Channel preselection method for a RF communication system

1. Channel entering method for a RF communication system, in particular an indoor network, comprising a plurality of subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn, n 3 2), each of said subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn) having a transmitter and a receiver, whereby information can be exchanged between said subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn) using respective transmitters and receivers and a plurality of channels are available for RF communication in said RF communication system, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a first set of communication reference parameters (I 1 , M 1 );

b) using said first set of communication reference parameters (I 1 , M 1 ) to test a first group of channels (C 1 to Cm, m 3 2) of said plurality of channels for RF communication between a first and a second subscriber station (Sx, Sy; 1 £ x £ n, 1 £ y £ n) of said plurality of subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn);

characterized by the further steps of:

c) providing, if for said RF communication between said first and said second subscriber station (Sx, Sy) no channel of said first group of channels (C 1 to Cm) meets said first set of communication reference parameters (I 1 , M 1 ), a second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 );

d) using said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ) to test a second group of channels (C* 1 to C*m, m 3 2) for said RF communication between said first and said second subscriber station (Sx, Sy), wherein said second group of channels (C* 1 to C*m) comprises said first group of channels (C 1 to Cm) at least partially;

e) entering one channel (C*x, 1 £ x £ m) of said second group of channels (C* 1 to C*m) tested in step d), if for said RF communication between said first and said second subscriber station (Sx, Sy) said channel (C*x) meets said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 );

wherein RF communication between said first and said second subscriber stations (Sx, Sy) based on said first set of communication reference parameters (I 1 , M 1 ) is of higher quality as compared to RF communication between said first and said second subscriber station (Sx, Sy) based on said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ).

2. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said method comprises the further step of:

f) sending acquisition information from said first subscriber station (Sx) to other subscriber stations (S 1 , . . . , Sx−1,Sx+1, . . . Sn) of said plurality of subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn) in said RF communication system, to indicate that said channel (C*x) meeting said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ) is entered for said RF communication between said first and said second subscriber station (Sx, Sy).

3. Channel entering method for a RF communication system, in particular an indoor network, comprising a plurality of subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn, n 3 2), each of said subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn) having a transmitter and a receiver, whereby information can be exchanged between said subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn) using respective transmitters and receivers and a plurality of channels available for RF communication in said RF communication system, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least a first set of communication reference parameters (I 1 , M 1 ) and a second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 );

b) using said first and second set of communication reference parameters (I 1 , M 1 ) to test a group of channels (C 1 to Cm, m 3 2) of said plurality of channels for RF communication between a first and a second subscriber station (Sx, Sy; 1 £ x £ n, 1 £ y £ n) of said plurality of subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn) in order to check whether a channel meets the condition of the first set of communication reference parameters and if not, whether it meets the second set of communication reference parameters;

c) sorting the available channels in accordance whether they meet the first or second set of communication reference parameters;

d) entering one channel (C*x, 1 £ x £ m) of said available channels (C* 1 to C*m) tested in step b), in accordance to the sorting order;

wherein RF communication between said first and said second subscriber stations (Sx, Sy) based on said first set of communication reference parameters (I 1 , M 1 ) is of higher quality as compared to RF communication between said first and said second subscriber station (Sx, Sy) based on said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ).

4. Method according to claim 3 , characterized in that said method comprises the further step off:

e) sending acquisition information from said first subscriber station (Sx) to other subscriber stations (S 1 , . . . ,Sx−1,Sx+1, . . . Sn) of said plurality of subscriber stations (S 1 to Sn) in said RF communication system, if said channel (C*x) meets said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ), only to indicate that said channel (C*x) meeting said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ) is entered for said RF communication between said first and said second subscriber station (Sx, Sy).

5. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that in case that none of the available channels meet the first set of communication reference parameters, but some of the available channels meet the second set of communication reference parameters, the interference values are measured and classified and that the channel with the lowest interference value is entered for communication.

6. Method according to claim 1 wherein said step d) comprises the steps of:

storing data identifying at least two of said second group of channels (C* 1 to C*m), each of said at least two channels meeting said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ); and

selecting one (C*x) of said at least two channels; and

entering said one (C*x) of said at least two channels for RF communication between said first and said second subscriber station (Sx, Sy).

7. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said first and said second set of communication reference parameters comprising a first interference reference value (I 1 ) and/or a first margin (M 1 ) and a second interference reference value (I 2 ) and/or a second margin (M 2 ), respectively.

8. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said acquisition information comprises information on said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ).

9. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said channel entering step is performed as a provisional channel selection, said channel (C*x) is used for a set-up RF communication between said first subscriber station (Sx) and said second subscriber station (Sy), and said provisional channel selection is accepted by selecting said channel (C*x) for further RF communication, if within said set-up RF communication said second subscriber station (Sy) communicates to said first subscriber station (Sx), that said channel (C*x) meeting said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ) is sufficient for further RF communication between said first and said second subscriber stations (Sx, Sy).

10. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that, before said step of entering said channel, a third set of communication reference parameters is provided, and said third set of communication reference parameters is used for testing said first and/or said second group of channels (C 1 to Cm, C* 1 to C*m), wherein said RF communication between said first and said second subscriber stations (Sx, Sy) based on said second set of communication reference parameters (I 2 , M 2 ) is of higher quality as compared to RF communication between said first and said second subscriber stations (Sx, Sy) based on said third set of communication reference parameters.

11. Method according to claim 10 , characterized in that, said third set of communication reference parameters comprising a third interference reference value and/or a third margin.

12. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said RF communication between said first and said second subscriber stations (Sx, Sy) comprising wireless communication.

13. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said RF communication between said first and said second subscriber stations (Sx, Sy) comprising wireline communication.