MIMO FOR CPE

An improved multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) solution is disclosed for customer premises equipment (CPE) in which a set of wireless interfaces (e.g., cellular and WiFi), each with a plurality of antenna ports for MIMO operation, couple to an antenna switch fabric, which is then coupled to a set of antennas. In some examples, the antennas are distributed for maximum isolation and separation in order to improve MIMO channel separation, for example in an approximately spherical arrangement. The antenna switch fabric is instructed to select the optimal antennas based on signal parameter measurements, in order to improve overall performance. Selection of uplink (transmit) versus downlink (receive) antenna sets may be independent and based on different signal parameter measurements (e.g., for frequency division duplexing, FDD).

BACKGROUND

Consumer premises equipment (CPE) may have both wired and wireless connectivity, with wireless connectivity including cellular and WiFi interfaces. The cellular interfaces may be the most recent generation of cellular, which is currently fifth generation (5G). It is common for CPE configurations to use multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) with four receive (Rx) downlink channels and two transmit (Tx) uplink channels. MIMO is generally used in order to increase bandwidth. This provides multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO).

However, the effectiveness of MIMO in improving bandwidth is heavily dependent on channel separation, which in turn is dependent on both antenna isolation and radio frequency (RF) signal quality. CPE physical form factors that place a small set of antennas in close proximity with each other cannot take full advantage of the potential separation provided by channel conditions. Additionally, channel conditions may change rapidly, so that even if a good antenna set is provided, that antenna set may not be ideal for an appreciable length of time.

SUMMARY

The following summary is provided to illustrate examples disclosed herein but is not meant to limit all examples to any particular configuration or sequence of operations.

Disclosed solutions for improved multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) for customer premises equipment (CPE) include: a plurality of MIMO wireless interfaces, each wireless interface comprising: a data port for receiving data for transmission over an air interface and outputting data received over the air interface, and a plurality of antenna ports; an antenna switch fabric coupled to each of the plurality of antenna ports of each of the plurality of wireless interfaces, and further coupled to a plurality of antennas; wherein each wireless interface is operative to: for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for receiving, control the antenna switch fabric to select, based on at least a first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, a receive antenna, and for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for transmitting, control the antenna switch fabric to select, based on at least a second signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, a transmit antenna: and wherein the antenna switch fabric is operative to, based on at least the control by each wireless interface, route radio frequency (RF) signals between the antenna ports and the corresponding selected antennas of the plurality of antennas.

Additional disclosed solutions include: a CPE comprising: a signal routing portion; a plurality of MIMO wireless interfaces, each wireless interface comprising: a data port for receiving data for transmission over an air interface and outputting data received over the air interface, and a plurality of antenna ports; and an RF routing portion comprising: an antenna switch fabric, and a plurality of antennas; wherein the signal routing portion is operative to route data between the plurality of wireless interfaces and a data source and/or a data destination external to the CPE; wherein each wireless interface is operative to: for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for receiving, control the antenna switch fabric to select, based on at least a first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, a receive antenna, and for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for transmitting, control the antenna switch fabric to select, based on at least a second signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, a transmit antenna, wherein the selection of the transmit antenna is independent of the selection of the receive antenna; and wherein the antenna switch fabric is coupled to each of the plurality of antenna ports of each of the plurality of wireless interfaces, and further coupled to a plurality of antennas and is operative to, based on at least the control by each wireless interface, route RF signals between the antenna ports and the corresponding selected antennas of the plurality of antennas.

Additional disclosed solutions include a method of wireless communication comprising: by each of a plurality of MIMO wireless interfaces: measuring, for each antenna port of a plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for receiving, a first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna: based on at least the first signal parameter, controlling an antenna switch fabric coupled to the plurality of antenna ports to select a receive antenna from among a plurality of antennas: determining, by each of the plurality of wireless interfaces, for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for transmitting, a second signal parameter associated with at least one antenna: based on at least the second signal parameter, controlling the antenna switch fabric to select a transmit antenna from among the plurality of antennas: and routing, by the antenna switch fabric, RF signals between the antenna ports and the corresponding selected antennas of the plurality of antennas.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. References made throughout this disclosure, relating to specific examples, are provided for illustrative purposes, and are not meant to limit all implementations or to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An improved multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) solution is disclosed for customer premises equipment (CPE) in which a set of wireless interfaces (e.g., cellular and WiFi), each with a plurality of antenna ports for MIMO operation, couple to an antenna switch fabric, which is then coupled to a set of antennas. In some examples, the antennas are distributed for maximum isolation and separation in order to improve MIMO channel separation, for example in an approximately spherical arrangement. The antenna switch fabric is instructed to select the optimal antennas based on signal parameter measurements, in order to improve overall performance. Selection of uplink (transmit) versus downlink (receive) antenna sets may be independent and based on different signal parameter measurements (e.g., for frequency division duplexing, FDD).

Aspects of the disclosure enhance the throughput of CPEs deployed in real-world environments, which either increases the amount of data carried through a fixed number of devices, or reduces the number of devices required to achieve a given level of data throughput. This is accomplished, at least in part, by controlling an antenna switch fabric to select a receive antenna, for each antenna port (of a plurality of antenna ports of a wireless interface) that is used for receiving, based on at least a first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna. Additionally, a similar selection is performed for a transmit antenna.

With reference now to the figures,FIG.1illustrates an architecture100that advantageously provides improved MIMO for CPEs, for example for a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) CPE110. CPE110is a wireless apparatus that provides connectivity to route data102between data sources104a-104c, plus a data destination106, and a wireless network150. Four simultaneous receive and two simultaneous transmit is a common MIMO configuration for a CPE. Data source104aand data source104bare shown as both sending and receiving data, data source104cis shown as sending data only, and data destination is shown as receiving data only. Data102is sent to and received from a set of servers160a-160c, through a packet data network (PDN)156(e.g., the internet), on the opposite side of wireless network150.

For example, data source104amay be receiving streaming video from server160a, data source104bmay be engaging in an interactive gaming session hosted by server160b, data source104cmay be a sensor streaming data to server160c, and data destination106may be receiving streaming data from server160c. Other scenarios of moving data102between data sources104a-104c, plus data destination106, and servers160a-160care also within the scope of the operation of CPE110.

CPE110communicates with wireless network150using base station152of wireless network, over an air interface154. In some examples, wireless network comprises a cellular network, such as a fourth generation (4G), a fifth generation (5G), or a later generation (e.g., 6G) cellular network. In some examples, wireless network150comprises another type of network. In some examples, base station152comprises a cellular base station (e.g., 4G, 5G, or later). In some examples, base station152comprises a WiFi base station. In some examples, there are multiple base stations152, some cellular and some WiFi. In some examples, CPE110also includes one or more wired connections to PDN156. In some examples, CPE110is able to reach PDN156via cellular, WiFi, and wired connections.

CPE110comprises a signal routing portion120, an interface layer200, and a radio frequency (RF) routing portion140. Interface layer200is shown in further detail inFIG.2and described below. Signal routing portion120comprises an application layer122, a bonding layer124, and a routing layer126, and is operative to route data between a plurality of wireless interfaces202(as shown below inFIG.2) and one or more of data sources104a-104cand/or data destination106(which are external to CPE110).

Application layer122is operative to provide a gateway for data streams123between CPE110and a data source and/or a data destination external to CPE110. Application layer122collects incoming data from user terminals and converts it into packets with a particular destination (e.g., one of servers160a-160c), but is not involved with selecting a particular routs, and allocates incoming data to destinations on the user side of CPE110. Application layer122also handles retransmission requests and error correction.

Bonding layer124is operative to route data125between routing layer126and application layer122. Bonding layer124identifies which interfaces to use for outgoing data packets127and accepts incoming data packets127from routing layer126, and translates between data streams123to routes, breaking up outbound data streams123into individual packets and aggregating packets into data streams123.

Routing layer126is operative to route data packets127between plurality of wireless interfaces202and bonding layer124. Routing layer126identifies a number of available wireless interfaces202a-202d(shown later inFIG.2) interfaces as routes, and the priority and destinations that each can reach, and presents the routes to bonding layer124. Routing layer126funnels incoming data packets127from wireless interfaces202a-202dto bonding layer124and makes routes (channels) available to bonding layer124for outgoing data packets127, without awareness of which data packet is associated with a particular one of data streams123.

