Communication system and method of communication for firefighter equipment

Abstract

A communication system includes a repeater communicatively coupled to a gateway device and at least one wireless unit using a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol. A plurality of time slots of each time frame of the TDMA protocol includes at least one repeater time slot and one or more wireless unit time slots. A repeater processor of the repeater is configured to receive, for the at least one repeater time slot of one time frame, a communication data from the at least one wireless unit in a corresponding wireless unit time slot subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot of a previous time frame. The repeater processor is further configured to generate a repeater data and transmit the repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot using a second power level greater than the transmit power of the wireless unit.

Description

[0001] PA102165W002

[0002] COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COMMUNICATION

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a communication system and a method of communication.

[0004] Firefighters and other emergency responders generally use wireless communication functionality that enables them to communicate with each other, or with a network, or a remote server. Such wireless communication functionality may be enabled by a telemetry system of personal protective equipment (PPE) articles (e.g., self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA) associated with such personnel. Wireless communication becomes critical when responding to an emergency.

[0005] Current telemetry systems utilize communication protocols that have a radio frequency (RF) range determined, at least in part, by a power level of a transmitter. Configuration of PPE articles, such as battery life, intrinsic safety requirements, etc. may limit the power level available for transmission. In some cases, a repeater may be placed on scene that may extend a range of communication between the PPE articles and a gateway because the repeater can transmit at much higher power levels. The repeater communicates directly with the PPE articles and re-transmits information to the gateway, thereby extending the range of communication. This may enable wireless communication, e.g., to and from the firefighters located on a high floor of a building where none of the PPE articles may be in range of the gateway directly.

[0006] When utilizing the repeater for wireless communication, an RF power level of the gateway must also be increased to communicate back to the repeater. This may be problematic since the gateway and the repeater will consume more power from respective hosts because they are continuously transmitting at a higher RF power level, thereby draining their respective power sources faster. Further, pairing of the gateway and the repeater with the PPE articles may create an asymmetric situation, where the PPE articles utilize a lower RF power level and the gateway utilizes a higher RF power level. This means that at certain distances, the PPE articles may always "hear" from the gateway, but the gateway will never "hear" from the PPE articles. This is sub-optimal for a bidirectional communication system. Additionally, the gateway is subject to specific absorption rate (SAR) testing that monitors proximity, power levels, and overall energy absorption. Continuous transmission by the gateway at higher RF power levels may cause issues with such testing.

[0007] Summary

[0008] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication system. The communication system includes a repeater communicatively coupled to a gateway device and at least one wireless unit using a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol. The TDMA protocol uses a plurality of time frames disposed temporally adjacent to each other. Each time frame of the plurality of time frames includes a plurality of time slots disposed temporally adjacent to each other in a temporal sequence. The repeater is configured to retransmit communication data in at least one direction between thegateway device and a transceiver of the at least one wireless unit using the TDMA protocol. The repeater includes a repeater processor. The plurality of time slots of each time frame includes at least one repeater time slot and one or more wireless unit time slots. The repeater is configured to receive the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in a corresponding wireless unit timeslot of the one or more wireless unit time slots. The repeater processor is configured to receive, for the at least one repeater time slot of one time frame of the plurality of time frames, the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot of a previous time frame of the plurality of time frames. The at least one wireless unit transmits to the repeater using a first power level. The repeater processor is further configured to generate a repeater data by integrating the communication data received from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit. The repeater processor is further configured to transmit the repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot of the one time frame using a second power level greater than the first power level.

[0009] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of communication. The method includes providing a repeater communicatively coupled to a gateway device and at least one wireless unit via a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol. The repeater is configured to retransmit communication data in at least one direction between the gateway device and a transceiver of the at least one wireless unit using the TDMA protocol. The repeater includes a repeater processor. The TDMA protocol uses a plurality of time frames disposed temporally adjacent to each other. Each time frame of the plurality of time frames includes a plurality of time slots disposed temporally adjacent to each other in a temporal sequence. The plurality of time slots of each time frame includes at least one repeater time slot and one or more wireless unit time slots. The repeater is configured to receive the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in a corresponding wireless unit time slot of the one or more wireless unit time slots. The method further includes receiving, by the repeater processor, for the at least one repeater time slot of one time frame of the plurality of time frames subsequent to a previous time frame of the plurality of time frames, the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame using a first power level. The method further includes generating, by the repeater processor, a repeater data by integrating the communication data received from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit. The method further includes transmitting, by the repeater processor, the repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot of the one time frame using a second power level greater than the first power level.

[0010] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the following figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a plurality of time frames of a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol used by the communication system, according to an embodiment the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary graphs showing variation of a power level with respect to time for at least one wireless unit, a repeater, and a gateway device of the communication system, according to an embodiment the present disclosure; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of communication, according to an embodiment the present disclosure.

[0016] Detailed Description

[0017] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0018] In the following disclosure, the following definitions are adopted.

[0019] As used herein, all numbers should be considered modified by the term “about” . As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably.

[0020] As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term “generally”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means that the property or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person of ordinary skill but without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match (e.g., within + / - 20 % for quantifiable properties).

[0021] The term “substantially”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 10% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0022] The term “about”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 5% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” are used as identifiers. Therefore, such terms should not be constmed as limiting of this disclosure. The terms “first” and “second” when used in conjunction with a feature or an element can be interchanged throughout the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0023] As used herein, “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B”.

[0024] As used herein, the term “wireless unit” generally refers to a device capable of wireless communication. The wireless unit may utilize a wireless communication interface for transmission and reception of data.

[0025] As used herein, the term “communication” generally refers to any information, data, and / or signal that is provided, transmitted, received, and / or otherwise processed by an entity, and / or that is shared or exchanged between two or more people, devices, and / or other entities.

[0026] As used herein, the term “coupled” generally means either a direct connection between two or more elements that are connected or an indirect connection through one or more passive or active intermediary devices.

[0027] As used herein, the term “communication protocol” (either wired or wireless) generally refers to a set of standardized mles or instructions implemented by a communication device and / or a system to communicate with other devices and / or systems, including instructions for packetizing / depacketizing data, modulating / demodulating signals, implementation of protocols stacks, and / or the like.

[0028] As used herein, the terms “network” and “communication network” may be associated with transmission of messages, packets, signals, and / or other forms of information between and / or within one or more network devices. In some examples, the network may include one or more wired and / or wireless networks operated in accordance with any communication standard that is or becomes known or practicable. The term “communication protocol” generally refers to any communication standard used in such wired and / or wireless networks.

[0029] As used herein, the term "repeater' ’ generally refers a device that relays data from one entity to another by repeating data it hears. The repeater may relay data for transmission and / or reception between a first entity to a second entity. The repeater may compress or condense data before retransmission. The repeater may operate for synchronous as well as asynchronous communication. The repeater may include a plurality of individual directional antennas for boosting radio signals.

[0030] As used herein, the term “gateway device” generally refers to a network node equipped for interfacing with another network that uses at least one different protocol, or for performing such an interface. A gateway device may contain devices such as protocol translators, impedance matching devices, rate converters, fault isolators, or signal translators as necessary to provide system interoperability.

[0031] As used herein, “time frame” or “timeframe” means a bounded, recurring interval of protocol time defined by a TDMA scheme that delineates an ordered sequence of time slots for transmissionand / or reception. Successive time frames are temporally adjacent, i.e., each frame follows the preceding frame without overlap, optionally separated by guard and / or synchronization intervals, which are considered part of one of the frames unless stated otherwise. A time frame may have fixed or variable duration and slot count; may be statically configured or adaptively selected; include payload (e.g., standard) slots, repeater slots, and control / preamble / idle portions; and may be realized on a single frequency or across multiple frequencies (e.g., frequency hopping) and aligned to a network or local time base within a timing tolerance. Unless expressly indicated, the term encompasses superframes and subframes and is not limited to any particular numeric duration, slot count, or slot positioning.

[0032] As used herein, ‘previous time frame’ means the immediately preceding time frame in the TDMA temporal sequence (i.e., frame n-1 relative to frame n), optionally separated only by guard and / or synchronization intervals.”

[0033] Firefighters and other emergency responders generally use wireless communication functionality enabled by a telemetry system of personal protective equipment (PPE) articles (e.g., self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA) associated with such personnel. Current telemetry systems utilize communication protocols that have a radio frequency (RF) range determined, at least in part, by a power level of a transmitter. Configuration of PPE articles, such as battery life, intrinsic safety requirements, etc. may limit the power level available for transmission. In some cases, a repeater may be placed on scene that may extend a range of communication between the PPE articles and a gateway because the repeater can transmit at much higher power levels. When utilizing the repeater, an RF power level of the gateway must also be increased to communicate back to the repeater. This may be problematic since the gateway and the repeater will consume more power from respective hosts, thereby draining their respective power source faster. Further, pairing of the gateway and the repeater with the PPE articles may create an asymmetric situation, where the PPE articles utilize a lower RF power level, and the gateway utilizes a higher RF power level. This means that at certain distances, the PPE articles may always "hear" from the gateway, but the gateway will never "hear" from the PPE articles. Additionally, the gateway is subject to specific absorption rate (SAR) testing. Continuous transmission by the gateway at higher RF power levels may cause issues with such testing.

[0034] The present disclosure provides a communication system. The communication system includes a repeater communicatively coupled to a gateway device and at least one wireless unit using a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol. The TDMA protocol uses a plurality of time frames disposed temporally adjacent to each other. Each time frame of the plurality of time frames includes a plurality of time slots disposed temporally adjacent to each other in a temporal sequence. The repeater is configured to retransmit communication data in at least one direction between the gateway device and a transceiver of the at least one wireless unit using the TDMA protocol. The repeater includes a repeater processor. The plurality of time slots of each time frame includes at least one repeater time slot and one or more wireless unit time slots. The repeater is configured to receive the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in a corresponding wireless unit timeslot of the oneor more wireless unit time slots. The repeater processor is configured to receive, for the at least one repeater time slot of one time frame of the plurality of time frames, the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot of a previous time frame of the plurality of time frames using a first power level. The repeater processor is further configured to generate a repeater data by integrating the communication data received from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit. The repeater processor is further configured to transmit the repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot of the one time frame using a second power level greater than the first power level.

