Programmable filtering mechanism to allow bandwidth overlap between direct sequence spread spectrum communication device and frequency-hopping transmitter

A method of preventing a frequency-hopping transmitter from potentially interfering with the operation of a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communication device comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing first information representative of one or more frequencies that said frequency-hopping transmitter is expected to use during a communication interval of said DSSS communication device, including monitoring the operation of said frequency-hopping transmitter to identify said one or more frequencies transmittable by said frequency-hopping transmitter during said communication interval of said DSSS communication device;
• and
• (b) causing the frequency content of DSSS communication signals employable by said DSSS communication device during said communication interval to be exclusive of said one or more frequencies, including controllably programming a programmable notch filter of said DSSS communication device to form one or more notches in the passband spectrum thereof, respectively corresponding to said one or more frequencies, and thereby exclude said one or more frequencies from said frequency content of said DSSS communication signals employable by said DSSS communication device during said communication interval.

An arrangement for preventing a frequency-changing transmitter from potentially interfering with the operation of a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communication device comprising:

• a receiver which is operative to monitor the operation of said frequency-changing transmitter and identify one or more frequencies that the frequency-changing transmitter is expected to use during a communication interval of said DSSS communication device;
• and
• a programmable band rejection filter which is coupled in the signal transport path of DSSS communication signals employable by said DSSS communication device, and is controllably programmable to synthesize one or more notches in a passband spectrum thereof at said one or more frequencies identified by said receiver, and thereby cause said band rejection filter to exclude said one or more frequencies from said frequency content of said DSSS communication signals transportable through signal transport path of said DSSS communication device during said communication interval.