Abstract: A wireless repeater extends a coverage area of a wireless network base station within a structure or facility. The repeater includes a master unit for wirelessly communicating with the wireless network base station and a slave unit for wirelessly communicating with one or more subscriber terminals. The master unit is connected to the slave unit through new or existing wiring in the structure to enable the master unit to transmit wireless signals to the slave unit on a downlink transport frequency and to receive wireless signals from the slave unit on an uplink transport frequency in a manner that is transparent to the wireless base station and the subscriber terminals.

Abstract: A physical layer frequency translating repeater for use in a wireless network can include a baseband section with demodulator, a processor and a memory. A portion of a packet for repeating can be processed during a physical layer repeating operation and a higher layer function performed without modification of an address. A received signal can be processed on a symbol-by-symbol basis in a first symbol interval, and regenerated after at least a second symbol interval and prior to completion of the demodulating the received signal. A hybrid network device can include a network node portion and a physical layer repeater portion.

Abstract: A method and repeater are described for repeating using a time division duplex (TDD) radio protocol. A signal is transmitted from a first station to a second station using a downlink and an uplink. The signal can be detected on the uplink or the downlink. The repeater can synchronize to time intervals associated with the detected signal that are measured during an observation period. The signal can be retransmitted from the second station to the first station if the signal is detected on the uplink and re-transmitted from the first station to the second station if the signal is detected on the downlink. A gain value associated with the downlink can be used to establish a gain value associated with the uplink.

Abstract: A non-frequency translating repeater (110, 210, 300) for use in a time division duplex (TDD) radio protocol communications system includes detection retransmission and automatic gain control. Detection is performed by detectors (309, 310) and a processor (313). Detection can be overridden by processor (313) using logic elements (314). Antennae (220, 230) having various form factors can be used to couple a base station (222) to a subscriber terminal (232) which can be located in a sub-optimal location such as deep inside a building or the like.

Abstract: A physical layer frequency translating repeater (600, 700) for use in a wireless network includes signal processor (710-714) coupled with a signal processing bus (711), a processor (627) and a memory (650). The physical layer repeater conducts physical layer repeating and selectively conducts layer 2 and possibly layer 3 functions depending on network conditions and other factors. A demodulator (623) can extract address information such as media access control (MAC) addressing to enable packets to be redirected, terminated, stored and forwarded, if necessary, based on network conditions.

Abstract: A wireless communication node, such as a repeater, including a frequency translating repeater, a physical layer (PHY) repeater, time divisional duplex repeater (TDD) and the like, is configured with a pair of directional patch antennae and an omni-directional antenna. The patch antennae can be selected depending on the orientation of the repeater package to communicate with a station such as an access point or a base station. The omni-directional antenna can be directed toward another station such as a client. The patch antennae and the omni-directional antenna can be orthogonally polarized to increase isolation and reduce electromagnetic coupling. Multiple antennae can be used in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) configurations.

Abstract: In a wireless communications network such as a WLAN, a frequency translating repeater (200, 204) facilitates and enhances wireless communication between a first communication device (100) and one or more second client unit (104, 105) using frequency translation and retransmission based on modified protocol messages (410). A DS parameter message (310) may include a frequency channel intended for use between one or more of repeaters (200, 204) and client units (104, 105) but does not include the frequency channel between one or more of repeaters (200, 204) and the first communication device (100).

Abstract: A non-frequency translating repeater (110, 210, 300) for use in a time division duplex (TDD) radio protocol communications system includes detection retransmission and automatic gain control. Detection is performed by detectors (309, 310) and a processor (313). Detection can be overridden by processor (313) using logic elements (314). Antennae (220, 230) having various form factors can be used to couple a base station (222) to a subscriber terminal (232) which can be located in a sub-optimal location such as deep inside a building or the like.

Abstract: A frequency translating repeater (120) for use in a time division duplex (TDD) radio protocol communications system includes local oscillator (LO) circuits (210, 310, and 410) to facilitate repeating by providing isolation, reduced phase noise, reduced pulling, and the like. Tunable LOs (441, 442) can be directly coupled to down-converters (413, 414) and up-converters (426, 427) for increased isolation, reduced phase noise, less stringent frequency accuracy, and a reduced potential for pulling.

