Radios and Systems

Abstract

A radio (2) for network relay of a wireless signal (3) within a first frequency band is described. The radio (2) includes a first transceiver (4) for the first frequency band. The first transceiver (4) is electronically steerable in a first direction (φ1). The radio (2) also includes a second transceiver (5) for the first frequency band. The radio (2) is configured to relay a wireless signal (3) received by the second transceiver (5) to the first transceiver via an analog signal path (7) and retransmit the wireless signal (3) using the first transceiver (4). The radio (2) also includes a control transceiver (6) for communicating with a wireless network (26) using a second frequency band lower than the first frequency band. The wireless network (26) includes multiple other radios (2). Each of the other radios (2) includes the same elements as the radio (2). The radio (2) is configured to control the first and second transceivers to determine a network map for relaying a radio signal (3) in a first frequency band and to coordinate with a plurality of other radios (2) over a wireless network (26) to determine one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations (30) for the radio (2). The radio (2) is configured to point the first transceiver (4) in a respective first configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios (2) during a time period corresponding to the at least one time-multiplexed routing configuration (30).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radio transceiver and method for operating a radio transceiver, particularly a radio transceiver for wireless communication networks relying on line-of-sight or near-line-of-sight communication, utilizing radio signals having frequencies above 5 GHz, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] As wireless communication networks move toward higher frequencies to improve data rates, the corresponding reduction in wavelength can lead to problems providing uniform coverage in areas without line-of-sight to the transmitter, for example, in urban areas, forested areas, inside structures, etc.

[0003] As wireless communication networks begin to move to frequencies above 5 GHz (sometimes referred to as "fifth generation" or "5G"), the effects of attenuation from atmospheric gases such as oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water vapor (H2O) may become significant in some frequency bands. Atmospheric weather effects may exacerbate such problems, with attenuation reaching 60 dB. -1 It is possible to reach the range of

[0004] Providing wireless network coverage inside buildings and structures such as sports stadiums is already problematic at frequencies below 5 GHz. Moving to higher frequencies further reduces signal strength penetrating into structures. Improvements in architectural glass for thermal regulation, such as including thin metallized layers to help keep buildings cooler, can further attenuate wireless signals from outside.

[0005] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 106992807 describes a signal relay system for 5G communications. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 139521 describes a transparent wireless bridge for providing access to an optical fiber network. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 380816 describes an antenna control system and method capable of consistently maintaining an optimal pointing point between a donor antenna and an adjacent base station. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 110469 describes a flat panel repeater. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020091990 describes a multi-band antenna arrangement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radio for network relaying wireless signals in a first frequency band. The radio includes a first transceiver for the first frequency band. The first transceiver is electronically steerable in a first direction. The radio includes a second transceiver for the first frequency band. The radio is configured to relay wireless signals received by the second transceiver to the first transceiver via an analog signal path and retransmit the wireless signals using the first transceiver. The radio also includes a control transceiver for communicating with a wireless network using a second frequency band lower than the first frequency band. The wireless network includes a plurality of other radios, each of which includes the same elements as the radio. The radio is configured to control the first and second transceivers to determine a network map for relaying wireless signals in the first frequency band and to coordinate with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for the radio. The radio is configured to point the first transceiver in a respective first configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios during a time period corresponding to the at least one time multiplexed routing configuration.

[0007] More than one time multiplexed routing configuration may be identical for a given radio. All time multiplexed routing configurations may be identical for a given radio.

[0008] The radio may be configured to point the first transceiver in a respective first configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios during a time period corresponding to all time-multiplexed routing configurations. The radio may be configured to point the first transceiver in a respective first configuration direction corresponding to the same radio of the other radios during a time period corresponding to all time-multiplexed routing configurations.

[0009] The first and second radio transceivers may be configured for radio signals in accordance with the definition of 5G used in Amitabha Ghosh, Andreas Maeder, Matthew Baker, and Devaki Chandramouli, “5G Evolution: A View on 5G Cellular Technology Beyond 3GPP Release 15,” IEEE Access (2019), Vol. 7, pp. 127639, DOI 10.1109 / ACCESS.2019.2939938.

[0010] The first and second transceivers may be configured for radio signals having a carrier frequency between 5 GHz and 300 GHz. The first and second transceivers may be configured for radio signals having a carrier frequency between 30 GHz and 300 GHz. The first and second transceivers may be configured for radio signals having a carrier frequency within one or more of the K (20 GHz to 40 GHz), L (40 GHz to 60 GHz), and M (60 GHz to 100 GHz) bands defined by NATO. The first and second transceivers may be configured for radio signals having a carrier frequency within one or more of the Ka (27 GHz to 40 GHz), V (40 GHz to 75 GHz), and W (75 GHz to 110 GHz) bands defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The first and second transceivers may be configured for radio signals having a carrier frequency greater than 300 GHz. The first and second transceivers may be configured for radio signals having a carrier frequency greater than 1 THz. The first and second transceivers may be configured for wireless signals that are 5G signals. The first and second transceivers may be configured for wireless signals that are 6G signals. The first and second transceivers may be configured for wireless signals that are 7G signals.

[0011] The second frequency band may have a center frequency that is less than the center frequency of the first frequency band. The second frequency band may have a center frequency that is 10 times (or more) less than the center frequency of the first frequency band.

[0012] The second frequency band can have an upper limit that is equal to or less than the lower limit of the first frequency band. In other words, the second frequency band can be smaller than the first frequency band and not overlap with the first frequency band. The wireless network can comply with, for example, the IEEE 802.11ax-2021 standard published on May 19, 2021, or an earlier or later published IEEE standard. The wireless network can correspond to a 3G mobile communication network. The wireless network can correspond to a 4G mobile communication network.

[0013] The first direction may be limited by a first angular range, in other words, the first direction may be steerable to orient a main lobe of the corresponding radiation pattern within the first angular range.

[0014] Each first configuration direction may be directed toward a target radio of a plurality of other radios corresponding to a respective time-multiplexed routing configuration.

[0015] The analog signal path does not include a down-conversion between the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

[0016] The radio may be configured to transmit steering data to one or more of the other radios. The steering data may include one or more of a location of the radio, e.g., a GPS location, a velocity of the radio, an acceleration of the radio, and an orientation of the radio. The radio may be configured to transmit the steering data over a wireless network. The radio may be configured to receive steering data corresponding to at least one of the one or more of the other radios. The steering data corresponding to at least one of the one or more of the other radios may include one or more of a location of the at least one other radio, e.g., a GPS location, a velocity of the at least one other radio, an acceleration of the at least one other radio, and an orientation of the at least one other radio. The radio may be configured to receive the steering data over a wireless network.

[0017] Coordinating with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map may include controlling the first transceiver to transmit a test signal while scanning a first direction over a range of available angles. Coordinating with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map may include listening, over the wireless network, for one or more LOS confirmation messages transmitted by the other radios. Each LOS confirmation message may include a time of receipt and an identifier of the corresponding other radio. Coordinating with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map may include, in response to receiving the LOS confirmation message from one of the other radios, determining a first direction corresponding to the respective time of receipt and adding the other radio to a routing table stored by the radio.

[0018] The routing table may include a list of other radios and corresponding first directions. A network map may be formed by aggregating the routing table of the radio and all other radios communicatively coupled to the wireless network.

[0019] Each confirmation message may also include a quality metric. The routing table may also include and / or store a quality metric corresponding to each connection.

[0020] The test signal may encode a unique identifier of the radio. The unique identifier can be encoded by modulating the frequency and / or amplitude of the test signal. The unique identifier may also be encoded by the carrier frequency of the test signal.

[0021] Coordinating with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map may include listening to one or more test signals transmitted by the other radios using a second transceiver. Coordinating with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map may include transmitting an LOS confirmation message to the other radios over the wireless network in response to receiving the test signal from one of the other radios. The LOS confirmation message may include an identifier of the radio and a receive time corresponding to a maximum power of the test signal.

[0022] The source of the test signal for routing the confirmation message may be determined based on a unique identifier of the other radio encoded in the test signal. The source of the test signal for routing the confirmation message may be determined based on a schedule defining the times when the radio and each of the other radios transmit the test signal.

[0023] Receiving a test signal from one of the other radios can take the form of receiving a test signal that exceeds a threshold signal level. The threshold signal level may be a threshold power or a threshold amplitude. The threshold signal level may be set to a multiple of the standard error of the noise on the second receiver output. The threshold signal level may be set to the standard error, two times the standard error, three times the standard error, or five times the standard error. The standard error may be pre-calibrated, calibrated at installation, and / or updated periodically during use.

[0024] The determination of one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for the radio may be based on a dynamic routing method, the dynamic routing method may be based on a distance vector routing protocol, the dynamic routing method may be based on a link state routing protocol, or the dynamic routing method may be based on any known routing protocol applied to a network map determined based on a first group and a second group of the radio and each of the other radios included in the wireless network.

[0025] The radio may be configured to coordinate with a plurality of other radios over a wireless network to control the first and second transceivers to determine the network map according to a schedule.

[0026] In response to receiving a mapping request message, the radio may be configured to control the first and second transceivers to coordinate with multiple other radios over the wireless network to determine a network map. The mapping request message may be generated in response to another new radio joining the wireless network. The mapping request message may be generated in response to one of the other radios exiting the wireless network. The mapping request message may be generated in response to the radio or one of the other radios changing one or more of its position, velocity, acceleration, etc.

[0027] The radio may be configured to transmit a first relay confirmation message to a source radio of a plurality of other radios corresponding to the active time multiplexing routing configuration in response to relaying the wireless signal using the first and second transceivers over the wireless network. The radio may be configured to listen for a predetermined period of time for a second relay confirmation message from a target radio of the plurality of other radios corresponding to the active time multiplexing routing configuration in response to relaying the wireless signal using the first and second transceivers over the wireless network. The radio may be configured to increment a failure counter corresponding to the target radio in response to relaying the wireless signal using the first and second transceivers in response to the failure counter exceeding a disconnected link threshold. The radio may be configured to transmit a mapping request message over the wireless network in response to relaying the wireless signal using the first and second transceivers in response to the failure counter exceeding a disconnected link threshold.

[0028] The active time multiplexed routing configuration may be a time multiplexed routing configuration that is in use when relaying wireless signals.

[0029] A fault counter corresponding to a particular target radio may be reset to an initial value (e.g., 0) in response to a reset period elapsed without the fault counter being incremented. The reset period may be at least one time or more than the total cycling period of one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations. In other words, a fault counter corresponding to a particular target radio may not be reset until all routing configurations of the radio have been cycled through at least one time without a fault. Preferably, a fault counter corresponding to a particular target radio may not be reset until all routing configurations of the radio have been cycled through several times, e.g., 10 or more times, without a fault.

