HK1167945A - Method and system for 60 ghz distributed communication - Google Patents

Description

Method and system for 60GHZ distributed communication

Technical Field

The present invention relates to wireless communications. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for 60GHz distributed communication.

Background

In 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) specified a large contiguous block of 7GHz bandwidth for communication in the 57GHz to 64GHz spectrum. The frequency band can be used by spectrum users on an unlicensed basis, i.e., anyone can access the spectrum following certain basic, technical limitations (e.g., maximum transmission power), and certain coexistence requirements. Communications occurring in this frequency band are often referred to as "60 GHz communications". With respect to accessibility of this portion of the spectrum, 60GHz communications may be somewhat similar to other forms of unlicensed spectrum applications, such as wireless LAN or bluetooth within the 2.4GHz ISM band. However, 60GHz communication may differ significantly in aspects other than accessibility. For example, a 60GHz signal may have significantly different communication channels and propagation characteristics, at least due to the fact that 60GHz radiation is partially absorbed by oxygen in the air, resulting in higher attenuation with distance. On the other hand, since a very large bandwidth of 7GHz can be used, a very high data rate can be achieved. Applications for 60GHz communications include wireless personal area networks, wireless high definition television signals, such as from a set-top box to a display, or point-to-point connections.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

A system and/or method for 60GHz distributed communication, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to one aspect, the invention provides a method for wireless communication, the method comprising:

in a wireless communication device comprising a plurality of remote RF (radio frequency) modules:

generating an IF (intermediate frequency) signal from a baseband signal in the wireless communication device;

transmitting the generated IF signals over one or more coaxial lines to the plurality of remote RF modules within the wireless communication device;

upconverting the transmitted IF signals to RF signals at one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules; and

transmitting the RF signal through one or more antennas in the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules.

Preferably, the method further comprises tapping the IF signals in the one or more coaxial lines at taps connected to the plurality of distal RF modules.

Preferably, the method further comprises amplifying the IF signal in a power amplifier prior to transmission over the one or more coaxial lines.

Preferably, the method further comprises configuring the plurality of remote RF modules using a processor in the wireless communication device.

Preferably, the baseband signal comprises one or more of: video data, streaming internet data, and/or data from local data sources.

Preferably, the method further comprises transmitting the RF signal to a display device.

Preferably, the method further comprises transmitting control signals for the plurality of remote RF devices using the one or more coaxial lines.

Preferably, the method further comprises selecting one or more of the plurality of remote RF devices based on the direction of the transmitted RF signal to the receiving device.

Preferably, the plurality of remote RF devices comprises mixers.

Preferably, the RF signal comprises a 60GHz signal.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a system for wireless communication, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in a wireless communication device, the one or more circuits comprising a plurality of remote RF modules, wherein the one or more circuits are to:

generating, in the wireless communication device, an IF signal from a baseband signal;

transmitting the generated IF signals over one or more coaxial lines to the plurality of remote RF modules within the wireless communication device;

upconverting the transmitted IF signals to RF signals at one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules; and

transmitting the RF signal through one or more antennas in the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are for tapping IF signals in the one or more coaxial lines at taps connected to the plurality of distal RF modules.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to amplify the IF signal in a power amplifier prior to transmission over the one or more coaxial lines.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to configure the plurality of remote RF modules using a processor in the wireless communication device.

Preferably, the baseband signal comprises one or more of: video data, streaming internet data, and/or data from local data sources.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are for transmitting the RF signal to a display device.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to communicate control signals for the plurality of remote RF devices using the one or more coaxial lines. .

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to select one or more of the plurality of remote RF devices based on a direction of the transmitted RF signal to a receiving device.

Preferably, the plurality of remote RF devices comprises mixers.

Preferably, the RF signal comprises a 60GHz signal.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully described in the following description and drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a laptop computer with an exemplary 60GHz distributed communication system, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary 60GHz communication system, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary RF device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flow diagram of exemplary steps in a 60GHz distributed communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Certain aspects of the present invention will be provided in a method and system for 60GHz distributed communication. Exemplary aspects of the present invention may include generating an IF signal from a baseband signal in a wireless communication device having a wireless function. The generated IF signals may be communicated to a plurality of remote RF modules within the computing device via one or more coaxial lines. The IF signal may be up-converted to an RF signal at the one or more remote RF modules, and the RF signal may be transmitted through one or more antennas in the remote RF modules. The IF signals in the coaxial line may be tapped by taps connected to a plurality of remote RF modules. The baseband signal may include video data, internet streaming data, and/or data from a local data source. The RF signal may be transmitted to a display device. Control signals for multiple remote RF devices may be transmitted using coaxial lines. One or more of the plurality of remote RF devices may be selected based on a direction to a receiving device for the transmitted RF signal. The plurality of remote RF devices may include mixers. The RF signal may comprise a 60GHz signal.

