Vehicle repeater prioritization system
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a generalized communication system comprising a base station, a pair of mobile stations, and a pair of portable stations; and 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a repeater according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a generalized communication system comprising a base station 12, mobile transceivers 16a, b, associated repeaters 20a, b, and portable transceivers 30a, b. Each mobile transceiver 16a, b, is comprised of a transmitter 21a, b, and a receiver 22a, b each of which operates on a first frequency. Inputs to the mobile transceivers 16a, b are coupled through corresponding antennas 22a, b respectively. The base station 12, which also operates on the first frequency, transmits and receives signals through its antenna 14. 
     Signals from the mobile receivers 22a, b are fed to the repeater mobile audio inputs 25a, b respectively. Audio at repeater outputs 27a, b feed into mobile transmitters 21a, b as do repeater push-to-talk outputs 27a, b respectively. Repeater 20a, b output signals at a secondary frequency are transmitted via repeater antennas 28a, b to the portable 30a, b which similarly operate on the second frequency. 
     In operation each mobile transceiver 16a, b might be located in an automotive vehicle. The repeaters 20a, b  are &#34;add on&#34; networks to the existing transceiver 16a, b requiring a minimum of interconnections. When the user leaves his vehicle, he carries the portable transceiver 30a, b which corresponds to his repeater unit. Assuming a signal is received on antennas 23a, b at this first frequency, the receivers 22a, b process the RF input which is then fed to a corresponding repeater 20a, b respectively. This initiates a clock (shown in FIG. 2) internal to the repeater whose output begins counting down a programmed counter (FIG. 2) located within the repeater. The first repeater whose count reaches a predetermined state (repeater 20a in the figure) processes the signal from the mobile receiver 22a retransmitting it via antenna 28a at the second frequency to the portables 30a, b. Each repeater is programmed to a different incremental delay, whereby the repeater whose delay is in its lowest state will be the first to retransmit the received signal, this transmission blocking out remaining repeaters. 
     Repeater programming may be described as follows. When the portable transceiver 30a, b is removed from a corresponding repeater 20a, b a switch is activated whereby the repeater is energized. Once activated the repeater determines whether or not a transmission is occurring on the second frequency. If no second frequency transmission is detected, the repeater sets its own counter to the zero state and broadcasts a program signal on the second frequency to other repeaters. This program signal increments the remaining repeaters to their next highest delay state. Thus, a subsequent broadcast for retransmission will be handled by this latest arriving repeater. If, however, a transmission on the second frequency is sensed by the repeater turning on, it increments its own counter to a higher state and does not broadcast the program signal. Should the repeater in the lowest delay state leave the area or become inoperative, the repeater in the next lowest delay state will carry the rebroadcast and reset its counter to the lowest or zero state whereby in subsequent broadcasts a minimum delay is encountered. Transmissions from the portable transceivers 30a, b are picked up via repeater antennas 28a, b and processed through a repeater internal receiver (not shown) which demodulates the second frequency RF signal to audio. Once again the repeater&#39;s delay mechanism is activated whereby the repeater in the lowest delay state transmits the audio via its line output 26a or b and a push-to-talk command signal at output 27a or b to the transceiver transmitter 21a or b. The transmitter thereafter translates the audio signal to the first RF frequency, broadcasting it back to the base station. 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the first repeater 20a shown in FIG. 1. It should be understood that repeater 20a is representative of all repeaters in the commumication system according to the invention. 
     The output from the discriminator of the mobile receiver 22a (FIG. 1) is applied to repeater inputs 25a which connects to the input 40a of buffer amplifier 40. Buffer amplifier output 40b couples, first, to the input 44a of Continuous Tone Control Squelch System (CTCSS) reject filter 44, secondly to the input 46a of CTCSS detector 46 and, finally, to the input 48a of squelch detector 48. 
     In a continuous tone control squelch system a subaudible tone, usually between 67 to 200 Hz, is broadcast with the audio information. Each transceiver has frequency selective circuitry responsive to a particular tone in this range. In this way a single channel may be established between two stations simply by broadcasting the appropriate tone. Moreover, the tone level may be used as a squelch reference. Thus, CTCSS reject filter 44 removes the subaudible tone from the audio signal, whereas CTCSS detector 46 senses for the presence of the particular tone changing its output state at output 46b in response thereto. Squelch detector 48 senses for presence of the broadcast carrier, producing an active output state on output 48b in response thereto. 
     The output 44b of CTCSS reject filter 44 feeds to the input 50a of low power transmitter 50, whose output 50b is applied to one terminal 52a of transmit/receive relay 52. The second contact 52b of the relay 52 connects to the input 54a of the receiver 54. Both the transmitter 50 and receiver 54 operate at a second frequency suitable for communication with the portable station. Transmit/receive relay 52 acts in response to control signals at its two control inputs 52c, d to route either the receiver 54 or the transmitter 50 to antenna 28a. 
     The discriminator output of receiver 54 feeds first to input 62a of CTCSS tone detector 62 and second to the input 64a of squelch detector 64. The receiver&#39;s audio output feeds to the input 60a of CTCSS filter 60. CTCSS filter 60 selectively suppresses the subaudible tone which identifies this particular transceiver. CTCSS tone detector 62 operates in an identical manner as detector 46, and squelch detector 64 operates identically to squelch detector 48. 
     Squelch detector output 48b connects to the first input 70a of control logic circuitry 70, CTCSS detector 46b connects to the logic circuitry second input 70b and the logic detector third input 70c connects to the CTCSS tone detector 62 output 62b. Finally the logic circuitry fourth input 70d connects to the squelch detector output 64b. A first logic circuitry output 70e feeds to one input of a two input NAND gate 94, a second logic circuitry output 70f connects to the input 74a of a clock 74, and the final logic circuitry output 70g connects to one input 80a of switch logic 80. In response to signals applied at its inputs 70a-d the logic circuitry 70 predeterminedly activates selected ones of its outputs 70e-g. An active output 70f triggers clock 74 which couples clock signals at clock output 74b to the first input 78a of up-down counter 78. Counter output 78a connects first to the second input 80b of switch logic 80, and second to the second input of NAND gate 94. The output of NAND gate 94 connects first to the first input 90a of push-to-talk/mike relay 90 and second to an output 80d of switch logic 80. The switch logic output 80e connects to the input 84a of a time out timer 84 whose first output 84b connects to the second control terminal 52d of relay 52, and whose second output 84c connects to a second input 90b of push-to-talk/mike relay 90. The remaining switch logic output 80f, connects to relay input 52c. The switch logic 80 activates predetermined output terminals 80d-f in response to control signals at its inputs 80a-c. A primary function of switch logic 80 is the control via switch output 80f of the transmit/receive relay 52. 
     A switch 98, which activates upon the portable unit being removed from its corresponding repeater, connects to the input 100a of a program signal generator 100. The program signal generator output 100b connects to one input of a two input NAND gate 104 and to the first input 108a of the signal tone encoder/decoder 108. The NAND gate 104 second input is fed from the squelch detector output 64b through an inverter 110. The NAND gate 104 output connects first to the second input 78b of up-down counter 78 and second to the third input 80c of switch logic 80. Single tone decoder 108 has a first output 108c which connects to the second input 78c of the up-down counter 78, and a second output 108c which connects to the input 50a of transmitter 50. 
     REPEATER OPERATION 
     Received signals from the mobile receiver (22a in FIG. 1), are passed to repeaer input 25a where they are buffered by amplifier 40 and then routed to CTCSS reject filter 44, CTCSS detector 46, and squelch detector 48. Filter 44 removes the subaudible code tone and passes the resulting signal to the low power transmitter 50. Transmitter 50 translates the incoming signal to a second frequency for communication for a portable unit. As the portable units will be in proximity to the repeater, transmitter 50 normally produces a power level comparable to that of a portable. If relay 52 is activated to the transmit mode, the transmitter signal is passed out over antenna 28a to the portable. Should the relay be activated to the receive mode, no transmission would occur. 
     Squelch detector 48 activates its output 48b should the input signal contain the desired carrier, and, similarly, CTCSS detector 46 activates its output 46b should the input signal contain the &#34;private line&#34; tone. Logic circuitry 70 monitors the output states of the two detectors 48, 46. 
     Also monitored by the logic circuitry are the outputs (64b, 62b) of squelch detector 64 and CTCSS tone detector 62. If a signal broadcast on the second frequency, e.g. from a portable unit, is received by receiver 54, squelch detector 64 will activate its output 64b should the signal contain a proper carrier, and, likewise, CTCSS tone detector 62 will activate its output 62b should the received signal contain the proper tone. 
     If control inputs 70a, and 70b are activated, meaning there is a received mobile carrier and code tone, and if logic circuitry inputs 70c, d are inactivated, meaning there is no received portable signal, then control logic outputs 70f, g are activated. With line 70f activated clock input 74a is triggered whereby clock 74 begins producing clock pulses which are applied to the input 78a of up-down counter 78. Counter 78 is programmed to an initial state (which programming is described below) whereby the clock pulses cause the counter to down count. Thus, if the counter is in its &#34;4&#34; state, subsequently received pulses would increment the counter to its 3, 2, 1, and then 0 state. Once the counter has reached its 0 state it produces an activated output on output 78a which couples to switch logic input 80b. Should both switch logic inputs 80a, and 80b be activated, logic outputs 80f becomes activated whereby the transmitter 50 couples to the antenna 28a for retransmission. Otherwise the antenna couples to the receiver 54 inhibiting retransmission. 
