Subscriber RF telephone system for providing multiple speech and/or data signals simultaneously over either a single or plurality of RF channels

Claim 1

A toll quality terrestrial wireless digital multiple access communication system having a base station in communication with telephone lines and with subscriber stations, the system being capable of simultaneous transmission of forward information signals and reverse information signals over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber stations on forward and reverse frequency channels, each of the forward and reverse frequency channels being divided into a plurality of time slots, the system comprising: a switching matrix at the base station and set-up means at the subscriber stations with the base station switching matrix being coupled to the telephone lines for coupling first forward information from the telephone lines as first forward signals, to a selected one of a plurality of compressors and for coupling second reverse signals received from base station decompressors as second reverse information onto the telephone lines, and with set-up means at each subscriber station for setting up first reverse information as first reverse signals and for setting up second forward signals received from a subscriber station decompressor as second forward information for output to a user; signal compressors at the base station and at the subscriber stations, with the base station signal compressors being connected to the base station switching matrix for generating compressed first forward signals on a time slot in one of said forward frequency channels, said compressed forward signals may be reconstructed at a subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the first forward signals provided before being compressed with the compressor of each subscriber station being connected to the subscriber station set-up means for compressing first reverse signals from the subscriber station set-up means and for generating compressed reverse signals that may be reconstructed at the base station to provide substantially the same information as the first reverse signals provided before being compressed; signal decompressors at the base station and at the subscriber stations, with the base station decompressors being connected to the base station switching matrix for decompressing compressed reverse signals received from the subscriber stations over the RF link on the reverse frequency channel and for generating second reverse signals for the base station switching matrix that provide substantially the same information as the first reverse signals provided with the decompressor of each subscriber station being connected to the subscriber station set-up means for decompressing compressed forward signals received from the base station over the RF link on the forward frequency channel and for generating second forward signals for the subscriber station set-up means that provide substantially the same information as the first forward signals provided; assigning means for assigning a channel/slot for one of the forward and reverse compressed information signals so that it can be transmitted over a respective one of said forward and reverse frequency channels to a respective one of said base station and subscriber stations, said assigning means comprising memory means for maintaining a memory of which channels/slots are so assigned and consulting said memory upon receipt by the base station of the information to be communicated; a signal combiner connected to the base station compressors for combining compressed forward signals for application to the forward frequency channel with each of the respective compressed forward signals occupying a time slot within the forward frequency channel; and a transmitter and receiver at the base station and at the subscriber stations, for providing direct communication between the base station and the subscriber stations over the RF link.

Claim 3

A method for toll quality terrestrial wireless digital multiple access communication wherein a base station is in communication with telephone lines and with mobile subscriber stations, the method being capable of simultaneous transmission of forward information signals and reverse information signals over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber stations on forward and reverse frequency channels, each of the forward and reverse frequency channels being divided into a plurality of time slots, the method comprising the steps of: switching at the base station and setting up at the subscriber stations with the base station switching coupled to the telephone lines for coupling first forward information from the telephone lines as first forward signals to a selected one of a plurality of compressors, and for coupling second reverse signals received from base station decompressors as second reverse information onto the telephone lines, and setting up at each subscriber station for setting up first reverse information as first reverse signals and for setting up second forward signals received from a subscriber station decompressor as second forward information for output to a user; signal compressing at the base station and at the subscriber stations, with the base station compressing step generating compressed first forward signals on a time slot in one of said forward frequency channels, said compressed forward signals may be reconstructed at a subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the first forward signals provided before being compressed with the compressing step at the subscriber station compressing first reverse signals from the setting up step and for generating compressed reverse signals that may be reconstructed at the base station to provide substantially the same information as the first reverse signals provided before being compressed; signal decompressing at the base station and at the subscriber stations, with the base station decompressing step receiving compressed reverse signals received from the subscriber stations over the RF link on the reverse frequency channel and for generating second reverse signals to be switched during said switching step that provide substantially the same information as the first reverse signals provided with the decompressing step at each subscriber station decompressing compressed forward signals received from the base station over the RF link on the forward frequency channel and for generating second forward signals for the subscriber station setting up step that provide substantially the same information as the first forward signals provided; assigning a channel/slot for one of the forward and reverse compressed information signals so that it can be transmitted over a respective one of said forward and reverse frequency channels to a respective one of said base station and subscriber stations, said assigning step including maintaining a memory of which channels/slots are so assigned and consulting said memory upon receipt by the base station of the information to be communicated; combining signals from the compressing step at the base station for application to the forward frequency channel with each of the respective compressed forward signals occupying a time slot within the forward frequency channel; and transmitting and receiving at the base station and at the subscriber stations, for providing direct communication between the base station and the subscriber stations over the RF link.

