Inter-dwelling signal management using reconfigurable antennas
A communication system utilizing reconfigurable antenna systems is described where beam steering and null forming techniques are incorporated to limit the region or volume available for communication with client devices. The communication system described restricts communication to defined or desired area and degrades signal strength coverage outside of a prescribed region. An algorithm is used to control the antenna system to monitor and control antenna system performance across the service area. This antenna system technique is applicable for use in communication systems such as a Local Area Network (LAN), cellular communication network, and Machine to Machine (M2M).
1. A communication system, comprising:
a reconfigurable antenna system, the reconfigurable antenna system being capable of configuration in one of a plurality of possible modes, wherein the reconfigurable antenna system is associated with a distinct radiation pattern when configured in each of the plurality of possible modes, the reconfigurable antenna system configured to communicate signals with one or more client devices in communication with the communication system;
one or more processors configured to perform operations, the operations comprising:
obtaining data indicative of a communication zone for the communication system, the communication zone comprising a spatial volume having a boundary;
determining a selected mode of the plurality of possible modes based at least in part on the communication zone such that the communication system provides a threshold performance at a boundary of the communication zone with lower performance at a location outside of the communication zone.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication zone is associated with a dwelling.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the boundary of the communication zone is located proximate an exterior wall of the dwelling.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the dwelling is a house.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the dwelling is an apartment.
6. The system of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of possible modes is associated with a distinct radiation pattern having a distinct shape or polarization.
7. The system of claim 3 , wherein the operation of determining a selected mode of the plurality of possible modes is based at least in part on a signal strength metric.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the signal strength metric comprises one or more of receive signal strength indicator or signal to interference and noise ratio.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the operation of determining a selected mode of the plurality of possible modes based at least in part on a signal strength metric comprises
establishing a communication link between the reconfigurable antenna system and each of the one or more client devices;
configuring the reconfigurable antenna system in each of the plurality of possible radiation modes;
for each of the plurality of possible radiation modes, obtaining a signal strength metric associated with the communication link;
determining the selected mode to provide a signal strength metric within a predetermined range for the communication link and to reduce signal strength outside of the communication zone.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to perform the operation of establishing the communication zone by implementing a training session.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the training session comprises:
establishing a communication link between the communication system and a first client device;
locating the first client device at three or more positions within a space;
establishing a communication zone based on information communicated between the first client device and the communication system at each of the three or more positions.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the training session further comprises:
at each of the three or more positions:
configuring the reconfigurable antenna system in each of the plurality of possible radiation modes;
obtaining a signal strength metric of the communication link at each of the plurality of possible radiation modes;
storing data indicative of the obtained signal strength metric for each mode;
determining the selected mode to provide a signal strength metric within a predetermined rage and to reduce signal strength outside of the communication zone.
13. A method of configuring a reconfigurable antenna system of a communication system, the reconfigurable antenna system being capable of configuration in one of a plurality of possible modes, wherein the reconfigurable antenna system is associated with a distinct radiation pattern when configured in each of the plurality of possible modes, the reconfigurable antenna system configured to communicate signals with one or more client devices in communication with the communication system, the method comprising:
obtaining data indicative of a communication zone for the communication system, the communication zone comprising a spatial volume having a boundary;
determining a selected mode of the plurality of possible modes based at least in part on the communication zone such that the communication system provides a threshold performance at a boundary of the communication zone with lower performance at a location outside of the communication zone.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the communication zone is associated with a dwelling, wherein the boundary of the communication zone is located proximate an exterior wall of the dwelling.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein determining a selected mode of the plurality of possible modes is based at least in part on a signal strength metric.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the signal strength metric comprises one or more of receive signal strength indicator or signal to interference and noise ratio.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein determining a selected mode of the plurality of possible modes based at least in part on a signal strength metric comprises
establishing a communication link between the reconfigurable antenna system and each of the one or more client devices;
configuring the reconfigurable antenna system in each of the plurality of possible radiation modes;
for each of the plurality of possible radiation modes, obtaining a signal strength metric associated with the communication link;
determining the selected mode to provide a signal strength metric within a predetermined range for the communication link and to reduce signal strength outside of the communication zone.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the method comprises establishing the communication zone by implementing a training session.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the training session comprises:
establishing a communication link between the communication system and a first client device;
locating the first client device at three or more positions within a space;
establishing a communication zone based on information communicated between the first client device and the communication system at each of the three or more positions.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the training session further comprises:
at each of the three or more positions:
configuring the reconfigurable antenna system in each of the plurality of possible radiation modes;
obtaining a signal strength metric of the communication link at each of the plurality of possible radiation modes;
storing data indicative of the obtained signal strength metric for each mode;
determining the selected mode to provide a signal strength metric within a predetermined rage and to reduce signal strength outside of the communication zone.