Abstract: An automated method of assigning frequencies to sectors of a wireless telecommunications system for use during a drive test calculates a usage factor for each frequency that is assigned to the system to be tested. The usage factor for a particular frequency is equal to the number of sectors of the system to be tested to which the particular frequency is assigned. The method selects a sector and selects the frequency assigned to the selected sector with the smallest usage factor. The method keys up the selected frequency in the selected sector and keys down that frequency and the adjacent frequencies in each of the other sectors of the system to be tested. The method continues the foregoing sequence of steps until a unique frequency has been keyed up for each sector in the system to be tested.

Abstract: A method and system for improving overall system capacity in GSM networks by reducing the number of home location register and visitor location register queries is disclosed. The method and system allows the reuse of the MSRN by allocating the MSRN to a mobile terminal and using it for future calls. The method of the present invention allows the GMSC to cache the MSRN for a called mobile terminal. During a first call setup, an entry is recorded at a cache register that maps the Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number (MSISDN) of the mobile terminal to a previously allocated MSRN. Additionally, the Bearer Capability (BC) associated with this MSRN is also recorded in the cache register. When the next call arrives, the GMSC first checks if a MSRN for that called mobile terminal already exists in its cache register. If a cached MSRN is available and the BC associated with the cached MSRN matches the BC requested by the current call, then the GMSC uses the cached MSRN to route the call to the VMSC.

Abstract: A method of establishing call termination to a mobile station of a called subscriber in a fixed wireless communication network which can be only allowed to receive call terminations in one of its HomeZones. The identification and location of the MS is ascertained prior to routing a call to the switching center serving the MS. The radio link between the serving switching center and the MS is maintained and used to terminate a call if the MS is determined to be within a HomeZone. The present invention eliminates the need to page a MS twice thereby speeding up the call termination. The MS provides its location area code and Cell ID to the serving/visited mobile switching center to facilitate the SCP identifying the MS's location prior to routing the call termination to the MS. The HomeZone call may be routed to a mobile station voicemail if it is determined to be outside its HomeZones, or, terminated to the mobile station but at a higher wireless billing rate.

Abstract: A method of and system for dynamically managing the registration and paging mobile units in a wireless system monitors a usage pattern for each mobile unit in the wireless system. Based upon the monitored usage pattern, the system sets a registration plan and a paging area plan for each mobile unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to patch antennas and in particular relates to a feed mechanism therefor. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a patch antenna comprising a dielectric substrate having a patch element on a first side and a microstrip feed therefor on a second side and a reflector ground plane; wherein the microstrip feed is connected through the dielectric to the patch whereby the microstrip feed is parallel spaced apart from the patch and from a shielding grounded portion. The patches can be rectilinear or ellipsoidal, and can have one or more feeds. An impedance matching network can be disposed on the antenna dielectric. Preferably, this network is positioned on an opposite side of the dielectric to the patch and shielded by the ground plane. This type of feed arrangement can provide an optimum feed point location for any polarisation. In dual polarised mode, there is no compromise in either cross polar performance nor impedance matching to be performed.

Abstract: A system for proactive maintenance of a telecommunications network. A database is created containing characteristics of a plurality of valid logs. These valid logs represent alarms within a network which report status and abnormalities in the network and which have been specifically selected by a network domain expert or administrator from a larger group of logs. The characteristics correspond to a pattern of network fault parameters. The network is monitored for occurrences of a valid log. When a valid log is encountered, future occurrence of a fault is predicted based on an analysis of the valid log and the characteristics found in the database. Corrective measures are taken to prevent the fault from occurring.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for utilizing a session processor having multiple internal states to control communication sessions occurring within a wireless and satellite network that includes at least one control interface. First, a message is received from the control interface and is then processed. Next, an internal state of the session processor is changed such that a response message may be formulated. Thereafter, internal tables and counters are updated in response to the message. Finally, the response message is delivered to the control interface, such that the session processor may be utilized to maintain comprehensive and seamless control of communications sessions occurring within the wireless and satellite network.

Abstract: A potential radiotelephone service subscriber logs on to a world wide web server (105) using an internet access device (101). The potential subscriber is presented with a plurality of selectable radiotelephone services and features. The potential subscriber then provides the billing system (130) with credit information that is validated through the credit validation system (140). A radiotelephone service profile is stored in the home location register (110) after the subscription process has been completed. The subscriber is then instructed to power up the radiotelephone that then registers with the system. An over-the-air activation function (135) collects data from the billing system (130) and an authentication center (125) and sends the data to the mobile switching center (115) that then transmits it through the base station (120) to the radiotelephone. The radiotelephone reprograms its own registers with the appropriate data.

Abstract: Upon determining that call redirection to a voice mailbox is required (based on receipt of redirection request message from the MSC-S serving the called mobile), the MSC-O transmits a transfer-to-number request (TRANUMREQ) signal to the called mobile's home location register (HLR). The HLR then transmits a routing request (ROUTREQ) signal to an adjunct mobile switching center (MSC-A) which supports direct trunk mobile's voice mailbox. The ROUTREQ message not only serves as an indication to the MSA-A that a TLDN is being requested, but it also provides the MSC-A with the mailbox number to which a call terminating to the TLDN is to be connected. The MSC-A allocates a TLDN for the call that will be redirected to voice mail and associates the mailbox number with this TLDN. The assigned TLDN is returned via signaling messages to the HLR via the routing request return result (routreq) which in turn relays the TLDN to the MSC-o via the transfer-to-number request return result (tranumreq).

