System and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network

Embodiments relate to a system and a method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network. A Remote Digital Antenna Digital Receiver (“RDADR”) is coupled to multiple Remote Digital Antenna (“RDAs”). The RDADR and the multiple RDAs are coupled via a digital bus. The multiple RDAs attempt to receive one or more digital signals from a transmitter. If the one or more digital signals are received without an error by one of the multiple RDAs, the RDA that received the one or more error-free digital signals sends the digital signals to the RDADR using the digital bus. The redundant real-time wireless receiver network provides a reliable and fault tolerant system to deliver digital audio signals in real-time.

BACKGROUND

During a recording or live performance, musicians and singers often desire the freedom of being able to have their musical instrument or voice audio signals being connected to recording or amplification devices without the encumbrance of an electrical cable.

Analog wireless systems that transmit audio signals over radio frequencies have existed for many decades and have been a viable solution but they include many limitations. Analog transmission systems for audio signals typically have limited bandwidth and dynamic range. The analog transmission system also is susceptible to unwanted radio interference being heard through the audio system. With an analog system, as the radio frequency degrades, or interference occurs, the audio quality degrades.

Radio signals, whether for analog or digital audio systems, fade over distance and are susceptible to fades from reflections that can cause the radio signal to be of an insufficient level at a receiver's antenna. Professional wireless systems often utilize a space diversity design, in which two antennas are used, either with a switch to a single receiver or to two independent receivers, in order to improve the likelihood that at least one of the antennas or receivers will pick up the radio signal adequately. Further spatial diversity can be achieved by separating the two antennas further, which can be achieved with remote antennas connected via a coaxial cable of sufficient quality so as to not degrade the RF signal being picked up by the remote antennas.

In typical digital wireless systems, once the radio signal has degraded to a level in which the digital data is unreadable, the audio signal must be muted. If using an existing digital protocol such as Wi-Fi, the receiver can request the retransmission of the digital audio data. Unfortunately, latency (e.g., delay time) is introduced to allow time for the retransmission. In many cases, the latency associated with the wireless transmission of digital audio can be easily tolerated. For example, digitally transmitting audio that is being played from a recording can contain latency in the tens of milliseconds without being obvious to the listener.

On the other hand, performers of live music can tolerate only very low latency (e.g., 5 milliseconds or less) before the latency can negatively affect the performance and interaction of musicians. As a result, present techniques for the retransmission of digital audio are not a viable solution because of the amount of time required for retransmission. Unfortunately, as commonly occurs when the RF signal of the digital audio is not properly received in real time, whether it is out of range or due to interference, some portion of the digital audio signal is lost.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the various embodiments of a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network will be described in detail. However, such details are included to facilitate understanding of a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network and to describe exemplary embodiments for implementing a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network. Such details should not be used to limit a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network to the particular embodiments described because other variations and embodiments are possible while staying within the scope of a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network. Furthermore, although numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network. In other instances, details such as, well-known methods, types of data, protocols, procedures, components, processes, interfaces, electrical structures, circuits, etc. are not described in detail, or are shown in block diagram form, in order not to obscure a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network. Furthermore, aspects of a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network will be described in particular embodiments but may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware, or a combination thereof.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe features of the invention. For example, a “component,” or “computing device,” or37client device, or “computer” includes hardware and/or software module(s) that are configured to perform one or more functions.

Further, a “processor” is logic that processes information. Examples of a processor include a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro-controller, a finite state machine, a field programming gate array (FPGA), combinatorial logic, etc.

A “module” or “software module” is executable code such as an operating system, an application, an applet, or a routine. Modules may be stored in any type of memory, namely suitable storage medium such as a programmable electronic circuit, a semiconductor memory device, a volatile memory (e.g., random access memory, etc.), a non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory, flash memory, etc.), a floppy diskette, an optical disk (e.g., compact disk or digital versatile disc “DVD”), a hard drive disk, tape, or any kind of interconnect (defined below).

A “connector,” “interconnect,” or “link” is generally defined as an information-carrying medium that establishes a communication pathway. Examples of the medium include a physical medium (e.g., electrical cable, electrical fiber, optical fiber, bus traces, etc.) or a wireless medium (e.g., air in combination with wireless signaling technology).

“Information” or “data stream” is defined as data, address, control, or any combination thereof. For transmission, information may be transmitted as a message, namely a collection of bits in a predetermined format. One particular type of message is a frame including a header and a payload, each having a predetermined number of bits of information.

Embodiments relate to a system and a method for a real-time wireless receiver network. In one embodiment, a plurality of RDAs is coupled to a Remote Digital Antenna Digital Receiver (“RDADR”) via a digital bus. In this embodiment, the RDADR includes a processor and the multitude of RDAs includes a first Remote Digital Antenna (“RDA”) that includes a processor and a second RDA that includes a processor. In this embodiment, the first RDA, the second RDA, and all the other RDAs from the multitude of RDAs attempt to receive one or more digital signals from a transmitter. If the one or more digital signals are received without an error (hereinafter “the one or more error-free digital signals”) by the first RDA, the second RDA, or any other RDA from the multitude of RDAs, then the RDA that received the one or more error-free digital signals sends the one or more error-free digital signals to the RDADR using the digital bus. Additional features and/or advantages are provided in the description of embodiments provided herein.

With reference now toFIG. 1,FIG. 1is an illustration of one exemplary system100for the wireless transmission of digital audio signals that is presently utilized.

System100may include an audio source, a digital receiver with internal or attached antennas, and an audio output device. Each of the structures, features, and/or characteristics of system100are described in more detail below.

In system100, an audio source, such as musical instrument103and/or microphone101, that can generate an analog audio signal and/or a digital audio signal may be coupled to a transmitter (not shown). It should be appreciated that the audio source is not limited to musical instrument103and/or microphone101. The audio source can be a musical instrument, a microphone, and/or any device that is used to generate analog audio signals and/or digital audio signals as is known in the art. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that musical instrument103may be a guitar, a piano, a keyboard, a bass, and/or any musical instrument known in the art.