     Portable to base repeater rebroadcast occurs as follows. If logic circuitry inputs 70a, b are inactivated, implying no mobile signal, and inputs 70c, d are activated implying a received portable signal then outputs 70e, f are activated. As before, an activated output 70f triggers clock 74 whereby clock pulses couple to &#34;down count&#34; up-down counter 78. Once counter 78 increments to its 0 state counter output 78a  is activated resulting in NAND gate 94 activating its output. Since logice circuit output 70g is not activated in this mode, the switch logic maintains the antenna 28 coupled to the receiver 54. 
     An activated NAND gate 94 triggers the push-to-talk/mike relay 90 via its input 90a whereby push-to-talk output 27a, which couples to the mobile transmitter (see FIG. 1) activates the transmitter to its transmit mode. Also, the signal received by receiver 54 couples from the output of CTCSS filter 60 through mike relay 90 to mike audio output 26a where it is coupled to the mobile transmitter input. The mobile transmitter thereby rebroadcasts the signal on the first frequency. 
     A time out timer 84 is a safety device which prevents the transmitter from locking onto the antenna during times when no retransmission is desired. Internal to the timer is circuitry which, after a given time period, produces inhibit pulses at outputs 84b, 84c assuring that relay 52 is switched to the receive mode, and that push-to-talk/mike relay 90 is deactivated. 
     The communication system operation depends on each repeater in the system being incremented to a different delay state whereby the repeater incremented to its lowest state handles all rebroacasting. System programming is understood as follows. Once a portable unit is removed from its corresponding repeater, switch 98 activates thus activating input 100a of program signal generator 100. This causes signal generator 100 to generate a burst program single which is applied to NAND gate 104 and signal tone encoder/decoder 108. If, at the time of signal generator turn on, receiver 54 is receiving a signal broadcast at the second frequency, i.e., a signal from a portable unit or from another repeater, squelch detector output 64b is activated and inverted by inverter 110 whereby NAND gate 104 is not satisfied. With NAND gate 104 output deactivated, input 78b of up-down counter is deactivated whereby the counter increments to a high delay state, and input 80c to switch logic 80 is deactivated whereby the switch logic maintains the relay 52 in the receive mode. 
     If, however, no signal is being received by receiver 54 on the second frequency, NAND gate 104 will activate its output whereby up-down counter 78 increments to its initial, or zero state, and switch logic input 80c activates logic output 80f, which in turn activates switch relay 52 to the transmit mode. In addition, the program signal feeds to single tone encoder/decoder input 108a where it is passed to output 108d and there to the input 50a of transmitter 50. Since transmitter 50 is coupled through relay 52 to the antenna 28a the program signal is broadcast out to other repeaters at the second frequency, incrementing them to a higher delay state. 
     If a subsequent repeater comes into the area it will generate a program signal which couples through antenna 28a, relay 52, receiver 54, and CTCSS filter 60 to input 108b of the single tone encoder/decoder 108. Encloder/decoder 108 activates outputs 108c in response to a received program signal. This activated output couples to input 78c of up-down counter 78 whereby the counter increments to its next higher state. That is, assuming counter 70 were in the zero state, it would now be activated to its one state. Similarly, all other repeaters in the area would be incremented to the next higher state. Since rebroadcast can only occur when an up-down counter 78 reaches its zero state, the counter at the lowest initial increment will always be the first to rebroadcast, and as is seen, this will normally be the last repeater unit to enter a given area. 
     When the first repeater begins rebroadcast, all remaining repeaters will be inhibited. This is understood as follows. Assuming a signal were to be rebroadcast from the mobile receiver, logic circuitry inputs 70a, b would be activated. If another repeater began rebroadcasting these signals on the second frequency logic circuitry input 70c, d would also become activated. In response to all of its inputs activated, logic circuitry 70 would deactivate output 70f whereby the clock 74 could no longer incrementally count down counter 78. Thus counter 78 would never reach its zero state and the repeater would be inhibited from retransmission. Broadcasts from the portable to mobile are similarly inhibited. 
     An additional feature of the repeater system is that once a repeater which was formerly in the zero state leaves the area, or is disabled, all remaining repeaters will increment down to the next lower state. The repeater whose counter is in the zero state will constantly activate input 80b of switch logic 80 whereby retransmission occurs the instant logic circuitry output 70g becomes activated. This retransmission inhibits all remaining repeaters before the clock 74 can begin the &#34;count down&#34;. However, with the zero state counter deactivated, the clock would activate long enough for the counter in the one state to count down to zero whereat it would rebroadcast and inhibit the remaining repeaters. Similarly, all other repeaters in the area would be incremented by one clock pulse to the next lower counter increment. Thereafter the counter that was formerly incremented to the one state would now be in the zero state, with the remaining repeaters in sequential order thereabove. 
     In summary, a repeating system which adds on to an existing mobile-base station communication system allowing rebroadcast to a corresponding portable station has been disclosed. The system has a prioritiaztion scheme which prevents the simultaneous broadcast of two promimately located repeaters while introducing a minimum of delay time in operation. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed, many modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.