Spread spectrum communication unit

• US 20060203892A1
• Filed: 05/05/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schilling, Donald L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,564,808 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/141
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/707 using direct sequence modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7093 Matched filter type
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A communication unit comprises a command signal generator for generating a command signal. A transmitter transmits communication signals at one of two frequencies and for transmitting the command signal. A receiver receives communication signals at one of the two frequencies and for receiving the command signal. Upon initiation of the command signal, the command signal is transmitted for receipt by all active units in the system and the unit transmitting the command signal receives communication signals at a selected frequency of the two frequencies and transmits communication signals at another frequency. Upon reception of the command signal from another unit in the system, the unit receiving the command signal transmits a communication signal at the selected frequency of the two frequencies and receives communication signals at the another frequency.

Claims

1. A communication unit for use in a spread-spectrum communication system having a plurality of the units which allow for simultaneous communication among of a plurality of active units, each communication unit comprising:

a command signal generator for generating a command signal;

a transmitter for transmitting communication signals at one of two frequencies and for transmitting said command signal; and

a receiver for receiving communication signals at one of said two frequencies and for receiving said command signal, whereby upon initiation of said command signal, said command signal is transmitted for receipt by all active units in the system and the unit transmitting said command signal receives communication signals at a selected frequency of said two frequencies and transmits communication signals at another frequency, and whereby upon reception of said command signal from another unit in the system, the unit receiving said command signal transmits a communication signal at said selected frequency of said two frequencies and receives communication signals at said another frequency.

2. The communication unit according to claim 1 wherein a communication signal originating at the unit transmitting said command signal is combined with said communication signals received.

3. The communication unit according to claim 2 wherein said another frequency contains a spread-spectrum signal containing communication signals from all active users.

4. The communication unit according to claim 2 wherein said selected frequency contains a plurality of spread-spectrum signals each containing one communication signal from all active users excluding the active user which transmitted the command signal.

5. The communication unit according to claim 3 wherein the communication unit has a despreader for despreading said spread-spectrum signal transmitted at said another frequency.

6. The communication unit according to claim 4 wherein the communication unit has a plurality of despreaders for despreading the plurality of spread-spectrum signals transmitted at said selected frequency.

7. The communication unit according to claim 1 wherein said command signal is transmitted and received at a third frequency.

8. The communication unit according to claim 1 wherein said selected frequency is used by all active units except the command transmitting unit to transmit communication signals to the command transmitting unit and said another frequency is used to transmit from the command transmitting unit communication signals originating from all active units.

9. A spread-spectrum communication system having a plurality of communication units which allow for simultaneous communication among a plurality of active units, each communication unit comprising:

a command signal generator for generating a command signal;

a transmitter for transmitting communication signals at one of two frequencies and for transmitting said command signal; and

a receiver for receiving communication signals at one of said two frequencies and for receiving said command signal, whereby upon initiation of a command signal, said command signal is transmitted for receipt by all active units in the system and the unit transmitting said command signal receives communication signals at a selected frequency of said two frequencies and transmits communication signals at another frequency, and whereby upon reception of said command signal from another unit in the system, the unit receiving said command signal transmits a communication signal at said selected frequency of said two frequencies and receives communication signals at said another frequency.

10. The spread-spectrum communication system according to claim 9 wherein a communication signal originating at the unit transmitting said command signal is combined with said communication signals received.

11. The spread-spectrum communication system according to claim 10 wherein said another frequency contains a spread-spectrum signal containing communication signals from all active units.

12. The spread-spectrum communication system according to claim 10 wherein said selected frequency contains a plurality of spread-spectrum signals from all active users excluding the active user which transmitted the command signal each containing one communication signal.

13. The spread-spectrum communication system according to claim 11 wherein each of the communication units has one despreading means to despread the spread-spectrum signal transmitted at said another frequency.

14. The spread-spectrum communication system according to claim 12 wherein each of the communication units has a plurality of despreading means to despread the plurality of spread-spectrum signals transmitted at said selected frequency.

15. The spread-spectrum communication system according to claim 9 wherein said command signal is transmitted and received at a third frequency.

16. The spread-spectrum communication system according to claim 9 wherein said selected frequency is used by all active units except the command transmitting unit to transmit communication signals to the command transmitting unit and said another frequency is used to transmit from the command transmitting unit communication signals originating from all active units.