Synchronized variable delay time division communication system

Claim 2

In a time division multiplex communication system having a plurality of stations served by a common repeater which transmits repeater synchronizing signals identifiable therewith, wherein the stations are to transmit such that their message transmissions arrive at the repeater in a preselected order and with no overlap, and wherein relative motion between the repeater and the stations can occur, each station comprising the combination of: a first controllable signal generator for generating repeater reference signals identical to the repeater synchronizing signals transmitted from the repeater; receiving means for receiving signals transmitted from the repeater, including the repeater synchronizing signals; first comparison means coupled to the output of said first controllable signal generator and to the output of said receiving means for comparing the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater With said repeater reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in timing therebetween; means for coupling said first comparison means to said first controllable signal generator to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said repeater reference signals with the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater; a second controllable signal generator coupled to the output of said first controllable signal generator and responsive to signals therefrom to generate station synchronizing signals identifiable therewith; transmitter means coupled to said second controllable signal generator for transmitting said station synchronizing signals to the repeater; a third signal generator coupled to said first controllable signal generator and responsive to signals developed thereby corresponding in time to the station''s time slot for generating station reference signals identical to said station synchronizing signals; second comparison means coupled to the output of said third signal generator and to the output of said receiving means for comparing said station synchronizing signal received from the repeater with said station reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in time therebetween; and means for coupling said second comparison means to said second controllable signal generator to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said station synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said station reference signals.

Claim 3

In a time division multiplex communication system having a plurality of stations served by a common repeater which transmits repeater synchronizing signals identifiable therewith, wherein the stations are to transmit such that their message transmissions arrive at the repeater in a preselected order and with no overlap, and wherein relative motion between the repeater and the stations can occur, each station comprising the combination of: a controllable oscillator; first counter means coupled to the output of said oscillator for providing a first pulse at the frame rate and displaced in time by one frame period; a first signal generator coupled to the output of said first counter means and responsive to said first pulse to generate repeater reference signals identical to the repeater synchronizing signals transmitted from the repeater; receiving means for receiving signals transmitted from the repeater, including the repeater synchronizing signals; first comparison means coupled to said first signal generator and to said receiving means for comparing the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said repeater reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in timing therebetween; means for coupling said first comparison means to said controllable oscillator to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said repeater reference signals with the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater; second counter means for providing a pulse at the frame rate corresponding in time to the station''s time slot; controllable continuously variable phase shifter means coupling the output of said oscillator to said second counter means; a second signal generator coupled to the output of said second counter means and responsive to said pulse to generate station synchronizing signals identifiable therewith; transmitter means coupled to said second signal generator for transmitting said station synchronizing signals to the repeater; a third signal generator coupled to said first counter means and responsive to a second pulse developed thereby corresponding in time to the station''s time slot for generating station reference signals identical to said station synchronizing signals; second comparison means coupled to said third signal generator and to said receiving means for comparing said station synchronizing signal received from the repeaTer with said station reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in time therebetween; and means for coupling said second comparison means to said controllable phase shifter means to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said station synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said station reference signals.

Claim 4

In a time division multiplex communication system having a plurality of stations served by a common repeater which transmits repeater synchronizing signals identifiable therewith, wherein the stations are to transmit such that their message transmissions arrive at the repeater in a preselected order and with no overlap, and wherein relative motion between the repeater and the stations can occur, each station comprising the combination of: a controllable oscillator; first counter means coupled to the output of said oscillator for providing a first pulse at the frame rate and displaced in time by one frame period; a first signal generator coupled to the output of said first counter means and responsive to said first pulse to generate repeater reference signals identical to the repeater synchronizing signals transmitted from the repeater; receiving means for receiving signals transmitted from the repeater, including the repeater synchronizing signals; first comparison means coupled to said first signal generator and to said receiving means for comparing the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said repeater reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in timing therebetween; means for coupling said first comparison means to said controllable oscillator to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said repeater reference signals with the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater; second counter means for providing a pulse at the frame rate corresponding in time to the station''s time slot; controllable continuously variable phase shifter means coupling the output of said oscillator to said second counter means; a second signal generator coupled to the output of said second counter means and responsive to said pulse to generate station synchronizing signals identifiable therewith; transmitter means coupled to said second signal generator for transmitting said station synchronizing signals to the repeater; a third signal generator coupled to said first counter means and responsive to a second pulse developed thereby corresponding in time to the station''s time slot for generating station reference signals identical to said station synchronizing signals; second comparison means coupled to said third signal generator and to said receiving means for comparing said station synchronizing signal received from the repeaTer with said station reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in time therebetween; and means for coupling said second comparison means to said controllable phase shifter means to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said station synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said station reference signals.

Claim 5

In a time division multiplex communication system having a plurality of stations served by a common repeater which transmits repeater synchronizing signals identifiable therewith, wherein the stations are to transmit such that their message transmissions arrive at the repeater in a preselected order and with no overlap, and wherein relative motion between the repeater and the stations can occur, each station comprising the combination of: a controllable signal generator for generating repeater reference signals identical to the repeater synchronizing signals transmitted from the repeater; receiving means for receiving signals transmitted from the repeater, including the repeater synchronizing signals; first comparison means coupled to the output of said controllable signal generator and to the output of said receiving means for comparing the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said repeater reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in timing therebetween; means for coupling said first comparison means to said controllable signal generator to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said repeater reference signals with the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater; timing means for providing a pulse at the frame rate corresponding in time to the station''s time slot; controllable continuously variable phase shifter means coupling the output of said controllable signal generator to said timing means; a ranging signal generator for generating ranging signals; transmitter means coupled to said ranging signal generator for transmitting said ranging signals to the repeater; range computer means coupled to said receiving means and to said ranging signal generator for developing a signal indicative of the range from the repeater to the station; second comparison means coupled to said range computer means, said controllable signal generator and to said timing means for comparing the signal indicative of the range with the difference between signals from said controllable signal generator and said timing means and for developing an error signal in response to range differences therebetween; means for coupling said second comparison means to said controllable phase shifter means to apply said error signal thereto to correct the time of occurrence of the pulse developed by said timing means; and message transmitting means coupled to said timing means and to said transmitting means and responsive to said pulse for transmitting messages during the station''s time slot.

Claim 6

In a time division multiplex communication system having a plurality of stations served by a common repeater which transmits repeater synchronizing signals identifiable therewith, wherein the stations are to transmit such that their message transmissions arrive at the repeater in a preselected order and with no overlap, and wherein relative motion between the repeater and the stations can occur, each station comprising the combination of: a controllable signal generator for generating repeater reference signals identical to the repeater synchronizing signals transmitted from the repeater; receiving means for receiving signals transmitted from the repeater, including the repeater synchronizing signals; first comparison means coupled to the output of said controllable signal generator and to the output of said receiving means for comparing the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said repeater reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in timing therebetween; means for coupling said first comparison means to said controllable signal generator to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said repeater reference signals with the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater; timing means for providing a pulse at the frame rate corresponding in time to the station''s time slot; controllable continuously variable phase shifter means coupling the output of said controllable signal generator to said timing means; a ranging signal generator for generating ranging signals; transmitter means coupled to said ranging signal generator for transmitting said ranging signals to the repeater; range computer means coupled to said receiving means and to said ranging signal generator for developing a signal indicative of the range from the repeater to the station; second comparison means coupled to said range computer means, said controllable signal generator and to said timing means for comparing the signal indicative of the range with the difference between signals from said controllable signal generator and said timing means and for developing an error signal in response to range differences therebetween; means for coupling said second comparison means to said controllable phase shifter means to apply said error signal thereto to correct the time of occurrence of the pulse developed by said timing means; and message transmitting means coupled to said timing means and to said transmitting means and responsive to said pulse for transmitting messages during the station''s time slot.

Claim 7

In a time division multiplex communication system having a plurality of stations served by a common repeater which transmits repeater synchronizing signals identifiable therewith wherein the stations are to transmit such that their message transmissions arrive at the repeater in a preselected order and with no overlap, and wherein relative motion between the repeater and the stations can occur, each station comprising the combination of: a controllable oscillator; first counter means coupled to the output of said oscillator for providing a first pulse at the frame rate and displaced in time by one frame period; a signal generator coupled to the output of said first counter means and responsive to said first pulse to generate repeater reference signals identical to the repeater synchronizing signals transmitted from the repeater; receiving means for receiving signals transmitted from the repeater, including the repeater synchronizing signals; first comparison means coupled to saiD signal generator and to said means for comparing the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said repeater reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in timing therebetween; means for coupling said first comparison means to said controllable oscillator to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said repeater reference signals with the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater; second counter means for providing a pulse at the frame rate corresponding in time to the station''s time slot; controllable continuously variable phase shifter means coupling the output of said oscillator to said second counter means; a ranging signal generator for generating ranging signals; transmitter means coupled to said ranging signal generator for transmitting said ranging signals to the repeater; range computer means coupled to said receiving means and to said ranging signal generator for developing a signal indicative of the range from the repeater to the station; second comparison means coupled to said range computer means and to said first and second counter means for comparing the signal indicative of the range with the difference between signals from said first and second counter means and for developing an error signal in response to range differences therebetween; means for coupling said second comparison means to said controllable phase shifter means to apply said error signal thereto to correct the time of occurrence of the pulse developed by said second counter means; and message transmitting means coupled to said second counter means and to said transmitting means and responsive to said pulse for transmitting messages during the station''s time slot.

Claim 8

In a time division multiplex communication system having a plurality of stations served by a common repeater which transmits repeater synchronizing signals identifiable therewith wherein the stations are to transmit such that their message transmissions arrive at the repeater in a preselected order and with no overlap, and wherein relative motion between the repeater and the stations can occur, each station comprising the combination of: a controllable oscillator; first counter means coupled to the output of said oscillator for providing a first pulse at the frame rate and displaced in time by one frame period; a signal generator coupled to the output of said first counter means and responsive to said first pulse to generate repeater reference signals identical to the repeater synchronizing signals transmitted from the repeater; receiving means for receiving signals transmitted from the repeater, including the repeater synchronizing signals; first comparison means coupled to saiD signal generator and to said means for comparing the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater with said repeater reference signals and developing an error signal in response to differences in timing therebetween; means for coupling said first comparison means to said controllable oscillator to apply said error signal thereto to synchronize said repeater reference signals with the repeater synchronizing signals received from the repeater; second counter means for providing a pulse at the frame rate corresponding in time to the station''s time slot; controllable continuously variable phase shifter means coupling the output of said oscillator to said second counter means; a ranging signal generator for generating ranging signals; transmitter means coupled to said ranging signal generator for transmitting said ranging signals to the repeater; range computer means coupled to said receiving means and to said ranging signal generator for developing a signal indicative of the range from the repeater to the station; second comparison means coupled to said range computer means and to said first and second counter means for comparing the signal indicative of the range with the difference between signals from said first and second counter means and for developing an error signal in response to range differences therebetween; means for coupling said second comparison means to said controllable phase shifter means to apply said error signal thereto to correct the time of occurrence of the pulse developed by said second counter means; and message transmitting means coupled to said second counter means and to said transmitting means and responsive to said pulse for transmitting messages during the station''s time slot.