Abstract: A phase lock loop wherein the reference clock is divided by a variable divider which is capable of dividing the reference clock by a divider ratio of 2, 3, 4, . . . or M depending on the value of a control signal. The control signal is generated from a divider controller in response to a controller input. The noise shaping characteristics of the divider controller results in dithering of the variable divider ratios such that the average frequency of the divided reference clock is at the desired comparison frequency but the quantization noise from the fractional divide is pushed from low frequency to high frequency where it is more easily filtered. The noise shaper can be implemented with many bits of resolution to allow for a wide frequency control range and high frequency accuracy. A dither circuit to prevent limit cycling at the output of the noise shaper.

Abstract: A complete telephone number detection unit is described for use within a wireless local loop telephone. The detection unit examines digits or other symbols entered by user via a telephone keypad to determine whether a completed telephone number has been entered. If a completed telephone number has been entered, the detection unit signals other components of the telephone to transmit the telephone number. If the telephone number is not yet complete, then the detection unit awaits entry of additional digits or other symbols. To determine whether a completed telephone number has been entered, the detection unit accesses a parsing table having rows corresponding to different parsing states of permissible telephone numbers. Each row of the table includes a set of columns with one column corresponding to each of digits 0-9, the "*" symbol and the "#" symbol. To parse a telephone number using the table, each digit is applied to the table to yield a value.

Abstract: The satellite communications terminal employs separate transmit and receive feedhorns, offset from one another, to achieve adequate isolation of received and transmitted signals during full duplex operation. In one implementation, described herein, the satellite communications terminal employs an ultra-small-aperture dish antenna having an aperture of about one meter. Signals are received and transmitted at Ku band wavelengths of about 12 gigahertz and 14 gigahertz respectively. For this implementation, an extended focal point zone occurs, rather than a discrete focal point. Both the receive and transmit feedhorns are positioned within the focal point zone thereby achieving adequate gain to both reception and transmission. However, the receive and transmit feedhorns are offset from one another to minimize the coupling of feedback transmission signals into the receive feedhorn.

Abstract: The wireless local loop system employs cellular technology to provide telephone service to fixed telephones of remote stations having otherwise conventional handsets. The remote station emulates a conventional public switched telephone network by providing an artificial dial tone from the handset of the remote station, after the handset is taken off-hook. The artificial dial tone is locally generated by the remote station. The system, however, delays providing the dial tone if the system is busy, i.e. if the system is under a load condition. To this end, the system monitors load levels and transmits signals to the remote stations indicating load conditions. A remote station, prior to granting at dial tone to the user, receives the load condition signals, determines whether the system is currently under load and, if so, defers the dial tone.

Abstract: A cellular telephone concentrated subscriber system is described. The concentrated subscriber system includes a set of subscriber units coupled to a concentrated subscriber system controller. The concentrated subscriber system controller that provides a radio frequency (RF) interface to the standard base station transceiver of a cellular telephone system. Each subscriber unit has a unique electronic serial number. The concentrated subscriber system controller includes a set of modulator-demodulator systems (modems) and a RF transceiver and antenna system that is configured to transmit sufficient information to conduct multiple telephone calls over both long and short distances. The concentrated subscriber system controller also includes control circuitry for coupling the set of subscriber unit to the set of modems via a multiplexed system using stored information.

Abstract: The present invention involves demodulating a signal in a spread spectrum multiple access system employing a pilot on the forward link. The rake receiver separates the signal processing based on the period over which the processing occurs. Symbol rate processing is performed by a single time-shared multiply-accumulate datapath that services multiple finger front ends and a searcher front end. The front ends are dedicated circuits that perform all chip rate processing, producing a data vector and asserting a flag indicating the results are ready to be serviced by the shared datapath. A datapath controller arbitrates use of the datapath between the finger front ends, the searcher front end, and combining functions, configuring the datapath to service them on a first-come, first-serve basis. The controller sequences the datapath through a fixed routine as dictated by the signal processing associated with the block being serviced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing communications between standard unmodified terminal equipment over a telephone link that includes a digital wireless link. The digital wireless link introduces substantial time variable delay. In order to pass time sensitive messages over the link, time sensitive messages are recognized and translated into time insensitive messages for transmission over the wireless link. The time insensitive messages indicate the information contained in the time sensitive messages and in the timing of the time sensitive messages. At the receiving end, the time insensitive messages are recognized and the time sensitive messages reconstructed with the appropriate timing.

Abstract: A method and system for processing multiple instances of data using noise energy based gain control is described. A signal is transmitted from a base station and is received along with associated noise energy by a subscriber unit. The non-orthogonal noise energy associated with a signal transmitted to a subscriber unit is measured, and the gain of that signal is adjusted such that the non-orthogonal noise energy is set to a predetermined level. If multiple instances of the signal are received by the subscriber unit, the signals are isolated and the non-orthogonal noise associated with each signal is measured separately. In the preferred embodiment the non-orthogonal noise measurement is performed by demodulation of a low energy channel within a forward link signal processed in accordance with code division multiple access signal processing techniques.

Abstract: The process of the present invention enables a wireless modem to accept from a computer commands that it does not recognize. The computer (210) sends a command to the wireless modem (260) to forward all commands to modems (270) at a base station (280). The base station modems (270) then interpret the commands and act accordingly. When the computer (210) no longer wishes the wireless modem (260) to ignore commands it does not recognize, the computer (210) sends another command to the modem (260) instructing it to either flag unknown commands as errors or to ignore them.

