.
`
`United States Patent [19]
`Wilson et a1.
`
`[54] REDUCTION OF- POWER CONSUMPTION
`IN A PORTABLE COMMUNICATION UNIT
`
`[75] Inventors: Alan L. Wilson, Hoffman Estates, 111.;
`David L. Muri; Tony R. Branch, both
`of Sunrise, Fla.
`[73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
`[21] App1.No.: 28,530
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 9, 1993
`
`[63]
`
`Related US. Application Data
`Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 743,539, Aug. 9, 1991,
`abandoned.
`
`[51] Int. cl.5 ............................................. .. H04B 1/40
`[52] us. c1. ................................... .. 455/17; 455/541;
`455/69; 455/77; 455/89; 455/127; 455/343
`[58] Field of Search ..................... .. 455/ 13.4, 20, 34.1,
`455/342, 54.1, 54.2, 67.3, 67.4, 69, 77, 88, 89,
`127, 343, 17; 375/58
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`3,962,553 6/1976 Linder et a1. .................... .. 455/361
`
`4,181,893 1/1980 Ehmke . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 455/343
`
`..... .. 375/58
`4,309,771 1/1982 Wilkens ..
`455/ 38.3
`4,370,753 l/1983 Ehnike ............. ..
`721
`$591M‘? 191-
`4,613,990 9/1986 Halpern ................ .. 455/54.1
`
`OOl'C C 8 . ..... ..
`
`,
`
`9
`
`,
`
`llllllllllllllIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllll
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,293,639
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Mar. 8, 1994
`
`US005293639A
`
`4,804,954 2/1989 Macnak et a1. .............. .. 340/82544
`5,001,776 3/1991 Clark .................. .. 455/2261
`5,003,619 3/1991 Morris et al.
`455/127
`5,204,970 4/1993 Stenglet al.
`455/69
`5,220,678 6/1993 Feei ..................................... .. 455/69
`
`Primary Examiner-Reinhard J. Eisenzopf
`Assistant Examiner-Andrew Faile
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Susan L. Lukasik; Steven G.
`Parmelee
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`Power consumption in a portable communication unit
`(101) is reduced by ?rst transmitting at a ?rst time, a
`message (701) at a ?rst transmit power level to a re
`peater (103) on a ?rst communication channel. At a
`second time the message (701) is repeated (903) by the
`repeater on a second communication channel, thereby
`transmitting a delayed message (703). The portable
`communication unit (101) tunes (807) to the second
`communication channel after transmitting all of the
`message (701), so as to receive at least part of the de
`layed message (703). The repeater (103) establishes a
`receive quality metric (705) for the message (701) and
`transmits (909) the receive quality metric after all of the
`delayed message (703) is transmitted. The portable com
`munication unit receives and stores (809) the receive
`quality metric (705), and determines a second transmit
`power level for transmitting another message using the
`‘acme quahty mam‘
`
`-
`
`.
`
`.
`
`4,647,793 3/1987 Davis . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . . .. 307/270
`
`4,755,816 7/ 1988 DeLuca ........................ .. 340/ 825.44
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`UNIT DETERMINES
`TRANSMIT POWER \ 801
`
`' UNIT TRANSMITS
`MESSAGE
`
`803
`
`NO
`
`DONE
`XMITJ'ING
`
`805
`
`YES
`UNIT TUNES TO
`RECEIVE CHANNEL \ 80,
`
`UNIT RECEIVES & STORES
`QUALITY METRIC FROM END
`OF REPEATED MESSAGE
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1084
`Page 1 of 10
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 8, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`5,293,639
`
`Emmy."
`
`101 /
`
`217
`
`D2
`
`% m
`
`
`
`in .l Emmi
`
`107/
`
`CONTROLLER
`105
`
`} FIG. 1A
`
`m.
`F
`
`B
`
`5 0 2
`
`9 mm
`
`5 3 m mArmm m /P /A M
`+ /m
`.?m % mm
`mm 2
`
`D.“
`
`2 I
`
`1 2
`
`E.
`F.
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1084
`Page 2 of 10
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 8, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 of4
`
`5,293,639
`
`UNIT RECEIVES
`FROM SECOND UNIT
`
`UNIT MEASURES SIGNAL
`QUALITY METRIC SI
`
`UNIT RECEIVES, STORES
`RECEIVE QUALITY METRIC RI
`ESTABLISHED BY SECOND UNIT
`
`IS PTI'
`ASSE'RTED
`YES
`
`UNIT DETERMINES
`TRANSMIT POWER LEVEL
`FROM TI, RI, PI AND
`CURRENT TIME T
`
`UNIT TRANSMITS AT
`POWER LEVEL PI, SAVES
`TRANSMIT TIME AS TI
`
`311
`
`UNIT TRANSMITS SIGNAL
`QUALITY METRIC SI TO
`SECOND UNIT
`
`FIG. 3
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1084
`Page 3 of 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 8, 1994
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`'
`
`FIG. 4
`
`IS (TI 47 >
`mrfx
`
`NO
`
`SELECT INITIAL POWER
`Pl = PINIT
`
`403
`
`PI = PI +AP
`
`405
`
`407
`
`LAP
`+
`
`-°-
`
`BAD
`
`ACCEPT
`ABLE
`
`GOQD
`
`+ RI
`
`A RSS
`
`HIGH
`
`GOOD QUALITY:
`NEGATIVE AP
`
`601
`
`603
`
`ACCEPTABLE QUALITY:
`AP = 0
`
`FIG. 6
`
`BAD QUALITY:
`POSITIVE AP
`) BER
`HIGH
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1084
`Page 4 of 10
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 8, 1994
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`5,293,639
`
`UNIT‘S
`
`I
`
`REPEATEUE
`MESSAGE 5
`
`I
`
`§ To §
`
`FIG. 7
`
`7°1\
`
`:T :
`: D :
`I
`:
`
`MESSAGE INFCRMATICN
`
`RQM
`
`703
`
`705
`TIME ——->
`
`@ FIG 8
`
`6? FIG. 9
`
`‘ UNIT UErERMINEs
`TRANSMIT PowER
`
`801
`
`REPEATER RECEIvEs
`MEssACE FROM UNIT
`
`901
`
`‘ UNIT TRANSMITS
`MESSAGE
`
`803
`
`‘ REPEATER REPEATs
`MESSAGE FROM UNIT
`
`90s
`
`NO
`
`REPEATER ESTABLISHES RECEIvE
`QUALITY METRIC OF MESSAGE
`
`905
`
`UNIT TUNES TO
`RECEIvE CHANNEL
`
`807
`
`NO
`
`UNIT RECEIvEs a sToREs
`QUALITY METRIC FROM END
`OF REPEATED MESSAGE
`
`REPEATER TRANSMITS QUALITY
`METRIC AFTER MEssACE
`
`909
`
`809
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1084
`Page 5 of 10
`
`

`
`5,293,639
`2
`FIG. 8 is a ?owchart showing communication unit
`operation when obtaining a receive quality metric in
`accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 9 is a ?owchart showing repeater operation
`when providing a receive quality metric in accordance
`with the invention.
`
`1
`
`REDUCTION OF POWER CONSUMPTION IN A
`PORTABLE COMMUNICATION UNIT
`
`This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
`07/743,539, ?led Aug. 9, 1991 and now abandoned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to battery saving mechanisms,
`including but not limited to battery saving functions for
`a portable transceiver in a digital communication sys
`tem.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`RF communications exist. These communications
`incorporate portable communication units (“portables”)
`that are powered by rechargeable batteries to enable
`communications in various locations without requiring
`an external power supply. Unfortunately, after several
`hours of use, the battery discharges and must be re
`charged or replaced with a charged battery.
`Several techniques for providing a battery-saving
`system for portables are known. One such system em
`ploys a push-to-talk (PTT) circuit wherein the transmit
`ter of the portable is manually keyed by a push button
`or the like when it is desired to transmit a message, the
`transmitter normally being unkeyed when no message is
`being transmitted. Full-duplex systems may utilize
`voice activation circuits to key the transmitter only
`while the user is speaking. Other systems apply syn
`chronization codes and tone codes to enable the unit to
`operate in a low-power consumption mode when not
`engaged in a call.
