US5999818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Frequency re-used and time-shared cellular communication system having multiple radio communication systems
Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc
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Filing: 1996-08-06
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2016-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for multiplexing time-shared base stations between a plurality of radio communication systems in a cellular communication system. Each radio communication system in the cellular system is assigned a limited unique set of frequencies for communication therein. Base stations in the cellular system are synchronized to a common time base and frequency reuse is achieved by time-sharing the frequencies via allocated time slots. Base stations activated to communicate in a first radio communication system and using the same frequencies that may interfere with each other are activated in the first system only during selected time intervals while same-frequency base stations nearby are deactivated in the first system. The deactivated base stations are then in turn activated in the first system while previously activated same-frequency base stations nearby are deactivated. Enhanced base station efficiency is achieved using the present inventive method by activating the time sharing base stations to communicate in one or more additional radio communication systems during periods when the base stations are deactivated in the first system. The radio communication systems can use differing numbers of assigned frequencies having differing time slot durations. The transmission periods used by each system may be mutually exclusive, or may overlap.
Inventors
- 👤 Sheldon L. Gilbert
- 👤 F. Matthew Rhodes
- 👤 Francis James Canova, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W28/00; H04W28/16; H04W16/00; H04W16/14; H04W4/00; H04W4/06; H04W52/00; H04W52/02; H04W52/0203; H04W52/0206; H04W74/00; H04W74/04; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/04; H04W84/042; H04W88/00; H04W88/08; H04W88/10; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A method for sharing a plurality of base stations for communicating within cells using a first cellular communication system using first assigned carrier frequencies and a second cellular communication system using second assigned carrier frequencies each carrier frequency representing a communication channel, wherein a plurality of cells are arranged as a plurality of cell groups each cell having an assigned carrier frequency of the first and second assigned carrier frequencies, wherein selected base stations in a respective cell group are periodically activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies in the first communication system at least in part only during a time period in which no other selected base station in the respective cell group is so activated to transceive on the first carrier assigned frequencies, the method comprising: (a) assigning the second assigned carrier frequencies of the second communication system to the selected base stations to share the selected base stations with the second communication system; (b) periodically activating other base stations within the respective cell group to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies in the second communication system at least in part when the selected base stations in the respective cell group are activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies, and (c) periodically activating each selected base station within the respective cell group to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies in the second communication system during periods that the selected base stations would otherwise be idle in the first communication system at least in part only during a time period in which no other selected base station in the respective group is so activated to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
279 words
A method for sharing a plurality of base stations for communicating within cells using a first cellular communication system using first assigned carrier frequencies and a second cellular communication system using second assigned carrier frequencies each carrier frequency representing a communication channel, wherein a plurality of cells are arranged as a plurality of cell groups each cell having an assigned carrier frequency of the first and second assigned carrier frequencies, wherein selected base stations in a respective cell group are periodically activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies in the first communication system at least in part only during a time period in which no other selected base station in the respective cell group is so activated to transceive on the first carrier assigned frequencies, the method comprising: (a) assigning the second assigned carrier frequencies of the second communication system to the selected base stations to share the selected base stations with the second communication system; (b) periodically activating other base stations within the respective cell group to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies in the second communication system at least in part when the selected base stations in the respective cell group are activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies, and (c) periodically activating each selected base station within the respective cell group to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies in the second communication system during periods that the selected base stations would otherwise be idle in the first communication system at least in part only during a time period in which no other selected base station in the respective group is so activated to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the time period during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies has the same duration for another selected base station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the time period during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies has a different duration from another selected base station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the time period during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies has the same time period as that during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the time period during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies has a different duration than the time period during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the time period during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies does not overlap any time period during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the time period during which a selected base station is activated to transceive on the first assigned carrier frequencies at least partially overlaps the time period during which at least another selected base station is activated to transceive on the second assigned carrier frequencies.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for sharing a base station between a first radio communication system having a first set of assigned carrier frequencies and at least one additional radio communication system having a second set of assigned carrier frequencies each carrier frequency representing a communication channel, wherein the first radio communication system and the at least one additional radio communication system are time-shared cellular communication systems for sharing the base station, wherein the base station for sharing is periodically activated to communicate for a time period on a first carrier frequency in the first communication system, and wherein the base station is periodically idle in the first communication system during another time period, the method comprising: (a) periodically activating another base station for sharing to communicate for another time period on the first carrier frequency in the first communication system, and wherein the another base station is periodically idle in the first communication system; and (b) selectively activating the base station for sharing to communicate on a second carrier frequency associated with the at least one additional radio communication system during time periods in which the base station is idle on the first carrier frequency in the first communication system.