Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKHAUL LINK WITH REFERENCE SIGNAL FOR DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial
No.
15/179,204 filed on June 10, 2016. All sections of the aforementioned
application are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The subject disclosure relates to wireless communications and more
particularly to providing backhaul connectivity to distributed antennas and
base stations.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly become
ubiquitous, and data usage skyrockets, macrocell base stations and existing
wireless
infrastructure are being overwhelmed. To provide additional mobile bandwidth,
small
cell deployment is being pursued, with microcells and picocells providing
coverage for
much smaller areas than traditional macrocells, but at high expense.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a distributed antenna system in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
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[0005] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a backhaul system in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a distributed antenna system in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a distributed antenna system in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a backhaul system in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a backhaul system in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a quasi-optical coupling in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a backhaul system in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a millimeter band antenna apparatus in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an underground backhaul system in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method for providing a backhaul connection as described
herein.
[0015] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment
of a
computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0016] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment
of a
mobile network platform in accordance with various aspects described herein.
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[0017] FIG.
14A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a communication system in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0018] FIG.
14B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a portion of the communication system of FIG. 14A in accordance
with
various aspects described herein.
[0019] FIGs.
14C-14D are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting
embodiments of a communication node of the communication system of FIG. 14A in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0020] FIG.
15A is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of downlink and uplink communication techniques for enabling a base
station to communicate with communication nodes in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[0021] FIG.
15B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a communication node in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0022] FIG.
15C is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a communication node in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0023] FIG.
15D is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0024] FIG.
15E is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0025] FIG.
15F is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0026] FIG.
15G is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
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[0027] FIG. 15H is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a transmitter in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0028] FIG. 151 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a receiver in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0029] FIG. 16A illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0030] FIG. 16B illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0031] FIG. 16C illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0032] FIG. 16D illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0033] FIG. 16E illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0034] FIG. 16F illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0035] FIG. 16G illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0036] FIG. 16H illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0037] FIG. 161 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0038] FIG. 16J illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0039] FIG. 16K illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] One or more embodiments are now described with reference to the
drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements
throughout.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific
details are
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set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various
embodiments. It is
evident, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without these
specific
details (and without applying to any particular networked environment or
standard).
[0041] To provide network connectivity to additional base stations, the
backhaul
network that links the microcells and macrocells to the mobile network
correspondingly
expands. Providing a wireless backhaul connection is difficult due to the
limited
bandwidth available at commonly used frequencies. Fiber and cable have
bandwidth, but
installing the connections can be cost prohibitive due to the distributed
nature of small
cell deployment.
[0042] For these considerations as well as other considerations, in one
or more
embodiments, a system includes a memory to store instructions and a processor,
communicatively coupled to the memory to facilitate execution of the
instructions to
perform operations including facilitating receipt of a first guided wave
received via a
power line and converting the first guided wave to an electronic transmission.
The
operations also include facilitating transmission of an electronic signal
determined from
the electronic transmission to a base station device. The operations can also
include
converting the electronic transmission into a second guided wave, and
facilitating
transmission of the second guided wave via the power line.
[0043] Another embodiment includes a memory to store instructions and a
processor, communicatively coupled to the memory to facilitate execution of
the
instructions to perform operations including facilitating receipt of a first
transmission
from a first radio repeater device. The operations can include directing a
second
transmission to a second radio repeater device wherein the first and second
transmissions
are at a frequency of at least about 57 GHz. The operations also include
determining an
electronic signal from the first transmission and directing the electronic
signal to a base
station device.
[0044] In another embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a device
including a processor, a first surface wave transmission via a power line and
converting
the first surface wave transmission into an electronic transmission. The
method can also
include extracting a communication signal from the electronic transmission and
sending
the communication signal to a base station device. The method can also include
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transmitting the electronic transmission as a second surface wave transmission
over the
power line wherein the first surface wave transmission and the second surface
wave
transmission are at a frequency of at least 30 GHz.
[0045] Various embodiments described herein relate to a system that
provides a
distributed antenna system for a small cell deployment and/or a backhaul
connection for a
small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing
additional
fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth,
millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above
ground
backhaul connections via power lines and line of sight millimeter-wave band
signals as
well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can
provide
connectivity to the distributed base stations.
[0046] In an embodiment, an overhead millimeter-wave system can be used
to
provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing
infrastructure, such
as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations
and antennas to
transmit the millimeter waves to and from other modules. One of the modules,
or nodes,
in the network can be communicably coupled, either by fiber/cable, or by a
standard 57-
64Ghz GHz line-of-sight microwave connection to a macrocell site that is
physically
connected to the mobile network.
[0047] In another embodiment, base station nodes can be installed on
utility
poles, and the backhaul connection can be provided by transmitters that send
millimeter-
wave band surface wave transmissions via the power lines between nodes. A
single site
with one or more base stations can also be connected via the surface wave
transmission
over power lines to a distributed antenna system, with cellular antennas
located at the
nodes. In another embodiment, underground conduits can be used to transmit
guided
waves, with the waves propagating in the empty space between the conduit and
the power
lines. Signal extractors and base stations can be placed in existing
transformer boxes.
[0048] Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a distributed antenna system 100 in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[0049] Distributed antenna system 100 includes one or more base stations
(e.g.,
base station device 104) that are communicably coupled to a macrocell site
102. Base
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station device 104 can be connected by fiber and/or cable, or by a microwave
wireless
connection to macrocell site 102. Macrocells such as macrocell site 102 can
have
dedicated connections to the mobile network and base station device 104 can
piggy back
off of macrocell site 102's connection. Base station device 104 can be mounted
on, or
attached to, utility pole 116. In other embodiments, base station device 104
can be near
transformers and/or other locations situated nearby a power line.
[0050] Base station device 104 can provide connectivity for mobile
devices 122
and 124. Antennas 112 and 114, mounted on or near utility poles 118 and 120
can
receive signals from base station device 104 and transmit those signals to
mobile devices
122 and 124 over a much wider area than if the antennas 112 and 114 were
located at or
near base station device 104.
[0051] It is to be appreciated that FIG. 1 displays three utility poles,
with one
base station device, for purposes of simplicity. In other embodiments, utility
pole 116 can
have more base station devices, and one or more utility poles with distributed
antennas
are possible.
[0052] A launcher 106 can transmit the signal from base station device
104 to
antennas 112 and 114 over a power line(s) that connect the utility poles 116,
118, and
120. To transmit the signal, launcher 106 upconverts the signal from base
station device
104 to a millimeter-wave band signal and the launcher 106 can include a cone
transceiver
(shown in FIG. 3 in more detail) that launches a millimeter-wave band surface
wave that
propagates as a guided wave traveling along the wire. At utility pole 118, a
repeater 108
receives the surface wave and can amplify it and send it forward on the power
line. The
repeater 108 can also extract a signal from the millimeter-wave band surface
wave and
shift it down in frequency to its original cellular band frequency (e.g. 1.9
GHz). An
antenna can transmit the downshifted signal to mobile device 122. The process
can be
repeated by repeater 110, antenna 114 and mobile device 124.
[0053] Transmissions from mobile devices 122 and 124 can also be received
by
antennas 112 and 114 respectively. The repeaters 108 and 110 can upshift the
cellular
band signals to millimeter-wave band (e.g., 60-110 GHz) and transmit the
signals as
surface wave transmissions over the power line(s) to base station device 104.
[0054] Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
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limiting embodiment of a backhaul system 200 in accordance with various
aspects
described herein is shown. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 differs from FIG. 1
in that
rather than having a distributed antenna system with base station devices
located in one
place and having remote antennas, the base station devices themselves are
distributed
through the system, and the backhaul connection is provided by surface wave
transmissions over the power lines.
[0055] System 200 includes an RF modem 202 that receives a network
connection via a physical or wireless connection to existing network
infrastructure. The
network connection can be via fiber and/or cable, or by a high-bandwidth
microwave
connection. The RF modem can receive the network connection and process it for
distribution to base station devices 204 and 206. The RF modem 202 can
modulate a
millimeter-wave band transmission using a protocol such as DOCSIS, and out put
the
signal to a launcher 208. Launcher 208 can include a cone (shown in FIG. 5 in
more
detail) that launches a millimeter-wave band surface wave that propagates as a
guided
wave traveling along the wire.
[0056] At utility pole 216, a repeater 210 receives the surface wave and
can
amplify it and send it forward over the power line to repeater 212. Repeater
210 can also
include a modem that extracts the signal from the surface wave, and output the
signal to
base station device 204. Base station device 204 can then use the backhaul
connection to
facilitate communications with mobile device 220.
[0057] Repeater 212 can receive the millimeter-wave band surface wave
transmission sent by repeater 210, and extract a signal via a modem, and
output the signal
to base station device 206 which can facilitate communications with mobile
device 222.
The backhaul connection can work in reverse as well, with transmissions from
mobile
devices 220 and 222 being received by base station devices 204 and 206 which
forward
the communications via the backhaul network to repeaters 210 and 212.
Repeaters 210
and 212 can convert the communications signal to a millimeter-wave band
surface wave
and transmit it via the power line back to launcher 208, RF modem 202 and on
to the
mobile network.
[0058] Turning now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a distributed antenna system 300 is shown. FIG. 3 shows
in
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more detail the base station 104 and launcher 106 described in FIG. 1. A base
station
device 302 can include a router 304 and a microcell 308 (or picocell,
femtocell, or other
small cell deployment). The base station device 302 can receive an external
network
connection 306 that is linked to existing infrastructure. The network
connection 306 can
be physical (such as fiber or cable) or wireless (high-bandwidth microwave
connection).
The existing infrastructure that the network connection 306 can be linked to,
can in some
embodiments be macrocell sites. For those macrocell sites that have high data
rate
network connections, base station device 302 can share the network connection
with the
macrocell site.
[0059] The router 304 can provide connectivity for microcell 308 which
facilitates communications with the mobile devices. While FIG. 3 shows that
base
station device 302 has one microcell, in other embodiments, the base station
device 302
can include two or more microcells. The RF output of microcell 308 can be used
to
modulate a 60 GHz signal and be connected via fiber to a launcher 318. It is
to be
appreciated that launcher 318 and repeater 108 include similar functionality,
and a
network connection 306 can be linked to either launcher 318 or repeater 108
(and 106,
110, and etc.).
[0060] In other embodiments, the base station device 302 can be coupled
to
launcher 318 by a quasi-optical coupling (shown in more detail in FIG. 7).
Launcher 318
includes a millimeter-wave interface 312 that shifts the frequency of the RF
output to a
millimeter-wave band signal. The signal can then be transmitted as a surface
wave
transmission by cone transceiver 314 over power line 316.
[0061] The cone transceiver 314 can generate an electromagnetic field
specially
configured to propagate as a guided wave travelling along the wire. The guided
wave, or
surface wave, will stay parallel to the wire, even as the wire bends and
flexes. Bends can
increase transmission losses, which are also dependent on wire diameters,
frequency, and
materials.
[0062] The millimeter-wave interface 312 and the cone transceiver 314 can
be
powered by inductive power supply 310 that receives power inductively from the
medium voltage or high voltage power line. In other embodiments, the power can
be
supplemented by a battery supply.
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[0063] Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a distributed antenna system in accordance with various
aspects
described herein is shown. System 400 includes a repeater 402 that has cone
transceivers
404 and 412, millimeter-wave interfaces 406 and 410, as well an inductive
power supply
408 and antenna 414.
[0064] Transceiver 404 can receive a millimeter-wave band surface wave
transmission sent along a power line. The millimeter-wave interface 406 can
convert the
signal to an electronic signal in a cable or a fiber-optic signal and forward
the signal to
millimeter-wave interface 410 and cone transceiver 412 which launch the signal
on to the
power line as a surface wave transmission. Millimeter-wave interfaces 406 and
410 can
also shift the frequency of the signal down and up respectively, between the
millimeter-
wave band and the cellular band. Antenna 414 can transmit the signal to mobile
devices
that are in range of the transmission.
[0065] Antenna 414 can receive return signals from the mobile devices,
and pass
them to millimeter-wave interfaces 406 and 410 which can shift the frequency
upwards to
another frequency band in the millimeter-wave frequency range. Cone
transceivers 404
and 412 can then transmit the return signal as a surface wave transmission
back to the
base station device located near the launcher (e.g. base station device 302).
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a backhaul system 500 in accordance with various
aspects
described herein is shown. Backhaul system 500 shows in greater detail the RF
modem
202 and launcher 208 that are shown in FIG. 2. An RF modem 502 can include a
router
504 and a modem 508. The RF modem 502 can receive an external network
connection
506 that is linked to existing infrastructure. The network connection 506 can
be physical
(such as fiber or cable) or wireless (high-bandwidth microwave connection).
The
existing infrastructure that the network connection 506 can be linked to, can
in some
embodiments be macrocell sites. Since macrocell sites already have high data
rate
network connections, RF modem 502 can share the network connection with the
macrocell site.
[0067] The router 504 and modem 508 can modulate a millimeter-wave band
transmission using a protocol such as DOCSIS, and output the signal to a
launcher 516.
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The RF modem 502 can send the signal to the launcher 516 via a fiber or cable
link. In
some embodiment, RF modem 502 can be coupled to launcher 516 by a quasi-
optical
coupling (shown in more detail in FIG. 7).
[0068] The launcher 516 can include a millimeter-wave interface 512 that
shifts
the frequency of the RF modem 502 output to a millimeter-wave band signal. The
signal
can then be transmitted as a surface wave transmission by cone transceiver
514. The
cone transceiver 514 can generate an electromagnetic field specially
configured to
propagate as a guided wave travelling along the wire 518. The guided wave, or
surface
wave, will stay parallel to the wire, even as the wire bends and flexes. Bends
can
increase transmission losses, which are also dependent on wire diameters,
frequency, and
materials.
[0069] The millimeter wave interface 512 and the cone transceiver 514 can
be
powered by inductive power supply 510 that receives power inductively from the
medium voltage or high voltage power line. In other embodiments, the power can
be
supplemented by a battery supply.
[0070] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a backhaul system in accordance with various aspects described herein.
System 600
includes a repeater 602 that has cone transceivers 604 and 612, millimeter-
wave
interfaces 606 and 610, as well an inductive power supply 608 and a microcell
614.
[0071] Transceiver 604 can receive a millimeter-wave band surface wave
transmission sent along a power line. The millimeter-wave interface 606 can
convert the
signal to an electronic signal in a cable or a fiber-optic signal and forward
the signal to
millimeter-wave interface 610 and cone transceiver 612 which launch the signal
on to the
power line as a surface wave transmission. Millimeter-wave interfaces 606 and
610 can
also shift the frequency of the signal up and down, between the millimeter-
wave band
and the cellular band. The millimeter-wave interfaces 606 and 610 can also
include
multiplexers and demultiplexers that allow for multiplexed signals in the time
domain
and/or frequency domain. The millimeter-wave interfaces 606 and 610 can also
include a
modem that can demodulate the signal using a protocol such as DOCSIS. The
signal can
then be sent to microcell 614 to facilitate communications with a mobile
device.
[0072] The millimeter wave interfaces 606 and 610 can also include a
wireless
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access point. The wireless access point (e.g., 802.11ac), can enable the
microcell 614 to
be located anywhere within range of the wireless access point, and does not
need to be
physically connected to the repeater 602.
[0073] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
a quasi-optical coupling 700 in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
Specially trained and certified technicians are required to work with high
voltage and
medium voltage power lines. Locating the circuitry away from the high voltage
and
medium voltage power lines allows ordinary craft technicians to install and
maintain the
circuitry. Accordingly, this example embodiment is a quasi-optical coupler
allowing the
base station and surface wave transmitters to be detached from the power
lines.
[0074] At millimeter-wave frequencies, where the wavelength is small
compared
to the macroscopic size of the equipment, the millimeter-wave transmissions
can be
transported from one place to another and diverted via lenses and reflectors,
much like
visible light. Accordingly, reflectors 706 and 708 can be placed and oriented
on power
line 704 such that millimeter-wave band transmissions sent from transmitter
716 are
reflected parallel to the power line, such that it is guided by the power line
as a surface
wave. Likewise, millimeter-wave band (60Ghz and greater for this embodiment)
surface
waves, sent along the power line 704 can be reflected by reflectors 706 and
708 and sent
as a collimated beam to the dielectric lens 710 and waveguide 718 on a
monolithic
transmitter integrated circuit 716 which sends the signal to the base station
712.
[0075] The base station 712 and transmitter apparatus 716 can receive
power
from a transformer 714 that may be part of the existing power company
infrastructure.
[0076] Turning now to FIG. 8, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a backhaul system in accordance with various aspects
described
herein is shown. Backhaul system 800 includes a base station device 808 that
receives a
network connection via a physical or wireless connection to existing network
infrastructure. The network connection can be via fiber and/or cable, or by a
high
bandwidth line-of-sight microwave connection to a nearby macrocell site. The
base
station device 808 can include a microcell (or other small cell deployment)
that can
facilitate communication with mobile device 820.
[0077] Radio repeater 802, communicably coupled to base station device
808, can
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transmit a millimeter band signal to radio repeater 804. Radio repeater 804
can forward
the transmission to radio repeater 806 as well, and both radio repeaters 804
and 806 can
share the signal with microcells 810 and 812. In this way, the network
connection from
the existing infrastructure can be distributed to a mesh network of microcells
via line of
sight millimeter band transmissions by radio repeaters.
[0078] In some embodiments, the radio repeaters can transmit broadcasts
at
frequencies above 100 GHz. A lower gain, broader beamwidth antenna than
conventional millimeter-wave radio links provides high availability at short
link lengths
(-500ft) while keeping the radio repeaters small and inexpensive.
[0079] In some embodiments, the radio repeaters and microcells can be
mounted
on existing infrastructure such as light poles 814, 816, and 818. In other
embodiments,
the radio repeaters and microcells can be mounted on utility poles for power
lines,
buildings, and other structures.
[0080] Turning now to FIG. 9, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a millimeter-wave band antenna apparatus 900 in
accordance
with various aspects described herein is shown. The radio repeater 904 can
have a plastic
cover 902 to protect the radio antennas 906. The radio repeater 904 can be
mounted to a
utility pole, light pole, or other structure 908 with a mounting arm 910. The
radio
repeater can also receive power via power cord 912 and output the signal to a
nearby
microcell using fiber or cable 914.
[0081] In some embodiments, the radio repeater 904 can include 16
antennas.
These antennas can be arranged radially, and each can have approximately 24
degrees of
azimuthal beamwidth. There can thus be a small overlap between each antennas
beamwidths. The radio repeater 904, when transmitting, or receiving
transmissions, can
automatically select the best sector antenna to use for the connections based
on signal
measurements such as signal strength, signal to noise ratio, etc. Since the
radio repeater
904 can automatically select the antennas to use, in one embodiment, precise
antenna
alignment is not implemented, nor are stringent requirements on mounting
structure twist,
tilt, and sway.
[0082] In some embodiments, the radio repeater 904 can include a
microcell
within the apparatus, thus enabling a self-contained unit to be a repeater on
the backhaul
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network, in addition to facilitating communications with mobile devices. In
other
embodiments, the radio repeater can include a wireless access point (e.g.
802.11ac).
[0083] Turning now to FIG. 10, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of an underground backhaul system in accordance with
various
aspects described herein is shown. Pipes, whether they are metallic or
dielectric, can
support the transmission of guided electromagnetic waves. Thus the distributed
antenna
backhaul systems shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, respectively, can be replicated using
underground conduits 1004 in place of above ground power lines. The
underground
conduits can carry power lines or other cables 1002, and at transformer box
1006 an
RF/optical modem can convert (modulate or demodulate) the backhaul signal to
or from
the millimeter-wave (40 GHz or greater in an embodiment). A fiber or cable
1010 can
carry the converted backhaul signal to a microcell located nearby.
[0084] A single conduit can serve several backhaul connections along its
route by
carrying millimeter-wave signals multiplexed in a time domain or frequency
domain
fashion.
[0085] FIG. 11 illustrates a process in connection with the
aforementioned
systems. The process in FIG. 11 can be implemented for example by systems 100,
200,
300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 1000 illustrated in FIGs. 1-7 and 10
respectively. While for
purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methods are shown and described as
a series of
blocks, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter
is not
limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different
orders and/or
concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein.
Moreover,
not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described
hereinafter.
[0086] FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method for providing a backhaul connection as described
herein. At
step 1102, a first surface wave transmission is received over a power line.
The surface
wave transmission can be received by cone transceivers in some embodiments. In
other
embodiments, reflectors, positioned on the power line can reflect the surface
wave to a
dielectric lens and waveguide that convert the surface wave into an electronic
transmission. At step 1104, the first surface wave transmission is converted
into an
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electronic transmission. The cone transceiver can receive the electromagnetic
wave and
convert it into an electronic transmission that propagates through a circuit.
[0087] At step 1106, a communication signal is extracted from the
electronic
transmission. The communication signal can be extracted using an RF modem that
uses a
protocol such as DOCSIS. The RF modem can modulate and demodulate the
electronic
signal to extract the communication signal. The communication signal can be a
signal
received from the mobile network, and can be provided to give network
connectivity to a
distributed base station.
[0088] At 1108, the communication signal can be sent to a base station
device
nearby. The communication can be sent over fiber or cable, or can be sent
wirelessly
using Wi-Fi (e.g., 802.11ac).
[0089] At 1110, the electronic transmission is transmitted as a second
surface
wave transmission over the power line. A second cone transceiver or reflector
can launch
the surface wave on to the power line to a next node in the backhaul system.
The first
surface wave transmission and the second surface wave transmission are at a
frequency
of at least 30 GHz.
[0090] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a block diagram of
a
computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. For
example, in some embodiments, the computer can be or be included within the
mobile
device data rate throttling system 200, 400, 500 and/or 600.
[0091] In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of
the
embodiments described herein, FIG. 12 and the following discussion are
intended to
provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment 1200
in which
the various embodiments of the embodiment described herein can be implemented.
While the embodiments have been described above in the general context of
computer-
executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled
in the art
will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented in combination
with other
program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.
[0092] Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components,
data
structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular
abstract data types.
Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods
can be
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practiced with other computer system configurations, including single-
processor or
multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well
as
personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be
operatively
coupled to one or more associated devices.
[0093] The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth, as used in the
claims,
unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only and doesn't otherwise
indicate or
imply any order in time. For instance, "a first determination," "a second
determination,"
and "a third determination," does not indicate or imply that the first
determination is to be
made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.
[0094] The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be also
practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are
performed by
remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In
a
distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both
local and
remote memory storage devices.
[0095] Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which can
include
computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, which two terms
are
used herein differently from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage
media
can be any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer and
includes
both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way
of
example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be
implemented in
connection with any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-
readable instructions, program modules, structured data or unstructured data.
[0096] Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited
to,
random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable
programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory
technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk
(DVD) or
other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk
storage or
other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media
which can
be used to store desired information. In this regard, the terms "tangible" or
"non-
transitory" herein as applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media,
are to be
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understood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers
and do not
relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media
that are not
only propagating transitory signals per se.
[0097] Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more
local or
remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data
retrieval
protocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the information stored
by the
medium.
[0098] Communications media typically embody computer-readable
instructions,
data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data in a
data signal
such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism, and
includes any information delivery or transport media. The term "modulated data
signal"
or signals refers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set
or changed in
such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way of
example, and
not limitation, communication media include wired media, such as a wired
network or
direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and
other
wireless media.
[0099] With reference again to FIG. 12, the example environment 1200 for
implementing various embodiments of the aspects described herein includes a
computer
1202, the computer 1202 including a processing unit 1204, a system memory 1206
and a
system bus 1208. The system bus 1208 couples system components including, but
not
limited to, the system memory 1206 to the processing unit 1204. The processing
unit
1204 can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual
microprocessors
and other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as the processing
unit 1204.
[00100] The system bus 1208 can be any of several types of bus structure
that can
further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a
peripheral
bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus
architectures.
The system memory 1206 includes ROM 1210 and RAM 1212. A basic input/output
system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable
programmable read only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic
routines that help to transfer information between elements within the
computer 1202,
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such as during startup. The RAM 1212 can also include a high-speed RAM such as
static
RAM for caching data.
[00101] The computer 1202 further includes an internal hard disk drive
(HDD)
1214 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1214 can also be
configured for
external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive
(FDD) 1216,
(e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette 1218) and an optical disk
drive 1220,
(e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 1222 or, to read from or write to other high
capacity
optical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1214, magnetic disk drive
1216 and
optical disk drive 1220 can be connected to the system bus 1208 by a hard disk
drive
interface 1224, a magnetic disk drive interface 1226 and an optical drive
interface 1228,
respectively. The interface 1224 for external drive implementations includes
at least one
or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and
Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 994 interface technologies. Other external drive connection
technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described herein.
[00102] The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media
provide
nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable
instructions, and so
forth. For the computer 1202, the drives and storage media accommodate the
storage of
any data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of computer-
readable
storage media above refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic
diskette,
and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by
those
skilled in the art that other types of storage media which are readable by a
computer, such
as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the
like, can also be
used in the example operating environment, and further, that any such storage
media can
contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods described
herein.
[00103] A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM
1212,
including an operating system 1230, one or more application programs 1232,
other
program modules 1234 and program data 1236. All or portions of the operating
system,
applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 1212. The
systems
and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially
available operating systems or combinations of operating systems.
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[00104] A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1202
through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1238 and a
pointing
device, such as a mouse 1240. Other input devices (not shown) can include a
microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus
pen, touch
screen or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the
processing
unit 1204 through an input device interface 1242 that can be coupled to the
system bus
1208, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an
IEEE 1394
serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface,
etc.
[00105] A monitor 1244 or other type of display device can be also
connected to
the system bus 1208 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1246. In
addition to the
monitor 1244, a computer typically includes other peripheral output devices
(not shown),
such as speakers, printers, etc.
[00106] The computer 1202 can operate in a networked environment using
logical
connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote
computers,
such as a remote computer(s) 1248. The remote computer(s) 1248 can be a
workstation,
a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer,
microprocessor-
based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and
typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the
computer 1202,
although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1250 is
illustrated. The
logical connections depicted include wired/wireless connectivity to a local
area network
(LAN) 1252 and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1254. Such
LAN
and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and
facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which
can connect
to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.
[00107] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1202 can
be
connected to the local network 1252 through a wired and/or wireless
communication
network interface or adapter 1256. The adapter 1256 can facilitate wired or
wireless
communication to the LAN 1252, which can also include a wireless AP disposed
thereon
for communicating with the wireless adapter 1256.
[00108] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1202 can
include a modem 1258 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN
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1254 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 1254,
such as
by way of the Internet. The modem 1258, which can be internal or external and
a wired
or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus 1208 via the input
device interface
1242. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the
computer
1202 or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device
1250. It
will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other
means of
establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.
[00109] The computer 1202 can be operable to communicate with any wireless
devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., a
printer,
scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable data assistant,
communications
satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wireles sly
detectable tag
(e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can include
Wireless Fidelity
(Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a
predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc
communication
between at least two devices.
[00110] Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a
bed in
a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless
technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enables such devices,
e.g., computers,
to send and receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base
station.
Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac,
etc.) to provide
secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to
connect
computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which can use
IEEE
802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz
radio bands,
at an 11 Mbps (802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example or with
products
that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-world
performance
similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices.
[00111] FIG. 13 presents an example embodiment 1300 of a mobile network
platform 1310 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the
disclosed
subject matter described herein. Generally, wireless network platform 1310 can
include
components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate
platforms, that
facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame
relay,
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asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g.,
voice and
data), as well as control generation for networked wireless telecommunication.
As a
non-limiting example, wireless network platform 1310 can be included in
telecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-side
components as
discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 1310 includes CS gateway
node(s)
1312 which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like
telephony
network(s) 1340 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public
land mobile
network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 1370. Circuit switched
gateway node(s) 1312 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice)
arising from
such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 1312 can access mobility, or
roaming,
data generated through SS7 network 1370; for instance, mobility data stored in
a visited
location register (VLR), which can reside in memory 1330. Moreover, CS gateway
node(s) 1312 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s)
1318. As
an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 1312 can be realized at
least
in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that
functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 1312, PS gateway
node(s)
1318, and serving node(s) 1316, is provided and dictated by radio
technology(ies) utilized
by mobile network platform 1310 for telecommunication.
