Heterogeneous network optimization utilizing modal antenna techniques
View Patent ↗A communication system is described where multiple communication networks are simultaneously accessible from a plurality of fixed and/or mobile communication devices. A Master and Slave hierarchy is implemented among the communication devices to improve communication properties on one or multiple networks. A network system controller is implemented to select the network with optimal communication characteristics for subsets of communication devices as well as assigning Master status to a communication device within these subsets.
1. A method for controlling communications in a communication system, the method comprising:
obtaining, at a device in the communication system, a designation as a slave device in the communication system;
obtaining, from a master device in the communication system, a control signal, the control signal specifying a selected radiation pattern of a plurality of distinct radiation patterns for operation of a modal antenna associated with the device;
controlling the modal antenna to operate in the selected radiation pattern to communicate with the master device over a communication network;
wherein the selected radiation pattern has a null steered in a direction of an interferer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication network is a wireless local area network.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication network is a first communication network, wherein the master device is configured to communicate with the first communication network and a second communication network, the second communication network having a distinct protocol relative to the communication network.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the device is incapable of communicating with the second communication network.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second communication network is a cellular communication network.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the device is capable of communicating with the second communication network.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is one of a plurality of slave devices associated with the master device.
8. A method for controlling communications in a communication system, the method comprising:
obtaining, at a device in the communication system, a designation as a slave device in the communication system;
obtaining, from a master device in the communication system, a control signal, the control signal specifying a selected radiation pattern of a plurality of distinct radiation patterns for operation of a modal antenna associated with the device;
controlling the modal antenna to operate in the selected radiation pattern to communicate with the master device over a communication network;
wherein the selected radiation pattern has a gain maxima steered in a direction of the master device.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the communication network is a wireless local area network.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the communication network is a first communication network, wherein the master device is configured to communicate with the first communication network and a second communication network, the second communication network having a distinct protocol relative to the communication network.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the device is incapable of communicating with the second communication network.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second communication network is a cellular communication network.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the device is capable of communicating with the second communication network.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the device is one of a plurality of slave devices associated with the master device.
15. A method for controlling communications in a communication system, the method comprising:
obtaining, at a device in the communication system, a designation as a first slave device in the communication system;
obtaining, from a master device in the communication system, a control signal, the control signal specifying a selected radiation pattern of a plurality of distinct radiation patterns for operation of a modal antenna associated with the device;
controlling the modal antenna to operate in the selected radiation pattern to communicate with a second slave device over a communication network;
wherein the selected radiation pattern has a gain maxima steered in a direction of the second slave device.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the communication network is a wireless local area network.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the communication network is a first communication network, wherein the master device is configured to communicate with the first communication network and a second communication network, the second communication network having a distinct protocol relative to the communication network.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the device is incapable of communicating with the second communication network.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second communication network is a cellular communication network.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the device is capable of communicating with the second communication network.