Spread spectrum wireless telephone system

• US 5,991,625 A
• Filed: 08/07/1996
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omnipoint Corp. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Vanderpool, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TROST IV, WILLIAM GEORGE
• Application Number:
  US08/695,671
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/61, 379/60, 455/33.1, 455/54.1, 455/56.1, 455/33.2, 455/403, 455/422, 455/436, 455/555, 455/560, 455/461, 375/200, 375/201, 375/205, 370/68, 370/320, 370/335, 370/342
• US Class Current: 455/436
• 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 wireless communication system employing spread-spectrum communication techniques. A plurality of base stations may be coupled directly or indirectly to a telephone network and may initiate or receive calls on the telephone network. A plurality of user stations may comprise a spread-spectrum transmitter and receiver and may provide for dynamic connection to selected base stations. In one preferred form, one or more of the base stations may comprise an augmented base station and include means for communication with the user stations over an alternative communication path distinct from a spread-spectrum path, for example, over a cellular communication path. The augmented base stations may also communication with one or more cluster controllers, enhances service processors, or control stations coupled to the telephone network.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising:

a switch coupled to a telephone network;

a first base station having means for establishing a first communication link with said switch, means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network, said first base station being augmented to additionally function as a non-spread-spectrum cellular base station in a cellular wireless telephone network;

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

a second user station having means for completing a non-spread-spectrum cellular voice communication path with said first base station, such that said second user station may have direct access to said telephone network; and

a cluster controller, said cluster controller being coupled to said first base station and to said switch and providing a second communication link between said first base station and said switch;

wherein said cluster controller is coupled to a second base station and comprises means for effecting a handoff of said first user station from said first base station to said second base station, such that a second spread-spectrum communication path may be established between said first user station and said second base station; and

wherein said first base station bypasses said cluster controller to allow said second user station direct access to said telephone network when said second user station completes said non-spread-spectrum cellular voice communication path with said first base station.

2. A wireless communication system comprising:

a switch coupled to a telephone network;

a cluster controller coupled to said switch, said cluster controller connected to a plurality of base stations; and

an augmented base station coupled to said cluster controller and to said switch, said augmented base station including circuitry for establishing a first wireless voice communication path with a first user station and circuitry for establishing a second wireless voice communication path with a second user station, said first wireless voice communication path comprising a spread-spectrum communication path and said second wireless voice communication path comprising a non-spread-spectrum communication path;

wherein said second user station is capable of establishing a third wireless voice communication path via a cellular base station, said third wireless voice communication path comprising a non-spread-spectrum communication path, and said cellular base station providing an independent access path to said telephone network bypassing said cluster controller.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 2 wherein said second wireless voice communication path comprises a cellular voice communication path.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 2 wherein said first user station includes circuitry for establishing said first wireless voice communication path with said augmented base station and circuitry for establishing said second wireless voice communication path with said augmented base station, wherein either said first wireless voice communication path or said second wireless voice communication path is completed when said first user station initiates or receives a call on said telephone network.

5. A wireless communication system comprising:

a switch coupled to a telephone network;

an enhanced services processor coupled to said switch;

a cluster controller coupled said enhanced services processor; and

an augmented base station coupled to said switch, said enhanced services processor and said cluster controller;

wherein said augmented base station includes circuitry for establishing a spread-spectrum voice communication path with a first user station and circuitry for establishing a non-spread-spectrum voice communication path with a second user station, said spread-spectrum voice communication path distinct from said non-spread spectrum voice communication path, and said first user station distinct from said second user station.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 5 wherein said non-spread-spectrum voice communication path comprises a cellular voice communication path.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 5 further comprising a control station coupled to said cluster controller and said switch.

8. The wireless communication system of claim 5 wherein said first user station includes circuitry for establishing said spread spectrum voice communication path with said augmented base station and circuitry for establishing said non-spread-spectrum voice communication path with said augmented base station, wherein either said spread-spectrum voice communication path or said non-spread-spectrum voice communication path is completed when said first user station initiates or receives a call on said telephone network.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 5 wherein said second user station is capable of accessing said telephone network via a cellular base station without assistance of said cluster controller.

10. A wireless communication system comprising:

a switch connected to a communications network;

a cluster controller, said cluster controller connected to a plurality of base stations disposed in a cellular arrangement, each of said base stations comprising circuitry to establish spread spectrum communication with user stations for the purpose of completing calls to said communications network via said cluster controller and said switch, said base stations operating according to a spread spectrum communication protocol; and

an augmented base station connected to said cluster controller, said augmented base station including circuitry for establishing a wireless spread spectrum communication path with a first user station according to said spread spectrum communication protocol, and circuitry for establishing a wireless non-spread-spectrum voice communication path with a second user station according to a non-spread-spectrum communication protocol utilized by at least one other non-spread-spectrum cellular base station;

wherein a call is completed between said first user station and said communications network over a first backhaul communication path from said augmented base station to said communications network via said cluster controller, and wherein a call is completed between said second user station and said communications network over a second backhaul communication path from said augmented base station to said communications network bypassing said cluster controller.