Distributed microcellular communications system

Abstract

A distributed microcellular communication system comprised of a plurality of subcells arranged within one or more conventional cells. The distributed microcellular communications system includes one or more remote site stations, each of which transmits and receives information signals over an assigned set of communications channels within an associated subcell. Each remote site station includes a wideband RF receiver network within which information signals received from mobile units are converted into reverse link digital information signals. Also disposed within each remote site station is a remote communications link transceiver for transmitting the reverse link digital information signals over a communications link to the central base station, as well as for receiving forward link digital information signals from the central base station. The central base station includes a central communications link transceiver for receiving the reverse link digital information signals delivered over the communications link, as well as for transmitting the forward link digital information signals. The central base station is disposed to process the call information inherent within the forward and reverse link digital information signals in the manner required by standard cellular protocols. In an alternate implementation the remote site station further includes a channelizer for selecting a set of the reverse link digital information signals corresponding to the assigned set of communications channels, and may also include a bank of demodulator for demodulating the set of reverse link digital information signals.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.