CA2133111C - Method and apparatus for a radio remote repeater in a digital cellular radio communication system - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for a radio remote repeater in a digital cellular radio communication system Download PDFInfo
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- CA2133111C CA2133111C CA002133111A CA2133111A CA2133111C CA 2133111 C CA2133111 C CA 2133111C CA 002133111 A CA002133111 A CA 002133111A CA 2133111 A CA2133111 A CA 2133111A CA 2133111 C CA2133111 C CA 2133111C
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W16/00—Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
- H04W16/24—Cell structures
- H04W16/26—Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/24—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts
- H04B7/26—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts at least one of which is mobile
- H04B7/2603—Arrangements for wireless physical layer control
- H04B7/2606—Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
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- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
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Abstract
A digital cellular radio communication system having a remote repeater is provided. The communication system includes a central communication site (106) which transmits and receives signals in a first radio channel assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan, transmits signals to and receives signals from a cellular communication network unit, and digitally processes received signals for subsequent transmission in the first radio channel or to the cellular communication network unit. The communication system further includes a remote communication site (124), substantially remotely located from the central communication site (108), which receives a signal in either the first radio channel or a second radio channel assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan, shifts the received signal between the first and the second ra-dio channels, and transmits the shifted signal in the other of the first and the second radio channels.
Description
~' \~ 9~3/20b64 z ~ ~ Pf.T1US93/0253~
~r~rwo~ ~rV~ ~PP~~~TUS Fog ~ ~A~ro ~~Ir~ro°rh R~~~~T~R r~ ~ ~rorT~~ cElrr_ur~~~ s~~~r~' co~r~r~r~'c~~°ro~ ~Y~T~~r I°i~Id of the Inv~ntion The present inv~ntion r~alates to cellular radio ~mmunication systems and, more pa~icularty, to a method and apparatus for using radio remate rap~ater m~chanisms in a digital c~Iluiar radio ~mmunication system.
Background of the Invention ~ 5 Cellular radio communication systems typically include a number of central communication base sites. each central communication site has a service area coverage for servicing mobile communication units within the service area. The service areas typically are arranged such that adjacent remote bas~ sit~ service coverage ar~as overlap in a manner that provides a substantially continuous service region. The substantially continuous s~rvice region provides uninterrupted service by handing off mobile communication units from on~ base site serving a service area to an adjacent base site serving another service area.
Communication between the central communication sites and mobile communication units typically occurs on a pair of frequency channels (i.e., transmit and receive frequenaes) assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan. Upon activation, a mobile communication unit searches a radio fn3quency spectrum for control signal transmissions from a local central communication site.
The control signal transmissions from the local communication site are found in a radio frequency broadcast control channel (BCCH). The BCCH contains specific information needed by the mobile communication unit in order to format and code radio communication system access requests to the local central communication site. The Group Special Mobile (GSM) Pan-European cellular communication system, as specified in GSM n~commendations by Motorola available from the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI), is an example of a system using such a format including the BCCH.
On the BCCH many control transmissions are transmitted including timing information, a local central communication site ID for the central communication site which is transmitting the information, format information for specifying the format of transmit access requests, and may further include in some environments information identifying frequencies on which to transmit such access requests. In addition, the formatting information may further identify the communication system as a time division multiple access (TDMA) system and may identify a time slot in which to transmit an access request.
The mobile communication unit upon detecting and decoding information received on a BCCH subsequently transmits an access request to a local central communication site. The local central communication site, upon receiving the access request from the mobile communication unit subsequently responds by transmitting a signal directed to the mobile communication unit which identifies a resource which it can use for communication with the local central communication site.
To limit noise in cellular communication systems due to communication between other mobile communication units in other nearby service areas serviced by other central communication sites as well as increase the capacity of the cellular communication system, reuse of the available, but limited number of communication resources is done within a service region of the cellular communication system. To ensure that the reuse of communication resources does not cause unacceptable noise in the communication channel, central communication sites which are allocated the same communication resources are geographically separated. By having sufficient geographic separation, the noise in the communication channel is limited. However, the geographic separation needs to ensure an adequate signal to noise ratio (negligible noise in the communication channel) limits the capacity of the communication system because not all of the available communication resources may be used in each service area.
To enhance the efficiency of communication resource reuse and to improve capacity of the cellular communication system, service areas of central communication sites can be divided into sectors, wherein each sector a percentage of the available communication resources, (i.e., communication channels). By having the service area divided into sectors, the required geographic separation may be reduced while maintaining an adequate signal to noise ratio. For example, U.S. Patent Number 4,128,740, assigned to Motorola, Inc. discloses a four cell (service area) - six sector communication resource reuse pattern. As disclosed, each cell is divided into six sectors and each sector contains approximately 1/24th of the available communication resources. For every four cell sites, the communication resource pattern is repeated.
This communication resource reuse pattern may be further reduced to a 1 cell site reuse pattern as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,355,367 which was issued on October 11, 1994 and also assigned to Motorola, Inc. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art many other reuse patterns exist for use in cellular communication systems including but not limited to 3, 7, 21, 49, 63, 91 site reuse patterns.
After allocating a communication resource for use by the mobile communication unit, the local central communication site typically allocates a transceiver typically located at the local central communication site to service any subsequent communication with the mobile communication unit on the assigned communication channel resource. The transceiver of the central communication site will subsequently route the communications of the mobile communication unit to a target communication unit. The target communication unit maybe either another mobile communication unit within the same 4 - PC1'1US93/0253~:
_4_ servsce area, a mobile communication unit in another service ar~a, or a subscriber on the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
hligh density cellular communication systems with sufficient spectrum can serve a large number of users in an urban environment by using microcells which service a small geographic area. However, in lower user density like rural or suburban areas, higher signal propagation losses and high infrastructure costs severely limit the economic viability of such communication systems. Since providing service coverage to rural, suburban and urban environments alike is crucial in establishing a complete cellular service, the need for a less costly means of deploying a cellular communication system is large.
Another consideration is chat due to increasing competition for frequency spectrum, the service Overage areas of central communication sites may have to be reduced to allow for frequency reuse in a relatively close proximity. Reducing the service coverage area of a central communication site, on the other hand, increases the number of cantle! communication sites necessary to cover a given.
geographic area. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the cost of the individual central communication sites equipment so that the overall cost of the cellular corr~munication system can be r~duced.
Summary of the Invention The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned communication system cost problems by effectively trading radio frequency spectrum, which is typically abundant in low communication traffic density areas, for a less expensive way to serve a larger geographic area. in addition, the present invention can be used in microcellular applications as a substitute for wireline connections between cell site controllers provided sufficient radio spectrum is available. The present invention provides a digital cellular radio communication system having a remote repeater and a central ~mmunication site. The central communication site transmits and receives signals in a first radio channel assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan, transmits signals to and receives signals from a cellular communication network unit, and digitally processes received signals for subsequent transmission in the ~~33~1~.
. .O 93/20664 PCT/US93/02535 first radio channel or to the cellular communication network unit. The remote repeater (i.e., remote communication sit~), which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site, receives a signal in either the first radio channel or a second radio channel assigned aocorcling to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan, channel shifts the received signal betw~en the first and the second radio channels, and transmits the shifted signal in the other of the first and the second radio channels.
As a result of this configuration of the ~mmunication system, the hardware and software needs of the remote communication sites are less than the central communication sites because the remote communication site does not need to have a mechanism for communicating with the cellular communication network unit or a mechanism for digitally processing received signals. Therefor~, the monetary cost of a the remote communication sites is reduced and as such the overall cost of the communication system can be recJuced by using these less expensive r~mote communication sites in conjunction with central communication sites in low communication traffic density areas.
brief Description of the Drawings FIGs. 1-1, 1-2 are diagrams showing preferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication systems.
FI(~s. 2-1, 2-2 are diagrams showing preferred embodiment central communication sites.
FIGS. 3-1, 3-2 are diagrams showing preferred embodiment remote communication sites.
FIGS. ~-1, 4-2 show flowcharts of how a signal travels from a cellular communication network unit to a mobile communication unit in each tareferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication system.
Flfas. 5-1, 5-2 show flowcharts of how a signal travels from a mobile communication unit to a cellular communication network unit in each preferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication system.
Detailed Description WO 93/20664 PCT1US9310253~<;.
311. _s_ Referring now to FIG. 1-1, a preferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication system 100 having r~mote repeaters 102 is , shown. The communication system 100 includes at least one central communication site 104. The central communication site 104 contains an antenna tower 106 and a site equipm~nt storage .unit 108. As shown in FIG. 2-1, the site equipment storage unit 108 preferably includes a transceiver mechanism 110; communication unit 114, and a processor apparatus 112.