[0030] The second transceiver may be electronically steerable in a second direction, which may be bounded by a second angular range. In other words, the second direction may be steerable to orient a main lobe of a corresponding radiation pattern within the second angular range.

[0031] The first and second angular ranges may overlap. The first and second angular ranges may be substantially non-overlapping. The first and second angular ranges may have central angles (corresponding to mean anomaly angles for each angular range) that point in different directions. The first and second angular ranges may be identical except for having central angles that point in different directions.

[0032] Using the second transceiver to listen for one or more test signals transmitted by the other radio may include scanning a second direction over a range of available angles. While using the second transceiver to listen for one or more test signals transmitted by the other radio, the radio may be configured to scan a second direction over a range of available angles, i.e., a second angle range.

[0033] The second transceiver may be configured to be operable in a first mode and a second mode. The first mode may correspond to a radiation pattern including an electronically steerable beam in a second direction. The second mode may correspond to receiving signals from a wider angular distribution than the beam of the first mode. The radio may be configured to operate the second transceiver in the second mode while using the second transceiver to listen for one or more test signals transmitted by other radios. Each time-multiplexed routing configuration may define whether the second transceiver is operated in the first mode or the second mode.

[0034] The first and second modes may accommodate switching between different antennas or arrays of antennas.

[0035] The first and second modes can correspond to the same antenna or array of antennas. In the first mode, the antennas of the array can be controlled as a phased array. In the second mode, some or all of the antennas of the array can be switched to connect to respective summing amplifiers. Each summing amplifier can have a relatively higher gain than any amplifier used singly from the antennas of the array during the first mode.

[0036] The radio may be configured to point the second transceiver in a respective second configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios during a time period corresponding to at least one time-multiplexed routing configuration. The radio may be configured to point the second transceiver in a respective second configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios during a time period corresponding to all time-multiplexed routing configurations. The radio may be configured to point the second transceiver in a respective second configuration direction corresponding to the same one of the other radios during a time period corresponding to all time-multiplexed routing configurations.

[0037] In this manner, the time-multiplexed routing configuration can accommodate pointing the first transceiver in a first configuration direction corresponding to the target radio, while also accommodating pointing the second transceiver in a second configuration direction corresponding to the source radio. The first and second configuration directions corresponding to the source radio and the target radio can be obtained from a routing table.

[0038] The radio may also include a third transceiver for the first frequency band. The third transceiver may be electronically steerable in a third direction. The radio may also include a fourth transceiver configured similarly to the second transceiver. The radio may be configured to relay radio signals received by the fourth transceiver to the third transceiver via a second analog signal path and retransmit the radio signals using the third transceiver. The radio may be configured to orient the third transceiver in a respective third configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios to relay radio signals in a direction opposite to the first and second transceivers during a time period corresponding to at least one time-multiplexed routing configuration.

[0039] In other words, the source radio of the fourth transceiver may be the target radio of the first transceiver, and the target radio of the third transceiver may be the source radio of the second transceiver.

[0040] The third transceiver may include features corresponding to any of the features of the first transceiver, and the fourth transceiver may include features corresponding to any of the features of the second transceiver.

[0041] The radio may be configured to relay wireless signals received by the second transceiver via an analog signal path to the first transceiver and retransmit the wireless signals using the first transceiver during time periods corresponding to one or more first time-multiplexed routing configurations. The radio may be configured to relay wireless signals received by the first transceiver via an analog signal path to the second transceiver and retransmit the wireless signals using the second transceiver during time periods corresponding to one or more second time-multiplexed routing configurations. In other words, the relay between the first transceiver and the second transceiver may be configured for duplex communication.

[0042] The radio may also include a receiver channel coupled to the analog signal path and configured to detect the test signal. The receiver channel may include one or more of a frequency analyzer, a pulse analyzer, etc. The receiver channel and the radio may not be able to extract and process data packets relayed over the analog signal channel. In other words, the receiver channel only needs to be configured for coarse time and frequency resolution and is not intended to be used to extract or process data packets relayed over the first frequency band. The receiver channel may be coupled to the analog signal path using one or more switches. The radio may be configured to disconnect the receiver channel from the analog signal path when not in use.

[0043] The radio may also include a second receiver channel coupled to the second analog signal path and configured to detect the test signal. The second receiver channel may be configured in any manner described in connection with the receiver channel.

[0044] The radio may also include a test transmission channel coupled to the analog signal path and configured to inject a test signal for transmission by the first transceiver. The test transmission channel may be coupled to the analog signal path using one or more switches. The radio may be configured to disconnect the test transmission channel from the analog signal path when not in use.

[0045] The radio may also include a second test transmission channel coupled to the second analog signal path and configured to inject a test signal for transmission by the third transceiver. The second test transmission channel may be configured in any manner described in connection with the test transmission channel.

[0046] The system may include several radios. A wireless network may be formed among all the radios. Each radio may be configured to coordinate with all the other radios via the wireless network to control the first and second transceivers to determine a network map of the system for relaying wireless signals in a first frequency band. Each radio may be configured to coordinate with all the other radios via the wireless network to determine one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each radio.

[0047] The configuration of each radio to coordinate with multiple other radios in the system via the wireless network to determine the network map can involve each radio controlling its first transceiver to transmit a test signal while scanning a first direction over a range of available angles, listening via the wireless network for one or more LOS confirmation messages transmitted by the other radios, each including a time of receipt and an identifier of the corresponding other radio, and in response to receiving an LOS confirmation message from one of the other radios, determining a first direction corresponding to the respective time of receipt and adding the other radios to a routing table stored by that radio and / or stored elsewhere in the system.

[0048] The routing table may include a list of other radios and corresponding first directions. A network map may be formed by aggregating the routing table of a radio and all other radios communicatively coupled to the wireless network. Each radio may store a local routing table. The system may further store a copy of each local routing table in a centralized location, such as one of the radios or an additional device communicatively coupled to the wireless network. Each radio may broadcast and / or update a copy of its local routing table, and each radio may store a local copy of a routing table corresponding to some or all of the other radios in the system.

[0049] Each confirmation message may also include a quality metric. The routing table may also include a quality metric corresponding to each connection.

[0050] The test signal may encode a unique identifier of the radio. The unique identifier can be encoded by modulating the frequency and / or amplitude of the test signal. The unique identifier may also be encoded by the carrier frequency of the test signal.

[0051] Configuring each radio to coordinate with multiple other radios in the system over the wireless network to determine the network map may include each radio listening to one or more test signals transmitted by the other radios using a second transceiver of that radio, and in response to receiving the test signal from one of the other radios, transmitting an LOS confirmation message to the other radios over the wireless network. The LOS confirmation message may include an identifier of that radio and a receive time corresponding to a maximum power of the test signal.

[0052] The source of the test signal for routing the confirmation message may be determined based on a unique identifier of the other radio encoded in the test signal. The source of the test signal for routing the confirmation message may be determined based on a schedule defining the times when the radio and each of the other radios transmit the test signal.

[0053] Receiving a test signal from one of the other radios can take the form of receiving a test signal that exceeds a threshold signal level. The threshold signal level may be a threshold power or a threshold amplitude. The threshold signal level may be set to a multiple of the standard error of the noise on the second receiver output. The threshold signal level may be set to the standard error, two times the standard error, three times the standard error, or five times the standard error. The standard error may be pre-calibrated, calibrated at installation, and / or updated periodically during use.

[0054] The processing for determining the network map and one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each of the radios may be performed by one or more subsets of the plurality of radios forming the system.

[0055] The processing for determining the network map and one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each of the radios may be distributed across two or more of the multiple radios forming the system.

[0056] The determination of one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each radio in the system can be based on a dynamic routing method, the dynamic routing method can be based on a distance vector routing protocol, the dynamic routing method can be based on a link state routing protocol, or any known routing protocol applied to a network map determined based on first and second groups of the radio and each of the other radios included in the wireless network.

[0057] The system may also include a gateway and one or more user devices. One or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each of the radios may be determined such that each user device of the plurality of user devices has a connection to the gateway via the plurality of radios during at least one time period. The system may include two or more gateways. One or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each of the radios may be determined such that each user device has a connection to at least one gateway during at least one time period.

[0058] Each user device may include a radio transceiver for a first frequency band. Additionally, the user device may include a radio transceiver for a second frequency band. Any or all user devices connected to the system may connect to the wireless network and, in coordination with the radio, perform network mapping and / or routing configuration in a manner similar to that of a radio. In other words, the user device may include any of the characteristics of a radio, except for being the origin / termination point of a wireless signal, without requiring a second radio transceiver and an analog signal path. In another example, the user device may further function as a radio for relaying wireless signals.

[0059] The user devices may be any of a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, a laptop computer, etc. One, some, or all of the user devices may be configured to transmit and / or receive steering data to one or more of the plurality of radios over the wireless network. The steering data may be as defined above.

[0060] The multiple radios forming the system may include one or more radios supported by a structure, one or more radios supported by a vehicle, and / or one or more user devices. Each radio of the one or more radios supported by a structure may be supported externally to the structure or internally within the structure.

[0061] The one or more user devices may also be radios as defined according to the first aspect. Two or more radios of the plurality of radios forming the system may be supported by a structure. The structure may be a building. Each radio may be supported by a window, wall (interior or exterior), door, or roof of the building. Each radio may be supported by a different window. Two or more radios may be supported by the same window, wall (interior or exterior), door, or roof of the building. The structure may be a bus shelter, a lamp post, or any other item of street furniture. Supported by a structure may include attachment to a structure, mounting on a structure, etc. Supported by a structure may additionally or alternatively include a radio built into or integrally formed with a structure. Two or more radios of the plurality of radios may be supported by two or more separate structures (structures having the same meaning as previously described). All radios of the plurality of radios may be supported on respective structures.

[0062] The system may include several radios supported internally within one or more structures. In this manner, relayed radio signals in the first frequency band may be conducted seamlessly outside, around, and even within the structure. In some examples, most or even all of the radios may be supported within a structure or the like (e.g., subway / metro network) to provide relay of radio signals in the first frequency band.

[0063] The vehicle may be a car, bus, van, truck, lorry, etc. The system may include one or more radios supported on a window or part of the body of the vehicle.

[0064] Each radio of the plurality of radios forming the system may be located within 200 m, within 100 m, within 50 m, within 20 m, or within 10 m of at least one other radio of the plurality of radios.

[0065] The system may also include one or more control nodes. Each control node may be communicatively coupled to two or more of the radios. Each control node may be configured to coordinate network mapping and / or routing by the corresponding radio transceiver. Each control node may be communicatively coupled to the corresponding radio via a wired network and / or a wireless network. Each control node may be communicatively coupled to the corresponding radio transceiver via the wireless network. Each control node may correspond to one radio of the plurality of radios. All radios of the plurality of radios may include processing capability, and control and coordination of network mapping and / or routing may be performed in parallel across the radio transceivers.

