HK1159821B - Wireless-enabled component, system and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Component with wireless functionality, system and method thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to communication between Integrated Circuits (ICs), communication between functional blocks of these ICs, communication between devices containing these ICs, and applications thereof.

Background

A typical Integrated Circuit (IC) includes transistors and/or logic devices configured into functional blocks. Exemplary functional blocks may include, but are not limited to, execution units (e.g., arithmetic logic units), storage units (e.g., cache memories), and signal processing blocks. The functional blocks of a conventional IC may be connected together by ohmic contacts, which are typically metals. Exemplary ohmic contacts include conductive lines, traces, and signal lines.

As with the functional modules, groups of ICs may also be connected together by ohmic contacts. The ICs are typically connected together on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The interconnected ICs may be used to form a device such as a supercomputer, desktop computer, laptop computer, video game, embedded device, handheld device (e.g., mobile phone, smart phone, MP3 player, camera, GPS device), or the like.

Unfortunately, the ohmic contacts used to connect functional modules and ICs can limit the performance, capability, and/or form factor (form factor) of these functional modules and ICs. For example, ohmic contacts typically require interconnect wiring traces in the panel with "point a to point B" and vias for the interconnection of facets and interfaces within a three-dimensional space. When the desired communication physical routing is blocked by other traces on the panel or obstructed by possible locations or vias, other routing layers are typically required to "detour" in order to complete the ohmic contact of point a to point B. The other layer may be a metal layer of a silicon semiconductor, a conductor layer of a printed circuit substrate of an IC package, or a conductor layer of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Due to these other wiring levels, the length and cost of the signal paths of the interconnects are increased. Performance is typically degraded due to the increased trace length from point a to point B. There is a need for an interconnection method that is not limited by the ohmic contact physical wiring requirements and has greater flexibility in the connections of functional modules.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method implemented in a wireless-enabled component (WEC), comprises:

identifying one or more other WECs over the first channel; and

communicate with the one or more other WECs over a second channel.

Preferably, the bandwidth of the first channel is smaller than the second channel.

Preferably, the frequency of the first channel is about 2.420GHz-2.421GHz, and the frequency of the second channel is about 2.419GHz-2.428 GHz.

Preferably, the identifying comprises:

transmitting a positioning beacon to the one or more other WECs over the first channel.

Preferably, the identifying comprises:

receiving a positioning beacon from each component in the one or more other WECs over the first channel.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

determining a relative position of each component in the one or more other WECs.

According to one aspect, a Wireless Enabled Component (WEC) comprises:

a functional resource; and

a communication module to:

identifying one or more other WECs over the first channel; and

communicate with the one or more other WECs over a second channel.

Preferably, the functional resource comprises one of a processing resource and a storage resource.

Preferably, the bandwidth of the first channel is smaller than the second channel.

Preferably, the frequency of the first channel is about 2.420GHz-2.421GHz, and the frequency of the second channel is about 2.419GHz-2.428 GHz.

Preferably, the communications module is configured to transmit a positioning beacon over the first channel to identify the one or more other WECs.

Preferably, the communications module is configured to receive a positioning beacon over the first channel to identify the one or more other WECs.

Preferably, the WEC further comprises:

a location module to determine a relative location of each component in the one or more other WECs.

According to another aspect, a system comprises:

a plurality of wireless-enabled components (WECs), each respectively for transmitting and receiving over a wireless bus;

wherein the wireless bus comprises:

a first channel to identify a nearby WEC; and

a second channel for supporting communication between the neighboring WECs.

Preferably, the bandwidth of the first channel is smaller than the second channel.

Preferably, the frequency of the first channel is about 2.420GHz-2.421GHz, and the frequency of the second channel is about 2.419GHz-2.428 GHz.

Preferably, the neighboring WECs are identified based on the transmission of a positioning beacon via the first channel.

Preferably, each component of the plurality of WECs includes a functional resource.

Preferably, each component of the plurality of WECs comprises:

a location module to determine a relative location of each component in the proximate WEC.

Preferably, the plurality of WECs are located on the same chip.

Preferably:

a first subset of the plurality of WECs is located on a first chip; and

a second subset of the plurality of WECs is located on a second chip.

Preferably, the first chip and the second chip are located in a single device (single device).

Optionally, the first chip and the second chip are located in separate devices (separate devices).

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by a plurality of wireless-enabled components (WECs) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2A-B are schematic diagrams of an exemplary WEC according to one embodiment of the present invention;

3A-B are schematic diagrams of an exemplary radio power interface according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary WEC having internal elements that wirelessly connect with the external environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6A-C are schematic diagrams of an exemplary WEC according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figures 7A-B are schematic diagrams of an exemplary WEC according to one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a diagram of an exemplary method of establishing a link between WECs, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11A is a diagram of a WEC sending requests over a control channel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11B is a schematic diagram of a WEC transmitting data over a data channel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of WECs configured as a field programmable communications array in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs and adjustable according to a desired activity level (activity level) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs and adjustable according to a desired activity level in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs and adjustable according to desired power consumption or delay, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs and adjustable according to a desired interference level in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of a first set of multiple WECs and a second set of multiple WECs communicating over a wireless bus, wherein the first set of multiple WECs includes processing resources and the second set of multiple WECs includes storage resources, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary WEC network adapted to borrow resources among multiple WECs, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a cost function-based resource borrowing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 21 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs located in respective data units of a data server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs located in respective data units of a data server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs located in respective data units of a data server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs located in respective data units of a data server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus enabled by multiple WECs located in respective data units of a data server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 26 is a diagram of an exemplary method of creating the system (create system on the flash) in real time using multiple WECs, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number may indicate the figure in which the reference number first appears.

Detailed Description

I. Overview

Embodiments of the present invention relate to establishing a wireless communication bus and applications thereof. In the detailed description that follows, references to "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described includes a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments whether or not explicitly described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of establishing a wireless communication bus in a plurality of wireless-enabled components (WECs), wherein the wireless communication bus includes a plurality of links from a first WEC to each of a respective plurality of proximate WECs. The first WEC and the adjacent WEC may be co-located on a single chip, on different chips of the same device, or in different devices. According to the method, a control channel (e.g., a low speed channel) is used to identify a target WEC and a data channel (e.g., a high speed channel) is used to communicate with the target WEC.

For example, a first WEC may signal over a control channel to identify a neighboring WEC. The control channel may be implemented using a wireless boundary scan. The control channel may also be implemented using standard test access ports (standard test access ports) and Boundary Scan Architecture (Boundary Scan Architecture), commonly referred to as Joint Test Action Group (JTAG). The first WEC may use a one-way signal transmission technique (e.g., electronically controlled phased array, mechanically controlled phased array, etc.) to sequentially scan the environment around the first WEC. Additionally or alternatively, the first WEC can use omni-directional signaling techniques (e.g., positioning beacons, etc.) to scan the environment around the first WEC.

After transmitting the signal, the first WEC may receive one or more responses from one or more neighboring WECs. For example, a neighboring WEC may only scatter the signal transmitted by the first WEC. Additionally or alternatively, the neighboring WEC may include means for backscattering a signal transmitted by the first WEC or for sending a return transmission signal (return transmission) back to the first WEC. In any case, scattered, backscattered, and/or return-to-transmit signals from neighboring WECs are received by the first WEC.

Based on the received signals, the relative location and/or function of the proximate WECs can be determined. The relative position of the neighboring WEC includes the orientation of the neighboring WEC with respect to the first WEC, and may optionally include the distance between the neighboring WEC and the first WEC. Directional information is important for directional communication techniques such as beamforming and line of sight (line of sight) communication. The range information is important for determining the approximate signal strength of the communication between the first WEC and the neighboring WECs.

The relative position of the nearby WEC can be determined using radar-like techniques. In one embodiment, the first WEC includes a positioning module (e.g., hardware and/or software) to determine the relative position of the neighboring WECs. In another embodiment, the external computing resource assists the first WEC in determining the relative position of each of the neighboring WECs. In another embodiment, the relative position of the neighboring WECs is calculated by the computing resource rather than the first WEC. In this embodiment, for example, the first WEC may forward the received signal to the computing resource. The computing resource can then determine the relative location of each neighboring WEC based on the received signals and transmit that location information back to the first WEC.

Having determined the relative positions of the neighboring WECs, the first WEC can communicate with at least one neighboring WEC over a data channel. In one embodiment, the communication mechanism (e.g., beamforming, fiber, etc.) for communicating over the data channel may be selected based on the relative location and capabilities of the neighboring WECs.

Before providing additional description regarding establishing communication links between adjacent WECs, it may be helpful to first describe an exemplary wireless bus and WEC in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

II. Wireless bus

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, the exemplary wireless bus 100 is enabled by a plurality of wireless-enabled components (WECs) 112, 114, 116, and 118 and a plurality of wireless links 120, 122, and 124 connecting the WECs 112, 114, 116, and 118. WECs 112, 114, 116, and 118 each include wireless data communication means (means).

The wireless bus 100 may enable on-chip, inter-chip, and inter-device WEC wireless communications. For example, communication between WEC 112 and WEC 114 via wireless link 120 represents on-chip communication, as it occurs in a single IC 106. Communication between WEC 114 and WEC 116 via wireless link 122 represents inter-chip communication because it occurs in a WEC that is located on separate ICs 106 and 108 but within the same device 102. Communication between WEC 114 and WEC 118 via link 124 represents inter-device communication because it occurs at the WECs located on separate devices 106 and 110 and within separate devices 102 and 104.

The wireless bus 100 may be enabled by homogeneous and/or heterogeneous WECs and homogeneous and/or heterogeneous wireless links. For example, WECs 112, 114, 116, and 118 may have the same or different wireless or wired communication capabilities, processing capabilities, power supplies, functions, and the like. Additionally, WECs 112, 114, 116, and 118 can be located in the same or different types of equipment and/or in equipment of the same or different equipment architectures. Similarly, the wireless links 120, 122, and 124 may be the same or different types of wireless links as will be further described below.

Component with wireless functionality

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the WEC is an element used to enable the wireless bus. As used herein, a WEC includes a functional block of an IC (e.g., a processing core of a processing unit), an entire IC (e.g., a processing unit), or a device containing multiple ICs (e.g., a handheld device). According to embodiments, the WEC may be associated with one or more sub-modules of an IC, a single IC, or multiple ICs. Exemplary WECs according to embodiments of the present invention are given below. These examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, any variations and/or modifications within the teachings of the present invention that may occur to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary WEC 200A, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2A, the exemplary WEC 200A includes a power interface 202, an AC-DC converter 204, a demodulator 206, a core module 208, a wireless transceiver 210, and an antenna element 218.

Power interface 202 is used to receive and provide power to WEC 200A. In one embodiment, the power interface 202 includes a direct power accessory, in which there is no power adapter. In another embodiment, the power interface 202 receives power in the form of AC from an external AC power source. The power interface 202 delivers the received AC power to the AC-DC converter 204.

The AC-DC converter 204 converts AC power received from the power interface 202 into DC form. In one embodiment, the AC-DC converter 204 also includes one or more storage elements (not shown) for storing energy from the transferred DC electrical energy. The AC-DC converter 204 then powers up the different components of the WEC 200A. For example, as shown in fig. 2A, the AC-DC converter 204 provides power to the demodulator 206, the core module 208, and the wireless transceiver 210 to power them up.

According to an embodiment, the core module 208 and the wireless transceiver 210 may be configured during power-up and/or operation, as will be described below with reference to, for example, fig. 12. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 2A, the configuration of the core module 208 and the wireless transceiver 210 may be performed by the power interface 202 and the demodulator 206. In particular, the configuration comprises the following steps: modulate (e.g., amplitude modulate) power received by the power interface 202 to communicate configuration information; the demodulator 206 demodulates the received power to generate configuration information; and provides the configuration information generated by the demodulator 206 to the core module 208 and the wireless transceiver 210. In one embodiment, the generated configuration information includes configuration information 212 provided to the core module 208 and configuration information 214 provided to the wireless transceiver 210.

Alternatively, the core module 208 and the wireless transceiver 210 may be preconfigured at the time of manufacture. Therefore, the demodulator 208 is optional.

Core module 208 represents the functional modules of WEC 200A. For example, the core module 208 may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, programmable logic circuit, memory, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), analog-to-digital converter (ADC), digital-to-analog converter (DAC), digital logic circuit, and the like.

The wireless transceiver 210 may be any transceiver (i.e., transmitter and receiver) having wireless communication capabilities. For example, the wireless transceiver 210 may be, for example, a free-space RF transceiver, a waveguide RF transceiver, or a fiber optic transceiver. The wireless transceiver 210 communicates with the core module 208 through an interface 216. In particular, wireless transceiver 210 receives communications addressed to core module 208 via a wireless bus (e.g., wireless bus 100) and passes the received communications to core module 208 via interface 216. In addition, the wireless transceiver 210 receives communications from the core module 208 through the interface 216 and wirelessly transmits the communications to the desired destination over a wireless bus. In one embodiment, the interface 216 is a wired connection. In another embodiment, the interface 216 is proximity coupling (proximity coupling), as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4.

The wireless transceiver 210 wirelessly transmits and receives communications over a wireless bus using a wireless antenna 218. The wireless antenna 218 may be any wireless antenna including, for example, an electromagnetic wave (e.g., RF) antenna or a fiber optic antenna. The Electromagnetic (EM) wave antenna may be, for example, a free-space RF antenna or a waveguide coupler. Further, as will be described in detail below, wireless antenna 218 may include one or more configurable antenna structures to enable beamforming and directional communication.

Fig. 2B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary WEC200B, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary WEC200B is substantially identical to the exemplary WEC 200A described with reference to fig. 2A. Further, the exemplary WEC200B uses a wireless power interface 220 as the power interface 202.

The wireless power interface 220 functions the same as the power interface 202 described above with reference to fig. 2A. But in addition to this, the wireless power interface 220 has the capability of wirelessly receiving power from an external power source. Thus, the exemplary WEC200B does not require a wired connection to the external environment to achieve the desired functionality. Including no wired communication interface/bus to communicate with the external environment and no wired power connection/interface to receive power from the external environment.

According to an embodiment, the wireless power interface 220 may be any interface having a function of receiving wireless power. For example, as shown in fig. 3A, the wireless power interface 220 may include an inductive coupler 302 (e.g., a coil). Alternatively or in addition, the wireless power interface 220 may include a capacitive coupler 304, for example, as shown in fig. 3B. These examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, any variations and/or modifications within the teachings of the present invention that may occur to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary WEC having internal elements that wirelessly connect with the external environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in fig. 4, the WEC is shown in the form of a chip packaged in a package 402. Referring to fig. 4, the package body 402 includes a silicon layer 406 and a signal line 404. Silicon layer 406 includes the transistors/logic devices of the chip. Signal lines 404 are configured to route signals between transistors/logic devices of silicon layer 406 and between silicon layer 406 and the external environment. To route signals to the external environment, proximity coupling 412A is provided between signal line 404 and package substrate 408, and (optionally) proximity coupling 412B is provided between signal line 404 and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 410. The proximity coupling 412 may include a magnetic coupling (e.g., inductive coupling), an electrical coupling (e.g., capacitive coupling), an electromagnetic coupling, and/or combinations thereof. Through proximity coupling 412, the WEC shown in fig. 4 can send signals to and receive signals from the external environment (e.g., package substrate 408 and/or PCB) without ohmic contact to the external environment.

It is noted that the WEC shown in fig. 4 as a chip is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. As described herein, the WEC is not limited to a chip, but may also include functional modules of a chip (e.g., a processing core of a processing unit) and devices containing a chip (e.g., a handheld device). Any type of WEC can be coupled in proximity to the external environment.

IV. Wireless Link

As described above, multiple WECs may be wirelessly coupled to the system via a wireless communication bus. The wireless communication bus includes a plurality of wireless communication links between WECs. An exemplary link type between (a) WECs and an exemplary method of establishing a link between (B) WECs will be described below.

A. Exemplary Link types

The links between WECs in the wireless bus may be any type of wireless link, including RF links, fiber optic links, and links enabled by proximity coupling, according to embodiments. Additionally, a WEC may include one or more types of wireless communication means that may simultaneously support one or more types of wireless communication between the WEC and other WECs.

For purposes of illustration, fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 500 enabled by multiple WECs 502, 504, 506 and 508 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 5, WEC502 and WEC 504 communicate wirelessly through proximity coupling in wireless bus 500. In one embodiment, WECs 502 and 504 communicate by near field magnetic induction, wherein communication between WEC502 and WEC 504 is accomplished by utilizing a low power, non-diffuse magnetic field. In particular, WECs 502 and 504 include a transmit coil and a receive coil, respectively. To transmit information, the transmit coil of the transmitting WEC is used to modulate the magnetic field, which is detected by the receive coil of the receiving WEC.

Still referring to fig. 5, WEC 504 may also include optical communication means used to communicate with WEC 506. Accordingly, WEC 504 can communicate with WEC502 and WEC 506 using two different types of wireless communication means simultaneously. In one embodiment, WECs 504 and 506 each include a fiber optic transceiver to enable a fiber optic communication link therebetween. WEC 506 may also include RF communication means used to communicate with WEC 508. Accordingly, WEC 506 can communicate with WEC 504 and WEC508 using two different types of wireless communication simultaneously.

By enabling different types of wireless communication links in the wireless bus 500, the ability and reliability of communication may be improved and interference reduced. The above object is also achieved by using an antenna diversity scheme (antenna diversity scheme) in the wireless bus, which will be further described below.

In one embodiment, Pattern Diversity (Pattern Diversity) may be used in the wireless bus. In particular, pattern diversity includes utilizing pattern beamforming (e.g., beamforming and/or adaptive nulling) and/or directional beam transmission to reduce interference, increase communication range between WECs, and enhance directional communication between WECs. Beamforming is a specific example of a shaping mode. Adaptive nulling uses a null radiation pattern in the direction of the interferer, thereby reducing the received interference level.

In accordance with an embodiment, to enable RF beamforming, the WEC may include at least one RF phased array, each RF phased array including a respective plurality of co-located (co-located) RF antennas. For example, as shown in the exemplary WEC 602 in fig. 6A, the WEC may include an electronically controlled phased array 604, which electronically may control the phased array 604 to produce a desired beamforming pattern in a desired transmit direction. Phased array 604 may be controlled generally by a plurality of microphase shifters (not shown in fig. 6A).

Alternatively or in addition, the WEC may include a mechanically steered phased array, such as a MEMS-based phased array 608, as shown in the exemplary WEC 606 of fig. 6B.

Additionally, the WEC may use an optical phased array 704 to enable fiber beam forming, as shown by the exemplary WEC 702 in fig. 7A. The optical phased array 704 may be electrically controlled or mechanically controlled.

To enable directional RF beam transmission, the WEC may include one or more directional RF antennas. In addition, according to embodiments, one or more directional RF antennas may be controlled to provide a greater range of RF directional emissions. For example, as shown in the exemplary WEC 610 in fig. 6C, the WEC may include a mechanically controlled directional antenna 614. The WEC may also include an actuator (activator) 612 to control the directional antenna 614 in a desired transmit direction. In one embodiment, the actuator 612 is a MEMS-based actuator.

Similarly, the range of fiber optic directional transmission can be supported by equipping the WEC with one or more mechanically controlled fiber optic transceivers. For example, as shown in the exemplary WEC 706 of fig. 7B, the WEC may include a mechanically controlled fiber optic transceiver 710 and an actuator 708 for controlling the fiber optic transceiver 710. In one embodiment, the actuator 708 is a MEMS-based actuator.

According to an embodiment, polarization diversity is another antenna diversity scheme that may be used in a wireless bus to further enhance wireless bus capability and reliability and reduce interference.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 800 enabled by multiple WECs 802, 804, 806 and 808, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 8, WECs 802, 804, 806, and 808 include antenna elements 810, 812, 814, and 816, respectively.

