Method and apparatus for communications in a floating environment

Abstract

A base station is mounted on a floating platform which floats on water. The platform appears to be similar to a buoy. The base station has an antenna array to support beamforming. Beamforming is controlled based on a determined orientation of the floating platformed. Orientation and azimuth are determined in real-time based on sensor measurements, preferably using a predictive model such as a feed-forward kinematic model. The sensor measurements may be performed using accelerometers or / and gyroscopes. The floating communication base station / repeater supports communication with a land-based communication network or another water-based wireless communication device. The base station may form part of a wireless mesh network and preferably provides integrated access and backhaul (IAB).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The field of this invention relates generally to implementing communications in a floating platform structure. In particular, in some examples, the field of this invention relates to mechanisms to support communications to or from a water-based wireless communication device located on a floating structure. Background

[0002] In recent years, third generation (3G) wireless communications have evolved to the long-term evolution (LTE™) cellular communication standard, sometimes referred to as 4th generation (4G) wireless communications. Both 3G and 4G technologies are compliant with third generation partnership project (3 GPP™) standards. 4G networks and phones were designed to support mobile internet and higher speeds for activities, such as video streaming and gaming. The 3 GPP™ standards are now developing a fifth generation (5G) of mobile wireless communications, which is set to initiate a step change in the delivery of better communications, for example powering businesses, improving communications within homes and spearheading advances such as driverless cars.

[0003] One of the potential technologies targeted to enable future cellular network deployment scenarios and applications is the support for wireless backhaul and relay links that enable flexible and very dense deployment of 5G-new radio (NR) cells without a need for densifying the transport network proportionately. It is also known that cellular mesh networks can extend the range of 5G by leveraging multiple nodes to distribute the signal, making it ideal for rural and hard-to-reach areas. The inventors have recognised and appreciated that rural, hard-to-reach geographical areas may also be extended to ‘water-based areas’, such as off-shore areas.

[0004] Due to the expected larger bandwidth available for NR compared to long term evolved (LTE™) (e.g., mmWave spectrum) along with the native deployment of massive multiple-in / multiple-out (MIMO) or multi-beam systems in NR creates an opportunity to develop and deploy integrated access and backhaul (IAB) links. It is envisaged that this may allow easier deployment of a dense network of self-backhauled NR cells in a more integrated manner, by building upon many of the control and data channels / procedures defined for providing access to UEs.

[0005] The inventors have recognised and appreciated the potential benefits of extending (at least) 5G and 6G communications (and beyond) into previously under-utilised environments, such as water-based locations. Such water-based locations may include off-shore sites, such as wind farms, water buoys and off-shore oil rigs as well as extending mobile communications to users on ships, boats, etc.

[0006] The inventors have recognised and appreciated that one of the most difficult technical obstacles in extending such technologies to water-based locations / offshore environments is the constant and substantially irregular movement of the mobile communication device, and in particular the antenna orientation of the mobile communication device, due to the mobile communication device being located on a floating structure.

[0007] It is known that antennas can be designed to be omni directional, directional, and in which case mechanically steerable. Antenna arrays can also be electronically steerable by manipulating the relative phase of the carrier being sent to the individual driven antenna elements. Optical systems are steerable mechanically either by electro-mechanical pan / tilt arrangements for the optical path or using piezo-electric and similar techniques to modify the lens focal length and point. However, whilst the signal directivity of communication devices, such as a base station, can be either pre-set, or in the case of some systems actively adjusted electronically to match the known direction of the user equipment, in the case of a floating structure the antenna may be moving too quickly and therefore regularly operating at substandard level of performance.

[0008] For example, a typical reactive compensation in land-based base stations is comparatively slow. For a base station (or repeater) antenna on a floating structure, in a 6-degree pitch with eight second periods (e.g., a scenario that would be considered as a “calm day”) that is equivalent to a user equipment 2000m away moving at >180mph, and changing direction every few seconds. This is significantly faster than standard land-based base stations have to track, and therefore there exists many complex technical problems to overcome in order to facilitate a water-based extension of mobile communications to the existing land-based communication system, with a water-based wireless communication device being configured to communicate with other water-based wireless communication devices and / or a land-based communication network. Summary

[0009] In a first aspect, a communication base station for a floating platform that supports communication with at least one of: a land-based communication network, at least one other water-based wireless communication device, is described. The communication base station comprises: a signal processor operably coupled to at least one sensor on the floating platform; a communication transceiver operably coupled to the signal processor; an antenna beam former operably coupled to the communication transceiver; wherein the signal processor is configured to determine a real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform and in response thereto adapt a plurality of antenna elements in the antenna beam former.

[0010] In this manner, the continual changing of alignment of the floating antenna (which will be pitching, rolling, yawing, translating and heaving) may be compensated for. In some examples, to further improve performance, active signal strength tracking in the receiving apparatus, a feed-forward kinematic model using sensors on the floating structure to determine vertical inclination and axial rotation of the antenna, along with a predictive model comprising the water and antenna structure so that the changes are adjusted for in advance and in time with the changing aspect of the antenna relative to the water-based wireless base station.

[0011] In some optional examples, the signal processor may comprise or be operably coupled to a predictive model circuit configured to predict a directivity requirement of the antenna beam former based on a determination of the real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform and a current setting of the antenna beam former. In some optional examples, the predictive model circuit may be arranged to maximise signal levels to or from the land-based communication network or the at least one other water-based wireless communication device and thereby maximise range and data bandwidth over the communication link, in response to a directivity of the antenna beam former controlled by the predictive model circuit.

[0012] In some optional examples, the signal processor may comprise or be operably coupled to a feed-forward kinematic model that is configured to determine vertical inclination and axial rotation of the antenna beam former based on the determined real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform obtained by the sensors.

[0013] In some optional examples, the communication base station may be configured to be integrated into a water-based wireless mesh network that may be configured to facilitate multiple communication paths from the water-based wireless communication device to the land-based communication network or the at least one other water-based wireless communication device.

[0014] In some optional examples, the water-based wireless mesh network may be configured as an integrated access and backhaul, IAB, water-based wireless communication system.

[0015] In a second aspect, a platform comprising the water-based wireless base station according to the first aspect is described.

[0016] In a third aspect, a method for a water-based wireless communication is described. The method is performed at a communication base station located on a floating platform and configured to support communication with at least one of a land-based communication network, at least one other water-based wireless communication device. The method comprises: sensing movement in the floating platform by a sensor located on the floating platform; processing a signal generated by the sensor; determining a real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform; and in response thereto: adapting a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna beam former providing communications to and from the communication base station. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Further details, aspects and embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numbers are used to identify like or functionally similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a range of potential applications and locations of communication devices according to some example embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified 5G architecture configured to support I AB with a land-based and water-based structure, according to some example embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified drawing of a water-based platform configured to support water-based wireless communications, adapted in accordance with some example embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a water-based IAB base station (or node), adapted in accordance with some example embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a beam forming arrangement, configured to support water-based wireless communications by IAB base station (or node) of FIG. 4, according to some example embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a water-based wireless mesh network configured to support waterbased wireless communications by IAB base station (or node) of FIG. 4, according to some example embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates one example representation of an accelerometer arrangement, according to some example embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified flowchart of a water-based base station operation, in accordance with some example embodiments.

[0026] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and / or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments herein described. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various example embodiments. It will be further appreciated that certain actions and / or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Detailed Description

[0027] Conventional water-based wireless communication devices experience significant challenges when attempting to establish communication links to and from water-based wireless communication devices and land-based communication networks. Aspects herein described aim to address this problem by introducing a floating base station / repeater capable of facilitating substantially seamless communication to and from water-based wireless communication devices.

[0028] In some example embodiments, a floating communication base station (which may be configured as a repeater) is described that is configured to function in some scenarios as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, where the benefits may be doubled, as both ends (transmitter and receiver) of the communication link are able to optimise their respective transmission and reception angles. Although example embodiments are described with reference to a floating communication base station / repeater, for example that is configured to function in some scenarios as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node in a 5G architecture, it is envisaged that some aspects are not so constrained / limited. For example, it is envisaged that the concepts and configurations may be equally employed with other communication technologies, such as in a long Term Evolved (LTE™) system, or 6G communication system or any other communication system that supports techniques to interface between land-based and water-based communication devices.

[0029] The floating communication base station described herein comprises at least one accelerometer (eg., a gyroscope), a processor, and an antenna beam-forming system. The accelerometer provides real-time orientation and azimuth information about the floating base station, which is then utilized by the processor to adapt the beam-forming system. In some examples, the identification of a water-based platform orientation is performed vis-a-vis the azimuth (e.g., compared to a compass direction, e.g., North).

[0030] By adapting the beam-forming system according to the gyroscope's data, the floating base station / repeater enables efficient and reliable communication with the land-based communication network.

[0031] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the floating communication base station / repeater can be integrated into a floating communication mesh network and / or the floating communication base station / repeater can be integrated to extend an existing land-based mesh network. In some examples this mesh network provides various communication paths from the water-based wireless communication device to the land-based communication network, allowing for optimal communication path selection in the event of single or multiple points of failure.

[0032] Additionally, the receiving apparatus of the floating base station / repeater may be configured to utilize active signal strength tracking. Moreover, a feed-forward kinematic model may be employed, which leverages sensors on the floating structure to determine the vertical inclination and axial rotation of the antenna. In some examples, a predictive model, comprising the water and antenna structure, is also incorporated to proactively adjust for changes in the antenna's aspect relative to the floating platform / floating base station, ensuring timely and accurate communications. In this manner, it is possible to maximise signal levels and thereby maximise range and data bandwidth over the communication link, in response to the antenna directivity being controlled, and as a result of the kinematic system being able to feed forward or predict the directivity requirements to minimise signal losses over the communication link. Applications

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, a range of potential applications and locations of floating communication base station / repeater devices is illustrated according to some example embodiments. It is envisaged that example embodiments may be deployed in radio access networks for (at least) one or more of the following applications: (i) Safety and Security Coastal emergency response; Ministry of Defence (MoD) applications; Royal Navy Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) use; (ii) Sustainability: Offshore wind construction; Offshore wind operators; Aquaculture farms; (iii) Smart Operations: Offshore wind maintenance providers; Autonomous vessel operators; Crew transfer vessel operators.

[0034] For example, it is envisaged that floating communication base station / repeater devices may be employed to support sea-safety communications 110. Furthermore, it is envisaged that floating communication base station / repeater devices may be employed to support aquaculture communications 120. In addition, it is envisaged that floating communication base station / repeater devices may be employed to support sonar communication applications 130. Furthermore, it is envisaged that floating communication base station / repeater devices may be employed to support communications to and from autonomous platforms 140. In addition, it is envisaged that floating communication base station / repeater devices may be employed to support drone communications 150. Furthermore, it is envisaged that floating communication base station / repeater devices may be employed to support communication to / from renewable devices 160, such as water-based wind turbines. In FIG. 1, it is illustrated in one example that one or more of the above floating communication base station / repeater devices may be configured to communicate with another floating communication base station / repeater device and / or one or more land-based smart ports 170, which may be connected to an existing wireless / wireline communication system. Illustration to show communications to land-based communication nodes

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified 5G architecture 200 configured to support an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) network with land-based and water-based wireless communications, according to some examples. Here, a first 5G land-based base station 222 supporting communications within a coverage area 224, including communication support for a plurality of mobile (or fixed) wireless communication units, sometimes referred to as a terminal device, such as a user equipment UE 226. In 5G, the UE 226 is able to support traditional Human Type Communications (HTC) or the new emerging Machine Type Communications (MTC). The simplified 5G architecture 200 includes a second 5G base station 212 supporting communications within a coverage area 214, including communication support for a plurality of mobile (or fixed) wireless communication units, such as UE 216. A wireless backhaul connection 233, generally an Xn (based on X2) interface connects the first 5G base station 222 with the second 5G base station 212. The first 5G base station 222 is also connected to the core network via a more traditional wired connection, such as fibre 234.

[0036] In this regard, in an IAB scenario, node A (i.e., first 5G base station 222) is considered a donor IAB node and node C (i.e., second 5G base station 212) is identified as a relay IAB node. In more practical architectures, multiple base stations and wireless communication units would be operably connected in this land-based scenario.

[0037] In accordance with some example embodiments, a water-based wireless communication device 232, which in some examples may be a 5G base station (often referred to as a gNodeB (gNB)), is configured to communicate 234 with the land-based communication network and configured to communicate 236 with other water-based wireless communication devices. In some examples, the water-based wireless communication device 232 may be divided into three physical entities 238 (or integrated circuits or devices), named Centralized Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) and a Radio Unit (RU). In some examples, the CU provides support for the higher layers of the protocol stack such as Service Data Adaption Protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and Radio Resource Control (RRC) whilst, the DU provides support for the lower layers of the protocol stack such as Radio Link Control (RLC) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, whereas the RU, sometimes referred to as radio head, is configured to handle the Physical layer of communications in the protocol stack. Illustration of water-based characteristics, including sensor information.

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified drawing of a water-based wireless communication device 232 located on a floating platform 340 configured to support water-based wireless communications, adapted in accordance with some example embodiments. In some examples, the water-based wireless communication device 232 includes a CU 306 connected to a DU 304 and connected to a RU 302, which is in turn connected to an antenna arrangement, which in some examples is a steerable antenna-beam forming circuit 350 and in other examples may be an optical communication link. In some examples, an optical communication link may be favoured as optical communication links benefit even more from the concepts described herein due to the sharper and typically greater rate at which the signal power drops off at the edge of a radio frequency beam, leaving even less time for a reactive system to compensate for platform movement.

[0039] In some examples, the floating platform 340 includes ballasts 320 with one or more sensors coupled to the water-based wireless communication device 232. In some examples, the one or more sensors may comprise a first sensor configured to sense movement in the floating platform 340 in at least an angle 324 that is measured, for example, by an inclinometer or accelerometer sensor and a second sensor configured to, say, sense movement in the floating platform 340 in at least a rise (and fall) 322.

[0040] In some examples, the first sensor of the floating platform 340, e.g., an accelerometer or inclinometer may be standard ‘off-the-shelf sensor devices as known. For completeness, the mathematics to transform a 3-axis accelerometer measurement to a gravity vector is described in multiple places, e.g. at: https: / / www.analog.com / en / app-notes / an-1057.html#:~:text=Because%20the%20output%20of%20the.%2C%20%CE%B8%2C%20is%20 in%20radians.

[0041] In some examples, the second sensor of the floating platform 340 may comprise multiple depth sensors, for example configured to perform one measurement per corner of the floating platform 340, where one (or more) sensor(s) may move relatively upward, and one (or more) sensor(s) may move relatively downward at various instances on the water. It is envisaged in some examples that one such sensor may be a depth sensor to identify rise and fall in each corner. Many known sensors can be used to sense water depth. In some examples, the depth sensor that is used is a capacitive fluid level sensing, although in other examples, it is envisaged that sensor systems with switches and magnets, or even may be employed.

[0042] In some examples, the one or more sensors may comprise a third sensor that is configured to measure angular velocity 326 (of rotation). Here, angular velocity may be used to reinforce / supplement the data that is obtained from the other sensors. It is envisaged in some examples that one such sensor may be a gyroscope, but the inventors having recognized that a gyroscope typically exhibits some drift, it is envisaged that in some examples the gyroscope information may be used carefully or may require correcting based on a determined drift. In some examples, the angular velocity data may be used to augment the data obtained, say, a computer gravity vector such that confidence in the reading / data can be established. Water-based base station configuration / implementation in more detail.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a second, alternative water-based IAB base station (or node) 440, adapted in accordance with some example embodiments. In some examples, the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440 may be simplified to function as a repeater, without the suite of control functions that are contained in a full-functional IAB base station. The water-based IAB base station (or node) 440 contains an antenna 350, for receiving transmissions, coupled to an antenna switch 404 that provides isolation between receive and transmit chains within the IAB node 400. One or more receiver chains, as known in the art, include receiver front-end circuitry 406 (effectively providing reception, filtering and intermediate or base-band frequency conversion). The receiver front-end circuitry 406 is coupled to a signal processing module 408 (generally realized by a digital signal processor (DSP)). A skilled artisan will appreciate that the level of integration of receiver circuits or components may be, in some instances, implementation-dependent.

[0044] The controller 414 maintains overall operational control of the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440. The controller 414 is also coupled to the receiver front-end circuitry 406 and the signal processing module 408. In some examples, the controller 414 is also coupled to a frequency generation circuit 417 and a memory device 416 that selectively stores operating regimes, such as decoding / encoding functions, synchronization patterns, code sequences, and the like. A timer 418 is operably coupled to the controller 414 to control the timing of operations (e.g., transmission or reception of time-dependent signals) within the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440.

[0045] As regards the transmit chain, this essentially includes an input circuit 420 configured to receive information from one or more sensors (such as the sensors and sensor information identified in FIG. 3), connected to signal processor 408. The signal processor 408 is coupled in series through transmitter modulation circuitry 422 and a power amplifier 424 to the antenna 350, which in some examples comprises a plurality of antenna arrays that are configured as a steerable beam-forming antenna. The transmitter / modulation circuitry 422 and the power amplifier 424 are operationally responsive to the controller 414. The signal processor 408 in the transmit chain may be implemented as distinct from the signal processor in the receive chain. Alternatively, a single processor may be used to implement a processing of both transmit and receive signals, as shown in FIG. 4. Clearly, the various components within the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440 can be realized in discrete or integrated component form, with an ultimate structure therefore being an application-specific or design selection.

[0046] In some examples, the signal processor 408 includes an Active Signal Strength Tracking circuit 430, to receive, process and analyze received signals. In this manner, the Active Signal Strength Tracking circuit 430 of the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440 is able to influence the operational circuits of the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440 to improve (or provide) reliable and robust communication by constantly monitoring and optimizing the signal strength and signal quality of received signals.

[0047] In some examples, the signal processor 408 includes a Feed-forward Kinematic Model 432. The Feed-forward Kinematic Model 432 is operably coupled to the input circuit 420 to receive sensor information. In this manner, sensors placed on the floating platform are utilized to determine, say, a vertical inclination and axial rotation of the antenna 350. In some examples, this information is fed into the feed-forward kinematic model 432, which allows for proactive adjustment of the antenna's position in advance of use, thereby enabling timely and accurate communication.

[0048] In some examples, the signal processor 408 includes a predictive model circuit 434, which is configured to consider both the water and / or environmental state of the and antenna structure, to anticipate changes in the antenna's aspect relative to user equipment. The predictive capability provided by the predictive model circuit 434, coupled to antenna beam-form controller 435 ensures that adjustments are made in a timely manner, thereby aligning the antenna for optimal communication. In a first example, it is envisaged that the predictive model circuit 434 may be implemented using, say, a number of phase locked oscillators linked to the harmonic motions involved, e.g., the harmonic motion of the water / sea, etc. in some examples, the predictive model circuit 434 is configured to determine how the effects of the prevailing conditions of the water-based platform, i.e., changes identified in the sensor information, will affect the change in angle and direction of the antenna 350. In some examples, this information may include modelling the cyclic patterns of surface waves on the water and inertial response times, which can factor in windage.

[0049] In some examples, the signal processor 408 includes a platform orientation / positioning circuit 436, which is configured to receive sensor information via the input circuit 420. In this manner, the sensor information enables the platform orientation positioning circuit 436 to determine a current orientation of the platform, which may include an inertial measurement based on, say, information from three axis accelerometers, and / or three axis gyroscope, and / or three axis magnetometer. In some examples, the sensors may be configured to identify or determine changes in position (e.g. a global navigational satellite system (GNSS) or a global positioning service (GPS) location of the platform); and identify or determine effects of wind on the structure (e.g., by employing a wind speed sensor). In some examples, the sensors and / or accelerometers are configured to assess movement of the floating platform (and by implication movement of the antenna beam former, where the movement includes angle acceleration and wind speed that can cause side loading.

[0050] In accordance with some example embodiments, the signal processor 408 and transceiver (e.g., transmitter / modulation circuitry 422) of the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440 may be configured to communicate with another water-based IAB base station (or node) in an IAB architecture or a land-based base station / gNB.

[0051] In accordance with some example embodiments, the floating platform with a waterbased IAB base station (or node) 440 incorporates a plurality of sensors to determine a real-time orientation and azimuth of the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440, and in particular the antenna 350. A signal processor 408 is connected to the plurality of sensors and the antenna 350, in a form of an antenna beam-forming system. The signal processor 408 receives the sensor information and utilizes it to adapt the antenna 350, for example the configuration of the beamforming system for optimal communication with either the land-based communication network or other water-based IAB base stations (or nodes). Beam Forming antenna.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 5, one example of a beam forming arrangement 360, configured to support water-based wireless communications by IAB base station (or node) 440 of FIG. 4, according to some example embodiments. In some examples, an inverse fast fourier transform (in a receive sense) function or fast fourier transform (in a transmit sense) function transforms each received input orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbol into a time signal. By nature of the IFFT function, the number of time samples is exactly the same as the number of subcarriers. The next operation is converting a (complex) digital signal into a (complex=IQ) analog signal in a DAC (also not shown) and upconverting to a double-sideband RF signal (no longer complex) in an up-mixer. The up-mixer uses a Local Oscillator (LO) signal as a time reference. When an n-channel analog beam former is being used, the upconverted RF signal 510 is split into n copies using RF splitter 512. At least the phase (using phase adjustment circuit 530, 532, 534, 536) and potentially the amplitude (using amplitude adjustment circuit 540, 542, 544, 546) of each signal can be adjusted, typically on a symbol-by-symbol basis or on a multiple of symbols basis. This allows the beam direction to be adapted / updated. Before supplying the signals Y1... Yn to the antennas 550, 552, 554, 556, a power amplifier may be inserted, such as power amplifier 424 in FIG. 4 (not illustrated in this figure for clarity purposes only).

