Adaptive broadband platforms and methods of operation
View Patent ↗A subscriber platform for broadband communication, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes an antenna, a plurality of transceivers, and a processor. The antenna supports communication via a plurality of directional beams. The plurality of frequency agile transceivers operate simultaneously, each transceiver being coupled to the antenna for communication via a respective directional beam. The processor is coupled to the plurality of transceivers. And, the transceivers are coupled to the antenna to communicate data among the directional beams as directed by the processor, communication including directional diversity and frequency diversity.
1. A method performed by a subscriber platform for communication with other subscriber platforms, the method comprising:
a. determining a first tiling pattern, the tiling pattern associated with a respective set of sector allocation patterns stored in the subscriber platform, each sector allocation pattern associated with a respective set of channels wherein
(1) each respective channel has a respective direction; and
(2) each sector allocation pattern has a geometric relationship among directions of the channels of the associated set of channels;
b. selecting a first sector allocation pattern from the set of sector allocation patterns associated with a selected tiling pattern;
c. determining a first received signal strength by receiving via a first channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern;
d. determining a second received signal strength by receiving via either the first channel or via a second channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern;
e. determining a reference direction of an antenna beam for at least one channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern in accordance with the first received signal strength, the second received signal strength, and the geometric relationship of the selected sector allocation pattern; and
f. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the set of channels associated with the selected sector allocation pattern, wherein the selected sector allocation pattern is oriented in accordance with the reference direction.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first tiling pattern is determined in accordance with a set of tiling patterns stored in the subscriber platform.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein:
a. each respective channel has a respective direction; and
b. the method further comprises:
(1) determining a reference direction in accordance with a magnetic compass; and
(2) communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the selected allocation pattern oriented in accordance with the reference direction.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
a. receiving indicia of a second tiling pattern via a channel of the first set of channels, the second tiling pattern being associated with a second set of sector allocation patterns stored in the subscriber platform;
b. selecting a second sector allocation pattern from the second set of sector allocation patterns, the second sector allocation pattern identifying a second set of channels; and
c. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the second set of channels.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising discontinuing communication in accordance with the first set of channels.
6. The method of claim 4 further comprising communicating via the first set of channels a request for the indicia of the second tiling pattern.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
a. determining a first communication range via communication in a first sector of the selected sector allocation pattern;
b. determining a second communication range via communication in a second sector of the selected sector allocation pattern, the second communication range being greater than the first communication range; and
c. communicating with the other subscriber platforms using less than all sectors of the plurality.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
a. determining a first communication range via communication in a first sector of the selected sector allocation pattern;
b. determining a second communication range via communication in a second sector of the selected sector allocation pattern, the second communication range being greater than the first communication range; and
c. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the selected sector allocation pattern and the first communication range.
9. A method performed by a subscriber platform for communication with other subscriber platforms, the method comprising:
a. determining a first tiling pattern, the tiling pattern associated with a respective set of sector allocation patterns stored in the subscriber platform, each sector allocation pattern associated with a respective set of channels wherein
(1) each respective channel has a respective direction; and
(2) each sector allocation pattern has a geometric relationship among the directions of the channels of the associated set of channels;
b. selecting a first sector allocation pattern from the set of sector allocation patterns associated with a selected tiling pattern;
c. determining a signal strength by receiving via a first channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern;
d. providing a feedback signal in response to the signal strength;
e. determining a reference direction in accordance with the feedback signal; and
f. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the set of channels associated with the selected sector allocation pattern, wherein the selected sector allocation pattern is oriented in accordance with the reference direction.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the feedback signal provides guidance for a user to manually orient subscriber platform.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising indicating to a user, in accordance with the feedback signal, at least one of a received signal strength and a recommended change in orientation; so that a user's movement of the subscriber platform aids in orienting the selected sector allocation pattern.
12. A non-transitory processor-readable store comprising indicia of instructions that when interpreted or executed by a processor of a subscriber platform cause the platform to perform a method for communication with other subscriber platforms, the method comprising:
a. determining a first tiling pattern, the tiling pattern associated with a respective set of sector allocation patterns stored in the subscriber platform, each sector allocation pattern associated with a respective set of channels wherein
(1) each respective channel has a respective direction; and
(2) each sector allocation pattern has a geometric relationship among the directions of the channels of the associated set of channels;
b. selecting a first sector allocation pattern from the set of sector allocation patterns associated with the selected tiling pattern;
c. determining a first received signal strength by receiving via a first channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern;
d. determining a second received signal strength by receiving via either the first channel or via a second channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern;
e. determining a reference direction of an antenna beam for at least one channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern in accordance with the first received signal strength, the second received signal strength, and the geometric relationship of the selected sector allocation pattern; and
f. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the set of channels associated with the selected sector allocation pattern, wherein the selected sector allocation pattern is oriented in accordance with the reference direction.
13. A non-transitory processor-readable store comprising indicia of instructions that when interpreted or executed by a processor of a subscriber platform cause the platform to perform a method for communication with other subscriber platforms, the method comprising:
a. determining a first tiling pattern, the tiling pattern associated with a respective set of sector allocation patterns stored in the subscriber platform, each sector allocation pattern associated with a respective set of channels wherein
(1) each respective channel has a respective direction; and
(2) each sector allocation pattern has a geometric relationship among directions of the channels of the associated set of channels;
b. selecting a first sector allocation pattern from the set of sector allocation patterns associated with the selected tiling pattern;
c. determining a signal strength by receiving via a first channel of the set associated with the selected sector allocation pattern;
d. providing a feedback signal in response to the signal strength;
e. determining a reference direction in accordance with the feedback signal; and
f. communicating with the other subscriber platforms in accordance with the set of channels associated with the selected sector allocation pattern, wherein the selected sector allocation pattern is oriented in accordance with the reference direction.