Abstract: A communication system operates on a fixed-length data string (339) and utilizes fixed-length frames (200) to transmit data. Variable noise on a transmission path (105) requires adaptive encoding to sustain effective communication. An adaptive encoding type (201) produces variable length codes (205). Variable length codes (205) are accommodated by segmenting a fixed-length data string (339) into data groups. A data group (204) plus a code (205) occupy a fixed-length frame (200). At a transceiver node (150), the data groups (204) are ordered and concatenated to form the fixed-length data string (339).

Abstract: In a packet network, message packets (130) are comprised of vacant or unused bits for future system enhancements or for remedying unknown design oversights or utilizing vacant portions of fixed length data packets. Furthermore, message packets (130) comprise a message type identifier distinguishing message architecture. A transmit and receive packet network node (100) maintains an unused bit catalog (125) listing vacant or unused bits of particular message packet types. When a message packet type having vacant or unused bits is detected propagating through the packet network, background data is retrieved from a transmit background data queue (115) and interleaved into such message packets to form enriched message packets (130') for transportation through the packet network. Receiving packet network nodes (100) detect enriched message packets (130') and extract and buffer the background data.

Abstract: A global communication system must comply with service restrictions when operating across political and other restrictive boundaries. The location of a subscriber unit must be correlated to a service area region for identifying and extending appropriate restrictions and services. The Earth is partitioned into equally spaced areas (125, 130) with entries stored in database records. Service area boundary data (205) overlays the equally spaced areas (125, 130) to assign each equally spaced area to a location area enabling efficient use of the communication system. Equally spaced areas (125, 130) are iteratively subdivided to form a hierarchical database (350) when service area boundary data (205) bisects an equally spaced area (125, 130).

Abstract: An enhanced services communication system (10) has a standard services region and an enhanced services region (58) in which communication may be carried out. Subscriber units (49, 109) located within the enhanced services region (58) request enhanced services that include dynamic allocation of bandwidth. A variable bandwidth repeater switch (42) evaluates the availability of requested bandwidth and allocates the bandwidth to the subscriber units (49, 109) when available. Transmission of data using enhanced services occurs using wideband wired interfaces (115), wideband wireless interfaces (70), or PSTN interfaces (103). Selection of dynamic allocation of bandwidth may rely upon economic, propagation duration, or link quality factors, among other considerations.

Abstract: A continuous logic system using a neural network is characterized by defining input and output variables that do not use a membership function, by employing production rules (IF/THEN rules) that relate the output variables to the input variables, and by using the neural network to compute or interpolate the outputs. The neural network first learns the given production rules and then produces the outputs in real time. The neural network is constructed of artificial neurons each having only one significant processing element in the form of a multiplier. The neural network utilizes a training algorithm which does not require repetitive training and which yields a global minimum to each given set of input vectors.

Abstract: In a data synchronizer a timing error estimator samples a received data stream and generates a clock to provide optimal sampling of the data stream, and a lock detector monitors the clock and received data stream to provide an indication of whether optimal sampling has been achieved. The lock detector processes differences between delayed versions of the input which are sampled based upon the clock timing. These sampled differences are then processed by a non-linear circuit to provide a lock signal indication which, when compared to a predetermined threshold signal, is used to provide optimal sampling indication. The lock detector performs computations on real and complex inputs and therefore is compatible with a wide variety of modulation types. The lock detector can be implemented in either analog or digital circuits, making it applicable to a broad range of data synchronizer applications.

Abstract: A method of analyzing data, particularly a speech signal, first pre-processes the signal by performing analog-to-digital conversion and cepstral analysis, producing a sequence of data frames. Then the sequence of data frames is partitioned into a plurality of data blocks. The data blocks may be subjected to further analysis, for example, by introducing them to a plurality of neural networks. The system may be implemented using either hardware or software or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A satellite-based, world-wide cellular messaging system transmits paging messages to pagers. The messages are transmitted at unique times, on unique frequencies, and into uniquely identified cells according to a plan which is periodically revised and transmitted in advance to the pagers. Battery resources in the satellites and pagers are thereby conserved, and interference between transmissions to adjacent cells is minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for specialized call handling transmits (224) and receives (194) a specialized call request message, determines (196) a location of a remote communication unit (100, 110, 140) sending the specialized call request message, determines (200) at least one service center telephone number which the remote communication unit (100, 110, 140) may use to establish a specialized call, transmits (202, 206) a returned message to the remote communication unit (100, 110, 140) containing a selected service center telephone number, and sets up the specialized call (204, 232) using the selected service center telephone number.

Abstract: A satellite-based, world-wide cellular messaging system transmits paging messages to pagers. The messages are transmitted during a guard-band time-slot of a compatible world-wide cellular telephone system. In order to achieve better penetration, the satellites boost their transmit power for paging messages. One or more paging carrier frequencies may be used to accommodate differences in paging demand among different terrestrial cells.

Abstract: A computing device, which may be implemented as an integrated circuit, is constructed of a microprocessor and one or more neural network co-processors. The microprocessor normally executes programs which transfer data to the neural network co-processors, which are used to compute complicated mathematical functions. Direct Memory Access (DMA) is also used to transfer data. Each neural network co-processor interfaces to the microprocessor in a manner substantially similar to that of a conventional memory device. The co-processor does not require any instructions and is configured to execute mathematical operations simply by being pre-loaded with gating functions and weight values. In addition, the co-processor executes a plurality of arithmetic operations in parallel, and the results of such operations are simply read from the co-processor.

Abstract: A method is implemented in hardware or software type neural network, the neural network is constructed of neurons or neuron circuits each having only one significant processing element in the form of a multiplier. Each neuron applying a gating function to each of neural network inputs. The neural network utilizes a training algorithm which does not require repetitive training and which yields a global minimum to each given set of input vectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operations of a cellular communication system having multiple satellites, multiple subscriber units which communicate through the multiple satellites, and a system control segment which creates a subscriber traffic prediction and manages operation of the communication system. The method includes the steps of decomposing a traffic prediction request into regional traffic requests; determining a regional traffic prediction for each regional traffic request based on past regional traffic history; and combining the regional traffic requests into a consolidated subscriber traffic prediction. The subscriber traffic prediction is then used to determine a system operational plan which controls operations of the communication system.

Abstract: In a method and system for performing location determination using multi-beam satellites each beam of a multi-beam satellite transmits identification information which is received by a user terminal. This identification information either identifies the unique beam by enumeration or by geometrics. A user terminal processes multiple received signals from orbiting satellites. The user terminal maps the projected beam patterns of multiple received samples to determine an approximate self-location. The user terminal passively monitors its location and compares its current location with its previously reported location. When the user terminal has sufficiently roamed from its previously registered location, the user terminal performs an auto-registration to the system allowing for efficient routing of information.

Abstract: An artificial neuron, which may be implemented on an integrated circuit, has only one significant processing element in the form of an adder. Inputs are first fed through gating functions to produce gated inputs. These gated inputs are then added together to produce a sum which is added to a weight to produce the neuron output.

Abstract: A constellation of satellites distributed around the earth serves as a communication network that supports global communication of subscriber units. Subscriber units may potentially transmit from any location on earth. Some locations such as radio astronomy sites may be interfered with by nearby transmissions from subscriber units. Subscriber units located within a potentially interfering proximity to radio astronomy sites are prohibited from transmitting potentially interfering signals by reception of a non-interfering beacon at radio astronomy sites. The beacon repeatedly transmits a synchronous control signal with a subscriber unit's servicing satellite's control signal. The beacon's control signal is compatible with a subscriber unit's communication receiver. Control signal information contained in a beacon control signal inhibits the subscriber unit from transmitting.

Abstract: A world-wide cellular radio telecommunications system utilizing low-earth orbit satellites provides secure transmissions of voice and data even though the length of the signal path of the communications link is dynamic. Crypto-algorithm generators at each end of a communications link are synchronized during a predetermined period of time after the initiation of communications. The crypto-algorithm generators are utilized to encrypt and decode, respectively, transmissions only after the expiration of the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A radio subscriber communication unit maintains an annunciation memory which stores a repertoire of annunciations. When the subscriber unit receives annunciation data messages from a communication network, a particular one of the annunciations is selected and presented to the user of the subscriber unit. An audible segment of the annunciation is passed through a vocoder, amplified, and routed to a speaker for presentation to the user. When annunciations are repeated, a second message may be received to instruct subscriber unit to cease presenting an annunciation.

Abstract: A neural network, which may be implemented either in hardware or software, is constructed of neurons or neuron circuits each having only one significant processing element in the form of a multiplier. A hidden neuron in the neural network generates an output based on the product of a plurality of functions. The neural network utilizes a training algorithm which does not require repetitive training and which yields a global minimum to each given set of input vectors.

Abstract: A speech-recognition system for recognizing isolated words includes pre-processing circuitry for performing analog-to-digital conversion and cepstral analysis, and a plurality of neural networks which compute discriminant functions based on polynomial expansions. The system may be implemented using either hardware or software or a combination thereof. The speech wave-form of a spoken word is analyzed and converted into a sequence of data frames. The sequence of frames is partitioned into data blocks, and the data blocks are then broadcast to a plurality of neural networks. Using the data blocks, the neural networks compute polynomial expansions. The output of the neural networks is used to determine the identity of the spoken word. The neural networks utilize a matrix-inversion or alternatively a least-squares estimation training algorithm which does not require repetitive training and which yields a global minimum to each given set of training examples.