Abstract: The present invention provides a method for allocating channels in a wireless local area network (WLAN) among a plurality of clients. This method involves first assigning at least one client of the plurality of clients to a channel of a set of active channels. Next, for each client the access time is determined based on an access time factor. Assigning individual clients to channels further involves determining available channel capacity of the set of active channels and the desired channel consumption of the multiple clients. When the available channel capacity is equal to or greater than the desired channel consumption, multiple clients may be assigned to multiple channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of optimizing transmission (both real time and continuous) of a number of multimedia data packets between a multimedia source device and a multimedia display device is disclosed. In the described embodiment, the multimedia source device and the display device are coupled by way of a unidirectional main link arranged to carry the multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device and a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device. The method can be carried out by following at least the following operations. Providing a test pattern by the multimedia source device on the main link, determining a transmission quality factor of the main link based upon the test pattern, and optimizing the transmission of the multimedia data packets based upon the transmission quality factor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing service impairment in a LAG are provided. The method includes: dividing a service packet into multiple service sub-flows, and allocating the multiple service sub-flows to all the physical ports averagely; after a new port is added, configuring a preset quantity of service sub-flows for the new port; or, after a port is deleted, allocating the service sub-flows on the deleted port to other ports; and finding a forwarding physical port through a service packet according to the service sub-flows. An apparatus for reducing service impairment in a LAG includes: an initializing module, a new port processing module or a deleted port processing module, and a forwarding port search module. In the case of adding or deleting a port, only the affected service sub-flows are operated, thus minimizing the impact.

Abstract: The present methods and systems provide spectrum management for enhancing upstream performance for cable networks. According to one embodiment, a method of enhancing upstream performance in a cable network includes the steps of measuring performance of an upstream channel at a first data signaling rate; determining whether the upstream channel supports a second data signaling rate based on the performance; and selectively transitioning to the second data signaling rate based on said determination. The second data signaling rate is a higher rate than the first data signaling rate.

Abstract: A ‘smart’ sub-channel hopping control mechanism executes one or more sub-channel selection discriminators to enable the communications controller of a spectral reuse transceiver to delineate on which of a plurality sub-channels the spectral reuse transceiver may transmit, so as to substantially reduce the likelihood of triggering squelch circuits of silent radios of primary (licensed) channel users.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a connection, according to which a signaling control device of the communication network triggers a first of several terminal points of the communication, which are connected via a user data channel, to close the user data channel by transmitting a first signaling message. The signaling control device also transmits a confirmation request message to a second of the terminal points of the communication, thereby triggering said second terminal point to transmit a confirmation message to the signaling control device if the user data channel has been successfully closed. If the signaling control device receives the confirmation message, the signaling control device triggers a terminal point of the communication to open at least one new user data channel by transmitting a second signaling message.

Abstract: A method and system for routing channels in which messages are transmitted from a source application to a destination application. The system includes a finite-state machine, source message queues, and a source queue manager for managing the source message queues. The source message queues include a transmission queue for holding a first message for subsequent transmission of the first message from the transmission queue over a first channel to a local queue of the destination application. The method includes: activating the finite-state machine; and performing or not performing a channel routing action, by the finite-state machine, depending on: a channel event having caused the first channel to be started or stopped, a channel sender set for the first channel, and an event type characterizing the channel event as normal or abnormal. The channel routing action is a function of the channel event, the channel sender, and the event type.

Abstract: The Quality Packet Radio Service enhances the slow General Packet Radio Service medium access procedure to include fast in-session access capability. In order to maximize spectral efficiency, all services in Quality Packet Radio Service are assigned uplink radio channel resources only when they have active data to send. A new set of common control channels is designed to provide these in-session network access capabilities. These channels support similar access and control functions as the General Packet Radio Service common control channels (such as Packet Random Access Channel, Packet Access Grant Channel) except they are used solely in Quality Packet Radio Service to implement in-session access. These common control channels are structured to meet the stringent low delay requirements for in-session access and are termed fast packet common control channels.

Abstract: A method for transferring data over a communication link from a first unit to a second unit, the link comprising a first portion across which the data is carried by the transmission of data packets at regular intervals, and a second portion between the first portion and the first unit over which the data is carried in a form that is not synchronised with the transmission of data packets over the first portion; the method comprising transmitting to the first unit synchronisation information regarding the times at which packets are to be transmitted over the first portion.

Abstract: A system for sending multimedia information from at least one base station to one or more mobile stations via at least one wireless communication link includes at least one multimedia source for generating the multimedia information. At least one processor is coupled to the multimedia source for generating a number of data streams derived from the multimedia information on a media control access (MAC) layer. At least one data channel modulator is coupled to the processor for mapping the data streams into a number of data packets on a forward packet data channel between the base station and the mobile station, using a physical layer signaling based on a code-division multiple access (CDMA) or orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM) technology.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to achieve remote access for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) devices with Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) connectivity. Local discovery messages are monitored and it is determined when UPnP devices join or leave a UPnP network. It is also determined whether the joining devices utilize Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) or IPv6 connectivity. If it is determined that an additional IPv6 channel is needed to accommodate a UPnP device with IPv6 capabilities, a transport agent at a remote access server is configured. In addition, a transport agent at a remote access client is also configured. Thus, an IPv6 connection is activated allowing a joined remote UPnP device with IPv6 connectivity to interact to the home network remotely, as if the remote UPnP device was in the home network on an as-needed basis.

Abstract: In FDMA communications between two or more primary radios (41, 42; 141, 142), use is made of a quiescent period in the primary communication. The quiescent period is used by secondary radios (43, 44; 143, 144) to communicate with each other. The quiescent period may be a transmit interrupt (TI) frame, normally provided in a DIIS protocol in order to permit return signaling from a called radio (43, 44). The secondary radios (43, 44) may signal to each other during the TI frame. Alternatively, the quiescent period may be a gap in channel activity, in which case regulated access telegrams (96) are transmitted by either a calling primary device (141), or a “last to call” primary device (141), or a base station (141), the regulated access telegrams determining a reservation window period during which secondary devices (143, 144) may signal to one another.

Abstract: A technique for delivering bursted native media data flows over an Ethernet physical layer between a head-end and an outstation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by operating a device in a default bypass mode at the outstation; receiving a first command wherein the first command is one of a directed command and a multicast command to an address for exchanging Ethernet frames with an Ethernet physical layer; and receiving a second command wherein the second command is one of a multicast command and a directed command for exchanging native data flows with the Ethernet physical layer. The bursted native media data flows may be TDM data flows and the device may be a TDM device wherein the commands may be pause signals or burst signals.

Abstract: A packet mode (e.g. IP) group communication service layer is provided on top of a standard mainstream cellular radio network. Conceptually, the group communication layer includes a pair of basic logical entities, an application bridge and a call processing server (CPS). The bridge and the CPS run group service applications which communicate with group service application(s) in a mobile station MS over the IP connections provided by the radio network. The CPS is responsible for control plane management of group communications. The bridge is responsible for the real-time distribution of VoIP packets to the user terminals according to their group memberships over valid connections programmed by the CPS.

Abstract: A packet mode (e.g. IP) group communication service layer is provided on top of a standard mainstream cellular radio network. Conceptually, the group communication layer includes a pair of basic logical entities, an application bridge and a call processing server (CPS). The bridge and the CPS run group service applications which communicate with group service application(s) in a mobile station MS over the IP connections provided by the radio network. The CPS is responsible for control plane management of group communications. The bridge is responsible for the real-time distribution of VoIP packets to the user terminals according to their group memberships over valid connections programmed by the CPS.

Abstract: A transport channel selecting apparatus is provided, in which the transport channel selecting apparatus includes: a storage for storing information on combinations of transport blocks of transport channels to be transmitted to a radio base station; a transmission buffer for storing transport blocks of the transport channels; an address generation part for generating an address by using numbers of the transport blocks stored in the transmission buffer for each transport channel; an extraction part for extracting, from the storage, information on a combination of transport blocks of transport channels corresponding to the address; and a selection part for selecting transport blocks from the transmission buffer according to the combination indicated by the extracted information.

Abstract: A communication apparatus originally transmits data packets via a first channel based on a first beacon interval. A memory thereof records the first beacon interval. A receiving interface thereof receives information of a second channel. A processor thereof determines whether the second channel has been used according to the information.

Abstract: Communicating between a plurality of nodes includes: at one or more of the plurality of nodes, sensing spectrum activity on at least one channel; creating and maintaining at least one spectrum awareness table based at least in part on the sensed spectrum activity, determining at least one selected bearer based on the at least one spectrum awareness table; performing an adaptive control channel initialization operation to detect zero or more neighbor nodes.

Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus including a base station and at least two mobile stations, having multiple antennas, respectively is provided. In the mobile communication apparatus, the base station restores from feedback signals transmitted from the mobile stations weight information determined in the mobile stations, generates from the restored weight information downlink control information ensuring maximum throughput to each of the mobile stations, and selects from among data of all of the mobile stations data of a desired mobile station(s) to be transmitted, based on the downlink control information. Each of each of the mobile stations has at least one mobile station antenna, the base station has at least two base station antennas, and the downlink control information includes mobile station selection information, an optimal basis matrix index, and optimal gain indices. As a result, nominal peak throughput in multi-antenna mobile communications can be efficiently achieved at low costs.

Abstract: A relay node is provided for coupling telephone, facsimile or data terminals to a digital packet telecommunications network. The relay node includes a signal discriminator for determining the type of signal coming from a terminal coupled to the node, from amongst a plurality of signal types, and a plurality of software relay devices each adapted to process a respective type of signal and controlled by the discriminator in order to apply to each signal a form of relay processing corresponding to the signal type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparent implementation of link-suspend capabilities in network devices is presented, which is capable of operating in full or substantially full power operational mode, as well as in a low power “link-suspend” operational mode. The low power “link-suspend” (LS) mode reduces the power consumption of a LAN communications link at the physical layer by eliminating the need to transmit continuous standard idles to maintain link between two linked partners. In the LS mode, a low duty cycle “link-suspend-packet” (LSP) is transmitted between periods of silent line state (SLS). During the SLS, which is a non-data transmission period, the transmitter may be turned off to conserve power. The transmitter power is turned back on when it is time to transmit LSPs or data.

Abstract: A first physical layer device of a first network device includes a sense circuit that senses activity on a medium and with the first physical layer device. An autonegotiation circuit attempts to establish a connection with a second physical layer device of a second network device within a first period after the sense circuit senses activity. An energy saving circuit selectively provides power to the first physical layer device based on the sensed activity and connection with the second physical layer device, and that while attempting to establish the connection resets a timer associated with the first period when the sense circuit senses activity.

Abstract: Wirelessly-linked, distributed resource control (RCS1-RCSn, RCSB, RCC, ARM) supports a wireless communication system (50) for operation in non-exclusive spectrum (24-29). An available resource map (ARM) contains resource availability information gathered by mobile stations (MS1-MSn), and a wired communication channel supports sharing of resource control information among fixed-site stations (BS).

Abstract: A method for allocating and resizing a link on a communication medium is provided. The utilization of an allocated link is monitored and an unused bandwidth thereof is determined. Upon request for allocation of a second link, at least a portion of the unused bandwidth is included in the bandwidth of the second link allocated. A network including two nodes and a communication medium terminated thereby is operable to provide a plurality of communication links and is operable to resize the bandwidth of the allocated links is provided. The network is operable to monitor the utilization of an allocated bandwidth of an allocated link and deallocate a part of the allocated bandwidth that is non-utilized by the allocated link. The deallocated bandwidth, or a portion thereof, may then be included in a bandwidth allocation made for allocation of an additional link.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling queues by reducing the amount of redundant operations requested by commands associated with elements in the queue is provided. Control of queueing is provided by combining elements in the queue requesting redundant operations and eliminating those elements from the queue. Priority levels for each of the elements are also combined.

Abstract: The presence of the non-television transmission within a channel is used to indicate that secondary non-licensed usage of the channel is permitted. Specifically, if secondary users incorporate the means to identify the unique modulation signature of the secondary user, decoding of a beacon signal may not be necessary. With the above in mind, a radio will be prevented from transmitting within a frequency band when no transmission within the licensed spectrum is currently taking place; the licensee is currently transmitting on the spectrum (e.g., television transmissions are taking place utilizing the spectrum, or the radio cannot sense the presence of a data channel (beacon).

