Patent US5124698A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5124698A
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Method and apparatus for synchronizing radio transmitters in a paging network
Assignee: Tecnomen Oy
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Filing: 1986-04-10
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Granted: 1992-06-23
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Expires: 2006-04-10
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for synchronizing radio transmitters in a paging network. A synchronization order of base stations is determined based in part upon the relative geographic locations of the stations, and is communicated to the base stations via a command signal transmitted by the paging network unit. A predetermined first base station transmits a synchronization signal to base stations to be synchronized. Subsequent sequences of synchronization signals may be transmitted from synchronized base stations until all base stations have been synchronized. The synchronization signals may be transmitted via radio waves, and the synchronization order is determined so as to minimize the number of synchronization sequences and maximize the number of base stations synchronized simultaneously in parallel. Transmitted synchronization signals are corrected to compensate for propagation delays caused by the distance between base stations and for delays which occur within an individual transceiver. Paging message signals are transmitted from a paging network unit to remote base stations for later transmission to paging receivers. Base station transmitters transmit both synchronization signals to other base stations and paging message signals to paging receivers. Synchronization signals and paging message signals may be transmitted to the base stations over different conducting media. Paging message signals are transmitted simultaneously from all base stations and are phase coherent within a common reception area so as to avoid interference. Base station transmitters are capable of transmitting both synchronization signals and paging message signals at the same frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Arvo Mustonen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/65; H04H20/67; H04W; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for synchronizing radio transmitters in a paging network comprising: means for transmitting a digital synchronization command signal from a paging network unit (PNU) to a plurality of base stations, said command signal including a synchronization initiating time for each base station in accordance with a pre-established synchronization plan; means for transmitting a first synchronization signal from the transmitter of a pre-determined first base station at an instant prescribed by said synchronization command signal; means for receiving said first synchronization signal by the receiver of at least one base station within the reception range thereof; means for synchronizing particular receiving base stations to said first synchronization signal if synchronization is indicated by comparison of the first synchronization signal with said command signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for synchronizing radio transmitters in a paging network comprising: means for transmitting a digital synchronization command signal from a paging network unit (PNU) to a plurality of base stations, said command signal including a synchronization initiating time for each base station in accordance with a pre-established synchronization plan; means for transmitting a first synchronization signal from the transmitter of a pre-determined first base station at an instant prescribed by said synchronization command signal; means for receiving said first synchronization signal by the receiver of at least one base station within the reception range thereof; means for synchronizing particular receiving base stations to said first synchronization signal if synchronization is indicated by comparison of the first synchronization signal with said command signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said digital synchronization command signal is transmitted simultaneously to said plurality of base stations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said digital synchronization command signal is transmitted over solid conductors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first synchronization signal is transmitted via radio waves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: means for deactivating the transmitter of said first base station after synchronization of said particular receiving base stations to said first synchronization signal; means for activating the transmitters of said particular base stations after synchronization of said particular receiving base stations to said first synchronization signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pre-established synchronization plan is calculated by said paging network unit (PNU) and further comprising: means for determining the synchronization order of base stations on the basis of relative geographic locations of said stations; means for determining the synchronization order of base stations to minimize the number of sequences of subsequent synchronization signals; means for determining the synchronization order of base stations to maximize the number of base stations which are synchronized simultaneously in parallel in each synchronization sequence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: means for using the paging network unit (PNU) to determine the instant to transmit the paging information by radio transmitters; means for transmitting simultaneous signals having a maximum phase difference 1/4 of a bit from said transmitters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said synchronization command signal includes information about the distance from a synchronizing base station to a base station to be synchronized, and further comprising: means for calculating the signal propagation delay caused by said distance; means for correcting the phase of said first synchronization signal based on said propagation delay by shifting said first synchronization signal in time in an amount proportional to said delay.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: means for transmitting subsequent synchronization signals from the transmitters of previously synchronized base stations at an instant prescribed by said synchronization command signal; means for receiving said subsequent synchronization signals by the receivers of base stations within the reception range thereof; means for synchronizing particular receiving base stations to said subsequent synchronization signals if synchronization is indicated by comparison of the subsequent synchronization signals with said command signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said subsequent synchronization signals are transmitted via radio waves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 and further comprising: means for deactivating the transmitters of said previously synchronized base stations after synchronization of said particular receiving base stations to said subsequent synchronization signals; means for activating the transmitters of said particular receiving base stations after synchronization of said particular receiving base stations to said subsequent synchronization signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said synchronization command signal includes information about the distance from a synchronizing base station to a base station to be synchronized, and further comprising: means for calculating the signal propagation delay caused by said distance; means for correcting the phase of subsequent synchronization signals based on said propagation delay by shifting said subsequent synchronization signals in time in an amount proportional to said delay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein propagation delay within a base station transceiver is determined and its effects corrected by: means for transmitting a signal from the transceiver of a base station and receiving said signal by said transceiver and for measuring the propagation delay within the transceiver; means for correcting the phase of subsequent signals based on said propagation delay within the transceiver by shifting said subsequent signals in time in an amount proportional to said delay.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 and further comprising: means for transmitting paging message signals from said paging network unit to said plurality of base stations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said paging message signals are transmitted simultaneously from said paging network unit to said plurality of base stations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said paging message signals are transmitted to said plurality of base stations via solid conductors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said paging message signals and said first synchronization signal are transmitted to said base stations at different times.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said paging message signals and said first synchronization signal are transmitted to said base stations via difference conducting media.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said paging message signals and said subsequent synchronization signals are transmitted to said base stations at different times.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said paging message signals and said subsequent synchronization signals are transmitted to said base stations via different conducting media.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said base stations transmit said first synchronization signal and said subsequent synchronization signals to other base stations as well as transmit said paging message signals to paging receivers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said base stations transmit said first synchronization signal, said subsequent synchronization signals and said paging message signals at the same frequency.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for synchronizing radio transmitters in a paging network comprising: transmitting a digital synchronization command signal from a paging network unit (PNU) to a plurality of base stations, said command signal including a synchronization initiating time for each base station in accordance with a pre-established synchronization plan; transmitting a first synchronization signal from the transmitter of a pre-determined first base station at an instant prescribed by said synchronization command signal; receiving said first synchronization signal by the receiver of at least one base station within the reception range thereof; synchronizing particular receiving base stations to said first synchronization signal if synchronization is indicated by comparison of the first synchronization signal with said command signal.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for synchronizing radio transmitters in a paging network comprising: transmitting a digital synchronization command signal from a paging network unit (PNU) to a plurality of base stations, said command signal including a synchronization initiating time for each base station in accordance with a pre-established synchronization plan; transmitting a first synchronization signal from the transmitter of a pre-determined first base station at an instant prescribed by said synchronization command signal; receiving said first synchronization signal by the receiver of at least one base station within the reception range thereof; synchronizing particular receiving base stations to said first synchronization signal if synchronization is indicated by comparison of the first synchronization signal with said command signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said digital synchronization command signal is transmitted simultaneously to said plurality of base stations.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said digital synchronization command signal is transmitted over solid conductors.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said first synchronization signal is transmitted via radio waves.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 and further comprising: deactivating the transmitter of said first base station after synchronization of said particular receiving base stations to said first synchronization signal; activating the transmitters of said particular base stations after synchronization of said particular receiving base stations to said first synchronization signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said pre-established synchronization plan is calculated by said paging network unit (PNU) and further comprising: determining the synchronization order of base stations on the basis of relative geographic locations of said stations; determining the synchronization order of base stations to minimize the number of sequences of subsequent synchronization signals; determining the synchronization order of base stations to maximize the number of base stations which are synchronized simultaneously in parallel in each synchronization sequence.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 and further comprising: using the paging network unit (PNU) to determine the instant to transmit the paging information by radio transmitters; transmitting simultaneous signals having a maximum phase difference of 1/4 of a bit from said transmitters.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said synchronization command signal includes information about the distance from a synchronizing base station to a base station to be synchronized, and further comprising: calculating the signal propagation delay caused by said distance; correcting the phase of said first synchronization signal based on said propagation delay by shifting said first synchronization signal in time in an amount proportional to said delay.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 and further comprising: transmitting subsequent synchronization signals from the transmitters of previously synchronized base stations at an instant prescribed by said synchronization command signal; receiving said subsequent synchronization signals by the receivers of base stations within the reception range thereof; synchronizing particular receiving base stations to said subsequent synchronization signals if synchronization is indicated by comparison of the subsequent synchronization signals with said command signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 31 wherein said subsequent synchronization signals are transmitted via radio waves.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as set forth in claim 31 and further comprising: deactivating the transmitters of said previously synchronized base stations after synchronization of said particular receiving base stations to said subsequent synchronization signals; activating the transmitters of said particular receiving base stations after synchronization of said particular receiving base stations to said subsequent synchronization signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method as set forth in claim 31 wherein said synchronization command signal includes information about the distance from a synchronizing base station to a base station to be synchronized, and further comprising: calculating the signal propagation delay caused by said distance; correcting the phase of subsequent synchronization signals based on said propagation delay by shifting said subsequent synchronization signals in time in an amount proportional to said delay.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method as set forth in claim 31 wherein propagation delay within a base station transceiver is determined and its effects corrected by: transmitting a signal from the transceiver of a base station and receiving said signal by said transceiver and for measuring the propagation delay within the transceiver; correcting the phase of subsequent signals based on said propagation delay within the transceiver by shifting said subsequent signals in time in an amount proportional to said delay.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 31 and further comprising: transmitting paging message signals from said paging network unit to said plurality of base stations.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said paging message signals are transmitted simultaneously from said paging network unit to said plurality of base stations.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said paging message signals are transmitted to said plurality of base stations via solid conductors.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said paging message signals and said first synchronization signal are transmitted to said base stations at different times.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said paging message signals and said first synchronization signal are transmitted to said base stations via different conducting media.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said paging message signals and said subsequent synchronization signals are transmitted to said base stations at different times.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said paging message signals and said subsequent synchronization signals are transmitted to said base stations via different conducting media.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said base stations transmit said first synchronization signal and said subsequent synchronization signals to other base stations as well as transmit said paging message signals to paging receivers.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said base stations transmit said first synchronization signal, said subsequent synchronization signals and said paging message signals at the same frequency.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |