US005854985A
`5,854,985
`(114) Patent Number:
`United States Patent 55
`
` Sainton et al. [45] Date of Patent: Dec. 29, 1998
`
`
`[54] ADAPTIVE OMNI-MODAL RADIO
`APPARATUS AND METHODS
`
`[75]
`
`“Motorola Paging & Wireless Data Group”, Bob Growney
`and William Davies, pp. 155 and 156, Portable Computers
`Wireless Communications, 1993.
`“Racotek”, Richard Cortese
`.
`Inventors: Joseph B. Sainton, Newburg, Oreg.;
`and Larry Sanders, pp.
`Charles M. Leedom,Jr., Falls Church;
`:
`:
`Eric J. Robinson, Ashburn, both of Va. ospombe Computers and Wireless Communica-
`[73] Assignee: Spectrum Information Technologies,
`Inc., Purchase, N.Y.
`
`ions,
`
`.
`
`Primary Examiner—Edward F. Urban
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sixbey, Friedman, Leedom &
`Ferguson; Charles M. Leedom,Jr.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A frequency and protocol agile wireless communication
`product, and chipset for forming the same,
`including a
`frequency agile transceiver, a digital interface circuit for
`interconnecting the radio transceiver with external devices,
`protocol agile operating circuit
`for operating the radio
`transceiver in accordance with one of the transmission
`protocols as determined bya protocolsignal and an adaptive
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 707,262
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 4, 1996
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 167,003, Dec. 15, 1993, aban-
`doned.
`H04Q 7/32
`Int. C1.°
`[51]
`H
`sesseseseecusconceasessrensrenseensceneeescones
`[52] U.S. Ch. eeeeeeeceees 455/553; 455/426; eeiseG
`
`[58] Field of Search 0...eee 455/33.1, 33.2,
`455/33.4, 54.1, 54.2, 56.1, 74, 84, 89, 432,
`434, 435, 552, 524, 553, 426, 557; 379/59,
`60
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`control circuit for accessing a selected wireless communi-
`cation network and for generating the frequency control
`signal and the protocol control signal in response to a user
`defined criteria. Among the possible user defined criteria
`would be (1) the cost of sending a data message, (2) the
`quality of transmission link (signal strength, interference
`actual or potential), (3) the potential for being bumpedoff of
`the system (is service provider at near full capacity), (4) the
`security of transmission, (5) any special criteria which the
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3/1979 Cunningham et al. sss 455/s41___‘UuSer could variably program into his omni-modal wireless
`4,144,496
`2/1983 Hilligoss,Jr. et al.
`.
`product based on the user’s desires or (6) any one or more
`4.371,751
`12/1985 Mimken.
`combinationsof the above features that are preprogrammed,
`4,558,453
`3/1986 Charalambousetal. .
`changed or overridden by the user. The disclosed invention
`4,578,796
`4/1988 De Jageretal. .
`allows wireless service providers to broadcast electronically
`4,741,049
`3/1989 Avis etal. .
`as part of any “handshaking”0 procedure with a omni-modal
`4,811,420
`5/1989 Calvetetal. .
`wireless product information such as (1) rate information
`4,833,727
`1/1991 Ogawara.
`and (2) information regarding system operating character-
`4,985,904
`.
`5/1991 Rash et al.
`5,020,094
`istics such as percent of system capacity in use and/or
`5,077,834 12/1991 Androset al.
`likelihood of being dropped. The disclosed invention creates
`a user oriented source enrollment and billing service in the
`wireless data market by establishing uniform standard for
`“handshakes” to occur between cell service providers and
`omni-modal wireless products.
`
`.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`*“Electronic Messaging System (EPS)’, Feb. 5, 1993, Com-
`plex Architectures, Inc.
`
`15 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`Al
`poco ober518
`ANALOG
`VGC
`DETECTOR:
`DEMODULATOR
`26
`
`
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`20
`DIGITAL DE- |
`MODULATOR
`
`28:
`
`
`
`22
`ANALOG|VGC
`MODULATOR!
`Cag
`
`
`
`24
`DIGITAL
`MODULATORI*
`
`[10
`Cp
`
`4
`
`1
`
`SAMSUNG 1009
`
`1
`
`SAMSUNG 1009
`
`

`

`5,854,985
`
`Page 2
`
`5,239,701
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`8/1993 Ishii .
`5,249,302
`6/1992 Cubl
`tal
`5.122.795
`9/1993 Metrokaetal. .
`.
`ubleyet al.
`122,
`5,261,117
`cescssessssseseee 455/33.1 X
`6/1992 Gillig et al.
`5,127,042
`11/1993 Olson weeeeeeeteceeeeee 455/54.2 X
`5,293,628
`7/1992 Bietal
`5,134,709
`3/1994 Sasuta et al. .....
`455/34.1 X
`
`5,301,359
`1/1993 SUZUKi sceeccscssessssessrssstee 455/86 X
`5,179,360
`4/1994 Van Den Heuvelet al.
`......... 455/524
`
`
`5,343,513
`4/1993 Motoyanagi.
`5,200,991
`8/1994 Kay et al. ww.
`455/34.1 X
`
`
`5,201,067 5,649,308=7/1997 Andrews oo... cece cteeeeeneeteenees 455/844/1993 Grubeet al. .
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG. 1B
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`
`114
`
`116
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
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`5,854,985
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`FIG. 4B
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG. 6A
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`HAS
`USER REQUESTED
`SERVICE
`?
`
`650
`
`
`
`
`
`654
`
`
`IS
`USER IN RANGE
`
`OF CORDLESS
`SYSTEM
`
`
`OF CELLULAR
`SYSTEM
`
`
`?
`
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`
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`INDICATE NO
`SERVICE USER
`SERVICE USER
`SERVICE
`REQUEST ON
`REQUEST ON
`
`
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`
`
`SYSTEMSYSTEM |
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`
`
`704=701
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG. 9
`
`
`
`OBTAIN DATA
`PRICE
`
`INFORMATION
` OBTAIN VOICE
`
`PRICE
`INFORMATION
`
`
`EVALUATE
`PRICE
`
`INFORMATION
`
`CONFIGURE FOR
`SELECTED
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONNECT TO
`SELECTED
`SYSTEM
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG. 10
`
`
`
`DO
`OTHER PROVIDERS
`EXIST
`
`
`?
` NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPILE AND
`FORMAT SERVICE
`INFORMATION
`
`DETERMINE MODULATION
`AND FREQUENCY
`PROTOCOL
`
`BROADCAST
`SERVICE
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG. 11
`
`1104
`
`ACCESS CARRIER
`CONTROL CHANNEL
`
`1102
`
`ESTABLISH
`CIRCUIT
`CONNECTION .
`
`
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG. 12
`
`~)
`
`1205
`
`7208
`
`MAIN CONTROL
`
`DIPLEXER
`TRANSMITTER
`RECEIVER
`REFERENCE OSC.
`MIXER
`LF.
`INTERFACE
`CONTROL
`NON-VOLATILE MEMORY
`
`AUDIO PROCESSING
`RF CARD
`
`FIG. 13
`
`REMOVABLE
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`
`
`TELEPHONE
`NETWORK OFFICE
`
` CELLULAR
`DEVICE
`
`OMNI-MODAL
`
`17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`5,854,985
`
`FIG, 15
`
`1502
`NO
`
`IS
`
`PAGER OMNI-
`MODAL
`?
`
`
`
`
`
`IS
`PAGER IN USE
`2
`
`
`
`
`
` 1908
`CELLULAR
`DELIVERY
`AUTHORIZED
`
`1504
`' SEND PAGE
`| NORMALLY
`
`PAGE USING
`
`1510
`
`TIME
`DELAY
`
`NO
`
`
`?
` TRANSMIT
`ALTERNATE SYSTEM
`
`18
`
`

`

`5,854,985
`
`1
`ADAPTIVE OMNI-MODAL RADIO
`APPARATUS AND METHODS
`
`This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/167,003,
`filed Dec. 15, 1993, now abandoned.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to frequency and protocol
`agile, wireless communication devices and systems adapted
`to enable voice and/or data transmission to occur using a
`variety of different radio frequencies, transmission protocols
`and radio infrastructures.
`
`Many communication industry experts believe that a
`personal information revolution has begunthat will have as
`dramatic an impact as did the rise of personal computers in
`the 1980’s. Such experts are predicting that the personal
`computer will becometruly “personal” by allowingvirtually
`instant access to information anytime or anywhere. There
`exists no consensus, however, on the pace or form of this
`revolution.
`
`the wireless communication industry is
`For example,
`being fragmented by the emergenceof a substantial number
`of competing technologies and services including digital
`cellular technologies (e.g. TDMA, E-TDMA,narrow band
`CDMA,and broadband CDMA), geopositioning services,
`one way and two-way paging services, packet data services,
`enhanced specialized mobile radio, personal computing
`services, two-way satellite systems, cellular digital packet
`data (CDPD) and others. Fragmenting forces within the
`wireless communication industry have been further
`enhanced by regulatory actions of the U.S. government. In
`particular, the U.S. governmentis preparing to auction off
`portions of the radio spectrum for use in providing personal
`communication services (PCS) in a large number of rela-
`tively small contiguous regions of the country. The U.S.
`government is also proposing to adopt regulations which
`will encourage wide latitude among successful bidders for
`the new radio spectrum to adopt innovative wireless tech-
`nologies.
`Until the market for wireless communication has experi-
`enced an extended “shake-out” period it is unlikely that a
`clear winner or group of winners will become apparent. Any
`portable unit which is capable of interacting with more than
`oneservice provideror radio infrastructure would obviously
`have advantages over a portable unit which is capable of
`accessing only a single service provider. Still better would
`be a portable unit which could be reprogrammed to interact
`with a variety of different service providers. Previous
`attempts to provide such multi modal units have produced a
`variety of interesting, but
`less than ideal, product and
`method concepts.
`Among the known multi-modal proposals is a portable
`telephone, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,042 to Gillig et
`al., which is adapted to operate with either a conventional
`cordless base station or cellular base station. U.S. Pat. No.
`
`5,179,360 to Suzuki discloses a cellular telephone whichis
`capable of switching between either an analog mode of
`operation or a digital mode of operation. Yet another
`approachis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,904 to Ogawara
`directed to an improved method and apparatus for switching
`from a failed main radio communication system to a backup
`communication system. Still another proposal is disclosed in
`US. Pat. No. 5,122,795 directed to a paging receiver which
`is capable of scanning the frequenciesofa plurality of radio
`commoncarriers to detect the broadcast of a paging message
`over one of the carriers serving a given geographic region.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`In U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,701 to Ishii there is disclosed a radio
`receiver which is responsive to an RF signal containing a
`plurality of channel frequencies, each having broadcast
`information, and a circuit for producing a wide band version
`of the received RF signal and a circuit for producing a
`narrow band version of the received RF signal.
`While multi-modal in some regard, each of the technolo-
`gies disclosed in the abovelisted patents is highly special-
`ized and limited to a specific application. The systems
`disclosed are clearly non-adaptive and are incapable of
`being easily reconfigured to adapt to different transmission
`protocols or different radio infrastructures. Recently,
`Motorola has announced beta testing of a system called
`“MoNet” which will allegedly allow users to operate on
`whatever wireless network happens to be available using
`protocol and frequency agile radio modems. The MoNet
`technology will be integrated in both networks and mobile
`devices and will permit first
`time users to fill out an
`electronic application, transmit it, and receive a personal ID
`to allow the user to operate on any of several mobile
`networks yet receive just one bill. Another provider of an
`open system is Racotek of Minneapolis, Minn. which offers
`client server architecture designed to be portable across
`different mobile devices, host platforms, and radio infra-
`structures.
`
`While the limited attempts to deal with the fragmentation
`of the wireless communication industry have had some
`merits, no one has yet disclosed a truly self adaptive,
`omni-modal wireless product which enables an end user to
`access conveniently various wireless services in accordance
`with a selection process which is sufficiently under the
`control of the end user.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`A fundamental objective of the subject invention is to
`overcome the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a
`truly omni-modal wireless product and method which is
`adaptive to the selectively variable desires of the end user.
`Another more specific object of the subject invention in
`the provision of a product which would be capable of
`utilizing any oneof the wireless data services within a given
`geographic area based on a user determinedcriteria such as:
`(1) the cost of sending a data message, (2) the quality of
`transmission link (signal strength,
`interference actual or
`potential), (3) the potential for being dropped from the
`system (is service provider at near full capacity), (4) the
`security of transmission, (5) any special criteria which the
`user could variably program into his omni-modal wireless
`product based on the user’s desires or (6) any one or more
`combinationsof the above features that are preprogramned,
`changed or overridden by the user.
`Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide an
`omni-modal wireless product which would allow for enor-
`mous product differentiation. For example original equip-
`ment manufacturers (OEM’s) could provide specialized
`interface features for the end user. Each OEM could provide
`specialized hardware controls appropriate for various user
`groups.
`Another object of the subject invention is to provide an
`omni-modal wireless product which can allow for adaptive
`service provider selection based on user experience with
`specific service providers.
`invention is to
`A more specific object of the subject
`provide an omni-modal wireless product which would have
`the effect of inducing intense competition for customers
`among various wireless data service providers based on
`19
`
`19
`
`

`

`5,854,985
`
`3
`quality of service and price by allowing the user to easily
`and conveniently identify the service providers that best
`meet the user’s performance requirements.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a network of
`omni-modal wireless products and service providers which
`is designed to provide the most business and profit making
`potential to the service providers whobest meet the varying
`demands of the greatest number of omni-modal wireless
`product users.
`invention is to
`Still another objective of the subject
`promote and encourage introduction of innovative technol-
`ogy which will satisfy the desires of end users to receive the
`best possible quality wireless service at the lowest possible
`cost by promoting real
`time adaptive price and service
`competition among cell service providers.
`Another objective of the subject invention is to allow
`wireless service providers to broadcast electronically as part
`of any “handshaking” procedure with a omni-modal wireless
`product information such as (1) rate information and (2)
`information regarding system operating characteristics such
`as percent of system capacity in use and/or likelihood of
`being dropped.
`Still another objective of the subject inventionis to create
`a user oriented source enrollment and billing service in the
`wireless data market by establishing uniform standard for
`“handshakes” to occur between cell service providers and
`omni-modal wireless products.
`A more specific object of the invention is to provide a
`standard chip or chipset including a radio transceiver spe-
`cifically designed to be used in all types of omni-modal
`wireless products.
`A still more specific object of the invention is to provide
`a standard radio chip or chipset adapted for use in all types
`of omni-modal wireless products including a variety of
`operational modes including operation on the U.S. public
`analog cellular telephone network (AMPS).
`Still another object of the invention is to provide a
`standard radio chip or chipset
`for use in all
`types of
`omni-modal wireless products including circuitry for both
`voice and data communications over AMPS. Other sup-
`ported communications protocols would include CDPD
`whichis a packet data service based on the AMPSnetwork.
`These objects and others are achieved in the present
`invention by an omni-modalradio circuit implemented by a
`standard radio computing chip or chipset which can serve as
`a computer (special or general purpose), or as an interface to
`a general purpose personal computer. The chip preferably
`includes a modem andassociated processing circuits. So that
`it can perform at least basic processing functions such as
`displaying data, accepting input, etc.,
`the chip may also
`incorporate at least a basic microprocessor. The processor
`may provide only predetermined functions, accessible
`through a standard applications programminginterface, or in
`more advanced designsthe processor can run other software
`or firmware added by the product maker. Exemplary pro-
`cessor functions of the chip include radio network interface
`control (call placement, call answering), voice connection,
`data transmission, and data input/output. The chip can be
`used to implementa variety of omni-modal devices and can
`provide computing resources to operate fundamental com-
`munications programs.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are block schematic diagrams of an
`omni-modal radio communications circuit according to the
`present invention;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an advanced
`cellular telephone implemented using an omni-modal radio
`communications circuit according to the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of a personal
`communicator implemented using an omni-modal radio
`communications circuit according to the present invention;
`FIG. 4A is a plan view ofthe front of a data transmission
`and display radiotelephone implemented using an omni-
`compatible radio communicationscircuit;
`FIG. 4B is a plan view of the back of a data transmission
`and display radiotelephone implemented using an omni-
`compatible radio communicationscircuit;
`FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram of a telephone/pager
`implemented using the present omni-modal radio commu-
`nications circuit;
`FIG. 6A is a block schematic diagram of a dual mode
`cellular/cordless landline telephone implemented using the
`present omni-modal radio communicationscircuit;
`FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a method of operation of
`a dual modecellular/cordless landline telephone according
`to the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a block schematic diagram of a personal
`computer incorporating an omni-modal radio communica-
`tions circuit;
`FIG. 8 is a block schematic diagram of a special purpose
`radio data transmitting device implemented using an omni-
`modal radio communicationscircuit;
`FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a radio system selection
`method by which information carriers are selected according
`to varying specified criteria;
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of broadcasting
`local carrier information to facilitate carrier selection by
`customers for a particular information transmission task;
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a handshake sequence for
`arranging information transmission using the omni-modal
`device of the present invention;
`FIG. 12 is a plan view of a modular implementation of the
`omni-modal radio communications circuit of the present
`invention installed in a cellular telephone;
`FIG. 13 is a plan view of a modular implementation of the
`omni-modal radio communications circuit of the present
`invention installed in a personal computer;
`FIG. 14 is a block schematic diagram showing a system
`for relaying paging signals to the omni-modal device of the
`present invention using a cellular telephone system; and
`FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a method of relaying
`paging signals to the omni-modal device of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`A preferred embodimentof a standardized radio process-
`ing circuit 1 is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Thestandardized
`radio processing circuit 1, shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B taken
`together, may be implemented on a single VLSI chip or on
`aset of VLSI chips making up a chipset. As will be seen,this
`chip or chipset provides a standard building block which can
`be used to make a plurality of consumer products that
`provide data transmission capability. As will be seen later
`with reference to FIGS. 2 through 8, by adding minimal
`external components to the standardized circuit 1, a wide
`variety of products can be produced. Also, as will be seen,
`the standardized circuit 1 can be advantageously imple-
`mented on a removable card with a standardized interface
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`connector or connectors, so that it can then be selectively
`inserted into and removed from a variety of devices to
`provide the devices with radio information transmission
`capability.
`In termsof the preferred functional and operational char-
`acteristics of circuit 1, it is particularly significant that this
`circuit provides a multi-modal or omni-modal communica-
`tions capability. Thatis, circuit 1 can be adjusted by the user,
`or automatically under stored program control, to transfer
`information overat least two different radio communications
`networks, and preferably all networksavailable in a particu-
`lar area within the frequency range of the transceiver of
`circuit 1.
`
`Examples of radio communications networks whichcir-
`cuit 1 may be designed to use include commercial paging
`networks; the U.S. cellular telephone network or Advanced
`Mobile Phone System (AMPS); alternative cellular tele-
`phone network standards such as the European standard;
`digitally modulated radiotelephone systems operating under
`various encoding techniques such as TDMA, CDMA,
`E-TDMA, and BCDMA; Cellular Digital Packet Data
`(CDPD); Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR);
`ARDIS; Personal Cellular Systems (PCS); RAM; global
`positioning systems; FM networks which transmit stock
`prices or other information on subcarriers; satellite-based
`networks; cordless landline telephones (such as 49 Mhz and
`particularly 900 Mhz systems); and wireless LAN systems.
`Preferably, circuit 1 is also designed to use the landline/
`public switched telephone network (PSTN).
`As anotherfeature, the omni-modal circuit 1 may perform
`local positioning calculations to accurately determine its
`location by monitoring precisely synchronized timing sig-
`nals which may be broadcast by cell sites for this purpose.
`If such timing signals were provided, the omni-modalcircuit
`1 could receive the signals, determinethe relative time delay
`in receiving at least three such signals from different trans-
`mitter locations, and triangulate to determine the distance of
`the omni-modal circuit to each of the transmitters. If the
`omni-modal circuit 1 is installed in a vehicle, this informa-
`tion may be used to determine the location of the vehicle.
`As will be seen, for each system which can be accessed
`by circuit 1, appropriate cross connections are provided
`between the radio circuit or landline interface, as selected,
`and voice or data sources and destinations. The appropriate
`cross connectionsare established under program control and
`include conversions between digital and analog signal forms
`at appropriate points in cases where a signal in one form is
`to be transmitted using a method for whicha different signal
`form is appropriate. The operating parameters of the trans-
`ceiver may be optimized by a digital signal processor for
`either voice or data transmission.