[0066] According to a method for network relaying wireless signals in a first frequency band using a radio according to a first aspect or a system including a plurality of radios according to the first aspect, the method includes coordinating the radio with a plurality of other radios to determine a network map for relaying the wireless signals in the first frequency band. The method also includes determining one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for the radio. The method also includes pointing a first transceiver of the radio in a respective first configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios during each of one of a number of time periods corresponding to the time-multiplexed routing configurations, and in response to receiving a wireless signal in the first frequency band using a second transceiver, relaying the wireless signal via an analog signal path and retransmitting the wireless signal using the first transceiver.

[0067] The method may include features corresponding to any features of a radio of the first aspect or a system incorporating multiple radios according to the first aspect. Definitions applicable to a radio of the first aspect and / or a system incorporating multiple radios according to the first aspect may be equally applicable to the method.

[0068] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0069] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system including several radios for relaying radio signals; [Figure 2] 2 illustrates schematically a radio suitable for use in the system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a time multiple access scheme for radio unit 2. [Figure 4] 2 shows a schematic diagram of another example of a system including several radios for relaying radio signals; [Figure 5A] 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a first directional configuration of the radio; [Figure 5B] 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a first directional configuration of the radio; [Figure 6] 10 illustrates schematically a second directional configuration of the radio. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates schematically a first arrangement for switching between modes of a radio corresponding to different directional configurations; [Figure 8] 10 illustrates schematically a second arrangement for switching between modes of a radio corresponding to different directional configurations; [Figure 9] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a phased array layout of a planar antenna. [Figure 10] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a pair of radios separated by a line-of-sight blocking object. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a method for mapping line-of-sight links between radios. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a method for monitoring the status of a line-of-sight link. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a first exemplary system including a pair of structures. [Figure 14] 2 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary system corresponding to a portion of an urban area. [Figure 15] 10 illustrates schematically a third exemplary system for relaying wireless signals between and within a pair of buildings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0070] In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0071] The problems of line-of-sight to the base station and atmospheric and / or meteorological attenuation of the radio signal can be mitigated by adding additional radio transceivers to the wireless network. Especially in non-line-of-sight environments, the direction of the radio signal's pointing vector is important for maximizing quality of service performance. For these reasons, directional line-of-sight communications are becoming increasingly important for high-data-rate wireless communication networks.

[0072] Current infrastructure for wireless communications is expected to encounter limitations and fundamental problems that make it difficult to scale toward higher frequencies, such as millimeter waves (mmWave) and beyond. Due to the ever-increasing demand for higher bandwidth for new services such as mobile data and content streaming, the size of the area (or "cell") covered by a single transmitter tower is becoming smaller and smaller. This trend is expected to continue at frequencies above 5 GHz, often referred to as "5G." The current infrastructure of cell towers is approaching its limits, and new approaches are needed as wireless communications networks move toward line-of-sight point-to-multipoint systems operating at high frequencies and high data rates. Such high-frequency communications, such as mmWave, can also benefit significantly from the use of massive multiple-input, multiple-output antenna architectures to enable beamforming and beamsteering. Highly directional operation can help avoid problems related to multipath interference.

[0073] Driven by consumer demand for increasingly diverse and immersive mobile data services, such as high-definition video streaming, cloud-based services, and augmented reality, next-generation wireless communication networks and systems must deliver high throughput, low latency, and reliability to remain competitive. For example, beyond the infrastructure currently planned to move up to 6 GHz, there is an additional 200 GHz of spectrum available in millimeter wave frequencies that is underutilized and could potentially support data rates in the 10-50 Gb / s range.

[0074] Wideband spectrum does not mean it is unlimited; other services may also use the same or adjacent bands. Spectrum inefficiencies exist when a significant portion of the spectrum is given exclusively to a single, independent mobile network operator. The average consumer can access millimeter-wave spectrum in the 3 GHz to 30 GHz range, and cm-wave spectrum from 30 GHz to 40 GHz (up to 300 GHz).

[0075] There is also spectrum sharing in the 60 GHz to 70 GHz range for mission-critical services, including smart city infrastructure, healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and many other applications. Such services preferably require access to continuous high-speed, low-latency connectivity, and shared spectrum has the potential to help ensure devices are always connected.

[0076] The line-of-sight problems that arise in such high frequency wireless communication networks may begin to be addressed by adding more wireless transceivers to the network, but given that in practice many wireless transceivers in such networks do not have line-of-sight with one another, an immediate problem arises as to how such networks can be mapped and network routing can be coordinated.

[0077] This specification relates to wireless transceivers in the form of radios and systems thereof that address the problem of how to enable wireless networks operating at high frequencies that require adjusting line of sight to enable relaying around obstacles. In particular, particular examples relate to dynamically performing such adjustments, which can be particularly important as radios join and leave the network and / or change positions relative to each other during use.

[0078] Referring to Figure 1, several radios 2 A , ..., 2 DSystem 1 including [the relevant element] is shown. The subscripts refer to separate instances, and generally the radio 2 is referred to without a subscript. The same rule applies to the labeling components of each radio 2.

[0079] Each radio 2 (and the entire system 1) is configured to relay a radio signal 3 within a first (or signal) frequency band Δf that extends from a lower signal frequency f1 to a higher signal frequency f2. sig For this purpose, each radio 2 includes a first transceiver 4 and a second transceiver 5 configured to transmit and / or receive the radio signal 3 within the first frequency band Δf. sig Each first transceiver 4 is electronically steerable in a first direction φ1 (Figure 2). For example, each first transceiver 4 may include a phased antenna array or take the form of a phased antenna array. Each second transceiver 5 may be omnidirectional with a wide angle (e.g., most of a hemisphere), or may be electronically steerable in a second direction φ2 (Figure 2). When electronically steerable, the second transceiver may include a phased antenna array or take the form of a phased antenna array.

[0080] Each radio 2 also includes a control transceiver 6 for communicating with a wireless network 26 (Figure 2) that includes that radio 2 and other radios 2 belonging to the system 1. The control transceiver 6 is configured to communicate using a second (or control) frequency band Δf that extends from a lower control frequency f3 to a higher control frequency f4. cont The second frequency band Δf cont is lower than the first frequency band Δf sig (it is preferred that the frequency bands do not overlap). For example, f4 < f1, and in many cases, f4 << f1.

[0081] Each radio 2 is configured to relay the radio signal 3 received by the second transceiver 5 to the first transceiver 4 via an internal analog (equivalently similar) signal path 7 (Figure 2), and to re - transmit the radio signal 3 using the first transceiver 4.

[0082] System 1 may include radios 2 that extend through any area / region where line of sight (LOS) for radio signals 3 is prone to interruption. For example, system 1 may be installed in an urban area including radios 2 for relaying radio signals 3 exteriorly around a building and extend inside the building to enable relaying of radio signals 3 within and / or underground. For example, system 1 may include above-ground radios 2 that communicate with radios 2 in underground structures such as parking garages, subway / metro systems, etc. In this manner, system 1 may enable seamless relay of radio signals 3 between exterior and interior environments.

[0083] System 1 may include radios 2 owned or controlled by different people or companies. For example, a telephone company may control radios 2 distributed outside a metropolitan area, and a building owner / manager may control radios 2 installed within a particular building. All such sub-networks may interoperate to relay radio signals 3 across boundaries between adjacent / interpenetrating sub-networks. However, in some instances, the controllers of the sub-networks may control the first frequency band Δf sig Optionally, one may choose to limit or block the relaying of the radio signal 2 within a particular frequency range.

[0084] Referring also to Figure 2, an example of a suitable radio 2 is shown.

[0085] 2 shows a particular example of a radio 2, it is not necessary that all radios 2 in the system 1 be identical, provided that each is capable of providing the functionality described herein. For example, a radio 2 according to this specification should include at least a first transceiver 4 and a second transceiver 5, a control transceiver 6, and an analog signal path 7.

[0086] In the example of FIG. 2 , radio 2 includes first transceiver 4 and second transceiver 5, control transceiver 6, controller 8, power unit 9, and battery 10, connected by analog signal path 7. Optionally, power unit 8 may be further coupled to a power connection 11 external to radio 2 and / or one or more energy harvesting devices 12. For example, battery 10 may be recharged using power from energy harvesting device(s) 12. In another example, radio 2 may be configured to operate from a mains power source during normal operation, with battery 10 serving as a backup in the event of a power outage. Power unit 9 distributes and regulates the power supplied to controller 8 and analog signal path 7. As described further below, the analog signal 7 path includes elements such as amplifiers for receiving and transmitting radio signal 3 and is generally expected to consume more power than controller 8.

[0087] Controller 8 includes a digital electronic processor 13, volatile memory 14 such as random access memory (RAM) for use in calculations, a clock 15 (which may in some examples be integrated with processor 13), a network interface 16, non-volatile storage 17 such as read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, etc. The components of controller 8 (and potentially other components of radio 2) are interconnected by a bus 18. Controller 8 also includes a beamforming module 19, a test transmit channel 20, and a receiver channel 21.

[0088] The beamforming module 19 controls the electronic steering of the first transceiver 4 to a first angle φ1 (with respect to a first reference direction 22). When the second transceiver 5 is also electronically steerable, the beamforming module 19 further controls the electronic steering of the second transceiver 5 to a second angle φ2 (with respect to a second reference direction 23). The test transmission channel 20 is configured to generate and inject a test signal 24 into the analog signal path 7 for transmission by the first transceiver 4 during a network mapping procedure (see FIG. 11) described below. The receiver channel 21 obtains samplings 25 of the signal received by the second transceiver 5 to facilitate detection of the test signal 24 transmitted by different radios 2 during the network mapping procedure (see FIG. 11) described below.

[0089] Each (or any combination) of the beamforming module 19, the test transmission channel 20, and the receiver channel 21 may be provided by software blocks held in the storage device 17 and executed by the processor 13, or may be implemented using specifically configured hardware circuitry. Each (or any combination) of the beamforming module 19, the test transmission module 20, and the receiver channel module 21 may be provided by a combination of specifically configured hardware circuit(s) and software executed by the processor 13.

[0090] A wireless network 26 is formed between all of the radios 2 in the system 1. Each radio 2 is configured to coordinate with all of the other radios 2 over the wireless network 26, for example, by exchanging one or more control and coordination messages 27 via the respective control transceivers 6.

