ES2362553T3 - SATELLITE INTERLOCK SYSTEMS / HANDS-FREE AND / OR COMPLEMENTARY DEVICES FOR RADIOTERMINALS AND RELATED METHODS. - Google Patents

Abstract

A radio terminal comprising: a transceiver (124) that is configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications; a user interface (128) that is selectively configurable in at least one speaker mode, a push-to-send mode and / or a push-to-talk mode and a mode near or close to a user's ear; and a satellite interlock (126), in which the satellite interlock is configured to prevent the transceiver (124) from transmitting communications with a power and / or an EIRP greater than or equal to a threshold for space-based communications and for allow the transceiver (124) to transmit communications with a power and / or an EIRP less than or equal to a threshold for terrestrial wireless communications in response to the user interface (128) that is configured in the mode near or near the user's ear, and wherein the satellite interlock can be configured to allow the transceiver (124) to transmit communications with a power and / or an EIRP greater than or equal to the threshold for space-based communications in response to the user interface (128 ) which is set to speaker mode, press to send mode and / or press to talk mode.

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to radio terminal communication systems and methods, and more particularly to terrestrial cellular and satellite cellular radio terminal communication systems and methods.

Background of the invention

Satellite communications systems and methods are widely used for wireless communications. Satellite communications systems and methods generally use at least one space-based component, such as one or more satellites, that is configured to communicate wirelessly with a plurality of satellite radio terminals.

A satellite radio-terminal communications system or method may use a single pattern (beam) of satellite antennas that covers the entire area in which the system serves. Alternatively, in radio satellite terminal radio communication systems and methods, multiple antenna patterns (beams or cells) are available, each of which can substantially service different geographic areas throughout the service area, to collectively service to a total stamp of satellite service. In this way, a cellular architecture similar to that used in systems and usual methods of terrestrial cellular radioterminals / PCS can be implemented in systems and methods based on cellular satellites. The satellite typically communicates with radio terminals via a two-way communication path, the radio terminal communication signals communicating from the satellite to the radio terminal via a downlink or forward link, and from the radio terminal to the satellite via an uplink or a link return.

The overall design and operation of cellular satellite radio terminal systems and methods are well known to those skilled in the art, and need not be further described herein. In addition, as used in this description, the term "radioterminal" includes cellular and / or satellite radioterminals, with or without a multi-line display; personal communications system (PCS) terminals that can combine a radio terminal with data processing, facsimile and / or data communications capabilities; personal digital assistants (PDAs) that may include a radio frequency transceiver and / or a pager, Internet / Intranet access, a web page browser, an organizer, an agenda and / or a global location system (GPS) receiver; and / or usual portable and / or pocket computers or other devices, which include a radio frequency transceiver. As used in this description, the term "radioterminal" also includes any other device / equipment / radiant user source, which may have geographical coordinates that are time-variable or fixed, and which may be portable, portable, installed in a vehicle. (aeronautical, maritime or land-based), or located and / or configured to operate locally and / or distributed in any other position or positions on land and / or in space using any frequency or frequencies. A radio terminal may also be referred to herein as "radiotelephone", "terminal" or "wireless user device".

A terrestrial network can improve the availability, performance and / or economic viability of a cellular satellite radio terminal system by using and / or reusing terrestrial mode at least part of a frequency band that is allocated to a radio terminal system or systems of cellular satellite and / or used by them. In particular, it is known that it may be difficult for a cellular satellite radio terminal system to reliably service densely populated areas, since a satellite signal may be blocked by high ceiling structures and / or may not penetrate buildings As a consequence, a satellite spectrum may be underused or not used in such areas. Terrestrial reuse of at least some of the frequencies of the cellular satellite system can reduce or eliminate this potential problem.

The capacity of a hybrid system, which comprises connectivity of terrestrial and satellite communications and that is configured to use and / or reuse terrestrial mode at least some frequencies of a satellite band, may be greater than a corresponding system of only satellites, since the reuse of terrestrial frequencies can be much more intense than that of the satellite-only system. In fact, capacity can be improved where it is most needed, that is, in densely populated urban / industrial / commercial areas where the connectivity / signal or signals of a satellite-only system may be unreliable. As a consequence, a hybrid system (satellite / terrestrial cell phone) that is configured to reuse terrestrial mode at least some of the frequencies of the satellite band may become more economically viable, as it may be able to service more efficiently and more reliably to a larger subscriber base.

An example of terrestrial reuse of satellite band frequencies is described in US Pat. No. 5,937,332, of the present inventor Karabinis, entitled Satellite Telecommunications Repeaters and Retransmission Methods. As described herein, satellite telecommunications repeaters are available that receive, amplify and retransmit locally, to one or more radio terminals, downlink signals received at the satellite telecommunications repeater or repeaters from a satellite and also receive, amplify and retransmit, to the satellite, uplink signals received at the satellite telecommunications repeater or repeaters from one or more radio terminals, thereby increasing the effective downlink and uplink range in the proximity of the satellite telecommunications repeater or repeaters and allowing an increase in the penetration of uplink and downlink signals in buildings, foliage, transport vehicles and other objects that can reduce the margin of the links. Both portable and non-portable repeaters are available. See the summary of US Pat. No. 5,937,332.

Satellite radio terminals for a satellite radio terminal system or method, which have terrestrial communications capability by reusing terrestrial mode at least some of the satellite frequency band and using substantially the same air interface for both terrestrial and satellite communications, can be more economically effective and / or more aesthetically attractive than other alternatives. Conventional alternatives of dual-band / dual-mode radio terminals, such as the Thuraya, Iridium and / or Globalstar satellite / terrestrial dual-mode radio terminals, duplicate some components (as a consequence of the different frequency bands and / or the different air interface protocols that are used for satellite and terrestrial communications, respectively), which can lead to an increase in costs, size and / or weight of the radio terminal. See US Pat. No. 6,052,560, by the present inventor Karabinis, entitled Satellite System Utilizing a Plurality of Air Interface Standards and Method Employing Same (Satellite system using a plurality of air interface standards and method using it).

US Patent No. 6,684,057, of the present inventor Karabinis, and entitled Systems and Methods for Terrestrial Reuse of Cellular Satellite Frequency Spectrum, describes that a frequency of Satellite can be reused terrestrially by an auxiliary or secondary terrestrial network, even within the same satellite cell, using interference cancellation techniques. In particular, a system according to some embodiments of US Pat. No. 6,684,057 includes a space-based component that is configured to receive wireless communications from a first radiotelephone on a satellite pattern by a frequency band of satellite radiotelephones, and an auxiliary or secondary terrestrial network that is configured to receive communications wireless from a second radiotelephone on the satellite pattern by the frequency band of satellite radiotelephones. The space-based component also receives wireless communications from the second radiotelephone in the satellite pattern by the satellite radio frequency band as interference, together with the wireless communications received from the first radio telephone in the satellite pattern by the frequency band of satellite radiotelephones. An interference reducer is sensitive to the space-based component and to the auxiliary or secondary terrestrial network, which is configured to reduce interference from wireless communications that are received by the space-based component from the first radiotelephone in the satellite pattern. by the satellite radio frequency band, using the wireless communications that are received by the auxiliary or secondary terrestrial network from the second radiotelephone on the satellite pattern by the satellite radio frequency band.

Satellite radio terrestrial communications systems and methods that can use the terrestrial reuse of satellite frequencies are also described in published U.S. patent applications US 2003/0054760 by Karabinis, entitled Systems and Methods for Terrestrial Reuse of Cellular Satellite Frequency Spectrum (Systems and methods for terrestrial reuse of the frequency spectrum of cellular satellites); US 2003/0054761, by Karabinis, entitled Spatial Guardbands for Terrestrial Reuse of Satellite Frequencies (Space protection bands for terrestrial reuse of satellite frequencies); US 2003/0054814, by Karabinis et al., Entitled Systems and Methods for Monitoring Terrestrially Reused Satellite Frequencies to Reduce Potential Interference (Systems and methods for monitoring reused satellite frequencies in terrestrial mode to reduce potential interference); US 2003/0073436, by Karabinis et al., Entitled

Additional Systems and Methods for Monitoring Terrestrially Reused Satellite Frequencies to Reduce Potential Interference (Additional systems and methods to monitor reused satellite frequencies in terrestrial mode to reduce potential interference); US 2003/0054762, by Karabinis, entitled Multi-band / Multi-Mode Satellite Radiotelephone Communications Systems and Methods (Multiband / multimode satellite radiotelephone communications systems and methods); US 2003/0153267, by Karabinis, entitled Wireless Communications Systems and Methods Using Satellite-Linked Remote Terminal Interface Subsystems (remote satellite terminal interface subsystems); US 2003/0224785, by Karabinis, entitled Systems and Methods for Reducing Satellite Feeder Link Bandwidth / Carriers In Cellular Satellite Systems (Systems and methods for reducing bandwidths / carriers of satellite feeder links in cellular satellite systems); US 2002/0041575, by Karabinis et al., Entitled Coordinated Satellite-Terrestrial Frequency Reuse; US 2002/0090942, by Karabinis et al., Entitled Integrated or Autonomous System and Method of Satellite-Terrestrial Frequency Reuse Using Signal Attenuation and / or Blockage, Dynamic Assignment of Frequencies and / or Hysteresis. satellite-terrestrial frequencies that use signal attenuation and / or blocking, dynamic frequency assignment and / or hysteresis); US 2003/0068978, by Karabinis et al., Entitled Space-Based Network Architectures for Satellite Radiotelephone Systems (Space-based network architectures for satellite radiotelephone systems); U.S. Patent No. 6,785,543, by Karabinis, entitled Filters for Combined Radiotelephonel / GPS Terminals (Filters for combined radiotelephone / GPS terminals); US 2003/0153308, by Karabinis, entitled Staggered Sectorization for Terrestrial Reuse of Satellite Frequencies; and US 2003/0054815, by Karabinis, entitled Methods and Systems for Modifying Satellite Antenna Cell Patterns In Response to Terrestrial Reuse of Satellite Frequencies (Methods and systems for modifying satellite antenna cell patterns, in response to terrestrial frequency reuse of satelite).

Some satellite radio terminal communication systems and methods may use satellites that use multiple bands for radio terminal communications. For example, Karabinis US Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0054762, cited above, describes satellite radio terminal systems and communications methods that include a space-based component that is configured to communicate with radio terminals in a stamp of satellites that is divided into satellite cells. The space-based component is configured to communicate with a first radio terminal in a first satellite cell over a first frequency band and / or a first air interface, and to communicate with a second radio terminal in the first or second satellite cell by a second frequency band and / or a second air interface. An auxiliary or secondary terrestrial network is also provided that is configured to communicate terrestrially with the first radio terminal substantially by the first frequency band and / or substantially by the first air interface, and to communicate terrestrially with the second radio terminal substantially by the second frequency band and / or substantially by the second air interface. See the summary of US Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0054762.

WO02 / 05443 describes a mobile terminal used in a wireless communications system, in which the user's head is detected to limit the transmitted power if the mobile terminal is close to the human body.

EP0835033 describes a portable mobile satellite telephone terminal having an antenna attached to an antenna deployment element for deploying the antenna to be vertical to the surface of the back side of the mobile phone terminal housing when the telephone is used. .

Compendium

According to embodiments of the present invention, a radio terminal may include a transceiver, a portable interface coupled to the transceiver, and an interlock coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver can be configured to transmit and receive wireless communications. More specifically, the transceiver may be configured to transmit high power communications, with a power and / or an equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) greater than or equal to a high power threshold, and / or a high maximum power and / or a EIRP level, and for transmitting low power communications, with a power and / or an EIRP less than or equal to a low power threshold and / or a low maximum power and / or EIRP level. In addition, the interlock can be configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting high power communications, with a power and / or an EIRP greater than or equal to the high power threshold when the portable interface is activated. In other embodiments, the interlock may be configured to allow the transceiver to transmit high power communications with a power and / or an EIRP greater than or equal to the high power threshold when the portable interface is activated and used selectively in a mode of press to send [ie, press to talk (PTT)] of the satellite and / or data mode. The low power threshold and the high power threshold may be the same power threshold, or the low power threshold may be greater or less than the high power threshold.

More specifically, the portable interface may include a built-in speaker that is configured to provide an audio output corresponding to wireless communications received by the transceiver when the portable interface is activated. The portable interface may also include a built-in display and / or a numeric keypad that are configured to provide output and / or data entry corresponding to the wireless communications received and / or to be transmitted by the transceiver. The interlock may also be configured to allow the transceiver to transmit low power communications at a power and / or an EIRP that are less than or equal to the low power threshold when the portable interface is activated.

More particularly, the transceiver may be configured to provide space-based communications and wireless terrestrial communications, and to transmit high power communications at a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold for communications based on the space and to transmit low power communications to a power and / or an EIRP that are less than or equal to the low power threshold or to transmit high power communications to a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high threshold power for terrestrial communications. In addition, the transceiver may include a low power transmission amplifier that is configured to amplify low power communications that are transmitted to a power and / or an EIRP that are less than or equal to the low power threshold and a power transmission amplifier. high power that is configured to amplify high power communications that are transmitted to a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold. Consequently, the interlock can be configured to disable the high power transmission amplifier when the portable interface is activated. In some embodiments, the low power transmission amplifier and the high power transmission amplifier may be the same amplifier, which is configured to include a low power transmission mode and a high power transmission mode.

In addition, a hands-free interface may be coupled to the transceiver, and the interlock may be further configured to allow the transceiver to transmit high power communications at a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold when the Hands-free interface is activated. The hands-free interface, for example, may include a coupling for a remote headset and / or a speaker, and the coupling for the remote headset and / or speaker may include a wired and / or unbound link. In addition or in an alternative, the coupling for the remote earpiece and / or speaker may include an interface for a cradle configured to receive the radio terminal and to couple it to a remote speaker. In another alternative, the hands-free interface may include a speaker interface. In other embodiments, the portable interface and / or the radio terminal may include an antenna comprising a radiating element that can be selectively located at a distance from the portable interface and / or the radio terminal, and the interlocking may be configured to allow the transceiver transmit low power communications to a power and / or an EIRP that are less than or equal to the low power threshold or high power communications to a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold when the radiating element is located at a substantially predetermined distance from the portable interface and / or the radio terminal or is located at a distance that is greater than the predetermined distance from the portable interface and / or the radio terminal, and low power communications at a power and / or an EIRP that are less than or equal to the low power threshold when the radiating element is located at a distance from the interface portable and / or the radio terminal which is substantially less than the predetermined distance.

An interface can be provided for a complementary transmission device, in which the interface is configured to provide high power communications so that the complementary transmission device transmits high power communications from the complementary transmission device to a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold when the portable interface is activated. The interface comprises a wireless interface and / or a wired interface. The complementary transmission device may be configured to be operatively fixed and coupled to the portable interface and / or the radio terminal and may also be configured to be selectively separated from the portable interface and / or the radio terminal and operatively coupled to the portable and / or radio terminal interface. In addition, a radio terminal antenna may be coupled to the transceiver, and the complementary device may include a complementary device antenna. In addition, the gain of the complementary device antenna may be greater than the gain of the radio terminal antenna. In some embodiments, the complementary device antenna is configured to radiate substantially polarized electromagnetic energy in a circle and the radio terminal antenna is configured to radiate with a polarization that is substantially the same or different if compared to the polarization of electromagnetic energy that is radiated. by the complementary device antenna. In addition or in an alternative, the transceiver may include a transmission amplifier inside the radio terminal, and the complementary device may include a transmission amplifier outside the radio terminal, which may be inside the complementary device. In addition, a power level, such as a maximum power level, of the transmission amplifier outside the radio terminal, which may be within the complementary device, may be greater than a power level, such as a maximum power level, of the transmission amplifier inside the radio terminal.

A hands-free interface may also be coupled to the transceiver, and the interlock may be configured to provide a user notification for the purpose of activating the hands-free interface, in response to a request to transmit high power communications when the portable interface is active The interlock may also be configured to allow the transceiver to transmit high power communications at a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold, in response to the activation of the hands-free interface. In addition, the interlock can be configured to allow the transceiver, for a period of time after the request, to transmit high power communications, and before the activation of the hands-free interface, when the portable interface is activated.

An interface for a complementary transmission device may also be provided, and the interlocking may be configured to provide a user notification in order to activate the interface for the complementary transmission device, in response to a request to transmit high power communications when The portable interface is active. The interlock may also be configured to provide high power communications via the interface for the complementary transmission device to transmit high power communications from the complementary transmission device, in response to the activation of the interface for the complementary transmission device. . The interlock can also be configured to allow the transceiver, for a period of time in which the portable interface is activated after the request, to transmit high-power communications, and before the activation of the interface for the complementary transmission device .

According to further embodiments of the present invention, methods can be provided for operating a radio terminal that includes a transceiver configured to transmit high power communications, with a power and / or an EIRP greater than or equal to a high power threshold, and to transmit low power communications, with a power and / or an EIRP less than or equal to the low power threshold, and that includes a portable interface. More specifically, the method may include allowing the transceiver to transmit low power communications, with a power and / or an EIRP less than the low power threshold, when the portable interface is activated. The transceiver may be prevented from transmitting high power communications, with a power and / or an EIRP greater than or equal to the high power threshold, when the portable interface is activated.

The portable interface may include a built-in speaker that is configured to provide an audio output adjacent to a user's ear, corresponding to the wireless communications received by the transceiver when the portable interface is activated.

The transceiver may be configured to provide space-based communications and wireless terrestrial communications, and the transceiver may be configured to transmit high power communications at a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold for communications based in space and to transmit low power communications to a power and / or an EIRP that are less than or equal to the low power threshold for terrestrial communications. The transceiver may include a low power transmission amplifier that is configured to amplify low power communications and a high power transmission amplifier that is configured to amplify high power communications. Accordingly, preventing the transceiver from transmitting high power communications when the portable interface is activated may include disabling the high power transmission amplifier when the portable interface is activated.

The radio terminal may also include a hands-free interface coupled to the transceiver, and the transceiver may be enabled to transmit high power communications to a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold when the hands-free interface it's activated. The hands-free interface may include a coupling for a remote headset and / or speaker, and / or a speaker interface. The radio terminal may also include an interface for a complementary transmission device and high power communications may be provided via the interface to the complementary transmission device for transmission with a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the threshold of High power when the portable interface is activated.

The radio terminal may include a hands-free interface coupled to the transceiver, and a user notification may be provided for the purpose of activating the hands-free interface, in response to a request to transmit high power communications when the portable interface is active. The transceiver may be enabled to transmit high power communications to a power and / or an EIRP that are greater than or equal to the high power threshold, in response to the activation of the hands-free interface. After the request to transmit high power communications and before activation of the hands-free interface, the transceiver may also be enabled to transmit high power communications for a period of time in which the portable interface is active.

The radio terminal may include an interface for a complementary transmission device that may be remote from the radio terminal, and a user notification may be provided in order to activate the interface for the complementary transmission device, in response to a request to transmit high communications power when the portable interface is active. High power communications can be provided through the interface for the complementary transmission device to transmit them, in response to the activation of the interface for the complementary transmission device. In addition, the transceiver may be enabled for a period of time in which the portable interface is activated, after the request to transmit high power communications and before the activation of the interface for the complementary transmission device.

In accordance with further additional embodiments of the present invention, a radio terminal may include a transceiver, a hands-free interface, and a satellite / hands-free interlock. The transceiver can be configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications, and the satellite / hands-free interlock can be configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting space-based communications unless the hands-free interface is activated. The hands-free interface, for example, may include a coupling or hitch for a remote headset and / or speaker interface.

In addition, a portable interface can be provided, and the interlock can be further configured to prevent the transceiver from transmitting space-based communications when the portable interface is activated. The portable interface, for example, may include a built-in speaker that is configured to provide an audio output adjacent to a user's ear, corresponding to wireless communications received by the transceiver when the portable interface is activated. In addition, satellite / hands-free interlocking may be configured to provide a user notification for the purpose of activating the hands-free interface, in response to a request to transmit space-based communications when the portable interface is activated. The satellite / hands-free interlock can also be configured to allow the transceiver, for a period of time after the request, to transmit space-based communications, without activating the hands-free interface when the portable interface is activated. In addition, the satellite / hands-free interlock can be configured to allow the transceiver to transmit terrestrial communications when the portable interface is activated.

According to other additional embodiments of the present invention, methods for operating a radio terminal which includes a transceiver configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications, and which includes a hands-free interface can be provided. The method may include allowing the transceiver to transmit terrestrial communications when the hands-free interface is not activated, and that the transceiver is prevented from transmitting space-based communications, unless the hands-free interface is activated. For example, the hands-free interface may include a coupling for a remote headset and / or a speaker interface.

 In addition, the transceiver may be prevented from transmitting space-based communications when a portable interface is activated. The portable interface, for example, may include a built-in speaker that is configured to provide an audio output corresponding to wireless communications received by the transceiver when the portable interface is activated. In addition, a user notification may be provided for the purpose of activating the hands-free interface, in response to a request to transmit space-based communications when the portable interface is activated. In addition, the transceiver, for a period of time after the request, can be allowed to transmit space-based communications, without the activation of the hands-free interface, when the portable interface is activated. In addition, the transceiver can be allowed to transmit terrestrial communications when the portable interface is activated.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating communication systems according to embodiments of the present. invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating radiotherminals according to embodiments of the present. invention. Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating operations of the radio terminals according to embodiments of the present invention Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating communication systems according to embodiments of the present invention Figures 5a and 5b are block diagrams illustrating radioterminals and complementary devices. according to further embodiments of the present invention. Figures 6 and 7 are flow charts illustrating operations of radioterminals according to more Additional embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed description

The present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention can, however, be carried out in many different ways and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this description is thorough and complete, and fully expresses the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout it, similar numbers refer to similar elements.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, fourth, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, said elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, for example, a first element in what follows could be called second, third or fourth element, and similarly, a second element could be called first, third or fourth element, etc., without leaving the teachings of the present invention. As used in this description, the expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items that are associated. The symbol "/" also represents an abbreviated notation for "and / or". In addition, as used herein, "substantially the same" band or bands means that one or more bands described / compared substantially overlap, but that there may be some areas without overlapping, for example, at their ends. In addition, "substantially the same" air interface or interfaces means that two or more air interfaces described / compared are similar, but do not have to be identical. There may be some differences between the two or more air interfaces to take into account, for example, different characteristics and / or different quality of service (QoS) objectives of two or more respective systems, such as, for example, the different characteristics and / or the different QoS objectives between terrestrial systems and satellite systems. For example, different respective frequencies of a voice encoder ("vocoder") can be used for satellite communications and for terrestrial communications (for example, a voice encoder frequency of 13 or a 16 kbps can be used for land communications and you can use a voice encoder frequency of 4 or a 2 kbps for satellite communications). In addition, a different send error correction coding, a different interlacing depth and / or different spread spectrum codes (e.g., Walsh codes, long codes and / or frequency hopping codes) can be used for communications via satellite, compared to respective parameters / quantities / algorithms that can be used for terrestrial communications. In addition, "substantially the same" frequency bands means that the frequency bands that are compared include a common set of frequencies, but some frequencies included in at least one of the bands may be different (not common). In general, "X and Y are substantially the same" means that X and Y have / share a plurality of identical and / or similar parameters and / or characteristics, but X and Y may differ by at least one parameter and / or characteristic.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be connected or coupled directly to the other element or intermediate elements that may be present. In addition, "connected" or "coupled," as used herein, may include connected or coupled wirelessly. The terminology used herein is only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in this description, the singular forms "a", "a" and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "includes", "comprises", "including" and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of properties, sets, steps, operations, elements and / or indicated components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more properties, assemblies, stages, operations, elements, different components, and / or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as that commonly known to the person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It will also be understood that certain terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted with a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technique and the present description, and will not be interpreted with an idealized or excessively meaningful sense. formal, unless expressly defined in this way in this report.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of satellite radio terminal communication systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, a space-based network (SBN) includes one or more space-based components (SBC), such as a satellite 110 that is configured to communicate with a plurality of radio terminals 120 in a print 112 of satellites An auxiliary or secondary terrestrial network (ATN), which includes one or more secondary terrestrial components (ATC) 130, is also configured to communicate with radio terminals 120. The auxiliary or secondary terrestrial network may be geographically separated from the satellite pattern and / or it may be contained, at least partially, within the satellite print 112. In some embodiments of the invention, communications between the satellite or satellites 110 and the radio terminals 120 by a forward link 111 of satellites and a return link 114 of satellites, and between the secondary terrestrial component or components 130 and the radio terminals 120 by a forward link 132 of the secondary terrestrial component and a return link 134 of the secondary terrestrial component can be provided using substantially the same satellite frequency band or bands and / or substantially the same air interface or interfaces.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the space-based network may use one or more satellites 110 that can have a relatively small and, therefore, relatively low gain antenna. For example, approximately one antenna six meters in diameter, approximately one antenna 9 meters in diameter or approximately one antenna 12 meters in diameter may be arranged at least on one of the satellites 110. As a consequence, the antenna gain and / or the output level of the power amplifier of the satellite / ATC radio terminal 120 can be increased, when the radio terminal 120 is in communication with the satellite 110, in relation to the antenna gain and / or the output level of the power amplifier of the radio terminal 120, when the radio terminal is in communication with the secondary terrestrial component 130. In this way, as shown in Figure 1, the power level P1 transmitted on the return link 114 of satellites can be increased to be higher that the power level P2 transmitted on the return link 134 of the secondary terrestrial component. Expressed in another way, P1> P2. Since the radio terminal 120 may radiate at a higher equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) in satellite mode relative to the radio terminal EIRP in ATC mode, the radio terminal 120 may not maintain a desired specific absorption rate (SAR) criterion, which may be imposed by regulations and / or safety issues, when evaluated in satellite mode and in accordance with substantially the same operating configuration as in ATC mode (that is, staying next / next / adjacent to a user's head and / or a specified distance from it).

Referring now to Figure 2, some embodiments of the present invention may provide a satellite / ATC radio terminal 120 that includes a satellite / handsfree interlock 126 that is configured to prevent a transceiver 124 and / or an antenna 122 of the radio terminal 120 transmits substantially in satellite mode, unless a hands-free interface 128 of radio terminal 120 is activated. As is well known to those skilled in the art, a hands-free interface 128 may comprise a wired headset and microphone, a speaker interface, a cradle and / or any other usual hands-free cable-connected interface and / or unbound. A hands-free unbound interface can use a network communications technique via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WiMax, infrared, ultraviolet and / or other wireless communications technique from local area (and / or personal area) to licensed frequencies and / or without a license.

Accordingly, to reduce or substantially eliminate the probability that a user communicates via satellite 110 while holding the radio terminal 120 close to his ear, the radio terminal 120 may be configured so that when in the active satellite mode and a channel of communications has been attributed to the radio terminal 120 by the satellite system, the radio terminal remains unable to transmit substantially, unless a hands-free mode is activated in the radio terminal 120.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the radio terminal 120 of Figure 2 may also have other usual components, including a data processor such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, radio frequency components, a man-machine interface and / or others. usual components. For example, satellite / hands-free interlocking 126 can be provided, at least in part, by a stored program that runs on a data processor that operates, for example, periodically or not periodically and / or in response to interruptions, in response to the man-machine interface and / or at least one signal received at the radio terminal and / or at least one signal transmitted by the radio terminal. Combinations of software and / or other hardware can also be used to implement satellite / hands-free interlock 126.

Figure 3 is a flow chart of operations that can be performed to provide a satellite / hands-free interlock, such as the satellite / hands-free interlock 126 of Figure 2, according to various embodiments of the present invention. Referring to Figure 3, a determination is made in block 310 of whether a communication channel request has been made in satellite mode. The request in satellite mode may be based on a request of user radio terminals to use the satellite mode and / or a system request to use the satellite mode for the purpose of initiating communications and / or for transferring the user radio terminal of ATC mode and / or cellular mode / PCS to satellite mode.

Referring still to Figure 3, if a request is made in satellite mode in block 310, then, in block 320, a test is performed to see if the hands-free operation of the radio terminal is active. Hands-free operation can be detected in block 320 by detecting, for example, that a microphone and / or headset connected by cable and / or unbound have been inserted into an appropriate female terminal / interface of the radio terminal and / or are connected operationally, wirelessly, to the radio terminal, by detecting that the radio terminal has been placed in a cradle, by detecting that a wired and / or wireless local area network (and / or personal area network) connection has been performed with the radio terminal to allow a hands-free interface with the radio terminal and / or using other techniques to detect the use of a hands-free interface.

If hands-free operation is detected in block 320, then the satellite mode is introduced in block 330 and the radio terminal 120 is allowed to communicate with satellite 110 by transmission to satellite 110 at an appropriately high power level. and / or EIRP and / or a high maximum power level and / or EIRP and / or an appropriately high (or higher) data rate. Alternatively, if hands-free operation is not detected in block 320, a user notification can be provided in the block.

340. This user notification may take the form of an audible signal, a signal that can be detected by a part of the human body that is in contact with the radio terminal (such as a vibration signal) and / or a signal on the screen of visualization and / or any other type of notification that may be perceptible by a human being with or without human sensory improvements. User notifications for other purposes are well known to those skilled in the art, so that the design of the user notification of block 340 does not need to be described in detail herein. After user notification, a test can be performed again in block 320 to see if hands-free operation is present. Alternatively, the test may not be performed again in block 320 and the request may simply be denied in satellite mode in block 310. Even in other embodiments, user notification of block 340 may not be performed and simply it can deny the request in satellite mode in block 310. Even in other embodiments, satellite communications can be provided by the radio terminal and / or by the system for a predetermined interval of time following the request in satellite mode, even though The radio terminal is not operational in a hands-free mode. During the predetermined time interval, the user can be notified at least once by the radio terminal to allow a hands-free mode. If the radio terminal is placed in hands-free mode during the predetermined time interval, satellite communications may remain uninterrupted. If the radio terminal is not placed in hands-free mode during the predetermined time interval, satellite communications may be interrupted.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a part of a radio terminal, such as radio terminal 120 of Figures 1 and 2, and a part of an ATC, such as ATC 130 of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 4 , the radio terminal 120 may include a transceiver 410 of the satellite / ATC radio terminal which may be integrated into at least some satellite and ATC functionality, and may correspond to the transceiver 124 and the satellite / hands-free interlock 126 of Figure 2. A transmit / receive selector (TX / RX) 418 couples a power amplifier 414 or a low noise amplifier 412 to an antenna 422, which can correspond to the antenna 122 of Figure 2. In this way, the radio terminal 120 can include a single power amplifier 414 and / or a single antenna 422 that are sized for communications with the space segment that includes satellite 110. As such, the output level of the radio terminal power amplifier can be star limited below a maximum value when the radio terminal is in communication with the ATC 130. For example, power amplifier 414 may be limited to transmitting approximately 200 to 250 mW of maximum power when in communication with a land based system in CDMA (such as a cdma2000 terrestrial system), and approximately 600 mW at approximately one watt of maximum power when in communication with a GSM-based terrestrial system (in which a mW = 10-3 watts). In a satellite mode, the power amplifier 414 may be configured to transmit more than one watt of maximum power to the satellite 110. In some embodiments, the power amplifier 414 is not configured to provide the output with greater power for network communications. based on space, unless control signal 416 is activated. The control signal 416 may not be activated, unless the transceiver 410 of the satellite / ATC radio terminal detects hands-free operation, for example by detecting that a cable 424 is connected to the radio terminal 120, for the purpose of coupling a microphone 426 connected by cable and a headset 428 connected by cable to radio terminal 120.

Following the description of FIG. 4, in ATC 130, a power amplifier 438 couples a transmission antenna 444 to an ATC transceiver 432, and a low noise amplifier 434 couples a receiving antenna 442 to the ATC transceiver 432 . In order to increase the sensitivity of the ATC receiver, the electronics of the front end of the receiver, such as the low noise amplifier 434 and / or the other elements of the ATC 130 can be cryogenically cooled by encapsulating said elements in a cryogenically cooled capsule 436. The design of amplifiers and / or other cryogenically cooled components is well known to those skilled in the art and does not need to be described further herein. Cryogenic cooling can increase the available margin of the return link provided by the ATC for a given EIRP of the radio terminal and a given configuration of the receiving antenna 442 of the ATC. The increase in the available margin of the return link can be used by the ATC to reduce a power and / or an EIRP of the radio terminal, thus reducing the potential for interference within and / or between the systems, and also prolonging the life of the radio terminal battery and / or increase the radius of an ATC service area

130.

