Wireless communications network comprising multi-hop relay stations

Abstract

A method is provided for conveying wireless communications in a radio network using OFDMA or multi-carrier technologies. The wireless network comprises a first relay station and a subscriber station that is operative to communicate with that first relay station. The first relay station is operative to simultaneously transmit to or receive communications from at least two recipients along a shared frequency channel. The two recipients are wireless network entities selected from among: the base station and a subscriber station; or another relay station and a subscriber station; or the base station and another relay station. According to an embodiment of the invention the wireless communications network further comprises a second relay station, which is operative to simultaneously transmit to or receive communications from at least two recipients along a shared frequency channel. The two recipients are wireless network entities selected from among: the first relay station and a subscriber stations, or a third relay station and a subscriber station, or the first relay station and a third relay station, wherein a third relay station is a relay station that does not exchange communications directly with either the base station nor the first relay station.

1 . A method for conveying wireless communications in a wireless communications network comprising at least one base station, at least one first relay station and a plurality of subscriber stations, and wherein said at least one first relay station is operative to simultaneously transmit communications to or receive communications from at least two recipients along a shared frequency channel and wherein said at least two recipients are wireless network entities selected from among:
 said base station and at least one subscriber station selected from among said plurality of subscriber stations; or   at least one other relay station and at least one subscriber station selected from among said plurality of subscriber stations; or   said base station and at least one other relay station.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said wireless communications network further comprises at least one second relay station, and wherein said at least one second relay station is operative to simultaneously transmit communications to or receive communications from at least two recipients along a shared frequency channel, and wherein said at least two recipients are wireless network entities selected from among:
 said at least one first relay station and at least one subscriber station selected from among said plurality of subscriber stations; or   at least one third relay station and at least one subscriber station selected from among said plurality of subscriber stations; or   said at least one first relay station and at least one third relay station,   and wherein said at least one third relay station is not operative to exchange communications directly with either one of said base station and said at least one first relay station.   
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one member of the group consisting of: said base station, said at least one first relay station and said at least one second relay station, is operative to simultaneously transmit or receive communications directed to/from different recipients by transmitting/receiving said communications along at least one sub-channel selected from among a plurality of OFDMA sub-channels or along at least one sub-carrier selected from among a plurality of sub-carriers. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one sub-channel or said at least one sub-carrier is used simultaneously by two members of the group consisting of:
 at least two subscriber stations each connected either to a different relay station or connected to a base station and a relay station, or   a relay station and said base station; or   two relay stations.   
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein transmission and reception intervals for at least one subscriber station to communicate with said base station, and for at least one other subscriber station to communicate with said first relay station, are scheduled at different time intervals. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein transmission and reception intervals for at least one subscriber station to communicate with said first relay station and for at least one other subscriber station to communicate with said second relay station, are scheduled at different time intervals. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one relay station is operative in accordance with a TDD or FDD modes of operation. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one relay station is operative during at least one interval while using two different frequency channels for simultaneously transmit or simultaneously receive communications to/from at least two wireless network entities. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one member of the group consisting of: said base station, said at least one first relay station and said at least one second relay station, is operative to simultaneously transmit or receive communications directed to/from different recipients by transmitting/receiving said communications along at least one sub-channel selected from among a plurality of OFDMA sub-channels or along at least one sub-carrier selected from among a plurality of sub-carriers.