Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/245,349 filed Sep. 24, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0002]    This application is a continuation-in-part of a non-provisional application (serial number to be determined) resulting from a conversion under  37  C.F.R. § 1 . 53 (c)( 3 ) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/245,349 filed Sep. 24, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/100,906 filed Sep. 29, 2008, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    The invention relates generally to radio communication, and more particularly to methods of radio communication involving multiple radio channels and to apparatuses implementing the same. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0006]    Numerous standards for radio communication are known. For example, the Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) standard is a radio communication standard for mobile telephones, and prescribes radio frequencies ranging from about 380 MHz to about 2 GHz. Other radio communication standards for mobile telephones include the Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”) standard and the Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) standard, and these standards also generally prescribe radio frequencies less than about 2.5 GHz. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) 802.11 and 802.16 standards are other radio communication standards that prescribe radio signals having frequencies less than about 5 GHz. 
         [0007]    These standards generally prescribe radio signals at relatively low radio frequencies, and generally lower radio frequencies permit lower operating bandwidth than higher radio frequencies. However, higher radio frequencies generally have shorter range and generally are more sensitive to environmental interference (such as rain and oxygen absorption, for example) than lower radio frequencies. Such shorter range may require radio frequency repeaters that are closer together, but positioning known repeaters closer together may cause disadvantageously cause interference between the signals of the repeaters. Therefore, many known standards for radio communication prescribe radio signals at relatively low radio frequencies to avoid such disadvantages of higher radio frequencies and to use commercially wireless hardware, but disadvantageously provide lower bandwidths because of the relatively low radio frequencies, and are disadvantageously limited to available radio frequency bands at such relatively low radio frequencies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In accordance with one illustrative embodiment, there is provided a method of facilitating radio communications. The method involves: receiving, at a radio signal repeater from a first remote radio station on a first radio channel, a first radio signal encoded with a first message; after receiving the first radio signal, transmitting, from the radio signal repeater to a second remote radio station on a second radio channel different from the first radio channel, a second radio signal encoded with the first message; receiving, at the radio signal repeater from the second remote radio station on a third radio channel different from the first and second radio channels, a third radio signal encoded with a second message; and after receiving the third radio signal, transmitting, from the radio signal repeater to the first remote radio station on a fourth radio channel different from the first, second, and third radio channels, a fourth radio signal encoded with the second message. 
         [0009]    The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may be frequency-division multiplexed on first, second, third, and fourth different radio frequency bands respectively. 
         [0010]    The first and fourth radio channels may time-division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band, and the second and third radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band. 
         [0011]    The method may further involve receiving, at the radio signal repeater, configuration information encoded in a configuration information signal in a configuration radio frequency band different from respective radio frequency bands of the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels. 
         [0012]    The configuration radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz. 
         [0013]    The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may have respective radio frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz. 
         [0014]    Transmitting the second radio signal may involve amplifying the first radio signal, and transmitting the fourth radio signal may involve amplifying the third radio signal. 
         [0015]    Transmitting the second radio signal may involve digitally decoding the first message from the first radio signal and encoding the decoded first message for the second radio signal, and transmitting the fourth radio signal may involve digitally decoding the second message from the third radio signal and encoding the decoded second message for the fourth radio signal. 
         [0016]    The method may further involve determining a first signal-to-noise ratio representing a ratio of strength of the first radio signal to noise in the first radio signal at the radio signal repeater, and determining a second signal-to-noise ratio representing a ratio of strength of the third radio signal to noise in the third radio signal at the radio signal repeater. If the first signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a first criterion, transmitting the second radio signal may involve amplifying the first radio signal. If the first signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the first criterion, transmitting the second radio signal may involve digitally decoding the first message from the first radio signal and encoding the decoded first message for the second radio signal. If the second signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a second criterion, transmitting the fourth radio signal may involve amplifying the third radio signal. If the second signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the second criterion, transmitting the fourth radio signal may involve digitally decoding the second message from the third radio signal and encoding the decoded second message for the fourth radio signal. 
         [0017]    The first signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the first criterion if the first signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a first threshold, and the first signal-to-noise ratio may not satisfy the first criterion if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the first threshold. The second signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the second criterion if the second signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a second threshold, and the second signal-to-noise ratio may not satisfy the second criterion if the second signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the second threshold. 
         [0018]    The method may further involve: before transmitting the second radio signal, receiving, at the radio signal repeater from the first remote radio station on the second radio channel, a fifth radio signal encoded with the first message, the first radio signal being stronger than the fifth radio signal; and comparing respective signal strengths of the first and fifth radio signals to determine that the first radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal. Transmitting the second radio signal may involve selecting the second radio channel instead of the first radio channel for the second radio signal in response to determining that the first radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal. 
         [0019]    The method may further involve: receiving, at the radio signal repeater from the first remote radio station on the first radio channel, a sixth radio signal encoded with a third message; after receiving the sixth radio signal, transmitting, to a third remote radio station on a fifth radio channel different from the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels, a seventh radio signal encoded with the third message; receiving, at the radio signal repeater from the third remote radio station on the fifth radio channel, an eighth radio signal encoded with a fourth message; and after receiving the eighth radio signal, transmitting, to the first remote radio station on the fourth radio channel, a ninth radio signal encoded with the fourth message. 
         [0020]    The fifth radio channel may have a radio frequency less than about 5 GHz. 
         [0021]    Receiving the sixth radio signal may involve receiving the sixth radio signal on a subchannel of the first radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. Transmitting the seventh radio signal may involve transmitting the seventh radio signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. Receiving the eighth radio signal may involve receiving the eighth radio signal on the subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. Transmitting the ninth radio signal may involve transmitting the ninth radio signal on a subchannel of the fourth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. 
         [0022]    The sixth radio signal may include a destination field including destination data designating the third remote radio station. 
         [0023]    The method may further involve: receiving the second radio signal at the second remote radio station from the radio signal repeater; and after receiving the second radio signal, transmitting, from the second remote radio station to a fourth remote radio station on the first radio channel, a tenth radio signal encoded with the first message. 
         [0024]    The method may further involve, before transmitting the third radio signal, receiving, at the second remote station from the fourth remote station on the fourth radio channel, an eleventh radio signal encoded with the second message. 
         [0025]    In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a radio signal repeater apparatus including: provisions for receiving, from a first remote radio station on a first radio channel, a first radio signal encoded with a first message; provisions for transmitting, after receiving the first radio signal, a second radio signal to a second remote radio station on a second radio channel different from the first radio channel, the second radio signal encoded with the first message; provisions for receiving, from the second remote radio station on a third radio channel different from the first and second radio channels, a third radio signal encoded with a second message; and provisions for transmitting, after receiving the third radio signal, a fourth radio signal to the first remote radio station on a fourth radio channel different from the first, second, and third radio channels, the fourth radio signal encoded with the second message. 