According to an embodiment, polarization diversity may be achieved by using orthogonal diversity (orthogonal diversity) on the links of the wireless bus. For example, as shown in fig. 8, antenna elements 810 and 816 of WECs 802 and 808, respectively, can be configured to communicate with each other using vertical polarization, while antenna elements 812 and 814 of WECs 804 and 806, respectively, can be configured to communicate with each other using horizontal polarization. Thus, communication between WEC802 and WEC808 and communication between WEC 804 and WEC 806 can occur simultaneously without interfering with each other. In addition, the capability and reliability of the wireless bus 800 is also enhanced. In particular, in the example shown in fig. 8, the capabilities of wireless bus 800 are doubled using the illustrated exemplary polarization diversity scheme.

Note that polarization diversity according to the embodiment is based on polarization allocation on a link basis. Thus, the antenna elements of a particular WEC may use different polarizations on different communication links. Including communicating with different WECs using different polarizations and/or communicating with the same WEC using different polarizations (i.e., transmitting using a first polarization and receiving using a second polarization).

In an embodiment, the polarization diversity scheme used in the wireless bus may be dynamically adjusted according to at least one of data traffic pattern, expected capacity, interference level, etc. For example, referring to fig. 8, the illustrated polarization diversity scheme can be used when the desired data traffic pattern indicates a large data traffic between WECs 802 and 808 and between WECs 804 and 806. However, different polarization diversity schemes may also be employed when the data traffic pattern must change. Similarly, the polarization diversity scheme shown in fig. 8 may also be dynamically adjusted based on capability and/or interference considerations. Due to the adaptive nature of polarization diversity, links in a wireless bus can be configured in real time based on polarization.

Frequency diversity is another antenna diversity scheme that may be used to enhance wireless bus capability and reliability and reduce interference, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 900 enabled by multiple WECs 902, 904, 906, and 908 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 9, WECs 902, 904, 906, and 908 include antenna elements 910, 912, 914, and 916, respectively.

According to an embodiment, frequency diversity may be achieved by using different communication frequencies on the links of the wireless bus. For example, as shown in fig. 9, antenna elements 910 and 916 of WECs 902 and 908, respectively, may be configured to use a first frequency f₁Communicate with each other while antenna elements 912 and 914 of WECs 904 and 906, respectively, may be configured to use a second frequency f₂Communicate with each other. Thus, communication between WEC 902 and WEC 908 and communication between WEC 904 and WEC 906 can occur simultaneously without interfering with each other. In addition, the capability and reliability of the wireless bus 900 is also enhanced. In particular, in the example shown in fig. 9, the capabilities of the wireless bus 900 are doubled using the illustrated exemplary frequency diversity scheme.

Note that frequency diversity according to the embodiment is based on the allocation of communication frequencies on a link basis. Thus, the antenna elements of a particular WEC may use different communication frequencies on different communication links. Including communicating with different WECs using different communication frequencies and/or communicating with the same WEC using different communication frequencies (i.e., transmitting using a first frequency and receiving using a second frequency).

Similar to the polarization diversity scheme described above, in embodiments, the frequency diversity scheme used in the wireless bus may be dynamically adjusted according to at least one of data traffic pattern, expected capacity, interference level, and the like. Thus, the links in the wireless bus can be configured in real time according to frequency.

B. Establishing a wireless link

Fig. 10 is a diagram of an exemplary method 1000 of establishing a link between multiple WECs, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Multiple WECs may be located on the same chip, in different chips of the same device, or in different devices. In the method 1000, a first channel is used for target acquisition and a second channel is used for data transfer.

In particular, referring to fig. 10, the method 1000 begins at step 1002 where adjacent WECs are identified by a control channel (e.g., a low speed channel) at step 1002. By adjacent WECs is meant, for example, that one WEC is within range of another WEC so that the two WECs can communicate wirelessly with each other. In one embodiment, the control channel may be implemented using a wireless boundary scan. In another embodiment, the control channel may be implemented using standard test access ports and boundary scan architecture, commonly referred to as Joint Test Action Group (JTAG).

To identify neighboring WECs as described in step 1002 of fig. 10, a search algorithm can be performed. The search algorithm causes the WEC to scan the surrounding area to identify neighboring WECs. The mechanism used to scan the surrounding area may be based on substantially omni-directional transmission (e.g., positioning beacons), substantially unidirectional transmission (e.g., electrically controlled phased arrays (fig. 6A), MEMS based phased arrays (fig. 6B), mechanically controlled directional antennas (fig. 6C), optical phased arrays (fig. 7A), or mechanically controlled optical transceivers (fig. 7B)), and/or a combination of omni-directional and unidirectional transmission.

For example, fig. 11A is a schematic illustration of sending signal 1120 to scan the surrounding area to identify WECs that are proximate WECs 1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110. In the example shown in fig. 11A, WEC 1104 receives a portion 1120D of signal 1120; WEC 1106 receives a portion 1120A of signal 1120; WEC 1108 receives a portion 1120B of signal 1120; and WEC 1110 receives a portion 1120C of signal 1120. As described above, the subsections 1120A-D of the signal 1120 may be generated using a unidirectional transmission scheme, using an omni-directional transmission scheme, or a combination thereof. If a substantially unidirectional transmission scheme is used, the sub-portions 1120A-D of the signal 1120 may be transmitted sequentially using the unidirectional transmission scheme disclosed herein. For example, sub-portion 1120A is transmitted first, sub-portion 1120B is transmitted second, sub-portion 1120C is transmitted, and sub-portion 1120D is transmitted last. However, if an omni-directional transmission scheme is used, the sub-portions 1120A-D of the signal 1120 can be transmitted substantially simultaneously such that the sub-portions 1120A-D propagate outwardly from the WEC 1102 in an isotropic manner (Isotropic washion).

In one embodiment, WECs 1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110 each include an element (e.g., an antenna) that enables them to backscatter signal 1120. In another embodiment, signal 1120 may only fan out from WECs 1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110. In another embodiment, signal 1120 may include a return transmission from WECs 1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110. In any such embodiment, backscattered, scattered, and/or back-transmitted signals are sequentially received by WEC 1102 in order to determine the relative positions of WECs 1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110 (relative to WEC 1102). For example, radar and/or sonar and/or other techniques may be utilized to determine relative position.

In one embodiment, WEC 1102 includes a module for determining the relative location of nearby WECs. For example, the core module 208 (shown in fig. 2A-B) may be configured to determine the relative location of the proximate WEC. In another embodiment, the WEC 1102 sequentially transmits the received signals to a controller (e.g., a specially configured WEC) enabling the controller to determine the relative positions of nearby WECs and send such relative position information back to the WEC 1102.

Returning to fig. 10, after identifying neighboring WECs, communication between neighboring WECs is supported over a data channel (e.g., a high speed channel), as shown in step 1004. The transmission protocol used for communication between adjacent WECs may be based on Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or a combination thereof. Communication via the data channel uses the directional transmission techniques disclosed herein (e.g., electrically steered phased array (fig. 6A), MEMS based phased array (fig. 6B), mechanically steered antenna (fig. 6C), optical phased array (fig. 7A), or mechanically steered optical transceiver (fig. 7B)). In one embodiment, the communication mechanism (e.g., beam forming, fiber, etc.) is selected based on the relative location and capabilities of the neighboring WECs.

