Abstract: Systems and methods for acquiring wireless network performance data comprising a user equipment accessible via a wireless network, the user equipment comprising; a receiver, a transmitter, a first processor configured with software executable instructions to cause the user equipment to perform operations comprising; receiving a data acquisition signal via the receiver, sampling a wireless network signal received at the user equipment in response to receiving the data acquisition signal, generating acquired network data, and transmitting the acquired network data via the transmitter, a server accessible via the wireless network, the server comprising, a second processor configured with software executable instructions to cause the server to perform operations comprising; transmitting the data acquisition signal, receiving the acquired network data; and generating network performance data using the acquired network data.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the presence of interfering signals in a wireless environment. A programmable RF card is programmed to collect a wideband signal based upon user requested signals of interest. Collected signals are analyzed and the presence of specific interfering signals is determined. The interfering signals are then tracked and reported.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna is provided that operates in at least two non-harmonically related frequency bands. The antenna includes a ground plane, a cone-shaped relatively high frequency antenna element with a tip of the high frequency antenna disposed adjacent to but electrically isolated from the ground plane with a base of the cone-shaped antenna element extending away from the ground plane, and at least three relatively low frequency antenna elements electrically connected to and extending between the base of the cone-shaped antenna element and the ground plane.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna is provided that operates in non-harmonically related frequency bands. The antenna includes a primary antenna element for a first frequency band of the non-harmonically related bands, said primary antenna element extending perpendicularly from a ground plane, the primary antenna element electrically isolated from the ground plane, a plurality of secondary elements extending from the ground plane parallel to the primary antenna element and arranged in a circle around the primary antenna element, each of said plurality of secondary elements electrically isolated from the primary antenna element and ground plane and a plurality of antenna elements for a second frequency band of a higher relative frequency than the first frequency band, the plurality of high frequency antenna elements extending parallel to the primary and secondary antenna elements and disposed in a circle around the secondary antenna elements.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna is provided that operates in at least two non-harmonically related frequency bands. The antenna includes a low frequency antenna for a relatively low frequency band of the at least two non-harmonically related frequency bands extending on a proximal end from a ground plane along a predominant axis and electrically isolated from the ground plane and a cone-shaped relatively high frequency antenna for a relatively high frequency band of the at least two non-harmonically related frequency bands disposed on and electrically connected to the proximal end of the low frequency antenna with an apex of the high frequency antenna disposed adjacent the ground plane coincident with the proximal end of the low frequency antenna and a base extending away from the ground plane coaxial with the predominant axis.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna is provided that operates in at least two non-harmonically related frequency bands. The antenna includes a ground plane, a cone-shaped relatively high frequency antenna element with a tip of the high frequency antenna disposed adjacent to but electrically isolated from the ground plane with a base of the cone-shaped antenna element extending away from the ground plane, and at least three relatively low frequency antenna elements electrically connected to and extending between the base of the cone-shaped antenna element and the ground plane.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna is provided that operates in at least two non-harmonically related frequency bands. The antenna includes a low frequency antenna for a relatively low frequency band of the at least two non-harmonically related frequency bands extending on a proximal end from a ground plane along a predominant axis and electrically isolated from the ground plane and a cone-shaped relatively high frequency antenna for a relatively high frequency band of the at least two non-harmonically related frequency bands disposed on and electrically connected to the proximal end of the low frequency antenna with an apex of the high frequency antenna disposed adjacent the ground plane coincident with the proximal end of the low frequency antenna and a base extending away from the ground plane coaxial with the predominant axis.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna is provided that operates in non-harmonically related frequency bands. The antenna includes a primary antenna element for a first frequency band of the non-harmonically related bands, said primary antenna element extending perpendicularly from a ground plane, the primary antenna element electrically isolated from the ground plane, a plurality of secondary elements extending from the ground plane parallel to the primary antenna element and arranged in a circle around the primary antenna element, each of said plurality of secondary elements electrically isolated from the primary antenna element and ground plane and a plurality of antenna elements for a second frequency band of a higher relative frequency than the first frequency band, the plurality of high frequency antenna elements extending parallel to the primary and secondary antenna elements and disposed in a circle around the secondary antenna elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for processing wireless signals collected from a plurality of cellular base stations by a plurality of drive test units of a drive test system The method includes the steps of a first process within at least one of the plurality of drive test units processing and storing wireless signal samples in real time to identify and measure signals from the plurality of cellular base stations, the first process forming a target list of signals that could be identified and measured, a second process that processes the signals in near real time and a third process that processes signal offline. The first, second and third processes may share information irrespective of where executed, whether executed on a single drives test unit or multiple drive test units.

