Abstract: A communication network (100) and method are provided that reduce loses between a base transceiver station (BTS 102) and an antenna (114). Generally, the network (100) includes a tower (112) having a tower-top (110) on which the antenna (114) is supported, a BTS (102) and a separate amplifier (124) on the tower-top near to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the BTS and the antenna. In one embodiment, the network (100) further includes a backhaul (122) on the tower-top (110) near the antenna (114), the backhaul configured to couple signals between the BTS (102) and a base station controller (BSC 108). Preferably, the backhaul (122) is integrated with the BTS (102). In another version, the backhaul (122) is configured to couple communication signals between the BTS (102) and the BSC (108) via a wireless communication system (128).

Abstract: An improved modular masthead for use in cellular communications networks is described. The masthead unit includes a power amplifier, a duplexer and a local power supply that supplies the power amplifier. The power amplifier is arranged to amplify outgoing communication signals received from a base station. In a preferred embodiment, the masthead also includes a low noise amplifier for amplifying incoming communication signals and passing the amplified incoming communication signals to an associated base station. With this arrangement, the masthead forms a modular unit that is distinct from the base station such that the modular masthead may be replaced independently of the base station. With this arrangement the range of a cell within a cellular network may be changed by simply swapping an existing masthead unit with a second masthead unit having a different power supply thereon and making software changes in the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a communications protocol which provides for voice and data priority channels in order that both voice and data information have equal opportunity to transmit over a communications network. This is achieved by splitting the 25 millisecond FCC dwell time into two 12.5 millisecond halves, and dedicating one half to voice packets and the other half to data frames. In the voice priority channel, the frequency hopping interval is doubled. Additionally, both channels operate independently, each maintaining independent bidding, data transmission, acknowledgement and retransmission. Pad packets are used to insure voice channel connectivity.

Abstract: A private multiplexing cellular network for facilitating cellular communication for private mobile stations (MS's), public MS's, and hybrid MS's. The private multiplexing cellular network includes a multiplexing circuit coupled to its radio subsystem. The multiplexing circuit is in turn coupled to two A-interfaces: a private A-interface for coupling the private radio subsystem with the private Mobile Switching Center (MSC), and a public A-interface for coupling the private radio subsystem with the public MSC. Intelligence is also provided with the multiplexing circuit to decide, based on a number of parameters, whether the public MSC or the private MSC should handle a given service request.

Abstract: A communication network (100) is provided having a WLAN (112) and an WLAN enabled information processing device (122), such as a portable computer or PDA, capable of emulating a cellular telephone. Generally, the device (122) includes a program (130) to emulate a cellular telephone and to identify voice packets to an access point (114) of the WLAN (112). The access point (114) is configured to route voice packets to a public or private cellular network (104, 110) over a first path (138), and to route other packets to an IP Network (116), over a second path (140). Thus, enabling a user of the device (122) to simultaneously engage in voice communication with a cellular network (104, 110) and data communication with the IP network (116).

Abstract: A noise suppression apparatus for use in a receiver includes an input terminal adapted to receive an inbound signal. A channel splitter is coupled to the input terminal and configured to split the inbound signal into a substantially identical first signal and second signal. A first mixer coupled to the channel splitter and configured to receive the first signal, and a second mixer coupled to the channel splitter and configured to receive the second signal. A first local oscillator is coupled to the first mixer and configured to generate a first LO frequency signal, and a second local oscillator coupled to the second mixer and configured to generate a second LO frequency signal, where the first LO frequency signal and second LO frequency signal differ from one another.

Abstract: A communication network (100) is provided having a public and private network with a virtual home location registry. Generally, the public network (102) includes a public wireless network (112) with a public mobile switching center (MSC 114) The corporate network (104) includes a number of corporate wireless networks (106) located at a number of sites (110) each coupled to the public MSC (114), and several or all of the corporate wireless networks having a physical HLR (108). The corporate wireless networks (106) are coupled via an IP network (130) to one another and to an HLR management function (128). An corporate network operation management controller (OMC 126) is coupled to the public MSC (126), and to the routing function (128). The routing function (128) is configured to route access requests from the OMC (126) to the physical HLRs (108), and the OMC is configured to manage the physical HLRs to provide a single virtual HLR for the corporate wireless networks (106).

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: A base transceiver station (BTS) includes a first transceiver configured to communicate with a first mobile station on a first frequency band, and a second transceiver configured to communicate with a second mobile station on a second frequency band. These bands can be, for example, 900 Mhz and 1800 Mhz frequency bands. The BTS includes a processor configured to instruct the first transceiver to receive inbound information from the first mobile station and to transmit outbound information to the first mobile station and to instruct the second transceiver to receive inbound information from the second mobile station and to transmit outbound information to the second mobile station. A trunk module is coupled to the processor and configured to communicate the first information and the second information with a base station controller (BSC). The base station controller is coupled to the BTS and configured to communicate the inbound information and outbound information with the BTS.

Abstract: A multiple antenna cellular network communicates with a mobile station over a plurality of antennas. The antennas are arranged in a plurality of positions to customize a cell or cells. A transceiver is coupled to the antennas and configured to receive inbound information from the mobile station and transmit outbound information to the mobile station. A processor is coupled to the transceiver and configured to decode the inbound information and to encode the outbound information to communicate with the mobile station. In another embodiment, the transmit signal power is continuously modified to move interference nulls to improve quality so that a fixed location user can receive a high quality signal. Exemplary embodiments are provided for use with the Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) protocol and can be applied to other digital technologies.

