Dynamic configuration and use of wireless base stations in a network

According to one configuration, a wireless communication system includes antenna hardware, radio communication hardware, and a controller. The controller defines wireless sectors of coverage and configures them dynamically depending on network conditions. The radio communication hardware is coupled to the antenna hardware. The antenna hardware includes multiple antenna elements to wirelessly communicate in a network environment. During operation, the controller generates configuration settings to control a configuration of the radio communication hardware and the antenna hardware. The controller applies the configuration settings to the radio communication hardware to define corresponding wireless coverage provided by one or more software defined sectors in multiple base stations in a network environment. The one or more instantiated base stations (as indicated by the configuration settings) provide multiple communication devices in the network environment access to a remote network such as the Internet.

BACKGROUND

Conventional wireless networks typically include one or more wireless base stations to provide mobile communication devices access to a remote network such as the Internet. During operation, conventional base stations are configured to provide wireless coverage in an allocated portion of a geographical region.

For example, a first base station in a wireless communication system can be physically configured to provide wireless coverage between a 0 to 70 degree sector; a second (sector) base station in the wireless communication system can be configured to provide wireless coverage (sector) in a 70 to 160 degree sector; and so on.

In such an instance, antenna hardware associated with the first base station is physically mounted in an appropriate manner to provide wireless coverage between 0 and 70 degrees in the geographical region; antenna hardware associated with the second base station is physically mounted in an appropriate manner to provide wireless coverage between 70 and 160 degrees in the geographical region; and so on.

In this manner, multiple base stations can be configured to provide coverage in a particular geographical region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

There are deficiencies associated with conventional techniques of providing wireless connectivity to users. For example, each conventional base station is typically implemented to support wireless communications in a predetermined, fixed region. In order to change coverage of a wireless access point, the base station and/or a respective antenna device must be physically modified to cover the newly allocated wireless region. It is a time-consuming endeavor to re-design and physically install updated base stations and antenna devices to accommodate ever-changing network conditions.

Additionally, according to strict implementation standards and use of available wireless frequencies, each wireless access point is able to provide limited wireless output power. This disclosure further includes the observation that if the coverage region supported by a respective wireless access point is large, the effective wireless power to communicate with communication devices is quite limited when implementing an omni-directional antenna.

Embodiments herein provide novel ways of providing improved wireless communications to one or more mobile communication devices. Certain embodiments herein include dynamic configuration of software-defined sectors of wireless base stations in a network environment.

More specifically, a communications system includes base station controller hardware, radio communication hardware, and antenna hardware to communicate with one or more communication devices in a network environment. In one embodiment, the base station controller is instantiated in the radio communication hardware. To support communications, the base station controller hardware generates configuration settings to control the radio communication hardware coupled to the antenna hardware. In one embodiment, the configuration settings indicate one or more (virtual) base stations to be instantiated by the radio communication hardware. The antenna hardware includes multiple antenna elements to wirelessly communicate (transmit and receive wireless signals) in the network environment. The base station controller hardware applies the configuration settings to the configurable radio communication hardware to define corresponding wireless coverage (such as angle of coverage, communication range with respect to a base station, etc.) to be provided by each of multiple base stations in a network environment. In one embodiment, each corresponding region of wireless coverage is a software defined sector.

Subsequent to being instantiated, the multiple base stations (as configured by the base station controller hardware) provide multiple communication devices in the network environment access to a remote network.

In one embodiment, in addition to defining the one or more base stations in a network environment, the base station controller hardware produces the configuration settings to indicate a respective grouping of the antenna elements assigned for use by each of the multiple base stations. In accordance with the configuration settings, the radio communication hardware provides connectivity between the (virtual) base stations and respective groupings of antenna elements.

The configuration settings are adjustable to redefine base stations and corresponding wireless coverage in the wireless network environment. Accordingly, one embodiment herein includes modifying the configuration settings (number of base stations and corresponding wireless coverage) depending on network conditions.

If desired, at least portions of the wireless coverage provided by the multiple base stations as defined by the configuration settings are non-overlapping with respect to each other. For example, the base station controller hardware controls a first wireless base station to provide wireless coverage in a first region; the base station controller controls a second wireless base station to provide wireless coverage in a second region; the base station controller hardware controls a third wireless base station to provide wireless coverage in a third region; so on.

In accordance with further embodiments, the base station controller hardware generates the configuration settings to define attributes of the multiple base stations and corresponding wireless coverage depending on locations of multiple communication devices in the network environment. For example, the base station controller hardware can be configured to define the number of different base station regions depending on one or more attributes such as a number of communication devices to be serviced, density of communication devices in each of multiple regions to be serviced, wireless bandwidth requirements of the communication devices, locations of the mobile communication devices, etc.

To generate configuration settings, the base station controller hardware further performs operations of: selecting a first grouping of antenna elements from the antenna hardware to provide connectivity to communication devices in a first wireless coverage region in the network environment; assigning the first grouping of antenna elements to a first base station of the radio communication hardware that uses the first grouping of antenna elements to communicate with the communication devices in the first wireless coverage region; selecting a second grouping of antenna elements from the antenna hardware to provide connectivity to communication devices in a second wireless coverage region in the network environment; and assigning the second grouping of antenna elements to a second base station of the radio communication hardware.

The base station controller hardware then applies the configuration settings to the radio communication hardware to provide the assigned coverage. As previously discussed, the configuration settings define connectivity between the base station controller hardware and groupings of antenna elements. In one embodiment, the base station controller hardware: i) applies the configuration settings to the radio communication hardware to provide connectivity between the first base station and the first grouping of antenna elements; and ii) applies the configuration settings to the radio communication hardware to provide connectivity between the second base station and the second grouping of antenna elements. In this manner, the base station controller hardware can be configured to provide dynamic connectivity to multiple communication devices in a network environment depending on network conditions. As previously discussed, portions of the first wireless coverage region and the second wireless coverage region can be non-overlapping with respect to each other.

In addition to selecting configuration settings and different regions of wireless coverage, the base station controller hardware as discussed herein can be configured to select additional operating parameters such as one or more carrier frequencies to be used by each of the instantiated base stations. For example, in one embodiment, the base station controller hardware instantiates a first (virtual) base station in the radio communication hardware to wirelessly communicate from a first group of the antenna elements over a first group of one or more carrier frequencies; the base station controller hardware operates a second (virtual) base station of the multiple wireless base stations to wirelessly communicate from a second group of the antenna elements over a second group of one or more carrier frequencies; and so on. In one embodiment, there is no common frequency present in both the first group of carrier frequencies and the second group of carrier frequencies. In other words, if desired, the carrier frequency use among base stations is non-overlapping.

In accordance with alternative embodiments, the different base stations can be configured to share use of one or more carrier frequencies.

As previously discussed, conditions of a respective network environment can change over time. In accordance with further embodiments, to accommodate ever-changing network environment conditions (such as change in number of users, change in density of user sin a wireless region, bandwidth requirements, etc.), the base station controller hardware redefines use of the radio communication hardware and antenna hardware to provide different wireless coverage in the network environment depending on the network conditions. Thus, via the base station controller hardware, embodiments herein include: dynamically adjusting the configuration settings applied to the radio communication hardware to change a number of the multiple base stations instantiated by the radio communication hardware over time.

In accordance with still further embodiments, operations of generating configuration settings to control the radio communication hardware can include: i) producing the configuration settings to indicate a first portion of the antenna elements assigned to a first base station of multiple base stations instantiated by the base station controller hardware, ii) producing the configuration settings to indicate a second portion of the antenna elements assigned to a second base station of the multiple base stations instantiated by the base station controller hardware, and so on.

Further embodiments herein include controlling the first portion of the antenna elements assigned to the first instantiated base station to transmit at a same maximum wireless power level as the second portion of the antenna elements assigned to the second instantiated base station. Thus, instantiation of more base stations enables the radio communication hardware to transmit communications at an overall higher power density in the region.

In accordance with further embodiments, the base station controller hardware is operable to produce first configuration information to define a first grouping of base stations and corresponding first wireless coverage, the first configuration settings indicating different groupings of antenna elements selected from available antenna hardware to provide first wireless services; apply the first configuration information to the antenna hardware to provide the first wireless services in the wireless network environment; detect a change in network conditions; produce second configuration information to define a second grouping of base stations and corresponding second wireless coverage, the second configuration settings indicating different groupings of antenna elements selected from the available antenna hardware to provide second wireless services; and apply the second configuration information to the antenna hardware to provide the second wireless services in the network environment.

In one embodiment, the first grouping of base stations specifies a different number of base stations than the second grouping of base stations.

In accordance with further embodiments, the first wireless coverage is different than the second wireless coverage.

Yet further embodiments herein include detecting an increased number of mobile communication devices in a wireless network environment and producing the second configuration information to accommodate the increased number of mobile communication devices. Further embodiments herein can include detecting a decreased number of mobile communication devices in a wireless network environment and producing the second configuration information to accommodate the decreased number of mobile communication devices.

In accordance with still further embodiments, the antenna hardware is disposed at a single, central location in the wireless network environment.

Embodiments herein are useful over conventional techniques. For example, as previously discussed, the dynamic configuration of radio communication hardware and corresponding antenna hardware provide more efficient use of wireless resources in a network environment.

Note that any of the resources as discussed herein can include one or more computerized devices, mobile communication devices, servers, base stations, wireless communication equipment, communication management systems, workstations, user equipment, handheld or laptop computers, or the like to carry out and/or support any or all of the method operations disclosed herein. In other words, one or more computerized devices or processors can be programmed and/or configured to operate as explained herein to carry out the different embodiments as described herein.

One embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/or system having instructions stored thereon to facilitate dynamic implementation of base stations. The instructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware (such as one or more co-located or disparately processor devices) to: generate configuration settings to control radio communication hardware coupled to antenna hardware, the antenna hardware including multiple antenna elements to wirelessly communicate in a network environment; apply the configuration settings to the radio communication hardware to define corresponding wireless coverage provided by multiple base stations in a network environment; and via the multiple base stations, provide multiple communication devices in the network environment access to a remote network.

Another embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/or system having instructions stored thereon to facilitate dynamic implementation of base stations. The instructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware (such as one or more co-located or disparately processor devices) to: produce first configuration information to define a first grouping of base stations and corresponding first wireless coverage, the first configuration settings indicating different groupings of antenna elements selected from available antenna hardware to provide first wireless services; apply the first configuration information to the antenna hardware to provide first wireless services in a wireless network environment; detect a change in network conditions; produce second configuration information to define a second grouping of base stations and corresponding second wireless coverage, the second configuration settings indicating different groupings of antenna elements selected from the available antenna hardware to provide second first wireless services; and apply the second configuration information to the antenna hardware to provide the second wireless services in the network environment. The ordering of the steps above has been added for clarity sake. Note that any of the processing steps as discussed herein can be performed in any suitable order.

As discussed herein, techniques herein are well suited for use in the field of supporting different wireless services. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications and that the techniques discussed herein are well suited for other applications as well.

Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments herein (BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS) purposefully does not specify every embodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosure or claimed invention(s). Instead, this brief description only presents general embodiments and corresponding points of novelty over conventional techniques. For additional details and/or possible perspectives (permutations) of the invention(s), the reader is directed to the Detailed Description section (which is a summary of embodiments) and corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussed below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with general embodiments, a wireless communication system includes antenna hardware, radio communication hardware, and a controller. The controller defines the wireless sectors and configures them dynamically depending on network conditions. The radio communication hardware is coupled to the antenna hardware. The antenna hardware includes multiple antenna elements to wirelessly communicate in a network environment. During operation, the controller generates configuration settings to control a configuration of the radio communication hardware and the antenna hardware. The controller applies the configuration settings to the radio communication hardware to define corresponding wireless coverage provided by one or more software defined sectors in a network environment via instantiated multiple base station. The one or more instantiated base stations (as indicated by the configuration settings) provide multiple communication devices in the network environment access to a remote network such as the Internet.

Now, more specifically,FIG. 1is an example diagram illustrating a wireless network environment and dynamic implementation of different base station configurations according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the communication system in network environment100includes base station controller hardware140, radio communication hardware130, and antenna hardware150to support wireless communications with one or more communication devices (e.g., handheld mobile communication devices, fixed dish antenna communication devices, etc.) in network environment100.

As further discussed below, each of the base station controller hardware140, radio communication hardware130, etc., executes software instructions to carry different functions.

Note that, in one embodiment, the controller hardware140is instantiated in the radio communication hardware130or separate dedicated radio communication hardware.

In the present example, the antenna hardware150includes a 6×6 array of antenna elements. Note that use of a 6×6 array of antenna elements are shown by way of non-limiting example only. The antenna hardware150can include any sized array of antenna elements.

In one embodiment, the antenna hardware150is configured as a panel of antenna elements.

Each antenna element Axy (where x=row, y=column) in the antenna hardware130is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals. As further discussed below, different groupings of antenna elements can be assigned to provide different angular regions of wireless coverage (a.k.a., sectors) in a respective wireless network.

In one embodiment, the antenna hardware130is disposed at a single, central location in the wireless network environment. The antenna hardware130supports transmission and receipt of wireless communications in any angular direction. As further discussed below, different groupings of the antenna elements support different configurations of wireless coverage. Desired directivity and wireless coverage associated with a base station is achieved by combining elements in an assigned antenna array (of antenna elements) in such a way that emitted wireless signals at particular angles experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. Beamforming can be used at both the transmitting and receiving ends in order to achieve spatial selectivity.

In accordance with further embodiments, radio communication hardware130includes configurable connection hardware132and configurable base station hardware134.

The ability to configure the radio communication hardware130and antenna hardware150enables the base station controller hardware140to adjust wireless services (such as size and number of regions of wireless coverage) without having to physically adjust the antenna elements and/or base station hardware as is required by conventional communication systems. If a current implementation of multiple base stations does not provide appropriate services to mobile communication devices, the base station controller hardware140appropriately modifies the configuration settings110to correct any shortcomings.

In this example embodiment, the configurable base station hardware134includes any suitable resources such as computer processor hardware, data storage hardware, applications, software instructions, etc., in which to implement any of one or more (virtual) base stations120and corresponding functionality.

Each base station can be configured to operate independently of the other base stations120. As further discussed herein, each base station can be assigned any number of antenna elements associated with antenna hardware150in order to provide desired wireless connectivity (transmit and receive capability) to respective users in a defined region of wireless coverage. Each instantiated base station can be configured to provide wireless connectivity via one or more dynamic sectors of wireless coverage.

As its name suggests, the configurable connection hardware132provides configurable connectivity between the virtual base stations and the antenna hardware150. More specifically, as discussed herein, each base station is assigned one or more antenna elements for use to transmit and/or receive wireless communications from one or more communication devices.

To support wireless communications, the base station controller hardware generates configuration settings110to control settings of the radio communication hardware130coupled to the antenna hardware150. In one embodiment, the configuration settings110indicate one or more (virtual) base stations to be instantiated by the radio communication hardware130.

As previously discussed, the antenna hardware150includes multiple antenna elements to wirelessly communicate (transmit and receive wireless signals) in the network environment100. The base station controller hardware140applies the configuration settings110to the configurable radio communication hardware to define corresponding wireless coverage (such as angle of coverage, communication range/distance with respect to a antenna hardware/base station, etc.) to be provided by each of multiple base stations in the network environment100.

Subsequent to being instantiated, the multiple base stations (as configured by the base station controller hardware) provide different groupings of one or more communication devices in the network environment access to a remote network190such as the Internet, cellular network, etc.

For example, via upstream communications, the mobile communication devices communicate with a respective base station. The base station forwards the communications upstream through network190to a target destination such as server resource195-1, server resource195-2, communication device195-, etc.

In a reverse direction (downstream direction), the base station receives communications directed to a respective communication device from server resource195-1, server resource195-2, communication device195-3, etc. The base station forwards the communications over a wireless link to a respective destination communication device.

In one embodiment, in addition to defining the one or more base stations120to be implemented by the radio communication hardware130, the base station controller hardware140produces the configuration settings110to indicate a respective grouping of the antenna elements in antenna hardware150assigned for use by each of the multiple base stations120. In accordance with the configuration settings110, the configurable connection hardware132provides connectivity between the (virtual) base stations and respective groupings of antenna elements. As previously discussed, and as its name suggests, the settings of the configurable connection hardware132can be selected to connect a respective base station to any of one or more antenna elements associated with antenna hardware150.

As further discussed herein, the configuration settings110are adjustable over time to redefine base stations120instantiated by the configurable base station hardware134and corresponding provided wireless coverage in the wireless network environment100. Accordingly, one embodiment herein includes modifying the configuration settings110(such as number of base stations and corresponding wireless coverage) depending on network conditions.

In one embodiment, the base station controller140receives feedback107from one or more resources such as base stations120, communication devices, etc. The feedback107can indicate any suitable information such as the number of mobile communication devices serviced in a respective wireless coverage region, number of communication devices serviced by a respective base station, locations of communication devices, etc.

Based on the feedback, and detected changing network conditions, the base station controller hardware140updates the configuration settings110to provide efficient use of wireless resources (such as bandwidth) in the network environment100.

The base stations can be configured to support different types of communications such as LTE communications, WiFi™ communications, etc.

In one embodiment, each of the base stations120supports communication over the CRBS (Citizen Radio Band Service) such as in the 3.5 GHz band (around 3550-3700 MHz). In such an instance, each base station is assigned a corresponding CBRS identifier value. The band can be configured to support different carrier frequencies; each base station is assigned one or more of the carrier frequencies in the band to support wireless communications.

In accordance with still further embodiments, each base station can be configured to transmit wireless communications up to a maximum allowed EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radio Power) level for the given band. Increasing the number of instantiated base stations allows for an increased amount of wireless power to communicate in a given region serviced by the antenna hardware150. For example, each instantiated base station can be configured to transmit at a same, maximum wireless power level as the second portion of the antenna elements assigned to the second instantiated base station. Thus, instantiation of more base stations enables the radio communication hardware to transmit communications at an overall higher power density in the region.

If desired, at least portions of the wireless coverage (as indicated by wireless coverage regions160) provided by the multiple base stations120as defined by the configuration settings110are non-overlapping with respect to each other. For example, the base station controller hardware140can be configured to define a first wireless base station120-1to provide wireless connectivity to a first group of communication devices185-1in a first wireless coverage region160-1such as in an angular range between 0-100 degrees; the base station controller hardware140can be configured to define a second wireless base station120-2to provide wireless connectivity to a second group of communication devices185-2in the second wireless coverage region160-2such as in an angular range between 80-190 degrees; the base station controller hardware140can be configured to define a third wireless base station120-3to provide wireless connectivity to a third group of communication devices185-3in a third wireless coverage region160-3such as in an angular range between 170-280 degrees; so on.

In such an instance, either of the base station120-1and base station120-2in the above example can be configured to provide connectivity to mobile communication devices in the angular range between 80 and 100 degrees; either of the base station120-2and base station120-3in the above example can be configured to provide connectivity to mobile communication devices in the angular range between 170 and 190 degrees; and so on.

In accordance with further embodiments, the base station controller hardware140generates the configuration settings110to define attributes of the multiple base stations and corresponding wireless coverage depending on locations and/or wireless usage associated with multiple communication devices in the network environment. For example, the base station controller hardware140can be configured to define the number of different base station regions instantiated by the configurable base station hardware134and connectivity provided by configurable connection hardware132of radio communication harder130depending on one or more attributes such as a number of communication devices to be serviced, density of communication devices in each of multiple regions to be provided wireless service, locations of communication devices, bandwidth requirements of the communication devices, etc.

FIG. 2is an example diagram illustrating generation of first configuration settings according to embodiments herein.

At or around time T1, the base station controller hardware140generates configuration settings110-1to provide first wireless services to multiple (stationary or mobile) communication devices present in network environment100.

For example, in one embodiment, prior to generating configuration settings110-1, the base station controller hardware140determines how many base stations to instantiate in network environment100. In this example embodiment, assume that the base station controller hardware140produces the configuration settings110-1to support three base stations, namely, base station120-1,120-2, and120-3.

The number of base stations instantiated by the base station controller hardware140depends on factors such as number of communication devices in a wireless region, bandwidth to be provided to the communication devices, amount of interference, etc.

For each base station to be instantiated, the base station controller140selects an appropriate grouping of antenna elements in antenna hardware150to provide a corresponding group of communication devices connectivity to a remote network190. The antenna elements in antenna hardware150are located at different physical position in an array. Controlling phases of driving an assigned grouping of antenna elements and controlling phases of received signs from the antenna elements enables a respective base station to transmit and receive wireless communications in a particular wireless coverage region.

More specifically, in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a first grouping of antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15from the antenna hardware150to provide wireless connectivity to communication devices385-1in a first wireless coverage region160-1in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the first grouping of antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15and corresponding antenna interface132-1to first base station120-1to enable the base station120-1to communicate with the communication devices385-1in the first wireless coverage region160-1(first sector). In other words, the grouping of antenna elements is specifically chosen to provide a desired wireless coverage pattern.

Instantiation of the antenna interface132-1and its corresponding attributes (such as one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between the instantiated base station120-1and corresponding antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15assigned for use by base station120-2. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-1, the instantiated base station120-1is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices in wireless coverage region160-1(between 0 and 180 degrees). Further in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a second grouping of antenna elements A51, A61, and A62of antenna hardware150to provide connectivity to communication devices385-2in a second wireless coverage region160-2in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the second grouping of antenna elements A51, A61, and A62and antenna interface132-2to base station120-2to enable the base station120-2to communicate with the communication devices385-2in the second wireless coverage region160-2(second sector).

Instantiation of the antenna interface132-2(one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between instantiated base station120-2and corresponding antenna elements A51, A61, and A62assigned for use by base station120-2. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-2, the base station120-2is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices in wireless coverage region160-2(between 180 and 270 degrees).

Further in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a third grouping of antenna elements A56, A65, and A66of antenna hardware150to provide connectivity to communication devices385-3in a third wireless coverage region160-3in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the third grouping of antenna elements A56, A65, and A66and antenna interface132-3to the base station120-3to enable the base station120-3to communicate with the communication devices385-3in the third wireless coverage region160-3(third sector).

Instantiation of the antenna interface132-3(one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between base station120-3and corresponding antenna elements A56, A65, and A66assigned for use by base station120-3. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-3, the instantiated base station120-3is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices in wireless coverage region160-3(between 270 and 360 degrees).

In addition to selecting antenna elements and different regions of wireless coverage, the base station controller hardware140as discussed herein can be configured to select additional operating parameters such as one or more carrier frequencies to be used by each of the instantiated base stations120. The carrier frequencies can be selected from a group of available carrier frequencies CF1, CF2, CF3, CF4, etc. As previously discussed, the carrier frequencies can be defined to support LTE or other communications over the CBRS band or any other suitable band.