Typically, musical instrument103and/or microphone101is coupled to the transmitter via a wired connector (analog or digital), such as an electric cable or other cable that is known in the art. Additionally, musical instrument103and/or microphone101may have the transmitter directly attached or built into musical instrument103and/or microphone101. Musical instrument103and/or microphone101can be used to generate one or more analog digital audio signals and/or digital audio signals that are processed by the transmitter (not shown) into one or more digital audio signals115. The transmitter (not shown) can transmit the one or more digital audio signals115to digital receiver109, which has antennas111and113. Antennas111and113can be attached to digital receiver109, or alternatively, antennas111-113can be built into digital receiver109so as to give the facade of digital receiver109being one device without any antennas.

The one or more digital audio signals115received by digital receiver109can be processed, by digital receiver109, back into the one or more analog audio signals that were generated by musical instrument103and/or microphone101. In addition, digital receiver109can send the one or more digital audio signals115and/or the one or more analog digital audio signals that were generated by the audio source to an audio output device.

The audio output device can be a play-back device (e.g., an amplifier or a public address system with speakers117) and/or a computer107for storage105. It should be appreciated that the audio output device is not limited to a play-back device, a public address system, and/or a computer. The audio device can be a play-back device, a computer, an analog mixer, a digital mixer, recording equipment, and/or any audio output device known in the art.

With additional reference toFIG. 2,FIG. 2is a block diagram of one exemplary system299for the wireless transmission of digital audio signals that is presently utilized. System299ofFIG. 2is a block diagram illustration of system100ofFIG. 1that is described above.

System299ofFIG. 2includes audio source202, digital transmitter222, digital receiver220, audio output device230, and one or more digital audio signals233. Each of the features, structures, and/or characteristics of system299are described in more detail below.

As shown inFIG. 2, audio source202can be a musical instrument, a microphone, and/or any other device that can generate analog and/or digital audio signals as is known in the art. Audio source202can generate one or more analog audio signals and/or one or more digital audio signals that can be sent to digital transmitter222, which is coupled to audio source202.

Digital transmitter222may include an input device204, an analog to digital converter (“ADC”)206, a processor208, a radio frequency (“RF”) transmitter210, and an antenna212. Digital transmitter222may be coupled to audio source202. More specifically, digital transmitter222may be coupled to audio source202via input device204. Input device204can be an analog and/or a digital input device204.

Digital transmitter222may optionally include an analog to digital converter (“ADC”)206that is coupled to the input device204and to a processor208. The one or more audio signals generated by audio source202that are received by digital transmitter222can be processed into one or more digital audio signals233. It should be appreciated that ADC206may or may not be utilized dependent upon the type of audio source202. In a first example, audio source202may be a digital musical instrument and/or digital microphone that generates one or more digital audio signals. In this first example, the digital musical instrument and/or digital microphone may be directly coupled by digital input device204to processor208. In a second example, audio source202may be an analog musical instrument and/or analog microphone that generates one or more analog digital audio signals. In this second example, the analog musical instrument and/or analog microphone may be connected via analog input device204to ADC206such that the one or more analog audio signals are converted by ADC206into one or more digital audio signals for processing by processor208.

Digital transmitter222may include a button selectable by a user to indicate whether or not an analog or digital musical instrument or microphone is being utilized to turn on or off ADC206. Alternatively, digital transmitter222may simply determine, via input device204, whether a digital or analog signal is being utilized and select or deselect ADC206.

In either event, processor208may be utilized to process one or more digital audio signals233that may be sent to Radio Frequency (“RF”) transmitter210, which is coupled to processor208and antenna212. RF transmitter210may utilize antenna212to transmit the one or more digital audio signals233to digital receiver220. Digital receiver220includes RF receiver #1216, RF receiver #2218, processor224, digital to analog converter (“DAC”)226, and output device228, each of which are described below.

RF receiver #1216and RF receiver #2218may use antenna214and antenna231, respectively, to receive the one or more digital signals233from digital transmitter210. It should be appreciated that two RF receivers and two antennas are used by system299to increase the likelihood that the one or more digital audio signals233are received without any errors (“one or more error-free digital audio signals”). It should also be appreciated that more than two RF receivers and/or more than two antennas may be used by system299, to increase the likelihood that the one or more digital audio signals are received without any errors.

If the one or more error-free digital signals233are received by RF receiver #1216and/or RF receiver #2218, the one or more error-free digital signals233can be sent to processor224, which is coupled to RF receiver #1216and/or RF receiver #2218. Processor224can decode the one or more error-free digital signals233.

Digital receiver220may optionally include a DAC226coupled to processor224to convert the one or more error-free digital signals233that were processed by processor224into one or more analog audio signals.

It should be noted that DAC226may or may not be utilized dependent upon the type of audio source202and/or audio output device230. In a first example, audio source202may be a digital musical instrument and/or digital microphone that generates a digital audio signal without any conversion from an analog audio. In a second example, audio source202may be an analog musical instrument and/or analog microphone, which would necessitate converting the transmitted digital audio signal back into an analog audio signal by DAC226. In this second example, audio output device230, which is coupled to digital receiver220, may only be able to process analog audio signals. In this second example, the one or more error-free digital signals233that are processed by processor224will be sent to DAC226for conversion into one or more analog audio signals.

Digital receiver220may include a button selectable by a user to indicate whether or not an audio source and/or an audio output device is analog or digital, so that digital receiver220can turn on or off DAC226. Alternatively, digital receiver220may simply determine whether a digital or analog signal is needed and select or deselect DAC226.

In either event, the error-free digital audio signals233can be sent from processor224and/or DAC226to output device228of digital receiver220, which may send the error-free digital audio signals233to audio output device230. Audio output device230is coupled to digital receiver220. Audio output device230can be one or more amplifiers, recording devices, recording equipment, mixers, computers, stereos, and/or other audio output devices that are well known in the art.

Radio signals, whether for analog or digital audio systems, fade over distance and are susceptible to fades from reflections that can cause the radio signal to be of insufficient level at a receiver's antenna. Current professional wireless systems previously described, such as system100ofFIG. 1and system299ofFIG. 2, often utilize a space diversity design, in which two or more antennas are used, either with a switch to a single receiver or to two or more independent receivers, in order to improve the likelihood that at least one of the antennas and/or receivers will pick up the radio signal adequately. Further, spatial diversity can be improved by separating the two antennas further. This may be accomplished with remote antennas connected via one or more coaxial cables of sufficient quality so as not to degrade the RF signal being picked up by the remote antennas. Unfortunately, there is often a low likelihood that one or more of the transmitted radio signals will be picked up adequately by current designs, which results in situations where the RF signal of the digital audio is not properly received in real time, either because the RF signal is out of range or because of interference, and thus at least some portion of the digital audio signal is lost and/or distorted by errors.

FIG. 3is an illustration of an exemplary venue300where one embodiment of a system for a real-time wireless receiver network is used for the wireless transmission of digital audio signals.

As shown in venue300ofFIG. 3, the system for a real-time wireless receiver network may comprise: Remote Digital Antenna (“RDA”)307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, RDA317, RDA Digital Receiver (“RDADR”)305, one or more audio sources that are used by performer301to generate one or more audio signals, one or more transmitters (not shown) to transmit the generated audio signal(s), a mixer325, and at least one audio output device303.

Performer301may use one or more audio sources, such as, but not limited to a microphone and/or a musical instrument, to communicate with audience319in venue300. In one embodiment, the audio source(s) used by performer301generates one or more audio signals. In one embodiment, the one or more audio signals are converted into one or more digital audio signals by a transmitter, which transmits the one or more digital audio signals to Remote Digital Antenna (“RDA”)307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317.

RDAs, such as RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317, comprise at least one antenna and at least one radio frequency (“RF”) receiver that enables each of those RDAs to receive one or more digital audio signals from a transmitter. For example, RDA307includes any number of RF receivers, that could be denoted by a variable such as “M” and each RF receiver of “M” RF receivers has any number of antennas, that could be denoted by a variable such as “N.” Additional details about an RDA comprising at least one antenna and at least one RF receiver may be found inFIGS. 4-10, each of which is described below.

RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317may be coupled to each other and to RDADR305in a series configuration, a point-to-point configuration, a bus configuration, a star configuration, a ring configuration, a mesh configuration, a tree configuration, a daisy chain configuration and/or a hybrid configuration via digital bus321.

Digital bus321may be synchronous or asynchronous. In one embodiment, digital bus321may be a bi-directional or uni-directional digital bus that comprises any wired digital methodology known in the art. For a first example, the digital bus can a bidirectional bus that is made from a wired digital methodology such as a twisted-pair transmission line. For a second example, the digital bus321may be standardized to conform with Category 6 cables (“CAT 6 cables”) and/or Category 6a cables (“CAT 6a cables”), both of which have been standardized by the Telecommunications Industry Association (“TIA”).

In one embodiment, RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317may be connected, via digital bus321, to RDA Digital Receiver (“RDADR”)305. RDADR305may be a base unit that processes and/or decodes one or more digital signals received from the RDAs. In one embodiment, RDADR305may provide power and/or user commands to each of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317. In one embodiment, RDADR305, may contain at least one antenna and/or at least one RF receiver, and can use the at least one antenna and/or at least one RF receiver to attempt to receive one or more error-free digital audio signals from a transmitter if the RDAs, such as RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317, are unable to receive error-free versions of the digital audio signals.

In one embodiment, each RDA, such as each of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317, may be connected via its output and its input to digital bus321. This enables each of the RDAs to be connected in a redundant network. It should be appreciated that although only six RDAs are shown inFIG. 3, the number of RDAs can be greater than or less than six RDAs. In other words, any number of RDAs may be utilized.

In one embodiment, each of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317attempts to receive one or more radio frequency (“RF”) digital audio signal(s) from one or more specified radio frequencies, e.g., one or more specified channels. As used herein, a “specified channel” and its variations refer to one or more wireless channels that have been specifically reserved for the transmission of one or more signals by a transmitter and/or for the receiving of one or more signals by an RDA so that the RDA can receive digital audio signals, via its one or more receivers, using the specifically reserved channel(s). In one embodiment, the one or more specified channels are used by the transmitter(s) to transmit the one or more digital audio signals.

In one embodiment, if one or more of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317receives the one or more digital audio signals without any errors or distortions, e.g., the one or more error-free digital audio signals, then the one or more RDAs of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317that received the error-free digital audio signal(s) outputs the error-free digital audio signal(s) onto the digital bus321so that the other RDAs obtain the signal(s) and so that at least one of the RDAs provides the signal(s) to RDADR305.

In one embodiment, if one or more of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317is not able to receive the error-free digital audio signal(s), then the one or more RDAs of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317that did not receive the error-free digital audio signal(s) will instead pass the error-free digital audio signal(s) received on its digital bus input through to its digital bus output onto digital bus321.

In one embodiment, if one or more of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317receives the one or more digital audio signals with errors, interference, and/or distortions, e.g., one or more error-filled digital audio signals, then the one or more RDAs of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317that received the one or more error-filled digital audio signals will instead pass the error-free digital audio signal(s) received on its digital bus input through to its digital bus output onto digital bus321. In this way, a number of RDA units, such as, but not limited to RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, and/or RDA317, can be coupled to each other using one or more configurations as described above inFIG. 3, so that the RDADR305will always receive the error-free digital audio signal(s) as long as at least one of the RDA units is able to receive the digital audio signal(s) correctly.

One benefit of the previously described real-time wireless receiver network that is used in venue300ofFIG. 3, is that one or more RDA units could be dispersed over a large area, effectively increasing the range of a wireless audio source to as large an area as desired based solely on the number of redundant RDA units deployed. As in the previously described example, six RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and317are deployed over venue300, which could be a large stadium or performance hall. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of RDAs may be deployed in a venue, such as venue300.

