Cellular/PCS network with distributed-RF base station

Details Cellular/PCS network with distributed-RF base station Cellular/PCS network with distributed-RF base station

1998-11-17

2001-01-23

Bost, Dwayne D. (Department: 2744)

Telecommunications

Transmitter and receiver at separate stations

Plural transmitters or receivers

C455S502000, C455S446000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06178334

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to a cellular/PCS network including at least one distributed-RF base station and multiple distributed cells.
(b) Description of Related Art
A traditional PCS or cellular communications network includes a number of spaced apart base stations, each station including antennas located on a tower or other structure at the base station. Such a base station, with antennas, is referred to as a cell site, and the antennas separate the surrounding geographical area into sectors (often each cell site forms three sectors). A cellular user communicates with a base station via antennas; a mobile user may be “handed off” as the vehicle moves from one sector to another or from the jurisdiction of one base station to another.
It is also known in the prior art to provide a PCS or cellular distributed cell network including a base station and a number of distributed cells. In this structure, a number of cells are spaced from the base station and are coupled with the base station by various transmission mediums. Transmission between the base station and the distributed cells may be through mediums such as cable, fiber and/or air. The distributed cells may include remote cells, narrow-beam cells and repeater cells, for example.
In a prior art distributed cell network, a forward call to a designated mobile, for example, is sent by the base station to all distributed cells of a sector. The operative cell where the mobile is located then forwards the call to the mobile. After the mobile responds with a reverse signal, the base station continues to send forward calls to all cells of the sector. There are disadvantages to this arrangement such as the fact that unnecessary energy is expended when transmitting to non-operative cells (i.e., to other than the operative cell where the mobile is located). Further, needless forward link capacity to the non-operative cells is wasted.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved communication network including a base station and a plurality of distributed cells, including means for distinguishing between the various cells. Consequently, transmission of information from the base station may be restricted to an operative cell, or to an operative cell and, optionally, to one or more geographically neighboring cells.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A communication network in accordance with this invention comprises a base station and a plurality of distributed cells which are remote from the base station. The distributed cells include, when in operation, at least one operative cell. The network further comprises transmission means for carrying information, including forward signals and reverse signals, between the base station and said cells, and there are distinctive transmission time delays between the base station and the cells. The network still further comprises means for distinguishing between the distinctive transmission time delays and thereby distinguishing between the various cells.
Preferably the network further includes means for restricting the transmission of forward signals from the base station only to an operative cell and, optionally, to neighboring cells.
The invention further comprises a method of communication between a base station and distributed cells, utilizing the foregoing structure.


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