Abstract: A method and means for controlling transmissions among a plurality of communication units is described that determines an inhibit state based upon an inhibit signal and information in a header preceding a coded message before allowing transmission. This inhibit state prevents all of the other remote units from transmitting while a prescribed remote unit transmits a coded message or an acknowledgment (ACK) so that collisions between messages and ACKs, or between one ACK and another, are avoided. Message-message collisions are substantially reduced since the method causes a remote unit to utilize a random delay before attempting a retry to send the message a second time. Hence, the method and arrangement better coordinates inbound transmissions to the base station so that collisions on the inbound channel to the base station are minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transmitting spread spectrum signals. The transmitter receives data bits at a particular rate. Subsequently, the transmitter encodes the received data bits at a predetermined encoding rate into data symbols. Subsequently, the transmitter derives predetermined length orthogonal codes from the data symbols. The transmitter accommodates variable received data bit rates by setting the predetermined encoding rate and the predetermined orthogonal code length in response to the received data bit rate. Subsequently, the transmitter spreads the derived orthogonal codes with a user PN spreading code.An alternative method and apparatus is provided for transmitting spread spectrum signals. The transmitter receives data bits at a particular rate. Subsequently, the transmitter encodes the received data bits at a predetermined encoding rate into data symbols.

Abstract: A method of identifying a proximal base site of a number of base sites by a communication unit in a CDMA communication system having a number of communication resources. The communication unit identifies the proximal base site by detection and measurement of identification signals received from the base sites where each base site transmits an identification signal containing at least an ID on a communication resource defined by parameters stored within a resource table within a memory unit within the communication unit with such stored parameters including a code key, a bandwidth, and a frequency and wherein at least some resources may be frequency coextensive.The method includes the steps of selecting a resource from the resource table within the memory of the communication unit and detecting and decoding to produce an ID from a detected identification signal by the communication unit on the resource.

Abstract: A digital radio system having improved co-channel utilization is disclosed. A remote terminal receives a station identification from one of the fixed stations having an overlapping radio coverage area with another fixed station and retransmits this station identification with its message. A second fixed station receiving the remote terminal's transmission uses the station identification and the signal strength of the remote terminal to determine whether transmissions from other remote terminals should be inhibited. Depending upon the geographic proximity of the first fixed station to the second fixed station and the remote terminal's signal strength at the second fixed station, a signal representative of the remote terminal's signal strength at the second fixed station may be transmitted by the second fixed station. This representative signal may be used by a second remote terminal to determine whether the second remote terminal may transmit.

Abstract: In a radio frequency communication system employing channelization, such as a cellular TDMA system, and having a plurality of reuse channel levels, such as multiple frequency reuse patterns, each level having at least one associated reuse channel, a method and device comprising: determining relative interference for a reuse channel of a first reuse level in relation to relative interference for a reuse channel of at least a second reuse level resulting in a reuse level gradient and assigning the subscriber unit to at least one reuse level in response to the reuse level gradient.

Abstract: A radio data communications system is disclosed in which messages, normally lost to interference caused by independent remote units contending for the radio channel, may be salvaged. If a remote unit communicating a message to a fixed site is interrupted by a second remote unit having a stronger radio signal, the fixed site detects the increase of radio signal strength and activates a synchronization detector which responds to a synchronization data bit sequence which precedes each data message. If the synchronization sequence is detected, the remainder of the first remote data unit message is discarded and the message of the second remote data unit is processed.

Abstract: A circuit and technique for directing an adaptable antenna system is described. The invention is coupled to the output of an RF receiver configured to provide a data signal output, and evaluates the quality of the receiver data signal. The invention switches antennas when the signal quality deteriorates below a predetermined level.

Abstract: In remotely readable utility metering systems of the type including a plurality of rates and apparatus for indicating the amount of the utility consumed at each rate and shed controlled appliances with shed commands and rate change commands being issued from a remote central reading station, apparatus and method for monitoring the metering of the utility which includes monitoring a variety of events, e.g., counting the number of rate change and/or shed commands received by the metering system, to determine whether the metering system is operating correctly.