receiving a third wireless signal encoded in a second message from the second remote station on a third wireless channel different from the first and second wireless channels; And means for transmitting a fourth radio signal to the first remote radio station on a fourth radio channel different from the first, second and third radio channels after receiving the third radio signal, Is encoded into the second message. &Lt; Desc / Clms Page number 11 &gt;

According to another illustrative embodiment, an interface facilitating wireless communication with first and second remote stations over first, second, third and fourth different radio channels; And a processor in communication with the interface. Wherein the processor is configured to receive, from the interface, a first wireless signal encoded with a first message from the first remote wireless station on the first wireless channel, and after receiving the first wireless signal, Channel from the second remote station to the second remote station on the channel, and to transmit, from the interface, a third radio signal encoded in the second message from the second remote station on the third radio channel, And to cause the interface to transmit a fourth wireless signal encoded with the second message to the first remote station on the fourth wireless channel after receiving the third wireless signal.

The first, second, third and fourth radio channels may be frequency division multiplexed on the first, second, third and fourth different radio frequency bands, respectively.

The first and fourth radio channels may be time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and the second and third radio channels may be time division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band have.

The processor is further operable to receive, from the interface, encoded configuration information in a configuration information signal in a configuration radio frequency band different from a radio frequency band of each of the first, second, third and fourth radio channels Lt; / RTI &gt;

The configured radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.

The first, second, third and fourth radio channels may have respective radio frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.

Wherein the processor is operable to enable the interface to transmit the second wireless signal by amplifying the first wireless signal, the processor amplifying the third wireless signal, As shown in FIG.

The processor is operable to cause the interface to transmit the second wireless signal by digitally decoding the first message from the first wireless signal and encoding the decoded first message for the second wireless signal Wherein the processor is configured to digitally decode the second message from the third wireless signal and to encode the decoded second message for the fourth wireless signal, As shown in FIG.

The processor may be further operable to determine a first signal-to-noise ratio indicative of a ratio of the strength of the first wireless signal to noise in the first wireless signal at the interface. The processor may be configured to be operable to cause the interface to transmit the second wireless signal by amplifying the first wireless signal if the first signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a first criterion. Wherein the processor digitally decodes the first message from the first radio signal and decodes the decoded first message for the second radio signal if the first signal to noise ratio does not satisfy the first criterion And to cause the interface to transmit the second wireless signal. The processor may be further operable to determine a second signal-to-noise ratio indicative of a ratio of the strength of the third wireless signal to noise in the third wireless signal at the interface. The processor may be configured to be operable to cause the interface to transmit the fourth wireless signal by amplifying the third wireless signal if the second signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a second criterion. If the second signal-to-noise ratio does not meet the second criterion, decoding the second message from the third wireless signal and encoding the decoded second message for the fourth wireless signal, To transmit the fourth wireless signal.

Wherein if the first signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a first threshold, the first signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the first criterion, and if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the first threshold, 1 signal-to-noise ratio may not meet the first criterion. Wherein if the second signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a second threshold, the second signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the second criterion, and if the second signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the second threshold, 2 signal-to-noise ratio may not meet the second criterion.

Wherein the processor is configured to receive a fifth radio signal from the first remote radio station on the second radio channel from the interface prior to transmitting the second radio signal and the fifth radio signal is encoded with the first message And comparing the signal strengths of the first and fifth radio signals with each other if the first radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal, 1 wireless channel instead of the first wireless channel.

Wherein the processor is further configured to receive, from the interface, a sixth radio signal encoded with a third message from the first remote radio station on the first radio channel, and after receiving the sixth radio signal, To transmit a seventh radio signal encoded in the third message to a third remote station on a fifth radio channel different from the second, third and fourth radio channels, and to transmit, from the interface, After receiving the eighth radio signal encoded with the fourth message from the third remote station, and after receiving the eighth radio signal, the interface transmits the fourth message to the first remote station on the fourth radio channel And may further be configured to be operable to cause the encoded ninth radio signal to be transmitted.

The fifth radio channel may have a radio frequency of less than about 5 GHz.

The processor may be operable to receive the sixth radio signal on a subchannel of a first radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. The processor may be operable to transmit the seventh radio signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. The processor may be operable to receive the eighth radio signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. The processor being operable to transmit the ninth radio signal on a subchannel of the fourth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station.

Wherein the sixth radio signal may comprise a destination field comprising destination data and wherein the processor is operable when the destination field of the sixth radio signal includes destination data specifying the third remote radio station, 6 wireless signal in response to receiving the seventh wireless signal.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication method is provided. The method includes receiving a first wireless signal from a first remote wireless station on a first wireless channel at a mobile station; Transmitting a second wireless signal from the mobile station to the first remote wireless station on a second wireless channel associated with the first wireless channel and different from the first wireless channel; Receiving a third wireless signal from a second remote station on a third wireless channel different from the first and second wireless channels at the mobile station; And transmitting a fourth radio signal from the mobile station to the second remote radio station on a fourth radio channel associated with the third radio channel and different from the first, second and third radio channels.

The first, second, third and fourth radio channels may be frequency division multiplexed on the first, second, third and fourth different radio frequency bands, respectively.

The first and second radio channels may be time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and the third and fourth radio channels may be time division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band have.

The method may further comprise, at the mobile station, receiving encoded configuration information in a configuration information signal within a configuration radio frequency band different from a radio frequency band of each of the first, second, third and fourth radio channels have.

The configured radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.

The first, second, third and fourth radio channels may have respective radio frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.

According to another exemplary embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving a first wireless signal on a first wireless channel from a first remote wireless station; Means for transmitting a second radio signal to the first remote radio station on a second radio channel associated with the first radio channel and different from the first radio channel; Means for receiving a third wireless signal from a second remote wireless station on a third wireless channel different from the first and second wireless channels; And means for transmitting a fourth radio signal to the second remote radio station on a fourth radio channel associated with the third radio channel and different from the first, second and third radio channels .

According to another illustrative embodiment, an interface facilitating wireless communication with first and second remote stations over first, second, third and fourth different radio channels; And a processor in communication with the interface. Wherein the processor is further configured to receive, from the interface, a first wireless signal on a first wireless channel from a first remote wireless station, and wherein the interface includes a second wireless channel associated with the first wireless channel, Receive a third wireless signal from a second remote wireless station on a third wireless channel different from the first and second wireless channels from the interface, Interface is configured to be operable to cause a fourth wireless signal to be transmitted to the second remote wireless station on a fourth wireless channel associated with the third wireless channel and different from the first, second and third wireless channels.

The first, second, third and fourth radio channels may be frequency division multiplexed on the first, second, third and fourth different radio frequency bands, respectively.

The first and second radio channels may be time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and the third and fourth radio channels may be time division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band have.

The processor is further operable to receive, from the interface, encoded configuration information in a configuration information signal in a configuration radio frequency band different from a radio frequency band of each of the first, second, third and fourth radio channels Lt; / RTI &gt;

The configured radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.

The first, second, third and fourth radio channels may have respective radio frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.