Claim 4

A method for toll quality terrestrial wireless digital multiple access communication wherein a base station is in communication with telephone lines and with mobile subscriber stations, the method being capable of simultaneous transmission of forward information signals and reverse information signals over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber stations on forward and reverse frequency channels, each of the forward and reverse frequency channels being divided into a plurality of time slots, the method comprising the steps of: switching at the base station and setting up at the subscriber stations with the base station switching coupled to the telephone lines for coupling first forward information from the telephone lines as first forward signals to a selected one of a plurality of compressors, and for coupling second reverse signals received from base station decompressors as second reverse information onto the telephone lines, and setting up at each subscriber station for setting up first reverse information as first reverse signals and for setting up second forward signals received from a subscriber station decompressor as second forward information for output to a user; signal compressing at the base station and at the subscriber stations, with the base station compressing step generating compressed first forward signals on a time slot in one of said forward frequency channels, said compressed forward signals may be reconstructed at a subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the first forward signals provided before being compressed with the compressing step at the subscriber station compressing first reverse signals from the setting up step and for generating compressed reverse signals that may be reconstructed at the base station to provide substantially the same information as the first reverse signals provided before being compressed; signal decompressing at the base station and at the subscriber stations, with the base station decompressing step receiving compressed reverse signals received from the subscriber stations over the RF link on the reverse frequency channel and for generating second reverse signals to be switched during said switching step that provide substantially the same information as the first reverse signals provided with the decompressing step at each subscriber station decompressing compressed forward signals received from the base station over the RF link on the forward frequency channel and for generating second forward signals for the subscriber station setting up step that provide substantially the same information as the first forward signals provided; assigning a channel/slot for one of the forward and reverse compressed information signals so that it can be transmitted over a respective one of said forward and reverse frequency channels to a respective one of said base station and subscriber stations, said assigning step including maintaining a memory of which channels/slots are so assigned and consulting said memory upon receipt by the base station of the information to be communicated; combining signals from the compressing step at the base station for application to the forward frequency channel with each of the respective compressed forward signals occupying a time slot within the forward frequency channel; and transmitting and receiving at the base station and at the subscriber stations, for providing direct communication between the base station and the subscriber stations over the RF link.

Claim 7

A method for communication of at least one digital information signal in a toll quality, wireless multiple access public switched radio telephone system between a base station and mobile terrestrial subscriber stations over an RF link having a plurality of forward frequency channels at different RF frequencies, each of the forward frequency channels being divided into a plurality of time slots, the method comprising the steps of: switching the information to a selective one of a plurality of compressors; compressing the information signal in the selected compressor such that the compressed signal may be reconstructed at the subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the information signal provided before being compressed; assigning a channel/slot for the compressed signal so that it can be transmitted over one of the forward frequency channels to a subscriber station, said assigning step including maintaining a memory of which channels/slots are assigned and consulting said memory upon receipt by the base station of the information signal to be communicated and then based upon a selection routine providing said assignment to a channel/slot that is not assigned; multiplexing the compressed signal from the selected compressor onto the assigned channel/slot wherein said multiplexing is a time division multiplexing in which the compressed signal is placed in the assigned slot on the assigned frequency; and transmitting over the forward frequency channel to the subscriber station the allocated channel/slot containing the compressed signal.

