Power output control of a car kit by a coupled wireless device

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Provisional application No. 60/127,499, filed Apr. 2, 1999.

[0003] This application is related to commonly-owned applications, filed concurrently herewith, entitled “System And Method For Constant Loop Gain In A Closed Loop Circuit” having application Ser. No. 09/387,137, System and Method For Temperature Compensation Of External Antenna Units” having application Ser. No. 09/387,138; and “System And Method For Power Measurement In Outdoor Antenna Units” having application Ser. No. 09/387,139, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] I. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to mobile telephone systems, and more particularly to a method and system for transmit power control of an outdoor antenna unit in a mobile telephone system by a coupled wireless device. The present invention is most applicable to wireless communications systems using code division multiple access (CDMA) modulation techniques where power control is very important.

[0006] II. Related Art

[0007] Mobile telephone systems allow customers to establish communication links or place telephone calls from wireless devices such as portable or hand-held mobile phones. Calls initiated or received by wireless devices used in such systems are processed by a wireless network. One type of wireless network is a terrestrial cellular communication system communicating via a series of base stations and ground-based antennas that operate in the 800-1900 MHz range. Cellular communication systems limit the user to communication within a cell, which comprises a geographical service area to which the base station antennas can transmit. Users can move from cell to cell through known hand-off procedures that transfer calls from one cell to another. However, if no base station is within range of the mobile transmitter, such as in a rural area, a user cannot use the mobile telephone service.

[0008] Developments in mobile telephone system technology have led to wireless communication systems or networks that can transfer signals using a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system. The satellite systems can transmit and receive signals in rural areas as well as cities through the beams they project, and a user does not need to be within close range of a ground-based antenna. As a result, satellite communication systems are not limited to major cities as are cellular networks. In addition, each LEO satellite is capable of carrying a large number of user transmissions simultaneously. Various satellite access schemes such as time division multiple access (TDMA) and code division multiple access (CDMA) allow concurrent access to LEO satellites by a large number of users.

[0009] The number of users that can be serviced by a wireless communication system, the system capacity, increases if the power output from each user's wireless device is decreased to the minimum power needed for quality transmission, and overhead or nontraffic messages or channel activity is reduced. This is the result of decreasing mutual interference between users, which is especially important in limited power environments such as CDMA type communication systems. However, if the power of a user's signal becomes too low, the quality of service for that user becomes unacceptable. So, there is a desire to maintain as high a power level as possible to have higher quality service.

[0010] Thus, the number of users that may be provided service is increased by maintaining overhead power levels and each individual user's signals at the minimum levels needed for optimum performance. Therefore, the power output of wireless device transmissions are generally controlled using one or more power control methods to minimize interference and maximize communication link quality. Techniques for power control are discussed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,219, entitled “Fast Forward Link Power Control In A Code Division Multiple Access System,” issued Jan. 17, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,516, entitled “Method And System For The Dynamic Modification Of Control Parameters In A Transmitter Power Control System,” issued Mar. 7, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,262, entitled “Transmitter Power Control System,” issued Nov. 30, 1993, which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/164,384 filed Sep. 30, 1998 entitled “System And Method For Optimized Power Control”; and Ser. No. 08/908,528, filed Aug. 7, 1997, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Adaptive Closed Loop Power Using Open Loop Measurements,” which are incorporated herein by reference. The result of using such power control techniques is that the communication system is capable of carrying substantially the maximum number of individual user transmissions simultaneously.

[0011] Wireless devices, also referred to as user terminals, in current wireless communications systems may be any of several different types. One type is the portable unit, which is a hand-held device carried by the user and requires no external power source or antenna system. Another type is the mobile unit or station, which is typically fixed in a vehicle and operates like a desk type phone. A mobile unit has a separate unit (or “box”) that is mounted in the vehicle and contains most of the transmitting and receiving circuits or hardware. A hand-held unit such as a phone handset, containing a keypad, speaker and microphone, is connected by one or more cables, conductors, or connectors to the box. A cradle is provided for supporting the handset unit when it is not in operation or is being used in a “hands free” mode. The box in turn is connected by a cable to an externally mounted “outdoor” antenna unit, which transmits and receives signals via a satellite or terrestrial cellular communications system or a base station or gateway.

[0012] A third type of user terminal combines the features of both a portable unit and a mobile unit. This type uses a hand-held device that can be used as a standalone unit away from the vehicle, and can be connected to a vehicle mounted assembly sometimes called a “car kit,” for use in the vehicle. The car kit uses an external or outdoor unit (ODU) with an outdoor antenna to accommodate communications for the wireless device. A primary advantage of this combination unit or arrangement is that when the wireless device is used in the vehicle it can utilize additional power provided by the vehicle mounted electronics to establish a better and stronger communications link with satellite transceivers. It also allows conservation of internal battery power, drawing on vehicle provided power instead.

[0013] Satellite telephone systems are particularly sensitive to outdoor or external antenna unit matching at the mobile unit due to potential path losses and a resulting difficulty in power control. For optimum performance, the power output of the outdoor unit must be configured with specific phone transmission characteristics or circuits in mind. At present, a given car-kit is designed in the factory to function with certain characteristics for phones with which it is to be connected. Once this designing takes place, the optimum performance for a phone is limited to being used with certain car kits or outdoor antenna units, such as specific models or manufacturers, having closely matched characteristics.

[0014] This clearly sets certain constraints for mobile units or hand-held phones used with car kits in order to provide a closer match between the power output desired by the phone power control systems or methods, and the power actually being delivered by the outdoor unit. Yet, in the actual marketplace it is not uncommon that a user may have more than one portable phone or have one that can be used both as a standalone unit and as a mobile phone when placed in a cradle mounted in a vehicle. Also, a user may commonly upgrade his or her phone as new models come on the market. Therefore, the mobile unit employed with a car kit may change permanently or on a transient basis, creating potential undesirable power matching problems.

[0015] One goal of the present invention is to allow a variety of hand-held wireless devices to be used with a given vehicle mounted outdoor antenna unit or car-kit, while maintaining a desired level of accuracy for the power output by the outdoor unit. Here, a given outdoor antenna unit is not calibrated against specific hand-held device characteristics, but allowed to adjust in response to changing characteristics or power requirements for a device to which it is coupled. For improved or optimum performance, however, the outdoor antenna unit and the hand-held wireless device connected to it need to communicate transmit power levels and requirements.

[0016] What is needed is a system and method for the hand-held device to inform the outdoor unit of an appropriate transmit power level to produce or use in transferring signals, using a control signal. Furthermore, what is needed is a system and method for allowing the outdoor unit to adjust its transmit power level based on the control input, to better match or coordinate with the desired performance of the wireless device.

[0017] The present invention is a novel system and method for controlling transmit power in a car kit outdoor unit by a coupled wireless device. With the present invention, transmit power is controlled by obtaining an output power measurement of the information signal transmitting from an external antenna unit, also referred to as an outdoor unit. The output power measurement is provided to a hand held wireless device via a feedback loop to adjust the initial and subsequent power of information signals transmitting from the hand held device.

[0018] The system of the present invention includes an outdoor unit, a hand held device, and any other units needed for transmission. An exemplary additional unit for transmission may be a cradle for supporting the hand held device, and for interfacing with the outdoor unit. The antenna unit of the present invention includes components for transmitting information signals and components for obtaining an output power measurement of information signals immediately prior to transmission. The hand held device comprises one or more transmit and receive components and logic that can interpret the output power measurement and adjust transmission power of the information signal, or outdoor unit, accordingly.

[0019] The method of the present invention includes obtaining an output power measurement, modulating the power measurement onto a carrier, and transmitting the modulated measurement signal to the hand held device. The method of the present invention also includes receiving the modulated measurement signal by a cradle or directly by hand held device, demodulating the measurement signal, and adjusting the transmit power of the information signal.

[0020] The system and method of the present invention allow control of the initial transmit power of the information signal from the wireless device in order to limit the output power of the signal transmitted from the device to the power needed for high quality transmission, in accordance with known constraints on emission levels, and in view of desired or acceptable “other device” interference levels. Limiting the output power from an outdoor unit, or the hand held wireless device, allows a maximum number of individual user transmissions to be carried by in a wireless communication system, and avoids potential problems with emission standards.

[0021] The features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a car kit environment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a car kit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an ODU logic unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a hand held logic unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of connecting a handheld to a cradle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the use of a car kit for placing a call according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of obtaining a digital power measurement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating adjustment of transmit power by a handheld device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating car kit communications protocol.

[0031] With the system and method of the present invention, transmit power is controlled in an external or outdoor antenna unit coupled to a hand held wireless device. The transmit power is controlled by obtaining an output power measurement of an information signal transmitting from an external or outdoor unit and using that output power measurement to adjust the power of the transmitted information signal for an otherwise hand held wireless device. Information is passed from the hand-held device to the outdoor unit by a control signal. Based on a current control voltage level, the outdoor unit adjusts its transmit power level.

[0032] One embodiment of the present invention is in a car kit that comprises an external antenna unit, also referred to as an outdoor unit or ODU, that mounts to the exterior of a vehicle, such as the trunk or roof of a car or truck and a cradle. An otherwise hand held wireless device interfaces with the car kit to make and receive calls or establish various communication links. The car kit operates in a wireless satellite communications system, preferably one that uses Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. However, it would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts that other satellite systems, such as ones using Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites, or geosynchronous (GEO) satellites, could also be used with this invention. The invention may also prove useful in some terrestrial communication systems where car kit power losses or differences unacceptably effect the control of output power.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless mobile phone system 102, in which the present invention may be used. Such communication systems are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307, issued Feb. 13, 1990, entitled “Spread Spectrum Multiple Access Communication System Using Satellite or Terrestrial Repeaters;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,974, which issued Nov. 25, 1997, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Using Full Spectrum Transmitted Power in a Spread Spectrum Communication System for Tracking Individual Recipient Phase Time and Energy,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/120,859 filed Jul. 21, 1998, entitled “System And Method For Reducing Call Dropping Rates In A Multi-Beam Communication System,” all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and are incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Mobile phone system 102 comprises one or more hand held (or holdable, transportable) wireless devices 110 communicating with a wireless communications system or network 128 comprising equipment related to wireless communication service. Wireless device 110 is mounted in or coupled to a car kit 104. Car kit 104 is mounted in a vehicle, such as an automobile or truck, 106, although other locations are possible. Car kit 104 includes a cradle 108, a cable 111, an outdoor unit (ODU) 112, and an ODU antenna 114. Hand-held device 110 can rest in or be removed from cradle 108. It is anticipated and will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, that the “car kit” and ODU represent elements that can be used in non-vehicular arrangements as well, such as for fixed remote communication applications in or around structures where unit mobility is occasionally exploited or increased power is sometimes desired.

[0035] Hand held device 110 has two modes of operation, as a standalone unit and as a hand set plugged into cradle 108. When hand-held device 110 operates as a standalone unit, it transmits and receives via satellite 116 using an antenna (not shown) built into or manufactured as part of the hand-held device. When hand-held device 110 is used within vehicle 106 and is connected to cradle 108, it transmits and receives via ODU 112.

[0036] Connection of the elements of car kit 104 will next be illustrated. Cradle 108 is connected to ODU 112 by cable 111. ODU 112 mounts to an exterior surface of vehicle 106. Antenna 114 is attached to the top of ODU 112. Hand held device 110 may rest within cradle 108, whereby it is electrically connected to ODU 112 through cradle 108 directly, by inductive coupling, or via a wire connection in a well known manner. When a wire connection is used, hand held device 110 may be removed from its resting position within cradle 108 by a user to initiate or receive a call and still remain electrically connected to car kit 104. In addition, hand held device 110 may be unplugged from cradle 108 and taken outside vehicle 106, or other structure, for stand-alone use. In that event, hand held device 110 is electrically disconnected from car kit 104 and does not utilize any features that are incorporated in car kit 104.

[0037] Cradle 108 remains within vehicle 106 and ODU 112 remains fixed to vehicle 106. Mobile phone system 102 transmits to and receives signals from an antenna 118 connected to a ground base station, hub, or gateway 120 via satellite 116 providing service for an area wireless device 110 is located in, in a manner known to persons skilled in the relevant arts, and disclosed in the patents referenced above. A gateway provides communication links for connecting a wireless device, also referred to as a user terminal, to other user terminals or users of other communication systems, such as a public switched telephone network.

[0038] Hand-held device 110 constantly, or on a pre-selected periodic basis, adjusts the power level of transmitted signals during a call or communication link depending on a number of know factors, one of which is the data rate. Data rate can change depending on the type or amount of data being sent, for example, data transmitted via personal computers, digitized representation of a voice, facsimile data, etc. may use different rates. In addition, variable rate vocoders are typically used for voice communications creating different rates within a given communication signal. Different data rates require different power for transmission of that data.

[0039] In order to allow a variety of hand-held devices 110 to work efficiently with a variety of ODUs 112 when hand-held device 110 is connected to cradle 108, hand held device 110 sends information to ODU 112 indicating the required transmit power level ODU 112 must produce. This provides the ability to obtain the appropriate power output, as discussed above, to maintain a quality communication link without excessive interference with other wireless devices using the communication system, and allows greater flexibility in pairing hand-held devices 110 and ODU 112 independent of the model and vendor.

[0040] Notification of the particular ODU design characteristics also allows hand held device 110 to ensure that the transmit power of the information signal does not exceed the design criteria of any of the components within ODU 112 thereby preventing damage to components of ODU 112. The initiation process provides hand held device 110 with the information it needs to limit the power of a transmit signal to an appropriate level. The initiation process that occurs when hand held device 110 is plugged into cradle 108 is described in further detail with respect to FIG. 5.

[0041] In some embodiments the initial output power for hand held device 110 is set arbitrarily low, such that no other receiver is expected to receive the signal, this assures that the ODU is not overpowered by the output signal. The process of the invention then operates to achieve an important function of setting the output power to a desired (more useful) level as quickly as possible while conforming to any system constraints such as emission levels set by government agencies, or desired interference levels in the communication system. It is generally undesirable to have hand held device 110 or ODU 112 simply start at a very high power level even if that is ultimately what is chosen.

[0042] With wireless device 110 in cradle 104, a call can be initiated by entering digits into a keypad specifying a particular destination number, also referred to as a telephone number, and then entering a send command using the keypad. Information is then transmitted to gateway 120 including information used to establish, process, or terminate the call. Alternatively, a call or request for communication can originate with another system user, the communication system itself, or a connected network. During a call, operation of mobile phone system 102 generally includes sending information signals between hand-held device 110, gateway 120, and another signal recipient, such as over a connected network via link 122 through network interface device 126, using the components within the wireless communications network 128 (as described in reference to FIG. 1 above).

[0043] The signals being transferred follow one or more standards for communication such as the well known IS-95 standard for wireless communication. The gateway interprets information signals in accordance with such standards and responds to the call, or switches it to other components within the wireless communications system. The destination number received by gateway 120 determines the switching that is needed to complete the call to the intended recipient, by the gateway or another connected network. Finally, the call proceeds until one of the parties terminates the call.

[0044] Whether hand held device 110 originates or responds to a call, during the call, hand held device 110 adjusts the transmit power level of the information signals as the data rate changes or as the path loss or signal attenuation changes, in accordance with known power control techniques or algorithms, as discussed above. In addition, hand held device 110 adjusts the transmit power level to compensate for car kit 104 losses. Because the signal must transmit through cable 111 and ODU 112 before transmitting via ODU antenna 114, losses result in a difference between the power of the initial transmit signal and the power output from ODU 112. Hand held device 110 needs to know the difference between the output power from ODU 112 and the power of the initial transmitted signal in order to adjust either its or the ODU transmit power to achieve the desired power output from ODU 112. The needed power measurement information is provided to hand held device 110 via a power feedback loop. The process for providing the information is described in further detail with respect to FIG. 6.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary car kit 104. Car kit 104 comprises components used to transmit and receive via satellite 116 in order to communicate with gateway 120. Car kit 104 interfaces with a hand-held device 110 connected to cradle 108, which is connected to outdoor unit 112 by cable 111. ODU 112 transfers signals, transmit and receive through ODU antenna 114 connected to ODU 112.

[0046] Hand held device 110 comprises receive components 302 and transmit components 304, also referred to as hand held (HH) receive and transmit components. In addition, in order to control ODU power, hand held device 110 comprises a HH logic unit 308, discussed further below.

[0047] Cradle 108 includes a duplexer 306, a demodulator 310, and a power supply interface 326.

[0048] Outdoor unit 112 comprises ODU power control unit 328. ODU power control unit 328 includes ODU transmit components 312, a duplexer 322, and ODU receive components 324, a power detector 314, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 315, a temperature detector 316, an ODU logic unit 318, and a modulator 320.

[0049] The connection between hand held device 110 and cradle 108 will be described next. HH logic unit 308 is connected to demodulator 310 in order to receive the power measurement from ODU 112. Logic unit 308 is also connected to HH transmit components 304 in order to provide information for the adjustment of the transmit power of the signal. Transmit components 304 are connected to duplexer 306 which provides connection to cable 111. Duplexer 306 is also connected to HH receive components 302 so that receive components 302 can receive the signal from satellite 116 via cable 111 into hand held device 110. Power supply interface 326 within cradle 108 is connected to the link between hand held device 110 and cable 111. In addition, power supply interface 326 is connected to the vehicle battery, generator, or other known power source (not shown) to provide a source of power for the hand held device 110 and/or ODU 112.

[0050] Cable 111 is connected to duplexer 322 within ODU 112. Duplexer 322 is also connected to transmit components 312 and satellite receive components 324 within ODU 112. The output of transmit components 312 is connected to ODU antenna 114. ODU power control components 328 are connected as a feedback loop from the output of ODU transmit components 312 to cable 111.

[0051] Within the ODU power control feedback loop, power detector 314 is connected to the output of transmit components 312 to detect the power of the signal output from transmit components 312. The output of power detector 314 is connected to ODU logic unit 318 so that detected power can be converted into a digital power measurement. Temperature detector 316 is connected to ODU logic unit 318 in order to provide a temperature measurement for improved estimation of the power. The output of ODU logic unit 318 is connected to the input of modulator 320 for modulation of the power measurement on a carrier signal for transfer to the hand held device. A typical carrier is a 13 MHz carrier frequency as found useful in the art. The output of modulator 320 is connected to cable 111. Thus, the signal is sent from modulator 320 back to cradle 108 via cable 111.

[0052] In the alternative, power and temperature measurements can be maintained as analog values and transferred using known data modulation techniques for modulating values on a carrier, such as is commonly used in modem communications over wireline links. Various known analog modulation techniques could be used The power or temperature measurement values are then recreated or provided as an output by demodulator 310. Such techniques are well understood in the art.

[0053] Duplexer 322 in ODU 112 and duplexer 306 in cradle 108 allow connection between multiple circuits. The interfaces may be implemented using duplexers manufactured by Murata, such as Murata's duplexer model number DSY21R61C2R49BHB. In an alternate embodiment, car kit 104 includes a cellular communication link (not shown). In this alternate embodiment, triplexers are used in place of duplexers 322 and 306 in order to connect three links including the satellite transmit, satellite receive, and cellular links. The alternate embodiment, the circuit arrangement of which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts, allows the mobile phone to be used in either a terrestrial cellular system or a satellite communications system.

[0054] Implementation of ODU power control components 328 will be described next. Power detector 314 may be implemented with a full-wave zero bias Schottky diode detector (ZBS) such as the model number HSMS2852, manufactured by Hewlett-Packard. In one embodiment of the present invention, the power detector design specifications include providing at least 25 db dynamic range, having power estimation errors of ±0.5 db from 27-35 dbm, a power estimation time of 1 millisecond, and operating at temperatures of −20° C. to +60° C. ambient. The output of power detector 314 is input to A/D converter 315 which uses a 16-bit single slope conversion and is re-calibrated every second. A/D converter 315 is connected to ODU logic unit 318, which may be a microprocessor running at around 13.125 MHz.

[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of ODU logic unit 318. Logic unit 318 comprises one or more processors and storage media. Within logic unit 318 are: a multiplexer 402, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 404, a temperature look-up table 406, a logarithmic transform table 410, a power estimator 408, calibration parameter tables 420, and design specification parameter tables 422.

[0056] Logic unit 318 comprises one or more processors that have the capability of processing computer software in the form of lines of executable code comprising commands from a computer programming language residing in a storage medium. The processors may comprise processing capability dispersed among one or more processing chips, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other hardware capable of processing computer software. In addition, ODU logic unit 318 includes, or has associated with it, a storage medium.

[0057] Storage medium also referred to as memory is a storage medium which includes long term memory, non volatile memory, removable memory such as floppy disk or any other memory that can be used to store computer code or information processed by computer software. The storage medium may be dispersed among one or more hardware storage medium components. In one embodiment of the present invention, ODU logic unit 318 is implemented with a PIC14000 microcomputer which runs at 13.125 MHz. The PIC14000 microcomputer is versatile and allows for future expansion.

[0058] Signals from power detector 314 and temperature detector 316 are input into multiplexer 402 within ODU logic unit 318. The output of multiplexer 402 is connected to A/D converter 404 where the multiplexed temperature and power information is converted to digital format. The output of A/D converter 404 is connected to temperature look-up table 406 and logarithmic transformation table 410. Temperature look-up table 406 and logarithmic transformation table 410 are connected to power estimator 408. Power estimator 408 is connected to modulator 320 to send the estimated power to modulator 320 for modulation onto a carrier and transmission via cable 111. The process of obtaining a digital power measurement will be described in further detail with respect to FIG. 7.

[0059] Multiplexer 402 receives input from power detector 314 and temperature detector 316 and multiplexes the signals into one output signal. Multiplexing techniques such as those known to those skilled in the art are used to multiplex the signals.

[0060] The resulting multiplexed signal is sent from multiplexer 402 to A/D converter 404. In a preferred embodiment, a 16 bit single slope A/D converter is used. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the invention is not limited to a 16 bit A/D converter and that other such elements can be used within the teachings of the invention having other bit widths or slopes, as desired. The preferred implementation of A/D converter 404 is re-calibrated every second using an internal bandgap reference.

[0061] In one embodiment, temperature look-up table 406 and logarithmic transformation table 410 are 256 level tables residing in a memory device or elements such as a RAM or ROM. Temperature look-up table 406 converts an 8 bit voltage obtained from temperature detector 316 into an 8 bit temperature. Logarithmic transformation table 410 converts a 10 bit voltage into an 8 bit log (voltage).

[0062] Neither the look-up table 406 nor logarithmic transformation table 410 are limited to 256 levels. The voltage obtained from temperature detector 316 can be represented by a digital word length other than 8 bits. The logarithmic transformation table is not constrained to operate with a 10 bit word length, nor to provide an 8 bit log (voltage) output. The illustrated word lengths are for purposes of illustration and other word lengths can be used, depending on desired resolution, as will be clear to those skilled in the art.

[0063] Power estimator 408 receives the 8 bit temperature and the 8 bit log (voltage) and converts them into a 10 bit absolute power estimation (in dbm). In one embodiment, the power estimation is determined by using a series of voltage-temperature correlation equations and calibration coefficients as discussed in copending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 09/387,138 entitled System And Method For Temperature Compensation Of External Antenna Units,” previously incorporated above. Calibration coefficients stored in calibration parameter tables 420 are used with the calibration temperature.

[0064] Design specification parameter tables 422 are connected to modulator 320 to provide design specification parameters to hand held device 110 during the initiation process that occurs when hand held device 110 is plugged into cradle 108. The initiation process will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 5.

[0065] Design specification parameters are stored in the design specification parameter tables 422. Design specification parameters are the design characteristics of ODU 112. These design specification parameters inform hand held device 110 of limitations needed or desired in setting the initial transmit power. In addition, hand held device 110 may have its own initial setting limits it relies upon, such as the very low setting discussed above. Design specification parameters often are characteristics of the power amplifier in ODU 112. Design specification parameters include, among others, maximum gain deviation, power detector minimum accurate power, power amplifier supply voltage, power amplifier hi/low bias versus frequency, maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) versus frequency, maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) backoff, and gain compression.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of HH logic unit 308. HH logic unit 308 comprises one or more processors that may have the capability of processing computer software in the form of lines of executable code of a computer programming language residing in storage medium. Processors may actually constitute processing capability dispersed among one or more processing chips, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other hardware capable of processing computer software. It is well known that control processors form part of hand held wireless devices as discussed in the above-referenced patents. In addition, HH logic unit 308 includes or is connected to a storage medium. In one embodiment, logic unit 308 is implemented with an Intel 386 microcomputer, which is capable of processing many tasks which is necessary for operation of hand held device 110.

[0067] Within FIG. 4 is a HH transmit power control element or device 502 and a parameter specific transmit power limitations block 504. Power control element 502 is connected to ODU logic unit 318 Power control 502 receives the power measurement from ODU logic unit 318, performs processing, and sends signals for controlling transmit power to HH transmit components 304. The process for controlling power is described in further detail with respect to FIG. 6. Parameter specific transmit power limitations block 504 is connected to power control 502 in order to receive ODU parameters during initiation of hand held device 110 and send appropriate limitations to transmit power control 502. The process for initiating hand held device 110 is described in further detail with respect to FIG. 5.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of illustrating the operation of providing hand held device 110 with information to establish initial transmit power when hand held device 110 is connected to cradle 108. The design specification parameter tables 422 within ODU logic unit 318 contain the design specification parameters for ODU 112. The design specification parameters are sent from ODU 112 to hand held device 110 when hand held device 110 is plugged into cradle 108. This allows the selection of the model and vendor of hand held device 110 to be independent of ODU 112.

[0069] The flowchart in FIG. 5 begins with step 603. In step 603, ODU 112 is in standby mode until cradle 108 initiates communication. In step 604, cradle 108 detects hand held device 110 and cradle 108 sends a data send signal to ODU 112. The data send signal indicates to ODU 112 that hand held device 110 is plugged into cradle 108 and is ready to receive the design specification parameters.

[0070] In step 606, ODU 112 sends a message with a design specification parameter to hand held device 110. One design specification parameter is sent in response to a data send signal. The design specification parameter is any one of the design specification parameters that has not been already sent to hand held device 110 during this initiation process. Design specification parameters include maximum gain deviation, power detector minimum accurate power, power amplifier supply voltage, power amplifier hi/low bias versus frequency, maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) versus frequency, maximum EIRP backoff, gain compression, propagation delay between hand held device and unit transmit antenna, propagation delay between hand held device and unit receive antenna, transmit gain, and receive gain, and any other design specification parameter that hand held device 110 needs to know in order to establish an initial transmit power that will not damage any components in ODU 112.

[0071] In step 608, it is determined whether or not hand held device 110 received the message. If, in step 608, it is determined that hand held device 110 did not receive the message, the call flow proceeds to step 610. If it has been determined in step 608 that hand held device 110 received the message, processing according to the method proceeds to step 612.

[0072] In step 610, hand held device 110 responds to ODU 112 with a data send signal. This alerts ODU 112 to resend the design specification parameter that was sent. After step 610 is complete, processing returns to step 606.

[0073] In step 612, hand held device 110 responds to ODU 112 with a data OK signal. The data OK signal indicates to ODU 112 that the design specification parameter was received by hand held device 110.

[0074] In step 614, it is determined whether or not this is the final design specification parameter. If this is the final design specification parameter, call flow proceeds to step 616. If this is not the final design specification parameter, processing proceeds to step 606 to send the next design specification parameter.

[0075] In step 616, hand held device 110 establishes the power of the initial signal to be transmitted. The design specification parameters are used by logic unit 308 to determine limitations needed in the initial transmit power to ensure that components within ODU 112 are not damaged, or desired for power control purposes.

[0076] In step 618, hand held device 110 sends a signal to turn on satellite transmit components 312 in ODU 112. HH logic unit 308 sends a signal to turn on ODU transmit components 312 within ODU 112 so that ODU 112 is ready for transmission of the information signal. HH transmit components 304 control the initial power of the transmit signal so that the signal that is sent does not exceed the power that is useful, as discussed above for interference and emissions, or can be accepted by ODU transmit components 312.

[0077] In step 620, transmit components 312 are prepared for service. Transmit components 112 are turned on and are ready to transmit the signal.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of using a car kit 104 to place or receive a call. Information passes to and from car kit 104 during progress of a call. First, a call is established, then the parties proceed to communicate information, and finally the call is terminated. Information signals containing the information needed for each of these phases of a call pass to and from car kit 104. The transmit power level of the information signals is controlled by handheld device 110 using a power measurement signal obtained from ODU power control components 328 within ODU 112.

[0079] In step 704, HH transmit components 304 send the information signal to ODU 112 via cable 111. If the information signal is the first information signal of a particular call, the initial power of the information signal has been determined by preliminary processing occurring performed by HH logic unit 308 using information stored in ODU logic unit 318. The preliminary processing is described in more detail above with respect to FIG. 5.

[0080] Multiple information signals may be sent during the progress of a call which result in repeated processing. That is, a call or communication link, meaning information signals, including access requests for the gateway, may be sent over a period of time and result in repeated adjustments of signal power. If an information signal is not the first information signal of a particular call, the power of the information signal has been determined by previous processing of step 708.

[0081] The information signal may include the following types of information: information to establish the call to a recipient (as through gateway 120) or the recipient network interface device 126, information to be sent from hand held device 110 to a recipient, such as a digitized version of someone's voice, data transmitted via personal computers, digitized versions of the content on pages transmitted via facsimile, and information to indicate that one of the parties has terminated the call. The information signal may include signals needed to establish or terminate a call following established standards known to those skilled in the art.

[0082] HH transmit components 304 send the information signal to ODU 112. The signal is received by ODU transmit components 312 within ODU 112. The circuitry within ODU transmit components 312 needed to transmit the signal from vehicle 106 to satellite 116 resides in ODU 112.

[0083] In step 706, transmit components 312 in ODU 112 transmit the signal to satellite 116 via ODU antenna 114. ODU antenna 114 is typically physically connected to the top of ODU 112 and contains the capability to transmit signals from vehicle 106 to satellite 116. When satellite 116 receives the signal from ODU antenna 114, satellite 116 sends the signal to antenna 118 within wireless communications network 128. The signal is received by antenna 118 where it is received and transferred to to a recipient via gateway 120, possibly over digital link 122.

[0084] In step 708, ODU 112 provides an absolute power measurement to hand held device 110. As the signal is sent from transmit components 312 to ODU 114, power detector 314 obtains a measurement of the output power of the information signal. Power detector 314 is connected to the output of transmit components 312 to detect the output power. Because the power measurement is obtained immediately before the information signal is transmitted outside of car kit 104, it provides an accurate assessment of the impact of circuitry within car kit 104 on the power of the information signal. The power measurement is sent back to hand held device 110 for adjustments in the initial (or subsequent) power of the transmitted signal allowing for accurate power control. Obtaining a digital power estimation will be described in further detail with respect to FIG. 7.

[0085] In step 710, the digital power measurement is modulated by modulator 320. On off keying, half duplex modulation is used for modulation of the digital power measurement. Modulation of the digital power measurement is needed to transmit the power measurement from ODU 112 to cradle 108 via cable 111.

[0086] In step 712, the power measurement is transmitted to cradle 108. The modulated power measurement output from modulator 320 is sent to cradle 108 via cable 111.

[0087] In step 714, the power measurement is demodulated in cradle 108. Demodulator 310 in cradle 108 receives the modulated power measurement from ODU 112 via cable 111. Demodulator 310 demodulates the signal using demodulation techniques well-known in the art.

[0088] In step 716, cradle 108 sends the power measurement to hand held device 110. Demodulator 310 within cradle 108 sends the power measurement to logic unit 308 within hand held device 110 via the connection between hand held device 110 and cradle 108.

[0089] In step 718, hand held device 110 adjusts the power of information signals being transmitted. Hand held device 110 provides adjustments needed to the initial transmitted power of the signal to compensate for losses, design constraints, or limitations in the circuitry of car kit 104. Adjustment by hand held device 110 of the power of transmitted information signals is described in further detail with respect to FIG. 8.

[0090] FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart of step 708, illustrating the operation of obtaining the digital power measurement.

[0091] In step 804, power is detected. The power is detected by power detector 314 at the output of ODU transmit components 312 immediately before the signal is transmitted by ODU antenna 314.

[0092] In step 806, the temperature is detected. Temperature detector 316 detects the temperature within ODU 112 using temperature detection techniques well-known in the art. Temperature is detected because the performance of many power detector models, including the Schottky power detector, varies based on temperature.

[0093] In step 808, the power and temperature signals are multiplexed. The power and temperature signals are multiplexed by multiplexer 402 in order to provide one multiplexed signal to A/D converter 404.

[0094] In step 810, the multiplexed power and temperature signals are converted to digital signals, where digital values are used instead of transferring analog values. A/D converter 404 converts the multiplexed signal comprising the power and temperature measurements to digital format.

[0095] In step 812, the temperature measurement is converted from an 8-bit voltage value to an 8-bit temperature value. The input of temperature look-up table 406 is an 8-bit voltage 411 received from A/D converter 404. In the exemplary embodiment, processing of the temperature look-up table 406 results in an 8-bit temperature value 412. However, the process is not limited to nor dependent upon using 8-bit values or data words. The various digital systems or processing techniques illustrated herein do not depend on using digital words or data values of the specific lengths given herein. These digital values or words are given by way of example only, and the technique can be implemented using digital values with other data resolutions, that is, longer or shorter words, within the teachings of the invention, as desired.

[0096] In step 814, the power measurement is converted from an 8-bit voltage value to an 8-bit log value. In addition to sending an 8-bit voltage, AID converter 404 sends a 10-bit voltage to the logarithmic transform table 410. Processing of logarithmic transform table 410 results in an 8-bit log voltage.

[0097] In step 816, a resulting estimated power is determined that is 10-bit power estimation. Both the 8-bit temperature from temperature look-up table 406 and the 8-bit log voltage from logarithmic transformation table 410 are received and processed by power estimator 408. Power estimator 408 uses the 8-bit temperature and 8-bit log voltage values and produces a 10-bit power estimation. The 10-bit power estimation is formatted according to the protocol shown in FIG. 9 and sent to modulator 320.

[0098] FIG. 8 is a detailed flowchart of step 718, illustrating the operation of adjusting the transmit power by hand held device 110.

[0099] In step 904, logic unit 308 receives the demodulated power measurement.

[0100] In step 906, hand held device 110 determines whether or not an adjustment in transmit power is needed. An adjustment in power may be needed because hand held device 110 needs to vary the power, in conjunction with maintaining a desired communication link quality or signal strength and/or because the output power from the ODU is different from the power of the signal transmitted from hand held device 110, or desired by device 110. Often adjustments are needed both to change the desired power and compensate for error (differences) or losses in the transmission via ODU 112. The power of the signals transmitted from hand held device 110 varies based on the data rate of the information. Varying data rate occurs when variable rate vocoders, specialized equipment, or other known input devices are used for creating the information signal.

[0101] Logic unit 308 compares the current initial transmit power to the power measurement received from ODU 112. A calculation of difference of the power measurement received from ODU 112 subtracted from the current initial transmit power from transmit components 304 provides an error measurement. A calculation is then made using the error measurement and the desired next power to be transmitted from transmit components 304.

[0102] If an adjustment in transmit power is needed, processing according to the method proceeds to step 908. If an adjustment in transmit power is not needed, the processing is completed as indicated by step 910.

[0103] In step 908, transmit components 304 adjust the power of the transmitted signal.

[0104] FIG. 9 illustrates car kit communications protocol 1002. FIG. 9 provides the timing of design specification parameter, power, and temperature data sent from ODU 112 to cradle 108 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The packet length for sending design specification parameter data 1004 is longer and supports error checking. The packet length for sending power data 1006 is shorter and faster but has parity for primitive error detection.

[0105] In addition, the timing for sending data 1008 from cradle 108 to ODU 112 is illustrated. Messages are not required to be sent from cradle 108 to ODU 112 for operation of the present invention. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, messages are sent in order to assist in ODU 112 communication. In order to send messages from cradle 108 to ODU 112, cradle 108 has a modulator (not shown) and ODU 112 has a demodulator (not shown). On off keying modulation is used for transmission from cradle 108 to ODU 112.

[0106] Data send and data OK messages sent from cradle 108 to ODU 112 inform ODU 112 that it should send design specification parameter data and acknowledge that design specification parameter data has been sent. If a checksum error occurs when design specification parameter data is being transmitted, cradle 108 retransmits the previous design specification parameter. A transmit components on/off message indicates that transmit components 312 are to turn on or off. Alternatively, the message may be a power amplifier on/off message indicating that a power amplifier within transmit components 312 should be turned on or off. A bias hi/lo message indicates to ODU 112 that a power amplifier should be switched to high/low bias depending on emission requirements. Each message is repeated twice in succession to be recognized and provide rudimentary error checking. Other numbers of repetitive transfers could be used, as well as pre-selected spacing between transfers.

[0107] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.