Other aspects and features will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of exemplary embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings of the various illustrative embodiments,
1 is a schematic top view of an exemplary wireless communication system;
2 is a schematic diagram of a base station of the wireless communication system of FIG.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the downlink code of the base station of Figure 2;
4 is a schematic diagram of a downlink signal transmitted by a wireless communication interface of the base station of FIG. 2;
5 is a schematic diagram of an uplink code of the base station of FIG. 2;
6 is a schematic diagram of an uplink signal received at a wireless communication interface of the base station of FIG.
7 is a schematic diagram of the configuration code of the base station of FIG. 2;
8 is a schematic diagram of the configuration signal transmitted by the wireless communication interface of the base station of FIG. 2;
Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a wireless signal repeater in the wireless communication system of Figure 1;
10 is a schematic diagram of the downlink code of the wireless signal repeater of FIG.
11 is a schematic diagram of an uplink code of the wireless signal repeater of FIG.
12 is a schematic diagram of a configuration code of the wireless signal repeater of FIG.
Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a mobile station of the wireless communication system of Figure 1;
14 is a schematic view of the downlink code of the mobile station of FIG. 13;
15 is a schematic diagram of an uplink code of the mobile station of FIG. 13;
16 is a schematic diagram of a configuration code of the mobile station of FIG. 13;
Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary signal transmitted and received in the wireless communication system of Figure 1;
Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary signal transmitted and received in the wireless communication system of Figure 1;
Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary signal transmitted and received in the wireless communication system of Figure 1;
Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary signal transmitted and received in the wireless communication system of Figure 1;

1, an exemplary wireless communication system is shown generally at 100 and includes a base station 102, a wireless signal repeater 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 128, 130, and 132, and mobile stations 134, 136, 138, and 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile station 134 is in wireless communication with the wireless signal repeater 106 and the mobile station 136 is in wireless communication with the wireless signal repeaters 106 and 120, ). In general, mobile station 102 and wireless signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 136, 138 and 140 in the coverage area 142, and communicates wirelessly as a whole. The base station 102, the wireless signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 and 132, Is simply a radio station.

Referring to Figure 2, a base station 102 (also shown in Figure 1) is schematically illustrated and includes, in the illustrated embodiment, a microprocessor 144 and a program memory 146, an input / output (I / O) module 148 And a configuration memory 150. [ The program memory 146 of the illustrated embodiment includes a random access memory (RAM) encoded with a code that generally directs the microprocessor 144 to perform the functions of the base station 102. [ The I / O module 148 includes a wireless communication port 152 that communicates with the wireless antenna 154. The I / O module 148 also includes a backhaul port 156 in communication with the backhaul 158 of the base station 102. Backhaul 158 connects base station 102 to other base stations in the wireless communication network and other communication networks, such as, for example, a telephone network and the Internet, to communicate with other telephones and computers in, for example, the Internet (Not shown) outside the coverage area 142 (shown in FIG. 1). The configuration memory 150 of the illustrated embodiment is also a RAM and typically stores data that constitute the base station 102. [ Although the base station 102 of the illustrated embodiment includes a microprocessor 144, a program memory 146, an I / O module 148 and a configuration memory 150, other base stations may include, for example, a hard drive and an ASIC specific integrated circuit), or the like.

1 and 2, the wireless antenna 154 of the illustrated embodiment includes at least five different radio channels: first and second downlink radio channels 160 and 162, first and second uplink radio channels 160 and 162, 106, 108, 110, and 112 on the channels 164 and 166 and the configuration and control wireless channel 204. The wireless signal repeater 104, 106, 108, Although wireless channels 160, 162, 164, 166 and 204 are shown only between base station 102 and wireless signal repeater 106 and wireless signal repeaters 106 and 120 in FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity, Base station 102 is also in wireless communication with wireless signal repeaters 106,108 and 110 and 112 and wireless signal repeater 104 is in wireless communication with wireless signal repeaters 114 and 116 and wireless signal repeater 106 ) Wirelessly communicate with wireless signal repeaters 118 and 120 and wireless signal repeater 108 wirelessly with wireless signal repeaters 122 and 124 and wireless signal repeater 110 wirelessly with wireless signal repeaters 126 and 128, And the wireless signal repeater 112 wirelessly communicates with the wireless signal repeaters 130 and 132 and both wirelessly communicate over the wireless channels 160,162, 164, 166, Thus, the wireless antenna 154 functions as a wireless communication interface to the wireless signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112, or simply as an interface in the illustrated embodiment.

As used herein, a "wireless channel" refers to a multiplexed communication channel within one or more wireless or other electromagnetic frequency bands. In the illustrated embodiment, base station 102 may be configured to multiplex wireless channels 160,162, 164, and 166 using frequency division multiplexing, where wireless channels 160,162, 164, and 166 And are multiplexed into respective different radio frequency bands. The base station 102 in the illustrated embodiment is also configurable to multiplex the wireless channels 160,162, 164, and 166 using time division multiplexing, in which case the first downlink wireless channel 160 and the first uplink Link radio channel 164 is time division multiplexed within a first radio frequency band and a second downlink radio channel 162 and a second uplink radio channel 166 are time division multiplexed within a second radio frequency band 0.0 &gt; time-division multiplexed &lt; / RTI &gt; However, in any of the illustrated embodiments, the configuration and control radio channels 204 are multiplexed in different frequency bands than the frequency bands of the radio channels 160, 162, 164, and 166. Alternate base stations may multiplex the wireless channels 160, 162, 164, 166 and 204 using different multiplexing techniques and the configuration memory 150 of the illustrated embodiment may be configured to specify specific multiplexing techniques for the base station 102 And stores the configuration data.

In the illustrated embodiment, the radio channels 160,162 164,166, 204 may be referred to as " 60 GHz "bands for simplicity and may be within the radio frequency bands between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz, The radio channels 160,162 164,166 and 204 are in the radio frequency band of another known known as Extremely High Frequency (EHF) between about 30 GHz and 300 GHz, for example. Radio frequency, etc. Each radio frequency band of the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166, 204 is also specified in the configuration memory 150 in the illustrated embodiment.

Referring again to FIG. 2, program memory 146 includes downlink code 168 that includes a block of code that instructs microprocessor 144 to transmit a downlink signal. Referring to FIG. 3, a downlink code 168 is schematically illustrated and begins at 170 in response to receiving a downlink message from a backhaul 158 (shown in FIG. 2). The downlink message received at 170 from backhaul 158 may include any message directed to a mobile station (such as mobile station 134, 136, 138 and 140 shown in FIG. 1) in coverage area 142, For example, a voice message, a data message, or a configuration message. The downlink code 168 continues at block 172 where the wireless antenna 154 transmits a downlink signal encoded in the downlink message received at 170 on the first downlink wireless channel 160 To the microprocessor 144. &lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; The downlink code 168 continues at block 174 where it is sent to the microprocessor 144 to transmit the downlink signal encoded with the downlink message received at 170 on the second downlink radio channel 162 Indicate. The downlink code 168 then ends.

Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the base station 102 receives the downlink message from the backhaul 158 and the base station 102 transmits the downlink message on the first and second downlink radio channels 160 and 162, And transmits a downlink signal. Alternate base stations may transmit signals on only one of the first and second downlink radio channels 160 and 162, in which case one of blocks 172 and 174 may be omitted. Another alternate base station may select one of the first and second downlink radio channels 160 and 162 for the downlink signal to a particular wireless signal repeater that is in wireless communication with the base station.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary downlink signal transmitted in response to the code of block 172 or 174 (shown in FIG. 3) is shown generally at 176 and the destination for storing the identifier of the destination for the downlink signal And a message field 180 for storing messages received at identifier fields 178 and 170 (shown in FIG. 3). Thus, the downlink signal in the illustrated embodiment is a digital data packet. However, in alternative embodiments, the downlink signal may be a digital data stream signal or an analog signal that is not transmitted, for example, as a digital data packet.

