System for mobile communications in coexistence with communication systems having priority

• US 6,449,461 B1
• Filed: 07/15/1996
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mobile Satellite Venture LP
• Original Assignee: Celsat America, Inc.
• Inventors: Otten, David De Sales
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Vu
• Application Number:
  US08/679,848
• Time in Patent Office: 2,248 Days
• Field of Search: 455/63, 455/67.3, 455/69, 455/60, 455/33.1, 455/56.1, 455/54.1, 455/12.1
• US Class Current: 455/63.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal

Abstract

A mobile communications system for permitting the communications of a mobile unit in proximity to a communications service having priority over the communications of the mobile unit. An interference zone is formed around the priority communications site such that if the mobile unit were to transmit in the frequency band of the priority system, interference would be created with the operation of the priority receiver. In order to eliminate interference with the priority system by the mobile unit, a proximity detector determines if the mobile unit is located in the interference zone. Once the determination has been made that the mobile unit is located in the interference zone, the mobile unit alters its transmission to eliminate the interference of the mobile unit with the priority service. Interference may be eliminated, or in other terms, the interference zone may be altered, by ceasing the operation of the mobile unit, changing the operating frequency of the mobile unit, reducing the transmitting power of the mobile unit or by other means well known to those in the art.

Claims

1. A communication system for permitting the communications of a mobile unit in proximity to a communications service having priority over the communications of the mobile unit, said communication system comprising:

a priority service unit for providing communications services including a receiver for receiving signals in a frequency band and a transmitter collocated with the priority service unit receiver for transmitting signals in a frequency band;

a mobile communications unit including a transmitter for transmitting in the frequency band in which said priority service unit receives signals;

an interference zone surrounding said priority receiver such that the transmission by said mobile unit in said interference zone interferes with the operation of said priority service unit;

warning signal means connected to said priority service unit for transmitting a warning signal from the priority service unit transmitter at a frequency band different than the frequency band of the signals received by the priority service unit;

warning signal receiver means connected to said mobile communications unit for receiving said warning signal;

interference zone detection means connected to said warning signal receiver means for processing said warning signal and for determining if said mobile unit is located in said interference zone; and

interference elimination means connected to said interference zone detection means for eliminating the interference of said mobile unit with said priority service unit.

2. A communications system for permitting the communications of a mobile unit in proximity to a communications service having priority over the communications of the mobile unit, said communication system comprising:

a priority service unit for providing communications services including a receiver for receiving signals in a frequency band and a transmitter for transmitting signals in a frequency band;

a mobile communications unit including a transmitter for transmitting in the frequency band in which said priority service unit receives signals;

an interference zone surrounding sa id priority receiver such that the transmission by said mobile unit in said interference zone interferes with the operation of said priority service unit;

warning signals mean connected to said mobile communications unit for transmitting a warning signal at a frequency band different that the frequency band of the signals received by the priority service unit;

warning signal receiver means connected to said priority service unit for receiving said warning signal;

interference zone detection means connected to said warning signal receiver means for processing said warning signal and for determining if said mobile unit is located in said interference zone; and

interference elimination means connected to said interference zone detection means for transmitting a warning command from said priority service unit transmitter to said mobile unit to eliminate the interference of said mobile unit with said priority service unit.