[0091] The first radio transceiver 4 and the second radio transceiver 5 are configured for radio signals having carrier frequencies between f1 = 5 GHz and f2 = 300 GHz. Preferably, the first radio transceiver 4 and the second radio transceiver 5 are configured for radio signals according to the definition of 5G used in Amitabha Ghosh, Andreas Maeder, Matthew Baker, and Devaki Chandramouli, "5G Evolution: A View on 5G Cellular Technology Beyond 3GPP Release 15," IEEE Access (2019), Vol. 7, pp. 127639, DOI 10.1109 / ACCESS.2019.2939938. Another preferred range is between f1 = 30 GHz and f2 = 300 GHz. While these ranges represent frequency ranges expected to become increasingly relevant over the coming year, in principle, the operating frequencies of the first radio transceiver 4 and the second radio transceiver 5 are limited only by the state of the art in antenna design and associated electronics. For example, the first radio transceiver 4 and the second radio transceiver 5 may be configured for radio signals having carrier frequencies above 300 GHz, or even above 1 THz. As described herein, a direct analog signal path 7 provided between the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5 enables signal relay at high frequencies without the need for the radio 2 to downconvert, convert to the digital domain, or even understand the routing content of the relayed radio signal 3. This allows the complexity, cost, and power consumption of the radio 2 to be kept as low as possible, which is important given the number required to provide a line-of-sight network in some environments (e.g., urban environments).

[0092] However, using an analog signal path 7 to relay the signal without intermediate down-conversion or processing, etc., means that the relayed radio signal 3 cannot, by itself, provide the addressing / routing information required by radio 2 to steer first transceiver 4 and route the radio signal 3 towards its intended destination. In the radio 2 herein, this is achieved by radio 2 communicating and coordinating via a wireless network 26 accessed using a control transceiver 6. Radio 2 communicates with wireless network 26 (which is connected to a second frequency band Δf cont ) to communicate over a first frequency band Δf sig and coordinating a time multiplexing access scheme (see FIG. 3) for directing the first radio transceiver 4 (and optionally also the second radio transceiver 5) of each radio 2 to the relayed radio signal 3, for example between one or more user devices 28 and a gateway 29 that connects to a further network, for example a mobile communication network base station that connects to the Internet or a wider network.

[0093] To allow communication between radios 2 that may not have line-of-sight to each other, the wireless network 26 must be at a frequency where significant diffraction effects and / or penetration of obstacles (walls, glossy windows, etc.) remain feasible (see also FIG. 10 ), in a lower second frequency band Δf cont For example, the wireless network may comply with, for example, the IEEE 802.11ax-2021 standard published on May 19, 2021, and may be 3G or 4G capable (with particular reference to the most recently published standard as of September 1, 2022).

[0094] The first radio transceiver 4 and the second radio transceiver 5 may be configured as described in WO 2022 / 157479, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the first radio transceiver 4 and the second radio transceiver 5 may be configured for analog signal relay as described in relation to Figures 10 and / or 21-23 of WO 2022 / 157479.

[0095] Each radio 2 is configured to coordinate with other radios 2 in system 1 via wireless network 26 to control first transceiver 4 and second transceiver 5 to determine a network map for relaying wireless signals 3 within first frequency band Δf1. For example, referring again to FIG. 1, after generating a network map for the illustrated system 1, several line-of-sight (LOS) links 31 are shown. The subscripts for LOS links 31 indicate, for example, the LOS links 31 AC is the first radio 2 A and third radio 2 C While connecting with LOS link 31 1D The first user device 28 is connected to the fourth radio D Connect to LOS link 31 AG is the first radio 2 A to the gateway 29.

[0096] FIG. 1 shows a network map for the LOS link 31. For example, the third radio 2 C is the LOS link 31 for receiving from both user devices 281, 282. 1C and 31 2C and LOS link 31 CD via the fourth radio D Third radio 2 C The first radio 2 A Forward LOS link 31 for sending to AC However, the second radio 2 has a LOS because the LOS is blocked by the LOS block object 33. BAlthough described in the above example as a unidirectional LOS link, LOS link 31 may be bidirectional (or duplex) depending on the configuration of the linked radios 2 (an example of a radio 2 configured for bidirectional relaying is included below).

[0097] The LOS blocking object 33 is a first frequency band Δf sig LOS blocking objects 33 may take the form of any object or portion of an object that blocks or attenuates radio signals 3. LOS blocking objects 33 may include, but are not limited to, buildings or other structures, interior or exterior walls of buildings or other structures, windows, floors and / or ceilings, vehicles such as trucks, cars, vegetation such as trees, etc.

[0098] A specific method for determining the network map of LOS links 31 is described below (see, for example, FIG. 11 and the associated discussion). cont Note that the wireless network 26 also performs network mapping and routing. However, the first frequency band Δf sig In contrast to signal relaying in , network mapping in wireless network 26 is conventional (e.g., in accordance with IEEE 802.11ax-2021s) and will not be described herein for the sake of brevity.

[0099] Each radio 2 is further configured to coordinate with other radios 2 in system 1 via wireless network 26 to determine one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations 30 (FIG. 3) for that radio 2. To assist in the calculation of network mapping and routing configurations 30, user devices 28, gateways 29, and any other devices to which wireless signals 3 in the first frequency band Δf1 are relayed should also preferably be connected to wireless network 26 via compatible transceivers (not shown).

[0100] Referring also to FIG. 3, a time multiple access scheme 32 for radio 2 is shown schematically.

[0101] The total period has a duration T and is divided into N separate sub-periods, each of which may correspond to a particular routing configuration 30. During the period corresponding to the time-multiplexed routing configuration 30, the radio 2 is configured to point the first transceiver 4 in a respective first configuration direction φ1 corresponding to, i.e., directed toward, one of the other radios 2.

[0102] For example, referring again to FIG. A The third radio C 1. The LOS links 31 are shown configured in a routing configuration (e.g., from time t0 to t1) for relaying signals from the fourth radio 2 to the gateway 29 (in FIG. 1, the LOS links 31 used to relay the radio signals 3 are shown as solid lines). The LOS links 31 that are not actively used to relay the radio signals 3 are shown as dashed lines in FIG. 1. This is because the fourth radio 2 D This can be achieved by adjusting the first radio 2 not to retransmit the received radio signal 3 during this period (e.g., by turning off the power to the transmitting amplifier). A a second transceiver 5 that is electronically steerable; A If the first radio 2- A is connected to the second transceiver 5 so that the radio signal 3 emanating therefrom is strengthened compared to radio signals arriving from other directions. A The third radio 2 C The synchronization of clocks 15 for maintaining timing across the system 1 may be coordinated via a wireless network 26.

[0103] In the subsequent sub-period (for example, from time t1 to time t2), the first wireless device 2 A continues relaying to gateway 29, but instead uses fourth radio 2 DIn other words, since the routing configurations 30 are computed for the entire system 1, two or more (or even all) of the time-multiplexed routing configurations 30 may be identical for a given radio.

[0104] Optionally, the duration T of the total period may also include additional periods. For example, the duration t of each total period N-1 ~t N may be left to perform network mapping tasks, for example as described below in connection with FIG.

[0105] Referring also to Figure 4, 11 radios 2 A , 2 B , ..., 2 L A second example of system 1b including four LOS blocking objects 331, 332, 333, 334 and four user devices 281, 282, 283, 284 is shown schematically in relation to four LOS blocking objects 331, 332, 333, 334 and four user devices 281, 282, 283, 284 that are desired to connect with gateway 29. Note that the subscript "G" is skipped for the eighth radio 2 to avoid ambiguity with gateway 29, which already uses the subscript "G."

[0106] FIG. 4 shows the first frequency band Δf sig 2 shows a determined network map of the form of LOS link 31 for relaying wireless signals 3 in a WAN. An exemplary time-multiple access scheme 32 is described that allows all four user devices 281, 282, 283, 284 to communicate with gateway 29. The scheme described is for illustrative purposes only and is not unique (i.e., other routing configurations may be used using the same network map). Link 31 is assumed to be bidirectional for purposes of describing the exemplary time-multiple access scheme 32, and the angles depicted are entirely schematic.

[0107] The exemplary time multiple access scheme 32 includes N=2 sub-periods, and the gateway 29 can receive from at least two sources simultaneously. During the first sub-period, the first user device 281 and the fourth user device 284 are not connected to the gateway 29, and the second user device 282 (in turn) is connected to the radio 2 J , 2 D , and 2 B and a third user device 283 (in turn) is connected to the gateway 29 via radio 2 L , 2 F , and 2 C For simplicity, the connection between the second device 282 and the gateway is denoted as 2-JDBG, and the connection between the third device 283 and the gateway is denoted as 3-LFCG, and the configuration of the first sub-period is as follows: [2-JDBG;3-LFCG]

[0108] This first sub-period is illustrated in Figure 4 using solid lines for active connections. The first user device 281 and the fourth user device 284 can communicate with the gateway 29 during the second sub-period using, for example, the configuration of the routes. [1-ABG; 4-FCG]

[0109] By alternating between these two configurations, all four user devices 281, . . . , 284 can communicate with the gateway 29 despite not having a direct line of sight to the gateway 29.

[0110] The radios 2 do not receive, downconvert, and process information from the relayed radio signals 3 (although this may optionally be in addition to relaying via analog signal path 7). Instead, each functions like a programmable "pipe" with at least a steerable output provided by steering the first transceiver 4. Preferably, the second transceiver 5 is also steerable, allowing each radio 2 to be configured to receive from a particular "source" radio 2 and relay signals to a particular "target" radio 2 during each routing configuration 30.

[0111] For example, in the described exemplary access scheme 32, radio 2B cycles between two routing configurations stored locally, eg, in a table. TIFF2025531084000002.tif17170

[0112] Radio 2 B also locally stores a routing table (or equivalent structure) containing the first φ1 angle and the second φ2 angle corresponding to each possible source radio(s) and target radio(s) 2, gateway(s) 29, and / or user device(s) 28.

[0113] In general, multiple paths may be available to connect two points in the network map formed by the determined LOS links 31. The routing is preferably calculated to minimize the number of sub-periods in the access scheme 32 to allow for the longest possible transmission window.

[0114] First frequency band Δf sigA method for determining the LOS links 31 that form a network map for relaying the radio signal 3 in the system 1, 1b is described below in connection with FIG. 11. However, once the network map and corresponding steering angles φ1, φ2 are determined, the routing configuration 30 may be determined in any suitable manner. For example, the determination of the time-multiplexed routing configuration 30 for each radio 2 without the system 1, 1b may be based on a dynamic routing method, such as, for example, a distance vector routing protocol, a link state routing protocol, or the like.

