Abstract: A method for increasing data transmission efficiency in a broadcast network having at least one unicast transmission link and at least one multicast transmission link to a mobile device, the method comprising: identifying a viewing trend based upon monitored viewing activity of first content data by a first plurality of users over the unicast transmission link; determining, based upon the identified trend, that a viewing audience will exceed a target threshold for second content data; and in response to the determination, broadcasting the second content data to a second plurality of users over the multicast transmission link to increase data transmission efficiency in the broadcast network. This method may also be used to promote the dissemination of useful or popular information such as service awareness as part of marketing activities.

Abstract: An acquisition module includes a coherent correlator configured to receive a transmission having a pilot signal and correlate the received transmission with a local copy of the pilot signal to produce a first output, a delayed correlator configured to delay the first output and correlate the first output with the delayed first output to produce a second output, and a detector configured to detect the pilot signal in the transmission based on the second output.

Abstract: A new channel is added to FLO networks that carries embedded signaling parameter information. The design is such that regardless of the actual values of the signaling parameters conveyed, a receiver will be able to demodulate this new channel. Moreover, the addition of the new channel does not render a FLO network that has been so configured to not be backwards-compatible with existing devices.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a mobile communication device that determines when a performance disruption indicates a loss of synchronization with a broadcast signal and, in response, initiates reacquisition of the signal. Reacquisition techniques may include identifying and decoding only select portions of header information in the broadcast signal. Reacquisition may also be initiated in response to one or more deterministic triggers and during a test mode of operation.

Abstract: A decoder for a layered modulation system can be configured to independently and concurrently decode each of a base and enhancement layer. The base layer decoder and enhancement layer decoder can be configured substantially in parallel and can each operate concurrently on the same received layered modulation symbol. Each of the base and enhancement layer decoders can be configured with a bit metric module that is configured to determine a signal quality metric based on the received symbol. In systems having turbo encoded data, the bit metric module can be configured to determine a log likelihood ratio. The ratio is based in part on a channel estimate and an energy ratio used in the layered modulation constellation.

Abstract: A method for positioning a collection window for a Fourier transform function is disclosed. A first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol and a second OFDM symbol are received. The first OFDM symbol comprises a plurality of frequency division multiplexed (FDM) symbols. The first OFDM symbol is characterized by at least two of the following: a delay spread, a first arriving path (FAP), or a last arriving path (LAP). A channel location is estimated from a channel impulse response. A point relative to the channel location is selected. A beginning of the collection window is positioned for the second OFDM symbol at the selected point. Alternatively, a point is selected at a first location relative to the channel location using a first algorithm if a delay spread is less than a predetermined length. The selected point is chosen at a second location relative to the channel location using a second algorithm if the delay spread is greater than the predetermined length.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a communication channel is disclosed. A detection window is moved through a channel profile to accumulate tap energies in the channel profile within the detection window into an accumulated energy curve. A peak at a maximum in the accumulated energy curve is determined. A band relative to the accumulated energy curve is defined. A first arriving path (FAP) is determined using a trailing edge found near a second end of a zone in the accumulated energy curve. A leading edge is found near a first end of the zone of the accumulated energy curve. The last arriving path (LAP) is determined using the leading edge. The band defines a zone of the accumulated energy curve at or near the maximum that is within the band.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing and acquiring overhead flow data in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes generating primary flow (PF) overhead data associated with one or more multiplexes to be distributed in the multi-frequency network, identifying multiplex specific overhead (MSO) data associated with the one or more multiplexes, transmitting the PF overhead data over the multi-frequency network using first pre-assigned flow identifiers, and transmitting the MSO data over the multi-frequency network using second pre-assigned flow identifiers. An apparatus includes flow acquisition logic configured to acquire PF overhead data associated with at least one multiplex using first pre-assigned flow identifiers, and processing logic configured to determine that overhead data associated with the at least one multiplex has been updated based on the received PF overhead data, and to obtain MSO data associated with the at least one multiplex using second pre-assigned flow identifiers.

Abstract: A method for determining a communication channel location is disclosed. A first subset of a plurality of channel impulse responses is averaged over a first time period to produce a first filtered channel impulse response, and a second subset of the plurality of channel impulse responses is averaged over a second time period to produce a second filtered channel impulse response. The second time period is different from the first time period, and the second subset is different from the first subset. The communication channel location is determined using the first filtered channel impulse response and the second filtered channel impulse response.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamic packet mapping. A method is provided for mapping metric data to produce a decodable packet associated with a channel. The method includes obtaining a channel identifier associated with metric data, determining an available buffer from a plurality of buffers based on the channel identifier, writing the metric data to the available buffer, detecting when a decodable packet is formed in a selected buffer of the plurality of buffers, and outputting the decodable packet from the selected buffer. An apparatus includes a plurality of buffers and mapping logic that is configured to obtain a channel identifier associated with metric data, determine an available buffer based on the channel identifier, write the metric data to the available buffer, detect when a decodable packet is formed in a selected buffer, and output the decodable packet from the selected buffer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for setting wakeup times in a communication device are disclosed where setting the wakeup times includes estimating the lock on time of a frequency synthesizer in order to minimize the wakeup time and extend sleep times for maximal energy savings. A disclosed apparatus includes an estimator to receive a current lock on time of a frequency synthesizer, which is the time taken by the frequency synthesizer to lock on to particular frequency after a wakeup signal has been issued to turn on the synthesizer after a sleep period. The estimator calculates a latest estimated lock on time based at least on the current lock on time of the frequency synthesizer and determines an enable signal timing information based on the estimated lock on time. The apparatus also includes a timer configured to receive the enable signal timing information and issue at least one enable signal to turn on other circuitry in the transceiver after the synthesizer lock on period based thereon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reduction of a peak to average ratio for an OFDM transmit signal. In an aspect, a method is provided for reducing a peak to average ratio of a transmit waveform. The method includes obtaining a primary scrambler sequence, generating a secondary scrambler sequence having a length characteristic based on data to be scrambled, and combining the primary and secondary scrambler sequences to produce a PAR reduction sequence. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for reducing a peak to average ratio of a transmit waveform. The apparatus includes a secondary generator configured to generate a secondary scrambler sequence having a length characteristic based on data to be scrambled, and combining logic configured to combine a primary scrambler sequence and the secondary scrambler sequences to produce a PAR reduction sequence.