Abstract: Methods and architectures for data message bit synchronization of a spread spectrum signal having a repeating sequence of pseudorandom code bits modulated with data message bits having a data bit time that is an integer number of a repeat time of the pseudorandom code bits. In one embodiment, an adjusted bit sync offset time is determined for each of a plurality of signals for which bit sync offset time is not known based on a corresponding clock error corrected propagation time for each signal, based on a known bit synch offset time and based on a clock error corrected propagation time of the signal for which bit synch offset time is known.

Abstract: A radio communication terminal operating under a frequency reuse plan for communicating to and from a SCT (116) located in any one of a plurality of communication zones (118) corresponding to the frequency reuse plan, includes: a processing system (412), and a radio transceiver (114) coupled thereto. The processing system is programmed to: (202) cause the radio transceiver to receive a registration request when transmitted from the SCT as the SCT enters a new communication zone, (204) track a history of the SCT's whereabouts according to each registration request received from the SCT, (206) receive a message intended for the SCT, (208) cause the radio transceiver to transmit the message to the SCT, and (210) cause the radio transceiver to wait a predetermined time to receive an acknowledgement message from the SCT indicating that the message was received.

Abstract: The partially-parallel trellis decoder with equalizer (360) uses multiple channel estimators (377, 379) but less than one independent channel estimator for each state. The state information set from the state with the best state metric as computed during the previous time period is used to update a primary channel estimator (377), and a state information set from the state with the second best state metric as computed during the previous time period is used to update a secondary channel estimator (379). Each updated channel estimator (377, 379) processes the corresponding state information set to calculate the possible transmitted symbols and their associated state metrics. Because there are fewer channel estimators than states, any unassigned states are processed using the primary channel estimator (377) but do not update the primary channel estimator (377).

Abstract: A satellite adapted antenna system has at least spaced apart first and second elements (104, 106), the first and second elements (104, 106) having substantially a common first polarization. A third element (108) has a second polarization that is opposite the first polarization of the first element (104). An antenna mode selector system selects between operatively connecting the first and second elements (104, 106) to form a specular antenna and operatively connecting the first and third elements (104, 108) to form a diversity antenna. Each of the first, second and third elements (104, 106, 108) are quadrifilar helix antennas. The first and second elements (104, 106) are quadrifilar helix antenna having right hand circuit polarization, and the third element (108) is a quadrifilar helix antenna having a left hand circuit polarization.

Abstract: To facilitate hands-free operation, a communications device holder (110, 300, 400) includes a tongue (202) that is adapted to mate with and be latched within a seat belt buckle (112) of an unoccupied vehicle passenger position. The communications device holder includes a docking assembly (200) that is adapted to receive and securely hold a communications device (120). The docking assembly includes interfaces for power, speakers, microphones and the like. A flexible member (302) is alternatively attached to the tongue to flexibly configure the position of the device holder. A seat belt buckle (402) is optionally attached to the communications device holder for securing the device holder both with the seat belt buckle for a passenger position and with the seat belt.

Abstract: A wireless data system (200) and a method (300) of communicating digital data to a handheld wireless device (202) are provided. The wireless data system (200) includes a plurality of handheld wireless devices (202) capable of receiving digital data comprised of a first digital data portion and at least one second digital data portion. The wireless data system (200) also includes a wireless network (209) capable of transmitting (318) the first digital data portion to the plurality of handheld wireless devices (202), a data server (212) for creating the digital data, the data server capable of communicating with the wireless network, and at least one broadcast transmitter (215) communicating with the data server, the at least one broadcast transmitter broadcasting (321) the at least one second digital data portion to the plurality of handheld wireless devices.

Abstract: A first transceiver (122) detects (402) a need for desired information available from a network server (108). In response to detecting the need and before contacting the network server, the first transceiver attempts (412) to obtain the desired information from another transceiver of a plurality of wireless transceivers near the first transceiver, thereby potentially eliminating a necessity for the first transceiver to contact the network server to obtain the desired information.