Fig. 11B is a diagram illustrating communication over a data channel. In this example, WEC 1102 transmits communication signal 1130 to neighboring WEC 1106 over a data channel and communication signal 1132 to neighboring WEC 1104 over a data channel.

Configure WEC array

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of wirelessly coupled WECs may be configured as a field programmable communications array ("FPCA") using different types of links between the WECs. The individual WECs of the FPCA may be configured with specific functions and may also be configured to communicate among the WECs of the FPCA. For example, one or more WECs may be configured as processing resources of the FPCA, one or more WECs may be configured as storage resources of the FPCA, and/or one or more WECs may be configured as repeaters (repeaters).

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary FPCA 1200, according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to fig. 12, FPCA 1200 includes a controller 1202 and a plurality of WECs 1204, 1206, 1208, and 1210. In one embodiment, the controller 1202 is a WEC. Controller 1202 is coupled to WECs 1204, 1206, 1208, and 1210 via control links 1220A, 1220B, 1220C, and 1220D, respectively. Control links 1220A-D collectively include control channels 1220 that enable controller 1202 to configure the functionality of FPCA 1200. In this regard, controller 1202 is used to configure the functional resources (e.g., core modules) of each WEC 1204, 1206, 1208, and 1210 of FPCA 1200 and to configure communications among WECs 1204, 1206, 1208, and 1210. In one embodiment, the controller 1202 configures the core module and/or wireless transceiver of each WEC 1204, 1206, 1208, and 1210 by modulating power provided to each WEC, as described above, for example, in section III.

As an example of the configuration of the core module, controller 1202 may configure WEC 1210 as a storage resource of FPCA 1200 and may configure WEC 1208 as a processing resource of FPCA 1200. According to this example, WEC 1208 can write data to WEC 1210 and read data from WEC 1210 over communication link 1232.

As an example of the configuration of communications between WECs, controller 1202 may configure WEC 1204 as a repeater. According to this example, WEC 1208 and WEC 1206 can communicate through WEC 1204. That is, in accordance with the example, transmissions from WEC 1208 to WEC 1206 are first sent from WEC 1208 to WEC 1204 via communication link 1234, and then sent from WEC 1204 to WEC 1206 via communication link 1236. In a similar manner, transmissions from WEC 1206 to WEC 1208 may be sent from WEC 1206 to WEC 1204 via communication link 1236 and then from WEC 1204 to WEC 1208 via communication link 1234.

It is noted that the above examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The multiple wirelessly connected WECs may be configured as other types of FPCAs and/or other types of systems without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Exemplary applications of these FPCAs and/or systems are provided below.

Exemplary applications

Wirelessly connected WECs may be used in a variety of different types of applications. The following exemplary applications will be given below:

(A) a system with adaptive links and routing;

(B) a system that includes a scalable link between WECs;

(C) a system comprising co-located resources;

(D) a system to dynamically borrow resources;

(E) a data center/server system; and

(F) a system created in real time.

It is noted that these exemplary applications are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. Modifications and variations of these exemplary applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings of this disclosure, and are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

A. Link and route adaptation

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 1300 enabled by multiple WECs 1302, 1304, 1306 and 1308 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Depending on the embodiment, the links and/or routing between WECs 1302, 1304, 1306 and 1308 may be adjusted based on various factors. For example, the link between WECs 1302 and 1306 may be adjusted based on at least one of the following factors: the relative locations of WECs 1302 and 1306, the available capabilities (e.g., communication capabilities) of WECs 1302 and 1306, the resource availability of WECs 1302 and 1306, and the physical environment.

For example, the relative position of WECs 1302 and 1306 can be a factor in determining the type of link (e.g., RF, fiber, proximity coupling) between WECs 1302 and 1306. Thus, in an embodiment, if the relative positions of WECs 1302 and 1306 change, the link between WECs 1302 and 1306 is adjusted accordingly to ensure reliable communication. For example, the link between WECs 1302 and 1306 can be adjusted from fiber to RF when a change in the relative position between WECs 1302 and 1306 will result in a loss of line of sight (line of sight) between WECs 1302 and 1306. Similarly, the physical environment will cause the link between WECs 1302 and 1306 to be adjusted from one type to another.

Similarly, the available capabilities (communication capabilities) of WECs 1302 and 1306 control the type of link created between WECs 1302 and 1306 and the adaptive adjustment range of that link. For example, the type of antenna elements available at WECs 1302 and 1306 and the configuration of the antenna elements (e.g., directionality, polarization, frequency) can determine whether and/or how WECs 1302 and 1306 communicate. For example, the WEC1302 can include a mechanically controlled RF directional antenna such as antenna 614 shown in fig. 6C and a unidirectional fiber optic transceiver, so that only RF communication can be supported between the WEC1302 and WEC 1306. However, in another example, the WEC1302 can include a mechanically-controlled fiber optic transceiver such as the fiber optic transceiver 710 shown in fig. 7B, so RF and fiber optic communications can be supported between the WEC1302 and the WEC1306, and the link between the WEC1302 and 1306 can be adjusted to RF or fiber optic or both.

The availability of resources at WECs 1302 and 1306 can also be used to adjust the link between WECs 1302 and 1306. For example, assuming that WECs 1302 and 1306 can communicate using RF or optical fiber, and WEC1306 communicates with WEC 1304 using RF, the link between WECs 1302 and 1306 can be adjusted to optical fiber communications because the RF transceiver of WEC1306 may not be available or capable of supporting RF communications with WECs 1302 and 1304 at the same time.

In addition to adjusting the links between WECs, communication routes between WECs may also be adjusted, according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, referring to fig. 13, the routing of communications between WECs 1302 and 1304 may be adjusted based on at least one of the following factors: the relative locations of the WECs 1302 and 1304, the available capabilities (e.g., communication capabilities) of the WECs 1302 and 1304 and the WECs along the route, the resource availability and physical environment of the WECs 1302 and 1304 and the WECs along the route.

The relative location and physical environment of the WECs 1302 and 1304 can determine routing between the WECs 1302 and 1304, including, for example, the availability of direct (i.e., single hop) communication versus multi-hop communication. For example, referring to fig. 13, the presence of a communication barrier (e.g., a physical barrier) between WEC1302 and WEC 1304 can inhibit direct communication between the two WECs and require the use of a multi-hop communication route (via WEC1306 or WEC 1308). However, if the relative position and/or physical environment between the WECs 1302 and 1304 changes, the routing of communications between the WECs 1302 and 1304 may be adjusted accordingly to ensure reliable communications. For example, when a physical barrier no longer exists, the route between WECs 1302 and 1304 can be adjusted from multi-hop to single-hop.

