Uncoordinated frequency hopping cellular system

An uncoordinated frequency hopping cellular system, comprising:

• a mobile unit comprising:
• wireless means for determining which base stations are in a geographical location defined by a location of the mobile unit, the wireless means comprising:
• means for transmitting one or more inquiry messages;
• and
• means for receiving response information transmitted by responding base stations;
• means for determining a set of base stations that are in the geographical location;
• and
• means for selecting, for use by the mobile unit, one of the base stations from the set of base stations;
• and
• one or more base stations, each comprising:
• means for receiving at least one of the inquiry messages;
• and
• means, responsive to the received at least one inquiry message, for transmitting the response information to the mobile unit.

A method for operating a mobile unit for use in an uncoordinated frequency hopping cellular system, the method comprising:

• determining which base stations are in a geographical location defined by a location of the mobile unit, wherein the determination is made by:
• transmitting one or more inquiry messages from the mobile unit;
• and
• receiving response information transmitted by responding base stations;
• determining a set of base stations that are in the geographical location;
• and
• selecting, for use by the mobile unit, one of the base stations from the set of base stations.

A method of operating an uncoordinated frequency hopping cellular system, the method comprising the steps of:

• in a mobile unit:
• determining which base stations are in a geographical location defined by a location of the mobile unit, the determination being performed by:
• transmitting one or more inquiry messages;
• and
• receiving response information transmitted by responding base stations;
• determining a set of base stations that are in the geographical location;
• and
• selecting, for use by the mobile unit, one of the base stations from the set of base stations;
• and
• in each of one or more base stations:
• receiving at least one of the inquiry messages;
• and
• transmitting the response information to the mobile unit in response to the at least one received inquiry message.