Abstract: A method for the improved exploitation of resources between telecommunications networks and IP networks (for example, corporate LANs or the public Internet) for reducing the costs of permanent connections (always-on connections) and for optimizing IP address economy. During the periods when there is no traffic, the connection between the telecommunications network and the IP network is deactivated, while the subscriber-side connection is maintained. When the subscriber has new data traffic, the RC automatically activates the IP connection concerned to the ISP with reversion to the stored authentication data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for wireless telecommunication in a packet-based network comprising a Software Radio Port (SRP) which functions as a radio base station and a VoIP gateway to interconnect the wireless network with the VoIP packet network. Together with a Network Server Platform (NSP) and VoIP call-server, the SRP combines mobile call processing signaling with the VoIP call signaling to establish calls between the mobile and VoIP device or between mobiles. The SRP establishes the voice path to the mobile station over the air and the RTP media path to a party over a packet network for a call. These two paths are interconnected at the SRP so that an end-to-end voice path is established.

Abstract: The invention provides a high availability control method for a router in an autonomous system, the router being in communication with other routers using an IS—IS protocol via interfaces and presenting both an active IS—IS protocol engine and a standby IS—IS protocol engine. The method comprises steps of storing data concerning adjacency, the state of links, and interfaces in a memory of the active protocol engine, updating the data stored in a memory of the standby protocol engine, and activating the standby protocol engine using the updated data. The invention also provides a router implementing the method. The invention serves to increase router availability in the event of a failure or of maintenance actions.

Abstract: In data communication using radio communication, an inactivity timer value is changed according to various states, so that an unused time of a communication channel in a non-communication time is decreased, and channel use efficiency is raised. A unit for judging an application of packet data to be transmitted and received by a radio base station 408/a radio base station controller 405 is provided, or an inactivity timer value is set through a port number in TCP/UDP header and a traffic pattern and according to a communication content, and the set inactivity timer value is used to control a change from a connected state to a dormant state.

Abstract: Circuitry, embodied in a media subsystem, reproduces a speech or other type of audio signal, and is operable during a time that comfort noise is being generated for storing data from an arriving data packet that contains data representing a beginning of an interval of speech. The circuitry detects that data representing speech has been stored and synchronizes the circuitry to the beginning of the interval of speech by terminating the generation of comfort noise that precedes the interval of speech, and reproduces the speech by decoding the stored data from the data packet and converting the decoded data to an audio speech signal. The arriving data packet contains at least one frame of speech data having a duration of X milliseconds, and the circuitry includes an audio device, such as a DAC or a PCM connection, that requests decoded speech data at a rate given by X/Y milliseconds, where Y is greater than one.

Abstract: Integrated voice and data channel communications. Browsing and source computing devices establish a first data channel. The browser transmits its data address to the source. The source then correlates that data address to a browse session identifier that may be dialed using a telephone keypad. The source then transmits a calling mechanism along with the browse session identifier to the browser. Upon selection of the calling mechanism at the browser, a voice call is placed using the telephone number supplied with the calling mechanism. Once the voice channel is established, the appended browse session identifier is dialed. The source may use the browse session identifier to correlate the voice call to the browser's data address. The source then establishes another data channel with the browsing computing device. Then, the source may transmit update information to the browser that relates to a concurrent voice conversation.

Abstract: A multiplexing equipment included in an ATM network to transmit control line signals for interfacing data communication terminals. The transmission of the control line signals is realized by reserving a field in a payload in a cell format for the control line signal transmission between the data communication terminals, mapping RS/CD, CS, ER/DR, CI of the control line signals at intervals based on a terminal speed, multiplexing the mapped control line signals at the transmission side, and separating the multiplexed control line signals at reception side.

Abstract: An energy saving circuit is connected to a receiver of a first physical layer of a first network device. The energy saving device has first and second energy saving modes. In the first energy saving mode, a sense circuit generates a receive signal when connection activity is detected by the receiver. The energy saving circuit powers down the physical layer when the receiver does not detect the connection activity. An autonegotiation circuit powers up the first physical layer and negotiates a connection with a second physical layer of a second network device when the sense circuit generates the receive signal. In a second energy saving mode, a second timer periodically powers a transmitter and generates a link pulse. After the transmitter generates the link pulse, the transmitter is turned off.