Cryogenic cooling can also be provided on satellite 110 of a space-based network. A satellite transceiver structure 110 may be similar to that described above with respect to ATC 130, with a low noise amplifier that couples a satellite receiver antenna to a satellite transceiver. To increase the sensitivity of the satellite receiver, the electronics at the front end of the satellite receiver, such as the low-noise satellite amplifier and / or the other satellite elements 110, can be cryogenically cooled by encapsulating said elements in a cryogenically cooled capsule. of satellite 110. The design of amplifiers and / or other cryogenically cooled components is well known to those skilled in the art and does not need to be described further herein. Cryogenic cooling can increase the available margin of the return link provided by the satellite for a given EIRP of the radio terminal and a given configuration of the satellite receiving antenna. The increase in the available margin of the return link can be used by the satellite to reduce a power and / or an EIRP of the radio terminal, thus reducing the potential for interference within and / or between the systems, and prolonging the life useful of the radio terminal battery.

Fig. 5a is a block diagram illustrating radioterminals according to further additional embodiments of the present invention. The radio terminal of Figure 5a may include a processor 510, a wireless interface 512, a female accessory connection 514, a female connection / complementary device interface 516, a speaker 518, a microphone 520, a transceiver 521 and an antenna 524. More particularly, the transceiver 521 may include a transmission / reception selector (TX / RX) 522, a low noise amplifier 524 for reception and a power amplifier 526 for transmission. In addition, the female accessory connection 514 can provide a detachable cable coupling for a cable connected to a cable-connected microphone and a cable-connected headset (such as cable 424, microphone 426 and headset 428 illustrated in Figure 4 ). In addition or in an alternative, the wireless interface 512 (such as a Bluetooth interface, WiFi, or other wireless interface) can provide a wireless link with a remote microphone and headset, for example, using a wireless local area network and / or a personal area network, such as network communications techniques via Bluetooth, WiFi and / or other. Accordingly, voice communications can be provided in a portable mode using a built-in 518 speaker and microphone 520, or in a hands-free mode using a remote microphone and headset (via a female accessory connection 514 or a wireless interface 512 ), using a speaker interface, using a cradle and / or using any other hands-free interface.

Even in other alternatives described in greater detail below with respect to Figure 5b, voice communications can be provided in a portable mode using a built-in speaker 518 and microphone 520 and using a transceiver and an antenna of a complementary device, which can be operative at a distance from the radio terminal, coupled via the wireless interface 512 or via a female / wired interface 516 complementary device. Consequently, the radio terminal 120 'can provide portable voice communications, with relatively high power transmissions being performed using an amplifier and / or an antenna of a complementary device that is remote from the user's head. Consequently, an interlock function of the processor 510 can block transmissions above a threshold power level (such as transmissions by a satellite return link 110) using the transceiver 521 and the antenna 524, unless the radio terminal operate in a hands-free mode (i.e. using a cable-connected remote microphone / headset, using a wireless remote microphone / headset, using a speaker operating mode, using a cradle and / or using any other interface) usual hands-free connected by cable or without joining). In addition or in an alternative, an interlock function of the processor 510 may allow voice communications in a portable mode using a built-in speaker 518 and microphone 520, providing transmissions above the threshold (such as transmissions on a satellite return link 110). ) using an amplifier and / or an antenna of a complementary device and / or an antenna and a radio terminal amplifier, such as the antenna 524 and the radio terminal amplifier 526, provided that the radio terminal antenna 524 and / or one or more of its radiating elements are permanently or selectively located / configured with an orientation relative to the radio terminal which is at a distance from the radio terminal and / or the head of a user, when the user is using the radio terminal in a usual portable mode (adjacent to his ear ).

Figure 5b is a block diagram illustrating a complementary device 600 according to embodiments of the present invention. The complementary device of Figure 5b may include a transceiver 612, an antenna 614 and a radio terminal 616 coupling. More particularly, the transceiver 612 may include a transmission / reception selector (TX / RX) 622, a low noise amplifier 624 for reception and a power amplifier 626 for transmission. In addition, the radiotelephone coupling 616 can provide a cable and / or a wireless coupling with the radio terminal 120 '. The radio-telephone coupling 616, for example, can provide a cable coupling with the female terminal 516 of the complementary radio terminal 120 'and / or a wireless coupling with the wireless interface 512, the processor 510 and / or the radio terminal transceiver 521 120 '. With a power amplifier 626, a low noise amplifier 624 and a transmission / reception switch 622, the complementary device 600 can provide both transmission and reception functionalities. The transceiver 612 and / or other element or elements of the complementary device 600 may also include other usual transmission / reception functions (such as modulation, demodulation, error correction coding / decoding, interlacing, frame formatting, data regeneration and / or filtering functions; not shown in Figure 5b) that may be required to process signals transmitted and / or received from antenna 614 and / or coupling 616 of the radio terminal. The complementary device 600 and the radio terminal 120 'can be further configured to allow the complementary device 600 to be selectively attached to the radio terminal 120', so that the complementary device 600 and the radio terminal 120 'appear to be a single device, and selectively separated from the radio terminal 600, so that the complementary device 600 and the radio terminal 120 'look like two independent devices. The complementary device 600 and the radio terminal 120 'can also be configured to be operatively operative in the united and / or separate configuration. In some embodiments, the complementary device 600 may be configured to provide the transmission functionality, without providing the reception functionality, so that the low noise (reception) amplifier 624 and the transmission / reception switch 622 can be suppressed from the complementary device 600. For example, relatively high power transmissions can be provided using the antenna 614 of the complementary device 600 while receiving receptions using the built-in antenna 524 and transceiver 521 of the radio terminal 120 '.

Accordingly, the radio terminal 120 'can provide the functionalities described above with respect to Figures 1 to 4. More particularly, the interlocking operations of the processor 510 can block the transmission above a threshold power level (such as transmissions via a satellite return link 110) using the built-in transceiver 521, if the radio terminal is providing voice communications in a portable mode, using the built-in speaker 518 and microphone 520. The interlocking operations of the processor 510 can thus allow transmission above the threshold power level using the built-in transceiver 521, if the radio terminal is providing voice communications in a hands-free mode, for example, using a microphone. and a wired remote headset, using a wireless remote microphone and headset, using a speaker interface, using a cradle and / or using any other hands-free interface. The threshold power level can be set based on the power levels of the radiotelephone transmissions for satellite and terrestrial communications or based on a maximum power level considered appropriate for transmission in a position adjacent to a user's head when the radiotelephone It is used in a portable mode. In alternative embodiments, the threshold power level may be variable depending on changes in the satellite and / or terrestrial power control levels, the period of time the user is on the telephone and / or other factors.

In addition, the interlocking operations of the processor 510 may allow voice communications in a portable mode using the built-in speaker 518 and microphone 520 with transmission above the threshold power level, if the complementary device 600 is coupled to the radio terminal 120 ', by for example, using the wireless interface 512 or using the female / wired interface 516 complementary device. In this way, transmissions above the threshold power level can be provided using the power amplifier 626 and the antenna 614 of the complementary device 600 away from the user's head. The complementary device 600 may be a portable device that is configured for a user to carry, for example, in a purse, a bag, a purse, etc. In another alternative, the complementary device may be incorporated in a car to provide links of improved communications, when the radio terminal is being used (and possibly shielded) inside the car.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the power amplifier 626 and / or the antenna 614 of the complementary device 600 may provide gain or gains greater than the power amplifier 526 and the antenna 524 of the radio terminal 120 '. As an example, the antenna 524 of the radiotelephone 120 'can provide a gain of approximately -2 dB, and the antenna 614 of the complementary device 600 can provide a gain of approximately +2 dB, to achieve a gain gain of 4 dB when it is transmitted using the complementary device 600, as opposed to transmitting using the built-in antenna 524. In addition, the complementary device antenna 614 can be a substantially circle polarized antenna (CP) and the radioterminal antenna 524 can be a substantially inline polarized antenna (LP). In addition or in an alternative, the power amplifier 526 of the radio terminal 120 'may be a ¼ watt amplifier, and the power amplifier 626 of the complementary device 600 may be a 1 watt amplifier, to achieve a gain increase of 4 dB when transmitted using the complementary device 600. With the use of both the antennas and the power amplifiers described above, for example, a gain gain of 8 dB can be achieved when the complementary device is used for transmission, as opposed to use the power amplifier 526 and the antenna 524 incorporated. In general, the complementary device 600 (in relation to the radio terminal 120 ') can provide higher transmission powers and / or higher antenna gains, since the complementary device 600 may have fewer size restrictions, since the complementary device 600 may have less power restrictions and / or since the complementary device 600 is not intended to be used in a position adjacent to a user's head.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the power amplifier 526 of the radio terminal 120 'may include a low power mode / power amplifier for relatively low power transmissions, below a threshold (such as transmissions to ATC 130), and a high power mode / power amplifier for relatively high power transmissions, above a threshold (such as transmissions to satellite 110). In addition, the interlocking operations of the processor 510 may be configured to disable the high power / power amplifier mode when operating in a portable mode using the built-in speaker 518 and microphone 520, unless the antenna 524 of the radio terminal 120 'is has been selectively located substantially in a second predetermined orientation and is not substantially located in a first predetermined orientation or in any other orientation / position and / or the radio terminal is being used in a push-to-send mode (push-to-talk). According to some embodiments, the radio terminal antenna 524 can be selectively placed in a first predetermined orientation, in which the antenna 524 is pushed in and / or maximally inserted into the radio terminal 120 'to maintain a minimum (low) profile, and the second predetermined selective orientation is an orientation in which the antenna 524 is maximally removed from the radio terminal 120 'to maintain a maximum (high) profile. The radio terminal antenna 524 may be configured with a radiating element (or elements) located substantially in an upper section / portion of the antenna to maintain a predetermined minimum distance between the radiating element (or elements) and the head of a user, when the The radio terminal antenna 524 is located in the second predetermined orientation and the user is using the radio terminal 120 'in a position near / adjacent to the head / ear. The radiating element (or elements) of the radio terminal antenna 524 may include a substantially CP radiating element (or elements) and / or a substantially LP radiating element (or elements). The interlocking operations of the processor 510 may be configured to allow the high power / power amplifier mode of the radio terminal amplifier 526 120 'when the radio terminal 120' is operating in a mode in which the antenna 524 of the radio terminal 120 'is positioned selectively substantially in the second predetermined orientation and not substantially located in the first predetermined orientation or in any other orientation / position, and / or the radioterminal is being used in a push-to-send (push-to-talk) mode and / or in a hands-free mode, for example, using a headphone and microphone connected by cable or without joining, using a speaker mode, using a cradle and / or using any other hands-free interface. Consequently, relatively low power transmissions (below a threshold) can be provided using the low power / power amplifier mode of amplifier 526 when the radio terminal 120 'is being used in a portable non-push to send mode (no push to talk) and the radio terminal antenna 524 is selectively positioned substantially in the first predetermined orientation, or relatively low power transmissions (below a threshold) can be provided using the low power / amplifier power amplifier mode 526 when the radio terminal 120 'is being used in a portable no push to send mode (no push to talk) and the radio terminal antenna 524 is of the type that is not configured to provide the function of selecting the orientation and is permanently configured with an orientation that is the same or substantially the same as the first selective orientation to default described above. In some embodiments, the radio terminal amplifier 526 is an amplifier that is configured to provide only one power mode, such as, for example, a low power mode that can be used only for low power communications such as, for example, communications with the ATC 130. In contrast to this, relatively high power transmissions (above a threshold) that use the high power / power amplifier mode of the radio terminal amplifier 526 can be allowed only when operating in a mode of push to send (or press to speak) and / or the radio terminal antenna 524 is selectively placed in the second predetermined orientation (or the radio terminal antenna 524 is of a type that is configured to be permanently located with an orientation that is the same or substantially the same as the second predetermined orientation) and / or the radio terminal is operating in a hands-free mode. More particularly, relatively high power transmissions (above a threshold) that use the high power / power amplifier mode of the radio terminal amplifier 526 can be blocked when the radio terminal is operating in a portable mode where it is not allowed. speaker and / or the radio terminal antenna 524 is selectively placed in the first predetermined orientation (or the radio terminal antenna 524 is of a type that is configured to be permanently located with an orientation that is the same or substantially the same as the first orientation default).

Consequently, to substantially reduce or eliminate the probability that a user communicates using the transceiver 521 and antenna 524 incorporated into a transmission power or powers that exceed a threshold (such as when communicating via satellite 110) while holding the radio terminal 120 'near the ear, the radio terminal 120' may be configured so that when a relatively high power transmission mode is to be used, the built-in transceiver remains unable to substantially transmit a power and / or an EIRP that is greater than or equal to a predetermined high power threshold, unless a hands-free mode is activated in radio terminal 120 ', or radio terminal 120' is used in a speaker mode (that is, in a push-to-send mode or press to speak or in any other speaker mode) and / or the radio terminal antenna 524 is selectively placed in the second predefined orientation terminated (or the radio terminal antenna 524 is of a type that is configured to be permanently located in an orientation that is the same or substantially the same as the second predetermined orientation). In this way, a relatively high power transmission mode can be used if a hands-free mode is activated, the radio terminal 120 'is used in a loudspeaker mode (i.e., in a push-to-send mode or to press to speak or in any other speaker mode), the radio terminal antenna 524 is selectively placed in the second predetermined orientation (or the radio terminal antenna 524 is of a type that is configured to be permanently located with an orientation that is the same or substantially the same as the second predetermined orientation) and / or if the complementary device 600 is coupled to the radio terminal 120 'so that the transmission is away from the radio terminal 120' and away from the user's head. For example, activation of a hands-free mode, a predetermined selective position / orientation of the radio terminal antenna (or a particular permanent position / orientation of the radio terminal antenna), a speaker mode and / or use may be required. of the complementary device 600 to provide relatively high power transmissions (above the threshold) via a return link, such as, for example, a return link to satellite 110.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the expression "portable interface" may refer to an interface adjacent to the ear in which an audio output is provided from a built-in radio terminal speaker, the built-in radio terminal speaker (and the actual one being placed). radio terminal) near / adjacent to the user's head / ear during communications, and the expression “hands-free interface” may refer to any interface away from the ear that allows the radio terminal to be separated from the user's head / ear during communications A loudspeaker incorporated in the radiotelephone may constitute, for example, a portable interface and / or adjacent to the ear that provides an audio output (corresponding to the wireless communications received) at a volume suitable for use with the built-in loudspeaker and the radiotelephone placed next / adjacent to the user's head / ear. For example, a hands-free and / or remote ear interface can be any interface that allows the use of the radio terminal separate from the user's head / ear during wireless communications. For example, a hands-free and / or remote ear interface may include a speaker interface and / or an interface for a remote headset (wired and / or unbound), so that audio output can be provided (corresponding to the wireless communications received) without the need to have the radiotelephone near / adjacent to the user's head / ear during communications. More particularly, a loudspeaker interface may include a loudspeaker incorporated in the radiotelephone that is configured to provide an audio output (corresponding to wireless communications received) at a volume suitable for use with the built-in loudspeaker and the radiotelephone separate from the head / ear of the user, and the same built-in speaker can be used for portable interfaces / adjacent to the ear and hands-free / away from the ear depending on the volume at which they are operated, or different built-in speakers can be used for portable interfaces / adjacent to the ear and hands-free / away from the ear. In addition, a speaker interface may include an interface for a cradle configured to receive the radio terminal and to connect it to a remote speaker; a wireless interface configured to couple the radio terminal to a remote speaker; and / or a built-in speaker (in the radio terminal) configured to provide audio output (corresponding to wireless communications received) at a volume for use with the built-in speaker and radio terminal separated from the user's head / ear, for example , during push-to-talk operations, push-to-transmit operations and / or walkie-talkie-type operations (intercom devices). In addition, a hands-free and / or remote ear interface may include a data interface (such as a display screen) that provides a graphical output to be observed with the radio terminal separated from the user's head / ear.

Those skilled in the art will understand that processor 510 may be a data processor that includes one or more microprocessors and / or digital signal processors. It will also be understood that the radio terminal 120 'may include radio frequency components, man-machine interface components and / or other usual components, in addition to the components specifically illustrated. A stored program can provide, at least in part, satellite / hands-free / complementary device interlocking operations, a program that runs on processor 510 that operates in response to human-machine interface components, other interface components, to a signal transmitted by radio terminal 120 'and / or a signal received by radio terminal 120'. Combinations of software and / or other hardware can also be used to implement satellite / hands-free / complementary device interlocking operations.

Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating the operations that can be performed to provide a satellite / hands-free interlocking for the radio terminal 120 ', used with the complementary device 600 of Figures 5a and 5b, according to various embodiments of the present invention. Referring to Figure 6, a determination can be made in block 651 of whether there has been a request for high power transmissions, such as transmissions to satellite 110. High power transmissions can refer to transmissions above a level. power threshold and / or EIRP. For example, transmissions by a return link to satellite 110 may be at or above the threshold of power and / or EIRP, and transmissions by a return link to ATC 130 may be at the threshold level of power and / or EIRP or below it. The threshold level of power and / or EIRP may be a threshold SAR level of power and / or EIRP. According to some embodiments, any request for transmission to a satellite may be a request for high power and / or high EIRP transmissions, and any request for transmissions to an ATC may be a request for low power and / or low EIRP transmissions. . According to other embodiments, some requests for transmissions to a relatively distant ATC may be requests for high power and / or high EIRP transmissions. A request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission may be based on a request for user radio terminals to use the satellite mode; a system request to use satellite mode; a system request to transfer the user radio terminal from an ATC mode and / or a cellular / PCS mode to a satellite mode; a system request to increase the transmission power to an ATC and / or cellular / PCS base station (for example, if the radio terminal moves sufficiently far from an ATC); and / or a system and / or user radio terminal request to establish communications using a relatively distant ATC and / or a cellular base station / PCS.

If a high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode is requested in block 651, a test can be performed to see if a complementary device is available in order to provide a transmitter operation of the complementary device in block 653. it can detect the availability of a complementary device when trying to establish a communications link (for example, using the wireless interface 512 and / or the female connection / complementary device interface 516) with the complementary device.

If a complementary device is available in block 653, then the high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode can be introduced in block 657, and the radio terminal can communicate with relatively high and / or high power transmissions. EIRP using a power amplifier and / or an antenna of a complementary device. More particularly, the high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode can be introduced in block 657 for communication with satellite 110 via the complementary device. In alternative embodiments, the high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode may be introduced in block 657 for communication with a relatively distant ATC and / or cellular / PCS base station via the complementary device.

Alternatively, if a complementary device is not detected in block 653, a user notification may be provided in block 655. This user notification may take the form of an audible signal (for example, using speaker 518) and / or a visual signal (for example, using a 527 screen), and / or using any other type of notification that is perceptible by a human being with or without human sensory enhancements. User notifications for other purposes are well known to those skilled in the art, so that the design of the user notification of block 655 does not need to be described in detail herein.

After a user notification, a test can be performed again in block 653 to see if a complementary device is available. A radio terminal user may then be allowed, for some period of time, to provide coupling with an active complementary device, before a subsequent test in block 653, to determine if a complementary device is available. If a complementary device has been made available, the high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode can be introduced in block 657 so that the radio terminal can communicate with relatively high power and / or high EIRP communications using a power amplifier and / or an antenna of the complementary device. If the complementary device is not made available for the allowed period of time, the request for high power transmission and / or high EIRP may be denied.

Alternatively, the test in block 653 can be performed only once, and the request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission can simply be denied if a complementary device is not immediately available. Even in other embodiments, the user notification of block 655 may not be made, and the request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission may be denied. In still other embodiments, the radio terminal transceiver 521 may provide high power and / or high EIRP transmission for a predetermined interval of time following the request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission, when not immediately available. A complementary device. During the predetermined time interval, the radio terminal may notify the user at least once to provide a coupling with a complementary device and / or to provide a predetermined position / orientation of the radio terminal antenna 524. If a complementary device and / or the predetermined position / orientation of the radio terminal antenna are arranged within the predetermined time interval, the high power and / or high EIRP transmissions may remain uninterrupted. If a complementary device and / or the predetermined position / orientation of the radio terminal antenna are not provided during the predetermined time interval, high power transmission and / or high EIRP transmission may be interrupted and / or terminated.

Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating the operations that can be performed to provide a satellite / hands-free interlocking of the radio terminal 120 ', used with a complementary device 600 of Figures 5a and 5b, according to various additional embodiments herein. invention. Referring to Figure 7, a determination can be made in block 751 of whether there has been a request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission, such as a request for transmission to satellite 110. High power transmissions and / or high EIRP may refer to transmissions above a threshold level of power and / or EIRP. For example, transmissions by a return link to satellite 110 may be above the power and / or EIRP threshold level, and transmissions by a return link to ATC 130 may be below the power threshold level and / or from EIRP. According to some embodiments, any request for transmission to a satellite may be a request for high power and / or high EIRP transmissions, and any request for transmissions to an ATC base station and / or cellular PCS may be a request for low transmissions. power and / or low EIRP. According to other embodiments, some requests for transmissions to a relatively distant ATC and / or cellular / PCS base station may be requests for high power and / or high EIRP transmissions. A request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission may be based on a request for user radio terminals to use the satellite mode; a system request to use satellite mode; a system request to transfer the user radio terminal from an ATC mode and / or a cellular / PCS mode to a satellite mode; a system request to increase the transmission power to an ATC (for example, if the radio terminal moves sufficiently far from the ATC); and / or a system and / or user radio terminal request to establish communications using a relatively distant ATC and / or cellular / PCS base station.

If a high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode is requested in block 751, a test can be performed to see if the hands-free operation of the radio terminal in block 753 is active. Hands-free operation can be performed detect in block 753, for example, by detecting that a cable-connected microphone and headset have been inserted into an appropriate female terminal / radio terminal connection, by detecting that a connection (and / or personal area network has been made) ) wired and / or wireless local area network, and / or using other techniques to detect the use of a hands-free interface. If hands-free operation is detected in block 753, then a high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode can be introduced in block 759, providing high power and / or high EIRP transmission using a transceiver. and a built-in radio terminal antenna.

If hands-free operation is not detected in block 753, a test can be performed to see if a complementary device is available in order to provide a transmitter operation of the complementary device in block 755. The availability of a device can be detected. complementary when trying to establish a communications link (for example, using the wireless interface 512 and / or the female connection / complementary device interface 516) with the complementary device.

If a complementary device is available in block 755, then the high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode can be introduced in block 759, so that the radio terminal can communicate with relatively high power transmissions and / or High EIRP using a power amplifier and / or a complementary device antenna. More particularly, the high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode can be introduced in block 759 for communication, for example, with satellite 110 via the complementary device. In alternative embodiments, the high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode can be introduced in block 759 for communication with a relatively distant ATC and / or cellular / PCS base station via the complementary device.

Alternatively, if hands-free operation is not detected in block 753 and a complementary device is not detected in block 755, a user notification may be provided in block 757. The user notification may also be provided in the block. 757, in response to the absence of detection of a hands-free operation in block 753 and before attempting to detect a complementary device in block 755 (or simultaneously with an attempt to detect a complementary device in block 755). This user notification can take the form of an audible signal (for example, using the 518 speaker and / or any other radio terminal component that can produce an audible signal) and / or a visual signal (for example, using screen 527) , and / or using any other type of notification that is perceptible by a human being with or without human sensory improvements. User notifications for other purposes are well known to those skilled in the art, so that the design of the user notification of block 757 does not need to be described in detail herein.

