Systems, methods and devices for reusing spectrum of another operator

• US 8,031,646 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2008
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ng; Fan
• Application Number:
  US12/119,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20080287124A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 370431-463
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18536 Shadowing compensation therefor, e.g. by using an additional terrestrial relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks

Abstract

A system according to some embodiments includes a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and to receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals in a geographic area using a telecommunications resource, and a resource coordination controller coupled to the first transceiver and configured to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area using the telecommunications resource. The resource coordination controller may be further configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver and/or the first plurality of mobile terminals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver and/or the second plurality of mobile terminals.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and to receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals in a geographic area using a telecommunications resource, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames; and

a resource coordination controller coupled to the first transceiver and configured to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area using the telecommunications resource using a TDD protocol;

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver and/or the first plurality of mobile terminals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver and/or the second plurality of mobile terminals, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to command the first transceiver to cease transmitting downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver is receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications resource comprises a frequency, a subcarrier, a time slot and/or a spreading code.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to command the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver has ceased receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the resource coordination controller comprises a first resource coordination controller that is configured to communicate with a second resource coordination controller in the second telecommunications system.

5. A system, comprising:

a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and to receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals in a geographic area using a telecommunications resource, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames; and

a resource coordination controller coupled to the first transceiver and configured to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area using the telecommunications resource using a TDD protocol;

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver and/or the first plurality of mobile terminals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver and/or the second plurality of mobile terminals, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to command the first transceiver to cease transmitting downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver is transmitting downlink signals to the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

6. A system, comprising:

a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and to receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals in a geographic area using a telecommunications resource, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames; and

a resource coordination controller coupled to the first transceiver and configured to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area using the telecommunications resource using a TDD protocol;

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver and/or the first plurality of mobile terminals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver and/or the second plurality of mobile terminals, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to command the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver has ceased receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

7. A system, comprising:

a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and to receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals in a geographic area using a telecommunications resource, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames; and

a resource coordination controller coupled to the first transceiver and configured to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area using the telecommunications resource using a TDD protocol;

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver and/or the first plurality of mobile terminals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver and/or the second plurality of mobile terminals, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals during a first time frame and the second transceiver is configured to receive uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to control relative timing of the first time frame and the second time frame.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to negotiate the first time frame and the second time frame and a guard time between the first time frame and the second time frame with the second telecommunications system, and to communicate the timing of the first time frame to the first transceiver.

9. A system, comprising:

a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and to receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals in a geographic area using a telecommunications resource, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames; and

a resource coordination controller coupled to the first transceiver and configured to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area using the telecommunications resource using a TDD protocol;

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver and/or the first plurality of mobile terminals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver and/or the second plurality of mobile terminals, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit and receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of respective transmit and receive time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to cause the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames and to cause the second transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames.

10. A system, comprising:

a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and to receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals in a geographic area using a telecommunications resource, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames; and

a resource coordination controller coupled to the first transceiver and configured to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area using the telecommunications resource using a TDD protocol;

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver and/or the first plurality of mobile terminals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver and/or the second plurality of mobile terminals, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of receive time frames of the second transceiver and wherein start times of receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of transmit time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to cause the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames and to cause the second transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames.

11. A system, comprising:

a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and to receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals in a geographic area using a telecommunications resource, wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames; and

a resource coordination controller coupled to the first transceiver and configured to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area using the telecommunications resource using a TDD protocol;

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver and/or the first plurality of mobile terminals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver and/or the second plurality of mobile terminals, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of receive time frames of the second transceiver and wherein start times of receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of transmit time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to cause the first transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames and to cause the second transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames.

12. A resource coordination controller, comprising:

a communications module configured to communicate with a first telecommunications system including a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals using a telecommunications resource in a geographic area and to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area; and

a controller configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver to receive uplink signals;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to command the first transceiver to cease transmitting downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver is receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

13. The resource coordination controller of claim 12, wherein the telecommunications resource comprises a frequency, a subcarrier, a time slot and/or a spreading code.

14. The resource coordination controller of claim 12, wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to command the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver has ceased receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

15. The resource coordination controller of claim 12, wherein the resource coordination controller comprises a first resource coordination controller that is configured to communicate with a second resource coordination controller in the second telecommunications system.

16. A resource coordination controller, comprising:

a communications module configured to communicate with a first telecommunications system including a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals using a telecommunications resource in a geographic area and to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area; and

a controller configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver to receive uplink signals;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to command the first transceiver to cease transmitting downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver is transmitting downlink signals to the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

17. A resource coordination controller, comprising:

a communications module configured to communicate with a first telecommunications system including a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals using a telecommunications resource in a geographic area and to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area; and

a controller configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver to receive uplink signals;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the resource coordination controller is further configured to command the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver has ceased receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

18. A resource coordination controller, comprising:

a communications module configured to communicate with a first telecommunications system including a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals using a telecommunications resource in a geographic area and to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area; and

a controller configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver to receive uplink signals;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals during a first time frame and the second transceiver is configured to receive uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to control relative timing of the first time frame and the second time frame.

19. The resource coordination controller of claim 18, wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to negotiate the first time frame and the second time frame and a guard time between the first time frame and the second time frame with the second telecommunications system, and to communicate the timing of the first time frame to the first transceiver.

20. A resource coordination controller, comprising:

a communications module configured to communicate with a first telecommunications system including a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals using a telecommunications resource in a geographic area and to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area; and

a controller configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver to receive uplink signals;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit and receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of respective transmit and receive time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to cause the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames and to cause the second transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames.

21. A resource coordination controller, comprising:

a communications module configured to communicate with a first telecommunications system including a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals using a telecommunications resource in a geographic area and to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area; and

a controller configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver to receive uplink signals;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of receive time frames of the second transceiver and wherein start times of receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of transmit time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to cause the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames and to cause the second transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames.

22. A resource coordination controller, comprising:

a communications module configured to communicate with a first telecommunications system including a first transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a first plurality of mobile terminals using a telecommunications resource in a geographic area and to communicate with a second telecommunications system including a second transceiver configured to transmit downlink signals to, and receive uplink signals from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the geographic area; and

a controller configured to coordinate use of the telecommunications resource by the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals based on use of the telecommunications resource by the second transceiver to receive uplink signals;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to define timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of receive time frames of the second transceiver and wherein start times of receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of transmit time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the resource coordination controller is configured to cause the first transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames and to cause the second transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames.

23. A method of coordinating use of a telecommunications resource by first and second telecommunications systems operating in a common geographic area, the method comprising:

coordinating operation of the first and second telecommunications systems so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a first plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a first transceiver in the first telecommunications system using a telecommunications resource during a first time frame during which a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource in the common geographic area, and so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system using the telecommunications resource during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame and during which the first transceiver in the first telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, the method further comprising defining timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver,

the method further comprising commanding the first transceiver to cease transmitting downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver is receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the telecommunications resource comprises a frequency, a subcarrier, a time slot and/or a spreading code.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising commanding the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver has ceased receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

26. A method of coordinating use of a telecommunications resource by first and second telecommunications systems operating in a common geographic area, the method comprising:

coordinating operation of the first and second telecommunications systems so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a first plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a first transceiver in the first telecommunications system using a telecommunications resource during a first time frame during which a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource in the common geographic area, and so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system using the telecommunications resource during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame and during which the first transceiver in the first telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, the method further comprising defining timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver,

the method further comprising commanding the first transceiver to cease transmitting downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver is transmitting downlink signals to the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

27. A method of coordinating use of a telecommunications resource by first and second telecommunications systems operating in a common geographic area, the method comprising:

coordinating operation of the first and second telecommunications systems so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a first plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a first transceiver in the first telecommunications system using a telecommunications resource during a first time frame during which a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource in the common geographic area, and so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system using the telecommunications resource during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame and during which the first transceiver in the first telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, the method further comprising defining timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver,

the method further comprising commanding the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource when the second transceiver has ceased receiving uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals using the telecommunications resource.

28. A method of coordinating use of a telecommunications resource by first and second telecommunications systems operating in a common geographic area, the method comprising:

coordinating operation of the first and second telecommunications systems so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a first plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a first transceiver in the first telecommunications system using a telecommunications resource during a first time frame during which a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource in the common geographic area, and so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system using the telecommunications resource during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame and during which the first transceiver in the first telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, the method further comprising defining timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals to the first plurality of mobile terminals during the first time frame and the second transceiver is configured to receive uplink signals from the second plurality of mobile terminals during the second time frame, the method further comprising controlling relative timing of the first time frame and the second time frame.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising negotiating the first time frame and the second time frame and a guard time between the first time frame and the second time frame with the second telecommunications system, and communicating the timing of the first time frame to the first transceiver.

30. A method of coordinating use of a telecommunications resource by first and second telecommunications systems operating in a common geographic area, the method comprising:

coordinating operation of the first and second telecommunications, systems so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a first plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a first transceiver in the first telecommunications system using a telecommunications resource during a first time frame during which a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource in the common geographic area, and so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system using the telecommunications resource during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame and during which the first transceiver in the first telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, the method further comprising defining timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit and receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of respective transmit and receive time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the method further comprises causing the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames and causing the second transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames.

31. A method of coordinating use of a telecommunications resource by first and second telecommunications systems operating in a common geographic area, the method comprising:

coordinating operation of the first and second telecommunications systems so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a first plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a first transceiver in the first telecommunications system using a telecommunications resource during a first time frame during which a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource in the common geographic area, and so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system using the telecommunications resource during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame and during which the first transceiver in the first telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, the method further comprising defining timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of receive time frames of the second transceiver and wherein start times of receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of transmit time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the method further comprises causing the first transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames and causing the second transceiver to transmit downlink signals using the telecommunications resource during its transmit time frames.

32. A method of coordinating use of a telecommunications resource by first and second telecommunications systems operating in a common geographic area, the method comprising:

coordinating operation of the first and second telecommunications systems so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a first plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a first transceiver in the first telecommunications system using a telecommunications resource during a first time frame during which a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource in the common geographic area, and so that downlink signals are transmitted to, or uplink signals are received from, a second plurality of mobile terminals within the common geographic area at a second transceiver in the second telecommunications system using the telecommunications resource during a second time frame that is non-overlapping and/or partially overlapping with the first time frame and during which the first transceiver in the first telecommunications system is not using the telecommunications resource;

wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit downlink signals and receive uplink signals using a time division duplex (TDD) protocol in which downlink signals and uplink signals are transmitted/received during alternating transmit and receive time frames, the method further comprising defining timing of the transmit and receive time frames used by the first transceiver in coordination with the timing of transmit and receive time frames used by the second transceiver, and

wherein start times of transmit time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of receive time frames of the second transceiver and wherein start times of receive time frames of the first transceiver are substantially aligned in time with start times of transmit time frames of the second transceiver, and wherein the method further comprises causing the first transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames and causing the second transceiver to receive uplink signals using the telecommunications resource during its receive time frames.