Directed MIMO communications
A system is disclosed that includes a plurality of m antenna arrays configured to receive a propagating radio frequency signal. Each antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements and a beamformer configured to produce n different bi-directional beams using the plurality of antenna elements. The system includes a plurality of n multiple-input multiple-output transceivers (MIMO). Each MIMO transceiver includes a MIMO receiver configured to accept m received signals, wherein the i-th input signal to the j-th MIMO receiver corresponds to the j-th beam of the i-th antenna array. Each MIMO transceiver also includes a MIMO transmitter configured to provide m transmit signals, wherein the v-th output signal from the z-th MIMO transmitter corresponding to the z-th beam of the v-th antenna array is selected for transmission. m, n, v, and z are integer number values, and i=1, . . . , m, j=1, . . . , n, and v=1, . . . m.
1. A system comprising:
m antenna arrays configured to receive a propagating radio frequency signal and configured to transmit a propagating radio frequency signal, each of the antenna arrays comprising:
a plurality of antenna elements; and
a beamformer configured to produce n different bi-directional beams using the plurality of antenna elements; and
n multiple-input multiple-output transceivers (MIMO), each MIMO transceiver comprising:
a MIMO receiver configured to process m different received signals, wherein an i-th received signal to a j-th MIMO receiver corresponds to a j-th beam of an i-th antenna array; and
a MIMO transmitter configured to process m different transmit signals, wherein a v-th transmit signal from a z-th MIMO transmitter corresponds to a z-th beam of a v-th antenna array,
wherein m, n, v, and z are integer number values,
wherein i=1, . . . , m, j=1, . . . , n, and v=1, . . . m,
wherein n≧2 and m≧2,
wherein z=1, . . . , w, and
wherein n≧w≧2.
2. The system of claim 1 , configured to substantially comply with one or more of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), 2nd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3GPP LTE-Advanced, 3GPP LTE-TDD, 3GPP LTE-FDD, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), and HSPA+.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein m=3 and n=6.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the m antenna arrays are separated by a distance more than one wavelength apart at the carrier frequency.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the antenna elements are less than or equal to one half wavelength apart at the carrier frequency.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the beamformer is an electronic beamformer.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the antenna array further comprises a lens.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the lens is a Honda or Rotman lens.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system simultaneously provides MIMO and beamforming.
10. An apparatus comprising:
m antenna arrays configured to receive a propagating radio frequency signal and configured to transmit a propagating radio frequency signal, each of the antenna arrays comprising:
a plurality of antenna elements; and
a beamformer configured to produce n different bi-directional beams using the plurality of antenna elements; and
n multiple-input multiple-output transceivers (MIMO), each MIMO transceiver comprising:
a MIMO receiver configured to process m different received signals, wherein an i-th received signal to a j-th MIMO receiver corresponds to a j-th beam of an i-th antenna array; and
a MIMO transmitter configured to process m different transmit signals,
wherein a v-th transmit signal from a z-th MIMO transmitter corresponds to a z-th beam of a v-th antenna array,
wherein m, n, v, and z are integer number values, and
wherein i=1, . . . , m, j=1, . . . , n, and v=1, . . . m,
wherein n≧2 and m≧2
wherein z=1, . . . , w, and
wherein n≧w≧2.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , configured to substantially comply with one or more of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), 2nd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3GPP LTE-Advanced, 3GPP LTE-TDD, 3GPP LTE-FDD, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), and HSPA+.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein m=3 and n=6.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the m antenna arrays are separated by a distance more than one wavelength apart at the carrier frequency.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the antenna elements are less than one half wavelength apart at the carrier frequency.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the beamformer is an electronic beamformer.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the antenna array further comprises a lens.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lens is a Honda or Rotman lens.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus simultaneously provides MIMO and beamforming.
19. An apparatus comprising:
m antenna arrays configured to receive a propagating radio frequency signal, each of the antenna arrays comprising:
a plurality of antenna elements; and
a beamformer configured to produce n different receive beams using the plurality of antenna elements; and
n multiple-input multiple-output receivers (MIMO), each MIMO receiver configured to process m different received signals, wherein an i-th received signal to a j-th MIMO receiver corresponds to a j-th beam of an i-th antenna array,
wherein m and n are integer number values, and
wherein i=1, . . . , m, and j=1, . . . , n, and
wherein n≧2 and m≧2.
20. An apparatus comprising:
m antenna arrays configured to transmit a propagating radio frequency signal, each of the antenna arrays comprising:
a plurality of antenna elements; and
a beamformer configured to produce n different transmit beams using the plurality of antenna elements; and
n multiple-input multiple-output transmitters (MIMO), each MIMO transmitter configured to process m different transmit signals, wherein a v-th transmit signal from a z-th MIMO transmitter corresponding to a z-th beam of a v-th antenna array is selected for transmission,
wherein m, n, v, and z are integer number values, and
wherein z=1, . . . , n, and v=1, . . . m, and
wherein n≧2 and m≧2.