Abstract: A cellular network for providing wireless communication with a plurality of mobile stations includes a mobile switching center having a public interface configured to communicate with a public switched telephone network and at least one private interface configured to communicate with a private network, the mobile switching center configured to route calls from the public network to the private network and from the private network to the public network. A base station controller is coupled to the mobile switching center private interface and configured to communicate with the mobile switching center. A concentrated base transceiver station is coupled to the base station controller and configured to communicate with the base station controller. A plurality of remote transceivers are coupled to the concentrated base transceiver station and configured to communicate with the concentrated base transceiver station and configured to communicate with mobile stations.

Abstract: A cellular network includes a receiver configured to receive inbound information from a mobile station. A correlator is coupled to the receiver and configured to correlate the inbound information against expected information to generate a correlator signal. An interpolator is coupled to the correlator and configured to interpolate the correlator signal to generate an interpolator signal. A memory is coupled to the interpolator and configured to store the interpolator signal. A processor is coupled to the memory and configured to process the interpolator signal to determine a position of the mobile station. Additional embodiments track the position of the mobile station based on cellular hand off and mobile station position over time. The cellular network can transfer the mobile station from the microcellular network to the macrocellular network if the mobile station is moving rapidly.

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: An improved modular masthead for use in cellular communications networks is described. The masthead unit includes a power amplifier, a duplexer and a local power supply that supplies the power amplifier. The power amplifier is arranged to amplify outgoing communication signals received from a base station. In a preferred embodiment, the masthead also includes a low noise amplifier for amplifying incoming communication signals and passing the amplified incoming communication signals to an associated base station. With this arrangement, the masthead forms a modular unit that is distinct from the base station such that the modular masthead may be replaced independently of the base station. With this arrangement the range of a cell within a cellular network may be changed by simply swapping an existing masthead unit with a second masthead unit having a different power supply thereon and making software changes in the system.

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: A base station communicates with a plurality of mobile stations over a cellular network. In one embodiment, the base station includes a transceiver configured to receive inbound information from the mobile station and transmit outbound information to the mobile station. The transceiver equalizes and decodes the inbound information and encodes the outbound information. The transceiver is coupled to a data bus for communicating the inbound and outbound information with the other elements in the base station. The transceiver is also coupled to a control bus. An trunk module is coupled to the data bus and to a mobile services center. The trunk module communicates inbound and outbound information with the mobile services center. The trunk module is also coupled to the control bus. Finally, a central processor is coupled to the control bus to control the transceiver and the trunk module. A preferred protocol is Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM).

Abstract: A first communication device is in communication with a second communication device. The communication may be characterized by a first and a second characteristic that are affected by a transmit power of the first communication device, each characteristic having an upper and a lower bound. The transmit power of the first communication device is delayed from being adjusted to bring the communication within the upper and lower bounds of the first criteria and outside the upper and lower bounds of the second criteria when a contrary adjustment of the transmit power of the first communication device was performed until a predetermined amount of time has expired since the contrary adjustment. Thus, unnecessarily repetitive power adjustments are avoided.

Abstract: A base transceiver station (BTS) in a cellular communication system having a base station controller (BSC) and a mobile services switching center (MSC). The BSC is configured for facilitating communication between the BSC and a plurality of mobile stations (MS's). The communication with the plurality of the MS's is accomplished via radio frequency (RF) medium. The BTS includes a first interface circuit for coupling the BTS with the BSC. The BTS further includes a processor coupled to the first interface circuit for processing first digital data received from the BSC to form second digital data. There is further included a first central transceiver (CTRX) circuit coupled to the processor. The first CTRX circuit is co-resident with the processor and the first interface circuit. The BTS further includes a first remote transceiver (RTRX) circuit coupled to the first CTRX circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method enabling private branch exchanges (PBXs) to increase their communication capacity in a cost efficient manner by communicating over a wireless interface. The wireless private branch exchange comprises a handset transceiver station (HTS) coupled to a private branch exchange (PBX) connected to a plurality of terminals. During inbound information processing the wireless communication network transmits inbound information to the wireless PBX. The inbound information transmitted by the wireless communication network is received by the HTS. The HTS decodes the inbound information, performs protocol conversion from GSM format to ISDN format and then forwards the inbound information to the PBX. The PBX then routes the inbound information to the appropriate terminal. During outbound information processing the HTS receives outbound information from the PBX. The HTS performs protocol conversion from ISDN to GSM, and encodes the outbound information.

Abstract: A multiple antenna cellular network communicates with a mobile station over a plurality of antennas. The antennas are arranged in a plurality of positions to customize a cell or cells. A transceiver is coupled to the antennas and configured to receive inbound information from the mobile station and transmit outbound information to the mobile station. A processor is coupled to the transceiver and configured to decode the inbound information and to encode the outbound information to communicate with the mobile station. In another embodiment, the antennas are similarly deployed to create a cell or cells. The transmit signal power is continuously modified to improve quality and to move the nulls so that a fixed location user can receive a high quality signal. Exemplary embodiments are provided for use with the Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) protocol and can be applied to other digital technologies.