Method and system for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication

Methods and systems for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication are disclosed and may include enabling antenna configurations in a plurality of remote RF modules within a computing device to receive RF signals. A signal characteristic may be measured for the configurations receiving an RF signal from a remote device. IF signals may be generated from baseband signals and may be communicated to RF modules based on the signal characteristic via coaxial lines, and may be up-converted to output RF signals utilizing the RF modules. The output RF signals may be transmitted via antennas in the RF modules. The IF signals in the one or more coaxial lines may be tapped via taps coupled to the RF modules. The baseband signals may comprise video data, Internet streamed data, and/or data from a local data source. Control signals for the RF devices may be communicated utilizing the coaxial lines.

This application makes reference to:

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless communication. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated a large contiguous block of 7 GHz bandwidth for communications in the 57 GHz to 64 GHz spectrum. This frequency band may be used by the spectrum users on an unlicensed basis, that is, the spectrum is accessible to anyone, subject to certain basic, technical restrictions such as maximum transmission power and certain coexistence requirements. The communications taking place in this band are often referred to as ‘60 GHz communications’. With respect to the accessibility of this part of the spectrum, 60 GHz communications may be somewhat similar to other forms of unlicensed spectrum use, for example Wireless LANs or Bluetooth in the 2.4 GHz ISM bands. However, communications at 60 GHz may be significantly different in aspects other than accessibility. For example, 60 GHz signals may possess markedly different communications channel and propagation characteristics, at least due to the fact that 60 GHz radiation is partly absorbed by oxygen in the air, thereby leading to higher attenuation with distance. On the other hand, since a very large bandwidth of 7 GHz is available, very high data rates may be achieved. Among the applications for 60 GHz communications are wireless personal area networks, wireless high-definition television signal, for example from a set top box to a display, or Point-to-Point links.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication. Exemplary aspects of the invention may comprise enabling one or more antenna configurations in a plurality of remote RF modules within a computing device to receive RF signals. A signal characteristic may be measured for each of the one or more antenna configurations receiving an RF signal from a remote device. IF signals may be generated from baseband signals and may be communicated to one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules based on the signal characteristic via one or more coaxial lines. The IF signals may be up-converted to output RF signals utilizing the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules. The output RF signals may be transmitted via one or more antennas in the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules. The IF signals in the one or more coaxial lines may be tapped at taps coupled to the plurality of remote RF modules. The baseband signals may comprise video data, Internet streamed data, and/or data from a local data source. The output RF signals may be transmitted to a display device. Control signals for the plurality of remote RF devices may be communicated utilizing the one or more coaxial lines. The signal characteristic may comprise a received signal strength indicator, and/or bit error rate. The output RF signals may comprise 60 GHz signals.

FIG. 1Ais a diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1A, there is shown an access point112b, a host device110a, a local data source113, a receiving device114a, a plurality of antennas120A-120E, a router130, the Internet132and a web server134. The host device110a, or computer, for example, may comprise a wireless radio111a, a short-range radio111b, a host processor111c, and a host memory111d. There is also shown a wireless connection between the wireless radio111aand the access point112b, and a short-range wireless connection between the short-range radio111band the receiving device114a.

The host device110amay comprise a computer or set-top box device, for example, that may be operable to receive signals from data sources, process the received data, and communicate the processed data to receiving devices. Accordingly, the host device110amay comprise processors, such as the host processor111c, storage devices such as the host memory111d, and communication devices, such as the wireless radio111aand the short range radio111b.

The wireless radio111amay comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to communicate wireless signals to between the host device110aand external devices, such as the access point112b, for example. Accordingly, the wireless radio111amay comprise amplifiers, mixers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, phase-locked loops, and clock sources, for example, that enable the communication of wireless signals.

The short-range radio111bmay comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to communicate wireless signals over short distances. Accordingly, the frequency of transmission/reception may be in the 60 GHz range, which may enable short-range communications due to the attenuation of signals in air at this frequency. Similarly, the short-range radio111bmay comprise amplifiers, mixers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, phase-locked loops, and clock sources, for example, that enable the communication of wireless signals.

The host processor111cmay comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to received control and/or data information, which may comprise programmable parameters, to determine an operating mode of the wireless radio111aand the short-range radio111b. For example, the host processor111cmay be utilized to select a specific frequency for a local oscillator, a specific gain for a variable gain amplifier, configure the local oscillator and/or configure the variable gain amplifier for operation in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Moreover, the specific frequency selected and/or parameters needed to calculate the specific frequency, and/or the specific gain value and/or the parameters, which may be utilized to calculate the specific gain, may be stored in the host memory111dvia the host processor111c, for example. The information stored in host memory111dmay be transferred to the wireless radio111aand/or the short-range radio111bfrom the host memory111dvia the host processor111c.

