Virtual MIMO Using Peripheral Devices for Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face limitations in available bandwidth and radio resources due to competing signals and environmental interference, which can be exacerbated by the need for multiple antennas to enhance signal-to-noise ratio, increasing device cost and size.
Innovation Solution
A communication unit and network system that utilizes multiple peripheral devices with different communication interfaces to act as a single unit with multiple antennas, establishing multiple radio links to increase bandwidth and redundancy without requiring multiple antennas in a single device, by using a processing unit to manage signal transmission and reception across various interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas are used in a single device to improve signal-to-noise ratio and bandwidth, then signal quality and bandwidth are improved, but device cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the multiple antenna function across separate peripheral devices instead of consolidating them in one device. The mobile communication unit divides the MIMO functionality by establishing separate communication links with multiple peripheral devices, each acting as an independent antenna element. This segmentation allows signal quality improvement while keeping each individual device compact and affordable.
Solution Approach 2:
Peripheral devices are given multi-functionality by enabling them to serve dual purposes: their original communication functions plus acting as antenna elements for the mobile communication unit. These devices can simultaneously perform their native tasks and participate in MIMO operations, eliminating the need for dedicated antenna hardware in the mobile unit.
2Productivity
If multiple antennas are used in a single device to increase available bandwidth, then bandwidth is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the communication capabilities of multiple peripheral devices with the mobile communication unit to create a virtual MIMO system. By combining the antenna elements from different devices through wireless communication links, the system achieves increased bandwidth without requiring expensive multi-antenna hardware in each individual device.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates and manages multiple peripheral devices to function collectively as a MIMO system. It processes signals from multiple interfaces and synthesizes them into unified communication streams, enabling bandwidth expansion without direct hardware integration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antenna diversity is used to decrease the effect of disturbing environment, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies of antenna elements by using peripheral devices as surrogate antennas. Instead of implementing complex physical antenna diversity with multiple receivers in one device, the system copies the antenna function across separate devices, simplifying the architecture of each individual device while maintaining diversity benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a communication unit, network and method for communication within a communication network, the unit comprising a transceiver portion, a processing unit and at least one interface arrangement for communication with at least one peripheral device. The unit further comprises an arrangement for transceiving at least parts of a signal to the communication network using at least one of said interface arrangements for communication with said at least one peripheral device.