Abstract: A distributed wireless system comprises controlling node and two or more antenna processing nodes communicatively coupled to the controlling node but spatially separated from each other and from the controlling node. The controlling node sends commands to and exchanges data with a first subset of the antenna processing nodes, using a first twisted-pair lane of a physical layer interface having four twisted-pair lanes, and sends commands to and exchanging data with a second subset of the antenna processing nodes, using a second twisted-pair lane. In some embodiments, the controlling node also uses a third twisted-pair lane for communicating with the first subset, while using the fourth twisted-pair lane for communicating with the second subset. Corresponding antenna processing nodes terminate one or two twisted-pair lanes in a direction towards the controlling node, while terminating one or two twisted-pair lanes towards one or more antenna processing nodes further from the controlling node.

Abstract: A first antenna processing node receives (710) one or more wireless transmissions from a wireless device and obtains first symbol values from the one or more wireless transmissions. The first antenna processing node receives (720) second symbol values from a second antenna processing node, the second symbol values corresponding to the one or more wireless transmissions as received at the second antenna processing node, and calculates (730) a first weight parameter based on at least a subset of the first symbol values and a corresponding subset of the second symbol values. The first antenna processing node calculates (740) third symbol values by computing a weighted sum of first symbol values and corresponding ones of the second symbol values, using the first weight parameter, and sends (750) the third symbol values to a third antenna processing node or to a controlling node. This combining of symbol values may approximate maximum ratio combining, MRC.

Abstract: A wireless system comprises a controlling node and two or more antenna processing nodes coupled to the controlling node but separated from each other. The controlling node sends (720) a command to a first one of the two or more antenna processing nodes, instructing the first one of the two or more antenna processing nodes to transmit data to a wireless device. This may be preceded by selecting (715) the first one of the antenna processing nodes based on an estimated signal quality metric corresponding to the wireless device for each antenna processing node. In response to a determination by the controlling node that the wireless device has not successfully decoded the data, the controlling node sends (730) a command to a second one of the two or more antenna processing nodes, instructing the second one of the antenna processing nodes to transmit the data to the wireless device.

Abstract: A wireless system comprises a controlling node and multiple antenna processing nodes coupled to the controlling node but separated from each other. The controlling node receives (720) first soft bit information from a first antenna processing node, the first soft bit information corresponding to reception of a wireless transmission. Responsive to determining that it cannot decode transmitted bits using the first soft bit information, the controlling node requests (730) and receives (740) second soft bit information from a second antenna processing node, the second soft bit information also corresponding to the first wireless transmission from the wireless device and having been buffered by the second antenna processing node. The controlling node decodes (750) bits from the first wireless transmission using both the first and second soft bit information. The controlling node may then signal the antenna processing nodes that they can discard buffered information for the wireless transmission.

Abstract: A first antenna processing node receives (710) one or more wireless transmissions from a wireless device and obtains first symbol values from the one or more wireless transmissions. The first antenna processing node receives (720) second symbol values from a second antenna processing node, the second symbol values corresponding to the one or more wireless transmissions as received at the second antenna processing node, and calculates (730) a first weight parameter based on at least a subset of the first symbol values and a corresponding subset of the second symbol values. The first antenna processing node calculates (740) third symbol values by computing a weighted sum of first symbol values and corresponding ones of the second symbol values, using the first weight parameter, and sends (750) the third symbol values to a third antenna processing node or to a controlling node. This combining of symbol values may approximate maximum ratio combining, MRC.

Abstract: A distributed wireless system comprises controlling node and two or more antenna processing nodes communicatively coupled to the controlling node but spatially separated from each other and from the controlling node. The controlling node sends commands to and exchanges data with a first subset of the antenna processing nodes, using a first twisted-pair lane of a physical layer interface having four twisted-pair lanes, and sends commands to and exchanging data with a second subset of the antenna processing nodes, using a second twisted-pair lane. In some embodiments, the controlling node also uses a third twisted-pair lane for communicating with the first subset, while using the fourth twisted-pair lane for communicating with the second subset. Corresponding antenna processing nodes terminate one or two twisted-pair lanes in a direction towards the controlling node, while terminating one or two twisted-pair lanes towards one or more antenna processing nodes further from the controlling node.

Abstract: A wireless system comprises at least one controlling node and two or more antenna processing nodes coupled to the controlling node but separated from each other. A first antenna processing node communicates (910) with a first controlling node in a first direction along a series of links serially connecting the first controlling node and two or more antenna processing nodes including the first antenna processing node, and relays (920) communications between the first controlling node and at least a second antenna processing node, in a second direction along the series of links. In response to determining (930) that communications with the first controlling node in the first direction have failed, the first antenna processing node communicates (940) with a controlling node in the second direction along the series of links.

Abstract: A wireless system comprises a controlling node and two or more antenna processing nodes coupled to the controlling node but separated from each other. The controlling node sends (720) a command to a first one of the two or more antenna processing nodes, instructing the first one of the two or more antenna processing nodes to transmit data to a wireless device. This may be preceded by selecting (715) the first one of the antenna processing nodes based on an estimated signal quality metric corresponding to the wireless device for each antenna processing node. In response to a determination by the controlling node that the wireless device has not successfully decoded the data, the controlling node sends (730) a command to a second one of the two or more antenna processing nodes, instructing the second one of the antenna processing nodes to transmit the data to the wireless device.

Abstract: A gain control circuit adjusts the signal level of a received signal responsive to the bandwidth a received signal and/or the delay spread of the channel in which the signal has propagated. The bandwidth and delay spread are evaluated to estimate the amount of signal variation that is expected due to fast fading. Adjustments to the signal level are then made to avoid clipping while at the same time ensuring that the dynamic range of a receiver component is efficiently utilized.

Abstract: A gain control circuit adjusts the signal level of a received signal responsive to the bandwidth a received signal and/or the delay spread of the channel in which the signal has propagated. The bandwidth and delay spread are evaluated to estimate the amount of signal variation that is expected due to fast fading. Adjustments to the signal level are then made to avoid clipping while at the same time ensuring that the dynamic range of a receiver component is efficiently utilized.

Abstract: A communications terminal having a receiver and a method therefor is provided that substantially removes a known interferer from a digitally translated intermediate frequency signal. More specifically, the receiver includes an antenna for receiving a signal, and at least one combination of a mixer and filter for translating in the analog domain the signal to the intermediate frequency signal while maintaining separation from baseband. The receiver also includes a digitizer for digitally translating the intermediate frequency signal containing the known interferer from the analog domain into the digital domain, and an interference cancellation system for removing the known interferer from the digitally translated intermediate frequency signal by utilizing either a DC offset compensator or a correlator compensator.

Abstract: A multiple-mode receiver incorporating direct conversion (processing received signals using intermediate frequencies within the same frequency range as the received signal bandwidth) rather than superheterodyne circuitry, allowing receiver hardware components to be re-used rather than replicated for each band. Various embodiments are disclosed in which low pass filters, mixers, quadrature generators, oscillators, and amplifiers are re-used.