Method and apparatus for cooperative communications between groups of communication units using a time reversed channel response

Abstract

Enhanced reception in a communication system is achieved by applying a time domain generated time-reversed channel response to signals transmitted from a group of transmitter to a group of receivers. The time-reversed channel response is generated from a radio frequency channel response derived from signals previously received from the group of receivers, but reversed in the time domain. The time-reversed channel response is convolved with an information signal that when transmitted in a coordinated fashion from the group of transmitters, the signals arrive at each receiver in the group of distant receiving communication devices at approximately the same time where the signals coherently combine, thereby increasing signal power at the receivers. This permits detection at a greater range or with a lower bit error rate. In addition, the many-to-many configuration enables signal power from each transmitter to be focused temporarily and spatially on each receiver.