Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing communication units to utilize non-licensed spectrum is provided herein. In particular, when a radio determines a need to transmit within non-licensed spectrum, the radio searches for a beacon being transmitted. The beacon identifies a priority of the current user of the non-licensed spectrum. If the radio's priority is higher than the current user of the non-licensed spectrum, or if no beacon is heard, the radio may begin transmitting within the non-licensed spectrum. As part of the radio's transmission, a beacon will be broadcast by the radio identifying the radio's priority.

Abstract: The presence of the non-television transmission within a channel is used to indicate that secondary non-licensed usage of the channel is permitted. Specifically, if secondary users incorporate the means to identify the unique modulation signature of the secondary user, decoding of a beacon signal may not be necessary. With the above in mind, a radio will be prevented from transmitting within a frequency band when no transmission within the licensed spectrum is currently taking place; the licensee is currently transmitting on the spectrum (e.g., television transmissions are taking place utilizing the spectrum, or the radio cannot sense the presence of a data channel (beacon).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting data between two devices (101, 102) is provided herein. During data transmission, a data and a strobe signal are transmitted simultaneously on the I and Q-channels, respectively, of over-the-air interface. More particularly, QPSK modulation is utilized, with the strobe signal being transmitted via the I-channel, and the data signal being transmitted via the Q channel, (or vice versa). Additionally, illegal constellation transitions are utilized to signal the transmission of control information.