WO2017122194A1

WO2017122194A1 - Method and system for transmitter parameter reconfiguration based on receiver spatial information

Info

Publication number: WO2017122194A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/050025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dan Kuzmin; Roman Mostinski
Original assignee: Karma Touch 2016 Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-01-12
Filing date: 2017-01-09
Publication date: 2017-07-20

Abstract

Methods and systems maintain a -communication link between a first and a second communication device. The first communication device includes at least a first -transmitter antenna, and the second communication device includes at least two receiver antennas. The first transmitter antenna and one of the receiver antennas defines an antenna pair. Spatial information, associated with the second communication device is collected to determine spatial positioning of the receiver antennas. Based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas, a dissatisfying of a transmission criterion during operation of the antenna pair is predicted. At least one transmission parameter of the first communication device is reconfigured based on the predicted dissatisfying.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTER PARAMETER RECONFIGURATION BASED ON RECEIVER SPATIAL INFORMATION CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/277,488, filed January 12, 2016, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to wireless communication technology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communications systems operating in the millimeter wave (MMW) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example, in the 60 GHz frequency range, typically employ directional antennas or antenna arrays and a limited number of RF components in the RF chain. The directional antennas are utilized to counteract the effects of high path loss and multipath signal propagation degradation, and limiting the number of RF components supports reduced processing power and hardware complexity.

In order to maintain the communication link between a transmitter and a receiver operating in the MMW region utilizing RF components, line of sight (LOS) between tile transmitter and receiver is paramount la typical MMW wireless comrmtnication systems, the transmitter and receiver perform various operations, prior to and during communication, in order to align their respective antenna beam pointing angles to ensure the presence of LOS. In certain bidirectional data transmission systems, such as, for example, systems utilizing the IEEE 802. 11 ad ("WiGig") protocol, both the transmitter and the receiver perform signal analysis functions to find the pointing direction that focuses as much of the transmitted signal as possible onto the antenna of the receiver. However, such analysis functions performed by the receiver add design complexity to the receiver, and may increase receiver requirements in terms of size, weight, and power consumption (SWAP).

Additionally, when LOS is lost, due to an obstruction blocking the transmission path between the transmitter and the receiver, or movement of the transmitter and/or receiver, the receiver must transmit configuration mfbrmation to the transmitter, via an alternate available communication channel, in order to change the transmitter or receiver antenna configurations to restore LOS. Such receiver initiated transmissions are reactive to the loss of LOS, and may result in a temporary drop in communication services, which is undesirable for many types of communication services, such as, for example, streaming services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for maintaining a communication link between a transmitter and a receiver.

According to the teachings of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for maintaining a communication link between a first and a second communication device, the first communication device including at least a first transmitter antenna, the second communication device including at least two receiver antennas. The method comprises: collecting spatial information associated with the second communication device to determine spatial positioning of the receiver antennas; predicting, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas determined from the collected spatial information, a first antenna pair dissatisfying at least one transmission criterion during an operation of the first antenna pair, the first antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and one of the receiver antennas; and reconfiguring, based on the predicting, at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device.

Optionally, the method further comprises: focusing a steer able beam from the first transmitter antenna onto the receiver antenna of the first antenna pair if the first antenna pair satisfies the at least one transmission criterion during the operation of the first antenna pair.

Optionally, the method further comprises: determining, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas determined from the collected spatial information, if a second antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and another one of the receiver antennas satisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

Optionally, the first transmitter antenna focuses a steerable beam, and the reconfiguring at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device includes: adjusting the steerable beam to focus the steerable beam onto the other one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair satisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

Optionally, the adjusting the steerable beam is performed by a mechanical beam steering mechanism coupled to the first transmitter antenna.

Optionally, the first transmitter antenna includes a plurality of antennas deployed in an antenna array, and the adjusting the steerable beam is performed by beamforming of the antenna array.

Optionally, the first communication device further includes a second transmitter antenna, and the reconfiguring at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device includes: focusing a beam from the second transmitter antenna toward a reflective material to re- focus the beam onto at least one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair dissatisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

Optionally, the reflective material is spatially located in a near line of sight (LOS) path between the second transmitter antenna and the receiver antennas.

Optionally, the second transmitter antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

Optionally, the method further comprises: increasing the transmit power when transmitting the beam from the second transmitter antenna.

Optionally, the at least one transmission criterion includes the first transmitter antenna having line of sight (LOS) with the first receiver antenna.

Optionally, the operation includes the first communication device transmitting a signal from the first transmitter antenna, and at least one of the receiver antennas receiving the transmitted signal.

There is also provided according to an embodiment of the teachings of the present invention a communication system. The communication system comprises: a first communication device including a first transmitter antenna, the first communication device operative to transmit a signal towards a second communication device including a receiver antenna array that includes at least two receiver antennas, the signal being transmitted as a steerable beam from the first transmitter antenna focused onto one of the receiver antennas, the first transmitter antenna and one of the receiver antennas defining a first antenna pair that satisfies at least one transmission criterion; a sensor subsystem functionally associated with the second communication device for collecting spatial information associated with the second communication device to determine spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array; and a processing unit functionally associated with the first communication device and sensor subsystem. The processing unit is configured for: predicting, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array determined from the spatial information collected by the sensor subsystem, the first antenna pair dissatisfying at least one transmission criterion during an operation of the first antenna pair, and reconfiguring, based on the predicting, at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device.

Optionally, the processing unit is further configured for: determining, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array determined from the spatial information collected by the sensor subsystem, if a second antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and another one of the receiver antennas satisfies the at least one transmission criterion. Optionally, the reconfiguration of the at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device by the processing unit includes: actuating the first transmitter antenna to adjust the steerable beam to focus the steerable beam onto the other one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair satisfies the at ieast one transmission criterion.

Optionally, the communication system further comprises: a mechanical beam steering mechanism coupled to the first transmitter antenna, wherein actuating the first transmitter antenna to adjust the steerable beam is effected by the mechanical beam steering mechanism.

Optionally, the first transmitter antenna includes a plurality of antennas deployed in a transmitter antenna array, and wherein the actuating the first transmitter antenna to adjust of the steerable beam is effected by performing beamfonning of the transmitter antenna array.

Optionally, the transmitter unit further includes a second transmitter antenna, and wherein the reconfiguration of the at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device by the processing unit includes: actuating the second transmitter antenna to focus a beam towards a reflective material in order to re-focus the beam onto at least one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair dissatisfies the at least one transmission criterion during the predicted operation.

