Abstract: Techniques for providing an improved position estimate for a device in instances of relatively large dilution of precision. In a method, position estimates for a number of transmitters (e.g., GPS satellites and/or base stations) and a set of initial measurements (e.g., pseudo-ranges) are initially received. An Update Vector for a current device position estimate is computed. Non-convergence of the current device position estimate toward a target position estimate is detected and, if true, the Update Vector is adjusted (e.g., reduced in magnitude by a scaling factor) to increase the likelihood of convergence to the target position estimate. The current device position estimate is then updated based on the (possibly adjusted) Update Vector. Non-convergence may be detected based on the number of iterations performed without reaching the target position estimate and/or phase reversal in two consecutive Update Vectors. The scaling factor may be increased with each detected event indicative of non-convergence.

Abstract: A system including a user station that prioritizes multiple cell sites (BTSs) based on the strength of a paging message being transmitted by the BTSs. The user station transmits a response message to one of the BTSs transmitting the paging message based upon selecting the access channel associated with the BTS from which the user station received the paging message having the strongest signal strength until a timeout period has expired, and subsequently transmits the response message on the access channel associated with the BTS from which the user station received the paging message having the next strongest signal strength. The user station includes a receiver to receive the paging message transmitted by multiple BTSs. The user station further includes a processor to analyze and prioritize the multiple BTSs into a sequence according to the signal strength of the paging message received. Coupled to the processor is a timer for timing the timeout period.

Abstract: Repeater apparatus for conveying a radio-frequency (RF) signal into an environment closed-off to the RF signal, including a master transceiver unit having a master port which receives the RF signal, a local oscillator (LO), which generates a LO signal at a LO frequency, and a frequency divider which divides the LO frequency of the LO signal by an integer to produce a divided LO signal. The master transceiver unit also includes a master mixer coupled to the master port and the divider which generates an intermediate-frequency (IF) signal responsive to the RF signal and the LO signal.

Abstract: A portable phone has an outer casing with opposite upper and lower walls, one of the walls having an opening for access to the interior of the casing, and a lid removably mounted in the opening for normally closing the opening. A main circuit board is mounted in the outer casing, with a plurality of phone components mounted on the circuit board. A predetermined region of the board aligned with the opening is left exposed or empty of components, and forms a recess for receiving a battery. The battery receiving recess has contact pads, and a battery is removably engaged in the recess with battery contacts engaging the contact pads in the recess, whereby the battery can be removed and replaced via the opening after opening the lid.

Abstract: A resource allocator for allocating at least two different types of hardware resources for users within a communication system, wherein the system supports up to a first predetermined number of users of one particular type and a second predetermined number of users of a second particular type. The resource allocator provides a mapping of resources, either from fixed resources to shared resources or from shared resources to fixed resources, which is both cost effective and transparent to software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting a power control loop that attempts to maintain either the transmit power of a signal sent from a base station to a mobile station or the signal to noise ratio of a signal sent from the mobile station to the base station above a minimum threshold. Location information that is representative of the distance and morphology between the mobile station and the base station is determined. The minimum threshold of the power control loop is then adjusted in accordance with the location information such that the minimum threshold varies as the distance and the morphology between the mobile station and the base station change. A transmitter sends the signal at a power level that is controlled by the power control loop with the adjusted minimum threshold.

Abstract: A method or system establishes a packet network call over a transmission link extending between a mobile terminal device and an interworking function which comprises a gateway or bridge connection to a network, such as a packet network. The transmission link connects the mobile terminal device to a wireless communication device over a first interface and further connects the wireless communication device to the interworking function over a second interface via a wireless link to a base station. The packet network call, once established, comprises a first interface data link formed within a predetermined data link layer across the first interface and a second interface data link formed within the predetermined data link layer across the second interface. A flow control is asserted and deasserted on the mobile terminal device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of RAM required while maintaining fast data access. Data records are often saved in nonvolatile memory in order to maintain the contents of the data records even when the circuit is powered down. In the present invention each record in the nonvolatile RAM collection of data records is input to a function H(x) that outputs a tag value. The calculated tag value is saved in predetermined memory locations in RAM. Each calculated tag is shorter in length than the record saved in nonvolatile RAM. Therefore less RAM is required to save one tag value for each data record than is required to save the entire collection of data records in RAM. The value of H(y) is calculated when a data record entry corresponding to y is desired. Then the value of H(y) is compared to all the values in the tag value table. If a match is found, the corresponding record from its location in non-volatile RAM is retrieved and compared to y.

Abstract: A novel and improved method and apparatus for searching is described. This searcher combines the ability to search multiple offsets of single pilots, such as those found in the IS-95 system, with the ability to search multiple pilots, such as those found in a GPS location determination system. Both types of searching can be done in a single architecture combining the parallel computation features of a matched filter with the flexibility of allowing a variable number of coherent accumulations and a variable number of non-coherent accumulations to be performed at high speed for a wide range of search hypotheses in a resource efficient manner. This invention allows for parallel use of the matched filter structure in a time-sliced manner to search multiple windows. In addition, the searcher allows for optional independent Walsh decovering for each search window. The time-sharing approach allows for optional frequency searching of any offset.

Abstract: A method and a receiver for processing a desired signal for decoding (i.e., by a decoder). In accordance with the method, an input signal that includes the desired signal and additional signals is received and filtered with a first filter having a bandwidth greater than a bandwidth of the desired signal. The filtered signal is then sampled to generate discrete time samples, which is then filtered with a discrete time matched filter. The filtered samples are then scaled with a scaling factor and quantized. A quantity related to an amplitude of the quantized samples (i.e., power) is measured, and the scaling factor is adjusted in accordance with the measured quantity. The quantized samples can be further processed (i.e., demodulated) and provided to a decoder. The desired signal can be a quadrature modulated signal, in which case matched filtering, scaling, and quantization are performed on the in-phase and quadrature components of the desired signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving searching in a remote unit of a slotted mode, wireless, communication system. In a slotted mode communication system, the remote unit is in an “active state” during its assigned slot. While in the active state, a controller in the remote unit passes selected sets of search parameters to a search engine. The integration interval of the searches performed is based on the measured signal strength of another base station. The search engine performs searches using the integration interval. Searching continues as long as the remote unit is in the active state. When the remote unit enters the inactive state, searching ceases.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (101) having intuitive audio keypad navigation features is provided. Each of the keys (140-151) of a keypad (132) of the wireless communication device (101) is assigned a different audible signal (FIGS. 3-4). When a user of the wireless communication device (101) presses one of the keys (140-151), a processor (112) responds by triggering an output driver (124). The output driver (124) generates a unique output signal corresponding to the pressed key (140-151). A speaker (122) or alert circuit (126) is responsive to the triggering of the output driver (124) to generate a unique audible signal (FIGS. 3-4) associated with the unique output signal of the pressed key (140-151). In this manner, an audio feedback is provided to the user that uniquely identifies each of the keys (140-151) as they are pressed.

Abstract: Techniques for fabricating analog and digital circuits on separate dies and stacking and integrating the dies within a single package to form a mixed-signal IC that provides many benefits. In one aspect, the analog and digital circuits are implemented on two separate dies using possibly different IC processes suitable for these different types of circuits. The analog and digital dies are thereafter integrated (stacked) and encapsulated within the single package. Bonding pads are provided to interconnect the dies and to connect the dies to external pins. The bonding pads may be located and arranged in a manner to provide the required connectivity while minimizing the amount of die area required to implement the pads. In another aspect, the die-to-die connectivity may be tested in conjunction with a serial bus interface.

Abstract: A hybrid antenna system for a portable Wireless Communication Device (WCD) includes a concealed, internal shielded substrate antenna fixedly mounted to and wholly internally within a casing of the portable WCD. The hybrid antenna system also includes a displaceable antenna, such as a whip antenna, that is selectively extendable from and retractable within the casing. The antenna system includes a mechanism for electrically connecting the displaceable antenna to internal RF circuitry of the portable WCD when the displaceable antenna is in an extended position and for electrically isolating the displaceable antenna from the internal RF circuitry when the displaceable antenna is in a retracted position within the casing.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing a second receive chain relative to a first receive chain in a multi-mode communication system. The system includes a first circuit that measures a first frequency associated with the first receive chain. A second circuit adjusts a second frequency associated with the second receive chain based on the first frequency and provides a desired second frequency to the second receive chain in response thereto. In a specific embodiment, the first circuit includes a first counter that receives a signal associated with an output of a first oscillator and provides a measurement of the first frequency in response thereto. The second circuit includes a frequency synthesizer for providing the desired second frequency in response to a frequency control or reference signal. Another circuit generates the control or reference signal based on a difference between the second frequency and the first frequency.

Abstract: A polar analog-to-digital converter ADC that can be advantageously used to extract phase and/or frequency information from a pair of input signals. The polar ADC includes first and second scaling elements, a number of comparators, and a decoder. The first scaling element receives and scales a first signal to provide a set of one or more scaled first signals. The second scaling element receives and scales a second signal to provide a set of one or more scaled second signals. Each of the comparators receives and compares a respective pair of scaled first and second signals and provides a comparison output. The decoder receives the comparison outputs from the comparators and generates output data, which can be indicative of the phase and/or frequency of the first and second signals.

Abstract: A subscriber unit that supports more than one voice service option and selects the appropriate voice service option when originating and receiving a call. The subscriber unit includes a memory to store parameter values, including a first voice service option parameter value and a second voice service option parameter value. The subscriber unit also includes a means for determining whether the subscriber unit is within a home system or is roaming, and a selecting means for selecting from among at least a first voice service option corresponding to the first voice service option parameter value and a second voice service option corresponding to the second voice service option parameter value. The selecting means selects the first voice service option if the subscriber unit is within the home system, and selects the second voice service option if the subscriber is roaming.

Abstract: A wireless communication device automatically and seamlessly switches to an alternate, available system when it is unable to complete a call origination attempt, without requiring the user to take any affirmative actions to select the alternate system. The wireless communication device stores a list of preferred communication systems. The mobile station attempts to acquire one of these preferred communication systems upon failure of the reverse link. If that is not successful, the mobile station attempts to acquire a communication system most likely to provide service. If that is also not successful, the mobile station re-attempts acquisition of the current communication system. The mobile station also re-attempts acquisition with one of the preferred communication systems after a predetermined idle time.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and systems for use in a wireless communications system, such as a CDMA mobile communications system. A communications device transmits a wireless signal. A repeater system receives a first version of the wireless signal using a first receiver system and receives a second version of the wireless signal using a second receiver system. The repeater system switches between the first version of the wireless signal and the second version of the wireless signal to generate a third version of the wireless signal. The repeater system transmits the third version of the wireless signal and a base station system receives the third version of the wireless signal. In some embodiments of the invention, the wireless signals are Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signals. In some embodiments of the invention, the switching occurs at a rate of 4 MHz.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for tracking the length of a sleep period within a mobile station using a sleep clock to precisely calibrate portions of the sleep period. The sleep period subdivided into a sequence of sub-periods each of known duration wherein the durations of the sub-periods are not necessarily integer multiples of cycles of the sleep clock. Elapsed time is tracked within each individual sub-period of the sleep period using an integer sleep counter which tracks whole cycles of the sleep clock. Then any remaining fractional portions of the cycles of the sleep mode clock not accounted for by the integer sleep counter are tracked using a fractional sleep counter. The fractional sleep counter accumulates remaining fractional portions of sleep mode cycles from one sub-period to the next. A method and apparatus is also described for estimating frequency drift with a sleep clock signal used during a slotted paging mode of operation of a wireless mobile station.