`In full-duplex cellular systems, cellular telephones
`adjust their transmit power level continuously in re
`sponse to commands from the infrastructure. By reduc
`ing the transmitter whenever possible in this way, bat
`tery charge is conserved. These power-level commands
`are received on a separate dedicated supervisory chan
`nel. In many conventional communications systems,
`communication channels are a sparse commodity, and
`the use of a dedicated channel to convey power-level
`commands is too expensive a price to pay for battery
`savings in a portable.
`Accordingly, a method of providing battery savings
`that extends battery usage time in a portable unit with
`out use of an additional channel is desired.
`
`45
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a communications
`system in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a top plan representa
`tive view of a communications system in accordance
`with the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable communica
`tion unit in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 3 is a ?owchart showing transmission of a mes
`sage with transmit power level determined in accor
`dance with the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing determination of trans
`mit power level in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 5 is a graph showing power level change versus
`receive quality metric in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 6 is a graph showing received signal strength
`versus bit error rate in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 7 is a timing diagram showing a repeated mes
`sage and appending of a receive quality metric in accor
`dance with the invention.
`
`55
`
`65
`
`DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`The following describes a communication protocol
`that provides battery savings in a portable unit. Based
`on communications between a portable communication
`unit, such as a portable radio, and another communica
`tion unit, such as a base station or another portable
`radio, information is developed and exchanged allow
`ing the portable to transmit at a lower transmit power
`level based on signal quality measurements by both
`units. Hence, the transmitter is keyed at a lower power
`level, thus using less current and saving precious battery
`charge.
`In this system, information is relayed between com
`munication units. In FIG. 1A, a portable unit 101 is a
`distance D1 from an antenna with a local base station
`103. Another portable unit 107 is a distance D2 from the
`base station 103, where D1 is signi?cantly greater than
`D2. A system controller 105 is connected to the base
`station 103 to control communications in the system, as
`well understood in the art. Communications can occur
`directly from one unit 101 to the other unit 107 if the
`units are close enough, or indirectly when one unit 101
`transmits to the base station 103 which repeats the mes
`sage to the other unit 107, as is known in the art.
`Referring now to FIG. 1B, portable 107 is closer to
`the base station 103 than is portable 101. Contour C1
`encloses an area covered by the base station 103 where
`strong signal communication is possible between the
`base station 103 and units located within this area. The
`area between contour C1 and contour C2 encloses an
`area covered by the base station 103 where weak signal
`communication is possible between the base station 103
`and units located in the latter area. Although only two
`contours are shown for this system, the concepts taught
`by the present invention are readily extended to three or
`more contours, using bit error rates and/or received
`signal strength values to define the boundaries of the
`contours.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a porta
`ble unit (200) is shown that performs the operations in
`the ?owcharts of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Although a digital
`radio is shown, application of this invention to an ana
`log radio will remain successful. This unit 200 includes
`generally a microphone 201 for receiving an audible
`voice message to be transmitted, and for providing a
`push-to-talk (P'I'I') signal to a host computer 207, such
`as an MC68HC1l microprocessor, available from M0
`torola, Inc., the latter being in accordance with well
`understood prior art technique. The transduced output
`of the microphone 201 comprises an analog signal rep
`resenting the voice input, and passes through an appro
`priate analog to digital converter 203, which digitizes '
`this information and provides the digital representation
`to a digital signal processor (DSP) 205, such as a
`DSP56000 available from Motorola, Inc. The DSP 205
`is programmed as appropriate to effectuate a desired
`voice encoding methodology.
`The DSP 205 produces as its output a plurality of
`discrete packets, wherein each packet contains informa
`tion representing a portion of the original speech infor
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1084
`Page 6 of 10
`
`

`
`20
`
`5,293,639
`4
`3
`brief test signal transmitted immediately before the mes
`mation. These packets are provided to an appropriate
`sage of interest causes the current channel conditions to
`radio frequency (RF) unit 209, which uses the packet
`be known to the transmitting unit. This procedure
`information to modulate an appropriate carrier signal,
`drains little power since it is milliseconds in duration,
`which carrier signal is then radiated from an appropri
`but provides valuable information to insure that the
`ate antenna 211, all as known in the art.
`desired communication is received with minimal inter
`Both the DSP 205 and the RF unit 209 are controlled,
`ference.
`at least in part, by the host computer 207. In particular,
`A ?owchart showing determination of transmit
`so con?gured, the host 207 detects conclusion of a voice
`message by detecting appropriate manipulation of the
`power level is set forth in FIG. 4, as is performed by the
`portable unit (?rst unit) in step 309. If at step 401, TI—-T
`FIT switch on the microphone 201. In response
`is greater than TMAX (a predetermined value stored in
`thereto, the microprocessor 207 signals the RF unit 209
`the unit that re?ects a maximum time period between
`to terminate transmission activity.
`communications in which the power level is not ad
`The receiver portion of the portable communication
`justed due to time considerations) the process continues
`unit uses the antenna 211 for receiving the carrier signal
`with step 403. (As a further enhancement, the unit may
`and the receive section of the RF unit 209 for receiving
`also select to consider Tl-T greater than TMAX if an
`this signal and demodulating it to retrieve the discrete
`RI value is not received from the other unit within a
`packets as sourced by the transmitter. These recovered
`certain time.) Time between successive transmissions is
`packets are provided to the D8? 205 that has been
`considered when selecting the power level because a
`appropriately programmed to reconstruct the original
`portable unit may have travelled a signi?cant distance
`voice information based upon the voice packet informa
`tion. These packets have interleaved therewith signal
`between transmissions, e.g., if the operator goes to
`lunch, hence the quality metric data will not re?ect the
`ling information, including the bits of a selected error»
`current situation of the unit. Likewise, the channel may
`control coding scheme. The DSP 205 provides the
`be subject to various changes over long time spans, such
`latter information to the microprocessor 207.
`as weather or heavy traf?c in other systems, that may
`The output of the D5? 205 comprises a digitized
`adversely affect a transmission if not accounted for.
`representation of the original voice message. This out
`At step 403, the unit selects for the transmit power
`put passes through an appropriate digital to analog
`level PI the initial power level of the radio, PINIT, as
`converter 213 and then to a power ampli?er 215. The
`stored in the unit. The value of PINIT may be the maxi
`latter ampli?es the reconstructed analog voice informa
`mum power level at which the unit can transmit, or it
`tion, and a speaker 217 then renders this information
`may be a lower level chosen to minimize power con
`audible.
`sumption based on average required power level in the
`Transmission of a message with transmit power level
`system. In the preferred embodiment, PINIT is half of
`determined in accordance with the invention is shown
`the maximum power capability of the portable unit. If at
`in the ?owchart of FIG. 3. At step 301, a portable com
`step 401 TI-T is not greater than TMAX, the process
`munication unit (“first unit”) 101 of FIG. 1 receives or
`continues with step 405. At step 405, AP is determined
`waits to receive a possible message from another com
`from the curve of FIG. 5 based on the value of RI,
`munication unit (“second unit”), either a base station
`where RMIN is a predetermined value or set of values
`103 or another portable 107. At step 303, the ?rst unit
`of minimum acceptable receive quality metric. At step
`measures a signal quality metric, SI, of any message
`407, PI is found by taking the previous value of PI and
`received at step 301. This signal quality metric includes
`adding AP to produce the transmit power level, and the
`values of bit error rate (BER) measurements, received
`process ends. In this fashion, the lowest transmit power
`signal strength measurements (RSS), or other such mea
`level is chosen which gives acceptable values for signal
`surements, as are well known in the art. Included in the
`quality metric, receive quality metric, and time between
`message received at step 301 should be a receive quality
`transmissions.
`metric, RI, from the second unit. This receive quality
`Referring now to FIG. 5, a graph showing power
`metric is established by the second unit based on the
`level change versus receive quality metric is shown. RI
`reception of the message previously transmitted by the
`may represent BER or RSS, as optimized for the partic
`?rst unit 101 and includes, for example, values of BER
`ular system. The graph shows a decreasing function for
`measurements, received signal strength measurements,
`RI less than predetermined value RMIN, a ?at line for
`error detection indications, and so forth. At step 305,
`RMINéRIéRMAX, and a further decreasing func
`the ?rst unit 101 receives and then stores the receive
`tion for RI greater than predetermined value RMAX.
`quality metric established by the second unit 103 or 107.