[00112] In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and
signaling,
PS gateway node(s) 1318 can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions
with
served mobile devices. Data sessions can include traffic, or content(s),
exchanged with
networks external to the wireless network platform 1310, like wide area
network(s)
(WANs) 1350, enterprise network(s) 1370, and service network(s) 1380, which
can be
embodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile
network
platform 1310 through PS gateway node(s) 1318. It is to be noted that WANs
1350 and
enterprise network(s) 1360 can embody, at least in part, a service network(s)
like IP
multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio technology layer(s) available in
technology
resource(s) 1317, packet-switched gateway node(s) 1318 can generate packet
data
protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data structures
that facilitate
routing of packetized data also can be generated. To that end, in an aspect,
PS gateway
node(s) 1318 can include a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway
(TTG) in
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3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetized
communication
with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.
[00113] In embodiment 1300, wireless network platform 1310 also includes
serving node(s) 1316 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s)
within
technology resource(s) 1317, convey the various packetized flows of data
streams
received through PS gateway node(s) 1318. It is to be noted that for
technology
resource(s) 1317 that rely primarily on CS communication, server node(s) can
deliver
traffic without reliance on PS gateway node(s) 1318; for example, server
node(s) can
embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP
UMTS
network, serving node(s) 1316 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s)
(SGSN).
[00114] For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication,
server(s)
1314 in wireless network platform 1310 can execute numerous applications that
can
generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage
(e.g., schedule,
queue, format ...) such flows. Such application(s) can include add-on features
to
standard services (for example, provisioning, billing, customer support ...)
provided by
wireless network platform 1310. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part
of a voice
call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s) 1318 for
authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, and to serving
node(s) 1316
for communication thereafter. In addition to application server, server(s)
1314 can
include utility server(s), a utility server can include a provisioning server,
an operations
and maintenance server, a security server that can implement at least in part
a certificate
authority and firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In
an aspect,
security server(s) secure communication served through wireless network
platform 1310
to ensure network's operation and data integrity in addition to authorization
and
authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 1312 and PS gateway node(s)
1318
can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services from
external
network(s) like networks operated by a disparate service provider; for
instance, WAN
1350 or Global Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning
server(s) can also provision coverage through networks associated to wireless
network
platform 1310 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same service provider), such
as femto-
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cell network(s) (not shown) that enhance wireless service coverage within
indoor
confined spaces and offload RAN resources in order to enhance subscriber
service
experience within a home or business environment by way of UE 1375.
[00115] It is to be noted that server(s) 1314 can include one or more
processors
configured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro network
platform 1310.
To that end, the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored in
memory
1330, for example. It is should be appreciated that server(s) 1314 can include
a content
manager 1315, which operates in substantially the same manner as described
hereinbefore.
[00116] In example embodiment 1300, memory 1330 can store information
related
to operation of wireless network platform 1310. Other operational information
can
include provisioning information of mobile devices served through wireless
platform
network 1310, subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes,
e.g.,
promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical
specification(s)
consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio,
or wireless,
technology layers; and so forth. Memory 1330 can also store information from
at least
one of telephony network(s) 1340, WAN 1350, enterprise network(s) 1360, or SS7
network 1370. In an aspect, memory 1330 can be, for example, accessed as part
of a data
store component or as a remotely connected memory store.
[00117] In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the
disclosed
subject matter, FIG. 13, and the following discussion, are intended to provide
a brief,
general description of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of
the
disclosed subject matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been
described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions of
a computer
program that runs on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in the art
will recognize
that the disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination with
other
program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,
components,
data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks and/or implement
particular abstract data
types.
[00118] Turning now to FIG. 14A, a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment of a communication system 1400 in accordance with various
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aspects of the subject disclosure is shown. The communication system 1400 can
include a
macro base station 1402 such as a base station or access point having antennas
that
covers one or more sectors (e.g., 6 or more sectors). The macro base station
1402 can be
communicatively coupled to a communication node 1404A that serves as a master
or
distribution node for other communication nodes 1404B-E distributed at
differing
geographic locations inside or beyond a coverage area of the macro base
station 1402.
The communication nodes 1404 operate as a distributed antenna system
configured to
handle communications traffic associated with client devices such as mobile
devices
(e.g., cell phones) and/or fixed/stationary devices (e.g., a communication
device in a
residence, or commercial establishment) that are wirelessly coupled to any of
the
communication nodes 1404. In particular, the wireless resources of the macro
base
station 1402 can be made available to mobile devices by allowing and/or
redirecting
certain mobile and/or stationary devices to utilize the wireless resources of
a
communication node 1404 in a communication range of the mobile or stationary
devices.
[00119] The communication nodes 1404A-E can be communicatively coupled to each
other over an interface 1410. In one embodiment, the interface 1410 can
comprise a
wired or tethered interface (e.g., fiber optic cable). In other embodiments,
the interface
1410 can comprise a wireless RF interface forming a radio distributed antenna
system. In
various embodiments, the communication nodes 1804A-E can be configured to
provide
communication services to mobile and stationary devices according to
instructions
provided by the macro base station 1402. In other examples of operation
however, the
communication nodes 1404A-E operate merely as analog repeaters to spread the
coverage of the macro base station 1402 throughout the entire range of the
individual
communication nodes 1404A-E.
[00120] The micro base stations (depicted as communication nodes 1404) can
differ
from the macro base station in several ways. For example, the communication
range of
the micro base stations can be smaller than the communication range of the
macro base
station. Consequently, the power consumed by the micro base stations can be
less than
the power consumed by the macro base station. The macro base station
optionally directs
the micro base stations as to which mobile and/or stationary devices they are
to
communicate with, and which carrier frequency, spectral segment(s) and/or
timeslot
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schedule of such spectral segment(s) are to be used by the micro base stations
when
communicating with certain mobile or stationary devices. In these cases,
control of the
micro base stations by the macro base station can be performed in a master-
slave
configuration or other suitable control configurations. Whether operating
independently
or under the control of the macro base station 1402, the resources of the
micro base
stations can be simpler and less costly than the resources utilized by the
macro base
station 1402.
[00121] Turning now to FIG. 14B, a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment of the communication nodes 1404B-E of the communication
system
1400 of FIG. 14A is shown. In this illustration, the communication nodes 1404B-
E are
placed on a utility fixture such as a light post. In other embodiments, some
of the
communication nodes 1404B-E can be placed on a building or a utility post or
pole that is
used for distributing power and/or communication lines. The communication
nodes
1404B-E in these illustrations can be configured to communicate with each
other over the
interface 1410, which in this illustration is shown as a wireless interface.
The
communication nodes 1404B-E can also be configured to communicate with mobile
or
stationary devices 1406A-C over a wireless interface 1411 that conforms to one
or more
communication protocols (e.g., fourth generation (4G) wireless signals such as
LTE
signals or other 4G signals, fifth generation (5G) wireless signals, WiMAX,
802.11
signals, ultra-wideband signals, etc.). The communication nodes 1404 can be
configured
to exchange signals over the interface 1410 at an operating frequency that may
be higher
(e.g., 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, 80GHz or higher) than the operating frequency
used for
communicating with the mobile or stationary devices (e.g., 1.9GHz) over
interface 1411.
The high carrier frequency and a wider bandwidth can be used for communicating
between the communication nodes 1404 enabling the communication nodes 1404 to
provide communication services to multiple mobile or stationary devices via
one or more
differing frequency bands, (e.g. a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, a 2.4 GHz band,
and/or
a 5.8 GHz band, etc.) and/or one or more differing protocols, as will be
illustrated by
spectral downlink and uplink diagrams of FIG. 15A described below. In other
embodiments, particularly where the interface 1410 is implemented via a guided
wave
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communications system on a wire, a wideband spectrum in a lower frequency
range (e.g.
in the range of 2-6 GHz, 4-10 GHz, etc.) can be employed.
[00122] Turning now to FIGs. 14C-14D, block diagrams illustrating example, non-
limiting embodiments of a communication node 1404 of the communication system
1400
of FIG. 14A is shown. The communication node 1404 can be attached to a support
structure 1418 of a utility fixture such as a utility post or pole as shown in
FIG. 14C.
The communication node 1404 can be affixed to the support structure 1418 with
an arm
1420 constructed of plastic or other suitable material that attaches to an end
of the
communication node 1404. The communication node 1404 can further include a
plastic
housing assembly 1416 that covers components of the communication node 1404.
The
communication node 1404 can be powered by a power line 1421 (e.g., 110/220
VAC).
The power line 1421 can originate from a light pole or can be coupled to a
power line of
a utility pole.
[00123] In an embodiment where the communication nodes 1404 communicate
wirelessly with other communication nodes 1404 as shown in FIG. 14B, a top
side 1412
of the communication node 1404 (illustrated also in FIG. 14D) can comprise a
plurality
of antennas 1422 (e.g., 16 dielectric antennas devoid of metal surfaces)
coupled to one or
more transceivers such as, for example, in whole or in part, the transceiver
1400
illustrated in FIG. 14. Each of the plurality of antennas 1422 of the top side
1412 can
operate as a sector of the communication node 1404, each sector configured for
communicating with at least one communication node 1404 in a communication
range of
the sector. Alternatively, or in combination, the interface 1410 between
communication
nodes 1404 can be a tethered interface (e.g., a fiber optic cable, or a power
line used for
transport of guided electromagnetic waves as previously described). In
other
embodiments, the interface 1410 can differ between communication nodes 1404.
That is,
some communications nodes 1404 may communicate over a wireless interface,
while
others communicate over a tethered interface. In yet other embodiments, some
communications nodes 1404 may utilize a combined wireless and tethered
interface.
[00124] A bottom side 1414 of the communication node 1404 can also comprise a
plurality of antennas 1424 for wireles sly communicating with one or more
mobile or
stationary devices 1406 at a carrier frequency that is suitable for the mobile
or stationary
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devices 1406. As noted earlier, the carrier frequency used by the
communication node
1404 for communicating with the mobile or station devices over the wireless
interface
1411 shown in FIG. 14B can be different from the carrier frequency used for
communicating between the communication nodes 1404 over interface 1410. The
plurality of antennas 1424 of the bottom portion 1414 of the communication
node 1404
can also utilize a transceiver such as, for example, in whole or in part, the
transceiver
1400 illustrated in FIG. 14.
[00125] Turning now to FIG. 15A, a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment of downlink and uplink communication techniques for
enabling a
base station to communicate with the communication nodes 1404 of FIG. 14A is
shown.
In the illustrations of FIG. 15A, downlink signals (i.e., signals directed
from the macro
base station 1402 to the communication nodes 1404) can be spectrally divided
into
control channels 1502, downlink spectral segments 1506 each including
modulated
signals which can be frequency converted to their original/native frequency
band for
enabling the communication nodes 1404 to communicate with one or more mobile
or
stationary devices 1506, and pilot signals 1504 which can be supplied with
some or all of
the spectral segments 1506 for mitigating distortion created between the
communication
nodes 1504. The pilot signals 1504 can be processed by the top side 1416
(tethered or
wireless) transceivers of downstream communication nodes 1404 to remove
distortion
from a receive signal (e.g., phase distortion). Each downlink spectral segment
1506 can
be allotted a bandwidth 1505 sufficiently wide (e.g., 50MHz) to include a
corresponding
pilot signal 1504 and one or more downlink modulated signals located in
frequency
channels (or frequency slots) in the spectral segment 1506. The modulated
signals can
represent cellular channels, WLAN channels or other modulated communication
signals
(e.g., 10-20 MHz), which can be used by the communication nodes 1404 for
communicating with one or more mobile or stationary devices 1406.
[00126] Uplink modulated signals generated by mobile or stationary
communication
device in their native/original frequency bands can be frequency converted and
thereby
located in frequency channels (or frequency slots) in the uplink spectral
segment 1510.
The uplink modulated signals can represent cellular channels, WLAN channels or
other
modulated communication signals. Each uplink spectral segment 1510 can be
allotted a
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similar or same bandwidth 1505 to include a pilot signal 1508 which can be
provided
with some or each spectral segment 1510 to enable upstream communication nodes
1404
and/or the macro base station 1402 to remove distortion (e.g., phase error).
[00127] In the embodiment shown, the downlink and uplink spectral segments
1506
and 1510 each comprise a plurality of frequency channels (or frequency slots),
which can
be occupied with modulated signals that have been frequency converted from any
number
of native/original frequency bands (e.g. a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, a 2.4
GHz band,
and/or a 5.8 GHz band, etc.). The modulated signals can be up-converted to
adjacent
frequency channels in downlink and uplink spectral segments 1506 and 1510. In
this
fashion, while some adjacent frequency channels in a downlink spectral segment
1506
can include modulated signals originally in a same native/original frequency
band, other
adjacent frequency channels in the downlink spectral segment 1506 can also
include
modulated signals originally in different native/original frequency bands, but
frequency
converted to be located in adjacent frequency channels of the downlink
spectral segment
1506. For example, a first modulated signal in a 1.9GHz band and a second
modulated
signal in the same frequency band (i.e., 1.9GHz) can be frequency converted
and thereby
positioned in adjacent frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1506.
In
another illustration, a first modulated signal in a 1.9GHz band and a second
communication signal in a different frequency band (i.e., 2.4GHz) can be
frequency
converted and thereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of a downlink
spectral
segment 1506. Accordingly, frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment
1506
can be occupied with any combination of modulated signals of a same or
differing
signaling protocols and of the same or differing native/original frequency
bands.
[00128] Similarly, while some adjacent frequency channels in an uplink
spectral
segment 1510 can include modulated signals originally in a same frequency
band,
adjacent frequency channels in the uplink spectral segment 1510 can also
include
modulated signals originally in different native/original frequency bands, but
frequency
converted to be located in adjacent frequency channels of an uplink segment
1510. For
example, a first communication signal in a 2.4GHz band and a second
communication
signal in the same frequency band (i.e., 2.4GHz) can be frequency converted
and thereby
positioned in adjacent frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment 1510.
