Abstract: For each broadcast control channel of a plurality of broadcast control channels associated with a plurality of wireless networks, a mobile device decodes control information on the broadcast control channel and stores this control information in its memory. The control information includes a network identification which uniquely identifies a particular wireless communication network. Such decoding is performed in between or during repeated acts of measuring signal strength levels of an RF signal on the broadcast control channel, and prior to completion of an averaging function for calculating an averaged signal strength level of the signal strength levels on the broadcast control channel. Decoding may be performed only for those broadcast control channels identified to have the most optimal signal strengths.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes mobile devices and a local area network. Local base stations are coupled to the local area network. Each base station has a unique address on the network and is configured to transmit and receive data packets to and from the mobile devices and to transfer the data packets between local base stations over the network using the unique address. A subscription server operates on the network. The subscription server is configured to store data identifying the unique address of the local base station covering each of the mobile devices. The subscription server is further configured to enable the local base stations to locate any one of the mobile devices. A redirection software module is configured to send and receive data packets over a wide-area wireless network to and from mobile devices that are not within range of any of the local base stations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficient communications in a wireless communication network are provided. The wireless communication network has a predetermined network paging pattern which includes a plurality of page transmission periods during which repeated attempts for initiating a communication with a mobile communication device are made until the communication is established, if at all. The mobile device attempts to decode information over a wireless communication channel during each one of the page transmission periods. If the information is unsuccessfully decoded during all of the page transmission periods, the mobile device causes a message which informs the network of the mobile device to be transmitted to the wireless network. On the other hand, if the information is successfully decoded during at least some, but not all, of the page transmission periods, the mobile device refrains from transmitting the message to the wireless network.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a mobile communication device receives and decodes a plurality of packet data bursts over a packet data channel of a serving cell. While receiving and decoding the packet data bursts, the mobile communication device also receives and decodes a plurality of broadcast data bursts over a broadcast control channel of a neighbor cell. When a time conflict exists between receiving and decoding at least one of the packet data bursts and receiving and decoding at least one of the broadcast data bursts, the mobile communication device receives and decodes the at least one packet data burst instead of the at least one broadcast data burst when no imminent call drop between the mobile communication device and the serving cell is identified.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for selecting a radio subsystem in a radio communication system. Selection is made in a manner that optimizes better the selection for communication of data pursuant to a data communication service. A network capacity analyzer includes a capacity indicia collector that collects metric information associated with communication system capacities. Network information is collected pertaining, e.g., to a backhaul network, a radio access network, and a core network of the radio communication system. The collected information is provided to an aggregate capacity determiner that determines the aggregate capacities of the communication system. Such values are provided to a mobile station. The values are used pursuant to reselection procedures to select a radio subsystem through which to communicate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing data congestion in a cell having signal strength, the method having the steps of: assigning a congestion penalty at a mobile device to a cell; applying the congestion penalty to the signal strength to create a selection value; and performing cell reselection using the selection value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing data congestion in a cell having signal strength, the method having the steps of: assigning a congestion penalty at a mobile device to a cell; applying the congestion penalty to the signal strength to create a selection value; and performing cell reselection using the selection value.

Abstract: Data burst communication techniques for mobile communication devices operating in packet data sessions are disclosed. A mobile communication device is adapted to receive and decode packet data of a plurality of packet data bursts of a data block over a packet data channel during a packet data session. The mobile communication device is further adapted to receive and decode broadcast control data of a plurality of broadcast data bursts of the same or adjacent data block over a broadcast control channel contemporaneously with the packet data, where each broadcast data burst is interleaved with packet data bursts of the packet data session. When a time conflict between at least one of the packet data bursts and at least one of the broadcast data bursts exists, the mobile communication device is adapted to prioritize the receiving and decoding of the at least one packet data burst over the at least one broadcast data burst.

Abstract: For each broadcast control channel of a plurality of broadcast control channels associated with a plurality of wireless networks, a mobile device decodes control information on the broadcast control channel and stores this control information in its memory. The control information includes a network identification which uniquely identifies a particular wireless communication network. Such decoding is performed in between or during repeated acts of measuring signal strength levels of an RF signal on the broadcast control channel, and prior to completion of an averaging function for calculating an averaged signal strength level of the signal strength levels on the broadcast control channel. Decoding may be performed only for those broadcast control channels identified to have the most optimal signal strengths.

Abstract: In one illustrative scanning and decoding method, a signal strength level of an RF signal on an RF channel is measured for a plurality of RF channels of an RF band. The act of measuring a signal strength level is repeated at least one time to obtain at least one other signal strength level of the RF signal. Subsequently, an averaging function is completed with use of the signal strength level and the at least one other signal strength level for identifying an averaged signal strength level of the RF signal. At least one optimal RF signal is then identified based on the averaged signal strength levels of the RF signals on the RF channels. In between the repeated acts of measuring signal strength levels of the RF signals, and prior to identifying the averaged signal strength levels, control information is decoded on at least one of the RF channels and stored in memory.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for recovering the informational content of an encoded data block. Data bursts are delivered to a receiver. A series of data bursts together include all of the informational content of the encoded data block. A detector detects delivery to the receiver of the data bursts. A determiner determines indicia associated with the communicated data. And, responsive thereto, the data is decoded, selectably utilizing fewer than all of the data bursts that form the encoded data block.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for recovering the informational content of an encoded data block. Data bursts are delivered to a receiver. A series of data bursts together include all of the informational content of the encoded data block. A detector detects delivery to the receiver of the data bursts. A determiner determines indicia associated with the communicated data. And, responsive thereto, the data is decoded, selectably utilizing fewer than all of the data bursts that form the encoded data block.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficient communications in a wireless communication network are provided. The wireless communication network has a predetermined network paging pattern which includes a plurality of page transmission periods during which repeated attempts for initiating a communication with a mobile communication device are made until the communication is established, if at all. The mobile device attempts to decode information over a wireless communication channel during each one of the page transmission periods. If the information is unsuccessfully decoded during all of the page transmission periods, the mobile device causes a message which informs the network of the mobile device to be transmitted to the wireless network. On the other hand, if the information is successfully decoded during at least some, but not all, of the page transmission periods, the mobile device refrains from transmitting the message to the wireless network.

Abstract: A method of cell selection in a wireless cellular network having a plurality of radio system cells involves determining a bandwidth indication for data communication through each of a serving cell and at least one neighbouring cell to the serving cell. The bandwidth indication comprises an indication of the capacity for data communication through each cell. One of the cells is then selected for packet-based communication in accordance with the determined bandwidth indications.

Abstract: Techniques for use by a data communication device in maintaining communication with a packet-switched communication network which allows data to be pushed to the data communication device are described.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes mobile devices and a local area network. Local base stations are coupled to the local area network. Each base station has a unique address on the network and is configured to transmit and receive data packets to and from the mobile devices and to transfer the data packets between local base stations over the network using the unique address. A subscription server operates on the network. The subscription server is configured to store data identifying the unique address of the local base station covering each of the mobile devices. The subscription server is further configured to enable the local base stations to locate any one of the mobile devices. A redirection software module is configured to send and receive data packets over a wide-area wireless network to and from mobile devices that are not within range of any of the local base stations.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for selecting a radio subsystem in a radio communication system. Selection is made in a manner that optimizes better the selection for communication of data pursuant to a data communication service. A network capacity analyzer includes a capacity indicia collector that collects metric information associated with communication system capacities. Network information is collected pertaining, e.g., to a backhaul network, a radio access network, and a core network of the radio communication system. The collected information is provided to an aggregate capacity determiner that determines the aggregate capacities of the communication system. Such values are provided to a mobile station. The values are used pursuant to reselection procedures to select a radio subsystem through which to communicate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing data congestion in a cell having signal strength, the method having the steps of: assigning a congestion penalty at a mobile device to a cell; applying the congestion penalty to the signal strength to create a selection value; and performing cell reselection using the selection value.

Abstract: Data burst communication techniques for mobile communication devices operating in packet data sessions are disclosed. A mobile communication device is adapted to receive and decode packet data of a plurality of packet data bursts of a data block over a packet data channel during a packet data session. The mobile communication device is further adapted to receive and decode broadcast control data of a plurality of broadcast data bursts of the same or adjacent data block over a broadcast control channel contemporaneously with the packet data, where each broadcast data burst is interleaved with packet data bursts of the packet data session. When a time conflict between at least one of the packet data bursts and at least one of the broadcast data bursts exists, the mobile communication device is adapted to prioritize the receiving and decoding of the at least one packet data burst over the at least one broadcast data burst.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, that facilitates communication of data in a radio communication system that utilizes a slotted communication scheme. Multiple successive time slots are allocable upon which to communicate data to a receiving communication station. At selected intervals, a controller causes the mode of operation of the receiving communication station to be changed to pause operation in a receive mode and, during the pause, to cause operation of the receiving communication station to transmit data, such as control acknowledgments or other responses.