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 . A base station which facilitates wireless communication with at least one other communicating unit, the base station communicating information signals to said communicating 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, said channel being defined as having the same one or more of said time slots from said sequence of time slots in one or more of said time frames, the base station comprising: 
 (a) a processor configured to assign a duration of time for the information signals being sent to said communicating unit, wherein said duration equals the duration of one or more time slots in the same time frame; and    (b) a memory for storing assignment information indicating which time slots of each time frame have been assigned, wherein said processor maintains said memory and provides said assignment information by consulting said memory.    
     
     
         2 . The base station of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (c) a multiplexer for multiplexing the information signals onto the channel; and    (d) a transmitter for transmitting the information signals to said communicating unit based on said assignment information.    
     
     
         3 . The base station of  claim 1  wherein all of said time slots are of equal time duration.  
     
     
         4 . The base station of  claim 1  wherein said information signals have respective different bit processing rates.  
     
     
         5 . The base station of  claim 4  wherein said processor assigns said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same time frame.  
     
     
         6 . The base station of  claim 1  wherein said information signals are modulated onto a carrier frequency of the channel, and wherein different information signals have different modulation types.  
     
     
         7 . The base station of  claim 1  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 time frame.    
     
     
         8 . The base station of  claim 7  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         9 . The base station of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (c) a linear modulator including a linear amplifier.    
     
     
         10 . The base station of  claim 9  wherein said linear modulator uses modulation to transmit at least 2 bits/symbol.  
     
     
         11 . The base station of  claim 1  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 time frame.    
     
     
         12 . The base station of  claim 11  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.    
     
     
         13 . A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of base stations, at least one of said base stations being configured in accordance with the base station of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         14 . A base station for supporting wireless communication with at least one subscriber unit, the base station communicating information signals to said at least one subscriber unit in selected time slots of time frames of assigned frequencies wherein the time frames for each frequency have a predetermined number of time slots each having a predetermined position in the time frame and time division multiplex (TDM) channels are defined by one or more time slots having the same relative position in each of a frequency's time frames, said base station comprising: 
 (a) a processor which makes time slot assignments for segments of each information signal to be sent to said at least one subscriber unit, such that segments of a particular information signal are assigned to the time slots of a selected TDM channel; and    (b) a memory for storing assignment information indicating which time slot positions in the time frames of each frequency are allocated to which TDM channels, wherein said processor maintains said memory and provides said assignment information by consulting said memory.    
     
     
         15 . The base station of  claim 14  wherein a frequency assigned to said channel has N time slots per time frame where N is at least four and N TDM channels are assigned to said at least one frequency such that an ith TDM channel corresponds to the time slots of an ith time slot position of said time frames, for i=1 to N, and said processor unit assigns a series of segments, which series combine to constitute a given information signal, to the ith time slot of consecutive time frames of the frequency in order to communicate the given information signal to a subscriber unit via the ith TDM channel of the frequency.  
     
     
         16 . The base station of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 (c) a multiplexer for multiplexing said assigned segments into a series corresponding to said assigned time slots; and    (d) an information signal buffer unit for providing information signals in segments of a selected size to said multiplexer corresponding said assigned time slots.    
     
     
         17 . The base station of  claim 14  wherein said processor assigns segments of information signals intended for different subscriber units to different time slots of a designated TDM channel.  
     
     
         18 . The base station of  claim 14  wherein said processor assigns time slots of consecutive time frames for each segment of a given information signal.  
     
     
         19 . The base station of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 (c) a receiver for receiving signals on reception frequencies, wherein each frequency used for transmission has an associated frequency used for reception such that received signals on each respective reception frequency have time frames having the same predetermined number of time slots as signals transmitted on said associated frequency.    
     
     
         20 . The base station of  claim 19  wherein each frequency used for transmission is different from said associated frequency used for reception and is separated therefrom by approximately 5 MHz.  
     
     
         21 . The base station of  claim 14  wherein said information signals include voice information signals, said system further comprising: 
 (c) a voice coder unit for compressing said voice information signals into compressed voice information signals, wherein said processor assigns time slots for segments of said compressed voice information signals output by said voice coder unit.    
     
     
         22 . The base station of  claim 14  wherein said information signals include command information signals, and said processor makes time slot assignments for segments of said command information signals to a TDM channel designated as a radio control channel (RCC) for said subscriber units.  
     
     
         23 . The base station of  claim 14  wherein said processor allocates and deallocates time slot positions of frequency time frames by consulting said memory to dynamically define TDM channels.  
     
     
         24 . The base station of  23  wherein at least one frequency has time frames which each have four time slots and wherein said processor allocates either one or two time slots per time frame for the frequency's TDM channels such that the processor allocates for the frequency a maximum of four TDM channels, each corresponding to the time slots of a respective first, second, third or fourth time slot position of each of the frequency's time frame and a minimum of two TDM channels, one corresponding to the time slots of first and second time slot positions of the frequency's time frames and the other corresponding to the time slots of third and fourth time slot positions of the frequency's time frames.  
     
     
         25 . A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of base stations, at least one of said base stations being configured in accordance with the base station of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         26 . A base station for facilitating wireless communication with at least one subscriber unit, the base station communicating information signals to said at least one subscriber unit in selected time slots of time frames of assigned frequencies wherein the time frames for each frequency have a predetermined number of time slots each having a predetermined position in the time frame, and channels are defined by a group of time slots having the same relative position in each of a frequency's time frames, said base station comprising: 
 (a) a processor which makes time slot assignments for segments of each information signal to be sent to said at least one subscriber unit, such that segments of a particular information signal are assigned to the time slots of a selected channel; and    (b) a memory for storing assignment information indicating which time slot positions in the time frames of each frequency are allocated to which channels, wherein said processor maintains said memory and provides said assignment information by consulting said memory.    
     
     
         27 . The base station of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 (c) a multiplexer for multiplexing information signal segments into a series corresponding to time slot assignments; and    (d) a transmitter for transmitting the multiplexed information signal segments to said at least one subscriber unit on frequencies corresponding to the time slot assignments.    
     
     
         28 . A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of base stations, at least one of said base stations being configured in accordance with the base station of  claim 26 .  
     
     
         29 . A base station for facilitating wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of subscriber units, the base station communicating information signals to a destination one of said subscriber units over a channel at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies, said channel comprising a plurality of repetitive time slots, with a series of consecutive time slots defining a time frame, said base station comprising: 
 (a) a processor configured to assign at least one time slot in the same time frame for the information signals to be sent to said destination subscriber unit; and    (b) a memory for storing assignment information indicating which time slots have been assigned, wherein said processor maintains said memory and provides said assignment information by consulting said memory.    
     
     
         30 . The base station of  claim 29  further comprising: 
 (c) a multiplexer for multiplexing the information signals onto the channel; and    (d) a transmitter for transmitting the information signals to said destination subscriber unit based on said assignment information.    
     
     
         31 . The base station of  claim 29  wherein all of said time slots are of equal time duration.  
     
     
         32 . The base station of  claim 29  wherein said information signals have respective different bit processing rates.  
     
     
         33 . The base station of  claim 32  wherein said processor assigns said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same time frame.  
     
     
         34 . The base station of  claim 29  wherein said information signals are modulated onto a carrier frequency of the channel, and wherein different information signals have different modulation types.  
     
     
         35 . The base station of  claim 29  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 time frame.    
     
     
         36 . The base station of  claim 35  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         37 . The base station of  claim 29  further comprising: 
 (c) a linear modulator including a linear amplifier.    
     
     
         38 . The base station of  claim 37  wherein said linear modulator uses modulation to transmit at least 2 bits/symbol.  
     
     
         39 . The base station of  claim 29  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 time frame.    
     
     
         40 . The base station of  claim 39  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.    
     
     
         41 . A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of base stations, at least one of said base stations being configured in accordance with the base station of  claim 29 .  
     
     
         42 . A base station for facilitating wireless communication with a plurality of subscriber units, the base station communicating information signals from an originating source to a destination one of said subscriber units over a channel at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies, said channel comprising at least one time slot from a time frame repeating over time, each said time frame comprising a finite series of time slots, said base station comprising: 
 (a) a processor configured to define a channel by assigning a duration of time for the information signals being sent to said one destination subscriber unit, wherein said duration equals the duration of one or more time slots in the same time frame; and    (b) a memory for storing assignment information indicating which time slots in each time frame have been assigned, wherein said processor maintains said memory and provides said assignment information by consulting said memory.    
     
     
         43 . The base station of  claim 42  further comprising: 
 (c) a multiplexer for multiplexing the information signals onto the channel; and    (d) a transmitter for transmitting the information signals to said destination subscriber unit over the channel.    
     
     
         44 . The base station of  claim 42  wherein all of said time slots are of equal time duration.  
     
     
         45 . The base station of  claim 42  wherein said information signals have respective different bit processing rates.  
     
     
         46 . The base station of  claim 45  wherein said processor assigns said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same time frame.  
     
     
         47 . The base station of  claim 42  wherein said information signals are modulated onto a carrier frequency of the channel, and wherein different information signals have different modulation types.  
     
