System and method for cooperative data transfer
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 system for cooperative data transfer, comprising:
an antenna configured to transmit and receive radio signals in a super frame including a plurality of frames; and
a processor coupled to the antenna and 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 being transmitted during separate frames of the super frame;
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.
2. The system of claim 1 ,
wherein the processor is further configured to initiate multipoint ranging to determine a propagation delay from the alternate access station.
3. The system of claim 1 ,
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.
4. The system of claim 1 ,
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.
5. The system of claim 1 ,
wherein the processor 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
initiate cooperative data transfer operations with both the primary access station and the alternate access station.
6. The system 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 processor configured to perform a process including:
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 being 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.
8. The processor of claim 7 ,
wherein the process includes
initiating multipoint ranging to determine a propagation delay from the alternate access station.
9. The processor of claim 7 ,
wherein the process includes
determining whether additional bandwidth above a bandwidth associated with the primary wireless connection is required; and
requesting additional bandwidth.
10. The process of claim 7 ,
wherein the process includes
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.
11. The processor of claim 7 ,
wherein the process includes
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.
12. The processor of claim 7 ,
wherein the superframe includes four frames,
wherein a first frame includes 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.