Patents by Inventor Nicholas Whinnett

Nicholas Whinnett has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240162955
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein are directed to beamforming associated with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) modes in open radio access network (O-RAN) systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises: memory to store beamforming configuration information associated with a plurality MIMO modes; and processing circuitry, coupled with the memory to: retrieve the beamforming configuration information from the memory; request, based on the beamforming configuration information, measurements associated with the plurality of MIMO modes; receive the measurements associated with the plurality of MIMO modes; and based on the received measurements, train an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) model that is to predict relative beamforming performance between the plurality of MIMO modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Nicholas Whinnett, Dawei Ying, Bishwarup Mondal, Jan Schreck, Jaemin Han, Leifeng Ruan, Jianli Sun
  • Publication number: 20230319773
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide techniques related to communication between a non real-time (Non-RT) radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) and a near real-time (Near-RT) RIC. Specifically, the Non-RT RIC may identify physical positioning information related to a user equipment (UE); generate enrichment information (EI) related to the physical positioning information; and transmit the EI over an A1 interface to the Near-RT RIC. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Dawei Ying, Nicholas Whinnett, Jan Schreck, Jaemin Han, Leifeng Ruan, Qian Li
  • Publication number: 20220416868
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein provide techniques for reducing computational complexity in multiple input multiple output (MIMO, e.g., massive MIMO (mMIMO)) communications, such as efficient decomposition of a channel covariance matrix. Embodiments enable accurate mMIMO channel estimation with relatively low computational complexity compared with prior techniques. Additionally, embodiments may provide efficient beamforming and/or spatial compression. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Schreck, Nicholas Whinnett, Thushara Hewavithana, Yang-Seok Choi, Shilpa Talwar
  • Patent number: 7254184
    Abstract: A method of closed-loop multi-stream wireless communication between a transmitter (1) comprising a transmit antenna array of N transmit antenna elements and a receiver (3) comprising a receive antenna array (4) of M receive antenna elements, wherein a plurality of distinct data steams (x1 X2) are transmitted from the transmit antenna array to the receive antenna array and the data streams are weighted by respective complex weighting matrices before being applied to the transit antenna array. The distinct data steams are separated and estimated at the receiver. The distinct data streams (x1 xG) are applied to respective sub-groups (6,7) of the transmit antenna elements at least one of which comprises a plurality of the transmit antenna elements each of the sub-groups comprising at least Nd transmit antenna elements, where M is greater than or equal to (N/Nd).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Soodesh Buljore, Sandrine Vialle, Nicholas Whinnett
  • Patent number: 7248645
    Abstract: Closed loop wireless communication of signals using an adaptive transmit antenna array, in which multiple copies of signals to be transmitted by the transmit antenna array are produced with delays and weights that are functions of the multi-path transmission channel characteristics from the transmit antenna array to a receive antenna array of a receiver and are combined before transmission by the transmit antenna array. The delays and weights of the transmit copies for each transmit antenna element are functions of the respective multi-path transmission channel characteristics from that transmit antenna element to the receive antenna array such that the multi-path signal components propagated to each receiver element are received with distinguishable delays according to the propagation path. The receiver combines the received signal components from each receive antenna element with delays and weights that are respective functions of the multi-path transmission channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandrine Vialle, Nicholas Whinnett, Soodesh Buljore
  • Patent number: 7159168
    Abstract: The invention relates to an error correcting decoder apparatus (100) and method. The decoder apparatus (100) comprises a likelihood estimator (101) which generates a sequence of bit value likelihood estimates, such as log likelihood ratios, for multi bit symbols of a data sequence. The decoder apparatus (100) further comprises a decoder element (103), such as a Maximum A Priori (MAP) or appropriate Soft Output Viterbi decoder. The decoder element (103) generates a decoded data sequence in response to the bit value likelihood estimates. The decoder apparatus (100) also comprises a weighted processor (105) which generates a weighted compensation data sequence from the decoded data sequence. The weighted compensation data is used to modify the sequence of bit value likelihood estimates. The decoding is subsequently repeated using the improved bit value likelihood estimates whereby improved decoding performance is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Whinnett, Steven Wood, Xiaoyong Yu