After a user notification and a delay, tests can be carried out again on blocks 753 and 755 to see if hands-free operation and / or a complementary device are detected. In this way, a radio terminal user may be allowed, for some period of time, to provide hands-free operation and / or provide a complementary device before subsequent tests or tests are carried out on blocks 753 and / or 755 for determine if hands-free operation and / or a complementary device is detected. If hands-free operation and / or a complementary device have been made available, the high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode can be introduced in block 659, so that the radio terminal can communicate with power transmissions relatively high and / or high EIRP using a transceiver and an antenna incorporated in a hands-free mode of operation and / or using a power amplifier and / or an antenna of the complementary device in a hands-free or portable mode of operation. If a hands-free mode of operation or a complementary device has not been made available for a permitted and / or predetermined period of time, the request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission may be denied. In some embodiments, the allowed and / or predetermined period of time may be programmed a priori in the radio terminal, may be determined by the system and transmitted to the radio terminal and / or may depend on a power level and / or EIRP of the radio terminal.

Alternatively, tests on blocks 753 and / or 755 can be performed only once, and the request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission can simply be denied if hands-free and / or hands-free operation is not immediately available. A complementary device. Even in other embodiments, user notification of block 757 may not be made, and the request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission may be denied. In still other embodiments, the radio terminal transceiver 521 can provide high power and / or high EIRP transmission for a period of time following the request for high power and / or high EIRP transmission, even if it is not available or Hands-free operation or a complementary device. Over a period of time, the radio terminal may notify the user at least once to provide hands-free operation and / or a coupling with a complementary device. If hands-free operation and / or a complementary device is provided within the time interval, high power and / or high EIRP transmissions may remain uninterrupted. If hands-free operation and / or a complementary device are not provided during the time interval, high power and / or high EIRP transmission may be interrupted and / or terminated.

While the flowchart of Figure 7 shows that a test to detect hands-free operation in block 753 can precede a test to detect a complementary device in block 755, the order of these tests can be reversed and / or the tests can be carried out substantially at the same time. For example, both tests can be performed consecutively or substantially at the same time, and if the radio terminal is operating in a hands-free mode of operation and a complementary device is available, the radio terminal may enter a high power transmission mode. and / or high EIRP in block 759 using a built-in transceiver and antenna and / or a power amplifier and an antenna of the complementary device. For example, the radio terminal may preferentially select for its use the power amplifier and the antenna of the complementary device, since a higher power and / or an EIRP may be available. If a high power and / or high EIRP transmission mode is initially introduced in block 759 using a built-in transceiver and antenna, by operating the radio terminal in a hands-free mode, the radio terminal can subsequently switch to a transmission mode. high power and / or high EIRP using a power amplifier and an antenna of a complementary device, when the complementary device is subsequently coupled (wired or wireless) with the radio terminal, or the radio terminal can continue to use the 521 transceiver and the built-in antenna 524 of the radio terminal and the transceiver 612 and the antenna 614 of the complementary device.

In addition, independent notification operations can be provided if hands-free operation is not available in block 753 and / or if the transmitter operation of the complementary device is not available in block 755. For example, user notification can be provided. if hands-free operation is not available in block 753 before determining whether the transmitter operation of the complementary device is available in block 755, and a second user notification can be provided in block 757 if transmitter operation is not available of the complementary device. Separate user notification operations can be similarly provided if an order of operations of blocks 755 and 757 are reversed and / or provided simultaneously.

In other embodiments, the hands-free operation of a radio terminal and / or the operation of a complementary device may not be necessary, and the flow chart of Figure 6 and / or Figure 7 may not be used if the radio terminal is configured to operate in speaker mode (i.e. walkie-talkie mode, push-to-talk mode and / or any other mode that does not allow or require the user to operate the radio terminal in a position adjacent to an ear) when it is in communication at a power level and / or EIRP that exceeds or is equal to a threshold.

In further embodiments, the hands-free operation of a radio terminal and / or the operation of a complementary device may not be necessary, and the flow chart of Figure 6 and / or Figure 7 may not be used if the radio terminal it is configured with an antenna located / oriented properly (which is located / oriented properly permanently or configured to be located / oriented selectively by a user of the radio terminal) that maintains a minimum distance between a radiating element (or elements) of the antenna and the user's head, when the user is in communication with the radio terminal adjacent to an ear. It will be understood that a radio terminal that is configured with an antenna, which a user can selectively position / orientate appropriately, is capable of providing a notification to the user, using a flowchart technique / method similar to that illustrated in Figure 6 and / or Figure 7, to notify the user of a radio terminal communications mode that requires a selectively positioned / oriented antenna state if the radio terminal antenna is not located / oriented substantially appropriately in the appropriate state of position / orientation that is required by the radio terminal communications mode. As an alternative or in addition to providing a notification to the user of the radio terminal of a communication mode thereof that requires a state of the antenna properly positioned / oriented selectively if the radio terminal antenna is not located / oriented substantially appropriately in the state appropriate position / orientation that is required by the radio terminal communications mode, a notification can also be provided to the user to configure the portable radio terminal interface in speaker mode and / or push-to-talk mode, thereby increasing the distance between a radiating antenna element of the radio terminal antenna and the user's head.

In some embodiments, the radio terminal may comprise a plurality of transmission frequencies of a speech encoder, from which one of them can be selected and used to provide voice communications and / or a plurality of data transmission frequencies, of which one of them can be selected and used to provide data communications, and the radio terminal can be configured to select and preferentially use a speech frequency of the speech encoder and / or a data transmission frequency that is low (or the most low) if compared with the other frequencies of the speech encoder and / or data included in the radio terminal, when it is providing space-based communications and / or terrestrial communications, thereby reducing a power level and / or EIPR that the radio terminal uses to provide space-based and / or terrestrial communications. The transmission frequency of the voice and / or data encoder that the radio terminal receives from an ATC and / or a space-based component may be greater than the transmission frequency of the voice and / or data encoder that the radio terminal transmits to the ATC and / or the space-based component.

In some embodiments, the radio terminal transceiver comprises a power amplifier (PA) that is configured to provide a first maximum level of output power, when the radio terminal is providing terrestrial communications, and a second maximum level of output power, when the Radio terminal is providing space-based communications. In some embodiments, the second maximum level of output power is greater than the first maximum level of output power. In other embodiments, the radio terminal transceiver may be configured with a plurality of power amplifiers corresponding to a respective plurality of maximum output power levels and / or frequency bands that the radio terminal uses to provide terrestrial and / or base-based communications. space.

The radio terminal transceiver can be configured with a low noise amplifier (LNA) that the radio terminal uses to receive terrestrial and space-based communications, or the radio terminal transceiver can comprise first and second LNA, in which the radio terminal uses the first LNA to receive terrestrial communications and the radio terminal uses the second LNA to receive space-based communications. In some embodiments, a noise figure (NF) of the radio terminal transceiver is at a lower value (dB) when the radio terminal transceiver is providing space-based communications when compared to an NF of the radio terminal transceiver when the radio terminal is providing ground communications

In further embodiments, one or more radioterminal antenna elements are configured to transmit communications to an ATC and / or a space-based component that uses substantially circularly polarized (CP) and / or linearly polarized (LP) electromagnetic energy and the ATC and / or the space-based component are configured to transmit communications to the radio terminal using substantially CP and / or LP electromagnetic energy, and one or more radio terminal antenna elements are configured to receive and process the CP and / or the electromagnetic energy. LP that is transmitted from the ATC and / or the space-based component and received at the radio terminal.

Embodiments of the invention have been described in the drawings and the specification and, although specific terms have been used, are used only in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims (1)

1. A radioterminal comprising: 5 a transceiver (124) that is configured for space-based communications and for terrestrial wireless communications; a user interface (128) that is selectively configurable in at least one speaker mode, a push-to-send mode and / or a push-to-talk mode and a mode near or close to a user's ear; and a satellite interlock (126), in which the satellite interlock is configured to prevent the 10 transceiver (124) transmit communications with a power and / or an EIRP greater than or equal to a threshold for space-based communications and to allow the transceiver (124) to transmit communications with a power and / or an EIRP less than or equal to a threshold for terrestrial wireless communications in response to the user interface (128) that is configured in the mode near or near the user's ear, and in which the satellite interlock can be configured to allow the transceiver (124) to transmit 15 communications with a power and / or an EIRP greater than or equal to the threshold for space-based communications in response to the user interface (128) that is configured in speaker mode, in push-to-send mode and / or in push to talk mode.