The transceiver mechanism 110 is op~rably connected to the antenna tower 106 to which an antenna 116 is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 110 can transmit and receive signals in a first radio channel through antenna 116. Antenna 116 may be an omn6-directional antenna, sectorized antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the best type of antennae varies depending on the particular installation environments. In the preferred embodiment antenna 116 is ~n omni-directional antenna. In addition, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that a radio channel refers to a pair of charmei bands used for a communication link by two communication devices. For the following discussion this pair of channel bands will be designated from the perspective of the central communication s'tte 104. More precisely, the portion of the first radio channel used for transmitting messages to the central communication site 104 will be designated as the inbound portion of the first channel. Similarly, the portion of the first radio channel used for transmitting messages from the central communication site 104 will be designated as the outbound portion of the first channel.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first radio channel may be any one of several types of radio channels including, but not limited to, code division channels (e.g., direct sequence and frequency hopping spread spectrum channels), time division channels (e.g., GSf~ll-based channels), and frequency division channels. For simplicity, the remainder of the detailed description will be described using frequency divided channels. The preferred embodiment transceiver mechanism 110 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel.
~~.3~111 ..O 931206(4 i'CT/US93/02535 _7_ The communication unit 114 preferably is operably connected to a cellular communication network unit 120 such that the unit 120 can transmit signals to and receive signals from the network unit 120. The communication network unit 114 may be a base communication site controller, another central communication site or a communication system switch (e.g., PSThI switch).
Processor apparatus 112 is operatively coupled to the transceiver mechanism 110 and the communication unit 114 such that the processor 112 can digitally process a signal received by either the transceiver 110 or the communication unit 114 and subsequently provide the processed signal to the device which did not send the signal to the processor 192 (i.e., either the transceiver 110 or the communication unit 914).
The communication system 100 also includes at least one remote communication site 102 which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104. The remote communication s'tte 102 contains an antenna tower 122 and a site equipment storage unit 124. As shown in FIG. 3-1, the site equipment storage unit 124 preferably includes a first transceiver mechanism 126, a channel shifting device 126, and a second transceiver mechanism 130.
The first transceiver mechanism 126 is operably connected to the antenna tower 122 to which an antenna 132 is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 126 can transmit and receive signals in the first radio channel through antenna 132. ~4ntenna 132, like antenna 916, may be an omni-directions! antenna, sec.°torized antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment antenna 132 is a narrow beam antenna configured such that a signal transmitted from antenna 132 will appear to the central communication Site 104 to be from a mobile communication unit 136 within cell 1 and configured such that a signal transmitted by antenna 116 can be received at remote communication site 902. The use of the narrow beam (i.e., directional antenna) on an antenna tower 922 will typically result in a high quality radio link (possible even line of sight) befinreen the central 104 and the remote 102 communication sites. The preferred embodiment first transceiver mechanism 126 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel.
WO 931206~A~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US93/0253~.,": ~e The second transceiver mechanism 130 is operably connected to the antenna tower 122 to which an antenna 134 is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 130 can transmit and receive signals in .
a second radio channel through antenna 134. Antenna 134, like antenna 116, may be an omni-directional antenna, sectorized antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment antenna 134 is an omni-directional antenna configured such that a signal transmitted from antenna 134 can be received by a mobile communication unit 138 within cell 2 and configured such that a signal transmitted by mobile communication unit 138 can be received at remote communication site 102. In addition, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that the second radio channel, like the first radio channel, has a pair of channel bands designated from the perspective of the remote communication site 102. More precisely, the ~ 5 portion of the second radio channel used for transmitting messages to the remote communication site 102 will be designated as the inbound portion of the second channel. ~imilarty, the portion of the second radio channel used for transmitting messages from the remote communication site 102 will be designated as the outbound portion of the second channel. Also, like the first radio channel, the discussion will focus on frequency divided channels even though other types of radio channels may be used without departed from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The preferred embodiment second transceiver mechanism 130 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the second radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the functionality of transceivers 126 and 130 could be incorporated into a single transceiver mechanism. similarly, function performed by antenna 132 and 134 could be provided by a single antenna. These two possible combinations of elements in remote communication site 102 could be readily implemented if TDMA or CDM~1 type radio channels werre used such that two or more time slots of a time frame or two or more code divided channels i0 a wide band signal burst could be transmitted or received by a single set of devices.
The channel shifting device 128 shifts the received signal between the first and the second radio channels. The channel shifting , .~JO 93/20664 PCT/US93/U2535 _g_ device 128 shifts a r~ceived signal in the inbound portion of th~ second radio channel to the inbound portion of the first radio channel. Likewise, the channel shifting d~vice 128 shifts a r~ceiv~d signal in th~ outbound portion of the first radio channel to the outbound portion of the second radio channel. The channel shifting d~vice 128 may also include an automatic gain control circuitry for adjusting the gain of the received signal to a predetermined power level. This gain control circuitry would insure that a signal transmitted by the first and/or the second transceiver mechanism 12fi, 130 would have adequate signal power. Thus, when mobile communication unit 138 is near the remote communication site 704, th~ transmitted signal pow~r could be attenuated. In addition, when mobile communication unit 138 is far from the remote ~mmunication site 104, the t~nsmitted signal power could tie increased.
tt will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that substantial cost savings in the cellular communication system infrastructure can be achieved through the use of th~se pref~rr~d embodiment rerrsote communication sites 102. This cost savings is due in part to the elimination of processor 112 and ~mmunication unit 114 as well as the associated connections to a c~Ilular communication network unit 120.
The communication system 100 also includes mobile communication unit 136 or 138 which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104 and substantially remotely located from the remote communication site 102. 'The mobile communication unit 138,138 contains transceiver mechanism. The transceiver mechanism preferably is operably configured transmit and receive signals in the first and the second radio channels. The preferred embodiment mobile unit transceiver mechanism preferably is capable of receiving a signal in the outbound portion of either the first or the second radio channels, determining in which radio channels the signal was received, and transmifiting a signal in the inbound portion of the determined radio channel. Thus, the mobile transceiver can directly communicate with the first transceiver 110 of the central communication site 104 and the second 130 transceiver of the remote communication site 102.
~r~rwo~ ~rV~ ~PP~~~TUS Fog ~ ~A~ro ~~Ir~ro°rh R~~~~T~R r~ ~ ~rorT~~ cElrr_ur~~~ s~~~r~' co~r~r~r~'c~~°ro~ ~Y~T~~r I°i~Id of the Inv~ntion The present inv~ntion r~alates to cellular radio ~mmunication systems and, more pa~icularty, to a method and apparatus for using radio remate rap~ater m~chanisms in a digital c~Iluiar radio ~mmunication system.
Background of the Invention ~ 5 Cellular radio communication systems typically include a number of central communication base sites. each central communication site has a service area coverage for servicing mobile communication units within the service area. The service areas typically are arranged such that adjacent remote bas~ sit~ service coverage ar~as overlap in a manner that provides a substantially continuous service region. The substantially continuous s~rvice region provides uninterrupted service by handing off mobile communication units from on~ base site serving a service area to an adjacent base site serving another service area.
Communication between the central communication sites and mobile communication units typically occurs on a pair of frequency channels (i.e., transmit and receive frequenaes) assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan. Upon activation, a mobile communication unit searches a radio fn3quency spectrum for control signal transmissions from a local central communication site.
The control signal transmissions from the local communication site are found in a radio frequency broadcast control channel (BCCH). The BCCH contains specific information needed by the mobile communication unit in order to format and code radio communication system access requests to the local central communication site. The Group Special Mobile (GSM) Pan-European cellular communication system, as specified in GSM n~commendations by Motorola available from the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI), is an example of a system using such a format including the BCCH.
On the BCCH many control transmissions are transmitted including timing information, a local central communication site ID for the central communication site which is transmitting the information, format information for specifying the format of transmit access requests, and may further include in some environments information identifying frequencies on which to transmit such access requests. In addition, the formatting information may further identify the communication system as a time division multiple access (TDMA) system and may identify a time slot in which to transmit an access request.
The mobile communication unit upon detecting and decoding information received on a BCCH subsequently transmits an access request to a local central communication site. The local central communication site, upon receiving the access request from the mobile communication unit subsequently responds by transmitting a signal directed to the mobile communication unit which identifies a resource which it can use for communication with the local central communication site.
To limit noise in cellular communication systems due to communication between other mobile communication units in other nearby service areas serviced by other central communication sites as well as increase the capacity of the cellular communication system, reuse of the available, but limited number of communication resources is done within a service region of the cellular communication system. To ensure that the reuse of communication resources does not cause unacceptable noise in the communication channel, central communication sites which are allocated the same communication resources are geographically separated. By having sufficient geographic separation, the noise in the communication channel is limited. However, the geographic separation needs to ensure an adequate signal to noise ratio (negligible noise in the communication channel) limits the capacity of the communication system because not all of the available communication resources may be used in each service area.
