Abstract: A method for configuring a spread spectrum cellular network for small-cell inclusion, by providing a finite series of PN-offsets, each PN-offset is separated by a constant value that is allotted to the spread spectrum cellular network. The finite series is portioned into a first and a second set. The second set subsequent to the first set and having sufficient PN-offset elements for a PN-offset reuse pattern having a plurality of cells, each cell having similar transmission characteristics. The second set is assigned to the PN-offset reuse pattern, deploying the cellular reuse pattern for a cellular network. Small cells are insertable into the spread spectrum cellular network by assigning the first set to a PN-offset reuse pattern having a plurality of small cells arranged in a small-cell reuse pattern, and deploying the small-cell reuse pattern.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a specific component of a facility by using differential signaling. The system works in a facility such as a central office having many components, such as line cards. The central office includes several wireless transmitters for transmitting signals inside the office. Attached to each line card is a positioning device, which has a receiver for receiving the transmitted signals, a controller for converting the transmitted signals into location information, and a sender for transmitting the location information. The central office also includes a computer with a device for receiving the transmitted location information. As a result, the computer can provide to a user the location of the component inside the facility.

Abstract: A phase array antenna is monitored by applying to each element of the array in turn a signal known characteristics, detecting the signal output from the selected element as a result of the applied known signal, and comparing the detected signal with the applied signal whereby to monitor changes in the applied signal due to the signal path. The detection is preferably carried out using a single monitoring unit in the near-field of each antenna element. Alternatively the detection is carried out using a single source of applied signals a number of individual monitoring units one for each element of the array, and a switching device for selecting the element of the array to be monitored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing a communication system where user call demand is estimated based on spatial and temporal distributions. Base stations and cell grids are then designed to accommodate the estimated user call demand, while user mobility demand is estimated based on spatial and temporal distributions developed for geographic subregions with self-similar mobility patterns. An MSC network is then designed to service both the base stations and cell grids, and the estimated user mobility demand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antennas. One of the problems which arises during the operation of a linear array antenna with electrical downtilt is that cross-polar radiation currents are generated. These cross-polar radiation currents, if at the same frequency as the operating band of the antenna, interfere with the required gain of the antenna. The present invention provides a solution to cross-polar radiation currents with an antenna assembly comprising first and second apertured ground planes with an antenna probe feed network printed upon a dielectric substrate supported therebetween, the array of radiating elements having different phase input feeds, wherein an outwardly extending ground plane flange extends from one of the apertured ground planes. There is also provided a method of receiving and transmitting signals by means of a layered antenna of this construction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a telephone operating company with the ability to rapidly deploy advanced services into a public switched telephone network includes a service control unit (SCU) for externally controlling call processing of a service call received on a port of a switch matrix. Call control processing is achieved through a high-speed communications link between the switch matrix and the SCU. The SCU receives a new call event notification message from the communications link and selects a service application stored within the SCU to control processing of the service call. One or more primitives is generated by the SCU and output to control actions of the switch matrix, thus controlling processing of the service call. The primitives may include a comprehensive set of primitives (instructions) for call manipulation and control at the switch matrix.

Abstract: A switch for a telephony system in which an automatic conferencing service resides as a software module. To establish a conference call using the automatic conferencing service, an originating party dials a conference call access number. In response, the originating party receives a prompt tone indicating that phone numbers for a series of terminating parties for which participation in the conference call is desired. After entering a first phone number, the originating party selects an end of phone number delimiter. The originating party may then enter a next phone number or select an end of phone numbers entry delimiter. Upon detecting the end of phone numbers entry delimiter, the automatic conferencing service will send a call request for each of the terminating parties for which phone numbers were provided, initiate a countdown a time-out period and apply ringback to the telephone of the originating party.

Abstract: A generic anomaly detection engine is described which provides neural network technology to process information such as call detail records and detect anomalies in the information, such as mobile phone fraud. Information from call detail records is pre-processed to form signatures which represent the calling behavior of a subscriber. These signatures are formed in one of a plurality of predetermined formats. The generic anomaly detection engine is instantiated in order to create an anomaly detector which is suitable for a particular situation and during the instantiation process the topology of the neural network components is automatically adjusted to fit the required situation. The topology is adjusted to according to the format of the signatures.

Abstract: A method of reducing bandwidth used on a telecommunications link comprising, at an input to the link, the steps of: receiving a plurality of data packets, each packet comprising data and a packet identifier; determining packets which contain redundant data; transmitting, across the link, packets which do not contain redundant data; and further comprising, at an output of the telecommunications link, the steps of: receiving the transmitted packets; determining missing packets according to the identifiers of received packets; and generating data for the missing packets, which generated data corresponds to redundant data not transmitted across the link. This ensures bit count integrity between the input and the output of the link. Redundant data may be data following a predictable pattern, such as identical data. Where the packet identifiers are a recurring sequence of N symbols, the input transmits at least one packet in every N packets.

Abstract: A power line communications system has a power line having a plurality of conductors which carry communications signals. A set of communications signals are coupled to a set of the plurality of conductors, each signal being coupled to a respective one of the set of conductors and the phasor relationship of the set of communications signals is chosen such that radiation of communications signals from the power line is minimised. The phasor relationship may be achieved by phase shifting one or more of the signals. This method allows communications signals to be transmitted at higher power levels, thereby extending range of transmission, while minimizing radiation from the line.

