Abstract: A wireless communication system constructed according to the present invention assigns each serviced mobile unit to a serving mobile switching center to minimize mobility management overhead and to equalize loading among a plurality of mobile switching centers. The wireless communication system includes the plurality of mobile switching centers and a base station system which includes a plurality of base station controllers, each of which couples to a plurality of base stations. A plurality of mobile units served by the system are assigned to the mobile switching centers so that loading is equalized. In one particular construction of the wireless communication system, a dispatching switch couples the base station system to the plurality of mobile switching centers and performs the assignments of the mobile units. In an example of operation, upon attachment of a mobile unit, the dispatching switch determines loading of each of the mobile switching centers.

Abstract: A CDMA communication system supports designated mode data bursts on a reverse link contention based channel from a subscriber unit to a base station. The reverse link contention based channel also supports contention-based transmissions from the subscriber unit to the base station. When transmissions are scheduled and serviced in the designated mode data burst, collisions are avoided. Further, because setting up the designated mode data bursts on the reverse link contention based channel require little overhead as compared to the setup of a traffic channel the CDMA system is operated at a greater efficiency. The reverse link contention based channel may be a Reverse Common Control Channel, a Reverse Access Channel or another contention-based channel. Designated mode data bursts on the reverse link contention based channel may consume a single slot or multiple slots.

Abstract: A chromator for monitoring the end point of a plasma etching process is placed remotely from the window of a plasma etching chamber and is optically coupled to the window with a fiber optic cable bundle. The fiber optic cable bundle includes a first and a second bracket. Each bracket is specially designed to be compatible with existing chromator and plasma etching chambers. The first bracket, which attaches to the chamber, includes a plurality of slots for allowing the bracket to be axially and vertically adjusted to find the optimal optical point. Accordingly, the likelihood of the chromator properly detecting the end point is maximized. An inventive method a includes optically coupling the remotely located chromator by connecting a fiber optic cable bundle having a first bracket to the chamber, axially adjusting the bracket to find the optimal location for detecting the end point, and securing the first bracket to the chamber. The second bracket of the fiber optic cable bundle is connected to a chromator.

Abstract: A mobile computer system capable of seamless roaming between wireless communication networks includes data processing resources for executing software, a plurality of wireless interfaces that supports simultaneous wireless connections with first and second wireless communication networks, and a network access arbitrator that routes data communicated between the software executed by the data processing resources and the first and second wireless communication networks. To permit seamless roaming, the network access arbitrator routes the data to the first wireless communication network via a first wireless interface and then seamlessly reroutes the data to a second wireless communication network via a second wireless interface. According to one embodiment, the network access arbitrator reroutes the data in response to the data bandwidths of the connections with the first and second wireless communication networks.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, radio resources are dynamically assigned among a plurality of intercoupled base stations based upon historical loading to reduce both localized and system interference. A plurality of loading intervals are first determined that span a loading interval sequence. The loading intervals may correspond to time based periods such as fifteen-minute, thirty-minute, hour or other time intervals. The loading interval sequence may correspond to a weekday, a weekend day or such other loading period within which loading resembles a pattern. Based upon estimated loading for the loading interval, a number of channels required to service load for the loading interval are made to meet a minimal service level is determined. An initial assignment of channels among the cells/sectors of the base stations of the wireless communication system is then made to satisfy localized radio interference criteria. Such an assignment will typically be made to preclude local reuse of channels.

Abstract: An improved method for programming a mobile telephone over the air within a mobile telephone communication network is disclosed. The mobile telephone communication network includes an over-the-air function, a customer service center, a mobile switching center, a base station controller, and multiple base transceiver stations. The over-the-air function, using the mobile switching center, the base station controller, and one of the base transceiver stations for transport, initially sends a request over the air to a mobile telephone within the mobile telephone communication network to interrogate the mobile telephone's protocol capability. In response to the request, the mobile telephone sends a protocol capability response message over the air back to the over-the-air function. The protocol capability response message includes a BAND_MODE_CAP field that describes the band and mode capability information of the mobile telephone.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a gate stack upon an active region of a substrate which includes a gate dielectric, a polysilicon gate conductor and a polysilicon consumption metal layer portion. The polysilicon consumption metal layer portion is then reacted with the polysilicon gate conductor to form a high conductivity gate conductor (silicide). In one embodiment, the polysilicon gate conductor is fully consumed. In another embodiment, the polysilicon gate conductor is substantially consumed but a portion of the polysilicon gate conductor adjacent the gate dielectric remains. In forming such a gate structure, a gate dielectric layer is first formed and a polysilicon gate layer is formed upon the gate dielectric layer. A polysilicon consumption metal layer is then formed upon the polysilicon gate layer. The surface is then patterned mask so that the location of the gate structures is protected. The substrate is then anisotropically etched to form the gate structures.

