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A Hybrid Relay Architecture for Broadband OFDM Wireless Communications

Project ID: 1747-AP
Available for licensing

Background

Relay stations are known for simple deployment with minimal signal processing efforts. When used in conjunction with advanced modulation techniques such as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), such deployments promise high data rates with the benefit of coverage enhancements. Together, these technologies (i.e., OFDM and relaying) are viewed as one of the most viable solutions to future (4G) wireless communications.

Invention Description

Using current channel conditions at the relay--i.e., the fading OFDM channel conditions--the functionality of the relay is adapted on a per subcarrier basis. The adaptation is such that the end-to-end capacity of the OFDM link is maximized.

Benefits

Increase in end-to-end capacity compared to conventional systems
Ease of deployment
Broadband communications via OFDM
Flexibility of design

Features

Hybrid functionality of relay
Based on well known DF and AF configurations
Simple switch-based technology
Compatibility with existing cellular networks (2G)
Candidate for future relay-based cellular networks (beyond 3G) such as IEEE 802.16j

Market Potential/Applications

Existing and future wireless networking and communication systems

UT Researcher

Robert W. Heath, Jr., Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
Ali Y. Panah, Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

OTC Contact Information

Jitendra Jain, Licensing Specialist
jjain@otc.utexas.edu
512-471-9055