Long-range voice and data transmission using LoRa modulation and sensitivity-enhancing buffering techniques

A method for operating an extended range radio system having a long-range radio and a high data-rate radio for communicating with a remote station, comprising:

• monitoring a signal indicating a distance between the extended range radio system and the remote station;
• in at least a first case responsive to the signal corresponding to a decrease of the distance, selecting the high-data rate radio and deselecting the long-range radio;
• and
• in at least a second case responsive to the signal corresponding to an increase of the distance, selecting the long-range radio and deselecting the high-data rate radio;
• wherein the communicating is performed as a direct peer-to-peer link between the extended range radio system and the remote station.

A method for operating a radio system, comprising:

• by a control application on a smartphone:
• receiving a source signal comprising voice or data;
• causing the source signal to be compressed;
• transmitting the compressed signal over a local link to a transceiver comprising a first long-range radio and a second high-data rate radio supporting different respective wireless standards;
• selecting one among the first and second radios;
• and
• in a case with the first long-range radio selected, reducing a bandwidth required for radio transmission by causing the compressed source signal to be buffered, wherein the compressed source signal is recorded in a buffer for subsequent slow transmission by the first long-range radio using a LoRa modulation format;
• and
• at the transceiver:
• receiving the compressed signal over the local link;
• forwarding the compressed signal to a selected one of the first or second radios;
• and
• encoding and transmitting the compressed signal according to the wireless standard of the selected radio.