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 1A, there is shown an access point 112b, a host device 110a, a local data source 113, a receiving device 114a, a router 130, the internet 132, and a web server 134. The host device 110A, or e.g., a computer, may include a radio station 111a, a short-range radio 111b, a host processor 111c and host memory 111d, and a plurality of antennas 120A-120E. Also shown is a wireless connection between the radio station 111a and the access point 112b, and a short-range wireless connection between the short-range radio 111b and the receiving device 114 a.

Host device 110a may comprise a computer, or set-top box device, for example, that receives signals from a data source, processes the received data, and transmits the processed data to a receiving device. Accordingly, host device 110a may include a processor (e.g., host processor 111c), a storage device (e.g., host memory 111d), and a communication device (e.g., radio station 111a and short-range radio 111 b).

The radio station 111a may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces and/or code that may enable transmission of wireless signals between the host device 110a and an external device (e.g., the access point 112 b). Accordingly, the radio station 111a may include, for example, amplifiers, mixers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, phase-locked loops, and clock sources for enabling communication of the radio signals.

The short-range radio 111b may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may enable transmission of wireless signals over short ranges. Thus, the frequency of transmission/reception can be in the 60GHz range, which can realize short-range communication because the signal is attenuated in the air at this frequency. Similarly, the short-range radio 111b may include, for example, amplifiers, mixers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, phase-locked loops, and clock sources for enabling communication of wireless signals.

The host processor 111c may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces and/or code that may be adapted to receive control and/or data information, which may include programmable parameters to determine the operating mode of the radio station 111a and the short-range radio 111 b. For example, host processor 111c may be used to select a particular frequency for the local oscillator, a particular gain for the variable gain amplifier, configure the local oscillator, and/or configure the variable gain amplifier in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the particular frequency selected, and/or the parameters required to calculate the particular frequency, and/or the particular gain value and/or the parameters used to calculate the particular gain, may be stored in host memory 111d by, for example, host processor 111 c. The information stored in the host memory 111d can be transferred from the host memory 111d to the radio station 111a and/or the short-range radio 111b via the host processor 111 c.

The host memory 111d may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces and/or code that may be capable of storing a plurality of control and/or data information, including parameters required to calculate frequency and or gain, and or the frequency value and/or gain value. The host memory 111d may store at least a portion of the programmable parameters that may be manipulated by the host processor 111 c.

The access point 112b may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and or code that may be capable of providing wireless signals to one or more devices within its range. Access point 112b may connect to router 130, thereby enabling connection to the internet for devices in communication with access point 112 b.

The local data source 113 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may enable the transfer of data to the host device 110 a. For example, the local data sources may include a DVD player, and MP3 player, and/or a set-top box.

The receiving device 114A may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be capable of receiving data transmitted by the host device 110a via the short-range radio 110 b. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the receiving device 114A may comprise an HDTV (high definition television) for displaying HD video signals and playing associated audio signals.

The antennas 120A-120E may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and or code that may be operable to transmit and or receive wireless signals. For example, antenna 120A may be used to transmit and receive wireless signals between access point 112B and radio station 111a, and antennas 120B-120E may be used to transmit signals between short-range radio 111B and one or more external devices (e.g., receiving device 114A).

The router 130 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may enable communication of signals between the access point 112b and the internet. In this manner, devices within range of access point 112b may connect to the internet.

Network server 134 may include a remote server configured to store content accessible by host device 110a via internet 132. For example, the network server 134 may comprise a movie provider server and may be used to transmit a desired movie over the internet to the host device 110a for display by the receiving device 114A.

Often, computing and communication devices may include hardware and software to communicate using a variety of wireless communication standards. The radio station 111a may comply with, for example, a mobile communication standard. There may be a case where the radio station 111a and the short-range radio 111b are simultaneously active. For example, it would be desirable for a user of a computer or host device 110a to access the internet 132 in order to consume streaming media content from a network server 134. Accordingly, the user may establish a wireless connection between host device 110a and access point 112 b. Once the connection is established, streaming media content from network server 134 may be received through router 130, access point 112b, and the wireless connection, and consumed by computer or host device 110 a.

The user of host device 110a may also desire to transfer streaming media content to receiving device 114a (which may include, for example, a TV or other type of display). Thus, the user of the host device 110a may establish a short-range wireless connection with the receiving device 114 a. Once the short-range wireless connection is established and the appropriate configuration on the computer is enabled, the streaming media content may be displayed by the receiving device. In cases where such advanced communication systems are integrated or provided within host device 110a, Radio Frequency (RF) generation may support fast slicing to enable support of multiple communication standards and/or advanced bandwidth systems, such as ultra-wideband (UWB) radios. Other applications for short-range communication may be wireless high definition TV (W-HDTV), e.g. from a set-top box to a video display. W-HDTV requires very good data rates, which can be achieved with large bandwidth communication technologies, such as UWB and/or 60-GHz communication.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the local data source 113 may be used to provide data to be displayed by the receiving device 114 through the host device 110 a. The local data source may comprise, for example, a DVD player or a digital video recorder. The local data source may communicate with host device 110a either directly with host device 110a or through access point 112b, either through a wired connection or through a wireless connection.

In embodiments of the present invention, short-range radio 111b may include multiple antennas 120b-120E and an up-conversion device throughout host device 110a for transmitting high-frequency RF signals. Short-range radio 111b may include a baseband and an IF stage with a single high-power PA, which may carry IF signals on a thin coaxial line. The tap may be configured to couple the IF signal from the coaxial line to an up-conversion device before the IF signal is to be transmitted to the plurality of antennas. In this manner, the IF signal may be amplified by a single PA and then upconverted, e.g., to 60GHz, for transmission over the multiple antennas 120A-120E without requiring multiple PAs with excessive power requirements. The present invention is not limited to the number of antennas shown in fig. 1A. Thus, any number of antennas may be integrated in host device 110a depending on space constraints and desired RF transmission directivity.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a laptop computer with exemplary 60GHz distributed communication, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1B, a laptop computer including a display 121, a keyboard 123, and a plurality of antennas 120A-120M is shown.

The antennas 120A-120M may be substantially similar to the antennas 120A-120E described in connection with fig. 1A and may include antennas connected to a plurality of remote RF devices throughout the laptop 150. In this manner, one or more antenna configurations may be enabled, depending on the location of the receiving device (e.g., receiving device 114A), and that antenna configuration results in optimization of maximum signal strength, minimum bit error rate, maximum data throughput, minimum delay, and/or any other desired wireless communication performance.

Antennas 120A-120M may be coupled to remote RF devices throughout laptop 150. The remote RF device may receive the IF signals from the baseband and IF modules through the thin coaxial line, as described with respect to fig. 2, and may be used to up-convert the received IF signals to RF signals. In this manner, lower frequency signals may be transmitted throughout the laptop 150 to the antenna that results in the desired signal quality. This may enable a single high power PA stage that amplifies the IF signal, which is then up-converted to RF in a far-end RF module.

In operation, a short-range wireless communication channel may be enabled between the laptop 150 and the receiving device 114A. Multiple antenna configurations may be evaluated for desired performance characteristics, such as signal strength, bit error rate, data throughput, and/or delay. A remote RF device configuration with the resulting desired performance may then be enabled to receive the IF signals from the centrally located baseband and IF modules via the coaxial lines and upconvert the converted signals to RF before transmission via the appropriate antennas 120A-120M. In this manner, short-range communication may be achieved for one or more devices regardless of their location in proximity to laptop 150.

Further, the frequency of the transmitted signal may be different for different enabled antennas 120A-120M, thereby allowing multiple signals to be transmitted simultaneously. In this manner, multiple IF signals may be communicated over the coaxial line to multiple remote RF devices, which may up-convert the IF signals to different RF frequencies, or sub-bands, for transmission. These sub-bands may be reused in different geographical locations to mitigate the effects of co-channel interference. For example, if a location has RF interference in one sub-band, other frequencies may be used. Accordingly, the laptop 150 may store the frequency of the interferer or other interfering signal based on the laptop's location (e.g., as determined by GPS).

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary 60GHz communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2, there is shown a baseband and IF module 201, RF devices 203A-203H, taps 205A-205H, and thin coaxial line 207.