In another
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illustration, a first communication signal in a 1.9GHz band and a second
communication
signal in a different frequency band (i.e., 2.4GHz) can be frequency converted
and
thereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of the uplink spectral
segment 1506.
Accordingly, frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment 1510 can be
occupied
with any combination of modulated signals of a same or differing signaling
protocols and
of a same or differing native/original frequency bands. It should be noted
that a downlink
spectral segment 1506 and an uplink spectral segment 1510 can themselves be
adjacent to
one another and separated by only a guard band or otherwise separated by a
larger
frequency spacing, depending on the spectral allocation in place.
[00129] Turning now to FIG. 15B, a block diagram 1520 illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In
particular, the
communication node device such as communication node 1404A of a radio
distributed
antenna system includes a base station interface 1522, duplexer/diplexer
assembly 1524,
and two transceivers 1530 and 1532. It should be noted however, that when the
communication node 1404A is collocated with a base station, such as a macro
base
station 1402, the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1524 and the transceiver 1530 can
be
omitted and the transceiver 1532 can be directly coupled to the base station
interface
1522.
[00130] In various embodiments, the base station interface 1522 receives a
first
modulated signal having one or more down link channels in a first spectral
segment for
transmission to a client device such as one or more mobile communication
devices. The
first spectral segment represents an original/native frequency band of the
first modulated
signal. The first modulated signal can include one or more downlink
communication
channels conforming to a signaling protocol such as a LTE or other 4G wireless
protocol,
a 5G wireless communication protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a WiMAX
protocol,
a 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol and/or other
communication
protocol. The duplexer/diplexer assembly 1524 transfers the first modulated
signal in the
first spectral segment to the transceiver 1530 for direct communication with
one or more
mobile communication devices in range of the communication node 1404A as a
free
space wireless signal. In various embodiments, the transceiver 1530 is
implemented via
analog circuitry that merely provides: filtration to pass the spectrum of the
downlink
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channels and the uplink channels of modulated signals in their original/native
frequency
bands while attenuating out-of-band signals, power amplification,
transmit/receive
switching, duplexing, diplexing, and impedance matching to drive one or more
antennas
that sends and receives the wireless signals of interface 1410.
[00131] In other embodiments, the transceiver 1532 is configured to perform
frequency conversion of the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to the first
modulated signal at a first carrier frequency based on, in various
embodiments, an analog
signal processing of the first modulated signal without modifying the
signaling protocol
of the first modulated signal. The first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency can
occupy one or more frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1506. The
first
carrier frequency can be in a millimeter-wave or microwave frequency band. As
used
herein analog signal processing includes filtering, switching, duplexing,
diplexing,
amplification, frequency up and down conversion, and other analog processing
that does
not require digital signal processing, such as including without limitation
either analog to
digital conversion, digital to analog conversion, or digital frequency
conversion. In other
embodiments, the transceiver 1532 can be configured to perform frequency
conversion of
the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first carrier
frequency by
applying digital signal processing to the first modulated signal without
utilizing any form
of analog signal processing and without modifying the signaling protocol of
the first
modulated signal. In yet other embodiments, the transceiver 1532 can be
configured to
perform frequency conversion of the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment to
the first carrier frequency by applying a combination of digital signal
processing and
analog processing to the first modulated signal and without modifying the
signaling
protocol of the first modulated signal.
[00132] The transceiver 1532 can be further configured to transmit one or more
control channels, one or more corresponding reference signals, such as pilot
signals or
other reference signals, and/or one or more clock signals together with the
first modulated
signal at the first carrier frequency to a network element of the distributed
antenna
system, such as one or more downstream communication nodes 1404B-E, for
wireless
distribution of the first modulated signal to one or more other mobile
communication
devices once frequency converted by the network element to the first spectral
segment.
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In particular, the reference signal enables the network element to reduce a
phase error
(and/or other forms of signal distortion) during processing of the first
modulated signal
from the first carrier frequency to the first spectral segment. The control
channel can
include instructions to direct the communication node of the distributed
antenna system
to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the
first modulated
signal in the first spectral segment, to control frequency selections and
reuse patterns,
handoff and/or other control signaling. In embodiments where the instructions
transmitted and received via the control channel are digital signals, the
transceiver can
1532 can include a digital signal processing component that provides analog to
digital
conversion, digital to analog conversion and that processes the digital data
sent and/or
received via the control channel. The clock signals supplied with the downlink
spectral
segment 1506 can be utilized to synchronize timing of digital control channel
processing
by the downstream communication nodes 1404B-E to recover the instructions from
the
control channel and/or to provide other timing signals.
[00133] In various embodiments, the transceiver 1532 can receive a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency from a network element such as a
communication
node 1404B-E. The second modulated signal can include one or more uplink
frequency
channels occupied by one or more modulated signals conforming to a signaling
protocol
such as a LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communication
protocol, an
ultra-wideband protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local area network
protocol and/or
other communication protocol. In particular, the mobile or stationary
communication
device generates the second modulated signal in a second spectral segment such
as an
original/native frequency band and the network element frequency converts the
second
modulated signal in the second spectral segment to the second modulated signal
at the
second carrier frequency and transmits the second modulated signal at the
second carrier
frequency as received by the communication node 1404A. The transceiver 1532
operates
to convert the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency to the
second
modulated signal in the second spectral segment and sends the second modulated
signal
in the second spectral segment, via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1524 and
base station
interface 1522, to a base station, such as macro base station 1402, for
processing.
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[00134] Consider the following examples where the communication node 1404A is
implemented in a distributed antenna system. The uplink frequency channels in
an uplink
spectral segment 1510 and downlink frequency channels in a downlink spectral
segment
1506 can be occupied with signals modulated and otherwise formatted in
accordance with
a DOCSIS 2.0 or higher standard protocol, a WiMAX standard protocol, an ultra-
wideband protocol, a 802.11 standard protocol, a 4G or 5G voice and data
protocol such
as an LTE protocol and/or other standard communication protocol. In addition
to
protocols that conform with current standards, any of these protocols can be
modified to
operate in conjunction with the system of FIG. 14A. For example, a 802.11
protocol or
other protocol can be modified to include additional guidelines and/or a
separate data
channel to provide collision detection/multiple access over a wider area (e.g.
allowing
network elements or communication devices communicatively coupled to the
network
elements that are communicating via a particular frequency channel of a
downlink
spectral segment 1506 or uplink spectral segment 1510 to hear one another). In
various
embodiments all of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral
segment 1510
and downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectral segment 1506 can all
be
formatted in accordance with the same communications protocol. In the
alternative
however, two or more differing protocols can be employed on both the uplink
spectral
segment 1510 and the downlink spectral segment 1506 to, for example, be
compatible
with a wider range of client devices and/or operate in different frequency
bands.
[00135] When two or more differing protocols are employed, a first subset of
the
downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 1506 can be
modulated in
accordance with a first standard protocol and a second subset of the downlink
frequency
channels of the downlink spectral segment 1506 can be modulated in accordance
with a
second standard protocol that differs from the first standard protocol.
Likewise a first
subset of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment 1510
can be
received by the system for demodulation in accordance with the first standard
protocol
and a second subset of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral
segment 1510
can be received in accordance with a second standard protocol for demodulation
in
accordance with the second standard protocol that differs from the first
standard protocol.
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[00136] In accordance with these examples, the base station interface 1522 can
be
configured to receive modulated signals such as one or more downlink channels
in their
original/native frequency bands from a base station such as macro base station
1402 or
other communications network element. Similarly, the base station interface
1522 can be
configured to supply to a base station modulated signals received from another
network
element that is frequency converted to modulated signals having one or more
uplink
channels in their original/native frequency bands. The base station interface
1522 can be
implemented via a wired or wireless interface that bidirectionally
communicates
communication signals such as uplink and downlink channels in their
original/native
frequency bands, communication control signals and other network signaling
with a
macro base station or other network element. The duplexer/diplexer assembly
1524 is
configured to transfer the downlink channels in their original/native
frequency bands to
the transceiver 1532 which frequency converts the frequency of the downlink
channels
from their original/native frequency bands into the frequency spectrum of
interface 1410
¨ in this case a wireless communication link used to transport the
communication signals
downstream to one or more other communication nodes 1404B-E of the distributed
antenna system in range of the communication device 1404A.
[00137] In various embodiments, the transceiver 1532 includes an analog radio
that
frequency converts the downlink channel signals in their original/native
frequency bands
via mixing or other heterodyne action to generate frequency converted downlink
channels
signals that occupy downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectral
segment 1506.
In this illustration, the downlink spectral segment 1506 is within the
downlink frequency
band of the interface 1410. In an embodiment, the downlink channel signals are
up-
converted from their original/native frequency bands to a 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60
GHz, 70
GHz or 80 GHz band of the downlink spectral segment 1506 for line-of-sight
wireless
communications to one or more other communication nodes 1404B-E. It is noted,
however, that other frequency bands can likewise be employed for a downlink
spectral
segment 1506 (e.g., 3GHz to 5 GHz). For example, the transceiver 1532 can be
configured for down-conversion of one or more downlink channel signals in
their
original/native spectral bands in instances where the frequency band of the
interface 1410
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falls below the original/native spectral bands of the one or more downlink
channels
signals.
[00138] The transceiver 1532 can be coupled to multiple individual antennas,
such as
antennas 1422 presented in conjunction with FIG. 14D, for communicating with
the
communication nodes 1404B, a phased antenna array or steerable beam or multi-
beam
antenna system for communicating with multiple devices at different locations.
The
duplexer/diplexer assembly 1524 can include a duplexer, triplexer, splitter,
switch, router
and/or other assembly that operates as a "channel duplexer" to provide bi-
directional
communications over multiple communication paths via one or more
original/native
spectral segments of the uplink and downlink channels.
[00139] In addition to forwarding frequency converted modulated signals
downstream
to other communication nodes 1404B-E at a carrier frequency that differs from
their
original/native spectral bands, the communication node 1404A can also
communicate all
or a selected portion of the modulated signals unmodified from their
original/native
spectral bands to client devices in a wireless communication range of the
communication
node 1404A via the wireless interface 1411. The duplexer/diplexer assembly
1524
transfers the modulated signals in their original/native spectral bands to the
transceiver
1530. The transceiver 1530 can include a channel selection filter for
selecting one or
more downlink channels and a power amplifier coupled to one or more antennas,
such as
antennas 1424 presented in conjunction with FIG. 14D, for transmission of the
downlink
channels via wireless interface 1411 to mobile or fixed wireless devices.
[00140] In addition to downlink communications destined for client devices,
communication node 1404A can operate in a reciprocal fashion to handle uplink
communications originating from client devices as well. In operation, the
transceiver
1532 receives uplink channels in the uplink spectral segment 1510 from
communication
nodes 1404B-E via the uplink spectrum of interface 1410. The uplink frequency
channels in the uplink spectral segment 1510 include modulated signals that
were
frequency converted by communication nodes 1404B-E from their original/native
spectral bands to the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment
1510. In
situations where the interface 1410 operates in a higher frequency band than
the
native/original spectral segments of the modulated signals supplied by the
client devices,
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the transceiver 1532 down-converts the up-converted modulated signals to their
original
frequency bands. In situations, however, where the interface 1410 operates in
a lower
frequency band than the native/original spectral segments of the modulated
signals
supplied by the client devices, the transceiver 1532 up-converts the down-
converted
modulated signals to their original frequency bands. Further, the transceiver
1530
operates to receive all or selected ones of the modulated signals in their
original/native
frequency bands from client devices via the wireless interface 1411. The
duplexer/diplexer assembly 1524 transfers the modulated signals in their
original/native
frequency bands received via the transceiver 1530 to the base station
interface 1522 to be
sent to the macro base station 1402 or other network element of a
communications
network. Similarly, modulated signals occupying uplink frequency channels in
an uplink
spectral segment 1510 that are frequency converted to their original/native
frequency
bands by the transceiver 1532 are supplied to the duplexer/diplexer assembly
1524 for
transfer to the base station interface 1522 to be sent to the macro base
station 1402 or
other network element of a communications network.
[00141] Turning now to FIG. 15C, a block diagram 1535 illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In
particular, the
communication node device such as communication node 1404B, 1404C, 1404D or
1404E of a radio distributed antenna system includes transceiver 1533,
duplexer/diplexer
assembly 1524, an amplifier 1538 and two transceivers 1536A and 1536B.
[00142] In various embodiments, the transceiver 1536A receives, from a
communication node 1404A or an upstream communication node 1404B-E, a first
modulated signal at a first carrier frequency corresponding to the placement
of the
channels of the first modulated signal in the converted spectrum of the
distributed
antenna system (e.g., frequency channels of one or more downlink spectral
segments
1506). The first modulated signal includes first communications data provided
by a base
station and directed to a mobile communication device. The transceiver 1536A
is further
configured to receive, from a communication node 1404A one or more control
channels
and one or more corresponding reference signals, such as pilot signals or
other reference
signals, and/or one or more clock signals associated with the first modulated
signal at the
first carrier frequency. The first modulated signal can include one or more
downlink
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communication channels conforming to a signaling protocol such as a LTE or
other 4G
wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communication protocol, an ultra-wideband
protocol, a
WiMAX protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol and/or
other
communication protocol.
[00143] As previously discussed, the reference signal enables the network
element to
reduce a phase error (and/or other forms of signal distortion) during
processing of the
first modulated signal from the first carrier frequency to the first spectral
segment (i.e.,
original/native spectrum). The control channel includes instructions to direct
the
communication node of the distributed antenna system to convert the first
modulated
signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the
first spectral
segment, to control frequency selections and reuse patterns, handoff and/or
other control
signaling. The clock signals can synchronize timing of digital control channel
processing
by the downstream communication nodes 1404B-E to recover the instructions from
the
control channel and/or to provide other timing signals.
[00144] The amplifier 1538 can be a bidirectional amplifier that amplifies the
first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency together with the reference
signals, control
channels and/or clock signals for coupling via the duplexer/diplexer assembly
1524 to
transceiver 1536B, which in this illustration, serves as a repeater for
retransmission of the
amplified the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency together
with the
reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals to one or more others
of the
communication nodes 1404B-E that are downstream from the communication node
1404B-E that is shown and that operate in a similar fashion.