Abstract: A method of measuring the differential pressure of two fluid pressure sources includes connecting a manometer having a wireless transceiver for transmitting measured pressures to a remote location and connecting a second manometer to a second pressures source. The second manometer then is operable calculate differential pressure value based upon the measured and electromagnetically transmitted fluid pressure value. If two remote manometers are used and are both transmitting their measured fluid pressure values electromagnetically, the second manometer is operable to determine a differential fluid pressure for the two fluid whose pressures were electromagnetically transmitted. An apparatus includes a manometer having a electromagnetic transceiver for transmitting and receiving fluid pressure measurements.

Abstract: A communication system facilitates both voice and data communications between endpoint devices and includes a switch and at least one peripheral device. The switch includes a switch interface while each peripheral devices includes a peripheral device interface. In combination, the switch and the peripheral device route communications through an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. However, the switch interface and the peripheral device interface operate so that the communications, from the viewpoint of the switch and the peripheral device, are seamlessly transferred in a native communication protocol which may be a time switched protocol. Each peripheral device couples to a respective plurality of endpoint devices. Each peripheral device then connects to the ATM network via a respective peripheral device interface. The switch couples to the ATM network via the switch interface. In its operation, the switch sets up calls from one endpoint device to another endpoint device.

Abstract: A method of updating mobility information for a Mobile End System (MES) in a Cellular Digital Packet Data network uniquely identifies a Serving Mobile Data Intermediate System (MDIS) in a ReDirect Request (RDR) so that the Location Update Service (LUS) can complete its location updating operations. Upon attachment of the MES to the Serving MDIS, a RDR is created that includes a LUS address of the Serving MDIS and a Forwarding Service address (FSA) of the Serving MDIS. The RDR is then transmitted to a Home MDIS corresponding to the MES via a network backbone. The Forwarding Service address of the MES is then updated to the Forwarding Service address of the Serving MDIS. Then, the Home MDIS creates an RDC that includes as a destination address the LUS address of the Serving MDIS and transmits to the RDC to the Serving MDIS via the network backbone. Once the LUS operations are complete, data intended for the MES received at the Home MDIS is routed based upon the FSA of the Serving MDIS.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for initiating an over the air parameter administration (OTAPA) of a mobile station without the need for interacting with a mobile station user. A unique service option number included with the initial page indicates to the mobile station that an update is being requested. The mobile station performs a network validation check (SPASM) before permitting the update to take place. Flags are used in the network to alert the system that an attempted update was not completed because a mobile station was not update accessible for any of several reasons. The flags cause the system to update when the mobile station next becomes update accessible.

Abstract: A system includes an input, a character set mapping function and a character set compression function. The input receives binary data that includes a plurality of binary data bits that may be organized into a plurality of binary data bytes. The character set mapping function maps the binary data bits into a predetermined character set to produce a plurality of characters. The character set compression function compresses the plurality of characters using a character set compression algorithm to produce a plurality of compressed characters. After compression of the character set data, the plurality of compressed characters may be modulated via a modem and transmitted across a data link to a receiving location. At the receiving location, a demodulator receives the modulated data and demodulates the modulated data to produce the plurality of compressed characters. Then, a character set decompression function decompresses the plurality of compressed characters to produce a plurality of characters.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the performance of a LEOS system. The evaluation may determine the minimum and maximum number of hops or delay time required to service a particular source and destination pair or may evaluate the LEOS system as a whole. The evaluation may be used in the design of LEOS systems or to evaluate the performance of an existing LEOS system. This evaluation may then be employed to determine how and when the LEOS system should be employed in servicing communications. A LEOS system constellation is received that is to be considered. Then, a mathematical model for the LEOS system is determined. A source/destination location pair is then selected for consideration. Shortest, longest and intermediate path lengths are then determined for the source/destination location pair for the LEOS system. For each of these path lengths, the probability of occurrence of each of these path lengths as well as a corresponding delay is then determined.

