Enhancing signals in a two-way radio system
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the present invention can be used to enhance signals in a peer-to-peer radio system, such as a two-way radio system. In one embodiment, the invention includes receiving a communications signal on a channel from a remote radio at a radio using a plurality of antenna elements, such as an antenna array. The received communications signal includes a squelch code. The radio detects the squelch code, and enhances the received communications signal using the squelch code.
1. A method adapted for use in a receiver including a plurality of antenna elements, the method comprising:
detecting a squelch code in a first signal; and
enhancing a response of the receiver to said first signal in response to at least the squelch code by substantially nulling an interfering signal appearing on a same channel as the first signal;
wherein said substantially nulling the interfering signal comprises spatial processing by determining a set of spatial processing weights using the squelch code and combining the first signal according to the set of spatial processing weights; and
wherein the set of spatial processing weights is configured to represent at least one of a phase and amplitude adjustment of the first signal.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein combining the first signal according to the set of spatial processing weights includes combining the first signal according to the set of spatial processing weights to provide a combined signal related to the first signal.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein squelch code comprises a Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) sub-audible tone.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the squelch code comprises a Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) code word.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is compatible with a Personal Radio Service.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the Personal Radio Service is selected from a group consisting of 218-219 MHz service, a Citizens Band service, a Family Radio Service, a General Mobile Radio Service, a Low Power Radio Service, a Medical Implant Communications Service, and a Wireless Medical Telemetry Service.
7. A computer readable medium having stored thereon data representing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a receiver adapted to receive a first signal, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
detecting a squelch code in said first signal;
enhancing a response of the receiver to said first signal in response to at least the squelch code by substantially nulling an interfering signal appearing on a same channel as the first signal; and
spatial processing to determine a set of spatial processing weights using the squelch code and to combine the first signal according to the set of spatial processing weights;
wherein the set of spatial processing weights is configured to represent at least one of a phase and amplitude adjustment of the first signal.
8. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to combine the first signal according to the set of spatial processing weights to provide a combined signal related to the first signal.
9. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein squelch code comprises a Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) sub-audible tone.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the squelch code comprises a Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) code word.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the receiver is compatible with a Personal Radio Service.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the Personal Radio Service is selected from a group consisting of 218-219 MHz service, a Citizens Band service, a Family Radio Service, a General Mobile Radio Service, a Low Power Radio Service, a Medical Implant Communications Service, and a Wireless Medical Telemetry Service.
13. A system comprising:
a plurality of radios means capable of two-way communications, at least a first radio means including a plurality of antenna elements, said at least first radio means including:
means for detecting a squelch code in a first signal;
means for enhancing a response of the at least first radio to said first signal in response to at least the squelch code by substantially nulling an interfering signal appearing on a same channel as the first signal; and
means for spatial processing adapted to determine a set of spatial processing weights using the squelch code and adapted to combine the first signal according to the set of spatial processing weights to provide a combined signal related to the first signal;
wherein the set of spatial processing weights is configured to represent at least one of a phase and amplitude adjustment of the first signal.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein squelch code comprises a Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) sub-audible tone.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the squelch code comprises a Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) code word.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the receiver is compatible with a Personal Radio Service.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the Personal Radio Service is selected from a group consisting of 218-219 MHz service, a Citizens Band service, a Family Radio Service, a General Mobile Radio Service, a Low Power Radio Service, a Medical Implant Communications Service, and a Wireless Medical Telemetry Service.