`The values of RMIN and RMAX are optimized for the
`If at step 307 the FIT on the ?rst unit is not asserted,
`system, where the values RMINéRIéRMAX re?ect
`the process continues with step 301. If at step 307 the
`acceptable receive quality metric values. When R1 is
`PTT on the ?rst unit is asserted, the ?rst unit deter
`greater than RMAX, indicating that the receive quality
`mines, according to the steps in the ?owchart of FIG. 4,
`metric is good, i.e., better than acceptable, AP is a nega
`the ?rst unit’s transmit power level from TI (the time of
`tive value, resulting in the transmit power level being
`the previous transmission by the ?rst unit 101), RI, PI
`decreased, hence a savings in battery consumption is
`(the power level of the previous transmission), and the
`realized. When R1 is less than RMIN, indicating that
`current time T at step 309.
`the receive quality metric is bad, i.e., less than accept
`The ?rst unit transmits at step 311 at the transmit
`able, AP is a positive value, resulting in the power level
`power level PI determined in step 309 and stores the
`being increased to maintain good reception of commu
`transmit time as time value TI. At step 313, the ?rst unit
`nications. Values for AP are optimized to re?ect system
`101 includes in its transmission the signal quality metric,
`performance and account for the minimum and maxi
`SI, measured in step 303.
`mum transmit power level of the portable unit.
`A further enhancement to this procedure includes
`Referring now to FIG. 6, a graph shows received
`transmission of a brief test signal to obtain a more cur
`signal strength versus bit error rate. As a further en
`rent RI, TI, and SI for the next message transmission. A
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1084
`Page 7 of 10
`
`

`
`5,293,639
`6
`5
`completed transmission of the message, it has the
`hancement of the graph in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 combines
`amount of time, T9, to tune its receiver to the second
`RSS and BER to determine AP. FIG. 6 shows a ?rst
`communication channel so that it may receive the re
`contour 601, above and to the left of which the signal
`ceive quality metric 705 as transmitted by the repeater
`quality is good, and negative AP is realized, allowing
`103 after the repeated message 703.
`for the best opportunity to saving battery charge. The
`A ?owchart showing communication unit operation
`?rst contour 601 is de?ned by a maximum BER, e.g.,
`when obtaining a receive quality metric is shown in
`1% BER, and a minimum RSS, e.g., —60 dBm. One or
`FIG. 8. The portable unit 101 determines its transmit
`more negative AP values may be assigned in order to
`minimize power consumption and maximize receive
`power at step 801 and transmits a message 701 on a ?rst
`channel at that power at step 803. When the unit is done
`quality. For example, if BER<0.1% and RSS>—40
`transmitting (xmitting) the message 701 at step 805, the
`dBm, AP may be assigned the value —5 dB, and all
`unit 101 tunes to a second, or receive, channel at step
`other values between these BER and RSS values and
`807, where the unit receives and stores a receive quality
`1% BER and RSS=-60 dBm would re?ect a AP of
`metric 705 from the end of the repeated message at step
`—1 dB.
`809, and the procedure ends.
`FIG. 6 also shows a second contour 603, below and
`A ?owchart showing repeater operation when pro
`to the right of which the signal quality is bad, and posi
`viding a receive quality metric is shown in FIG. 9. The
`tive AP is realized, not allowing for the opportunity to
`repeater 103 receives the message 701 from the unit 101
`save battery charge. The second contour 603 is de?ned
`at step 901. The repeater 103 repeats the message 703 at
`by a minimum BER, e.g., 5% BER, and a maximum
`step 903. The repeater establishes a receive quality met
`RSS, e.g., -—90 dBm. One or more positive AP values
`ric of the message 701 at step 905. When the repeater
`may be assigned in order to minimize power consump
`103 receives (rx) the end of the message (EOM) from
`tion and maximize receive quality. For example, if BE
`the unit at step 907, the repeater 103 transmits the re
`R<10% and RSS>-ll0 dBm, AP may be assigned
`ceive quality metric 705 after the message 703 is trans
`the maximum AP value, e.g. +10 dB, and all other
`mitted at step 909, and the procedure ends.
`values between these BER and RSS values and 5%
`25
`Thus, by providing the receive quality metric 705 at
`BER and RSS: —90 dBm would re?ect a AP of +1
`the end of the repeated message, the present invention
`dB.
`allows for receipt of a receive quality metric without
`Values for AP in FIG. 6 are also optimized to re?ect
`using an additional channel or transmitting an addi
`system performance and account for the minimum and
`tional message to the unit. Hence, economy of channel
`maximum transmit power level of the portable unit.