Abstract: A wireless communication system facilitates communication with subscribing units within a respective service area and supports at least one communication protocol revision. The system communicates with a subscribing unit operating within a respective service area to determine the communication protocol revisions supported by the subscribing unit. Subsequently, the subscribing unit and base station communicate according to a supported communication protocol revision. The base station and subscribing unit may further communicate to indicate extended services supported by the subscribing unit and the methods of delivering the extended services to the subscribing unit. The extended services may include caller line ID, message waiting indications and short message services among other extended services. In addition to a base station, the wireless communication system may include a mobile switching center that is in communication with the base station.

Abstract: A wireless communication system constructed according to the present invention assigns mobile units to equalize loading among a plurality of mobile switching centers. The wireless communication system includes the plurality of mobile switching centers and a base station system which includes a plurality of base station controllers, each of which couples to a plurality of base stations. A plurality of mobile units served by the system are assigned to the mobile switching centers so that loading is equalized. In one particular construction of the wireless communication system, a dispatching switch couples the base station system to the plurality of mobile switching centers and performs the assignments of the mobile units. In an example of operation, upon attachment of a mobile unit, the dispatching switch determines loading of each of the mobile switching centers.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a plurality of base stations, a plurality of base station controllers and a plurality of mobile switching centers. The plurality of base stations each support wireless communications within a respective cell and service load therein relating to subscribing units operating therein. Each of the base station controllers couples to a plurality of base stations and each of the mobile switching centers couples to at least one base station controller. The plurality of base station controllers and the plurality of mobile switching centers are managed to dynamically route load between the base station controllers and the mobile switching centers in an effort to equalize load on the plurality of mobile switching centers. At least one base station controller of the plurality of base station controllers may route its load to a first mobile switching center during a first period and route its load to the second mobile switching center during a second period.

Abstract: A wireless communication system facilitates wireless communication with a subscribing unit operating within a respective service area. At least one base station supports wireless communication within the service area in a plurality of frequency bands and according to a plurality of communication protocols. In a broadcast message, a transmitting base station indicates to the subscribing unit the plurality of frequency bands and the plurality of communication protocols available. The subscribing unit receives the broadcast message and communicates with the base station on one of the plurality of frequency bands according to one of the plurality of communication protocols. In another embodiment, the system includes a plurality of base stations providing overlying coverage within the service area. In such systems, multiple broadcast message may provide information regarding the overlying coverage provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing the paging load in a cellular communication system is described. The cell C with the largest paging load L is first identified. Since this cell is usually included in more than one paging zone, the paging zones including cell C are identified. Thereafter, cell C is removed tentatively from each identified zone and a ratio R calculated which represents the decrease in loading on cell C due to being removed from zone z divided by the maximum increase in loading on any other cell in the network. The zone for which the ratio R is the largest is the best candidate for removing cell C therefrom. After doing so tentatively, the cell C' with the largest paging load L' thereon is identified. If the loading L is greater than L', cell G is removed permanently from the zone having the highest ratio R therefor and the process is repeated until L' is greater than L at which point the process is stopped without removing cell C from the zone with the highest ratio R.

Abstract: A location appending system appends location information concerning a mobile unit to a communication passing through a gateway between a wireless network and the Internet, the communication sent by the mobile unit. The location appending system includes a gateway interface, an Internet request parsing unit, a location determination unit and a wireless network interface. The gateway interface allows the location parsing system to operate in conjunction with the gateway. The Internet request parsing unit parses communications passing through the gateway and determines which of the communications require location information. The location determination unit identifies the associated mobile unit and produces a locate request that includes the identity of the mobile unit. The wireless network interface forwards the locate request to the wireless network receives a locate response from the wireless network. The location determination then determines the location information based upon the locate response.

Abstract: A wireless communication system facilitates wireless communication with a mobile unit within a respective service area. The wireless communication system includes a mobile switching center and a plurality of base stations. Each base station couples to the mobile switching center and provides wireless communication within a respective cell or within a plurality of respective sectors. Each base station provides a pilot signal that may be received by the wireless mobile unit. With multiple sectors, a pilot signal is provided for each sector. The mobile unit may wirelessly connect to any of the base stations' cells and sectors. A determination of whether to be connected to a particular base station cell and/or base station sector is based upon the relative strengths of pilot signals received by the wireless mobile unit. The mobile unit may evaluate the relative strengths of received pilot signals and simply request a connection to a base station or a disconnection therefrom based upon the evaluation.