Abstract:
A first device wirelessly transmits and/or receives swept 60 GHz beacon signals to and/or from other devices. Beacon signals indicate angle of reception and/or relative direction with respect to other devices. Knowing reception angle and/or relative direction enables beamforming of adaptive and/or steered antennas for communication. 60 GHz beacons are swept over one or more angles. Identity information, configuration information, timing information and/or spatial information are communicated via 60 GHz beacons. Control and/or coordination information are transmitted and/or received. Reception angle, relative direction and/or distance between devices are determined based on 60 GHz beacons. Adaptive and/or steered antennas used for communication are initialized and/or undergo beamforming for 60 GHz, based on the angle, direction and/or distance between devices. Devices are mobile and/or stationary. Devices comprise mobile stations, base stations, wireless phones, access points, set-top-boxes, computers, game consoles, video servers, video recorders, video playback devices, residential gateways and internet browsing devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application makes reference to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/944,011 (Attorney Docket No. 18656US01), filed on Jun. 14, 2007, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless communication. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for 60 GHz antenna adaptation and user coordination based on base station beacons. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The field of wireless communication has seen dramatic growth the last few years. In today&#39;s world, most people use their mobile devices, be it cellular phones, PDA&#39;s, laptops, media players and/or other devices for business and personal use on a constant and daily basis. Often multiple users within a local environment operate on a plurality of wireless interfaces. In addition to voice and data communication such as email and internet browsing, these devices may enable high speed data transfer such as video streaming or multi-user gaming wherein multiple users interact with one or more video display applications. Wireless service providers may offer links via various wireless technologies such as GSM, CDMA or WIMAX for wide area communications while links utilized within a local region or interior space may comprise technologies such as wireless local area networks (WLAN) and wireless personal area networks (WPAN). 
         [0004]    Many service providers offer location based services for hand held wireless devices. These location based services may utilize satellite reference systems such as the Global Positioning system (GPS). The GPS system comprises 24 medium orbit satellites that enable devices comprising GPS receivers to determine position and time. The devices may calculate their position by measuring their distance from three or more GPS satellites. In some instances, the GPS system may be utilized as a clock reference for a plurality of devices that depend on a known time reference. 
         [0005]    Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A system and/or method for 60 GHz antenna adaptation and user coordination based on base station beacons, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
         [0007]    Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system for 60 GHz antenna adaptation and user coordination based on base station beacons, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary wireless base station and mobile station communicating via one or more wireless links comprising a 60 GHz wireless link and a plurality of lower frequency wireless links, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system that may perform location determination measurements via one or more 60 GHz wireless links and/or one or more lower frequency links, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system that may perform location determination measurements via one or more 60 GHz wireless links and/or one or more lower frequency links, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system that may communicate via one or more 60 GHz wireless links via highly directional adaptive antennas, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary steps for location determination and antenna adaptation utilizing a 60 GHz wireless link, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system for 60 GHz antenna adaptation and user coordination based on base station beacons. Various aspects of the invention may enable communication between two or more wireless devices via a 60 GHz wireless link. In this regard, 60 GHz transmissions may utilize any available unlicensed millimeter wave frequency band within the range of 57 to 66 GHz. Due to the characteristics of radio wave propagation at extremely high frequencies, 60 GHz wireless links may be best utilized for communication over short distances and may be transmitted in highly directional beams. Accordingly, a pair of antennas enabled as 60 GHz, transmitting and receiving link partners may need to be precisely aligned in order to maintain communication. Adaptive antennas may be utilized to maintain such an alignment between two 60 GHz link partners during transmissions. However, determining the initial alignment via adaptive antenna signal processing may be time consuming. Therefore, various location determination techniques may be utilized to aid in the initial alignment of antennas utilized in 60 GHz communications. For example, a beacon signal may be transmitted from a base station to aid in location determination of one or more mobile devices. The beacon may be transmitted via a directional radiation pattern that may be swept through an angle over azimuth or altitude for example. The base station and mobile stations may utilize angle and/or distance measurements based on the beacon to locate the mobile stations and map their positions. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments of the invention, the location determination process may be aided by global positioning system (GPS) data, a terrestrial reference system, and/or a compass for position and/or time references. The base station and mobile stations may share location determination information in order to enable 60 GHz transmissions via adaptive antennas. In this regard, the base station and mobile stations may comprise a plurality of wireless interfaces for communication tasks such as device discovery, initial connection, security operations, application operations, location determination enablement and location information sharing for example. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments of the invention, antenna arrays may be utilized that enable beamforming such as in phased arrays, for example, to modify the direction of transmission and/or reception. Beamforming may be based on improving signal to noise ratio (SNR) and/or received signal strength. Accordingly, signal processing may be utilized to adjust the amplitude and/or phase of signal components and therefore modify beam or sensitivity direction via the antenna array. Adaptive beamforming may enable modification of the beam direction according to perceived varying spatial relationships between wireless devices. In some aspects of the invention, switched beamforming may be utilized. In this regard, the direction of radiation may be switched through a plurality of fixed beam patterns. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system for 60 GHz antenna adaptation and user coordination based on base station beacons, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1A , there is shown two wireless devices, a base station  102  and a mobile station  104 . The two wireless devices  102  and  104  may each comprise at least a processor block  112 , a memory block  114 , a 60 GHz block  110   a  and antenna interfaces  116  and  118  respectively. In addition, the base station  102  and mobile station  104  may each comprise one or more of a wireless local area network (WLAN) block  110   b , a wireless personal area network (WPAN) block  110   c , and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver  110   d . The base station  102  and mobile station  104  are not limited to these specific wireless technology interfaces and may comprise any suitable wireless interface, for example, any type of cellular and/or WIMAX technologies may be utilized. 
         [0018]    The base station  102  and mobile station  104  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable wireless communication via one or more of the wireless interfaces 60 GHz  110   a , WLAN  110   b , WPAN  110   c  and/or GPS receiver  110   d . For example, the highly directional 60 GHz interface  110   a  may be utilized for location determination operations and or data transfer. Communications via one or more of the lower frequency band interfaces, for example, WLAN  110   b  and/or WPAN  110   c  may enable tasks such as device discovery, connection initiation, security operations, data transfer, service coordination and/or location determination for example. In some embodiments of the invention, the base station  102 , may control and coordinate operations among one or more mobile stations such as mobile station  104 . For example, the base station  102  may communicate mobile station position information to one or more mobile stations that may enable mobile stations to adapt antennas for highly directional 60 GHz communications. 
         [0019]    The base station  102  and/or mobile station  104  may not be limited with regard to any specific software application. For example, the 60 GHz wireless interfaces  110   a  may be utilized for high speed multi user video gaming or video streaming for example and the base station  102  and/or mobile station  104  may comprise video displays. In addition, the mobile station  104  and/or base station  102  may be enable internet access for browsing, gaming, data retrieval and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP). The wireless multimode devices  102  and/or  104  may enable wireless phone connections for example. 
         [0020]    The base station  102  may be a stand-alone stationary device or may be substantially the same as or similar to the mobile station device  104 . In some embodiments of the invention, the base station  102  may be incorporated into a device such as a set-top box, a home gateway or gaming console for example. Moreover, the base station  102  may act as a residential gateway and may connect to the internet or another network via a line and/or wireless connection. Furthermore, the base station  102  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to transmit a beacon signal via the 60 GHz link  110   a  or via a lower frequency wireless interface for example WLAN  110   b  or WPAN  110   c.    
         [0021]    The processor blocks  112  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to enable a plurality of tasks for the base station  102  and mobile station  104 . For example the processor block  112  may enable location determination tasks that may comprise processing spatial information and mapping mobile station positions. The processor block  112  may enable coordination of communication operations for one or more mobile stations  104 . Antenna management and signal processing, for example beamforming, may be enabled within the processor block  112 . In addition, the processor block  112  may enable applications operations, for example, gaming or digital image rendering processes. In this regard, the processor block  112  may comprise one or more general purpose processors and/or one or more special purpose processors. The processor block  112  may be communicatively coupled to the memory block  114 , the antenna block  116  or  118 , the 60 GHz block  110   a , WLAN block  110   b , WPAN block  110   c  and or the GPS receiver  110   d.    
         [0022]    The memory blocks  114  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to store and retrieve data for the base station  102  and mobile station  104 . In addition to supporting communications, gaming and/or image processing operations, the memory block  114  may support location determination operations. The memory block  114  may be communicatively coupled with the processor block  112 , the antenna block  116  or  118 , the 60 GHz block  110   a , WLAN block  110   b , WPAN block  110   c  and or the GPS receiver  110   d.    
         [0023]    The antenna block  116  in the base station  102  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to enable transmission and/or reception of signals between the base station  102  and one or more mobile stations such as mobile station  104 . The antenna block  116  may comprise one or more antenna elements and/or antenna arrays. In this regard, beamforming via adaptive signal processing and/or beam switching may be utilized for 60 GHz communications. Antennas may be wide band and/or narrow band and may vary with respect to radiation pattern according to the needs of a specific design. In addition, the antenna block  116  may enable transmission of a pilot or beacon signal which may be radiated in an omni directional pattern or may be radiated in a directional pattern and may be swept through an angle over azimuth or altitude for example. In this regard, the beacon may be transmitted on the 60 GHz wireless interface  110   a  or on a lower frequency interface such as WLAN  110   b  or WPAN  110   c  via a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band carrier for example. The antenna block  116  may be communicatively coupled with the 60 GHz block  110   a , the WLAN block  110   b , the WPAN block  110   c , the GPS receiver  110   d  and/or any other wireless transceiver suitable for the base station  102 . In addition, the antenna block  116  may be communicatively coupled with the processor block  112  and the memory block  114 . 
         [0024]    The antenna block  118  in the mobile station  104  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to enable transmission and/or reception of signals between the mobile station  104  and the base station  102  as well as between two or more mobile stations such as the mobile station  104 . The antenna block  118  may comprise one or more antenna elements and/or antenna arrays and may enable beamforming for example via adaptive signal processing or beam switching for 60 GHz communications between two or more mobile stations and/or between a mobile station and a base station  102 . Antennas may be wide band and/or narrow band and may vary with respect to radiation pattern according to the needs of a specific design. In addition, the antenna block  118  may enable reception of a pilot or beacon signal from the base station  102 . The pilot signal may be received via an omni directional pattern antenna or a directional pattern antenna as well as an antenna enabled to adapt to varying signal direction. In this regard, the beacon may be received on the 60 GHz wireless interface  110   a  or on a lower frequency interface such as WLAN  110   b  or WPAN  110   c  via a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band carrier for example. The antenna block  118  may be communicatively coupled with the 60 GHz block  110   a , the WLAN block  110   b , the WPAN block  110   c , the GPS receiver  110   d  and/or any other wireless transceiver suitable for the mobile station  104 . In addition, the antenna block  118  may be communicatively coupled with the processor block  112  and the memory block  114  within the mobile station  104 . 
         [0025]    The 60 GHz physical interface  110   a  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code to enable communications within a local region relative to the base station  102  and mobile station  104 . The 60 GHz interface may, for example, enable local file transfers, video connections and/or high speed gaming for one or more users. The 60 GHz block may comprise a physical layer interface or a physical layer interface and a medium access control (MAC) layer. 60 GHz signals may be transmitted short distances, point to point, in a highly directional radiating pattern. In addition, the 60 GHz interface  110   a  may enable location determination operations for the base station  102  and/or the mobile station  104 . In addition, the 60 GHz physical interface may support high speed data transfer via an ultra wide band (UWB) technology for example, or other wireless technologies. 
         [0026]    The wireless local area network (WLAN) block  110   b  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to enable communications within a local region relative to the base station  102  and mobile station  104 . The WLAN block  110   b  may support an IEEE 802.11 physical layer (PHY) or a PHY and a media access control (MAC) layer. In addition, the WLAN block  110   b  may operate on a lower portion of spectrum, for example, near 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz for example. The WLAN block  110   b  may be utilized to communicate and/or retrieve data from a computer or network, for example video and/or audio data. Moreover, the WLAN block  110   b  may be utilized to access the Internet for retrieval of audio/video data, web surfing and/or voice over IP for example. In some embodiments of the invention, the WLAN may be utilized to support location determination by sharing geo-location information obtained via the 60 GHz block  110   a  and/or GPS block  110   d  with one or more devices. 
         [0027]    The wireless personal area network (WPAN) block  110   c  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to enable communications within a local region relative to the base station  102  and/or  104 . The WPAN block  110   c  may comprise for example, a Bluetooth transceiver comprising a physical layer interface or a physical layer interface and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The WPAN block  110   c  may support operations in the 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequency bands or may operate in other suitable spectrum. The WPAN block  110   c  is not limited with regard to wireless technologies and may, for example, support frequency hopping or UWB technology capable of high speed file transfer such as Wimedia. The WPAN block  110   c  may enable device discovery, security operations and/or general administrative activity among the base station  102  and mobile station  104 . The WPAN block  110   c  may be communicatively coupled with the processor block  112 , the memory block  114  and/or the antenna blocks  116  and/or  118 . 