Abstract: A transceiver system for interfacing digital modems with radio frequency signals including an antenna, an antenna interface system and a modem interface system separated by a cable. The antenna is placed in a location having optimal reception and in close proximity to the antenna interface system. The cable couples the antenna interface system to the modem interface system. The modem interface system includes a two state variable attenuator and an attenuation register that are configured to either reduce the strength of the receive (Rx) signal when the modems are located near a base station, or to transmit the Rx signal without attenuation when the concentrated subscriber unit is at a more distant location. The outgoing, or transmit (Tx), signal is also attenuated in a similar manner to the incoming signal. A signal loss detection system includes a detector located in the modem interface system that receives an oscillating signal transmitted from the antenna interface system through the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A message scheduler in a telecommunications system receives single messages having associated message constraints and stores them on one of a plurality of appropriate queues. The scheduler assembles the messages from the queues in groups by adding received messages to the temporary combined message if the message constraints are satisfied. While prioritizing the messages from the queues, the message scheduler prevents messages from being indefinitely stored on any queue and ensures that operating constraints of the system messages are satisfied. The message scheduler handles message constraints including an earliest starting time and a latest ending time. In addition, some of the messages are slotted messages that must be sent during a predetermined time slot of the telecommunications system. Other messages are unslotted messages and have no such time slot constraint. The grouped messages are passed to a frame formatter which formats the message for transmission.

Abstract: A modulator for a spread spectrum telecommunication system not only receives local data and processes it, but also receives input data from one or more other modulators, sums the input data with the local data, and provides the sum as data for a subsequent modulator or as final output for a transmit power amplifier. The modulator includes an input block and an output block and, depending on a control data signal, input data will be summed with the internally generated local data of the modulator before being provided to the output block. The output data can include parity data. The parity data can be used to check for faults such as might be introduced, for example, by a faulty connection or broken hard-wired interconnect. If an error is detected, the summation function of the transmit modulator can be automatically disabled.

Abstract: A novel and improved method and apparatus for planning a wireless telecommunications network. An electronic representation of wireless telecommunications system can be configured within a given market area and the operation of that wireless telecommunications system simulated. The simulation is performed using a set of databases that contain terrain and population information associated with the market area over which the wireless network in configured. To perform the simulation a composite propagation loss matrix and a demand and service vector are generated using the terrain and population information, as well as the configuration of the wireless telecommunications network. Once the composite propagation loss matrix and the demand and service vector are generated an analysis of the reverse link is performed. Subsequently, an analysis of the forward link is performed. During both the reverse and forward link analysis the multiple iterations of analysis are performed until a stable result is achieved.

Abstract: The clock multiplying phase locked loop includes components for selectively setting a center frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) to bias the VCO for operation within a selected range of input frequencies. To this end, the VCO is configured to output a signal at a selected center frequency based upon a tuning current provided to the VCO. Initially, a voltage input of the VCO is set to a reference voltage and a feedback signal is generated. The feedback signal, perhaps divided by N, is input to a phase-frequency detector. The phase-frequency detector also receives a reference frequency signal having a frequency at the selected center frequency. The detector outputs an UP or DOWN signal indicating whether the feedback signal is greater or less than the reference frequency signal.

Abstract: A telephone number redial function is provided wherein only digits corresponding to a completed telephone number are stored within a redial buffer. Any digits entered by a user after completion of a telephone number, such as digits entered in response to queries by a voice mail system, are not stored within the redial buffer. As such, digits entered by a user after completion of a telephone number do not affect the telephone number of the redial buffer allowing the telephone number to be properly redialed. In one arrangement, the redial buffer is incorporated within a cellular telephone. Digits entered by a user are first entered within a new number buffer until a send command is received. Thereafter, the digits stored within the new number buffer are transferred to the redial buffer and also transmitted from the cellular phone. Any additional digits entered by the user are transmitted, but not stored within the redial buffer.

Abstract: A comprehensive method for mobile station registration in a cellular communication system wherein registrations are made due to multiple stimulus. Registration can occur as a function of distance traveled since the previous registration. Registration can occur due to entering the coverage area of a base station assigned to a zone in which the mobile station has not recently registered. A registration timer can be used to ensure a minimum time between registrations. Registrations can occur at power up and at power down. The mobile station can be ordered to register by a transmission from a base station. Registration can occur due to parameter changes with in the mobile station. Registration may also occur through necessary communication with a base station which is not expressly directed to registration.

Abstract: A comprehensive method for mobile station registration in a cellular communication system wherein registrations are made due to multiple stimulus. Registration can occur as a function of distance traveled since the previous registration. Registration can occur due to entering the coverage area of a base station assigned to a zone in which the mobile station has not recently registered. A registration timer can be used to ensure a minimum time between registrations. Registrations can occur at power up and at power down. The mobile station can be ordered to register by a transmission from a base station. Registration can occur due to parameter changes with in the mobile station. Registration may also occur through necessary communication with a base station which is not expressly directed to registration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing softer handoff of a mobile unit between sectors of a common base station. A sectorized base station comprises a set of demodulation elements. Each demodulation element may be assigned to a signal from one of a plurality of sectors. The output of the demodulators are combined before the decoding process independent of the sector from which the data originated. This configuration provides improved output data reliability, more stable power control, and more efficient use of resources at the base station.

Abstract: A comprehensive method for mobile station registration in a cellular communication system wherein registrations are made due to multiple stimulus. Registration can occur as a function of distance traveled since the previous registration. Registration can occur due to entering the coverage area of a base station assigned to a zone in which the mobile station has not recently registered. A registration timer can be used to ensure a minimum time between registrations. Registrations can occur at power up and at power down. The mobile station can be ordered to register by a transmission from a base station. Registration can occur due to parameter changes with in the mobile station. Registration may also occur through necessary communication with a base station which is not expressly directed to registration.