Abstract: A virtual private network service provider is used to transfer data over a data network to a final destination, with third-party billing. The method comprises the steps of: prompting the user at a data terminal to select a destination, password, and call type; sending a set-up message to the data network; selecting a virtual private network provider through the data network; the virtual private network provider giving an encryption key to the user, and then prompting the user for a password and a user identification; encrypting the password, and sending the user identification and the encrypted password to the virtual private network provider; the virtual private network provider decrypting the encrypted password, and verifying the password; the virtual private network provider providing an authorization code; and the data terminal transferring the data through the data network to the final destination, using the authorization code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a telephone operating company with the ability to rapidly deploy advanced services into a public switched telephone network includes a programmable service node interacting with a programmable switch matrix. The call processing of a call (associated with one or more ports on the programmable switch matrix) is controlled externally when particular triggering criteria is met (i.e., the call requires or desires external control). When the triggering criteria is met, the service node outputs a new call event notification message over a communications link to an external unit and receives one or more messages over the same link. Call control processing is achieved through this high-speed communications link between the programmable switch matrix and the external unit using a communications protocol defining a comprehensive set of primitives (instructions) for call manipulation and control at the programmable switch matrix which are received by the programmable service node.

Abstract: A switch that has a plurality of inputs in which cells are received at these inputs. Each cell received at the inputs of the switch contain routing information. A routing means is employed to route the cells received at the inputs of the switch to outputs using routing information in which a number of the cells are misrouted by the routing means during the process of routing the cells to the outputs. Bus means is employed to route a cell to the destination in which the bus means is connected to the routing means. The bus means routes misrouted cells that are misrouted from the destination by some selected amount.

Abstract: The low profile antenna assembly comprises a generally rectangular frame member housing a planar antenna. A radar absorbing material is attached to the front side of the housing with a radome covering the front side of the planar antenna and attached to the frame member. The planar antenna is a microstrip array fed by a beam forming network that uses either delay lines or phase shifters to electronically steer the antenna pattern horizontally and vertically. The antenna assembly is weatherproofed, painted and flush mounted against a building surface for camouflaging the antenna assembly from observers at a distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to radio communications antennas and in particular relates to an antenna for such. An inverted E antenna is disclosed comprising a radiating element and a ground plane. The antenna is suitable for placement in a mobile communications handset. The antenna finds particular applicability in dual mode handsets, where two or more antennas may be located in close proximity. The small dimensions of the antenna relative to the operating wavelength, achieved by folding back an element of the antenna provides a simple solution to such problems as antenna coupling since its small size allows it to be placed as far away as possible within the small confines of a radio communications handset. A method of operating a mobile communications arrangement is also disclosed, the arrangement comprising a microphone, an audio speaker, a transceiver, and an antenna; wherein the antenna is in the form of an inverted E.

Abstract: A method for performing a hard handoff of a call from a first cell site of a CDMA cellular network to a target cell site of a second cellular network, such as an AMPS network or a second CDMA network. As a mobile unit operating in the first CDMA network moves toward the second cellular network, the first cell site uses two separate RTD thresholds for comparison with a measured RTD distance between the mobile unit and the first cell site. Handoff is initiated when the RTD distance exceeds the first RTD threshold and is completed when the RTD distance exceeds the second RTD threshold. If the first cell site is not co-located with a cell site of the second network, the first cell site utilizes receivers placed in the target cell site for handoff. If the first cell site is co-located with a second cell site of the second network, the second cell site of the second network is always the target cell site.

Abstract: A data access and retrieval system comprises a plurality of user data sources each storing electronic data signals describing data specific to a user, or enabling services selected by a user; an agent device which is configurable to select individual ones of the user data sources and present selections of user data and service data to a set of callers who may interrogate the agent device remotely over a communications network; a plurality of service terminals capable of communicating with the agent device over a communications network the service terminals operable by said callers; and a plurality of key devices, storing caller information and security code information for enabling remote access of selections of user data and/or services to be transmitted over a communications network to a caller located at a said service terminal.

Abstract: A non-blocking broad band asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch having a plurality of ports is adapted to provide a switching function for narrow band traffic by means of adaptive virtual junctors attached to the switch ports to provide ingress to and egress from the switch and each having means for assembly and disassembly of ATM payloads. Each adaptive virtual junctor has a virtual connection with every other adaptive virtual junctor, each said virtual connection comprising a number of virtual circuits. Control means associated with each said adaptive virtual junctor determine on a call by call basis the number of virtual circuits on each virtual connection associated with that adaptive virtual junctor. A semi-permanent pool of capacity may be provided by transmission adaptation devices associated with the adaptive virtual junctors.

Abstract: An Earth station having an antenna is configured to establish communication with a satellite. The Earth station stores a table of satellite position data for a plurality of satellites and is configurable to enable its own location position on the surface of the Earth as well as the azimuth and elevation of its antenna to be obtained. The tabulated satellite position data is then utilised to calculate the position of the satellite in relation to the location position. Thereafter at least one of the satellites is selected with which to establish communication and in response to the selection and the obtained azimuth and elevation, a direction is determined in which to configure the antenna for operation with the at least one selected satellite. Following determination of the direction, the antenna is configured for operation with the at least one selected satellite. The location position and the azimuth and elevation of the antenna may be determined through the Earth station comprising a GPS receiver.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to wireless networks, and particularly a method and apparatus for assigning carrier frequencies to base station antenna sites.Base stations are represented as a matrix of interconnected nodes and links, the nodes representing carrier frequency sites and the links being dimensioned in accordance with disallowed frequency slots. A first algorithm is used to assign carrier frequencies to the carrier frequency sites in a non-interfering manner resulting in a partial frequency assignment plan. A second algorithm assigns carrier frequencies to the remaining vacant carrier sites in a manner which seeks to minimise the amount of interference. The order in which the carrier sites are assigned carrier frequencies is determined by either a random ordering, an order generated by simulated annealing, or an ordering generated by a genetic algorithm.