CA2251830A1 - System and method for reducing interference generated by a digital communication device - Google Patents
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- CA2251830A1 CA2251830A1 CA002251830A CA2251830A CA2251830A1 CA 2251830 A1 CA2251830 A1 CA 2251830A1 CA 002251830 A CA002251830 A CA 002251830A CA 2251830 A CA2251830 A CA 2251830A CA 2251830 A1 CA2251830 A1 CA 2251830A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B15/00—Suppression or limitation of noise or interference
- H04B15/02—Reducing interference from electric apparatus by means located at or near the interfering apparatus
Abstract
A system and method for reducing radio frequency interference arising in connection with pulsed transmission over time division multiplexed communication channels. In a first embodiment, a subscriber station (300) is nominally assigned all of the slots (TN0-TN7) of each frame of a first transmit channel (R0). By transmitting RF energy substantially continuously, the subscriber station reduces interference arising from pulsed transmission.
In a second embodiment, a subscriber station (300) is nominally assigned one or more slots (TN0-TN7) of each frame of a primary channel (R0) for conventional transmission of useful information, and is also instructed to continuously transmit RF energy over an auxiliary channel (R1) at times other than during the assigned primary channel slots. In this way, interference generated in the vicinity of the subscriber station (300) is reduced due to the substantially continuous transmission of RF energy by the subscriber station (300). More than one subscriber station (300) may simultaneously utilize the auxiliary channel (R1) during reduced interference mode operation.
In a second embodiment, a subscriber station (300) is nominally assigned one or more slots (TN0-TN7) of each frame of a primary channel (R0) for conventional transmission of useful information, and is also instructed to continuously transmit RF energy over an auxiliary channel (R1) at times other than during the assigned primary channel slots. In this way, interference generated in the vicinity of the subscriber station (300) is reduced due to the substantially continuous transmission of RF energy by the subscriber station (300). More than one subscriber station (300) may simultaneously utilize the auxiliary channel (R1) during reduced interference mode operation.
Description
CA 022~1830 1998- lo- 1~
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING INTERPERENCE
GENERATED BY A DIGlTAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to wireless communications systems. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a novel 10 system and method for reducing interference generated by digital communications devices.
II. Description of the Related Art In time-division multiple access (TDMA) cellular communication systems which are well known in the art, the available frequency spectrum is subdivided into a predetermined number of radio frequency channels, each of a given bandwidth. Each radio frequency channel is time-divided into a cycle of TDMA frames and each frame is further time-divided into a 20 cycle of a predetermined number of time intervals, called "slots." Thus, one slot represents a finite time period on a predetermined radio frequency channel. Communication over the radio interface occurs during these slots in groups of modulated bits, called "bursts," with one burst per slot. A
"normal burst" contains a packet of bits of useful information which is 25 preceded and followed by a brief "guard period" during which no useful information is nominally transmitted. This guard period allows for power ramping of the transmitter as it turns on prior to transmission of the information bits and turns off after transmission of the information bits.
Although the word "channel" as used above corresponds to a 30 particular fixed radio frequency bandwidth, it should be noted that in the more general case, i.e. in a frequency agile system such as the TDMA based Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, a "channel" may also have a temporal component. That is to say that a "channel" which is dedicated to a single function (i.e. a traffic channel), would be a succession of 35 slots which may occupy different frequencies at different times. It is in this more general, functional sense that the word "channel" will be used below.
When a given subscriber station in the communication system enters a dedicated mode, such as during a call set-up or when performing location updating to the base station, it is typically assigned to a particular slot of a CA 022~1830 1998-10- lS
transmit channel for transmission of its information, which has been packaged into a sequence of normal bursts. Thus, although many subscriber stations in a given cell may transmit over a single channel (limited at least by the number of slots in a frame), the individual normal bursts from each 5 user are time-division multiplexed into their corresponding slots. For example, a subscriber station assigned to the first slot in a frame of a given transmit channel will nominally transmit only during the first slot of each frame, and otherwise remains with its transmitter turned off so as to avoid inlelrelillg with the burst transmissions of the subscriber stations 10 respectively assigned to the remainder of the slots of that transmit channel frame. Thus, the subscriber station assigned to the first slot will turn on its transmitter during the guard period at the beginning of the first slot, transmit a package of useful information bits during that first slot, turn off its transmitter during the guard period at the end of the first slot, and 15 remain with its transmitter turned off during all other slots of the frame.
Likewise, the subscriber station assigned to the second slot of the frame will turn on its transmitter during the guard period at the beginning of the second slot, transmit a package useful information bits during that second slot, turn off its transmitter during the guard period at the end of the second 20 slot, and remain with its transmitter turned off during all other slots of the frame.
This periodic on/off switching of the subscriber station's transmitter produces a transmitted signal which is especially capable of interfering with the operation of nearby electronic equipment. Because this on/off switching 25 modulates the amplitude of the RF energy transmitted, we will refer to intel~elence which is caused by such on/off switching as "amplitude modulation intelference", or simply "AM intelferel~ce." For example, in the pan-European GSM cellular system, each frame has a duration of 4.615 ms, and is divided into eight slots, w*h each slot being 577 ~lS in duration.
30 Transmission during the same slot of each frame results in a subscriber station burst repetition rate of 216.6 Hz (i.e., 1/4.615 ms). Since this burst repetition rate is within the audio frequency range, it may be undesirable in the presence of other electronic equipment which contains circuitry which may act as an AM detector. For example, if a GSM subscriber station is 35 operated in the vicinity of a stereo system, the burst repetition rate may be heard as a buzz emanating from the speakers.
It should be noted that other TDMA-based digital communication systems use different frame lengths and a different number of slots per frame. For example, the U.S. TDMA cellular communication system CA 022~1830 1998- lo- 1~
described in Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) /Electronic Industries Association (EIA) Interim Standard 54-B (IS-54-B) uses cyclical TDMA frame lengths of 20 ms, each subdivided into six slots. Also, it should be noted that for higher-bandwidth signals, the TDMA system may assign 5 more than one slot per frame to a single subscriber station in order to accommodate the higher rate signal. However, these systems still use a burst repetition rate in the audio frequency range which may produce substantial in~eLferellce in surrounding electronic equipment.
Many electronic devices, such as hearing aids and cardiac pacemakers, 10 are also susceptible to inL~lfer~nce from such pulsed transmissions. In particular, hearing aids have been found to be sensitive AM detectors, and are designed to provide considerable audio gain. As such, significant inlelfel~lce may be incurred when hearing aids are operated in the vicinity of GSM and other TDMA-type user communication devices. In fact, the 15 level of audio inlelferellce or "buzz" in the hearing aid wearer's ear may beenough to drown out the sound of the caller's voice, precluding effective use of a TDMA subscriber station by the hearing aid wearer.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transmission scheme for a multiple access communication system which 20 minimizes the potential for AM interference with surrounding electronic devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system and method for reducing the undesirable AM interference arising in connection with periodic transmissions in digital wireless communication systems. The invention finds particular application in a time-division multiple access communication system, such as GSM.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a first subscriber station operating in a reduced interference mode is nominally assigned all of the slots of each frame of a first transmit channel. By transmitting RF energy substantially continuously, even throughout the guard periods of each slot, the subscriber station substantially eliminates the AM interference arising from pulsed transmission. A second subscriber station may be similarly disposed to operate in the reduced interference mode of the first embodiment. In particular, the second subscriber station is nominally assigned all of the slots of each frame of a second transmit channel.
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CA 022~1830 1998-10-1~
WO 97/39~37 - - PCTIUS97/06326 In a second embodiment of the present invention the first subscriber station is nominally assigned one or more slots of each frame of the first transmit channel, which shall be referred to as the "primary" channel, for conventional transmission of useful information. However, in contrast to 5 the prior art, the first subscriber station is also instructed to continuouslytransmit RF energy over an "auxiliary" channel at times other than during the assigned primary channel slots. The first subscriber station does not turn off its transmitter while re-tuning to the auxiliary channel frequency' or back to the primary channel frequency. In this way the level of AM intelference 10 generated in the vicinity of the first subscriber station is reduced due to the substantially continuous transmission of RF energy by the first subscriber station, even throughout the guard periods of each slot. A second subscriber station may be similarly disposed to operate in the reduced interference mode of the second embodiment. In particular, the second subscriber station 15 may be nominally assigned one or more slots of each frame of the primary channel for conventional transmission of useful information, and is also instructed to continuously transmit RF energy over the auxiliary channel at times other than during the assigned primary channel slots. Likewise, the second subscriber station does not turn off its transmitter while re-tuning to 20 the auxiliary channel frequency or back to the primary channel frequency.
As can be seen in the second embodiment, more than one subscriber station may simultaneously utilize the auxiliary channel during reduced intelfelel~ce mode operation. If many such subscriber stations are simultaneously operating in the reduced inlerre~ ce mode, it is 25 immediately clear that the auxiliary channel will be flooded with interferingtransmissions. For this reason, the auxiliary channel is chosen such that these "junk" transmissions do not interfere with the information being transmitted on the other channels.
It should be noted that the present invention contemplates 30 transmission of RF energy by the subscriber station in each slot of a frame only while the subscriber station is still in a dedicated mode (i.e. while a call is in progress, or when performing location updating), and not when the mobile station is otherwise in an idle mode (i.e. merely monitoring control channels for broadcast information~. However, this limitation in not strictly 35 required for the reduction of AM inlelfelence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
CA 022~1830 1998- lo-l~
The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referellce characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:
FIG. 1 provides an illustration of three cells, respectively identified as - A, B and C, of an exemplary cellular mobile radio system;
FIG. 2 provides an illustration of an exemplary TDMA
time/frequency allocation scheme for the cellular radio system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram subscriber station disposed for 10 communication over digital communication channels in a reduced inl~rel-ce mode of operation; and FIG. 4 illustrates a base station designed for operation in the cellular mobile radio system of PIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 provides an illustration of three cells, respectively identified as A, B and C, of an exemplary cellular mobile radio system 10. For each cell A, 20 B and C there is respectively associated a base station BA~ BB~ and Bc. For illustrative purposes, base station BA is shown to be in communication with three subscriber stations, MAO~ MA1~ and MA2~ each disposed within a cell boundary of base station BA. Base station BB is shown to be in communication with one subscriber station, MB0~ disposed within a cell 25 boundary of base station BB. Similarly, base station Bc is shown to be in communication with one subscriber station, Mco, disposed within a cell boundary of base station Bc. Also depicted in FIG. 1 is a base station controller (BSC). The BSC of FIG. 1 is connected to all three base stations BA~
BB and Bc by cables 11-13. In addition, the BSC is connected by cables (not 30 shown) to a mobile switching center (MSC) which serves as an access point to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or the equivalent. It should be noted that the present invention is applicable to non-cellular TDMA communication systems as well, such as PCS or wireless local loop systems. As such, the subscriber stations may be any type of remote 35 communication device, either fixed, mobile, or portable. However, for purposes of explanation it will be sufficient to make reference to the cellular system of the three cells A, B, and C, with mobile units configured for cellular operation.
CA 022~1830 1998- lo-l~
The cellular radio system 10 of FIG. 1 is designed to accommodate communication over a plurality of radio frequencies. An exemplary TDMA
time/frequency allocation scheme for one of the base stations, BA, BB~ or BC, is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, four reverse link (mobile to base station) carrier 5 frequencies, R, and four forward link (base station to mobile) carrier frequencies, F, are illustrated, each with a 200 Khz carrier spacing. The reverse link carrier frequencies are 890.2 - 890.8 Mhz, whereas the forward link carrier frequencies are 935.2 - 935.8 Mhz, respectively. Along the time axis, the cycle of TDMA frames is represented by Fl~AME 0 and FRAME 1, 10 wherein each time interval of duration 577 ,us is further defined by its timeinterval number (TN), from TN0 to TN7. The cycle of slots on the reverse link defined by the carrier frequency 890.2 Mhz and the time intervals TN0-TN7 are labeled as Ro o to Ro~7~ respectively. Likewise, the cycle of slots on the forward link defined by the carrier frequency 935.2 Mhz and the time 15 intervals TN0-TN7 are labeled as Foo to PO7, respectively. It should be noted that although the exemplary TDMA time/frequency allocation of FIG. 2 closely resembles that of a GSM system, its teachings are applicable to other TDMA systems with more or fewer slots per frame, and a different carrier frequency spacing. For example, the U.S. TDMA system described in 20 TIA/EIA/IS 54 B uses six slots per TDMA frame, and a 30 Khz carrier frequency spacing.
In the prior art TDMA systems, a given mobile unit, for example MAO
(see FIG. 1), transmits normal bursts of information to its corresponding base station, BA' in one or more assigned slots of each frame of a reverse link 25 channel. For example, in a TDMA system wherein reverse link channels are fixed in frequency, mobile unit MAO may be assigned to transmit normal bursts in each slot indexed Roo when MAO is in a dedicated mode. Similarly, a second mobile unit, MA1' in communication with base station BA may be assigned to transmit normal bursts in each slot indexed Ro l when MAI is in a 30 dedicated mode. A third mobile unit, MA2~ may be assigned to transmit normal bursts in slots associated with a different carrier frequency, such as each slot indexed Rlo. Correlatively, MAO would be assigned to receive bursts transmitted by base station BA in each forward channel slot indexed Foo.
Likewise, MA1 would be assigned to receive bursts transmitted by base station 35 BA in each forward channel slot indexed Fo l~ and MA2 would be assigned to receive bursts transmitted by base station BA on a separate carrier frequency, in each forward channel slot indexed Fl 0.
In the more general case of a frequency-agile TDMA system such as GSM, mobile unit MAO would still transmit normal bursts of information to CA 022~1830 1998- lo- 1~
its corresponding base station, BA' in one assigned slot of each frame of a reverse link channel. However, since the reverse link channel would not be fixed in frequency, MAO would be assigned to transmit normal bursts in each slot indexed RH,O~ where H corresponds to the hopping sequence number of 5 the frequency hopping scheme of the particular reverse link channel. Thus, - for an exemplary 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~0, 1, 2, 3~, MAO would transmit normal bursts in slot Roo of FRAME 0, slot Rlo of FRAME 1, slot R20 of FRAME 2, and slot R30 of FRAME 3. Mobile unit MAl would similarly transmit normal bursts in slot Ro l of FRAME 0, slot R~ I of FRAME 1, slot 10 R21 of FRAME 2, and slot R3l of FRAME 3. The reverse link channel being used by mobile unit MA2 would have a different hopping sequence of, for example ~1, 2, 3, 0~. In such a case, MA2 would transmit normal bursts in slot R, 0 of FRAME 0, slot R20 of FRAME 1, slot R3 O of FRAME 2, and slot Roo of FRAME 3.
15In the conventional prior art TDMA system described above, mobile units MAO~ MA1~ and MA2' would remain with their transmitters off during the brief guard periods of each assigned slot, and during all other time intervals TN0-TN7 of each frame in order to avoid intelfeling with traffic on other channels. As previously mentioned, it is this pulsed transmission 20 of periodic bursts which gives rise to undesirable AM inlelrelel.ce. In the present invention, such AM inlel~erellce is eliminated by substantially continuous transmission of RF energy.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the mobile units MAO' MAl~ and MA2 is configured, as described below, to operate 25 in a reduced inlerrerel~ce mode in which it is assigned to continuously transmit RF energy throughout each slot of each frame of a given reverse link channel. That is to say, it is assigned a dedicated channel for exclusive use during operation in reduced inlerferellce mode. For example, suppose MAO has been configured to operate in a reduced inte~ferellce mode. In the 30 fixed-frequency channel TDMA system described above, MAO is directed to transmit continuously in each slot Roo to Ro ~ of each frame. In such a fixed-frequency channel system, neither MA1 nor MA2 would be able to effectively communicate with base station BA in slots indexed Ro x because of interference caused by simultaneous transmission on the same carrier 35 frequency by MAO- As such, all other mobile units in cell A would be restricted to transmitting in respective assigned slots of one of the remaining carrier frequencies, here 890.4 Mhz - 890.8 Mhz.
If a second mobile unit, MAl~ were also assigned to operate in a reduced inte,relel,ce mode at the same time as MAO~ then MAl would be CA 022~1830 1998-10-1~
W O 97/39537- PCTnUS97/06326 directed to transmit continuously in all slots of each frame of a separate carrier frequency than that of MAO' for example, in each slot Rlo to Rl 7 of each frame. The remainder of the mobile units in cell A would thus be restricted to transmitting in respective assigned slots of one of the remaining 5 carrier frequencies, here 890.6 Mhz - 890.8 Mhz.
In a TDMA system having frequency-agile reverse link channels, the first embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in at least two ways. A first in which the dedicated channel is fixed in frequency while the rest of the channels remain frequency agile, and a second in which the 10 dedicated channel is also frequency agile.
If the dedicated channel is fixed in frequency, each mobile unit operating in the reduced interference mode would be assigned a dedicated carrier frequency as in the fixed-frequency channel TDMA system just described, with all other mobile units in that cell continuing to frequency 15 hop on a per-frame basis among the remainder of the carrier frequencies. In this first frequency-agile implementation, the hopping sequence for a given reverse link channel would be altered to eliminate hops to the ~le-lic~te-l carrier frequency of the mobile unit operating in reduced inlelrer~,~ce mode.
For example, if reverse link carrier frequency Ro (890.2 Mhz) were dedicated 20 to mobile unit MAO operating in reduced intel~rellce mode and transmitting in each slot slots Roo - Ro7 Of each frame, then mobile units MA1 and MA2 could be assigned to reverse link channels having a 3-frame cyclical hopping sequence of, for example {1, 2, 3~, thus eliminating hops to frequency Ro while it is dedicated to mobile unit MAO-If the dedicated channel is frequency-agile, each mobile unit operating in the reduced inlelrel~l.ce mode would transmit continuously in each slot of a given frame on an assigned frequency as before. However, the mobile unit operating in the reduced interference mode would continue to frequency hop on a per-frame basis along with the rest of the mobile units communicating in that cell. For example, mobile unit MAO' operating in reduced inlelfelence mode, is assigned to transmit continuously in each slot of each frame of a given reverse link channel having a 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~0, 1, 2, 3). MAO would transmit continuously in slots Ro 0 - Ro 7 of PRAME 0, slots Rl 0 - Rl 7 of FRAME 1, slots R2 0 - R2 7 of FRAME2, and slots R3 0 - R3 7 of PRAME 3. This second frequency-agile implementation would eliminate the need to alter the hopping sequence for any of the channels. Thus, mobile units MAl and MA2 could be assigned to reverse link channels having a 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of, for example {1, 2, 3, 0). It should be noted that if the dedicated channel is CA 022~1830 1998- lo- 1~
-frequency-agile, the mobile unit would continue to transmit RF energy as it re-tuned its transmitter to the next frequency in the hopping sequence.
In all implementations of this first embodiment, the mobile unit is assigned an exclusive dedicated transmit channel while it is operating in 5 reduced interference mode. However, in an implementation which retains the conventional, cyclical timing scheme of a TDMA system, only a subset of the slots of each frame of the dedicated channel need contain useful information. For instance, the mobile unit may transmit meaningful information during its assigned slots, and otherwise transmit an 10 unmodulated carrier throughout the remainder of the slots of the dedicated channel. In such an implementation, the base station would only need to tune a receiver to the dedicated channel during the slots which contain useful information. Alternatively, the mobile unit may transmit repeated versions of the same information, one in each slot of the frame. In yet 15 another example, the mobile unit may even transmit non-repeated useful information in each slot of each frame of the dedicated transmit channel.
Note that in each of the above examples, the mobile unit operating in the reduced inLe~fele~lce mode is continuously transmitting RF energy, even during the guard periods nominally surrounding each burst.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the mobile units MAO~ MAI~ and MA2 is configured to operate in a reduced inte~felel,ce mode in which it is directed to transmit meaningful information in one or more slots of each frame of a given reverse link channel. With respect to this "primary" channel, operation of the reduced inte.felel~ce mode mobile unit is similar to a conventional mobile unit of a prior art TDMA system. However, in contrast to the conventional prior art TDMA system, a mobile unit operating in a reduced interference mode of this second embodiment also transmits over an "auxiliary" channel throughout all time intervals TN0-TN7 which are not associated with slots 30 it has been assigned on its primary channel. Additionally, in contrast to the first embodiment of the present invention in which each reduced intelferellce mode mobile unit is assigned an exclusive, dedicated transmit channel on which to transmit, the auxiliary channel may be simultaneously shared by more than one reduced interference mode mobile unit.
For example, both MAO and MA1 may be configured to operate in a reduced intelferel~ce mode, and a fixed-frequency reverse link channel defined by all slots Ro 0 - Ro 7 of each frame of carrier frequency Ro may be reserved as the auxiliary channel. In this case, MAO and MA1 may be assigned a primary channel resident among the slots of the remaining carrier , CA 022~1830 1998-lo-1~
W O 97/39537 - PCT~US97/06326 frequencies. In a fixed-frequency channel TDMA system, for example, MAO
may be assigned to transmit useful information in each slot indexed Rl 0 of each frame, and MAI may be assigned to transmit useful information in each slot indexed Rl l of each frame. In such a case, MAO would also re-tune its 5 transmitter to continuously transmit in each slot indexed Rol - Ro7 of the auxiliary channel. Likewise, MA1 would also re-tune its transmitter to continuously transmit in each slot indexed Roo and Ro2 - Ro7 Of the auxiliary channel. Note that both MAO and MA1 are now simultaneously transmitting in each slot indexed Ro 2 - Ro 7. Each mobile unit would continue to transmit 10 RF energy as it re-tuned its transmitter to the auxiliary channel frequency or back to the primary channel frequency.
In a TDMA system having frequency-agile reverse link channels, the second embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in at least two ways, similarly to that of the first embodiment. Namely, a first in 15 which the auxiliary channel is fixed in frequency while the rest of the channels remain frequency agile, and a second in which the auxiliary channel is also frequency agile.
If the auxiliary channel is fixed in frequency, a fixed-frequency reverse link channel defined by all slots Ro 0 - Ro7 Of each frame of carrier frequency 20 Ro may be reserved as the auxiliary channel Mobile unit MAO, operating in a reduced inlelfelel~ce mode, may be assigned to transmit on a primary channel defined by time interval TN0 and a 3-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~1, 2, 31. Likewise, mobile unit MAl~ also operating in a reduced inlerfer~llce mode, may be assigned to transmit on a primary channel 25 defined by time interval TN1 and a 3-frame cyclical hopping sequence of {1, 2, 3~. However, both MAO and MA1 would continuously transmit on the auxiliary channel throughout all time intervals not associated with their respective primary channels. In detail, mobile unit MAO would continuously transmit in slot R, 0 and slots Ro l - Ro 7 of FRAME 0, slot R2 0 and slots Ro, -Ro7 of FRAME 1, and slot R30 and slots Rol - Ro7 of FRAME 2. Likewise, mobile unit MA1 would continuously transmit in slots Roo, Rl l and Ro2 - Ro7 of FRAME 0, slots Roo, R2, and Ro2 - Ro7 of FRAME 1, and slots Roo, R3l and Ro 2 - Ro 7 of FRAME 2. Again, note that both MAO and MAl are now simultaneously transmitting in each slot indexed Ro2 - Ro7.
In the case where the auxiliary channel is frequency-agile, it may be defined by all time intervals TN0-TN7 and the 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~0, 1, 2, 3}. Mobile unit MAO~ operating in a reduced interference mode, may be assigned to transmit on a primary channel defined by time interval TN0 and a 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~1, 2, 3, 0}. Likewise, CA 022~1830 1998-10-1~
mobile unit MA~ also operating in a reduced interference mode, may be assigned to transmit on a primary channel defined by time interval TN1 and a 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~1, 2, 3, 0~. In detail, mobile unit MAO
would transmit in slot Rl 0 and slots Rol - R~7 of FRAME 0, slot R2 0 and slots 5 R11 - R~ 7 of FRAME 1, slot R3 O and slots R2 l - R2 7 of FRAME 2, and slot RO O
and slots R3 1 - R3 7 of FRAME 3 Likewise, mobile unit MAI would transmit in slots RO 0, Rl ~ and Ro 2 - RO 7 of FRAME 0, slots Rl 0, R2 l and Rl 2 - R17 of FRAME 1, slots R20, R3 1 and R2 2 ~ R2 7 of FRAME 2, and slots R3 0, Ro 1 and R3 2 - R3 7 of FRAME 3. Again, note that both MAO and MAI are now 10 simultaneously transmitting on the auxiliary channel throughout time intervals TN2-TN7. Again, the mobile unit would continue to transmit RF
energy as it re-tuned its transmitter to the next frequency in the hopping sequence.
This second embodiment leads to more efficient use of the frequency 15 spectrum because of the sharing of the auxiliary channel by multiple mobile units. However, it should be noted that even in the case where there is only one mobile unit which is operating in a reduced in~errelellce mode in a cell (i.e. the auxiliary channel is not yet being shared), the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in an important aspect. Spe~ific~lly, in the 20 first embodiment, at least one slot of the dedicated channel contains useful information for a~rop-iate demodulation by the base station. However, in the second embodiment, no slots of the auxiliary channel need contain useful information. As such, the base station need not tune a receiver to the auxiliary channel at any time. Thus, the auxiliary channel need not be 25 resident among the carrier frequencies nominally assigned to that base station as reverse link traffic channels. In fact, one auxiliary channel may even be shared by several base stations.
The present invention is believed to be of particular benefit to hearing impaired users of digital communications devices. That is, since such users 30 will often be reliant upon electronic hearing aids, the reduced interference levels associated with operation in accordance with the invention minimize the impact upon hearing aid operation. A variety of authorization schemes could be instituted as a means of ensuring that only those mobile units associated with selected eligible users (e.g., hearing impaired users) are 35 permitted to engage in the type of reduced inLerrerence transmission contemplated by the invention. For example, only eligible hearing impaired users could be allowed to purchase mobile units (e.g., cellular phones) pre-authorized for operation in a reduced interference mode.