Optionally, the second transmitter antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

Optionally, the at least one transmission criterion includes the first transmitter antenna having line of sight (LOS) with the receiver antenna of the designated antenna pair.

Optionally, the first communication device operates in the millimeter wave (MMW) region.

Optionally, the first communication device communicates with the second communication device in a 60 GHz communication link.

Optionally, communication between the first communication device and the second communication device is unidirectional.

Optionally, communication between the first communication device and the second communication device is bidirectional.

Optionally, the sensor subsystem includes at least one sensor device deployed in a position selected from the group consisting of: physically coupled to the first communication device, physically proximate to the first communication device, or physically coupled to the second communication device.

Optionally, the sensor subsystem includes: an image sensor for defining the spatial position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device, arid at feast one indicator coupled to at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device for providing information associated with a change in the spatial position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device.

Optionally, the first transmitter antenna is a high-gain antenna operative to focus as much of the steerable beam as possible onto a selected receiver of the receiver antenna array.

Optionally, the relative position between the first communication device and the second communication device changes overtime.

There is also provided according to an embodiment of the teachings of the present invention a virtual reality (VR) system. The virtual reality system comprises: a mobile wireless VR receiver unit including: a VR headset for removably coupling to the head of a user, arid a receiver antenna array coupled to the headset including at least two receiver antennas; a VR transmitter unit including a first transmitter antenna, the VR transmitter unit operative to send VR data to the mobile wireless VR receiver unit via a signal transmitted as a steerable beam from the first transmitter antenna focused onto one of the receiver antennas, the first transmitter antenna and one of the receiver antennas defining a first antenna pair that satisfies at least one transmission criterion; a sensor subsystem functionally associated with the mobile wireless VR receiver for collecting spatial information associated with the mobile wireless VR receiver to determine spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array; and a processing unit functionally associated with the VR transmitter unit and sensor subsystem configured for: predicting, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array determined from the spatial information collected by the sensor subsystem, the first antenna pair dissatisfying at least one transmission criterion during an operation of the first antenna pair, and reconfiguring, based on the predicting, at least one transmission parameter of the VR transmitter unit

Optionally, the processing unit is further configured for: determining, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array determined from the spatial information collected by the sensor subsystem, if a second antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and another one of the receiver antennas satisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

Optionally, the reconfiguration of the at least one transmission parameter of the VR transmitter unit by the processing unit includes: actuating the first transmitter antenna to adjust at least one parameter of the steerable beam to focus the steerable beam onto the other one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair satisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

Optionally, the VR transmitter unit further includes a second transmitter antenna, and wherein the VR system further comprises: a reflector deployed in a spatially separated location from the mobile wireless VR receiver and the VR transmitter unit, and the reconfiguration of the at least one transmission parameter of the VR transmitter unit by the processing unit includes: actuating the second transmitter antenna to focus a beam towards the reflector for re- focusing the beam onto at least one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair dissatisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

Optionally, the mobile wireless VR receiver further includes: a processor coupled to the receiver antenna array configured to: estimate a receiving direction of the receiver antenna array relative to the VR transmitter unit in which as much of the steerable beam as possible is received by the receiver antenna array, and actuate the receiver antenna array to perform beamforming of the receiver antenna array to achieve the estimated receiving direction.

There is also provided according to an embodiment of the teachings of the present invention, a computer system for maintaining a communication link between a first and a second communication device, the first communication device including at least a first transmitter antenna, the second communication device including at least two receiver antennas. The computer system comprises: a storage medium for storing computer components; and a computerized processor for executing the computer components. The computer components comprise: a computer module configured for: receiving collected spatial information associated with the second communication device to determine spatial positioning of the receiver antennas; predicting, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas determined from the collected spatial information, a first antenna pair dissatisfying at least one transmission criterion during an operation of the first antenna pair, the first antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and one of the receiver antennas; and reconfiguring, based on the predicting, at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device.

There is also provided according to an embodiment of the teachings of the present invention, a computer usable non-transitory storage medium having a computer program embodied thereon for causing a suitable programmed system to maintain a communication link between a first and a second communication device, the first communication device including at least a first transmitter antenna, the second communication device including at least two receiver antennas, by performing the following steps when such program is executed on the system. The steps comprise: receiving collected spatial information associated with the second communication device to determine spatial positioning of the receiver antennas; predicting, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas determined from the collected spatial information, a first antenna pair dissatisfying at least one transmission criterion during an operation of the first antenna pair, the first antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and one of the receiver antennas; and reconfiguring, based on the predicting, at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device.

There is also provided according to an embodiment of the teachings of the present invention, a computer program that can be loaded onto a processing unit connected through a network, so that the processing unit running the computer program performs predictive LOS availability functionality according to any of the embodiments described in this disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like reference numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG.2 is a block diagram of a transmitter antenna unit, including transmitter antennas, of a first communication device of the communication system, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a receiver antenna unit, including receiver antennas, of a second communication device of the communication system, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an antenna parameter adjuster of the first communication device of the communication system, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a sensor subsystem of the communication system, according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a generalized representation of an exemplary processing unit of the communication system for performing predictive LOS availability functionality, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 7-9 are schematic diagrams of various exemplary deployments of the components of the sensor subsystem, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for maintaining the communication link between the communication devices of the communication system by performing predictive LOS availability functionality, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 1 1 A-l IC are schematic diagrams illustrating instances of LOS and lack of LOS for various transmitter antenna and receiver antenna pairings, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 12A-I2C are schematic diagrams illustrating various transmitter-receiver pair configurations based on LOS availability, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an exemplary virtual reality system according to embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for maintaining a communication link between two communication devices, namely between a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device. The primary receiving communication device is typically a wireless communication device. A sensor subsystem, which may include, for example, an image sensor, collects spatial information and provides the collected spatial information to a processing unit for predicting LOS blockages between transmitter-receiver antenna pairs (i.e., a transmitter antenna on the transmitting communication device and receiver antennas on the receiving communication device). The prediction may be executed for a specified time duration, or interval, of normal transmit and receive operations between the communication devices. Based on the collected spatial information and the LOS blockage prediction, the transmission parameters of the transmitting communication device are proactively reconfigured to switch the transmitter-receiver antenna pair in order to maintain the communication link without drops in communication services or gaps in antenna coverage.

