Abstract: A respective preferred installation height above ground level is determined for each of a plurality of locations for a subscriber module for receiving a radio link from an access point in a wireless network, the access point having a given height above ground level and a specified location, and the subscriber module being situated within a given geographical area including the location of the access point. The method comprises accessing elevation data for the given geographical area, processing the elevation data to generate a preferred height data file representing a preferred height for a subscriber module to be wirelessly visible by the access point at each of the plurality of locations and processing the required height data file to provide output data indicating the preferred height of the subscriber module as a function of location.

Abstract: An antenna array assembly comprises a ground plate, an array of radiator elements disposed in a spaced relationship with a first face of the ground plate between first and second substantially parallel conductive walls projecting from the first face of the ground plate, and a first and second conductive plate. Each of the first and second conductive plates is electrically isolated from the ground plate, and each is disposed in an upstanding relationship to the first face of the ground plate in a substantially parallel relationship with the first and second conductive walls. This provides reduced radiation in at least one direction in the hemisphere on the opposite side of the ground plate to the first face.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmission arrangement comprises a ground plate having an aperture comprising a slot with an elongate cross-section and substantially parallel sides, and a first and second transmission line. The thickness of the ground plate is greater than a width of the slot. The first transmission line comprises a first elongate conductor on a first side of the ground plate and has an end terminated with a first termination stub. The second transmission line comprises a second elongate conductor on the opposite side of the ground plate and has an end terminated with a second termination stub. The first transmission line is arranged to cross the slot at a point adjacent to the first termination stub, and the second transmission line is arranged to cross the slot at a point adjacent to the second termination stub.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for beam pattern stabilisation are provided. A method may include processing an output of a gyroscopic sensor to generate a plurality of first phase corrections for a first time interval and a plurality of second phase corrections for a second time interval. The method may further include measuring respective signal propagation characteristics between each antenna element of the array and each of a first and second subscriber module for the first time interval. The method may further include forming, based on the measured respective signal propagation characteristics, the plurality of first phase corrections, and the plurality of second phase corrections, a MU-MIMO beam pattern for the second time interval having a main lobe towards the first subscriber module and a null towards the second subscriber module, whereby to correct for a change in orientation of the array between the first time interval and the second time interval.

Abstract: An access point of a wireless communication network forms beams by applying a weightset for a beamforming weights matrix to signal streams. The Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) that is emitted from an array of antenna elements at the access point is controlled by calibrating the transmission phase and gain of a respective transmit chain for each antenna element, providing a polar radiation model for an antenna element of the array, and determining a weightset for the weighting matrix subject to a constraint that a maximum total EIRP for the beams in combination in any azimuth direction is maintained within a predetermined EIRP limit, based at least on a spatial separation of the antenna elements, the polar radiation model and the calibrated transmission phase and gain of each respective transmit chain.

Abstract: In a radio device, an automatic repeat request circuit communicates data messages to remote radio devices at selected data rates. Responses to the data messages are collected and statistics developed about success rates of the data messages at the selected data rates. A current data rate is selected based on the statistics and a packet is transmitted. The data rate can be adapted using the statistics about success rates of the data messages.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for beam pattern stabilization are provided. A method may include processing an output of a gyroscopic sensor to generate a plurality of first phase corrections for a first time interval and a plurality of second phase corrections for a second time interval. The method may further include measuring respective signal propagation characteristics between each antenna element of the array and each of a first and second subscriber module for the first time interval. The method may further include forming, based on the measured respective signal propagation characteristics, the plurality of first phase corrections, and the plurality of second phase corrections, a MU-MIMO beam pattern for the second time interval having a main lobe towards the first subscriber module and a null towards the second subscriber module, whereby to correct for a change in orientation of the array between the first time interval and the second time interval.

Abstract: An access point of a wireless communication network forms beams by applying a weightset for a beamforming weights matrix to signal streams. The Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) that is emitted from an array of antenna elements at the access point is controlled by calibrating the transmission phase and gain of a respective transmit chain for each antenna element, providing a polar radiation model for an antenna element of the array, and determining a weightset for the weighting matrix subject to a constraint that a maximum total EIRP for the beams in combination in any azimuth direction is maintained within a predetermined EIRP limit, based at least on a spatial separation of the antenna elements, the polar radiation model and the calibrated transmission phase and gain of each respective transmit chain.

Abstract: In a radio device, an automatic repeat request circuit communicates data messages to remote radio devices at selected data rates. Responses to the data messages are collected and statistics developed about success rates of the data messages at the selected data rates. A current data rate is selected based on the statistics and a packet is transmitted. The data rate can be adapted using the statistics about success rates of the data messages.

Abstract: An antenna array assembly comprises a ground plate, an array of radiator elements disposed in a spaced relationship with a first face of the ground plate between first and second substantially parallel conductive walls projecting from the first face of the ground plate, and a first and second conductive plate. Each of the first and second conductive plates is electrically isolated from the ground plate, and each is disposed in an upstanding relationship to the first face of the ground plate in a substantially parallel relationship with the first and second conductive walls. This provides reduced radiation in at least one direction in the hemisphere on the opposite side of the ground plate to the first face.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmission arrangement comprises a ground plate having an aperture comprising a slot with an elongate cross-section and substantially parallel sides, and a first and second transmission line. The thickness of the ground plate is greater than a width of the slot. The first transmission line comprises a first elongate conductor on a first side of the ground plate and has an end terminated with a first termination stub. The second transmission line comprises a second elongate conductor on the opposite side of the ground plate and has an end terminated with a second termination stub. The first transmission line is arranged to cross the slot at a point adjacent to the first termination stub, and the second transmission line is arranged to cross the slot at a point adjacent to the second termination stub.

Abstract: An aperture coupled patch antenna element comprises a ground plate having an aperture passing through the ground plate from a first side to a second opposite side. The aperture comprises a slot having an elongate cross-section, the cross-section having substantially parallel sides extending along the length of the cross-section. The antenna element also comprises a first transmission line comprising a first elongate conductor disposed on the first side of the ground plate in a substantially parallel relationship with the first side of the ground plate, and a patch radiator disposed on the second side of the ground plate in a substantially parallel relationship with the second side of the ground plate, the first transmission line being arranged to cross the slot, and the patch radiator being arranged to overlie the slot. The thickness of the ground plate at the slot is greater than the width of the slot.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for generating, filtering, and amplifying signals that are sent and received using SOCs. These improved methods and devices advantageously provide filtering of composite RF signals such that the RF signals can be transmitted with an improved SNR. Such filtered signals can then be transmitted at a higher power. Because filtering is performed at an intermediate frequency, the higher cost of low-noise RF-transmitters and/or RF filtering components can be avoided. Accordingly, less expensive (e.g., noisier) components, such as readily available wireless transceiver SOCs, can be used for generating RF signals, filtering the signals, and then transmitting the filtered signals at higher power. As a result of these devices and methods, inexpensive SOCs may be used at higher powers and over longer ranges than would be normally expected.

Abstract: Encryption is provided for a wireless network comprising a first wireless station and at least a second wireless station. First messages are exchanged between the first wireless station and the second wireless station over a first synchronous wireless link to establish a shared secret and a first session key, the first messages not being encrypted. The MAC layer of the first synchronous wireless link is then encrypted using encryption on the basis of the first session key, then further messages are exchanged between the first wireless station and the second wireless station over the first synchronous wireless link to establish a second session key, the further messages being encrypted by the encryption of the MAC layer of the first synchronous wireless link. The MAC layer of the first synchronous wireless link is then encrypted using encryption on the basis of the second session key.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmission arrangement comprises a ground plate having an aperture comprising a slot with an elongate cross-section and substantially parallel sides, and a first and second transmission line. The thickness of the ground plate is greater than a width of the slot. The first transmission line comprises a first elongate conductor on a first side of the ground plate and has an end terminated with a first termination stub. The second transmission line comprises a second elongate conductor on the opposite side of the ground plate and has an end terminated with a second termination stub. The first transmission line is arranged to cross the slot at a point adjacent to the first termination stub, and the second transmission line is arranged to cross the slot at a point adjacent to the second termination stub.

Abstract: In a communication system, an access point in communication with one or more stations identifies a first subset of wireless stations from the set of wireless stations. The first subset of wireless stations is identified based on RSSI values for radio frequency signals received from each of the stations exceeding an RSSI threshold. The first subset of wireless stations is assigned to a first reception window. The access point transmits an identifier of each of the subset of wireless stations and an identifier of the reception window via the radio frequency channel.

Abstract: Devices describe herein are configured to radiate radio frequency (RF) energy corresponding to RF signals from a first range of frequencies. The device comprises a patch antenna assembly comprising a microstrip disposed on a printed circuit board and a patch antenna. The device also includes a transmitter configured to generate RF signals from the first range of frequencies at an output of the transmitter and a center feed assembly comprising a waveguide, a lens and the patch antenna assembly disposed in the waveguide. The center feed assembly is configured to radiate from the lens radio frequency (RF) energy corresponding to RF signals from first range of frequencies at a power level greater than the first power level.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for generating, filtering, and amplifying signals that are sent and received using SOCs. These improved methods and devices advantageously provide filtering of composite RF signals such that the RF signals can be transmitted with an improved SNR. Such filtered signals can then be transmitted at a higher power. Because filtering is performed at an intermediate frequency, the higher cost of low-noise RF-transmitters and/or RF filtering components can be avoided. Accordingly, less expensive (e.g., noisier) components, such as readily available wireless transceiver SOCs, can be used for generating RF signals, filtering the signals, and then transmitting the filtered signals at higher power. As a result of these devices and methods, inexpensive SOCs may be used at higher powers and over longer ranges than would be normally expected.

Abstract: A signalling system comprises a first data signal source (10, 14), a first data signal receiver (12, 16) and a cable 18 comprising two or more wire pairs ({1,2}, {3,6}, {4,5}, {7,8}) coupling the first data signal source to the first data signal receiver. A portion of each wire pair is wound around a magnetic core (28). A further winding (30) is wound around the core (28). A further signal source (24) is coupled to the further winding (30) and a further receiver (36, 26) is coupled to the wires to receive the further signal. The windings around the core apply the further signal to the wire pairs as a common-mode signal. This allows the further signal to be transmitted to the further receiver without affecting the signal transmitted between the source (10, 14) and the receiver (12, 16) and with only minor modification of the cable (18).

Abstract: A radio frequency transmission arrangement comprises a ground plate (8) having first and second opposite sides and a boss protruding from said second side of the ground plate (8), a first transmission line comprising a first elongate conductor (1) passing from the first side of the ground plate through an aperture (3) in the ground plate and the boss, and a second transmission line comprising a second elongate conductor (2) and a ground plane (6), the first elongate conductor (1) passing through the ground plane (6) to connect to the second elongate conductor. The boss has an end surface (4) disposed in a substantially parallel relationship with the ground plane (6) of the second transmission line, and there is a gap between the end surface of the boss and the ground plane.