Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W16/00—Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
  • H04W16/24—Cell structures
  • H04W16/26—Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
  • H04B10/11—Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
  • H04B10/114—Indoor or close-range type systems
  • H04B10/116—Visible light communication
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
  • H04B7/24—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts
  • H04B7/26—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts at least one of which is mobile
  • H04B7/2603—Arrangements for wireless physical layer control
  • H04B7/2606—Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
  • H04B10/11—Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
  • H04B10/114—Indoor or close-range type systems
  • H04B10/1149—Arrangements for indoor wireless networking of information
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
  • Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
  • Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks

Definitions

• the invention relates to wireless communication techniques .
• Fig. 1 shows a base station controller (BSC) 1 which controls wireless communications within multiple cells 2, each cell being served by a corresponding base station (BS) 4.
• BSC base station controller
• each base station 4 facilitates communications using an air-mterface with mobile and/or wireless terminals 6, which are within the cell 2 associated with the corresponding base station 4.
• Wireless terminals also enter and exit structures within the cells and it is desirable that the wireless terminal maintain connection with the network.
• a conventional wireless network can be built based on a single RF frequency band for both indoor and outdoor use.
• it is difficult to provide Gigabit rate service with low power consumption.
• a method comprising: transmitting a
• the distributed antennas at least one outdoor access point outside of the structure, at least one indoor access point inside of the structure, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on links between the base station and the terminal, m which the links include at least one radio frequency (RF) link, the at least one radio wave link including both regulated bands and unregulated bands .
• RF radio frequency
• the at least one RF link includes a millimetre wave band link or a microwave band link.
• At least one link between the one or more low power distributed antennas is an optical band link.
• a link between a low power distributed antenna and an outdoor access point is an optical band link. In some embodiments, a link between two indoor access points is an optical band link.
• a link between an indoor access point and the terminal is an optical band link.
• the optical wave link comprises one of: a visual wavelength link; and an infrared wavelength link.
• At least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one white light LED source configured to retransmit the communication signal to the terminal, which is configured to receive an optical wave communication signal.
• the at least one white light LED source comprises at least one of: i) a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light; and ii) a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is configured for use m a frequency division duplex mode of operation or a time division duplex mode of operation.
• the at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal.
• a relay node configured to receive a communication signal by an RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED sources.
• the relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp.
• the communication signal has a universal air-mterface when transmitted on different RF frequency links and optical wave band links.
• the universal air-mterface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC- FDM) .
• transmitting a communication signal between a base station and a terminal comprises:
• transmitting the communication signal between the base station and the terminal located within the structure comprises one of: i) transmitting the
• the at least one outdoor access point and the at least one indoor access point are low power devices .
• a method comprising: transmitting a
• the communication signal over a wired connection to a terminal located within a structure via at least one indoor access point inside of the structure, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on links between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal, m which the links include at least one radio frequency (RF) link, the at least one radio wave link including both regulated bands and unregulated bands.
• the at least one RF link includes a millimetre wave band link or a microwave band link.
• a link between two indoor access points is an optical band link.
• a link between an indoor access point and the terminal is an optical band link.
• the optical wave link comprises one of: a visual wavelength link; and an infrared wavelength links .
• At least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one white light LED source configured to retransmit the communication signal to the terminal, which is configured to receive an optical wave communication signal.
• the at least one white light LED source comprises at least one of: i) a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light; and ii) a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is configured for use m a frequency division duplex mode of operation or a time division duplex mode of operation.
• the at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal.
• a relay node configured to receive a communication signal by RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED source.
• the relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp.
• the communications signal has a universal air-mterface when transmitted on different RF frequency links and optical wave band links.
• the universal air-mterface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC- FDM) .
• OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
• SC- FDM single carrier frequency division multiplexing
• transmitting the communication signal between the base station and the terminal located within the structure comprises one of: i) transmitting the
• the at least one indoor access point is a low power devices.
• a method comprising: within a structure, transmitting a communication signal to a terminal located within the structure via at least one indoor access point inside of the structure, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on links between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal, m which the links include at least one radio frequency (RF) link, the at least one RF link including both regulated bands and unregulated bands .
• the at least one RF link includes a millimetre wave band link or a microwave band link.
• a link between two indoor access points is an optical band link. In some embodiments, a link between an indoor access point and the terminal is an optical band link.
• the optical wave link comprises one of: a visual wavelength link; and an infrared wavelength link.
• at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one white light LED source configured to retransmit the communication signal to the terminal, which is configured to receive an optical
• the at least one white light LED source comprises at least one of: i) a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light; and ii) a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is configured for use m a frequency division duplex mode of operation or a time division duplex mode of operation.
• the at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal.
• an relay node configured to receive a communication signal by RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED source.
• the relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp.
• the communications signal has a universal air-mterface when transmitted on different RF frequency links and optical wave band links.
• the universal air-mterface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC- FDM) .
• transmitting the communication signal between the indoor access point and the terminal located within the structure comprises one of: i) transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the indoor access point to the terminal; and ii) transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the terminal to the indoor access point .
• the at least one indoor access point is a low power devices.
• a method comprising: within a structure, transmitting a communication signal to a terminal located within the structure via at least one indoor access point inside of the structure, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on links between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal, wherein at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one white light LED source configured to transmit the communication signal to the terminal .
• At least one link between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal is a radio frequency (RF) link, the RF link being at least one of a regulated RF band and an unregulated RF bands
• RF radio frequency
• the RF link includes a millimeter wave band link or a microwave band link.
• a link between two indoor access points is one or an RF link or an optical band link.
• the at least one white light LED source comprises at least one of: i) a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light; and ii) a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is configured for use m a frequency division duplex mode of operation or a time division duplex mode of operation.
• the at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal.
• a relay node configured to receive a communication signal by RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED source.
• the relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp.
• the communications signal has a universal air-mterface when transmitted on different band over the various links .
• the universal air-mterface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC- FDM) .
• transmitting the communication signal between the indoor access point and the terminal located within the structure comprises one of: i) transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the indoor access point to the terminal; and ii) transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the terminal to the indoor access point .
• the at least one indoor access point is a low power device.
• the structure is one of: a multi-room building, a multi-floor building, a multi-floor multi-room building, a vehicle .
• transmitting a communication signal comprising transmitting a communication signal for unicast, multicast and broadcast scenarios.
• a system comprising: a base station; one or more low power distributed antennas; at least one outdoor access point mounted outside of a structure; at least one indoor access point mounted inside of the structure; wherein the system is configured to transmit a communication signal between the base station and a terminal located within the structure via the one or more low power distributed antennas, the at least one outdoor access point, the at least one indoor access point, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on communication links between the base station and the terminal, m which the links include at least one radio frequency (RF) link, the at least one radio wave link including both regulated bands and unregulated bands .
• RF radio frequency
• At least one link between the one or more low power distributed antennas is an optical band link.
• a link between a low power distributed antenna and an outdoor access point is an optical band link. In some embodiments, a link between two indoor access points is an optical band link.
• a link between an indoor access point and the terminal is an optical band link.
• the optical wave link comprises one of: a visual wavelength link; and an infrared wavelength link.
• the system further comprises at least one white light LED source configured to retransmit the communication signal to the terminal, which is configured to receive an optical wave communication signal, wherein the at least one white light LED source is couple to an indoor access point .
• the at least one white light LED source comprises at least one of: i) a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light; and 11) a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is configured for use m a frequency division duplex mode of operation or a time division duplex mode of operation.
• the system further comprises at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal, wherein the at least one photo detector is couple to an indoor access point.
• the system further comprises a relay node located between an indoor access point and the terminal, the RF node configured to receive a communication signal by an RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED sources.
• the relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp.
• the system further comprises a universal air-mterface for transmitting the communication signal on different RF frequency links and optical wave band links .
• the universal air-mterface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC- FDM) .
• OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
• SC- FDM single carrier frequency division multiplexing
• transmitting the communication signal between the base station and the terminal located within the structure comprises one of: i) transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the base station to the terminal; and 11) transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the terminal to the base station.
• the at least one outdoor access point and the at least one indoor access point are low power devices .
• a system comprising: at least one indoor access point mounted inside of a structure; wherein the system is configured to transmit a communication signal between the at least one indoor access point and a terminal located within the structure, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on communication links between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal, m which the links include at least one radio frequency (RF) link, the at least one radio wave link including both regulated bands and unregulated bands.
• RF radio frequency
• the at least one RF link includes a millimetre wave band link or a microwave band link.
• a link between two indoor access points is an optical band link.
• a link between an indoor access point and the terminal is an optical band link.
• the optical wave link comprises one of: a visual wavelength link; and an infrared wavelength links .
• the system further comprises at least one white light LED source configured to retransmit the communication signal to the terminal, which is configured to receive an optical wave communication signal, wherein the at least one white light LED source is couple to an indoor access point .
• the at least one white light LED source comprises at least one of: i) a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light; and ii) a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is configured for use m a frequency division duplex mode of operation or a time division duplex mode of operation.
• the system further comprises at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal, wherein the at least one photo detector is couple to an indoor access point.
• the system further comprises a relay node located between an indoor access point and the terminal, the RF node configured to receive a communication signal by an RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED source.
• the relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp.
• the system further comprises a universal air-mterface for transmitting the communication signal on different RF frequency links and optical wave band links .
• the universal air-mterface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC- FDM) .
• OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
• SC- FDM single carrier frequency division multiplexing
• transmitting the communication signal between the base station and the terminal located within the structure comprises one of: i) transmitting the
• the at least one indoor access point is a low power device.
• a system comprising: at least one indoor access point mounted inside of a structure; wherein the system is configured to transmit a communication signal to a terminal located within the structure via the at least one indoor access point, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on links between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal, wherein at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one white light LED source configured to transmit the communication signal to the terminal .
• At least one link between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal is a radio frequency (RF) link, the RF link being at least one of a regulated RF band and an unregulated RF bands
• RF radio frequency
• the RF link includes a millimeter wave band link or a microwave band link.
• a link between two indoor access points is one or an RF link or an optical band link.
• the at least one white light LED source comprises at least one of: i) a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light; and 11) a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is configured for use m a frequency division duplex mode of operation or a time division duplex mode of operation.
• the system further comprises at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal, wherein the at least one photo detector is couple to an indoor access point.
• the system further comprises a relay node located between an indoor access point and the terminal, the RF node configured to receive a communication signal by an RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED source.
• the relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp.
• the system further comprises a universal air-mterface for transmitting the communication signal on different RF frequency links and optical wave band links .
• the universal air-mterface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC- FDM) .
• transmitting the communication signal between the indoor access point and the terminal located within the structure comprises one of: i) transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the indoor access point to the terminal; and ii) transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the terminal to the indoor access point .
• the at least one indoor access point is a low power device.
• the structure is one of: a multi-room building, a multi-floor building, a multi-floor multi-room building, a vehicle .
