Remote radio data communication system with data rate switching

A wireless data communication system, comprising:

• a base station transceiver capable of communication with a plurality of mobile transceivers via a wireless network, each of the plurality of mobile transceivers employing one of a first data rate and a second data rate for transmission, based upon an evaluation of radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network, the first data rate being higher than the second data rate;
• and
• the base station transceiver transmitting one or more messages usable by the plurality of mobile transceivers in performing the evaluation of radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network,
• wherein the evaluation of radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network comprises computing a weighted signal strength measurement, the weighting giving emphasis to lower signal strength measurements of fading signals, and
• wherein the base station transceiver and the mobile transceivers support the spread spectrum communications.

A method of determining a data rate in a wireless communication network, comprising:

• receiving at least one data message via the wireless communication network, the wireless communications network supporting spread spectrum communications;
• evaluating wireless communication network operating conditions based upon the received at least one data message, wherein evaluating the wireless communication network operating conditions comprises computing a weighted signal strength measurement, the weighting giving emphasis to lower signal strength measurements of fading signals;
• selecting one of a first data rate and a second data rate based upon the evaluation of wireless communication network operating conditions, the second data rate being higher than the first data rate;
• and
• transmitting at least one data message via the wireless communication network using the selected data rate.

One or more circuits in a mobile wireless communication device, comprising:

• receiver circuitry capable of receiving digital information communicated via a radio frequency network;
• at least one processor that evaluates operating conditions of the radio frequency network, the evaluating of operating conditions of the radio frequency network comprises computing a weighted signal strength measurement, the weighting giving emphasis to lower signal strength measurements of fading radio frequency signals, the at least one processor selecting one of a first data rate and a second data rate based upon the evaluation, the second data rate being higher than the first data rate;
• and
• transmitter circuitry capable of transmitting digital information at the selected data rate, via the radio frequency network, the transmitter circuitry being operatively coupled to the at least one processor,
• wherein the mobile wireless communication device supports spread spectrum communications.

A wireless data communication system, comprising:

• a mobile transceiver that, during operation, communicates with a base station transceiver via a wireless network, the mobile transceiver employing one of a first data rate and a second data rate for transmission, based upon an evaluation of radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network, the first data rate being higher than the second data rate;
• and
• the mobile transceiver receiving one or more messages usable in performing the evaluation of radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network,
• wherein evaluation of radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network comprises evaluating a signal strength measurement,
• wherein evaluating a signal strength measurement comprises computing a weighted signal strength measurement, the weighting giving emphasis to lower signal strength measurements of fading signals, and
• wherein the mobile transceiver and the base station transceiver support spread spectrum communications.

A wireless data communication system, comprising:

• a mobile device that, during operation, communicates with a base station via a wireless network, the mobile device employing one of a first data rate and a second data rate for transmission, based upon an evaluation of a radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network, the first data rate being higher then the second data rate, and
• the mobile device receiving one or more messages usable in performing the evaluation of radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network,
• wherein the evaluation of radio frequency operating conditions of the wireless network comprises computing a weighted signal strength measurement, the weighting giving emphasis to lower signal strength measurements of fading signals, and
• wherein the mobile device and the base station support spread spectrum communications.

One or more circuits in a mobile wireless communications device, comprising:

• at least one processor that evaluates operating conditions of a radio frequency network, the evaluating of operating conditions of the radio frequency network comprises computing a weighted signal strength measurement, the weighting giving emphasis to lower signal strength measurements of fading radio frequency signals, the at least one processor selecting one of a first data rate and a second data rate based upon the evaluation, the first data rate being lower than the second data rate;
• and
• the at least one processor causing transmitter circuitry to transmit information at the selected data rate, via the radio frequency network,
• wherein the mobile wireless communications device supports spread spectrum communications.

One or more circuits in a mobile wireless communications device, comprising:

• at least one processor that evaluates operating conditions of a radio frequency network, the evaluating of operating conditions of the radio frequency network comprises computing a weighted signal strength measurement, the weighting giving emphasis to lower signal strength measurements of fading radio frequency signals, the at least one processor choosing between a higher data throughput and a lower data throughput based upon the evaluation, the higher data throughput and the lower data throughput being effected at least by employing different lengths of a length-adjustable spreading code for use in the spread spectrum communications;
• and
• the at least one processor causing transmitter circuitry to transmit information at the chosen data throughput via the radio frequency network,
• wherein the mobile wireless communications device supports spread spectrum communications in the radio frequency network.

One or more circuits in a mobile wireless communications device, comprising:

• at least one processor that evaluates operating conditions of the radio frequency network, the evaluating of operating conditions of the radio frequency network comprises computing a weighted signal strength measurement, the weighting giving emphasis to lower signal strength measurements of fading radio frequency signals, the at least one processor choosing between a higher data throughput and lower data throughput based upon the evaluation, the higher data throughput and the lower data throughput being effected at least by employing different frequency hopping rates for use in the spread spectrum communications;
• and
• the at least one processor causing transmitter circuitry to transmit information at the chosen data throughput via the radio frequency network,
• wherein the mobile wireless communications device supports spread spectrum communications in the radio frequency network.