         [0028]    The GPS block  110   d  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to enable communications with Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. The GPS block  110   d  may comprise a GPS receiver enabling reception of spread spectrum signals carrying information that enables clock synchronization and/or coarse position determination for civilian applications or more precise position determination for military applications. GPS information comprising satellite position, current time and measured delay of the received signal, may be utilized to calculate a position fix for the base station  102  and/or the mobile station  104 . Position errors caused by atmospheric conditions, multi-path signals, clock errors and other physical conditions may be processed for improved accuracy. The GPS block  110   d  may be communicatively coupled with the processor block  112 , the memory block  114  and the antenna block  116  and/or  118 . 
         [0029]    In operation, the base station  102  and mobile station  104  may communicate via multiple wireless interfaces comprising a 60 GHz interface  110   a  and one or more lower frequency wireless interfaces  110   b  and/or  110   c . Moreover, the base station  102  and/or one or more mobile stations may communicate via adaptive antennas. The 60 GHz block  110   a , WLAN block  110   b , WPAN block  110   c  and/or the GPS block  110   d  may enable location determination operations. In this regard, the 60 GHz block  110   a  may improve the precision of location information that may be based on lower bandwidth measurements. In addition, high speed data transfer, for example audio and/or video data, may be transmitted between the base station  102  and mobile station  104  or between two or more mobile stations such as mobile station  104  via the 60 GHz physical interface  110   a.    
         [0030]    The lower frequency interfaces, for example WLAN  110   b  and/or WPAN  110   c , may be utilized to enable application and communication operations among the base station  102  and mobile station  104 . For example, lower frequency interfaces may be utilized to transfer data with regard to security and/or coordination among devices. A WPAN interface  110   c  may, for example, enable discovery of devices within a local region. A WLAN interface  110   b  may, for example, enable sharing of location determination information among devices. In addition, the lower frequency interfaces WLAN  110   b  and/or WPAN  110   c  may enable location determination of mobile stations. In this regard, location information gathered via the lower frequency interfaces WLAN  110   b  and/or WPAN  110   c  interfaces for example, may be utilized to aid in establishing highly directional 60 GHz connections via adaptive antennas between the base station  102  and mobile station  104  or between two or more mobile stations  104 . In another aspect of the invention, the WLAN physical interface  110   b  and/or WPAN  110   c  interfaces may be utilized by applications running on the base station  102  to distribute information retrieved from a network. 
         [0031]    The base station  102  and/or mobile station  104  may be utilized in a plurality of applications that may comprise multi-user high speed wireless gaming and/or audio/video wireless data transfer and rendering for example. The invention is not limited with regard to specific applications and the base station  102  and/or mobile station  104  may support a plurality of applications. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1B  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary wireless base station and mobile station communicating via one or more wireless links comprising a 60 GHz wireless link and a plurality of lower frequency wireless links, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1B , there is shown a base station  102  and mobile station  104 , a lower frequency wireless link  106 , a 60 GHz wireless link  108 , an optional line or wireless communications link  154  and an optional network  120 . 
         [0033]    The base station  102  may be the same or similar to the base station  102  described in  FIG. 1A . The base station  102  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code to enable wireless communication via one or more wireless interfaces as well as enable location determination of one or more mobile stations  104  via a 60 GHz wireless link  108  and/or a lower frequency wireless link  108 . In addition, the base station  102  may be capable of receiving GPS information for location determination assistance. In one embodiment of the invention, the base station  102  may be connected to a line and/or wireless network  120  that may be, for example, the Internet Accordingly, the base station  102  may act as an access point and/or a gateway to a network for one or more local devices such as the mobile station  104 . In addition, the base station  102  may serve as a coordinator and/or controller of operations in relation to one or more devices such as mobile station  104  and may change roles with another device such as the mobile station  104 , wherein the other device becomes the coordinator and/or controller of operations. Moreover, the base station  102  may handle peer to peer relationships with one or more devices such the mobile station  104 . The base station  102  may be a stationary unit or may be portable or mobile. In this regard, the base station  104  may be a stand alone unit or may, for example, be incorporated in a WLAN access point, a set top box, a game console, a computer, a video server or video recorder/player device. 
         [0034]    The base station  102  may enable location determination for one or more devices such as the mobile station  104 . In this regard, the base station  102  may transmit a 60 GHz pilot or beacon signal via the wireless link  108  to enable position measurements and/or location determination for one or more devices such as mobile station  104 . The base station  102  may utilize wireless technologies on lower operating frequencies, for example, utilizing WLAN  110   b  or WPAN  110   c  via wireless link  106  to share location determination information with one or more devices such as mobile station  104 . Moreover, the lower frequency link  106  may be utilized for device position measurements. In this regard, position measurements may be utilized to enable highly directional antenna orientation for 60 GHz transmissions between the base station  102  and mobile station  104  and/or between two or more mobile stations such as the mobile station  104 . 
         [0035]    The mobile station  104  may be the same or similar to the mobile station  104  described in  FIG. 1A . The mobile station  104  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code to enable communication via one or more wireless links such as the 60 GHz wireless link  108  and/or the lower frequency link  106  and may utilize adaptive antennas. The mobile station  104  may enable location determination via the 60 GHz link  108  and/or one or more lower frequency links  106 . In addition, the wireless mobile station  104  may be capable of receiving and processing GPS information for location determination assistance. In one embodiment of the invention, the mobile station  104  may receive coordination and/or control information from the base station  102 . In some embodiments of the invention, the mobile station  104  may be enabled to change roles with base station  102  wherein mobile station  104  may become the coordinator and/or controller of operations among a plurality of devices. Moreover, the mobile station  104  may handle peer to peer relationships with one or more devices such as base station  102  and/or mobile station  104 . 
         [0036]    The mobile station  104  may enable location determination for base station  102  and/or one or more mobile stations  104 . In this regard, the mobile station  104  may receive and/or may transmit a pilot or beacon signal via the 60 GHz wireless link  108  and/or the lower frequency link  106  to enable location determination. The mobile station  104  may utilize wireless technologies on lower operating frequencies for example WLAN or WPAN to share information for example information regarding discovery, location determination, security operations, application data, control and/or coordination information with base station  102  and/or other mobile stations such as mobile station  104 . 
         [0037]    The wireless link  106  may communicatively couple two or more wireless devices such as base station  102  and mobile station  104  and/or two or more mobile stations such as the mobile station  104 . Accordingly, the base station  102  and mobile station  104  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code to generate the lower frequency link  106 . Accordingly, the wireless link  106  may be enabled to share data, perform discovery, initiate connections and/or facilitate operations for example. Moreover, the lower frequency link may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code to transmit and/or receive a pilot or beacon signal between the base station  102  and/or mobile station  104 . The wireless link  106  may support lower frequencies than the 60 GHz link  108 , for example 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz and may be communicatively connected with the WPAN  110   c  and/or WLAN  110   b  interfaces for example. However, the invention is not limited with regard to specific carrier frequencies and any suitable frequency may be utilized. These lower frequency wireless links  106  may be radiated in a directional pattern, a broad-angle pattern or even in an omni directional pattern and may be scanned over an angle for example. Achievable transmission distance or range, supported by the lower frequency wireless link  106 , may vary depending on a plurality of factors comprising carrier frequency, wireless technology, radiating power as well as physical environment (for example, an interior space versus an exterior space). Ranges may vary from approximately 10 m to over 100 m. In some embodiments of the invention, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology may be utilized for short range communications among the base station  102  and one or more mobile stations  104 . Accordingly, UWB links may support high speed data transfers. Moreover, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) or various other cellular connections may be utilized and may enable longer range communications. 
         [0038]    The 60 GHz wireless link  108  may communicatively couple two or more wireless devices such as base station  102  and mobile station  104  and/or between two or more mobile stations such as the mobile station  104 . Accordingly, the base station  102  and mobile station  104  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code to generate the 60 GHz wireless link  108 . Moreover, the 60 GHz link  108  may be communicatively connected with the 60 GHz interface  110   a  in the base station  102  and/or mobile station  104  for example. The 60 GHz wireless link  108  may be enabled to support location determination operations, video streaming, high speed video for multi-user gaming connections and/or high speed data transfers between base station  102  and mobile station  104  and/or between two or more mobile stations such as the mobile station  104 . Accordingly, the 60 GHz wireless links may be radiated in highly directional patterns over short ranges. In some embodiments of the invention, adaptive antenna arrays or other intelligent antenna technologies may be utilized for transmitting and/or receiving the 60 GHz link within the base station  102  and/or one or more mobile stations  104 . 