• transmitting a communication signal comprising transmitting a communication signal for umcast, multicast and broadcast scenarios.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a wireless network
• Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example network according to an embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example network according to an embodiment of the invention for which optical wave and radio frequency (RF) wave links are utilized with an endpoint of the network being a structure having a wireless connection to a network;
• RF radio frequency
• Fig. 4 is schematic diagram of an example network according to an embodiment of the invention for which RF wave links are utilized with an endpoint of the network being a structure having a wireless connection to a network;
• Fig. 5 is schematic diagram of an example network according to an embodiment of the invention for which optical wave and radio frequency (RF) wave links are utilized with an endpoint of the network being a structure having a wireline connection to a network;
• RF radio frequency
• Fig. 6 is schematic diagram of an example network according to an embodiment of the invention for which RF wave links are utilized with an endpoint of the network being a structure having a wireless connection to a network;
• Fig. 7 is schematic diagram of another example network according to an embodiment of the invention for which optical wave and RF wave links are utilized with an endpoint of the network being a structure having a wireless connection to a network;
• Fig. 8 is schematic diagram of another example network according to an embodiment of the invention for which RF wave links are utilized with an endpoint of the network being a structure having a wireless connection to a network
• Fig. 9 is schematic diagram of yet another example network according to an embodiment of the invention for which RF wave links are utilized with an endpoint of the network being a structure having a wireless connection to a network
• Fig. 10 is schematic diagram of a network within a multi-room structure according to an embodiment of the invention for which optical wave and RF wave links are
• Fig. 11 is a flow chart of an example method of transmitting a communication signal over a network according to some embodiments of the invention.
• Fig. 12 is a flow chart of another example method of transmitting a communication signal over a network according to some embodiments of the invention.
• Fig. 13 is a flow chart of yet another example method of transmitting a communication signal over a network according to some embodiments of the invention.
• Fig. 14 is a flow chart of still a further example method of transmitting a communication signal over a network according to some embodiments of the invention. Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Invention
• aspects of the present invention provide a multi-band hybrid Gigabit wireless communication system which is enabled by a number of different complementary access technologies to realize ubiquitous hyper-connectivity, true broadband, seamless operation and low power consumption.
• the system is capable of serving fixed, nomadic and mobile scenarios.
• the multi-band wireless system is a low power wireless system which operates m different frequency bands covering the spectrum from radio wave to optical wave by making use of both regulated bandwidths and unregulated bandwidths.
• Using low power distributed antenna and low power indoor and outdoor antennas enables the use of unregulated bandwidths as well as regulated bandwidths as the low power nature of the signals reduces the possibility of interference with the regulated use of the signals, for example the white space between digital television channel frequencies.
• Frequencies m the radio frequency (RF) band may include microwave and millimeter wave bands and frequencies m the optical wave band may include the infra-red and visible bands .
• the different frequency bands are suitable for different deployment environments, for example, indoor or outdoor; long distance or short distance; line of sight (LOS) or non-LOS; and mobility or flxed/nomadic .
• the wireless network operates m multiple frequency bands ranging from microwave to optical wave.
• Each link m the network for example, indoor/outdoor backhaul or indoor/outdoor link, can be optimized individually m
• a same air-mterface for example, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access
• OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access
• SC-FDMA single carrier frequency division multiplexing access
• an indoor wireless link can be generated by white light emitting diodes (LEDs), which can also be used for lighting.
• LEDs white light emitting diodes
• the above concepts can be applied to different types of wireless networks.
• the wireless network may include cellular networks and
• the white wireless network may operate m multiple frequency bands covering the RF and optical bands, that is ranging from below microwave to optical wave .
• white wireless network is used to describe the network due to wide bandwidth associated with the network, somewhat along the lines of white noise being termed so because it includes an infinite bandwidth.
• Fig. 2 includes a base station 10, three low power distributed antennas 20 and a structure 30 m which multiple terminals are located. Particular terminals indicated m
• Fig. 2 include a cellphone 36, a laptop computer 37 and a desktop computer 38. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 30 has an outdoor access point 32 and two indoor access points 34.
• the base station 10 receives
• the base station 10 sends a communication to the low power distributed antennas 20.
• the low power distributed antennas 20 then forward the
• the indoor access point 34 forwards the communication on to the terminals. This direction of transmission is known as down link (DL) .
• DL down link
• a communication sent by a base station 10 may be received by multiple low power distributed antennas 20 and each of the low power distributed antennas 20 then forwards the communication signal on to one or more
• outdoor access points 32 of the structure 30 m which the terminal or terminals that are the end destination for the communication are located.
• two or more outdoor access points 32 may then combine the communications from the low power distributed antennas 20.
• Each of multiple outdoor access points 32 could perform the same combining process.
• the communication may be combined, for example, using diversity combining.
• multiple outdoor access points 32 could retransmit the
• each of one or more indoor access points 34 could receive the communication from the multiple outdoor access points 32.
• Each of multiple indoor access points 34 could perform a similar combining process described above.
• relay nodes between the indoor access points 34 and the terminal could retransmit the communication and each of one or more terminals could receive the communication from multiple relay nodes.
• a terminal could also receive the
• the base station 10 is capable of unicast (communication directed to a single terminal m the network), multicast (communication directed to a multiple terminals m the network) and broadcast (communication directed to all terminals m the network) .
• the network is able to
• the network can change to a different band to compensate, i.e if an optical link using a white LED source for some reason stop working effectively between an indoor access point and a terminal, that link may be converted to an RF link between the indoor access point and terminal .
• Fig. 2 is illustrating a specific example of a select portion of a network. It is to be understood that, more generally, the network is not to be limited to the particular embodiment described. In particular, there are likely more than a single base station, there may be more or less than three low power distributed antennas, and there are likely multiple structures within range of a base station each having one or more outdoor access points and multiple indoor access point. In some embodiments, the structure may have multiple floors, such as, but not limited to, an apartment building, office building or a hospital. In some embodiments, the
• structure may not even be a building, but may be a vehicle such as, but not limited to, an airplane, train or bus.
• the vehicle may be mobile and roam m a manner that a terminal m such a vehicle may be handed off between low power distributed antennas or handed off between base stations m different cells being served by different base stations .
• the low power distributed antennas 20 may also be known as relays. There may be more than a single low power distributed antenna between a base station and the outdoor access point .
• the wireless backhaul link between base stations or between a base station and a node that provides communication with the remainder of the network is a microwave link or point-to-point ultra short pulsed optical wave link.
