Satellite Assisted Radioterminal Communications Systems and Methods

• US 20070099562A1
• Filed: 11/21/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Dutta, Santanu, Bogatin, Boris, Karabinis, Peter, Deobald, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,170,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/12.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/026 Co-operative diversity, e.g. using fixed or mobile stations as relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0491 using two or more sectors, i.e. sector diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0837 using pre-detection combining H04B7/0868 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0854 using error minimizing algorithms, e.g. minimum mean squared error [MMSE], "cross-correlation" or matrix inversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/42 in systems with time, space, frequency or polarisation diversity

Abstract

Information is transmitted from a radioterminal to a first base station via a first wireless link. A satellite is used to route the information from the first base station to a second base station via second wireless links between the satellite and the first base station and between the satellite and the second base station. At least one of the second wireless links is more spectrally efficient than the first wireless link. Related methods, systems and devices are disclosed.

Claims

1. A radioterminal communications method comprising:

transmitting information from a radioterminal to a first base station via a first wireless link; and

using a satellite to route the information from the first base station to a second base station via second wireless links between the satellite and the first base station and between the satellite and the second base station, wherein at least one of the second wireless links is more spectrally efficient than the first wireless link.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route the information from the first base station to a second base station comprises:

using a satellite of a satellite radioterminal communications system to route the information among base stations.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route the information from the first base station to a second base station comprises:

using a satellite to at least partially bypass terrestrial routing of the information among base stations.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route the information from the first base station to a second base station comprises:

using a satellite to selectively route the information among base stations.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein using a satellite to selectively route the information among base stations comprises:

determining that a destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with a base station with which a source radioterminal is able to communicate with; and

using the satellite to route information from the source radioterminal to the destination radioterminal.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein using a satellite to selectively route the information among base stations comprises:

determining whether a source radioterminal and a destination radioterminal are able to communicate with base stations that are proximate one another; and

using the satellite to route information from the source radioterminal to the destination radioterminal if the source radioterminal and the destination radioterminal are not able to communicate with base stations that are proximate one another.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein determining that a destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with a base station with which a source radioterminal is able to communicate with comprises:

accessing a listing of base stations and radioterminals; and

determining from the listing that the destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with the base station that the source radioterminal is able to communicate therewith.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein accessing is preceded by:

registering the source radioterminal and the destination radioterminal with the listing.

9. A method according to claim 7 wherein the listing is associated with a satellite gateway of the satellite.

10. A method according to claim 7 wherein the listing is associated with a base station.

11. A method according to claim 8 wherein registering is performed after power-on of the source radioterminal, after power-on of the destination radioterminal, after movement of the source radioterminal and/or after movement of the destination radioterminal.

12. A method according to claim 6 wherein determining whether a source radioterminal and a destination radioterminal are able to communicate with base stations that are proximate one another comprises:

accessing a listing of base stations and radioterminals; and

determining from the listing whether the source radioterminal and the destination radioterminal are able to communicate with base stations that are proximate one another.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein accessing is preceded by:

registering the source radioterminal and the destination radioterminal with the listing.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the listing is associated with a satellite gateway of the satellite.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the listing is associated with a base station.

16. A method according to claim 13 wherein registering is performed after power-on of the source radioterminal, after power-on of the destination radioterminal, after movement of the source radioterminal and/or after movement of the destination radioterminal.

17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first base station and/or the second base station communicate with radioterminals using frequencies of at least one satellite frequency band.

18. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route the information from the first base station to a second base station comprises:

sending a message from a source radioterminal to a first base station;

sending the message from the first base station to the satellite;

sending the message from the satellite to a satellite gateway;

determining by the satellite gateway, a second base station that is able to communicate with a destination radioterminal;

sending the message from the satellite gateway to the satellite along with routing information that identifies the second base station;

sending the message from the satellite to the second base station; and

sending the message from the second base station to the destination radioterminal.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the following is performed between sending a message from a source radioterminal to a first base station and sending the message from the first base station to the satellite:

determining whether the destination radioterminal is able to communicate with the first base station; and

wherein sending the message from the first base station to the satellite is selectively performed if the destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with the first base station.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the following is performed between sending a message from a source radioterminal to a first base station and sending the message from the first base station to the satellite:

determining whether the second base station is proximate the first base station; and

wherein sending the message from the first base station to the satellite is selectively performed if the second base station is not proximate the first base station.

21. A method according to claim 18 wherein determining by the satellite gateway, a second base station that is able to communicate with a destination radioterminal comprises:

accessing a listing of base stations and radioterminals; and

identifying from the listing the second base station that is able to communicate with the destination radioterminal.

22. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending the message from the first base station to the satellite comprises:

concentrating the message with other communications from the first base station to the satellite.

23. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending the message from the second base station to the destination radioterminal comprises:

de-concentrating the message from other communications from the satellite to the second base station.

24. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending the message from the second base station to the destination radioterminal comprises:

sending the message from the second base station to a plurality of destination radioterminals.

25. A method according to claim 18:

wherein sending the message from the satellite to the second base station comprises sending the message from the satellite to a plurality of second base stations; and

wherein sending the message from the second base station to the destination radioterminal comprises sending the message from the plurality of second base stations to a plurality of destination radioterminals.

26. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route the information from the first base station to a second base station comprises:

using a satellite to route signaling messages and/or communications messages among base stations.

27. A method according to claim 18 wherein determining by the satellite gateway, a second base station that is able to communicate with a destination radioterminal is selectively performed for a first message from the source radioterminal to the destination radioterminal and is not performed for a subsequent number of messages from the source radioterminal to the destination radioterminal.

28. A method according to claim 18 wherein the following is performed prior to sending the message from the second base station to the destination radioterminal:

interrogating the destination radioterminal to determine whether it is capable of receiving the message.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein interrogating is selectively performed for a first message and is not performed for a number of subsequent messages.

30. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending the message from the satellite to the second base station comprises sending the message from the satellite to the second base station using a satellite spot beam that covers at least the second base station.

31. A method according to claim 30 further comprising ignoring the message at one or more base stations other than the second base station.

32. A method according to claim 4 wherein using a satellite to selectively route the information among base stations comprises:

determining that at least one destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with a base station with which a source radioterminal is able to communicate with; and

using the satellite to route a message from the source radioterminal to the at least one destination radioterminal.

33. A method according to claim 4 wherein using a satellite to selectively route the information among base stations comprises:

determining that at least one destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with a base station that is proximate to a base station with which a source radioterminal is able to communicate with; and

using the satellite to route a message from the source radioterminal to the at least one destination radioterminal.

34. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending a message from a source radioterminal to a first base station comprises:

seizing an uplink channel;

receiving a confirmation in response to the seizing; and

sending the message in response to the receiving.

35. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending a message from a source radioterminal to a first base station comprises:

requesting an uplink channel;

receiving an uplink channel in response to the requesting; and

sending the message in response to the receiving an uplink channel.

36. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending a message from a source radioterminal to a first base station is performed using a return link alphabet that comprises fewer symbols than a forward link alphabet that is used to transmit information to the source radioterminal.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein sending a message from a source radioterminal to a first base station is performed co-channel with at least one other message and wherein the first base station is configured to decode the message and the at least one other message.

38. A method according to claim 37 wherein the message comprises signaling information and/or communications information and wherein the first base station is configured to decode the at least one other message, the signaling information and/or the communications information.

39. A method according to claim 34 wherein the following is performed between the seizing and the receiving:

determining whether at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the message.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein determining whether the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the message comprises determining whether a listing of likely destination radioterminals indicates that the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the message.

41. A method according to claim 39 wherein determining whether the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the message comprises interrogating the at least one destination radioterminal.

42. A method according to claim 35 wherein the following is performed by the first base station between the requesting and the receiving:

determining whether at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the message.

43. A method according to claim 42 wherein determining whether the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the message comprises determining whether a listing of likely destination radioterminals indicates that the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the message.

44. A method according to claim 42 wherein determining whether the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the message comprises interrogating the at least one destination radioterminal.

45. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route the information from the first base station to a second base station comprises:

sending the information from the first base station to the satellite;

determining a satellite spot beam that covers the second base station; and

sending the information from the satellite to the second base station over the spot beam that covers the second base station.

46. A method according to claim 45 wherein the following is performed between transmitting information from a radioterminal to a first base station and sending the information from the first base station to the satellite:

determining whether a destination radioterminal is able to communicate with the first base station; and

wherein sending the information from the first base station to the satellite is selectively performed if the destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with the first base station.

47. A method according to claim 45 wherein the following is performed between transmitting information from a radioterminal to a first base station and sending the information from the first base station to the satellite:

determining whether the second base station is proximate the first base station; and

wherein sending the information from the first base station to the satellite is selectively performed if the second base station is not proximate the first base station.

48. A method according to claim 45 wherein determining a satellite spot beam that covers the second base station comprises:

accessing a listing of base stations and spot beams that are associated therewith; and

identifying from the listing the satellite spot beam that covers the second base station.

49. A method according to claim 45 further comprising:

sending the information from the second base station to one or more destination radioterminals.

