Channel selection in a multi-frequency radio data communication system
First Claim
1. In a multi-frequency radio data communication system operating on inbound and outbound channels with multiple transmitting sites interconnected to a central network control processor NCP and having multiple portable terminals, a method of channel selection for portable terminal usage which assures a set level of signal/service quality without unduly affecting outbound capacity, including the steps of:
- a. having each portable terminal randomizing the list of frequencies available in the system;
b. each terminal upon initial operation selecting a channel from said random list, and if traffic is found, evaluating the quality level thereof and if acceptable attempting to register thereon by sending a channel registration message and receiving back an acknowledgement, if successful;
c. each portable terminal continuing to monitor the outbound channel and when signal/service quality falls below a threshold level, selecting a new channel from its random list and attempting to register thereon in the manner set forth in step (b); and
d. said portable terminals in response to a failure to successfully send an inbound message due to message errors, as well as receiving no acknowledgement response to a transmitter channel registration message, treating the same as an indication of poor signal/service quality and repeating step (c).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for improved channel selection in a multi-frequency radio data communications system whereby a minimum level of signal/service quality may be maintained at all times without unduly impacting channel loading considerations. Specialized idle messages are utilized in the outbound channel of the radio system which are required in any event but include added information for the monitoring remote terminals to determine channel quality and take appropriate action by selecting a new channel to operate on if channel quality falls below a preset threshold level.
283 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a multi-frequency radio data communication system operating on inbound and outbound channels with multiple transmitting sites interconnected to a central network control processor NCP and having multiple portable terminals, a method of channel selection for portable terminal usage which assures a set level of signal/service quality without unduly affecting outbound capacity, including the steps of:
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a. having each portable terminal randomizing the list of frequencies available in the system; b. each terminal upon initial operation selecting a channel from said random list, and if traffic is found, evaluating the quality level thereof and if acceptable attempting to register thereon by sending a channel registration message and receiving back an acknowledgement, if successful; c. each portable terminal continuing to monitor the outbound channel and when signal/service quality falls below a threshold level, selecting a new channel from its random list and attempting to register thereon in the manner set forth in step (b); and d. said portable terminals in response to a failure to successfully send an inbound message due to message errors, as well as receiving no acknowledgement response to a transmitter channel registration message, treating the same as an indication of poor signal/service quality and repeating step (c). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A remote radio data terminal for operating in a multi-frequency radio data communications system having multiple transmitting sites interconnected to a central NCP, which remote terminal may select an operating channel among multiple channels available while maintaining a set level of signal/service quality at all times, comprising in combination:
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means for randomizing a list of channels available on the system and maintaining the same within the terminal; means, upon turn-on of the remote terminal, for selecting a channel from said randomized list and evaluating the signal/service quality thereof; means, upon said evaluation being above a set threshold level, for sending a registration message on said selected and evaluated channel and, if an acknowledgement is received in response thereto, beginning normal operation thereon; and means for periodically and continually monitoring the channel so selected and registered upon, and initiating a new channel selection as upon turn-on whenever the signal/service quality falls below said set threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification