Beacon based packet radio standby energy saver
First Claim
1. A method for saving battery power within a plurality of communication units, each of the communication units including a radio frequency stage and a timing stage, of a radio frequency communication system, such method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a periodic synchronization pulse by a base site;
synchronizing the plurality of communication units for periodic activation prior to the periodic synchronization pulse;
transceiving a target specific access request associated with at least one communication unit within a time window, the target specific access request being transmitted by a first communication unit and received by at least one communication unit of the plurality of communication units;
maintaining synchronization of the plurality of communication units by transmitting second synchronization pulse by the at least one communication unit instead of the base site; and
following the time window, placing the remaining communication units not associated with the target specific access request in an energy saving mode by deactivating the radio frequency stage within the remaining communication units while allowing the timing stage to continue operating.
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Abstract
A method of conserving battery energy within two-way radios by periodically de-activating the radios for relatively short time periods. The transmission and reception of communication requests are synchronized to occur during concurrent periods of activation. Following receipt of a communication request, requestor and target remain continuously activated for only the duration of the transaction. Synchronization of radio activation and de-activation is maintained by a synchronization beacon transmitted by a base station or a transmitting portable radio.
146 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for saving battery power within a plurality of communication units, each of the communication units including a radio frequency stage and a timing stage, of a radio frequency communication system, such method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a periodic synchronization pulse by a base site; synchronizing the plurality of communication units for periodic activation prior to the periodic synchronization pulse; transceiving a target specific access request associated with at least one communication unit within a time window, the target specific access request being transmitted by a first communication unit and received by at least one communication unit of the plurality of communication units; maintaining synchronization of the plurality of communication units by transmitting second synchronization pulse by the at least one communication unit instead of the base site; and following the time window, placing the remaining communication units not associated with the target specific access request in an energy saving mode by deactivating the radio frequency stage within the remaining communication units while allowing the timing stage to continue operating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of synchronizing a radio frequency communication system having a base site and a plurality of communication units for power savings, such method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a first synchronization pulse having a pulse duration by the base site; synchronizing the plurality of communication units to the first synchronization pulse; transceiving a target specific access request between a first communication unit and a second communication unit within a time window associated with the pulse duration of the first synchronization pulse; maintaining synchronization of the plurality of communication units by transmitting a second synchronization pulse by one of the first and second communication units instead of the base site; deactivating a radio frequency stage within each of the plurality of communication units exclusive of the first and second communication units after the time window has expired; starting a timer in at least one of the communication units, the timer having a value based on a predetermined time interval between the first synchronization pulse and the second synchronization pulse; and reactivating, upon expiration of the timer, the radio frequency stage within each of the plurality of communication units in advance of the second synchronization pulse. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification