Methods and Apparatus for Wireless Network Formation
Methods and apparatus for high throughput wireless cells and networks are described. The wireless cells may be equipped with multiple radios. Antennas may be arranged into overlapping and non-overlapping patterns. Channels may be assigned to foster servicing clients, and inter-cell communication. Attenuation may be used to decrease interference. Networks may be formed using a variety of methods and apparatus.
1 . A method for facilitating network formation, the method comprising:
selecting a plurality of wireless cells having physical sectors, an angle of coverage, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage, a channel assignment pattern, and an orientation, wherein the physical sectors form a coverage pattern selected from the group of overlapping and non-overlapping; and,
placing at least a portion of the area of coverage of each of the plurality of wireless apparatus substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of at least one of the plurality of wireless cells; thereby locating physical sectors in an opposing position.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising assigning at least two of the physical sectors located in an opposing position to a same channel.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the channel assignment pattern assigns no physical sectors located in an opposing position are assigned the same channel.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the area of coverage of the plurality of wireless apparatus vary by a factor of about one-half raised to an integer power.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the angle of coverage is about 360-degrees, the shape of coverage is similar to a hexagon, the orientation for each of the plurality of wireless cells is substantially similar, and the coverage pattern for physical sectors is overlapping.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the angle of coverage is about 360-degrees, the shape of coverage is similar to a square, and the orientation for each of the plurality of wireless cells is substantially similar.
7 . A method for facilitating network formation, the method comprising:
dividing the plurality of wireless cells into a first group and a second group, wherein each one wireless cell respectively has a plurality of physical sectors, a shape of coverage similar to a triangle, a channel assignment pattern, and a similar orientation;
rotating the orientation of the wireless cells of the second group about 60-degrees in a direction selected from the group of clockwise and counter-clockwise; and,
placing the area of coverage of each of the wireless cells of the first group substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of at least one of the wireless cells of the second group; thereby locating physical sectors in an opposing position.
8 . The method of claim 7 further comprising assigning at least two of the physical sectors located in an opposing position to a same channel.
9 . The method of claim 7 further comprising assigning no physical sectors located in an opposing position to a same channel.
10 . The method of claim 7 wherein the area of coverage of the plurality of wireless apparatus vary by a factor of about one-half raised to an integer power.
11 . A method for facilitating network formation, the method comprising:
selecting a first group of three wireless cells, wherein each wireless cell has physical sectors, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage similar to a triangle, a channel assignment pattern, and a predetermined orientation;
selecting a second group of three wireless cells, wherein each wireless cell has physical sectors, an area of coverage, a shape of coverage similar to a triangle, and an orientation similar to the wireless cells of the first group;
rotating the orientation of the wireless cells of the second group about 60-degrees in a direction selected from the group of clockwise and counter-clockwise;
forming a module using the wireless cells of the first group and the second group, the module having an area of coverage and a shape of coverage similar to a hexagon, wherein the area of coverage of each of the wireless cells from the first group is substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of two wireless cells from the second group, and a vertex of the shape of coverage of each wireless cell of the first and the second groups touches a vertex of all the wireless cells;
replicating a plurality of modules; and,
placing at least a portion of the area of coverage of each of the plurality of modules substantially adjacent to the area of coverage of at least one of the plurality of modules; thereby locating physical sectors of the wireless cells of the modules in an opposing position.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the channel assignment pattern assigns at least two of the physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.
13 . The method of claim 11 wherein the channel assignment pattern assigns no physical sectors located in an opposing position the same channel.
14 . The method of claim 11 wherein the area of coverage of the plurality of modules vary by a factor of about one-half raised to an integer power.
15 . A method for facilitating forming non-overlapping coverage, the method comprising:
selecting a wireless apparatus having four directional antennas; wherein each directional antenna has an angle of coverage of about 90-degrees, and a physical sector; and,
positioning the directional antennas; wherein each of the physical sectors is substantially adjacent to two of the physical sectors, each physical sector faces a direction opposite of one other physical sector, and the physical sectors of each antenna combine to form an shape of coverage similar to a square.