Within the context of this document, the term LOS generally refers to the spatial orientation (i.e., azimuth and elevation) of a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna in which the majority of the transmitted antenna beam pattern reaches the receiver antenna above a certain received power threshold to maintain communication services, without physical obstructions absorbing or blocking the radiated beam. In other words, a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna are considered to have LOS with each other if no signal blocking obstructions are present between the transmitter and receiver antennas when the antenna beam pointing angles of the transmitter and receiver antennas are aligned with each other.

The principles and operation of the systems and methods according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying description.

The present invention is applicable to wireless communication between two communication devices in which LOS blockages between the two communication devices appear and disappear over time, and is of particular value when applied to indoor wireless communication systems operating hi the MMW region of the electromagnetic sfpectrum utilizing a 60 GHz communication link. The intermittent occurrence of such LOS blockages may be resultant from situations in which the relative position between the two communication devices changes over time. The present invention is also of particular value in unidirectional communication systems such as virtual reality (VR) systems, in which one of the communication devices is primarily configured to transmit VR signal data and the other communication device is primarily configured to receive those transmitted signals.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, an embodiment of a communication system

1. The communication system 1 generally includes a first communication device 10, primarily configured to operate as a transmitter, a processing unit 60, a sensor subsystem 30, and a second communication device 40, primarily configured to operate as a receiver. As such, in a non- limiting implementation, the communication system 1 may be a unidirectional communication system. Note that in an alternative implementation, the communication system 1 may be a bidirectional communication system, in which the second communication device 40 is additionally configured to operate as a transmitter and the first communication device 10 is additionally configured to operate as a receiver.

Ί tie communication devices 10 and 40 preferably operate in the MMW region of the electromagnetic spectrum and communicate with each other utilizing a 60 GHz communication link. Preferably the position of the second communication device 40 relative to the first communication device 10 changes over time. In this way, at least one of the communication devices 10 and 40 is preferably mobile. For example, the first communication device 10 may be stationary while the second communication device 40 is mobile. Alternatively, the first communication device 10 may be mobile while the second communication device 40 is stationary. Alternatively, both communication devices 10 and 40 may be mobile.

The first communication device 10 preferably includes at least one processor 12 coupled to a storage medium 14 such as a memory or the like, an antenna parameter adjuster 16, and a transmitter antenna unit 18. All components of the first communication device 10 are connected or linked to each other (electronically and/or data), either directly or indirectly. The processor 12 is configured for processing data, such as, for example, digital data, and providing the processed data to the transmitter antenna unit 18 for signal transmission. The processor 12 may be further configured for generating data. The first communication device 10 may also include a conversion module (not shown), such as, for example, a digital to analog converter (DAC), for receiving digital data from the processor 12 and converting the digital data into analog signals for transmission via the transmitter antenna unit 18. The processor 12 can be any number of computer processors, including, but not limited to, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, an ASIC, a DSP, and a state machine. Such processors include, or may be in communication with computer readable media, which stores program code or instruction sets that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform actions. Types of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage or transmission devices capable of providing a processor with computer readable instructions.

The transmitter antenna unit 18 includes at least two antennas, namely a first transmitter antenna 20 and a second transmitter antenna 22. The first transmitter antenna 20 is preferably a directional antenna, such as, for example, a high-gain antenna, operative to propagate a signal via a steerable beam to focus as much of the signal as possible onto a designated receiver antenna. The steerable beam has an associated pointing angle, which may be referred to interchangeably as the antenna pointing angle. As is known in the art, directional antennas are useful for extending the range of communication and recovering from effects of high path loss and mulripath propagation present in multipara signal environments, such as those present in indoor communication systems, without necessitating additional RF components.

Note mat the first transmitter antenna 20 may actually be a set of multiple antennas, deployed as, for example, an antenna phased array, that is represented in FIG. 2 as a single transmitter antenna. The phased array implementation may be of particular value when applying beamforming techniques for adjusting the steering direction (i.e., pointing direction) of the transmitted signal from the first transmitter antenna 20. The second transmitter antenna 22 is preferably an omnidirectional antenna, and may be used primarily in a backup role for reducing any gaps in antenna coverage during the operation of the communication system 1, as will be described in more detail below.

The antenna parameter adjuster 16 preferably includes an antenna selector 24 and a beamformer 26. The antenna selector 24 is preferably configured to select, as instructed or actuated by the processor 12 or another processing device linked to the first communication device 10, which transmitter antenna of the transmitter antenna unit 18 is to be used for signal transmission. If the phased array (i.e., the first transmitter antenna 20) is selected, the beamformer 26 adjusts the appropriate properties (e.g., relative phases and amplitudes) of the signal feeds to the phased array to focus the steerahle beam at a desired pointing angle based on the instructions from the processor 12 or the other processing device. Although not shown in the drawings, the transmitter antennas 20 and 22 may be mounted to a mechanical beam steering mechanism, such as, for example, a three-axis rotational mount or gyroscope, to adjust the pointing angle to focus the beam toward the designated receiver antenna of the second communication device 40.

As will be described in more detail below, the second communication device 40 includes receiver components for receiving and processing the signals transmitted by the first communication device 10. The second communication device may also include components for generating signals for transmission, and preferably includes standard receiver initiated reactive functionality for indicating LOS unavailability (i.e., loss of LOS). In other words, the maintaining of the communication link via the proactive transmitter functionality of the present disclosure may be implemented as add-on functionality to existing standard receiver initiated reactive functionality.

The receiver components of the second communication device 40 include at least one processor 42 coupled to a storage medium 44 such as a memory or the tike, an antenna parameter adjuster 46, and a receiver antenna unit 48. All components of the second communication device 40 are connected or linked to each other (electronically and/or data), either directly or indirectly. The second communication device 40 may include a conversion module (hot shown), such as, for example, an analog to digital converter (ADC), for receiving analog signals from the receiver antenna unit 48, converting the analog signals into digital data or signals, and providing the digital data or signals to the processor 42. The processor 42 can be any number of computer processors, including, but not limited to, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, an ASIC, a DSP, and a state machine. Such processors include, or may be in communication with computer readable media, which stores program code or instruction sets that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform actions. Types of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage or transmission devices capable of providing a processor with computer readable instructions.

The receiver antenna unit 48 includes at least two antennas in the form of a receiver antenna array, namely a first receiver antenna 50 and a second receiver antenna 50. In principle, the receiver antenna array includes at least two receiver antennas, but may include a large number of receiver antennas, as is common in wireless communication devices utilizing standard multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) techniques. The receiver antennas 50 and 52 may be implemented as omnidirectional antennas or may each actually be a set of multiple antennas, deployed as, for example, an antenna phased array, that are each represented in FIG. 3 as a single receiver antenna. The phased array implementation may be of particular value when applying beamforming techniques for adjusting the receiving direction of the receiver antenna array to align with the propagation direction of the transmitted signal such mat as much of the transmitted signal as possible is focused onto the receiver antenna array; The receiving direction of the receiver antenna array may be adjusted based on an estimate, performed by the processor 42, of the receiving direction for which as much of the signal transmitted by the first communication device 10 is focused onto the receiver antenna array.

Although not shown in the drawings, the antenna parameter adjuster 46 preferably includes a beamformer, similar to the beam former 26. The beam former of the antenna parameter adjuster 46 adjusts the appropriate properties (e.g., relative phases and amplitudes) of the signal feeds to the receiver phased array to adjust the effective receiver antenna pointing direction to focus as much of the transmitted signal as possible onto the receiver antenna array. The beamformer of the antenna parameter selector 46 may be actuated directly by the processor 42 or another processing device linked to the second communication device 40. Similar to as described above with reference to the first communication device 10, the receiver antennas 50 and 52 may be mounted to a mechanical beam steering mechanism, such as, for example, a three-axis rotational mount or gyroscope, to adjust the received antenna pointing direction.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 -4, refer now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the sensor subsystem 30. The sensor subsystem 30 preferably includes an image sensor 32, and may further include at least one indicator 34 deployed for physically attaching to the first communication device 10, the second communication device 40, or both communication devices 10 and 40. The sensor subsystem 30 is configured to collect spatial information of a scene mat includes the positioning of the second communication device 40, relative to the first communication device

10, to allow the communication system 1, in particular the processing unit 60, to make predictions about the spatial positioning of the communication devices 10 and 40 as objects enter and exit the scene and as the communication devices 10 and 40 move relative to each other. By collecting spatial information, the sensor subsystem 30 is able to define the second communication device 10 in a region of space, relative to the first communication device 10, and provide the collected information and spatial definition to the processing unit 60.

In turn, the processing unit 60 makes predictions and determinations about LOS availability based on the spatial information provided by the sensor subsystem 30. For example, if a portion of an object enters a region of space in or near the LOS path used by the communication devices 10 and 40, the sensor subsystem 30 may detect the change in the region of space induced by the object, and the processing unit 60 may predict a LOS blockage and may make determinations regarding LOS availability between transmitter antennas and receiver antennas. Based on the predicted and determined LOS availability, the processing unit 60 provides commands to the first communication device 10 to reconfigure the transmission parameters of the first communication device 10, as will be discussed in more detail below.

Note that an object that enters the scene may be a stationary object (e.g., a piece of furniture or a wall) which enters the scene as the result of the movement of one of the communication devices 10 and 40 positioning the object between the communication devices 10 and 40. Alternatively, an object that enters the scene may be a mobile object (e.g., a person or a moveable piece of furniture) which enters the scene as the result of moving between the communication devices 10 and 40.

Refer now to FIG. 6, a high-level partial block diagram of an exemplary processing unit 60 configured to implement the predictive LOS availability functionality, based on input from the sensor subsystem 30, of the present disclosure. The processing unit 60 includes a processor 62 (one or more) and four exemplary memory devices: a RAM 64, a boot ROM 66, a mass storage device (e.g., a hard disk) 68, and a flash memory 70, all connected or linked to each other (electronically and/or data), either directly or indirectly, for example via a common bus 72. As is known, processing and memory can include any computer readable medium storing software and/or firmware and/or any hardware elements) including but not limited to field programmable logic arrays (FPLA) element(s), hard-wired logic elements), field programmable gate array (FPGA) elements(s), and application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) elements). Any instruction set architecture may be used in the processor 62, including, but not limited to, reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture and/or complex instruction set computer (CISC) architecture. The processor 62 can be any number of computer processors, including, but not limited to, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, an ASIC, a DSP, and a state machine. A module (processing module) 74 is shown on the mass storage device 68, but as should be understood, could be located on any of the memory devices.

The mass storage device 68 is a non-limiting example of a non-transitory computer- readable (storage) medium bearing computer-readable code for implementing the predictive LOS availability functionality described herein. Other examples of such computer-readable (storage) media include read-only memories such as, for example, CDs bearing such code. The processing unit 60 may have an operating system stored on the memory devices, the boot ROM 66 may include boot code for the operating system, and the processor 62 may be configured for executing the boot code to the load the operating system to the RAM 64, executing the operating system to copy computer-readable code to the RAM 64 and execute the copied computer- readable code.

A network connection 76 provides communications to and from the processing unit 60, Typically, a single network connection provides one or more links, including virtual connections, to other devices on local and/or remote networks. Alternatively, the processing unit 60 can include more than one network connection (not shown), each network connection providing one or more links to other devices and/or networks. Alternatively, the processing unit 60 can include an additional data bus to provide communication and data exchange functionality between the processing unit 60 and external devices. In the block diagram of the communication system 1 depicted in FIG. 1, the communication between the first communication device 10 and the processing unit 60 may be implemented via such a data bus or a wired or wireless communication network, such as, for example, a local area network (LAN). Alternatively, the processor 12 of the first communication device 10 may be included as one of the individual processors 62 of the processing unit 60. in this way, signal processing functionality for the first communication device 10 and the predictive LOS availability functionality may be provided in a single processing system.

The image sensor 32 is preferably locally coupled to the processing unit 60, specifically the processor 62, and provides the collected spatial information to the processing unit 60 via a data bus. The image sensor 32 is preferably implemented as an infrared (IR) camera or as a visible light camera. The wave propagation properties of MMW in a closed environment, such as an indoor space, share similarities with the wave propagation properties of IR and visible light. Accordingly, physical objects such as, tor example, walls, furniture, people, or other objects, positioned between the communication devices 10 and 40 which induce blockages in LOS by preventing the propagated communication signals from passing through such physical objects, will also be imaged by the image sensor 32. This similarity in propagation properties highlights the effectiveness of the combined functionality of such 1R or visible cameras with 60 GHz communication. By contrast, for example, communication signals utilizing a 5 GHz link can typically pass through such objects. As a result, physical objects which are imaged by the image sensor 32 allow communication signals propagated utilizing a 5 GHz link to easily pass through.

Note that the sensor subsystem 30 may be intrinsically deployed as part of a computer vision system, video tracking system, or other imaging input system, that can be used with the communication system 1 of the present disclosure, for providing the spatial definition of the receiver antennas of the present disclosure. For example, computer vision systems employ image sensors and processors to perform various functions for extracting information from an imaged scene, For example, a processor for a computer vision systems may process information extracted from an imaged to perform scene reconstruction, event detection, video tracking, motion analysis, and object recognition. As such, the processor 62 of the processing Unit 60 the may be configured to perform such computer vision functions when operating together with the image sensor 32.

The sensor subsystem 30 may also include additional sensor devices for detecting relative movement between the communication devices 10 and 40, Such additional sensor devices may include, but are not limited to, rotational motion sensors, translation motion sensor, velocity sensors, and accelerometers.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-6, refer now to FIGS. 7-9, various exemplary non- limiting deployment configurations for the components of the sensor subsystem 30. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the image sensor 32 is deployed proximate to the first communication device 10, and is preferably mechanically coupled to the first communication device 10 and aligned with the pointing direction of the first transmitter antenna 20. The image sensor 32 captures an imageof a scene that corresponds with the spatial antenna coverage areaof the first transmitter antenna 20. In certain implementations, the main lobe of the beam radiated by the first transmitter antenna 20 may spatially overlap with the field of view of the image sensor 32, and may be contained within the fieldof view. Accordingly, in such implementations, when the first transmitter antenna 20 has LOS with one of the receiver antennas, the corresponding receiver antenna may also be within the field of view of the image sensor 32. As such, when the corresponding receiver antenna moves outside of the field of view Of the image sensor 32, a loss of LOS between the transmitter antenna 20 and the corresponding receiver antenna may also occur.

The indicator 34, which may be implemented as one or more visual markers, such as, for example light emitting diodes (LEDs), is attached to the second communication device 40 to identify the second communication device 40 as it moves within the captured scene. The spatial positioning of the indicator 34, and the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas 50 and 52, in the second communication device 40 frame of reference, may be used by the processing unit 60 to calculate the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas 50 and 52 in a frame of reference common to the image sensor 32 and the first communication device 10. Such calculations may require the performance of a coordinate transform. Note that each of the antennas 50 and 52 may have an indicator attached thereto, in order to provide further spatial information.

In the non-limiting deployment configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, since the image sensor 32 and the processing unit 60 are deployed locally with the first communication device 10, the link between the processing unit 60 and the first communication device 10 may be via a data bus. Alternatively, as stated above, the processor 12 of the first communication device 10 may be included as one of the individual processors 62 of the processing unit 60.

In the non-limiting deployment configuration illustrated in FIG. 8, the image sensor 32 is deployed proximate to the second communication device 40, and is preferably mechanically coupled to the second communication device 40 and aligned with the receiving direction of the receiver antenna array. In this configuration, the image sensor 32 captures an image of a scene that corresponds with the spatial antenna coverage area of the receiver antenna array, and the indicator 34 is attached to the first communication device 10 to identify the first communication device 10 as it moves within the imaged scene. The spatial positioning of the indicator 34, and the spatial positioning of the first transmitter antenna 20, in the first communication device 10 frame of reference, may be used by the processing unit 60 to calculate the spatial positioning of the first transmitter 20 in a frame of reference common to the image sensor 32 and the second communication device 40. Such calculations may require the performance of a coordinate transform.

Similar to as discussed with reference to FIG. 7, the field of view of the image sensor 32 in the non-limiting deployment configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 may spatially overlap with the received main lobe of the beam radiated by the first transmitter antenna 20, and may be contained within the field of view. As such, when the first transmitter antenna 20 moves outside of the field of view of the image sensor 32, a loss of LOS between the transmitter antenna 20 and the corresponding receiver antenna may also occur.

In the non-limiting deployment configuration illustrated in FIG. 9, the image sensor 32 is deployed in a region of space between the communication devices 10 and 40, with each of the communication devices 10 and 40 having a respective indicator 34 and 36 attached thereto to identify the respective communication devices as they move within the captured scene. Similar coordinate transforms to those mentioned above may be performed in order to provide a common frame of reference for the image sensor 32 and indicators 34 and 36.

In the non-limiting deployment configurations illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, since the image sensor 32 and the processing unit 60 are deployed remotely from the first communication device 10, the link between the processing unit 60 and the first communication device 10 may be implemented via a wired or wireless communication network. As such, the processing unit 60 may provide commands to the first communication device 10 to reconfigure transmission parameters over a communication channel, via a transmitter unit (not shown) coupled to the processing unit 60.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 10 which shows a flow diagram detailing a process

1000 for maintaining the communication link between the communication devices 10 and 40. Attention is also directed to FIGS. 1 1A-12C, which depict various instances of LOS availability and LOS unavailability, and various transmission configurations, accompanying certain steps of the process 1000. As Will be discussed in more detail below, the process 1000 includes steps to reconfigure the transmission parameters of the communication device 10 to proactively switch the transmitter-receiver antenna pair by, for example, adjusting die antenna pointing angle of the first transmitter antenna 20, or stopping transmission from the first transmitter antenna 20 and initiating transmission from the second transmitter antenna 22.

The process 1000 begins at block 1002 in which communication services are initiated between the communication devices 10 and 40. Such initiating of communication services may include, for example, a handshake exchange between the first communication device 10 and the second communication device 40, establishing of the waveform types to be used for communication, establishing which of the receiving antennas 50 and 52 is best suited to initially receive communication signals, and configuration of other communication service parameters. The above parameters used for initiating communication services may be based on transmission parameters stored in the storage mediums 14, 44.

Once the communication services are initiated, the process 1000 moves to block 1004, in which the first communication device 10 transmits a signal via the first transmitter antenna 20, for receipt by one of the receiver antennas of the receiver antenna array. As mentioned above, the transmitted signal is propagated from the first transmitter antenna 20 as a steerable beam having a specified pointing angle. For illustrative purposes, the steerable beam (i.e., the pointing angle of the first transmitter antenna 20) is aligned with the spatial location of the first receiving antenna 50, which receives the propagated signal from the first communication device 10. As such, the transmitter-receiver antenna pair, defined by the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50, satisfies the transmission criterion of having LOS between the antennas of the antenna pair. FIG. 1 1 A depicts the first receiver antenna 50 being spatially positioned such that the transmitter-receiver antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50 have LOS with each other. FIG. 12A depicts the transmission of communication signals from the first transmitter antenna 20 to the first receiver antenna 50, for receipt by the first receiver antenna 50.

From block 1004 the process 1000 moves to block 1006, in which spatial information is collected by the sensor subsystem 30. As mentioned above, the spatial information collected by the sensor subsystem 30 is provided to the processing unit 60 for making predictions and determinations about upcoming blockages or LOS unavailability for the transmitter-receiver antenna pair. Note that the spatial information collected in block 1006 is preferably collected over the duration for which the communication services are established, as shown by the loop- back from block 1006 to itself, the spatial information may be collected continuously or periodically over this duration, and parsed or sampled by the processing unit 60 according to various parameters, for example, performance criteria and processing power of the processor 62. It is noted that although FIG. 10 illustrates block 1004 being executed prior to block 1006, block

1006 may be performed prior to block 1004, or blocks 1004 and 1006 may be performed in parallel.

The process 1000 then moves to block 1008, in which the processing unit 60 makes a prediction, based on the collected spatial information, whether a blockage or loss in LOS for the transmitter-receiver antenna pair is expected to occur. As the predictions made by the processing unit 60 are temporal, the evaluation of whether a blockage or loss in LOS is expected is typically performed for a specified time interval or "predicted time interval", for example, on the order several seconds or milliseconds. An example predicted outcome is shown in FIG. 1 IB, in which the processing unit 60 may predict, based on the collected spatial information, a wall 80 mat will cause a loss in LOS between the by the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50. The predicted loss in LOS may be due to movement of the second communication device 40 along a trajectory path, which if such movement continues, will position the wall 80 in the LOS path between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50.

If no blockage or loss in LOS for the transmitter-receiver antenna pair is expected to occur, as predicted by the processing unit 60 in block 1008, the process 1000 returns to block

1004, in which the first transmitter antenna 20 continues to focus the steerable beam onto the first receiver antenna 50. In other words, if no loss in LOS is predicted, the transmitter-receiver antenna pair remains unchanged. If a blockage or loss in LOS for the transmitter-receiver antenna pair is expected to occur, as predicted by the processing unit 60 in block 1008, the process 1000 moves to block 1010, in which the processing unit 60 makes a determination as to whether LOS is available, or will be available, for a different transmitter-receiver antenna pair, at or near the predicted time of loss of LOS between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50. The different transmitter-receiver antenna pair is defined as the first transmitter antenna 20 and a receiver antenna of the receiver antenna array different from the current receiver antenna, for example, the second receiver antenna 52. As shown in FIG. 1 IB, the processing unit 60 determines mat LOS will be available between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the second receiver antenna 52 at the predicted time of loss of LOS between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50.

If LOS between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the second receiver antenna 52 (i.e., different transmitter-receiver antenna pair) is determined to be available at the predicted time of loss of LOS between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50, the process

1000 moves to block 1012 in which the processing unit 60 actuates the first communication device 10 to reconfigure the transmission parameters to adjust the pointing angle of the steerable beam of the first transmitter antenna 20 such that the steerable beam is focused onto the second receiver antenna 52, in order to maintain the communication link between the communication devices 10 and 40 without a drop in communication services.

As discussed above, the processing unit 60 may actuate the first communication device

10 to reconfigure the transmission parameters either directly, or via instructions provided to the processor 12. The reconfiguration is performed by adjusting the transmission parameters via the antenna parameter adjuster 16, As mentioned above, the adjustment of the antenna pointing angle may be accomplished by a mechanical beam steering mechanism, or via beamforming techniques, performed by the beamformer 26.

The process 1000 then moves to block 1014 in which the first communication device 10 continues to transmit the signal via the first transmitter antenna 20, only now the transmitted signal is focused onto the second receiver antenna 52. FIG. 12B depicts the transmission of communication signals from the first transmitter antenna 20 to the second receiver antenna 52 in accordance with block 1014. As a result of the execution of blocks 1010-1014, the transmitter- receiver antenna pair is switched from: the first transmitter antenna 20-first receiver antenna 50, to the first transmitter antenna 20-second receiver antenna 52. The process 1000 then returns to block 1006 (or block 1008 if blocks 1006 and 1008 are performed in parallel or reversed order).

Returning to decision block 1010, if the processing unit 60 determines that LOS is unavailable for a different transmitter-receiver antenna pair, at the predicted time of loss of LOS between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50, the process 1000 moves to block 1016, in which the processing unit 60 actuates the first communication device 10 to reconfigure the transmission parameters to change the transmitting antenna of the transmitter- receiver antenna pair from the first transmitter antenna 20 to the second transmitter antenna 22 (i.e., omnidirectional antenna). The reconfiguration to change the transmitter antenna also includes adjustment of the pointing angle of the second transmitter antenna 22 to focus the beam from the second transmitter antenna 22 toward a reflector.

FIG. l lC depicts a condition for moving to block 1016 from block 1010. In FIG. 11C, the predicted positioning of the wall 80 causes a predicted loss in LOS between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the first receiver antenna 50 (i.e., the current transmitter-receiver pair). In addition, the predicted positioning of the wall 80 prevents LOS from being available between the first transmitter antenna 20 and the second receiver antenna 52 at the predicted time of loss of LOS for the current transmitter-receiver pair. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 1C, LOS is not available between the first transmitter 20 and any of the receiver antennas 50 and 52 during the predicted time of loss of LOS.

10 to reconfigure the transmission parameters either directly, or via instructions provided to the processor 12. The reconfiguration is performed by adjusting the transmission parameters via the antenna parameter adjuster 16, to command the antenna selector 24 to select the second transmitter antenna 22 for transmission.

As mentioned above, the second transmitter antenna 22 is preferably an omnidirectional antenna. The transmission parameters of the first communication device 10 may also be reconfigured to adjust the pointing direction of the second transmitter antenna 22 via a mechanical beam steering mechanism (not shown) and to adjust the power or gain of the propagated signal. The power or gain adjustments may be accomplished by an amplifier (not shown) coupled to the antenna feed provided to the second transmitter antenna 22.

The process 1000 then moves to block 1018 in which the first communication device 10 continues to transmit the signal, only now the transmitted signal is transmitted via the second transmitter antenna 22 to focus a beam toward a reflector spatially separated from the second communication device 40. FIG. 12C depicts the transmission of communication signals from the second transmitter antenna 22 to a reflector 90 in accordance with block 1018. The reflector 90 is preferably a diffuse reflector positioned in a near LOS path between the second transmitter antenna 22 and the receiver antennas 50 and 52. When the communication system J is deployed indoors, the reflector 90 may be positioned as a ceiling mounted reflector. The diffuse reflection property allows the incident signals impinging on the reflector 90 from the second transmitter antenna 22 to reflect at multiple angles, increasing the likelihood of the reflected signals aligning with the receiving direction of one of the antennas of the receiver antenna array and being re-focused onto one of the receiving antennas 50 and 52. FIG. 12C depicts a schematic illustration of a radiated beam (i.e., a transmitted signal), transmitted by the second transmitter antenna 22, being focused towards the reflector 90, reflected by the reflector 90, and re-focused onto one of the receiving antennas (e.g., the first receiving antenna 50).

