System and method for extending cell site coverage

• US 5,152,002 A
• Filed: 02/13/1990
• Issued: 09/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allen Telecom LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Orion Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Leslie, Samuel A., Gordon, Robert T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US07/479,511
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 455/13, 455/16, 455/17, 455/33, 455/56, 455/8-10, 455/11, 455/15, 379/58-59, 379/60
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow

Abstract

A system and a method for extending coverage of a cell site in a cellular radio telephone system include a plurality of repeaters or boosters which are spaced through the region where increased coverage is desired. A first booster is in radio communication with the transceiver for the cell site. The remaining boosters are linked together, by radio transmissions, in a series configuration with only one of those linked to the first booster. A movable transceiver operating in the extended area of coverage is in radio communication with the closest booster unit and, via the serial chain of boosters in communication with the controlling cell site. As the movable unit moves along the extended area of coverage from one booster area to another, it is automatically picked up by the approaching booster and dropped by the receding booster while continuing to be in communication ultimately with the cell site via the series coupled booster chain.

Claims

1. An apparatus for extending a primary coverage area of a cell site transceiver in a cellular radio telephone system so that a movable cellular transceiver in communication with the cell site can move out of the primary coverage area into an extended area while continuing to remain in communication with the cell site transceiver, wherein the primary coverage area consists of the intended coverage area of the cell site transceiver, the apparatus comprising:

a first bidirectional cellular booster in radio frequency communication with the cell site transceiver and with a booster coverage area that overlaps the primary coverage area only in part with said booster including means for communicating with a movable transceiver in said booster coverage area but outside of the primary coverage area of the cell site transceiver;

a plurality of series coupled, substantially identical cellular boosters with each said booster having a respective coverage area outside of the primary coverage area and overlapping a said coverage area of at least one adjacent member of said plurality with each member of said plurality including means for communicating with the movable transceiver in said respective booster coverage area and outside of the primary coverage area of the cell site transceiver as well as means for transferring the movable transceiver from one booster in said plurality to an adjacent booster in said plurality in response to the movable transceiver moving from said coverage area of said one booster into said coverage area of said adjacent booster; and

with a selected member of said plurality having a booster coverage area that overlaps, at least in part, said coverage area of said first bidirectional booster.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein at least one member of said plurality communicates with the cell site transceiver through another member of said plurality and also through said first booster via said overlapping coverage areas for placing a movable transceiver in said respective coverage area into radio communication with the cell site transceiver.

3. A method of extending a primary coverage area of a cell site transceiver in a cellular radio telephone system so that a movable cellular transceiver in communication with the cell site can move out of the primary coverage area into an extended area while continuing to remain in communication with the cell site transceiver, wherein the primary coverage area consists of the intended coverage area of the cell site transceiver, the method comprising:

establishing a first extended coverage area that overlaps the primary coverage area only in part;

communicating between the cell site transceiver and a movable transceiver in the extended coverage area but outside of the primary coverage area of the cell site transceiver;

establishing a second extended coverage area outside of the primary coverage area and overlapping the extended coverage area at least in part;

communicating between the cell site transceiver and the movable transceiver in the second extended coverage area and outside of the primary coverage area of the cell site transceiver in response to the movable transceiver moving from the extended coverage area into the second extended coverage area.

4. A method as in claim 3 including communicating with the cell site transceiver through the extended coverage area and the second extended coverage area for placing a movable transceiver in the second extended coverage area into radio communication with the cell site transceiver.