To enhance the efficiency of communication resource reuse and to improve capacity of the cellular communication system, service areas of central communication sites can be divided into sectors, wherein each sector a percentage of the available communication resources, (i.e., communication channels). By having the service area divided into sectors, the required geographic separation may be reduced while maintaining an adequate signal to noise ratio. For example, U.S. Patent Number 4,128,740, assigned to Motorola, Inc. discloses a four cell (service area) - six sector communication resource reuse pattern. As disclosed, each cell is divided into six sectors and each sector contains approximately 1/24th of the available communication resources. For every four cell sites, the communication resource pattern is repeated.
This communication resource reuse pattern may be further reduced to a 1 cell site reuse pattern as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,355,367 which was issued on October 11, 1994 and also assigned to Motorola, Inc. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art many other reuse patterns exist for use in cellular communication systems including but not limited to 3, 7, 21, 49, 63, 91 site reuse patterns.
After allocating a communication resource for use by the mobile communication unit, the local central communication site typically allocates a transceiver typically located at the local central communication site to service any subsequent communication with the mobile communication unit on the assigned communication channel resource. The transceiver of the central communication site will subsequently route the communications of the mobile communication unit to a target communication unit. The target communication unit maybe either another mobile communication unit within the same 4 - PC1'1US93/0253~:
_4_ servsce area, a mobile communication unit in another service ar~a, or a subscriber on the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
hligh density cellular communication systems with sufficient spectrum can serve a large number of users in an urban environment by using microcells which service a small geographic area. However, in lower user density like rural or suburban areas, higher signal propagation losses and high infrastructure costs severely limit the economic viability of such communication systems. Since providing service coverage to rural, suburban and urban environments alike is crucial in establishing a complete cellular service, the need for a less costly means of deploying a cellular communication system is large.
Another consideration is chat due to increasing competition for frequency spectrum, the service Overage areas of central communication sites may have to be reduced to allow for frequency reuse in a relatively close proximity. Reducing the service coverage area of a central communication site, on the other hand, increases the number of cantle! communication sites necessary to cover a given.
geographic area. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the cost of the individual central communication sites equipment so that the overall cost of the cellular corr~munication system can be r~duced.
Summary of the Invention The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned communication system cost problems by effectively trading radio frequency spectrum, which is typically abundant in low communication traffic density areas, for a less expensive way to serve a larger geographic area. in addition, the present invention can be used in microcellular applications as a substitute for wireline connections between cell site controllers provided sufficient radio spectrum is available. The present invention provides a digital cellular radio communication system having a remote repeater and a central ~mmunication site. The central communication site transmits and receives signals in a first radio channel assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan, transmits signals to and receives signals from a cellular communication network unit, and digitally processes received signals for subsequent transmission in the ~~33~1~.
. .O 93/20664 PCT/US93/02535 first radio channel or to the cellular communication network unit. The remote repeater (i.e., remote communication sit~), which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site, receives a signal in either the first radio channel or a second radio channel assigned aocorcling to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan, channel shifts the received signal betw~en the first and the second radio channels, and transmits the shifted signal in the other of the first and the second radio channels.
As a result of this configuration of the ~mmunication system, the hardware and software needs of the remote communication sites are less than the central communication sites because the remote communication site does not need to have a mechanism for communicating with the cellular communication network unit or a mechanism for digitally processing received signals. Therefor~, the monetary cost of a the remote communication sites is reduced and as such the overall cost of the communication system can be recJuced by using these less expensive r~mote communication sites in conjunction with central communication sites in low communication traffic density areas.
brief Description of the Drawings FIGs. 1-1, 1-2 are diagrams showing preferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication systems.
FI(~s. 2-1, 2-2 are diagrams showing preferred embodiment central communication sites.
FIGS. 3-1, 3-2 are diagrams showing preferred embodiment remote communication sites.
FIGS. ~-1, 4-2 show flowcharts of how a signal travels from a cellular communication network unit to a mobile communication unit in each tareferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication system.
Flfas. 5-1, 5-2 show flowcharts of how a signal travels from a mobile communication unit to a cellular communication network unit in each preferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication system.
Detailed Description WO 93/20664 PCT1US9310253~<;.
311. _s_ Referring now to FIG. 1-1, a preferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication system 100 having r~mote repeaters 102 is , shown. The communication system 100 includes at least one central communication site 104. The central communication site 104 contains an antenna tower 106 and a site equipm~nt storage .unit 108. As shown in FIG. 2-1, the site equipment storage unit 108 preferably includes a transceiver mechanism 110; communication unit 114, and a processor apparatus 112.
The transceiver mechanism 110 is op~rably connected to the antenna tower 106 to which an antenna 116 is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 110 can transmit and receive signals in a first radio channel through antenna 116. Antenna 116 may be an omn6-directional antenna, sectorized antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the best type of antennae varies depending on the particular installation environments. In the preferred embodiment antenna 116 is ~n omni-directional antenna. In addition, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that a radio channel refers to a pair of charmei bands used for a communication link by two communication devices. For the following discussion this pair of channel bands will be designated from the perspective of the central communication s'tte 104. More precisely, the portion of the first radio channel used for transmitting messages to the central communication site 104 will be designated as the inbound portion of the first channel. Similarly, the portion of the first radio channel used for transmitting messages from the central communication site 104 will be designated as the outbound portion of the first channel.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first radio channel may be any one of several types of radio channels including, but not limited to, code division channels (e.g., direct sequence and frequency hopping spread spectrum channels), time division channels (e.g., GSf~ll-based channels), and frequency division channels. For simplicity, the remainder of the detailed description will be described using frequency divided channels. The preferred embodiment transceiver mechanism 110 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel.
~~.3~111 ..O 931206(4 i'CT/US93/02535 _7_ The communication unit 114 preferably is operably connected to a cellular communication network unit 120 such that the unit 120 can transmit signals to and receive signals from the network unit 120. The communication network unit 114 may be a base communication site controller, another central communication site or a communication system switch (e.g., PSThI switch).
Processor apparatus 112 is operatively coupled to the transceiver mechanism 110 and the communication unit 114 such that the processor 112 can digitally process a signal received by either the transceiver 110 or the communication unit 114 and subsequently provide the processed signal to the device which did not send the signal to the processor 192 (i.e., either the transceiver 110 or the communication unit 914).
The communication system 100 also includes at least one remote communication site 102 which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104. The remote communication s'tte 102 contains an antenna tower 122 and a site equipment storage unit 124. As shown in FIG. 3-1, the site equipment storage unit 124 preferably includes a first transceiver mechanism 126, a channel shifting device 126, and a second transceiver mechanism 130.
The first transceiver mechanism 126 is operably connected to the antenna tower 122 to which an antenna 132 is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 126 can transmit and receive signals in the first radio channel through antenna 132. ~4ntenna 132, like antenna 916, may be an omni-directions! antenna, sec.°torized antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment antenna 132 is a narrow beam antenna configured such that a signal transmitted from antenna 132 will appear to the central communication Site 104 to be from a mobile communication unit 136 within cell 1 and configured such that a signal transmitted by antenna 116 can be received at remote communication site 902. The use of the narrow beam (i.e., directional antenna) on an antenna tower 922 will typically result in a high quality radio link (possible even line of sight) befinreen the central 104 and the remote 102 communication sites. The preferred embodiment first transceiver mechanism 126 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel.
WO 931206~A~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US93/0253~.,": ~e The second transceiver mechanism 130 is operably connected to the antenna tower 122 to which an antenna 134 is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 130 can transmit and receive signals in .
a second radio channel through antenna 134. Antenna 134, like antenna 116, may be an omni-directional antenna, sectorized antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment antenna 134 is an omni-directional antenna configured such that a signal transmitted from antenna 134 can be received by a mobile communication unit 138 within cell 2 and configured such that a signal transmitted by mobile communication unit 138 can be received at remote communication site 102. In addition, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that the second radio channel, like the first radio channel, has a pair of channel bands designated from the perspective of the remote communication site 102. More precisely, the ~ 5 portion of the second radio channel used for transmitting messages to the remote communication site 102 will be designated as the inbound portion of the second channel. ~imilarty, the portion of the second radio channel used for transmitting messages from the remote communication site 102 will be designated as the outbound portion of the second channel. Also, like the first radio channel, the discussion will focus on frequency divided channels even though other types of radio channels may be used without departed from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The preferred embodiment second transceiver mechanism 130 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the second radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the functionality of transceivers 126 and 130 could be incorporated into a single transceiver mechanism. similarly, function performed by antenna 132 and 134 could be provided by a single antenna. These two possible combinations of elements in remote communication site 102 could be readily implemented if TDMA or CDM~1 type radio channels werre used such that two or more time slots of a time frame or two or more code divided channels i0 a wide band signal burst could be transmitted or received by a single set of devices.