[00145] The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency
together
with the reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals are also
coupled via the
duplexer/diplexer assembly 1524 to the transceiver 1533. The transceiver 1533
performs
digital signal processing on the control channel to recover the instructions,
such as in the
form of digital data, from the control channel. The clock signal is used to
synchronize
timing of the digital control channel processing. The transceiver 1533 then
performs
frequency conversion of the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment in accordance with the
instructions and
based on an analog (and/or digital) signal processing of the first modulated
signal and
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utilizing the reference signal to reduce distortion during the converting
process. The
transceiver 1533 wirelessly transmits the first modulated signal in the first
spectral
segment for direct communication with one or more mobile communication devices
in
range of the communication node 1404B-E as free space wireless signals.
[00146] In various embodiments, the transceiver 1536B receives a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency in an uplink spectral segment 1510 from
other
network elements such as one or more other communication nodes 1404B-E that
are
downstream from the communication node 1404B-E that is shown. The second
modulated signal can include one or more uplink communication channels
conforming to
a signaling protocol such as a LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G
wireless
communication protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless
local
area network protocol and/or other communication protocol. In particular, one
or more
mobile communication devices generate the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment such as an original/native frequency band and the downstream network
element
performs frequency conversion on the second modulated signal in the second
spectral
segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency and
transmits the
second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency in an uplink spectral
segment
1510 as received by the communication node 1404B-E shown. The transceiver
1536B
operates to send the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency
to amplifier
1538, via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1524, for amplification and
retransmission via
the transceiver 1536A back to the communication node 1404A or upstream
communication nodes 1404B-E for further retransmission back to a base station,
such as
macro base station 1402, for processing.
[00147] The transceiver 1533 may also receive a second modulated signal in the
second spectral segment from one or more mobile communication devices in range
of the
communication node 1404B-E. The transceiver 1533 operates to perform frequency
conversion on the second modulated signal in the second spectral segment to
the second
modulated signal at the second carrier frequency, for example, under control
of the
instructions received via the control channel, inserts the reference signals,
control
channels and/or clock signals for use by communication node 1404A in
reconverting the
second modulated signal back to the original/native spectral segments and
sends the
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second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency, via the
duplexer/diplexer
assembly 1524 and amplifier 1538, to the transceiver 1536A for amplification
and
retransmission back to the communication node 1404A or upstream communication
nodes 1404B-E for further retransmission back to a base station, such as macro
base
station 1402, for processing.
[00148] Turning now to FIG. 15D, a graphical diagram 1540 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, a
spectrum
1542 is shown for a distributed antenna system that conveys modulated signals
that
occupy frequency channels of a downlink segment 1506 or uplink spectral
segment 1510
after they have been converted in frequency (e.g. via up-conversion or down-
conversion)
from one or more original/native spectral segments into the spectrum 1542.
[00149] In the example presented, the downstream (downlink) channel band 1544
includes a plurality of downstream frequency channels represented by separate
downlink
spectral segments 1506. Likewise the upstream (uplink) channel band 1546
includes a
plurality of upstream frequency channels represented by separate uplink
spectral
segments 1510. The spectral shapes of the separate spectral segments are meant
to be
placeholders for the frequency allocation of each modulated signal along with
associated
reference signals, control channels and clock signals. The actual spectral
response of
each frequency channel in a downlink spectral segment 1506 or uplink spectral
segment
1510 will vary based on the protocol and modulation employed and further as a
function
of time.
[00150] The number of the uplink spectral segments 1510 can be less than or
greater
than the number of the downlink spectral segments 1506 in accordance with an
asymmetrical communication system. In this case, the upstream channel band
1546 can
be narrower or wider than the downstream channel band 1544. In the
alternative, the
number of the uplink spectral segments 1510 can be equal to the number of the
downlink
spectral segments 1506 in the case where a symmetrical communication system is
implemented. In this case, the width of the upstream channel band 1546 can be
equal to
the width of the downstream channel band 1544 and bit stuffing or other data
filling
techniques can be employed to compensate for variations in upstream traffic.
While the
downstream channel band 1544 is shown at a lower frequency than the upstream
channel
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band 1546, in other embodiments, the downstream channel band 1444 can be at a
higher
frequency than the upstream channel band 1546. In addition, the number of
spectral
segments and their respective frequency positions in spectrum 1542 can change
dynamically over time. For example, a general control channel can be provided
in the
spectrum 1542 (not shown) which can indicate to communication nodes 1404 the
frequency position of each downlink spectral segment 1506 and each uplink
spectral
segment 1510. Depending on traffic conditions, or network requirements
necessitating a
reallocation of bandwidth, the number of downlink spectral segments 1506 and
uplink
spectral segments 1510 can be changed by way of the general control channel.
Additionally, the downlink spectral segments 1506 and uplink spectral segments
1510 do
not have to be grouped separately. For instance, a general control channel can
identify a
downlink spectral segment 1506 being followed by an uplink spectral segment
1510 in an
alternating fashion, or in any other combination which may or may not be
symmetric. It
is further noted that instead of utilizing a general control channel, multiple
control
channels can be used, each identifying the frequency position of one or more
spectral
segments and the type of spectral segment (i.e., uplink or downlink).
[00151] Further, while the downstream channel band 1544 and upstream channel
band
1546 are shown as occupying a single contiguous frequency band, in other
embodiments,
two or more upstream and/or two or more downstream channel bands can be
employed,
depending on available spectrum and/or the communication standards employed.
Frequency channels of the uplink spectral segments 1510 and downlink spectral
segments
1506 can be occupied by frequency converted signals modulated formatted in
accordance
with a DOCSIS 2.0 or higher standard protocol, a WiMAX standard protocol, an
ultra-
wideband protocol, a 802.11 standard protocol, a 4G or 5G voice and data
protocol such
as an LTE protocol and/or other standard communication protocol. In addition
to
protocols that conform with current standards, any of these protocols can be
modified to
operate in conjunction with the system shown. For example, a 802.11 protocol
or other
protocol can be modified to include additional guidelines and/or a separate
data channel
to provide collision detection/multiple access over a wider area (e.g.
allowing devices
that are communicating via a particular frequency channel to hear one
another). In
various embodiments all of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink
spectral segments
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1510 and downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectral segments 1506 are
all
formatted in accordance with the same communications protocol. In the
alternative
however, two or more differing protocols can be employed on both the uplink
frequency
channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 1510 and downlink frequency
channels
of one or more downlink spectral segments 1506 to, for example, be compatible
with a
wider range of client devices and/or operate in different frequency bands.
[00152] It should be noted that, the modulated signals can be gathered from
differing
original/native spectral segments for aggregation into the spectrum 1542. In
this fashion,
a first portion of uplink frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment
1510 may be
adjacent to a second portion of uplink frequency channels of the uplink
spectral segment
1510 that have been frequency converted from one or more differing
original/native
spectral segments. Similarly, a first portion of downlink frequency channels
of a
downlink spectral segment 1506 may be adjacent to a second portion of downlink
frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 1506 that have been
frequency
converted from one or more differing original/native spectral segments. For
example,
one or more 2.4 GHz 802.11 channels that have been frequency converted may be
adjacent to one or more 5.8 GHz 802.11 channels that have also been frequency
converted to a spectrum 1542 that is centered at 80 GHz. It should be noted
that each
spectral segment can have an associated reference signal such as a pilot
signal that can be
used in generating a local oscillator signal at a frequency and phase that
provides the
frequency conversion of one or more frequency channels of that spectral
segment from its
placement in the spectrum 1542 back into it original/native spectral segment.
[00153] Turning now to FIG. 15E, a graphical diagram 1550 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular a
spectral
segment selection is presented as discussed in conjunction with signal
processing
performed on the selected spectral segment by transceivers 1530 of
communication node
1440A or transceiver 1532 of communication node 1404B-E. As shown, a
particular
uplink frequency portion 1558 including one of the uplink spectral segments
1510 of
uplink frequency channel band 1546 and a particular downlink frequency portion
1556
including one of the downlink spectral segments 1506 of downlink channel
frequency
band 1544 is selected to be passed by channel selection filtration, with the
remaining
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portions of uplink frequency channel band 1546 and downlink channel frequency
band
1544 being filtered out ¨ i.e. attenuated so as to mitigate adverse effects of
the processing
of the desired frequency channels that are passed by the transceiver. It
should be noted
that while a single particular uplink spectral segment 1510 and a particular
downlink
spectral segment 1506 are shown as being selected, two or more uplink and/or
downlink
spectral segments may be passed in other embodiments.
[00154] While the transceivers 1530 and 1532 can operate based on static
channel
filters with the uplink and downlink frequency portions 1558 and 1556 being
fixed, as
previously discussed, instructions sent to the transceivers 1530 and 1532 via
the control
channel can be used to dynamically configure the transceivers 1530 and 1532 to
a
particular frequency selection. In this fashion, upstream and downstream
frequency
channels of corresponding spectral segments can be dynamically allocated to
various
communication nodes by the macro base station 1402 or other network element of
a
communication network to optimize performance by the distributed antenna
system.
[00155] Turning now to FIG. 15F, a graphical diagram 1560 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, a
spectrum
1562 is shown for a distributed antenna system that conveys modulated signals
occupying
frequency channels of uplink or downlink spectral segments after they have
been
converted in frequency (e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or
more
original/native spectral segments into the spectrum 1562.
[00156] As previously discussed two or more different communication protocols
can
be employed to communicate upstream and downstream data. When two or more
differing protocols are employed, a first subset of the downlink frequency
channels of a
downlink spectral segment 1506 can be occupied by frequency converted
modulated
signals in accordance with a first standard protocol and a second subset of
the downlink
frequency channels of the same or a different downlink spectral segment 1510
can be
occupied by frequency converted modulated signals in accordance with a second
standard
protocol that differs from the first standard protocol. Likewise a first
subset of the uplink
frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment 1510 can be received by the
system for
demodulation in accordance with the first standard protocol and a second
subset of the
uplink frequency channels of the same or a different uplink spectral segment
1510 can be
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received in accordance with a second standard protocol for demodulation in
accordance
with the second standard protocol that differs from the first standard
protocol.
[00157] In the example shown, the downstream channel band 1544 includes a
first
plurality of downstream spectral segments represented by separate spectral
shapes of a
first type representing the use of a first communication protocol. The
downstream
channel band 1544' includes a second plurality of downstream spectral segments
represented by separate spectral shapes of a second type representing the use
of a second
communication protocol. Likewise the upstream channel band 1546 includes a
first
plurality of upstream spectral segments represented by separate spectral
shapes of the
first type representing the use of the first communication protocol. The
upstream channel
band 1546' includes a second plurality of upstream spectral segments
represented by
separate spectral shapes of the second type representing the use of the second
communication protocol. These separate spectral shapes are meant to be
placeholders for
the frequency allocation of each individual spectral segment along with
associated
reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals. While the individual
channel
bandwidth is shown as being roughly the same for channels of the first and
second type,
it should be noted that upstream and downstream channel bands 1544, 1544',
1546 and
1546' may be of differing bandwidths. Additionally, the spectral segments in
these
channel bands of the first and second type may be of differing bandwidths,
depending on
available spectrum and/or the communication standards employed.
[00158] Turning now to FIG. 15G, a graphical diagram 1570 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular a
portion of
the spectrum 1542 or 1562 of FIGs. 15D-15F is shown for a distributed antenna
system
that conveys modulated signals in the form of channel signals that have been
converted in
frequency (e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or more
original/native
spectral segments.
[00159] The portion 1572 includes a portion of a downlink or uplink spectral
segment
1506 and 1510 that is represented by a spectral shape and that represents a
portion of the
bandwidth set aside for a control channel, reference signal, and/or clock
signal. The
spectral shape 1574, for example, represents a control channel that is
separate from
reference signal 1579 and a clock signal 1578. It should be noted that the
clock signal
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1578 is shown with a spectral shape representing a sinusoidal signal that may
require
conditioning into the form of a more traditional clock signal. In other
embodiments
however, a traditional clock signal could be sent as a modulated carrier wave
such by
modulating the reference signal 1579 via amplitude modulation or other
modulation
technique that preserves the phase of the carrier for use as a phase
reference. In other
embodiments, the clock signal could be transmitted by modulating another
carrier wave
or as another signal. Further, it is noted that both the clock signal 1578 and
the reference
signal 1579 are shown as being outside the frequency band of the control
channel 1574.
[00160] In another example, the portion 1575 includes a portion of a downlink
or
uplink spectral segment 1506 and 1510 that is represented by a portion of a
spectral shape
that represents a portion of the bandwidth set aside for a control channel,
reference signal,
and/or clock signal. The spectral shape 1576 represents a control channel
having
instructions that include digital data that modulates the reference signal,
via amplitude
modulation, amplitude shift keying or other modulation technique that
preserves the
phase of the carrier for use as a phase reference. The clock signal 1578 is
shown as being
outside the frequency band of the spectral shape 1576. The reference signal,
being
modulated by the control channel instructions, is in effect a subcarrier of
the control
channel and is in-band to the control channel. Again, the clock signal 1578 is
shown
with a spectral shape representing a sinusoidal signal, in other embodiments
however, a
traditional clock signal could be sent as a modulated carrier wave or other
signal. In this
case, the instructions of the control channel can be used to modulate the
clock signal
1578 instead of the reference signal.
[00161] Consider the following example, where the control channel 1576 is
carried via
modulation of a reference signal in the form of a continuous wave (CW) from
which the
phase distortion in the receiver is corrected during frequency conversion of
the downlink
or uplink spectral segment back to its original/native spectral segment. The
control
channel 1576 can be modulated with a robust modulation such as pulse amplitude
modulation, binary phase shift keying, amplitude shift keying or other
modulation
scheme to carry instructions between network elements of the distributed
antenna system
such as network operations, administration and management traffic and other
control
data. In various embodiments, the control data can include:
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= Status information that indicates online status, offline status, and
network
performance parameters of each network element.
= Network device information such as module names and addresses, hardware
and software versions, device capabilities, etc.
= Spectral information such as frequency conversion factors, channel
spacing,
guard bands, uplink/downlink allocations, uplink and downlink channel
selections, etc.
= Environmental measurements such as weather conditions, image data, power
outage information, line of sight blockages, etc.
[00162] In a further example, the control channel data can be sent via ultra-
wideband
(UWB) signaling. The control channel data can be transmitted by generating
radio
energy at specific time intervals and occupying a larger bandwidth, via pulse-
position or
time modulation, by encoding the polarity or amplitude of the UWB pulses
and/or by
using orthogonal pulses. In particular, UWB pulses can be sent sporadically at
relatively
low pulse rates to support time or position modulation, but can also be sent
at rates up to
the inverse of the UWB pulse bandwidth. In this fashion, the control channel
can be
spread over an UWB spectrum with relatively low power, and without interfering
with
CW transmissions of the reference signal and/or clock signal that may occupy
in-band
portions of the UWB spectrum of the control channel.
[00163] Turning now to FIG. 15H, a block diagram 1580 illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a transmitter is shown. In particular, a transmitter
1582 is shown
for use with, for example, a receiver 1581 and a digital control channel
processor 1595 in
a transceiver, such as transceiver 1533 presented in conjunction with FIG.
15C. As
shown, the transmitter 1582 includes an analog front-end 1586, clock signal
generator
1589, a local oscillator 1592, a mixer 1596, and a transmitter front end 1584.
[00164] The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency
together
with the reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals are coupled
from the
amplifier 1538 to the analog front-end 1586. The analog front end 1586
includes one or
more filters or other frequency selection to separate the control channel
signal 1587, a
clock reference signal 1578, a pilot signal 1591 and one or more selected
channels signals
1594.
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[00165] The digital control channel processor 1595 performs digital signal
processing
on the control channel to recover the instructions, such as via demodulation
of digital
control channel data, from the control channel signal 1587. The clock signal
generator
1589 generates the clock signal 1590, from the clock reference signal 1578, to
synchronize timing of the digital control channel processing by the digital
control channel
processor 1595. In embodiments where the clock reference signal 1578 is a
sinusoid, the
clock signal generator 1589 can provide amplification and limiting to create a
traditional
clock signal or other timing signal from the sinusoid. In embodiments where
the clock
reference signal 1578 is a modulated carrier signal, such as a modulation of
the reference
or pilot signal or other carrier wave, the clock signal generator 1589 can
provide
demodulation to create a traditional clock signal or other timing signal.
[00166] In various embodiments, the control channel signal 1587 can be either
a
digitally modulated signal in a range of frequencies separate from the pilot
signal 1591
and the clock reference 1588 or as modulation of the pilot signal 1591. In
operation, the
digital control channel processor 1595 provides demodulation of the control
channel
signal 1587 to extract the instructions contained therein in order to generate
a control
signal 1593. In particular, the control signal 1593 generated by the digital
control
channel processor 1595 in response to instructions received via the control
channel can
be used to select the particular channel signals 1594 along with the
corresponding pilot
signal 1591 and/or clock reference 1588 to be used for converting the
frequencies of
channel signals 1594 for transmission via wireless interface 1411. It should
be noted that
in circumstances where the control channel signal 1587 conveys the
instructions via
modulation of the pilot signal 1591, the pilot signal 1591 can be extracted
via the digital
control channel processor 1595 rather than the analog front-end 1586 as shown.
[00167] The digital control channel processor 1595 may be implemented via a
processing module such as a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal
processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,
programmable
logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, digital circuitry, an analog to
digital
converter, a digital to analog converter and/or any device that manipulates
signals (analog
and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational
instructions. The
processing module may be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated
memory
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element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices,
and/or
embedded circuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit,
and/or
processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access
memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory,
flash
memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note
that if
the processing module includes more than one processing device, the processing
devices
may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or
wireless bus
structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect
coupling via
a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that the memory
and/or
memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be
embedded
within, or external to, the microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal
processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,
programmable
logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, digital circuitry, an analog to
digital
converter, a digital to analog converter or other device. Still further note
that, the memory
element may store, and the processing module executes, hard coded and/or
operational
instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions
described herein
and such a memory device or memory element can be implemented as an article of
manufacture.
[00168] The
local oscillator 1592 generates the local oscillator signal 1597 utilizing
the pilot signal 1591 to reduce distortion during the frequency conversion
process. In
various embodiments the pilot signal 1591 is at the correct frequency and
phase of the
local oscillator signal 1597 to generate the local oscillator signal 1597 at
the proper
frequency and phase to convert the channel signals 1594 at the carrier
frequency
associated with their placement in the spectrum of the distributed antenna
system to their
original/native spectral segments for transmission to fixed or mobile
communication
devices. In this case, the local oscillator 1592 can employ bandpass
filtration and/or
other signal conditioning to generate a sinusoidal local oscillator signal
1597 that
preserves the frequency and phase of the pilot signal 1591. In other
embodiments, the
pilot signal 1591 has a frequency and phase that can be used to derive the
local oscillator
signal 1597. In this case, the local oscillator 1592 employs frequency
division, frequency
multiplication or other frequency synthesis, based on the pilot signal 1591,
to generate
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the local oscillator signal 1597 at the proper frequency and phase to convert
the channel
signals 1594 at the carrier frequency associated with their placement in the
spectrum of
the distributed antenna system to their original/native spectral segments for
transmission
to fixed or mobile communication devices.
[00169] The mixer 1596 operates based on the local oscillator signal 1597 to
shift the
channel signals 1594 in frequency to generate frequency converted channel
signals 1598
at their corresponding original/native spectral segments. While a single
mixing stage is
shown, multiple mixing stages can be employed to shift the channel signals to
baseband
and/or one or more intermediate frequencies as part of the total frequency
conversion.
The transmitter (Xmtr) front-end 1584 includes a power amplifier and impedance
matching to wirelessly transmit the frequency converted channel signals 1598
as a free
space wireless signals via one or more antennas, such as antennas 1424, to one
or more
mobile or fixed communication devices in range of the communication node 1404B-
E.
[00170] Turning now to FIG. 151, a block diagram 1585 illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a receiver is shown. In particular, a receiver 1581 is
shown for
use with, for example, transmitter 1582 and digital control channel processor
1595 in a
transceiver, such as transceiver 1533 presented in conjunction with FIG. 15C.
As
shown, the receiver 1581 includes an analog receiver (RCVR) front-end 1583,
local
oscillator 1592, and mixer 1596. The digital control channel processor 1595
operates
under control of instructions from the control channel to generate the pilot
signal 1591,
control channel signal 1587 and clock reference signal 1578.
[00171] The control signal 1593 generated by the digital control channel
processor
1595 in response to instructions received via the control channel can also be
used to
select the particular channel signals 1594 along with the corresponding pilot
signal 1591
and/or clock reference 1588 to be used for converting the frequencies of
channel signals
1594 for reception via wireless interface 1411. The analog receiver front end
1583
includes a low noise amplifier and one or more filters or other frequency
selection to
receive one or more selected channels signals 1594 under control of the
control signal
1593.
[00172] The
local oscillator 1592 generates the local oscillator signal 1597 utilizing
the pilot signal 1591 to reduce distortion during the frequency conversion
process. In
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various embodiments the local oscillator employs bandpass filtration and/or
other signal
conditioning, frequency division, frequency multiplication or other frequency
synthesis,
based on the pilot signal 1591, to generate the local oscillator signal 1597
at the proper
frequency and phase to frequency convert the channel signals 1594, the pilot
signal 1591,
control channel signal 1587 and clock reference signal 1578 to the spectrum of
the
distributed antenna system for transmission to other communication nodes 1404A-
E. In
particular, the mixer 1596 operates based on the local oscillator signal 1597
to shift the
channel signals 1594 in frequency to generate frequency converted channel
signals 1598
at the desired placement within spectrum spectral segment of the distributed
antenna
system for coupling to the amplifier 1538, to transceiver 1536A for
amplification and
retransmission via the transceiver 1536A back to the communication node 1404A
or
upstream communication nodes 1404B-E for further retransmission back to a base
station, such as macro base station 1402, for processing. Again, while a
single mixing
stage is shown, multiple mixing stages can be employed to shift the channel
signals to
baseband and/or one or more intermediate frequencies as part of the total
frequency
conversion.
[00173] Turning now to FIG. 16A, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1600, is shown. Method 1600 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Method 1600
can begin
with step 1602 in which a base station, such as the macro base station 1402 of
FIG. 14A,
determines a rate of travel of a communication device. The communication
device can
be a mobile communication device such as one of the mobile devices 1406
illustrated in
FIG. 14B, or stationary communication device (e.g., a communication device in
a
residence, or commercial establishment). The base station can communicate
directly
with the communication device utilizing wireless cellular communications
technology
(e.g., LTE), which enables the base station to monitor the movement of the
communication device by receiving location information from the communication
device,
and/or to provide the communication device wireless communication services
such as
voice and/or data services. During a communication session, the base station
and the
communication device exchange wireless signals that operate at a certain
native/original
carrier frequency (e.g., a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, a 2.4 GHz band, and/or
a 5.8
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GHz band, etc.) utilizing one or more spectral segments (e.g., resource
blocks) of a
certain bandwidth (e.g., 10-20MHz). In some embodiments, the spectral segments
are
used according to a time slot schedule assigned to the communication device by
the base
station.
[00174] The rate of travel of the communication device can be determined at
step 1602
from GPS coordinates provided by the communication device to the base station
by way
of cellular wireless signals. If the rate of travel is above a threshold
(e.g., 25 miles per
hour) at step 1604, the base station can continue to provide wireless services
to the
communication device at step 1606 utilizing the wireless resources of the base
station. If,
on the other hand, the communication device has a rate of travel below the
threshold, the
base station can be configured to further determine whether the communication
device
can be redirected to a communication node to make available the wireless
resources of
the base station for other communication devices.
[00175] For example, suppose the base station detects that the communication
device
has a slow rate of travel (e.g., 3 mph or near stationary). Under certain
circumstances,
the base station may also determine that a current location of the
communication device
places the communication device in a communication range of a particular
communication node 1404. The base station may also determine that the slow
rate of
travel of the communication device will maintain the communication device
within the
communication range of the particular communication node 1404 for a
sufficiently long
enough time (another threshold test that can be used by the base station) to
justify
redirecting the communication device to the particular communication node
1404. Once
such a determination is made, the base station can proceed to step 1608 and
select the
communication node 1404 that is in the communication range of the
communication
device for providing communication services thereto.
[00176] Accordingly, the selection process performed at step 1608 can be based
on a
location of the communication device determined from GPS coordinates provided
to the
base station by the communication device. The selection process can also be
based on a
trajectory of travel of the communication device, which may be determined from
several
instances of GPS coordinates provided by the communication device. In some
embodiments, the base station may determine that the trajectory of the
communication
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device will eventually place the communication device in a communication range
of a
subsequent communication node 1404 neighboring the communication node selected
at
step 1608. In this embodiment, the base station can inform multiple
communication
nodes 1404 of this trajectory to enable the communication nodes 1404
coordinate a
handoff of communication services provided to the communication device.
[00177] Once one or more communication nodes 1404 have been selected at step
1608, the base station can proceed to step 1610 where it assigns one or more
spectral
segments (e.g., resource blocks) for use by the communication device at a
first carrier
frequency (e.g., 1.9GHz). It is not necessary for the first carrier frequency
and/or spectral
segments selected by the base station to be the same as the carrier frequency
and/or
spectral segments in use between the base station and the communication
device. For
example, suppose the base station and the communication device are utilizing a
carrier
frequency at 1.9GHz for wireless communications between each other. The base
station
can select a different carrier frequency (e.g., 900 MHz) at step 1610 for the
communication node selected at step 1608 to communicate with the communication
device. Similarly, the base station can assign spectral segment(s) (e.g.,
resource blocks)
and/or a timeslot schedule of the spectral segment(s) to the communication
node that
differs from the spectral segment(s) and/or timeslot schedule in use between
the base
station and the communication device.
[00178] At step 1612, the base station can generate first modulated signal(s)
in the
spectral segment(s) assigned in step 1610 at the first carrier frequency. The
first
modulated signal(s) can include data directed to the communication device, the
data
representative of a voice communication session, a data communication session,
or a
combination thereof. At step 1614, the base station can up-convert (with a
mixer,
bandpass filter and other circuitry) the first modulated signal(s) at the
first native carrier
frequency (e.g., 1.9GHz) to a second carrier frequency (e.g., 80GHz) for
transport of such
signals in one or more frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1506
which is
directed to the communication node 1404 selected at step 1608. Alternatively,
the base
station can provide the first modulated signal(s) at the first carrier
frequency to the first
communication node 1404A (illustrated in FIG. 14A) for up-conversion to the
second
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carrier frequency for transport in one or more frequency channels of a
downlink spectral
segment 1506 directed to the communication node 1404 selected at step 1608.
[00179] At step
1616, the base station can also transmit instructions to transition the
communication device to the communication node 1404 selected at step 1608. The
instructions can be directed to the communication device while the
communication
device is in direct communications with the base station utilizing the
wireless resources
of the base station. Alternatively, the instructions can be communicated to
the
communication node 1404 selected at step 1608 by way of a control channel 1502
of the
downlink spectral segment 1506 illustrated in FIG. 15A. Step 1616 can occur
before,
after or contemporaneously with steps 1612-1614.
[00180] Once the instructions have been transmitted, the base station can
proceed to
step 1618 where it transmits in one or more frequency channels of a downlink
spectral
segment 1506 the first modulated signal at the second carrier frequency (e.g.,
80GHz) for
transmission by the first communication node 1404A (illustrated in FIG. 14A).
Alternatively, the first communication node 1404A can perform the up-
conversion at step
1614 for transport of the first modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency in one or
more frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1506 upon receiving
from the
base station the first modulated signal(s) at the first native carrier
frequency. The first
communication node 1404A can serve as a master communication node for
distributing
downlink signals generated by the base station to downstream communication
nodes
1404 according to the downlink spectral segments 1506 assigned to each
communication
node 1404 at step 1610. The assignment of the downlink spectral segments 1506
can be
provided to the communication nodes 1404 by way of instructions transmitted by
the first
communication node 1404A in the control channel 1502 illustrated in FIG. 15A.