[0115] Each radio 2 may be configured to coordinate with other radios 2 belonging to system 1 to determine the network map according to a preset schedule, such as after cycling through a predetermined number of periods T (e.g., 100 or more). Additionally or alternatively, each radio 2 may be configured to coordinate with other radios 2 belonging to system 1 to determine the network map in response to a triggered event. For example, a mapping request message may be generated in response to a new radio 2 joining the wireless network 26, in response to one of the radios 2 leaving the wireless network 26, in response to a radio 2 reporting that a LOS link 31 stored in its local routing table is no longer responding (e.g., see FIG. 12), and so on.

[0116] Some or all of the radios 2 may be configured to transmit steering data to one or more of the other radios 2 in the system (via the wireless network 26) to provide additional input for network mapping. The steering data may include one or more of the position of the radio 2, e.g., GPS position, the speed of the radio, the acceleration of the radio 2 (e.g., from the radio 2 and the heading of the radio 2). The radios 2 may be configured to exchange steering data over the wireless network. This may be particularly useful if one or more of the radios 2 are mobile, for example, mounted on a vehicle.

[0117] Each user device 28 includes a wireless transceiver for the first frequency band Δf1. While radio 2 may simply listen for wireless signals 3 transmitted from user devices 28, user devices 28 preferably also connect to system 1 via wireless network 26 so that they can coordinate with radio 2 to perform network mapping and / or routing configuration in a similar manner as radio 2. In other words, user devices 28 can include any feature or functionality of radio 2 described herein, except that they do not require second wireless transceiver 5 and analog signal path 7 and are a starting point / terminating point for wireless signals instead of relaying. Thus, when referring to functions of radio 2 other than relaying, this should be read to include user devices 28, gateway 29, and any other devices that may be connected to transmit and / or receive wireless signals 3 in the first frequency band Δf1 via radio 2.

[0118] Examples of user devices 28 may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones / smartphones, tablet computers, smart watches, laptop computers, etc. One, some, or all of the user devices may be configured to transmit and / or receive steering data of the types described above.

[0119] In other examples, some or all of the user devices 28 may further function as radios to relay the wireless signals 3. This may be done by providing the user devices 28 with analog signal paths 7 similar to the radios 2. However, because the user devices 28 are generally configured to downconvert and interpret the wireless signals 3, the user devices 28 may be used to provide more conventional relaying of the wireless signals 3 (e.g., by downconverting, decoding, interpreting, and then retransmitting).

[0120] The processing for determining the network map and one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations 30 for each of the radios 2 may be performed by one or more subsets of the radios 2. For example, some of the radios 2 may be equipped with more powerful processors 13 and expanded memory 14 and may perform mapping and routing coordination across sub-regions of the system 1. Such radios 2 may then transmit, via wireless network 26, to their radios 2, the routing configurations 30 for each radio 2 in the sub-region.

[0121] The system may also include one or more control nodes (not shown), each communicatively coupled to two or more of the radios 2. Each control node (not shown) may be configured to coordinate network mapping and / or routing by corresponding radios 2 and should be communicatively coupled to those radios 2 via wired and / or wireless network 26. In some examples, the control nodes may be radios 2, while similarly, in other examples, the control nodes may provide coordination functions without relaying wireless signals 3.

[0122] Alternatively, the processing for determining each radio's network map and one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations 30 is distributed in parallel across two or more, or all, of the radios 2 .

[0123] Simultaneous two-way relay With particular reference to FIG. 2 , the illustrated radio 2 may be adapted for simultaneous two-way (duplex) relay of a radio signal 3 by replicating a first radio transceiver 4 and a second radio transceiver 5 and an analog signal path 7.

[0124] In other words, by including third and fourth transceivers (not shown) for the first frequency band Δf1. The third transceiver must be electronically steerable in a third direction (not shown) and should be configured similarly to the first transceiver 4, except that it is oriented in approximately the same direction as the second transceiver 5. Similarly, the fourth transceiver should be identical to the second transceiver 5, except that it is oriented in approximately the same direction as the first transceiver 4. The second analog signal path (not shown) should be configured similarly to the analog signal path 7, except that it relays the radio signal 3 received by the fourth transceiver to the third transceiver (without downconverting or digitizing it again) and retransmits the radio signal 3 using the third transceiver. The radio modified in this way can be configured to direct the third transceiver, and optionally the fourth transceiver if electronically steerable, to relay the radio signal 3 in the opposite direction from the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5 during the period corresponding to each time-multiplexed routing configuration 30. In other words, the source radio of the fourth transceiver is the target radio of the first transceiver 4 , and the target radio of the third transceiver is the source radio of the second transceiver 5 .

[0125] Alternatively, the third transceiver and fourth transceiver (not shown) may be oriented independently of the first transceiver 4 and second transceiver 5, allowing the radio 2 to form a junction on two different relay paths simultaneously.

[0126] Time-multiplexed two-way relay An alternative approach to two-way relaying is to time multiplex the direction of relaying. For example, the radio may be configured to relay the radio signal 3 received by the second transceiver 5 to the first transceiver 4 via the analog signal path 7 and retransmit the radio signal 3 using the first transceiver 4 during some time-multiplexed routing configurations 30. During other time-multiplexed routing configurations 30, the radio 2 is instead configured to relay the radio signal received by the first transceiver 4 to the second transceiver 5 via the analog signal path and retransmit the radio signal 3 using the second transceiver 5 for retransmission.

[0127] While this approach reduces the amount of duplication required for two-way communication, repeating in both directions requires a low-noise amplifier for the received signal and a power amplifier for retransmission at both ends of the analog signal path 7. Nevertheless, it avoids the need to duplicate the antennas of the first transceiver 4 and second transceiver 5.

[0128] Radio Directional Configuration Radio 2 is 1) an electronically steerable first transceiver 4 and a wide-angle second transceiver 5, or 2) both the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5 are electronically operable.

[0129] 5A and 5B, there is shown a first directional configuration 34. The horizontal axis in Fig. 5B is rotated about the z-axis relative to the x-axis in Fig. 5A by an angle α1 shown in Fig. 5B.

[0130] The first angle (direction) φ1 at which the first transceiver 4 is steered is a 3D angle that, for clarity of the following description, can be defined in terms of a first longitudinal angle α1 and a first latitudinal angle β1 in a coordinate system defined relative to the radio 5. The first angle φ1 = (α1, β1) represents the angle between the first pointing vector 35 and the first reference direction 2. The first pointing vector 35 ideally has a width w bcorresponds to the maximum power of the main lobe of the first transceiver 4, which is in the form of a first beam 36 of w . In reality, the first beam 36 diverges with distance from the radio 2 (w b ) but divergence over typical distances between radios 2 in system 1 should preferably be minimized. In the diagram of Figure 5A, as shown, first reference direction 22 corresponds to the illustrated x-axis, a first longitudinal angle α1 is defined between first reference direction 22 and the projection of first Poynting vector 35 onto the xy-plane, and a first latitudinal angle β1 is defined between first Poynting vector 35 and the xy-plane, in a plane parallel to the z-axis.

[0131] The first angle φ1 is limited by a first angular range 37. In other words, the first angle φ1 is steerable to orient the first Poynting vector 35 (i.e., the main lobe) of the corresponding radiation pattern within the first angular range 37. For example, the first angular range may be limited to -α 1min ≦α1≦α 1max and -β 1min ≦β1≦β 1max While a constant angular limit may be a reasonable approximation for some first transceivers 4, in some cases the longitudinal limit may be a function of latitude, i.e., α 1min (β1), α 1max (β1), and its inverse β 1min (α1), β 1max The same is true for (α1).

[0132] In the first directional configuration 34, the second transceiver 5 has a main lobe of a corresponding radiation pattern corresponding to a second angular range 38 defined relative to coordinates aligned with the second reference direction 23 in a manner similar to that of the first transceiver 4. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first direction 22 and the second direction 23 correspond to opposite directions parallel to the illustrated x-axis. The second angular range 38 represents the sensitivity of the second transceiver 5 to detect radio signals 3 incident along an angle φ = (α, β) relative to the second reference direction 23. In practice, the second transceiver 5 detects all angles of incidence φ = (α, β) within the second angular range 38, i.e., -α 2min ≦α2≦α 2max and -β 2min ≦β2≦β 2max In some examples, the second angular range 38 may be defined by the outer angles at which the sensitivity to the incident radio signal 3 falls below a specified threshold (e.g., 50% power) of normalized values ​​corresponding to the second reference direction 23 (α2=0, β2=0).

[0133] Equal beam width in both longitudinal and latitudinal directions, w b Although shown as , in practice the dimensions and cross-sectional shape of the first beam 36 may be different in different directions and / or may vary by a central angle φ1.

[0134] Referring also to FIG. 6, a second directional configuration 39 is shown.

[0135] The second directional configuration 39 is the same as the first directional configuration 34 except that the second transceiver 5 is also steerable to a second beam 40 having a second pointing vector 41 .

[0136] The first beam 36 and the second beam 40 have equal beam widths w b Although shown with a , this is not required, reflecting a preference that when the second transceiver 5 is steerable, it be similar to or identical to the first transceiver 4.

[0137] Although directional configurations 34, 39 are shown with first reference direction 22 and second reference direction 23 oriented in opposite directions along the same axis, this is not required, and in general, first reference direction 22 and second reference direction 23 may be oriented at any angle between 180° and 0° from one another. In some examples, first angle range 37 and second angle range 38 may overlap, although in some applications, overlap may be undesirable and avoided.

[0138] Switchable radiation pattern Either or both of the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5 may be switchable between operating in a first mode corresponding to a radiation pattern including electronically steerable beams 36, 40 in respective directions φ1, φ2, and operating in a second mode corresponding to receiving signals from a wider angular distribution, e.g., respective angular ranges 37, 38. For example, in the first directional configuration 34 of Figures 5A and 5B, the first transceiver 4 is in the first mode and the second transceiver is in the second mode. In the second directional configuration 39 of Figure 6, both the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5 are operating in the first mode.

[0139] Switching can be achieved in two main ways: Referring also to Figure 7, a first switching arrangement 42 is shown.

[0140] In a first switching configuration 42, the first and second modes correspond to switching between different antennas or arrays of antennas. The first transceiver 4 and / or the second transceiver 5 may include a switch 43 that selects between a wide-angle antenna (or antenna array) 44 and a phased antenna array 45. In this manner, the input / output 46 to the transceivers 4, 5 can be switched between wide-angle and steerable receive / transmit.

[0141] Referring also to Figure 8, there is shown a second switching arrangement 47. Although the second switching arrangement is shown for the receiver side, the adaptation to the transmit side is readily apparent.

[0142] In the second switching configuration 47, the first and second modes correspond to switching between the same antenna or array of antennas. n , ..., 48 N Each antenna 48 includes an array of antennas 48 (each of which may be an antenna array). n The output of each switch SW n The beamforming block 50 is switchable between the beamforming block 50 and the common amplifier 51 (optionally via one or more filters / filter banks 56) via the n , each channel having a respective channel amplifier 52 n and the phase shift δ n Phase shifter 53 that adds n Each phase shifter 531, ..., 53 N The outputs of the channels are summed by summer 54 to provide a beamformed output 55. Each channel also includes one or more filters / filter banks 56 n It can include a phase shift δ n are controllable (eg, using the beamforming module 19 of the controller 8) to steer the beams 36, 40 in desired directions φ1, φ2.

[0143] In the first mode, antennas 481,...,48 N are switches SW1, ..., SW N are controlled as a phased array by connecting the antennas 481,...,48 to respective channels of the beamforming block 50 to provide beamformed outputs 55. In the second mode, the antennas 481,...,48 N Some or all of the amplifiers 52 are switched to be connected to a common (or summing) amplifier 51, the output of which has reduced directional dependency compared to the first mode of beamforming. The common amplifier 51 also outputs the amplifiers 52 of any channel amplifiers 52 used during the first mode. n In another example, each of the antennas 481,...,48N There may be multiple common (or summing) amplifiers 51 corresponding to subsets of

[0144] Referring also to FIG. 9, an example of a phased array layout of a planar antenna 48 is shown.

[0145] The antennas 48 are arranged in a square (or rectangular grid) with rows r1, ..., r6 and columns c1, ..., c6 (the exact number of rows and columns is not important and need not be equal). The antennas 48 take the form of planar antennas in the illustrated example. The regular spacing of the antenna elements and the finite impedance between each antenna 48 and its neighbors means that simply summing the output of each antenna 48 using a common amplifier 51 may still result in angular dependence of sensitivity. This can be mitigated in a second mode by summing the output from a subset, such as a single row r1, ..., r6 or a single column c1, ..., c6, as shown by the dashed outline in Figure 9. For example, summing column c1 results in an angular dependence in the latitudinal β response, but a substantially wide-angle (or even omnidirectional) response in the longitudinal α direction. Summing a row, e.g., r3, as shown, results in the same function for latitude and longitude. In many applications / installations, a given radio 2 may only require a wide-angle response in one direction.

[0146] Coordination between radios to establish a line-of-sight link Referring also to FIG. 10, a pair of radios 2 separated by an LOS blocking object 33 A , 2 B is shown.

[0147] The radio signal 3 in the first frequency band Δf1 is a high frequency, e.g., 5 GHz or higher. As the frequency increases, absorption from materials such as buildings and / or the environment (especially water) increases. Furthermore, there is diffraction around obstacles compared to lower frequency radio signals, which have wavelengths closer to the scale of buildings and other obstacles. As shown in Figure 10, the radio signal 3 in the first frequency band Δf1 is blocked, and the radio 5 A , 5B cannot communicate with each other.

[0148] Based on knowledge of the size and relative location of LOS-blocking obstacles 33, an LOS relay network can be designed, installed, and configured. However, this is time-consuming and inflexible to environmental changes. It would be preferable if the radios 2 could be installed and then perform dynamic network mapping to determine which other radios 2 have LOS links 31. Such a process requires timing and coordination between the radios 2, and communication in the desired first frequency band Δf1 is unsuitable due to LOS issues. A solution is proposed herein that uses radios 2 communicating via a wireless network 26 operating in a lower second frequency range Δf2.

[0149] The second frequency range Δf2 should be selected so that the control and coordination messages 27 broadcast over the wireless network 26 can penetrate (271) and / or be diffracted (272) around the LOS blocking obstacles 33. For example, at some frequencies, the first radio 2 A The control and coordination message 270 transmitted by the second receiving radio 2 may be transmitted 271 through the LOS blocking obstacle 33. Although there is some attenuation, the control and coordination message 270 transmitted by the second receiving radio 2 B If the control transceiver 6 of the first radio is able to resolve the signal above the noise, then there is a transmission. Similarly, at lower frequencies (compared to the first frequency range Δf2), additionally or alternatively, the second radio 2 B There may be diffraction through gaps 57 around / in the corners of the LOS blocking obstacle 33 resulting in a diffraction signal 272 detectable at

[0150] In this way, the radios 2 herein can recognize each other and can coordinate to implement the methods described herein using a wireless network 26 operating in the second frequency range Δf2.

[0151] Network Mapping Methods Referring also to FIG. 11, a method for mapping LOS links 31 between radios 2 in system 1 is shown.

[0152] The initiation of network mapping (step S1) is coordinated (i.e., synchronized) among all radios 2 corresponding to a particular sub-area of ​​the system (e.g., a street or a building), or at least a subset of radios 2. The network mapping process may be performed according to a schedule and / or in response to a request message generated, for example, in response to detecting a change in the map of the wireless network 26 (due to a radio 2 joining or leaving) or in response to detecting a broken LOS link 31 (see also the method illustrated in FIG. 12).

[0153] During the network mapping process, each radio 2, or at least each radio belonging to the subset being mapped, is assigned a time slot for broadcasting a test signal (step S2). If the radio 2 is not transmitting, it is set to listening mode (step S3). The test signal 24 is transmitted to the radio 2 n For example, the unique identifier may be encoded by modulating the frequency and / or amplitude of the test signal 24, or the unique identifier may correspond to using a particular carrier frequency for the test signal 24. Alternatively, the unique identifier may be encoded by the radio 2 transmitting the test signal 24. n The identity of may be determined by correlating the reception time with the time slot allocation for transmitting the test signal.

[0154] 2, radio 2 may include a test transmission channel 20 coupled to analog signal path 7 and configured to inject a test signal 24 for transmission by first transceiver 4. For example, test transmission channel 20 may be coupled to analog signal path 7 using one or more switches, and radio 2 may be configured to disconnect test transmission channel 20 from analog signal path 7 when not in use.

[0155] During the corresponding time slot, each radio 2, e.g., N radios 21, ..., 2 N nth radio 2 n The first transceiver 4 n While transmitting the test signal 24 using the azimuth angle θ, the first transceiver 4 scans the first direction φ1 over the range of available angles (step S4). For example, the first transceiver 4 scans the first direction φ1 over the first angular range 37 in the longitudinal direction α 1min ≦α1≦α 1max and latitudinal angle β 1min ≦β1≦β 1max The test signal 24 can be transmitted continuously while performing a raster scan of the first beam 36 through a finite beam width w b For example, if there is sufficient overlap, it is not necessary to scan all possible angles. For example, at a given latitudinal angle β, all longitudinal angles α 1min ≦α1≦α 1max After scanning, the latitudinal angle β1 is 1min ≦α1≦α 1max Before repeating the scan, the beam width w b , for example, 75%, 50%, 25%, etc. Similarly, the longitudinal angle α 1min ≦α1≦α 1max The scanning of the beam width w between adjacent scanning directions φ1 is performed to ensure that no potential receiving radios are lost. b They do not have to be contiguous, as long as there is sufficient overlap of

[0156] The radios 2 in listening mode (step S3) are configured to use their respective second transceivers 5 to listen for more test signals 24 transmitted by other radios 2. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the radios 2 in FIG. k1 , 2 k2 (k1≠k2≠n) indicates that the nth radio n Since they are not in the same location, the k1-th and k2-th radios 2 k1 , 2 k2 receive beam 36 at different times during the scan. To avoid false positives, confirming detection of test signal 24 may require that the received test signal 24 exceed a threshold signal level, such as a threshold power or a threshold amplitude. The threshold signal level is determined by the receiving radio 2 k1 , 2 k2 The signal strength of the incident test signal 24 may be set to a multiple of the standard error of the noise on the output of the second transceiver 5, for example, three times the standard error. The standard error corresponding to each radio 2 may be pre-calibrated, calibrated at installation, and / or updated periodically during use. In this manner, if the strength of the incident test signal 24 exceeds a threshold signal level, it is determined that a LOS link 31 is present.

[0157] Referring again to FIG. 2 , each radio also may include a receiver channel 21 coupled to the analog signal path 7 and configured to obtain samplings 25 of the received signal. The samplings 25 may be used to detect test signals 24 during a network mapping procedure. The receiver channel 21 may include one or more of a frequency analyzer, a pulse analyzer, etc. In this manner, the receiver channel 21 and radio 2 need not be capable of (and are generally not configured to) extract and process data packets of the radio signal 3 relayed over the analog signal channel 7, but may be capable of detecting the presence or absence of a received signal. In other words, the receiver channel need only be configured for coarse time and frequency resolution and is not intended to be used to extract or process data packets being relayed in the first frequency band Δf1. For example, the receiver channel 21 may be coupled to the analog signal path 7 using one or more switches (not shown), and the radio 2 may be configured to disconnect the receiver channel 21 from the analog signal path 7 when not in use.

[0158] If the second transceiver 5 is also electronically steerable, the process of listening for the test signal (step S3) may also include scanning a second direction φ2 through a second angular range 38. In such a case, the listening radio 2 (e.g., k1 , 2 k2 ) and the scan rate in the second direction φ2 by the transmitting radio 2 (e.g., 2 n ) in the first direction φ1 is scanned by listening radio 2 (e.g., 2 k1 , 2 k2 ) is transmitting radio 2 (e.g., 2 n ) should be adjusted so that scanning of each second angular range 38 can be completed during the expected dwell time of the first beam 46 from the beam width w b, the slew rate of the first angle φ1, and the size of the second transceiver 5 of the radio device 2. In this way, the possibility of missing detection of the incident first beam 36 can be reduced.

[0159] When the second transceiver 5 is operable in a first directional mode and a second wide-angle (or omnidirectional) mode (e.g., as described in connection with FIGS. 7-9), during the listening mode (step S3), the radio 2 (e.g., k1 , 2 k2 ) may be configured to operate the second transceiver 5 in a second mode to more easily detect the incident test signal 24. In this way, a directional mode may be used during relaying, while a wide-angle mode is used during network mapping, and the second angle φ2 at the receiver side does not require scanning, so the transmitting radio 2 (e.g., 2 n ) allows for faster scanning of the first angle φ1.

[0160] Transmitting Radio 2 n , listening radio 2 k1 , 2 k2 In response to receiving the test signal 24 from the listening radio 2 k1 , 2 k2 The radio 2 processes the test signal (step S5) and transmits a LOS confirmation message 58 via the wireless network 26. n The LOS confirmation message 58 is an example of a control and coordination message and is transmitted to listening radio 2. k1 , 2 k2 and the reception time t corresponding to the maximum received signal (e.g., power / amplitude) of the test signal 24. rec In other words, the reception time t rec corresponds to the best estimate when the first beam 36 is centered on the receiving second transceiver 5. For the purpose of routing the LOS confirmation message 58 through the wireless network 26, the source of the test signal 24, i.e., the transmitting radio 2 n is the signal transmitted by the transmitting radio 2 encoded into the test signal 24. n based on the unique identifier of the recFor each radio 2 (e.g. 2 n ) can be determined by comparing it to a schedule defining the time slots in which it is scheduled to transmit the test signal (transmitting radio 2 in FIG. 11). n (Step S2 onwards shown in ).

[0161] The transmitting radio 2 transmits the test signal 24 and scans the first direction φ1. n The listening radio 2 k1 , 2 k2 Listening Radio 2 listens for one or more LOS confirmation messages 58 transmitted by k1 , 2 k2 In response to receiving the LOS confirmation message 58 from one of the listening radios 2, an acknowledgement is recorded (step S6). k1 , 2 k2 That radio 2 k1 , 2 k2 along with a first direction φ1 pointing to the transmitting radio 2 n The corresponding first direction φ1 is added to the routing table stored (for example, in the storage device 17) by the reception time t rec In this way, the routing table is determined based on the correlation between the first direction φ1 and the first direction φ2 at that time. n The LOS confirmation message 58 takes the form of a list of other radios 2 with which it has a LOS link 31, and the corresponding first direction φ1. Optionally, each LOS confirmation message 58 may also include a quality metric, such as signal strength or other quality measure. The routing table may also include a quality metric corresponding to each LOS link 31 (connection), which may be used as an input when determining the routing configuration 30.

[0162] Given transmitting radio 2 nhas finished sweeping its test signal 24 through the corresponding first angle range (step S7), the process is repeated for each other radio 2 in system 1, or for at least each radio 2 belonging to the currently mapped subset of system 1.

[0163] A network map may be formed by aggregating the routing tables (defining LOS links 31) of each radio 2 in system 1 (i.e., all radios 2 communicatively coupled to wireless network 26). In addition to each radio 2 storing its own local routing table, the system may further store a copy of each local routing table in a centralized location, such as one of the radios 2 or an additional device (not shown) communicatively coupled to the wireless network. Each radio 2 may broadcast copies and / or updates to its local routing table to one or more other radios 2 over wireless network 26, and each radio 2 may store a local copy of the routing table(s) corresponding to some or all of the other radios 2 in system 1. In some examples, the complete network map may be distributed to each radio 2 for storage of a local copy.

[0164] Once a network map of LOS links 31 has been compiled, they can be routed using conventional network routing methods.

[0165] Transmitting Radio 2 n The first transceiver 4 and the listening radio 2 k1 , 2 k2 Although the description has been given in terms of mapping connections between the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5, these roles of the transceivers 4, 5 are not fixed. In particular, if both the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5 are electronically operable, the transmitting radio 2 nThe first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5 may transmit the same or different test signals while scanning in the respective directions φ1 and φ2 simultaneously or one following the other. Similarly, any or all of the listening radios 2 may transmit the same or different test signals while scanning in the respective directions φ1 and φ2. k1 , 2 k2 can be listened to using either or both of the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5.

[0166] Although described as occurring sequentially for each radio 2 being mapped, the network mapping process need not occur in consecutive time blocks. For example, referring again to FIG. 3, each period T can include a network mapping period, during which a different radio 2 can act as a transmitter while other radios 2 listen. In this manner, the network map can be continuously checked and updated without interrupting relay service to the extent that it would be necessary to continuously map all LOS links 31 for all radios 2.

[0167] Broken LOS link detection After determining the network mapping and routing configuration, it may be advantageous to monitor the LOS links 31 during normal relay operation to detect whether any LOS links 31 have ceased operation. In response to detecting a severed LOS link 31, full or partial network mapping may be triggered (e.g., using the method of FIG. 11). LOS links 31 may cease operation for several reasons, including, but not limited to, movement of the radio 2, movement of a moving LOS-blocking obstacle 33 (e.g., a truck or crane), changes in atmospheric conditions (rain, fog, etc.), failure of the radio 2 or its power supply, etc.

[0168] Referring also to FIG. 12, a method for radio 2 to monitor the status of the LOS link 31 utilized by its time-multiplexed routing configuration 30 is shown.

[0169] Radio 2 monitors the repeating status through analog signal channel 7 using sampling 25 obtained by receiver channel 21 (step S8). As previously mentioned, receiver channel 21 generally cannot (and does not need to) adequately process or extract data from radio signal 3 in first frequency band Δf1, and instead is used to determine whether and when radio signal 3 is being repeating. Additionally or alternatively, radio 2 can monitor the power consumption of an amplifier used to retransmit radio signal 3 received using first transceiver 4. When signal 3 is repeating, the amplifier's power consumption temporarily increases.

[0170] In response to detecting (e.g., as described in connection with step S8) that the radio signal 3 has been relayed through the first transceiver 4 and the second transceiver 5 and the analog signal path (step S9|YES), the radio 2 transmits a control and coordination message 27 in the form of a first relay confirmation message via the wireless network 26 to the source radio 2 corresponding to the currently active time-multiplexed routing configuration 30 (step S10). The first relay confirmation message includes an identifier of the relay radio 2, allowing the source radio 2 to confirm receipt, as described below. The active time-multiplexed routing configuration 30 identifies which other radios 2 in the system 1 are directed to the radio 2 at any given time, enabling addressing of the first relay confirmation message to the previous radio 2 in the relay path.

[0171] Radio 2 then starts a timer (step S11) and listens via wireless network 26 for a second relay confirmation message received from target radio 2 corresponding to active time multiplexing routing configuration 30. The second relay confirmation message is identical to the first relay confirmation message, except that it is sent by target radio 2 (i.e., the next step in the relay chain).

[0172] If a second relay confirmation message is received (step S12 | yes), the radio 2 returns to monitoring the analog signal channel 7 for activity (step S8) while the relay operation continues (step S17 | yes).

[0173] However, if a predetermined period of time has elapsed without receiving a second relay confirmation message (step S13|YES), a failure counter corresponding to the target radio 2, or equivalently the LOS link 31 connecting to that radio 2, is incremented (step S14). For example, the failure counter for each LOS link 31 may be stored in an additional column of the radio 2's local routing table.

[0174] If the failure counter for the LOS link 31 remains below the broken link threshold (step S15 | NO), operation continues without modifying the routing table. This is because occasional missed signals are expected, and it would be inefficient to remap the network of LOS links 31 in response to every missed signal. The broken link threshold may be predetermined, e.g., an integer between 3 and 10, or may be calibrated and / or adjusted during use.

[0175] However, if radio 2's failure counter becomes equal to or exceeds the disconnected link threshold (step S15 | YES), it transmits a mapping request message (step S16) over wireless network 26. A mapping request message is another example of a control and coordination message 27. In response to a mapping request message, the entire system 1 may be remapped, or only a subset of radios 2, including the radio 2 that sent the request, may be remapped (e.g., using the method shown in FIG. 11).

[0176] The fault counter corresponding to a particular target radio 2 / LOS link 31 may be reset to an initial value (e.g., 0) in response to a reset period elapsed without the fault counter being incremented by a relay failure. The reset period should be at least several times the total cycling period of one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations 30. In other words, the fault counter corresponding to a particular target radio 2 / LOS link 31 should not be reset until all routing configurations of the radio 2 have cycled one or more times without experiencing a failure. In this way, generation of a mapping request message may be limited to situations in which a particular LOS link 31 fails multiple times in rapid succession. In response, the network map may be checked and the time-multiplexed routing configuration 30 may be recalculated to bypass the broken LOS link 31.

[0177] Exemplary System The placement of radios 2 for system 1 is not particularly limited and can include one or more radios 2 supported by a structure 59 (FIG. 13), one or more radios supported by a vehicle 60 (FIG. 14), and one or more user devices 28. A user device 28 may also be a radio 2, i.e., include a first transceiver 4 and a second transceiver 5 coupled by an analog signal path 7. More often, a user device 28 includes a single transceiver and is configured to extract and process data packets from a wireless signal 3. Such user devices 28 that do not support a radio 2 may still be used for signal relaying in the more traditional sense of extracting packets (or at least their headers) and then retransmitting the wireless signal 3 (directively or non-directively). Relaying by user devices 28 that do not support a radio 2 may be coordinated via the wireless network 26, along with coordination of the mapping of the LOS link 31 and the time-multiplexed routing configuration 30.

[0178] Radios 2 supported by structure 59 (FIG. 13) may include being mounted on structure 59, attached to structure 59, etc. Radios 2 supported by structure 59 may additionally or alternatively include radios 2 built into or integrally formed with structure 59. Radios 2 are not limited to being supported on or around the exterior of structure 59, and it is often desirable to install radios 2 within structure 59 to extend coverage for relaying radio signals 3 throughout the interior of structure 59.

[0179] Referring also to Figure 13, there is shown a first exemplary system 1, 61. A pair of structures 59 in the form of first and second buildings 621, 622 are shown.

[0180] Each of the buildings 621, 622 supports several radios 2 mounted on the windows 63, walls 64, and doors 65 of the buildings 621, 622. The walls 64 supporting the radios 2 may be interior and / or exterior. The radios 2 may be supported on the interior and / or exterior surfaces of the windows 63. Although not shown in FIG. 13 , two or more radios 2 may be supported by the same window 63, wall 64 (interior or exterior), door 65, roof, etc. of a structure 59, such as the building 62. For example, radios 2 supported on the interior and / or exterior surfaces of the windows 63 may form part of the system 1, while other radios 2 are spread throughout the structure 59, such as the building 62, allowing wireless signals 3 to be relayed in and out of user devices 28 inside the structure 59 but otherwise unable to transmit or receive to or from outside the structure 59.

[0181] Referring also to FIG. 14, a second exemplary system 1, 66 is shown.

[0182] The second exemplary system 1, 66 covers a larger area than the first exemplary system 61, including several buildings 62 surrounding a T-junction between a road / street 67 and a side road / street 68. Each of the buildings 62 supports several fixed radios 2, and the second exemplary system 1, 66 also includes radios 2 supported by vehicles 60, such as cars, buses, vans, trucks, and lorries. Such mobile radios 2 may be supported on windows or portions of the body of the vehicles 60. The mobile radios 2 can enter and exit the area of ​​the second exemplary system 1, 66 (e.g., join a new system 1, not shown, installed in an adjacent area). Such changes in both the composition and relative locations of the radios 2 within the system can be accounted for using the dynamic network mapping (see FIG. 11) and LOS link 31 status monitoring (see FIG. 12) described herein.

[0183] In addition to buildings 62 and vehicles 60, radio 2 may also be supported on structures 59 such as bus shelters (not shown), lamp posts (not shown), or any other items of street furniture within the operating area.

[0184] Finally, if the user device 28 can be adapted to provide radio 2 or more traditional relaying, the user device 28 can also form part of the system 1 for relaying the radio signal 3, rather than just being the start / end point of the radio signal 3.

