Multi-channel binding in data transmission
View Patent ↗A system and method are described for binding together a plurality of wireless data communications channels, whereby an aggregate throughput improvement is realized. A master channel amongst the channels to be bound is compatible with existing standards-based wireless data communications equipment. The master channel serves to perform MAC association and flow control. Aggregate throughput is improved by sending and receiving either multiple sets of separately encoded packets, commonly encoded packets or redundantly encoded packets.
1. A method of sending data over a wireless data channel including:
obtaining master channel data and secondary channel data;
processing the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;
processing using a processing circuit the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;
binding the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel;
upconverting the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and
sending the transmit signal over the wireless data channel;
wherein:
the number of secondary channels is even;
only the master channel is used to negotiate wireless association; and
the master channel and the secondary channel carry independent data packets and wherein transmitting of the independent data packets results in the transmit duration on the master channel being substantially the same or greater than the transmit duration on the secondary channel.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the master channel and the secondary channel appear offset in frequency during transmission.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the separation of the secondary channels spans an odd number of unused channels.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein only the master channel transmits a beacon signal.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and the secondary channel.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to minimize an estimate of decoded bit error.
10. A wireless data transmitter including:
a data distributor configured to obtain master channel data and secondary channel data;
a first processing circuit configured to process the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;
a second processing circuit configured to process the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;
a summing circuit configured to combine the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel;
a mixer configured to upconvert the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and
an antenna configured to the transmit signal over the wireless data channel;
wherein:
the number of secondary channels is even;
only the master channel is used to negotiate wireless association; and
the master channel and the secondary channel carry independent data packets and wherein transmitting of the independent data packets results in the transmit duration on the master channel being substantially the same or greater than the transmit duration on the secondary channel.
11. The wireless data transmitter of claim 10 wherein the master channel and the secondary channel appear offset in frequency during transmission.
12. The wireless data transmitter of claim 10 wherein the separation of the secondary channels spans an odd number of unused channels.
13. The wireless data transmitter of claim 10 wherein only the master channel transmits a beacon signal.
14. The wireless data transmitter of claim 10 wherein only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation.
15. The wireless data transmitter of claim 10 wherein the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and the secondary channel.
16. The wireless data transmitter of claim 10 wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.
17. The wireless data transmitter of claim 10 wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets.
18. The wireless data transmitter of claim 10 wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to minimize an estimate of decoded bit error.