`usage and transmission time is achieved while providing
`Receive quality metrics are measured and exchanged
`the advantage of having signal quality measurements
`between a portable communication unit and another
`substantially immediately after a message is transmitted
`communication unit to allow a portable communication
`by the portable unit 101.
`unit to transmit at lower transmit power levels, thus
`providing battery savings that extends battery usage
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of reducing power consumption in a
`time in a portable unit without use of an additional
`portable communication unit, comprising the steps of:
`channel.
`transmitting at a ?rst time, by the portable communi
`In addition to direct portable-to-portable communi
`cation unit, a ?rst message at a ?rst transmit power
`cations, a portable unit 101 may also engage in indirect
`level to a repeater on a ?rst communication chan
`communications with another unit 107, through a base
`40
`nel;
`station or repeater 103, as shown in FIG. 1B. When
`repeating at a second time, which second time is later
`engaged in such indirect communications, the portable
`than said ?rst time, by said repeater, said ?rst mes
`unit 101 transmits a message 701, as shown in FIG. 7, on
`sage, thereby transmitting a delayed message on a
`a ?rst communication channel to a repeater 103. The
`second communication channel;
`repeater 103 receives the message 701 on the ?rst chan
`45
`tuning the portable communication unit to said sec
`nel and repeats the message 703 on a second communi
`ond communication channel after transmitting all
`cation channel. The message 701 may contain an end-of
`of said ?rst message, so as to receive at least part of
`message marker at the end of the message, to notify
`said delayed message;
`receiving devices, such as repeaters or other communi
`establishing a receive quality metric for said ?rst
`cation units, that there is no more message information
`message at said repeater;
`to be transmitted. Because of the inherent delay be
`transmitting said receive quality metric appended to
`tween transmitting and receiving the message 701, and
`the end of said delayed message after all of said
`if necessary buffering the message 701 to provide any
`delayed message has been repeated;
`detection, reliability measurement, or other such analy
`receiving and storing in the portable communication
`sis, there is a time delay between the transmission of the
`unit said receive quality metric; and
`message 701 by the unit 101 at a ?rst time and the re
`determining, by the portable communication unit, a
`peated transmission of the message 703 by the repeater
`second transmit power level for transmitting a
`103 at a second time. The time between the ?rst time
`second message, said determining step using said
`and the second time is the delay time, T9. While receiv
`stored receive quality metric.
`ing the message 701 from the portable unit 101, the
`2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining
`repeater 103 establishes a receive quality metric on the
`step further comprises the steps of:
`message 701, as previously described. The repeater 103
`computing a time value from transmission of said ?rst
`transmits the receive quality metric (RQM) 705 after all
`message to transmission of said second message;
`the message has been repeated. If the system so pro
`and
`vides, end of message (EOM) information may be trans
`setting said second transmit power level to an initial
`mitted after the receive quality metric 705 is transmit
`power level when said time value has a ?rst rela
`ted, but such information is not necessary to practice
`tionship with respect to a predetermined value.
`the present invention. Once the portable unit 101 has
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`5,293,639
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`3. The method of claim 1, wherein said receive qual
`receive at least part of a delayed message, which is
`comprised of said ?rst message transmitted at a
`ity metric represents a bit error rate measurement and
`wherein said determining step further comprises the
`second time on said second communication chan
`step of decreasing said ?rst transmit power level to
`nel;
`produce said second transmit power level when said bit
`means for receiving a receive quality metric from said
`repeater, wherein said receive quality metric, ap
`error rate measurement has a ?rst relationship with
`respect to a predetermined value.
`pended to the end of said delayed message, is trans
`4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receive qual
`mitted after all of said ?rst message is transmitted;
`ity metric represents a bit error rate measurement and
`means for storing said receive quality metric; and
`wherein said determining step further comprises the
`means, coupled to said means for storing, for deter
`step of increasing said ?rst transmit power level to pro
`mining a second transmit power level for transmit
`duce said second transmit power level when said bit
`ting a second message, said determining means
`error rate measurement has a second relationship with
`using said receive quality metric.
`respect to a predetermined value.
`12. The portable communication unit of claim 11,
`5. The method of claim 1, wherein said receive qual
`wherein said means for determining comprises:
`ity metric represents a received signal strength measure
`means for computing a time value from transmission
`'ment and wherein said determining step further com
`of said ?rst message to transmission of said second
`prises the step of decreasing said ?rst transmit power
`message; and
`'
`level to produce said second transmit power level when
`means for setting said second transmit power level to
`said received signal strength measurement has a ?rst
`20
`an initial power level when said time value has a
`relationship with respect to a predetermined value.
`?rst relationship with respect to a predetermined
`6. The method of claim 1, wherein said receive qual
`value.
`ity metric represents a received signal strength measure
`13. The portable communication unit of claim 11,
`ment and wherein said determining step further com
`wherein said receive quality metric represents a bit
`prises the step of increasing said ?rst transmit power
`25
`error rate measurement and wherein said determining
`level to produce said second transmit power level when
`means further comprises means for decreasing said ?rst
`said received signal strength measurement has a second
`transmit power level to produce said second transmit
`relationship with respect to a predetermined value.
`power level when said bit error rate measurement has a
`7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the
`?rst relationship with respect to a predetermined value.
`steps of:
`14. The portable communication unit of claim 11,
`computing a signal quality metric for said receive
`wherein said receive quality metric represents a bit
`quality metric; and
`error rate measurement and wherein said determining
`decreasing said second transmit power level when
`means further comprises means for increasing said ?rst
`said receive quality metric has a ?rst relationship
`transmit power level to produce said second transmit
`with respect to a predetermined value.
`power level when said bit error rate measurement has a
`8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the
`second relationship with respect to a predetermined
`steps of:
`value.
`computing a signal quality metric for said receive
`15. The portable communication unit of claim 11,
`quality metric; and
`wherein said receive quality metric represents a re
`increasing said second transmit power level when
`40
`ceived signal strength measurement and wherein said
`said receive quality metric has a second relation
`determining means further comprises means for de
`ship with respect to a predetermined value.
`creasing said ?rst transmit power level to produce said
`9. The method of claim 1, wherein said receive qual
`second transmit power level when said received signal
`ity metric represents a bit error rate measurement and a
`strength measurement has a ?rst relationship with re
`received signal strength measurement and wherein said
`spect to a predetermined value.
`determining step further comprises the step of decreas
`16. The portable communication unit of claim 11,
`ing said ?rst transmit power level to produce said sec
`wherein said receive quality metric represents a re
`ond transmit power level when said bit error rate mea
`ceived signal strength measurement and wherein said
`surement has a ?rst relationship with respect to a ?rst
`determining means further comprises means for increas
`predetermined value and said received signal strength
`ing said ?rst transmit power level to produce said sec
`measurement has said ?rst relationship with respect to a
`ond transmit power level when said received signal
`second predetermined value.
`strength measurement has a second relationship with
`10. The method of claim 1, wherein said receive qual
`respect to a predetermined value.
`ity metric represents a bit error rate measurement and a
`17. The portable communication unit of claim 11,
`received signal strength measurement and wherein said
`further comprising:
`determining step further comprises the step of increas
`means for computing a signal quality metric for said
`ing said ?rst transmit power level to produce said sec
`received receive quality metric; and
`ond transmit power level when said bit error rate mea
`means for decreasing said second transmit power
`surement has a second relationship with respect to a
`level when said receive quality metric has a ?rst
`?rst predetermined value and said received signal
`relationship with respect to a predetermined value.
`strength measurement has said second relationship with
`18. The portable communication unit of claim 11,
`respect to a second predetermined value.
`further comprising:
`11. A portable communication unit, comprising:
`means for computing a signal quality metric for said
`means for transmitting at a ?rst time a ?rst message at
`received receive quality metric; and
`a ?rst transmit power level to a repeater on a ?rst
`means for increasing said second transmit power level
`communication channel;
`when said receive quality metric has a second rela
`means for tuning to a second communication channel
`tionship with respect to a predetermined value.
`after transmitting all of said ?rst message, so as to
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`TCL EXHIBIT 1084
`Page 9 of 10
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`9
`19. The portable communication unit of claim 11,
`wherein said receive quality metric represents a bit
`error rate measurement and a received signal strength
`measurement and wherein said determining means fur
`ther comprises means for decreasing said ?rst transmit
`power level to produce said second tra