Abstract: An optical packet exchange apparatus and an optical switch in which search for a connection pattern between an input unit devoid of a packet to be transmitted and an output unit devoid of a packet to be received is reduced to enable fast switch control even in cases wherein the number of channels of the exchange apparatus is increased or network speed is higher. A plurality of input units, a plurality of output units and an optical switch are provided. Each input unit includes an input buffer unit, a parallel/serial conversion unit, an electrical/optical conversion unit, and a dummy packet insertion unit for sending a dummy packet if there is no packet to be transmitted. Each output unit includes an exchange counterpart contention resolution unit for controlling the exchange counterpart, an optical/electrical conversion unit, a serial/parallel conversion unit, and a packet eliminating unit. The exchange counterpart contention resolution unit controls the packet eliminating unit to eliminate a dummy packet.

Abstract: A facsimile machine that is capable of receiving, transmitting and storing both document images and data transfers, identifying the appropriate device the data transfer is intended for, and providing the data transfer to the appropriate device is disclosed. A facsimile machine is provided with one or more ports for coupling with other office equipment, such as, for example, postage meters, postage scales, personal computers, etc. Data transfers from a service center or the like are received by the facsimile machine and identified as to which device is the intended recipient. The facsimile machine can then send the data transfer to the intended device, or store the data transfer for sending to the intended device at a later time. Accordingly, only a single analog telephone line is required for all of the devices coupled to the facsimile machine.

Abstract: A data transmission method in a mobile communication system is provided for transmitting user data via a common channel when the user data is generated in a suspended state. In a first embodiment, the method includes comparing a length of the generated data with a reference length for normal data transmission in an active state. When the generated data is shorter than the reference length, a generation frequency of the data generated in the suspended state is compared with a reference generation frequency for normal data transmission in the active state. If the generation frequency of the data generated in the suspended state is lower than the reference generation frequency, a transition to a burst substate occurs to segment the data by a frame length of a common traffic channel and then the segmented data is transmitted via the common traffic channel. However, if a burst substate does not exist, the segmented data is transmitted via a previously assigned common traffic channel.

Abstract: A transmission managing apparatus included in an information transmitting system comprising a communication bus (B), an indicating device (NI), which has a transmission state memory (5) for storing a channel used for an information transmission executed in a time division manner on the communication bus and a transmission occupation period occupied for the information transmission, for indicating the channel and the transmission occupation period and an information processing apparatus (N) for reserving a non-used channel and a preservable period, while referring to a memory content of the transmission state memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for an asymmetric data connection comprises a head end router which may be coupled to an ATM PVC, a PSTN modem coupled to the head end router, a plurality of downstream routers each couplable to the ATM PVC via respective ATM interfaces, and a plurality of downstream PSTN modems each coupled to a respective downstream router via a respective serial interface. Each ATM interface of each respective downstream router is allocated, in use, a respective IP address in a single subnet. Each serial interface of each respective downstream router is allocated in use, a respective IP address in a single subnet. A method of establishing an asymmetric data connection is also described.

Abstract: A technique for distributing channel allocation information in a demand access communication system. In a preferred embodiment, for use with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) type communication, multiple access codes are used that have a defined code repeat period or code epoch. For each such epoch duration, a central controller, such as located at a base station in the case of operating a forward link, determines a schedule of assignment of traffic channels to active terminals for each epoch. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, an active terminal unit identifier is assigned. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, the base station assigns a list of active channels for such terminal unit. Prior to the start of each epoch, a channel set up message is sent on one of the forward link channels, such as a paging channel.

Abstract: A method for communicating packet data units in a radio communication system having a first base station that supports both speech and data packet communication with a number a radio units, wherein the first base station includes a first transceiver unit communicating a speech call with a first radio unit on a speech traffic channel mapped on a first basic physical channel, and where a discontinuous transmission mode can be activated on the first speech traffic channel, characterized in that the method comprises the step of communicating packet data units between the first transceiver unit and a second radio unit on a packet data channel mapped on a second basic physical channel when the discontinuous transmission mode is activated on the first speech traffic channel.

Abstract: A broadband communication system including an Internet Protocol Telephony Network and public switched telephone network, including apparatus and methods for placing a call on hold in a way that significantly reduces the amount of network bandwidth utilized by the call while the call is on hold. When a call is placed on hold, embodiments of the architecture of the telephony network of the present invention allows the network to essentially “forget” about the call placed on hold. In other words, a call that is on hold may require very little, or even zero, bandwidth within the telephony network. Accordingly, the total necessary bandwidth capacity of the telephony network may be smaller than it would be if calls on hold were to consume precious network bandwidth as is found in existing telephony systems.

