System and method of unlicensed bi-directional communications over an ultra-high frequency (UHF) band reserved for licensed communications
View Patent ↗Systems and methods of unlicensed bi-directional communications over Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) band reserved for licensed communications are provided. A base transceiver station scans the UHF band to identify unused frequency bands. When an unused frequency band is detected, the base transceiver station transmits a tone indicating that the unused frequency band can be used for communicating with the base transceiver station. When the base transceiver station determines that the unused frequency band is being used, then the base transceiver station scans the UHF band to identify another unused frequency band for communications.
1. A method, comprising the acts of:
scanning an ultra-high frequency (UHF) band;
identifying whether there are frequency bands within the UHF frequency band suitable for transmitting information;
wherein when there are frequency bands within the UHF band suitable for transmitting the information, an unlicensed communication channel is established over one of the frequency bands suitable for transmitting the information, and
wherein when there are not frequency bands within the UHF band that are suitable for transmitting the information, a licensed communication channel is established over a second frequency band that is different than the UHF band.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assessing act comprises:
scanning a plurality of portions of the UHF band; and
determining whether a signal exists on each of the plurality of portions of the UHF frequency band.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a signal exists when a received signal strength indicator is greater than −120 dBm.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of portions of the UHF frequency band are scanned in 6 MHz steps.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sending a signal to another communication station over one of the frequency bands suitable for transmitting the information, wherein the signal indicates that the frequency band is suitable for transmitting information.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
establishing a session initiation protocol (SIP) session with another network entity over the unlicensed communication channel.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
periodically assessing the UHF band for suitability for transmitting information.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unlicensed communication channel has a bandwidth of 1.25 MHz.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second frequency band is a band licensed to a two-way wireless communication network operator.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the frequency bands within the UHF frequency band suitable for transmitting information are selected from frequency bands reserved for licensed television broadcasts.
11. A method, comprising the acts of:
scanning an ultra-high frequency (UHF) band;
determining whether one or more frequency bands within the UHF band are suitable for transmitting the information;
wherein when the one or more frequency bands within the UHF band are suitable for transmitting the information, selecting one of the frequency bands within the UHF band and transmitting a tone of the selected frequency band, and
wherein when the one or more frequency bands within the UHF band are not suitable for transmitting the information, a communication channel is established over a second frequency band that is not coextensive with the UHF band.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the determination of whether one or more frequency bands within the UHF band are suitable for transmitting the information is based on whether a received signal strength indicator is greater than −120 dBm.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of portions of the UHF frequency band are scanned in 6 MHz steps.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
transmitting the information over the communication channel established over the portion of the UHF band;
performing a power control technique; and
adjust a power of subsequent transmissions based on results of the power control technique.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
establishing the communication channel of over the selected frequency bands within the UHF band by establishing a session initiation protocol (SIP) session with a communication device.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the established communication channel has a bandwidth of 1.25 MHz.
17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
periodically determining whether the selected frequency band is unoccupied,
wherein when the selected frequency band is occupied, the UHF band is rescanned for suitability for transmitting information.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second frequency band is a band licensed to a two-way wireless communication network operator.