Abstract: A method and apparatus for understanding information relating to communication system performance, including the dynamic nature of the system is provided. Elements of the system are represented (102, 110) as various shapes (30, 32, 40) defined by an number of different parameters on a display device (24). The shapes are characterized by a number of defining parameters and these defining parameters have an association with performance characteristics or performance parameters of the system element. As performance parameter data changes with time, e.g., during system operation, the defining parameters are altered such that the shape representing the system element is modified (106, 114). In this manner a large number of system elements and associated performance characteristics and the time varying nature thereof can be readily displayed to aid the system operator.

Abstract: A method of conserving battery energy within two-way radios by periodically de-activating the radios for relatively short time periods. The transmission and reception of communication requests are synchronized to occur during concurrent periods of activation. Following receipt of a communication request, requestor and target remain continuously activated for only the duration of the transaction. Synchronization of radio activation and de-activation is maintained by a synchronization beacon transmitted by a base station or a transmitting portable radio.

Abstract: Registration operates by sensing (106) the availability of a first communication system. A quality factor of a channel of the system is measured (111). A channel of the first system is selected if the quality factor of the channel exceeds a threshold (113). If selected, the subscriber attempts to register the call (114). If the registration fails, the availability of a second communication system is sensed (107). A quality factor of a channel of the second system is measured (111) and selected (113), if the quality factor exceeds a threshold. The subscriber will then attempt to register (114) with the second system. Reassignment operates by determining if the first system has reached a capacity limit (126). If it has, it determines if a channel on the second system is available (128). If available, a transfer of the call from the first to the second system will be attempted (132).

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method for provision of diversity in reception in a communications system such as the GSM cellular radio system. A received call of low quality is received through a first of two antennas (15, 16) and through first of a plurality of receivers (10-14). A spare receiver that is not required for receipt of a call is identified and the spare receiver is switched to receive the call through the second antenna. The spare receiver is tuned to the frequency of the call of low quality and the calls are diversity combined through the first receiver and the spare receiver.

Abstract: In a TDM readiotelephone network, there is provided a mechanism for introducing link asymmetry between an uplink and a downlink, paired frame alternation on the uplink and downlink and bandwidth multiplexing/sharing/apportionment within and among successive frames. The result is increased interleaving depth and a reduction in round-trip delay from the traditional half-rate speech coding approaches.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for locking the mobile identification number (MIN) of a mobile communication unit (22,24) at the mobile switching center (MSC) (18). Once a MIN is locked at the MSC, the cellular communication system (10) will block any mobile communication unit (22,24) attempting to originate a call with the locked MIN, even if it is the mobile communication unit (22) assigned the locked MIN which is attempting to place the call. The user may lock and unlock the mobile communication unit MIN from any public switch telephone (26), from selected public switch telephones, from the mobile communication unit (22) itself, from other mobile communication units (24). The mobile communication unit MIN may also be locked by default.

Abstract: A method is provided of topographically displaying selected information of a plurality of cells within a cellular communication system through a display device. The method includes the steps of accessing the selected information from an information database and correlating the selected information to respective cells of the plurality of cells. The method further includes the step of creating a topographical display of the plurality of cells of the cellular system through the use of representative polygons, with each polygon representing a service coverage area of a cell of the plurality of cells and displaying the selected information as visually variable values within the representative polygons of the topographical display.

Abstract: A diversity receiver (200) recovers clock information from different versions (301, 302) of a transmitted signal (106). The diversity receiver (200) receives the different versions (301, 302), converts the versions (301, 302) into samples (307, 317) via a common sampling clock (309). The receiver (200) then correlates the samples (307, 317) with like synchronization patterns and uses clock information from the received version (307 or 317) which gives the greatest correlation output signal (504, 506) for data detection in one of two detectors (323, 326). The choice of detectors (323, 326) is determined by the diversity receiver (200) by counting the total number of bit-differences output by detectors (323, 326) over a predetermined time period and comparing the total bit-differences with a number represented by a threshold signal (330).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for translating a text file to an executable procedure is provided. The executable procedure is created by inputting the text file to a translator, determining which translation rule to apply to the text file based upon the context within the text file, and applying the translation rule to the text file.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (200) and method (500) for providing a baseband digital error signal in an adaptive predistorter. A carrier cancellation circuit (202) provides a difference (212) between a first signal (208) based on an amplifier output and second signal (210) based on a data input. A quadrature demodulator (204) provides a baseband analog error signal (214) based on the difference (212). An analog-to-digital converter (206) provides the baseband digital error signal (216) based on the baseband analog error signal (214).

Abstract: A system is offered of increasing signal quality within a cellular communication system through the use of directional antennas and random assignment of communication resources.

Abstract: Mobility is provided for wireless local loop radiotelephone systems by providing the home access network of a subscriber unit with a home access number. Upon registration of the subscriber unit with its home access network, the home access number is transmitted to the subscriber unit for storage there. When the subscriber unit moves to a visited access network and registers there, the subscriber unit transmits the home access number to the visited access network, which uses the home access number to contact the home access network. Since all call originations and terminations by and to the subscriber unit occur via the individual subscriber line appearance at the PSTN, a minimum of special network elements are required for subscriber unit mobility when the home access number is stored at the subscriber unit.

Abstract: A communication system (101) concentrates the output of variable rate transcoders (XCDRs 203, 206, 209) to realize an increase in T1 Megastream link capacity. Line interface cards (212, 213) multiplex a generic transcoder/rate adapter unit (GTRAU) format to a concentrated transcoder/rate adapter unit (CTRAU) format based on a determined rate of the data being output from the variable rate transcoders (XCDRs 203, 206, 209). An increase in T1 Megastream link capacity is realized by efficiently concentrating full, half, quarter, and eighth rate channels into a single DS0 for transmission over the T1 Megastream.

Abstract: A method is provided of allocating channels in a trunked radio frequency communication system having a plurality of channels, each with a channel rate. The method includes the steps of transmitting channel characteristics on idle channels of the plurality of channels by a base site. Idle channels are then scanned for channel characteristics by a communication unit. The method also includes the step of seizing an idle channel, by the communication unit, based, at least in part, upon the channel characteristics.

Abstract: A method of reducing an audio gap in a signal connection with a communication unit during handoff in a cellular communication system is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a temporary signal connection with the communication unit from a mobile switching center (MSC) of a source base site, through the source base site to a handoff target base site and establishing a trunk connection from the MSC of the source base site to a MSC of the target base site. The method further includes the step of interconnecting, at the target base site, the temporary signal connection, trunk connection, and communication unit; and re-routing the signal connection with the communication unit through the trunk connection.

Abstract: A method of allocating communication resources in a communication system includes retrieving (404) from the communication system a communication system resource allocation. An allocation parameter is set to an initial value (406) and communication resources are randomly selected from cells (414). A candidate communication resource is either swapped or mutated for the selected communication resource (416) and the system performance is evaluated with the candidate communication resource (422). If system performance is improved the candidate resource is retained as part of the allocation (426, 432), or if system performance is degraded, the candidate resource is retained with a probability (428, 432). The steps repeat while the allocation parameter is valid (408), and upon completion a new communication resource allocation is downloaded to the communication system (410).

Abstract: A substrate alignment and retainer clip (10, 20) is provided which includes an anchor (12, 13, 40), a retainer (11, 42), and a biasing device (11, 41), joining and aligning the anchor (12, 13, 40) and retainer (11, 42), for biasing the retainer (11, 42) towards the anchor (12, 13, 40).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is offered of multiplexing control information into a user signal stream in a cellular communication system using code division multiple access. The method includes the steps of determining a temporal measure (101) of control information to be substituted for a corresponding measure of user information, substituting (102) the control information into the signal stream while buffering a corresponding temporal measure of user information, and resuming transmission (103) of user information beginning with the buffered user information.

Abstract: The method consists of analyzing a handoff request received from a source base station at a source base site controller (BSC). If the handoff request contains a preferred base site list (is from a MAHO environment) the request is forwarded to the mobile switching center. If the handoff request does not contain the preferred list, the BSC generates a candidate list and transmits measurement messages to each candidate base site. The candidate base sites take measurements and reply to the BSC. The BSC uses the replies to generate a preferred base site list which is forwarded to the MSC. When the MSC receives a preferred base site list, it selects a handoff base site and executes the handoff.

Abstract: A method of reducing interference within a cellular system (10) by partitioning a designated frequency spectrum within a service coverage area (.0.1, .0.2, or .0.3) into a first and at least second spectrum inclusive of the designated frequency spectrum, each with an associated power level, and offsetting the spectrums for each TDM frame under the control of an offset number unique to each TDM frame. Assignment of communication units to a spectrum and power level are based upon distance from the base site (as determined through signal strength measurements). The spectral content of spectrums in adjacent service coverage areas is adjusted to include non-coincidental frequencies.