Abstract: A system and method for achieving wireless local area network (WLAN) communications between an access point and a mobile device are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the system involves an access point that includes a first transceiver capable of sending and receiving first wireless communication signals in accordance with a WLAN protocol, and a first transmitter capable of sending second wireless communication signals that are cellular/WAN communication signals on a first channel. The second wireless communication signals can be received by a mobile, dual-mode (or multi-mode) wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone and, upon such receipt, WLAN communications can be established and conducted between the access point (or another access point) and the mobile device.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a node (300) in an ad hoc network to deterministically decide whether to relay broadcast information to another node in the ad hoc network. The node (300) receives broadcast information and measures received signal strength (RSS) of the broadcast information. The node (300) may determine if the measured RSS is below a low threshold, and if so, can relay the broadcast information to neighbor nodes. Otherwise, the node (300) can also determine if the measured RSS is above a high threshold, and if not, wait for a waiting period before relaying the broadcast information to the neighbor nodes. The node (300) may dynamically adjust the low threshold by decreasing the low threshold as the number of neighbor nodes increases and may dynamically adjust the high threshold by increasing the high threshold as the number of neighbor nodes decreases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electing broadcast relay nodes (520B, H, M) in an ad hoc network (500). Each node (520A-520O) generates an attribute message including associated parameters. Each node (520A-520O) generates a weighted value (WV) based on the parameters. The WV can be included in the attribute message for that node, can provide a metric for ranking that node to be nominated to be a broadcast relay node, can alternatively provide a probability measure for that node to probabilistically elect itself as a broadcast relay node. The broadcast manager node (520C) receives the attribute messages and elects at least one nominated node as a broadcast relay node (520B, H, M) based on the attribute messages. Each node (520A-520O) can also initiate election of an intermediate broadcast relay node if that node fails to receive a test message within a predetermined time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for assigning transmission slots in a time division duplex system. A time frame overlap determination processor (608) determines (314), based upon consistent observations for a sequence of time periods (220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230) of a transmitter's time division duplex time frame (210, 212) used by a first transmitter (102), a plurality of timeslots (242) that are likely to experience interference at a first receiver (106) from an adjacent transmitter (108), the adjacent transmitter (108) having a second time division duplex time frame (212) with a definition that is equivalent to the transmitter's time division duplex time frame. A timeslot assignment processor (610) assigns (406, 410, 412), based upon the determining, at least one data packet transmission addressed to the first receiver (106) to a timeslot that is not within the plurality of timeslots of the time frame overlap (202).

Abstract: Nodes (103a-d, 105, 107, 109a-c, 111a-c) in an ad hoc communication network are coordinated. The network includes the node (111b) and one or more neighbor nodes (103a-d, 105, 107, 109a-c, 111a,c). The node (111b) can sleep in a low duty cycle. Further, the node (111b) can awaken, responsive to a schedule; and register with a cluster head (101); listen for one or more neighbors, wherein the at least one neighbor can be active (103a-d, 105, 107) or idle (109a-c, 111a,c); and/or listen for one or more requests from the cluster head (101) or active neighbor(s) (103a-d, 105, 107). Responsive to the request(s), the idle node (111b) can become active on a communication link.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving wireless local area network (WLAN) communications between an access point and a mobile device are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the system involves an access point that includes a first transceiver capable of sending and receiving first wireless communication signals in accordance with a WLAN protocol, and a first transmitter capable of sending second wireless communication signals that are cellular/WAN communication signals on a first channel. The second wireless communication signals can be received by a mobile, dual-mode (or multi-mode) wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone and, upon such receipt, WLAN communications can be established and conducted between the access point (or another access point) and the mobile device.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (400) for mesh/ad hoc participation is provided. The method 400 can include compensating a first service provider (510) for allowing a device (539) of a second service provider (530) to operate in an ad hoc network (500) operated by the first service provider, and determining network resources utilized for providing communication among nodes in the ad hoc network. The compensation to the first service provider accounts for network resources utilized by the device for communicating within the ad hoc network. Resources can include equipment that is operated, owned, leased, rented, borrowed, or shared by the service provider. The method 400 allows users to roam to other networks without a service subscription agreement.

Abstract: A communication system is designed that reduces co-channel interference when heterogeneous users are sharing spectrum. The system design enables a plurality of pairs of users to communicate their channel utilization time periods by using the durations and start or stop times of certain transmissions to signal the start times and durations of later transmissions. Other system users using possibly different communications protocols and different modulation technologies can measure the durations of received transmissions and to infer channel usage based on these durations.

Abstract: Remote units within a first communication system (121) utilizes frequencies (channels) from a second communication system (120) when placing a call. When a first remote unit (106) wants to call a second remote unit (107) using the channels, the first remote unit sends a base station (103) a list of top N traffic channel blocks from the second communication system along with the identity of the second remote unit. The base station then pages the second remote unit using a signaling channel reserved by second system. The second remote unit responds to the page with its list of best traffic channel blocks/chunks. The base station then picks the best overlap of idle channels from the list received by the remote units, and sends the list to the remote units instructing them use those traffic channels. Once the remote units receive the available channels, they can begin their call.

Abstract: Remote units within a first communication system (121) utilizes frequencies (channels) from a second communication system (120) when placing a call. When a first remote unit (106) wants to call a second remote unit (107) using the channels, the first remote unit sends a base station (103) a list of top N traffic channel blocks from the second communication system along with the identity of the second remote unit. The base station then pages the second remote unit using a signaling channel reserved by second system. The second remote unit responds to the page with its list of best traffic channel blocks/chunks. The base station then picks the best overlap of idle channels from the list received by the remote units, and sends the list to the remote units instructing them use those traffic channels. Once the remote units receive the available channels, they can begin their call.