Turning now toFIG.2, more detail regarding plurality of wireless interfaces202is shown. Plurality of wireless interfaces202is shown as comprising wireless interface202a, wireless interface202b, wireless interface202c, and wireless interface202d, each of which may comprise a MIMO wireless interface. In some examples, at least one of wireless interfaces202a-202dcomprises a cellular modem, such as a 4G, 5G, or later generation cellular modem. In some examples, at least one of wireless interfaces202a-202dcomprises a WiFi interface, with a modem. Although four wireless interfaces are illustrated, it should be understood that other examples may use a different number of wireless interfaces.

Each of wireless interfaces202a-202dhas a data port for receiving data for transmission over air interface154and outputting data received over air interface154. For example, wireless interface202ahas a data port204a, wireless interface202bhas a data port204b, wireless interface202chas a data port204c, and wireless interface202dhas a data port204d. Each of the wireless interfaces202a-202dalso has a modem and an RF power amplifier. For example, wireless interface202ahas a modem214aand an RF power amplifier216a, wireless interface202bhas a modem214band an RF power amplifier216b, wireless interface202chas a modem214cand an RF power amplifier216c, and wireless interface202dhas a modem214dand an RF power amplifier216d.

The selection of which of wireless interfaces202a-202dto use by routing layer126includes, in some examples, the frequency of a serving cell (versus the frequencies supported by each wireless interface), the cellular generation of a serving cell (versus the cellular generation supported by each wireless interface), which modems are available with a link over air interface154, the number of base stations152, and RF link quality available to each wireless interface.

Each of wireless interfaces202a-202dhas a plurality of antenna ports, such at least four antenna ports, and is operative to use at least two antenna ports simultaneously for receiving and/or use at least two antenna ports simultaneously for transmitting (e.g., MIMO for receive and/or transmit). For example, wireless interface202ahas a plurality of antenna ports206a, wireless interface202bhas a plurality of antenna ports206b, wireless interface202chas a plurality of antenna ports206c, and wireless interface202dhas a plurality of antenna ports206d. The plurality of antenna ports for each of the wireless interfaces202a-202dis coupled to an antenna switch fabric142(described below) to route RF signals226to/from antenna switch fabric142.

To avoid clutteringFIG.2, only plurality of antenna ports206aof wireless interface202ais shown connected to antenna switch fabric142, although it should be understood that each of plurality of antenna ports206b-206d(of wireless interfaces202b-206d) is also connected to antenna switch fabric142.

Each of the wireless interfaces202a-202dselects one or more of its antenna ports for receive and for transmit using selection logic. For example, wireless interface202ahas selection logic210a, wireless interface202bhas selection logic210b, wireless interface202chas selection logic210c, and wireless interface202dhas selection logic210d. The selection of antenna ports for receive and transmit may be independent. There is a pool of antennas to use in CPE110, shown as a plurality of antennas146. Each of wireless interfaces202a-202dis operative to control antenna switch fabric142to select at least one receive antenna and at least one transmit antenna, from plurality of antennas146, for each antenna port (of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface) that is used for receiving and also for each antenna port (of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface) that is used for transmitting.

A first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna is used for selecting the receive antenna(s). This parameter may be reference signal received power (RSRP), signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or some combination, and is measured locally to the wireless interface, such as by the wireless interface itself. For example, wireless interface202ais shown with a signal parameter211a, wireless interface202bis shown with a signal parameter211b, wireless interface202cis shown with a signal parameter211c, and wireless interface202dis shown with a signal parameter211d. There may be a first signal parameter measured for each of multiple antennas, in some examples, to select an optimal antenna or set off best antennas for receiving. For example, the antenna(s) having the best RF performance, as indicated by the highest first signal parameter value.

