Spread spectrum wireless communication system

• US 6,421,368 B1
• Filed: 02/23/1999
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Xircom Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: Vanderpool, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, DON NGUYEN
• Application Number:
  US09/256,617
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 375/130, 375/140, 455/555, 455/554, 455/507, 455/515, 370/329, 370/330, 370/331, 379/196, 379/197, 379/198, 379/225, 379/231, 379/232, 379/234
• US Class Current: 375/130
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2618 using hybrid code-time division multiple access [CDMA-TDMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2628 using code-division multiple access [CDMA] or spread spectrum multiple access [SSMA] H04B7/2618 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/00 Code division multiplex systems for frequency hopping H04B1/713
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/142 over the same radio air interface technology
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

A system for accessing a telephone system, in which a set of user stations are matched with a set of base stations for connection to a telephone network. Each base station may be coupled directly or indirectly to the telephone network and may be capable of initiating or receiving calls on the telephone network. Each user station may comprise a spread-spectrum transmitter or receiver and may be capable of dynamic connection to selected base stations. A plurality of base stations may be coupled to a private exchange telephone system for coupling user stations in calls outside the telephone network. User stations may use CDMA, FDMA, TDMA or other multiple-access techniques to obtain one or more clear communication paths to base stations. User stations may make and break connections with base stations as the user station moves between service regions, or is otherwise more advantageously serviced by, base stations. User stations may direct requests to and receive information from an enhanced telephone services processor, so as to obtain enhanced telephone services within the telephone network. Base stations may be coupled to each other by means of a private exchange telephone system or other small business telephone system (such as a PBX, Centrex, or key-type system) so as to couple user stations in calls outside the telephone network. User stations may also be coupled directly or indirectly to the telephone network on their own or by another access path, such as narrowband or spread-spectrum cellular telephone circuits.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a base station coupled to a communication network and having means for initiating a connection request with said communication network and means for receiving a connection request from said communication network;

a user station having means for completing a communication path with said base station, said communication path employing a spread spectrum communication technique;

wherein said communication path is completed between said base station and said user station when said user station initiates or receives a connection request on said communication network;

a second base station coupled to a communication network and having means for initiating a connection request on said communication network and means for receiving a connection request from said communication network;

means for breaking said communication path between said one base station and said user station and for completing a second communication path between said second base station and said user station; and

a plurality of cluster controllers for controlling a set of distinct base stations, wherein said means for breaking and for completing comprises means for handing-off said user station from said one base station to said second base station when said user station terminates communication in progress relating to a first cluster controller and initiates a connection request relating to a second cluster controller.

2. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a base station coupled to a communication network and having means for initiating a connection request on said communication network and means for receiving a connection request from said communication network; and

a user station having means for completing a communication path with said base station, said communication path employing a spread-spectrum communication technique;

wherein said communication path is completed between said base station and said user station when said user station initiates or receives a connection request on said communication network; and

wherein said user station comprises means for initiating a connection request on said communication network and means for receiving a connection request from said communication network independently of said base station and using a communication technique which differs from said spread spectrum communication technique.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 2, wherein said means for initiating and receiving independently comprises a cellular circuit.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 2, further comprising a second base station coupled to said communication network and having means for coupling a cellular circuit to said communication network.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 2, further comprising a spread-spectrum cellular telephone system having said user station as a cellular telephone handset and at least one base station as a cellular telephone base station.

6. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a switch coupled to a communication network;

a plurality of cluster controllers for controlling a set of base stations, at least one of said plurality of cluster controllers coupled to said switch;

a plurality of base stations, each one of said plurality of base stations associated with exactly one of said plurality of cluster controllers, each one of said plurality of base stations having means for initiating a connection request on said communication network and means for receiving a connection request from said communication network;

a user station having means for completing a spread-spectrum communication path with a first base station of said plurality of base stations, wherein said communication path is completed between said first base station and said user station when said user station initiates or receives a connection request on said communication network; and

means for breaking said communication path between said first base station and said user station and for completing a second communication path between a second base station of said plurality of base stations and said user station;

wherein said means for breaking and for completing comprises means for handing off said user station from said first base station to said second base station when said user station terminates communication in progress relating to a first cluster controller and initiates a communication request relating to a second cluster controller.

7. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a base station coupled to a communication network and having means for initiating a transmission of information to said communication network and means for receiving a transmission of information from said communication network;

a user station having means for completing a communication path with said base station, said communication path employing a spread spectrum communication technique;

wherein said communication path is completed between said base station and said user station when said user station initiates or receives a transmission of information on said communication network;

a second base station coupled to a communication network and having means for initiating a transmission of information on said communication network and means for receiving a transmission of information from said communication network;

means for terminating said communication path between said one base station and said user station and for completing a second communication path between said second base station and said user station; and

a plurality of cluster controllers for controlling a set of distinct base stations, wherein said means for terminating said communication path and for completing said second communication path comprises means for rerouting communication with said user station from said one base station to said second base station when said user station completes a transmission of information relating to a first cluster controller and initiates a transmission of information relating to a second cluster controller.