Alternately, eligible hearing impaired users could obtain authorization from CA 022~l830 l998- lO- lS
their cellular service provider after purchase of a mobile unit capable of reduced interference mode operation, and subse~uently receive over-the-air activation of a reduced interference mode service option from a cellular service provider during call set-up.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile unit 300 disposed for communication over digital communication channels in a reduced interference mode of the present invention. In mobile unit 300, speech is digitized by A/D-D/A converter 302 and encoded in speech codec 304 as is known in the art. Channel codec 306 introduces redundancy into the data 10 flow, increasing its rate by adding information calculated by the source data, in order to allow the detection and correction of signal errors introduced during transmission. In burst generator 308, the flow of coded words generated by channel codec 306 iS multiplexed with signaling bits from microprocessor 324 as ~ece~s~ry, interleaved, and then formatted into 15 separate bursts by adding training sequence bits and tail bits as necessary.
Mobile unit 300 signals its intention to operate in a reduced interference mode to the base station by the use of signaling generated by microprocessor 324. The bursts generated by burst generator 308 are modulated onto an intermediate frequency by modulator 310. The resulting analog waveform is 20 upconverted to a carrier frequency by transmitter 312, and routed to antenna 316 by duplexer 314, where it is radiated to the base station. When mobile unit 300 is operating in a reduced interference mode as described above, microprocessor 324 instructs transmitter 312 to continue to transmit RF
energy, irrespective of whether meaningful information is being provided 25 to modulator 310 by burst generator 308. In a system having frequency-agile reverse link channels, microprocessor 324 also instructs transmitter 312 to re-tune to the next frequency in the hopping sequence.
Signals received by antenna 316 are routed to receiver 318 by duplexer 314. l~eceiver 318 bandpass filters the signals captured by antenna 316, 30 selecting the appropriate signal and downconverting it to an intermediate frequency. Demodulator 320 extracts the received bursts from the modulating frequency signal, and passes the resulting digital signal to demultiplexer 322. Demultiplexer 322 de-interleaves the demodulated signal, sorts the received information from the different slots and frames 35 into their appropriate logical channels, and passes the reconstructed code words to channel codec 306. Channel codec 306 then reconstructs the source information from the code words generated by demultiplexer 322, using any added redundancy to detect and correct possible errors. Instructions for the mobile unit 300, assigning it to a primary channel and, in the second CA 022~l830 l998- lO- l~
embodiment, an auxiliary channel, are provided to mobile unit 300 via signaling messages from the base station, and are passed to microprocessor 324 by channel codec 306. Coded digital speech is sent by channel codec 306 to speech codec 304 where it is decoded and converted to an analog speech waveform in converter 302 as is well known in the art.
FIG. 4 illustrates a base station 400 designed for operation in the cellular mobile radio system of FIG. 1, and capable of supporting mobile unit 300 operating in a reduced inL~fere-~ce mode. In many ways, the speech processing operations of base station 400 are similar to that of mobile station 300. Although a base station 400 may contain many transmitter 412 and receiver 418 resources, it will be sufficient to explain the operation of base station 400 with reference to a single transmitter 412 and single receiver 418.
Receiver 418 contains the bandpass filters which select the desired carrier frequency from the all of the signals received by antenna 416. Receiver 418 also downconverts the desired signal to an intermediate frequency.
Demodulator 420 extracts the bit stream from the downconverted signal and passes the resultant digital signal to demultiplexer 422. Demultiplexer 422 de-interleaves the demodulated signal, sorts the received information from the different slots and frames into their appropriate logical channels, and passes the reconstructed code words to channel codec 406. Channel codec 406 then reconstructs the source information from the code words generated ~y demultiplexer 422, using any added redundancy to detect and correct possible errors. Channel codec 406 also separates out any signaling intended for the base station 400 and passes it to controller 424.
The BSC interface 402 is the logical interface for both digitized speech and control messages between the BSC and base station 400. Many of the control messages are transparent to base station 400 and are simply passed on via channel codec 406. For example, when mobile unit 300 signals that it intends to operate in a reduced interference mode, this message is passed ~y 30 base station 400 to the BSC where it may be further passed to a subscriber database for authentication. Any control messages from the BSC that are intended for the base station 400 itself are passed by channel codec 406 to controller 424. For example, based on cell loading conditions, the BSC may allow mobile unit 300 to operate in reduced interference mode, and may 35 instruct base station 400 to direct mobile unit 300 to transmit on a particular dedicated channel (as in the first embodiment) or primary channel and auxiliary channel (as in the second embodiment). Messages intended for mobile unit 300 are passed to burst generator 408 where they are interleaved, multiplexed with signaling messages generated by controller 424 as .
CA 022~1830 1998-10-1~
necessary, and formatted into bursts. Modulator 410 modulates the bursts onto an intermediate frequency, and transmitter 412 upconverts and transmits the signal over antenna 414.
The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to 5 enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention.
The various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty.
Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the 10 embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
WE CLAIM:
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING INTERPERENCE
GENERATED BY A DIGlTAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to wireless communications systems. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a novel 10 system and method for reducing interference generated by digital communications devices.
II. Description of the Related Art In time-division multiple access (TDMA) cellular communication systems which are well known in the art, the available frequency spectrum is subdivided into a predetermined number of radio frequency channels, each of a given bandwidth. Each radio frequency channel is time-divided into a cycle of TDMA frames and each frame is further time-divided into a 20 cycle of a predetermined number of time intervals, called "slots." Thus, one slot represents a finite time period on a predetermined radio frequency channel. Communication over the radio interface occurs during these slots in groups of modulated bits, called "bursts," with one burst per slot. A
"normal burst" contains a packet of bits of useful information which is 25 preceded and followed by a brief "guard period" during which no useful information is nominally transmitted. This guard period allows for power ramping of the transmitter as it turns on prior to transmission of the information bits and turns off after transmission of the information bits.
Although the word "channel" as used above corresponds to a 30 particular fixed radio frequency bandwidth, it should be noted that in the more general case, i.e. in a frequency agile system such as the TDMA based Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, a "channel" may also have a temporal component. That is to say that a "channel" which is dedicated to a single function (i.e. a traffic channel), would be a succession of 35 slots which may occupy different frequencies at different times. It is in this more general, functional sense that the word "channel" will be used below.
When a given subscriber station in the communication system enters a dedicated mode, such as during a call set-up or when performing location updating to the base station, it is typically assigned to a particular slot of a CA 022~1830 1998-10- lS
transmit channel for transmission of its information, which has been packaged into a sequence of normal bursts. Thus, although many subscriber stations in a given cell may transmit over a single channel (limited at least by the number of slots in a frame), the individual normal bursts from each 5 user are time-division multiplexed into their corresponding slots. For example, a subscriber station assigned to the first slot in a frame of a given transmit channel will nominally transmit only during the first slot of each frame, and otherwise remains with its transmitter turned off so as to avoid inlelrelillg with the burst transmissions of the subscriber stations 10 respectively assigned to the remainder of the slots of that transmit channel frame. Thus, the subscriber station assigned to the first slot will turn on its transmitter during the guard period at the beginning of the first slot, transmit a package of useful information bits during that first slot, turn off its transmitter during the guard period at the end of the first slot, and 15 remain with its transmitter turned off during all other slots of the frame.
Likewise, the subscriber station assigned to the second slot of the frame will turn on its transmitter during the guard period at the beginning of the second slot, transmit a package useful information bits during that second slot, turn off its transmitter during the guard period at the end of the second 20 slot, and remain with its transmitter turned off during all other slots of the frame.
This periodic on/off switching of the subscriber station's transmitter produces a transmitted signal which is especially capable of interfering with the operation of nearby electronic equipment. Because this on/off switching 25 modulates the amplitude of the RF energy transmitted, we will refer to intel~elence which is caused by such on/off switching as "amplitude modulation intelference", or simply "AM intelferel~ce." For example, in the pan-European GSM cellular system, each frame has a duration of 4.615 ms, and is divided into eight slots, w*h each slot being 577 ~lS in duration.
30 Transmission during the same slot of each frame results in a subscriber station burst repetition rate of 216.6 Hz (i.e., 1/4.615 ms). Since this burst repetition rate is within the audio frequency range, it may be undesirable in the presence of other electronic equipment which contains circuitry which may act as an AM detector. For example, if a GSM subscriber station is 35 operated in the vicinity of a stereo system, the burst repetition rate may be heard as a buzz emanating from the speakers.
It should be noted that other TDMA-based digital communication systems use different frame lengths and a different number of slots per frame. For example, the U.S. TDMA cellular communication system CA 022~1830 1998- lo- 1~
described in Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) /Electronic Industries Association (EIA) Interim Standard 54-B (IS-54-B) uses cyclical TDMA frame lengths of 20 ms, each subdivided into six slots. Also, it should be noted that for higher-bandwidth signals, the TDMA system may assign 5 more than one slot per frame to a single subscriber station in order to accommodate the higher rate signal. However, these systems still use a burst repetition rate in the audio frequency range which may produce substantial in~eLferellce in surrounding electronic equipment.
Many electronic devices, such as hearing aids and cardiac pacemakers, 10 are also susceptible to inL~lfer~nce from such pulsed transmissions. In particular, hearing aids have been found to be sensitive AM detectors, and are designed to provide considerable audio gain. As such, significant inlelfel~lce may be incurred when hearing aids are operated in the vicinity of GSM and other TDMA-type user communication devices. In fact, the 15 level of audio inlelferellce or "buzz" in the hearing aid wearer's ear may beenough to drown out the sound of the caller's voice, precluding effective use of a TDMA subscriber station by the hearing aid wearer.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transmission scheme for a multiple access communication system which 20 minimizes the potential for AM interference with surrounding electronic devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system and method for reducing the undesirable AM interference arising in connection with periodic transmissions in digital wireless communication systems. The invention finds particular application in a time-division multiple access communication system, such as GSM.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a first subscriber station operating in a reduced interference mode is nominally assigned all of the slots of each frame of a first transmit channel. By transmitting RF energy substantially continuously, even throughout the guard periods of each slot, the subscriber station substantially eliminates the AM interference arising from pulsed transmission. A second subscriber station may be similarly disposed to operate in the reduced interference mode of the first embodiment. In particular, the second subscriber station is nominally assigned all of the slots of each frame of a second transmit channel.
,, , ~ . . . . .. ... .
CA 022~1830 1998-10-1~
WO 97/39~37 - - PCTIUS97/06326 In a second embodiment of the present invention the first subscriber station is nominally assigned one or more slots of each frame of the first transmit channel, which shall be referred to as the "primary" channel, for conventional transmission of useful information. However, in contrast to 5 the prior art, the first subscriber station is also instructed to continuouslytransmit RF energy over an "auxiliary" channel at times other than during the assigned primary channel slots. The first subscriber station does not turn off its transmitter while re-tuning to the auxiliary channel frequency' or back to the primary channel frequency. In this way the level of AM intelference 10 generated in the vicinity of the first subscriber station is reduced due to the substantially continuous transmission of RF energy by the first subscriber station, even throughout the guard periods of each slot. A second subscriber station may be similarly disposed to operate in the reduced interference mode of the second embodiment. In particular, the second subscriber station 15 may be nominally assigned one or more slots of each frame of the primary channel for conventional transmission of useful information, and is also instructed to continuously transmit RF energy over the auxiliary channel at times other than during the assigned primary channel slots. Likewise, the second subscriber station does not turn off its transmitter while re-tuning to 20 the auxiliary channel frequency or back to the primary channel frequency.
As can be seen in the second embodiment, more than one subscriber station may simultaneously utilize the auxiliary channel during reduced intelfelel~ce mode operation. If many such subscriber stations are simultaneously operating in the reduced inlerre~ ce mode, it is 25 immediately clear that the auxiliary channel will be flooded with interferingtransmissions. For this reason, the auxiliary channel is chosen such that these "junk" transmissions do not interfere with the information being transmitted on the other channels.
It should be noted that the present invention contemplates 30 transmission of RF energy by the subscriber station in each slot of a frame only while the subscriber station is still in a dedicated mode (i.e. while a call is in progress, or when performing location updating), and not when the mobile station is otherwise in an idle mode (i.e. merely monitoring control channels for broadcast information~. However, this limitation in not strictly 35 required for the reduction of AM inlelfelence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
CA 022~1830 1998- lo-l~
The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referellce characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:
FIG. 1 provides an illustration of three cells, respectively identified as - A, B and C, of an exemplary cellular mobile radio system;
FIG. 2 provides an illustration of an exemplary TDMA
time/frequency allocation scheme for the cellular radio system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram subscriber station disposed for 10 communication over digital communication channels in a reduced inl~rel-ce mode of operation; and FIG. 4 illustrates a base station designed for operation in the cellular mobile radio system of PIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 provides an illustration of three cells, respectively identified as A, B and C, of an exemplary cellular mobile radio system 10. For each cell A, 20 B and C there is respectively associated a base station BA~ BB~ and Bc. For illustrative purposes, base station BA is shown to be in communication with three subscriber stations, MAO~ MA1~ and MA2~ each disposed within a cell boundary of base station BA. Base station BB is shown to be in communication with one subscriber station, MB0~ disposed within a cell 25 boundary of base station BB. Similarly, base station Bc is shown to be in communication with one subscriber station, Mco, disposed within a cell boundary of base station Bc. Also depicted in FIG. 1 is a base station controller (BSC). The BSC of FIG. 1 is connected to all three base stations BA~
BB and Bc by cables 11-13. In addition, the BSC is connected by cables (not 30 shown) to a mobile switching center (MSC) which serves as an access point to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or the equivalent. It should be noted that the present invention is applicable to non-cellular TDMA communication systems as well, such as PCS or wireless local loop systems. As such, the subscriber stations may be any type of remote 35 communication device, either fixed, mobile, or portable. However, for purposes of explanation it will be sufficient to make reference to the cellular system of the three cells A, B, and C, with mobile units configured for cellular operation.
CA 022~1830 1998- lo-l~
The cellular radio system 10 of FIG. 1 is designed to accommodate communication over a plurality of radio frequencies. An exemplary TDMA
time/frequency allocation scheme for one of the base stations, BA, BB~ or BC, is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, four reverse link (mobile to base station) carrier 5 frequencies, R, and four forward link (base station to mobile) carrier frequencies, F, are illustrated, each with a 200 Khz carrier spacing. The reverse link carrier frequencies are 890.2 - 890.8 Mhz, whereas the forward link carrier frequencies are 935.2 - 935.8 Mhz, respectively. Along the time axis, the cycle of TDMA frames is represented by Fl~AME 0 and FRAME 1, 10 wherein each time interval of duration 577 ,us is further defined by its timeinterval number (TN), from TN0 to TN7. The cycle of slots on the reverse link defined by the carrier frequency 890.2 Mhz and the time intervals TN0-TN7 are labeled as Ro o to Ro~7~ respectively. Likewise, the cycle of slots on the forward link defined by the carrier frequency 935.2 Mhz and the time 15 intervals TN0-TN7 are labeled as Foo to PO7, respectively. It should be noted that although the exemplary TDMA time/frequency allocation of FIG. 2 closely resembles that of a GSM system, its teachings are applicable to other TDMA systems with more or fewer slots per frame, and a different carrier frequency spacing. For example, the U.S. TDMA system described in 20 TIA/EIA/IS 54 B uses six slots per TDMA frame, and a 30 Khz carrier frequency spacing.
In the prior art TDMA systems, a given mobile unit, for example MAO
(see FIG. 1), transmits normal bursts of information to its corresponding base station, BA' in one or more assigned slots of each frame of a reverse link 25 channel. For example, in a TDMA system wherein reverse link channels are fixed in frequency, mobile unit MAO may be assigned to transmit normal bursts in each slot indexed Roo when MAO is in a dedicated mode. Similarly, a second mobile unit, MA1' in communication with base station BA may be assigned to transmit normal bursts in each slot indexed Ro l when MAI is in a 30 dedicated mode. A third mobile unit, MA2~ may be assigned to transmit normal bursts in slots associated with a different carrier frequency, such as each slot indexed Rlo. Correlatively, MAO would be assigned to receive bursts transmitted by base station BA in each forward channel slot indexed Foo.
Likewise, MA1 would be assigned to receive bursts transmitted by base station 35 BA in each forward channel slot indexed Fo l~ and MA2 would be assigned to receive bursts transmitted by base station BA on a separate carrier frequency, in each forward channel slot indexed Fl 0.
In the more general case of a frequency-agile TDMA system such as GSM, mobile unit MAO would still transmit normal bursts of information to CA 022~1830 1998- lo- 1~
its corresponding base station, BA' in one assigned slot of each frame of a reverse link channel. However, since the reverse link channel would not be fixed in frequency, MAO would be assigned to transmit normal bursts in each slot indexed RH,O~ where H corresponds to the hopping sequence number of 5 the frequency hopping scheme of the particular reverse link channel. Thus, - for an exemplary 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~0, 1, 2, 3~, MAO would transmit normal bursts in slot Roo of FRAME 0, slot Rlo of FRAME 1, slot R20 of FRAME 2, and slot R30 of FRAME 3. Mobile unit MAl would similarly transmit normal bursts in slot Ro l of FRAME 0, slot R~ I of FRAME 1, slot 10 R21 of FRAME 2, and slot R3l of FRAME 3. The reverse link channel being used by mobile unit MA2 would have a different hopping sequence of, for example ~1, 2, 3, 0~. In such a case, MA2 would transmit normal bursts in slot R, 0 of FRAME 0, slot R20 of FRAME 1, slot R3 O of FRAME 2, and slot Roo of FRAME 3.