Preferably, when the first communication device 10 is configured to transmit from the second transmitter antenna 22, the transmit power is increased in order to ensure receipt of the propagated signal above a minimal received power threshold to maintain the communication link. The transmit power may be increased incrementally from a prescribed minimum value up to a prescribed maximum value. The received signal power may be significantly less than the transmitted signal power, due to the signal transmitted from the second transmitter antenna 22 being reflected by the reflector 90, in addition to typical power degradation factors such as path loss and multipath effects.

The process then moves to block 1020, in which the processing unit 60 makes a determination as to whether LOS is available between the first transmitter antenna 20 and any of the receiver antennas 50 and 52. The determination is made based on the continuous or periodic collection of spatial information by the sensor subsystem 30. If the processing unit 60 determines that no LOS is available between the first transmitter antenna 20 and any of the receiver antennas 50 and 52, the process 1000 returns to block 1018, where the second transmitter antenna 22 continues to focus the transmitted signal towards the reflector 90 for re-focusing onto one of the receiver antennas 50 and 52.

If the processing unit 60 makes a determination that LOS is available between the first transmitter antenna 20 and any of the receiver antennas 50 and 52, the process 1000 moves to block 1022 in which the processing unit 60 actuates the first communication device 10 to reconfigure the transmission parameters to change the transmitting antenna from the second transmitter antenna 22 to the first transmitter antenna 20 (i.e., high gain antenna). The transmission parameters are also reconfigured to adjust the pointing angle of the steerable beam such that the steerable beam is focused from the first transmitter antenna 20 onto the receiver antenna determined to have LOS with the first transmitter antenna 20, The process 1000 then returns to block 1004 in which the steerable beam from the first transmitter antenna 20 is focused onto the receiver antenna having LOS with the first transmitter antenna 20. As should be apparent, the process 1000 is iterative, and is preferably continually executed until the cessation of communication services. Also, further to as mentioned above, the receiver antenna array may include a large number of receiver antennas. As such, although the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure have been in the context of a receiver antenna array having two receiver antennas, the process 1000 may be used to advantage in situations in which the number of receiver antennas is larger man two. A large receiver antenna array increases the likelihood of One of the receiver antennas having JX>S with the first transmitter antenna 20, thus reducing the likelihood of necessitating transmission via the second transmitter antenna 22 and the reflector 90.

As mentioned above, the principles and operation of communication system 1 of the present disclosure are of particular value when applied to communications systems that utilize unidirectional communications. An exemplary application of such a unidirectional communication system is a VR system, in which a transmitter, which may be wired to a central hub or head end equipment, transmits VR data to a mobile wireless VR receiver that includes a head mounted display worn by a user.

Refer now to FIG. 13, a non-limiting exemplary application of the principles and operations of the communication system 1 of the present disclosure implemented as part of a VR system 100. The VR system 100 includes a first communication device 10' operating as a VR data transmitter, a sensor subsystem 30', a processing unit 50', and a mobile wireless VR receiver unit 56. the VR receiver unit 56 includes a VR headset 54 for removably securing to the head of a user. The VR headset 54 may be implemented, for example, as a visor having a display attached thereto. The VR 54 headset includes receiver components, in the form of a second communication device 40', for receiving and processing the VR signals transmitted by the first communication device 10'. The structure and operation of the first communication device 10', the sensor subsystem 30' the processing unit 50' and the second communication device 40' of the VR system 100 are generally similar to the structure and operation of the first communication device 10, the sensor subsystem 30, the processing unit SO, and the second communication device 40 of the communication system 1, and should be understood by analogy thereto.

As previously discussed with respect to the process 1000, when the processing unit 60 makes a determination that no LOS is available between the first transmitter antenna and any of the receiver antennas, the processing unit 60 actuates the first communication device 10 to reconfigure the transmission parameters to change the transmitting antenna from the first transmitter antenna to the second transmitter antenna to focus the beam from the second transmitter antenna toward a reflector. It is noted herein that when applied to the VR system 100, it is preferred that although the transmit power is increased when transmitting from the second transmitter antenna (i.e., omnidirectional antenna), the transmitted signal power is limited such that the received power at the receiver antenna array, deployed as part of the mobile wireless VR receiver unit 56 and coupled to the VR headset 54 on the head of the user, is within industry safety limits to avoid unhealthy amounts of electromagnetic radiation.

As mentioned above, computer vision systems employ image sensors and processors to perform various functions for extracting information from an imaged scene. It is noted that computer vision systems are typically intrinsically present in VR systems. As such, a computer vision system, that is linked to or part of the VR system 100, may be used to perform some or all of the functionality of the sensor subsystem 30' and the processing unit 50'.

Although the communication system as described thus far has pertained to a system of two communication devices in which one of the communication devices operates primarily as a transmitter and the other communication device operates primarily as a receiver, other embodiments are possible in which a single communication device operates primarily as a transmitter that transmits signals to multiple receiving communication devices. In such an embodiment, the sensor subsystem 30 may be configured to gather spatial information pertaining to two or more distinct receiving communication devices, and the processing unit 60 may be configured to simultaneously perform the steps of the process 1000 for transmission between (he transmitting communication device and each of the receiver communication devices. In such an embodiment, for example, the first communication device 10 may include a third transmitter antenna deployed as part of another antenna phased array, and a fourth transmitter antenna deployed as a second omnidirectional antenna. In this way, the transmitting communication device may perform the antenna pointing angle adjustment and antenna switching with one subset of transmitter antennas to maintain a communication link with one of the receiving communication devices, as described with reference to the process 1000 above, and may simultaneously perform such antenna pointing angle adjustment and antenna switching with a second subset of transmitter antennas to maintain a communication link with another receiving communication device.

As should be understood, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied within various contexts in which reduced receiver complexity and SWAP is desirable. For example, an additional application of some the embodiments of the present disclosure is in the context of vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication systems, in which the transmitting communication device and the receiving communication device are deployed in separate vehicles, whose relative positions may be constantly changing due to vehicle speed and course, and in which a multitude of obstacles may present as blockages to LOS signal paths between the communicating vehicles.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system.

