Wireless communication channel management

• US 6,529,738 B1
• Filed: 02/10/2000
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Connolly, Bronagh E., Forde, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thanh Cong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thuan T.
• Application Number:
  US09/501,898
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 455/436, 455/437, 455/439, 455/513, 455/514, 455/67.1, 455/67.3
• US Class Current: 455/514
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality

Abstract

A method and apparatus for maintaining a record of radio signal strength for a plurality of channels in a wireless communication system is provided. A detector detects radio signal strength on each channel, and a memory stores information relating to the detected signal strengths. The information is stored in the form of a value for each channel. Each value is stored in an array and values are stored in the array such that each position in the array is assigned to a particular channel. The use of an array allows stored values to be associated with respective channels by the position that the value is held in.

Claims

1. Apparatus for maintaining a record of radio signal strength for a plurality of channels in a wireless communication system, the apparatus having:

measuring means for detecting the radio signal strength on each channel;

storage means for storing information relating to the detected signal strengths,

wherein the information is stored in the storage means in the form of a value for each channel, each value being representative of the respective detected signal strength on a channel, and the storage means includes an array, with the values being stored in positions in the array such that each position in the array is assigned to a particular channel; and

processor means for identifying a first channel carrying a highest signal strength of said detected signal strengths, determining whether a signal having said highest signal strength is transmitted from a first fixed device that is accessible by setting up a synchronization bearer on said first channel, and selecting a second channel of said plurality of channels having a lowest signal strength of said detected signal strengths for communication with said first fixed device when said first fixed device is accessible.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the array is a two dimensional array.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the value stored in each position occupies no more than one byte of storage capacity.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the processor means further identifies values representing the next highest detected signal strengths with respect to the highest detected signal strength.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the processor means further identifies values representing the next lowest detected signal strengths with respect to the lowest detected signal strength.

6. A DECT-compliant portable part suitable for establishing communication with a DECT-compliant fixed part having at least one radio fixed part, wherein the DECT-compliant portable part is provided with the apparatus of claim 1.

7. A DECT-compliant communications system having at least one DECT-compliant portable part of claim 6.

8. A method of maintaining a record of radio signal strength for a plurality of channels in a wireless communication system, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting the radio signal strength on each channel;

storing information relating to the detected signal strengths,

wherein the step of storing information is performed by storing a value for each channel that is representative of the detected signal strength on that channel, the values being stored in positions in an array such that each array position is assigned to a particular channel;

identifying a first channel carrying a highest signal strength of said detected signal strengths;

setting up a synchronization bearer on said first channel to determine whether a signal having said highest signal strength is transmitted from a fixed device which is accessible by a portable device; and

selecting a second channel of said plurality of channels having a lowest signal strength of said detected signal strengths for communication with said fixed device when said fixed device is accessible by said portable device.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the wireless communications system is a DECT-compliant communication system, said method further comprising the step of selecting a signal having a next lowest signal strength for establishing one or more bearer when said first channel is marked as being blind or busy.

10. A communication system comprising:

a plurality of fixed devices; and

a plurality of portable devices for communication with at least one of said plurality of fixed devices using at least one of a plurality of channels;

wherein at least a first portable device of said plurality of portable devices comprises;

a detector that measures signal strengths on said plurality of channels;

a memory that stores said signal strengths in positions of an array;

said positions being indicative of particular channels of said plurality of channels; and

a processor configured to scan said array to identify a first channel carrying a highest signal strength of said signal strengths, determine whether a signal having said highest signal strength is transmitted on said first channel from a first fixed device of said plurality of fixed devices that is accessible by said first portable device by setting up a synchronization bearer on said first channel, and select a second channel of said plurality of channels having a lowest signal strength of said signal strengths for communication with said first fixed device when said first fixed device is accessible by said first portable device.

11. The communication system of claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to ignore said second channel when said first fixed part indicates that said second channel is blind, and select a third channel of said plurality of channels having a next lowest signal strength of said signal strengths for communication with said first fixed device.

12. The communication system of claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to identify a next highest signal strength of said signal strengths when said first fixed device is not accessible by said first portable device.

13. A method for communicating between and a portable device and at least one of a plurality of fixed stations of a communication system;

said method comprising the following acts performed by said portable device;

measuring signal strengths on said plurality of channels;

storing said signal strengths in positions of an array;

said positions being indicative of particular channels of said plurality of channels; and

identifying a first channel carrying a highest signal strength of said signal strengths;

determining whether a signal having said highest signal strength is transmitted from a fixed device which is accessible by said first portable device by setting up a synchronization bearer on said first channel; and

selecting a second channel of said plurality of channels having a lowest signal strength of said signal strengths for communication with said fixed device when said fixed device is accessible by said first portable device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising ignoring said second channel when said fixed part indicates that said second channel is blind;

and selecting a third channel of said plurality of channels having a next lowest signal strength of said signal strengths for communication with said fixed device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising identifying a next highest signal strength of said signal strengths when said fixed device is not accessible by said first portable device.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising identifying a next highest signal strength of said signal strengths when said fixed device is not accessible by said first portable device.