The baseband and IF module 201 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and or code that may be operable to generate an IF signal comprising baseband data. The baseband and IF module 201 may include, for example, one or more processors (e.g., baseband processors), memory, and frequency conversion devices. The one or more processors in baseband and IF module 201 may be any suitable processor or controller, such as a CPU, DSP, ARM, or any type of integrated circuit processor, and may be used to update and/or change programmable parameters and/or values of various components, devices, and/or processing elements in baseband and IF module 201. At least a portion of the programmable parameters may be stored in a memory, such as host memory 111d, or a dedicated memory in baseband and IF module 201.

The RF devices 203A-203H may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces and or code that may be operable to convert received IF signals to RF frequencies and transmit RF signals via one or more antennas. The RF devices 203A-203H may be remotely configured throughout a wireless communication device (e.g., host device 110a described with reference to fig. 1) such that 60GHz signals may be transmitted from multiple directions depending on the intended location of the receiving device. By incorporating frequency up-conversion functionality in the RF devices 203A-203H, the IF signals may be carried from the single high power PA of the baseband and IF module 201 through the thin coaxial line 207.

The taps 205A-205H may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be used to couple a portion of the IF signal transmitted over the thin coaxial line 207 to the associated RF devices 203A-203H. In this manner, the taps may be configured to couple signals when it is desired to transmit RF signals through one or more of the RF devices 203A-203H.

The thin coaxial line 207 may comprise, for example, coaxial conductors separated by a dielectric material, and may be used to transmit IF signals through a device, such as the host device 110 a. In another embodiment of the present invention, the thin coaxial wire 207 may be used to provide DC power to various devices (e.g., RF devices 203A-203H) within the host device 110 a.

In operation, the baseband and IF module 201 may process baseband signals for transmission by the RF devices 203A-203H. The baseband signal may be upconverted to IF and amplified by the PA before being transmitted through the thin coax wire 207, which thin coax wire 207 may distribute the IF signal throughout the device (e.g., host device 110 a). One or more of the taps 205A-205H may tap a portion of the transmitted IF signal to the associated RF device 203A-203H. The RF devices 203A-203H may upconvert the tapped IF signals to an RF frequency, such as 60GHz, before transmission through one or more antennas in the RF devices 203A-203H. In this way, no RF power amplifier is needed in each RF device 203A-203H, and the RF power amplifiers will require more power than IF a single PA (e.g., PA201A) is used in the IF stage of the IF module 201.

In addition to the IF signals to be upconverted and transmitted, the thin coaxial wire 207 may carry low frequency control signals to the RF devices 203A-203H and the taps 205A-205H. The control signals may be used to configure which of the taps 205A-205H is activated to tap a portion of the IF signal for transmission by the appropriate RF device 202A-203H. In addition, the control signals may be used to configure the up-conversion performed in the RF devices 203A-203H. In this way, only those RF devices 203A-203H having antennas in the proper direction for the desired receiving device may be activated, thereby reducing power requirements.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary RF device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 3, a tap 305, a coaxial line 307, and an RF device 300 comprising a mixer 301, a plurality of antennas 303A-303D, and a high pass filter 307 are shown. Antennas 303A-303E may be used to transmit and/or receive RF signals. The tap 305 and the coaxial wire 307 may be substantially similar to the taps 205A-205H and the coaxial wire 207 described with respect to fig. 2.

The mixer 301 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to frequency shift a received input signal. For example, mixer 301 may receive an IF input signal and generate an RF output signal. Mixer 301 may also receive as an input LO signal for up-converting the received IF signal to an RF frequency.

The high pass filter 309 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to attenuate low frequency signals (defined as signals below a configurable corner frequency) and allow frequencies above the corner frequency to pass. For example, IF the sum and difference signals are generated by mixer 301 based on the LO signal and the received IF signal, high pass filter 309 may only allow high frequency RF signals to pass through and pass to antennas 303A-303E.

In operation, control signals in coaxial line 307 may configure tap 305 to tap a portion of the IF signal transmitted through coaxial line 307 and transmit it to mixer 301. The LO signal may be used to up-convert the IF signal to RF frequency and the high pass filter 309 may filter out all signals other than the desired signal at frequencies above the configurable corner frequency of the high pass filter 309. The filtered RF signals may then be transmitted to one or more of the antennas 303A-303E. The control signal may also be used to configure the frequency of the LO signal, and thus the frequency of the RF signal to be transmitted.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of exemplary steps in a 60GHz distributed communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 4, after start step 401, the baseband and IF module generates an IF signal using baseband processed data to be transmitted in step 403. In step 405, the generated IF signal is transmitted through the thin coaxial line. In step 407, the IF signal may be tapped off by one or more taps and upconverted to RF. In step 409, the RF signal may be transmitted by one or more antennas, followed by ending step 411.

In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system may include generating an IF signal from a baseband signal in a wireless communication device 110a having wireless functionality. The generated IF signals may be transmitted to a plurality of remote RF modules 203A-203H, 309 within the communication device 110a via one or more coaxial lines 207, 307. The remote RF modules 203A-203H, 309 may be configured by the processor 111c in the wireless communication device 110 a. The IF signals may be upconverted to RF signals in one or more of the remote RF modules 203A-203H, 309, and the RF signals may be transmitted through one or more antennas 303 in the remote RF modules 203A-203H, 309. The IF signal may be amplified by a power amplifier before being transmitted through the coaxial line. The IF signals in the coaxial lines 207, 307 may be tapped by taps 205A-205H, 305 connected to a plurality of remote RF modules 203A-203H, 309. The baseband signal may include video data, streaming internet data, and/or data from the local data source 113. The RF signal may be transmitted to the display device 114A. Control signals for the multiple distal RF devices 203A-203H, 309 may be transmitted using the coaxial lines 207, 307. One or more of the plurality of remote RF devices 203A-203H, 309 may be selected based on the direction of the transmitted RF signal to the receiving device 114A. The plurality of remote RF devices 203A-203H, 309 may include mixers. The RF signal may comprise a 60GHz signal.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium having stored thereon at least one code segment executable by a machine and or a computer, whereby the machine and or computer executes a machine code and/or a computer program for 60GHz distributed communication, as steps described herein, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a non-transitory computer and/or computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or non-transitory machine and/or computer readable medium and/or storage medium, storing machine code and/or a computer program comprising at least one code section for execution by a machine and/or computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the above-described steps for 60GHz distributed communication.

One embodiment of the invention may be implemented as a board-level product, such as a single chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a single chip, with the other parts of the system being separate components. The degree of system integration will be determined primarily by speed and cost considerations. Due to the complexity of present day processors, it is possible to use commercially available processors, which may be implemented external to the ASIC implementation of embodiments of the present invention. Alternatively, if the processor is available as an ASIC core or logic block, a commercially available processor can be implemented as part of an ASIC device having various functions implemented as firmware.

The present invention may also be implemented by a computer program product, comprising all the features enabling the implementation of the methods of the invention, when loaded in a computer system. The computer program in this document refers to: any expression, in any programming language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to other languages, decoding or notation; b) reproduced in a different format. However, other meanings of computer programs within the understanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated by the present invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCLUDING BY REFERENCE

The present application cites:

U.S. patent application ____ filed on even date herewith (attorney docket No. 23446US 01);

U.S. patent application ____ filed on even date herewith (attorney docket No. 23448US 01);

U.S. patent application ____ (attorney docket No. 23449US01), filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application ____ (attorney docket No. 23450US01), filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application ____ filed on even date herewith (attorney docket No. 23451US 01); and

U.S. patent application ____ (attorney docket No. 23452US01), filed on even date herewith.

Each of the above applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims (10)

1. A method for wireless communication, the method comprising:

in a wireless communication device comprising a plurality of remote RF modules:

generating, in the wireless communication device, an IF signal from a baseband signal;

transmitting the generated IF signals over one or more coaxial lines to the plurality of remote RF modules within the wireless communication device;

upconverting the transmitted IF signals to RF signals at one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules; and

transmitting the RF signal through one or more antennas in the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising tapping the IF signals in the one or more coaxial lines at taps connected to the plurality of distal RF modules.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising amplifying the IF signal in a power amplifier prior to transmission over the one or more coaxial lines.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the plurality of remote RF modules using a processor in the wireless communication device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the baseband signal comprises one or more of: video data, streaming internet data, and/or data from local data sources.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the RF signal to a display device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting control signals for the plurality of remote RF devices using the one or more coaxial lines.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting one or more of the plurality of remote RF devices based on a direction of the transmitted RF signal to a receiving device.

9. A system for wireless communication, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in a wireless communication device, the one or more circuits comprising a plurality of remote RF modules, wherein the one or more circuits are to:

generating, in the wireless communication device, an IF signal from a baseband signal;

transmitting the generated IF signals over one or more coaxial lines to the plurality of remote RF modules within the wireless communication device;

upconverting the transmitted IF signals to RF signals at one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules; and

transmitting the RF signal through one or more antennas in the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits are configured to tap IF signals in said one or more coaxial lines at taps connected to said plurality of distal RF modules.