Wide area radio communication network system and method

Claim 1

A method of communication in a wide area radio communication network, said network comprising at least two central stations, each central station being assigned to at least one peripheral station, each central station and each peripheral station having means for transmitting radio energy and receiving radio energy, means arranged in said central stations for communicating to and from said central stations radio signals in predetermined transmission directions during predetermined time intervals, said means for communicating including a directed antenna system, each central station transmitting and receiving radio signals to cover a service area, said method including the steps of: (a) dividing a total service area coverage of each central station into different geographical sub-service area segments covered during selected time segments; (b) operating each central station in different sub-areas by controlling said directed antenna system to operate in said sub-service area segment during predetermined time intervals; (c) storing in each of said central stations information about distance and direction to each assigned peripheral station; (d) distributing from each central station to each assigned peripheral station coordination signal information, said information including timing compensation with respect to the distance between said central station and said peripheral station assigned thereto, and including actual time intervals selected by said central station for sending information to said central station from said peripheral station; and (e) coordinating in each central station reception of information transmitted from each assigned peripheral station at said time intervals by directing during said time intervals the antenna of said central station towards said peripheral station.

Claim 2

A method of communication in a wide area radio communication network, said network comprising at least two central stations, each central station being assigned to at least one peripheral station, each central station and each peripheral station having means for transmitting radio energy and receiving radio energy, means arranged in said central stations for communicating to and from said central stations radio signals in predetermined transmission directions during predetermined time intervals, said means for communicating including a directed antenna system, each central station transmitting and receiving radio signals to cover a service area, said method including the steps of: (a) dividing a total service area coverage of each central station into different geographical sub-service area segments covered during selected time segments; (b) operating each central station in different sub-areas by controlling said directed antenna system to operate in said sub-service area segment during predetermined time intervals; (c) storing in each of said central stations information about distance and direction to each assigned peripheral station; (d) distributing from each central station to each assigned peripheral station coordination signal information, said information including timing compensation with respect to the distance between said central station and said peripheral station assigned thereto, and including actual time intervals selected by said central station for sending information to said central station from said peripheral station; and (e) coordinating in each central station reception of information transmitted from each assigned peripheral station at said time intervals by directing during said time intervals the antenna of said central station towards said peripheral station.

Claim 21

A system for communicating in a wide area radio communication network, said network comprising at least two central stations, and a plurality of peripheral stations, each central station being assigned to at least one peripheral station, each said central station comprising: means for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from any assigned peripheral station assigned thereto, said means including a controllable directional antenna system, means for controlling said directional antenna system in specific directions during selected specific time segments in at least two directions, means for storing position data including distance and direction to at least said associated peripheral station; and each of said peripheral stations comprising: means for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from any associated central station, means for receiving timing information and distance information, and means for storing said timing and distance information in each peripheral station for controlling the timing of transmitting radio signals to said central station on the basis of said timing and distance information.

Claim 22

A system for communicating in a wide area radio communication network, said network comprising at least two central stations, and a plurality of peripheral stations, each central station being assigned to at least one peripheral station, each said central station comprising: means for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from any assigned peripheral station assigned thereto, said means including a controllable directional antenna system, means for controlling said directional antenna system in specific directions during selected specific time segments in at least two directions, means for storing position data including distance and direction to at least said associated peripheral station; and each of said peripheral stations comprising: means for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from any associated central station, means for receiving timing information and distance information, and means for storing said timing and distance information in each peripheral station for controlling the timing of transmitting radio signals to said central station on the basis of said timing and distance information.