2, the program memory 146 also includes a microprocessor (not shown) for receiving uplink signals from one of the wireless signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 And an uplink code 182 indicating to the processor 144 (shown in FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 5, an uplink code 182 is shown schematically and transmitted at 184 in response to an uplink signal received on a first uplink wireless channel 164 at a wireless antenna 154 (shown in FIG. 2) Or at 186 in response to the uplink signal received on the second uplink wireless channel 166 at the wireless antenna 154. [ In any case, the uplink code 182 continues at block 188, where a message is transmitted to the backhaul 158 (shown in FIG. 2) in a signal received in 184 or 186, (144). 1, in the illustrated embodiment, the base station 102 is configured to receive signals from the wireless signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 on the first and second uplink wireless channels 164 and 166 Receives the uplink signal and transmits the encoded message in that uplink signal to backhaul 158 (shown in FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary uplink signal received at 184 or 186 (shown in FIG. 5) is shown generally at 190 and transmitted at the source of the uplink message (e.g., the mobile stations 134, 136, 138, and 140), and a message field 194 for storing the message. The uplink message in the uplink message field 194 includes, for example, data for voice communication or other data. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the uplink signal 190 is a digital packet, but in an alternative embodiment, the uplink signal may comprise a digital data stream signal or an analog signal that is not separated into packets, for example.

Referring again to FIG. 2, program memory 146 also includes configuration code 196 that instructs microprocessor 144 (shown in FIG. 2) to receive and transmit configuration information. Here, "configuration information" may also indicate control information, and "configuration signal" may also indicate a signal comprising control information. 7, the configuration code 196 of the illustrated embodiment begins at 198 in response to receiving configuration information from the backhaul 158 (shown in FIG. 2). The configuration information received at 198 includes, for example, multiplexing technology, configuration information specifying frequency bands for wireless channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204, and generally wireless communication system 100 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; and / or &lt; / RTI &gt; The configuration code 196 continues at block 200 where the microprocessor 144 (shown in FIG. 1) to store the configuration information received at 198 in the configuration memory 150 (shown in FIG. 2) ). The configuration code 196 continues at block 202 where it instructs the microprocessor 144 to transmit a configuration signal encoded with configuration information on the configuration and control wireless channel 204.

As described above, the configuration and control radio channel 204 of the illustrated embodiment is between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz, but is a different frequency band than the frequency bands of the radio channels 160, 162, 164, and 166. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the configuration information is transmitted in different radio frequency bands from the uplink and downlink signals, which may have the advantage of allowing greater flexibility for the timing configuration signal in some embodiments. Alternatively, the configuration and control wireless channel 204 may be multiplexed in the same radio frequency band as, for example, the wireless channels 160, 162, 164, and 166.

8, an exemplary configuration signal transmitted at block 202 (shown in FIG. 7) is stored in configuration information such as configuration information generally shown at 326 and received at 198 (shown in FIG. 7) And a configuration information field 208 that is used for the configuration information.

Referring to Figure 9, a wireless signal repeater 106 (also shown in Figure 1) is schematically illustrated and includes a configuration memory 212 in communication with the microprocessor 210 and the microprocessor 210, A program memory 214, a temporary memory 216, and an I / O module 218. The configuration memory 212 of the illustrated embodiment includes RAM and stores information that constitutes a wireless signal repeater 106, such as configuration information, received, for example, in a configuration signal 206 (shown in FIG. 8). The program memory 214 of the illustrated embodiment also includes RAM and stores code that instructs the microprocessor 210 to perform the function of the wireless signal repeater 106 in general. The temporary memory 216 of the illustrated embodiment includes RAM and stores various data that are created and accessed upon operation of the wireless signal repeater 106. [ I / O module 218 includes a wireless antenna port 220 in communication with wireless antenna 222, and in the illustrated embodiment, wireless antenna 222 is coupled to wireless channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204 To wireless communication with base station 102 and wireless signal repeaters 118 and 120 (shown in FIG. 1). Wireless antenna 222 functions as a wireless communication interface or simply as an interface for wireless communication with base station 102 and wireless signal repeaters 118 and 120. Although a wireless signal repeater 106 having a microprocessor 210, a configuration memory 212, a program memory 214, a temporary memory 216 and an I / O module 218 is shown in the illustrated embodiment, The signal repeater may include different components such as, for example, a hard drive and an ASIC.

Program memory 214 is programmed to respond to the downlink signal transmitted by base station 102 (shown in Figure 1) in block 172 or 174 (shown in Figure 3) And a downlink code 224 indicating to the base station 210.

10, a downlink code 224 is shown schematically and includes a wireless antenna 222 (also shown in FIG. 3) on a first downlink wireless channel 160 in response to a code in block 172 (shown in FIG. 3) (Shown in FIG. 3) in response to receiving the downlink signal 176 (shown in FIG. 4) at block 226 or block 174 (shown in FIG. 3) at a second downlink radio channel RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; 228 &lt; / RTI &gt; in response to receiving the downlink signal 176 on the base station 162.

If the downlink code 224 starts at 226, the downlink code 224 continues at block 230 where the signal to noise ratio of the signal received on the first downlink radio channel 160 is measured To the microprocessor 210 (shown in FIG. 9) to store the signal-to-noise ratio in the first signal-to-noise ratio storage 232 in the temporary memory 216 (shown in FIG. 9). The downlink code 224 continues at block 234 where it instructs the microprocessor 210 to determine if a signal encoded with the same data has been received on the second downlink radio channel 162. [ A signal encoded with the same data may also be received on the second downlink radio channel 162 in response to the code of block 174 (shown in FIG. 3).

If a signal encoded with the same data in block 234 is received on the second downlink radio channel 162, the downlink code 224 also starts at 228 and continues at block 236, where the second To-noise ratio of the signal on the downlink wireless channel 162 and to store the signal-to-noise ratio in the second signal-to-noise ratio storage 238 in the temporary memory 216 (shown in FIG. 9) ). The downlink code 224 continues from block 236 to block 240 where the microprocessor 210 determines whether a signal encoded with the same data has also been received on the first downlink wireless channel 160. [ .

If a signal encoded with the same data in block 234 was received on the second downlink radio channel 162 or if a signal encoded with the same data in block 240 was also received on the first downlink radio channel 160, Link code 224 continues at block 242 where the microprocessor 210 determines whether the signal on the first downlink radio channel 160 is stronger than the signal on the second downlink radio channel 162. [ . In the illustrated embodiment, the code in block 242 instructs the microprocessor 210 to compare the signal-to-noise ratios stored in the first and second signal-to-noise ratios stores 232 and 238 (shown in FIG. 9) , The microprocessor 210 may determine that the signal on the first downlink wireless channel 160 is less than the second downlink signal if the first signal to noise ratio storage 232 stores a greater signal to noise ratio than the second signal to noise ratio storage 238. [ It is determined to be stronger than the signal on the wireless channel 162.