[0053] In some examples, depending upon the required total range of beam directions to be generated by beam forming arrangement 360, those skilled in the art will appreciate that antennas 550, 552, 554, 556 can take a variety of forms. In some examples simple vertical dipoles or equivalent horizontally polarised elements may be suitable, where the direction range is smaller examples could include patch antennas or dipoles with reflecting elements behind.

[0054] Thus, in some examples, the antenna elements may be implemented using any suitable techniques, e.g., a two-element yagi, sheet / mesh reflectors, corner reflectors - as with patches, where a designer is able to choose a radiation pattern to suit. In some examples, it is also envisaged that horizontally polarized antennas and omni coverage in azimuth may be used, which are much less common, e.g., using crossed dipoles or cloverleafs.

[0055] The implementation of the beam control is achieved using a beam-index 570 controlled by antenna beam-form controller 435. For each new beam direction, a reasonable number of antenna elements are typically controlled with many control bits, even if the number of beam directions is limited.

[0056] At a receive side, the signal processing is in reversed sequence of the aforementioned transmit operation. The received antenna signals are first amplified in a low noise amplifier (LNA) (again not illustrated in this figure for clarity purposes only). Next, a phase (using phase adjustment circuit 530, 532, 534, 536) and potentially the amplitude (using amplitude adjustment circuit 540, 542, 544, 546) can be modified to control the maximum sensitivity direction of the received beam. After summing up the signals in an RF combiner (a reverse operation of the RF splitter 512), the RF signal is down-converted to complex IQ baseband signals before being sampled in an ADC. After the ADC, a FFT is performed, the frequency representation of the received symbols is retrieved and in some instances the signal is then equalized. Since the gain and phase of each subcarrier signal typically suffers various offsets from losses and various reflections between transmit and receive antenna, correction by an equalizer may be required before QPSK or QAM symbols can be determined successfully

[0057] Although some example embodiments have been described with respect to an analog beam-forming system, it is envisaged that other controllable beam-forming systems can be used, e.g., a digital beam-former. Mesh Network

[0058] Mesh Network Integration: In some examples, the floating communication base station / repeater can be integrated into a mesh network. The mesh network facilitates multiple communication paths from the water-based wireless communication device to the land-based communication network. This arrangement allows for the selection of the most suitable communication path in case of one or more points of failure.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 6, a water-based wireless mesh network 600 configured to support water-based communications using at least one water-based IAB base station (or node) 440 of FIG. 4 is schematically illustrated, according to some example embodiments. In the water-based wireless mesh network 600, some functions that were previously carried out by the water-based IAB base station (or node) 440 have been distributed among the various devices in the water-based wireless mesh network 600. In water-based wireless mesh network 600, some links may have significant bandwidth constraints. The illustrated example of a water-based wireless mesh network 600 is illustrated as comprising six edge nodes, each of which is home to a host device or circuit. Each edge node may, in a practical embodiment, is connected by wireless links to at least one other node.

[0060] In this example, water-based wireless mesh network 600 comprises first edge node 620 having, say, a signal processing and transmitter and / or receiver circuit, hereinafter referred to as a first water-based wireless communication device 622. In some examples, first edge node 620 is a water-based platform. First water-based wireless communication device 622 carries out functions that are outlined in greater detail in the discussion of the operation of water-based IAB base station (or node) 440. Second edge node 632 comprises second water-based wireless communication device 634. Third edge node 636 comprises third water-based wireless communication device 638. Fourth edge node 640 comprises fourth water-based wireless communication device 642. Fifth edge node 644 comprises fifth water-based wireless communication device 646. Sixth edge node 648 comprises sixth water-based wireless communication device 650.

[0061] First edge link LI connects first edge node 620 and second edge node 632. Second edge link L2 connects first edge node 620 and third edge node 636. Third edge link L3 connects second edge node 632 and fourth edge node 642. Fourth edge link L4 connects third edge node 636 and fourth edge node 640. Fifth edge link L5 connects fourth edge node 640 and fifth edge node 644. Sixth edge link L6 connects fourth edge node 640 and sixth edge node 648.

[0062] In this example, first edge node 620 is also connected via seventh edge link L7 to a land-based network 680. In this example, water-based wireless mesh network 600 is arranged to function as an IAB network. One of the main objectives of IAB is to provide radio access network (RAN)-based mechanisms to support dynamic route selection to accommodate shortterm blocking and transmission of latency-sensitive traffic across communication links. This objective is also relevant to resource allocation (RA) between access and communication (e g., backhaul) links under half-duplexing constraints. In the NR standard, there are three RA modes defined, namely time division multiplex (TDM), frequency division multiplex (FDM) and space division multiplex SDM (e.g., beam-based operation).

[0063] In a wireless mesh network, where communications are often passed between many different entities (herein referred to as ‘nodes’), data packets typically have an option of being transferred between a source entity or node and a destination entity or node via a number of alternative routes. Each respective communication between entities on the route is generally termed a ‘hop’. It is known that in wireline networks a typical routing metric that is used is the number of hops, i.e., routes are selected that have the minimum number of hops, as this is often the most time-efficient and cost-efficient route. This works well in wireline networks because in a wireline system either a link between two nodes is available, in which case losses are minimal, or the link is not available and no data can pass. Thus, since neighboring nodes are by definition ‘ 1 ’ hop away, the cost metric is always ‘1’.

[0064] However, using the ‘number of hops’ metric to select a preferred route in wireless networks can result in a poor performance, if routes that involve long paths with high loss rates are selected. Typically, wireless mesh networks use a re-transmission scheme at the medium access control (MAC) layer (e.g., 802.11 WiFi™) and the long links selected by the use of such a ‘minimum hop count’ metric will require a high rate of re-transmissions in order to send the data (i.e., they have a low delivery rate). Therefore, in many circumstances it can be found that it is better to select a route with more hops, where each of the hops requires fewer re-transmissions (i.e., each of the hops has a higher (successful) delivery rate). In the example, water-based wireless mesh network 600, the route selection is more complicated based on the respective communication link efficiencies that are, in large part, dependent upon the speed and accuracy of the antenna beam-forming in response to platform sensors.

[0065] In order to create a mesh it is necessary to first discover devices that can provide mesh connectivity. One known mechanism to achieve this is for all nodes within the mesh to take a turn transmitting beacon information, as is currently the case in for example 802.11 IBSS (independent BSS also known as ad hoc mode) operation. A device can then find mesh connectivity by simply performing a passive scan attempting to find beacons of an appropriate variety. Thus, in some examples, it is envisaged that multiple water-based IAB base stations (or nodes) 440 functioning as IAB nodes as well as terminal devices (located on vessels) such as UEs, a communication system and methods relating to mesh usage and communications within a water-based environment or between a water-based environment and a land-based communication network have been described, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages with prior art arrangements have been substantially alleviated. Accelerometer

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 7, one example representation of an accelerometer 700 arrangement is illustrated, according to some example embodiments Accelerometers are being incorporated into an ever-expanding variety of electronic systems. For example, MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical System) accelerometers now are commonly used in automotive systems and in consumer and industrial electronics.

[0067] According to this example embodiment, accelerometer 700 includes a three-axis accelerometer, with a first accelerometer (e.g., accelerometer 712, FIG. 7) configured to sense the magnitude of a force along the x-axis 702, a second accelerometer (e.g., accelerometer 713, FIG. 7) configured to sense the magnitude of a force along the y-axis 704, and a third accelerometer (e.g., accelerometer 714, FIG. 7) configured to sense the magnitude of a force along the z-axis 706. Alternatively, accelerometer 700 may include a one-axis or a two-axis accelerometer, or no accelerometer, per se, at all whereby a different sensor arrangement may be used. In addition or alternatively, accelerometer 700 may include a three-axis gyroscope in an embodiment, which includes a first gyroscope (e.g., gyroscope 722, FIG. 7) configured to sense the rate of rotation around the x-axis 702, a second gyroscope (e.g., gyroscope 723, FIG. 7) configured to sense the rate of rotation around the y-axis 704, and a third gyroscope (e.g., gyroscope 724, FIG. 7) configured to sense the rate of rotation around the z-axis 706. Alternatively, accelerometer 700 may include a one-axis or a two-axis gyroscope, or not use a gyroscope, per se, at all. In some example embodiments a gyroscope is used with a Kalman filter (sometimes referred to as an accelerometer). In this context, the gyroscope measures a rate of change of angular velocity, as compared to an absolute angular velocity. In an alternative example embodiment, sensors may be used to detect an angle using a pendulum and accelerometer.