  • Publication number: 20060168500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an error correcting decoder apparatus (100) and method. The decoder apparatus (100) comprises a likelihood estimator (101) which generates a sequence of bit value likelihood estimates, such as log likelihood ratios, for multi bit symbols of a data sequence. The decoder apparatus (100) further comprises a decoder element (103), such as a Maximum A Priori (MAP) or appropriate Soft Output Viterbi decoder. The decoder element (103) generates a decoded data sequence in response to the bit value likelihood estimates. The decoder apparatus (100) also comprises a weighted processor (105) which generates a weighted compensation data sequence from the decoded data sequence. The weighted compensation data is used to modify the sequence of bit value likelihood estimates. The decoding is subsequently repeated using the improved bit value likelihood estimates whereby improved decoding performance is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: MOTOROLA INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Whinnett, Steven Wood, Xiaoyong Yu
  • Publication number: 20060056350
    Abstract: A cellular communication system (100) comprises a first base station (103) which schedules resource for a user equipment (101). When receiving a resource allocation message, the user equipment (101) transmits a first message comprising a transmit indication to a plurality of base stations (103-109) wherein the transmit indication is indicative of a subsequent transmission of a second message. The user equipment (101) then proceeds to determine a transmit format for the second message; and to transmit the second message to the plurality of base stations (103-109) using the transmit format. When receiving the transmit indication, the plurality of base stations (103-109) proceed to configure their receivers to receive the second message. The first message may be transmitted in a control channel and the second message may be transmitted in a user data channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Love, Amitava Ghosh, Rapeepat Ratasuk, Nicholas Whinnett
  • Publication number: 20050117660
    Abstract: Closed loop wireless communication of signals using an adaptive transmit antenna array (3), in which a plurality of copies of signals to be transmitted by the transmit antenna array (3) are produced with delays and weights (wnj) that are functions of the multi-path transmission channel characteristics (H) from the transmit antenna array (3) to a receive antenna array (4) of a receiver (2) and are combined before transmission by the transmit antenna array. The delays and weights (wnj) of the transmit copies for each transmit antenna element are functions of the respective multi-path transmission channel characteristics ( h n , m = 1 l = 1 , … ? ? , h n , m = M l = L ) from that transmit antenna element to the receive antenna array (4) ssuch that the multi-path signal components propagated to each receiver element are received with distinguishable delays according to the propagation path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Sandrine Vialle, Nicholas Whinnett, Soodesh Buljore
  • Publication number: 20050085269
    Abstract: A method of closed-loop multi-stream wireless communication between a transmitter (1) comprising a transmit antenna array of N transmit antenna elements and a reciever (3) comprising a receive antenna array (4) of M receive antenna elements, wherein a plurality of distinct data steams (x1 X2) are transmitted from the transmit antenna array to the receive antenna array and the data streams are weighted by respective complex weighting matcices before being applied to the transit antenna array. The distinct data steams are separated and estimated at the reciever. The distinct data streams (x1 xG) are applied to respective sub-groups (6, 7) of the transmit antenna elements at least one of which comprises a plurality of the transmit antenna elements each of the sub-groups comprising at least Nd transmit antenna elements, where M is greater than or equal to (N/Nd).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Soodesh Buljore, Sandrine Vialle, Nicholas Whinnett
  • Publication number: 20050043052
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of operation of a communication device and to corresponding communication devices. In particular the invention relates to a first method of operation of a communication device, wherein some pilot bits associated with data bits are transmitted with a power at least partly dependent on the data rate at which the data bits are transmitted. At the base station, power control is carried out only on pilot bits with constant power, whereas channel estimation is carried out on all pilot bits. The invention also relates to a second method of operation of a communication device wherein all pilot bits associated with data bits are transmitted with one of a plurality of powers, at least partly dependent on the data rate at which the data bits are transmitted. At the base station a power control process compares the received signal with a plurality of thresholds, and sends a power control signal to the communication device based on the result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Nicholas Whinnett, Amitava Ghosh, Robert Love, Rapeepat Ratasuk
  • Publication number: 20040219919
    Abstract: The present invention provides an advantageous method for transitioning reliably between scheduling modes on an uplink in a wireless communication system. Transitions between scheduling modes are effected as far as possible using signaling between a wireless communication device and a base station, providing low delay transitions in the majority of cases. Advantageously, signaling direct between the wireless communication device and a network control element may be employed. In addition, the method may operate effectively even when the wireless communication device is in communication with a number of base stations in a soft handoff situation because the network control element may act to ensure that all base stations correspond to the current scheduling mode employed by the wireless communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Nicholas Whinnett, Amitava Ghosh, Ravi Kuchibhotla, Robert Love
  • Patent number: 6763225
    Abstract: A base station (1) in a radio communication system is provided with an antenna array 2, 3 for communication with a plurality of mobile stations (4, 5). The transmissions of the base station (1) are optimised by adjusting the phase between the signals transmitted by each antenna (2, 3) so that the product of the propagation channel estimates is maximised. The invention has particular application to CDMA-TDD modes of operation where it has been shown to perform favourably in comparison with known transmit diversity techniques. A further advantage is that it does not require added complexity in the channel estimation at each mobile station (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Yann Farmine, Oscar Clop, Nicholas Whinnett
  • Patent number: 6714514
    Abstract: A method of improving capacity in a duplexing scheme is provided. The duplexing scheme has a first band of frequencies and a second band of frequencies. The method comprises the steps of: determining an amount of available capacity on the first band of frequencies (steps 402, 404, 410), transmitting, on the first band of frequencies, a variable amount of feedback data corresponding to the amount of available capacity on the first band of frequencies, the feedback data comprising data for improving the quality of communications on the second band of frequencies, and optimizing (steps 406, 408, 412, 414) transmissions on the second band of frequencies using, when available, the feedback data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesc Boixadera Espax, Yann Farmine, Nicholas Whinnett
  • Patent number: 6704572
    Abstract: An apparatus and method permit a first, fully loaded base station (13) controlled by a first operator to utilize the unused resources of a second base station (15) controlled by a second operator in a time division duplex cellular communications system. The first base station (13) monitors broadcast channel of the second base station (15) and identifies time slots within the time frame structure and at an assigned carrier frequency which are unused by the second base station (15). It then calculates a new time frame structure and sets up a communications link with a subscriber (17) on the assigned carrier frequency during those time slots that avoid contention with the operations of the second base station (15). The invention, advantageously, does not require synchronization of the different operator's base stations (13, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Whinnett, William Robinson, Dragan Boscovic
  • Patent number: 6459891
    Abstract: A wireless device (104) selectively opreates near protected sites (110) including equipment at least intermittently using an operating frequency. The wireless device upon detecting a beacon signal from a beacon system (112) ascertains interference parameters. The interference parameters are used to control operation of the wireless device to prevent harmful interference with the equipment at the protected site. The operation is selectively altered depending upon the interference parameters ascertained. The wireless device can be intelligently controlled from a control system (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Whinnett, Anthony P Van Den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 6373433
    Abstract: Antenna weights for a transmit path (3) between two communication devices (1, 2), the first device (1) having an antenna array (4, 5, 6) are generated in the second device (2) and fed back to weighting circuitry (9, 10, 11, 12) in the first device (1). The invention is particularly applicable to multicarrier systems such as OFDM systems. Only weights for those sub-carriers identified as being received with comparatively poor signal quality are calculated and fed back to the first device (1), thus limiting the additional overhead requirements to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesc Boixadera Espax, Yann Farmine, Nicholas Whinnett
  • Patent number: 6223030
    Abstract: A communications operating system is provided herein. The communications operating system having a common communication system comprising a radio frequency transceiving means for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and a system list means for storing a list of communication systems available. The system also includes a feature list means for storing a list of feature programs, where the feature programs comprise at least one of an enabling program to enable resident functions, a high-level design specification, and an executable feature specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Van Den Heuvel, Nicholas Whinnett, William Robinson, Jon Gibbs
  • Patent number: 6192256
    Abstract: A receiving communication device (101) receives a reference signal transmitted through at least one of the antennas (106, 110, 112) of an antenna array of a transmitting communication device (102). The receiving communication device determines a weight to be associated with the at least one of the antennas, and transmits weight information to the transmitting communication device. The transmitting communication device adjusts the weight associated with the at least one of the antennas according to weight information received from the receiving communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc
    Inventor: Nicholas Whinnett
  • Patent number: 5999826
    Abstract: A receiving communication device (101) receives a reference signal transmitted through at least one of the antennas (106, 110, 112) of an antenna array of a transmitting communication device (102). The receiving communication device determines a weight to be associated with the at least one of the antennas, and transmits weight information to the transmitting communication device. The transmitting communication device adjusts the weight associated with the at least one of the antennas according to weight information received from the receiving communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Whinnett