Method of optimizing the transmission of idle beacon messages and a communications system using the method
First Claim
1. A method of optimizing the transmission of idle beacon messages by a primary station, in a communication system comprising a primary station and at least one transportable secondary station which communicates with the primary station over a radio link on one of a plurality of channels, where the primary station transmits normal idle beacon transmissions at a normal rate of repetition when the primary station has no radio link established with any secondary station, characterized by comprising performance of the following steps by the primary station:
- monitoring said primary station'"'"'s traffic history and the level of interference during an idle period.responsive to said primary station'"'"'s detecting the conditions that said station has not had a radio link established with any secondary station for the duration of a predetermined time interval, and that the level of interference does not exceed a given level, adopting a low duty cycle beacon mode in which the rate of repetition of transmitted idle beacon messages is less than the normal rate of repetition of normal idle beacon transmission by primary stations not detecting said condition.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A time division communications system for radio communication between primary stations and a plurality of secondary stations, having a normal idle beacon message transmitted by the primary station when it has an otherwise idle period. To reduce interference with stations in adjacent areas, and power consumption, during long idle periods the primary station ascertains whether secondary stations which are in range are experiencing sufficiently low interference that the primary station can switch to a low duty cycle link mode. In the low duty cycle mode paging messages are transmitted as required, and low duty link reassurance messages are transmitted at relatively long intervals. If either the primary or secondary stations detect sufficient increase in interference, the system reverts to the normal idle state.
114 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method of optimizing the transmission of idle beacon messages by a primary station, in a communication system comprising a primary station and at least one transportable secondary station which communicates with the primary station over a radio link on one of a plurality of channels, where the primary station transmits normal idle beacon transmissions at a normal rate of repetition when the primary station has no radio link established with any secondary station, characterized by comprising performance of the following steps by the primary station:
-
monitoring said primary station'"'"'s traffic history and the level of interference during an idle period. responsive to said primary station'"'"'s detecting the conditions that said station has not had a radio link established with any secondary station for the duration of a predetermined time interval, and that the level of interference does not exceed a given level, adopting a low duty cycle beacon mode in which the rate of repetition of transmitted idle beacon messages is less than the normal rate of repetition of normal idle beacon transmission by primary stations not detecting said condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A communications system comprising a primary station and at least one transportable secondary station which communicates with the primary station over a radio link on one of a plurality of channels, the primary station and each secondary station each including a respective transceiver for establishing a radio link on one of said channels, and each transceiver comprising means for scanning said plurality of channels and means for monitoring each respective level of interference,
wherein said primary station comprises means for controlling its transceiver to transmit paging signals, and to transmit normal idle beacon transmissions at a normal rate of repetition when the primary station has no radio link established with any secondary station, characterized in that said primary station further comprises means for monitoring the traffic history in said channels, means for determining the time elapsed since said primary station last established a link with a secondary station, and means, responsive to said primary station'"'"'s detecting the conditions that said station has not had a radio link established with any secondary station for the duration of a predetermined time interval, and that the primary station'"'"'s level of interference does not exceed a given level, for transmitting a low duty cycle request message as a paging signal.
-
15. A primary station for use in a communications system comprising at least one transportable secondary station which communicates with the primary station over a radio link on one of a plurality of channels, the primary station including a transceiver for establishing a radio link on one of said channels, said transceiver comprising means for scanning said plurality of channels and means for monitoring the primary station'"'"'s level of interference,
wherein said primary station comprises means for controlling its transceiver to transmit paging signals, and a control element for controlling the primary station to transmit normal idle beacon transmissions at a normal rate of repetition when the primary station has no radio link established with any secondary station, characterized in that said control element further comprises means for monitoring the traffic history in said channels, means for determining the time elapsed since said primary station last established a link with a secondary station, and means, responsive to said primary station'"'"'s detecting the conditions that said station has not had a radio link established with any secondary station for the duration of a predetermined time interval, and that the level of interference does not exceed a given level, for transmitting a low duty cycle request message as a paging signal.
Specification