[0185] In FIG. 14, each building 62 is shown as supporting radios 2 around its respective perimeter, however, each or all of the buildings 62 may (and preferably does) include additional radios 2 distributed to extend the system 1, 66 throughout each building.

[0186] Referring also to FIG. 15, a third exemplary system 1, 67 is shown.

[0187] The third exemplary system 1,67 is similar to the first exemplary system 61, except that it is shown in more detail for purposes of illustrating the use of the system 1,67.

[0188] Radio 2 A , ..., 2 F are supported on windows 63 of a first building 621 and a second building 622. Each radio 2 includes an electronically steerable transceiver 4, 5 pointed outward from the corresponding window 63, and another transceiver 4, 5 pointed toward the interior of the buildings 621, 622 and switchable between a wide-angle or first mode and a second mode. A , ..., 2 F The transceivers 4, 5 are oriented to also allow for forming links 31 through interior floors 68 (which are typically thinner than roofs or exterior walls) of the buildings 621, 622. Although not shown in Figure 15, additional radios 2 are preferably included in one or both of the buildings 621, 622 to extend the system 1 and relay radio signals 3 to areas of the buildings 621, 622 that are not in close proximity to any windows 63 (e.g., to relay around LOS blocking objects 33 such as interior walls).

[0189] Radio mounted on the highest window 2 A , 2 B LOS link 31 to a gateway 29 in the form of a mobile phone base station AG , 31 BG and other radios 2 for relaying radio signals 3 inside and between the buildings 621, 622. C , ..., 2 F and network to allow user devices 28 located within buildings 621, 622 to communicate back to gateway 29 without direct line of sight.

[0190] Fixes It will be understood that many modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments. Such modifications can include equivalent and other features that are already known in the design, manufacture, and use of wireless transceivers, radios, and / or networks thereof and that can be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. Features of one embodiment may be replaced or supplemented by features of another embodiment. For example, features of one wireless transceiver, radio, and / or network thereof may be replaced or supplemented by features of other wireless transceivers, radios, and / or networks thereof.

[0191] It has been explained that radios 2 need not, and generally are not, configured to extract and process packets from radio signals 3. However, in some examples, one, some, or even all of radios 2 may be configured to extract and process packets from radio signals 3 in addition to the described relaying functions.

[0192] If the second transceiver 5 is configured to be operable in the first and second modes, each time multiplexed routing configuration 30 defines whether that second transceiver 2 should be operated in the first (directional) mode or the second (wide-angle) mode.

[0193] For convenience, the radio signal 3 has been described as being relayed from a first transceiver 4 of the source radio 2 to a second transceiver 5 of the target radio 2. However, if the radio 5 is configured for two-way communication, the radio signal 3 may be from the first transceiver 4 of the source radio 2 to the second transceiver 5 of the target radio 2; from the second transceiver 5 of the source radio 2 to the first transceiver 4 of the target radio 2; from the first transceiver 4 of the source radio 2 to the first transceiver 4 of the target radio 2, and / or from the second transceiver 5 of the source radio 2 to the second transceiver 5 of the target radio 2 as described herein.

[0194] At the start of a scheduled or requested remapping, each radio 2 may, prior to scanning, sequentially point its first transceiver 4 to each of the radios 2 stored in its current routing table to verify the existing LOS link 31. Thereafter, the first beamwidth w b Angles φ 1 greater than φ 1 can be scanned as described above to search for new LOS links 31.

[0195] Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it is to be understood that the scope of the present disclosure also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features or any generalization thereof explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it alleviates any or all of the same technical problems as the present invention. Applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and / or combinations of such features during prosecution of this application or any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

1. A radio for network relaying a radio signal within a first frequency band, comprising: a first transceiver for the first frequency band, the first transceiver being electronically steerable in a first direction; and a second transceiver for the first frequency band, a second transceiver configured to relay wireless signals received by the second transceiver via an analog signal path to the first transceiver and to retransmit the wireless signals using the first transceiver; a control transceiver for communicating with a wireless network comprising a plurality of other radios using a second frequency band lower than the first frequency band, each of the other radios comprising the same elements as the radio; the radio coordinating with the plurality of other radios via the wireless network; controlling the first and second transceivers to determine a network map for relaying wireless signals in the first frequency band; configured to determine one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for the radio; the radio is configured to point the first transceiver in a respective first configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios during a time period corresponding to at least one time multiplexed routing configuration.

2. coordinating with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map; controlling the first transceiver to transmit a test signal while scanning the first direction over a range of available angles; listening via the wireless network for one or more LOS confirmation messages transmitted by other radios, each message including a time of receipt and an identifier of the corresponding other radio; and in response to receiving the LOS confirmation message from one of the other radios, determining the first direction corresponding to the respective time of reception and adding the other radio to a routing table stored by the radio.

3. coordinating with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map; using the second transceiver to listen to one or more test signals transmitted by the other radio; transmitting the LOS confirmation message to one of the other radios over the wireless network in response to receiving the test signal from the other radios, the LOS confirmation message comprising: an identifier of the radio; and a reception time corresponding to a maximum power of the test signal.

4. The radio of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein determining one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations of the radio is based on a dynamic routing method.

5. 5. The radio of claim 1, wherein the radio is configured to control the first and second transceivers to coordinate with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map according to a schedule.

6. 6. The radio of claim 1, wherein the radio is configured, in response to receiving a mapping request message, to control the first and second transceivers to coordinate with the plurality of other radios over the wireless network to determine the network map.

7. the radio in response to relaying the radio signal using the first and second transceivers; transmitting a first relay confirmation message via the wireless network to a source radio of the plurality of other radios corresponding to an active time multiplexing routing configuration; listening for a predetermined period of time over the wireless network for a second relay confirmation message from a target radio of the plurality of other radios corresponding to the active time multiplexing routing configuration; incrementing a failure counter corresponding to the target radio in response to the predetermined period of time elapsed without receiving the second relay confirmation message; The radio of claim 1 , configured to transmit the mapping request message over the wireless network in response to the failure counter exceeding a broken link threshold.

8. A radio according to any preceding claim, wherein the second transceiver is electronically steerable in a second direction.

9. 9. The radio of claim 8 when dependent on claim 3, wherein using the second transceiver to listen for the one or more test signals transmitted by the other radio includes scanning the second direction over a range of available angles.

10. The second transceiver comprises: a first mode corresponding to a radiation pattern comprising a beam electronically steerable in the second direction; A radio according to any preceding claim, configured to be operable in one or more of the following modes: a first mode, a second mode corresponding to reception of signals from a wider angular distribution than the beam of the first mode;

11. 11. The radio of claim 10, wherein the first and second modes correspond to switching between different antennas or arrays of antennas.

12. 11. The radio of claim 10, wherein the first and second modes correspond to the same antenna or array of antennas.

13. 13. The radio of claim 8, wherein the radio is configured to point the second transceiver in a respective second configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios during a time period corresponding to at least one time multiplexed routing configuration.

14. a third transceiver for the first frequency band, the third transceiver being electronically steerable in a third direction; and a fourth transceiver having the same configuration as the second transceiver; the radio is configured to relay radio signals received by the fourth transceiver via a second analog signal path to the third transceiver and retransmit the radio signals using the third transceiver; 14. The radio of claim 1, wherein the radio is configured to direct the third transceiver in a respective third configuration direction corresponding to one of the other radios to relay the radio signal in an opposite direction to the first and second transceivers during a time period corresponding to at least one time multiplexed routing configuration.

15. The radio device relaying the wireless signals received by the second transceiver via an analog signal path to the first transceiver and retransmitting the wireless signals using the first transceiver during time periods corresponding to one or more first time-multiplexed routing configurations; 15. The radio of claim 1, configured to relay the radio signals received by the first transceiver via the analog signal path to the second transceiver, and to retransmit the radio signals using the second transceiver during time periods corresponding to one or more second time-multiplexed routing configurations.

16. 16. A radio according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 15 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the radio further comprises a receiver channel coupled to the analog signal path and configured to detect a test signal.

17. 17. A radio as claimed in claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 16 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the radio further comprises a test transmission channel coupled to the analog signal path and configured to inject a test signal for transmission by the first transceiver.

18. the wireless network is formed among all the radios, and each radio coordinates with all the other radios via the wireless network; controlling the first and second transceivers to determine a network map of the system for relaying wireless signals in the first frequency band; A system comprising a plurality of radios according to any preceding claim, configured to determine one or more time multiplexed routing configurations for each of said radios.

19. A configuration of each radio to coordinate with the plurality of other radios in the system over the wireless network to determine the network map, wherein each radio comprises: controlling the first transceiver of the radio to transmit a test signal while scanning a first direction over a range of available angles; listening, via the wireless network, for one or more LOS confirmation messages transmitted by the other radios, each message including a time of receipt and an identifier of the corresponding other radio; and in response to receiving an LOS confirmation message from one of the other radios, determining the first direction corresponding to the respective time of receipt and adding the other radio to a routing table stored by the radio and / or stored elsewhere in the system.

20. A configuration of each radio to coordinate with the plurality of other radios of the system via the wireless network to determine the network map, wherein each radio: using the second transceiver of the radio to listen to one or more test signals transmitted by the other radio; transmitting the LOS confirmation message to one of the other radios over the wireless network in response to receiving the test signal from the other radios, the LOS confirmation message comprising: an identifier of the radio; and a reception time corresponding to a maximum power of the test signal.

21. 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the processing for determining the network map and the one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each of the radios is performed by one or more subsets of the plurality of radios.

22. 22. The system of claim 18, wherein processing for determining the network map and the one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each of the radios is distributed across more than two of the plurality of radios.

23. 23. The system of claim 18, further comprising a gateway and one or more user devices, wherein the one or more time-multiplexed routing configurations for each of the radios are determined such that each user device of the plurality of user devices has a connection to the gateway via the plurality of radios during at least one period of time.

24. The plurality of radio devices one or more radios supported by a structure, each radio of the one or more radios supported by the structure being supported externally of the structure or internally within the structure; one or more radios carried by the vehicle; The system of any one of claims 18 to 23, comprising one or more of: one or more user devices;

25. A method for network relaying radio signals in a first frequency band using a radio according to any one of claims 1 to 17 or a system according to any one of claims 18 to 24, comprising: coordinating the radio with a plurality of other radios to determine a network map for relaying radio signals in the first frequency band; determining one or more time multiplexed routing configurations for said radio; During each one of a number of time periods corresponding to said time multiplexed routing configuration, orienting the first transceiver of the radio in a respective first configuration orientation corresponding to one of the other radios; in response to receiving a wireless signal in the first frequency band using the second transceiver, relaying the wireless signal through the analog signal path and retransmitting the wireless signal using the first transceiver.

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