Abstract: An internal multi-band antenna (10) for a mobile communication devices having a planar radiating element (12) and a ground plane conductor (14) disposed substantially parallel thereto with a dielectric (16) such as air or a substrate therebetween. The radiating element (12) includes at a feed point, for example, a feeding strap (18), which may have an L-shape. One or more shorting straps (20,22) are selectively connected between the radiating element (12) and the ground conductor (14), positioned relative to the feed point for tuning the input impedance at the feed point, and for tuning the resonant frequency of the planar radiating element (12). The radiating element includes an angled slot (26) having at least three slot sections, for example, N, M, W shapes and the like, mutually coupled at a second resonant frequency to increase resonant frequency bandwidth. The feeding strap (18) and one or more shorting straps may be provided as inverted L straps (30) for a series LC impedance.

Abstract: Satellite positioning system enabled mobile receivers (310) and cellular communication network base stations (330) synchronized with satellite positioning system clocks and method therefore. In a network-assisted embodiment, a variable propagation delay for transmission of an assistance message (232) from the base station to the mobile receiver is determined for correcting the handset clock (318). In others embodiments, local clock drift of mobile receivers (310) and/or base stations (330) are determined by a ratio of local and satellite time differences, based on sequential time snapshots, for use in correcting the local clocks.

Abstract: A communications system having an antenna and at least one mobile unit in communications with the antenna. A price that a mobile unit will pay to receive an enhanced communications service is established. The antenna provides the enhanced communication service to the mobile unit paying the price.

Abstract: An assisted global positioning satellite (Assisted GPS) system has a GPS reference network node (260) that collects GPS satellite broadcast messages and prepares separate GPS assistance messages to be modulated by a base transceiver station (BTS) (202) on a cellular carrier signal (201) and sent to single or multiple handset (204). In a first preferred embodiment, instead of the handset (204) receiving standard ephemeris and clock correction data elements in a GPS assistance message, a compressed GPS assistance message containing XYZ information contains a GPS satellite's coordinate position modified according to the satellite clock correction. In a second preferred embodiment, there is a first type of compressed GPS assistance message containing subframe 1, 2, 3 data of a GPS satellite broadcast message and a second type of compressed GPS assistance message containing subframe 4, 5 data of a GPS satellite broadcast message.

Abstract: A cellular network protocol which maintains the reliability of assisted GPS based positioning is taught. An Integrity Monitor (IM) informs mobile stations, their users, or networks of measurement quality and it warns them of failing and failed GPS satellites by isolating them from the effects of these failures. Whenever an unhealthy satellite is detected, its corresponding assistance data will be excluded for delivery or for position determination. In other words, there are two specific aspects to the Integrity Monitor (IM). For DGPS users, it predicts the reliability or quality of the DGPS corrections. For all users, it isolats the mobile position calculation from the effects of GPS satellite failures. The UDRE parameter, nominally output by a reference DGPS receiver, is used to communicate the DGPS quality information, and DGPS corrections are simply excluded for failed satellites.

Abstract: A messaging system transmits to a subscriber unit (122) on a plurality of channels (410) operating concurrently. The system transmits (1108) control information for the subscriber unit on a control channel assigned to the subscriber unit, and transmits (1110) a personal message fragment intended for the subscriber unit on a first channel. The system also transmits (1112) a group-call message fragment that may be intended for the subscriber unit on a second channel. Before transmitting, the system schedules (1106) the transmission such that the probability that the personal and group-call message fragments will overlap temporally with one another and that either of the fragments will overlap temporally with the control information is reduced.

Abstract: A satellite positioning system enabled mobile station and method therefor having a satellite positioning system signal reception interface, for example a GPS receiver, an information processor coupled to the satellite positioning system signal reception interface, the information processor controlling the satellite positioning system signal reception interface for receiving satellite positioning system signals upon which mobile station positioning may be determined based upon a satellite positioning system based position fix generation rate instruction.

Abstract: A variable gain control circuit (125, 127) includes a programmable operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) circuit (214) and a programmable conveying circuit (544). The conveying circuit (544) has a programmable differential circuit (550) interconnected to a pair of programming inputs (564, 566). The pair of programming inputs (564, 566) is interconnected to a pair of programming inputs (238, 240) that set the gain of the OTA circuit (214). When the OTA circuit (214) is configured as an operational transconductance filter (112, 113), the programmable differential circuit (550) can adjust the gain of the conveying circuit (544) to compensate for changes in the input impedance of the filter (112, 113). The programming inputs (238, 240) that set the input impedance and bandwidth of the filter (113, 113) also control the amount of signal current transmitted by the conveying circuit (544).