15In the conventional prior art TDMA system described above, mobile units MAO~ MA1~ and MA2' would remain with their transmitters off during the brief guard periods of each assigned slot, and during all other time intervals TN0-TN7 of each frame in order to avoid intelfeling with traffic on other channels. As previously mentioned, it is this pulsed transmission 20 of periodic bursts which gives rise to undesirable AM inlelrelel.ce. In the present invention, such AM inlel~erellce is eliminated by substantially continuous transmission of RF energy.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the mobile units MAO' MAl~ and MA2 is configured, as described below, to operate 25 in a reduced inlerrerel~ce mode in which it is assigned to continuously transmit RF energy throughout each slot of each frame of a given reverse link channel. That is to say, it is assigned a dedicated channel for exclusive use during operation in reduced inlerferellce mode. For example, suppose MAO has been configured to operate in a reduced inte~ferellce mode. In the 30 fixed-frequency channel TDMA system described above, MAO is directed to transmit continuously in each slot Roo to Ro ~ of each frame. In such a fixed-frequency channel system, neither MA1 nor MA2 would be able to effectively communicate with base station BA in slots indexed Ro x because of interference caused by simultaneous transmission on the same carrier 35 frequency by MAO- As such, all other mobile units in cell A would be restricted to transmitting in respective assigned slots of one of the remaining carrier frequencies, here 890.4 Mhz - 890.8 Mhz.
If a second mobile unit, MAl~ were also assigned to operate in a reduced inte,relel,ce mode at the same time as MAO~ then MAl would be CA 022~1830 1998-10-1~
W O 97/39537- PCTnUS97/06326 directed to transmit continuously in all slots of each frame of a separate carrier frequency than that of MAO' for example, in each slot Rlo to Rl 7 of each frame. The remainder of the mobile units in cell A would thus be restricted to transmitting in respective assigned slots of one of the remaining 5 carrier frequencies, here 890.6 Mhz - 890.8 Mhz.
In a TDMA system having frequency-agile reverse link channels, the first embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in at least two ways. A first in which the dedicated channel is fixed in frequency while the rest of the channels remain frequency agile, and a second in which the 10 dedicated channel is also frequency agile.
If the dedicated channel is fixed in frequency, each mobile unit operating in the reduced interference mode would be assigned a dedicated carrier frequency as in the fixed-frequency channel TDMA system just described, with all other mobile units in that cell continuing to frequency 15 hop on a per-frame basis among the remainder of the carrier frequencies. In this first frequency-agile implementation, the hopping sequence for a given reverse link channel would be altered to eliminate hops to the ~le-lic~te-l carrier frequency of the mobile unit operating in reduced inlelrer~,~ce mode.
For example, if reverse link carrier frequency Ro (890.2 Mhz) were dedicated 20 to mobile unit MAO operating in reduced intel~rellce mode and transmitting in each slot slots Roo - Ro7 Of each frame, then mobile units MA1 and MA2 could be assigned to reverse link channels having a 3-frame cyclical hopping sequence of, for example {1, 2, 3~, thus eliminating hops to frequency Ro while it is dedicated to mobile unit MAO-If the dedicated channel is frequency-agile, each mobile unit operating in the reduced inlelrel~l.ce mode would transmit continuously in each slot of a given frame on an assigned frequency as before. However, the mobile unit operating in the reduced interference mode would continue to frequency hop on a per-frame basis along with the rest of the mobile units communicating in that cell. For example, mobile unit MAO' operating in reduced inlelfelence mode, is assigned to transmit continuously in each slot of each frame of a given reverse link channel having a 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~0, 1, 2, 3). MAO would transmit continuously in slots Ro 0 - Ro 7 of PRAME 0, slots Rl 0 - Rl 7 of FRAME 1, slots R2 0 - R2 7 of FRAME2, and slots R3 0 - R3 7 of PRAME 3. This second frequency-agile implementation would eliminate the need to alter the hopping sequence for any of the channels. Thus, mobile units MAl and MA2 could be assigned to reverse link channels having a 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of, for example {1, 2, 3, 0). It should be noted that if the dedicated channel is CA 022~1830 1998- lo- 1~
-frequency-agile, the mobile unit would continue to transmit RF energy as it re-tuned its transmitter to the next frequency in the hopping sequence.
In all implementations of this first embodiment, the mobile unit is assigned an exclusive dedicated transmit channel while it is operating in 5 reduced interference mode. However, in an implementation which retains the conventional, cyclical timing scheme of a TDMA system, only a subset of the slots of each frame of the dedicated channel need contain useful information. For instance, the mobile unit may transmit meaningful information during its assigned slots, and otherwise transmit an 10 unmodulated carrier throughout the remainder of the slots of the dedicated channel. In such an implementation, the base station would only need to tune a receiver to the dedicated channel during the slots which contain useful information. Alternatively, the mobile unit may transmit repeated versions of the same information, one in each slot of the frame. In yet 15 another example, the mobile unit may even transmit non-repeated useful information in each slot of each frame of the dedicated transmit channel.
Note that in each of the above examples, the mobile unit operating in the reduced inLe~fele~lce mode is continuously transmitting RF energy, even during the guard periods nominally surrounding each burst.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the mobile units MAO~ MAI~ and MA2 is configured to operate in a reduced inte~felel,ce mode in which it is directed to transmit meaningful information in one or more slots of each frame of a given reverse link channel. With respect to this "primary" channel, operation of the reduced inte.felel~ce mode mobile unit is similar to a conventional mobile unit of a prior art TDMA system. However, in contrast to the conventional prior art TDMA system, a mobile unit operating in a reduced interference mode of this second embodiment also transmits over an "auxiliary" channel throughout all time intervals TN0-TN7 which are not associated with slots 30 it has been assigned on its primary channel. Additionally, in contrast to the first embodiment of the present invention in which each reduced intelferellce mode mobile unit is assigned an exclusive, dedicated transmit channel on which to transmit, the auxiliary channel may be simultaneously shared by more than one reduced interference mode mobile unit.
For example, both MAO and MA1 may be configured to operate in a reduced intelferel~ce mode, and a fixed-frequency reverse link channel defined by all slots Ro 0 - Ro 7 of each frame of carrier frequency Ro may be reserved as the auxiliary channel. In this case, MAO and MA1 may be assigned a primary channel resident among the slots of the remaining carrier , CA 022~1830 1998-lo-1~
W O 97/39537 - PCT~US97/06326 frequencies. In a fixed-frequency channel TDMA system, for example, MAO
may be assigned to transmit useful information in each slot indexed Rl 0 of each frame, and MAI may be assigned to transmit useful information in each slot indexed Rl l of each frame. In such a case, MAO would also re-tune its 5 transmitter to continuously transmit in each slot indexed Rol - Ro7 of the auxiliary channel. Likewise, MA1 would also re-tune its transmitter to continuously transmit in each slot indexed Roo and Ro2 - Ro7 Of the auxiliary channel. Note that both MAO and MA1 are now simultaneously transmitting in each slot indexed Ro 2 - Ro 7. Each mobile unit would continue to transmit 10 RF energy as it re-tuned its transmitter to the auxiliary channel frequency or back to the primary channel frequency.
In a TDMA system having frequency-agile reverse link channels, the second embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in at least two ways, similarly to that of the first embodiment. Namely, a first in 15 which the auxiliary channel is fixed in frequency while the rest of the channels remain frequency agile, and a second in which the auxiliary channel is also frequency agile.
If the auxiliary channel is fixed in frequency, a fixed-frequency reverse link channel defined by all slots Ro 0 - Ro7 Of each frame of carrier frequency 20 Ro may be reserved as the auxiliary channel Mobile unit MAO, operating in a reduced inlelfelel~ce mode, may be assigned to transmit on a primary channel defined by time interval TN0 and a 3-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~1, 2, 31. Likewise, mobile unit MAl~ also operating in a reduced inlerfer~llce mode, may be assigned to transmit on a primary channel 25 defined by time interval TN1 and a 3-frame cyclical hopping sequence of {1, 2, 3~. However, both MAO and MA1 would continuously transmit on the auxiliary channel throughout all time intervals not associated with their respective primary channels. In detail, mobile unit MAO would continuously transmit in slot R, 0 and slots Ro l - Ro 7 of FRAME 0, slot R2 0 and slots Ro, -Ro7 of FRAME 1, and slot R30 and slots Rol - Ro7 of FRAME 2. Likewise, mobile unit MA1 would continuously transmit in slots Roo, Rl l and Ro2 - Ro7 of FRAME 0, slots Roo, R2, and Ro2 - Ro7 of FRAME 1, and slots Roo, R3l and Ro 2 - Ro 7 of FRAME 2. Again, note that both MAO and MAl are now simultaneously transmitting in each slot indexed Ro2 - Ro7.
