System and method for cooperative data transfer
View Patent ↗A method for cooperative data transfer includes establishing a primary wireless connection with a primary access station. The primary wireless connection uses a primary synchronization channel that is transmitted during a first frame of a super frame. The super frame comprises a plurality of frames. The method also includes detecting a secondary synchronization channel generated by an alternate access station during a subsequent frame of the super frame. The method further includes determining whether the detected secondary synchronization channel has a signal strength greater than a threshold signal strength. The method additionally includes receiving permission to begin a cooperative data transfer operation with both the primary access station and the alternate access station.
1. A method for cooperative data transfer, comprising:
establishing a primary wireless connection with a primary access station using a primary synchronization channel and at least one secondary synchronization channel, the primary and secondary synchronization channels transmitted during separate frames of a super frame comprising a plurality of frames;
detecting an alternate secondary synchronization channel generated by an alternate access station during a different frame of the super frame than the frames in which the primary and secondary synchronization channels are transmitted;
determining whether the alternate secondary synchronization channel has a signal strength greater than a threshold signal strength; and
receiving permission to begin a cooperative data transfer operation with both the primary access station and the alternate access station.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating multipoint ranging to determine a propagation delay from the alternate access station.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether additional bandwidth above a bandwidth associated with the primary wireless connection is required; and
requesting additional bandwidth.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a decrease in required bandwidth, the decreased bandwidth less than an amount of bandwidth available via the primary wireless connection; and
terminating cooperative operation with the alternate access station.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
establishing an alternate wireless connection with the alternate access station, the alternate wireless connection established concurrently with the primary wireless connection; and
initiating cooperative data transfer operations with both the primary access station and the alternate access station.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the superframe comprises four frames, wherein:
a first frame comprises a primary synchronization channel used by all access stations within a cluster of cells as defined by an operator;
a second frame and a fourth frame comprise secondary synchronization channels used by all macro base station type access stations; and
a third frame comprises a secondary synchronization channel used by a femto base station type access station.
7. A system for cooperative data transfer, comprising:
an interface configured to:
establish a primary wireless connection with a primary access station using a primary synchronization channel and at least one secondary synchronization channel, the primary and secondary synchronization channels transmitted during separate frames of a super frame comprising a plurality of frames; and
detect an alternate secondary synchronization channel generated by an alternate access station during a different frame of the super frame than the frames in which the primary and secondary synchronization channels are transmitted; and
a processor coupled to the interface and configured to determine whether the alternate secondary synchronization channel has a signal strength greater than a threshold signal strength;
wherein the interface is further configured to receive permission to begin a cooperative data transfer operation with both the primary access station and the alternate access station.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to initiate multipoint ranging to determine a propagation delay from the alternate access station.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
determine whether additional bandwidth above a bandwidth associated with the primary wireless connection is required; and
request additional bandwidth.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
determine a decrease in required bandwidth, the decreased bandwidth less than an amount of bandwidth available via the primary wireless connection; and
terminate cooperative operation with the alternate access station.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein:
the interface is further configured to establish an alternate wireless connection with the alternate access station, the alternate wireless connection established concurrently with the primary wireless connection; and
the processor is further configured to initiate cooperative data transfer operations with both the primary access station and the alternate access station.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein:
the superframe comprises four frames, wherein:
a first frame comprises a primary synchronization channel used by all access stations within a cluster of cells as defined by an operator;
a second frame and a fourth frame comprise secondary synchronization channels used by all macro base station type access stations; and
a third frame comprises a secondary synchronization channel used by a femto base station type access station.
13. Logic encoded in a non-transitory computer readable medium/device that when executed by a processor is configured to:
establish a primary wireless connection with a primary access station using a primary synchronization channel and at least one secondary synchronization channel, the primary and secondary synchronization channels transmitted during separate frames of a super frame comprising a plurality of frames;
detect an alternate secondary synchronization channel generated by an alternate access station during a different frame of the super frame than the frames in which the primary and secondary synchronization channels are transmitted;
determine whether the alternate secondary synchronization channel has a signal strength greater than a threshold signal strength; and
receive permission to begin a cooperative data transfer operation with both the primary access station and the alternate access station.
14. The logic of claim 13 , further configured to initiate multipoint ranging to determine a propagation delay from the alternate access station.
15. The logic of claim 13 , further configured to:
determine whether additional bandwidth above a bandwidth associated with the primary wireless connection is required; and
request additional bandwidth.
16. The logic of claim 13 , further configured to:
determine a decrease in required bandwidth, the decreased bandwidth less than an amount of bandwidth available via the primary wireless connection; and
terminate cooperative operation with the alternate access station.
17. The logic of claim 13 , further configured to:
establish an alternate wireless connection with the alternate access station, the alternate wireless connection established concurrently with the primary wireless connection; and
initiate cooperative data transfer operations with both the primary access station and the alternate access station.
18. The logic of claim 13 , wherein:
the superframe comprises four frames, wherein:
a first frame comprises a primary synchronization channel used by all access stations within a cluster of cells as defined by an operator;
a second frame and a fourth frame comprise secondary synchronization channels used by all macro base station type access stations; and
a third frame comprises a secondary synchronization channel used by a femto base station type access station.