METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DECENTRALIZING UPLINK NETWORK CONTROL FUNCTIONS AND MINIMIZING TERMINAL POWER LEVEL ASSESSMENT OVERHEAD IN RADIO FREQUENCY DATA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

摘要

Methods and apparatus are set forth which enable a data communications network (1) to perform decentralised uplink network control functions (decentralised away from the centralised general communications controller (GCC) level of the network hierarchy); (2) to minimise, or in some cases eliminate, the overhead expended in making power lever (signal strength) determinations and assessments at both the GCC and base station levels of the network hierarchy (for the purpose of managing uplink communications); and (3) to allow individual subscriber radios (terminals) to dynamically determine the most desirable base station to communicate with when exchanging information a host computer via a shared RF communication channel (the link between a terminal and the base station). Additionally, an illustrative radio frequency data communication network, built in accordance with the teachings of the invention as a modified version of an existing network, is described where the modified network incorporates the aforementioned methods and apparatus.