Arrangement and method for selectable time/frequency division multiplex communication

• US 6,269,086 B1
• Filed: 02/27/1998
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsemi Semiconductor (U.S.) Inc. (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Legerity Incorporated (Microsemi Semiconductor Corp.)
• Inventors: McCrank, Christopher L., Magana, Javier V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau
• Assistant Examiner(s): Boakye, Alexander O.
• Application Number:
  US09/031,896
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• Field of Search: 370/344, 370/252, 370/280, 370/281, 370/347, 370/350, 370/277, 370/519, 370/478, 370/436, 370/465
• US Class Current: 370/280
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2615 using hybrid frequency-time division multiple access [FDMA-TDMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72505 Radio link set-up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72516 with means for out-of-range alerting
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/02 Hybrid access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A cordless telephone provides extended operating range and battery life. In one embodiment, a time division duplex communications protocol is used when the measured signal strength or the signal quality between the handset and a corresponding base unit does not satisfy a known criteria, such as a predetermined threshold. The telephone is also configured to operate using a frequency division duplex communications protocol when the signal strength or signal quality between the handset and the base unit satisfies the known criteria. Other aspects of the invention are directed to measuring the received signal strength of the communications channel after initial communications is established, and selecting the communications protocol that is most advantageous in light of the measured signal strength and/or signal conditions.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a communication protocol for communicating between a handset and a base unit of a cordless telephone arrangement, comprising :

establishing communication between the handset and the base unit;

determining whether the received signal strength is strong;

selecting a frequency division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as not being strong;

selecting a time division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as being strong; and

using the selected protocol to communicate between the handset and the base unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the protocol is performed in response to at least one of the following two conditions occurring:

when a user initiates a call, and when a call is received by the handset and the base unit apparatus.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the protocol is performed periodically while communication between the handset and base unit is on-going.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the periodic rate in which the protocol selection process repeats is set by the handset.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the periodic rate in which the protocol selection process repeats is set by the base unit.

3. A method for selecting a communication protocol for communicating between a handset and a base unit of a cordless telephone arrangement, comprising:

establishing communication between the handset and the base unit;

determining whether the received signal strength is strong;

selecting a frequency division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as not being strong;

selecting a time division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as being strong; and

using the selected protocol to communicate between the handset and the base unit;

wherein determining whether the received signal strength is strong is accomplished using at least one of comparing the received signal strength to a threshold level, monitoring the received signal strength over a period of time and comparing the gradient of the monitored received signal strength to a known criteria, and detecting a degradation in the received signal.

7. A cordless telephone arrangement capable of selecting a communication protocol for communicating between a handset and a base, comprising:

means for establishing communication between the handset and the base unit;

means for determining whether the signal strength is strong;

means for selecting a frequency division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as not being strong, and selecting a time division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as being strong; and

means for using the selected protocol to communicate between the handset and the base unit.

10. The cordless telephone arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the means for selecting further includes selecting one of the protocols while communication between the handset and base unit is on-going.

11. The cordless telephone arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the periodic rate in which the protocol selection means repeats is set by the handset.

12. The cordless telephone arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the periodic rate in which the protocol selection means repeats is set by the base unit.

8. A cordless telephone arrangement capable of selecting a communication protocol for communicating between a handset and a base comprising:

means for establishing communication between the handset and the base unit;

means for determining whether the signal strength is strong;

means for selecting a frequency division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as not being strong, and selecting a time division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as being strong; and

means for using the selected protocol to communicate between the handset and the base unit;

wherein the means for selecting is responsive to at least one of a user initiating a call, and an incoming call.

9. A cordless telephone arrangement capable of selecting a communication protocol for communicating between a handset and a base, comprising:

means for establishing communication between the handset and the base unit;

means for determining whether the signal strength is strong;

means for selecting a frequency division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as not being strong, and selecting a time division duplex protocol for communication in response to the received signal strength determined as being strong; and

means for using the selected protocol to communicate between the handset and the base unit;

wherein the means for determining whether the received signal strength is strong is accomplished using at least one of comparing the received signal strength to a threshold level, monitoring the received signal strength over a period of time and comparing the gradient of the monitored received signal strength to a known criteria, and detecting a degradation in the received signal.

13. A cordless telephone apparatus capable of selecting a communications protocol for communicating between a handset and a base unit over a communications channel which utilize both a frequency division duplex communications protocol and a time division duplex communications protocol, comprising:

the handset including

a first radio frequency transmitter/receiver configured to measure the received signal strength over the communications channel in use for communications between the handset and base unit,

a first programmable processor,

a first received signal strength indicator configured to provide a value corresponding to the received signal strength measured by the first radio frequency transmitter/receiver to the first programmable processor, and the first programmable processor configured to receive the measured received signal strength value from the first received signal strength indicator and to select the frequency division duplex communications protocol for use in communicating between the handset and base unit if the measured received signal strength value is less than a threshold value, and the first processor further configured to select the time division duplex communications protocol for use in communicating between the handset and the base unit if the measured received signal strength value is greater than or equal to the threshold value; and

the base unit including

a second radio frequency transmitter/receiver configured to measure the received signal strength over the communications channel in use for communications between the handset and base unit,

a second programmable processor,

a second received signal strength indicator which provides a value corresponding to the received signal strength measured by the second radio frequency transmitter/receiver to the second programmable processor, and wherein the second programmable processor is configured to receive the measured received signal strength value from the second received signal strength indicator and to select the frequency division duplex communications protocol for use in communicating between the handset and base unit if the measured received signal strength value is less than the threshold value, and the second processor is further configured to select the time division duplex communications protocol for use in communicating between the handset and base unit if the measured received signal strength value is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

14. A base unit which is part of a cordless telephone apparatus, wherein the base unit is capable of selecting a communications protocol for communicating between a handset and a base unit over a communications channel which utilize both a frequency division duplex communications protocol and a time division duplex communications protocol, comprising:

a radio frequency transmitter/receiver capable of measuring the received signal strength over the communications channel in use for communications between the handset and base unit;

a received signal strength indicator which provides a value corresponding to the received signal strength measured by the radio frequency transmitter/receiver to a programmable processor; and

the programmable processor, wherein the processor receives the measured received signal strength value from the received signal strength indicator and selects the frequency division duplex communications protocol for use in communicating between the handset and base unit if the measured received signal strength value is less than a threshold value, and the processor further selects the time division duplex communications protocol for use in communicating between the handset and base unit if the measured received signal strength value is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

15. A handset which is part of a cordless telephone apparatus, wherein the handset is capable of selecting a communications protocol for communicating between a handset and a base unit over a communications channel which utilize both a frequency division duplex communications protocol and a time division duplex communications protocol, comprising:

a radio transmitter/receiver capable of measuring the received signal strength over the communications channel in use for communications between the handset and base unit;

a receive signal strength indicator which provides a value corresponding to the received signal strength measured by the radio frequency transmitter/receiver to a programmable processor; and

the programmable processor, wherein the processor receives the measured received signal strength value from the received signal strength indicator and selects the frequency division duplex communications protocol for use in communicating between the handset and base unit if the measured received signal strength value is less than a threshold value, and the processor further selects the time division duplex communications protocol for use in communicating between the handset and base unit if the measured received signal strength value is greater than or equal to the threshold value.