If the signal on the first downlink radio channel 160 at block 242 is stronger than the signal on the second downlink radio channel 162 or the same data on the second downlink radio channel 162 at block 234 If there is no encoded signal, the downlink code 224 continues at block 244 where the temporary memory 216 (FIG. 9 (b)) to set up the first uplink radio channel 164 as the uplink transmitted radio channel To configure the uplink transmit radio channel storage 246 in the uplink transmit radio channel storage 246 (shown in FIG. The downlink code 224 continues at block 248 where it is determined that the downlink code in the temporary memory 216 (shown in FIG. 9) to set the first downlink radio channel 160 as the downlink received radio channel. And directs the microprocessor 210 to configure the link receive radio channel storage 250. [

Referring again to FIG. 1, in the depicted embodiment, wireless signal repeater 106 wirelessly communicates with mobile station 134 over mobile station wireless channel 252. In the illustrated embodiment, the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166 and 204 are in the 60 GHz band, while the mobile radio channel 252 is in the GSM radio band at about 2 GHz. In alternative embodiments, the wireless signal repeater may communicate with the mobile station in various radio frequency bands, such as, for example, GSM, CDMA, TDMA and radio frequency bands such as IEEE 802.11 or 802.16, Which is lower than the radio frequencies of the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166 and 204 in the embodiment.

10, the downlink code 224 continues from block 248 to block 254 where the destination in the destination identifier field 178 of the signal received at 226 (shown in FIG. 4) Instructs the microprocessor 210 to determine if the identifier specifies a downlink radio channel in the mobile radio channel 252. [ If the destination identifier in the destination identifier field 178 in the illustrated embodiment designates a mobile station that is in wireless communication with the wireless signal repeater 106 on the mobile station wireless channel 252, such as the mobile station 134 shown in FIG. 1, In an embodiment, the destination identifier in the destination identifier field 178 specifies the downlink radio channel in the mobile radio channel 252. If the destination identifier in the destination identifier field 178 designates the downlink radio channel in the mobile radio channel 252 at block 254, then the downlink code 224 continues at block 256, Instructs the microprocessor 210 to configure the downlink transmit radio channel storage 258 in the temporary memory 216 (shown in Figure 9) to set the mobile station radio channel 252 as a radio channel. Otherwise, the downlink code 224 continues at block 260 where the downlink transmitting radio channel storage 258 is configured to establish a second downlink radio channel 162 as the downlink transmitting radio channel And instructs the microprocessor 210 to do so.

After block 256 or 260, the downlink code 224 continues at block 262, where the signal-to-noise ratio of the downlink received radio channel is set to a threshold within the configuration memory 212 (shown in FIG. 9) Value store 264 to the microprocessor 210 to determine if the threshold value is exceeded. If the downlink receiving radio channel is set as the first downlink radio channel 160 at block 248, then the code in block 262 is used to store the signal to noise ratio stored in the first signal to noise ratio storage 232 in the threshold storage 264). &Lt; / RTI &gt; At block 262, if the signal-to-noise ratio of the downlink received radio channel exceeds the threshold, the downlink code 224 continues at block 266, where the downlink received radio channel storage 250, (Designated by the downlink transmitting radio channel storage 258 shown in FIG. 9) by amplifying the received signal from the downlink receiving radio channel (designated by the downlink transmitting radio channel storage 258 shown in FIG. 9) Instructs microprocessor 210 to transmit the downlink signal on the transmitted wireless channel. However, at block 262, if the signal-to-noise ratio of the downlink received radio channel does not exceed the threshold, downlink code 224 continues at block 268, where (downlink received radio channel storage The wireless antenna 222 may be configured to decode the received signal from the downlink receive radio channel (as indicated by the downlink transmit radio channel &lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; Instructs the microprocessor 210 to transmit the downlink signal 176 on the downlink transmission radio channel (designated by the downlink transmission channel 258). After block 266 or block 268, the downlink code 224 ends.

Thus, in the depicted embodiment, the wireless signal repeater 106 simply amplifies the received uplink signal (as in block 266) or digitally decodes the received message (as in block 268) And then repeat the received message by encoding. If the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal is greater than the threshold value, the signal with a higher signal-to-noise ratio can be expected to have fewer errors, so that the wireless signal repeater 106 can simply amplify the signal. However, if the signal-to-noise ratio is less than the threshold, the signal is more likely to contain errors, and thus, especially if, for example, the signal contains redundant data correction information, May have the advantage of improving the quality of the repetitive signal. In an alternate embodiment, the code of block 262 may be omitted and the downlink code 224 may proceed directly to the code of block 266 or the code of block 268, for example. In another embodiment, configuration memory 212 (shown in FIG. 9) may include code in block 266 or configuration information in determining whether to execute code in block 268. [ Also, in embodiments where the downlink and uplink signals are purely analog, the code in blocks 262 and 268 may be omitted, and the downlink code 224 may proceed directly to the code in block 266. [

10, if a signal encoded with the same data at block 240 is not received on the first downlink radio channel 160, or a signal on the first downlink radio channel 160 at block 242 The downlink code 224 continues at block 270 where the second uplink radio channel 166 as the uplink transmit radio channel is transmitted to the second uplink radio channel Instructs microprocessor 210 to configure uplink transmit radio channel storage 246 (shown in FIG. The downlink code 224 continues at block 272 where the downlink received radio channel store 250 (shown in FIG. 9) to set the second downlink radio channel 162 as the downlink receive radio channel To the microprocessor 210 to configure the microprocessor 210.

The downlink code 224 continues at block 274 where the destination identifier in the destination identifier field 178 of the downlink signal 176 received at 228 (shown in Figure 4) 252 to the downlink radio channel. The code in block 254 therefore instructs the microprocessor 210 to respond to the destination identifier in the destination identifier field 178 of the downlink signal 176 received at 226 and the code in block 274 is received The code in block 274 is substantially the same as the code in block 254 except that it directs microprocessor 210 to respond to a destination identifier in destination identifier field 178 of downlink signal 176 . If the destination identifier in the destination identifier field 178 designates the downlink radio channel in the mobile radio channel 252 at block 274, the downlink code 224 continues at block 256 as described above. Otherwise, downlink code 224 continues at block 276, where downlink transmission radio channel storage 258 (also referred to as a downlink transmission radio channel) 9). &Lt; / RTI &gt; The downlink code 224 then determines if the downlink received radio channel is set as the second downlink radio channel 162 at block 272 and if the code of block 262 is the second signal to noise ratio store 238, Continues at block 262, as described above, except that the signal-to-noise ratio stored in the threshold storage 264 (shown in FIG. 9) is compared to the threshold stored in the threshold storage 264 (shown in FIG. 9).

1, wireless signal repeater 106 of the illustrated embodiment may also receive uplink signals from wireless signal repeaters 118 and 120 or mobile stations 134 and 136. 1 and 9, in the illustrated embodiment, program memory 214 also typically includes uplink signals 190 (e.g., from one of mobile stations 134 and 136), from one of wireless signal repeaters 118 and 120 (Shown in FIG. 6) to the microprocessor 210. The uplink code 278 may be an uplink code (e.g. Referring to FIG. 11, an uplink code 278 is shown schematically and illustrates the reception of an uplink signal 190 at a wireless antenna 222 (shown in FIG. 9) on a first uplink wireless channel 164 In response to 280; In response to the signal of the uplink signal 190 at the wireless antenna 222 on the second uplink wireless channel 166; And in response to receiving the uplink signal 190 at the wireless antenna 222 on the mobile station wireless channel 252.