At step
1618, the communication node 1404 receiving the first modulated signal(s) at
the second
carrier frequency in one or more frequency channels of a downlink spectral
segment
1506can be configured to down-convert it to the first carrier frequency, and
utilize the
pilot signal supplied with the first modulated signal(s) to remove distortions
(e.g., phase
distortion) caused by the distribution of the downlink spectral segments 1506
over
communication hops between the communication nodes 1404B-D. In particular, the
pilot
signal can be derived from the local oscillator signal used to generate the
frequency up-
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conversion (e.g. via frequency multiplication and/or division). When down
conversion is
required the pilot signal can be used to recreate a frequency and phase
correct version of
the local oscillator signal (e.g. via frequency multiplication and/or
division) to return the
modulated signal to its original portion of the frequency band with minimal
phase error.
In this fashion, the frequency channels of a communication system can be
converted in
frequency for transport via the distributed antenna system and then returned
to their
original position in the spectrum for transmission to wireless client device.
[00181] Once the down-conversion process is completed, the communication node
1404 can transmit at step 1622 the first modulated signal at the first native
carrier
frequency (e.g., 1.9GHz) to the communication device utilizing the same
spectral
segment assigned to the communication node 1404. Step 1622 can be coordinated
so that
it occurs after the communication device has transitioned to the communication
node
1404 in accordance with the instructions provided at step 1616. To make such a
transition seamless, and so as to avoid interrupting an existing wireless
communication
session between the base station and the communication device, the
instructions provided
in step 1616 can direct the communication device and/or the communication node
1404
to transition to the assigned spectral segment(s) and/or time slot schedule as
part of
and/or subsequent to a registration process between the communication device
and the
communication node 1404 selected at step 1608. In some instances such a
transition may
require that the communication device to have concurrent wireless
communications with
the base station and the communication node 1404 for a short period of time.
[00182] Once the communication device successfully transitions to the
communication
node 1404, the communication device can terminate wireless communications with
the
base station, and continue the communication session by way of the
communication node
1404. Termination of wireless services between the base station and the
communication
device makes certain wireless resources of the base station available for use
with other
communication devices. It should be noted that although the base station has
in the
foregoing steps delegated wireless connectivity to a select communication node
1404, the
communication session between base station and the communication device
continues as
before by way of the network of communication nodes 1404 illustrated in FIG.
14A. The
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difference is, however, that the base station no longer needs to utilize its
own wireless
resources to communicate with the communication device.
[00183] In order to provide bidirectional communications between the base
station and
the communication device, by way of the network of communication nodes 1404,
the
communication node 1404 and/or the communication device can be instructed to
utilize
one or more frequency channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 1510 on
the
uplink illustrated in FIG. 15A. Uplink instructions can be provided to the
communication
node 1404 and/or communication device at step 1616 as part of and/or
subsequent to the
registration process between the communication device and the communication
node
1404 selected at step 1608. Accordingly, when the communication device has
data it
needs to transmit to the base station, it can wirelessly transmit second
modulated signal(s)
at the first native carrier frequency which can be received by the
communication node
1404 at step 1624. The second modulated signal(s) can be included in one or
more
frequency channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 1510 specified in
the
instructions provided to the communication device and/or communication node at
step
1616.
[00184] To convey the second modulated signal(s) to the base station, the
communication node 1404 can up-convert these signals at step 1626 from the
first native
carrier frequency (e.g., 1.9GHz) to the second carrier frequency (e.g.,
80GHz). To enable
upstream communication nodes and/or the base station to remove distortion, the
second
modulated signal(s) at the second carrier frequency can be transmitted at step
1628 by the
communication node 1404 with one or more uplink pilot signals 1508. Once the
base
station receives the second modulated signal(s) at the second carrier
frequency via
communication node 1404A, it can down-convert these signals at step 1630 from
the
second carrier frequency to the first native carrier frequency to obtain data
provided by
the communication device at step 1632. Alternatively, the first communication
node
1404A can perform the down-conversion of the second modulated signal(s) at the
second
carrier frequency to the first native carrier frequency and provide the
resulting signals to
the base station. The base station can then process the second modulated
signal(s) at the
first native carrier frequency to retrieve data provided by the communication
device in a
manner similar or identical to how the base station would have processed
signals from the
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communication device had the base station been in direct wireless
communications with
the communication device.
[00185] The foregoing steps method 1600 provide a way for a base station 1402
to
make available wireless resources (e.g., sector antennas, spectrum) for fast
moving
communication devices and in some embodiments increase bandwidth utilization
by
redirecting slow moving communication devices to one or more communication
nodes
1404 communicatively coupled to the base station 1402. For example, suppose a
base
station 1402 has ten (10) communication nodes 1404 that it can redirect mobile
and/or
stationary communication devices to. Further suppose that the 10 communication
nodes
1404 have substantially non-overlapping communication ranges.
[00186] Further suppose, the base station 1402 has set aside certain spectral
segments
(e.g., resource blocks 5, 7 and 9) during particular timeslots and at a
particular carrier
frequency, which it assigns to all 10 communication nodes 1404. During
operations, the
base station 1402 can be configured not to utilize resource blocks 5, 7 and 9
during the
timeslot schedule and carrier frequency set aside for the communication nodes
1404 to
avoid interference. As the base station 1402 detects slow moving or stationary
communication devices, it can redirect the communication devices to different
ones of
the 10 communication nodes 1404 based on the location of the communication
devices.
When, for example, the base station 1402 redirects communications of a
particular
communication device to a particular communication node 1404, the base station
1402
can up-convert resource blocks 5, 7 and 9 during the assigned timeslots and at
the carrier
frequency to one or more spectral range(s) on the downlink (see FIG. 15A)
assigned to
the communication node 1404 in question.
[00187] The communication node 1404 in question can also be assigned to one or
more frequency channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 1510 on the
uplink
which it can use to redirect communication signals provided by the
communication
device to the base station 1402. Such communication signals can be up-
converted by the
communication node 1404 according to the assigned uplink frequency channels in
one or
more corresponding uplink spectral segments 1510 and transmitted to the base
station
1402 for processing. The downlink and uplink frequency channel assignments can
be
communicated by the base station 1402 to each communication node 1404 by way
of a
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control channel as depicted in FIG. 15A. The foregoing downlink and uplink
assignment
process can also be used for the other communication nodes 1404 for providing
communication services to other communication devices redirected by the base
station
1402 thereto.
[00188] In this illustration, the reuse of resource blocks 5, 7 and 9 during a
corresponding timeslot schedule and carrier frequency by the 10 communication
nodes
1404 can effectively increase bandwidth utilization by the base station 1402
up to a factor
of 10. Although the base station 1402 can no longer use resource blocks 5, 7
and 9 it set
aside for the 10 communication nodes 1404 for wireles sly communicating with
other
communication devices, its ability to redirect communication devices to 10
different
communication nodes 1404 reusing these resource blocks effectively increases
the
bandwidth capabilities of the base station 1402. Accordingly, method 1600 in
certain
embodiments can increase bandwidth utilization of a base station 1402 and make
available resources of the base station 1402 for other communication devices.
[00189] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the base station 1402
can be
configured to reuse spectral segments assigned to communication nodes 1404 by
selecting one or more sectors of an antenna system of the base station 1402
that point
away from the communication nodes 1404 assigned to the same spectral segments.
Accordingly, the base station 1402 can be configured in some embodiments to
avoid
reusing certain spectral segments assigned to certain communication nodes 1404
and in
other embodiments reuse other spectral segments assigned to other
communication nodes
1404 by selecting specific sectors of the antenna system of the base station
1402. Similar
concepts can be applied to sectors of the antenna system 1424 employed by the
communication nodes 1404. Certain reuse schemes can be employed between the
base
station 1402 and one or more communication nodes 1404 based on sectors
utilized by the
base station 1402 and/or the one or more communication nodes 1404.
[00190] Method 1600 also enables the reuse of legacy systems when
communication
devices are redirected to one or more communication nodes. For example, the
signaling
protocol (e.g., LTE) utilized by the base station to wirelessly communicate
with the
communication device can be preserved in the communication signals exchanged
between the base station and the communication nodes 1404. Accordingly, when
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assigning spectral segments to the communication nodes 1404, the exchange of
modulated signals in these segments between the base station and the
communication
nodes 1404 can be the same signals that would have been used by the base
station to
perform direct wireless communications with the communication device. Thus,
legacy
base stations can be updated to perform the up and down-conversion process
previously
described, with the added feature of distortion mitigation, while all other
functions
performed in hardware and/or software for processing modulated signals at the
first
native carrier frequency can remain substantially unaltered. It should also be
noted that,
in further embodiments, channels from an original frequency band can be
converted to
another frequency band utilizing by the same protocol. For example, LTE
channels in the
2.5 GHz band can be up-converted into a 80 GHZ band for transport and then
down-
converted as 5.8 GHz LTE channels if required for spectral diversity.
[00191] It is further noted that method 1600 can be adapted without departing
from the
scope of the subject disclosure. For example, when the base station detects
that a
communication device has a trajectory that will result in a transition from
the
communication range of one communication node to another, the base station (or
the
communication nodes in question) can monitor such a trajectory by way of
periodic GPS
coordinates provided by the communication device, and accordingly coordinate a
handoff
of the communication device to the other communication node. Method 1600 can
also be
adapted so that when the communication device is near a point of transitioning
from the
communication range of one communication node to another, instructions can be
transmitted by the base station (or the active communication node) to direct
the
communication device and/or the other communication node to utilize certain
spectral
segments and/or timeslots in the downlink and uplink channels to successfully
transition
communications without interrupting an existing communication session.
[00192] It is further noted that method 1600 can also be adapted to coordinate
a
handoff of wireless communications between the communication device and a
communication node 1404 back to the base station when the base station or the
active
communication node 1404 detects that the communication device will at some
point
transition outside of a communication range of the communication node and no
other
communication node is in a communication range of the communication device.
Other
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adaptations of method 1600 are contemplated by the subject disclosure. It is
further
noted that when a carrier frequency of a downlink or uplink spectral segment
is lower
than a native frequency band of a modulated signal, a reverse process of
frequency
conversion would be required. That is, when transporting a modulated signal in
a
downlink or uplink spectral segment frequency down-conversion will be used
instead of
up-conversion. And when extracting a modulated signal in a downlink or uplink
spectral
segment frequency up-conversion will be used instead of down-conversion.
Method
1600 can further be adapted to use the clock signal referred to above for
synchronizing
the processing of digital data in a control channel. Method 1600 can also be
adapted to
use a reference signal that is modulated by instructions in the control
channel or a clock
signal that is modulated by instructions in the control channel.
[00193] Method 1600 can further be adapted to avoid tracking of movement of a
communication device and instead direct multiple communication nodes 1404 to
transmit
the modulated signal of a particular communication device at its native
frequency without
knowledge of which communication node is in a communication range of the
particular
communication device. Similarly, each communication node can be instructed to
receive
modulated signals from the particular communication device and transport such
signals in
certain frequency channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 1510
without
knowledge as to which communication node will receive modulated signals from
the
particular communication device. Such an implementation can help reduce the
implementation complexity and cost of the communication nodes 1404.
[00194] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16A, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00195] Turning now to FIG. 16B, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1635, is shown. Method 1635 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1636
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
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segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 1637 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 1638 includes
transmitting, by the
system, a reference signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency to a
network element of a distributed antenna system, the reference signal enabling
the
network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting the first modulated
signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment for
wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to the mobile
communication device in
the first spectral segment.
[00196] In
various embodiments, the signal processing does not require either
analog to digital conversion or digital to analog conversion. The transmitting
can
comprise transmitting to the network element the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency as a free space wireless signal. The first carrier frequency can be
in a
millimeter-wave frequency band.
[00197] The
first modulated signal can be generated by modulating signals in a
plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol can
comprise a
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
[00198]
Converting by the system can comprise up-converting the first modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. Converting by the
network
element can comprises down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
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[00199] The
method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element,
wherein the
mobile communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[00200] The
second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral segment,
and wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
[00201] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16B, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00202] Turning now to FIG. 16C, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1640, is shown. Method 1635 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1641
include
receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference
signal and a
first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the first modulated
signal including first
communications data provided by a base station and directed to a mobile
communication
device. Step 1642 includes converting, by the network element, the first
modulated
signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in a first
spectral segment
based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the
reference
signal to reduce distortion during the converting. Step 1643 includes
wirelessly
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transmitting, by the network element, the first modulated signal at the first
spectral
segment to the mobile communication device.
[00203] In
various embodiments the first modulated signal conforms to a signaling
protocol, and the signal processing converts the first modulated signal in the
first spectral
segment to the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency without
modifying the
signaling protocol of the first modulated signal. The converting by the
network element
can include converting the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment without modifying the signaling
protocol of
the first modulated signal. The method can further include receiving, by the
network
element, a second modulated signal in a second spectral segment generated by
the mobile
communication device, converting, by the network element, the second modulated
signal
in the second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at a second
carrier
frequency; and transmitting, by the network element, to an other network
element of the
distributed antenna system the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency.
The other network element of the distributed antenna system can receive the
second
modulated signal at the second carrier frequency, converts the second
modulated signal at
the second carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second
spectral
segment, and provides the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to the
base station for processing. The second spectral segment can differs from the
first
spectral segment, and the first carrier frequency can differ from the second
carrier
frequency.
[00204] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16C, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00205] Turning now to FIG. 16D, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1645, is shown. Method 1645 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1646
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
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segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 1647 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 1648 includes
transmitting, by the
system, instructions in a control channel to direct a network element of the
distributed
antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. Step 1649 includes
transmitting, by
the system, a reference signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency
to the network element of a distributed antenna system, the reference signal
enabling the
network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting the first modulated
signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment for
wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to the mobile
communication device in
the first spectral segment, wherein the reference signal is transmitted at an
out of band
frequency relative to the control channel.
