Method and apparatus for frequency planning in a multi-system cellular communication network
First Claim
1. In a cellular radio communication network operating over a predetermined frequency range subdivided in frequency into frequency bands, said network comprising at least a first independent radio communication system and a second independent radio communication system each providing radio telecommunication service over a common geographic region, a method for using said frequency range comprising the steps of:
- assigning from said predetermined frequency range at least one first frequency band to be used as a control channel by said first independent radio communication system;
assigning from said predetermined frequency range at least one second frequency band to be used as a control channel by said second independent radio communication system; and
sharing by said first independent radio communication system and said second independent radio communication system frequency bands in the portion of said predetermined frequency range not assigned as control channels to provide radio telecommunication service to a plurality of subscribers located in said common geographic region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for frequency planning in a multi-system cellular communications network is disclosed in which a plurality of systems operate over a frequency range comprising a plurality of frequency bands. The systems each provide communications services to a plurality of subscribers located within substantially the same geographic region. Each of the systems is assigned one or more of the network frequency bands for use as control channels. The systems then share the unassigned frequency bands to provide communications service. The systems may share the frequency bands without coordination or synchronization or, as an alternative, the sharing may be controlled by a processor.
166 Citations
41 Claims
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1. In a cellular radio communication network operating over a predetermined frequency range subdivided in frequency into frequency bands, said network comprising at least a first independent radio communication system and a second independent radio communication system each providing radio telecommunication service over a common geographic region, a method for using said frequency range comprising the steps of:
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assigning from said predetermined frequency range at least one first frequency band to be used as a control channel by said first independent radio communication system; assigning from said predetermined frequency range at least one second frequency band to be used as a control channel by said second independent radio communication system; and sharing by said first independent radio communication system and said second independent radio communication system frequency bands in the portion of said predetermined frequency range not assigned as control channels to provide radio telecommunication service to a plurality of subscribers located in said common geographic region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a cellular radio communication network operating over a predetermined frequency range subdivided in frequency into frequency bands, said network comprising at least a first independent radio communication system and a second independent radio communication system each providing radio telecommunication service over a common geographic region, a method for using said frequency range comprising the steps of:
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assigning from said predetermined frequency range at least one first frequency band to be used as a control channel by said first independent radio communication system; assigning from said predetermined frequency range at least one second frequency band to be used as a control channel by said second independent radio communication system; assigning from said predetermined frequency range a predetermined portion of said predetermined frequency range to be used by said first independent radio communication system to provide radio telecommunication service to a plurality of subscribers located in said geographic region; and sharing by said first independent radio communication system and said second independent radio communication system frequency bands in the portion of said predetermined frequency range not assigned as control channels or assigned exclusively to said first independent radio communication system, to provide radio telecommunication service to the plurality of subscribers located in said geographic region. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a cellular radio communication network comprising a plurality of systems each providing service within a common geographic area, and operating within a frequency range comprising a plurality of frequency bands, a method of allocating frequency bands to said systems, said method comprising the steps of:
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assigning one or more first frequency bands to each of said systems, wherein said first frequency bands are used exclusively for control channels within the systems to which each is assigned; and allocating one or more second frequency bands to said systems on a shared basis, wherein said second frequency bands are used for traffic channels within the system to which each is currently allocated. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A cellular communications network providing service over a frequency range comprising a plurality of first frequency bands and a plurality of second frequency bands, said network comprising:
a plurality of radio communications systems, each of said systems providing service in a coverage area, the coverage areas of each of said systems having a common area, each of said systems being exclusively assigned one or more of said first frequency bands for use as control channels for each system and providing service over said plurality of second frequency bands on a shared basis. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
Specification