Importance

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Abstract

A network hub switching center routes communications from and to a plurality of RTUs. CTSs transmit data to the RTUs dispersed over a predetermined CTS geographic area and the RTUs present multiplexed digital data which is synchronously related to the CTS broadcast signal for communication with identified individual RTUs within designated geographic areas. A number of intermediate receivers are provided with each CTS for receiving messages from low-powered local RTUs. The intermediate receivers are located at a set of cell subdivision sites, which are partitioned from the CTS geographic area and are dispersed over the CTS geographic area. The CTS data processing and transmission facilities provides for synchronizing the transmission facilities with a precision clock signal derived from an independent precision clock source. The clock source is independent of the radio broadcast signals when the interactive radio network operates in conjunction with a source of radio broadcast signals. In one embodiment, the precision clock signal is obtained, for example, from a Global Positioning System (GPS) network. The CTSs and RTUs operate in a band of carrier frequencies between 218-219 MHz. The RTUs transmit on a plurality of frequencies, and the receive-only intermediate receivers at different subdivision sites operate on different ones of said frequencies within the 218-219 MHz band.

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First Claim