Local area network for flexible digital communications within and between RF base stations

• US 5,305,467 A
• Filed: 12/03/1990
• Issued: 04/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Martin, John R., Nickel, Rodney L., Vignali, Claude L., Schwed, Daniel I., Herndon, Charles C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, CHI H
• Application Number:
  US07/620,423
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 455/73, 455/75, 455/89, 455/5.1, 455/56.1, 455/34.1, 455/33.1, 455/54.1, 455/53.1, 455/67.1, 455/49.1, 455/38.1, 370/95.1, 370/85.1, 370/85.2, 370/85.3, 379/58, 375/36, 340/825.52
• US Class Current: 455/524
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems

Abstract

A LAN multi-node generic digital signal communications link within a radio frequency (RF) base station system communicates control signals within and between base stations. The generic digital signal link eliminates the use of multiple lines for respective functions by using the same generic communications interface for various different functions. By using such a generic digital signal link for inter and intra base station communications, RF and auxiliary control become standardized--reducing complexity in the product, in the documentation and in field repair techniques.

Claims

1. An RF base station system including:

a first RF base station including;

a first RF device, and

a first digital control means for controlling said first RF device;

a further RF base station including;

a further RF device, and

a further digital control means for controlling said further RF device; and

a bidirectional multipurpose digital signal link providing communications between and within said first and further RF base stations, said link being coupled to each of said first RF device, said first digital control means, said further RF device, and said further digital control means, said link conveying digital control signals between said first digital control means and said first RF device, conveying digital control signals between said further RF device and said further digital control means, and conveying digital signals between said first and further digital control means.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said link comprises a local area network.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said link carries messages from said first control means to said first RF device specifying a RF operating frequency for said first RF device.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said link carries messages specifying an RF power output for said first RF device.

5. An RF base station system including:

first and second digital controllers,

a first RF transceiver associated with and controlled by said first digital controller,

a second RF transceiver associated with and controlled by said second digital controller, and

a multipoint digital signal link coupled to said first digital controller at a first point, said second digital controller at a second point, said first RF transceiver at a third point, and said second RF transceiver at a fourth point, said multipoint digital control link capable of communicating digital control messages to any of said first and second digital controllers and to any of said first and second RF transceivers.

wherein said system further includes a received signal strength (RSSI) indicating means coupled to said link, said RSSI indicating means generating RSSI digital messages indicating received RF signal strength and applying said RSSI digital messages to said link.

6. An RF base station system including:

first and second digital controllers,

a first RF transceiver associated with and controlled by said first digital controller,

a second RF transceiver associated with and controlled by said second digital controller, and

a multipoint digital signal link coupled to said first digital controller at a first point, said second digital controller at a second point, said first RF transceiver at a third point, and said second RF transceiver at a fourth point, said multipoint digital control link capable of communicating digital control messages to any of said first and second digital controllers and to any of said first and second RF transceivers.

wherein;

said system further includes an encryption/decryption device for encrypting and/or decrypting digital signals; and

said link exchanges digital signals between said encryption/decryption device and at least one of said first and second RF transceivers.

7. An RF base station system including:

first and second digital controllers,

a first RF transceiver associated with and controlled by said first digital controller,

a second RF transceiver associated with and controlled by said second digital controller, and

a multipoint digital signal link coupled to said first digital controller at a first point, said second digital controller at a second point, said first RF transceiver at a third point, and said second RF transceiver at a fourth point, said multipoint digital control link capable of communicating digital control messages to any of said first and second digital controllers and to any of said first and second RF transceivers.

wherein said first and second transceivers provide channel trunking in response to trunking control signals passed over said link.

8. An RF base station system including:

first and second digital controllers,

a first RF transceiver associated with and controlled by said first digital controller,

a second RF transceiver associated with and controlled by said second digital controller, and

a multipoint digital signal link coupled to said first digital controller at a first point, said second digital controller at a second point, said first RF transceiver at a third point, and said second RF transceiver at a fourth point, said multipoint digital control link capable of communicating digital control messages to any of said first and second digital controllers and to any of said first and second RF transceivers,

wherein said system further includes a central point monitoring node coupled to said link, said link exchanging digital signals between at least (i) said first and second controllers and (ii) said central point monitoring node.

9. An RF base station transceiving system comprising:

(a) a first digital controller and associated first RF transceiver;

(b) a second digital controller and associated second RF transceiver;

(c) at least one further digital device; and

(d) a multipoint local area network means coupled to said first digital controller, said first RF transceiver, said second digital controller, said second RF transceiver, and said further digital device, said local area network means for;

(a) communicating digital messages between said first digital controller and said first RF transceiver,

(b) communicating digital messages between said second digital controller and said second RF transceiver, and

(c) communicating digital messages between (i) said further digital device and (ii) said first and second digital controllers,

wherein said further digital device comprises a single point monitor.

10. An RF base station transceiving system comprising:

(a) a first digital controller and associated first RF transceiver;

(b) a second digital controller and associated second RF transceiver;

(c) at least one further digital device; and

(d) a multipoint local area network means coupled to said first digital controller, said first RF transceiver, said second digital controller, said second RF transceiver, and said further digital device, said local area network means for;

(a) communicating digital messages between said first digital controller and said first RF transceiver,

(b) communicating digital messages between said second digital controller and said second RF transceiver, and

(c) communicating digital messages between (i) said further digital device and (ii) said first and second digital controllers.

wherein said network means communicates frequency selection messages from said first digital controller to said first RF transceiver, and communicates trunking messages between said further digital device and said first digital controller.