• the wireless connection between the base station and the low power distributed antennas is a microwave link.
• the wireless connection between low power distributed antennas is a microwave link, a
• the low power distributed antennas are directive antennas that utilize beam forming to reduce or focus the transmit power.
• the wireless connection between a low power distributed antenna and an outdoor wireless access point may include a microwave link, a millimeter wave link or a free space optical wave link.
• the outdoor wireless access point may act as a low power
• the low power distributed antennas are directive antennas that utilize beam forming to reduce the transmit power.
• the wireless connection between an outdoor access point and an indoor access point is a low power microwave link.
• the low power distributed antennas are directive antennas that utilize beam forming to reduce the transmit power.
• the wireless connection between an outdoor access point and an indoor access point may use unused digital TV channel whitespace bands.
• the wireless connection between indoor access points are microwave links, millimeter wave links or optical wave links .
• Such types of links may provide a wireless network with better security and significantly reduced electromagnetic interference.
• non-line of sight (LOS) links can utilize point-to-point millimeter wave links.
• line of sight (LOS) links can utilize point-to-point light wave links.
• the wireless connection between indoor access points and a terminal may be provided by
• millimeter wave links or wireless optical links are necessarily communicating with the indoor access point
• Low power links between indoor access points reduces interference between links operating m adjacent areas served by respective indoor access points, such as rooms m a home or building or even cars m a train, Low power links reduce mter-area interference and enables frequency reuse.
• wireless optical links can be used m implementations where electromagnetic interference is prohibited, such as, but not limited to, hospitals and
• the wireless indoor network comprising the indoor access points and terminal can be
• a wired link such as, but not limited to, fiber-to-home, coax cable or copper line may provide
• the wired links may be used m conjunction with wireless links.
• a common, or universal, air-mterface for example OFDMA or SC-FDMA, can be implemented across different frequency bands to allow communication between the base station and the terminal device over multiple links using different frequency bands. Therefore, m some embodiments using the same common air-mterface ensures the communications use the same or
• OFDMA For microwave and millimeter wave links, OFDMA can tolerate multipath fading. For optical wave links, OFDMA can support multi-source reception.
• an indoor portion of a wireless link system utilizes white light emitting diode (LED) lights. The LEDs can be used for
• the air-mterface may use different front-end receivers .
• the receiver is a radio frequency (RF) receiver.
• RF radio frequency
• the receiver is a photo detector receiver, such as but not limited to, a photodiode receiver.
• the air-mterface may use different antenna technology appropriate to the respective links of the network.
• the FFT size and sampling frequency values are scalable as appropriate between different frequency bands .
• white LEDs can be used for both lighting purposes and an optical wireless communication link.
• a first way involves combining "rainbow” groups of three LEDs, such as red, green, and blue LEDs, that when combined generate white light.
• a second way involves creating a frequency shift m a single LED such that the LED emits white light.
• the light emitted by LEDs is considered to be more directional than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Therefore, using LEDs provides lighting having a defined directionality. In some embodiments it is possible to provide wide area room lighting by concentrated arrays of LEDs, using either of the first or second ways of generating white light described above. In some embodiments optical wireless communications can be provided using the white light LEDs for either frequency division duplexing (FDD) or time division duplexing (TDD) .
• FDD frequency division duplexing
• TDD time division duplexing
• FDD can be implemented for rainbow groups of three LEDs m which the three colors can be used as three independent carriers .
• the carriers can be assigned to down link (DL) and uplink (UL) .
• the ratio of DL to UL carriers is fixed, for example, two carriers for DL to one carrier for UL. In some embodiments, the ratio of DL to UL carriers is changeable by dynamically changing the number of the carriers assigned for DL and UL transmissions.
• red and green wavelengths are used for DL and the blue wavelength is used for UL.
• one or more photo detectors would also be coupled to an indoor access point to receive UL information from a terminal or relay node that receives a communication from a terminal and forwards the communication on to the photo detector.
• the photo detector is optimized for a particular wavelength, such that it is used for a fixed, lone wavelength for UL.
• the photo detector is receptive to a broad range of wavelengths such that the UL carrier wavelength could be dynamically changed.
• the terminal is configured for transmitting one or both of optical and RF communications.
• the terminal may have an infrared or colour based LED to
• the terminal is configured to have a photo detector to enable receiving DL communication m either infrared or visible optical wavelength ranges.
• single wavelength optical filters can be used to reduce natural light interference.
• TDD can be implemented for frequency shift LEDs, such that the LEDs are used for a portion of time for uplink and for a portion of time for downlink.
• the directivity of the LEDs can be used to reduce interference between different links.
• directional transmission for a link between the indoor access points is usually positioned physically higher m a room than an LED array utilized for room lighting and communication.
• a low rate RF link can be offered
• whitespace can also be used for the indoor backhaul.
• the white light LEDs are used m overhead lights used for illuminating a room.
• the white light LEDs are included m desk lamps or floor lamps, or both, that are used for localized lighting m a room.
• desk lamps and floor lamps that are equipped with white light LEDs also include photo detectors that enable DL communications to be received from overhead lights and/or UL communications to be received from terminals m close enough proximity to the desk and floor lamps to be m communication with the desk and floor lamps.
• desk lamps and floor lamps are equipped with RF receivers or transmitters, or both, that enable DL communications to be received from indoor access points and/or UL communications to be received from terminals m close enough proximity to the desk and floor lamps to be m communication with the desk and floor lamps via RF band communications.
• the desk or floor lamps may receive an RF communication from the indoor access point and retransmit the communication to a terminal using the white light LEDs m the lamp.
• the desk or floor lamps may receive an RF communication from a terminal and retransmit the communication to an indoor access point using the white light LEDs m the lamp.
• beamformmg is applied to reduce interference with, for example, a TV broadcast service.
• wireless link deployment m a home environment for use with wireless and wired communications to the home environment
• wireless link deployment m an office building environment for use with wireless communications to the office building environment
• wireless link deployment m a hospital environment for use with wireless communications to the hospital environment
• Fig. 3 illustrates a portion of a network
• Fig. 3 includes a base station 110, three low power distributed antennas 120 and a structure 130 m which multiple terminals are located. Particular terminals indicated m
• Fig. 3 include a cellphone 136, a laptop computer 137 and a desktop computer 138. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 130 has an outdoor access point 132, a first indoor access point 134 and a second indoor access point 135. There is a directive link between the indoor access points for communications between the indoor access points 134,135. The directive link may be configured to allow communications over an RF link, an optical wave link, or both.
• the first indoor access point 134 is illustrated to be coupled to an array of three distinct LED white light sources 140. Each of the LED white light sources 140 may include one or more white light LEDs or groupings of coloured LEDs that result m white light.
• the first indoor access point 134 is illustrated to be coupled to two photo detector arrays 145 for detecting optical signals transmitted by terminal devices m the room, or from optical relay nodes, such as desk or floor lamps that are transmitting signals from terminal devices, or both.
• the second indoor access point 135 is illustrated to be coupled to a single distinct LED white light source 140.
• the LED white light source 140 may include one or more white light LEDs or groupings of coloured LEDs that result m white light.
• the second indoor access point 135 is
• one photo detector array 145 for detecting optical signals transmitted by terminal devices m the room or optical relay nodes, such as desk or floor lamps that are transmitting signals from terminal devices, or both.
• Fig. 3 illustrates two rooms m the structure 130 having three white light LED sources 135 and two photo detectors 145 m one room and one white light LED source 140 and one photo detector 145 m another room and a number of terminals
• the number of rooms m the structure, the number of white light LED sources, the number of photo detectors and the number of terminals are implementation specific.
• the base station 110 receives communication from a source m the network to be passed on to a terminal m the structure 130.
• the base station 110 sends a communication to one or more of the low power distributed antennas 120.
• the low power distributed antennas 120 then forward the communication to the outdoor access point 132 attached to the structure 130.
• the outdoor access point 132 then forwards the communication to the indoor access points 134,135.
• the indoor access points 134,135 forward the
• the terminal communicates with the indoor access point 134,135 either directly via an RF link or via the white light LEDs to the indoor access point 134,135 or to an RF relay node 175 and onto the indoor access point 135.
• the terminal device has an RF antenna to communicate with an RF receiver m the indoor access point.
• the indoor access point 134,135 then communicates with the outdoor access point 132, the outdoor access point 132 with one or more of the low power distributed antennas 120 and the low power
• Fig. 4 illustrates a portion of a network
• Fig. 4 includes a base station 210, three low power distributed antennas 220 and a structure 230 m which multiple terminals are located. Particular terminals indicated m
• Fig. 4 include a cellphone 236, a laptop computer 237 and a desktop computer 238. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 230 has an outdoor access point 232, an indoor access point 234 and an RF relay node 233. There is a directive link between the indoor access point 234 and the RF relay node 233. The directive link is configured to allow communications over an RF link.
• the indoor access point 234 is illustrated to provide direct communication with terminals m the room m which the indoor access point 234 is located.
• Fig. 4 the RF relay node 233 is illustrated to provide a direct wireline communication link with a desktop computer 238 and wireless communication with terminals 236,237 that are also m the room m which the RF relay node 233 is located.
• the base station 210 receives communication from a source m the network to be passed on to a terminal m the structure 230.
• the base station 210 sends a communication to one or more of the low power distributed antennas 220.
• the low power distributed antennas 220 then forward the communication to the outdoor access point 232 of the structure 230.
• the outdoor access point 232 then forwards the communication to the indoor access point 234.
• the indoor access point forwards the communication on to the terminals or the RF relay node to forward on to the terminals.
• the terminal device communicates with the indoor access point 234 directly via an RF link or to the RF relay 233 and on to the indoor access point 234.
• the terminal device has an RF antenna to communicate with an RF receiver m the indoor access point.
• Fig. 5 illustrates a portion of a network m which the ln-structure communication elements are substantially the same as Fig. 3, but instead of a wireless communication network between a base station and the structure, there is a wired connection providing communication with the structure .
• Fig. 5 includes a structure 330 m which multiple terminals are located. Particular terminals indicated m
• Fig. 5 include a cellphone 336, a laptop computer 337 and a desktop computer 338. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 330 has a wired connection 360, a first indoor access point 334 and a second indoor access point 335.
• the directive link may be configured to allow communications over an RF link, an optical wave link, or both.
• the first indoor access point 334 is illustrated to be coupled to an array of three distinct LED white light sources 340.
• Each of the LED white light sources 340 may include one or more white light LEDs or groupings of coloured LEDs that result m white light.
• the first indoor access point 334 is illustrated to be coupled to two photo detector arrays 345 for detecting optical signals transmitted by terminal devices m the room, or relay nodes 375, such as desk or floor lamps, which are transmitting signals from terminal devices, or both.
• the second indoor access point 335 is illustrated to be coupled to a single distinct LED white light source 340.
• the LED white light source 340 may include one or more white light LEDs or groupings of coloured LEDs that result m white light.
• the second indoor access point 335 is
• relay nodes 375 such as desk or floor lamps, which are transmitting signals from terminal devices, or both.
• Fig.5 illustrates two rooms m the structure 330 having three white light LED sources 340 and two photo detectors 345 m one room and one white light LED source 340 and one photo detector 345 m another room and a number of terminal
• the number of rooms m the structure, the number of white light LED sources, the number of photo detectors and the number of terminals are implementations specific.
• the wired connection 360 delivers communication from a source m the network to be passed on to a terminal m the structure 330.
• the indoor access points 334,335 receive communications from the wired connection 360 and forward the communications on to the terminals via an optical wave link using the white light LEDs or via the RF link via RF transmitters, or to relay nodes 375 and from there on to terminals via an optical wave link using the white light LEDs, or via the RF link via RF transmitters.
• the terminal device communicates with the indoor access point 334,335 either directly via an RF link or via the white light LEDs to the indoor access point 334,335, or to a relay node 375 and onto the indoor access points 335.
• the terminal device has an RF antenna to communicate with an RF receiver m the indoor access point.
• the indoor access points 334,335 then communicate with the wired connection 360 to send the UL communication back to the network on the wired connection.
• Fig. 6 illustrates a portion of a network m which the ln-structure communication elements are substantially the same as Fig. 4, but instead of a wireless communication network between a base station and the structure, there is a wired connection providing communication with the structure.
• Fig. 6 includes a structure 430 m which multiple terminals are located. Particular terminals indicated m
• Fig. 6 include a cellphone 436, a laptop computer 437 and a desktop computer 438. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 430 has wired connection 460 to the structure 430, an indoor access point 434 and a relay node 433. There is a directive link between the indoor access point 434 and the relay node 433. The directive link is configured to allow communications over an RF link.
• the indoor access point 434 is illustrated to provide direct communication with terminals m the room m which the indoor access point 433 is located.
• the relay node 433 is illustrated to provide direct wireline communication with a desktop computer 438 and wireless communication with terminals that are also m the room m which the relay node 433 is located.
• FIG. 6 illustrates two rooms m the structure 430 having a single indoor access point and a number of terminals, it is to be understood that the number of rooms m the structure, the number of indoor access points and the number of terminal are implementation specific.
• the wired connection 460 delivers communication from a source m the network to be passed on to a terminal m the structure 430.
• the indoor access point 434 receives communications from the wired connection 460 and forwards the communications on to the terminals via the RF link via RF transmitters or forwards the communications on to the relay node 433 and the relay node forwards the communication on to terminals via the RF link via RF transmitters .
• the terminal device communicates with the indoor access point 434 directly via an RF link or via the relay node 433 on to the indoor access point 433 via an RF link.
• the terminal device has an RF antenna to communicate with an RF receiver m the indoor access point.
• Fig. 7 illustrates a portion of a network
• communication elements are illustrated for a particular example of a combination of RF and optical wave links for a wireless office building deployment.
• Fig. 7 includes a base station 510, three low power distributed antennas 520 and a structure 530 m which multiple terminals are located. Particular terminals indicated m
• Fig. 7 include a cellphone 536, a laptop computer 537 and a desktop computer 538. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 530 has an outdoor access point 532, a first indoor access point 534 and a second indoor access point 535.
• the directive link may be configured to allow communications over an RF link, an optical wave link, or both.
• the first indoor access point 534 is illustrated to be coupled to an array of three distinct LED white light sources 540.
• Each of the LED white light sources 540 may include one or more white light LEDs or groupings of coloured LEDs that result m white light.
• the first indoor access point 534 is illustrated to be coupled to two photo detector arrays 545 for detecting optical signals transmitted by terminal devices m the room or relay nodes, such as desk or floor lamps that are transmitting signals from terminal devices, or both.
• the first indoor access point 534 is also illustrated to be m communication with two relay nodes 533,575.
• a first example of a relay node 533 is an RF transceiver that has a direct wireline communication link with a desktop
• transceiver may also be configured to be m wireless
• a second example of a relay node 575 is an RF transceiver that is collocated with a lamp.
• the RF transceiver is configured to allow an RF communication being received by the RF transceiver to be passed along to photo detector-enabled terminals by white LED lights m the lamp.
• the RF transceiver is configured to allow an RF communication being received by the RF transceiver to be passed along to photo detector-enabled terminals by white LED lights m the lamp.
• the lamp may also be configured to be m
• the second indoor access point 535 is illustrated to be coupled to three distinct LED white light sources 540.
• the LED white light sources 540 may include one or more white light LEDs or groupings of coloured LEDs that result m white light.
• the second indoor access point 535 is illustrated to be coupled to two photo detector arrays 545 for detecting optical signals transmitted by terminal devices m the room or optical relay nodes, such as desk or floor lamps that are transmitting signals from terminal devices, or both.
• the second indoor access point 534 is also illustrated to be m communication with an relay node 575, m particular, a lamp relay node . While Fig.
• Fig. 7 illustrates only a single room of a single floor of an office building it is to be understood that the concept applied to the single room on the single floor is scalable to multiple rooms on multiple floors. Furthermore, while Fig. 7 illustrates groups of three white light LED sources 540 an two photo detectors 545, two relay lamps, a single relay coupled to a desktop computer and a number of terminals, it is to be understood that the number of white light LED sources, the number of photo detectors, the type and respective number of relays and the number of terminals are specific to particular implementations.
• the base station 510 receives communication from a source m the network to be passed on to a terminal m the structure 530.
• the base station 510 sends a communication to one or more of the low power distributed antennas 520.
• the low power distributed antennas 520 then forward the communication to the outdoor access point 532 of the structure 530.
• the outdoor access point 532 then forwards the communication to one or more of the indoor access points 534,535.
• the indoor access points 534,535 forward the communication on to the terminals, or relays 533,575, to be forwarded to the terminal, via an optical wave link using the white light LEDs or via an RF link via RF transmitters, or to relay nodes 533,575 and from there on to terminals via an optical wave link using the white light LEDs or via the RF link via RF transmitters.
• the terminal device communicates with the indoor access point 534,535 either directly via an RF link or via the white light LEDs to the indoor access point, or to relay nodes 533,575 and onto the indoor access point 534,535.
• the terminal device has an RF antenna to communicate with an RF receiver m the indoor access point.
• the indoor access point 534,535 then communicates with the outdoor access point 532, the outdoor access point 532 with one or more of the low power distributed antennas 520 and the low power distributed antennas 520 with the base station 510 m the reverse order to that described above m operation of DL communications .
• Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 7, except that all of the links are RF wave links, there are no optical wave links.
• Fig. 8 includes a base station 610, three low power distributed antennas 620 and a structure 630 m which multiple terminals are located. Particular terminals indicated m
• Fig. 8 include a cellphone 636, a laptop computer 637 and a desktop computer 638. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 630 has an outdoor access point 632, a first indoor access point 634 and a second indoor access point 635. There is a directive link between the indoor access points for communications between the indoor access points 634,635. The directive link is configured to allow
• the first indoor access point 634 is illustrated to be m communication with two RF relay nodes 633.
• Each of the RF relay nodes 633 are RF transceivers that have a direct wireline communication link with a desktop computer 638.
• the RF transceiver is also illustrated to be m wireless communication with terminals that are located m some predefined proximity to the RF relay node 633.
• the second indoor access point 635 is illustrated to be m communication with a single RF relay node 633.
• the single RF relay node 633 is coupled via a direct wireline communication link with a desktop computer 638 and is m wireless communication with terminals that are located m some predefined proximity to the RF relay node 633.
• FIG. 8 illustrates only a single room of a single floor of an office building it is to be understood that the concept applied to the single room on the single floor is scalable to multiple rooms on multiple floors. Furthermore, while Fig. 8 illustrates one indoor access point communicating with two RF relays each coupled via a wired link to a desktop, a second indoor access point communicating with only a single RF relay coupled via a wired link to a desktop and a number of terminals, it is to be understood that the number of relay nodes that any given indoor access node may communicate with, the number of indoor access nodes that any given RF relay may communicate with and the number of terminals are implementation specific .
• the base station 610 receives communication from a source m the network to be passed on to a terminal m the structure 630.
• the base station 610 sends a communication to one or more of the low power distributed antennas 620.
• the low power distributed antennas 620 then forward the communication to the outdoor access point 632 of the structure 630.
• the outdoor access point 632 then forwards the communication to the indoor access points 634,635.
• the indoor access points 634,635 forward the communication onto the relay nodes 633 and the relay nodes 633 forward the communication to the terminals .
• the terminal device For UL communications, the terminal device
• the terminal device has an RF antenna to
• the indoor access point 634,635 then communicates with the outdoor access point 632, the outdoor access point 632 with one or more of the low power distributed antennas 620 and the low power distributed antennas 620 with the base station 610 m the reverse order to that described above m operation of DL communications .
• Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8, except that there are no first and second indoor access points, the outdoor access point communicates directly with relay nodes m the room.
• Fig. 9 includes a base station 710, three low power distributed antennas 720 and a structure 730 m which multiple terminals are located.
• Particular terminals indicated m Fig. 9 include a cellphone 736, a laptop computer 737 and a desktop computer 738. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 730 has an outdoor access point 732.
• the outdoor access point 732 is illustrated to be m
• Each of the relay nodes 733 is RF transceivers that have a direct wireline communication link with a desktop computer 738.
• the RF transceiver is also illustrated to be m wireless communication with terminals that are located m some predefined proximity to the relay node 733.
• Fig. 9 illustrates only a single room of a single floor of an office building it is to be understood that the concept applied to the single room on the single floor is scalable to multiple rooms on multiple floors. Furthermore, while Fig. 9 illustrates one outdoor access point communicating with three RF relays each coupled via a wired link to a desktop and a number of terminals, it is to be understood that the number of relay nodes that any given outdoor access node may communicate with and the number of terminals are implementation specific .
• m a given building there may be one or more outdoor access points and different floors of the building may have different configurations, i.e. some floors have one or more indoor access points, as illustrated in Fig. 8, and other floors do not have any indoor access points, but one or more of the outdoor access points communicate with relay nodes.
• different floors may have different configurations as described above and other floors that may use RF links or optical wave links, or both, as illustrated m Fig. 7.
• the base station 710 receives communication from a source m the network to be passed on to a terminal m the structure 730.
• the base station 710 sends a communication to one or more of the low power distributed antennas 720.
• the low power distributed antennas 720 then forward the communication to the outdoor access point 732 of the structure 730.
• the outdoor access point 732 then forwards the communication to the relay nodes 733 and the relay nodes 733 forward the communication to the terminals.
• the terminal device communicates with a relay node 733 and the relay node 733 communicates with the outdoor access point 732 directly via an RF link.
• the terminal device has an RF antenna to communicate with an RF receiver m the relay node 733.
• the outdoor access point 732 communicates with one of more of the low power distributed antennas 720 and the low power distributed antennas 720 with the base station 710 m the reverse order to that described above m operation of DL communications .
• Fig. 10 illustrates a portion of a network for an example scenario for use m a hospital or medical clinic for a particular example of a combination of RF and optical wave links with a wireline connection to the hospital.
• Fig. 10 includes a structure 830 having three distinct areas, namely a waiting room, a doctor's office and an examination room. Each of the areas is illustrated to include multiple terminals. Particular terminals indicated m Fig. 10 include a cellphone 836, a laptop computer 837 and a desktop computer 838. Further examples of terminals may include, but are not limited to, PDAs, tablets, and video game machines.
• the structure 830 has wired connection 860, a first indoor access point 833, a second indoor access point 834 and a third indoor access point 835. There is a directive link between the first and second indoor access points 833,834 and between the second and third indoor access points 834,835.
• the directive link may be configured to allow communications over an RF link, an optical wave link, or both.
• the first indoor access point 833 is illustrated to be coupled to an array of four distinct LED white light sources 840. Each of the LED white light sources 840 may include one or more white light LEDs or groupings of coloured LEDs that result m white light.
• the first indoor access point 833 is illustrated to be coupled to two photo detector arrays 845 for detecting optical signals transmitted by terminal devices m the room or relay nodes, such as desk or floor lamps that are transmitting signals from terminal devices, or both.
