Abstract: An anticipated direction to a signal source is determined by a communication device having an antenna. The communication device receives video images in a field of view of a camera and determines, using sensors of the communication device, an antenna direction. The antenna direction is the direction that the antenna of the communication device is pointing. The communication device displays, using a display screen, the video images, an antenna direction indicator, and a guiding icon. The antenna direction indicator indicates the antenna direction relative to the field of view of the camera, and the guiding icon represents a direction offset from the anticipated direction. An energy value of a signal received from the signals source is determined by the communication device using the antenna, and a position of the guiding icon on the display screen is updated based on the anticipated direction.

Abstract: A communications protocol in accordance with one exemplary embodiment uses information from GPS satellites to synchronize the phases of transmitters, and aligns the phase with a spreading code used to de-spread the received signals at, for example, a ground station.

Abstract: Satellite acquisition, for enabling a user device to engage in satellite communications, may be implemented using augmented reality (AR). An AR display may be presented to a user, and the user may use the AR display to point the user device toward a desired satellite. The process may include offsetting the position of a satellite icon representing the desired satellite in the AR display if acquisition is unsuccessful and thus indicating that the user device should be pointed to the offset position. In the case of a non-geosynchronous earth-orbit (non-GEO) satellite, such as a low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite, the position of the satellite icon representing such a non-GEO satellite may be compensated for satellite movement during a satellite acquisition attempt.

Abstract: A communication device, having an antenna, determines a direction substantially in a direction to an intended transceiver. A desired direction that is different from the direction to the intended transceiver, and an anticipated direction that is offset from the desired direction, are determined. Based on the desired direction, parameters of expected energy values corresponding to a multiple pre-defined antenna directions of the antenna around the desired direction are determined. The communication device receives, using the antenna, multiple measured energy values corresponding to multiple antenna directions of the antenna around the anticipated direction. A directional offset is calculated using the multiple expected energy parameters and the multiple measured energy values. An updated anticipated direction is generated by updating the anticipated direction using the calculated directional offset.

Abstract: An anticipated direction to a signal source is determined by a communication device having an antenna. The communication device receives video images in a field of view of a camera and determines, using sensors of the communication device, an antenna direction. The antenna direction is the direction that the antenna of the communication device is pointing. The communication device displays, using a display screen, the video images, an antenna direction indicator, and a guiding icon. The antenna direction indicator indicates the antenna direction relative to the field of view of the camera, and the guiding icon represents a direction offset from the anticipated direction. An energy value of a signal received from the signals source is determined by the communication device using the antenna, and a position of the guiding icon on the display screen is updated based on the anticipated direction.

Abstract: A communication device, having an antenna, determines a direction substantially in a direction to an intended transceiver. A desired direction that is different from the direction to the intended transceiver, and an anticipated direction that is offset from the desired direction, are determined. Based on the desired direction, parameters of expected energy values corresponding to a multiple pre-defined antenna directions of the antenna around the desired direction are determined. The communication device receives, using the antenna, multiple measured energy values corresponding to multiple antenna directions of the antenna around the anticipated direction. A directional offset is calculated using the multiple expected energy parameters and the multiple measured energy values. An updated anticipated direction is generated by updating the anticipated direction using the calculated directional offset.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a terminal of a first wireless communication network determines a protection zone for each of a plurality of unintended receivers of a second wireless communication network, where a protection zone defines a geographical area where transmission by the terminal might interfere with operation of a corresponding unintended receive. At the time of an attempted transmission, the terminal determines its current location, and whether the current location is within any protection zone of the plurality of unintended receivers. If not within any protection zone of the plurality of unintended receivers, the terminal performs the transmission, but if so, then the terminal may then perform a local assessment of interference to the one or more unintended receivers. Once concluding that there would be no interference with any of the one or more unintended receivers, the terminal may then perform the transmission. Otherwise, the terminal prevents the transmission.

Abstract: A portable communications device (PCD) for communications with two or more communications systems including a power unit, a transceiver unit and a control unit. The power unit is for powering the communications device so as to enable it to be portable. The transceiver unit includes a local unit for communicating with a local communications system and a satellite unit for communicating with a satellite communications system. The control unit is for controlling communications by the local unit and the satellite unit. The control unit includes a sensing algorithm for sensing requests for communications, a selection algorithm for automatically selecting the local unit or the satellite unit for communications. A software controlled transceiver unit is used together with parameter algorithms for automatically controlling communications and modifying the system budget.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device of a first wireless communication network determines a link budget from a terminal in the first communication network to an unintended receiver for a communication from the terminal to an intended receiver in the first wireless communication network, based on the communication being configured with initial communication parameters. The device also determines whether one or more adjusted communication parameters would result in reducing a received power at the unintended receiver being below a link budget threshold, while still satisfying a receive sensitivity of the intended receiver. If so, the device causes the terminal to transmit the communication using the adjusted communication parameters. In one embodiment, the device is the terminal, and causing comprises transmitting as the terminal.

