System and method for switching an antenna in a relay station
View Patent ↗A relay station for use in a relay network may include an antenna, a radio, and an electronic circuit. The antenna may include a plurality of prongs. The radio may be configured to transmit and receive radio data using the antenna. The electronic circuit may be configured to select between a first mode of operation for the antenna and a second mode of operation for the antenna. The first mode of operation of the antenna may include an omni-directional mode of operation. The second mode of operation may include a directional mode of operation.
1. A relay station for use in a relay network, the relay station comprising:
an antenna with a plurality of prongs;
a radio configured to transmit and receive radio signals using the antenna;
an electronic circuit configured to select between a first mode of operation for the antenna and a second mode of operation for the antenna, wherein the first mode of operation of the antenna includes an omni-directional mode of operation and the second mode of operation includes a directional mode of operation; and
a processor operable to:
determine a value for a wireless quality parameter of a link between a base station and the relay station using each of the plurality of prongs;
compare the values for each link associated with each of the plurality of prongs to determine which provides the best value; and
control the electronic circuit to use the prong providing the best value during the second mode of operation.
2. A relay station according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is effective spectrum efficiency.
3. A relay station according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is a received signal strength indicator.
4. A relay station according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is a Carrier to Interference-plus-Noise Ratio.
5. A relay station according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna includes four prongs.
6. A relay station according to claim 1 , wherein the first mode of operation of the antenna is used to transmit and receive radio signals with a mobile station.
7. A multi-hop relay network comprising:
a fixed station;
an endpoint configured for wireless communication with the fixed station; and
a relay station configured to transmit wireless communication between the fixed station and the endpoint, the relay station comprising:
an antenna with a plurality of prongs;
a radio configured to transmit and receive radio signals using the antenna;
an electronic circuit configured to select between a first mode of operation for the antenna and a second mode of operation for the antenna; and
a processor operable to:
determine a value for a wireless quality parameter of a link between the fixed station and the relay station using each of the plurality of prongs;
compare the values for each link associated with each of the plurality of prongs to determine which provides the best value; and
control the electronic circuit to use the prong providing the best value during the second mode of operation;
wherein the first mode of operation of the antenna includes an omni-directional mode of operation and the second mode of operation includes a directional mode of operation.
8. A relay station according to claim 7 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is effective spectrum efficiency.
9. A relay station according to claim 7 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is a received signal strength indicator.
10. A relay station according to claim 7 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is a Carrier to Interference-plus-Noise Ratio.
11. A relay station according to claim 7 , wherein the antenna includes four prongs.
12. A relay station according to claim 7 , wherein the first mode of operation of the antenna is used to transmit and receive radio signals with the mobile station.
13. A method for operation of a relay station in a multi-hop relay network, the method comprising:
selecting a first mode of operation for an antenna having a plurality of prongs, the first mode of operation including an omni-directional mode of operation;
communicating radio signals between the relay station and an endpoint using the first mode of operation;
selecting a second mode of operation for the antenna, the second mode of operation including a directional mode of operation; and
communicating radio signals between the relay station and a fixed station using the second mode of operation, wherein communicating the radio signals comprises:
determining a value for a wireless quality parameter of a link between the fixed station and the relay station using each of the plurality of prongs;
compare the values for each link associated with each of the plurality of prongs to determine which provides the best value; and
control the electronic circuit to use the prong providing the best value during the second mode of operation.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is effective spectrum efficiency.
15. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is a received signal strength indicator.
16. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the wireless quality parameter is a Carrier to Interference-plus-Noise Ratio.