[0068] In addition or alternatively, accelerometer 700 may include a three-axis magnetometer in an embodiment, which includes a first magnetometer (e.g., magnetometer 732, FIG. 7) configured to sense the intensity of a magnetic field along the x-axis 702, a second magnetometer (e.g., magnetometer 733, FIG. 7) configured to sense the intensity of a magnetic field along the y-axis 704, and a third magnetometer (e.g., magnetometer 734, FIG. 7) configured to sense the intensity of a magnetic field along the z-axis 706. Alternatively, accelerometer 700 may include a one-axis or a two-axis magnetometer, or no magnetometer, per se, at all. In some examples, it is envisaged that accelerometer 700 may include one or more additional or different types of sensors, as well (e.g., pressure sensors, temperature sensors, chemical sensors, and so on). As used herein, the term “sense,” when referring to an action performed by a transducer, means that the transducer produces an electrical signal indicating the magnitude of an acceleration, a force or a field impinging upon the transducer, or the rate of an angular acceleration (rotation) experienced by the transducer.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of an accelerometer device 700 that includes multiple transducers 712-714, 722-724, 732-734, in accordance with one example embodiment. More specifically, device 700 includes a three-axis accelerometer 710, a three-axis gyroscope 720, and a three-axis magnetometer 730, in an embodiment. Accelerometer 710 includes x-axis accelerometer 712 configured to sense the magnitude of acceleration (e.g., due to gravity) along an x-axis of the device 700 (e.g., x-axis 702, FIG. 1), y-axis accelerometer 713 configured to sense the magnitude of acceleration (e.g., due to gravity) along a y-axis of the device 700 (e.g., y-axis 704, FIG. 1), and z-axis accelerometer 714 configured to sense the magnitude of acceleration (e.g., due to gravity) along a z-axis of the device 700 (e.g., z-axis 706, FIG. 1). Accelerometers 710 may function to measure static acceleration (e.g., for quantifying the tilt angles experienced by device 700) and / or dynamic accelerations (e.g., for quantifying dynamic acceleration of device 700 in a particular direction). According to alternate embodiments, device 700 may include only a subset of accelerometers 712-714, or may have no accelerometer at all. Gyroscope 720 includes x-axis gyroscope 722 configured to sense the rate of rotation around the x-axis of the device 700, y-axis gyroscope 723 configured to sense the rate of rotation around the y-axis of device 700, and z-axis gyroscope 724 configured to sense the rate of rotation around the z-axis of device 700. According to alternate embodiments, accelerometer 700 may include only a subset of gyroscopes 722-724, or may have no gyroscope at all. Magnetometer 730 includes x-axis magnetometer 732 configured to sense the intensity of a magnetic field along the x-axis of the device 700, y-axis magnetometer 733 configured to sense the intensity of a magnetic field along the y-axis of the device, and z-axis magnetometer 734 configured to sense the intensity of a magnetic field along the z-axis of the device 700. According to alternate embodiments, device 700 may include only a subset of magnetometers 732-734, or may have no magnetometer at all. Accelerometer 700 may include one or more additional or different types of sensors, as well (e.g., pressure sensors, temperature sensors, chemical sensors, and so on).

[0070] According to one example embodiment, accelerometer 700 may further include multiplexers 716, 726, 736, 750 (MUXs), gain and filter circuitry 760, analog-to-digital converter 770 (ADC), and microcontroller 780 (or another suitable control and / or processing component). In some examples, microcontroller 780 may include memory 782 (e.g., data and instruction registers, Flash memory, read only memory (ROM), and / or random access memory (RAM)), although all or portions of memory 782 may be external to microcontroller 780, as well. Memory 782 may be used to store a variety of types of persistent and temporary information or data, such as executable software instructions (e.g., instructions associated with implementation of the various embodiments), data (e.g., data generated based on transducer output signals (“transducer data” herein), configuration coefficients, and so on), device parameters, and so on. Further, microcontroller 780 may include an external interface 784, which is configured to facilitate communication between microcontroller 780 and an external electrical system (not illustrated in FIG. 7) through conductive contacts 792, 793, 794, 795 exposed at an exterior of accelerometer 700. For example, external interface 784 may include a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), another type of interface, or a combination of various types of interfaces. Accelerometer 700 may further include conductive contacts (not shown) configured to convey voltage references (e.g., power and ground) to various nodes and / or internal electrical components.

[0071] Under control of microcontroller 780, MUXs 716, 726, 736, 750 enable one signal at a time to be selected from accelerometers 712-714, gyroscopes 722-724, and magnetometers 732-734, and provided to gain and filter circuitry 760. Gain and filter circuitry 760 may be configured to apply, say, a pre-determined gain to the selected signal (e.g., as specified by a gain value or code selected during a calibration process), and to filter the signal in order to eliminate spurious, out-of-band signal components, in order to filter out signal components caused by undesired mechanical vibrations, and / or to filter out electrical noise (e.g., from other circuitry of accelerometer 700). The resulting analog signal is provided to ADC 770, which samples the analog signal and converts the samples into a sequence of digital values. Each digital value indicates the magnitude of an acceleration, a force or a magnetic field impinging upon the accelerometer 700 (e.g., when the value corresponds to a signal from the accelerometer 710 or gyroscope 720, respectively), or the rate of acceleration around an axis (e.g., when the value corresponds to a signal from the magnetometer 730).

[0072] According to an example embodiment, accelerometers 712-714 may be MEMS accelerometers, for example. Typically, a MEMS accelerometer includes a mass with a first electrode, which is suspended over a second electrode that is fixed with respect to the accelerometer substrate. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the air gap between the first and second electrodes form a capacitor, and the value of the capacitor is dependent upon the distance between the first and second electrodes (i.e., the width of the air gap). As the mass is acted upon by an external force (e.g., gravitational force), the first electrode may move closer to or farther from the second electrode, and thus the capacitance value may decrease or increase, accordingly. It is envisaged that other accelerometer configurations also are possible, including configurations in which signals indicating multiple capacitances are generated. According to an example embodiment, each accelerometer 712-714 produces an electrical signal indicating the value of such capacitance(s).

[0073] According to an example embodiment, device 700 may include MUX 716, as mentioned previously, and may further include capacitance-to-voltage (C-to-V) converter 718. The electrical signals indicating the capacitance values associated with accelerometers 712-714 are provided to MUX 716, which may selectively provide one of the signals to C-to-V converter 710 based on a control signal from microcontroller 780. C-to-V converter 718 is configured to convert the capacitance value into a voltage signal on line 719, where the voltage signal has a magnitude that is proportional to the capacitance value associated with the accelerometer 712-714 selected by MUX 716. In an alternate embodiment, device 700 may include a C-to-V converter for each accelerometer 712-714, and a MUX instead could be used to select a voltage signal output from one of the C-to-V converters.