Each of the wireless interfaces202a-202dcontrols antenna switch fabric142to effect the selection of the receive antenna. To accomplish this, each of wireless interfaces202a-202dhas a control port and sends a control signal228to antenna switch fabric142. For example, wireless interface202ahas a control port208a, wireless interface202bhas a control port208b, wireless interface202chas a control port208c, and wireless interface202dhas a control port208d. To avoid clutteringFIG.2, only control port208aof wireless interface202ais shown connected to antenna switch fabric142, although it should be understood that each of control ports208b-208d(of wireless interfaces202b-206d) is also connected to antenna switch fabric142.

A second signal parameter associated with at least one antenna is used for selecting the transmit antenna(s). This parameter may also be RSRP, SINR, RSRQ, or some combination. For example, wireless interface202ais shown with a signal parameter212a, wireless interface202bis shown with a signal parameter212b, wireless interface202cis shown with a signal parameter212c, and wireless interface202dis shown with a signal parameter212d.

For time division duplexing (TDD), in which a common frequency (e.g., the same frequency) is used for both transmitting and receiving, the transmit channel conditions may be inferred to be the same as the receive channel conditions. In such a scenario, the first signal parameter is a common signal parameter (signal parameters212a-212dare duplicates of or just the same one as a respective one of signal parameters211a-211d) that may be used for selection of both receive and transmit antennas.

However, for frequency division duplexing (FDD), in which different frequencies are used for transmitting and receiving, the transmit channel conditions may be different than the receive channel conditions. In such a scenario, the selection of the transmit antenna(s) is independent of the selection of the receive antenna(s). The second signal parameter may then be measured at a distant end158of air interface154(seeFIG.1), for example by base station152. Base station152is shown inFIG.1as having measured a signal parameter212(representing any of signal parameters212a-202dfor any antenna of plurality of antennas146) and provides signal parameter212as feedback to CPE110. In some examples, a single CPE110may use both TDD and FDD, such as by having at least one wireless interface that uses TDD while at least one other wireless interface uses FDD.

RF routing portion140comprises antenna switch fabric142and plurality of antennas146. In some examples, plurality of antennas146comprises at least16antennas, which may be anything from omnidirectional (as best as can be achieved) to high gain antennas. RF routing portion140routes RF signals226between interface layer200(specifically plurality of antenna ports206a-206d) and the corresponding selected antennas of plurality of antennas146. Antenna switch fabric142is coupled to each of plurality of antenna ports206a-206d, with its own set of antenna port inputs145, and is further coupled to plurality of antennas146.

Antenna switch fabric142is operative to, based on at least the control by each of wireless interfaces202a-202d, route RF signals226between antenna ports206a-206dand the corresponding selected antennas of plurality of antennas146. Antenna switch fabric142has at least one control port144coupled to control port208aof wireless interface202a, and is also coupled to control ports208b-208dof wireless interfaces202b-202d. In some examples, antenna switch fabric142has multiple control ports, although in some examples, the control signals from wireless interfaces202a-202bare multiplexed and all arrive through control port144. Antenna switch fabric142further comprises a controller143to manage the selections of the antennas.

FIG.3illustrates example physical layout options for CPE110. In some examples, plurality of antennas146is disposed in a spherical arrangement300, with the antennas themselves arranged similarly to the polygons of a soccer ball.FIG.3shows16antennas, which is the number used by some examples, although some examples may use a different number of antennas. An example selected receive antenna302ais indicated, along with another selected receive antenna302bfor MIMO operation on receive. Similarly, an example selected transmit antenna304ais indicated, along with another selected transmit antenna304bfor MIMO operation on transmit.

Spherical arrangement300may be configured to maximize antenna isolation. The receive and transmit antenna pairings (e.g., receive antennas302aand302band transmit antennas304aand304b) being on opposing sides of spherical arrangement300may be a common selection in some operational scenarios, due to MIMO channel separation. Antenna cabling306couples each antenna of plurality of antennas146to antenna switch fabric142.

The physical structure of CPE110may further include isolation components, such as RF absorbing material and shielding, to further improve antenna isolation. Additionally, various differing antenna polarizations may be used among the antennas of plurality of antennas146(e.g., horizontal, vertical, and other slanted linear or even elliptical polarizations), in order to provide improved coupling to the wide range of potential channel conditions. The physical structure of CPE110may further include the ability to tilt the entire assembly relative to a mounting surface, in order to alter the as-installed polarization tilt of the antennas, if a known dominant polarization is expected, due to the operating environment.

Signal routing portion120and interface layer200may be implemented using a computing device500ofFIG.5, located within the arrangement of plurality of antennas146, such as at the center of spherical arrangement300. That is, application layer122, bonding layer124, and routing layer126are implemented using a computing device located within the arrangement of plurality of antennas146.

Here, the term spherical includes minor deviations from a perfectly spherical shape to include perturbations for mounting, preventing rolling, and allowances for external cabling. For example, in an example physical form factor310, a mounting bracket312may enable attachment to a surface, such as a wall, ceiling, or tabletop surface, and introduces at least one perturbation314into a spherical exterior of CPE110. Additionally, a flat section316, which enables CPE110to be set down without rolling, causes a deviation from a pure spherical shape, but yet may still be considered to provide a spherical arrangement for plurality of antennas146.

FIG.4illustrates a flowchart400of exemplary operations associated with examples of architecture100. In some examples, at least a portion of flowchart400may be performed using one or more computing devices500ofFIG.5. Flowchart400commences with operation402, which includes each of the plurality of wireless interfaces202a-202dmeasuring the first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna for each antenna port that is used for receiving. Operation404includes each of the plurality of wireless interfaces202a-202dcontrolling antenna switch fabric142to select at least one receive antenna from among plurality of antennas146, based on at least the first signal parameter.

In operation406, each of the plurality of wireless interfaces202a-202ddetermines the second signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, for each antenna port that is used for transmitting. Operation406may be carried out using operation408and or operations410-412. In operation408, the second signal parameter and the first signal parameter are both a common signal parameter, such as when transmit and receive frequencies are the same, and so the measurement of the first parameter is used. When transmit and receive frequencies are different, in operation410, base station152measures the second signal parameter and transmits it to CPE110.

The wireless interface receives the second signal parameter from distant end158of air interface154in operation412. Operation414includes each of the plurality of wireless interfaces202a-202dcontrolling antenna switch fabric142to select at least one transmit antenna from among plurality of antennas146, based on at least the second signal parameter.

In operation416, antenna switch fabric142routes RF signals226between plurality of antenna ports206a-206sand the corresponding selected antennas of plurality of antennas146. Data102is sent and received over air interface154in operation418, and is routed to/from data sources104a-104cand data destination106, in operation420.

FIG.5illustrates a block diagram of computing device500that may be used as any component described herein that may require computational or storage capacity. Computing device500has at least a processor502and a memory504that holds program code510, data area520, and other logic and storage530. Memory504is any device allowing information, such as computer executable instructions and/or other data, to be stored and retrieved. For example, memory504may include one or more random access memory (RAM) modules, flash memory modules, hard disks, solid-state disks, persistent memory devices, and/or optical disks. Program code510comprises computer executable instructions and computer executable components including instructions used to perform operations described herein. Data area520holds data used to perform operations described herein. Memory504also includes other logic and storage530that performs or facilitates other functions disclosed herein or otherwise required of computing device500. An input/output (I/O) component540facilitates receiving input from users and other devices and generating displays for users and outputs for other devices. A network interface550permits communication over a network560with a remote node570, which may represent another implementation of computing device500. For example, a remote node570may represent another of the above-noted nodes within architecture100.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES

An example system comprises: a plurality of MIMO wireless interfaces, each wireless interface comprising: a data port for receiving data for transmission over an air interface and outputting data received over the air interface, and a plurality of antenna ports; an antenna switch fabric coupled to each of the plurality of antenna ports of each of the plurality of wireless interfaces, and further coupled to a plurality of antennas; wherein each wireless interface is operative to: for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for receiving, control the antenna switch fabric to select, based on at least a first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, a receive antenna, and for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for transmitting, control the antenna switch fabric to select, based on at least a second signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, a transmit antenna; and wherein the antenna switch fabric is operative to, based on at least the control by each wireless interface, route RF signals between the antenna ports and the corresponding selected antennas of the plurality of antennas.