Abstract: Substantive informational conflicts as between navigation information provided by an in-vehicle navigation unit (101) and an in-vehicle roadside information service receiver (107) are detected (203). When detected, information from one source or the other is modified (207). Such modification can include alteration and/or deletion of one information item or the other. The modification can alleviate the conflict and/or otherwise provide alternative information to a user of the vehicle to support journey goals.

Abstract: Substantive informational conflicts as between navigation information provided by an in-vehicle navigation unit (101) and an in-vehicle roadside information service receiver (107) are detected (203). When detected, information from one source or the other is modified (207). Such modification can include alteration and/or deletion of one information item or the other. The modification can alleviate the conflict and/or otherwise provide alternative information to a user of the vehicle to support journey goals.

Abstract: A technique is used in a data terminal (110, 160) that encodes and decodes a data packet that is transmitted in a link of a frequency hopping system. During encoding, an information portion of the data packet is determined for transmission, a transmit redundancy check code is generated over the information portion and an identifier using a predetermined redundancy check code generator, and the data packet is generated to include the transmit redundancy check code and the information portion, but exclude the identifier. During decoding, the information portion and a received redundancy check code of the received data packet are determined, a calculated redundancy check code is generated over the information portion and the identifier, using the predetermined redundancy check code generator, and the information portion is rejected when the received redundancy check code does not match the calculated redundancy check code.

Abstract: A two-way communication system is used for performing dynamic channel control. The two-way communication system comprises a base transceiver (102) and a plurality of selective call transceivers (122). The base transceiver (102) includes a plurality of base stations (116) controlled by a controller (112). The base transceiver (102) transmits query signals to the selective call transceivers (122) to prompt communication. The selective call transceivers (122) measure the signal quality of signals transmitted by the two-way communication system and transmit in return signal quality measurement data to the base transceiver (102) for analysis. The base transceiver (102) dynamically adjusts the signal quality of signals to be received by the selective call transceivers (122) in order to substantially reduce the noise interference that the selective call transceivers (122) experience.

Abstract: A method for setting up a link for a call in a narrowband cellular communication system (100) includes, in a selective call radio (106), determining a transmitter identity and a signal quality (310, 315) of a strongest monitoring channel of a set of N monitoring channels, each of which has propagation characteristics that closely represent propagation characteristics of one of N groups of channels, and transmitting a report (330) of the transmitter identity and a signal quality of the strongest monitoring channel; and includes, in a system controller, receiving the report (405), choosing an available outbound resource (425, 430) in a first group of the N groups of channels, wherein the first group includes the strongest monitoring channel, and establishing the call (555) using the chosen available outbound resource at a bit rate that is a highest bit rate that is compatible with the signal quality.

Abstract: A two-way communication system is used for performing dynamic channel control. The two-way communication system comprises a base transceiver (102) and a plurality of selective call transceivers (122). The base transceiver (102) includes a plurality of base stations (116) controlled by a controller (112). The base transceiver (102) transmits query signals to the selective call transceivers (122) to prompt communication. The selective call transceivers (122) measure the signal quality of signals transmitted by the two-way communication system and transmit in return signal quality measurement data to the base transceiver (102) for analysis. The base transceiver (102) dynamically adjusts the signal quality of signals to be received by the selective call transceivers (122) in order to substantially reduce the noise interference that the selective call transceivers (122) experience.

Abstract: A portable subscriber unit (104) monitors (602) a signal fading rate in an outbound channel from a base station (102), and transmits a message. The portable subscriber unit transmits (606) the message once on an inbound channel in response to the signal fading rate in the outbound channel being less than a predetermined value. The portable subscriber unit transmits (608) the message more than once in response to the signal fading rate in the outbound channel being greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

Abstract: A non-real time messaging system (200) for targeting messages to a subscriber unit (222) comprises a synchronized profile of where a subscriber unit should be located (a predetermined base transmission area for transmission of messages to the subscriber unit) maintained between a controller (212) and the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit detects when the subscriber unit is not within the receiving range of a predetermined base transmission area, informs the controller and the controller directs subsequent transmissions to an area identified by the subscriber unit and otherwise transmits subsequent messages to the predetermined base transmission area. The system further includes a plurality of base receivers (217) coupled to the controller for receiving transmissions from the subscriber units and allowing the controller to detect when the subscriber unit is not within the receiving range of a predetermined base transmission area.

Abstract: A personal communication system (100) having power control provided by a radio port control unit (122), provides for portable radio controlled optimum base station selection. Multiple base stations 102, 124, and 130 transmit channel signals including a code word which indicates the transmit power level of each transmission. A portable radio 120 measures the received signal strength (RSS) of each of the channel signals transmitted from the base stations and also receives the coded power levels of each transmission. The portable (120) then calculates an adjusted received signal strength (ARSS) value for different channels from different base stations. The portable (120) then compares the ARSS values to determine the optimum base station to communicate with for portable controlled handover, local registration, and link set up.

Abstract: A two-way selective call communication system (FIG. 1) controls transmissions in a dominant cell (504) of a plurality of cells (502, 504) utilizing a common radio frequency for sending messages (408). The dominant cell carries significantly greater traffic than any other cell of the plurality of cells. A controller (112) groups (808, 906), into a first time period (708), the transmissions of non-dominant cell messages which interfere with the transmissions of dominant cell messages. The controller then determines a subset of the dominant cell messages that require a higher signal-to-interference ratio than available in the dominant cell during the first time period. The controller then transmits (908) the subset during a second time period (710) different from the first time period.