Abstract: Automatic provisioning of an access point base station or femtocell. The method may include the femtocell transmitting first information (e.g., location information, signal measurement information, capability information, etc.) to a service provider (e.g., over an IP network). The femtocell may receive second information from the service provider, where the second information includes one or more operational parameters. The operational parameters may include hand-off parameters, admission policy parameters, PN or scrambling codes, power parameters, and/or other parameters. The femtocell may operate according to the received parameters to provide access for a plurality of access terminals in a local area.

Abstract: Automatic provisioning of an access point base station or femtocell. The method may include the femtocell transmitting first information (e.g., location information, signal measurement information, capability information, etc.) to a service provider (e.g., over an IP network). The femtocell may receive second information from the service provider, where the second information includes one or more operational parameters. The operational parameters may include hand-off parameters, admission policy parameters, PN or scrambling codes, power parameters, and/or other parameters. The femtocell may operate according to the received parameters to provide access for a plurality of access terminals in a local area.

Abstract: A method of extending, for enabled stations, the number of information states conveyed by a signal employed by legacy (non-enabled) stations. The additional information states may convey a Broadcast/Multicast Service (BCMCS) Indication by means of tristate modulation, including binary phase shift keying plus zero amplitude. A signal, such as a quick paging (QP) message, is selected because legacy receivers combine subunits of the message before the data content is determined. Complementary modulation is applied to the subunits, such that legacy combining renders the message information indistinguishable from harmless messages, yet distinguishable as a distinct additional information state in a legacy receiver. For example, a legacy receiver cannot distinguish a new QP message from a “zero” signal, due to application of inverse BPSK to the subunits. An enabled station may thus detect new information, such as a BCMCS Indicator, in a manner that is compatible with legacy stations.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus suitable to convey timely information for facilitating accurate reception of transmitted data, a pilot signal is modulated to convey information. The information may facilitate efficient interpretation of an associated traffic signal. Modulation of a pilot signal frame may be limited to ensure early detection, and/or to minimize impairment of pilot functionality. In one embodiment, a Secondary Pilot Channel (SPICH) is transmitted at one of several selectable power levels to boost effectiveness of a phase reference, and is modulated to indicate the selected level. Such timely information enables prompt optimal combining of the SPICH with a primary Pilot Channel (PICH), and/or permits processing efficiencies for an associated traffic channel. Pilot signal frames may be transmitted at a predetermined level during a detection preamble portion of a frame to ensure accurate and early detection, and at a more optimal level thereafter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating data signals using a spread spectrum cellular network, the cellular network including a plurality of base stations coupled to the cellular network the mobile unit assigned to one of the plurality of base stations. The method and apparatus receives a signal of another of the plurality of base stations (target base station) and determines the interference density to the target base station from the received signal.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus suitable to convey timely information for facilitating accurate reception of transmitted data, a pilot signal is modulated to convey information. The information may facilitate efficient interpretation of an associated traffic signal. Modulation of a pilot signal frame may be limited to ensure early detection, and/or to minimize impairment of pilot functionality. In one embodiment, a Secondary Pilot Channel (SPICH) is transmitted at one of several selectable power levels to boost effectiveness of a phase reference, and is modulated to indicate the selected level. Such timely information enables prompt optimal combining of the SPICH with a primary Pilot Channel (PICH), and/or permits processing efficiencies for an associated traffic channel. Pilot signal frames may be transmitted at a predetermined level during a detection preamble portion of a frame to ensure accurate and early detection, and at a more optimal level thereafter.

Abstract: A method of time division multiplexing for a forward data packet channel includes encoding parallel data sub-packets into parallel streams of turbo codes; interleaving each of the parallel streams of turbo codes to generate parallel streams of quasi-complementary turbo codes; modulating the parallel streams of quasi-complementary turbo codes to generate parallel streams of modulated data symbols; and multiplexing the parallel streams of modulated data symbols by one of multiplexing and non-complete puncturing to generate a single stream of modulation symbols.

Abstract: A common signaling channel (CSC) conveys signaling information units (SIUs) from a base station (BS) to each of a multiplicity (e.g., 1200) of different mobile stations (MSs). Implicit correspondence between particular CSC and data frames is facilitated by basing CSC frame duration on the data frame period. CSC frames are time multiplexed into K subframes, which are code division multiplexed (CDM) into J CDM branches to define J*K SIUs. CDM symbols (or sequences) representing each SIU may be diversely transmitted in different time slots, and/or using different OVSF codes or subchannels. Unique gain may be provided for each SIU. Subframe duration may ensure CDM code orthogonality despite fading. CDM symbol length may be an integer power of two, or have other values, such as 2N*20 (e.g., 80). SIUs are typically relevant to BS-MS data packets, for example ACKs supporting H-ARQ for reverse link transmissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling more efficient use of plural packet data control channels (PDCCHs) that are associated with a common block of one or more packet data channels in a cellular communication system capable of high-speed data communications. Mobile stations (MSs) within a coverage area of a base station (BS) are categorized in accordance with an expected ability to receive signal transmissions, by determining position, transmission path length, reported channel quality, required reverse transmit power, or otherwise. The plural PDCCHs are preferentially associated with different categories of MSs, and are transmitted at different levels of robustness. The most robust PDCCH reaches all served MSs, and another PDCCH is transmitted at a lower robustness for more efficient utilization. Power may be reduced, and/or data density increased, on a less robust PDCCH.

Abstract: A method and apparatus managing a list of base stations (“BSs”) for which a mobile station (“MS”) can establish an optimal communications channel are disclosed. In accordance with the teachings disclosed herein, a MS acquires suitable parameter information (“information”) and bases a subsequent switching decision based upon such information. Suitable parameters comprise cell loading and/or service priority, and MS needs. Such information comprises, for example, a number of BS users, switching latency associated with a particular BS, applications available by a BS, available code space, and a number of MSs for which a particular BS can provide resources. A MS decision to switch from a first BS to a second BS is predicated upon the acquired information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system permits an access terminal (“AT”) for a multi-carrier CDMA wireless communication system to concurrently receive data on N different-frequency carriers while restricting one or more parameters that affect data reception rate, so that limited resources of the AT will be sufficient to properly process data packets on the N carriers. The data rate controlling parameter may be “I,” the number of supported H-ARQ channels for one or more of the N carriers. A relationship may be defined between the number of supported forward and/or reverse link carriers, versus the number of supported H-ARQ channels and/or other data rate controlling parameters. Messages may enable identification of AT characteristics, and configuration and/or dynamic re-configuration of AT data communication capabilities that are related to different values of N and corresponding different data rate controlling parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing power dissipation in mobile stations that are configured to provide concurrent voice and high-speed packet data communication capability in a cellular telecommunications system. A state is defined during which data directed to a mobile station (MS) is not fully receive processed by the MS. Such a reduced receive processing state may be co-extensive with a Control Hold state. A notification mechanism is presented by which a serving base station directs a mobile station to return from reduced to full receive processing in advance of transmitting data on a packet data channel. The notification may take several forms, such as a message presenting the MS MAC address and one or more other bits of predetermined data content. Return to active (full receive) status may be required to be completed within a predetermined time, such as one ACK delay, after notification.

Abstract: A method and system for providing acknowledgment and/or data rate control (DRC) information with respect to data packets conveyed on a plurality of active forward link (FL) carriers. The number of reverse link (RL) carriers employed for the acknowledgment and/or DRC information may be less than the number of active FL carriers, and may be a single carrier, even when the signaling protocol is, in the limit, consistent with presently-supported standardized CDMA protocols. Code multiplexing techniques are employed inventively to convey information for up to fifteen FL carriers on a single, standard CDMA channel designed to provide such signaling for only a single FL carrier at a time.

Abstract: A method to enable scheduling communications activities for an electronic communication device configured to communicate across a communication network is provided. The method comprises the steps of scheduling a communication activity during a scheduling window such that the communication activity is scheduled to occur toward the end of a communication window; entering a power-save mode after the scheduling step; and transitioning from the power-save mode prior to the scheduled communication activity. In one embodiment the method can further include a step of conducting the scheduled communication activity and transitioning back to the power-save mode after a next communication activity is scheduled or be implemented to allow the step of conducting the scheduled communication activity and transitioning back to the power-save mode at the end of the next communication window.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, computer program products, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof for enabling a network device to establish transmit and receive data rates independently from one another. According to one aspect of the invention, the transmit and receive data rates can be decoupled by designating the rate capability of each device for at least one of either its transmitter or receiver. For example, in one embodiment, the rate capability of network device receivers can be designated, and the devices' transmit rate capabilities not announced. The transmit rate capability is known to the transmitting device, while the receive rate capability of the receiving device is announced through its beacon or other scheduling window. Hence, the transmitting device can determine at what data rate to transmit based on the information it receives from the other devices.

Abstract: Approaches scheduling and allocation of communication bandwidth across a communication channel provide the opportunity for improved network utilization. A network device is configured to allocating its bandwidth utilization within a communication network, wherein bandwidth allocation is governed by a utilization policy. The network device conducts communication activities within the communication network. When the network device deviates from the utilization policy in scheduling or conducting network activities, a penalty can be imposed on the network device for deviating from the utilization policy. Where one or more network conditions exceed predetermined tolerance levels, the offending network device can be required to reallocate its scheduled activities.

Abstract: Approaches scheduling and allocation of communication bandwidth across a communication channel provide the opportunity for improved network utilization. According to one embodiment, a method of allocating communication bandwidth among a plurality of network devices scheduling and conducting communication activities within the communication network in a communication network is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a first network device determining allocations of other network devices operating in the communication network; the first network device preempting a scheduled allocation of a second network device; and the first network device scheduling its communication activities on the communication network. Additionally, the first network device can also determine whether a conflict exists between its desired or required allocation and an allocation of the second network device.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for initiating a reverse link intergenerational handoff in a CDMA communication system is disclosed. The inventive reverse link intergenerational handoff initialization method and apparatus measures and compares parameters between a serving base station of one generation and a target base station of another generation to determine the best possible handoff initiation time instant for performing a reverse link intergenerational hard handoff. The method and apparatus can utilize one of several embodiments to determine the best possible handoff initiation time instant. A pilot signal strength embodiment determines a handoff initiation time instant based upon the total pilot signal strength of both a serving and target base station. The Eb/Nt embodiment determines a handoff initiation time instant based upon Eb/Nt (ratio of average power per bit to total received power spectral density) values of both a serving and a target base station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating a reverse link intergenerational handoff in a CDMA communication system that measures and compares parameters between a serving base station of one generation and a target base station of another generation to determine the best possible handoff initiation time instant for performing a reverse link intergenerational hard handoff. Different embodiments can utilize one of several procedures to determine the best possible handoff initiation time instant. A pilot signal strength embodiment determines a handoff initiation time instant based upon the total pilot signal strength of both a serving and target base station. An Eb/Nt embodiment determines a handoff initiation time instant based upon Eb/Nt (ratio of average power per bit to total received power spectral density) values of both a serving and a target base station. The method and apparatus decreases the probability of degraded or dropped calls during intergenerational handoffs.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing measurement of a mobile station location with communications service includes performing communications service between the mobile station and a base station, transmitting a synchronization message from the mobile station to the base station to indicate that the mobile station will be unavailable for communications service during a selected time interval, measuring the mobile station location from the mobile station during the selected time interval, and resuming communications service between the mobile station and the base station.