In one embodiment, each RDA deployed in venue300may attempt to pass good digital audio data on in both directions of the digital bus, e.g., the good digital audio data can be passed using the inputs and/or the outputs of the RDAs onto the digital bus. This means that the digital bus may operate as a bidirectional bus so that all RDAs and/or RDADRs that are connected via the digital bus to any other RDA that received the good audio data can receive the error-free digital audio signal(s).

The previously described system used in venue300ofFIG. 3ensures that the only time in which there is not good audio data and/or error-free digital audio signal(s) on the digital bus is when none of the connected RDAs assigned to a specific wireless channel are able to receive good audio data and/or error-free digital audio signal(s) (e.g., when the transmitter is off). In this example, one or more of RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and/or317flags the digital audio signal(s) that could not be received as bad digital audio signal(s) and notifies a base unit or a receiving unit, such as the RDAs307,309,311,313,315,317and/or RDADR305, of the bad digital audio signal(s), so that the base unit or the receiving unit mutes any specified channels associated with the bad digital audio data. As used herein, “muting a specified channel” and its variations refers to enabling an RDA or an RDADR to output silent audio signals in place of digital audio that have been flagged as bad digital audio signal(s) because none of one or more RDAs and/or RDADRs assigned to a specific wireless channel were able to receive good audio data and/or error-free digital audio signal(s) on that specified channel.

In one embodiment, each RDA, such as each of RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and/or317, that is connected via a digital bus, such as the digital bus321, is configured to receive digital signal(s) using a specified channel (not shown) and to pass the error-free digital signal(s) that were received via the specified channel onto the digital bus.

In one embodiment, each RDA, such as each of RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and/or317, is configured to pass the data its receivers received onto a digital bus, such as digital bus321. In this embodiment each RDA is also configured to pass on data (i.e., the error-free digital signal(s)) that was received via the other specified channels that were assigned to the other RDAs and passed onto digital bus321by these other RDAs. In other words, each RDA, such as each of RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and/or317, passes on all data on the digital bus, such as digital bus321, from any additional wireless channels that the RDA was not to be assigned to, so that all digital data that was received via all the specified channels are available on every node, to every RDA, and/or to every RDADR in a system that is used in a venue, such the system that is used in venue300. For example, if RDA307receives error-free digital signal(s) via a wireless channel1(not shown), RDA309receives error-free digital signal(s) via a wireless channel2(not shown), RDA311receives error-free digital signal(s) via a wireless channel3(not shown), RDA313receives error-free digital signal(s) via a wireless channel4(not shown), RDA315receives error-free digital signal(s) via a wireless channel5(not shown), and RDA317receives error-free digital signal(s) via wireless channel6(not shown), then each of RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and/or317will pass the error-free digital signal(s) that it received via its specified channel onto digital bus321. In this example, each of RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and/or317will also pass on the error-free digital signal(s) on digital bus321that were received by the other RDAs via the other specified channels that the RDA was not assigned. In this way, each of the six RDAs ofFIG. 3receive error-free digital signals via a different channel, and all six RDAs ofFIG. 3allow all error-free data received using the six different channels to pass through their inputs and/or outputs (via digital bus321) so that all data received using all 6 channels is available to each of RDA307, RDA309, RDA311, RDA313, RDA315, RDA317and/or RDADR305, even though the one or more receivers of each of RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and/or317can only receive data via one specified channel.

In one embodiment, RDADR305is coupled, via an optional analog/digital bus323, to a mixer325and/or one or more audio output devices303. RDADR305processes and/or decodes the one or more error-free digital signals and sends the processed and/or decoded signals to the mixer325and/or the one or more audio output devices303. For example, each of the audio output devices303may be a play-back device that receives audio signals that are processed by the mixer325. The audio output devices303may also be a play-back device, a computer, a piece of recording equipment, a mixer, and/or any other type of audio output device known in the art. The at least one mixer325may be a digital mixer, an analog mixer, and/or any other type of mixer known in the art. It will be appreciated that more than one mixer325may be used in the system that is used in venue300.

The analog/digital bus323that couples RDADR305to the mixer325and/or the audio output devices303may be a bidirectional bus, a uni-directional bus, and/or any other bus known in the art. Furthermore, analog/digital bus323can be an asynchronous bus or a synchronous bus. In one embodiment, analog/digital bus323can be a bus that is configured to send analog and/or digital data back and forth between two or more components, such as RDADR305, mixer325, and/or one or more audio output devices303. In one embodiment, analog/digital bus323is a digital bus that is configured to send digital data back and forth between RDADR305, mixer325, and/or one or more audio output devices303. In one embodiment, analog/digital bus323is an analog bus that is configured to send analog data back and forth between RDADR305, mixer325, and/or one or more audio output devices303. In one embodiment, the decision of whether analog/digital bus323is a digital bus or an analog bus is based on whether RDADR305, mixer325, and/or one or more audio output devices303is designed to process digital data or analog data.

In one embodiment, analog/digital bus323is not used to couple RDADR305to mixer325and/or one or more audio output devices303. In this embodiment, RDADR305is coupled to mixer325and/or audio output devices303via any other analog/digital coupling technology known in the art. In this embodiment, the decision of whether the analog/digital coupling technology transfers digital data or analog data is based on whether RDADR305, mixer325, and/or one or more audio output devices303is designed to process digital data or analog data.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system400for a real-time wireless receiver network. System400provides more details about an embodiment of a system for a real-time wireless receiver network that is used for the wireless transmission of digital audio signals, such as the system that is described above inFIG. 3.