Abstract: A method for the seamless switching of a wireless device between wireless wide area networks (WWANs) and wireless local area networks (WLANS) includes automatically detecting the available WWANs and WLANs, selecting one of the available networks for use by the wireless device, and connecting the wireless device to the selected network. The method also includes maintaining the network connection by monitoring the connection and, upon determining that the connection has been lost, selecting another available network for use and connecting the wireless device the other network. Additionally, the method communicates information about the availability networks and connection status to a user of the wireless device, which allows the user to manually switch the wireless device connection from the automatically selected available network to another available network. Further, a wireless device implements the above described method.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for implementing an algorithm for N-symbol noncoherent processing of M-ary DPSK signals in a pilotless, wireless system is provided. The algorithm is carried out with (N?1) recurrent steps (iterations) plus a decision step. Each iterative step includes simple trigonometrical transformation of quadrature components of the current symbol and summation of the transforms with results of the previous step. A final N-symbol decision regarding the current transmitted symbol corresponds to the vector of maximum length, calculated after the (N?1)-th step of the iterative procedure. The general algorithm is optionally implemented with one or more intersymbol processors, one or more memory blocks for saving results of the intersymbol processors, and a decision block. In addition, shift registers for quadrature components of the received signal may be utilized.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for demapping a received wireless signal. The wireless signal includes signal-bearing data without accompanying pilot signals, and demapping is accomplished by extracting information from the signal-bearing data by reducing and averaging differential quadrature components or quadrature components of the received signal. Two embodiments are provided for the demapping procedure within a phase tracking loop.

Abstract: An improved apparatus (and corresponding methodology) for discovering beacon signals in a spread spectrum radio communication system is provided, wherein the beacon signals comprise a plurality of different code sequences having index values assigned thereto and having portions that overlap one another. Correlation is performed over an extended search window. Ambiguities between correlation peaks are resolved by identifying correlation peak pairs corresponding to overlapping code sequences and having time offsets that fall within a predetermined tolerance window. Each pair is analyzed to identify the peak with a lower power level metric, and information pertaining to this lower power level peak is discarded from output and processing operations that follow therefrom.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for equalizing a received multicarrier wireless telecommunications data signal. The wireless signal includes data without accompanying pilot signals, and equalization is accomplished by extracting information from the data, by processing the information in order to obtain equalization indications, and by equalizing the multicarrier wireless telecommunications data signal by modifying indications of the wireless telecommunications data signal using the equalization indications.

Abstract: A methodology and apparatus for measurement and identification of co-channel interferers in a GSM cellular wireless communication network is provided as part of a network survey (e.g., drive test). Repetitive time-of-arrival measurements of detected FCCH bursts on a given frequency channel are made in conjunction with power level and C/I ratio measurements of such FCCH bursts. Successful FCCH burst detection triggers SCH detection/decoding and successful SCH decoding triggers BCCH detection/decoding. Successfully decoded SCH BSIC data and possibly BCCH CellId data is associated with the corresponding FCCH burst information based on their time-of-arrival. This association is possible even with the FCCH bursts for which SCH and BCCH decoding was not successful due to the interference or some other impairment. It is sufficient to successfully decode SCH/BCCH only once per cell during the network survey in order for all detected FCCH bursts coming from this cell to be properly assigned to it.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for mode assignment and mode adaptation to channel conditions are provided which are based on estimations of real signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for each frequency carrier bearing information during a data transmission session. The invention utilizes two principal procedures: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation, and a corresponding mode assignment. SNR estimation is obtained by an averaging of squared Euclidean distances between normalized received signals and reference signals corresponding to either current hard decisions from the output of a demodulator or soft decisions provided by a decoder, for each frequency carrier bearing random information. Using the SNR estimations, various algorithms for determining mode assignment are provided.

Abstract: A method for the seamless switching of a wireless device between wireless wide area networks (WWANs) and wireless local area networks (WLANs) includes automatically detecting the available WWANs and WLANs, selecting one of the available networks for use by the wireless device, and connecting the wireless device to the selected network. The method also includes maintaining the network connection by monitoring the connection and, upon determining that the connection has been lost, selecting a another available network for use and connecting the wireless device the other network. Additionally, the method communicates information about the availability networks and connection status to a user of the wireless device, which allows the user to manually switch the wireless device connection from the automatically selected available network to another available network. Further, a wireless device implements the above described method.

Abstract: A pulse code modulation (PCM) modem system employs a relatively white training signal to optimize the adaptive filter coefficients in the receiver equalizers. During the training mode, any line coding or equivalent spectral shaping is disabled to provide a training signal sequence having a substantially even spectral content. The presence of DC within the training signal reduces the likelihood that the error function of the equalizers will settle at a local minimum. Following the training interval, the encoder enables the line coder to condition the digital input sequences, introduce DC nulls, and reduce the detrimental effects of baseline wander.

Abstract: Optimization of a cellular network is facilitated by an apparatus that performs drive test measurements of a cellular network to identify co-channel interference. The co-channel interference is identified by measuring the signal strengths at various locations within a cell sector and analyzing the recorded information. A key aspect of the invention is synthesizing the received signals to identify the cellular transmitters originating the signals. If signal energy is detected from more than one cellular transmitter on a single frequency, the co-channel interference is identified. This process is particular well suited within a GSM cellular system by detecting the transmission of forward control channel messages and using the information within the forward control channel messages to identify the origination cellular transmitters.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for identifying co-channel interference in a radio network. In an exemplary method according to the present invention, a first stream of transmission data having a first received signal frequency at a first reception location for a first period of time is received. Further, the first signal frequency of the first stream of transmission data is identified. Then the transmission data is correlated against a signal template to identify a first FCCH burst frame. Then, first FCCH time data corresponding to the first FCCH burst frame is identified and the signal frequency of the first stream of transmission data and the first FCCH time data is compared to a reference file to determine one or more probable transmission cells.