`
`In addition, a library of command, control and data
`transmission protocols appropriate for each supported sys-
`tem may be included in circuit 1, and the device can
`implementthe correct protocols by consulting a lookup table
`during transmissions to obtain the data channel protocols
`appropriate to the system selected. In another embodiment,
`the library of command, control, and data transmission
`protocols may be replaced, or supplemented, by information
`transmitted over the radio frequencies to the device by the
`carrier, or information downloaded from a hardwired con-
`nection to another device. Flash memory, EEPROMs, or
`non-volatile RAM canbe used to store program information,
`permitting replacementor updating of the operating instruc-
`tions used by the device.
`As examples,
`the library functions accessible by the
`device (and also by external devices which may call the
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`library functions) may include the following: Select RF
`modulation frequency; select RF modulation protocol; select
`data formatting/conditioning protocol; transmit data in input
`stream using selected network and protocol; select output;
`select input; select data/voice mode; answer call; generate
`DTMFtones and transmit on selected network; scan for
`control channels/available systems; obtain cost information
`for current selected system; obtain cost information for all
`systems; obtain operating quality information for current
`system; obtain operating quality information for all systems;
`request
`transmission channel
`in system; obtain signal
`strength for current channel; obtain signal strength for all
`active systems; and initiate a transmission on the selected
`network.
`
`FIG. 1A showsa block schematic diagram of a preferred
`embodiment of an omni-modal radio communication radio
`frequency (RF)circuit. In the example shown,the RF circuit
`includes antenna2, diplexer 4, amplifier 6, transmit mixer 8,
`receiver mixer 10, programmable local oscillator 12, modu-
`lation selector switches 14 and 16, analog detector-
`demodulator 18, digital demodulator 20, analog modulator
`22, digital modulator 24, voice grade channel output 26,
`digital output 28, voice grade channel input 30, and digital
`input 32.
`Voice grade channel output 26 is connected to analog
`detector-demodulator 18 and digital output 28 is connected
`to digital demodulator 20. Analog detector-demodulator 18
`and digital demodulator 20 are selectively connected to
`receiver mixer 10 through switch 14. Receiver mixer 10 is
`connected to both local oscillator 12 and diplexer 4.
`Diplexer 4 is connected to antenna 2. These components
`provide radio frequency receive circuitry that allows selec-
`tive reception and demodulation of both analog and digitally
`modulated radio signals.
`input 30 is connected to analog
`Voice grade channel
`modulator 22 and digital input 32 is connected to digital
`modulator 24. Analog modulator 22 and digital modulator
`24 are selectively connected to transmit mixer 8 through
`switch 16. Transmit mixer 8 is connected to both local
`
`oscillator 12 and amplifier 6. Amplifier 6 is connected to
`diplexer 4 and diplexer 4 is connected to antenna 2. These
`components comprise radio frequency transmit circuitry for
`selective transmission of analog or digitally modulated radio
`signals.
`The operation of the omni-modal radio communication
`RFcircuit shown in FIG. 1A will now be described in more
`detail. Antenna 2 serves to both receive and transmit radio
`
`signals. Antenna 2 is of a design suitable for the frequency
`presently being received or transmitted by the RF circuit. In
`the preferred embodiment, antenna 2 may be an antenna
`suitable for receiving and transmitting in a broad range
`about 900 Mhz. However, different antennas may be pro-
`vided to permit different
`transceiver ranges,
`including
`dipole, yagi, whip, micro-strip, slotted array, parabolic
`reflector, or horn antennas in appropriate cases.
`Diplexer 4 allows antenna 2 to receive broadcast radio
`signals and to transmit the received signals to the demodu-
`lators 18 and 20, and to allow modulated radio signals from
`modulators 22 and 24 to be transmitted over antenna 2.
`
`Diplexer 4 is designed so that signals received from ampli-
`fier 6 will be propagated only to antenna 2, while signals
`received from antenna 2 will only be propagated to receiver
`mixer 10. Diplexer 4 thus prevents powerful signals from
`amplifier 6 from overloading and destroying receiver mixer
`10 and demodulators 18 and 20.