     
         48 . The base station of  claim 42  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 time frame.    
     
     
         49 . The base station of  claim 48  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         50 . The base station of  claim 42  further comprising: 
 (c) a linear modulator including a linear amplifier.    
     
     
         51 . The base station of  claim 50  wherein said linear modulator uses modulation to transmit at least 2 bits/symbol.  
     
     
         52 . The base station of  claim 42  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 time frame.    
     
     
         53 . The base station of  claim 52  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.    
     
     
         54 . A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of base stations, at least one of said base stations being configured in accordance with the base station of  claim 42 .  
     
     
         55 . A base station for supporting wireless communication with a plurality of subscriber units, the UE communicating information signals from an originating source to a destination one of said subscriber units at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies and over an assigned channel, using a repeating time frame, said time frame having a plurality of time slots, said channel being defined by at least one of said time slots in each time frame, said UE comprising: 
 (a) a processor configured to assign a duration of time for the information signals being sent to said destination subscriber unit, wherein said duration equals the duration of one or more time slots in the same time frame; and    (b) a memory for storing assignment information indicating which time slots in each time frame have been assigned, wherein said processor maintains said memory and provides said assignment information by consulting said memory.    
     
     
         56 . The base station of  claim 55  further comprising: 
 (c) a multiplexer for multiplexing the information signals onto the channel; and    (d) a transmitter for transmitting the information signals to said destination subscriber unit over the channel.    
     
     
         57 . The base station of  claim 55  wherein all of said time slots are of equal time duration.  
     
     
         58 . The base station of  claim 55  wherein said information signals have respective different bit processing rates.  
     
     
         59 . The base station of  claim 58  wherein said processor assigns said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same time frame.  
     
     
         60 . The base station of  claim 55  wherein said information signals are modulated onto a carrier frequency of the channel, and wherein different information signals have different modulation types.  
     
     
         61 . The base station of  claim 55  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 time frame.    
     
     
         62 . The base station of  claim 61  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         63 . The base station of  claim 55  further comprising: 
 (c) a linear modulator including a linear amplifier.    
     
     
         64 . The base station of  claim 63  wherein said linear modulator uses modulation to transmit at least 2 bits/symbol.  
     
     
         65 . The base station of  claim 55  further comprising: 
 (c) a receiver for receiving reverse information signals from an originating one of said 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 time frame.    
     
     
         66 . The base station of  claim 65  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.    
     
     
         67 . A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of base stations, at least one of said base stations being configured in accordance with the base station of  claim 55 .  
     
     
         68 . A base station which facilitates wireless communication with at least one communicating unit, the base station communicating information signals to said communicating unit over a channel at an assigned one of a plurality of frequencies using repetitive time frames, the assigned channel being assigned by said communicating unit, each said time frame comprising a sequence of time slots, said channel being defined as having the same one or more of said time slots from said sequence of time slots in one or more of said time frames, said base station comprising: 
 (a) a processor for placing the information signals into at least one time slot within a time frame; and    (b) a transmitter for transmitting the information signals to said communicating unit over the assigned channel.    
     
     
         69 . The base station of  claim 68  further comprising: 
 (c) a multiplexer for multiplexing the information signals onto the assigned channel.    
     
     
         70 . The base station of  claim 68  wherein all of said time slots are of equal time duration.  
     
     
         71 . The base station of  claim 68  wherein said information signals have respective different bit processing rates.  
     
     
         72 . The base station of  claim 71  wherein said processor assigns said information signals having respective different bit processing rates to time slots within the same time frame.  
     
     
         73 . The base station of  claim 68  wherein said information signals are modulated onto a carrier frequency of the assigned channel, and wherein different information signals have different modulation types.  
     
     
         74 . The base station of  claim 68  further comprising: 
 (c) a modulator for modulating the information signals onto a carrier frequency of the assigned 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.    
     
     
         75 . The base station of  claim 64  wherein at least one of said modulation types is phase shift keying (PSK) modulation.  
     
     
         76 . The base station of  claim 68  further comprising: 
 (c) a linear modulator including a linear amplifier.    
     
     
         77 . The base station of  claim 76  wherein said linear modulator uses modulation to transmit at least 2 bits/symbol.  
     
     
         78 . The base station of  claim 68  further comprising: 
 (c) a receiver for receiving reverse information signals from said communicating unit over a reverse channel at an assigned frequency, wherein said reverse channel is present on multiple time slots within the same frame.    
     
     
         79 . The base station of  claim 78  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.    
     
     
         80 . A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of base stations, at least one of said base stations being configured in accordance with the base station of  claim 68.