[0074] According to an example embodiment, gyroscopes 722-724 may be MEMS gyroscopes, for example. Typically, a MEMS gyroscope includes a moving mass with an electrode (“movable electrode”), which is suspended adjacent to a second electrode (“fixed electrode”) that is fixed with respect to the gyroscope substrate. When the substrate is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the direction of motion of the moving mass, the mass experiences a force in the third orthogonal direction of magnitude 2mvQ, where m is the mass, v the velocity, and Q is the rotation rate.

[0075] Referring now to FIG. 8, a simplified flowchart 800 of a water-based base station procedure is illustrated, in accordance with some example embodiments. The method is performed at a communication base station located on a floating platform and configured to support communication with at least one of: a land-based communication network, at least one other water-based wireless communication device. The method comprises, at 802, sensing movement in the floating platform by a sensor located on the floating platform. The method further comprises, at 804, processing a signal generated by the sensor. The method further comprises, at 806, determining a real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform. The method further comprises, at 808, and in response thereto, adapting a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna beam former providing communications to and from the communication base station.

[0076] Concepts herein described provide for a floating communication base station / repeater that facilitates communications between a water-based wireless communication device and a land-based communication network via the floating base station / repeater. The floating base station / repeater includes an accelerometer (e.g., a gyroscope) to determine a real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating base station and a processor, connected to the accelerometer and an antenna beam-forming system, such that the processor adapts the beam-forming system according to information provided by the accelerometer in order to enable communications to other water-based wireless communication devices and / or the land-based communication network. In some examples, the floating communication base station / repeater may be part of a mesh network that may be adopted to provide various communication paths from the waterbased wireless communication device to the land-based communication network via the floating base station / repeater, which allows an optimum communication path to be selected following a single (or multiple) points of failure. Active signal strength tracking is used in the receiving apparatus, but also from a feed-forward kinematic model using sensors on the floating structure to determine vertical inclination and axial rotation of the antenna, along with a predictive model circuit comprising the water and antenna structure so that the changes are adjusted for in advance and in time with the changing aspect of the antenna relative to user.

[0077] Thus, examples of the floating communication base station / repeater described herein offer a novel solution to the challenges faced by water-based wireless communication devices when attempting to establish communication links with other water-based wireless communication devices and / or land-based networks. The incorporation of a gyroscope, processor, and adaptive beam-forming system enables efficient communication with other waterbased wireless communication devices and / or land-based communication network, while the mesh network integration, active signal strength tracking, feed-forward kinematic model, and predictive model circuit further enhance the system's capabilities.

[0078] It will be appreciated that, for clarity purposes, the above description has described example embodiments with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units or processors, for example with respect to the signal processor may be used without detracting from the example embodiments described. For example, functionality illustrated to be performed by separate processors or controllers may be performed by the same processor or controller. Hence, references to specific functional units are only to be seen as references to suitable means for providing the described functionality, rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

[0079] Aspects may be implemented in any suitable form including hardware, software, firmware or any combination of these. The example embodiments may optionally be implemented, at least partly, as computer software running on one or more data processors and / or digital signal processors or configurable module components such as FPGA devices. Thus, the elements and components of an embodiment may be physically, functionally and logically implemented in any suitable way. Indeed, the functionality may be implemented in a single unit, in a plurality of units or as part of other functional units.

[0080] Although examples have been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined. In the claims, the term ‘comprising' does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps.

[0081] Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented by, for example, a single unit or processor. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and / or advantageous. Also, the inclusion of a feature m one category of claims does not imply a limitation to this category, but rather indicates that the feature is equally applicable to other claim categories, as appropriate.

Claims

1. A communication base station for a floating platform that supports communication with at least one of: a land-based communication network, at least one other water-based wireless communication device, the communication base station comprising:a signal processor operably coupled to at least one sensor on the floating platforma communication transceiver operably coupled to the signal processor;an antenna beam former operably coupled to the communication transceiver;wherein the signal processor is configured to determine a real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform and in response thereto adapt a plurality of antenna elements in the antenna beam former.

2. The communication base station of Claim 1 wherein the signal processor comprises or is operably coupled to a predictive model circuit configured to predict a directivity requirement of the antenna beam former based on a determination of the real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform and a current setting of the antenna beam former.

3. The communication base station of Claim 2 wherein the predictive model circuit is arranged to maximise signal levels to or from the land-based communication network or the at least one other water-based wireless communication device and thereby maximise range and data bandwidth over the communication link, in response to a directivity of the antenna beam former controlled by the predictive model circuit.

4. The communication base station of any preceding Claim, wherein the signal processor comprises or is operably coupled to a feed-forward kinematic model that is configured to determine vertical inclination and axial rotation of the antenna beam former based on the determined real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform obtained by the sensors.

5. The communication base station of any preceding Claim wherein the communication base station is configured to be integrated into a water-based wireless mesh network that facilitates multiple communication paths from the water-based wireless communication device tothe land-based communication network or the at least one other water-based wireless communication device.

6. The communication base station of claim 5 wherein the water-based wireless mesh network is configured as an integrated access and backhaul, IAB, water-based wireless communication system.

7. A floating platform comprising the communication base station of any preceding Claim.

8. A method for water-based wireless communication, wherein the method comprises at acommunication base station located on a floating platform and configured to support communication with at least one of: a land-based communication network, at least one other water-based wireless communication device, the method comprising:sensing movement in the floating platform by a sensor located on the floating platform; processing a signal generated by the sensor;determining a real-time orientation and azimuth of the floating platform; and in response thereto:adapting a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna beam former providing communications to and from the communication base station.27

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