Another example system comprises: a signal routing portion; a signal routing portion; a plurality of MIMO wireless interfaces, each wireless interface comprising: a data port for receiving data for transmission over an air interface and outputting data received over the air interface, and a plurality of antenna ports; and an RF routing portion comprising: an antenna switch fabric, and a plurality of antennas; wherein the signal routing portion is operative to route data between the plurality of wireless interfaces and a data source and/or a data destination external to the CPE; wherein each wireless interface is operative to: for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for receiving, control the antenna switch fabric to select, based on at least a first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, a receive antenna, and for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for transmitting, control the antenna switch fabric to select, based on at least a second signal parameter associated with at least one antenna, a transmit antenna, wherein the selection of the transmit antenna is independent of the selection of the receive antenna; and wherein the antenna switch fabric is coupled to each of the plurality of antenna ports of each of the plurality of wireless interfaces, and further coupled to a plurality of antennas and is operative to, based on at least the control by each wireless interface, route RF signals between the antenna ports and the corresponding selected antennas of the plurality of antennas.

An example method comprises: by each of a plurality of MIMO wireless interfaces: measuring, for each antenna port of a plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for receiving, a first signal parameter associated with at least one antenna; based on at least the first signal parameter, controlling an antenna switch fabric coupled to the plurality of antenna ports to select a receive antenna from among a plurality of antennas; determining, by each of the plurality of wireless interfaces, for each antenna port of the plurality of antenna ports of the wireless interface that is used for transmitting, a second signal parameter associated with at least one antenna: based on at least the second signal parameter, controlling the antenna switch fabric to select a transmit antenna from among the plurality of antennas; and routing, by the antenna switch fabric, RF signals between the antenna ports and the corresponding selected antennas of the plurality of antennas.

Alternatively, or in addition to the other examples described herein, examples include any combination of the following:for each the wireless interface using a common frequency for transmitting and receiving, the first signal parameter and the second signal parameter comprise a common signal parameter measured locally to the wireless interface;for each the wireless interface using different frequencies for transmitting and receiving, the first signal parameter is measured locally to the wireless interface and the second signal parameter is measured at a distant end of the air interface;the first signal parameter is measured by the wireless interface;the selection of the transmit antenna is independent of the selection of the receive antenna;the plurality of antennas is disposed in a spherical arrangement;the plurality of antennas comprises at least 16 antennas;the system comprises a wireless CPE;the CPE comprises a signal routing portion and an RF routing portion;the RF routing portion comprises the antenna switch fabric and the plurality of antennas;the signal routing portion comprises an application layer, a bonding layer, and a routing layer;the routing layer is operative to route data packets between the plurality of wireless interfaces and the bonding layer;the bonding layer is operative to route data between the routing layer and the application layer;the application layer is operative to provide a gateway for data streams between the CPE and data sources external to the CPE;the application layer is operative to provide a gateway for data streams between the CPE and data destinations external to the CPE;the application layer, the bonding layer, and the routing layer are implemented using a computing device located within an arrangement of the plurality of antennas;each wireless interface is operative to use at least two antenna ports simultaneously for receiving;each wireless interface is operative to use at least two antenna ports simultaneously for transmitting;each wireless interface comprises at least four antenna ports;each wireless interface comprises a modem and an RF power amplifier;at least one wireless interface comprises a cellular modem;the cellular modem comprises a 5G cellular modem;the cellular modem comprises a 5G or later cellular modem;at least one wireless interface comprises a WiFi modem;the first and second signal parameter each comprises RSRP;the first and second signal parameter each comprises RSRQ;each wireless interface further comprises a control port;the antenna switch fabric comprises at least one control port coupled to the control port of at least one of the wireless interfaces;the antenna switch fabric further comprises a controller to manage the selections of the antennas;

the plurality of antennas comprises at least16antennas disposed in a spherical arrangement;the signal routing portion is implemented using a computing device located within the spherical arrangement;receiving the second signal parameter from a distant end of an air interface;determining the second signal parameter comprises measuring the first signal parameter; andthe first signal parameter and the second signal parameter comprise a common signal parameter.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the disclosure may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the disclosure. It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of.”