         [0039]    Highly directional 60 GHz transmissions may comprise point to point communication between two devices such as between participating devices such as two mobile stations  104  or between the base station  102  and mobile station  104 . In this regard, a participating device may have or gain knowledge of the relative positions or absolute locations of one more other devices participating in the communication. In another embodiment of the invention, the 60 GHz wireless link  108  may support location determination operations. In this regard, the 60 GHz wireless link may for example be utilized to transmit and receive a pilot or beacon signal. The pilot or beacon signal may radiate in a stationary pattern or, the direction of radiation may be varied, for example, may be swept over an angle for example. 
         [0040]    The network  120  may be a private, public or ad hoc network for example that may support applications running on the base station  102  and/or mobile station  104 . The network  120  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to handle data that may be utilized by one or more of the base station  102  and mobile station  104 . For example, audio and/or video (A/V) data may be transferred to one or more of the base station  102  and mobile station  104  from the network  120  and may be rendered. The network  120  may be communicatively coupled with the base station  102  via the communications link  154 . The communications link  154  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable the transfer of data between the base station  102  and the network  120 . Accordingly, any suitable communications network technology and communications protocol may be utilized. 
         [0041]    In operation, the base station  102  and mobile station  104  may communicate via a plurality of wireless interfaces such as 60 GHz  110   a , WLAN  110   b  and/or WPAN  110   c  and over a plurality of wireless links 60 GHz link  108  and lower frequency link  108 . In this regard, high bandwidth, highly directional, short range tasks such as location determination and high speed data transfers may be enabled via the 60 GHz wireless link  108 . Moreover tasks supporting the 60 GHz wireless link  108 , for example, sharing location information and other administrative tasks such as device discovery, connection initiation and security operations may be enabled via the lower frequency wireless link  106 . 
         [0042]    Upon receiving a request for service, the base station  102  may utilize a lower frequency wireless link  106  to enable discovery of devices within a local region. In addition, a lower frequency wireless link  106  may enable connection and security communications for the base station  102  and/or mobile station  104  via WPAN  110   c  and/or WLAN  110   b  wireless interfaces for example. Moreover, software and/or information regarding one or more applications running on the base station  102  and/or mobile station  104  may be received by the base station  102  from the network  120  via the communications link  154  and may be distributed via the lower frequency wireless link  106  to mobile station  104  for example. The 60 GHz link  108  may be utilized to enable location determination with an improved level of precision and may enable high speed communications between the base station  102  and mobile station  104  or between two or more mobile stations such as the mobile station  104 . In some embodiments of the invention, an initial reference position for one or more devices may be known based upon GPS information or another source of location information such as user configuration data for example. Subsequently, a position for the base station  102  and/or one or more mobile stations  104 , within a local region may be determined relative to one or more known reference positions. Millimeter waves from the 60 gigahertz physical interface  110   a  may be used to augment GPS or other position information and may improve precision of position measurements. Furthermore, antenna arrays or directional antennas that may be swept over an angle may be utilized to support angle of arrival and or time of arrival measurements. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system that may perform location determination measurements via one or more 60 GHz wireless links and/or one or more lower frequency links, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 2A , there is shown a base station  102 , a plurality of mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b    104   c , a plurality of wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  and a plurality of angles  210   a ,  210   b ,  210   c.    
         [0044]    The base station  102  may be similar or substantially the same as the base station  102  described in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  may be similar or substantially the same as the mobile station  104  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         [0045]    The wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  may be similar to or substantially the same as the 60 GHz link  108  described in  FIG. 1B  and/or the lower frequency link  106  described in  FIG. 18 . The wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and/or  108   c  may be communicatively coupled with the mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c  respectively and the base station  102  and may be enable a pilot or beacon signal between the base station  102  and the mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c . In some embodiments of the invention, the pilot or beacon signal may be swept over an angle around the base station  102 , spanning an arc that originates from a determined reference point or direction. In this regard the wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  may indicate an angle at which the one or more mobile devices  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  receive the pilot or beacon signal. 