Abstract: A frequency translating repeater (120) for use in a time division duplex (TDD) radio protocol communications system includes local oscillator (LO) circuits (210, 310, and 410) to facilitate repeating by providing isolation, reduced phase noise, reduced pulling, and the like. Tunable LOs (441, 442) can be directly coupled to down-converters (413, 414) and up-converters (426, 427) for increased isolation, reduced phase noise, less stringent frequency accuracy, and a reduced potential for pulling.

Abstract: A repeater is configured to selectively generate and transmit control message packets between wireless stations on both a transmit side and a receive side of the repeater. The repeater manages and manipulates an end to end protocol of the control message packets in a manner that does not change media access control (MAC) addresses of the end to end protocol so as to achieve a network objective, such as preventing other transmitters from transmitting while the repeater repeats a signal from its receive side to its transmit side. The control message management is applicable to analog signal repeaters as well as digital repeaters, such as symbol to symbol or packet to packet repeaters, in which physical layer control message management is performed.

Abstract: An antenna configuration includes two closely spaced antennas each positioned so as to be orthogonally polarized with respect to the other. The antenna configuration increases antenna isolation and reduces electromagnetic coupling between donor side antenna and repeat side antenna. The antennas include printed dipoles connected to respective transceivers through respective baluns to balance the non-symmetrical portions of the antenna feed paths to reduce unwanted radiation therein. Printed features such as chokes and non-symmetrical and non-parallel structures are preferably included in the ground plane of a multi-layer circuit board to reduce or eliminate circulating ground currents.

Abstract: A wireless network includes at least one Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless network station and two or more physical layer repeaters. Each of the physical layer repeaters is for receiving a wireless signal to or from the at least one MIMO wireless network station and re-transmitting the wireless signal while continuing to receive the wireless signal. The repeaters may be either frequency translating repeaters or non-frequency translating repeaters.

Abstract: A discrete time bandpass filter element (103) having multiple stages (201, 202, 203, 204, 205) for use in a time division duplex radio protocol communications system including an automatic gain control. Discrete time bandpass filter is used to generate delay and can replace SAW filters in a wireless frequency translating repeater.

Abstract: A physical layer frequency translating repeater (600, 700) for use in a wireless network includes signal processor (710-714) coupled with a signal processing bus (711), a processor (627) and a memory (650). The physical layer repeater conducts physical layer repeating and selectively conducts layer 2 and possibly layer 3 functions depending on network conditions and other factors. A demodulator (623) can extract address information such as media access control (MAC) addressing to enable packets to be redirected, terminated, stored and forwarded, if necessary, based on network conditions.

Abstract: A frequency translating repeater (250) for use in a time division duplex radio protocol communications system includes a processor (260), a bus (261), a memory (262), an RF section (264), and an integrated station device (264). An access point (210) is detected based on information transmitted frequency channels using a protocol. Detection is initiated automatically during a power-on sequence or by activating an input device such as a button. Frequency channels are scanned for a beacon signal and an access point chosen as a preferred access point based on a metric such as power level.

Abstract: A frequency translating repeater (200) for use in a time division duplex radio protocol communications system includes an automatic gain control feature. Detection is performed by comparators (401, 411) ADCs (402, 412); DACs (404, 414) and a processor (315). Detection can be overridden by processor (315) using logic elements (406, 416, 407, and 417) to control the generation of a Channel A/Channel B signal and a PA_ON signal for controlling a power amplifier associated with the transmitter.

Abstract: A repeater (200) facilitates wireless communication between a first communication device (100) and a second communication device (105) in a wireless network using a time division duplex protocol for data transmission. The repeater (200) includes a receiver (310, 315) for receiving a signal on either of at least two bi-directional communication frequencies simultaneously. A signal detector (362) is operatively coupled to the receiver (300, 310, 315) for determining if the signal is present on at least one of the two bi-directional frequencies. A frequency converter (320, 321, 323, 324, 360, 361) is for converting the signal present on one of the bi-directional frequencies to a converted signal on the other of the bi-directional frequencies. A transmitter (300, 325, 330, 335, 345, 350) is for transmitting the converted signal on the other of said bi-directional frequencies.