Spread spectrum transceiver module utilizing multiple mode transmission

• US 20040077352A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ronald L. Mahany
• Inventors: Mahany, Ronald L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,676,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/448
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/692 Hybrid techniques using combinations of two or more spread spectrum techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2201/70711 with modular structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/46 in multi hop networks, e.g. wireless relay networks

Abstract

A data transceiver module for digital data communications in a portable hand-held data terminal has multiple data spread spectrum modes which include direct sequence and frequency function modulation algorithms. The transceiver module has multiple user or program configurable data rates, modulation, channelization and process gain in order to maximize the performance of radio data transmissions and to maximize interference immunity. Various module housings, which may be PCMCIA type, are able to be mated with a suitably designed data terminal. Media access control protocols and interfaces of multiple nominal operational frequencies are utilized. Wireless access devices in a cell based network each consider a variety of factors when choosing one of a plurality of modes of wireless operation and associated operating parameters. Such selection defines a communication channel to support wireless data, message and communication exchanges. In further embodiments, the wireless access devices also support a second channel, a busy/control channel, for managing communication on the main communication channel and to overcome roaming and hidden terminal problems. Roaming terminal devices are also configured to support the dual channel design. Such configuration in both circumstances may involve the use of a multimode radio that is timeshared between the two channels or two radios, one dedicated to each channel.

Claims

1. A communication network for collecting and communicating data, comprising:

a wireless access device comprising a control circuit and a first RF transceiver that selectively operates in one of a plurality of spread spectrum modes;

at least one mobile terminal comprising a second RF transceiver that operates in at least one of a plurality of spread spectrum modes; and

the control circuit responsive to transmissions received from the first RF transceiver for evaluating communication performance and dynamically selecting one of the plurality of spread spectrum modes of the first RF transceiver while taking into consideration the at least one of the plurality of spread spectrum modes of the second RF transceiver.

2. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the plurality of spread spectrum modes of the first RF transceiver comprising a direct sequence transmission mode and a frequency hopping mode.

3. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the plurality of spread spectrum modes of the first RF transceiver comprising a direct sequence transmission mode and a channelized direct sequence mode.

4. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the plurality of spread spectrum modes of the first RF transceiver comprising a frequency hopping mode and a hybrid frequency hopping mode.

5. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said first RF transceiver operates to support a communication channel and a busy/control channel on a time shared basis.

6. In a communication network, a plurality of wireless access device capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless terminals, each of the plurality of wireless access device comprising:

a first radio controllable to support a communication channel operating pursuant to one of a plurality of modes;

a second radio supporting a busy/control channel independent of the communication channel;

a controller that selects one of the plurality of modes and controls the first radio to support the selection; and

the controller utilizes the second radio to communicate on the busy/control channel to manage the communication channel.

7. In the communication network of claim 6, wherein the plurality of modes includes a plurality of spread spectrum modes.

8. In the communication network of claim 7, wherein the first radio comprises a multimode radio and the second radio comprises a transmitter.

9. In a communication network, a plurality of wireless access device capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless terminals, each of the plurality of wireless access device comprising:

a transceiver controllable to operate pursuant to any of a plurality of communication modes;

a controller that selects from the plurality of modes a communication channel and an independent, busy/control channel; and

the controller controls the transceiver to support data routing on the communication channel while managing access to the communication channel via the busy/control channel.

10. In the communication network of claim 9, wherein the plurality of communication modes includes a plurality of spread spectrum modes.