For example, in one embodiment, via configuration settings110-1, the base station controller hardware140generates configuration settings110-1to indicate a first (virtual) base station120-1in the radio communication hardware150to wirelessly communicate from a first group of the antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15using allocated carrier frequency CF1 and at a transmit level of 100% of a maximum possible power level; the base station controller hardware140generates configuration settings110-1to indicate a second (virtual) base station120-2in the radio communication hardware150to wirelessly communicate from a second group of the antenna elements A51, A61, and A62using allocated carrier frequency CF2 and at a transmit level of 100% of a maximum possible power level; the base station controller hardware140generates configuration settings110-1to indicate a third (virtual) base station120-3in the radio communication hardware150to wirelessly communicate from a third group of the antenna elements A56, A65, and A66using allocated carrier frequency CF3 and at a transmit level of 75% of a maximum possible power level.

In one embodiment, the maximum possible power level is defined by a communication standard that sets the limit. In one embodiment, the maximum power level is 47 dBm per 10 MHz (Megahertz) of wireless coverage.

Note that the base station controller hardware140can be configured to assign a less than maximum power level to a base station (such as base station120-3in this instance) in order to avoid or reduce interference with other base stations and communication devices in a particular direction (such as between 270 and 360 degrees).

Note again that as an alternative to assigning different carrier frequencies to each base station, further embodiments herein include assigning the same one or more carrier frequencies for use in situations where the wireless coverage regions are generally non-overlapping.

FIG. 3is an example diagram illustrating a first implementation of a configurable wireless network according to embodiments herein.

Subsequent to generation of the configuration settings110-1, at or around time T1, the base station controller hardware140or other suitable resource applies the configuration settings110-1to the radio communication hardware130to provide the allocated wireless coverage as specified by wireless coverage regions160-1,160-2, and160-3and corresponding sector coverage angles.

As previously discussed, the configuration settings110-1define physical connectivity between the base stations and different groupings of antenna elements.

In this example embodiment, in accordance with the configuration settings110-1, the base station controller hardware140instantiates base station120-1, base station120-2, and base station120-3in the configurable base station hardware134of radio communication hardware130as indicated by the configuration settings134. As previously discussed, the configuration settings110-1indicate the different resources (such as computer processor hardware, memory, software instructions, etc.) to be used to implement each of the (virtual) base stations.

Additionally, the base station controller hardware140or other suitable resource applies the configuration settings110-1to the configurable connection hardware132of the radio communication hardware130to provide the physical connectivity (as well as transmit/receive capability) between the base stations and assigned groupings of antenna elements in antenna hardware150. For example, via instantiation of antenna interface132-1in configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-1is able to transmit and receive wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15; via instantiation of antenna interface132-2in configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-2transmits and receives wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A51, A61, and A62; via instantiation of antenna interface132-3via configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-3transmits and receives wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A56, A65, and A66.

In this manner, the base station controller hardware140and corresponding resources such as radio communication hardware130and antenna hardware150can be configured to support upstream and downstream communications. For example, assigned antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15convert wireless signals received from communication devices385-1to electrical communication signals. The antenna interface132-1conveys the electrical communication signals (communications) to the base station120-1. The base station120-1transmits the corresponding communications through network190to the appropriate destination.

In a reverse direction, the base station120-1receives communications from one or more resources in network190. Via paths defined by the instantiated antenna interface132-1, the base station120-1transmits the received communications to antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15that convert the received communications into wireless signals transmitted in the wireless coverage region160-1to communication devices385-1.

Other base stations, antenna interfaces, and antenna elements operate in a similar manner.

FIG. 4is an example diagram illustrating generation of second configuration settings according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, conditions of a respective network environment can change over time. In accordance with further embodiments, to accommodate ever-changing network environment conditions (such as change in number of users, change in density of users in a wireless region, change in wireless bandwidth requirements, etc.), the base station controller hardware140redefines use of the radio communication hardware130and antenna hardware150to provide different wireless coverage in the network environment100depending on current network conditions as indicated by feedback107. Thus, via the base station controller hardware, embodiments herein include: dynamically adjusting the configuration settings applied to the radio communication hardware to change a number of the multiple base stations instantiated by the radio communication hardware over time.

Assume that the feedback107indicates an increase in the number of mobile communication devices in the angular range between 0 and 180 degrees at or around time T2. In response to detecting a need to instantiate another base station, the base station controller hardware140generates configuration settings110-2to provide second wireless services to one or more (stationary or mobile) communication devices present in network environment100.

For example, in one embodiment, prior to generating configuration settings110-2, the base station controller hardware140determines how many base stations to instantiate in network environment100. In this example embodiment, assume that the base station controller hardware140produces the configuration settings110-2to support four base stations, namely, base station120-2,120-3,120-4, and120-5. In this example embodiment, previous instantiated base station120-1is split into two new base stations120-4and120-5.

In a similar manner as previously discussed, for each base station to be instantiated, the base station controller140selects an appropriate grouping of antenna elements in antenna hardware150to provide a corresponding group of communication devices connectivity to a remote network190. The antenna elements in antenna hardware150are located at different physical position in an array. Controlling phases of driving an assigned grouping of antenna elements and controlling phases of received signals from the antenna elements enables a respective base station to transmit and receive wireless communications in a particular wireless coverage region.

More specifically, in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a grouping of antenna elements A15, A16, and A26from the antenna hardware150to provide wireless connectivity to communication devices585-4in wireless coverage region160-4in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the grouping of antenna elements A15, A16, and A26and corresponding antenna interface132-4to base station120-4to enable the base station120-4to communicate with the communication devices585-4in the wireless coverage region160-4(sector angle 0 to 90 degrees).

Instantiation of the antenna interface132-4(such as one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between the instantiated base station120-4and corresponding antenna elements A15, A16, and A26assigned for use by base station120-4. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-4, the instantiated base station120-4is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices585-4in wireless coverage region160-4(between 0 and 90 degrees).

Further in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a grouping of antenna elements A51, A61, and A62of antenna hardware150to provide connectivity to communication devices585-2in a second wireless coverage region160-2in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the grouping of antenna elements A51, A61, and A62and antenna interface132-2to base station120-2to enable the base station120-2to communicate with the communication devices585-2in the second wireless coverage region160-2(second sector).

The antenna interface132-2(one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between instantiated base station120-2and corresponding antenna elements A51, A61, and A62assigned for use by base station120-2. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-2, the base station120-2is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices585-2in wireless coverage region160-2(between 180 and 270 degrees).

Further in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a grouping of antenna elements A56, A65, and A66of antenna hardware150to provide connectivity to communication devices585-3in a third wireless coverage region160-3in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the grouping of antenna elements A56, A65, and A66and antenna interface132-3to the base station120-3to enable the base station120-3to communicate with the communication devices585-3in the third wireless coverage region160-3(third sector).

Instantiation of the antenna interface132-3(one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between base station120-3and corresponding antenna elements A56, A65, and A66assigned for use by base station120-3. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-3, the instantiated base station120-3is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices in wireless coverage region160-3(between 270 and 360 degrees).

Further in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects grouping of antenna elements A11, A12, and A21of antenna hardware150to provide connectivity to communication devices585-5in wireless coverage region160-5in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the grouping of antenna elements A11, A12, and A21and antenna interface132-5to base station120-5to enable the base station120-5to communicate with the communication devices585-5in the wireless coverage region160-5(fifth sector).

Instantiation of the antenna interface132-5(one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between instantiated base station120-5and corresponding antenna elements A11, A12, and A21assigned for use by base station120-2. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-5, the base station120-5is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices in wireless coverage region160-5(between 90 and 180 degrees).

In addition to selecting antenna elements and different regions of wireless coverage, the base station controller hardware140as discussed herein can be configured to select additional operating parameters such as one or more carrier frequencies to be used by each of the instantiated base stations120. The carrier frequencies can be selected from a group of available carrier frequencies CF1, CF2, CF3, CF4, etc.

As previously discussed, the base station controller hardware140can be configured to assign a less than maximum power level to a base station (such as base station120-3in this instance) in order to avoid or reduce interference with other base stations and communication devices in a particular direction (such as between 270 and 360 degrees).

FIG. 5is an example diagram illustrating a second implementation of a configurable wireless network according to embodiments herein.

Subsequent to generation of the configuration settings110-2, at or around time T2, the base station controller hardware140or other suitable resource applies the configuration settings110-2to the radio communication hardware130to provide the allocated wireless coverage as specified by wireless coverage regions160-2,160-3,160-4, and160-5and sector coverage angles.

As previously discussed, the configuration settings110-2define physical connectivity between the base stations and different groupings of antenna elements.

In this example embodiment, in accordance with the configuration settings110-2, the base station controller hardware140instantiates base station120-2, base station120-3, base station120-4, and base station120-5in the configurable base station hardware134of radio communication hardware130as indicated by the configuration settings110-2. As previously discussed, the configuration settings110-2indicate the different resources (such as computer processor hardware, memory, software instructions, etc.) to be used to implement each of the (virtual) base stations.

Additionally, the base station controller hardware140or other suitable resource applies the configuration settings110-2to the configurable connection hardware132of the radio communication hardware130to provide the physical connectivity (as well as transmit/receive capability) between the base stations and assigned groupings of antenna elements in antenna hardware150.

For example, via instantiation of antenna interface132-2in configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-2transmits and receives wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A51, A61, and A62; via instantiation of antenna interface132-3via configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-3transmits and receives wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A56, A65, and A66; via instantiation of antenna interface132-4via configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-4transmits and receives wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A15, A16, and A26; via instantiation of antenna interface132-5in configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-5is able to transmit and receive wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A11, A12, and A21.

FIG. 6is an example diagram illustrating generation of third configuration settings according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, conditions of a respective network environment can change over time. In accordance with further embodiments, to accommodate ever-changing network environment conditions (such as change in number of users, change in density of users in a wireless region, change in wireless bandwidth requirements, etc.), the base station controller hardware140redefines use of the radio communication hardware130and antenna hardware150to provide different wireless coverage in the network environment100depending on current network conditions as indicated by feedback107.

Assume that the feedback107indicates a decrease in the number of mobile communication devices or wireless bandwidth needed in the angular range between 90 and 270 degrees. At or around time T3, in response to detecting a need to consolidate base stations120-2and120-5, the base station controller hardware140generates configuration settings110-3to provide third wireless services to one or more (stationary or mobile) communication devices present in network environment100.

For example, in one embodiment, prior to generating configuration settings110-3, the base station controller hardware140determines how many base stations to instantiate in network environment100. In this example embodiment, assume that the base station controller hardware140produces the configuration settings110-3to support three base stations, namely, base station120-3,120-4, and120-6. As mentioned, the prior instantiated base stations120-2and120-5are consolidated into base station120-6.

In a similar manner as previously discussed, for each base station to be instantiated, the base station controller140selects an appropriate grouping of antenna elements in antenna hardware150to provide a corresponding group of communication devices connectivity to a remote network190. In one embodiment, the antenna elements in antenna hardware150are located at different physical positions in an array. Controlling phases of driving an assigned grouping of antenna elements and controlling phases of received signs from the antenna elements enables a respective base station to transmit and receive wireless communications in a particular wireless coverage region.

More specifically, in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a grouping of antenna elements A15, A16, and A26from the antenna hardware150to provide wireless connectivity to communication devices785-4in wireless coverage region160-4in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the grouping of antenna elements A15, A16, and A26and corresponding antenna interface132-4to base station120-4to enable the base station120-4to communicate with the communication devices785-4in the wireless coverage region160-4(sector angle 0 to 90 degrees).

The antenna interface132-4and its corresponding attributes (such as one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between the instantiated base station120-4and corresponding antenna elements A15, A16, and A26assigned for use by base station120-4. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-4, the instantiated base station120-4is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices785-4in wireless coverage region160-4(between 0 and 90 degrees).

Further in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a grouping of antenna elements A56, A65, and A66of antenna hardware150to provide connectivity to communication devices785-3in a third wireless coverage region160-3in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the grouping of antenna elements A56, A65, and A66and antenna interface132-3to the base station120-3to enable the base station120-3to communicate with the communication devices785-3in the third wireless coverage region160-3(third sector).