Claim 8

A method for communication of at least one digital information signal in a toll quality, wireless multiple access public switched radio telephone system between a base station and mobile terrestrial subscriber stations over an RF link having a plurality of forward frequency channels at different RF frequencies, each of the forward frequency channels being divided into a plurality of time slots, the method comprising the steps of: switching the information to a selective one of a plurality of compressors; compressing the information signal in the selected compressor such that the compressed signal may be reconstructed at the subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the information signal provided before being compressed; assigning a channel/slot for the compressed signal so that it can be transmitted over one of the forward frequency channels to a subscriber station, said assigning step including maintaining a memory of which channels/slots are assigned and consulting said memory upon receipt by the base station of the information signal to be communicated and then based upon a selection routine providing said assignment to a channel/slot that is not assigned; multiplexing the compressed signal from the selected compressor onto the assigned channel/slot wherein said multiplexing is a time division multiplexing in which the compressed signal is placed in the assigned slot on the assigned frequency; and transmitting over the forward frequency channel to the subscriber station the allocated channel/slot containing the compressed signal.

Claim 15

A method for toll quality terrestrial wireless digital multiple access communication wherein a base station is in communication with telephone lines and with mobile subscriber stations, the method being capable of simultaneous transmission of forward information signals and reverse information signals over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber stations on forward and reverse frequency channels, the method comprising the steps of: switching at the base station and setting up at the subscriber stations with the base station switching coupled to the telephone lines for coupling first forward information from the telephone lines as first forward signals, and for coupling second reverse signals received from the subscriber stations as second reverse information onto the telephone lines, and setting up at each subscriber station for setting up first reverse information as first reverse signals and for setting up second forward signals received from a subscriber station decompressor as second forward information for output to a user; setting up at each of the subscriber stations for placing the reverse signals on a time slot of one of said reverse frequency channels, whereby said reverse signals may be reconstructed at the base station to provide substantially the same information as the reverse information provided from a user, the set-up means receiving forward information signals over the RF link on the forward frequency channel from the base station as forward signals; interconnecting at the base station for placing the forward signals on a time slot of one of said forward frequency channels, whereby said forward signals may be reconstructed at a subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the forward information provided on a telephone line, the interconnection means receiving reverse signals over the RF link on the reverse frequency channel from the subscriber stations as reverse signals; and periodically exchanging information during the course of communication operation concerning the present status for the connection between the base station and a subscriber station, the link quality, power, and timing adjustment thereof and providing adjustment to the subscriber station based thereupon.

Claim 16

A method for toll quality terrestrial wireless digital multiple access communication wherein a base station is in communication with telephone lines and with mobile subscriber stations, the method being capable of simultaneous transmission of forward information signals and reverse information signals over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber stations on forward and reverse frequency channels, the method comprising the steps of: switching at the base station and setting up at the subscriber stations with the base station switching coupled to the telephone lines for coupling first forward information from the telephone lines as first forward signals, and for coupling second reverse signals received from the subscriber stations as second reverse information onto the telephone lines, and setting up at each subscriber station for setting up first reverse information as first reverse signals and for setting up second forward signals received from a subscriber station decompressor as second forward information for output to a user; setting up at each of the subscriber stations for placing the reverse signals on a time slot of one of said reverse frequency channels, whereby said reverse signals may be reconstructed at the base station to provide substantially the same information as the reverse information provided from a user, the set-up means receiving forward information signals over the RF link on the forward frequency channel from the base station as forward signals; interconnecting at the base station for placing the forward signals on a time slot of one of said forward frequency channels, whereby said forward signals may be reconstructed at a subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the forward information provided on a telephone line, the interconnection means receiving reverse signals over the RF link on the reverse frequency channel from the subscriber stations as reverse signals; and periodically exchanging information during the course of communication operation concerning the present status for the connection between the base station and a subscriber station, the link quality, power, and timing adjustment thereof and providing adjustment to the subscriber station based thereupon.

Claim 19

A method for providing toll quality digital wireless multiple access terrestrial communication using a base station between telephone lines and mobile subscriber stations, the system being capable of simultaneous wireless transmission of forward information and reverse information over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber stations on forward and reverse frequency channels, the forward information from the telephone lines being applied to a transmitter and the transmitter transmitting forward signals over the RF link from the base station system to the subscriber stations, and a receiver receiving reverse signals from the subscriber station over the RF link and the reverse information being applied to the telephone lines, the base station method comprising the steps of: switching the forward information from the telephone lines as forward signals to the transmitter, and switching the reverse signals from the receiver as reverse information to the telephone lines; interconnecting the forward signals on a time slot of one of said forward frequency channels, whereby said forward signals may be reconstructed at a subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the forward information provided on a telephone line, and interconnecting the received reverse signals over the RF link on the reverse frequency channel from the subscriber stations as reverse signals; and periodically exchanging information during the course of communication operation concerning the present status of the connection between the base station and a subscriber station, the link quality, power, and timing adjustment thereof and providing adjustment to the subscriber station based thereupon.

Claim 20

A method for providing toll quality digital wireless multiple access terrestrial communication using a base station between telephone lines and mobile subscriber stations, the system being capable of simultaneous wireless transmission of forward information and reverse information over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber stations on forward and reverse frequency channels, the forward information from the telephone lines being applied to a transmitter and the transmitter transmitting forward signals over the RF link from the base station system to the subscriber stations, and a receiver receiving reverse signals from the subscriber station over the RF link and the reverse information being applied to the telephone lines, the base station method comprising the steps of: switching the forward information from the telephone lines as forward signals to the transmitter, and switching the reverse signals from the receiver as reverse information to the telephone lines; interconnecting the forward signals on a time slot of one of said forward frequency channels, whereby said forward signals may be reconstructed at a subscriber station to provide substantially the same information as the forward information provided on a telephone line, and interconnecting the received reverse signals over the RF link on the reverse frequency channel from the subscriber stations as reverse signals; and periodically exchanging information during the course of communication operation concerning the present status of the connection between the base station and a subscriber station, the link quality, power, and timing adjustment thereof and providing adjustment to the subscriber station based thereupon.

Claim 27

A method of using a subscriber station for providing toll quality, digital, wireless multiple access terrestrial communication between telephone lines and a base station, the subscriber station and the base station being capable of simultaneous wireless transmission of forward information and reverse information over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber station on forward and reverse frequency channels, the forward information from the telephone lines being applied to a transmitter and the transmitter transmitting forward signals over the RF link from the base station to the subscriber station, and a receiver receiving reverse signals from the subscriber station over the RF link and the reverse information being applied to the telephone lines, the method comprising the steps of: setting up the reverse signals on a time slot of one of said reverse frequency channels, whereby said reverse signals may be reconstructed at the base station to provide substantially the same information as the reverse information provided from a user, and setting up forward signals over the RF link on the forward frequency channel from the base station as forward signals; and periodically exchanging information during the course of communication operation concerning the present status of the connection between the base station and the subscriber station, the link quality, power, and timing adjustment thereof and providing adjustment to the subscriber station based thereupon.

Claim 28

A method of using a subscriber station for providing toll quality, digital, wireless multiple access terrestrial communication between telephone lines and a base station, the subscriber station and the base station being capable of simultaneous wireless transmission of forward information and reverse information over a radio frequency (RF) link between the telephone lines and the subscriber station on forward and reverse frequency channels, the forward information from the telephone lines being applied to a transmitter and the transmitter transmitting forward signals over the RF link from the base station to the subscriber station, and a receiver receiving reverse signals from the subscriber station over the RF link and the reverse information being applied to the telephone lines, the method comprising the steps of: setting up the reverse signals on a time slot of one of said reverse frequency channels, whereby said reverse signals may be reconstructed at the base station to provide substantially the same information as the reverse information provided from a user, and setting up forward signals over the RF link on the forward frequency channel from the base station as forward signals; and periodically exchanging information during the course of communication operation concerning the present status of the connection between the base station and the subscriber station, the link quality, power, and timing adjustment thereof and providing adjustment to the subscriber station based thereupon.