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit, such as the processor types discussed for the processor 62. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a processor, such as the processor 62.

As discussed above with reference to FIG. 6, the processor 62 is coupled to the mass storage device 68, which is a non-limiting example of a non-transitory computer-readable (storage) medium bearing computer-readable code for implementing the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention described hereinabove. Further to the above discussion with reference to FIG, 6, non-transitory computer-readable (storage) medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection haying one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a readonly memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

As will be understood with reference to the paragraphs and the referenced drawings, provided above, various embodiments of computer-implemented methods are provided herein, some of which can be performed by various embodiments of apparatuses and systems described herein and some of which can be performed according to instructions stored in non-transitory computer-readable storage media described herein. Still, some embodiments of computer- implemented methods provided herein can be performed by other apparatuses or systems and can be performed according to instructions stored in computer-readable storage media other than that described herein, as will become apparent to those having skill in the art with reference to the embodiments described herein. Any reference to systems and computer-readable storage media with respect to the following computer-implemented methods is provided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to limit any of such systems and any of such non-transitory computer-readable storage media with regard to embodiments of computer-implemented methods described above. Likewise, any reference to the following computer-implemented methods with respect to systems and computer-readable storage media is provided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to limit any of such computer-implemented methods disclosed herein,

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

As used herein, the singular form "a" "an" and ''the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration''. Any embodiment or implementation described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for maintaining a communication link between a first and a second communication device, the first communication device including at least a first transmitter antenna, the second communication device including at least two receiver antennas, the method comprising:

collecting spatial information associated with the second communication device to determine spatial positioning of the receiver antennas;

predicting, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas determined from the collected spatial information, a first antenna pair dissatisfying at least one transmission criterion during an operation of the first antenna pair, the first antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and one of the receiver antennas; and

reconfiguring, based on the predicting, at least one transmission parameter of the first commanication device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

focusing a steerable beam from the first transmitter antenna onto the receiver antenna of the first antenna pair if the first antenna pair satisfies the at least one transmission criterion during the operation of the first antenna pair.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antennas determined from the collected spatial information, if a second antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and another one of the receiver antennas satisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first transmitter antenna focuses a steerable beam, and wherein the reconfiguring at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device includes:

adjusting the steerable beam to focus the steerable beam onto the other one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair satisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the adjusting the steerable beam is performed by a mechanical beam steering mechanism coupled to the first transmitter antenna.

6\ The method of claim 4, wherein the first transmitter antenna includes a plurality of antennas deployed in an antenna array, and wherein the adjusting the steerable beam is performed by beamforming of the antenna array.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the first communication device further includes a second transmitter antenna, and wherein the reconfiguring at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device includes:

focusing a beam from the second transmitter antenna toward a reflective material to re-focus the beam onto at least one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair dissatisfies the at {east one transmission criterion.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the reflective material is spatially located in a near line of sight (LOS) path between the second transmitter antenna and the receiver antennas.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second transmitter antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

increasing the transmit power when transmitting the beam from the second transmitter antenna.

1 1. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one transmission criterion includes the first transmitter antenna having line of sight (LOS) with the first receiver antenna.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation includes the first communication device transmitting a signal from the first transmitter antenna, and at least one of the receiver antennas receiving the transmitted signal.

13. A communication system comprising:

a first communication device including a first transmitter antenna, the first communication device operative to transmit a signal towards a second communication device including a receiver antenna array that includes at least two receiver antennas, the signal being transmitted as a steerable beam from the first transmitter antenna focused onto one of the receiver antennas, the first transmitter antenna and one of the receiver antennas defining a first antenna pair that satisfies at least one transmission criterion; a sensor subsystem functionally associated with the second communication device for collecting spatial information associated with the second communication device to determine spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array; and

a processing unit functionally associated with the first communication device and sensor subsystem configured for:

predicting, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array determined from the spatial information collected by the sensor subsystem, the first antenna pair dissatisfying at least one transmission criterion during an operation of the first antenna pair, and reconfiguring, based on the predicting, at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device.

14. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the processing unit is further configured for:

determining, based on the spatial positioning of the receiver antenna array determined from the spatial information collected by the sensor subsystem, if a second antenna pair defined by the first transmitter antenna and another one of the receiver antennas satisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

15. The communication system of claim 14, wherein the reconfiguration of the at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device by the processing unit includes:

actuating the first transmitter antenna to adjust the steerable beam to focus the steerable beam onto the other one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair satisfies the at least one transmission criterion.

16. The communication system of claim 15, further comprising:

a mechanical beam steering mechanism coupled to the first transmitter antenna, wherein actuating the first transmitter antenna to adjust the steerable beam is effected by the mechanical beam steering mechanism.

17. The communication system of claim 15, wherein the first transmitter antenna includes a plurality of antennas deployed in a transmitter antenna array, and wherein the actuating the first transmitter antenna to adjust of the steerable beam is effected by performing beamfbrming of the transmitter antenna array.

18. The communication system of claim 14, wherein the transmitter unit further includes a second transmitter antenna, and wherein the reconfiguration of the at least one transmission parameter of the first communication device by the processing unit includes:

actuating the second transmitter antenna to focus a beam towards a reflective material in order to re-focus the beam onto at least one of the receiver antennas if the second antenna pair dissatisfies the at least one transmission criterion during the predicted operation.

19. The communication system of claim 18, wherein the second transmitter antenna is an omnidirectional antenna.

20. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the at least one transmission criterion includes the first transmitter antenna having line of sight (LOS) with the receiver antenna of the designated antenna pair.

21. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the first communication device operates in the millimeter wave (MMW) region.

22. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the first communication device communicates with the second communication device in a 60 GHz communication link.

23. The communication system of claim 13, wherein communication between the first communication device and the second communication device is unidirectional.

24. The communication system of claim 13, wherein communication between the first communication device and the second communication device is bidirectional.

25. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the sensor subsystem includes at least one sensor device deployed in a position selected from the group consisting of: physically coupled, to the first communication device, physically proximate to the first communication device, or physically coupled to the second communication device.

26. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the sensor subsystem includes:

an image sensor for defining the spatial position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device, and at least one indicator coupled to at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device for providing information associated with a change in the spatial position of the second communication device relative to the first communication device.

27. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the first transmitter antenna is a high-gam antenna operative to focus as much of the steerable beam as possible onto a selected receiver of the receiver antenna array.

28. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the relative position between the first communication device and the second communication device changes over time;