Instantiation of the antenna interface132-3(one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between base station120-3and corresponding antenna elements A56, A65, and A66assigned for use by base station120-3. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-3, the instantiated base station120-3is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices785-3in wireless coverage region160-3(between 270 and 360 degrees).

Further in this example embodiment, the base station controller140selects a grouping of antenna elements A21, A31, A41, and A51of antenna hardware150to provide connectivity to communication devices785-6in wireless coverage region160-6in the network environment100; the base station controller hardware140assigns the grouping of antenna elements A21, A31, A41, and A51and antenna interface132-6to base station120-6to enable the base station120-6to communicate with the communication devices785-6in the wireless coverage region160-6(sixth sector).

Instantiation of the antenna interface132-6(one or more resources in radio communication hardware130) as specified by the base station controller hardware140provides hardware connectivity between instantiated base station120-6and corresponding antenna elements A21, A31, A41, and A51assigned for use by base station120-6. Accordingly, via the antenna interface132-6, the base station120-6is able to transmit to and receive communications from communication devices785-6in wireless coverage region160-6(between 90 and 270 degrees).

In addition to selecting antenna elements and different regions of wireless coverage, the base station controller hardware140as discussed herein can be configured to select additional operating parameters such as one or more carrier frequencies to be used by each of the instantiated base stations120. The carrier frequencies can be selected from a group of available carrier frequencies CF1, CF2, CF3, CF4, etc.

As previously discussed, the base station controller hardware140can be configured to assign a less than maximum power level to a base station (such as base station120-3in this instance) in order to avoid or reduce interference with other base stations and communication devices in a particular direction (such as between 270 and 360 degrees).

FIG. 7is an example diagram illustrating a third implementation of a configurable wireless network according to embodiments herein.

Subsequent to generation of the configuration settings110-3, at or around time T3, the base station controller hardware140or other suitable resource applies the configuration settings110-3to the radio communication hardware130to provide the allocated wireless coverage as specified by wireless coverage regions160-3,160-4, and160-6and sector coverage angles.

As previously discussed, the configuration settings110-3define physical connectivity between the base stations and different groupings of antenna elements.

In this example embodiment, in accordance with the configuration settings110-3, the base station controller hardware140instantiates base station120-3, base station120-4, and base station120-6in the configurable base station hardware134of radio communication hardware130as indicated by the configuration settings110-3. As previously discussed, the configuration settings110-3indicate the different resource (such as computer processor hardware, memory, software instructions, etc.) to be used to implement each of the (virtual) base stations.

Additionally, the base station controller hardware140or other suitable resource applies the configuration settings110-3to the configurable connection hardware132of the radio communication hardware130to provide the physical connectivity (as well as transmit/receive capability) between the base stations and assigned groupings of antenna elements in antenna hardware150.

For example, via instantiation of antenna interface132-3in configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-2transmits and receives wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A56, A65, and A66; via instantiation of antenna interface132-4via configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-4transmits and receives wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A15, A16, and A26; via instantiation of antenna interface132-6via configurable connection hardware132, the base station120-6transmits and receives wireless communications over assigned antenna elements A21, A31, A41, and A51.

FIG. 8is an example block diagram of a computer system for implementing any of the operations as previously discussed according to embodiments herein.

Any of the resources (such as base station controller hardware140, radio communication hardware130, configurable connection hardware132, configurable base station harder134, antenna hardware150, one or more communication devices, etc.) as discussed herein can be configured to include computer processor hardware and/or corresponding executable instructions to carry out the different operations as discussed herein.

As shown, computer system850of the present example includes an interconnect811that couples computer readable storage media812such as a non-transitory type of media (which can be any suitable type of hardware storage medium in which digital information can be stored and retrieved), a processor813(computer processor hardware), I/O interface814, and a communications interface817.

Computer readable storage medium812can be any hardware storage device such as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In one embodiment, the computer readable storage medium812stores instructions and/or data.

As shown, computer readable storage media812can be encoded with communication management application140-1(e.g., including instructions) to carry out any of the operations as discussed herein.

During operation of one embodiment, processor813accesses computer readable storage media812via the use of interconnect811in order to launch, run, execute, interpret or otherwise perform the instructions in management application540-1stored on computer readable storage medium812. Execution of the communication management application140-1produces communication management process140-2to carry out any of the operations and/or processes as discussed herein.

In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system may reside in any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a mobile computer, a personal computer system, a wireless device, a wireless access point, a base station, phone device, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, application server, storage device, a consumer electronics device such as a camera, camcorder, set top box, mobile device, video game console, handheld video game device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, set-top box, content management device, handheld remote control device, any type of computing or electronic device, etc. The computer system850may reside at any location or can be included in any suitable resource in any network environment to implement functionality as discussed herein.

Functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussed via flowcharts inFIGS. 9-10. Note that the steps in the flowcharts below can be executed in any suitable order.

FIG. 9is a flowchart900illustrating an example method according to embodiments. Note that there will be some overlap with respect to concepts as discussed above.

In processing operation910, the base station controller hardware140(such as via execution of communication management application140-1) generates configuration settings110to control radio communication hardware130coupled to antenna hardware150. The antenna hardware150includes multiple antenna elements (such as A11, A12, . . . , A21, A22, . . . ) to wirelessly communicate in network environment100.

In processing operation920, the base station controller hardware140applies the configuration settings110to the radio communication hardware130to define instantiation of the multiple base stations120and corresponding wireless coverage160provided by each of multiple base stations120in network environment100.

In processing operation930, the multiple base stations120instantiated by the base station controller hardware140in the radio communication hardware130provide multiple communication devices in the network environment access to a remote network190. As previously discussed, in one embodiment, the configuration settings110indicate settings to apply to the configurable base station harder134to instantiate corresponding (virtual) base stations120. Additionally, the configuration settings110indicate settings to apply to the configurable connection hardware132to instantiate corresponding antenna interfaces (132-1,132-2, etc.), providing control/communication paths between the base stations and groupings of antenna elements.

FIG. 10is a flowchart1000illustrating an example method according to embodiments. Note that there will be some overlap with respect to concepts as discussed above.

In processing operation1010, the base station controller hardware140produces first configuration settings110-1(configuration information) to define a first grouping of base stations120(such as base stations120-1,120-2, and120-3) and corresponding first wireless coverage160(such as wireless coverage160-1,160-2, and160-3). The first configuration settings110-1indicate different groupings of antenna elements selected from available antenna hardware150to provide first wireless services.

In processing operation1020, the base station controller hardware140applies the first configuration settings110-1to the antenna hardware150to provide the first wireless services in the wireless network environment100.

In processing operation, the base station controller hardware140detects a change in network conditions such as based on feedback107. Feedback107can be received from any suitable resource such as base stations120, communication devices, etc.

In processing operation1040, the base station controller hardware140produces second configuration settings110-2to define a second grouping of base stations120(such as base station120-2,120-3,120-4, and120-5) and corresponding second wireless coverage160(such as wireless coverage160-2,160-3,160-4, and160-5). The second configuration settings110-2indicate different groupings of antenna elements selected from the available antenna hardware150to provide the second wireless services.

In processing operation1050, the base station controller hardware140applies the second configuration settings110-2to the antenna hardware150to provide the second wireless services in the network environment100.

As an example of this embodiment, with reference back toFIG. 3and corresponding configuration settings110-2inFIG. 2, the base station controller hardware140is operable to produce first configuration settings110-1(configuration information) to define a first grouping of base stations and corresponding first wireless coverage; the first configuration settings110-1indicate different groupings of antenna elements selected from available antenna hardware150to provide first wireless services. As previously discussed, in accordance with the configuration settings110-2, the radio communication hardware130and antenna hardware150applies the first configuration information to provide the first wireless services in the wireless network environment100.

In response to detecting a change in network conditions based on feedback107such as indicating an increased number of mobile communication devices in a wireless network environment100, to accommodate the increased number of mobile communication devices, the base station controller hardware140produces second configuration information110-2(FIG. 4) to define a second grouping of base stations and corresponding second wireless coverage; the second configuration settings indicate different groupings of antenna elements selected from the available antenna hardware to provide second wireless services (FIG. 5). The radio communication hardware130and antenna hardware150apply the second configuration information110-2to provide the second wireless services in the network environment.

In one embodiment, the first grouping of base stations (base station120-1,120-2,120-3) in configuration settings110-1(FIG. 2) specifies a different number of base stations than the second grouping of base stations (120-2,120-3,120-4,120-5) in configuration settings110-2(FIG. 4). The first wireless coverage provided by configuration settings110-1is different than the second wireless coverage provided by configuration settings110-2.

FIG. 11is an example diagram illustrating a transceiver (transmitter-receiver) interface according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, in accordance with configuration settings110-1ofFIG. 2, the base station120-1is assigned use of antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15.

In one embodiment, the configurable connection hardware132includes a transmitter interface and a receiver interface coupled to each antenna element. Via configurable connection hardware132, each antenna element can be assigned for use by any of the respective base stations.

More specifically, antenna element A11is coupled to transmitter interface360-11and receiver interface370-11of configurable connection hardware132. Transmitter interface360-11drives antenna element A11to transmit a wireless signal; antenna element A11converts received wireless signals into electrical signals conveyed to receiver interface370-11.

Antenna element A12is coupled to transmitter interface360-12and receiver interface370-12of configurable connection hardware132. Transmitter interface360-12drives antenna element A12to transmit a wireless signal; antenna element A12converts received wireless signals into electrical signals conveyed to receiver interface370-12.

Antenna element A13is coupled to transmitter interface360-13and receiver interface370-13of configurable connection hardware132. Transmitter interface360-13drives antenna element A13to transmit a wireless signal; antenna element A13converts received wireless signals into electrical signals conveyed to receiver interface370-13.

Antenna element A14is coupled to transmitter interface360-14and receiver interface370-14of configurable connection hardware132. Transmitter interface360-14drives antenna element A14to transmit a wireless signal; antenna element A14converts received wireless signals into electrical signals conveyed to receiver interface370-14.

Antenna element A15is coupled to transmitter interface360-15and receiver interface370-15of configurable connection hardware132. Transmitter interface360-15drives antenna element A15to transmit a wireless signal; antenna element A15converts received wireless signals into electrical signals conveyed to receiver interface370-15.

Antenna element A16is coupled to transmitter interface360-16and receiver interface370-16of configurable connection hardware132. Transmitter interface360-16drives antenna element A16to transmit a wireless signal; antenna element A16converts received wireless signals into electrical signals conveyed to receiver interface370-16.

In a similar manner, each antenna element is coupled to a corresponding transmitter interface/receiver interface.

As previously discussed, each antenna element can be dynamically assigned for use by any instantiated base station. In this example embodiment, such as based onFIGS. 2 and 3and corresponding configuration settings110-1, the base station120-1inFIG. 11is assigned use of antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15. Antenna interface132-1is assigned (as indicated by configuration settings110-1) to provide connectivity of the instantiated base station120-1to the corresponding antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15as shown inFIG. 11. Via connectivity provided by antenna interface132-1, and corresponding circuitry such as transmitter interface360-12,360-13,360-14, etc.,370-12,370-13,370-14, etc.), the base station120-1is able to transmit and receive wireless communications using antenna elements A12, A13, A14, and A15. As previously discussed, phases of received and transmitted signals are controlled to provide directivity of the generated/received wireless signals in the respective wireless coverage region160-1.

Note again that techniques herein are well suited to facilitate dynamic implementation of base stations, antenna elements, and allocation of wireless bandwidth in a network environment. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications and that the techniques discussed herein are well suited for other applications as well.