50. A method according to claim 45 wherein the satellite spot beam covers at least the second base station.

51. A method according to claim 50 further comprising ignoring the information at one or more base stations other than the second base station.

52. A method according to claim 45 wherein transmitting information from a radioterminal to a first base station comprises:

seizing an uplink channel;

receiving a confirmation in response to the seizing an uplink channel; and

sending the information from the radioterminal to the first base station over the uplink channel in response to the receiving a confirmation.

53. A method according to claim 45 wherein transmitting information from a radioterminal to a first base station comprises:

requesting an uplink channel;

receiving an uplink channel in response to the requesting; and

sending the information from the radioterminal to the first base station in response to the receiving.

54. A method according to claim 45 wherein transmitting information from a radioterminal to a first base station is performed using a return link alphabet that comprises fewer symbols than a forward link alphabet that is used to transmit information to the radioterminal.

55. A method according to claim 54 wherein transmitting information from a radioterminal to a first base station is performed co-channel with at least one other message and wherein the first base station is configured to decode the information and the at least one other message.

56. A method according to claim 55 wherein the information comprises signaling information and/or communications information and wherein the first base station is configured to decode the at least one other message, the signaling information and/or the communications information.

57. A method according to claim 52 wherein the following is performed between the seizing and the receiving:

determining whether at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information.

58. A method according to claim 57 wherein determining whether the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information comprises determining whether a listing of likely destination radioterminals indicates that the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information.

59. A method according to claim 57 wherein determining whether the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information comprises interrogating the at least one destination radioterminal.

60. A method according to claim 53 wherein the following is performed between the requesting and the receiving:

determining whether at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information; and

assigning an uplink channel upon determining that the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information.

61. A method according to claim 60 wherein determining whether the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information comprises determining whether a listing of likely destination radioterminals indicates that the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information.

62. A method according to claim 60 wherein determining whether the at least one destination radioterminal is able to receive the information comprises interrogating the at least one destination radioterminal.

63. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

configuring the radioterminal to use a first communications protocol;

sending a message from the radioterminal to the first base station;

sending the message from the first base station to the satellite;

sending the message from the satellite to a second base station;

configuring a second radioterminal to use the first communications protocol; and

sending the message from the second base station to the second radioterminal using the first communications protocol.

64. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

configuring the radioterminal to use a first communications protocol;

sending a message from the radioterminal to the first base station;

sending the message from the first base station to the satellite;

sending the message from the satellite to a second base station;

configuring a second radioterminal to use a second communications protocol that is different from the first communications protocol; and

sending the message from the second base station to the second radioterminal using the second communications protocol.

65. A method according to claim 1 wherein transmitting information comprises:

transmitting push-to-send information.

66. A method according to claim 65 wherein transmitting push-to-send information comprises:

transmitting push-to-send information using frequencies of a satellite frequency band.

67. A method according to claim 1 wherein transmitting information comprises:

transmitting information using a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode.

68. A method according to claim 67 wherein transmitting information using a TDD mode comprises:

using frequencies of a satellite frequency band.

69. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

receiving information at the first base station using an antenna comprising a plurality of elements that differ therebetween in polarization orientation(s) and/or spatially; and

/or

transmitting information from the first base station using an antenna comprising a plurality of elements that differ therebetween in polarization orientation(s) and/or spatially.

70. A method according to claim 69 further comprising:

receiving information at the radioterminal using an antenna comprising a plurality of elements that differ therebetween in polarization orientation(s) and/or spatially; and

/or

transmitting information from the radioterminal using an antenna comprising a plurality of elements that differ therebetween in polarization orientation(s) and/or spatially.

71. A radioterminal communications system comprising:

a base station that is configured to receive first information from a first radioterminal via a first wireless communications link, to transmit the first information to a satellite via a first wireless satellite link, to receive second information from the satellite via a second wireless satellite link and to transmit the second information to a second radioterminal via a second wireless communications link;

wherein the first wireless satellite link is more spectrally efficient than the first wireless communications link, the second wireless satellite link is more spectrally efficient than the second wireless communications link, and wherein the satellite is configured to route the first information to a second base station.

72. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station is further configured to selectively transmit the first information to the satellite responsive to a location associated with a destination radioterminal.

73. A system according to claim 72 wherein the base station is further configured to determine whether the destination radioterminal is able to communicate with the base station and to transmit the first information to the satellite if the destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with the base station.

74. A system according to claim 72 wherein the base station is further configured to determine whether the destination radioterminal is able to communicate with another base station that is proximate the base station and to transmit the first information to the satellite if the destination radioterminal is not able to communicate with another base station that is proximate the base station.

75. A system according to claim 73 wherein the base station further comprises:

a listing of base stations and radioterminals that are able to communicate therewith; and

wherein the base station is configured to determine from the listing whether the destination radioterminal is able to communicate with the base station.

76. A system according to claim 75 wherein the base station is further configured to register radioterminals that are able to communicate therewith in the listing.

77. A system according to claim 74 wherein the base station further comprises:

a listing of base stations and radioterminals that are able to communicate therewith; and

wherein the base station is configured to determine from the listing whether the destination radioterminal is able to communicate with another base station that is proximate the base station.

78. A system according to claim 77 wherein the base station is further configured to register radioterminals that are able to communicate therewith in the listing.

79. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station communicates with radioterminals using frequencies of a satellite frequency band.

80. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station is further configured to concentrate the first information with other communications prior to transmitting the first information and the other communications to the satellite via the first wireless satellite link.

81. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station is configured to receive the second information from the satellite concentrated with other communications from the satellite over the second wireless satellite link, and wherein the base station is further configured to de-concentrate the second information from the other communications.

82. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station is further configured to transmit the second information to a plurality of destination radioterminals.

83. A system according to claim 71 wherein the first information and/or the second information comprise(s) signaling information and/or communications information.

84. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station is further configured to ignore information that is received from the satellite but that does not apply to a radioterminal that is able to communicate with the base station.

85. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station is further configured to determine whether at least one of a plurality of destination radioterminals is not able to communicate with the base station and to transmit a message from a source radioterminal to the satellite if at least one of the plurality of destination radioterminals is not able to communicate with the base station.

86. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station is further configured to determine whether at least one of a plurality of destination radioterminals is not able to communicate with another base station that is proximate the base station and to transmit a message from a source radioterminal to the satellite if at least one of the plurality of destination radioterminals is not able to communicate with another base station that is proximate the base station.

87. A system according to claim 71 wherein the base station is further configured to receive a message from a radioterminal over a return link using a return link alphabet and to send a message to a radioterminal over a forward link using a forward link alphabet;

wherein the forward link alphabet comprises a number of symbols that exceeds a number of symbols included in the return link alphabet and/or the forward link is more spectrally efficient than the return link.

88. A system according to claim 87 wherein the base station is further configured to receive the message from the radioterminal over the return link co-channel with at least one other message, and wherein the base station is configured to decode the message and the at least one other message.

89. A radioterminal communications system comprising:

a satellite gateway that is configured to route information between first and second base stations using a first wireless satellite link between the first base station and a satellite and a second wireless satellite link between the second base station and the satellite;

wherein the first and second base stations communicate with respective first and second radioterminals using respective first and second wireless communications links that are each less spectrally efficient than at least one of the first and second wireless satellite links.

90. A system according to claim 89 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to selectively route messages among base stations via the satellite.

91. A system according to claim 90 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to selectively route messages among base stations by routing a message from a source base station to a destination base station if the source base station and the destination base station are not the same base station.

92. A system according to claim 90 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to selectively route messages among base stations by routing a message from a source base station to a destination base station if the source base station and the destination base station are not proximate one another.

93. A system according to claim 91 wherein the satellite gateway further comprises:

a listing of base stations and radioterminals; and

wherein the satellite gateway is configured to determine the destination base station from the listing.

94. A system according to claim 93 wherein the satellite gateway is further configured to register radioterminals with the listing.

95. A system according to claim 94 wherein a radioterminal is registered with the listing following power-on of the radioterminal and/or following a movement of the radioterminal.

96. A system according to claim 92 wherein the satellite gateway further comprises:

a listing of base stations and radioterminals; and

wherein the gateway is configured to determine the destination base station from the listing.

97. A system according to claim 96 wherein the satellite gateway is further configured to register radioterminals with the listing.

98. A system according to claim 97 wherein a radioterminal is registered with the listing following power-on of the radioterminal and/or following a movement of the radioterminal.

99. A system according to claim 89 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to route a message among terrestrial base stations by receiving the message from the satellite including an identification of a destination, determining a destination base station that is associated with the identification of the destination and sending the message back to the satellite along with the routing information that identifies the destination base station.

100. A system according to claim 89 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to route information among base stations by routing signaling information and/or communications information among base stations.

101. A system according to claim 99 wherein the following is performed between determining a destination base station and sending the message back to the satellite along with routing information that identifies the destination base station:

interrogating a destination radioterminal to determine whether it is capable of receiving the message.

102. A system according to claim 101 wherein interrogating is selectively performed for a first message and is not performed for a number of subsequent messages.

103. A radioterminal communications system comprising:

a satellite that is configured to route information between first and second base stations via respective first and second wireless satellite links between the satellite and the first and second base stations;

wherein the first and second base stations communicate with respective first and second radioterminals using respective first and second wireless communications links that are each less spectrally efficient than at least one of the first and second wireless satellite links.

104. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite comprises a space-based component of a satellite radioterminal communications system.

105. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is configured to selectively route messages among base stations by routing a message from a source base station to a destination base station if the source base station and the destination base station are not the same base station.

106. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is configured to selectively route messages among base stations by routing a message from a source base station to a destination base station if the source base station and the destination base station are not proximate one another.

107. A system according to claim 105 wherein the satellite further comprises:

a listing of base stations and radioterminals; and

wherein the satellite is configured to determine the destination base station from the listing.

108. A system according to claim 107 wherein the satellite is further configured to register radioterminals with the listing.

109. A system according to claim 108 wherein a radioterminal is registered with the listing following power-on of the radioterminal and/or following a movement of the radioterminal.

110. A system according to claim 106 wherein the satellite further comprises:

a listing of base stations and radioterminals; and

wherein the satellite is configured to determine the destination base station from the listing.

111. A system according to claim 110 wherein the satellite is further configured to register radioterminals with the listing.

112. A system according to claim 111 wherein a radioterminal is registered with the listing following power-on of the radioterminal and/or following a movement of the radioterminal.

113. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is further configured to receive a message from a source base station including an identification of a destination and to send the message to a destination base station that is associated with the identification of the destination.

114. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is further configured to receive the message along with other communications from the source base station.

115. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is configured to send the message to the destination base station along with other communications from the satellite.

116. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is further configured to send the message to a plurality of destination base stations.

117. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is further configured to route signaling information and/or communications information among base stations.

118. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is further configured to selectively determine a destination base station for a first message but not for a number of subsequent messages.

119. A system according to claim 113 wherein a destination radioterminal is interrogated to determine whether it is capable of receiving the message.

120. A system according to claim 119 wherein the destination radioterminal is selectively interrogated for a first message and is not interrogated for a number of subsequent messages.

121. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is configured to send the message to the destination base station by sending the message over a satellite spot beam that covers at least the destination base station.

122. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is configured to route messages among base stations by receiving a message from a source base station, determining a satellite spot beam that covers a destination base station and sending the message to the destination base station over the satellite spot beam that was determined.

123. A system according to claim 122 wherein the satellite is configured to determine the satellite spot beam that covers a destination base station by accessing a listing of base stations, radioterminals and satellite spot beams and identifying from the listing the satellite spot beam that covers the destination base station.

124. A system according to claim 122 wherein the satellite spot beam that was determined covers at least the destination base station.

125. A radioterminal system comprising:

a server that comprises a listing of satellite spot-beams and registration information for a plurality of radioterminals;

wherein the listing of satellite spot-beams comprises an association of base stations with each satellite spot-beam of the listing of satellite spot-beams.

126. A system according to claim 125 wherein the registration information comprises:

a listing of base stations and radioterminals that are able to communicate therewith.

127. A system according to claim 126 wherein the server is configured to register the radioterminals with the listing of base stations and radioterminals.

128. A system according to claim 127 wherein the server is configured to register a radioterminal with the listing of base stations and radioterminals following power-on of the radioterminal and/or following a movement of the radioterminal.

129. A system according to claim 126 wherein the listing of base stations and radioterminals further comprises an association of likely destination radioterminals with a source radioterminal.

130. A system according to claim 129 wherein the listing of base stations and radioterminals further comprises an association of base stations with a satellite spot beam.

131. A radioterminal comprising:

a receiver that is configured to receive information from a base station by receiving a first measure of the information from the base station and a second measure of the information from a second device;

wherein the second device receives a measure of the information from the base station, responsively generates the second measure of the information and transmits the second measure of the information to the radioterminal over a short-range wireless link.

132. A radioterminal according to claim 131 wherein the second device is a radioterminal.

133. A radioterminal according to claim 131 wherein the base station transmits the information to the radioterminal co-channel with second information that the base station transmits to a second radioterminal, and wherein the radioterminal is configured to receive and decode the information that is co-channel with the second information.

134. A radioterminal according to claim 131 further comprising a transmitter that is configured to transmit return-link information to the base station co-channel with second return-link information that a second radioterminal transmits to the base station, and wherein the base station is configured to receive and decode the return-link information that is co-channel with the second return-link information.

135. A radioterminal according to claim 131 further comprising a plurality of antenna elements.