Abstract: A method of assigning transmission data rate in a multi-channel communication system based upon a comparison between projected transmitter power output for transmission at a selected data rate, and the maximum transmitter power capability. Relative power requirements for high and low processing gain channels are stored in a LUT in memory, for a variety of data transmission rates. By accessing the LUT, the relative power required for transmission over a low processing gain channel at a selected data rate can be determined. This power is then added to the current output power required by active high processing gain channels to determine the projected output power required once the low processing gain, or data, channel is brought online at the selected data rate. Data rate is increased or decreased until the projected output power is within a pre-selected transmitter output power tolerance, then that data rate is proposed to the receiver.

Abstract: A ferro-electric (FE) tunable antenna matching circuit is provided for a multi-band antenna. The tunable matching circuit is integrated with a diplexer on one substrate. The tunable matching circuit has a first and second inductor coupled to the antenna. The second inductor is couple to a first capacitor and a second capacitor. One side of the second capacitor forms an input/output port for connection to a duplexer. One or more of the matching circuit elements is a ferro-electric (FE) tunable component.

Abstract: A tunable isolator is provided. At least one of the matching circuits for the isolator may be patterned or placed on a common substrate with the isolator. Additionally, at least one of the matching circuits includes a ferro-electric tunable component for tuning the impedance match of the matching circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for making a band selection in a wireless communications device is provided. The available bands include a first-communication band, a second communication band, and an auxiliary band. A wideband diplexer provides a wideband path, which includes the first-communication band and the auxiliary band, and a second-communication band path. A combination duplexer couples to the wideband path, and has an auxiliary signal port, a first-band receive port, and a first-band transmit port. A standard duplexer couples to the second communication path to provide a second-band receive port and a second-band transmit port. In one example, the first communication band is the PCS band, the second communication band is the cellular band, and the auxiliary signal is a GPS satellite signal.

Abstract: A requesting handset in a wireless communication network sends a call message requesting a push-to-talk connection with a target handset. In response, a push-to-talk server sends a connection status message to the requesting handset. The connection status message is sent to the requesting handset in a control channel such as the forward common control channel. The requesting handset indicates to the caller that the connection has been made with the target handset, turns on the audio channel, and buffers any audio received from the caller until the traffic channel has been established. Once the traffic channel is established, any buffered audio is sent over the traffic channel and the push-to-talk call ensues.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved security in handset reprogramming are provided that prevent a handset from being reprogrammed in the field without authorization from carrier. When a handset receives a reprogramming request, or detects a reprogramming attempt, the handset contacts the carrier for authorization to be reprogrammed. The network can provide the authorization, deny the authorization, require additional information from the reprogramming device, or contact the reprogramming device directly to authorize the reprogramming. Additionally, the carrier may provide the handset and the reprogramming device each with a private key that can be converted by each device and then compared by the handset to determine if the reprogramming device is authorized.

Abstract: An exemplary transceiver comprises a power amplifier configured to receive a source signal and generate an amplified output signal, an antenna coupled to the power amplifier, the antenna being configured to radiate the amplified output signal, and a controller coupled to the power amplifier. The controller is configured to control an effective gain of the power amplifier based on a power level of operation of the transmitter. A source amplifier configured to operate on the source signal prior to power amplification is also controlled by the controller. The controller configures the gain level of the source amplifier based on the power level of operation of the transmitter and the effective gain of the power amplifier to improve signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Accordingly, a system and method are provided for adaptively controlling amplification in a wireless communications device receiver. The method comprises: receiving a signal with a variable signal strength; amplifying the received signal in response to the signal strength, to supply an amplified signal. More specifically, amplifying the received signal in response to signal strength includes selecting a gain state in response to a plurality of signal strength switch point. The method further comprises: measuring signal quality; measuring signal energy; and, modifying a relationship between receiver performance and amplified signal strength, in response to the measured signal quality and measured signal energy. Other aspects of the method comprise processing the amplified signal, so that a processed signal quality and processed signal energy can be measured.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device has a speaker that functions as a vibration alert in addition to an audio output device. The speaker is selected from a group of speakers having variation in mechanical vibration resonant frequency. A drive signal sweeps back and forth across a sweep frequency range including the varient speaker mechanical vibration resonant frequencies. The drive signal drives the speaker causing it to vibrate at the mechanical vibration resonant frequency and in turn causing the mobile wireless communication device to vibrate, thereby alerting the user. In this manner, the same drive signal can be used to vibrate each speaker at the speaker's mechanical vibration resonant frequency despite the variation in mechanical vibration resonant frequencies among the group of speakers.