Digital transmitter403may include input device427, ADC417, processor419, RF transmitter421, and antenna423. RDA #1405may be similar to RDAs307,309,311,313,315, and/or317that are described above with reference toFIG. 3. In one embodiment, RDA #1405may be coupled to RDA #2407and a predetermined number of other RDAs denoted by the number “N,” so that the last RDA is RDA #N409using a series configuration, a point-to-point configuration, a bus configuration, a star configuration, a ring configuration, a mesh configuration, a tree configuration, a daisy chain configuration and/or a hybrid configuration. RDA #N409may be coupled to RDADR411. RDADR411may be similar to RDADR305that is described above with reference toFIG. 3. In one embodiment, digital bus429is used to couple RDADR411, RDA #1405, RDA #2407, and the predetermined number of other RDAs denoted by the number “N,” so that the last RDA is RDA #N409. Digital bus429may be similar to or the same as digital bus321that is described above inFIG. 3. For example, digital bus429enables RDADR411, and each of the RDAs between RDA #1405, RDA #2407, and RDA #N409to transmit/receive digital signals bi-directionally to/from each other.

RDADR411may be coupled to audio output device413, which is similar to one or more of the audio output devices that are described above with reference toFIG. 3. RDADR411may also be coupled to storage device415. Further, storage device415may be coupled to the audio output device413. In one embodiment, storage device415may be used to store one or more error-free digital signals425that are provided to the audio output device413. In one embodiment, storage device415may be used to store one or more error-free digital signals425that have been processed and/or decoded by RDADR411. In one embodiment, an optional bus430is used to couple RDADR411to audio output device and/or storage device415. Optional bus430may be similar to or the same as bus323that is described above inFIG. 3.

In one embodiment, optional bus430is not used to couple RDADR411to audio output device413and/or storage device415. In this embodiment, RDADR411is coupled to audio output device413and/or storage device415via any other analog/digital coupling technology known in the art. In this embodiment, the decision of whether the analog/digital coupling technology transfers digital data or analog data is based on whether RDADR411, audio output device413, and/or storage device415are designed to process digital data or analog data.

Storage device415may be any sort of storage medium that is known in the art. For example, storage device415can be persistent storage, storage that temporarily stores the audio signal(s), floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic cards, optical cards, and/or any type of media suitable for storing analog and/or digital audio signals, processed audio signals, and/or decoded audio signals.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of a system500for a real-time wireless receiver network that includes one embodiment of Remote Digital Antenna (“RDA”)501and one embodiment of a RDA digital receiver (“RDADR”)503.

The portion of system500described below provides more details about embodiments of RDAs and RDADRs of systems, such as the RDAs and RDADRs of the systems previously described inFIGS. 3 to 4above. This portion of system500includes RDA501, one or more RDAs505, RDADR503, audio output device535, storage device537, digital bus539, digital bus541, analog bus543, and one or more digital audio signals507. Each feature, structure, and/or characteristic of this portion of system500is described in detail below.

As shown inFIG. 5, RDA501, one or more RDAs505, and RDADR503are coupled to each other via a digital bus539. Digital bus539may be a bidirectional bus, a uni-directional bus, or any bus that is known in the art. Furthermore, digital bus539can be an asynchronous bus or a synchronous bus.

In one embodiment, RDA501, one or more RDAs505, and RDADR503are coupled to each other via digital bus539in a series configuration, a point-to-point configuration, a bus configuration, a star configuration, a ring configuration, a mesh configuration, a tree configuration, a daisy chain configuration and/or a hybrid configuration. In one embodiment, a redundant topology utilizing digital bus539can be used to couple RDA501, one or more RDAs505, and RDADR503to each other in at least one of a series configuration, a point-to-point configuration, a bus configuration, a star configuration, a ring configuration, a mesh configuration, a tree configuration, a daisy chain configuration or a hybrid configuration. In this embodiment, the redundant topology provides cable redundancy to system500so that if a coupling (i.e., one or more cables of digital bus539) that is used to couple RDA501, one or more RDAs505, and RDADR503to each other fails, data can still be transferred via other couplings of the redundant topology. In other words, any one cable in the loop can fail and the system will still function. For example, if a coupling of digital bus539that couples RDADR503directly with RDAs505fails, then data that needs to be sent between RDADR503and RDAs505can still be sent via a coupling of digital bus539that couples RDADR503with RDA501, as well as, via a coupling of digital bus539that couples RDA501with RDAs505.

System500also includes digital bus541. Digital bus541can be a bus that is configured to send digital data back and forth between two or more components, such as RDADR503, storage device537, and/or audio output device535. In one embodiment, digital bus541is digital bus that is configured to send digital data back and forth between RDADR503, storage device537, and/or audio output device535.

System500can optionally include analog bus543. Analog bus543can be a bus that is configured to send analog data back and forth between RDADR503, storage device537, and/or audio output device535. In one embodiment, the decision of whether to include analog bus541in system500is based on whether audio output device535is designed to process digital data or analog data and/or whether storage device537is designed to store digital data or analog data.

Each of digital bus541and optional analog bus543can be a bidirectional bus, a uni-directional bus, or any other type of bus that is known in the art. Further, each of digital bus541and analog bus543can be a synchronous bus or an asynchronous bus. In one embodiment, digital bus541is used to couple audio output device535and/or storage device537with processor527of RDADR503. In one embodiment, analog bus543is used to couple audio output device535and/or storage device537with DAC533of RDADR503.

In one embodiment, RDA501ofFIG. 5comprises processor525, RF receiver #1521, RF receiver #2523, antenna509, antenna511, antenna513, antenna515, switch #1517, and switch #2519. In one embodiment, antenna509, antenna511, antenna513, and antenna515work together with switch #1517, and switch #2519to achieve spatial diversity so as to improve the likelihood that one or more digital audio signals507are received by RDA501without any errors or distortions. In one embodiment, antennae509,511,513, and515receive signals507via one or more specified channels. Given that the use of antennas with switches to receive one or more error-free digital audio signals is well known in the art, the operations of antenna509, antenna511, antenna513, antenna515, switch #1517, and switch #2519will not be discussed in detail.

In one embodiment, RDA501includes RF receiver #1521and RF receiver #2523that work with switch #1517, and switch #2519, respectively, to receive one or more error-free signals507. In one embodiment, unlike previous implementations, the error-free signals507being output and/or provided by RDA501are not raw analog RF signal(s). This means that, in one embodiment, RDA501includes RF receiver #1521and RF receiver #2523to enable it to receive the one or more error-free signals507in their digital format and to enable it to provide the digital versions of the error-free audio signal(s) onto digital bus539.

