Communication system and method for single channel hand-offs
US5732351A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W36/18
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a satellite communication system (10), a subscriber unit (26) is assigned a communication channel (17). The channel is used in the present cell (54) as well as subsequent cells (54) as the cells move relative to the earth. The channel is assigned using a cost function which includes a distance factor and an isolation factor. The distance factor which is based on a geographic distance between the nearest use of an interfering channel and the subscriber unit's cell. The isolation factor includes an interference potential between two channels. As a result of this channel assignment process, channels become associated with the geographic location of the subscriber unit. Accordingly, subscriber unit communications on the same satellite are handed-off between cells using the same channel making hand-offs invisible to the subscriber unit (26). When a hand-off is needed to another satellite, the same channel may also be used, or a new channel assigned using the cost function.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.