Abstract: Briefly, one way to minimize time and frequency uncertainties when synchronizing between a transmitter and a receiver is to use a position determining method such as global positioning system (GPS) to determine position and velocity. If position can be determined the delay between the transmitter and receiver can be estimated. Additionally, position information can be used to determine the probability that the signal received will be a reflected signal. If the transmitter and receiver are located in an area with obstructions between them then it is more likely that a signal received will be a reflected signal. If it is determined that it is likely that the signal received will be a reflected signal then the receiver can attempt to acquire the transmitted signal over a wider range of propagation delay possibilities. Additionally, another uncertainty that complicates synchronization is uncertainty regarding frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for voice buffering for a VOVC PTT call. The buffering starts before the VOVC call is established.

Abstract: A capacitively-loaded loop antenna and corresponding radiation method have been provided. The antenna comprises a transformer loop having a balanced feed interface and a capacitively-loaded loop radiator. In one aspect, the capacitively-loaded loop radiator is a balanced radiator. In another, the transformed loop and capacitively-loaded loop radiator are physically connected. That is, the transformer loop and the capacitively-loaded loop radiator have a portion shared by both of the loop perimeters. Alternately, the loops are physically independent of each other. In one aspect, the perimeters have a rectangular shape. Other shapes such as round or oval are also possible. In another aspect, the planes formed by the transformer and capacitively-loaded loop radiator can be coplanar or non-planar, while both loops are orthogonal to a common magnetic near-field generated by the transformed loop.

Abstract: A retractable stubby antenna is movable relative to a housing along a longitudinal axis. In a retracted position, at least a portion of the retractable stubby antenna is positioned within the housing. In an extended position at least a portion of the retractable stubby antenna is positioned outside of the housing such that a greater portion of the antenna is positioned outside the housing in the extended positioned than in the retracted position. A radiating helical element is connected to device circuitry through a connection interface including an antenna interface and a housing connection interface.

Abstract: A system for updating a wireless application is provided. The system has a network service area that uses multiple networks to provide wireless coverage. An application server couples to one of the networks, and is used to communicate with local applications that operate on wireless devices within the network service area. These wireless devices also operate standard lower-level process that provide for basic connectivity and information transfer, with these lower-level process providing a network identification value. The local application monitors this network identification value, and when it changes, generates an alert that is transmitted to the application server. The alert may include information regarding the new network, therefore the application server is updated to know what network the wireless device is operating on.

Abstract: A binary search tree is provided for efficiently organizing values for a set of items, even when values are duplicated. In generating the binary search tree, the value of each item in a set of values is determined. If a particular value is unique and is found only once in the set, than that unique value is used as a node in the binary search tree. If a value is duplicative and is found two or more times in the set, then the duplicative value is used as a hook in the binary search tree. The hook element has a list branch that is used to identify items having a value equal to the duplicative value. A node tree may be extended from a second branch of the hook, with the node tree having a base node equal to the duplicative value. The base node may have a first branch for holding a value less than the duplicative value, and a second branch for holding a value greater than the duplicative value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for combining electrical signals. The apparatus includes a phase-shift distributed element with an input to accept a first signal and an output to supply the first signal with a phase-shift; and a filter with a first signal port connected to the phase-shift element output, a second signal port to accept a second signal, and a third signal port to supply combined and filtered first and second signals. The phase-shift element has a signal path with a predetermined length and the phase-shift element output supplies the first signal with a phase angle shift responsive to the length of the signal path. In one example, the phase-shift element is formed from monoblock and coaxial elements, either singly or in combination, and is a tank circuit resonator in the filter.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for protecting multiplexed elements sharing a single electrical line. The system includes a plurality of elements connected to the electrical line, a switch connecting, to the electrical line, a first element in the plurality of elements, and a detection sub-system. The detection sub-system evaluates a signal on the electrical line. A detection sub-system control output supplies control signals in response to comparing a signal voltage level to a compatibility threshold value. The switch operates in response to accepting the control signals. The compatibility threshold value can be selected to equal the maximum voltage compatible with the first element. In some cases, the switch is a transistor.

Abstract: A communication system and method for controlling an antenna pattern is disclosed. The communication system may be situated on a mobile station, a base station, or a combination thereof. The communication system comprises a smart antenna module, a speed sensor, and a beam steering module. The smart antenna module may be situated on the mobile station, the base station, or a combination thereof. The smart antenna module generates at least one initial antenna pattern. The speed sensor is configured to determine a speed of a mobile station. The beam steering module generates an operating antenna pattern that is different from the initial antenna pattern. The operating antenna pattern is affected by changes in the speed of the mobile station.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating messages between mobile communication devices. Predefined and customizable messages are provided to the user for selection and transmittal. Customizable messages include customizable text entry portions for text, default information such as the date or time, or defined information previously input and saved in memory by the user. Each predefined message can be translated into another language for transmission to one or more recipients. Acoustic messages can also be recorded and transmitted to one or more recipients. Messages are transmitted by conventional means over radio frequencies, infrared, or cable connections. In a second embodiment messages and translations are transmitted by code to a central server which decodes and transmits the message to each recipient mobile. In a third embodiment, all mobiles in the communication system are programmed to contain identical predefined and customizable messages and messages are transmitted by code.