Abstract: A method for assigning optimal packet lengths in a variable rate communication system capable of data transmission at one of a plurality of data rates. The packet lengths for the data rates are selected such that the maximum throughput rate is achieved while conforming to a fairness criteria. The fairness criteria can be achieved by restricting the packet length assigned to each data rate to a range of value, or L.sub.i.sup.min .ltoreq.L.sub.i .ltoreq.L.sub.i.sup.max. The packet lengths for all data rates are first initialized to the maximum packet lengths for those data rates. Then, for each data rate, a determination is made whether another packet length assignment would result in improved throughput rate. If the answer is yes, the packet length for this data rate is reassigned and the throughput rate with the updated packet length assignments is recomputed. The process is repeated for each data rate until all data rates have been considered.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel and improved method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving code division multiple access (CDMA) signals. In a described embodiment of the invention, the radio frequency (RF) signals are received through a first polarization RF unit and a second polarization RF unit generating right slant samples and left slant samples. The right slant samples and the left slant samples are each searched and multipath processed independently and the resulting sets of soft decision data combined and decoded. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, right slant and left slant instances of the signal are generated and transmitted to increase the likelihood of differently polarized instances of the signal being available at the receive system.

Abstract: At the mobile station the measured pilot energy of each pilot in the candidate set is iteratively compared against a threshold generated in accordance with the sum of the energies of the pilots in the active set. If the strongest pilot in the candidate set satisfies this threshold condition, it is added to the revised active set. A second iterative process is performed to determine whether a pilot should be deleted from the revised active set. The mobile station determines whether a change to the current active set is desirable by measuring the energies of the pilots in the active set and the candidate set, and dynamically adjusting the necessary thresholds based on its own estimation of the communication environment.

Abstract: An antenna adapter for interfacing a portable radiotelephone with external equipment. In a preferred embodiment, a connector assembly includes a first connector portion that inserts directly into the radiotelephone's antenna port, replacing the normal antenna assembly. Matching electrical components on a circuit board are used to match the impedance of the antenna port of the portable radiotelephone. A second connector portion typically uses conventional RF connectors to couple the radiotelephone antenna port to external equipment.

Abstract: A wireless communication device provides for voicemail message notification and retrieval in a wireless communication system without the need for an alphanumeric display for the display of text messages on the wireless communication device. A transmitter and receiver communicate with a central message storage area containing one or more voicemail messages intended for the wireless communication device. The central message storage area transmits a voicemail message notification to the wireless communication device whenever there is a change in the number of unread messages stored in the central message storage area. The message notification includes the number of unread messages and may include a callback telephone number to retrieve the voicemail messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the sequence numbering range for a selective repeat transmission protocol is described. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, data frames are transmitted including an eight-bit sequence number and a one-bit retransmit flag. The one bit retransmit flag indicates whether the frame is newly transmitted or retransmitted due to a failed first transmission. The transmit and receive systems each maintain a twelve-bit sequence number referred to as a "long sequence numbers" comprised of the eight-bit sequence number transmitted with each frame and a four-bit extension. The long sequence number is transmitted within control frames and the eight-bit sequence number is transmitted within the data frames.

Abstract: A wireless communication device which 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 or re-initiate a call origination. The wireless communication device decreases the percentage of call failures by providing a hold-over of pending call origination attempts until service is finally acquired. In the case of either exceeding the maximum number of access sequences (reverse link limited) or failure to acquire the forward link of the preferred communication system (forward link limited), the user is not required to re-initiate the call origination, thus turning a potential call failure into a success.

Abstract: A novel and improved digital FM audio processor for use in a dual-mode communication system selectively operative in either FM or code division multiple access (CDMA) modes. Analog voice or voice-band data is input to a speech encoder/decoder (CODEC) which converts the analog signal to a digital signal. The digital FM signal is read from the CODEC, filtered, compressed, up-sampled and combined with a transponded SAT signal and then modulated for RF transmission. On the receive side, the FM analog signal is received, demodulated, down-sampled, expanded, and filtered before being converted to the proper format (.mu.-law, a-law, or linear) for the speech CODEC. The CODEC then converts the digital FM audio signal into an analog waveform for conversion to sound. By performing the FM audio processing digitally, the same digital signal processing (DSP) firmware may integrated on the same application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is capable of performing audio processing of both FM and CDMA audio signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a cellular telephone system that supports performing an inter-system soft handoff is described. A subscriber unit generates a pilot strength measurement report when the pilot channel from a base station is detected. When a base station controller receiving the pilot strength measurement report determines that the base station is part of a second cellular telephone system, a inter-system soft handoff request is generated. An admission control subsystem receives the inter-system soft handoff and either grants or denies the request base on the traffic level with the second cellular telephone system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the traffic level is determined based on link load messages received periodically by the admission control subsystem that are generated by an interface port coupled to an interconnect between the first cellular telephone system and the second cellular telephone system.