The host memory111dmay comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to store a plurality of control and/or data information, including parameters needed to calculate frequencies and/or gain, and/or the frequency value and/or gain value. The host memory111dmay store at least a portion of the programmable parameters that may be manipulated by the host processor111c.

The access point112bmay comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to provide wireless signals to one or more devices within its range. The access point112bmay be coupled to the router130, thereby enabling connection to the Internet for devices that are operable to communicate with the access point112b.

The local data source113may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to communicate data to the host device110a. For example, the local data source may comprise a DVD player, and MP3 player, and/or a set-top box.

The receiving device114A may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to receive data communicated by the host device110avia the short-range radio111b. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the receiving device114A may comprise an HDTV that may be operable to display HD video signals and playback associated audio signals.

The antennas120A-120E may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. For example, the antenna120A may be operable to transmit and receive wireless signals between the access point112band the wireless radio111a, and the antennas120B-120E may be operable to communicate signals between the short range radio111band one or more external devices, such as the receiving devices114A. The invention is not limited to the number of antennas shown inFIG. 1A. Accordingly, any number of antennas may be integrated in the host device110a, depending on space limitations and desired RF transmission directionality.

The router130may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to communicate signals between the access point112band the Internet. In this manner, devices within range of the access point112bmay be enabled to connect to the Internet.

The web server134may comprise a remote server that may be operable to store content that may be accessed by the host device110avia the Internet132. For example, the web server134may comprise a movie provider server and may be operable to communicate a desired movie to the host device110avia the Internet for display via the receiving device114A.

Frequently, computing and communication devices may comprise hardware and software to communicate using multiple wireless communication standards. The wireless radio111amay be compliant with a mobile communications standard, for example. There may be instances when the wireless radio111aand the short-range radio111bmay be active concurrently. For example, it may be desirable for a user of the computer or host device110ato access the Internet132in order to consume streaming content from the Web server134. Accordingly, the user may establish a wireless connection between the host device110aand the access point112b. Once this connection is established, the streaming content from the Web server134may be received via the router130, the access point112b, and the wireless connection, and consumed by the computer or host device110a.

It may be further desirable for the user of the host device110ato communicate the streaming content to the receiving device114a, which may comprise a TV or other type of display, for example. Accordingly, the user of the host device110amay establish a short-range wireless connection with the receiving device114a. Once the short-range wireless connection is established, and with suitable configurations on the computer enabled, the streaming content may be displayed by the receiving device114a. In instances where such advanced communication systems are integrated or located within the host device110a, the radio frequency (RF) generation may support fast-switching to enable support of multiple communication standards and/or advanced wideband systems like, for example, Ultrawideband (UWB) radio. Other applications of short-range communications may be wireless High-Definition TV (W-HDTV), from a set top box to a video display, for example. W-HDTV may require high data rates that may be achieved with large bandwidth communication technologies, for example UWB and/or 60-GHz communications.

In another embodiment of the invention, the local data source113may be operable to provide data to be displayed by the receiving device114avia the host device110a. For example, the local data source may comprise a DVD player or a digital video recorder. The local data source may communicate with the host device110avia a wired connection or via a wireless connection, either directly with the host device110aor via the access point112b.

In an embodiment of the invention, the short range radio111bmay comprise a plurality of antennas and frequency up-conversion devices throughout the host device110afor communicating high frequency RF signals. The short range radio111bmay comprise a baseband and IF stage with a single high power PA that may communicate IF signals over thin coaxial lines. Taps may be configured to couple the IF signals from the coaxial lines to the frequency up-conversion devices before being communicated to the plurality of antennas. In this manner, IF signals may be amplified by a single PA and subsequently up-converted to 60 GHz, for example, for transmission via a plurality of antennas without the need for multiple PAs with excessive power requirements.

By utilizing a plurality of up-conversion transmission/reception devices, each with one or more antennas, high-frequency RF transmission and reception may be improved since the optimum configuration may be determined by coupling a plurality of antenna configurations and measuring received signal characteristics. For example, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) may be measured for a plurality of configurations to determine the optimum transmission configuration depending on the location of the receiving device. A particular transmission and/or reception device may have optimum transmission and/or reception capability with an external device due to proximity and direction from the host device110a, while another transmission/reception device may have optimum communication quality with another external device. Optimum transmission capability may be determined based on signal strength, bit error rate, latency, date rate, and/or noise characteristics, for example.

FIG. 1Bis a block diagram illustrating a laptop computer with an exemplary 60 GHz distributed communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1B, there is shown a laptop computer comprising a display121, keyboard123, and a plurality of antennas120A-120M.

The antennas120A-120M may be substantially similar to the antennas120A-120E described with respect toFIG. 1A, and may comprise antennas coupled to a plurality of remote RF devices throughout the laptop150. In this manner, one or more antenna configurations may be enabled, depending on the location of the receiving device, such as the receiving device114A, and the antenna configuration that results in the greatest signal strength, lowest bit error rate, highest data throughput, lowest latency, and/or the optimum of any other desired wireless communication characteristic.

The antennas120A-120M may be coupled to remote RF devices throughout the laptop150. The remote RF devices may receive IF signals from a baseband and IF module via thin coaxial lines, described with respect toFIG. 2, and may be operable to up-convert received IF signals to RF signals. In this manner, lower frequency signals may be communicated throughout the laptop150to the antennas that result in desired signal quality. This may enable a single high-power PA stage that amplifies the IF signals that are then up-converted to RF in the remote RF modules.

In operation, a short-range wireless communication channel may be enabled between the laptop150and the receiving device114A. A plurality of antenna configurations may be assessed for a desired performance characteristic, such as signal strength, bit error rate, data throughput, and/or latency, for example. The remote RF device configuration with the resulting desired performance may then be enabled to receive IF signals via coaxial lines from a centrally located baseband and IF module, and up-convert the signals to RF before transmitting via the appropriate antennas120A-120M. In this manner, short-range communications may be enabled to one or more devices independent of its location in proximity with the laptop150.

Furthermore, the frequency of the communicated signals may be different for different enabled antennas120A-120M, thereby allowing a plurality of signals to be transmitted concurrently. In this manner, a plurality of IF signals may be communicated via coaxial lines to a plurality of remote RF devices, which may up-convert the IF signals to different RF frequencies, or subbands, for transmission.

The selected antennas may be switched depending on the location and direction of a receiving device with respect to the laptop150.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a 60 GHz communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown a baseband and IF module201, RF devices203A-203H, taps205A-205H, and thin coaxial line207. The baseband and IF module201may comprise a power amplifier201A that may be operable to amplify IF signals.

The baseband and IF module201may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to generate IF signals comprising baseband data. The baseband and IF module201may comprise one or more processors, such as a baseband processor, memory, and frequency conversion devices, for example. The processor or processors in the baseband and IF module201may be any suitable processor or controller such as a CPU, DSP, ARM, or any type of integrated circuit processor, and may be enabled to update and/or modify programmable parameters and/or values in a plurality of components, devices, and/or processing elements in the baseband and IF module201. At least a portion of the programmable parameters may be stored in memory, such as the host memory111d, for example, or dedicated memory in the baseband and IF module201.

The RF devices203A-203H may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to convert received IF signals to RF frequencies and transmit the RF signals via one or more antennas. The RF devices203A-203H may be configured remotely throughout a wireless communication device, such as the host device110a, described with respect toFIG. 1, so that 60 GHz signals may be communicated from a plurality of directions, depending on the location of a device that is the intended receiving device. By incorporating frequency up-conversion capability in the RF devices203A-203H, IF signals may be communicated from a single high power PA, the PA201A, in the baseband and IF module201via the thin coaxial line207.

The taps205A-205H may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to couple a portion of the IF signal being communicated via the thin coaxial line207to the associated RF devices203A-203H. In this manner, taps may be configured to couple signals when it may be desired to transmit RF signals via one or more of the RF devices203A-203H.

The thin coaxial line207may comprise coaxial conductors separated by a dielectric material, for example, and may be operable to communicate IF signals throughout a device, such as the host device110a. In another embodiment of the invention, the thin coaxial line207may be operable to provide DC power for various devices within the host device110a, such as the RF devices203A-203H.

In operation, the baseband and IF module201may process baseband signals for transmission via the RF devices203A-203H. The baseband signals may be up-converted to IF and amplified by the PA201A prior to communication via the thin coaxial line207, which may distribute the IF signals throughout the device, such as the host device110a, for example. One or more of the taps205A-205H may be enabled to tap a portion of the communicated IF signals to associated RF devices203A-203H. The RF devices203A-203H may up-convert the tapped IF signals to RF frequencies, such as 60 GHz, for example, before transmission via one or more antennas in the RF devices203A-203H. In this manner, an RF power amplifier is not required at each RF device203A-203H, which would require more power than by utilizing a single PA at the IF stage in the baseband and IF module201.

