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

Abstract

A system and method for wireless communication between a plurality of subscriber units and a base station, the base station communicating information signals from an originating source to a destination subscriber unit over a channel at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies using repetitive time frames, each said time frame comprising a sequence of time slots. The channel is defined as having the same one or more time slots from the sequence of time slots in one or more of the time frames. The base station includes a central processing unit capable of assigning a duration of time for the information signals being sent to the destination subscriber unit. The duration equals the duration of one or more time slots in the same frame. The central processing unit maintains a memory of which time slots of each time frame have been assigned and provides the time slot assignment, and therefore channel assignment, by consulting said memory. The system includes a multiplexer for multiplexing the information signals onto the assigned channel; and a transmitter for transmitting the information signals to the destination subscriber unit using the assigned channel.

1 . In a wireless communication system, a method of transmitting information signals from an originating source to a destination mobile subscriber unit, the information signals being transmitted over a channel at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies, said channel being divided into a sequence of repetitive time slots with a group of consecutive time slots defining a frame, the method comprising: 
 (a) assigning a channel to the information signals from an originating source, said information signals having respective different bit processing rates;    (b) assigning a duration of time for the information signals, said duration being equal to the duration of one or more time slots in the same frame;    (c) assigning said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same frame;    (d) communicating the assigned frequency and time slot information to a destination mobile subscriber unit; and    (e) transmitting the information signals to the destination mobile subscriber unit over the assigned frequency using the assigned time slots.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein all of said time slots are of equal time duration.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (f) modulating the information signals onto the carrier of the frequency assigned to the channel with one modulation type; and    (g) modulating other information signals with other modulation types from different originating sources to different destination mobile subscriber units onto the same carrier in different time slots within the same frame.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         5 . A wireless communication system for transmitting information signals from an originating source to a destination mobile subscriber unit, the information signals being transmitted over a channel at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies, said channel being divided into a sequence of repetitive time slots with a group of consecutive time slots defining a frame, the system comprising: 
 (a) means for assigning a channel to the information signals from an originating source, said information signals having respective different bit processing rates;    (b) means for assigning a duration of time for the information signals, said duration being equal to the duration of one or more time slots in the same frame;    (c) means for assigning said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same frame;    (d) means for communicating the assigned frequency and time slot information to a destination mobile subscriber unit; and    (e) means for transmitting the information signals to the destination mobile subscriber unit over the assigned frequency using the assigned time slots.    
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 (f) means for assigning to other information signals destined for other mobile subscriber units, time slots within the same frame other than said time slots.    
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 (f) means for modulating the information signals onto the carrier of the frequency assigned to the channel with one modulation type; and    (g) means for modulating other information signals with other modulation types from different originating sources to different destination mobile subscriber units onto the same carrier in different slots within the same frame.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         9 . A base station for wireless communication with a plurality of mobile subscriber units, the base station communicating information signals from an originating source to a destination one of said mobile subscriber units over a channel at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies, said channel being divided into a sequence of repetitive time slots with a group of consecutive time slots defining a frame, said base station comprising: 
 (a) a processor configured to assign a duration of time for the information signals being sent to said destination mobile subscriber unit, wherein said duration equals the duration of one or more time slots in the same frame; and    (b) a memory for storing assignment information indicating which time slots in each frame of each channel have been assigned, wherein said processor maintains said memory and provides said assignment information by consulting said memory.    
     
     
         10 . The base station of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 (c) a multiplexer for multiplexing the information signals onto the assigned channel; and    (d) a transmitter for transmitting the information signals to said destination mobile subscriber unit using the assigned slots within the frame over the assigned channel.    
     
     
         11 . The base station of  claim 9  wherein all of said time slots are of equal time duration.  
     
     
         12 . The base station of  claim 9  wherein said information signals have respective different bit processing rates.  
     
     
         13 . The base station of  claim 12  wherein said processor assigns said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same frame.  
     
     
         14 . The base station of  claim 9  wherein said information signals are modulated onto a carrier frequency of the channel, and wherein different information signals have different modulation types.  
     
     
         15 . The base station of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 (c) a modulator for modulating the information signals onto a carrier frequency of the channel, said modulator being configured to modulate different information signals having respective different modulation types, wherein said processor is configured to assign information signals having respective different modulation types to time slots in the same frame.    
     
     
         16 . The base station of  claim 15  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         17 . The base station of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 (c) a linear modulator including a linear amplifier.    
     
     
         18 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein said linear modulator uses modulation to transmit at least 2 bits/symbol.  
     
     
         19 . The base station of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 (c) a receiver for receiving reverse information signals from an originating one of said mobile subscriber units to a destination over a reverse channel at an assigned frequency, wherein said reverse channel is present on multiple time slots within the same frame.    
     
     
         20 . The base station of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 (d) a demodulator for demodulating said reverse information signals from the carrier frequency of the reverse channel, said demodulator being configured to demodulate reverse information signals having respective different modulation types.    
     
     
         21 . In a wireless communication system, a method of communicating information signals from an originating source to a destination one of a plurality of mobile subscriber units over a channel at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies, said channel being divided into a sequence of repetitive time slots with a group of consecutive time slots defining a frame, the method comprising: 
 (a) assigning a duration of time for the information signals being sent to said destination mobile subscriber unit, wherein said duration equals the duration of one or more time slots in the same frame; and    (b) storing assignment information indicating which time slots in each frame of each channel have been assigned; and    (c) providing said assignment information by consulting said memory.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 (d) multiplexing the information signals onto the assigned channel; and    (e) transmitting the information signals to said destination mobile subscriber unit using the assigned slots within the frame over the assigned channel.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  21  wherein all of said time slots are of equal time duration.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said information signals have respective different bit processing rates.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 (d) assigning said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same frame.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 (d) modulating said information signals onto a carrier frequency of the channel, and wherein different information signals have different modulation types.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 (d) modulating the information signals onto a carrier frequency of the channel;    (e) modulating different information signals having respective different modulation types; and    (f) assigning information signals having respective different modulation types to time slots in the same frame.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 (d) receiving reverse information signals from an originating one of said mobile subscriber units to a destination over a reverse channel at an assigned frequency, wherein said reverse channel is present on multiple time slots within the same frame.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising: 
 (e) demodulating said reverse information signals from the carrier frequency of the reverse channel; and    (f) demodulating reverse information signals having respective different modulation types.