         [0026]    In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a radio signal repeater apparatus including: an interface for facilitating radio communication with first and second remote radio stations on first, second, third, and fourth different radio channels; and a processor in communication with the interface. The processor is operably configured to: receive, from the interface, a first radio signal from the first remote radio station on the first radio channel, the first radio signal encoded with a first message; cause the interface to transmit, after receiving the first radio signal, a second radio signal to the second remote radio station on the second radio channel, the second radio signal encoded with the first message; receive, from the interface, a third radio signal from the second remote radio station on the third radio channel, the third radio signal encoded with a second message; and cause the interface to transmit, after receiving the third radio signal, a fourth radio signal to the first remote radio station on the fourth radio channel, the fourth radio signal encoded with the second message. 
         [0027]    The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may be frequency-division multiplexed on first, second, third, and fourth different radio frequency bands respectively. 
         [0028]    The first and fourth radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band, and the second and third radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band. 
         [0029]    The processor may be further operably configured to receive, from the interface, configuration information encoded in a configuration information signal in a configuration radio frequency band different from respective radio frequency bands of the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels. 
         [0030]    The configuration radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz. 
         [0031]    The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may have respective radio frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz. 
         [0032]    The processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the second radio signal by amplifying the first radio signal, and the processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the fourth radio signal by amplifying the third radio signal. 
         [0033]    The processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the second radio signal by digitally decoding the first message from the first radio signal and by encoding the decoded first message for the second radio signal, and the processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the fourth radio signal by digitally decoding the second message from the third radio signal and by encoding the decoded second message for the fourth radio signal. 
         [0034]    The processor may be further operably configured to determine a first signal-to-noise ratio representing a ratio of strength of the first radio signal to noise in the first radio signal at the interface. The processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the second radio signal by amplifying the first radio signal if the first signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a first criterion. The processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the second radio signal by digitally decoding the first message from the first radio signal and by encoding the decoded first message for the second radio signal if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the first criterion. The processor may be further operably configured to determine a second signal-to-noise ratio representing a ratio of strength of the third radio signal to noise in the third radio signal at the interface. The processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the fourth radio signal by amplifying the third radio signal if the second signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a second criterion. The processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the fourth radio signal by digitally decoding the second message from the third radio signal and by encoding the decoded second message for the fourth radio signal if the second signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the second criterion. 
         [0035]    The first signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the first criterion if the first signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a first threshold, and the first signal-to-noise ratio may not satisfy the first criterion if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the first threshold. The second signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the second criterion if the second signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a second threshold, and the second signal-to-noise ratio may not satisfy the second criterion if the second signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed the second threshold. 
         [0036]    The processor may be further operably configured to: receive from the interface, before transmitting the second radio signal, a fifth radio signal from the first remote radio station on the second radio channel, the fifth radio signal encoded with the first message and not as strong as the first radio signal; compare respective signal strengths of the first and fifth radio signals; and select the second radio channel instead of the first radio channel for the second radio signal if the first radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal. 
         [0037]    The processor may be further operably configured to: receive, from the interface, a sixth radio signal from the first remote radio station on the first radio channel, the sixth radio signal encoded with a third message; after receiving the sixth radio signal, cause the interface to transmit, to a third remote radio station on a fifth radio channel different from the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels, a seventh radio signal encoded with the third message; receive, from the interface, an eighth radio signal from the third remote radio station on the fifth radio channel, the eighth radio signal encoded with a fourth message; and after receiving the eighth radio signal, cause the interface to transmit, to the first remote radio station on the fourth radio channel, a ninth radio signal encoded with the fourth message. 
         [0038]    The fifth radio channel may have a radio frequency less than about 5 GHz. 
         [0039]    The processor may be operably configured to receive the sixth radio signal on a subchannel of the first radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. The processor may be operably configured to transmit the seventh radio signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. The processor may be operably configured to receive the eighth radio signal on the subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. The processor may be operably configured to transmit the ninth radio signal on a subchannel of the fourth radio channel associated with the third remote radio station. 
         [0040]    The sixth radio signal may include a destination field including destination data, and the processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the seventh radio signal in response to receiving the sixth radio signal when the destination field of the sixth radio signal includes destination data designating the third remote radio station. 
         [0041]    In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a method of radio communication. The method involves: receiving a first radio signal at a mobile station from a first remote radio station on a first radio channel; transmitting a second radio signal from the mobile station to the first remote radio station on a second radio channel associated with the first radio channel and different from the first radio channel; receiving a third radio signal at the mobile station from a second remote radio station on a third radio channel different from the first and second radio channels; and transmitting a fourth radio signal from the mobile station to the second remote radio station on a fourth radio channel associated with the third radio channel and different from the first, second, and third radio channels. 
         [0042]    The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may be frequency-division multiplexed on first, second, third, and fourth different radio frequency bands respectively. 
         [0043]    The first and second radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band, and the third and fourth radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band. 
         [0044]    The method may further involve receiving, at the mobile station, configuration information encoded in a configuration information signal in a configuration radio frequency band different from respective radio frequency bands of the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels. 
         [0045]    The configuration radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz. 
         [0046]    The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may have respective radio frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz. 
         [0047]    In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a mobile station apparatus including: provisions for receiving a first radio signal from a first remote radio station on a first radio channel; provisions for transmitting a second radio signal to the first remote radio station on a second radio channel associated with the first radio channel and different from the first radio channel; provisions for receiving a third radio signal from a second remote radio station on a third radio channel different from the first and second radio channels; and provisions for transmitting a fourth radio signal to the second remote radio station on a fourth radio channel associated with the third radio channel and different from the first, second, and third radio channels. 
         [0048]    In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a mobile station apparatus including: an interface for facilitating radio communication with first and second remote radio stations on first, second, third, and fourth different radio channels; and a processor in communication with the interface. The processor is operably configured to: receive, from the interface, a first radio signal from a first remote radio station on a first radio channel; cause the interface to transmit a second radio signal to the first remote radio station on a second radio channel associated with the first radio channel and different from the first radio channel; receive, from the interface, a third radio signal from a second remote radio station on a third radio channel different from the first and second radio channels; and cause the interface to transmit a fourth radio signal to the second remote radio station on a fourth radio channel associated with the third radio channel and different from the first, second, and third radio channels. 
         [0049]    The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may be frequency-division multiplexed on first, second, third, and fourth different radio frequency bands respectively. 
         [0050]    The first and second radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a first radio frequency band, and the third and fourth radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band. 
         [0051]    The processor may be further operably configured to receive, from the interface, configuration information encoded in a configuration information signal in a configuration radio frequency band different from respective radio frequency bands of the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels. 
         [0052]    The configuration radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz. 
         [0053]    The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may have respective radio frequencies between about  57  GHz and about  64  GHz. 
         [0054]    Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0055]    In drawings of various illustrative embodiments: 
           [0056]      FIG. 1  is a top-view schematic representation of an illustrative radio communication system; 
           [0057]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a base station of the radio communication system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of downlink codes of the base station of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a downlink signal transmitted by a radio communication interface of the base station of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of uplink codes of the base station of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of an uplink signal received at the radio communication interface of the base station of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of configuration codes of the base station of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of a configuration signal transmitted by the radio communication interface of the base station of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a radio signal repeater of the radio communication system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 10  is a schematic representation of downlink codes of the radio signal repeater of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of uplink codes of the radio signal repeater of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of configuration codes of the radio signal repeater of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0068]      FIG. 13  is a schematic representation of a mobile station of the radio communication system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of downlink codes of the mobile station of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 15  is a schematic representation of uplink codes of the mobile station of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0071]      FIG. 16  is a schematic representation of configuration codes of the mobile station of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 17  is a schematic representation of illustrative signals transmitted and received in the radio communication system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 18  is a schematic representation of other illustrative signals transmitted and received in the radio communication system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 19  is a schematic representation of other illustrative signals transmitted and received in the radio communication system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0075]      FIG. 20  is a schematic representation of other illustrative signals transmitted and received in the radio communication system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary radio communication system is shown generally at  100  and includes a base station  102 , radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 , and  132 , and mobile stations  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140 . In the embodiment shown, the mobile station  134  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeater  106 , the mobile station  136  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  106  and  120 , and the mobile station  140  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeater  118 . Generally, the base station  102  and the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 , and  132  have respective radio communication ranges that overlap and collectively communicate by radio with mobile stations such as the mobile stations  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  in a coverage area  142  surrounding the base station  102 . The base station  102 , the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 , and  132 , and the mobile stations  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  may be referred to simply as radio stations. 
         [0077]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the base station  102  (also shown in  FIG. 1 ) is illustrated schematically, and in the embodiment shown includes a microprocessor  144  and program memory  146 , an input/output (“I/O”) module  148 , and configuration memory  150 . The program memory  146  in the embodiment shown includes random-access memory (“RAM”) encoded with codes generally for directing the microprocessor  144  to carry out functions of the base station  102 . The I/O module  148  includes a radio communication port  152  in communication with a radio antenna  154 . The I/O module  148  also includes a backhaul port  156  for communicating with a backhaul  158  of the base station  102 . The backhaul  158  connects the base station  102  to other base stations in a radio communication network and to other communication networks, such as telephone networks and the internet for example, to facilitate communication between mobile stations in the coverage area  142  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) with mobile stations (not shown) outside of the coverage area ( 142 ) and with other telephones and computers on the internet (not shown), for example. The configuration memory  150  in the embodiment shown is also a RAM, and generally stores data for configuring the base station  102 . Although the base station  102  in the embodiment shown includes the microprocessor  144 , the program memory  146 , the I/O module  148 , and the configuration memory  150 , alternative base stations may include additional or alternative components such as hard drives and application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), for example. 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the radio antenna  154  in the embodiment shown facilitates radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  on at least five different radio channels, namely first and second downlink radio channels  160  and  162 , first and second uplink radio channels  164  and  166 , and a configuration and control radio channel  204 . Although for simplicity the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204  are illustrated in  FIG. 1  only between the base station  102  and the radio signal repeater  106  and between the radio signal repeaters  106  and  120 , in the embodiment shown the base station  102  is also in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112 , the radio signal repeater  104  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  114  and  116 , the radio signal repeater  106  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  118  and  120 , the radio signal repeater  108  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  122  and  124 , the radio signal repeater  110  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  126  and  128 , and the radio signal repeater  112  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  130  and  132 , all on the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204 . The radio antenna  154  thus functions as a radio communication interface, or simply as an interface, to the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  in the embodiment shown. 
         [0079]    Herein, “radio channel” refers to a multiplexed communication channel in one or more radio or other electromagnetic frequency bands. In the embodiment shown, the base station  102  is configurable to multiplex the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  using frequency-division multiplexing, in which case the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  are multiplexed onto respective different radio frequency bands. The base station  102  in the embodiment shown is also configurable to multiplex the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166  using time-division multiplexing, in which case the first downlink radio channel  160  and the first uplink radio channel  164  are time-division multiplexed in a first radio frequency band, and the second downlink radio channel  162  and the second uplink radio channel  166  are time-division multiplexed in a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band. However, in any case in the embodiment shown, the configuration and control radio channel  204  is multiplexed in a frequency band different from frequency bands of the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166 . Alternative base stations may multiplex the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204  using different multiplexing techniques, and the configuration memory  150  in the embodiment shown stores configuration data specifying a particular multiplexing technique for the base station  102 . 
         [0080]    In the embodiment shown, the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204  are in respective radio frequency bands in a radio frequency band between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz, which may be referred to for simplicity as the “60 GHz” band and which is unlicensed in the United States. In alternative embodiments, the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204  may have other radio frequencies, such as other radio frequencies known as Extremely High Frequencies (“EHF”) between about 30 GHz and 300 GHz, for example. The respective radio frequency bands of the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204  are also specified in the configuration memory  150  in the embodiment shown. 
         [0081]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the program memory  146  includes downlink codes  168  that include blocks of code for directing the microprocessor  144  to transmit a downlink signal. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the downlink codes  168  are illustrated schematically and begin at  170  in response to receiving a downlink message from the backhaul  158  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). A downlink message received at  170  from the backhaul ( 158 ) may include any message directed to a mobile station in the coverage area  142  (such as the mobile stations  134 ,  136 ,  138  and  140  shown in  FIG. 1 ), and may include a voice message, a data message, or a configuration message, for example. The downlink codes  168  continue at block  172 , which directs the microprocessor ( 144 ) to cause the radio antenna  154  to transmit a downlink signal encoded with the downlink message received at  170  on the first downlink radio channel  160 . The downlink codes  168  continue at block  174 , which directs the microprocessor ( 144 ) to transmit a downlink signal encoded with the downlink message received at  170  on the second downlink radio channel  162 . The downlink codes  168  then end. 
         [0082]    Therefore, in the embodiment shown, the base station ( 102 ) receives a downlink message from the backhaul ( 158 ), and the base station ( 102 ) transmits downlink signals including that message on both the first and second downlink radio channels  160  and  162 . Alternative base stations may transmit a signal on only one of the first and second downlink radio channels  160  and  162 , in which case one of the blocks  172  and  174  may be omitted. Still other alternative base stations may select one of the first and second downlink radio channels  160  and  162  for downlink signals directed to particular radio signal repeaters in radio communication with the base station. 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary downlink signal transmitted in response to the codes in block  172  or  174  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) is shown generally at  176 , and includes a destination identifier field  178  for storing an identifier of a destination for the downlink signal, and a message field  180  storing the message received at  170  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Downlink signals in the embodiment shown are therefore digital data packets. However, in alternate embodiments, downlink signals may be analog signals or digital data stream signals that are not transmitted as digital data packets, for example. 
         [0084]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the program memory  146  also includes uplink codes  182  for directing the microprocessor  144  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to receive an uplink signal from one of the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) in the embodiment shown. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the uplink codes  182  are illustrated schematically and begin either at  184  in response to an uplink signal received on the first uplink radio channel  164  at the radio antenna  154  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) or at  186  in response to an uplink signal received on the second uplink radio channel  166  at the radio antenna ( 154 ). In either case, the uplink codes  182  continue at block  188 , which directs the microprocessor ( 144 ) to transmit the message encoded in the signal that was received at either  184  or  186  to the backhaul  158  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Therefore, referring back to  FIG. 1 , in the embodiment shown the base station  102  receives uplink signals on the first and second uplink radio channels  164  and  166  from the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112 , and transmits messages encoded in those uplink signals to the backhaul  158  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary uplink signal received at  184  or  186  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) is shown generally at  190 , and includes a source identifier field  192  for storing an identifier of a source (such as one of the mobile stations  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  shown in  FIG. 1 , for example) of an uplink message, and a message field  194  for storing the message. An uplink message in the uplink message field  194  may include data for voice communication or other data, for example. Also, in the embodiment shown, the uplink signal  190  is a digital packet, but in alternative embodiments, uplink signals may include analog signals or digital data stream signals that are not divided into packets, for example. 
         [0086]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the program memory  146  also includes configuration codes  196  for directing the microprocessor  144  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to receive and transmit configuration information. Herein, “configuration information” may also refer to control information, and a “configuration signal” may also refer to a signal including control information. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the configuration codes  196  in the embodiment shown begin at  198  in response to receiving configuration information from the backhaul  158  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Configuration information received at  198  may include configuration information specifying multiplexing techniques, frequency bands for the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204 , and generally other configuration information for the radio communication system  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), for example. The configuration codes  196  continue at block  200 , which directs the microprocessor  144  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to store the configuration information received at  198  in the configuration memory  150  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The configuration codes  196  continue at block  202 , which directs the microprocessor ( 144 ) to transmit a configuration signal encoded with the configuration information on the configuration and control radio channel  204 . 
         [0087]    As indicated above, the configuration and control radio channel  204  in the embodiment shown is also between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz, but is in a frequency band different from frequency bands of the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166 . Therefore, in the embodiment shown, configuration information is sent in a different radio frequency band from uplink and downlink signals, which may advantageously permit greater flexibility for timing configuration signals in some embodiments. Alternatively, the configuration and control radio channel  204  could be multiplexed in the same radio frequency bands as the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166 , for example. 
         [0088]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , an exemplary configuration signal transmitted at block  202  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) is shown generally at  326 , and includes a configuration information field  208  for storing configuration information such as the configuration information received at  198  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0089]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the radio signal repeater  106  (also shown in  FIG. 1 ) is shown schematically and in the embodiment shown includes a microprocessor  210  and configuration memory  212 , program memory  214 , temporary memory  216 , and an I/O module  218  all in communication with the microprocessor  210 . The configuration memory  212  in the embodiment shown includes RAM and stores information for configuring the radio signal repeater  106  such as configuration information received in the configuration signal  206  (shown in  FIG. 8 ), for example. The program memory  214  in the embodiment shown also includes RAM and stores codes generally for directing the microprocessor  210  to carry out functions of the radio signal repeater  106 . The temporary memory  216  in the embodiment shown includes RAM and stores various data that are generated and accessed during operation of the radio signal repeater  106 . The I/O module  218  includes a radio antenna port  220  in communication with a radio antenna  222 , and in the embodiment shown the radio antenna  222  facilitates radio communication with the base station  102  and with the radio signal repeaters  118  and  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) over the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204 . The radio antenna  222  thus functions as a radio communications interface, or simply as an interface, for radio communication with the base station ( 102 ) and with the radio signal repeaters ( 118  and  120 ). Although the radio signal repeater  106  is illustrated in the embodiment shown with the microprocessor  210 , the configuration memory  212 , the program memory  214 , the temporary memory  216 , and the I/O module  218 , alternative radio signal repeaters may include different components such as hard drives and ASICs, for example. 
         [0090]    The program memory  214  includes downlink codes  224  generally for directing the microprocessor  210  to respond to a downlink signal transmitted by the base station  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) at block  172  or  174  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) in the embodiment shown. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the downlink codes  224  are illustrated schematically and begin either at  226  in response to receiving a downlink signal  176  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) at the radio antenna  222  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) on the first downlink radio channel  160  in response to the codes at block  172  (shown in  FIG. 3 ), or at  228  in response to receiving a downlink signal ( 176 ) on the second downlink radio channel  162  in response to the codes at block  174  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0092]    If the downlink codes  224  begin at  226 , then the downlink codes  224  continue at block  230 , which directs the microprocessor  210  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to measure a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received on the first downlink radio channel  160 , and to store the signal-to-noise ratio in a first signal-to-noise ratio store  232  in the temporary memory  216  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The downlink codes  224  continue at block  234 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to determine whether a signal encoded with the same data was also received on the second downlink radio channel  162 . A signal encoded with the same data may also be received on the second downlink radio channel  162  in response to the codes at block  174  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0093]    If at block  234  a signal encoded with the same data was also received on the second downlink radio channel  162 , then the downlink codes  224  also begin at  228  and continue at block  236 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to measure a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal on the second downlink radio channel  162 , and to store the signal-to-noise ratio in a second signal-to-noise ratio store  238  in the temporary memory  216  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The downlink codes  224  continue from block  236  to block  240 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to determine whether a signal encoded with the same data was also received on the first downlink radio channel  160 . 
         [0094]    If at block  234  a signal encoded with the same data was also received on the second downlink radio channel  162 , or if at block  240  a signal encoded with the same data was also received on the first downlink radio channel  160 , then the downlink codes  224  continue at block  242 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to determine whether the signal on the first downlink radio channel  160  was stronger than the signal on the second downlink radio channel  162 . In the embodiment shown, the codes at block  242  direct the microprocessor ( 210 ) to compare the signal-to-noise ratios stored in the first and second signal-to-noise ratio stores  232  and  238  (shown in  FIG. 9 ), and the microprocessor ( 210 ) determines that the signal on the first downlink radio channel  160  is stronger than the signal on the second downlink radio channel  162  if the first signal-to-noise ratio store ( 232 ) stores a greater signal-to-noise ratio than the second signal-to-noise ratio store ( 238 ). 
         [0095]    If at block  242  the signal on the first downlink radio channel  160  is stronger than the signal on the second downlink radio channel  162 , or if at block  234  there is no signal encoded with the same data on the second downlink radio channel  162 , then the downlink codes  224  continue at block  244 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to configure an uplink transmit radio channel. store  246  in the temporary memory  216  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to set the first uplink radio channel  164  as the uplink transmit radio channel. The downlink codes  224  continue at block  248 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to configure a downlink receive radio channel store  250  in the temporary memory  216  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to set the first downlink radio channel  160  as the downlink receive radio channel. 
         [0096]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , in the embodiment shown the radio signal repeater  106  is in radio communication with the mobile station  134  on a mobile station radio channel  252 . In the embodiment shown, the radio channels  160 .  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204  are in the 60 GHz band, whereas the mobile station radio channel  252  is in a GSM radio band at about 2 GHz. In alternative embodiments, radio signal repeaters may communicate with mobile stations in various radio frequency bands such as radio frequency bands for GSM, CDMA, TDMA, and IEEE 802.11 or 802.16, for example, and such mobile station radio channels will generally be in lower radio frequencies than the radio frequencies of the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204  in the embodiment shown. 
         [0097]    Referring back to  FIG. 10 , the downlink codes  224  continue from block  248  to block  254 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to determine whether the destination identifier in the destination identifier field  178  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the signal received at  226  designates a downlink radio channel in the mobile station radio channel  252 . In the embodiment shown, the destination identifier in the destination identifier field ( 178 ) designates a downlink radio channel in the mobile station radio channel  252  if the destination identifier in the destination identifier field ( 178 ) designates a mobile station in radio communication with the radio signal repeater ( 106 ) on the mobile station radio channel  252 , such as the mobile station  134  shown in  FIG. 1  in the embodiment shown. If at block  254  the destination identifier in the destination identifier field ( 178 ) designates a downlink radio channel in the mobile station radio channel  252 , then the downlink codes  224  continue at block  256 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to configure a downlink transmit radio channel store  258  in the temporary memory  216  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to set the mobile station radio channel  252  as the downlink transmit radio channel. Otherwise, the downlink codes  224  continue at block  260 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to configure the downlink transmit radio channel store ( 258 ) to set the second downlink radio channel  162  as the downlink transmit radio channel. 
         [0098]    After either block  256  or  260 , the downlink codes  224  continue at block  262 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to determine whether the signal-to-noise ratio of the downlink receive radio channel exceeds a threshold stored in a threshold store  264  in the configuration memory  212  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). If the downlink receive radio channel was set as the first downlink radio channel  160  at block  248 , then the codes at block  262  compare the signal-to-noise ratio stored in the first signal-to-noise ratio store  232  to the threshold stored in the threshold store  264 . If at block  262  the signal-to-noise ratio of the downlink receive radio channel exceeds the threshold, then the downlink codes  224  continue at block  266 , which directs the microprocessor  210  to cause the radio antenna  222  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to transmit a downlink signal on the downlink transmit radio channel (specified by the downlink transmit radio channel store  258  shown in  FIG. 9 ) by amplifying the signal received from the downlink receive radio channel (specified by the downlink receive radio channel store  250 ). However, if at block  262  the signal-to-noise ratio of the downlink receive radio channel does not exceed the threshold, then the downlink codes  224  continue at block  268 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to cause the radio antenna ( 222 ) to transmit a downlink signal ( 176 ) on the downlink transmit radio channel (specified by the downlink transmit radio channel store  258  shown in  FIG. 9 ) by digitally decoding the message received from the downlink receive radio channel (specified by the downlink receive radio channel store  250 ) and encoding the decoded message for the downlink signal. After either block  266  or block  268 , the downlink codes  224  end. 
         [0099]    Therefore, in the embodiment shown, the radio signal repeater ( 106 ) can repeat a received message either by simply amplifying the received uplink signal (as at block  266 ), or by digitally decoding and then encoding the received message (as at block  268 ). Where the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal is above a threshold, the radio signal repeater ( 106 ) may simply amplify the signal, as a signal with a higher signal-to-noise ratio may be expected to have fewer errors. However, where the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold, then the signal is more likely to include errors, and digitally decoding and encoding the message may advantageously enhance the quality of the repeated signal, particularly if the signal includes redundant data-correction information, for example. In alternative embodiments, the codes at block  262  may be omitted, and the downlink codes  224  may proceed directly to either the codes at block  266  or to the codes at block  268 , for example. In still other embodiments, the configuration memory  212  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) may include configuration information determining whether to execute the codes at block  266  or the codes at block  268 . Further, in embodiments where the downlink and uplink signals are purely analog, then the codes of blocks  262  and  268  may be omitted such that the downlink codes  224  proceed directly to the codes at block  266 . 
         [0100]    Still referring to  FIG. 10 , if at block  240  a signal encoded with the same data was not also received on the first downlink radio channel  160 , or if at block  242  the signal on the first downlink radio channel  160  was not stronger than the signal on the second downlink radio channel  162 , then the downlink codes  224  continue at block  270 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to configure the uplink transmit radio channel store  246  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to set the second uplink radio channel  166  as the uplink transmit radio channel. 
         [0101]    The downlink codes  224  continue at block  272 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to configure the downlink receive radio channel store  250  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to set the second downlink radio channel  162  as the downlink receive radio channel. 
         [0102]    The downlink codes  224  continue at block  274 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to determine whether the destination identifier in the destination identifier field  178  of the downlink signal  176  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) received at  228  designates a downlink radio channel in the mobile station radio channel  252 . The codes at block  274  are therefore substantially the same as the codes at block  254 , except that the codes at block  254  direct the microprocessor ( 210 ) to respond to the destination identifier in the destination identifier field ( 178 ) of a downlink signal ( 176 ) received at  226 , and the codes at block  274  direct the microprocessor ( 210 ) to respond to the destination identifier in the destination identifier field ( 178 ) of a downlink signal ( 176 ) received at  228 . If at block  274  the destination identifier in the destination identifier field ( 178 ) designates a downlink radio channel in the mobile station radio channel  252 , then the downlink codes  224  continue at block  256  as discussed above. Otherwise, the downlink codes  224  continue at block  276 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to configure the downlink transmit radio channel store  258  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to set the first downlink radio channel  160  as the downlink transmit radio channel. The downlink codes  224  then continue at block  262  as described above, except that if the downlink receive radio channel was set as the second downlink radio channel  162  at block  272 , then the codes at block  262  compare the signal-to-noise ratio stored in the second signal-to-noise ratio store  238  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to the threshold stored in the threshold store  264  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0103]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the radio signal repeater  106  in the embodiment shown may also receive uplink signals from the radio signal repeaters  118  and  120  or from the mobile stations  134  and  136 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the program memory  214  also includes uplink codes  278  generally for directing the microprocessor  210  to respond to an uplink signal  190  (shown in 
         [0104]      FIG. 6 ) from one of the radio signal repeaters  118  and  120  or from one of the mobile stations  134  and  136  in the embodiment shown. Referring to  FIG. 11 , the uplink codes  278  are illustrated schematically and begin at one of:  280  in response to receiving an uplink signal ( 190 ) at the radio antenna  222  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) on the first uplink radio channel  164 ;  282  in response to receiving an uplink signal ( 190 ) at the radio antenna ( 222 ) on the second uplink radio channel  166 ; and  284  in response to receiving an uplink signal ( 190 ) at the radio antenna ( 222 ) on the mobile station radio channel  252 . 
         [0105]    After either  280 ,  282 , or  284 , the uplink codes  278  continue at block  288 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to measure a signal-to-noise ratio of the uplink signal received at  280 ,  282 , or  284 . The uplink codes  278  continue at block  290 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to determine whether the signal-to-noise ratio determined that block  288  exceeds the threshold stored in the threshold store  264  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). If at block  290  the signal-to-noise ratio exceeds the threshold, then the uplink codes  278  continue at block  292 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to transmit an uplink signal  190  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) on the uplink transmit radio channel (specified by the uplink transmit radio channel store  246  shown in  FIG. 9 ) by amplifying the signal received at  280 ,  282 , or  284 . Otherwise, the uplink codes  278  continue at block  294 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to transmit an uplink signal ( 190 ) on the uplink transmit radio channel (specified by the uplink transmit radio channel store  246 ) by digitally decoding the message received at  280 ,  282 , or  284 , and then encoding the decoded message. 
         [0106]    Therefore, as discussed above with respect to blocks  262 ,  266 , and  268  (shown in  FIG. 10 ), the codes at blocks  290 ,  292 , and  294  cause the microprocessor ( 210 ) simply to amplify a received uplink signal if the signal-to-noise ratio of the received uplink signal exceeds a threshold, but to digitally decode and encode the received message if the signal-to-noise ratio of the received uplink signal is less than the threshold, as a signal received with a lower signal-to-noise ratio is likely to have additional errors that may be removed by digitally decoding and encoding the message. Again, in alternative embodiments, the codes at block  290  may be omitted, and the uplink codes  278  may proceed directly to either the codes at block  292  or to the codes at block  294 , for example. In still other embodiments, the configuration memory  212  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) may include configuration information determining whether to execute the codes at block  292  or the codes at block  294 . Further, in embodiments where the downlink and uplink signals are purely analog, then the codes of blocks  290  and  294  may be omitted such that the uplink codes  278  proceed directly to the codes at block  292 . 
         [0107]    Referring back to  FIG. 9 , the program memory  214  also includes configuration codes  296  generally for directing the microprocessor  210  to respond to a configuration signal  206  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) transmitted in response of the codes at block  202  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), for example. Referring to  FIG. 12 , the configuration codes  296  are illustrated schematically and begin at  298  in response to receiving a configuration signal ( 206 ) at the radio antenna  222  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The configuration codes  296  continue at block  300 , which direct the microprocessor  210  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to store the configuration information of the configuration information field  208  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the configuration signal ( 206 ) received at  298  in the configuration memory  212  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The configuration codes  296  continue at block  302 , which directs the microprocessor ( 210 ) to cause the radio antenna ( 222 ) to transmit a configuration signal ( 206 ) on the configuration and control radio channel  204 . In the embodiment shown, the codes at block  302  cause the radio signal repeater  106  to transmit the configuration signal ( 206 ) to the radio station repeaters  118  and  120  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0108]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 , and  132  are substantially the same as the radio signal repeater  106  in the embodiment shown. However, in operation, the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 , and  132  in the embodiment shown communicate by radio with other such radio stations as shown in  FIG. 1  and described above. 
         [0109]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , the mobile station  136  is illustrated schematically and in the embodiment shown includes a microprocessor  304  and configuration memory  306  for storing configuration information for the mobile station  136 , program memory  308  generally for directing the microprocessor  304  to carry out functions of the mobile station  136 , temporary memory  310  for storing data generated and accessed during operation of the mobile station  136 , and an I/O module  312 , all in communication with the microprocessor  304 . The configuration memory  306 , the program memory  308 , and the temporary memory  310  in the embodiment shown are RAM, and the I/O module  312  includes a radio antenna port  314  for communicating with a radio antenna  316 . The mobile station  136  also includes a user interface  317  in communication with the I/O module  312 . The user interface  317  represents various I/O components for interacting with a user of the mobile station  136 , and in the embodiment shown includes a screen, a microphone, a speaker, and a keypad (all not shown). 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 13 , the radio antenna  316  in the embodiment shown facilitates radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  106  and  120 . However, unlike the mobile station  134 , the mobile station  136  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  106  and  120  on the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204 . In alternative embodiments, the mobile station  136  may be in radio communication with other radio signal repeaters or base stations, and more generally the radio antenna  316  functions as a radio communication interface, or simply an interface, for radio communication with radio signal repeaters such as the radio signal repeaters  106  and  120 . 
         [0111]    Referring back to  FIG. 13 , the program memory  308  includes downlink codes  318  generally for directing the microprocessor  304  to respond to a downlink signal  176  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) transmitted in response to the codes at block  266  or  268  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) in the embodiment shown. Referring to  FIG. 14 , the downlink codes  318  are illustrated schematically and begin either at  320  in response to receiving a downlink signal ( 176 ) at the radio antenna  316  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) on the first downlink radio channel  160 , or at  322  in response to receiving a downlink signal ( 176 ) at the radio antenna ( 316 ) on the second downlink radio channel  162 . If the downlink codes  318  begin at  320 , then the downlink codes  318  continue at block  324 , which directs the microprocessor  304  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) to configure an uplink transmit radio channel store  326  in the temporary memory  310  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) to set the first uplink radio channel  164  as the uplink transmit radio channel. The codes at block  324  direct the microprocessor ( 304 ) to set the first uplink radio channel  164  as the uplink transmit radio channel in response to a downlink signal received on the first downlink radio channel  160 , and the first uplink radio channel  164  is thus associated with the first downlink radio channel  160 . 
         [0112]    The downlink codes  318  continue at block  328 , which directs the microprocessor ( 304 ) to respond to the downlink signal ( 176 ) received at  320  or  322 . For example the downlink signal ( 176 ) received at  320  or  322  may include a message for voice communication or for other data transmission, and the codes at block  328  generally direct the microprocessor ( 304 ) to respond to the message accordingly. 
         [0113]    However, if the downlink codes  318  begin at  322 , then the downlink codes  318  continue at block  330 , which directs the microprocessor ( 304 ) to configure the uplink transmit radio channel store ( 326 ) to set the second uplink radio channel  166  as the uplink transmit radio channel. The codes at block  330  direct the microprocessor ( 304 ) to set the second uplink radio channel  166  as the uplink transmit radio channel in response to a downlink signal received on the second downlink radio channel  162 , and the second uplink radio channel  166  is thus associated with the second downlink radio channel  162 . The downlink codes  318  then continue at block  328  as described above. 
         [0114]    Referring back to  FIG. 13 , the program memory  308  also includes uplink codes  332  generally for directing the microprocessor  304  to transmit an uplink signal  190  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). Referring to  FIG. 15 , the uplink codes  332  are illustrated schematically and begin at  334  in response to receiving an uplink message. The uplink message received at  334  may include uplink data for voice communication or other data communicated from the mobile station ( 136 ), for example. The uplink codes  332  continue at block  336 , which direct the microprocessor  304  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) to transmit an uplink signal ( 190 ) including the uplink message received at  334  in the message field  194  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the uplink signal ( 190 ) on the uplink transmit radio channel specified by the uplink transmit radio channel store  326  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). The uplink codes  332  then end. 
         [0115]    Referring back to  FIG. 13 , the program memory  308  also includes configuration codes  338  generally for directing the microprocessor  304  to respond to a configuration signal  206  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) received at the radio antenna  316  on the configuration and control radio channel  204  in response to the codes at block  202  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), for example. Referring to  FIG. 16 , the configuration codes  338  are illustrated schematically and begin at  340  in response to receiving the configuration signal ( 206 ) from the radio antenna ( 316 ). The configuration codes  338  continue at block  342 , which directs the microprocessor  304  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) to store configuration information from the configuration information field  208  of the configuration signal  206  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) received at  340  in the configuration memory  306  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). The configuration codes  338  then end. 
         [0116]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , an illustrative sequence of signals transmitted and received in the radio communication system  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is illustrated schematically and shown generally at  344 . The sequence of signals  344  begins when the base station  102  transmits a first downlink signal  346  on the first downlink radio channel  160  encoded with a first message  348  in response to the codes of block  172  of the downlink codes.  168  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The radio signal repeater  106  receives the first downlink signal  346  and transmits a second downlink signal  350  on the second downlink radio channel  162  encoded with the first message  348  in response to the codes at blocks  230 ,  234 ,  244 ,  248 ,  254 ,  260 ,  262 , and either  266  or  268  of the downlink codes  224  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). The mobile station  136  receives the second downlink signal  350  in response to the codes at blocks  330  and  328  of the downlink codes  318  (shown in  FIG. 14 ). The mobile station  136  then transmits a first uplink signal  352  encoded with a second message  354  on the second uplink radio channel  166  in response to the codes at block  336  of the uplink codes  332  (shown in  FIG. 15 ). Then the radio signal repeater  106  receives the first uplink signal  352  and transmits a second uplink signal  356  on the first uplink radio channel  164  encoded with the second message  354  in response to the uplink codes  278  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). The base station  102  then receives the second uplink signal  356  in response to the uplink codes  182  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0117]    In summary, in the sequence of signals  344 , the radio signal repeater  106 : receives, from the base station  102 , the first downlink signal  346  encoded with the first message  348  on the first downlink radio channel  160 ; after receiving the first downlink signal  346 , transmits, to the mobile station  136 , the second downlink signal  350  encoded with the first message  348  on the second downlink radio channel  162 ; receives, from the mobile station  136 , the first uplink signal  352  encoded with the second message  354  on the second uplink radio channel  166 ; and after receiving the first uplink signal  352 , transmits, to the base station  102 , the second uplink signal  356  encoded with the second message  354  on the first uplink radio channel  164 . 
         [0118]    In an alternative embodiment also shown on  FIG. 17 , the base station  102  also transmits a third downlink signal  358  on the second downlink radio channel  162  and encoded with the first message  348 , and the radio signal repeater  106  receives the third downlink signal  358  before transmitting the second downlink signal  350 . However, in this alternative embodiment, the radio signal repeater  106  measures (at block  230  shown in  FIG. 10 ) a higher signal-to-noise ratio of the first downlink signal  346  than for the third downlink signal  358  (measured at block  236  shown in  FIG. 10 ). Therefore, at block  242  shown in  FIG. 10 , the radio signal repeater  106  determines that the first downlink signal  346  on the first downlink radio channel  160  is stronger than the third downlink signal  358  on the second downlink radio channel  162 , and the downlink codes  224  therefore continue at blocks  244 ,  248 ,  254 ,  260 ,  262 , and  266  or  268  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) in this alternative embodiment. Therefore, in this alternative embodiment, the radio signal repeater  106  also receives, before transmitting the second radio signal (the second downlink signal  350 ), a fifth radio signal (the third downlink signal  358 ) encoded with the first message  348  on the second radio channel (the second downlink radio channel  162 ), but because the first signal (the first downlink signal  346 ) is stronger than the fifth signal (the third downlink signal  358 ), the codes at block  242  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) cause the radio signal repeater  106  to select (at block  260  shown in  FIG. 10 ) the second radio channel (the second downlink radio channel  162 ) instead of the first channel (the first downlink channel  160 ) for the second radio signal (the second downlink signal  350 ). 
         [0119]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the mobile station  136  is also in radio communication with the radio signal repeater  120  on the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , and  204 , and due to interference or other environmental conditions, for example, the mobile station  136  may lose radio communication with the radio signal repeater  106  and begin receiving downlink signals instead from the radio signal repeater  120 . Referring to  FIG. 18 , another illustrative sequence of signals transmitted and received in the radio communication system  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), where the mobile station  136  receives downlink signals from the radio signal repeater  120  instead of from the radio signal repeater  106 , is illustrated schematically and shown generally at  374 . The sequence of signals  374  begins when the base station  102  transmits a first downlink signal  376  on the first downlink radio channel  160  encoded with a first message  378 . The radio signal repeater  106  receives the first downlink signal  346  and transmits a second downlink signal  380  on the second downlink radio channel  162  encoded with the first message  378 . The radio signal repeater  120  receives the second downlink signal  376  and transmits a third downlink signal  382  on the first downlink radio channel  160  encoded with the first message  378 . The mobile station  136  receives the third downlink signal  382  in response to the codes at blocks  324  and  328  of the downlink codes  318  (shown in  FIG. 14 ). The mobile station  136  then transmits a first uplink signal  384  encoded with a second message  386  on the first uplink radio channel  164  in response to the codes at block  336  of the uplink codes  332  (shown in  FIG. 15 ). Then the radio signal repeater  120  receives the first uplink signal  384  and transmits a second uplink signal  388  on the second uplink radio channel  166  encoded with the second message  386 . Then the radio signal repeater  106  receives the second uplink signal  388  and transmits a third uplink signal  390  on the first uplink radio channel  164  encoded with the second message  386 . The base station  102  then receives the third uplink signal  390 . 
         [0120]    In summary, in the sequence of signals  374 , the radio signal repeater  120 : receives the second downlink signal  380  from the radio signal repeater  106 ; after receiving the second downlink signal  380 , transmits the third downlink signal  382  encoded with the first message  378  to the mobile station  136  on the first downlink radio channel  160 ; and before transmitting the second uplink signal  388 , receives the first uplink signal  384  encoded with the second message  386  from the mobile station  136 . 
         [0121]    In summary, referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , in the sequences of signals  344  and  374 , the mobile station  136 : receives the second downlink signal  350  from the radio signal repeater  106  on the second downlink radio channel  162 ; transmits the first uplink signal  352  to radio signal repeater  106  on the second uplink radio channel  166  associated (by the codes at block  330  shown in  FIG. 14 ) with the second downlink radio channel  162 ; receives the third downlink signal  382  from the radio signal repeater  120  on the first downlink radio channel  160 ; and transmits the first uplink signal  384  to the radio signal repeater  120  on the first uplink radio channel  164  associated (by the codes at block  324  shown in  FIG. 14 ) with the first downlink radio channel  160 . 
         [0122]    In the illustrative embodiments shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the radio signal repeaters communicate only in the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166 , and therefore in such embodiments need not be configured to communicate in the mobile station radio channel  252 . Therefore, in such embodiments, blocks  254 ,  256 , and  274  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) may be omitted. 
         [0123]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , another illustrative sequence of signals transmitted and received in the radio communication system  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is illustrated schematically and shown generally at  360 . The sequence of signals  360  begins when the base station  102  transmits a first downlink signal  362  on the first downlink radio channel  160  and encoded with a first message  364 . In the embodiment shown, the destination identifier in the destination identifier field  178  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the first downlink signal  362  designates the mobile station  134 , which is in radio communication with the radio signal repeater  106  over the mobile station radio channel  252  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Therefore, the radio signal repeater  106  receives the first downlink signal  362  and transmits a second downlink signal  366  encoded with the first message  364  on the mobile station radio channel  252  in response to the codes at block  254  shown in  FIG. 10 . The mobile station  134  receives the second downlink signal  366 , and later transmits a first uplink signal  368  encoded with a second message  370  on the mobile station radio channel  252 . The radio signal repeater  106  receives the first uplink signal  368  and transmits a second uplink signal  372  encoded with the second message  370  on the first uplink radio channel  164  in response to the uplink codes  278  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). The base station  102  then receives the second uplink signal  372  in response to the uplink codes  182  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0124]    In summary, in the illustrative sequence of signals  360 , the radio signal repeater  106 : receives the first downlink signal  362  encoded with the first message  364  on the first downlink radio channel  160 ; after receiving the first downlink signal  362 , transmits, to the mobile station  134 , the second downlink signal  366  encoded with the first message  364  on the mobile station radio channel  252 ; receives the first uplink signal  368  encoded with the second message  370  from the mobile station  134  on the mobile station radio channel  252 ; and after receiving the first uplink signal  368 , transmits, to the base station  102 , the second uplink signal  372  encoded with the second message  370  on the first uplink radio channel  164 . 
         [0125]    In the illustrative sequence of signals  360 , the mobile station  134  communicates on the mobile station radio channel  252  with the radio signal repeater  106 , and the mobile station  134  may thus be considered to be in a micro, pico, or femto cell of the radio signal repeater  106 . In the embodiment shown, one or more of the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 , and  132  may establish respective such micro, pico, or femto cells. 
         [0126]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the mobile station  140  is in radio communication with the radio signal repeater  118  on the mobile station radio channel  252 . In the embodiment shown, the configuration information received at  198  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) and transmitted in the configuration information field  208  (shown in  FIG. 8 ), for example, may configure the mobile stations  134  and  140  to be in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters  106  and  118  on respective different subchannels of the mobile station radio channel  252 . 
         [0127]    More generally, in the embodiment shown, the configuration information may associate various subchannels of the mobile station radio channel  252  with each of the radio signal repeaters  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 , and  132 , and one or more mobile stations in radio communication with one of those radio signal repeaters may also be associated with the subchannel associated with the radio signal repeater. These different subchannels may be advantageous to reduce interference in transmissions from adjacent radio signal repeaters on the mobile station radio channel  252 , for example. 
         [0128]    The configuration information may also associate the subchannels of the mobile station radio channel  252  with respective subchannels in each of the radio channels  160 ,  162 ,  164 , and  166 . In such a configuration, the codes at blocks  172  and  174  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and at blocks  266  and  268  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) transmit downlink signals  178  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) in respective subchannels of the first and second downlink radio channels  160  and  162  that are associated with the destination mobile station of the downlink signals, and the codes at blocks  292  and  294  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) and at block  336  (shown in  FIG. 15 ) transmit uplink signals  190  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) in respective subchannels of the first and second uplink radio channels  164  and  166  that are associated with the source mobile station of the uplink signals. Also in such a configuration, the destination identifier field  178  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the source identifier field  192  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) may be omitted because the destination or source of a signal may be identified by the subchannel of the downlink signal ( 178 ) or of the uplink signal ( 190 ), and the codes at blocks  254  and  274  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) may determine whether the signal is designated for the mobile station radio channel  252  by identifying the subchannel of the transmit downlink signal ( 178 ) received at  226  or  228  (also shown in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0129]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , another illustrative sequence of signals transmitted and received in the radio communication system  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is illustrated schematically and shown generally at  392 . The sequence of signals  392  begins when the base station  102  transmits a first downlink signal  394  in a subchannel of the first downlink radio channel  160  associated with the mobile station  134 . The radio signal repeater  106  receives the first downlink signal  394  and transmits a second downlink signal  396  to the mobile station  134  on a subchannel of the mobile station radio channel  252  associated with the mobile station  134 . Later, the mobile station  134  transmits a first uplink signal  398  on the subchannel of the mobile station radio channel  252  associated with the mobile station  134 , and the radio signal repeater  106  receives the first uplink signal  398  and transmits a second uplink signal  400  to the base station  102  on a subchannel of the first uplink radio channel  162  associated with the mobile station  134 . 
         [0130]    Later in the sequence of signals  392 , the base station  102  transmits a third downlink signal  402  on a subchannel of the first downlink radio channel  160  associated with the mobile station  140 . The radio signal repeater  106  receives the third downlink signal  402  and transmits a fourth downlink signal  404  on a subchannel of the second downlink radio channel  162  associated with the mobile station  140 . The radio signal repeater  118  receives the fourth downlink signal  404  and transmits a fifth downlink signal  406  to the mobile station  140  on a subchannel of the mobile station radio channel  252  associated with the mobile station  140 . Later, the mobile station  140  transmits a third uplink signal  408  on the subchannel of the mobile station radio channel  252  associated with the mobile station  140 . The radio signal repeater  118  receives the third uplink signal  408  and transmits a fourth uplink signal  410  on a subchannel of the second uplink radio channel  166  associated with the mobile station  140 . The radio signal repeater  106  receives the fourth uplink signal  410  and transmits a fifth uplink signal  412  on a subchannel of the first uplink radio channel  164  associated with the mobile station  140 . 
         [0131]    The radio communication system  100  may enable communication at higher radio frequencies, such as EHF frequencies for example, advantageously enabling greater operating bandwidth available in such higher radio frequencies. In practice, the base station  102  of the radio communication system  100  may replace an existing base station using only lower radio frequencies to upgrade the existing base station and provide greater operating bandwidth. Further, the radio signal repeaters described above may advantageously be positioned closer together, as may be required to accommodate the shorter range of higher radio frequencies, as the at least two different channels for uplink signals and the at least two different channels downlink signals may advantageously reduce interference between the signals. 
         [0132]    While various embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Technology Category: 5