Multiple access radio system

Claim 2

A radio communications system, comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, a and wherein said at least one second slot is comprised of a plurality of mutually orthogonal sub-slots.

Claim 3

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said messages are acknowledgement messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to receiving communications traffic information from said radio channel.

Claim 4

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said messages are acknowledgement messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to receiving communications traffic information from said radio channel.

Claim 5

A radio communications system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said messages further comprise channel allocation request messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to the user transceiver seeking to establish communications with said central transceiver.

Claim 6

A radio communications system as set forth in claim 2, wherein m is equal to 1≦m≦10.

Claim 7

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said messages are acknowledgement messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to an error that occurs while receiving communications traffic information from said radio channel.

Claim 8

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said messages are acknowledgement messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to an error that occurs while receiving communications traffic information from said radio channel.

Claim 9

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, wherein said messages are acknowledgement messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to receiving communications traffic information from said radio channel, and wherein said at least one second slot is temporally divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 10

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, wherein said messages are acknowledgement messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to receiving communications traffic information from said radio channel, and wherein said at least one second slot is temporally divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 11

A radio communications system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least one second slot is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers.

Claim 12

A radio communications system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said central transceiver is a base station of a digital cellular communications system, and wherein at least some of said plurality of user transceivers are mobile radiotelephones.

Claim 13

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said at least one second slot is frequency divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 14

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said at least one second slot is frequency divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 15

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said at least one second slot is code divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 16

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said at least one second slot is code divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 17

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said at least one second slot is divided into a plurality of sub-slots by a bit sequence that is assigned to individual ones of user transceivers to transmit during said at least one second slot, each of said assigned bit sequences being one of mutually orthogonal and substantially orthogonal to other assigned bit sequences.

Claim 18

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said at least one second slot is divided into a plurality of sub-slots by a bit sequence that is assigned to individual ones of user transceivers to transmit during said at least one second slot, each of said assigned bit sequences being one of mutually orthogonal and substantially orthogonal to other assigned bit sequences.

Claim 19

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said at least one second slot is divided into a plurality of sub-slots by a spreading code that is assigned to individual ones of user transceivers to transmit during said at least one second slot, each of said assigned spreading codes being one of mutually orthogonal and substantially orthogonal to other assigned spreading codes.

Claim 20

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said at least one second slot is divided into a plurality of sub-slots by a spreading code that is assigned to individual ones of user transceivers to transmit during said at least one second slot, each of said assigned spreading codes being one of mutually orthogonal and substantially orthogonal to other assigned spreading codes.

Claim 21

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said transmitting means of each of said user transceivers transmits a radio signal with a first bandwidth during an assigned one of said first time slots, and transmits a radio signal with a second bandwidth during said at least one second slot, and wherein said second bandwidth is narrower than said first bandwidth.

Claim 22

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said transmitting means of each of said user transceivers transmits a radio signal with a first bandwidth during an assigned one of said first time slots, and transmits a radio signal with a second bandwidth during said at least one second slot, and wherein said second bandwidth is narrower than said first bandwidth.

Claim 23

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said central transceiver is comprised of a receiver; an equalizer means having input coupled to an output of said receiver for equalizing a transmission received from a user transceiver during one of said plurality of first time slots; and a plurality of correlator means individual ones of which have an input coupled said output of said receiver for simultaneously detecting a plurality of messages received from a plurality of user transceivers during said at least one second time slot.

Claim 24

A radio communications system comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, and wherein said central transceiver is comprised of a receiver; an equalizer means having input coupled to an output of said receiver for equalizing a transmission received from a user transceiver during one of said plurality of first time slots; and a plurality of correlator means individual ones of which have an input coupled said output of said receiver for simultaneously detecting a plurality of messages received from a plurality of user transceivers during said at least one second time slot.

Claim 25

A radio communications system, comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot; and wherein said transmitting means of one of said user transceivers transmits over the second radio channel, during a second slot, an acknowledgement message to the central transceiver in response to one of said user transceiver receiving communications traffic information from the first radio channel and said user transceiver detecting an error that occurs while receiving communications traffic information from the first radio channel.

Claim 26

A radio communications system, comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot; and wherein said transmitting means of one of said user transceivers transmits over the second radio channel, during a second slot, an acknowledgement message to the central transceiver in response to one of said user transceiver receiving communications traffic information from the first radio channel and said user transceiver detecting an error that occurs while receiving communications traffic information from the first radio channel.

Claim 27

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n, said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers also transmitting acknowledgement messages during said at least one second slot in response to receiving communications traffic information from said first radio channel; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is temporally divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 28

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n, said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers also transmitting acknowledgement messages during said at least one second slot in response to receiving communications traffic information from said first radio channel; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is temporally divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 29

A radio communications system as set forth in claim 16, wherein m is equal to 1≦m≦10.

Claim 30

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is frequency divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 31

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is frequency divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 32

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is code divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 33

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is code divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 34

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is divided into a plurality of sub-slots by a bit sequence that is assigned to individual ones of user transceivers to transmit during said at least one second slot, each of said assigned bit sequences being one of mutually orthogonal and substantially orthogonal to other assigned bit sequences.

Claim 35

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is divided into a plurality of sub-slots by a bit sequence that is assigned to individual ones of user transceivers to transmit during said at least one second slot, each of said assigned bit sequences being one of mutually orthogonal and substantially orthogonal to other assigned bit sequences.

Claim 36

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is divided into a plurality of sub-slots by a spreading code that is assigned to individual ones of user transceivers to transmit during said at least one second slot, each of said assigned spreading codes being one of mutually orthogonal and substantially orthogonal to other assigned spreading codes.

Claim 37

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said at least one second slot is divided into a plurality of sub-slots by a spreading code that is assigned to individual ones of user transceivers to transmit during said at least one second slot, each of said assigned spreading codes being one of mutually orthogonal and substantially orthogonal to other assigned spreading codes.

Claim 38

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said transmitting means of each of said user transceivers transmits a radio signal with a first bandwidth during an assigned one of said first time slots, and transmits a radio signal with a second bandwidth during said at least one second slot, and wherein said second bandwidth is narrower than said first bandwidth.

Claim 39

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said transmitting means of each of said user transceivers transmits a radio signal with a first bandwidth during an assigned one of said first time slots, and transmits a radio signal with a second bandwidth during said at least one second slot, and wherein said second bandwidth is narrower than said first bandwidth.

Claim 40

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said base station is comprised of a receiver; an equalizer means having input coupled to an output of said receiver for equalizing a transmission received from a user transceiver during one of said plurality of first time slots; and a plurality of correlator means individual ones of which have an input coupled to said output of said receiver for simultaneously detecting a plurality of messages received from a plurality of user transceivers during said at least one second time slot.

Claim 41

A radio communications system comprising: at least one base station comprising means for transmitting information over a first radio channel and for receiving information over a second radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the second radio channel and for receiving information over the first radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein at least said second radio channel is a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the base station from said transmitting means of a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said frame is comprised at least one second slot that is not pre-assigned to any of said plurality of user transceivers; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message to said base station during said at least one second slot, the transmitted channel allocation request message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit a channel allocation request message during said at least one second slot, wherein said base station is comprised of a receiver; an equalizer means having input coupled to an output of said receiver for equalizing a transmission received from a user transceiver during one of said plurality of first time slots; and a plurality of correlator means individual ones of which have an input coupled to said output of said receiver for simultaneously detecting a plurality of messages received from a plurality of user transceivers during said at least one second time slot.

Claim 44

A radio communications system, comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, wherein said messages are acknowledgement messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to an error that occurs while receiving communications traffic information from said radio channel, and wherein said at least one second slot is temporally divided into a plurality of sub-slots.

Claim 45

A radio communications system, comprising: at least one central transceiver comprising means for transmitting information over a radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel; and a plurality of user transceivers each comprising means for transmitting information over the radio channel and for receiving information over the radio channel, the information being transmitted by each of said plurality of user transceivers in a bit serial digital format; wherein said transmitting means of at least said plurality of user transceivers utilize the radio channel for transmission as a time division, multiple access radio channel characterized by a plurality of recurring frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of equal length slots having a duration that is selected for enabling up to n bits of data to be transmitted to the central transceiver from a user transceiver; wherein each user transceiver further comprises means for receiving a pre-assignment of an individual one of a plurality of first slots for conveying communications traffic information; wherein said transmitting means of said plurality of user transceivers transmit a message to said central transceiver during at least one second slot, the transmitted message comprising up to m bits of data, where m<n; and wherein said transmitting means of multiple ones of said user transceivers transmit the message during said at least one second slot, wherein said messages are acknowledgement messages generated by a user transceiver and transmitted by said transmitting means in response to an error that occurs while receiving communications traffic information from said radio channel, and wherein said at least one second slot is temporally divided into a plurality of sub-slots.