[00206] In various embodiments, the control channel is transmitted at a
frequency
adjacent to the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency and/or
at a frequency
adjacent to the reference signal. The first carrier frequency can be in a
millimeter-wave
frequency band. The first modulated signal can be generated by modulating
signals in a
plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol can
comprise a
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
[00207] The converting by the system can comprises up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The converting by
the network
element can comprise down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
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first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[00208] The
method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element,
wherein the
mobile communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[00209] The
second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral segment,
and wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
[00210] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16D, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00211] Turning now to FIG. 16E, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1650, is shown. Method 1650 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1651
includes
receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference
signal, a
control channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the
first
modulated signal including first communications data provided by a base
station and
directed to a mobile communication device, wherein instructions in the control
channel
direct the network element of the distributed antenna system to convert the
first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal
in a first
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spectral segment, wherein the reference signal is received at an out of band
frequency
relative to the control channel. Step 1652 includes converting, by the network
element,
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first
modulated signal in the
first spectral segment in accordance with the instructions and based on a
signal
processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the reference signal to
reduce
distortion during the converting. Step 1653 includes wirelessly transmitting,
by the
network element, the first modulated signal at the first spectral segment to
the mobile
communication device.
[00212] In various embodiments, the control channel can be received at a
frequency
adjacent to the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency and/or
adjacent to the
reference signal.
[00213] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16E, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00214] Turning now to FIG. 16F, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1655, is shown. Method 1655 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1656
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 1657 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 1658 includes
transmitting, by the
system, instructions in a control channel to direct a network element of the
distributed
antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. Step 1659 includes
transmitting, by
the system, a reference signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency
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to the network element of a distributed antenna system, the reference signal
enabling the
network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting the first modulated
signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment for
wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to the mobile
communication device in
the first spectral segment, wherein the reference signal is transmitted at an
in-band
frequency relative to the control channel.
[00215] In various embodiments, the instructions are transmitted via
modulation of the
reference signal. The instructions can be transmitted as digital data via an
amplitude
modulation of the reference signal. The first carrier frequency can be in a
millimeter-
wave frequency band. The first modulated signal can be generated by modulating
signals
in a plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol
can comprise
a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
[00216] The converting by the system can comprises up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The converting by
the network
element can comprise down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[00217] The
method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element,
wherein the
mobile communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
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sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[00218] The
second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral segment,
and wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
[00219] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16F, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00220] Turning now to FIG. 16G, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1660, is shown. Method 1660 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1661
includes
receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference
signal, a
control channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the
first
modulated signal including first communications data provided by a base
station and
directed to a mobile communication device, wherein instructions in the control
channel
direct the network element of the distributed antenna system to convert the
first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal
in a first
spectral segment, and wherein the reference signal is received at an in-band
frequency
relative to the control channel. Step 1662 includes converting, by the network
element,
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first
modulated signal in the
first spectral segment in accordance with the instructions and based on a
signal
processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the reference signal to
reduce
distortion during the converting. Step 1663 includes wirelessly transmitting,
by the
network element, the first modulated signal at the first spectral segment to
the mobile
communication device.
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[00221] In various embodiments, the instructions are received via demodulation
of the
reference signal and/or as digital data via an amplitude demodulation of the
reference
signal.
[00222] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16G, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00223] Turning now to FIG. 16H, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1665, is shown. Method 1665 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1666
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 1667 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 1668 includes
transmitting, by the
system, instructions in a control channel to direct a network element of the
distributed
antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency to the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. Step 1669 includes
transmitting, by
the system, a clock signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency to
the network element of a distributed antenna system, wherein the clock signal
synchronizes timing of digital control channel processing of the network
element to
recover the instructions from the control channel.
[00224] In various embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, by
the
system, a reference signal with the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency to a
network element of a distributed antenna system, the reference signal enabling
the
network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting the first modulated
signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment for
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wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to the mobile
communication device in
the first spectral segment. The instructions can be transmitted as digital
data via the
control channel.
[00225] In various embodiments, the first carrier frequency can be in a
millimeter-
wave frequency band. The first modulated signal can be generated by modulating
signals
in a plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol
can comprise
a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
[00226] The converting by the system can comprises up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The converting by
the network
element can comprise down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[00227] The
method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element,
wherein the
mobile communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[00228] The
second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral segment,
and wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
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[00229] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16H, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00230] Turning now to FIG. 161, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1670, is shown. Method 1670 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1671
includes
receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a clock
signal, a control
channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the first
modulated signal
including first communications data provided by a base station and directed to
a mobile
communication device, wherein the clock signal synchronizes timing of digital
control
channel processing by the network element to recover instructions from the
control
channel, wherein the instructions in the control channel direct the network
element of the
distributed antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in a first spectral segment. Step 1672
includes
converting, by the network element, the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment in
accordance with
the instructions and based on a signal processing of the first modulated
signal. Step 1673
includes wirelessly transmitting, by the network element, the first modulated
signal at the
first spectral segment to the mobile communication device. In various
embodiments, the
instructions are received as digital data via the control channel.
[00231] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 161, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00232] Turning now to FIG. 16J, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1675, is shown. Method 1675 can be used with one or
more
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functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1676
includes
receiving, by a system including circuitry, a first modulated signal in a
first spectral
segment directed to a mobile communication device, wherein the first modulated
signal
conforms to a signaling protocol. Step 1677 includes converting, by the
system, the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal
and without
modifying the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal, wherein the
first carrier
frequency is outside the first spectral segment. Step 1678 includes
transmitting, by the
system, instructions in an ultra-wideband control channel to direct a network
element of
the distributed antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment. Step
1659 includes
transmitting, by the system, a reference signal with the first modulated
signal at the first
carrier frequency to the network element of a distributed antenna system, the
reference
signal enabling the network element to reduce a phase error when reconverting
the first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal
in the first
spectral segment for wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to
the mobile
communication device in the first spectral segment.
[00233] In various embodiments, wherein the first reference signal is
transmitted at an
in-band frequency relative to the ultra-wideband control channel. The method
can further
include receiving, via the ultra-wideband control channel from the network
element of a
distributed antenna system, control channel data that includes include: status
information
that indicates network status of the network element, network device
information that
indicates device information of the network element or an environmental
measurement
indicating an environmental condition in proximity to the network element. The
instructions can further include a channel spacing, a guard band parameter, an
uplink/downlink allocation, or an uplink channel selection.
[00234] The
first modulated signal can be generated by modulating signals in a
plurality of frequency channels according to the signaling protocol to
generate the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment. The signaling protocol can
comprise a
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or a fifth generation cellular
communications protocol.
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[00235] The converting by the system can comprises up-converting the first
modulated
signal in the first spectral segment to the first modulated signal at the
first carrier
frequency or down-converting the first modulated signal in the first spectral
segment to
the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The converting by
the network
element can comprise down-converting the first modulated signal at the first
carrier
frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment or up-
converting the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated
signal in the first
spectral segment.
[00236] The
method can further include receiving, by the system, a second
modulated signal at a second carrier frequency from the network element,
wherein the
mobile communication device generates the second modulated signal in a second
spectral
segment, and wherein the network element converts the second modulated signal
in the
second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency
and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency. The
method
can further include converting, by the system, the second modulated signal at
the second
carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment; and
sending, by the system, the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment to a
base station for processing.
[00237] The
second spectral segment can differ from the first spectral segment,
and wherein the first carrier frequency can differ from the second carrier
frequency. The
system can be mounted to a first utility pole and the network element can be
mounted to a
second utility pole.
[00238] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16J, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00239] Turning now to FIG. 16K, a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a method 1680, is shown. Method 1680 can be used with one or
more
functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-15. Step 1681
includes
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receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference
signal, an
ultra-wideband control channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier
frequency,
the first modulated signal including first communications data provided by a
base station
and directed to a mobile communication device, wherein instructions in the
ultra-
wideband control channel direct the network element of the distributed antenna
system to
convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first
modulated
signal in a first spectral segment, and wherein the reference signal is
received at an in-
band frequency relative to the control channel. Step 1682 includes converting,
by the
network element, the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to
the first
modulated signal in the first spectral segment in accordance with the
instructions and
based on a signal processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the
reference
signal to reduce distortion during the converting. Step 1683 includes
wirelessly
transmitting, by the network element, the first modulated signal at the first
spectral
segment to the mobile communication device.
[00240] In various embodiments, wherein the first reference signal is received
at an in-
band frequency relative to the ultra-wideband control channel. The method can
further
include transmitting, via the ultra-wideband control channel from the network
element of
a distributed antenna system, control channel data that includes include:
status
information that indicates network status of the network element, network
device
information that indicates device information of the network element or an
environmental
measurement indicating an environmental condition in proximity to the network
element.
The instructions can further include a channel spacing, a guard band
parameter, an
uplink/downlink allocation, or an uplink channel selection.
[00241] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 16K, it is to be understood
and
appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the
blocks, as
some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from
what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks
may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[00242] In the subject specification, terms such as "store," "storage,"
"data store,"
data storage," "database," and substantially any other information storage
component
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relevant to operation and functionality of a component, refer to "memory
components,"
or entities embodied in a "memory" or components comprising the memory. It
will be
appreciated that the memory components described herein can be either volatile
memory
or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory, by
way of
illustration, and not limitation, volatile memory 1320 (see below), non-
volatile memory
1322 (see below), disk storage 1324 (see below), and memory storage 1346 (see
below).
Further, nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),
programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically
erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random
access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of
illustration and
not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM),
dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM
(DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and
direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory components of
systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without being limited to
comprising,
these and any other suitable types of memory.
[00243] Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can
be
practiced with other computer system configurations, including single-
processor or
multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframe computers,
as
well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone,
watch,
tablet computers, netbook computers, ...), microprocessor-based or
programmable
consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can
also be
practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by
remote
processing devices that are linked through a communications network; however,
some if
not all aspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone
computers. In a
distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both
local and
remote memory storage devices.
[00244] The embodiments described herein can employ artificial
intelligence (AI)
to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. The
embodiments (e.g., in
connection with automatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a
maximum
value/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) can employ
various
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AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the
classifier can be employed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell
site of the
acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute
vector, x = (xl,
x2, x3, x4, ..., xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that
is, f(x) =
confidence(class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or
statistical-based
analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to prognose
or infer an action
that a user desires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine
(SVM) is an
example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a
hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts
to split the
triggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes
the
classification correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to
training data. Other
directed and undirected model classification approaches include, e.g., naïve
Bayes,
Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and
probabilistic
classification models providing different patterns of independence can be
employed.
Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statistical regression that
is utilized to
develop models of priority.
[0100] As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments can
employ classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training
data) as well as
implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences,
historical
information, receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be
configured via
a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature
selection module.
Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a
number of
functions, including but not limited to determining according to a
predetermined criteria
which of the acquired cell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers
and/or
which of the acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existing
communication
network coverage, etc.
[0101] As used in this application, in some embodiments, the terms
"component,"
"system" and the like are intended to refer to, or include, a computer-related
entity or an
entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more specific
functionalities,
wherein the entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware and
software,
software, or software in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is
not
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limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an
executable, a
thread of execution, computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a
computer. By
way of illustration and not limitation, both an application running on a
server and the
server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process
and/or
thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or
distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can
execute
from various computer readable media having various data structures stored
thereon. The
components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in
accordance
with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component
interacting
with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a
network
such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). As another example, a
component
can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts
operated by
electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software or firmware
application
executed by a processor, wherein the processor can be internal or external to
the
apparatus and executes at least a part of the software or firmware
application. As yet
another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific
functionality
through electronic components without mechanical parts, the electronic
components can
include a processor therein to execute software or firmware that confers at
least in part
the functionality of the electronic components. While various components have
been
illustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiple
components can be
implemented as a single component, or a single component can be implemented as
multiple components, without departing from example embodiments.
[0102] Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,
apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or
engineering
techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof
to
control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term
"article of
manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program
accessible
from any computer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communications
media. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but are not
limited to,
magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips),
optical disks
(e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and
flash memory
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devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art
will recognize
many modifications can be made to this configuration without departing from
the scope
or spirit of the various embodiments.
[0103] In addition, the words "example" and "exemplary" are used herein
to
mean serving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design
described herein
as "example" or "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or
advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word
example or
exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in
this
application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than
an exclusive
"or". That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, "X employs A
or B" is
intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X
employs A; X
employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied
under any
of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in
this
application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one
or
more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a
singular form.
[0104] Moreover, terms such as "user equipment," "mobile station,"
"mobile,"
subscriber station," "access terminal," "terminal," "handset," "mobile device"
(and/or
terms representing similar terminology) can refer to a wireless device
utilized by a
subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive or convey
data, control,
voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-
stream. The
foregoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the
related
drawings.
[0105] Furthermore, the terms "user," "subscriber," "customer,"
"consumer" and
the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless context warrants
particular
distinctions among the terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can
refer to human
entities or automated components supported through artificial intelligence
(e.g., a
capacity to make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical
formalisms), which
can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.
[0106] As employed herein, the term "processor" can refer to
substantially any
computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising,
single-
core processors; single-processors with software multithread execution
capability; multi-
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core processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution
capability;
multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel
platforms; and
parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor
can refer to
an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
digital signal
processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic
controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate
or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof
designed to
perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale
architectures
such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,
switches and
gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user
equipment. A
processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing processing
units.
[0107] As used herein, terms such as "data storage," data storage,"
"database,"
and substantially any other information storage component relevant to
operation and
functionality of a component, refer to "memory components," or entities
embodied in a
"memory" or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the
memory components or computer-readable storage media, described herein can be
either
volatile memory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile and
nonvolatile
memory.
[0108] Memory disclosed herein can include volatile memory or nonvolatile
memory or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way of
illustration, and
not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM),
programmable
ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM
(EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory
(RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not
limitation,
RAM is available in many forms such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),
synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced
SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM
(DRRAM). The memory (e.g., data storages, databases) of the embodiments are
intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable
types of
memory.
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[0109] What has been described above includes mere examples of various
embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable
combination of
components or methodologies for purposes of describing these examples, but one
of
ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and
permutations
of the present embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments
disclosed and/or
claimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and
variations
that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to
the extent
that the term "includes" is used in either the detailed description or the
claims, such term
is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as
"comprising"
is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
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