         [0046]    The angles  210   a ,  210   b  and/or  210   c  may be angles measured between the determined reference point or direction and a wireless link  108   a ,  108   b  and/or  108   c . The angles  210   a ,  210   b  and/or  210   c  may indicate a line on which the mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c  may be located in relation to the base station  102 . 
         [0047]    In operation, the base station  102  may for example function as control and coordination device for one or more participating mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c . The base station  102  may for example, coordinate location determination operations for the one or more mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c . In this regard the base station  102  may calculate positions and/or may generate maps of participating device positions. In some embodiments of the invention, the base station  102  may utilize location information received from other internal or external sources such as a compass, the GPS system, a terrestrial reference system, user configuration data and/or other suitable sources. The base station  102  and/or mobile stations may map device positions according to any suitable coordinate system, for example, polar coordinates or Cartesian coordinates may be utilized depending on time or spatial references available to the system. The base station  102  and/or mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c  may share information regarding location determination via a 60 GHz link  108  and/or a lower frequency link  106  as described in  FIG. 2A . Furthermore, information regarding the positions of the base station  102  and/or the one or more mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c  may be utilized to enable adaptive antenna orientation processes for communication via the 60 GHz links  108  of the participating devices. 
         [0048]    A pilot or beacon signal between the base station  102  and one or more mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c  may be utilized to measure the angle subtended by an arc between a reference direction and the direction of the wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and/or  108   c  at the time of reception of the pilot or beacon signal. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system that may perform location determination measurements via one or more 60 GHz wireless links and/or one or more lower frequency links, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 2B , there is shown a base station  102 , a plurality of mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b    104   c  and a plurality of wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c.    
         [0050]    The base station  102  may be similar or substantially the same as the base station  102  described in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2 A. The mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  may be similar or substantially the same as the mobile stations  104 ,  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  described in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2 A. 
         [0051]    The wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  may be similar to or substantially the same as the wireless links  106 ,  108 ,  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  described in  FIGS. 1B and 2A . 
         [0052]    In addition to the operations described in  FIG. 2A , the wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and/or  108   c  may be utilized to determine a relative distance from the base station  102  and one or more mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c . In this regard, a signal that may be a pilot or beacon or may be another communication signal between the base station  102  and one or more mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c  may be utilized to measure the time delay from the base station  102  and one or more mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c . In this regard, a round trip delay time or time of arrival may be measured. The measurements may be referenced to a shared time reference, for example, from the GPS system or a terrestrial reference system for example. The distance information may be utilized to enhance the mapping of devices as described in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0053]      FIG. 2C  is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system that may communicate via one or more 60 GHz wireless links via highly directional adaptive antennas, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 2C , there is shown a base station  102 , a plurality of mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b    104   c  and a plurality of wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c , a plurality of 60 GHz links  230   a ,  230   b  and  230   c  and a plurality of angles  240   a ,  242   a ,  240   b ,  242   b ,  240   c  and  242   c.    
         [0054]    The base station  102  may be similar or substantially the same as the base station  102  described in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A and  2 B. The mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  may be similar or substantially the same as the mobile stations  104 ,  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  described in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A and  2 B. The wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  may be similar to or substantially the same as the wireless links  106 ,  108 ,  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  described in  FIGS. 18 ,  2 A and  2 B. 
         [0055]    The angles  240   a ,  242   a ,  240   b ,  242   b ,  240   c  and  242   c  may enable location determination of the mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c  relative to each other. These angles may be determined from angle and time measurements described in  FIGS. 2A  and/or  2 B as well as from other sources of location and/or time reference information described in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The angles  240   a ,  242   a ,  240   b ,  242   b ,  240   c  and  242   c  are shown in  FIG. 2C  on a two dimensional plane however angles in a third dimension or other coordinate systems may be determined and utilized. Accuracy of the of determined relative positions of the mobiles stations may depend on variables such as the directivity of the antennas utilized, the bandwidth of the signals utilized and the synchronization of a time reference. 
         [0056]    The 60 GHz links  230   a ,  230   b  and  230   c  may be similar or substantially the same as the 60 GHz links  108 ,  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  described in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 A and  2 B however, 60 GHz links  230   a ,  230   b  and  230   c  may be transmitted and received between mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c . Moreover, the 60 GHz links may be transmitted via adaptive antennas that may modify the direction of transmission and/or reception according to variations in spatial relationships between among the mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c.    
         [0057]    In operation, the base station  102  and/or one or more of the mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  may participate in communications via adaptive antennas over one or more 60 GHz wireless links  230   a ,  230   b  and  230   c  and 60 GHz links on  108   a ,  108   b  and/or  108   c . The 60 GHz wireless links may comprise highly directional beams that may be difficult or time consuming to detect for antenna adaptation processes utilized among the participating devices. Prior knowledge of a general direction or bearing from one participating device to another, may reduce the time needed to detect signal sources and determine the direction for radiation intensity. Accordingly, the time to make a connection via the 60 GHz wireless links  230   a ,  230   b  and  230   c  as well as 60 GHz links on  108   a ,  108   b  and/or  108  may be improved. Therefore, estimated location information such as relative positions or directions from one participating device to another may be determined via the methods described in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A and  2 B as well as for determining the angles  240   a ,  242   a ,  240   b ,  242   b ,  240   c . The determined location estimations may be more or less accurate and precise depending on the quality of measurements and reference frames utilized. Accordingly, one or more of the base station  102  and mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  may utilize the estimated location information to enable timely connections via the 60 GHz wireless links  230   a ,  230   b  and  230   c  and 60 GHz links on  108   a ,  108   b  and/or  108   c . Furthermore, if a connection fails or is lost during communications, the process may repeat to determine a new position fix and subsequent wireless connection. 
         [0058]    The invention is not limited to any specific number of base stations  102  and/or mobile stations  104  and may comprise any suitable number and combination thereof. 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary steps for location determination and antenna adaptation utilizing a 60 GHz wireless link, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the process begins in step  300 . In step  302 , a beacon signal is transmitted via a 60 GHz link or lower frequency link, for example, wireless links  108   a ,  108   b  and/or  108   c . In step  304 , the direction and/or distance from of one or more mobile stations  104   a ,  104   b  and/or  104   c  relative to the base station  102  may be determined. In step  306 , the direction and/or distance from one mobile to another mobile station may be determined. In step  308 , the determined directions and/or distances may be utilized to inform antenna adaptation processes such as signal detection and/or direction of radiation that may be utilized for establishing connections via 60 GHz wireless links. In step  310 , adaptive antennas may track the movements of radiation sources and/or radiation targets to maintain communications between two or more mobile stations such as  104   a ,  104   b  and  104   c  or with one or more base stations such as base station  102  until a connection is terminated. In step  312 , if the connection has not been terminated due to error, the process may proceed to step  314 . Step  314 , is the end step. In step  312 , if the connection has been terminated in error, proceed to step  302 . 
         [0060]    In an embodiment of the invention, information may be communicated between two or more wireless devices such as the mobile station  104  and/or the base station  102 . Location information regarding the two or more wireless devices may be based on the transmission and reception or detection of a beacon signal. In this regard, the location information may enable communication between the two or more devices via adaptive or steered antennas or antenna systems  118  and/or  116  and 60 GHz band signals  108 . The beacon signal may be swept through an angle such as  210   a ,  210   b  and/or  210   c  and may be utilized along with reference system information to determine the direction and/or distance between the two or more wireless devices. The determined direction and/or distance may be utilized to initialize adaptive or steered antennas or antenna systems  118  and/or  116  that enable transmission and/or reception of the 60 GHz band signals such as the wireless link  108 . Spatial relationships between the two or more wireless devices may vary. Furthermore, the two or more wireless devices may communicate and coordinate communications between the two or more wireless devices via alternate lower frequency signals such as the wireless link  106 . 
         [0061]    Certain embodiments of the invention may comprise a machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for 60 GHz antenna adaptation and user coordination based on base station beacons, the at least one code section being executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform one or more of the steps described herein. 
         [0062]    Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. The invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware, software and firmware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. 
         [0063]    One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a board level product, as a single chip, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a single chip with other portions of the system as separate components. The degree of integration of the system will primarily be determined by speed and cost considerations. Because of the sophisticated nature of modern processors, it is possible to utilize a commercially available processor, which may be implemented external to an ASIC implementation of the present system. Alternatively, if the processor is available as an ASIC core or logic block, then the commercially available processor may be implemented as part of an ASIC device with various functions implemented as firmware. 
         [0064]    The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context may mean, for example, any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. However, other meanings of computer program within the understanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0065]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present, invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.