Asymmetrical data rates and power in wireless digital communication

• US 6,778,556 B1
• Filed: 01/15/1997
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GWcom, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GWcom, Inc.
• Inventors: Chin, Raymond, Torbett, Arlin, Wang, Weijia
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Qureshi, Afsar M
• Application Number:
  US08/784,860
• Time in Patent Office: 2,771 Days
• Field of Search: 370/276, 370/280, 370/281, 370/294, 370/296, 370/337, 370/347, 370/465, 370/468, 370/522, 370/524, 370/295, 455/450, 455/451, 455/452, 455/524, 455/517, 455/426, 340/825.44, 340/870.11
• US Class Current: 370/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/26 using transmission rate or quality of service QoS [Quality of Service]

Abstract

A wireless communication network includes numerous mobile terminals and numerous transceivers (“base stations”). In this wireless communication network, messages sent from the base stations to the mobile terminals are transmitted at a higher data rate than the messages sent from the mobile terminals to the base stations. In one embodiment, a “half-duplex” protocol assigns separate times slots for base stations and mobile terminal transmissions. In another embodiment, a modified “full-duplex” protocol provides “half-duplex” operation in the mobile terminals and “full-duplex”operation in the base stations.

Claims

1. A wireless communication network supporting a plurality of mobile terminals each capable of receiving messages selectably at a first data rate and a second data rate, and transmitting messages at a third data rate, said first data rate being greater than both said second and third data rates, said network comprising:

a network control center; and

a plurality of base stations coupled to said network control center, each base station being capable of receiving messages from said mobile terminals at said third data rate and relaying said messages to said network control center wherein, during communication between said base station and one of said mobile terminals, said base station sends said mobile terminal a control message at said second data rate, said control message specifying said first data rate for subsequent messages to said mobile terminal.

2. A wireless communication network as in claim 1, wherein said first data rate being greater said second data rate.

3. A wireless communication network as in claim 1, wherein each of said mobile terminals transmits and receives messages at separate time slots.

4. A wireless communication network as in claim 1, wherein each of said base stations transmits and receives messages simultaneously.

5. A wireless communication network as in claim 1, wherein said mobile terminals transmit messages at a first frequency and receive messages at a second frequency not interfering with said first frequency.

6. A wireless communication network as in claim 1, wherein said base stations relay messages from said network control center to be received at said mobile terminals.

7. A wireless communication network as in claim 1, wherein said base stations cover a plurality of substantially non-overlapping service areas.

8. A wireless communication network as in claim 7, further comprising a transmitter having a range covering two or more of said service areas.

9. A wireless communication network as in claim 8, wherein said transmitter is provided to allow said network control center to send to said mobile terminals paging messages.

10. A wireless communication network as in claim 1, wherein each base station communicates with said mobile terminals using a “

half duplex”

protocol.

11. A wireless communication network as in claim 1, wherein each base station communicates with said mobile terminals using a “

full duplex”

protocol.