Abstract:
A communication system is disclosed that automatically configures a communication device for wireless communication. In the communication system, a first communication device receives identification signals from second communication devices. The first communication device processes the identification signals to generate a composite signal. A control system determines a location of the first communication device in relation to the second communication devices based on the composite signal. The control system generates a virtual topology map of the communication system based on the location of the first communication device and the composite signal. The control system generates wireless communication information based on the virtual topology. The first communication device processes the wireless communication information to configure itself for wireless communication. The communication system advantageously configures communication devices faster and cheaper than prior systems.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention is related to the field of communication systems, and in particular, to a method and system that automatically configures a communication device for wireless communication. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A wireless communication network is comprised of multiple communication devices placed at different physical locations. Each communication device communicates over a set of frequencies and signal levels. When a new communication device is added to the network, the new communication device has to be configured to communicate based on a selected set of frequencies and signal levels. The selected frequencies and signal levels are determined based on the physical location of the new communication device in relation to the existing communication devices. The selected frequencies and signal levels should be selected to not interfere with communications of the existing communication devices. 
     Currently, to select frequencies and signal levels for new communication devices, a person looks at a topology map of the area. The topology map denotes or marks the existing communication devices along with information on the existing communication devices. The information includes the frequencies, signal levels, and physical locations of the existing communication devices. The physical locations of the existing communication devices are determined by manual surveying, by using a Global Positioning System, or by some other means. The person determines an approximate location of a new communication device by looking at the topology map, and enters the new communication device into the topology map in its approximate location. 
     In some cases, the approximate location of a communication device can be determined using triangulation. For instance, if the physical location of a Radio Frequency (RF) transmission source is unknown, a person can take multiple signal strength readings from signals transmitted by the RF transmission source. From the signal readings, the physical location of the RF transmission source can be determined by triangulation. Unfortunately, the signal strength readings must be measured manually. 
     Once the approximate location of the new communication device is entered into the topology map, the person selects frequencies and signal levels for the new communication device. The selected frequencies and signal levels are chosen based on the position of the new communication device in relation to the existing communication devices. The new communication device is then programmed with the selected frequencies and signal levels. 
     Unfortunately, the new communication devices are manually programmed, which is time consuming and expensive. Also, manual programming is impractical for mass deployment of residential communication devices. A trained person has to maintain and interpret the topology maps to configure new communication devices. The problem has been partially solved in wireline networks. For instance, some Internet Protocol Local Area Network (IP LAN) analyzers can automatically determine a logical topology of the wireline network based upon connectivity. IP LAN analyzers may use “ping” and other protocol mechanisms to determine what devices are connected to a given LAN cable. In addition, they may use Gateway Protocols, such as RIP, CGP, OSPF, EGP, IS—IS, BGP, EIGRP, and IDRP, to obtain routes, and distance in “hops” or time delay. The logical topology is based upon which devices, by address, are connected to which LAN cables and at what distance. Unfortunately, method of automatically determining the logical topology of the wireline network has not been effectively implemented in a wireless communication system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention helps to solve the above problems with a communication system that automatically configures a communication device for wireless communication. The communication system advantageously configures the communication device faster and cheaper than prior systems. The communication device also advantageously makes mass deployment of communication devices possible in residential areas. The communication devices do not have to be manually configured, which makes a residential LAN more practical to implement. 
     The communication system is comprised of a first communication device, a plurality of second communication devices, and a control system. The first communication device is configured to receive identification signals from the plurality of second communication devices. The first communication device is configured to process the identification signals to generate a composite signal. The first communication device is configured to transfer the composite signal. The control system is configured to receive the composite signal and determine a location of the first communication device in relation to the plurality of second communication devices based on the composite signal. The control system is configured to generate a virtual topology map of the communication system based on the location of the first communication device and the composite signal. The control system is configured to generate wireless communication information based on the virtual topology map and the composite signal. Examples of wireless communication information include signal strength, alternative paths, and frequencies available for use. The control system is configured to transfer the wireless communication information. The first communication device is configured to receive the wireless communication information and process the wireless communication information to configure itself for wireless communication. 
     In some examples, the control system is comprised of an interface and a processor. The interface receives the composite signal from first communication device. The interface transfers the composite signal to the processor. The processor determines the location of the first communication device in relation to the plurality of second communication devices based on the composite signal. The processor generates the virtual topology map of the communication system based on the composite signal and the location of the first communication device. The processor then generates the wireless communication information based on the virtual topology map and the composite signal and transfers the wireless communication information to the interface. The interface transfers the wireless communication information to the first communication device for wireless communication. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a communication system in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a communication system that generates a wireless communication information table in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates a wireless communication information table in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates a communication device in an example of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A Communication System Configuration and Operation—FIG.  1   
     FIG. 1 depicts a specific example of a communication system in accord with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described below could be combined with other embodiments to form multiple variations of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of FIG. 1 have been simplified or omitted for clarity. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a communication system  100  in an example of the invention. Communication system  100  comprises communication devices  102  and  111 - 113  and a control system  104 . 
     In operation, communication device  102  receives identification signals  120  from communication devices  111 - 113 . Communication device  102  processes the identification signals  120  to generate a composite signal. Communication device  102  transfers the composite signal. Control system  104  receives the composite signal. Control system  104  determines a location of communication device  102  in relation to communication devices  111 - 113  based on the composite signal. It is assumed that the location of communication devices  111 - 113  is known. Control system  104  generates a virtual topology map of communication system  100  based on the composite signal and the location of communication device  102 . Control system  104  generates wireless communication information based on the virtual topology map and the composite signal. Control system  104  transfers the wireless communication information. Communication device  102  receives the communication information. Communication device  102  processes the wireless communication information to configure itself for wireless communication. 
     A Communication System that Generates an Information Table—FIGS.  2 - 4   
     FIGS. 2-4 depict a specific example of a communication system in accord with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described below could be combined with other embodiments to form multiple variations of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of FIGS. 2-4 have been simplified or omitted for clarity. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram that depicts a physical layout of a communication system  200  in an example of the invention. Communication system  200  is comprised of a communication device  202 , a control system  204 , and communication devices  210 - 215 . Communication device  210  is a radio tower and will be referred to herein as both communication device  210  and radio tower  210 . Communication device  202  is configured to communicate with control system  204 . Communication device  202  is configured to communicate with communication devices  210 - 213 . Communication device  212  is configured to communicate with communication device  214 . Communication device  213  is configured to communicate with communication device  215 . Control system  204  is comprised of an interface  240  and a processor  242 . Control system  204  typically includes a Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO). 
     In operation, communication devices  210 - 213  transmit and receive over a band of frequencies to create cells  230 - 233 , respectively. Communication devices  210 - 213  periodically transmit identification signals. The identification signals identify communication devices  210 - 213  by identification numbers, the frequency of transmission of communication devices  210 - 213 , the signal level used by communication devices  210 - 213 , and other information. Communication device  202  listens to the band of frequencies that communication devices  210 - 213  transmit over. The band of frequencies is preset in communication device  202  or is provided by control system  204 . Because communication device  202  is physically located within cells  230 - 233 , communication device  202  receives the identification signals from communication devices  210 - 213 . Communication device  202  also measures the signal level of the identification signals received. Communication device  202  collects the identification signals and processes the identification signals to generate a composite signal. The composite signal includes information on communication devices  210 - 213 , such as identification numbers and transmission frequencies of communication devices  210 - 213 . The composite signal also includes signal levels measured from the identification signals transmitted by each device  210 - 213 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that communication device  202  could transmit a request signal to communication devices  210 - 213 . Communication device  202  could be programmed with a control frequency. Communication device  202  would transmit the request signal over the control frequency to communication devices  210 - 213 . Communication devices  210 - 213  would then transmit the identification signals to communication device  202  in response to the request signal. 
     Communication device  202  transfers the composite signal to control system  204 . Communication device  202  has a dedicated connection with control system  204 , such as a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connection or a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) connection. Interface  240  receives the composite signal and transfers the composite signal to processor  242 . Processor  242  processes the composite signal to generate a virtual topology map of communication system  200 . The virtual topology map represents the physical locations of communication devices  210 - 213 . Processor  242  determines an estimated physical location of communication device  202  based on the composite signal using triangulation. For instance, processor  242  could use the measured signal levels of the identification signals, noise levels of the identification signals, and the locations of communication devices  210 - 213  to triangulate. It is assumed that processor  242  knows the physical location of communication devices  210 - 213 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that communication device  202  could include a satellite receiver that determines the location of communication device  202 . Alternatively, communication devices  210 - 213  could know their own physical location and transmit location information to communication device  202 . Communication device  202  could then transmit the location information to processor  242  in the composite signal. Communication devices  210 - 213  could obtain the location information from a satellite receiver such as a Global Positioning System. 
     Processor  242  enters communication device  202  in the virtual topology map. Processor  242  generates a wireless communication information table based on the virtual topology map. The wireless communication information includes communication paths between communication device  202  and communication devices  211 - 213 . The communication paths could be frequencies available to communication device  202  for wireless communication. The wireless communication information could also include communication paths with residential devices in the same premises as communication device  202 , such as in a household. The frequencies could be public frequencies, private licensed frequencies, private unlicensed frequencies, or some other frequency. The communication paths could also include Multi-Point Multi-Channel Distribution Service (MMDS) channels. The wireless communication information also includes signal levels, communication path quality, latency information of the communication paths, encoding methods, and other information. 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram that depicts a wireless communication information table  342  in an example of the invention. The first column of table  342  lists communication devices  211 - 215  that communication device  202  can communicate with. The first column also lists residential device(s) within the same premises as communication device  202 , that communication device  202  can communicate with. The second column of table  342  lists available communication paths for communication device  202 . The third column lists the available signal levels for the communication paths in the second column. The fourth column lists the link quality of the communication paths in the second column. The fifth column lists the latency of the communication paths in the second column. The sixth column lists encoding methods used for the communication paths in the second column. The seventh column lists unusable frequencies. The remainder of table  342  is for gateway paths that will be discussed later. Table  342  could contain more wireless communication information as needed. 
     For an example of how processor  242  generates table  342 , assume that radio tower  210  transmits over a frequency f 1  at a signal level w, communication device  211  transmits over frequency f 10  at a signal level x, communication device  212  transmits over frequency f 11  at a signal level y, and communication device  213  transmits over frequency f 12  at a signal level z. Based on the virtual topology map, processor  242  could determine that communication device  202  cannot use frequency f 1  because it would interfere with transmissions of radio tower  210 . Processor  242  could determine that communication device  202  can use frequency f 10  at a signal level xx, frequency f 11  at a signal level yy, and frequency f 12  at a signal level zz, to communicate with communication devices  211 - 213 , respectively. Processor could determine that communication device  202  can use frequency f 17  at a signal level ww to communicate with residential devices within the same premises. Processor  242  selects the frequencies that communication system  202  can use based on the capabilities of communication devices  211 - 213  and the residential devices. Processor  242  selects the frequencies so that they do not interfere with other frequencies in the vicinity. And processor  242  selects the frequencies based upon any authorizations or licenses that communication device  202  has obtained. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram that depicts a communication device  202  in an example of the invention. Communication device  202  is comprised of a processor  402  coupled to an interface  404 . Processor  402  receives table  342  from control system  204  and processes table  342 . Processor  402  then configures interface  404  based on table  342  for wireless communication. For example, if communication device  202  needs to communicate with communication device  211 , then processor  402  looks to the first row of table  342 . Processor  402  configures interface  404  to transmit at a frequency f 10  and at a signal level xx. Processor  402  also configures interface  404  to encode the data being transmitted based on encoding method e 1 . An example of an encoding method is Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Processor  402  also looks for unusable frequencies ufreq. If interface  404  receives a frequency that has been labeled unusable by table  342 , then processor  402  reports the unauthorized use of the frequency to control system  204 . 
     If communication device  202  needs to communicate with communication device  212 , then processor  402  looks to the second row of table  342 . Processor  402  configures interface  404  to transmit at a frequency f 11  and at a signal level yy. Processor  402  configures interface  404  to encode the data being transmitted based on encoding method e 2 . 
     If communication device  202  needs to communicate with communication device  212  but is unable to communicate over frequency f 11 , processor  402  can look to a first gateway path in table  342 . A gateway path is an alternate route or backup route for communication devices to communicate within a communication system. The first gateway path to communication device  212  is through communication device  211 . Processor  402  configures interface  404  to transmit at a frequency f 10  and at a signal level xx. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that control system  204  could generate table  342  for communication device  202  in the above manner if communication device  202  were initially added to communication system  200 . Control system  204  could also periodically generate table  342  for communication device  202  in the above manner to ensure that communication device  202  is not interfering with communication devices in the vicinity. 
     Once interface  404  is initially configured according to table  342 , processor  402  sends a connectivity query, through interface  404 , to communication devices  211 - 213  to identify other communication devices in the vicinity. Communication device  212  transmits a reply that identifies communication device  214 . The reply also includes the physical location of communication device  214  and the communication path with communication device  214 . Communication device  213  also transmits a reply to the query that identifies communication device  215 . The reply also includes the physical location of communication device  215  and the communication path with communication device  215 . 
     Processor  402  adds communication devices  214 - 215  to table  342  and updates table  342  based on the information provided by communication devices  214 - 215 . Processor  402  adds gateway paths to table  342  for communication devices  214 - 215 . Processor  402  could continue to add communication devices and gateway paths up to a configurable depth. For instance, processor  402  only adds communication devices that are three gateways away. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.