In one embodiment, RF receiver #1521and/or RF receiver #2523provide the received error-free signal(s)507to processor525of RDA501. In one embodiment, processor525processes and/or decodes the one or more error-free signals507. Processor525processes and/or decodes the one or more error-free signals507to determine if the signal(s) are error-free. In particular, processor525processes and/or decodes the one or more error-free signals507to determine the number and/or severity of errors in the signal(s).

In one embodiment, after processing and/or decoding the one or more error-free signals507, processor525outputs the one or more error-free signals507onto digital bus539, so that the one or more error-free signals507are available to one or more RDAs505and/or RDADR503. If RDA501is unable to receive the one or more error-free digital signals507using RF receiver #1521and/or RF receiver #2523, then RDA501, via processor525, attempts to obtain the error-free digital signal(s) from one or more other RDAs505using digital bus539.

In this embodiment, RDA501has an increased likelihood of receiving the error-free signal(s)507because RDA501can receive the one or more error-free signals507from RF receiver #1521, RF receiver #2523, and/or RDAs505.

In one embodiment, digital bus539is used by RDA501and/or RDAs505to provide the one or more error-free signals507to RDADR503. RDADR503includes a processor527, and a digital to analog converter (“DAC”)533, which are described below.

In one embodiment, processor527of RDADR503comprises a user command module529and a power supply module531. User command module529is included in RDADR503to enable a user to provide at least one user command to RDADR503that is sent to RDA501and/or RDAs505, via digital bus539. For example, at least one user command includes information about the digital audio signal(s)507that are to be transmitted, information about at least one specified channel that will be used to transmit the digital signal(s)507, information related to setting up one or more parameters of RDA501and/or RDAs505, information related to decoding, processing, and/or reporting of non-audio data received from the transmitter, information related to diagnostic data about the one or more signals507, and information related to a predicted form of the one or more error-free signals507. In one embodiment, diagnostic data includes radio strength, error rate, and/or any other characteristics of digital audio signals that are known in the art.

In one embodiment, power supply module531of processor527is used by RDADR503to provide power to RDA501and/or RDAs505via digital bus539. In one embodiment, one or more inputs of RDA501and/or RDAs505are coupled to RDADR503using a digital bus539that has been standardized to CAT 6 cable and/or the CAT 6a cable specifications, as described above. Using a digital bus539that conforms to the CAT 6 cable and/or the CAT 6a cable specifications simplifies setup and cable selection for embodiments of a system for a real-time wireless receiver network that is used for the wireless transmission of digital audio signals. Given that provision of power to devices using a CAT 6 cable and/or a CAT 6a cable is well known, it is not discussed in detail.

In one embodiment, processor527of RDADR503processes and/or decodes the one or more error-free signals507. In one embodiment, processor527processes and/or decodes the error-free digital signals507to combine non-audio data with the error-free digital audio signal(s) or to perform a user pre-defined function that is included in a user command. In one embodiment, the processed or unprocessed error-free signal(s)507are provided by processor527to a DAC533for further processing to convert the error-free signal(s)507from their digital forms into analog forms. In one embodiment, RDADR503provides the unprocessed or processed error-free digital audio signal(s) to audio output device535. Audio output devices have been previously described. In one embodiment, audio output device535may provide the unprocessed or processed error-free digital audio signal(s) to storage device537for storage.

FIG. 6is a block diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of a system600for a real-time wireless receiver network that includes one embodiment of Remote Digital Antenna (“RDA”) with varying forms of achieving spatial diversity and one embodiment of a digital receiver.

System600ofFIG. 6is a modification of system500ofFIG. 5that is described above. Some of features, structures, and/or characteristics of system500ofFIG. 5described above can be similar to or the same as some of the corresponding features, structures, or characteristics of system600ofFIG. 6, and as a result, are identified with the same reference numerals. For the sake of brevity, only the differences between system600and system500will be described in the discussion relating toFIG. 6.

One difference between system600and system500relates to the varying designs of spatial diversity that can be used to improve the likelihood that RDA501receives the error-free digital signals507from a transmitter. In one embodiment of system600, spatial diversity is achieved by using varying designs of antennas with each of RF receiver #1521and RF receiver #2523. In one embodiment, RF receiver #1521retains the same design that was described above inFIG. 500, with the only difference being that details have been added to show some inner structures of switch #1517. In one embodiment, RF receiver #2523has a design that was not described byFIG. 500. In this embodiment, RF receiver #2523is connected to a single antenna601.

FIG. 7is a block diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of a system700for a real-time wireless receiver network that includes multiple RDAs that receive digital audio signals on a specified channel. The portion of system700described below provides more details about embodiments of RDAs and RDADRs of systems, such as the RDAs and RDADRs of the systems described above with regard toFIGS. 3 to 6. Some features, structures, and/or characteristics of the portion of system700that is described below can be similar or the same as some of the corresponding features, structures, or characteristics of the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 6that were described above. For the sake of brevity, only the differences between system700and the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 6will be described in the discussion relating toFIG. 7.

This portion of system700includes multiple RDAs. As shown inFIG. 7, this portion of system700includes RDA #1701, RDA #2703, RDADR705, audio output device707, digital bus711, digital bus713, analog bus714, and one or more digital audio signals709. In one embodiment of system700and as described above in system300ofFIG. 3, multiple RDAs attempt to receive one or more digital audio signals from one or more specified radio frequencies, e.g., one or more specified channels. The one or more specified channels are used by the transmitter to transmit the one or more digital audio signals. For example, there may be two RDAs701and703that are configured to attempt to receive the one or more digital audio signals709from a transmitter (not shown) on a specified channel that is designated as “CH 1.” Furthermore, this embodiment of system700includes a RDADR705that is also assigned to the specified channel “CH 1” and to the two RDAs701and703so that only the one or more error-free digital audio signals709that are obtained on the specified channel “CH 1” are processed and/or decoded by RDADR705and then sent to audio output device707.