• the second indoor access point 834 is illustrated to be an RF transceiver.
• the second indoor access point 834 is illustrated as being m communication with two relay nodes 875 and two desktops computers 838.
• the third indoor access point 835 is illustrated to be coupled to a single distinct LED white light source 840.
• the LED white light source 840 may include one or more white light LEDs or groupings of coloured LEDs that result m white light.
• the third indoor access point 835 is
• one photo detector array 845 for detecting optical signals transmitted by terminal devices m the room or relay nodes, such as desk or floor lamps that are transmitting signals from terminal devices, or both.
• Fig. 10 illustrates three rooms m the structure 830 for a single floor with different numbers of white light LEDs or groupings of white light LEDs and different numbers of relay nodes for different rooms and a number of terminals
• the number of rooms m the structure, the number of floors, the number of white light LED sources, the number of photo detectors and the number of terminals are specific to particular implementations.
• the wired connection for DL operation, the wired connection
• the indoor access points 833,834,835 deliver communication from a source m the network to be passed on to a terminal m the structure 830.
• One or more of the indoor access points 833,834,835 receive communications from the wired connection 860 and forward the communications on to the terminals via an optical wave link using the white light LEDs or via the RF link via RF transmitters m the indoor access points 833,834,835 and m some cases from the indoor access points 833,834,835 to relay nodes 875 and onto the terminals .
• the terminal device communicates with the indoor access point 833,834,835 either directly via an RF link, via the white light LEDs to the indoor access point or using an RF link or the optical wave link via a relay node 875 on to the indoor access point 833,834,835.
• the terminal device has an RF antenna to communicate with an RF receiver m the indoor access point.
• the indoor access points 834,835,836 then communicate with the wired connection 860 to send the UL communication back to the network on the wired connection.
• a method includes transmitting a communication signal between a base station and a terminal located within a structure via one or more low power distributed antennas, at least one outdoor access point outside of the structure, at least one indoor access point inside of the structure.
• the communication signal is transmitted on links between the base station, m particular links between the base station and the one or more low power distributed antennas, a low power distributed antenna and the at least one outdoor access point, the outdoor access point and the at least one indoor access point and the indoor access point and the terminal, m which the links include at least one radio frequency (RF) link, the at least one radio wave link including both regulated bands and unregulated bands .
• RF radio frequency
• transmitting a communication signal between a base station and a terminal includes a first step 11-1 of transmitting the communication signal between the base station and at least one of the one or more low power distributed antennas.
• a second step 11-2 includes transmitting the communication signal between the at least one low power distributed antenna and at least one of the at least one outdoor access point.
• a third step 11-3 includes transmitting the communication signal between the at least one outdoor access point and at least one of the at least one indoor access point.
• a fourth step 11-4 includes transmitting the communication signal between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal.
• transmitting the communication signal between the base station and the terminal located within the structure includes transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the base station to the terminal. In some embodiments, transmitting the communication signal between the base station and the terminal located within the structure includes transmitting the communication signal m a direction from the terminal to the base station.
• the at least one RF link includes a millimetre wave band link or a microwave band link.
• At least one link between the one or more low power distributed antennas is an optical band link.
• a link between a low power distributed antenna and an outdoor access point is an optical band link.
• a link between two indoor access points is an optical band link.
• a link between an indoor access point and the terminal is an optical band link.
• the optical wave link is a visual wavelength link.
• a link between an indoor access point and the terminal is an infrared wavelength link.
• At least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one white light LED source configured to retransmit the communication signal to the terminal, which is configured to receive an optical wave communication signal.
• the at least one white light LED source is a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light.
• a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal.
• a relay node configured to receive a communication signal by an RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED sources.
• relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp.
• the communication signal has a universal air-mterface when transmitted on different RF frequency links and optical wave band links.
• the universal air-mterface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) .
• OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
• SC-FDM single carrier frequency division multiplexing
• m step 12-1 the communication signal that is transmitted on links between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal, is transmitted on links m which at least one link is an RF link, the at least one radio wave link including both regulated bands and unregulated bands . More generally, m some embodiments, as illustrated m Fig. 13, considering just the immediate operating
• a method involves a step (13-1) of transmitting a communication signal to a terminal located within the structure includes transmitting a communication signal via at least one indoor access point inside of the structure, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on links between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal, m which the links include at least one radio
• RF link including both regulated bands and unregulated bands.
• a method involves a step (14-1) of
• transmitting a communication signal to a terminal located within the structure includes transmitting a communication signal via at least one indoor access point inside of the structure, wherein the communication signal is transmitted on links between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal, wherein at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one white light LED source configured to transmit the communication signal to the terminal.
• At least one link between the at least one indoor access point and the terminal is an RF link, the RF link being at least one of a regulated RF band and an unregulated RF bands.
• the RF link being at least one of a regulated RF band and an unregulated RF bands.
• the at least one white light LED source is a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED that collectively generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is a single LED that is configured to generate white light.
• the at least one white light LED source is configured for use m a frequency division duplex mode of operation or a time division duplex mode of operation.
• the at least one of the at least one indoor access point is coupled to at least one photo detector configured to receive a communication signal from the terminal, which is configured to transmit an optical wave communication signal.
• an relay node configured to receive a communication signal by RF link and retransmit the communication signal.
• the relay node retransmits the communication signal using one or more white light LED source.
• the relay node is one of a floor lamp and a desk lamp .
• the communications signal has a universal air-mterface when transmitted on different band over the various links.
• the universal air- interface is consistent with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) .
• the structure may be one of: a multi-room building, a multi-floor building, a multi-floor multi-room building, a vehicle.
• transmitting a communication signal comprising transmitting a communication signal for umcast, multicast and broadcast scenarios.

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• 2010
  • 2010-07-02 CA CA2767118A patent/CA2767118C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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