Abstract: A method and access terminal (AT) are provided for switching operation of the access terminal between a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) reverse-link mode and a non-MIMO reverse-link mode. The AT receives reverse activity bits (RABs) from one or more radio nodes via one or more forward-link channels. The AT determines a reverse-activity-indicator from the RABs and determines whether the reverse-activity-indicator indicates that reverse activity on a reverse-link being monitored by the AT or being used by the AT to carry out reverse-link communications exceeds a threshold level of activity. If the reverse-activity-indicator indicates that reverse activity exceeds the threshold level of activity, then the AT transitions to or continues operating in a MIMO reverse-link mode, otherwise, if the reverse-activity-indicator indicates that reverse activity does not exceed the threshold level of activity, then the AT transitions to or continues operating in a non-MIMO reverse-link mode.

Abstract: A mobile node and its home system generate synchronized time-based codes at periodic time intervals. Each time-based code is valid for a predetermined time period. To facilitate anonymous operation when roaming, the mobile node identifies itself with a coded identifier instead of a public identifier. The coded identifier used at a given time includes the time-based code that is valid for that given time. To authenticate the mobile node, a serving system receives authentication information from the mobile node and forwards the authentication information to a home system. The authentication information includes the current time-based code and a timestamp. The home system identifies the mobile node from the current time-based code and the timestamp. The home system then uses the authentication information to authenticate the mobile node.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed herein that may, among other benefits, help a mobile station to conserve power by intelligently determining how often to scan for incoming pages. An exemplary method may be carried out by a mobile station that has most-recently registered with a radio access network in a zone of last registration, and involves the mobile station (a) determining a location of the mobile station in relation to the zone of last registration, (b) using the location of the mobile station in relation to the zone of last registration as a basis for determining a scan period to wait between scans of the paging channel; and (c) periodically scanning the paging channel according to the determined scan period. Furthermore, an exemplary method may be carried out in order to conserve battery power when a mobile station determines that its battery power is low.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining the absence of a personal area network (PAN) device and for responsively presenting the time of the last detected presence of the PAN device. In an exemplary embodiment, a PAN device encounters a triggering event and responsively checks and determines that another PAN device is absent. Upon detecting the absence of the other PAN device (such as by detecting an absence of communication from the other PAN device), the exemplary PAN device presents via a user interface an indication of the time that it last detected presence of the other PAN device. By presenting the time of the last detected presence of the other PAN device, the user of the PAN device may be able to recall where he or she was at that time, which may help the user find the misplaced PAN device, hopefully at that location.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a coverage area in which a given mobile station should operate. The system will receive user ratings of call quality per coverage area. The system will then use the received user ratings as a basis to select a coverage area in which the given mobile station should operate. The system will then cause the given mobile station to operate in the selected coverage area. By using these user ratings as a basis to select a coverage area in which the given mobile station should operate, the system can help improve call quality overall for users, thus increasing user satisfaction with wireless performance.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for dynamic setpoint adjustment during extended frame decoding. In accordance with an example embodiment, upon determining that a frame transmission from an access terminal has not been successfully decoded during a nominal frame period, a base station will implement a gradual increase of the setpoint in small steps over the course of an extended decoding interval. Beginning at the nominal termination target of an nominal frame period that failed to yield a successfully decoded frame, the setpoint is increased in a series of intermediate setpoint steps during a corresponding series of successive, intermediate decoding intervals which add up to the total duration of the extended decoding interval. Decoding during intermediate decoding intervals continues until either the virtual termination target is reached or successful decoding, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: A radio access network (RAN) includes a plurality of reverse-link channel elements for receiving signals and a plurality of forward-link channel elements for transmitting signals. The RAN may detect a fault condition in a signal transmitted by a mobile station and received through a reverse-link channel element or in a signal transmitted through a forward-link channel element and received by a mobile station, for example, based on a frame error rate in the received signal exceeding a threshold. The RAN may determine whether a radio frequency (RF) condition accounts for the fault condition. If the RF condition does not account for the fault condition, the RAN may allocate a second channel element such that the signal is received or transmitted through two different channel elements. If the second channel element improves the quality of the received signal, the BTS may discontinue use of the first channel element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus and system for managing frequency use in a system where multiple air interface protocols are in use. When a wireless communication device (WCD) is operating under a particular air interface protocol on a particular frequency channel, the WCD detects a threshold signal under another air interface protocol, and the WCD responsively transitions from operating under the particular air interface protocol on the particular frequency channel to operating under the particular air interface protocol on a different frequency channel. The method may thereby help to reduce likelihood of interference.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for use of a trusted server such as an over-the-air provisioning server to facilitate mobile location determination. If a mobile location server (MLS) sends a location-determination message to a mobile station and does not receive a response back from the mobile station, there is a chance that the mobile station is not provisioned with a correct address of the MLS and that the mobile station therefore did not respond. To help jump start the location-determination process, the MLS may respond to that situation by instead causing a trusted server such as an over-the-air-service-provisioning (OTASP) server to send a location-determination message to the mobile station, triggering a response from the mobile station.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary methods and systems that may help determine when to make a rapid page attempt in a certain coverage area, before resorting to zone-based paging. An exemplary method involves: (a) at a radio access network, determining that a wireless communication device (WCD) should be paged; (b) responsive to determining that the WCD should be paged: (i) determining a last-known coverage area of the WCD, (ii) based at least in part on a WCD mobility indicator of the WCD and a coverage-area mobility indicator of the last-known coverage area, determining an overall mobility indicator, and (iii) using the overall mobility indicator as a basis for determining whether or not to make a rapid page attempt to the WCD; (c) if it is determined to make the rapid page attempt, then making the rapid page attempt in the last-known sector; and (d) otherwise, using a zone-based paging scheme to page the WCD.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for dynamic adjustment of extended frame decoding interval duration based on aggregate reverse-link error rate. In accordance with an example embodiment, upon determining that a frame transmission from an access terminal has not been successfully decoded during a nominal frame period, a base station will commence an extended decoding interval. The base station will also determine a duration for the extended decoding interval based on a measured an aggregate reverse-link error rate for transmissions from access terminals communicating with the base station. The base station will use the determined duration for the extended decoding interval. The determination will be made so as to increase the likelihood the extended decoding interval will result in a successful decoding of a frame of data.

Abstract: A dual-mode wireless communication device (WCD), capable of communicating via both Wifi and cellular technologies, registers with a Wifi access point. As part of the registration process, or at some point thereafter, the Wifi access point transmits a frequency at which a femtocell access point operates. Upon receiving this frequency, the WCD registers for cellular service with the femtocell access point. As a result, the WCD may be able to communicate simultaneously via both the Wifi access point and the femtocell access point.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for extending MIMO service in a wireless communications system. The system comprises a base station, a remote system, and a host system communicatively coupled to the base station and the remote system. The base station is configured to generate, from a baseband signal, a downlink signal comprising a plurality of downlink signal streams, including at least a first downlink signal stream and a second downlink signal stream. Accordingly, the base station may include a first and a second antenna that are configured to transmit the first and second downlink signal streams, respectively. The remote system provides wireless service in a remote coverage area. Further, the remote system is configured to transmit a downlink signal as a plurality of downlink signal streams. The host system is communicatively coupled to the base station and to the remote system and configured to relay the downlink signal streams from the base station to the remote system.

Abstract: A mobile station uses a search window to search for a target pilot signal transmitted by a target transmitter in a spread spectrum communication system. The search window may be centered on the expected phase of the target pilot signal at the mobile station. To calculate the expected phase, the mobile station estimates a transmission delay associated with the target pilot signal, based on at least the target transmitter's location and the mobile station's location. The transmission delay may account for the time it takes for the target pilot signal to propagate from the target transmitter to the mobile station. The expected phase of the target pilot signal may then be calculated based on at least a nominal phase of the target pilot signal (e.g., the phase when transmitted by the target transmitter) and the estimated transmission delay.

Abstract: Methods and devices for transmission of communications during a silence interval are described. A base station (BS) provides timing data to an access terminal (AT) and AT uses timing data to synchronize with BS to carry our silence and non-silence intervals for an RF air interface. AT attempts to initiate communications by transmitting an access probe (AP) to BS during a non-silence interval. Other ATs may transmit communications to BS during non-silence interval. If BS acknowledges AP during non-silence interval, AT does not transmit during a subsequent silence interval. If AP was for an emergency communication and BS does not acknowledge AP sent during non-silence interval, AT transmits another AP during the subsequent silence interval to initiate emergency communication. If AP was not for emergency communication, AT does not transmit AP during the subsequent silence interval. The other ATs do not transmit communications to BS during the subsequent silence interval.

Abstract: An originating mobile station seeks to establish a push-to-talk (PTT) communication session with a destination mobile station. To do this, the originating mobile station transmits a first request message that requests the PTT session. Before receiving a predefined indication that the requested PTT session has been accepted, the originating mobile station transmits a first continuation message that includes first session description information to facilitate establishment of the PTT session. A PTT server receives the first request message and, before receiving the first continuation message, transmits to the destination mobile station a second request message that requests the PTT session. The PTT server then transmits a second continuation message that includes second session description information. The destination mobile station receives the second request message and, before receiving the second continuation message, transmits an acceptance message indicating acceptance of the requested PTT session.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a radio access network (RAN) to select a wireless communication device (WCD) for handoff to a given sector are presented. In particular, the RAN may receive resource requests from a first WCD and a second WCD, both WCDs contending for a resource of the given sector. Based on the each WCD's active sets of sectors, the RAN may grant the resource to one of these WCDs. Preferably, the RAN grants the resource to the WCD that is more likely to benefit from use of the resource.

Abstract: During a call, a radio access network (RAN) may substantially simultaneous communicate with a wireless communication device (WCD) via multiple wireless coverage areas. The number of wireless coverage areas used for this substantially simultaneous communication may vary based on the call type. Thus, for instance, if the call type is a real-time call type, the RAN may use more wireless coverage areas when communicating with the WCD to improve the quality of the call. But, if the call type is a non-real-time call type, the RAN may use fewer wireless coverage areas when communicating with the WCD so that wireless resources are conserved.

Abstract: During an initial part of a communication session, a transmitting node transmits digital data over a first air interface channel to a receiving node, using a first data rate and a first level of repetition. A degradation in quality of the communication session is detected. During a subsequent part of the communication session, the transmitting node transmits digital data over the first air interface channel as before but also transmits the digital data over a second air interface channel, using a second data rate and a second level of repetition. The second data rate is higher than the first data rate, and the second level of repetition is higher than the first level of repetition. Thus, during a given transmission period, the transmitting node may transmit a voice frame once over the first air interface channel and N times over the second air interface channel.

Abstract: A method and system for vertical handoff of a mobile station from a first-protocol RAN to a second-protocol RAN. The method and system provide a make-before-break vertical handoff, by having the first-protocol RAN (i) acquire, on behalf of the mobile station, a traffic channel assignment defining one or more traffic channel parameters for air interface communication in the second-protocol RAN, and (ii) pass to the mobile station, via the first air interface protocol, the one or more traffic channel parameters so that the mobile station can then readily switch over to communication under the second-protocol RAN. Optimally, the acquisition and passing of the one or more second-protocol traffic channel parameters may occur without the mobile station having requested the handoff, without the mobile station having asked for the traffic channel assignment, and without the mobile station having yet begun communication with the second-protocol RAN.