Abstract: A satellite packet communications system comprises a number of ground-based sectors serviced via satellite communications nodes in polar orbits. Each sector is provided with an address incorporating a binary Gray code. Routing of a packet arriving at a satellite node and addressed to a particular sector is determined from the Grey code in the packet header. A comparison is performed between the packet address and an address stored in the node, the number and bit position of the difference between the nodes being used to determine the direction in which that packet should be routed.

Abstract: An antenna coupler (400, 500, 802) is provided for coupling a radio telecommunication device (301) with an integral planar antenna to an external device (801). The integral planar antenna of the radio telecommunication device comprises a first planar conductive antenna element (306). The antenna coupler comprises a second planar conductive antenna element (401, 501) which is essentially similar to the first planar conductive antenna element, a first conductive ground plane (403) parallel to the second planar conductive antenna element and transmission apparatus (404) for conducting a radio frequency signal between the second planar conductive antenna element and the external device.

Abstract: A satellite communication system includes a constellation of non-geostationary orbiting satellites following a fixed ground track on the earth, and ground terminals having substantially continuous visibility to at least one of the satellites in a single ground track. Each of the satellites in the constellation follows a single substantially linear track across the sky when observed from the earth. In a preferred embodiment, the system can also include ground terminals which have an antenna with a single axis of scanning motion. In this embodiment, satellites have repeating ground tracks wherein a satellite completes n orbital revolutions each time the earth rotates through 360 degrees, wherein n is an integer between 2 and 15, inclusive.

Abstract: Sectorization methods and apparatus provide full time and spectral coverage in wireless communications systems employing frequency-time division duplex formats. According to exemplary embodiments, a number of base stations are strategically positioned and configured using frequency-division duplex transceivers of different time-reference type so that a duplex link can be set up anywhere within the system coverage area during any available system time slot. Advantageously, the disclosed methods provide a high degree of adjacent sector interference immunity with relatively little hardware complexity.

Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) communications system (20) includes a first TDMA platform (22) for transmitting a call (32) over a circuit switched communication link (36) to a second TDMA platform (24). The call (32) exhibits a first signal type (84) and second signal type (86). A controller (42) establishes a capacity allocation (200) responsive to the first signal type (84) for the communication link (36). When the call (32) exhibits the first signal type (84), the first TDMA platform (22) transmits first packets (111) of the call (32) in a first packet format (113) using the capacity allocation (200), and when the call (32) exhibits the second signal type (86), the first TDMA platform (22) transmits second packets (140) of the call (32) in a second packet format (139) using the capacity allocation (200).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to perform a signaling protocol between a base station and a remote handset of a digital cordless telephone to simplify the digital cordless telephone. A pseudo-noise (PN) code correlation detector of a direct sequence spread spectrum (DS/SS) module, included in a base station and a remote handset, detects an inverted correlation state in a received digital signal when an strong inverted direct current (DC) content is sensed in the received digital signal. This is indicative that an inverted code sequence was sent in the received digital signal. By pulse-keying the inverted correlation state, commands may be encoded to implement a simplified cordless signaling protocol. For the base station, the two commands encoded are a ‘Flash’ and a ‘On-hook/Off-hook’ toggle. For the remote handset, the two command encoded are a ‘Ring’ and a ‘Page/Find’.

Abstract: A satellite payload processing system for processing an uplink signal consisting of a plurality of single-channel-per-carrier, frequency division multiple access carriers comprises a polyphase demultiplexer processor for separating the uplink signal into a time division multiplexed data stream of symbols. The polyphase demultiplexer processor presents the symbols corresponding to each of a plurality of carriers at respective ones of the frequencies in the uplink signal sequentially to an output of the polyphase demultiplexer processor. A phase shift keying demodulator and differential decoder demodulates the stream of symbols into corresponding time division multiplexed stream of digital baseband bits, which are then rate-aligned with respect to an on-board clock.

Abstract: A handoff method in a cellular network for switching from an old base transceiver station (BTS) to a target BTS in an uninterrupted manner is provided according to the invention. The method includes the steps of determining the target BTS, establishing communication between the mobile station and the target BTS, wherein the mobile station receives communications continuously from both the old BTS and the target BTS, and terminating the transmission to the old BTS. The terminating step does not occur until after establishing communication between the mobile station and the target BTS.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the restriction on traffic in a mobile communication system enabling an efficient mobile communication system with little wasted processing, wherein the apparatus for controlling the restriction on traffic includes a report unit provided in a mobile communication switching center for reporting a processing state indicating a congested state or a normal state to a management center in advance; a management unit provided in the management center for managing the processing states of each mobile communication switching center based on the reports of the processing states; a notifying unit provided in the management center for investigating by the management unit the processing state of a destination mobile communication switching center in response to a request, from a gateway mobile switching center, for a location of a destination to be connected to a call and notifying the gateway mobile switching center that the processing state is a congested state when in a congested

Abstract: A wireless terminal includes a line interface which is connectable to a modem of an external apparatus. A controller of the wireless terminal is connected to the line interface. In response to connection of the wireless terminal to the modem, the controller switches the wireless terminal from a telephony mode into a transparent transmission mode for transmitting signals received from the modem to a communication network via an air interface.

Abstract: A geographical web browser allows a user to navigate a network application such as the Word Wide Web by physically navigating in geographical coordinates. For example, a geographical web browser is implemented in a mobile unit such as a dashboard computer. The mobile unit includes one or more transducers such as antennas and is operative to receive locally broadcast signals or to operate a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. As the mobile unit navigates into different physical localities, different web pages are displayed by the geographical web browser. For example, a user desiring to buy a house can set the web browser to a real estate web page. Instead of clicking on a hyperlink to access web pages of properties in an area, the user drives into a first area and automatically receives web pages relating to homes in that area. When the mobile unit crosses town and enters a second area, a new set of web pages is downloaded relating to properties in the second area.

Abstract: A method for setting the timer of a mobile telephone and a mobile telephone employing the method wherein a volume control button is used to control both a timer setting operation of the mobile telephone as well as the volume of the mobile telephone. When the volume control button is pressed on the mobile telephone, it is determined whether a predetermined amount of time has passed before the volume control button is then released. If the volume control button is held down for at least the predetermined amount of time, the mobile telephone enters a timer setting mode in which a time is entered for activating an alarm. If, on the other hand, the volume control button is pressed and released before the predetermined amount of time has passed, the mobile telephone enters a volume control mode in which the relative strength of the audible signals is controlled.

Abstract: A system that tracks and monitors a vehicle by utilizing cellular communication componentry and global positioning system componentry is disclosed. The system provides for simultaneous and continuous transmission of a voice signal and location data to a monitoring center. The monitoring center comprises componentry to communicate with the vehicle and determine the vehicle's location on a digitized map using a computer.

Abstract: A multi-band transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals within selected GSM frequency bands. Transmission and reception occurs simultaneously and within the same time slot of a TDMA frame. The transceiver includes a first local oscillator LO1 that selectively oscillates within a bandwidth corresponding to the selected GSM band and outputs a signal having a frequency fLO1. A second local oscillator LO2 selectively oscillates at a frequency corresponding to the selected GSM band and outputs a signal having a frequency fLO2. A receiver receives a signal having a frequency fRx and mixes the signals from the first and second local oscillators to generate a demodulating signal having a frequency fRx, wherein fRx=fLO1±fLO2.

Abstract: A low cost wireless multi-band communications device automatically adapts itself to a signal received from a particular system. On the basis of a bandwidth determination of the received signal, a sampling bandwidth and/or sampling time is selected and/or derived for down mixing the received signals. Improved noise immunity is provided via a band limiting of the sampling means. An adaptive filter is coupled to the output of the sampling means and is adjusted in to obtain a satisfactory level of adjacent channel interference rejection.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes an integrated antenna assembly that provides signals associated with multiple functions to the wireless communications device. The integrated antenna assembly includes an integrated antenna housing coupled to a radiotelephone housing and multiple antennas. The integrated antenna housing can include a first antenna that provides GPS signal reception for a GPS receiver and a second antenna that provides communications signals to and from a radiotelephone processor in the radiotelephone housing. The first and second antennas can be mounted on an antenna backing having a first face and a second face. The first and second antennas may be located on the same face of the antenna backing or on opposite faces of the antenna backing. The integrated antenna assembly also can include a third antenna located between the first and second antennas.

Abstract: In a cordless telecommunications system with assured interoperability of cordless telecommunications applications, in particular a GAP-specific DECT system, having a cordless base station and having cordless mobile parts which are capable of telecommunication with the cordless base station via a radio interface wherein the number of mobile points exceeds the number of telecommunications channels which are available in parallel at the cordless base station, collective/group calls being possible while the interoperability of the cordless telecommunications applications remains ensured, mixed operation is implemented including a connection-based virtual-collective/group call and a connectionless collective/group call.

Abstract: A handoff control system for performing handoff processing for a terminal that moves across cells of base stations while performing speech communication includes a measuring section, a calculating section, a queue storage section, a request processing section, and a queue control section. The measuring section periodically measures the reception signal strength in the terminal. The calculation section calculates the relative change amount of reception signal strength at measurement time intervals on the basis of the measurement result. The queue storage section stores queues to which priories based on relative change amounts of reception signal strength are assigned. When the terminal generates a handoff request, the request processing section distributes a call from the terminal to one of the queues on the basis of the relative change amount of reception signal strength in the terminal.

Abstract: A rescue transceiver apparatus for transmitting a signal to and receiving a signal from another rescue transceiver apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing and a radio signal transmitter for the transmission of a radio signal in a transmitting mode with a first predetermined frequency with the radio signal transmitter being mounted within the housing. A receiver is provided for selectively receiving the first predetermined frequency from the radio signal transmitter in a receiving mode. The receiver comprises a first antenna mounted completely within the housing, a second antenna mounted completely within the housing with the second antenna being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first antenna, and a virtual third antenna mounted completely within the housing with the virtual third antenna being derived from phase information generated by the first antenna and the second antenna.

Abstract: A channel selection apparatus for sorting broadcast signals detects parity errors of plural broadcast signals transmitted from the same broadcasting station. The tuned frequency of the broadcast signal is shifted from the frequency of a normal broadcast signal by a predetermined value. As a result, field intensity of the broadcast signal correlates more closely with a parity error rate. The channel selection apparatus thus can sort broadcast signals in the order of fewer error rates and assign them to tuning buttons in the order of easier selecting operation.