Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a radio access network system for use with a core network. The system comprises a central base station unit and a plurality of remote access points communicatively coupled to the central base station unit via a wired local area network. The remote access points are configured to wirelessly communicate with user equipment using licensed frequency bands. The central base station unit communicatively couples the user equipment to the core network. The wired local area network can comprise an Ethernet network and/or a corporate local area network.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a radio access network system for use with a core network. The system comprises a central base station unit and a plurality of remote access points communicatively coupled to the central base station unit via a wired local area network. The remote access points are configured to wirelessly communicate with user equipment using licensed frequency bands. The central base station unit communicatively couples the user equipment to the core network. The wired local area network can comprise an Ethernet network and/or a corporate local area network.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system comprises a community WLAN comprising fixed equipment that includes a centralized base transceiver station (CBTS) coupled to a public network and a plurality of remote transceiver stations (RTSs) each coupled to a number of a plurality of UEs, and, via a radio link, to the CBTS. Respective cellular radio frequency signals transmitted by the CBTS to the RTSs and by each RTS to the CBTS are frequency converted from respective first frequencies within conventional cellular frequency bands to respective second frequencies above the conventional cellular frequency bands. The respective frequency-converted cellular radio frequency signals received by the CBTS from the RTSs and by each RTS from the CBTS are frequency converted from respective second frequencies above the conventional cellular frequency bands to respective first frequencies within the conventional cellular frequency bands.

Abstract: A system (100) and method for providing high capacity voice and high speed data communication between user equipment terminals (UEs 104) and a public network (108). Generally, the system (100) includes a community Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN 102) having a centralized base transceiver station (CBTS 114) coupled to a public network (108), and several remote transceiver stations (RTSs 118) each coupled to several UEs (104), and, via a radio link, to the CBTS. In one embodiment, the CBTS (114) and RTSs (118) include a Global Systems for Mobile communication/General Packet Radio Service (GSM/GPRS) transceiver (148, 154) to provide data communication, and a WLAN transceiver (150, 156) to provide voice communication. Preferably, the WLAN transceiver (150, 156) is compatible with an open standard, such as IEEE 802.11.

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 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 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 communication system (100) and method for coupling a wireless local area network (WLAN 128) to a public network (102) to enable communication between User Equipment terminals (UEs 130) associated with the WLAN and the public network. The public network (102) can include a GSM (110) and/or a 3G-network (114). The WLAN (128) can include a HiperLAN, HiperMAN, or 802.11 network. Preferably, the communication is voice communication, and the system (100) is configured to enable the UEs (130) to access supplementary services provided by the public network (102). Subscriber and security information for the UEs (102) can be provided to the public network (102) from a SIM (134) associated with each UE, or from an identity module (138) comprising either a private memory with information stored therein, or a card holder/reader holding cards with subscriber and security information for one or more UEs.

Abstract: A communication system (100) and method of operating the same to direct packet-switched communications from a User Equipment terminal (UE 138) to a public gateway support node (GSN 112) over a public Iu-PS link (130), or to a community GSN (142) over a private Iu-PS link (146), based on criteria selected, inter alia, to optimize call routing. In one embodiment, the system (100) includes a private home location registry (HLR 148) and a Private Iu Link Intelligent Multiplexing Function (PIuLIM Function 150) configured to direct communications based on information therein. The routing may also be based on a function, supplementary service or specialized application requested by the UE (138). The PIuLIM Function (150) can be included within a radio network controller (134), which is then coupled to the public GSN (112) over the public Iu-PS link (130). Alternatively, the PIuLIM Function (150) can be included within the community GSN (142), and the community GSN coupled to the public GSN (112).

Abstract: A private wireless network (104) and method are provided for facilitating communication between a private branch exchange (PBX) terminal (106) coupled thereto and a public wireless network (102) via an A-link (142). Generally, the private network (104) includes an A-interface (140) through which the PBX terminal (106) is coupled to the public network (102), and a virtual identity module that can be associated with the PBX terminal. Preferably, the module includes subscriber and security information for the PBX terminal (106). In one embodiment, the module comprises information stored in a memory system (100) coupled to the private network (104). Alternatively, the module comprises a card (150) held in a card holder/reader (152) in the private network (104). The public network (102) can be either a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or a third-generation(3G) network. For a GSM network, the module is a virtual subscriber identity module (SIM).

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 3G network (100) and method are provided that reduce loses between a base transceiver station (node B 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 node B (102) and a separate amplifier (124) on the tower-top near to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the node B 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 node B (102) and a radio network controller (RNC 108). Preferably, the backhaul (122) is integrated with the node B (102). In another version, the backhaul (122) is configured to couple communication signals between the node B (102) and the RNC (108) via a 3G network (128).

Abstract: A distributed cellular network (100) provides wireless communication with a plurality of mobile stations (102). A plurality of base transceiver station network elements (104) are configured to communicate with the plurality of mobile stations (102) over a wireless medium, wherein each base transceiver station includes a network interface adapted to couple to a network (110). A plurality of base station controller network elements (106) each include a network interface adapted to couple to the network (110). At least one mobile station controller network element (108) includes a network interface adapted to couple to the network (110). The system (100) is configured such that communication traffic among the base transceiver stations (104), the base station controllers (106) and the mobile switching center (108) is load-balanced for efficiency. Advantages of the invention include a combination of low-cost transceiver (104) and flexible deployment to gain communication coverage over a large area at a low cost.