[0035] The communication system of the present disclosure includes the repeater communicatively coupled to the gateway device and the at least one wireless unit using the TDMA protocol. The repeater processor receives the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot using the first power level. Subsequently, the repeater processor generates the repeater data and transmits the repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot using the second power level. The second power level is greater than the first power level. The repeater processor may transmit the repeater data only in the at least one repeater time slot to the gateway device while receiving the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot. This may allow the repeater to communicate with the gateway device at increased power levels (i.e., the second power level) while communicating with the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit that transmits at a standard power level (i.e., the first power level). Therefore, the repeater may be able to transmit the repeater data at significantly long radio frequency (RF) range with the second power level using only the at least one repeater time slot of the plurality of time slots while using the first power level for the one or more wireless unit time slots.

[0036] The repeater and the gateway device may switch between the first power level and the second power level based on the plurality of time slots. This may reduce a power consumption of the repeater as well as the gateway device as compared to transmission of the communication data using only the increased power level (i.e., the second power level) for all of the plurality of time slots. In other words, the repeater and the gateway device may receive the transmission transmitted at the standard power level (i.e., the first power level) for the one or more wireless unit time slots while using the increased power level (i.e., the second power level) for only the at least one repeater time slot, thereby increasing a battery life of the repeater and the gateway device.

[0037] Additionally, the communication system may allow power levels to remain symmetric since the repeater communicates with the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit using the wireless unit power level (i.e., the first power level) in the one or more wireless unit time slots, yet the repeater communicates with the gateway device using the increased power level (i.e., the second power level) in the at least one repeater time slot to achieve a significantly higher RF transmission range. Moreover, since the repeater and the gateway device communicate using the second power level only in the at leastone repeater time slot, a specific absorption rate (SAR) of the repeater and the gateway device may be significantly reduced due to reduction in an overall average power transmitted.

[0038] In some embodiments, the gateway device is configured to transmit gateway data to the repeater at an elevated transmit power greater than a gateway transmit power used in the one or more standard time slots for the at least one repeater time slot of each time frame. In some embodiments, the elevated transmit power of the gateway device equals the second power level. In some embodiments, the elevated transmit power of the gateway device is different from the second power level. In some embodiments, only the repeater increases transmit power during the at least one repeater time slot. In some embodiments, only the gateway increases transmit power during the at least one repeater time slot. In some embodiments, both the repeater and the gateway device increase their transmit power during the at least one repeater time slot. In some embodiments, the gateway device transmits during the one or more standard time slots a lower gateway transmit power than during the repeater time slot.

[0039] Referring now to figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system 100 includes a repeater 108 communicatively coupled to a gateway device 112 and at least one wireless unit 102 using a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol 130.

[0040] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 further includes the at least one wireless unit 102 and the gateway device 112. In some embodiments, the at least one wireless unit 102 includes a plurality of wireless units 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5 (collectively, wireless units 102). In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the plurality of wireless units 102 includes five wireless units 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5, however, it should be noted that the plurality of wireless units 102 may include any number of the wireless units 102 based on application requirements.

[0041] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 further includes at least one personal protective equipment (PPE) article 106 associated with the at least one wireless unit 102. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes five PPE articles 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-5 (collectively, PPE articles 106) corresponding to the wireless units 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5.

[0042] Non-limiting examples of the PPE articles 106 may include respiratory protection equipment (including disposable respirators, reusable respirators, powered air purifying respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, and supplied air respirators), facemasks, oxygen tanks, air bottles, protective eyewear, such as visors, goggles, filters or shields (any of which may include augmented reality functionality), protective headwear, such as hard hats, hoods, or helmets, hearing protection (including ear plugs and ear muffs), protective shoes, protective gloves, other protective clothing, such as coveralls, aprons, coat, vest, suits, boots, and / or gloves, protective articles, such as sensors, safety tools, detectors, global positioning devices, mining cap lamps, fall protection harnesses, exoskeletons, selfretracting lifelines, heating and cooling systems, gas detectors, and any other suitable gear configured to protect a user from injury. The PPE article 106 may also include any other type of clothing ordevice / equipment that may be worn or used by a user to protect against fire, extreme temperatures, reduced oxygen levels, explosions, reduced atmospheric pressure, radiation, and / or biologically harmful materials.

[0043] In some embodiments, the at least one PPE article 106 includes a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). For example, the PPE articles 106-4, 106-5 include the SCBA. Generally, SCBA is a device used by first responders, such as firefighters, law enforcement, military, and other rescue and emergency workers, when operating in hazardous or dangerous environments. The SCBA may include components, such as a pressurized air tank or cylinder, one or more pressure regulators, a facemask, a carrying frame or support assembly to support the cylinder and related items on a back of a user, etc.

[0044] In some embodiments, the repeater 108 is communicatively coupled to the gateway device 112 and the at least one wireless unit 102 using a long range (LoRa) communication protocol. However, other wireless communication protocols may also be utilized. The repeater 108 is configured to retransmit a communication data 118 in at least one direction between the gateway device 112 and a transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 using the TDMA protocol 130. In other words, the repeater 108 is configured to relay the communication data 118 in the at least one direction between the at least one wireless unit 102 and the gateway device 112 using the TDMA protocol 130. In some embodiments, the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 is configured to send and receive the communication data 118 to and from the repeater 108 using the TDMA protocol 130.

[0045] In some embodiments, the repeater 108 includes one or more antennas (not shown) for transmitting the communication data 118 in the at least one direction between the gateway device 112 and the at least wireless unit 102. In some embodiments, the repeater 108 is a bidirectional repeater. For example, the repeater 108 may retransmit the communication data 118 between the gateway device 112 and the at least one wireless unit 102 in both directions.

[0046] The repeater 108 includes a repeater processor 110. In some embodiments, the repeater processor 110 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the repeater processor 110 may be embodied as various processing means, such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing elements, a coprocessor, or various other computing or processing devices, including integrated circuits, such as, e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like.

[0047] As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the repeater processor 110 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry - in the form of processing circuitry) capable of performing operations according to some embodiments while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the repeater processor 110 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the repeater processor 110 to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the repeater processor 110 is embodied as the ASIC, FPGA, or the like, the repeater processor 110 may have specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein.In some embodiments, the gateway device 112 is communicatively coupled to an external device 116. For example, the gateway device 112 is configured to transmit and receive data to and from the external device 116. In some examples, the external device 116 may be a computer system, a server, or a portable user interface device. In some examples, the computer system or the server may be in the form of a general-purpose computing device. In some cases, the external device 116 may be a smartphone or other mobile terminal, a laptop, or any other portable computing / communication device.

[0048] In some embodiments, the external device 116 may store and analyze the data received from the gateway device 112. In some embodiments, the external device 116 may include one or more user interfaces configured to receive inputs from a user or an administrator and display an output. The gateway device 112 may be coupled to the external device 116 using a network. In some examples, the network may include one or more wired and / or wireless networks operated in accordance with any communication standard that is or becomes known or practicable.

[0049] In some embodiments, the gateway device 112 includes a gateway processor 114. In some embodiments, the gateway processor 114 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the gateway processor 114 may be embodied as various processing means, such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing elements, a coprocessor, or various other computing or processing devices, including integrated circuits, such as, e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like.

[0050] As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the gateway processor 114 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry - in the form of processing circuitry) capable of performing operations according to some embodiments while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the gateway processor 114 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the gateway processor 114 to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the gateway processor 114 is embodied as the ASIC, FPGA, or the like, the gateway processor 114 may have specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a plurality of time frames 150-1, 150-2, ..., 150-N (collectively, plurality of time frames 150) of the TDMA protocol 130 (shown in FIG. 1) used by the communication system 100 (shown in FIG. 1), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, “N” is a positive integer corresponding to a total number of the time frames 150 in the plurality of time frames 150. The TDMA protocol 130 uses the plurality of time frames 150 disposed temporally adjacent to each other, ft should be noted that the plurality of time frames 150 may include any number of the time frames 150 as per desired application attributes.

[0052] Each time frame 150 of the plurality of time frames 150 includes a plurality of time slots 152 disposed temporally adjacent to each other in a temporal sequence. In the illustrated example of FIG.

[0053] 2, the plurality of time slots 152 includes six time slots 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5, 152-6.However, it should be noted that the plurality of time slots 152 may include any number of the time slots 152 as per desired application attributes.

[0054] The plurality of time slots 152 of each time frame 150 includes at least one repeater time slot 156 and one or more wireless unit time slots 154. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, each of the plurality of time frames 150 includes five wireless unit time slots 154 and one repeater time slot 156. In other words, the at least one repeater time slot 156 includes a single repeater time slot 156. For example, the time slots 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5 are defined as the wireless unit time slots 154, and the time slot 152-6 is defined as the repeater time slot 156.

[0055] Further, in each time frame 150, the single repeater time slot 156 is subsequent to each of the one or more wireless unit time slots 154 in the temporal sequence. For example, the time slot 152-6 (i.e., the repeater time slot 156) is subsequent to the time slots 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5 (i.e., the wireless unit time slots 154) in the temporal sequence. The term “at least one repeater time slot 156” is interchangeably used herein as the “repeater time slot 156”. The term “one or more wireless unit time slots 154” is interchangeably used herein as the “wireless unit time slots 154”.

[0056] It should be noted that a number of the wireless unit time slots 154 and the repeater time slot 156 as well as their positioning in the temporal sequence may vary based on application requirements. In other words, each of the plurality of time frames 150 may include any number of the one or more wireless unit time slots 154 and any number of the at least one repeater time slot 156 as per desired application attributes. In some cases, the plurality of time slots 152 may include two or more repeater time slots 156. In such cases, the two or more repeater time slots 156 may or may not be temporally adjacent to each other in the plurality of time slots 152. Further, in some cases, the single repeater time slot 156 may be at the beginning of each time frame 150 or in between the one or more wireless unit time slots 154, and not subsequent to each of the one or more wireless unit time slots 154. All such arrangements can be contemplated without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] During repeater time slot 156, elevated transmit power may be applied by one or both of the repeater 108 and the gateway device 112. In some embodiments only the repeater 108 increases its transmit power (P2) while the gateway device 112 maintains a standard transmit power (Pl). In other embodiments only the gateway device 112 increases its transmit power (PG2) while the repeater 108 maintains Pl. In still other embodiments both devices increase their transmit power. The elevated transmit power levels used by the repeater 108 and the gateway device 112 may be equal (e.g., P2 = PG2) or different (e.g., P2 PG2), and may be configured statically or adaptively.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 is configured to send and receive the communication data 118 in a corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 of the one or more wireless unit time slots 154. For example, each of the plurality of wireless units 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5 may be assigned a corresponding wireless unit time slot 154-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5. However, it should be noted that more than one wireless units 102 may be assigned a single wireless unit timeslot 154 in alternative arrangements.The repeater 108 is configured to receive the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit timeslot 154 of the one or more wireless unit time slots 154. For example, the repeater 108 is configured to receive the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of each wireless unit 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5. Subsequently, the repeater 108 is configured to transmit the communication data 118 to the gateway device 112 in the at least one repeater time slot 156.

[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary graphs 160, 162, 164 showing variation of a power level P with respect to time T for the at least one wireless unit 102, the repeater 108, and the gateway device 112, respectively, of the communication system 100 (shown in FIG. 1), according to an embodiment the present disclosure. In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, only two time frames 150-1, 150-2 from the plurality of time frames 150 are shown for illustrative and descriptive purposes.

[0060] The repeater processor 110 is configured to receive, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of one time frame 150, the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot 156 of a previous time frame 150 of the plurality of time frames 150. The transceiver 104 can use a first power level Pl. Where the at least one wireless unit 102 incudes the plurality of wireless units 102, the repeater processor 110 is further configured to receive, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the one time frame 150, the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of each wireless unit 102 of the plurality of wireless units 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150. The transceiver 104 can use the first power level Pl.

[0061] For example, for the repeater time slot 156 (i.e., the time slot 152-6) of the time frame 150-2, the repeater processor 110 is configured to receive the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 (i.e., the time slots 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5) subsequent to the repeater time slot 156 (i.e., the time slot 152- 6) of the time frame 150-1. The transceiver 104 can use the first power level P 1. Where the at least one wireless unit 102 incudes the plurality of wireless units 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5, the repeater processor 110 is further configured to receive, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 (i.e., the time slot 152-6) of the time frame 150-2, the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of each wireless unit 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5 of the plurality of wireless units 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 (i.e., the time slots 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5) subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot 156 (i.e., the time slot 152-6) of the time frame 150-1 that were transmitted by the wireless unit using the first power level Pl. Further, in some embodiments, the repeater processor 110 is configured to receive the communication data 118 from the transceiver

[0062]

[0063] 2 in the time slot 152-2, from the transceiver 104 of the wireless unit 102-3 in the time slot 152-3, and so on, using the first power level Pl.

[0064] Similarly, the at least one wireless unit 102 is configured to receive the communication data 118 from the repeater 108 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 using the first power level Pl. For example, the wireless unit 102-1 is configured to receive the communication data 118 from the repeater 108 in the time slot 152-1, the wireless unit 102-2 is configured to receive the communication data 118 from the repeater 108 in the time slot 152-2, and so on, using the first power level Pl.

[0065] In some embodiments, the at least one repeater time slot 156 of each time frame 150 may not be available for the transceiver 104 of the at least wireless unit 102 to send and receive the communication data 118. In other words, the at least one wireless unit 102 may not communicate with the repeater 108 in the at least one repeater time slot 156. For example, the transceiver 104 of each wireless unit 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5 may not communicate with the repeater 108 in the time slot 152-6.

[0066] The repeater processor 110 is further configured to generate a repeater data 120 by integrating the communication data 118 received from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102. In some embodiments, the repeater processor 110 is configured to compress or condense the communication data 118 received from the at least one wireless unit 102 prior to generating the repeater data 120. For example, the repeater processor 110 may compress or condense the communication data 118 received from the transceiver 104 of each wireless unit 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, 102-5 to generate the repeater data 120.

[0067] The repeater processor 110 is further configured to transmit the repeater data 120 to the gateway device 112 in the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the one time frame 150 using a second power level P2 greater than the first power level Pl. For example, the repeater processor 110 is further configured to transmit the repeater data 120 to the gateway device 112 in the time slot 152-6 of the time frame 150-2 using the second power level P2 greater than the first power level Pl. The repeater processor 110 may transmit the repeater data 120 only in the at least one repeater time slot 156 to the gateway device 112 while receiving the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154.

[0068] In some embodiments, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of each time frame 150, the gateway processor 114 is configured to receive the repeater data 120 from the repeater 108 using the second power level P2. In some embodiments, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of each time frame 150, the gateway processor 114 is configured to send a gateway data 122 associated with the at least one wireless unit 102 to the repeater 108 using the second power level P2. In some embodiment, the gateway data 122 may include data received from the external device 116.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first power level Pl and the second power level P2 of the repeater 108 and the gateway device 112 may be maintained by the repeater processor 110 and the gateway processor 114, respectively. In some embodiments, the second power level P2 is at least four times thefirst power level P 1. In an exemplary embodiment, the first power level P 1 may be 100 milliwatts (mW) and the second power level P2 may be 500 mW. Thus, the repeater 108 may send and receive data to and from the gateway device 112 using increased power levels (i.e., the second power level P2), thereby significantly enhancing a range of communication between the repeater 108 and the gateway device 112. The repeater 108 and the gateway device 112 may switch between the first power level Pl and the second power level P2 based on the plurality of time slots 152. This may reduce a power consumption of the repeater 108 as well as the gateway device 112 as compared to communication of data using only the increased power levels (i.e., the second power level P2) for all of the plurality of time slots 152.

