High Frequency Fixed Wireless Access Network Using Multi Spatial Stream Wifi
A high frequency data network access system leverages commodity WiFi chipsets and specifically multi spatial stream (e.g., 802.11 ac) chipsets in combination with phased array antenna systems at the aggregation nodes. Examples can be very spectrally efficient with both polarization and frequency diversity.
1 . A method for transmitting information over a high frequency communications link, the method comprising
encoding the information as multi spatial stream WiFi signals;
upconverting the WiFi signals; and
transmitting the upconverted WiFi signals with different polarizations and/or to different spatial sectors and/or different frequencies.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the upconverted WiFi signals are transmitted at different polarizations.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the polarizations are orthogonal with respect to each other.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the upconverted WiFi signals are transmitted to different sectors that divide an area of coverage.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the upconverted WiFi signals are transmitted to different sectors that divide an area of coverage.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the upconverted WiFi signals are multiplexed to different frequencies.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising upconverting the WiFi signals including converting to intermediate frequency signals and then to high frequency signals.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein local oscillator signals are utilized to upconvert the WiFi signals, wherein the local oscillator signals are generated using a GPS signal.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the upconverted WiFi signals are transmitted via one or more phased array antennas.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a first phased array antenna transmits with a horizontal polarization and a second phased array antenna transmits with a vertical polarization.
11 . A wireless node, comprising:
at least one multi spatial stream WiFi chipset for encoding the information into and decoding information from multi spatial stream WiFi signals;
a block upconverter for upconverting the WiFi signals to high frequency signals;
a transmit antenna for transmitting the high frequency signals;
a receive antenna for receiving other high frequency signals from other nodes; and
a low-noise block downconverter for downconverting the received high frequency signals for decoding by the WiFi chipset.
12 . The wireless node of claim 11 , further comprising a transmit diplexer for converting the WiFi signals to intermediate frequency signals.
13 . The wireless node of claim 12 , where the block upconverter upconverts the intermediate frequency signals to the high frequency signals.
14 . The wireless node of claim 11 , wherein the high frequency signals are transmitted with different polarizations.
15 . The high frequency wireless node of claim 14 , wherein the different polarizations are orthogonal to each other.
16 . The high frequency wireless node of claim 11 , wherein the block converter and the low-noise block downconverter utilize local oscillator signals to perform the upconverting and the downconverting.
17 . The high frequency wireless node of claim 16 , wherein the local oscillator signals are generated using a GPS signal.
18 . The high frequency wireless node of claim 11 , further comprising a receive diplexer for converting the received high frequency signals to intermediate frequency signals.
19 . A high frequency wireless node, the node comprising:
at least one multi spatial stream WiFi chipset for encoding information into and decoding information from multi spatial stream WiFi signals;
a block upconverter for upconverting WiFi signals to high frequency signals; and
a phased array antenna system for transmitting the upconverted WiFi signals with different polarizations that are orthogonal to each other.
20 . A high frequency wireless node, comprising
two or more WiFi chipsets that generate WiFi signals;
an array of amplifiers driving phased array antennas, wherein the phased array antennas transmit high frequency signals that are derived from at least two of the WiFi chipsets.