Fixed frequency transceiver for use in a frequency hopping system

• US 6,594,302 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1999
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Lansford, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, LAWRENCE B
• Application Number:
  US09/374,550
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• Field of Search: 375/133-376, 455/226.2, 370/459, 709/228
• US Class Current: 375/133
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7156 Arrangements for sequence synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/71563 Acquisition

Abstract

A non-frequency-hopping node and a method for using such a node to transmit and receive data in a frequency-hopping system are disclosed.

In one embodiment, a non-frequency-hopping node interacts with a frequency-hopping spread-spectrum (FHSS) system, which comprises a wireless medium or electromagnetic airwaves, a frequency-hopping node coupled to the wireless medium and an access point coupled to the wireless medium. The non-frequency-hopping node connects to the wireless medium and listens for an active signal generated by the FHSS system on a predetermined frequency channel. Upon detecting the active signal, the non-frequency-hopping node exchanges information with the FHSS system on the predetermined frequency channel.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

listening by a non-frequency-hopping node for an active signal generated by a frequency-hopping system on a predetermined frequency channel; and

exchanging data with the frequency-hopping system on the predetermined frequency channel upon detecting the active signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

defining a commonly known network identification between the non-frequency-hopping node and the frequency-hopping system;

embedding the network identification in the active signal; and

exchanging the data with the frequency-hopping system upon detecting the network identification.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the listening further comprises:

receiving the active signal through an antenna of the non-frequency-hopping node;

mixing the active signal with a local signal generated by a local oscillator of the non-frequency-hopping node; and

passing the mixed signal through a signal detector of the non-frequency-hopping node to look for the active signal.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exchanging further comprises:

receiving the data from the frequency-hopping system and passing the data through the non-frequency-hopping node'"'"'s control unit; and

preparing transmit data from the non-frequency-hopping node'"'"'s control unit by filtering and mixing the transmit data with a local signal generated by the non-frequency-hopping node'"'"'s local oscillator and sending the transmit data to the frequency-hopping system.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-frequency-hopping node and the frequency-hopping system utilize a listen-before-talk network protocol.

6. A non-frequency-hopping node for transmitting and receiving data in a frequency-hopping system, comprising:

an antenna;

a filter coupled to the antenna;

a receiver and a transmitter coupled to the filter; and

a control unit coupled to the receiver and the transmitter, wherein the control unit listens for an active signal generated by the frequency-hopping system on a predetermined frequency channel and upon detecting the active signal, transmits information through the transmitter, the filter and the antenna to the frequency-hopping system on the predetermined frequency channel.

7. The non-frequency-hopping node according to claim 6, wherein the active signal further comprises:

a network identification commonly known to the non-frequency-hopping node and the frequency-hopping system.

8. The non-frequency-hopping node according to claim 7, wherein the control unit transmits information to the frequency-hopping system on the predetermined frequency channel upon detecting the network identification.

9. The non-frequency-hopping node according to claim 6, wherein the receiver further comprises:

a local oscillator; and

a signal detector coupled to the local oscillator, wherein the signal detector searches for the active signal.

10. The non-frequency-hopping node according to claim 6, wherein the transmitter further comprises:

a bandpass filter;

a Voltage Control Oscillator (VCO) coupled to the bandpass filter; and

a local oscillator coupled to the VCO.

11. The non-frequency-hopping node according to claim 9, wherein the signal detector further comprises:

(a) a bandpass filter; and

(b) a Frequency Modulation (FM) discriminator coupled to the bandpass filter.

12. The non-frequency-hopping node according to claim 6, wherein the non-frequency-hopping node and the frequency-hopping system utilize a listen-before-talk network protocol.

13. A network system, comprising:

a frequency-hopping spread-spectrum (FHSS) system, further comprising;

a wireless medium;

a frequency-hopping node coupled to the wireless medium; and

an access point coupled to the wireless medium; and

a non-frequency-hopping node coupled to the wireless medium, wherein the non-frequency-hopping node listens for an active signal generated by the FHSS system on a predetermined frequency channel and upon detecting the active signal, exchanges information with the FHSS system on the predetermined frequency channel.

15. The network system according to claim 13, wherein the active signal further comprises:

a network identification commonly known to the non-frequency-hopping node and the FHSS system.

16. The network system according to claim 15, wherein the non-frequency-hopping node exchanges information with the FHSS system on the predetermined frequency channel upon detecting the network identification.

17. The network system according to claim 13, wherein the access point further connects to a wired network and has access to resources on the wired network.

18. The network system according to claim 13, wherein the non-frequency-hopping node and the FHSS system utilize a listen-before-talk network protocol.

14. A network system, comprising:

a frequency-hopping spread-spectrum (FHSS) system, further comprising;

a wireless medium;

a frequency-hopping node coupled to the wireless medium; and

an access point coupled to the wireless medium; and

a non-frequency-hopping node coupled to the wireless medium, wherein the non-frequency-hopping node listens for an active signal generated by the FHSS system on a predetermined frequency channel and upon detecting the active signal, exchanges information with the FHSS system on the predetermined frequency channel,

wherein the access point in the FHSS system generates the active signal when the frequency-hopping node utilizes the predetermined frequency channel.