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for sharing a base station between a first radio communication system having a first set of assigned carrier frequencies and at least one additional radio communication system having a second set of assigned carrier frequencies each carrier frequency representing a communication channel, wherein the first radio communication system and the at least one additional radio communication system are time-shared cellular communication systems for sharing the base station, wherein the base station for sharing is periodically activated to communicate for a time period on a first carrier frequency in the first communication system, and wherein the base station is periodically idle in the first communication system during another time period, the method comprising: (a) periodically activating another base station for sharing to communicate for another time period on the first carrier frequency in the first communication system, and wherein the another base station is periodically idle in the first communication system; and (b) selectively activating the base station for sharing to communicate on a second carrier frequency associated with the at least one additional radio communication system during time periods in which the base station is idle on the first carrier frequency in the first communication system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the time period during which the base station is activated to communicate in the first communication system has substantially the same duration as the time period during which the base station is activated to communicate in another communication system.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
41 words
The method of claim wherein the time period during which the base station is activated to communicate in the first communication system is different from the time period during which the base station is activated to communicate with another communication system.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for sharing a plurality of base stations between a first radio communication system having a first assigned carrier frequency and one or more additional radio communication systems having additional assigned carrier frequencies in a time-shared cellular communication system having a plurality of cell groups, each of the carrier frequencies representing a communication channel, wherein each selected base station in a cell group is periodically activated to transceive on a first carrier frequency in the first radio communication system at least in part only during a time period in which no other selected base station in the cell group is so activated, comprising: (a) assigning to a selected base station one or more of the additional carrier frequencies associated with the one or more additional radio communication systems wherein the additional carrier frequencies are distinct from each other and from the first carrier frequency; and (b) selectively activating selected base stations to transceive on a selected one of the one or more additional carrier frequencies in a selected additional communication system during periods that a base station is idle in the first system.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for sharing a plurality of base stations between a first radio communication system having a first assigned carrier frequency and one or more additional radio communication systems having additional assigned carrier frequencies in a time-shared cellular communication system having a plurality of cell groups, each of the carrier frequencies representing a communication channel, wherein each selected base station in a cell group is periodically activated to transceive on a first carrier frequency in the first radio communication system at least in part only during a time period in which no other selected base station in the cell group is so activated, comprising: (a) assigning to a selected base station one or more of the additional carrier frequencies associated with the one or more additional radio communication systems wherein the additional carrier frequencies are distinct from each other and from the first carrier frequency; and (b) selectively activating selected base stations to transceive on a selected one of the one or more additional carrier frequencies in a selected additional communication system during periods that a base station is idle in the first system.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for sharing a plurality of base stations between a first radio communication system having a first set of assigned carrier frequencies and one or more additional radio communication systems having additional sets of assigned carrier frequencies in a time-shared cellular communication system having a plurality of cell groups, each of the carrier frequencies representing a communication channel, wherein selected base stations in a cell group are activated to transceive on a first set of distinct carrier frequencies in the first radio communication system when no other selected base station in the cell group is so activated, comprising: a) assigning to a selected base station one or more of the additional sets of carrier frequencies associated with the one or more additional radio communication systems wherein the additional sets of carrier frequencies are distinct from each other and from the first set of carrier frequencies; and b) selectively activating the selected base stations to transceive on a selected set of the additional sets of carrier frequencies in selected corresponding additional communication systems when the base stations are idle in the first system.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for sharing a plurality of base stations between a first radio communication system having a first set of assigned carrier frequencies and one or more additional radio communication systems having additional sets of assigned carrier frequencies in a time-shared cellular communication system having a plurality of cell groups, each of the carrier frequencies representing a communication channel, wherein selected base stations in a cell group are activated to transceive on a first set of distinct carrier frequencies in the first radio communication system when no other selected base station in the cell group is so activated, comprising: a) assigning to a selected base station one or more of the additional sets of carrier frequencies associated with the one or more additional radio communication systems wherein the additional sets of carrier frequencies are distinct from each other and from the first set of carrier frequencies; and b) selectively activating the selected base stations to transceive on a selected set of the additional sets of carrier frequencies in selected corresponding additional communication systems when the base stations are idle in the first system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
216 words
A multiple cellular communication system having a plurality of cell groups and compatible frequency plans, comprising: a) a first radio communication system having a first set of carrier frequencies for communication, each carrier frequency of the first set of carrier frequencies representing a communication channel for communication to at least one user; b) at least one additional radio communication system having at least one set of additional carrier frequencies for communication, each additional set of carrier frequencies for communication being unique, each frequency of each additional set of carrier frequencies representing a communication channel for communication to at least one other user; and c) a plurality of base stations arranged into respective cell groups, wherein selected base stations in a respective cell group are activated to communicate for a first time period on a carrier frequency of the first set of carrier frequencies of the first radio communication system when no other base station in the corresponding cell group is activated to communicate on the carrier frequency of the first set of carrier frequencies of the first radio communication system, and wherein the selected base stations are activated to communicate on a selected carrier frequency of the at least one set of additional carrier frequencies when the selected base stations are idle in the first system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
216 words
A multiple cellular communication system having a plurality of cell groups and compatible frequency plans, comprising: a) a first radio communication system having a first set of carrier frequencies for communication, each carrier frequency of the first set of carrier frequencies representing a communication channel for communication to at least one user; b) at least one additional radio communication system having at least one set of additional carrier frequencies for communication, each additional set of carrier frequencies for communication being unique, each frequency of each additional set of carrier frequencies representing a communication channel for communication to at least one other user; and c) a plurality of base stations arranged into respective cell groups, wherein selected base stations in a respective cell group are activated to communicate for a first time period on a carrier frequency of the first set of carrier frequencies of the first radio communication system when no other base station in the corresponding cell group is activated to communicate on the carrier frequency of the first set of carrier frequencies of the first radio communication system, and wherein the selected base stations are activated to communicate on a selected carrier frequency of the at least one set of additional carrier frequencies when the selected base stations are idle in the first system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cellular communication system of claim 13, wherein the time period during which the selected base stations are activated to communicate in the first communication system has substantially the same duration as the time period during which the base stations are activated to communicate in an additional communication system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cellular communication system of claim 13, wherein the time period during which a base station is activated to communicate in the first communication system has a different duration from the time period during which a base station is activated to communicate in another communication system.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of adding a base sharing cellular communication system on top of a pre-existing cellular communication system, the method comprising: a) providing the pre-existing cellular communication system having base stations time-synchronized and configured to communicate in accordance with a predetermined time slot allocation scheme on a first set of carrier frequencies, the pre-existing cellular communication system having idle periods of communication on the first set of carrier frequencies at base stations; b) providing at least one base sharing cellular communication system configured to communicate in another predetermined time slot allocation scheme on a second set of carrier frequencies over the base stations of the pre-existing cellular communication system; and, c) the at least one base sharing cellular communication system communicating in the another predetermined time slot allocation scheme over the base stations of the pre-existing cellular communication system during idle periods of communication on the first set of carrier frequencies, the communication using the second set of carrier frequencies.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of adding a base sharing cellular communication system on top of a pre-existing cellular communication system, the method comprising: a) providing the pre-existing cellular communication system having base stations time-synchronized and configured to communicate in accordance with a predetermined time slot allocation scheme on a first set of carrier frequencies, the pre-existing cellular communication system having idle periods of communication on the first set of carrier frequencies at base stations; b) providing at least one base sharing cellular communication system configured to communicate in another predetermined time slot allocation scheme on a second set of carrier frequencies over the base stations of the pre-existing cellular communication system; and, c) the at least one base sharing cellular communication system communicating in the another predetermined time slot allocation scheme over the base stations of the pre-existing cellular communication system during idle periods of communication on the first set of carrier frequencies, the communication using the second set of carrier frequencies.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 16, wherein, the at least one base sharing cellular communication system has a complementary frequency plan offset from the pre-existing and the other base sharing cellular communication systems both in time and frequency.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 16, wherein, the idle periods of communication on the first set of carrier frequencies in the first cellular communication system is greater than the predetermined time slot allocation for communication on the second set of carrier frequencies.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 16, wherein, the at least one base sharing communication system is added to provide a different type of communication between the shared base station and a different mobile unit capable of communicating over the second set of carrier frequencies.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 16, wherein, the at least one base sharing communication system is added to provide additional communication capacity for communication to additional users using a similar type of communication between the shared base station and a mobile unit capable of communicating over only the second set of carrier frequencies.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 16, wherein, the at least one base sharing communication system is added to provide additional communication capacity for communication to additional users using a similar type of communication between the shared base station and a mobile unit capable of communicating over either the first set of carrier frequencies or the second set of carrier frequencies but using only one carrier frequency for communication at a time unless a handoff is necessary.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising: (d) providing another base sharing cellular communication system configured to communicate in yet another predetermined time slot allocation scheme on a third set of carrier frequencies over the base stations of the pre-existing cellular communication system; and, (e) the another base sharing cellular communication system communicating in the yet another predetermined time slot allocation scheme over the base stations of the pre-existing cellular communication system during idle periods of communication on the first set of carrier frequencies and idle periods of communication on the second set of carrier frequencies at shared base stations, the communication of the another base sharing system to mobile units using the third set of carrier frequencies.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |