Secure communication system for multiple remote units

Abstract

A frequency-hopping datalink and providing communication between a base station, relay unit and multiple remote units utilizes time-division multiplexing and transmits information signals containing information relevant to the next frequencies of transmission. Signals from the base station are transmitted on a first frequency to a relay unit which retransmits the signals on a second frequency to a group of remote units. The information signal from the base station contains information concerning the frequencies of the next transmission and the time slot allotted for the remote units to respond. The remote units respond back at the first frequency which is received by the relay unit and rebroadcast to the base station at the second frequency. The first and second frequencies are changed after each message in accordance with a pseudo-random sequence generated either at the base station (and transmitted in encrypted form) or by means of a pseudo-random sequence generated at each remote unit and the relay unit, whose initial state is reset by an internal or externally derived time reference and whose pattern is determined by an internal key.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.