Abstract: A personal communications device for communications using a satellite in a satellite communications system. The personal communications device includes a location algorithm for determining the satellite location and the personal communications device location, a path algorithm for predicting an improved communication path between the satellite and the personal communications device, a position change algorithm for determining a recommended change in position of the personal communications device so as to position the personal communications device in the improved communication path.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for symbol timing synchronization in a direct-sequence spread-spectrum receiver may use non-coherent integration, thresholding, peak selection, and curve fitting to determine appropriate timing instants at which to select despread samples for further processing, such as demodulation and decoding. The curve fitting may be used to search backwards and/or forwards in time to obtain the timing instants.

Abstract: A system for exchanging messages between a business user and another messaging-capable device, and associated methods are presented. The system may include a business server, an application programming interface (“API”) and/or an SMS database. The business server may be configured to exchange messages with the business user and to obtain a public identifier for the business user to enable duplex message exchange between the business user and the messaging-capable device by either retrieving the public identifier or associating the business user with the messaging-capable device and a public identifier. The system may accommodate temporary events, such as emergencies, by associated a public identifier with a business user initiating the temporary event and one or more messaging-capable devices involved in the event.

Abstract: A system for exchanging messages between a business user and a mobile device, and methods for making and using the same. The system may include a business server, an application programming interface (“API”) and/or an SMS database. The business server may be configured to exchange messages with the business user and to obtain a public identifier for the business user to enable duplex message exchange between the business user and the mobile device by either retrieving the public identifier or associating the business user with the mobile device and a public identifier. The business user may be unambiguously determined according to the public identifier or a combination of the mobile device and the public identifier, which may enable the mobile device to direct a reply message to the business user that may be the sender of a direct message.

Abstract: Techniques for pilot-aided carrier frequency and phase synchronization may use a three-pass process. In a first pass, initial frequency offset may be addressed, and a frame start time may be established. In a second pass, a fine frequency correction may be performed. In a third pass, phase variation may be tracked and corrected using a minimum set of pilot symbols.

Abstract: A technique for spectral widening in a communication system may divide respective symbols of a block of symbols into symbol pieces of shorter duration than a symbol. The symbol pieces may be scrambled. The resulting scrambled symbol pieces may optionally be further spread using direct-sequence spreading prior to transmission. Error-control coding may also be used prior to dividing the symbols into symbol pieces and scrambling the symbol pieces. Additionally, the number of symbol pieces per symbol may be adjustable, based on channel characteristics, performance, or both.

Abstract: Techniques for compensating for frequency offset of a frequency used in a translation of a signal from a first band to a second band may include using a frequency reference signal located in a different band from an information-bearing signal, where the different band may be a guard band. The frequency reference signal may be offset from a particular frequency, which may be a center frequency, of the information-bearing signal by a known amount. The frequency reference signal may be received by the transmitting station, a frequency offset may be derived, and the frequency offset may be used to pre-compensate further transmitted signals. At another station, the received frequency reference signal may be used to lock a local oscillator for demodulation and/or transmission of the information-bearing signal based on the known offset of the frequency reference signal from the frequency of the information-bearing signal.

Abstract: A technique for spectral widening in a communication system may divide respective symbols of a block of symbols into symbol pieces of shorter duration than a symbol. The symbol pieces may be scrambled. The resulting scrambled symbol pieces may optionally be further spread using direct-sequence spreading prior to transmission. Error-control coding may also be used prior to dividing the symbols into symbol pieces and scrambling the symbol pieces. Additionally, the number of symbol pieces per symbol may be adjustable, based on channel characteristics, performance, or both.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for symbol timing synchronization in a direct-sequence spread-spectrum receiver may use non-coherent integration, thresholding, peak selection, and curve fitting to determine appropriate timing instants at which to select despread samples for further processing, such as demodulation and decoding. The curve fitting may be used to search backwards and/or forwards in time to obtain the timing instants.