Abstract: A connector interface provides direct connection from a wireless communication device to a coaxial connector. The wireless communication device has a housing with an antenna connector. The antenna connector has a hollow pseudo-cylindrical center providing an opening through the housing. The connector interface has a custom connector comprised of an outer conductive shell, a nonconductive spacer and a ground probe. The outer conductive shell is mounted on the printed circuit board. The nonconductive spacer is disposed within the hollow pseudo-cylindrical center of the outer conductive shell. When the connector interface is connected to the wireless communication device, the outer conductive shell contacts the antenna connector and the ground probe extends through the opening into the housing to connect electrically to a ground potential within the housing.

Abstract: A ground clip apparatus is designed to make ground contact between two circuit boards as they are mated together. A standoff member is mounted on one of the boards and a spring clip member is mounted on the other board facing the standoff member. The spring clip member has spring arms which are biased against the standoff member when the boards are mated together to make a reliable ground contact. At the same time, the standoff member resists deflection of either board towards the other board.

Abstract: A hinge assembly rotatably connects one end of a cover to a phone body for rotation about a hinge axis between a closed position and an open position. The hinge assembly has a first part secured to the phone body, a second part rotatably secured to the first hinge part and rigidly secured to the cover, and a hinge release shaft secured against rotation relative to the first hinge part and extending into the second hinge part. The release shaft and second hinge part have interengageable latch formations for preventing rotation between the hinge parts when the cover is in the closed position. The release shaft is movable between an extended position in which latch formations engage and a retracted position in which the latch formations are released. A spring part rotates the cover into the open position when the latch is released. A manual override of the latch is provided.

Abstract: A combination antenna and input device for a wireless communications device is disclosed. The antenna is coupled by a link to a position sensor that senses user movement of the antenna. In one embodiment, the antenna is rotatably retained within a housing and may be manipulated by the user. The position sensor detects rotational movement of the antenna and thereby controls functionality of the wireless communications device. The antenna may also be displaced along a longitudinal axis to enable user-selected functions. The position sensor may be mechanical, optical, or other form of electrical rotational position sensor.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit for providing an amplified signal in response to an input signal. The amplifier circuit includes an input network for applying the input signal to a selected at least one of a plurality of amplifier stages. An output network is provided for coupling the amplified signal from the selected at least one amplifier stage. The appropriate amplifier stage is selected by a control circuit in response to a desired power value of the amplified signal. By selectively activating only the amplifier stage(s) that are necessary to provide the desired level of output power, increased DC efficiency can be accomplished in applications that require an amplifier which operates linearly over a wide dynamic range.

Abstract: A system uses conventional text messaging capabilities of cellular telephone systems to embed one or more call-back telephone numbers. A start delimiter is used to separate a text data portion corresponding to the call-back telephone number from the text message. A termination delimiter may be used to indicate the end of the text data portion corresponding to the call-back telephone number. Multiple text data portions, corresponding to multiple call-back telephone numbers, may be inserted using multiple start delimiters and termination delimiters. A text parser in the cellular telephone searches the text message for the start delimiter and extracts the text data portion corresponding to the call-back telephone number. The cellular telephone user selects a desired call-back telephone number, which may be placed in a dialing queue for simplified communications between the cellular telephone and a destination corresponding to the selected call-back telephone number.

Abstract: A portable communications device and accessory system which provides full-duplex asynchronous communications between a portable communication device and external accessories over a synchronous digital interface. The system includes a digital signal processor for generating a first synchronous digital voice signal, a UART for generating a first asynchronous data signal, and a microprocessor for generating a synchronous control command signal. The system further includes a first multiplexer for multiplexing the first synchronous digital voice signal and the first asynchronous data signal and the synchronous control command signal onto an interface line. The interface line couples the communication device to the at least one external accessory.

Abstract: The wireless communication device receives a neighbor list message from a first base station. The neighbor list message includes a respective base station configuration parameter for each of a plurality of base stations. In response to the neighbor list message, the wireless communication device constructs a neighbor list table, including one record for each of the plurality of base stations, with each record including their respective base station configuration parameter. After handing off to a second base station, the wireless communication device replaces the record for the second base station with a corresponding record for the first base station. The wireless communication device then may change the respective base station configuration parameter for at least one of the records of the plurality of base stations in the neighbor list table to match the base station configuration parameter of the second base station.

Abstract: In a mobile telephone that includes an internal voltage controlled crystal oscillator clock, a clock error compensation system is provided that dynamically determines and compensates for clock error during periods in which the mobile telephone is asleep. The system drives the control voltage of the clock to one of the clock's voltage limits, at which limit the sleep error of the clock can be expected to occur. This expected sleep error is then added to the number of clocking pulses which, in the absence of any clock error, would correspond to the length of the desired sleep period, to generate a corrected internal time. At the end of the sleep period as determined by the corrected internal time, the mobile telephone reacquires a system timing signal that represents actual system time, and the corrected internal time is then compared to the system time.