After 280, 282 or 284, an uplink code 278 continues at block 288, where the microprocessor 210 is instructed to measure the signal-to-noise ratio of the uplink signal received at 280, 282 or 284 do. The uplink code 278 continues at block 290 where it is determined whether the signal to noise ratio determined at block 288 exceeds the threshold stored in the threshold store 264 (shown in Figure 9) And instructs the microprocessor 210. If the signal-to-noise ratio exceeds the threshold at block 290, the uplink code 278 continues at block 292, where by amplifying the received signal at 280, 282 or 284 (Shown in FIG. 6) on the uplink transmit radio channel (as specified by the uplink transmit radio channel storage 246). Otherwise, an uplink code 278 continues at block 294, where the message received 280, 282 or 284 is digitally decoded and the decoded message is encoded (uplink transmitted radio channel storage To transmit the uplink signal 190 on the uplink transmission radio channel (e. G., 246).

Therefore, as described above with reference to blocks 262, 266, and 268 (shown in FIG. 10), the codes of blocks 290, 292, and 294 are such that the signal to noise ratio of the received uplink signal exceeds the threshold The microprocessor 210 simply amplifies the received uplink but allows the received signal to be digitally decoded and encoded if the signal to noise ratio of the received uplink signal is below a threshold which results in a lower signal to noise ratio As the received signal may have additional errors that can be eliminated by digitally decoding and encoding the message. Again, in an alternate embodiment, the code of block 290 may be omitted and the uplink code 278 may proceed directly to the code of block 292 or the code of block 294, for example. In another embodiment, configuration memory 212 (shown in FIG. 9) may comprise code in block 292 or configuration information that determines whether to execute code in block 294. FIG. Also, in embodiments where the downlink and uplink signals are purely analog, the code in blocks 290 and 294 may be omitted, and the uplink code 278 may proceed directly to the code in block 292. [

9, the program memory 214 may also be coupled to a configuration signal 206 (shown in FIG. 8) that is transmitted, for example, in response to a code of block 202 (shown in FIG. 7) And a configuration code 296 that instructs the microprocessor 210 to respond. Referring to Figure 12, a configuration code 296 is shown schematically and begins at 298 in response to a signal of a configuration signal 206 at a wireless antenna 222 (shown in Figure 9). The configuration code 296 continues at block 300 where the configuration information of the configuration information field 208 (shown in Figure 8) of the configuration signal 206 received at 298 is stored in the configuration memory 212 (Shown in FIG. 9) to be stored in the microprocessor 210 (shown in FIG. 9). The configuration code 296 continues at block 302 and instructs the microprocessor 210 to cause the wireless antenna 222 to transmit the configuration signal 206 on the configuration and control wireless channel 204. [ In the illustrated embodiment, the code in block 302 causes the wireless signal repeater 106 to transmit the configuration signal 206 to the wireless signal repeaters 118 and 120 shown in FIG.

1, the wireless signal repeaters 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are coupled to the wireless signal repeater 106 of the illustrated embodiment. . However, in operation, the wireless signal repeaters 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 and 132 of the illustrated embodiment are shown in FIG. And wirelessly communicate with other such stations.

13, a configuration memory 306 for storing configuration information for the microprocessor 304 and the mobile station 136 in an embodiment shown schematically and in the illustrated embodiment is shown generally at 136, A temporary memory 310 and an I / O module 312, which store data generated and accessed during operation of the mobile station 136, and a program memory 308 that instructs the microprocessor 304 to perform functions of the mobile station 136, The configuration memory, program memory, temporary memory, and I / O modules communicate with the microprocessor 304. The configuration memory 306, the program memory 308 and the temporary memory 310 of the illustrated embodiment are RAM and the I / O module 312 includes a wireless antenna port 314 that communicates with the wireless antenna 316 . The mobile station 136 also includes a user interface 317 that communicates with the I / O module 312. The user interface 317 represents various I / O components for interfacing with a user of the mobile station 136 and includes, in the illustrated embodiment, a screen, a microphone, a speaker and a keypad (both not shown).

Referring to Figures 1 and 13, the wireless antenna 316 of the illustrated embodiment enables wireless communication with the wireless signal repeaters 106 and 120. Unlike the mobile station 134, however, the mobile station 136 wirelessly communicates with the wireless signal repeaters 106 and 120 over the wireless channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204. In an alternate embodiment, the mobile station 136 may be in wireless communication with another wireless signal repeater or base station, and more generally, the wireless antenna 316 may communicate wirelessly with a wireless signal repeater, such as the wireless signal repeaters 106 and 120, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; and / or &lt; / RTI &gt;

Referring again to FIG. 13, program memory 308 generally includes a downlink signal 176 (shown in FIG. 4) that is transmitted in response to the code of block 266 or 268 (shown in FIG. 10) And a downlink code 318 that instructs the microprocessor 304 to respond to the request. Referring to Figure 14, a downlink code 318 is schematically depicted and depicted as a downlink signal 176 at the radio antenna 316 (shown in Figure 13) on the first downlink radio channel 160 In response to receiving the downlink signal 176 at the wireless antenna 316 at 320 or on the second downlink wireless channel 162 in response to the downlink signal. If the downlink code 318 starts at 320, the downlink code 318 continues at block 324 where a temporary memory is set to set up the first uplink radio channel 164 as the uplink transmitted radio channel, (Shown in FIG. 13) to configure the uplink transmit radio channel storage 326 in the uplink transmit radio channel storage 310 (shown in FIG. 13). The code in block 324 instructs microprocessor 304 to set up a first uplink radio channel 164 as an uplink transmit radio channel in response to a downlink signal received on first downlink radio channel 160 And thus the first uplink radio channel 164 is associated with the first downlink radio channel 160.

The downlink code 318 continues at block 328, where it instructs the microprocessor 304 to respond to the downlink signal 176 received at 320 or 322. For example, the downlink signal 176 received at 320 or 322 may include a message for voice communication or other data transmission, and the code of block 328 may generally include a microprocessor 304 ).

However, if the downlink code 318 starts at 322, then the downlink code 318 continues at block 330, where it sets up the second uplink radio channel 166 as the uplink transmitting radio channel Instructs the microprocessor 304 to configure the uplink transmit radio channel storage 326. The code in block 330 instructs microprocessor 304 to set up a second uplink radio channel 166 as an uplink transmit radio channel in response to the downlink signal received on second downlink radio channel 162 And thus the second uplink radio channel 166 is associated with the second downlink radio channel 162. The downlink code 318 then continues at block 328 as described above.

13, program memory 308 also includes an uplink code 332 that instructs microprocessor 304 to transmit uplink signal 190 (shown in FIG. 6). Referring to FIG. 15, an uplink code 332 is schematically illustrated and begins at 334 in response to receiving an uplink message. The uplink message received at 334 may include uplink data for voice communications or other data communicated, for example, from mobile station 136. The uplink code 332 continues at block 336 where a message of the uplink signal 190 on the uplink transmitted radio channel specified by the uplink transmission channel storage 326 (shown in Figure 13) To the microprocessor 304 (shown in FIG. 13) to transmit an uplink signal 190 containing the uplink message received at 334 in field 194 (shown in FIG. 6). Thereafter, the uplink code 332 ends.

13, program memory 308 is also generally coupled to wireless antenna 316 on a configuration and control wireless channel 204 in response to code, for example, block 202 (shown in FIG. 7) And a configuration code 338 that instructs the microprocessor 304 to respond to the received configuration signal 206 (shown in FIG. 8). 16, a configuration code 338 is schematically illustrated and begins at 340 in response to receipt of a configuration signal 206 from a wireless antenna 316. The configuration code 338 continues at block 342 where configuration information from the configuration information field 208 of the configuration signal 206 (shown in Figure 8) (Shown in Fig. 13) to store in the microprocessor 304 (shown in Fig. 13). The configuration code 338 then ends.

Referring to FIG. 17, an exemplary sequence of signals transmitted and received in a wireless communication system 100 (shown in FIG. 1) is schematically illustrated and generally illustrated at 344. A sequence of signals 344 may be transmitted over a first downlink radio channel 160 in response to the code of block 172 of downlink code 168 (shown in FIG. 3) 348 encoded first downlink signal 346, The wireless signal repeater 106 receives the first downlink signal 346 and receives the downlink code 224 (shown in FIG. 10) in blocks 230, 234, 244, 248, 254, 260, 268 on the second downlink radio channel 162 with the first message 348 encoded on the second downlink radio channel 162. The mobile station 136 receives the second downlink signal 350 in response to the code in blocks 330 and 328 of the downlink code 318 (shown in FIG. 14). The mobile station 136 then transmits a second message 354 encoded on the second uplink wireless channel 166 in response to the code in block 336 of the uplink code 332 (shown in FIG. 15) 1 uplink signal 352. [ The wireless signal repeater 106 then receives the first uplink signal 352 and transmits a second message (not shown) on the first uplink wireless channel 164 in response to the uplink code 278 354 encoded by the second uplink signal. The base station 102 then receives the second uplink signal 356 in response to the uplink code 182 (shown in FIG. 5).

The wireless signal repeater 106 receives a first downlink signal 346 encoded with a first message 348 on the first downlink wireless channel 160 from the base station 102, And transmits a second downlink signal 350 encoded with a first message 348 to a mobile station 136 on a second downlink radio channel 162 after receiving the first downlink signal 346 And receives a first uplink signal 352 encoded from the mobile station 136 in a second message 354 on a second uplink wireless channel 166 and receives a first uplink signal 352 And then transmits a second uplink signal 356 encoded with a second message 354 to the base station 102 on the first uplink wireless channel 164.

17, the base station 102 also transmits a third downlink signal 358 encoded with the first message 348 on the second downlink radio channel 162, The repeater 106 receives the third downlink signal 358 before transmitting the second downlink signal 350. In this alternate embodiment, however, the wireless signal repeater 106 is configured to receive a higher signal (not shown) of the first downlink signal 346 than the third downlink signal 358 (measured at block 236 shown in FIG. 10) Noise ratio (at block 230 shown in FIG. 10). Thus, at block 242 shown in FIG. 10, the wireless signal repeater 106 is configured such that the first downlink signal 346 on the first downlink wireless channel 160 is the same as the first downlink signal 346 on the second downlink wireless channel 162 The downlink code 224 is determined to be stronger than the downlink signal 358 and the downlink code 228 is determined to be stronger than the downlink signal 358, . Thus, in this alternative embodiment, before transmitting the second wireless signal (second downlink signal 350), the wireless signal repeater 106 also transmits a second wireless channel (second downlink wireless channel 162) (The third downlink signal 358) encoded in the first message 348 on the first downlink signal 348 but the first signal (the first downlink signal 346) The code of block 242 (shown in FIG. 10) may cause the wireless signal repeater 106 to transmit a first radio signal (second downlink signal 350) To select a second wireless channel (second downlink wireless channel 162) (in block 260 shown in FIG. 10) instead of the first downlink channel 160).

1, the mobile station 136 also wirelessly communicates with the wireless signal repeater 120 over the wireless channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204, and may, for example, The wireless signal repeater 136 may not be in wireless communication with the wireless signal repeater 106 and may instead begin to receive the downlink signal from the wireless signal repeater 120. [ Referring to FIG. 18, a wireless communication system 100 (shown in FIG. 1) in which a mobile station 136 receives a downlink signal from a wireless signal repeater 120 instead of a wireless signal repeater 106, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; 374 &lt; / RTI &gt; are schematically illustrated. A sequence of signals 374 is initiated when the base station 102 transmits a first downlink signal 376 encoded with a first message 378 on a first downlink wireless channel 160. The wireless signal repeater 106 receives the first downlink signal 346 and transmits the second downlink signal 380 encoded with the first message 378 on the second downlink wireless channel 162. The wireless signal repeater 120 receives the second downlink signal 376 and transmits a third downlink signal 382 encoded with the first message 378 on the first downlink wireless channel 160. The mobile station 136 receives the third downlink signal 382 in response to the code in blocks 324 and 328 of the downlink code 318 (shown in FIG. 14). The mobile station 136 then transmits a second message 386 encoded on the first uplink wireless channel 164 in response to the code in block 336 of the uplink code 332 (shown in FIG. 15) And transmits the first uplink signal 384. The wireless signal repeater 120 then receives the first uplink signal 384 and transmits the second uplink signal 388 encoded in the second message 386 on the second uplink wireless channel 166 do. The wireless signal repeater 106 then receives the second uplink signal 388 and transmits the third uplink signal 390 encoded in the second message 386 on the first uplink wireless channel 164 do. The base station 102 then receives the third uplink signal 390.

In summary, in a sequence of signals 374, the wireless signal repeater 120 receives the second downlink signal 380 from the wireless signal repeater 106 and, after receiving the second downlink signal 380, The base station transmits a third downlink signal 382 encoded with a first message 378 to a mobile station 136 on a first downlink radio channel 160 and prior to transmitting a second uplink signal 388, Lt; / RTI &gt; receives the first uplink signal 384 encoded in the second message 386 from the base station 136.

17 and 18, in a sequence of signals 344 and 374, the mobile station 136 receives a second downlink signal 350 (e.g., a downlink signal) from the wireless signal repeater 106 on a second downlink wireless channel 162 ) And transmits the first uplink signal 352 on a second uplink radio channel 166 associated with the second downlink radio channel 162 (by the code of block 330 shown in Figure 14) To the wireless signal repeater 106 and to receive the third downlink signal 382 from the wireless signal repeater 120 on the first downlink wireless channel 160 and to receive the third downlink signal 382 from the first downlink wireless channel 160 and And transmits the first uplink signal 384 to the radio signal peter 120 on the associated first uplink radio channel 164 (by the code of block 324 shown in Fig. 14).

17 and 18, the wireless signal repeater communicates only on the wireless channels 160, 162, 164, and 166, and thus, in this embodiment, is configured to communicate on the mobile station wireless channel 252 no need. Therefore, in this embodiment, blocks 254, 256, 274 (shown in Figure 10) may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 19, another exemplary signal sequence transmitted and received in the wireless communication system 100 (shown in FIG. 1) is schematically illustrated and generally shown at 360. The sequence of signals 360 begins when the base station 102 transmits a first downlink signal 362 encoded with the first message 364 on the first downlink radio channel 160. In the depicted embodiment, the destination identifier in the destination identifier field 178 (shown in FIG. 4) of the first downlink signal 362 is transmitted over the mobile radio channel 252, And mobile station 134 in wireless communication with mobile station 106. The wireless signal repeater 106 therefore receives the first downlink signal 362 and transmits the first message 364 encoded on the mobile station wireless channel 252 in response to the code of block 254 shown in FIG. And transmits a second downlink signal 366. The mobile station 134 receives the second downlink signal 366 and then transmits the first uplink signal 368 encoded with the second message 370 on the mobile station radio channel 252 at a later time. The wireless signal repeater 106 receives the first uplink signal 368 and transmits the second message 370 on the first uplink wireless channel 164 in response to the uplink code 278 (shown in Figure 11) And transmits the second uplink signal 372 encoded with the second uplink signal. The base station 102 then receives the second uplink signal 372 in response to the uplink code 182 (shown in FIG. 5).