In the case where the auxiliary channel is frequency-agile, it may be defined by all time intervals TN0-TN7 and the 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~0, 1, 2, 3}. Mobile unit MAO~ operating in a reduced interference mode, may be assigned to transmit on a primary channel defined by time interval TN0 and a 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~1, 2, 3, 0}. Likewise, CA 022~1830 1998-10-1~
mobile unit MA~ also operating in a reduced interference mode, may be assigned to transmit on a primary channel defined by time interval TN1 and a 4-frame cyclical hopping sequence of ~1, 2, 3, 0~. In detail, mobile unit MAO
would transmit in slot Rl 0 and slots Rol - R~7 of FRAME 0, slot R2 0 and slots 5 R11 - R~ 7 of FRAME 1, slot R3 O and slots R2 l - R2 7 of FRAME 2, and slot RO O
and slots R3 1 - R3 7 of FRAME 3 Likewise, mobile unit MAI would transmit in slots RO 0, Rl ~ and Ro 2 - RO 7 of FRAME 0, slots Rl 0, R2 l and Rl 2 - R17 of FRAME 1, slots R20, R3 1 and R2 2 ~ R2 7 of FRAME 2, and slots R3 0, Ro 1 and R3 2 - R3 7 of FRAME 3. Again, note that both MAO and MAI are now 10 simultaneously transmitting on the auxiliary channel throughout time intervals TN2-TN7. Again, the mobile unit would continue to transmit RF
energy as it re-tuned its transmitter to the next frequency in the hopping sequence.
This second embodiment leads to more efficient use of the frequency 15 spectrum because of the sharing of the auxiliary channel by multiple mobile units. However, it should be noted that even in the case where there is only one mobile unit which is operating in a reduced in~errelellce mode in a cell (i.e. the auxiliary channel is not yet being shared), the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in an important aspect. Spe~ific~lly, in the 20 first embodiment, at least one slot of the dedicated channel contains useful information for a~rop-iate demodulation by the base station. However, in the second embodiment, no slots of the auxiliary channel need contain useful information. As such, the base station need not tune a receiver to the auxiliary channel at any time. Thus, the auxiliary channel need not be 25 resident among the carrier frequencies nominally assigned to that base station as reverse link traffic channels. In fact, one auxiliary channel may even be shared by several base stations.
The present invention is believed to be of particular benefit to hearing impaired users of digital communications devices. That is, since such users 30 will often be reliant upon electronic hearing aids, the reduced interference levels associated with operation in accordance with the invention minimize the impact upon hearing aid operation. A variety of authorization schemes could be instituted as a means of ensuring that only those mobile units associated with selected eligible users (e.g., hearing impaired users) are 35 permitted to engage in the type of reduced inLerrerence transmission contemplated by the invention. For example, only eligible hearing impaired users could be allowed to purchase mobile units (e.g., cellular phones) pre-authorized for operation in a reduced interference mode.
Alternately, eligible hearing impaired users could obtain authorization from CA 022~l830 l998- lO- lS
their cellular service provider after purchase of a mobile unit capable of reduced interference mode operation, and subse~uently receive over-the-air activation of a reduced interference mode service option from a cellular service provider during call set-up.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile unit 300 disposed for communication over digital communication channels in a reduced interference mode of the present invention. In mobile unit 300, speech is digitized by A/D-D/A converter 302 and encoded in speech codec 304 as is known in the art. Channel codec 306 introduces redundancy into the data 10 flow, increasing its rate by adding information calculated by the source data, in order to allow the detection and correction of signal errors introduced during transmission. In burst generator 308, the flow of coded words generated by channel codec 306 iS multiplexed with signaling bits from microprocessor 324 as ~ece~s~ry, interleaved, and then formatted into 15 separate bursts by adding training sequence bits and tail bits as necessary.
Mobile unit 300 signals its intention to operate in a reduced interference mode to the base station by the use of signaling generated by microprocessor 324. The bursts generated by burst generator 308 are modulated onto an intermediate frequency by modulator 310. The resulting analog waveform is 20 upconverted to a carrier frequency by transmitter 312, and routed to antenna 316 by duplexer 314, where it is radiated to the base station. When mobile unit 300 is operating in a reduced interference mode as described above, microprocessor 324 instructs transmitter 312 to continue to transmit RF
energy, irrespective of whether meaningful information is being provided 25 to modulator 310 by burst generator 308. In a system having frequency-agile reverse link channels, microprocessor 324 also instructs transmitter 312 to re-tune to the next frequency in the hopping sequence.
Signals received by antenna 316 are routed to receiver 318 by duplexer 314. l~eceiver 318 bandpass filters the signals captured by antenna 316, 30 selecting the appropriate signal and downconverting it to an intermediate frequency. Demodulator 320 extracts the received bursts from the modulating frequency signal, and passes the resulting digital signal to demultiplexer 322. Demultiplexer 322 de-interleaves the demodulated signal, sorts the received information from the different slots and frames 35 into their appropriate logical channels, and passes the reconstructed code words to channel codec 306. Channel codec 306 then reconstructs the source information from the code words generated by demultiplexer 322, using any added redundancy to detect and correct possible errors. Instructions for the mobile unit 300, assigning it to a primary channel and, in the second CA 022~l830 l998- lO- l~
embodiment, an auxiliary channel, are provided to mobile unit 300 via signaling messages from the base station, and are passed to microprocessor 324 by channel codec 306. Coded digital speech is sent by channel codec 306 to speech codec 304 where it is decoded and converted to an analog speech waveform in converter 302 as is well known in the art.
FIG. 4 illustrates a base station 400 designed for operation in the cellular mobile radio system of FIG. 1, and capable of supporting mobile unit 300 operating in a reduced inL~fere-~ce mode. In many ways, the speech processing operations of base station 400 are similar to that of mobile station 300. Although a base station 400 may contain many transmitter 412 and receiver 418 resources, it will be sufficient to explain the operation of base station 400 with reference to a single transmitter 412 and single receiver 418.
Receiver 418 contains the bandpass filters which select the desired carrier frequency from the all of the signals received by antenna 416. Receiver 418 also downconverts the desired signal to an intermediate frequency.
Demodulator 420 extracts the bit stream from the downconverted signal and passes the resultant digital signal to demultiplexer 422. Demultiplexer 422 de-interleaves the demodulated signal, sorts the received information from the different slots and frames into their appropriate logical channels, and passes the reconstructed code words to channel codec 406. Channel codec 406 then reconstructs the source information from the code words generated ~y demultiplexer 422, using any added redundancy to detect and correct possible errors. Channel codec 406 also separates out any signaling intended for the base station 400 and passes it to controller 424.
The BSC interface 402 is the logical interface for both digitized speech and control messages between the BSC and base station 400. Many of the control messages are transparent to base station 400 and are simply passed on via channel codec 406. For example, when mobile unit 300 signals that it intends to operate in a reduced interference mode, this message is passed ~y 30 base station 400 to the BSC where it may be further passed to a subscriber database for authentication. Any control messages from the BSC that are intended for the base station 400 itself are passed by channel codec 406 to controller 424. For example, based on cell loading conditions, the BSC may allow mobile unit 300 to operate in reduced interference mode, and may 35 instruct base station 400 to direct mobile unit 300 to transmit on a particular dedicated channel (as in the first embodiment) or primary channel and auxiliary channel (as in the second embodiment). Messages intended for mobile unit 300 are passed to burst generator 408 where they are interleaved, multiplexed with signaling messages generated by controller 424 as .
CA 022~1830 1998-10-1~
necessary, and formatted into bursts. Modulator 410 modulates the bursts onto an intermediate frequency, and transmitter 412 upconverts and transmits the signal over antenna 414.
The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to 5 enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention.
The various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty.
Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the 10 embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
WE CLAIM:
Claims (55)
1. A system for reducing interference in a time-division multiple access communication system having a plurality of communication devices and in which a plurality of communication channels are divided into a cycle of time intervals, said system comprising:
means for directing a first of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over a first of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and means, in said first communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal over said first communication channel continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and for transmitting RF energy continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said first communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
means for directing a first of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over a first of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and means, in said first communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal over said first communication channel continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and for transmitting RF energy continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said first communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for directing directs said first communication device to transmit RF energy over said first communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, and wherein said means for transmitting transmits RF
energy over said first communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals.
energy over said first communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for directing directs said first communication device to transmit RF energy over a second of said communication channels continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals and wherein said means for transmitting transmits RF
energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said of said time intervals.
energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said of said time intervals.