[0070] In some embodiments, the first power level P 1 and the second power level P2 are static for each time frame 150. For example, the first power level Pl and the second power level P2 may be preset during manufacturing or production, or by an administrator. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first power level Pl and the second power level P2 may be adaptive, such that the first power level Pl and the second power level P2 may change depending on operating conditions. For example, the first power level Pl and the second power level P2 may vary during a communication session or between communication sessions. In some cases, the external device 116 may trigger the switch between the first power level Pl and the second power level P2.

[0071] In some embodiments, the repeater processor 110 is further configured to receive, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150, the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 preceding the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150 using the first power level Pl. For example, for the repeater time slot 156 (i.e., the time slot 152-6) of the time frame 150-1, the repeater processor 110 is configured to receive the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 (i.e., the time slots 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5) preceding the at least one repeater time slot 156 (i.e., the time slot 152-6) of the time frame 150-1 using the first power level Pl.

[0072] The repeater processor 110 is further configured to integrate the communication data 118 received from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 to generate a first repeater data 124. The repeater processor 110 is further configured to transmit the first repeater data 124 to the gateway device 112 in the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150 using the second power level P2. For example, the repeater processor 110 is further configured to transmit the first repeater data 124 to the gateway device 112 in the repeater time slot 156 (i.e., the time slot 152-6) of the time frame 150-1 using the second power level P2.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 200 of communication, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 200 will be described with reference to the communication system 100 of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0074] At step 202, the method 200 includes providing the repeater 108 communicatively coupled to the gateway device 112 and the at least one wireless unit 102 via the time division multiple access(TDMA) protocol 130. In some embodiments, the repeater 108 is communicatively coupled to the gateway device 112 and the at least one wireless unit 102 using a long range (LoRa) communication protocol.

[0075] In some embodiments, the wireless links between the wireless units 102, the repeater 108, and the gateway device 112 employ a LoRa-compatible chirp spread spectrum physical layer (LoRa PHY). The LoRa PHY uses up-chirp / down-chirp spread-spectrum modulation with selectable spreading factors (e.g., SF7-SF12), channel bandwidths (e.g., 125 / 250 / 500 kHz), and forward-error-correction coding rates (e.g., 4 / 5 to 4 / 8). Each packet includes a programmable preamble, an explicit or implicit header, an FEC-protected, and a CRC, and may include a network-specific sync word. Operation may occur in license-exempt bands such as 433 MHz, 863-870 MHz, 902-928 MHz, or 2.4 GHz, subject to regional regulations.

[0076] In some embodiments, the TDMA protocol disclosed herein can be implemented as a scheduled MAC overlay on the LoRa PHY. Each time slot carries one LoRa packet (or burst), and the slot duration is selected to accommodate the LoRa timeon-air determined by the configured SF / BW / CR, plus guard time and radio tumaround / power-ramp intervals. In the one or more standard time slots 154, devices transmit at a first transmit power level (Pl). In the repeater time slot 156, the repeater 108 transmits at an elevated transmit power (P2), and in some embodiments the gateway device 112 also transmits at an elevated transmit power (PG2). Transmit power switched at slot boundaries under processor control so that elevated power is confined to the repeater time slot 156, aiding compliance with average-power, duty -cycle, and SAR constraints.

[0077] In some embodiments, the repeater 108 is a bidirectional repeater. The repeater 108 is configured to retransmit the communication data 118 in the at least one direction between the gateway device 112 and the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 using the TDMA protocol 130. The repeater 108 includes the repeater processor 110.

[0078] In some embodiments, the method 200 further includes providing the at least one personal protective equipment (PPE) article 106 and associating the at least one wireless unit 102 with the at least one PPE article 106. In some embodiments, the at least one PPE article 106 includes the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In some embodiments, the at least one wireless unit 102 includes the plurality of wireless units 102.

[0079] The TDMA protocol 130 uses the plurality of time frames 150 disposed temporally adjacent to each other. Each time frame 150 of the plurality of time frames 150 includes the plurality of time slots 152 disposed temporally adjacent to each other in the temporal sequence. The plurality of time slots 152 of each time frame 150 includes the at least one repeater time slot 156 and the one or more wireless unit time slots 154. In some embodiments, the at least one repeater time slot 156 includes the single repeater time slot 156. In each time frame 150, the single repeater time slot 156 is subsequent to each of the one or more wireless unit time slots 154 in the temporal sequence. The repeater 108 is configuredto receive the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 of the one or more wireless unit time slots 154.

[0080] At step 204, the method 200 further includes receiving, by the repeater processor 110, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the one time frame 150 of the plurality of time frames 150, the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150 using the first power level Pl. In some embodiments, receiving the communication data 118 includes receiving the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of each wireless unit 102 of the plurality of wireless units 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150 using the first power level Pl.

[0081] At step 206, the method 200 further includes generating, by the repeater processor 110, the repeater data 120 by integrating the communication data 118 received from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102. In some embodiments, the method 200 further includes compressing or condensing the communication data 118 received from the at least one wireless unit 102 prior to generating the repeater data 120. In some embodiments, “integrate” of the communication data refers to processing that prepares and / or combines data from one or more wireless units and / or time slots to form repeater data. Integration may include, singly or in combination: aggregation or concatenation; ordering or time-alignment; de-duplication; filtering or selection (including omission); summarization or derivation; data fusion; packetization, segmentation, and / or reassembly; re-encoding, reframing, or reformatting addition of metadata (e.g., timestamps, device identifiers, slot / frame indices, link metrics, CRC / FEC); multiplexing; and optional compression or condensation (lossless or lossy) and / or application of cryptographic functions.

[0082] At step 208, the method 200 further includes transmitting, by the repeater processor 110, the repeater data 120 to the gateway device 112 in the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the one time frame 150 using the second power level P2 greater than the first power level P 1. In some embodiments, the second power level P2 is at least four times the first power level Pl. In some embodiments, the first power level Pl and the second power level P2 are static for each time frame 150.

[0083] In some embodiments, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of each time frame 150, the method 200 further includes receiving, by the gateway processor 114 of the gateway device 112, the repeater data 120 from the repeater 108 using the second power level P2. In some embodiments, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of each time frame 150, the method 200 further includes sending, by the gateway processor 114, the gateway data 122 associated with the at least one wireless unit 102 to the repeater 108 using the second power level P2.

[0084] In some embodiments, the method 200 further includes receiving, by the repeater processor 110, for the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150, the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unittime slot 154 preceding the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150 using the first power level P 1. In some embodiments, the method 200 further includes generating the first repeater data 124 by integrating the communication data 118 received from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102. In some embodiments, the method 200 further includes transmitting the first repeater data 124 to the gateway device 112 in the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the previous time frame 150 using the second power level P2.

[0085] It should be understood that steps of the method 200 are not necessarily presented in any particular order and that performance of some or all the steps in an alternative order(s) is possible and is contemplated. The steps have been presented in the demonstrated order for ease of description and illustration. Further, it should be understood that steps can be added, omitted and / or performed simultaneously without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, it should also be understood that the illustrated method 200 can be ended at any time.

[0086] The communication system 100 and the method 200 of the present disclosure includes the repeater 108 communicatively coupled to the gateway device 112 and the at least one wireless unit 102 using the TDMA protocol 130. The repeater processor 110 receives the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154 using the first power level Pl. Subsequently, the repeater processor 110 generates the repeater data 120 and transmits the repeater data 120 to the gateway device 112 in the at least one repeater time slot 156 using the second power level P2. The second power level P2 is greater than the first power level Pl. The repeater processor 110 may transmit the repeater data 120 only in the at least one repeater time slot 156 to the gateway device 112 while receiving the communication data 118 from the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 in the corresponding wireless unit time slot 154. This may allow the repeater 108 to communicate with the gateway device 112 at increased power levels (i.e., the second power level P2) while communicating with the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 where the wireless unit 102 transmits at a standard power level (i.e., the first power level Pl). Therefore, the repeater 108 may be able to transmit the repeater data 120 at significantly long radio frequency (RF) range with the second power level P2 using only the at least one repeater time slot 156 of the plurality of time slots 152 while using the first power level Pl for the one or more standard time slots 154.

[0087] The repeater 108 and the gateway device 112 may switch between the first power level Pl and the second power level P2 based on the plurality of time slots 152. This may reduce a power consumption of the repeater 108 as well as the gateway device 112 as compared to transmission of the communication data 118 using only the increased power level (i.e., the second power level P2) for all of the plurality of time slots 152. In other words, the repeater 108 and the gateway device 112 may utilize the standard power level (i.e., the first power level Pl) for the one or more standard time slots 154 while using the increased power level (i.e., the second power level P2) for only the at least one repeater time slot 156, thereby increasing a battery life of the repeater 108 and the gateway device 112.Additionally, the communication system 100 and the method 200 may allow power levels to remain symmetric since the repeater 108 communicates with the transceiver 104 of the at least one wireless unit 102 using the standard power level (i.e., the first power level Pl) in the one or more standard time slots 154, yet the repeater 108 communicates with the gateway device 112 using the increased power level (i.e., the second power level P2) in the at least one repeater time slot 156 to achieve a significantly higher RF transmission range. Moreover, since the repeater 108 and the gateway device 112 communicate using the second power level P2 only in the at least one repeater time slot 156, a specific absorption rate (SAR) of the repeater 108 and the gateway device 112 may be significantly reduced due to reduction in an overall average power transmitted.

[0088] The term “gateway processor” or “repeater processor” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated software modules or hardware modules configured for performing the techniques of this disclosure. Even if implemented in software, the techniques may use hardware such as a processor to execute the software, and a memory to store the software. In any such cases, the computers described herein may define a specific machine that is capable of executing the specific functions described herein. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements, which could also be considered a processor.

[0089] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

[0090] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

Claims:

1. A communication system comprising:a repeater communicatively coupled to a gateway device and at least one wireless unit using a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol, wherein the TDMA protocol uses a plurality of time frames disposed temporally adjacent to each other, wherein each time frame of the plurality of time frames comprises a plurality of time slots disposed temporally adjacent to each other in a temporal sequence, wherein the repeater is configured to retransmit communication data in at least one direction between the gateway device and a transceiver of the at least one wireless unit using the TDMA protocol, and wherein the repeater comprises a repeater processor;wherein the at least one wireless unit is configured to transmit at a first power level; wherein the plurality of time slots of each time frame comprises at least one repeater time slot and one or more wireless unit time slots, wherein the repeater is configured to receive the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in a corresponding wireless unit timeslot of the one or more wireless unit time slots, and wherein the repeater processor is configured to:receive, for the at least one repeater time slot of one time frame of the plurality of time frames, the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot of a previous time frame of the plurality of time frames;generate a repeater data by integrating the communication data received from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit; andtransmit the repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot of the one time frame using a second power level greater than the first power level.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the repeater processor is further configured to:receive, for the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame, the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot preceding the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame;integrate the communication data received from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit to generate a first repeater data; andtransmit the first repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame using the second power level.

3. The communication system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second power level is at least four times the first power level.

4. The communication system of any of claims 1-3, further comprising the gateway device, wherein the gateway device comprises a gateway processor, and wherein, for the at least one repeater time slot of each time frame, the gateway processor is configured to receive the repeater data from the repeater that is transmitted from the repeater using the second power level.

5. The communication system of claim 4, wherein, for the at least one repeater time slot of each time frame, the gateway processor is configured to send a gateway data associated with the at least one wireless unit to the repeater transmitted from the repeater using the second power level.

6. The communication system of any of claims 1-5, wherein the first power level and the second power level are static for each time frame.

7. The communication system of any of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one repeater time slot comprises a single repeater time slot, and wherein, in each time frame, the single repeater time slot is subsequent to each of the one or more wireless unit time slots in the temporal sequence.

8. The communication system of any of claims 1-7, further comprising the at least one wireless unit, wherein the at least one wireless unit comprises a plurality of wireless units, and wherein the repeater processor is further configured to receive, for the at least one repeater time slot of the one time frame, the communication data from the transceiver of each wireless unit of the plurality of wireless units in the corresponding wireless unit time slot subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame.

9. The communication system any of claims 1-8, further comprising at least one personal protective equipment (PPE) article associated with the at least one wireless unit.

10. The communication system of claim 9, wherein the at least one PPE article comprises a self- contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

11. A method of communication comprising:providing a repeater communicatively coupled to a gateway device and at least one wireless unit via a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol, wherein the repeater is configured to retransmit communication data in at least one direction between the gatewaydevice and a transceiver of the at least one wireless unit using the TDMA protocol, wherein the repeater comprises a repeater processor, wherein the TDMA protocol uses a plurality of time frames disposed temporally adjacent to each other, wherein each time frame of the plurality of time frames comprises a plurality of time slots disposed temporally adjacent to each other in a temporal sequence, wherein the plurality of time slots of each time frame comprises at least one repeater time slot and one or more wireless unit time slots, and wherein the repeater is configured to receive the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in a corresponding wireless unit time slot of the one or more wireless unit time slots, wherein the at least one wireless unit is configured to transmit at a first power level;receiving, by the repeater processor, for the at least one repeater time slot of one time frame of the plurality of time frames, the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot of a previous time frame of the plurality of time frames;generating, by the repeater processor, a repeater data by integrating the communication data received from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit; andtransmitting, by the repeater processor, the repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot of the one time frame using a second power level greater than the first power level.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:receiving, by the repeater processor, for the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame, the communication data from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit in the corresponding wireless unit time slot preceding the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame;generating a first repeater data by integrating the communication data received from the transceiver of the at least one wireless unit; andtransmitting the first repeater data to the gateway device in the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame using the second power level.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the second power level is at least four times the first power level.

14. The method of any of claims 11-14, wherein, for the at least one repeater time slot of each time frame, the method further comprises receiving, by a gateway processor of the gateway device, the repeater data transmitted from the repeater using the second power level.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, for the at least one repeater time slot of each time frame, the method further comprises sending, by the gateway processor, a gateway data associated with the at least one wireless unit to the repeater using the second power level.

16. The method of any of claims 11-15, wherein the first power level and the second power level are static for each time frame.

17. The method of any of claims 11-16, wherein the at least one repeater time slot comprises a single repeater time slot, and wherein, in each time frame, the single repeater time slot is subsequent to each of the one or more wireless unit time slots in the temporal sequence.

18. The method of any of claims 11-17, wherein the at least one wireless unit comprises a plurality of wireless units, and wherein, receiving the communication data comprises receiving the communication data from the transceiver of each wireless unit of the plurality of wireless units in the corresponding wireless unit time slot subsequent to the at least one repeater time slot of the previous time frame.

19. The method of any of claims 11-18, further comprising:providing at least one personal protective equipment (PPE) article; and associating the at least one wireless unit with the at least one PPE article.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one PPE article comprises a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Images