Abstract: A system and method for network support that addresses the needs of a cellular phone system which handles large volumes of information. The invention comprises a complex computer network for performing various tasks including data collection and processing, equipment inventory management, customer service, tactical surveillance, trend forecasting, modeling and other interrelated processes. The system incorporates state-of-the-art computer hardware and software into an engineering platform for providing a modular base to accommodate multiple applications as well as to ease integration of future applications.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system is described of the type wherein a plurality of contiguous cells, each having a different assigned set of transmission frequency channels, are arranged with handoff control for maintaining continuous communication with mobile telephones moving from cell to cell. The system allows multiple access by including assigning at least one of the frequencies in the assigned set of transmission frequencies to more than one mobile telephone. Three embodiments of the multiple access systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a frequency division multiple access is used. In a second embodiment, a time division multiple access is used. In a third embodiment, a code division multiple access is used.

Abstract: This invention is a multiple-frequency signal generator apparatus and method primarily for simulating a cell site interference environment for electromagnetic communications systems. The generator can produce a plurality of frequencies having a frequency-spacing of d cycles per second. The invention comprises a single frequency multiplier, at least three oscillators and two mixers for providing a multitude of frequencies closely spaced about a carrier frequency. The simple design and components avoid complexity and save costs.

Abstract: A piggy-back number and routing isolation method for cellular telephone switches. A cellular customer dials a *800xxxx number, wherein xxxx represents some combination of symbols of arbitrary length identifying a specific Third Party Advertiser (TPA). The switch uses the leading *800 portion of the dialed *800xxxx number as an access code to direct the call to a special trunk. The switch strips the leading *800 portion from the *800xxxx number and inserts in its place a dialing prefix before making a call through the special trunk. The number dialed by the switch out through the special trunk is the mobile phone number assigned to the TPA as a cellular customer. The special trunk "piggy-backs" the number translations and routing determinations because it is comprised of two ports of the single switch connected together in a "loop-back" manner, so that calls routed out the first port are received immediately by the same switch at the second port.

Abstract: A zoned microcell system with sector scanning for cellular telephone systems has a plurality of contiguous cells, each having a different assigned set of transmission frequency channels, arranged with handoff means for maintaining continuous communication with mobile telephones moving from cell to cell. The system includes at least one cell having a plurality of transmitting and receiving antenna sets. Each set is positioned at a respective antenna sub-site within the periphery of the cell at a suitable location, and is configured so that propagation and reception of signals is limited to a transmission zone which is substantially within the boundaries of the cell and which is substantially less in area than the cell. Control means monitor the strength of the signal received by each of the antenna sets at each frequency channel in the assigned set.

Abstract: A mobile communications system uses a communications satellite and a Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) and communicates with mobile units via the satellite. A cell site has a co-located cell site converter which converts satellite signals to signals for the MTSO and vice-versa. Remote converter sites communicate with the satellite and with the mobile units in given geographical areas. A single satellite link is sufficient for adequate RSA service. Frequency and phase differences among signals from the remote sites to the satellite are synchronized to avoid frequency- and phase-drift.

Abstract: An improved microcell system for cellular telephone systems has a plurality of contiguous cells wherein the cells are configured in a plurality of clusters with each cell in a cluster having a different assigned set of transmission frequencies. Each of the frequencies in an assigned set for a given cell is assignable to a given mobile telephone within the cell for all locations of the mobile telephone within the cell. Frequency handoff circuitry is provided for maintaining continuous communication with mobile telephones moving from cell to cell. Each of the cells is provided with a plurality of antennas each of which is arranged and configured to limit propagation of signals substantially to one of a plurality of regions within the boundaries of the cell, which regions are substantially less in area than the area of the cell.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system is described of the type wherein a plurality of contiguous cells, each having a different assigned set of transmission frequency channels, are arranged with handoff circuitry for maintaining continuous communication with mobile telephones moving from cell to cell. The system includes at least one cell having a plurality of transmitting and receiving antenna sets. Each set is positioned at a respective antenna sub-site at the perpihery of the cell or other suitable location, and is configured so that propagation and reception of signals is limited to substantially within the boundaries of the cell. Control circuitry monitor the strength of the signal received by each of the antenna sets at each frequency channel in the assigned set. Transmission, at each frequency channel in the assigned set, is confined to the antenna set at one sub-site in the cell having the strongest received signal at each frequency.

Abstract: A printed circuit which may be highly flexible in configuration and design includes at least one uniformly thick, planar circuit layer including a conductive circuit pattern and an insulating circuit pattern of a cured, flowable insulating material. The printed circuit may include multiple circuit layers that are selectively electrically connected to other layers and may provide circuit patterns, mechanically supportive insulator patterns and windows in almost any desired configuration. The printed circuit may be bonded to a substrate in a high thermal transfer configuration, implemented as a film carrier having plated conductors extending from the surface to receive directly pads of integrated circuit chips or used as a high strength, low coefficient of thermal expansion flexible cable.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing printed circuitry with sufficiently high resolution to permit line densities of at least 1 mil lines on 3 mil centers includes the steps of placing a thickness of dry film photoresist on a smooth, polished substrate or carrier optionally, applying a thin lubricating layer of spray wax to the exposed surface of the photoresist, wringing a mask defining a desired conductive circuit pattern into high integrity, intimate contact with the surface of the resist, exposing and developing the resist to remove the resist from the smooth surface in regions where the conductive circuit pattern is to be formed, electroplating the conductors within the voids formed in the resist; removing all remaining resist, laminating a flowable dielectric material to the smooth surface of the substrate and the conductive circuit pattern, and removing the laminate material and conductive circuit pattern from the smooth surface.