Abstract: A multiple mode, personal, wireless communications system exists within a radiotelephone network serving general customers and provides additional services to a select group of customers. The system uses handsets which automatically switch between a standard cellular radiotelephone mode of operation and an enhanced cordless mode when the handsets are within range of pico cells that are interconnected to the public switched telephone network. Each pico cell is controlled via a framework of overlay cells that operates independently of the radiotelephone network and uses a unique control protocol on a small number of reserved cellular channels. Each pico cell consists of a spectrally dynamic, non-capturing, frequency agile, multi-purpose base station provided at customer-selected locations to cooperate with the overlay cell framework. Each pico cell is capable of supporting multiple handsets and uses low power operation that achieves limited coverage.

Abstract: A multiple mode, personal, wireless communications system exists within a radiotelephone network serving general customers and provides additional services to a select group of customers. The system uses handsets which automatically switch between a standard cellular radiotelephone mode of operation and an enhanced cordless mode when the handsets are within range of pico cells that are interconnected to the public switched telephone network. Each pico cell is controlled via a framework of overlay cells that operates independently of the radiotelephone network and uses a unique control protocol on a small number of reserved cellular channels. Each pico cell consists of a spectrally dynamic, non-capturing, frequency agile, multi-purpose base station provided at customer-selected locations to cooperate with the overlay cell framework. Each pico cell is capable of supporting multiple handsets and uses low power operation that achieves limited coverage.

Abstract: A multiple mode, personal, wireless communications system exists within a radiotelephone network serving general customers and provides additional services to a select group of customers. The system uses handsets which automatically switch between a standard cellular radiotelephone mode of operation and an enhanced cordless mode when the handsets are within range of pico cells that are interconnected to the public switched telephone network. Each pico cell is controlled via a framework of overlay cells that operates independently of the radiotelephone network and uses a unique control protocol on a small number of reserved cellular channels. Each pico cell consists of a spectrally dynamic, non-capturing, frequency agile, multi-purpose base station provided at customer-selected locations to cooperate with the overlay cell framework. Each pico cell is capable of supporting multiple handsets and uses low power operation that achieves limited coverage.

Abstract: A multiple mode, personal, wireless communications system is disclosed which exists within a radiotelephone network serving general customers and provides unique additional services to a select group of customers equipped with special handsets, without impacting the general customers. The special handsets automatically switch between and operate in either analog or digital mode with the standard radiotelephone network and in an enhanced cordless mode when within range of independent pico cells, that are interconnected with the public switched telephone network. Each of the network transparent pico cells is controlled via a framework of overlay cells that operate independently of the radiotelephone network and use a unique control protocol on a relatively small number of reserved channels, with a use hierarchy that is reversed with respect to standard radiotelephone channels.