In addition to IF signals to be up-converted and transmitted, the thin coaxial line207may communicate low frequency control signals to the RF devices203A-203H and the taps205A-205H. The control signals may be utilized to configure which of the taps205A-205H may be activated to tap off part of the IF signals for transmission by the appropriate RF device202A-203H. In addition, the control signals may be utilized to configure the up-conversion performed in the RF devices203A-203H. In this manner, only those RF devices203A-203H that have antennas in an appropriate direction for a desired receiving device may be activated, further reducing power requirements.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the RF devices203A-203H may be enabled individually to determine an RSSI for communication between the host device110aand a remote device, such as the receiving device114A. One or more antennas in the RF devices203A-203H may be sequentially enabled, or in any desired order, to determine an antenna configuration that results in the maximum received signal strength, for example. The configuration parameters may be communicated utilizing control channels communicated over the thin coaxial line207, and the measured signal parameters may be communicated back to the baseband and IF module201via the same coaxial line. The control channels may reside at different frequencies than the IF signals to enable multi-signal communication over the thin coaxial line207.

The RF device and antenna configuration process may continue for each RF device203A-203H, as well as with different combinations of RF devices to increase the strength and/or quality, through measured bit error rate (BER), for example, of the received signal. The optimum configuration measured may then be utilized to transmit signals to the desired target device.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an RF device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown a tap305, a coaxial line307and an RF device300comprising a mixer301, antennas303A-303D, and high-pass filter309. The antennas303A-303D may comprise antennas operable to transmit and/or receive RF signals, and may be configured with different orientations, for example. The tap305and the coaxial line307may be substantially similar to the taps205A-205H and the coaxial line207described with respect toFIG. 2.

The mixer301may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to frequency shift a received input signal. For example, the mixer301may receive an IF input signal and generate an RF output signal. The mixer301may also receive as an input signal, an LO signal that may be utilized to up-convert the received IF signal to RF frequencies.

The high-pass filter309may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to attenuate low-frequency signals, defined as signals below a configurable corner frequency, and allow frequencies above the corner frequency to pass. For example, if sum and difference signals are generated by the mixer301based on the LO signal and received IF signal, the high-pass filter309may allow only the high frequency RF signal to pass to the antenna303.

In operation, control signals in the coaxial line307may configure the tap305to tap off a portion of an IF signal communicated via the coaxial line307and communicate it to the mixer301. The LO signal may be utilized to up-convert the IF signal to RF frequencies, and the high-pass filter309may filter out all but the desired signal at a frequency above a configurable corner frequency of the high-pass filter309. The control signals may also configure the frequency of the LO signal, thereby configuring the frequency of the RF signal to be communicated.

The filtered RF signal may then be communicated to one or more of the antennas303A-303D. A desired signal characteristic, such as RSSI or BER, for example, may be utilized to assess the signal received in a plurality of antenna configurations. This may be repeated for each of the antennas303A-303D as well as for each RF device. In this manner, if one or more of the antennas303A-303D results in the best signal, that configuration may then be used to communicate RF signal with desired receiving devices.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps in antenna switched 60 GHz distributed communication, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4, after start step401, in step403, the RF device and the antenna configurations may be enabled. In step405, the optimum configuration for the desired receiving device may be determined. In step407, the IF signal may be tapped off by one or more taps at the remote RF modules where they may be up-converted to RF frequencies. In step409, the RF signals may be transmitted by one or more antennas, followed by end step411.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method and system may comprise enabling one or more antenna configurations in a plurality of remote RF modules203A-203H,300within a computing device110ato receive RF signals. A signal characteristic may be measured for each of the one or more antenna configurations receiving an RF signal from a receiving device114a. IF signals may be generated from baseband signals and may be amplified by the power amplifier201A prior to being communicated to one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules203A-203H,300based on the signal characteristic via one or more coaxial lines207,307. The IF signals may be up-converted to output RF signals utilizing the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules203A-203H,300. The output RF signals may be transmitted via one or more antennas303A-303D in the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules203A-203H,300. The IF signals in the one or more coaxial lines207,307may be tapped at taps205A-205H,305coupled to the plurality of remote RF modules203A-203H,300. The baseband signals may comprise video data, Internet streamed data, and/or data from a local data source113. The output RF signals may be transmitted to a receiving device114A. Control signals for the plurality of remote RF devices203A-203H,300may be communicated utilizing the one or more coaxial lines207,307. The signal characteristic may comprise a received signal strength indicator, and/or bit error rate. The output RF signals may comprise 60 GHz signals.

Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. The invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware, software and firmware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.