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: A first repeater operating within a wireless network including a second repeater capable of communicating with the first repeater, and first and second wireless station devices capable of communicating with at least one of the first repeater and the second repeater, includes a reception device for receiving a wireless signal at a reception frequency; a detector for detecting if a predetermined portion of the received wireless signal includes a modified portion to thereby determine that the received signal is from the second repeater; and a transmission device for transmitting the wireless signal to one of the first and second wireless station devices at a transmission frequency to thereby repeat the wireless signal.

Abstract: A first repeater operating within a wireless network including a second repeater capable of communicating with the first repeater, and first and second wireless station devices capable of communicating with at least one of the first repeater and the second repeater, includes a reception device for receiving a wireless signal at a reception frequency; a detector for detecting if a predetermined portion of the received wireless signal includes a modified portion to thereby determine that the received signal is from the second repeater; and a transmission device for transmitting the wireless signal to one of the first and second wireless station devices at a transmission frequency to thereby repeat the wireless signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a switched beam directional antenna in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is disclosed. A wireless communication system includes a serving cell, a neighbor cell and a WTRU. The WTRU is configured to generate and steer a directional beam in a plurality of directions. Once the WTRU registers with the wireless communication system, the WTRU receives messages transmitted by the serving cell. The WTRU measures signal quality of messages received in each of a plurality of predetermined directions while steering the directional beam antenna. The WTRU selects a particular one of the directions having the best signal quality. As the WTRU constantly moves, the WTRU monitors signal quality in the selected direction, and switches to another direction when the signal quality in a current direction drops below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a switched beam directional antenna in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is disclosed. A wireless communication system includes a serving cell, a neighbor cell and a WTRU. The WTRU is configured to generate and steer a directional beam in a plurality of directions. Once the WTRU registers with the wireless communication system, the WTRU receives messages transmitted by the serving cell. The WTRU measures signal quality of messages received in each of a plurality of predetermined directions while steering the directional beam antenna. The WTRU selects a particular one of the directions having the best signal quality. As the WTRU constantly moves, the WTRU monitors signal quality in the selected direction, and switches to another direction when the signal quality in a current direction drops below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A smart antenna steering algorithm performs a periodic re-scan at an end of a sustained use period and before a next sustained use period. During a sustained use period, a re-scan of the other antenna beams is not performed. The periodic re-scan is performed on alternate antenna beams that were selected when the preferred antenna beam was selected. The steering algorithm monitors a quality metric of the alternate antenna beams as well as a quality metric for the preferred antenna beam. If the quality metric of the preferred antenna beam is less than the quality metrics of anyone of the alternate antenna beams, then the alternate antenna beam corresponding to the quality metric having a higher value is selected for the next sustained use period.

Abstract: An antenna steering algorithm for a smart antenna uses signal quality metrics and link quality metrics for selecting a preferred antenna beam. The link quality metrics supplement the signal quality metrics for improving the antenna steering decision. The link quality metrics are based on information available from existing counters operating in the media access control (MAC) layer. Separate estimates of the frame error rates in the receive links and in the transmit links are obtained. One estimate is the downlink quality metric (DLQM) and another estimate is the uplink quality metric (ULQM). Alternative link quality metrics are based on throughput and data rates of the exchanged data.

Abstract: A smart antenna steering algorithm operates in response to different functions monitored by the media access control (MAC) layer within a client station. One function is when the MAC layer indicates that the client station has been placed in a power savings mode. In response, the antenna algorithm stores an index of the currently selected antenna. Another function is when the MAC layer indicates that the client station has not been synchronized, associated and authenticated with an access point. In response, the algorithm selects an omni-directional antenna beam as the default antenna beam. Another function is when the MAC layer provides beacon period synchronization information to the antenna steering algorithm so that the algorithm can update its own timer.

Abstract: A smart antenna steering algorithm performs a self-monitored re-scan during a sustained use period after having selected a preferred antenna beam. During a sustained use period, a re-scan of the other antenna beams is not performed. The steering algorithm periodically monitors a quality metric of the ongoing radio link provided by the preferred antenna beam. The quality metric is based upon a signal quality metric and a link quality metric. If the quality metric drops below certain thresholds during the sustained use period, the steering algorithm either swaps the preferred antenna beam with an alternate antenna beam or initiates a re-scan of the available antenna beams for selecting a new preferred antenna beam.