The channel shifting device 128 shifts the received signal between the first and the second radio channels. The channel shifting , .~JO 93/20664 PCT/US93/U2535 _g_ device 128 shifts a r~ceived signal in the inbound portion of th~ second radio channel to the inbound portion of the first radio channel. Likewise, the channel shifting d~vice 128 shifts a r~ceiv~d signal in th~ outbound portion of the first radio channel to the outbound portion of the second radio channel. The channel shifting d~vice 128 may also include an automatic gain control circuitry for adjusting the gain of the received signal to a predetermined power level. This gain control circuitry would insure that a signal transmitted by the first and/or the second transceiver mechanism 12fi, 130 would have adequate signal power. Thus, when mobile communication unit 138 is near the remote communication site 704, th~ transmitted signal pow~r could be attenuated. In addition, when mobile communication unit 138 is far from the remote ~mmunication site 104, the t~nsmitted signal power could tie increased.
tt will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that substantial cost savings in the cellular communication system infrastructure can be achieved through the use of th~se pref~rr~d embodiment rerrsote communication sites 102. This cost savings is due in part to the elimination of processor 112 and ~mmunication unit 114 as well as the associated connections to a c~Ilular communication network unit 120.
The communication system 100 also includes mobile communication unit 136 or 138 which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104 and substantially remotely located from the remote communication site 102. 'The mobile communication unit 138,138 contains transceiver mechanism. The transceiver mechanism preferably is operably configured transmit and receive signals in the first and the second radio channels. The preferred embodiment mobile unit transceiver mechanism preferably is capable of receiving a signal in the outbound portion of either the first or the second radio channels, determining in which radio channels the signal was received, and transmifiting a signal in the inbound portion of the determined radio channel. Thus, the mobile transceiver can directly communicate with the first transceiver 110 of the central communication site 104 and the second 130 transceiver of the remote communication site 102.
6 ~ PCT1US93/0253w:: ~
3~~,.1 _, o_ ~1 One particularly important aspect of using remote communication sites (e.g., site '102) which frequency shift and repeat a signal transmitted by a central communication site (e.g., site 104) is , communication channel reuse.
The specific first and second radio channels preferably are assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan based upon a channel reuse pattern (e.g., 3-site, 4-site, 7-sits, 21-site, 49-s'tte, 63-site or 91-site channel reuse patterns). Depending on the particular channel reuse plan used, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel may be substantially similar to the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel. Also, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel may be substantially different from the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel.
Each central communication site 104 can be configured to extend communication traffic control to remote communication sites in each of the surrounding cells (i.e., cell 2-c~11 ~). D~pending upon the particular channel reuse plan used, the ravio channel assigned to the first radio channel (associated with the central communication s~~ 104) may be substantially similar to or different from the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel (associated with the remote communication site 102) and may be substantially similar to or different from the radio channel assigned to the other second radio channels (associated with the other remote communication sites found in cells 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 which are also served by the central communication site 104).
For example, each served remote site may operate with respect to a second radio charnel which is assigned acxording to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially different from the first radio channel and is substantially different from the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication site.
Further, each served remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned acxording to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially different from the first radio channel and is substantially similar to the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication site.
Furthermore, each remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular ~~.3~111 vJ0 93/20664 ~ PC'~'1US93/02535 communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially similar to the first radio channel and is substantially similar t~ the second radio channel assigned to each other r~mot~ communication site.
Finally, each remote site may operate with r~spect to a s~cond radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially similar to the first radio channel and is substantially different from the second radio channel assigned'to each other remote communication site.
By way of example, FIG. 4-1 shows flowchart describing how a signal preferably travels from the cellular communication network unit 120 to mabile communication unit 138. The process begins 200 at a cellular communication network unit 120 when a signal is sent to a central communication site 104. The central ~mmunication site 104 receives 202 the signal from the cellular communication network unit 120. The central communication site 102 digitally processes 204 the received signal. In addition, a first radio channel is assignee! 206 wording to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan to the central communication site 104. This first radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. The central communication site 104 transmits 208 the processed signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel. Subsequently, a remote communication site 102, which is substantially remotely Docated from the central ~mmunication site 104, receives 210 the transmitted signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel. In addition, a second radio channel is assigned 212 according to the cellular cr~mmunication system channel reuse plan to the remote communication site 102. This second radio channel also has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. Subsequently, the received signal is channel shifted 214 from the first radio channel to the second radio channel at the remote communication site 102. The gain of the shifted signal is adjusted 215 to a predetermined power level. Then, the remote communication site 102 transmits 216 the shifted signal in the outbound portion of the second radio channel.
Finally, the shifted signal is received 218 in the outbound portion of the second radio channel at a mobile communication unit 138 which ends 220 the process.
By way of example, FIG. 5-1 shows flowchart describing how a signal preferably travels from mobile communication unit 138 to the WO 93/206 PC'I'1US93/0~535v: .. '°
133~.~.1 cellular communication network unit 120. The process begins 230 at a mobile communication unit 138. A first radio channel is assigned 232 acxording to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan to a .
central communication site 104. The first radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. A second radio channel is assigned 234 according to the cetiular communication system channel reuse plan to a remote communication site 102 which is substantially r~motely located from the ce~rai communication site 104. The send radio channel has inbound and outbound radio charmei portions. The mobile communication unit 138 transmits 236 a signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel. The remote communication site 102 receives 238 the signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel. Subsequently, the received signs! is channel shifted 240 from the second radio channel to the first radio channel at the remote communication site 102. The gain of the shifted signal is adjusted 242 to a predetermined power level. Then, the remote communication site 102 transmits 244 the shifted signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel. The central communication site 104 receives 246 the transmitted signal in the inbound portion of the fsrst radio channel. The received signal is digitally processed 248 at the central ~mmunication site 104. Finally, the processed signs! is transmitted 250 from the central communication site 104 to a cellular communication network unit 120 which ends 252 the process.
referring now to FICa. 1-2, an alternative preferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication system 100 having remote repeaters 102 is shown. The communication system 100 includes at least one central communication site 104. The ~ntra! communication site 104 contains an antenna tower 106 and a site equipment storage unit 108. As shown in Flfa. 2~2, the site equipment storage unit 108 preferably includes a transceiver mechanism 110, transceiver mechanism 111, communication unit 114, and a processor apparatus 112.
The transceiver mechanism 110 is operably connected to the antenna tower 106 to which an antenna 118 is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 110 can transmit and receive signals in a first radio channel through antenna 118. Antenna 118 may be an omni directional antenna, sectorized antenna array, or a narrow beam ~JO 93/20664 _ ~ i 3 3 ~.1 ~ p~'/US93/0253;
-13_ antenna. It will be appr~aated by thos~ skilled in the art that the best type of antennae varies depending on the particular installation environments. In the preferred embodiment antenna 1 i8 is an omni-directionat antenna. In adelition, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that a radio charmei refers to a pair of channel bands used for a communication link by two communication devices. For the following discussion this pair of channel bands will be designated from the perspective of the central communication site 1 ~. llAore precisely, the portion of the first radio channel used for transmitting messages to ~ 0 the central communication site 1046 will be designated as the inbound portion of the first channel. Similarly, the portion of the first radio channel used for transmitting messages from the central communication site 1114 will be designated as the outbound portion of the fir;~t channel.
tt will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first radio channel may be any one of several types of radio channels including, but not limited to, code division channels (e.g., direct sRquence and frequency hopping spread spectrum channels), time division channels ~e.g., CSM-based channels), and frequency division channels. For simplicity, the r~mainder of the detailed description will b~ described using frequency divided channels. The preferred embodiment transceiver mechanism 110 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel.
The transceiver mechanism 111 (hereinafter cross-transceiver 111) is operabiy connected to the antenna tower 1~6 to which an antenna 116 is preferably mounted so that the cross-transceiver 111 can transmit and receive signals in a second radio channel through antenna 116. Antenna 116 may be an omni-directional antenna, sectoriZed antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment antenna 116 is an omni-dir~ctional antenna. In addition, the portion of the second radio channel used for transmitting messages to the central communication site 1~4 will be designated as the inbound portion of the second channel. Similarly, the portion of the seoand radio channel used for transmitting messages from the central communication site 104 will be designated as the outbound portion of the second channel. The preferred embodiment cross-transceiver mechanism 111 pr~ferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the inbound portion of WO 93/206b4 PCTlUS93/0253~: :;:;~~~
. ~.:a:3 ~ ~.1 _, ~_ the first radio channel and is capable of riving a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel.
The use of two omni-directional ant~nna on an antenna tower 106 will typically result in som~ mutual interfer~nce. Thus, th~ two antenna 116, 118 must be mounted on the ant~nna tow~r 106 at cliff~ring heights and additional filt~ring in th~ transceivers 110, 111 may be needed to achi~ve a high quality radio links.
The communication unit 11~ preferably is operably connected to a cellular communication network unit 120 such that th~ unit 120 can transmit signals to and r~c~ive signals from the network unit 120. The ~mmunication n~twork unit 114 may be a base communication site control)er, another c~ntral communication site or a communication system switch (e.g., PST~I swi~,ch).
Processor apparatus 112 is op~rativgly coup)~d to the transceiver mechanism 110, the cross-transc~iver mechanism 111 and the~communication unit 114 such that th~ processor 112 can digitally process a signal received by either the transc~iver 110, the cross-.
transc~iver 111, or the communication unit 1i4 and subsequ~ntly provide the process~d signal to one of th~ devic~s which did not s~nd the signal to the processor 112 (i.e., eith~r the transc~iver 110, cross-transceiver 111, or the communication unit 114).
The communication system 100 also includes at least one remote communication site 102 which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104. The r~mot~ communication site 102 contains an antenna tower 122 .and a site equipment storage unit 124. As shown in I=ICa. 3-2, the site equipm~nt storage unit 124 preferably includes a first transc~iver mechanism i26, a channel shifting d~vice i28, and a s~cond transc~iver mechanism 130.
The first transceiver mechanism 7 26 is operably connected to the antenna tower 122 to which an antenna 132 is pr~ferably mounted so that the transc~iver 126 can transmit and receive signals in the first radio channel through antenna 132. Ant~nna 132, like antenna 116, may b~ an omni-directional antenna, sectorized antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment ant~nna 132 is an omni-directional antenna configunad such that a signal transmitted from antenna 132 will appear to the centre! communication site 104 to be from another central communication unit within cell 1 and configured PAC I'/US93/02S3a 'rv0 93!20664 such that a signal transmitted by antenna 116 can be received at remote communication site 102. The preferred embodiment first transceiver m~chanism 126 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel.
The second transce'rvar mechanism 130 is oparabiy connected to the antenna tower 122 to which an antenna 1 ~ is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 130 can transmit and receive signals in a second radio channel through antenna 134. Antenna 134, like antenna 116, may ba an omni-directional antenna, sectoriz~d antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment antenna 134 is an omni-directional antenna configur~d such that a signal transmitted from antenna 134 can be received by a mobile communication unit 138 within cell 2 and configured such that a signal transmitted by mobile communication unit 138 can ba received at remote communication site 102. The pr~farr~d embodiment second transceiver mechanism 130 pr~ferably is c;apabia of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the second radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel.
Tha use of two omni-directional antenna 132, 134 on an antenna tower 122 will typically result in some mutual interference.
Thus, the two antenna 132, 134 must ba mounted on the antenna tower 122 at differing heights and additional filtering in the transceivers 126,130 may ba needed to achieve a high quality radio links.
It will ba appreciated by those skilled in the art that the functionality of transceivers 126 and 130 could be incorporated into a single transceiver mechanism. Similarly, function performed by antenna 132 and 134 could be provided by a single antenna. Theca two possible combinations of elements in remote communication site 102 could ba readily implemented if TDMA or CDMA type radio channels were used such that two or more time slots of a time frame or two or more code divided channels in a wide band signal burst could be transmitted or received by a single sat of devices.
The channel shifting device 128 shifts the received signal between the first and the second radio channels. The channel shifting device 128 shifts a received signal in the inbound portion of the first WO 93/20664 P~:T/U~93J0253a ~jY
-i 6-radio channel to the outbound portion of the send radio channel.
Likewise, the channel shifting device 128 shifts a received signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel to the outbound portion of the first radio channel. The channel shifting device 128 may also indude .an automatic gain control drcuitry for adjusting the gain of the received signal to a predetermined power level. This gain control circuitry would insure that a signal transmitted by the first and/or the second transceiver mechanism 1.26, 130 would have adequate signal power. Thus, when mobile communication unit 738 is near the remote communication site 104, the transmitted signal power could be attenuated. in addition, when mobile communication unit 138 is far from the remote communication site 104, the transmitted signal power could be increased.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that substantial cost savings in the cellular communication system infrastructure can be achieved through the use of these preferred embodim~:~t remote communication sites 102. This gist savings is due in part to the elimination of processor 112 and communication unit 11~ as well as the associated connections to a cellular ~mmunication network unit 120.
The communication system 100 also indudes mobile communication unit 136 or 138 which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104 and substantially remotely located from the remote communication site 102. The mobile communication unit 136,138 contains transceiver mechanism. The transceiver mechanism pr~ferably is operabiy ~nfigur~d transmit and r~ceive signals in the first and the second radio channels. The pr~ferred embodiment mobile unit transceiver mechanism preferably is capable of receiving a signal in the outbound portion of either the first or the second radio channels, determining in which radio channels the signal was received, and transmitting a signal in the inbound portion of the determined radio channel. Thus, the mobile transceiver can directly communicate with the first transceiver 110 of the central communication site 104 and the first 126 and the second 130 transceiver of the remote communication site 102.
One particularly important aspect of using remote communication sites (e.g., site 102) which frequency shift and repeat a signal ~133.~1.~
WO 93/20664 PCT/U~93/0253;
_17_ transmitted by a central communication site (e.g., site 104) is communication channel revs~<
the speafic first and second radio channels preferably are assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan based upon a channel reuse pattern (e.g., 3-sit~, 4-site, 7-site, 21-site, 49-site, 63-site or 91-site channel reuse patterns). Depending on the particular channel reuse plan used, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel may be substantially similar to the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel. Also, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel may be substantially different from the radio channel assigned to the send radio channel.
Each central communication sit~ 104 can be configured to extend cammunication traffic ~ntrol to remote communication sites in each of the surrounding cells (i.e., cell 2-III 7). D~pending upon the particular channel reuse plan used, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel (associated with the central communication site 104) may be substantially similar to or different from the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel (associated with the remote communication site 102) and may be substantially similar to or different from the radio channel assigned to the other send radio channels (associated with the other remote communication sites found in cells 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 which are also served by the central communication site 104).
For example, each s~rved remot~ site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is suhstantially different from the first radio channel arx~l is substantially different from the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication site.
Further, each sereed remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially different from the first radio channel and is substantially similar to the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication sits.
Furthermore, each remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially similar to iV0 93/20664 PCT/U593/0253~~ v-,, the first radio channel and is substantially similar to the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication site.
Finally, each remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned a~rding to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially similar to the first radio channel and is substantially different from the second radio channel assigned to each other r~mot~ communication site.
~y way of example, FIG. 4-2 shows flowchart describing how a signal preferably travels from the cellular communication network unit 120 to mobile communication unit 138. The process begins 200 at a cellular communication network unit 120 when a signal is sent to a central communication site 104. The central communication site i04 receives 202 the signal from the cellular communication nat,worfc unit 120. The central communication site 102 digitally procasse~s 204 the received signal: In addition, a first radio channel is assigned 206 according to a ceii~.°lar communication system channel reuse plan to the central communication site 104. This first radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. Tha central ~mmunication site 104 transmits 208' the processed signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel. Subsequently, a remote communication site 102, which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104, receives 210' the transmitted signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel. in addition, a sat~nd radio channel is assigned 212 according to the cellular ~mmunic~~tion system channel reuse plan to the remote communication site 102. This second radio channel also has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. Subsequently, the received signal is channel shifted 21~ from the first radio channel to the second radio channel at the remote communication site 102. The gain of the shifted signal is adjusted 218 to a predetermined power level. Then, the remote communication site 102 transmits 216 the shifted signal in the outbound portion of the second radio channel.
Finally, the shifted signal is received 218 in the outbound portion of the second radio channel at a mobile communication unit 138 which ends 220 the process.
By way of example, FIG. 5-2 shows flowchart describing how a signal preferably travels from mobile communication unit '938 to the cellular communication network unit 120. The process begins 230 at a ~1~3~.1~.
WO 93/20664 ~ PCTlUS93102535 _19_ mobile communication unit 138. A first radio channel is assigned 232 aoconding to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan to a central communication site 104. The first radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. A second radio channel is assigned 234 according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan to a remote communication site 102 which is substa~tiaNy remotely located from the central communication site 104. The saaond radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. The mobile communication unit 138 transmits 236 a signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel. The remote communication site 102 receives 238 the signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel. Subsequently, the received signal is channel shifted 240 from the second radio channel to the first radio channel at the remote communication site 102. The gain of the shifted signal is adjusted 242 to a predetermined power level. Then, the remote communication site 102 transmits 244' the shifted signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel. The central communication site 104 receives 246' the transmitted signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel. The received signal is digitally processed 248 at the central communication site 104. Finally, the processed signal is transmitted 250 from the central communication site 104 to a celtular communication network unit 120 which ends 252 the process.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of embodiments has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the arrangement and combination of parts as well as steps may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of embodiments has bean made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the arrangement and combination of parts as well as steps may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
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;. ~. ~.,w::~., . ~:v.v. , :.~:v .v . ~
<~r. ,. . .w w ~, .
...R ,1.7~
3~~,.1 _, o_ ~1 One particularly important aspect of using remote communication sites (e.g., site '102) which frequency shift and repeat a signal transmitted by a central communication site (e.g., site 104) is , communication channel reuse.
The specific first and second radio channels preferably are assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan based upon a channel reuse pattern (e.g., 3-site, 4-site, 7-sits, 21-site, 49-s'tte, 63-site or 91-site channel reuse patterns). Depending on the particular channel reuse plan used, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel may be substantially similar to the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel. Also, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel may be substantially different from the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel.
Each central communication site 104 can be configured to extend communication traffic control to remote communication sites in each of the surrounding cells (i.e., cell 2-c~11 ~). D~pending upon the particular channel reuse plan used, the ravio channel assigned to the first radio channel (associated with the central communication s~~ 104) may be substantially similar to or different from the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel (associated with the remote communication site 102) and may be substantially similar to or different from the radio channel assigned to the other second radio channels (associated with the other remote communication sites found in cells 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 which are also served by the central communication site 104).
For example, each served remote site may operate with respect to a second radio charnel which is assigned acxording to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially different from the first radio channel and is substantially different from the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication site.
Further, each served remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned acxording to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially different from the first radio channel and is substantially similar to the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication site.
Furthermore, each remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular ~~.3~111 vJ0 93/20664 ~ PC'~'1US93/02535 communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially similar to the first radio channel and is substantially similar t~ the second radio channel assigned to each other r~mot~ communication site.
Finally, each remote site may operate with r~spect to a s~cond radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially similar to the first radio channel and is substantially different from the second radio channel assigned'to each other remote communication site.
By way of example, FIG. 4-1 shows flowchart describing how a signal preferably travels from the cellular communication network unit 120 to mabile communication unit 138. The process begins 200 at a cellular communication network unit 120 when a signal is sent to a central communication site 104. The central ~mmunication site 104 receives 202 the signal from the cellular communication network unit 120. The central communication site 102 digitally processes 204 the received signal. In addition, a first radio channel is assignee! 206 wording to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan to the central communication site 104. This first radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. The central communication site 104 transmits 208 the processed signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel. Subsequently, a remote communication site 102, which is substantially remotely Docated from the central ~mmunication site 104, receives 210 the transmitted signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel. In addition, a second radio channel is assigned 212 according to the cellular cr~mmunication system channel reuse plan to the remote communication site 102. This second radio channel also has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. Subsequently, the received signal is channel shifted 214 from the first radio channel to the second radio channel at the remote communication site 102. The gain of the shifted signal is adjusted 215 to a predetermined power level. Then, the remote communication site 102 transmits 216 the shifted signal in the outbound portion of the second radio channel.
Finally, the shifted signal is received 218 in the outbound portion of the second radio channel at a mobile communication unit 138 which ends 220 the process.
By way of example, FIG. 5-1 shows flowchart describing how a signal preferably travels from mobile communication unit 138 to the WO 93/206 PC'I'1US93/0~535v: .. '°
133~.~.1 cellular communication network unit 120. The process begins 230 at a mobile communication unit 138. A first radio channel is assigned 232 acxording to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan to a .
central communication site 104. The first radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. A second radio channel is assigned 234 according to the cetiular communication system channel reuse plan to a remote communication site 102 which is substantially r~motely located from the ce~rai communication site 104. The send radio channel has inbound and outbound radio charmei portions. The mobile communication unit 138 transmits 236 a signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel. The remote communication site 102 receives 238 the signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel. Subsequently, the received signs! is channel shifted 240 from the second radio channel to the first radio channel at the remote communication site 102. The gain of the shifted signal is adjusted 242 to a predetermined power level. Then, the remote communication site 102 transmits 244 the shifted signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel. The central communication site 104 receives 246 the transmitted signal in the inbound portion of the fsrst radio channel. The received signal is digitally processed 248 at the central ~mmunication site 104. Finally, the processed signs! is transmitted 250 from the central communication site 104 to a cellular communication network unit 120 which ends 252 the process.
referring now to FICa. 1-2, an alternative preferred embodiment digital cellular radio communication system 100 having remote repeaters 102 is shown. The communication system 100 includes at least one central communication site 104. The ~ntra! communication site 104 contains an antenna tower 106 and a site equipment storage unit 108. As shown in Flfa. 2~2, the site equipment storage unit 108 preferably includes a transceiver mechanism 110, transceiver mechanism 111, communication unit 114, and a processor apparatus 112.
The transceiver mechanism 110 is operably connected to the antenna tower 106 to which an antenna 118 is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 110 can transmit and receive signals in a first radio channel through antenna 118. Antenna 118 may be an omni directional antenna, sectorized antenna array, or a narrow beam ~JO 93/20664 _ ~ i 3 3 ~.1 ~ p~'/US93/0253;
-13_ antenna. It will be appr~aated by thos~ skilled in the art that the best type of antennae varies depending on the particular installation environments. In the preferred embodiment antenna 1 i8 is an omni-directionat antenna. In adelition, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that a radio charmei refers to a pair of channel bands used for a communication link by two communication devices. For the following discussion this pair of channel bands will be designated from the perspective of the central communication site 1 ~. llAore precisely, the portion of the first radio channel used for transmitting messages to ~ 0 the central communication site 1046 will be designated as the inbound portion of the first channel. Similarly, the portion of the first radio channel used for transmitting messages from the central communication site 1114 will be designated as the outbound portion of the fir;~t channel.
tt will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first radio channel may be any one of several types of radio channels including, but not limited to, code division channels (e.g., direct sRquence and frequency hopping spread spectrum channels), time division channels ~e.g., CSM-based channels), and frequency division channels. For simplicity, the r~mainder of the detailed description will b~ described using frequency divided channels. The preferred embodiment transceiver mechanism 110 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel.
The transceiver mechanism 111 (hereinafter cross-transceiver 111) is operabiy connected to the antenna tower 1~6 to which an antenna 116 is preferably mounted so that the cross-transceiver 111 can transmit and receive signals in a second radio channel through antenna 116. Antenna 116 may be an omni-directional antenna, sectoriZed antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment antenna 116 is an omni-dir~ctional antenna. In addition, the portion of the second radio channel used for transmitting messages to the central communication site 1~4 will be designated as the inbound portion of the second channel. Similarly, the portion of the seoand radio channel used for transmitting messages from the central communication site 104 will be designated as the outbound portion of the second channel. The preferred embodiment cross-transceiver mechanism 111 pr~ferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the inbound portion of WO 93/206b4 PCTlUS93/0253~: :;:;~~~
. ~.:a:3 ~ ~.1 _, ~_ the first radio channel and is capable of riving a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel.
The use of two omni-directional ant~nna on an antenna tower 106 will typically result in som~ mutual interfer~nce. Thus, th~ two antenna 116, 118 must be mounted on the ant~nna tow~r 106 at cliff~ring heights and additional filt~ring in th~ transceivers 110, 111 may be needed to achi~ve a high quality radio links.
The communication unit 11~ preferably is operably connected to a cellular communication network unit 120 such that th~ unit 120 can transmit signals to and r~c~ive signals from the network unit 120. The ~mmunication n~twork unit 114 may be a base communication site control)er, another c~ntral communication site or a communication system switch (e.g., PST~I swi~,ch).
Processor apparatus 112 is op~rativgly coup)~d to the transceiver mechanism 110, the cross-transc~iver mechanism 111 and the~communication unit 114 such that th~ processor 112 can digitally process a signal received by either the transc~iver 110, the cross-.
transc~iver 111, or the communication unit 1i4 and subsequ~ntly provide the process~d signal to one of th~ devic~s which did not s~nd the signal to the processor 112 (i.e., eith~r the transc~iver 110, cross-transceiver 111, or the communication unit 114).
The communication system 100 also includes at least one remote communication site 102 which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104. The r~mot~ communication site 102 contains an antenna tower 122 .and a site equipment storage unit 124. As shown in I=ICa. 3-2, the site equipm~nt storage unit 124 preferably includes a first transc~iver mechanism i26, a channel shifting d~vice i28, and a s~cond transc~iver mechanism 130.
The first transceiver mechanism 7 26 is operably connected to the antenna tower 122 to which an antenna 132 is pr~ferably mounted so that the transc~iver 126 can transmit and receive signals in the first radio channel through antenna 132. Ant~nna 132, like antenna 116, may b~ an omni-directional antenna, sectorized antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment ant~nna 132 is an omni-directional antenna configunad such that a signal transmitted from antenna 132 will appear to the centre! communication site 104 to be from another central communication unit within cell 1 and configured PAC I'/US93/02S3a 'rv0 93!20664 such that a signal transmitted by antenna 116 can be received at remote communication site 102. The preferred embodiment first transceiver m~chanism 126 preferably is capable of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel.
The second transce'rvar mechanism 130 is oparabiy connected to the antenna tower 122 to which an antenna 1 ~ is preferably mounted so that the transceiver 130 can transmit and receive signals in a second radio channel through antenna 134. Antenna 134, like antenna 116, may ba an omni-directional antenna, sectoriz~d antenna array, or a narrow beam antenna. In the preferred embodiment antenna 134 is an omni-directional antenna configur~d such that a signal transmitted from antenna 134 can be received by a mobile communication unit 138 within cell 2 and configured such that a signal transmitted by mobile communication unit 138 can ba received at remote communication site 102. The pr~farr~d embodiment second transceiver mechanism 130 pr~ferably is c;apabia of transmitting a signal in the outbound portion of the second radio channel and is capable of receiving a signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel.
Tha use of two omni-directional antenna 132, 134 on an antenna tower 122 will typically result in some mutual interference.
Thus, the two antenna 132, 134 must ba mounted on the antenna tower 122 at differing heights and additional filtering in the transceivers 126,130 may ba needed to achieve a high quality radio links.
It will ba appreciated by those skilled in the art that the functionality of transceivers 126 and 130 could be incorporated into a single transceiver mechanism. Similarly, function performed by antenna 132 and 134 could be provided by a single antenna. Theca two possible combinations of elements in remote communication site 102 could ba readily implemented if TDMA or CDMA type radio channels were used such that two or more time slots of a time frame or two or more code divided channels in a wide band signal burst could be transmitted or received by a single sat of devices.
The channel shifting device 128 shifts the received signal between the first and the second radio channels. The channel shifting device 128 shifts a received signal in the inbound portion of the first WO 93/20664 P~:T/U~93J0253a ~jY
-i 6-radio channel to the outbound portion of the send radio channel.
Likewise, the channel shifting device 128 shifts a received signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel to the outbound portion of the first radio channel. The channel shifting device 128 may also indude .an automatic gain control drcuitry for adjusting the gain of the received signal to a predetermined power level. This gain control circuitry would insure that a signal transmitted by the first and/or the second transceiver mechanism 1.26, 130 would have adequate signal power. Thus, when mobile communication unit 738 is near the remote communication site 104, the transmitted signal power could be attenuated. in addition, when mobile communication unit 138 is far from the remote communication site 104, the transmitted signal power could be increased.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that substantial cost savings in the cellular communication system infrastructure can be achieved through the use of these preferred embodim~:~t remote communication sites 102. This gist savings is due in part to the elimination of processor 112 and communication unit 11~ as well as the associated connections to a cellular ~mmunication network unit 120.
The communication system 100 also indudes mobile communication unit 136 or 138 which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104 and substantially remotely located from the remote communication site 102. The mobile communication unit 136,138 contains transceiver mechanism. The transceiver mechanism pr~ferably is operabiy ~nfigur~d transmit and r~ceive signals in the first and the second radio channels. The pr~ferred embodiment mobile unit transceiver mechanism preferably is capable of receiving a signal in the outbound portion of either the first or the second radio channels, determining in which radio channels the signal was received, and transmitting a signal in the inbound portion of the determined radio channel. Thus, the mobile transceiver can directly communicate with the first transceiver 110 of the central communication site 104 and the first 126 and the second 130 transceiver of the remote communication site 102.
One particularly important aspect of using remote communication sites (e.g., site 102) which frequency shift and repeat a signal ~133.~1.~
WO 93/20664 PCT/U~93/0253;
_17_ transmitted by a central communication site (e.g., site 104) is communication channel revs~<
the speafic first and second radio channels preferably are assigned according to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan based upon a channel reuse pattern (e.g., 3-sit~, 4-site, 7-site, 21-site, 49-site, 63-site or 91-site channel reuse patterns). Depending on the particular channel reuse plan used, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel may be substantially similar to the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel. Also, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel may be substantially different from the radio channel assigned to the send radio channel.
Each central communication sit~ 104 can be configured to extend cammunication traffic ~ntrol to remote communication sites in each of the surrounding cells (i.e., cell 2-III 7). D~pending upon the particular channel reuse plan used, the radio channel assigned to the first radio channel (associated with the central communication site 104) may be substantially similar to or different from the radio channel assigned to the second radio channel (associated with the remote communication site 102) and may be substantially similar to or different from the radio channel assigned to the other send radio channels (associated with the other remote communication sites found in cells 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 which are also served by the central communication site 104).
For example, each s~rved remot~ site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is suhstantially different from the first radio channel arx~l is substantially different from the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication site.
Further, each sereed remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially different from the first radio channel and is substantially similar to the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication sits.
Furthermore, each remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially similar to iV0 93/20664 PCT/U593/0253~~ v-,, the first radio channel and is substantially similar to the second radio channel assigned to each other remote communication site.
Finally, each remote site may operate with respect to a second radio channel which is assigned a~rding to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan and is substantially similar to the first radio channel and is substantially different from the second radio channel assigned to each other r~mot~ communication site.
~y way of example, FIG. 4-2 shows flowchart describing how a signal preferably travels from the cellular communication network unit 120 to mobile communication unit 138. The process begins 200 at a cellular communication network unit 120 when a signal is sent to a central communication site 104. The central communication site i04 receives 202 the signal from the cellular communication nat,worfc unit 120. The central communication site 102 digitally procasse~s 204 the received signal: In addition, a first radio channel is assigned 206 according to a ceii~.°lar communication system channel reuse plan to the central communication site 104. This first radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. Tha central ~mmunication site 104 transmits 208' the processed signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel. Subsequently, a remote communication site 102, which is substantially remotely located from the central communication site 104, receives 210' the transmitted signal in the inbound portion of the first radio channel. in addition, a sat~nd radio channel is assigned 212 according to the cellular ~mmunic~~tion system channel reuse plan to the remote communication site 102. This second radio channel also has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. Subsequently, the received signal is channel shifted 21~ from the first radio channel to the second radio channel at the remote communication site 102. The gain of the shifted signal is adjusted 218 to a predetermined power level. Then, the remote communication site 102 transmits 216 the shifted signal in the outbound portion of the second radio channel.
Finally, the shifted signal is received 218 in the outbound portion of the second radio channel at a mobile communication unit 138 which ends 220 the process.
By way of example, FIG. 5-2 shows flowchart describing how a signal preferably travels from mobile communication unit '938 to the cellular communication network unit 120. The process begins 230 at a ~1~3~.1~.