`
`The receive path of the omni-modal RF circuit comprises
`receiver mixer 10, which is connected to, and receives an
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`input signal from, diplexer 4. Receiver mixer 10 also
`receives a reference frequency from local oscillator 12.
`Receiver mixer 10 converts the signal received from
`diplexer 4 to a lower frequency signal and outputs this
`intermediate frequency on output
`line 36 to switch 14.
`Switch 14 is connected through control line 38 to a micro-
`processor (not shown). Control line 38 selectively controls
`switch 14 to pass the intermediate frequency signal on
`output line 36 to either analog detector-demodulator 18 or to
`digital demodulator 20. This selection is controlled based
`upon the type of signal currently being received. For
`example, if the omni-modalcircuit 1 is tuned to an analog
`communication system, switch 14 would be connected to
`analog detector demodulator 18. If, however,
`the omni-
`modal circuit 1 is receiving a digital modulated signal,
`switch 14 would be in a state to allow an intermediate
`
`frequency on output line 36 to be transmitted to digital
`demodulator 20.
`
`Analog detector demodulator 18 receives analog signals
`through switch 14 from receiver mixer 10 on outputline 36.
`Analog detector demodulator converts the RF modulated
`signal received as an intermediate frequency into a voice
`grade channel or VGC. The voice grade channel may
`comprise an audio frequency spectrum going from approxi-
`mately 0 Hz to approximately 4 KHz. Analog detector
`demodulator 18 is designed for demodulation of analog
`radio frequency signals. For example, analog detector
`demodulator would be capable of demodulating a frequency
`modulated (FM)radio signals. Analog detector demodulator
`18 may also be capable of demodulating amplitude modu-
`lated (AM) radio signals.
`Digital demodulator 20 is designed to demodulate digital
`signals received from receiver mixer 10 through switch 14.
`Digital demodulator 20 is designed to demodulate digital
`signals such as, for example, pulse code modulation (PCM),
`time division multiple access (TDMA), code division mul-
`tiple access (CDMA), extended time division multiple
`access (E-TDMA)andbroad band code division multiple
`access (BCDMA)signals. The output 28 from digital
`demodulator 20 could consist of a digital bit stream.
`The transmit circuitry of the omni-modal RF circuit will
`now be described in detail. Analog voice grade channel
`signals can be received over analog input 30 which is
`connected to analog modulator 22. Analog modulator 22
`acts to modulate the received voice grade channel onto an
`intermediate frequency signal carrier. Analog modulator 22
`would be capable of modulating frequency modulation (FM)
`or amplitude modulation (AM)signals, for example.
`As can be seen in FIG. 1A, analog modulator 22 is
`connected to switch 16. The intermediate frequency output
`from analog modulator 22 on output line 42 is sent to switch
`16. Switch 16 is connected to a microprocessor (not shown)
`in a manner similar to switch 14 described above. Switch 16
`
`is capable of selectively connecting transmit mixer 8 to
`either analog modulator 22 or digital modulator 24. When
`switch 16 is connected to analog modulator 22 through
`output line 42, analog modulated signals are transmitted to
`transmit mixer8.
`
`Digital input can be received by the transmit portion of the
`RF modulator circuitry through digital input 32. Digital
`input 32 is connected to digital modulator 24 which acts to
`modulate the received digital data onto an intermediate
`frequency RFcarrier. Digital modulator 24 may preferably
`be capable of modulating the signal into a PCM, TDMA,
`E-TDMA, CDMA and BCDMAformat. The output 44 of
`digital modulator 24 is connected to switch 16. Switch 16
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`can be controlled through controlline 40 to select the digital
`modulated signal on output 44 andto selectively transmit
`that signal to transmit mixer 8.
`Transmit mixer 8 is connected to programmable local
`oscillator 12 which is capable of generating frequencies that
`coverthe frequency spectrum of the desired communication
`systems. Transmit mixer 8 operates in a manner well known
`in the art
`to convert
`the intermediate frequency signal
`received from switch 16 to a radio frequency for transmis-
`sion over a radio communication system. The output of
`transmit mixer 8 is connected to amplifier 6. Amplifier 6 acts
`to amplify the signal to insure adequate strength for the
`signal to be transmitted to the