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention is accomplished in an embodiment by a means for and a method of allocating a data path during a call comprising the steps of establishing a first network call segment associated with an agent and sending a message with routing information across a tandem link using predetermined signaling paths. A second embodiment of the present invention further includes a method for allocating a data path during a call wherein the data path is also a voice path. A third embodiment of the present invention additionally includes means and method for allocating a data path during a call including establishing a two way connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing multi-protocol communications via a single system is accomplished by receiving a message from a first communications device wherein the message includes the identity of at least a first communications device and a second communications device. When the first communications device utilizes a different communications protocol than the second communication device, the messages transceived between the two communication devices are converted by an appropriate communication protocol. Such conversion is done by first converting an incoming message having a first communication protocol format into a message having a generic communication protocol format. The message having the generic communication protocol format is then converted into a message having a second communication protocol format, which message is subsequently routed to the second communication device.

Abstract: In an optical transmission system, an optical signal is transmitted to an optical element which is sensitive to changes in the optical power of the signal. Changes in optical power are anticipated and damped by controlling the transmitter output power, or an external damping element. For WDM systems, wavelengths can be added or removed without causing rapid changes in total power which would otherwise disturb the output of downstream optical amplifiers, and cause bit errors.

Abstract: An extension telephone having a numeric keypad for entering inputs including programming data is connected to a cellular line access unit via an I/O connector. The cellular line access unit, which includes a processor and a memory, stores programming data received from the extension telephone within the memory and accesses the programming data in the memory to establish communication between the extension telephone and a cellular communication network. In a preferred embodiment, programming data that is input utilizing the keypad of the extension telephone is transmitted to the cellular line access unit as a series of dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals, and the cellular line access unit provides feedback in response to the programming data, for example, by generating a tone or displaying a message within a display of the extension telephone.

Abstract: A method for improved sector handoff within a sectorized communication cell utilizing a wireless communication systems. A sector handoff of a mobile radio telephone is performed in accordance with a first set of parameters if the mobile radio telephone is not in close proximity to a base antenna. Sector handoff of the mobile radio telephone is performed in accordance with a second different set of parameters when the mobile radio telephone is in close proximity of the base antenna. The second different set of parameters are utilized in close proximity to the base antenna to avoid drops and adverse handoffs in high interference, low signal strength areas and provide improved sector handoff when the mobile radio telephone encounters distorted conditions, such that improved sector handoff can be achieved.

Abstract: A method and system in a wireless communications network are provided for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within the wireless communications network. First, a communications transaction is initiated. In response to an initiation of the communications transaction, a geographic location of an originator of the communications transaction is determined. In response to determining the geographic location of the originator, a geographic location of a terminator of the communications transaction is determined. The geographic location of the originator is thereafter automatically compared to the geographic location of the terminator. The communications transaction is completed based upon a selected proximity of the geographic location of the originator to the geographic location of the terminator.

Abstract: Wireless calls to a private branch exchange (PBX) which does not support direct inward dialing—either due to limitations of the PBX itself or due to limitations of the PSTN to which the PBX is connected—are routed by means of an adjunct mobile switching center (MSC-A). An originating mobile switching center (MSC-O) serving the mobile unit which places the call by dialing the (typically) three- or four-digit PBX extension sends the dialed extension digits to the home location register (HLR) or service control point (SCP) via an ANSI-41 origination request (ORREQ) signaling message. The HLR or SCP transmits an ANSI-41 routing request (ROUTREQ) signaling message to the MSC-A requesting a temporary local directory number which will be used for connecting the call.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding tailbiting convolution codes are disclosed. A set of tailbiting convolutional codes is encoded by a convolutional encoder having multiple encoding states. A first starting score is assigned to each of the encoding states. A Viterbi algorithm is then performed once on the tailbiting convolutional code to associate an ending score with each of the encoding states. A subset of these encoding states is subsequently selected, within which the ending score of each encoding state meets a certain criterion. The Viterbi algorithm is again performed on the tailbiting convolutional code for each encoding state within the subset to determine the best encoding state as the most likely initial encoding state for the tailbiting convolutional code. A Trellis path of this most likely initial encoding state is utilized to decode the tailbiting convolutional code.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for dynamically updating billing information for a mobile subscriber unit when a long distance call is delivered to the mobile subscriber unit. First, a request to terminate a call at a mobile subscriber unit is detected. Next, in response to detecting the request to terminate a call at the mobile subscriber unit, a rate center that is currently serving the mobile subscriber unit is automatically identified. Finally, the identification of the serving rate center is automatically delivered to a billing database, such that the billing database is dynamically updated and is utilized to promptly report accurate billing information to a subscriber.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically disabling termination restrictions of a mobile subscriber unit in response to a disconnection of an emergency call originated by said mobile subscriber unit. According to the present invention, a determination is first made that an emergency call has been originated from a mobile subscriber unit to a public safety answering point. Next, in response to a disconnection of the emergency call, a subscriber database that contains the termination restriction is automatically notified that the emergency call has been disconnected. Finally, in response to automatically notifying the subscriber database that the emergency call has been disconnected, the termination restriction is automatically disabled for a limited period of time, such that the public safety answering point may call the mobile subscriber unit back.

Abstract: The time of arrival of a global positioning system signal and the time of arrival of a code division multiple access pilot signal, from a base station, are estimated at a mobile radiotelephone. Both estimates are performed relative to a local clock in the radiotelephone. These signals are calibrated for the time delay produced by the transmitter at the base station and the time delay produced by the receiver in the radiotelephone.