Abstract: A method for wireless LAN communication using multiple channels is provided. An ATIM containing channel information is generated when there is data to be sent, and the ATIM is transmitted via a main channel after a predetermined period of time. When a station loses a channel reservation competition, the station generates and transmits via the main channel another ATIM containing channel information regarding another channel to be used from data transmission. The station then performs channel switching to the other channel corresponding to the channel information, transmits the data via the other channel, and switches the channel back to the main channel at the time of a subsequent beacon.

Abstract: The invention herein is described relates to a system and method for efficiently using bandwidth across a fixed wireless or wired interface, which may be a broadband wireless access interface. A preferred embodiment of the invention dynamically assigns bandwidth for one or more DS0 voice channels across a wireless interface in a configurable multi-channel communication system using T1 and/or E1 trunks or any other multiplex source. Bandwidth for voice channels is assigned as a function of the ACTIVE/IDLE bits associated with the DS0 channels and only those voice channels that are ACTIVE are assigned bandwidth. The invention describes a system and method for the dynamic allocation or removal of bandwidth for a channel as the state of the channel changes between ACTIVE and IDLE. Channels carrying data only are not impacted by the present invention. In another embodiment, the invention assigns bandwidth across a wired interface in a multi-channel communication system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide security services in an ad-hoc network. In order to provide security services, a set of user identities is transmitted from a first ad-hoc node to a second network external to the ad-hoc network. The set of user identities includes user identities related to at least one ad-hoc node. A first set of authentication parameters is generated in the external network. The first set of authentication parameters includes an authentication vector for each user identity included in the set of user identities and each authentication vector including a second set of authentication parameters. Some of the authentication parameters of the second set are transferred to the first ad-hoc node, whereby a third set of authentication parameters is received at the first ad-hoc node. The third set of authentication parameters is utilized at the first ad-hoc node for providing a security service in the ad-hoc network.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a source radio frequency impairment in a data-over-cable system. The method includes ascertaining reference signal-to-noise ratios and comparing them to signal-to-noise ratios that are measured when the system is in operation. The signal-to-noise ratios are measured under different selections of which cable modems transmit. The method determines whether there are degradations on one or more upstream channel and correlates the degradations to identify the source of the impairment. The identification of impairments helps ensure that the source of impairment may be removed from the data-over-cable system to provide better overall performance.

Abstract: A method of dynamic channel allocation in a frequency hopping communications system is disclosed providing improved efficiency and reliability. During the course of communications between a plurality of transceivers over a frequency hopping wireless communications link, a transceiver begins evaluating the performance of each channel in the hop sequence, starting at a fixed point in the sequence. The transceiver proceeds sequentially through the hop sequence, until a channel fails to satisfy a predetermined quality criterion. A channel which fails to satisfy the quality criterion is considered bad, and substituted with a replacement channel from a set of available channels via an unacknowledged channel replacement command. The channel evaluation process is subsequently reinitiated beginning anew at the fixed point in the hop sequence, thus operating to maintain a set of consecutive good channels.

Abstract: The invention, in part, provides technology (e.g., a method, an apparatus, software, etc.) according to the Ethernet communication protocol, a method of parallel detection, the method comprising: providing a local link partner device having a local terminal advertisement register including a half duplex capability portion, determining whether auto-negotiation is supported; selecting, if auto-negotiation is not supported by at least one participating terminal, half duplex mode; and updating the value of the half duplex capability portion to indicate half duplex mode.

Abstract: A server (102) receives (302) from an originator a group message directed to an address associated in the server with a pre-defined plurality of recipients whose coupling to the wireless communication system at any given time is either active or inactive. The server stores (304) the group message, and transmits (316) the group message to each recipient of the pre-defined plurality of recipients whenever the recipient is actively coupled to the wireless communication system. The server indicates (318) thereafter to the originator that the recipient has received the group message.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for increasing the efficiency with which data is transmitted over a network link. Voice packets are encoded to include header bits that indicate the presence and duration of pauses in the voice transmission. A Network linking device monitors incoming voice packets on a link, checking for the presence of a pause. The linking device also keeps track of all voice connections on the link. When none of the voice connections are active, the linking device increases the size of the maximum allowed transferable unit (MATU), thus fragmenting less data packets than it would have fragmented if a voice connection had been active. Fragmentation is reduced while maintaining sound quality.