Similarly, the available capabilities (communication capabilities) and/or resources (e.g., energy, processing capabilities, etc.) of WECs 1302 and 1304 and WECs 1306 and 1308 can be a factor in selecting a route. For example, the antenna elements of the WEC1302 may not support the communication range required for direct communication with the WEC 1304. Thus, the WEC1302 can choose to communicate through WEC1306 or WEC1308 within communication range. In another example, the processing load of WECs 1306 and 1308 determines which WEC can be used to establish a multi-hop route from WEC1302 to WEC 1304.

In light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the examples described above. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other factors may also be utilized to adjust the links and/or routing between WECs. Although these other factors are not specifically identified, they will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings of the present invention and are included within the scope of the present invention.

B. Scalable wireless bus

According to features described herein, a WEC may be used to enable a scalable wireless bus. In one embodiment, the scalable wireless bus may have at least one of: the number of links between WECs and the ability of the links to be adjusted based on one or more factors. For example, the number of links and the link capabilities may be adjusted based on at least one of: desired activity level on the wireless bus, required energy consumption, delay and interference level. Examples of scalable wireless buses are illustrated in accordance with the embodiments provided in fig. 14-17. These examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, any variations and/or modifications which are obvious to a person skilled in the art and which are within the scope of the present invention are within the teaching of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 1400 enabled by multiple WECs 1402, 1404, 1406, and 1408 and multiple wireless links connected to the WECs. In one embodiment, the wireless bus 1400 may be adjusted according to a desired level of activity on the wireless bus. In particular, wireless bus 1400 may be adjusted to increase/decrease the number of links connecting WECs 1402, 1404, 1406, and 1408 according to a desired activity level. For example, as shown in fig. 14, at low activity levels, communication over the wireless bus 1400 may be achieved as long as three links 1410, 1412, and 1414 are established. At high activity levels, however, two more links 1416 and 1418 are established to accommodate the increased activity. Additionally or alternatively, wireless bus 1400 may be adjusted to increase/decrease the capacity of each link according to a desired activity level. The link capacity may be increased/decreased by changing at least one of the following factors: transmit power, modulation method, and error coding (error coding).

Fig. 15 shows another wireless bus 1500. In one embodiment, wireless bus 1500 may be adjusted to increase/decrease the number of links between WECs 1402, 1404, 1406, and 1408 according to a desired level of activity on the wireless bus. In particular, polarization diversity can be used to increase the number of links between any two high activity levels WECs. For example, as shown in fig. 15, for each existing low activity level link 1410, 1412, and 1414, a corresponding high activity level link 1502, 1504, and 1506 may be established, with the existing links and the added links using orthogonal polarizations. Additionally or alternatively, wireless bus 1500 may be adjusted to increase/decrease the capacity of each link according to a desired activity level. The link capacity may be increased/decreased by changing at least one of the following factors: transmit power, modulation method, and error coding.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 1600 enabled by multiple WECs 1602, 1604, 1606 and 1608. In one embodiment, wireless bus 1600 may be adjusted according to desired energy consumption and/or latency. For example, as shown in fig. 16, wireless bus 1600 may be adapted to have more narrow range communication links, such as links 1610, 1612, and 1614, and multi-hop routing, when low power consumption is required and/or to accommodate high latency. Conversely, when low latency is required and/or high energy and time consumption can be accommodated, the wireless bus can be adapted to utilize more extensive communication links, such as communication link 1616 and single hop routing.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 1700 enabled by multiple WECs 1702, 1704, 1706 and 1708. In one embodiment, wireless bus 1700 may be adjusted according to a desired/required interference level. For example, as shown in fig. 17, wireless bus 1700 may be adjusted to include wireless links 1710, 1712, 1714, and 1716 when high interference is acceptable and/or when the expected interference is low (based on expected traffic). Additionally, the links 1714 and 1716 may be, for example, of the same polarization (or frequency). On the other hand, when low interference is needed and/or when the desired interference is high (based on the desired traffic), wireless bus 1700 may be adjusted to include only links 1710, 1712, and 1714 in order to reduce interference. In particular, in the example of fig. 17, the interference due to links 1714 and 1716 is reduced. Alternatively, wireless bus 1700 may include link 1716, but be tuned to use a different polarization (or frequency) than link 1704. Therefore, no interference is caused by 1714 and 1716.

C. Co-location of resources (co-located)

In one embodiment, the first type of wireless-enabled functional unit (e.g., processing resource) and the second type of wireless-enabled functional unit (e.g., storage resource) are spatially separated but wirelessly connected to each other via a wireless communication bus.

For example, FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a system including multiple processing resources 1800 and multiple memory resources 1850. Processing resource 1800 and memory resource 1850 are spatially separated but are wirelessly connected via a wireless communication bus 1860. The processing resources 1800 may be embodied in one or more stacks, one or more devices, one or more printed circuit boards, or other form factors to co-locate the processing resources 1800. Similarly, memory resource 1850 can be included in one or more stacks, one or more devices, one or more printed circuit boards, or other form factors to co-locate memory resource 1850.

Referring to fig. 18, processing resource 1800 includes a plurality of WECs 1802A-1802N, each of which includes a respective processing module 1804A-1804N, respectively. Similarly, memory resource 1850 includes a plurality of WECs 1852A-1852N, wherein each WEC1852A-1852N includes a respective processing module 1854A-1854N, respectively.

In the system illustrated in FIG. 18, memory may be dynamically allocated to the processing modules 1804 by dynamically associating one or more memory modules 1854 with the processing modules 1804 via a wireless communication bus 1860. To dynamically allocate the memory modules 1854 to respective processing modules 1804, the system may include a controller, such as the controller 1202 shown in FIG. 12.

D. Resource borrowing

According to features described herein, a WEC may be used to enable a wireless resource borrowing environment. In particular, a wireless bus connecting multiple WECs will first be established as described above, and then the multiple WECs will share and/or borrow resources from each other using the wireless bus.

For example, fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 1900 adapted to be able to borrow resources in multiple WECs 1902, 1904, and 1906 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the exemplary wireless bus 1900 is established in real time, as will be described in detail in section vi.f below. The wireless bus 1900 is established by, for example, establishing wireless links 1912 and 1914. Other wireless links may also be established between WECs 1902, 1904, and 1906.

In one embodiment, WECs share resource information (including resource availability information) with each other using the established wireless bus. For example, one WEC may share information about its processing resources (e.g., DSP, FPGA, ASIC, analog circuitry, etc.) and storage resources (e.g., read-only memory, RAM, NVRAM, etc.) with other WECs. The WECs can then use the shared resource information to identify resources of other WECs that can borrow to perform certain tasks. Alternatively or additionally, the WEC may use a server to download resource information, which is described in detail below in section vi.f.

