Method and system for increasing availability and proximity of base stations for cellular communications via mobile base stations

• US 20030236106A1
• Filed: 12/05/2001
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QuickSilver Technology
• Original Assignee: QuickSilver Technology
• Inventors: Watson, John, Master, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,795,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2609 Arrangements for range control, e.g. by using remote antennas

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for increasing availability and proximity of base stations for cellular communications are provided. The aspects include providing a mobile base station as a feature of a motor vehicle. Adaptive capabilities within the mobile base station are utilized for compatibility with a mobile phone. Cellular communications are performed with the mobile phone via the mobile base station.

Claims

1. A method for increasing availability and proximity of base stations for cellular communications, the method comprising:

providing a mobile base station as a feature of a motor vehicle;

utilizing adaptive capabilities within the mobile base station for compatibility with a mobile phone; and

performing cellular communications with the mobile phone via the mobile base station.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein performing cellular communications further comprises detecting initiation of operation in the mobile phone by the mobile base station, determining in the mobile base station whether a terrestrial base station is available, and performing terrestrial base station operations in the mobile base station when the terrestrial base station is not available.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein performing base stations operations further comprises utilizing predetermined criteria to select among multiple provider networks, the predetermined criteria including cost per minute, strength of signal, network availability, quality and percentage utilization.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein performing base station operations further comprises performing translations between protocols.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein utilizing adaptive capabilities further comprises monitoring performance characteristics during communications to determine whether an adaptation of operation is necessary.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein monitoring performance characteristics further comprises measuring carrier to interference ratio.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein monitoring performance characteristics further comprises measuring co-channel interference.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein an adaptation of operation further comprises adapting a modulation type used for the cellular communication.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein an adaptation of operation further comprises adapting signal processing of transmitted data without altering the modulation type.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising utilizing a LEOS network to transmit communications for the mobile phone via the mobile base station.

11. A system with increased availability and proximity of base stations for cellular communications comprising:

a cellular provider network;

a mobile phone unit for communicating data with the cellular provider network; and

a mobile base station, the mobile base station provided as a feature of a motor vehicle and with adaptive capabilities for compatibility with the mobile phone unit and performance of cellular communications within the cellular provider network.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile base station performs cellular communications by detecting initiation of operation in the mobile phone by the mobile base station, determining in the mobile base station whether a terrestrial base station is available, and performing terrestrial base station operations in the mobile base station when the terrestrial base station is not available.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein performing base station operations further comprises utilizing predetermined criteria to select among multiple provider networks, the predetermined criteria including cost per minute, strength of signal, network availability, quality and percentage utilization.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein performing base station operations further comprises performing translations between protocols.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile base station includes an adaptive computing engine to provide the adaptive capabilities and monitor performance characteristics during communications to determine whether an adaptation of operation is necessary.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the mobile base station monitors performance characteristics by measuring carrier to interference ratio.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein an adaptation of operation further comprises adapting a modulation type used for the cellular communication.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein an adaptation of operation further comprises adapting signal processing of transmitted data without altering the modulation type.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile base station further communicates via a LEOS (Low Earth Orbiting Satellite) network for transmissions of the mobile phone unit.

20. A method for increasing availability and proximity of base stations for cellular communications, the method comprising:

providing an adaptive computing engine capable of supporting cellular communication; and

employing the adaptive computing engine within a base station to allow incorporation into a motor vehicle and formation of a mobile base station.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising utilizing the mobile base station to support cellular communication from a mobile phone.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising initiating the cellular communication from the mobile phone from within the motor vehicle.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising tuning the mobile base station and the mobile phone to a same modulation type by altering the adaptive computing engine in at least the mobile base station.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising employing an additional adaptive computing engine within the mobile phone.