In summary, in an exemplary sequence of signals 360, the wireless signal repeater 106 receives a first downlink signal 362 encoded with a first message 364 on a first downlink wireless channel 160 Transmits a second downlink signal 366 encoded with the first message 364 to the mobile station 134 on the mobile station radio channel 252 after receiving the first downlink signal 362, 252 after receiving the first uplink signal 368 encoded from the mobile station 134 into the second message 370 and after receiving the first uplink signal 368 the first uplink radio channel 164 To the base station 102, a second uplink signal 372 encoded with a second message 370 on the base station 102. [

In an exemplary sequence of signals 360, the mobile station 134 communicates with the wireless signal repeater 106 on the mobile station radio channel 252, and thus the mobile station 134 may be a micro, May be considered to be in a femtocell. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the wireless signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, Or a femtocell.

Referring again to FIG. 1, mobile station 140 wirelessly communicates with wireless signal repeater 118 on mobile station wireless channel 252. In the illustrated embodiment, the configuration information received at, for example, 198 (shown in FIG. 7) and transmitted in the configuration information field 208 (shown in FIG. 8) And configure the mobile stations 134 and 140 to wirelessly communicate with the wireless signal repeaters 106 and 118 on the channel. More generally, in the depicted embodiment, the configuration information includes various subchannels of the mobile radio channel 252 to the wireless signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132, and one or more mobile stations in wireless communication with one of these wireless signal repeaters may also be associated with subchannels associated with the wireless signal repeater. These different subchannels may be advantageous, for example, to reduce interference on transmissions from adjacent radio signal repeaters on mobile radio channel 252.

The configuration information may also associate a subchannel of the mobile station radio channel 252 with a respective subchannel at each of the radio channels 160, 162, 164 and 166. In this configuration, the codes of blocks 172 and 174 (shown in FIG. 3) and blocks 266 and 268 (shown in FIG. 10) are transmitted to the first and second downlink radio (Shown in FIG. 4) in each subchannel of channels 160 and 162, and blocks 292 and 294 (shown in FIG. 11) and block 336 (Shown in FIG. 6) in each subchannel of the first and second uplink radio channels 164 and 166 associated with the source mobile station of the uplink signal do. Also in this configuration, because the destination or source of the signal can be identified by the downlink signal 178 or the subchannel of the uplink signal 190, the destination identifier field 178 (shown in FIG. 4) The identifier field 192 (shown in FIG. 6) may be omitted and the code in blocks 254 and 274 (shown in FIG. 10) may be sent at 226 or 228 (also shown in FIG. 10) May determine if a signal has been assigned to the mobile radio channel 252 by identifying the sub-channel of the link signal 178. [

Referring to FIG. 20, another exemplary signal sequence transmitted and received in the wireless communication system 100 (shown in FIG. 1) is schematically illustrated and generally shown at 392. The sequence 392 of the signal is initiated when the base station 102 transmits the first downlink signal 394 in the subchannel of the first downlink radio channel 160 associated with the mobile station 134. The wireless signal repeater 106 receives the first downlink signal 394 and transmits a second downlink signal 396 on the subchannel of the mobile station wireless channel 252 associated with the mobile station 134 to the mobile station 134 . The mobile station 134 transmits the first uplink signal 398 on the subchannel of the mobile station radio channel 252 associated with the mobile station 134 and the radio signal repeater 106 transmits the first uplink signal 398, And transmits the second uplink signal (400) to the base station (102) on a subchannel of the first uplink radio channel (162) associated with the mobile station (134).

The base station 102 transmits the third downlink signal 402 on the subchannel of the first downlink radio channel 160 associated with the mobile station 140. [ The wireless signal repeater 106 receives the third downlink signal 402 and transmits the fourth downlink signal 404 on the subchannel of the second downlink radio channel 162 associated with the mobile station 140. The wireless signal repeater 118 receives the fourth downlink signal 404 and transmits the fifth downlink signal 406 on the subchannel of the mobile station radio channel 252 associated with the mobile station 140 to the mobile station 140 . The mobile station 140 transmits the third uplink signal 408 on the subchannel of the mobile station radio channel 252 associated with the mobile station 140. [ The wireless signal repeater 118 receives the third uplink signal 408 and transmits the fourth uplink signal 410 on the subchannel of the second uplink wireless channel 166 associated with the mobile station 140. The wireless signal repeater 106 receives the fourth uplink signal 410 and transmits the fifth uplink signal 412 on the subchannel of the first uplink wireless channel 164 associated with the mobile station 140.

The wireless communication system 100 enables communication at higher radio frequencies, such as, for example, EHF frequencies, so that a larger operating bandwidth is preferably available at these higher radio frequencies. In fact, the base station 102 of the wireless communication system 100 can replace an existing base station using only lower radio frequencies to upgrade an existing base station and provide a larger operating frequency. It may also be desirable for the above-described wireless signal repeaters to be located closer together as may be required to accommodate a shorter range of higher radio frequencies, which may include at least two different channels for the uplink signal and a downlink Since at least two different channels for the signal may have the advantage of reducing interference between the signals.

While various embodiments are described and shown, these embodiments are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the invention as interpreted in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims (46)

A method for facilitating wireless communication,
Receiving, in a wireless signal repeater, a first wireless signal encoded with a first message from a first remote station on a first downlink multiplexed radio channel;
And a second wireless station, after receiving the first wireless signal, transmitting, from the wireless signal repeater on a second downlink multiplexed radio channel different from the first downlink multiplexed radio channel, Transmitting a signal;
The third wireless channel being encoded with a second message from the second remote station on a first uplink multiplexed radio channel different from the first and second downlink multiplexed radio channels, Receiving a signal; And
And after receiving the third radio signal, transmitting, from the radio signal repeater, on the second uplink multiplexed radio channel different from the first and second downlink multiplexed radio channels and the first uplink multiplexed radio channel, Transmitting a fourth wireless signal encoded with the second message to a first remote station;
Lt; / RTI &gt;
Wherein the first downlink and second uplink multiplexed radio channels are time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and wherein the second downlink and first uplink multiplexed radio channels are different from the first radio frequency band And is time division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the wireless signal repeater, a configuration in a different radio frequency band than the radio frequency band of each of the first downlink, the second downlink, the first uplink, and the second uplink multiplexed radio channel &Lt; / RTI &gt; further comprising receiving encoded configuration information in the information signal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the second radio signal comprises amplifying the first radio signal and the step of transmitting the fourth radio signal comprises amplifying the third radio signal How to. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the second wireless signal comprises digitally decoding the first message from the first wireless signal and encoding the decoded first message for the second wireless signal Wherein the transmitting the fourth wireless signal comprises digitally decoding the second message from the third wireless signal and encoding the decoded second message for the fourth wireless signal, &Lt; / RTI &gt; The method according to claim 1,
Determining a first signal-to-noise ratio indicative of a ratio of the strength of the first wireless signal to noise in the first wireless signal at the wireless signal repeater; And
Determining a second signal-to-noise ratio indicative of a ratio of the strength of the third wireless signal to noise in the third wireless signal at the wireless signal repeater
Further comprising:
Wherein if the first signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a first criterion, the step of transmitting the second radio signal includes amplifying the first radio signal,
Wherein if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the first criterion, then transmitting the second radio signal comprises digitally decoding the first message from the first radio signal, And encoding the decoded first message for the first message,
Wherein if the second signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a second criterion, transmitting the fourth wireless signal comprises amplifying the third wireless signal,
Wherein if the second signal-to-noise ratio does not meet the second criterion, transmitting the fourth wireless signal digitally decoding the second message from the third wireless signal, And encoding the decoded second message for the first message. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein if the first signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a first threshold, the first signal-to-noise ratio satisfies the first criterion,
Wherein if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the first threshold, the first signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the first criterion,
Wherein if the second signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a second threshold, the second signal-to-noise ratio satisfies the second criterion,
Wherein the second signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the second threshold if the second signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the second threshold. The method according to claim 1,
Receiving, at the wireless signal repeater, a fifth wireless signal encoded with the first message from the first remote station on the second downlink multiplexed radio channel before transmitting the second wireless signal, 1 radio signal is stronger than said fifth radio signal; And
Comparing the respective signal strengths of the first and fifth wireless signals to determine that the first wireless signal is stronger than the fifth wireless signal
Further comprising:
Wherein the step of transmitting the second radio signal further comprises the step of transmitting the second downlink multiplexed radio channel for the second radio signal in response to a determination that the first radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal. Selecting a link multiplexed wireless channel. The method according to claim 1,
Receiving the second wireless signal from the wireless signal repeater at the second remote station; And
Transmitting a tenth radio signal encoded with the first message from the second remote station to the fourth remote station on the first downlink multiplexed radio channel after receiving the second radio signal,
&Lt; / RTI &gt; 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising: prior to transmitting the third wireless signal, transmitting an eleventh wireless signal encoded with the second message from the fourth remote wireless station on the second uplink multiplexed wireless channel at the second remote wireless station &Lt; / RTI &gt; A wireless signal repeater device comprising:
An interface that facilitates wireless communication with the first and second remote stations over at least four different wireless channels; And
A processor in communication with the interface
The processor comprising:
Receiving, from the interface, a first radio signal encoded with a first message from the first remote station on a first downlink multiplexed radio channel,
Cause the interface to transmit a second wireless signal encoded with the first message to the second remote station on a second downlink multiplexed radio channel after receiving the first wireless signal,
From the interface, a third wireless signal encoded with a second message from the second remote station on a first uplink multiplexed radio channel,
To cause the interface to transmit a fourth wireless signal encoded with the second message to the first remote station on a second uplink multiplexed radio channel after receiving the third wireless signal
&Lt; / RTI &gt;
Wherein the first downlink and second uplink multiplexed radio channels are time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and wherein the second downlink and first uplink multiplexed radio channels are different from the first radio frequency band And is time division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to receive, from the interface, a respective radio frequency band of the first downlink, a second downlink, a first uplink, and a second uplink multiplexed radio channel, And configured to receive encoded configuration information in the configuration information signal in the band. 11. The processor of claim 10,
Receiving, from the interface, a fifth radio signal from the first remote radio station on the second downlink multiplexed radio channel before transmitting the second radio signal, wherein the fifth radio signal is encoded with the first message And is not as strong as the first radio signal,
Compare the signal strengths of the first and fifth radio signals,
And to select the second downlink multiplexed radio channel instead of the first downlink multiplexed radio channel for the second radio signal if the first radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal
A device operably configured. 11. The processor of claim 10,
From the interface, a sixth wireless signal encoded with a third message from the first remote station on the first downlink multiplexed wireless channel,
After receiving the sixth radio signal, the interface is communicated to a third remote radio station on a fifth radio channel different from the first downlink, second downlink, first uplink and second uplink multiplexed radio channels To transmit a seventh wireless signal encoded with the third message,
From the interface, an eighth wireless signal encoded with a fourth message from the third remote station on the fifth wireless channel,
To cause the interface to transmit a ninth radio signal encoded in the fourth message to the first remote station on the second uplink multiplexed radio channel after receiving the eighth radio signal
A device operably configured. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the processor is configured to be operable to receive the sixth radio signal on a subchannel of the first downlink multiplexed radio channel associated with the third remote station,
Wherein the processor is operable to transmit the seventh radio signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station,
Wherein the processor is configured to be operable to receive the eighth radio signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station,
Wherein the processor is operable to transmit the ninth radio signal on a subchannel of the second uplink multiplexed radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the sixth radio signal includes a destination field including destination data,
Wherein the processor is operable to cause the interface to transmit the seventh radio signal in response to receipt of the sixth radio signal when the destination field of the sixth radio signal includes destination data specifying the third remote radio station Lt; / RTI &gt; A wireless communication method comprising:
Receiving a first radio signal from a first remote station on a first downlink multiplexed radio channel at a mobile station;
Transmitting a second radio signal from the mobile station to the first remote station on a second downlink multiplexed radio channel associated with the first downlink multiplexed radio channel and different from the first downlink multiplexed radio channel ;
Receiving a third radio signal from a second remote station on a first uplink multiplexed radio channel different from the first and second downlink multiplexed radio channels in the mobile station; And
And a second uplink multiplexed radio channel associated with the first uplink multiplexed radio channel and different from the first downlink, second downlink, and first uplink multiplexed radio channel, Transmitting a fourth radio signal to the radio station
Lt; / RTI &gt;
Wherein the first downlink and second uplink multiplexed radio channels are time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and wherein the second downlink and first uplink multiplexed radio channels are different from the first radio frequency band And is time division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first downlink, the second downlink, the first uplink, the second uplink multiplexed radio channel are frequency divided on first, second, third and fourth different radio frequency bands, Lt; / RTI &gt; 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first and second downlink multiplexed radio channels are time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and the first and second uplink multiplexed radio channels are time- And is time division multiplexed on another second radio frequency band. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first downlink, second downlink, first uplink and second uplink multiplexed radio channels have their respective radio frequencies between 57 GHz and 64 GHz. As a mobile station apparatus,
An interface that facilitates wireless communication with the first and second remote stations over at least four different wireless channels; And
A processor in communication with the interface
The processor comprising:
Receiving, from the interface, a first wireless signal from a first remote wireless station on a first downlink multiplexed wireless channel,
Wherein the interface is adapted to transmit a second radio signal to the first remote radio station on a second downlink multiplexed radio channel associated with the first downlink multiplexed radio channel and different from the first downlink multiplexed radio channel and,
From the interface, a third wireless signal from a second remote station on a first uplink multiplexed radio channel different from the first and second downlink multiplexed radio channels,
Wherein the interface is associated with the first uplink multiplexed radio channel and on a second uplink multiplexed radio channel different from the first downlink, the second downlink, and the first uplink multiplexed radio channel, Signal to the second remote station
&Lt; / RTI &gt;
Wherein the first downlink and second uplink multiplexed radio channels are time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band and wherein the second downlink and first uplink multiplexed radio channels are different from the first radio frequency band And is time division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first downlink, the second downlink, the first uplink, and the second uplink multiplexed radio channel are frequency divided on first, second, third and fourth different radio frequency bands, The device being multiplexed. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first and second downlink multiplexed radio channels are time division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band, wherein the first and second uplink multiplexed radio channels are associated with the first radio frequency band And is time division multiplexed on another second radio frequency band. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to receive, from the interface, a respective radio frequency band of the first downlink, a second downlink, a first uplink, and a second uplink multiplexed radio channel, And configured to receive encoded configuration information in the configuration information signal in the band. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the configured radio frequency band is between 57 GHz and 64 GHz. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first downlink, the second downlink, the first uplink, and the second uplink multiplexed radio channel have their respective radio frequencies between 57 GHz and 64 GHz. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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