For example, referring to fig. 19, to assist in performing a particular task, WEC 1902 can identify processing modules 1908 and storage modules 1910 of WEC 1906 that can borrow WEC 1904. WEC 1902 may then borrow processing module 1908 and storage module 1910 using wireless links 1912 and 1914, respectively.

In one embodiment, WEC 1902 sends a borrow request to WECs 1904 and 1906 to borrow processing modules 1908 and storage modules 1910, respectively. In response, WEC 1902 will receive borrowed licenses from WECs 1904 and 1906, respectively, if processing module 1908 and storage module 1910 are available. In one embodiment, the borrowed license includes an allocated time to use the resource. WEC 1902 may then use processing module 1908 and storage module 1910 via links 1912 and 1914, respectively, as if the two modules were actually owned by themselves.

WEC 1902 may use processing module 1908 and storage module 1910 based on the allocated usage time as declared in the respective borrowed license. When WEC 1902 runs out of resources and/or when the allocated usage time for the resource is reached, WEC 1902 releases the resource to its owning WEC.

In one embodiment, resource borrowing in a wireless WEC environment can be performed according to a cost-based approach in which resource borrowing is optimized according to a cost function. The cost function may be designed to optimize resource borrowing based on any combination of one or more factors including energy consumption, processing speed, delay, interference, bit error rate, reliability, load of the lender WEC, computational power of the lender WEC, and the like.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart 2000 of a method for resource pool borrowing based on a cost function according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, process 2000 is performed at a WEC to borrow required resources from a neighboring WEC in a wireless WEC environment. In another embodiment, the controller performs the process 2000 based on a request from the WEC.

Process 2000 begins at step 2002, where step 2002 includes determining a required resource. In one embodiment, the required resources are resources that are required by the WEC to perform a particular task. The required resources may be, for example, processing resources or storage resources. In one embodiment, determining the required resource includes determining the type of resource required, the nature (e.g., size, speed, etc.) of the resource required, and the time (e.g., when, how long, etc.) the resource is required to be used.

Step 2004 includes identifying one or more neighboring WECs of the WEC that have the required resources. In one embodiment, a neighboring WEC includes a WEC that is a single hop away from the WEC (i.e., a WEC with which reliable direct communication can be performed). In another embodiment, a neighboring WEC includes all WECs within communication range of the WEC (regardless of the number of hops required for communication). In one embodiment, step 2004 includes processing resource information obtained from the neighboring WECs and/or from the server to determine the neighboring WECs that have the required resources available for the required usage time.

Step 2006 includes computing a cost function for each of the identified one or more neighboring WECs associated with borrowing a desired resource from the neighboring WEC. In one embodiment, the cost function is any combination of functions including one or more of power consumption, processing speed, delay, interference, bit error rate, reliability, load of the lender WEC, computational power of the lender WEC, and the like.

Finally, step 2008 includes selecting a WEC from the identified neighboring WECs having the smallest cost function of the cost functions calculated in step 2006; and borrow the required resources from the selected WEC.

As described above, process flow diagram 2000 illustrates a method for cost-based resource borrowing according to an embodiment of the present invention. This method is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, any variations and/or modifications which are obvious to a person skilled in the art and which are within the scope of the present invention are within the teaching of the present invention. For example, process 2000 can be modified to borrow multiple resources from one or more neighboring WECs based on cost. Thus, the cost function will optimize resource borrowing based on borrowing more than one resource from one or more WECs at the same time.

E. Wireless data center/server

According to features described herein, WEC can be used to implement various applications in a data center/server context. In particular, a wireless data center/server will be described below. The communication among the data units of the data center/server (intra-unit data), between the data units of the data center/server (inter-unit data) and between the data units of the data center/server and the substrate is wireless, i.e. the data center/server is wireless in these cases.

Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless bus 2100 enabled by a plurality of WECs 2108 and 2124 located in respective data units 2102, 2104 and 2106 of a data center/server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The various WECs 2108 and 2124 communicate wirelessly according to the various wireless communication types and methods described above. In one embodiment, each data unit includes one or more WECs that can wirelessly communicate with WECs located on other data units. Thus, wireless communication between various data units can be achieved. For example, as shown in fig. 21, WECs 2108, 2112, 2116, 2118 and 2120 establish wireless links 2126, 2128 and 2130 to enable communication between any two of the data units 2102, 2104 and 2106.

Low communication delay is required between data units in the data center/server. Thus, in an embodiment, multiple links and/or routes are established between data units in order to reduce latency and reduce the likelihood of bottlenecks in the wireless bus. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the exemplary wireless bus 2200 includes two routes between data units 2102 and 2106 to split the communication traffic onto separate routes (2126, 2130; and 2202, 2204) via WECs 2114 and 2116 of data unit 2104. In one embodiment, the exemplary wireless bus 2200 may be adapted, as described above, to establish at least one of the two routes described above, depending, for example, on the desired traffic.

Similarly, data centers/servers require low interference. Thus, in one embodiment, spatial diversity is used to separate the wireless links established between data units as spatially as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, exemplary wireless bus 2300 includes two wireless links 2202 and 2302 that are maximally spatially separated in order to reduce interference.

In another embodiment, frequency and/or polarization diversity is used to minimize interference and/or increase the communication capacity of the wireless bus. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the exemplary wireless bus 2400 includes two wireless routes (2126, 2130; and 2202, 2204) that enable communication between the data units 2102, 2104, and 2106. In addition, the routes are established such that links 2126 and 2202 are RF links with frequency diversity and links 2130 and 2204 are fiber links with polarization diversity. Thus, communication on both routes can occur simultaneously with minimal or no interference. In addition, there is no interference on intermediate WECs 2114 and 2116.

In addition to wireless communication of intra-cell data and inter-cell data, in one embodiment, communication between the data cells of the data center/server and the substrate is wireless. For example, as shown in fig. 25, the exemplary wireless bus 2500 also includes wireless links 2510 and 2512 established between WEC 2110 of the data unit 2102 and WEC 2504 of the substrate 2502, and WEC 2124 of the data unit 2106 and WEC 2508 of the substrate 2502, respectively. In one embodiment, each data unit includes at least one WEC capable of wireless communication directly with the substrate.

F. Real-time creation system

In one embodiment, the WEC is dynamically connected to a real-time system. The system may include one or more WECs used as processing resources and one or more other WECs used as storage resources, as described above with reference to fig. 18. Additionally, WECs can be dynamically added to the system (into the communication range of the system) and removed from the system (out of the communication range of the system). The WECs may be configured to store information about past links with other WECs, especially when problems occurred with previous links. To support the mobility of the system, the WECs are configured to scan their respective environments for servers (which may be WECs), upload their respective resource availability to the servers, and then download the appropriate linking functionality from the servers.

For example, FIG. 26 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary method 2600 of manufacturing an aerial system according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to fig. 26, the method 2600 begins at step 2602, where the WECs search for other WECs and/or servers at step 2602. In one embodiment, the WEC searches for all neighboring WECs. In another embodiment, the WEC searches only for WECs that are part of a single ecosystem (e.g., WECs from the same vendor).

The server in method 2600 may be a WEC, which is designed to be a server that may change over time. For example, the first WEC may be designed as a server of a real-time system during a first time period and the second WEC may be designed as a server of a real-time system during a second time period. Additionally or alternatively, the system may have more than one server. For example, a first server may support all WECs contained in a first device or all WECs contained within a first area space, and a second server may support all WECs contained in a second device or all WECs contained within a second area space.

The search of step 2602 may be performed (substantially) continuously over a predetermined time interval, during a qualification stage (e.g., initially), and/or at other times. The search may be based on any of the search techniques disclosed herein, including but not limited to according to electrically controlled phased arrays (fig. 6A), MEMS based phased arrays (fig. 6B), mechanically controlled directional antennas (fig. 6C), optical phased arrays (fig. 7A), mechanically controlled fiber optic transceivers (fig. 7B), or positioning beacons (see, e.g., section IV above).

At step 2604, the WEC uploads its resource functions to the server. For example, the WEC may upload available memory capacity and/or processing power. The WEC can also upload other information such as its location or relative location, what resources it wants to connect to, the type of communication protocol, security codes, or other information used to connect the WEC to another WEC.

At step 2608, the WEC downloads the linked resource (e.g., control logic) from the server. The linking resource links the WEC with other WECs of the real-time system. For example, the link resource may: (i) identifying a WEC contained in the real-time system; (ii) identifying a WEC to connect; (iii) define the type of link between the WEC and other WECs (see, e.g., section iv.a above); (iv) configuring functional resources of the WEC and/or the type of wireless communication between the WEC and other WECs (see, e.g., section V above); (v) updating program codes and/or an operating system of the WEC; and/or (vi) provide other information and/or functionality to connect the WEC with other WECs within the real-time system. After downloading the linked resource, the WEC is configured to link with one or more other WECs according to the linked resource.

VII. conclusion

Various embodiments of the invention may be implemented using software, firmware, hardware or a combination thereof. For example, the above-described representative signal processing functions (e.g., transmission of wireless signals, reception of wireless signals, processing of wireless signals, etc.) may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the description herein, signal processing functions may be implemented using a general purpose processor (e.g., CPU), logic (computer logic), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor, etc. Accordingly, any processor that performs the above signal processing functions is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Additionally, the signal processing functions described above may be embodied in program instructions executed by a processor or any of the hardware devices described above. The program instructions cause the processor to perform the signal processing functions described above. The program instructions (e.g., software) can be stored in a computer usable medium, a computer program medium, or any storage medium that can be accessed by a computer or processor. Such media include memory devices, RAM or ROM or other types of computer storage media such as computer disks or CD ROMs or other equivalent. Accordingly, any data storage medium having program code means for causing a processor to perform the signal processing functions described above is encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention may be implemented by software, hardware and/or operating systems other than those described above. Any software, hardware, and operating system embodiments suitable for performing the functions described above may be used.

The above embodiments describe the execution of specific functions and their interrelationships by means of functional blocks. Boundaries of such functional blocks have been specifically defined herein for purposes of illustration. Other boundaries may be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

The foregoing description of the embodiments may reveal general features of the invention so that others skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, can readily modify and/or adapt for various embodiments such specific features without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, these applications and modifications are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments as equivalent substitutes for the teachings of the present invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, as such phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The scope of the invention is not limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the claims of the invention and their equivalents.

Claims (9)

1. A method implemented in a wireless-enabled component, wherein the wireless-enabled component, at least one other wireless-enabled component, and at least one wireless link-enabled wireless bus for enabling wireless communication of the wireless-enabled component with the at least one other wireless-enabled component via the at least one wireless link, wherein the at least one other wireless-enabled component and the wireless-enabled component are located on a single chip, on different chips, on a single device, or on different devices, the method comprising:

identifying the at least one other wireless-enabled component over a first channel; determining a relative location and functional capabilities of the at least one other wireless-enabled component;

selecting a communication mechanism of a second channel to communicate with the at least one other wireless-enabled component based on the relative location and the functional capabilities of the at least one other wireless-enabled component; and

communicating with the at least one other wireless-enabled component over the second channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first channel has a smaller bandwidth than the second channel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first channel has a frequency of approximately 2.420GHz-2.421GHz, and wherein the second channel has a frequency of approximately 2.419GHz-2.428 GHz.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises:

transmitting a positioning beacon to the at least one other wireless-enabled component over the first channel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises:

receiving a positioning beacon from each of the at least one other wireless-enabled component over the first channel.

6. A wireless-enabled component, wherein the wireless-enabled component, at least one other wireless-enabled component, and at least one wireless-link-enabled wireless bus for enabling wireless communication of the wireless-enabled component with the at least one other wireless-enabled component via the at least one wireless link, wherein the at least one other wireless-enabled component and the wireless-enabled component are located on a single chip, on different chips, on a single device, or on different devices, the wireless-enabled component comprising:

a core module; and

a communication module to:

identifying the at least one other wireless-enabled component over a first channel;

determining a relative location and functional capabilities of the at least one other wireless-enabled component;

selecting a communication mechanism of a second channel to communicate with the at least one other wireless-enabled component based on the relative location and the functional capabilities of the at least one other wireless-enabled component; and

communicating with the at least one other wireless-enabled component over the second channel.

7. The wireless-enabled assembly of claim 6, wherein the core module comprises one of a processing module and a memory module.

8. A system having wireless capabilities, comprising:

a plurality of wireless-enabled components, the plurality of wireless-enabled components and at least one wireless link enabling a wireless bus for enabling wireless communication of at least one of the plurality of wireless-enabled components with at least another one of the plurality of wireless-enabled components via the at least one wireless link, wherein the at least another one wireless-enabled component is located on a single chip, on a different chip, on a single device, or on a different device than the at least one of the plurality of wireless-enabled components, each of the plurality of wireless-enabled components for transmitting and receiving over the wireless bus, respectively;

each of the plurality of wireless-enabled components comprises:

a core module; and

a communication module to:

identifying the at least another one of the plurality of wireless-enabled components through a first channel;

determining a relative location and functional capability of each of the at least another one of the plurality of wireless-enabled components;

selecting a communication mechanism of a second channel to communicate with the at least another of the plurality of wireless-enabled components based on the relative location and the functional capabilities of the at least another of the plurality of wireless-enabled components; and

communicate with the at least another one of the plurality of wireless-enabled components over the second channel;

wherein the wireless bus comprises:

the first channel identifying at least one wireless-enabled component located proximate to the at least one wireless-enabled component of the plurality of wireless-enabled components; and

the second channel is used to support communication between proximately located wireless-enabled components of the plurality of wireless-enabled components.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first channel has a smaller bandwidth than the second channel.