Abstract: The structure of a time-multiplexed physical channel is used to time inter-frequency or inter-system search excursions. A mobile station that receives an instruction to perform a search excursion prepares for the search excursion by detecting the first radio frame of a message frame. Transport format combination indicator bits are extracted from the first radio frame and stored. After the search excursion is performed, the mobile station recalls the stored indicator bits and uses the indicator bits to decode other radio frames of the message frame.

Abstract: The velocity of a wireless communications device (106) is estimated. In response to this estimate, a filter bandwidth, such as a pilot filter (310) bandwidth, is adjusted so that the introduction of noise and distortion to a signal received by the device is mitigated. The filter bandwidth is adjusted by increasing it as the estimated velocity increases; and decreasing it as the estimated velocity decreases. Such adjustments may be accomplished through providing a number of predetermined bandwidths that each correspond to a particular velocity range, and setting the filter bandwidth to the predetermined bandwidth that corresponds to the estimated velocity.

Abstract: A memory system is provided. The memory system includes a volatile memory having a number of banks and a memory controller configured to control the volatile memory to engage in an auto-refresh mode or a self-refresh mode. The memory controller is further configured to direct the volatile memory to perform an auto-refresh operation on a target bank. The remaining banks are available for access while the auto-refresh operation is being performed on the target bank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating multiple descriptions of compressed data are comprised. Generally, a quantized bit stream is generated using a reference quantization step. The quantized bit stream is then re-quantized using a first quantization step to generate a first description of compressed data, wherein the first quantization step is determined based on a first required scaling of the reference quantization step. The quantized bit stream may also be re-quantized using a second quantization step to generate a second description of compressed data, wherein the second quantization step is determined based on a second required scaling of the reference quantization step.

Abstract: A base station (110) in a wireless communications network (100) counts mobile stations (114) receiving broadcast content via multi-user channel. The base station broadcasts (608) a repeating message identifying at least one broadcast content stream and, for each stream, a REGISTER (R) or DO NOT REGISTER (DNR) indicator. Mobile stations periodically re-examine (722) contents of this message. When the indicator is R for a broadcast content stream, mobile stations whose users have elected to receive it send (714) the base station a registration message for that stream. When the number of registered mobile stations reaches (612) a prescribed number, the base station changes (614) the indicator to DNR. When the indicator is DNR for a broadcast content stream, mobile stations refrain (712/716) from sending any registration message for that broadcast content stream. The base station may institute a recount (618) by resetting the indicator to R.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for scheduling data packet transmissions during optimal channel conditions. In one method, data packet retransmissions are scheduled for transmission during favorable channel conditions when the target remote station is moving slowly, but are scheduled for periodic transmissions when the target is moving moderately or fast. In another method, long delays for retransmissions in a channel sensitive timing scheme are eliminated. In other methods, a combination of periodic and aperiodic retransmissions are used to achieve the desired frame error rate.

Abstract: Techniques to support independent power control of multiple channels in CDMA systems (e.g., a W-CDMA system) that define a single power control feedback stream on the uplink, which is to be used for downlink power control. In one aspect, the single feedback stream is “time shared” among multiple channels requiring individual power control. Various time-sharing schemes may be used to implement multiple (substantially parallel) feedback substreams based on the single feedback stream, and different combination of feedback rates may also be achieved for the substreams. Each feedback substream may be assigned to, and used for power control of, a respective channel. In another aspect, multiple feedback substreams are implemented based on multiple fields in newly defined slot formats.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selecting a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) for a communication in a wireless transmission system supporting broadcast transmissions. The packet control function node determines a number of communicable PDSNs and assigns each a unique identifier. The PCF then selects one of the communicable PDSNs based on the multi-cast address of a given communication. One embodiment performs a modulo operation on a function of the multi-cast address and the number of communicable PDSNs, wherein the result of the modulo operation corresponds to a unique identifier.

Abstract: A wideband, constant-gain voltage amplifier. An input transistor has a transconductance that is a function of temperature and fabrication process. A transimpedance amplifier is connected to the input transistor. The transimpedance amplifier has a transimpedance that is a function of temperature and process that is substantially the inverse of the function of temperature and fabrication process of the transconductance of the input transistor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for accessing supplementary services from a wireless device in a multi-mode environment is disclosed. A master set of service codes for the multi-mode environment is provided. The master set of service codes is associated with supplementary services offered by a plurality of wireless networks that are compatible with the wireless device. At least one service code from the master set of service codes is mapped to a corresponding at least one network-specific service code to request at least one supplementary service of one of the plurality of wireless networks.

Abstract: A quick paging channel (QPCH) is used to receive paging indicators that indicate that a wireless communication device (WCD) has a message on a paging channel relating to, for example, an incoming call to the WCD. When the condition of the quick paging channel is too low to receive paging indicators reliably, the quick paging channel is disabled to avoid false alarms, and the slotted paging channel is used to receive paging messages without monitoring the QPCH. When the QPCH signal is strong, the probability of false alarms is lower, and the quick paging channel is enabled. By using the quick paging channel to receive paging indicators only when the QPCH signal is strong, the wireless communication device can remain in a sleep state for greater periods of time as compared with the use of a slotted paging channel. As a result, standby time may be significantly improved.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for controlling transmission power involve receiving a first to second channel power ratio, receiving a first to second channel power ratio, adjusting the power ratio if a combined power of a plurality of channels exceeds a threshold, the channels including the first and second channels, and computing gain of the first channel as a function of the power ratio. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An optimum combiner that reduces the amount of interference imposed upon a first base station by transmissions of other base stations within the same communication system. Two antennas are used to receive transmissions within a receiving station. A rake receiver is coupled to each antenna. By optimally combining the signals that are received by each independent finger of the rake receiver, interference that is correlated between a finger associated with the first antenna and a finger associated with the second antenna can be minimized with respect to the desired signal. Optimum combining requires determination of optimum combining coefficients. A max-ratio combining algorithm may be substituted for the optimal combining algorithm depending upon interference characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically calculating safety-related compliance data for vehicle operators. Vehicle operators enter an identification code and status information into a mobile communication terminal located on a vehicle. The identification code and status information is generally stored in a memory located within the mobile communication device. The identification code and status information can be transmitted to a central station where it can be processed to determine compliance with safety regulations. The resulting data may be transmitted back to the vehicle upon request. In another embodiment, a processor located within the mobile communication terminal processes the identification code and status information. The resultant data may then be transmitted to the central station or presented to the vehicle operator upon request.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and process for quickly and accurately determining the position of a user terminal in a satellite communications system. An initial coarse estimate of the radius of the Earth at a terminal position is made. The geometry of satellites being used and the user terminal is then determined. When only one satellite is used, the satellite-user terminal geometry includes the range and range rate of the satellite with respect to the user terminal. When two satellites are used, the satellite-user terminal geometry includes the range of each satellite with respect to the user terminal. An initial position estimate is determined based on the radius and the satellite-user terminal geometry. The coarse radius estimate can then be formed into a fine estimate and the initial position estimate further refined.

Abstract: A bent-segment helical antenna utilizes one or more radiators wrapped in a helical fashion. The radiators are comprised of a plurality of segments. A first segment extends from a feed network at a first end of a radiator portion of the antenna toward a second end of the radiator portion. A second segment is adjacent to and offset from the first segment. A third segment connects the first and second segments at the second end of the radiator portion.

Abstract: A control interface protocol governs communications in a satellite telephone system. The satellite telephone system comprises a radio antenna unit (RAU) and a plurality of desksets connected to the RAU. An interface bus connects the desksets to the RAU. The RAU and the desksets communicate with each other by packets. Each packet comprises a start of header (SOH) byte, an address number (ADDR) byte, a command (CMD) byte, an argument (ARG) and a block check character (BCC). The ADDR byte comprises a source and a destination address of the packet. All packets, except negative acknowledgment (NAK) packets from the desksets, are acknowledged by the RAU. The packets originating from the desksets are tagged with an address of the desksets. A packet to a specific deskset includes a destination address. A packet originating from the RAU to all desksets includes a first default address. A packet originating from the RAU to a deskset that does not have an address includes a second default address.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing power control provides dynamic adjustment of a power-control threshold thereby allowing transmitter power to be reduced when signal quality is high. In a communication system having at least one mode for controlling the power of a transmitter in the communication system, the threshold level of the system is optimized by determining performance of the communication system based on a predetermined metric such as the system error rate, for example. Additionally, the power of the transmitter or transmitted signal in relation to the threshold of the communication system is determined. The threshold of the communication system is adjusted based on the performance of the communication system and the power of the transmitter in relation to the threshold.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for gain control of individual narrowband channels using a wideband power measurement. The present invention comprises a transmit power tracking loop which controls the power of the transmitted signal by controlling the gain applied to the signal. The function of the transmit power tracking loop is to measure power, accept commands for power adjustment, and adjust the power. Gain control is performed by producing an error signal using the comparison of measurements of a total of estimated powers of each narrowband signal and a measurement of the modulated wideband signal In addition, open loop control is performed by accepting open loop commands generated by an algorithm.

Abstract: A system and method for narrowing the range of frequency uncertainty of a Doppler shifted pilot signal in a satellite or other communications system with relative signal source and receiver motion. The satellite communications system includes a user terminal (for example, a mobile wireless telephone), a gateway (terrestrial base station), and at least one satellite with unknown position and unknown relative velocity. The method includes the steps of shifting the pilot signal over a plurality of frequency hypotheses, coherently accumulating samples of the pilot signal over a plurality of chips, measuring the energy of the accumulated pilot signal samples, accumulating the energy measurements over a plurality of chips to produce an energy accumulation value, and determining which of the plurality of frequency hypotheses results in the highest energy accumulation value.