It should be appreciated that even though only two RDAs are shown in this embodiment of system700, more or less than two RDAs can be used in one or more embodiments of system700. It should also be appreciated that even though only one specified channel is shown in this embodiment of system700, more than one specified channel can be used in one or more embodiments of system700. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that even though only one RDADR is shown in this embodiment of system700, more than one RDADR can be used in one or more embodiments of system700. It should be appreciated that even though only one audio output device is shown in this embodiment of system700, more than one audio output device can be used in one or more embodiments of system700.

As shown inFIG. 7, RDA #1701, RDA #2703, and RDADR705are coupled to each other via a digital bus711. In one embodiment, digital bus711is similar to the digital bus539that is described above with reference toFIG. 5. System700also includes digital bus713that is used to couple RDADR705to audio output device707. In one embodiment, digital bus713is similar to digital bus541that is described above with reference toFIG. 5. Moreover, system700includes analog bus714that is also used to couple RDADR705to audio output device707. In one embodiment, analog bus714is similar to analog bus543that is described above with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 8is a block diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of a system800for a real-time wireless receiver network that includes multiple RDAs that receive digital audio signals on two specified channels. The portion of system800described below provides more details about embodiments of RDAs and RDADRs of systems, such as the RDAs and RDADRs of the systems described above with regard toFIGS. 3 to 7. Some features, structures, and/or characteristics of the portion of system800that is described below can be similar or the same as some of the corresponding features, structures, or characteristics of the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 7that were described above. For the sake of brevity, only the differences between system800and the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 7will be described in the discussion relating toFIG. 8.

In one embodiment of system800ofFIG. 8, this portion of system800includes RDA #1801, RDA #2803, RDA #3805, RDA #4807, RDADR #1811, RDADR #2813, audio output device #1815, audio output device #2817, digital bus819, analog/digital bus821, analog/digital bus823, and one or more digital audio signals809.

System800may be similar to the system700ofFIG. 7that is described above with regard toFIG. 7. As shown inFIG. 8, RDA #1801, RDA #2803, RDA #3805, RDA #4807, RDADR #1811, and RDADR #2813are coupled to each other via a digital bus819. In one embodiment, digital bus819is similar to the digital bus539that is described above with reference toFIG. 5. System800also includes analog/digital bus821that is used to couple RDADR #1811to audio output device #1815. In one embodiment, analog/digital bus821is similar to digital bus541and/or analog bus543that are each described above with reference toFIG. 5. Furthermore, system800includes analog/digital bus823that is used to couple RDADR #2813to audio output device #2817. In one embodiment, analog/digital bus823is similar to digital bus541and/or analog bus543that are each described above with reference toFIG. 5.

In system800, there are four RDAs801,803,805, and807that are configured to attempt to receive the one or more digital audio signals809from a transmitter (not shown) on two specified channels that are designated as “CH 1” and “CH 2,” respectively. In one embodiment, RDA #1801, and RDA #3805are assigned to receive one or more digital audio signals on specified channel “CH 1,” while RDA #2803and RDA #4807are assigned to receive one or more digital audio signals on specified channel “CH 2.” In one embodiment, the signals on “CH 1” and “CH 2” can be generated by different audio sources (not shown) as described above with reference toFIG. 3.

One embodiment of system800includes two RDADRs811and813that are assigned to specified channel “CH 1” and specified channel “CH 2,” respectively. In one embodiment, RDADRs811is assigned to RDA #1801, RDA #3805, and/or specified channel channel “CH 1” so that only those digital audio signal(s) that are assigned to specified channel channel “CH 1” are processed and/or decoded by RDADR811and then sent to audio output device815. In one embodiment, RDADRs813is assigned to RDA #2803, RDA #4807, and/or specified channel “CH 2” so that only those digital audio signal(s) that are assigned to specified channel “CH 2” are processed and/or decoded by RDADR813and then sent to audio output device817.

In one embodiment, each RDA, such as each of RDAs801,803,805, and/or807, is configured to pass the data its receivers received onto a digital bus, such as digital bus819. In this embodiment, each RDA is also configured to pass on data (i.e., the error-free digital signal(s)) that was received via the other specified channels that were assigned to the other RDAs and passed onto digital bus819by these other RDAs. Thus, each RDA, such as each of RDAs801,803,805, and/or807, passes on all data on the digital bus, such as digital bus819, from any additional wireless channels that the RDA was not to be assigned to, so that all digital data that was received via all the specified channels, such as channels CH 1 and CH 2, is available on every node, to every RDA, and/or to every RDADR in a system, such system800. In other words, each of RDA #1801, RDA #2803, RDA #3805, RDA #4807, RDADR #1811, RDADR #2813provides all data obtained from its specified channel onto digital bus819, which in turn provides data from all channels bidirectionally to each of RDA #1801, RDA #2803, RDA #3805, RDA #4807, RDADR #1811, RDADR #2813. This enables system800to work without the need for retransmission of the signals in the event of an interference.

FIG. 9is a block diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of a system900for a real-time wireless receiver network that includes multiple RDAs that receive digital audio signals on multiple specified channels and provide the corresponding digital audio signals to multiple receivers.

The portion of system900described below provides more details about embodiments of RDAs and RDADRs of systems, such as the RDAs and RDADRs of the systems described above inFIGS. 3 to 8. Some features, structures, and/or characteristics of the portion of system900that are described below can be similar or the same as some of the corresponding features, structures, or characteristics of the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 8that were described above. For the sake of brevity, only the differences between system900and the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 10will be described in the discussion relating toFIG. 9.

System900is similar to system800ofFIG. 8, which is described above. In one embodiment, system900includes different types of RDAs. For a first example, RDA #1901and RDA #2903are each assigned to specified channel “CH 1” and “CH 2,” respectively. For a second example, multi-RDA905is assigned to specified channels “CH 3,” “CH 4,” “CH 5,” and “CH 6.” As used herein, a “multi-RDA” refers to two or more RDAs that are housed on the same device. For the sake of brevity, it is to be appreciated that the remaining RDAs are evident fromFIG. 9.

System900ofFIG. 9also includes different types of RDADRs. For an example, RDADR917is assigned to one specified channel “CH 1,” while RDADR911is assigned to multiple specified channels “CH5,” “CH 6,” “CH 7,” and “CH 8.” In this example, any digital audio signals909that are assigned to those channels and received by at least one of the RDAs of system900are processed and/or decoded by RDADR911and sent to one or more of audio devices935,937,939, and941. In one embodiment, processors of RDADRs911,913,917, and95915are used to determine which of the audio devices of system900are to receive one or more digital audio signals909. For the sake of brevity, it is to be appreciated that the remaining RDADRs are evident fromFIG. 9.

System900also includes digital bus951that couples each of the RDAs, multi-RDAs, and RDADRs of system900to one another. For example, digital bus951couples the RDAs, multi-RDAs, and RDADRs of system900using a daisy chain configuration and the single loop of the daisy configuration creates redundancy so that if any one cable of digital bus951fails or is removed, then system900can still work due to the bidirectional manner in which digital data is passed via the digital bus951to each of the RDAs, multi-RDAs, and RDADRs of system900. In one embodiment, digital bus951is similar to the digital bus819that is described above inFIG. 8.

Further, system900includes analog/digital buses953,954,955,956,957,958,959,960,961, and962that are each used to couple RDADRs917,95915,913, and911to audio output devices949,947,945,943,941,939,937,935,927and933. In one embodiment, each of analog/digital buses953,954,955,956,957,958,959,960,961, and962is similar to analog/digital bus821that is described above inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10is a block diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of a system1000for a real-time wireless receiver network that includes multiple RDAs that receive digital audio signals on multiple specified channels and provide the digital audio signals to a single audio output device. The portion of system1000described below provides more details about embodiments of systems, such as the systems described above inFIGS. 3 to 9.

In one embodiment of system1000ofFIG. 10, this portion of system1000includes different types of RDAs that have been assigned to at least one specified channel. Given that the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 9have provided most of the descriptions related to RDAs and their assignment to one or more specified channels, that description will be omitted in the discussion ofFIG. 10.

Some features, structures, and/or characteristics of system1000ofFIG. 10can be similar or the same as some of the corresponding features, structures, or characteristics of the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 9that were described above. For the sake of brevity, only the differences between system1000and the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 9will be described in the discussion relating toFIG. 10.

One difference between system1000and the systems ofFIGS. 3 to 9relates to the audio output device of system1000. In one embodiment, configurations of a system for a real-time wireless receiver network, such as system1000, could exist where there is no direct analog audio output. In one embodiment, the digital bus, such as the digital bus1021, could be connected directly into an interface on an audio output device, such as audio output device1001. In one embodiment, audio output device1001uses the error-free digital audio signals provided via digital bus1021directly in its digital form. In one embodiment, an audio output device, such as audio output device1001, could be a digital mixer, a computer, and/or any other type of an audio output device that is well known in the art and that can process and/or decode digital audio signals in their digital form. One embodiment of system1000shows that there is no need for a separate RDADR, such as the optional RDADR1023, if the desired audio output is a digital audio output and thus, one embodiment of a system for a real-time wireless receiver network can be reduced in cost and size.

In one embodiment of system1000, device1001and optional RDADR1023share tasks of processing and/or decoding the error-free digital signals based on whether the desired audio output is an analog audio output or a digital audio output. In one embodiment, the audio output device1001can include one or more modules that enable device1001to determine whether the desired audio output is an analog audio output or a digital audio output. If the desired audio output is a digital output, then device1001processes and decodes the received error-free digital signals with or without the use of RDADR1023. In one embodiment, device1001turns off RDADR1023in response to device1001determining that the desired audio output is a digital audio output, and processes the error-free digital signals without the use of RDADR1023. In one embodiment, device1001can share the processing and/or decoding of the error-free digital signals with RDADR1023so that the output is provided much faster than when device1001performs the tasks without RDADR1023.

In one embodiment, if device1001determines that the desired audio output is an analog output, then device1001directs the received error-free digital signals to RDADR1023which processes the error-free digital audio signals into an analog audio output. In this embodiment, RDADR1023is similar to the one or more of RDADRs911,913,915, and917that are described above inFIG. 9, and thus can process the digital audio signals as digital data or convert the processed digital data into analog data that is played back on device1001. In this embodiment, system1000uses one or more processors of RDADR1023to process digital data into analog output, even though system1000does not include a set of buses that are capable of providing analog data back and forth between the RDAs1003,1005,1007,1009,1011,1013,1015,1017and/or device1001. Thus, one embodiment of system1000for a real-time wireless receiver network can be reduced in cost and size.

In one embodiment, an audio output device, such as device1001, could be an analog/digital mixer, a computer, and/or any other type of an audio output device that is well known in the art and that can process and/or decode digital audio signals in their analog forms and/or digital forms.

While a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network and its various functional components have been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated the embodiments of a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware or a combination thereof and utilized in systems, subsystems, components, or sub-components thereof.

When implemented in software or firmware, the elements of a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network are the instructions/code segments to perform the necessary tasks. The program or code segments can be stored in a machine readable medium, such as a processor readable medium or a computer program product, or transmitted by a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, or a signal modulated by a carrier, over a transmission medium or communication link. The machine-readable medium or processor-readable medium may include any medium that can store or transfer information in a form readable and executable by a machine (e.g. a processor, a computer, etc.). Examples of the machine/processor-readable medium include an electronic circuit, a semiconductor memory device, a ROM, a flash memory, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a floppy diskette, a compact disk CD-ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk, a fiber optic medium, a radio frequency (RF) link, etc. The computer data signal may include any signal that can propagate over a transmission medium such as electronic network channels, optical fibers, air, electromagnetic, RF links, etc. The code segments may be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, Intranet, etc.

While a system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network, which are apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network pertains are deemed to lie within the spirit and scope of the system and method for a redundant real-time wireless receiver network.