Pointing algorithm for endpoint nodes
A terrestrial high frequency data communication system and method for implementing a pointing algorithm for endpoint nodes are described. The system includes an aggregation node and one or more endpoint nodes. In one example, a pointing direction for an endpoint node is determined based on a number of packet error rate (PER) measurements associated with a high frequency data communication link between the endpoint node and an aggregation node. Preferably, the endpoint node includes a steerable antenna module that includes one or more antennas. The steerable antenna module is configured to receive an azimuth value and an elevation value determined based on PER measurements associated with the high frequency data communication link, and to steer its one or more antennas based on the azimuth value and the elevation value to point to the aggregation node.
1. A method for determining a pointing direction for an endpoint node in a terrestrial extra high frequency data communication system, the method comprising:
determining a pointing direction based on packet error rate (PER) measurements associated with a high frequency data communication link between the endpoint node and an aggregation node;
steering one or more antennas of the endpoint node to point to the aggregation node according to the pointing direction:
selecting a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) level;
measuring a PER at the MCS level; and
adjusting the pointing direction when the PER is greater than or equal to a threshold value.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the pointing direction comprises determining azimuth and elevation values to be used for steering the one or more antennas.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting the MCS level based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value and noise.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the pointing direction comprises:
testing the PER at different azimuth values; and
selecting a particular azimuth value with a lowest PER.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein adjusting the pointing direction further comprises:
testing the PER at the particular azimuth value and different elevation values; and
selecting a particular elevation value with a lowest PER.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a tracking operation when the PER is less than the threshold value.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein performing the tracking operation comprises:
determining a tracked azimuth value and a tracked elevation value based on packets received over a period of time.
8. An endpoint node that communicates with an aggregation node via high frequency data communication links, the endpoint node comprising:
an endpoint controller configured to determine a pointing direction based on measurement of packet error rate (PER) at different azimuth and elevation values; and
a steerable antenna module configured to steer one or more antennas based on the pointing direction;
wherein the endpoint controller is further configured to select a particular azimuth value of the different azimuth values with a lowest PER.
9. The endpoint node of claim 8 , wherein the steerable antenna module comprises a motor unit that mechanically steers the one or more antennas.
10. The endpoint node of claim 8 , wherein the different azimuth values comprise an initial azimuth value +/−1 beamwidth.
11. The endpoint node of claim 8 , wherein the different elevation values comprise an initial azimuth value +/−1 beamwidth.
12. An endpoint node that communicates with an aggregation node via high frequency data communication links, the endpoint node comprising:
an endpoint controller configured to determine a pointing direction based on measurement of packet error rate (PER) at different azimuth and elevation values; and
a steerable antenna module configured to steer one or more antennas based on the pointing direction;
wherein the endpoint controller is further configured to select a particular elevation value of the different elevation values with a lowest PER.
13. The endpoint node of claim 8 , wherein the steerable antenna module comprises a communication module that includes one or more integrated patch array antennas with transceivers as the one or more antennas.