WO 93/20664 ~ PCTlUS93102535 _19_ mobile communication unit 138. A first radio channel is assigned 232 aoconding to a cellular communication system channel reuse plan to a central communication site 104. The first radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. A second radio channel is assigned 234 according to the cellular communication system channel reuse plan to a remote communication site 102 which is substa~tiaNy remotely located from the central communication site 104. The saaond radio channel has inbound and outbound radio channel portions. The mobile communication unit 138 transmits 236 a signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel. The remote communication site 102 receives 238 the signal in the inbound portion of the second radio channel. Subsequently, the received signal is channel shifted 240 from the second radio channel to the first radio channel at the remote communication site 102. The gain of the shifted signal is adjusted 242 to a predetermined power level. Then, the remote communication site 102 transmits 244' the shifted signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel. The central communication site 104 receives 246' the transmitted signal in the outbound portion of the first radio channel. The received signal is digitally processed 248 at the central communication site 104. Finally, the processed signal is transmitted 250 from the central communication site 104 to a celtular communication network unit 120 which ends 252 the process.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of embodiments has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the arrangement and combination of parts as well as steps may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of embodiments has bean made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the arrangement and combination of parts as well as steps may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
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Claims (17)
1. A cellular communication system comprising:
a central transceiver operable far transmitting and receiving signals on communication channels with mobile communication units operating within a first coverage area and with a remote transceiver and for communicating with a cellular communication network, a communication channel comprising a transmit data slat for transmitting signals and a receive data slot for receiving signals, and the remote transceiver being operable for transmitting and receiving signals on communication channels with a mobile communication unit operating in a second coverage area remotely located from the central communication site and with the central communication site;
a controller associated with the central transceiver operable to assign communication channels for communication between the central transceiver and either of the remote transceiver or a mobile communication unit operating within the first coverage area; and a controller associated with the remote transceiver operable to assign one of the communication channels for communication between the remote transceiver and the mobile communication unit operating within the second coverage area and for requesting the central transceiver to assign another communication channel for communication between the central transceiver and the remote transceiver whereby the mobile communication unit operating in the second coverage area exchanges signals with the remote transceiver on the one of the communication channels and the signals are further communicated to the central transceiver via the another communication channel.
a central transceiver operable far transmitting and receiving signals on communication channels with mobile communication units operating within a first coverage area and with a remote transceiver and for communicating with a cellular communication network, a communication channel comprising a transmit data slat for transmitting signals and a receive data slot for receiving signals, and the remote transceiver being operable for transmitting and receiving signals on communication channels with a mobile communication unit operating in a second coverage area remotely located from the central communication site and with the central communication site;
a controller associated with the central transceiver operable to assign communication channels for communication between the central transceiver and either of the remote transceiver or a mobile communication unit operating within the first coverage area; and a controller associated with the remote transceiver operable to assign one of the communication channels for communication between the remote transceiver and the mobile communication unit operating within the second coverage area and for requesting the central transceiver to assign another communication channel for communication between the central transceiver and the remote transceiver whereby the mobile communication unit operating in the second coverage area exchanges signals with the remote transceiver on the one of the communication channels and the signals are further communicated to the central transceiver via the another communication channel.
2. The cellular communication system of claim 1 wherein the data slots are time division multiple access (TDMA) time slots.
3. The cellular communication system of claim 1 wherein the data slots are code division multiple access (CDMA) code slots.
4. The cellular communication system of claim 1 further comprising a common communication channel for mobile communication units operating in the first coverage area or the remote transceiver to request assignment of a communication channel from the central transceiver.
5. The cellular communication system of claim 1 further comprising a common communication channel for mobile communication units operating in the second coverage area to request assignment of a communication channel from the remote transceiver.
6. The cellular communication system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of remote transceivers, each remote transceiver being operable for transmitting and receiving signals on communication channels within an associated coverage area remotely located from the central communication site and with the central communication site.
7. The cellular communication system of claim fi further comprising a common communication channel for mobile communication units operating in the first coverage area or the remote transceivers to request assignment of a communication channel from the central transceiver.
8. The cellular communication system of claim 7 further comprising a common communication channel for mobile communication units operating in the coverage areas of the remote transceivers to request assignment of a communication channels from the remote transceivers.
9. The cellular communication system of claim 1 wherein the central transceiver receives signals from the remote transceiver in the transmit data slot.
10. The cellular communication system of claim 1 wherein the central transceiver transmits signals to the remote transceiver in the receive data slot.
11. The cellular communication system of claim 1 wherein the remote transceiver receives signals from the central transceiver in the transmit data slot.
12. The cellular communication system of claim 1 wherein the remote transceiver transmits signals to the central transceiver in the receive data slot.
13. A method of extending a cellular communication system comprising:
(a) receiving at a remote transceiver a request for communication channel assignment from a communication unit operating within a coverage area of the remote transceiver;
(b) in response to the request for communication channel assignment, assigning a first communication channel for communication between the remote transceiver and the communication unit;
(c) sending from the remote transceiver a request for communication channel assignment to a central transceiver;
(d) receiving at the central transceiver the request for communication channel assignment from the remote transceiver and in response to the request for channel assignment, assigning a second communication channel for communication between the central transceiver and the remote transceiver;
(e) transmitting signals from the mobile communication unit to the remote transceiver in a first data slot of the first communication channel;
(f) transmitting the signals received from the mobile communication unit at the remote transceiver to the central transceiver in a first data slot of the second communication channel;
(g) transmitting signals from the central communication site to the remote transceiver in a second data slot of the second communication channel; and (f) transmitting signals from the remote transceiver to the mobile communication unit in a second data slot of the first communication channel.
(a) receiving at a remote transceiver a request for communication channel assignment from a communication unit operating within a coverage area of the remote transceiver;
(b) in response to the request for communication channel assignment, assigning a first communication channel for communication between the remote transceiver and the communication unit;
(c) sending from the remote transceiver a request for communication channel assignment to a central transceiver;
(d) receiving at the central transceiver the request for communication channel assignment from the remote transceiver and in response to the request for channel assignment, assigning a second communication channel for communication between the central transceiver and the remote transceiver;
(e) transmitting signals from the mobile communication unit to the remote transceiver in a first data slot of the first communication channel;
(f) transmitting the signals received from the mobile communication unit at the remote transceiver to the central transceiver in a first data slot of the second communication channel;
(g) transmitting signals from the central communication site to the remote transceiver in a second data slot of the second communication channel; and (f) transmitting signals from the remote transceiver to the mobile communication unit in a second data slot of the first communication channel.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the data slots are time division multiple access (TDMA) time slots.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the data slots are code division multiple access (CDMA) code slots.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein step (a) further comprises receiving on a first common communication channel.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein step (c) further comprises sending on a second common communication channel.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US86085192A | 1992-03-31 | 1992-03-31 | |
| US86087292A | 1992-03-31 | 1992-03-31 | |
| US07/860,851 | 1992-03-31 | ||
| US07/860,872 | 1992-03-31 | ||
| PCT/US1993/002535 WO1993020664A1 (en) | 1992-03-31 | 1993-03-18 | Method and apparatus for a radio remote repeater in a digital cellular radio communication system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2133111A1 CA2133111A1 (en) | 1993-10-14 |
| CA2133111C true CA2133111C (en) | 2000-02-01 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002133111A Expired - Fee Related CA2133111C (en) | 1992-03-31 | 1993-03-18 | Method and apparatus for a radio remote repeater in a digital cellular radio communication system |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH07505512A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR0159320B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2133111C (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9301831A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993020664A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5970410A (en) * | 1996-02-27 | 1999-10-19 | Airnet Communications Corp. | Cellular system plan using in band-translators to enable efficient deployment of high capacity base transceiver systems |
| FR2781950B1 (en) * | 1998-07-30 | 2007-01-05 | Sfr Sa | CELLULAR RADIOCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING DATA REPEAT DOWN A BASE STATION, AND CORRESPONDING DATA REPETITION DEVICE |
| US6088570A (en) * | 1998-11-24 | 2000-07-11 | Airnet Communications Corporation | Method and apparatus employing delay elements in multiple diversity paths of a wireless system repeater translator to allow for selective diversity and automatic level control in a time-division multiple access system |
| JP3762609B2 (en) * | 2000-03-15 | 2006-04-05 | シャープ株式会社 | Communication device, frequency spectrum inversion calculation method, and program storage medium |
| US6950506B2 (en) | 2001-11-08 | 2005-09-27 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Method and system for paying prepaid communications credit |
| US7844273B2 (en) | 2006-07-14 | 2010-11-30 | Lgc Wireless, Inc. | System for and method of for providing dedicated capacity in a cellular network |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4718108A (en) * | 1986-05-19 | 1988-01-05 | Motorola, Inc. | Improved multiple site communication system |
| US5038399A (en) * | 1990-05-21 | 1991-08-06 | Motorola, Inc. | Method for assigning channel reuse levels in a multi-level cellular system |
-
1993
- 1993-03-18 CA CA002133111A patent/CA2133111C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-03-18 WO PCT/US1993/002535 patent/WO1993020664A1/en active Application Filing
- 1993-03-18 JP JP5517496A patent/JPH07505512A/en active Pending
- 1993-03-18 KR KR1019940703396A patent/KR0159320B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-03-31 MX MX9301831A patent/MX9301831A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| KR0159320B1 (en) | 1998-12-01 |
| CA2133111A1 (en) | 1993-10-14 |
| JPH07505512A (en) | 1995-06-15 |
| WO1993020664A1 (en) | 1993-10-14 |
| KR950701181A (en) | 1995-02-20 |
| MX9301831A (en) | 1994-01-31 |
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