Coexisting communication systems
First Claim
1. A communication system comprising:
- a composite time frame comprising a first plurality of time slots having a first time slot duration, and a second plurality of time slots having a second time slot duration different from the first time slot duration;
a first protocol for time division multiple access communication, said first protocol including the first plurality of time slots;
a second protocol for time division multiple access communication, said second protocol including the second plurality of time slots; and
means for selectively communicating according to either said first protocol or said second protocol,wherein communication according to both protocols simultaneously can occur within the same communication cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated communication system supporting multiple TDMA or TDD communication protocols whereby both protocols are supported within the same geographic region. Each protocol defines time frames and/or time slots of a different duration, from which is derived a composite time frame having a predefined timing structure. A first base station unit communicates in a first set of time slots of the composite time frame according to a first TDMA or TDD protocol, and a second base station unit (which may be collocated with the first base station unit) communicates in a second set of time slots of the composite time frame according to a second TDMA or TDD protocol. Coordinating electronics (such as a GPS receiver in one or both base station units) are provided so as to prevent collisions between communications occurring between each base station unit and its respective users. In a particular embodiment, a first protocol is a GSM protocol, and a second protocol is a TDD protocol utilizing spread spectrum techniques. The TDD protocol is structured so that each time slot is twice the duration of a GSM time slot, and each time frame is four times the duration of a GSM time frame. The system may comprise a number of "stacked" base stations in a single cell, each operating over a different frequency or using different spreading codes.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A communication system comprising:
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a composite time frame comprising a first plurality of time slots having a first time slot duration, and a second plurality of time slots having a second time slot duration different from the first time slot duration; a first protocol for time division multiple access communication, said first protocol including the first plurality of time slots; a second protocol for time division multiple access communication, said second protocol including the second plurality of time slots; and means for selectively communicating according to either said first protocol or said second protocol, wherein communication according to both protocols simultaneously can occur within the same communication cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a communication system, a timing structure for communication comprising:
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a series of composite time frames; in each of said composite time frames, a plurality of first time slots, each with a first predefined duration, wherein said first time slots are associated with a first communication protocol whereby a first user station can communicate according to said first communication protocol; and in said each of said composite time frames, a plurality of second time slots, each with a second predefined duration, wherein said second time slots are associated with a second communication protocol whereby a second user station can communicate according to said second communication protocol; wherein said timing structure is configured to support both communication protocols, operating simultaneously. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification