Smart antenna backwards compatibility in digital cellular systems

Claim 3

A method as in claim 1, wherein the predetermined frequency channel allocation is comprised of a static frequency channel allocation.

Claim 4

A method as in claim 1, wherein the predetermined frequency channel allocation is comprised of a dynamic frequency channel allocation.

Claim 7

A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein for the mobile stations assigned to the first group, comprising the further step of transmitting to each of the mobile stations at a per time slot basis with a power level that is a function of a distance to the mobile station.

Claim 8

A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein for the mobile stations assigned to the second group, comprising the further step of transmitting to each of the mobile stations with a same power level.

Claim 9

A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the set of first frequency channels are spatially distributed with a first frequency reuse plan of N, wherein the set of second frequency channels are spatially distributed with a second frequency reuse plan of M, and where N<M.

Claim 10

A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the steps of assigning are based on a static allocation of frequency channels.

Claim 11

A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the steps of assigning are based on a dynamic allocation of frequency channels as a function of demand.

Claim 12

A method as set forth in claim 4, and further comprising an initial step of assigning at least one digital control channel to one of the second frequency channels.

Claim 13

A method as set forth in claim 4, and further comprising a step of transmitting a neighboring frequency channel measurement list to the second group of mobile stations, wherein all of the frequency channels in the list are one of the second frequency channels.

Claim 14

A cellular communication system, comprising: means for allocating mobile stations into groups as a function of their ability support a directional antenna transmission from a base station, wherein a first group of mobile stations have an ability to support the directional antenna transmission from the base station and wherein a second group of mobile stations do not have an ability to support the directional antenna transmission from the base station; and means for allocating frequency channels to the first and second groups of mobile stations in accordance with a predetermined frequency channel allocation.

Claim 15

A cellular communication system, comprising: means for allocating mobile stations into groups as a function of their ability support a directional antenna transmission from a base station, wherein a first group of mobile stations have an ability to support the directional antenna transmission from the base station and wherein a second group of mobile stations do not have an ability to support the directional antenna transmission from the base station; and means for allocating frequency channels to the first and second groups of mobile stations in accordance with a predetermined frequency channel allocation.

Claim 16

A TDMA cellular communication system, comprising: a mobile station; a base station; means for transmitting a message from the mobile station to the base station; means for determining if the message includes information for specifying that the mobile station is capable of operation with a directional antenna transmission from the base station; and means for assigning, responsive to the message including the information, the mobile station to one of a set of first frequency channels associated with a first group of mobile stations that are all capable of operation with a directional antenna transmission, the means for assigning also being responsive to the message not including the information for assigning the mobile station to one of a set of second frequency channels associated with a second group of mobile stations that are all capable of operation with only an omnidirectional antenna transmission.

Claim 17

A TDMA cellular communication system, comprising: a mobile station; a base station; means for transmitting a message from the mobile station to the base station; means for determining if the message includes information for specifying that the mobile station is capable of operation with a directional antenna transmission from the base station; and means for assigning, responsive to the message including the information, the mobile station to one of a set of first frequency channels associated with a first group of mobile stations that are all capable of operation with a directional antenna transmission, the means for assigning also being responsive to the message not including the information for assigning the mobile station to one of a set of second frequency channels associated with a second group of mobile stations that are all capable of operation with only an omnidirectional antenna transmission.

Claim 18

A system as set forth in claim 13, and further comprising means for transmitting, to each of the mobile stations assigned to the first group, on a per time slot basis with a power level that is a function of a distance to the mobile station.

Claim 19

A system as set forth in claim 13, and further comprising means for transmitting, to each of the mobile stations assigned to the second group, with a same power level.

Claim 20

A system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the set of first frequency channels are spatially distributed with a first frequency reuse plan of N, wherein the set of second frequency channels are spatially distributed with a second frequency reuse plan of M, and where N<M.

Claim 21

A system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the means for assigning employs a static allocation of frequency channels.

Claim 22

A system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the means for assigning employs a dynamic allocation of frequency channels as a function of demand.

Claim 23

A system as set forth in claim 13, and further comprising means for first assigning at least one digital control channel to one of the second frequency channels.

Claim 24

A system as set forth in claim 13, and further comprising means for transmitting a neighboring frequency channel measurement list to the second group of mobile stations, wherein all of the frequency channels in the list are one of the second frequency channels.