4. The system of claim 2 further comprising:
means for directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over a second of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and means, in said second communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal over said second communication channel continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and for transmitting RF
energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
means for directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over a second of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and means, in said second communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal over said second communication channel continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and for transmitting RF
energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
5. The system of claim 3 further comprising:
means for directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over one of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and means, in said second communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal over said one of said communication channels continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and for transmitting RF
energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
means for directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over one of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and means, in said second communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal over said one of said communication channels continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and for transmitting RF
energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
6. A method for reducing interference in a time-division multiple access communication system having a plurality of communication devices and in which a plurality of communication channels are divided into a cycle of time intervals, said method comprising the steps of:
directing a first of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over a first of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and transmitting, from said first communication device and in response to said directing step, said information signal over said first communication channel continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and RF energy continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said first communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
directing a first of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over a first of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and transmitting, from said first communication device and in response to said directing step, said information signal over said first communication channel continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and RF energy continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said first communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said directing step further comprises the step of directing said first communication device to transmit RF energy over said first communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, and wherein said transmitting step further comprises the step of transmitting RF energy over said first communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein said directing step further comprises the step of directing said first communication device to transmit RF energy over a second of said communication channels continuously throughout said remainder of said of said time intervals and wherein said transmitting step further comprises the step of transmitting RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said of said time intervals.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:
directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over a second of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and transmitting, from said second communication device and in response to said directing step, said information signal over said second communication channel continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over a second of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and transmitting, from said second communication device and in response to said directing step, said information signal over said second communication channel continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:
directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over one of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and transmitting, from said second communication device and in response to said directing step, said information signal over said one of said communication channels continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal over one of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals; and transmitting, from said second communication device and in response to said directing step, said information signal over said one of said communication channels continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said time intervals and RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
11. A communication device operating in time-division multiple access communication system in which a plurality of communication channels are divided into a cycle of time intervals, said communication device comprising:
a transmitter; and a controller for directing said transmitter to transmit an information signal over a first of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and RF
energy continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals, whereby interference is reduced proximate said communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
a transmitter; and a controller for directing said transmitter to transmit an information signal over a first of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said time intervals and RF
energy continuously throughout a remainder of said time intervals, whereby interference is reduced proximate said communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
12. The communication device of claim 11 wherein said controller directs said transmitter to transmit RF energy over said first communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said time intervals.
13. The communication device of claim 11 wherein said controller directs said transmitter to transmit RF energy over a second of said plurality of communication channels continuously throughout said remainder of said of said time intervals.
14. A system for reducing interference in a time-division multiple access communication system having a plurality of communication devices and in which a plurality of communication channels are time and frequency divided into a cycle of slots, said system comprising:
means for directing a first of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a first of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said first communication channel;
and means, in said first communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal continuously throughout said predetermined at least one slot of said first communication channel and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout said remainder of slots of said first communication channel, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said first communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
means for directing a first of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a first of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said first communication channel;
and means, in said first communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal continuously throughout said predetermined at least one slot of said first communication channel and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout said remainder of slots of said first communication channel, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said first communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein said cycle of slots comprises eight slots, each of said eight slots being about 577 microseconds in duration and about 200 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein said first communication channel is fixed in frequency, and a remainder of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
17. The system of claim 15 wherein each of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
18. The system of claim 14 wherein said cycle of slots comprises six slots, each of said six slots being about 3.33 milliseconds in duration and about 30 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein said first communication channel is fixed in frequency.
20. The system of claim 18 wherein each of said plurality of communications channels is fixed in frequency.
21. The system of claim 14 further comprising:
means for directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a second of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said second communication channel; and means, in said second communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal continuously throughout said predetermined at least one slot of said second communication channel and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said slots of said second communication channel, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
means for directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a second of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said second communication channel; and means, in said second communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal continuously throughout said predetermined at least one slot of said second communication channel and to transmit RF energy over said second communication channel continuously throughout said remainder of said slots of said second communication channel, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein said cycle of slots comprises eight slots, each of said eight slots being about 577 microseconds in duration and about 200 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
23. The system of claim 22 wherein said first and second communication channels are fixed in frequency, and a remainder of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
24. The system of claim 22 wherein each of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
25. The system of claim 21 wherein said cycle of slots comprises six slots, each of said six slots being about 3.33 milliseconds in duration and about 30 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein said first and second communication channels are fixed in frequency.
27. The system of claim 25 wherein each of said plurality of communications channels is fixed in frequency.
28. A system for reducing interference in a time-division multiple access communication system having a plurality of communication devices and in which a plurality of communication channels are time and frequency divided into a cycle of slots, said system comprising:
means for directing a first of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a primary communication channel of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF
energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of an auxiliary communication channel of said plurality of communication channels; and means, in said first communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said slots of said primary communication channel and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said auxiliary communication channel, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said first communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
means for directing a first of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a primary communication channel of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF
energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of an auxiliary communication channel of said plurality of communication channels; and means, in said first communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal continuously throughout said predetermined at least one of said slots of said primary communication channel and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said auxiliary communication channel, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said first communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
29. The system of claim 28 wherein said cycle of slots comprises eight slots, each of said eight slots being about 577 microseconds in duration and about 200 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
30. The system of claim 29 wherein said auxiliary communication channel is fixed in frequency, and a remainder of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
31. The system of claim 29 wherein each of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
32. The system of claim 28 wherein said cycle of slots comprises six slots, each of said six slots being about 3.33 milliseconds in duration and about 30 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
33. The system of claim 32 wherein said auxiliary communication channel is fixed in frequency.
34. The system of claim 32 wherein each of said plurality of communications channels is fixed in frequency.
35. The system of claim 28 further comprising:
means for directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of one of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said auxiliary communication channel; and means, in said second communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal continuously throughout said predetermined at least one slot of said one of said communication channels and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout said remainder of slots of said auxiliary communication channel, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
means for directing a second of said plurality of communication devices to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of one of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said auxiliary communication channel; and means, in said second communication device and responsive to said means for directing, for transmitting said information signal continuously throughout said predetermined at least one slot of said one of said communication channels and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout said remainder of slots of said auxiliary communication channel, whereby said interference is reduced proximate said second communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
36. The system of claim 35 wherein said cycle of slots comprises eight slots, each of said eight slots being about 577 microseconds in duration and about 200 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
37. The system of claim 36 wherein said auxiliary communication channel is fixed in frequency, and a remainder of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
38. The system of claim 36 wherein each of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
39. The system of claim 35 wherein said cycle of slots comprises six slots, each of said six slots being about 3.33 milliseconds in duration and about 30 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
40. The system of claim 39 wherein said auxiliary communication channel is fixed in frequency.
41. The system of claim 39 wherein each of said plurality of communications channels is fixed in frequency.
42. A communication device operating in a time-division multiple access communication system in which a plurality of communication channels are time and frequency divided into a cycle of slots, said communication device comprising:
a transmitter; and a controller for directing said transmitter to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a first of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF
energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said first communication channel, whereby interference is reduced proximate said communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
a transmitter; and a controller for directing said transmitter to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a first of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF
energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of said first communication channel, whereby interference is reduced proximate said communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
43. The communication device of claim 42 wherein said cycle of slots comprises eight slots, each of said eight slots being about 577 microseconds in duration and about 200 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
44. The communication device of claim 43 wherein said first communication channel is fixed in frequency, and a remainder of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
45. The communication device of claim 43 wherein each of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
46. The communication device of claim 42 wherein said cycle of slots comprises six slots, each of said six slots being about 3.33 milliseconds in duration and about 30 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
47. The communication device of claim 46 wherein said first communication channel is fixed in frequency.
48. The communication device of claim 46 wherein each of said plurality of communications channels is fixed in frequency.
49. A communication device operating in a time-division multiple access communication system in which a plurality of communication channels are time and frequency divided into a cycle of slots, said communication device comprising:
a transmitter; and a controller for directing said transmitter to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a primary communication channel of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of an auxiliary communication channel of said plurality of communication channels, whereby interference is reduced proximate said communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
a transmitter; and a controller for directing said transmitter to transmit an information signal continuously throughout a predetermined at least one of said slots of a primary communication channel of said plurality of communication channels and to transmit RF energy continuously throughout a remainder of said slots of an auxiliary communication channel of said plurality of communication channels, whereby interference is reduced proximate said communication device due to continuous transmission thereby.
50. The communication device of claim 49 wherein said cycle of slots comprises eight slots, each of said eight slots being about 577 microseconds in duration and about 200 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
51. The communication device of claim 50 wherein said auxiliary communication channel is fixed in frequency, and a remainder of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
52. The communication device of claim 50 wherein each of said plurality of communication channels are frequency-agile.
53. The communication device of claim 49 wherein said cycle of slots comprises six slots, each of said six slots being about 3.33 milliseconds in duration and about 30 kilohertz in frequency bandwidth.
54. The communication device of claim 53 wherein said auxiliary communication channel is fixed in frequency.
55. The communication device of claim 53 wherein each of said plurality of communications channels is fixed in frequency.
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| FI982221A0 (en) | 1998-10-13 |
| DE69736705T2 (en) | 2007-09-13 |
| BR9712087A (en) | 1999-08-31 |
| US5917812A (en) | 1999-06-29 |
| EP0894371A1 (en) | 1999-02-03 |
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