Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of adjusting a reference level for uplink signal power for use in a dynamic power control system with satellite-based measurements in a satellite communications system. The uplink signal power for a plurality of received uplink signals is measured and combined to determine whether a signal power reference level requires adjustment. The signal powers of a plurality of uplink signals are measured at the satellite and the received signals are validated to ensure the signals are acceptable for use in adjusting the reference level. The valid signals are used to calculate an average signal power of the measured uplink signal powers, with the calculated average being compared to the current value of the reference level. Based on the comparison, the reference level either retains the current value or is reset to an adjusted value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the transmit power of a plurality of mobile radio units transmitting to a base station in a mobile radio telephone system. For each of the mobile units in the system, a signal strength estimate is measured at the base station based on reverse link signals sent from the mobile units and received at the base station, wherein each signal strength estimate is associated with one of the mobile units. The signal strength estimate associated with each mobile unit is compared to a threshold. Next, for each mobile unit in the plurality of mobile units, if the signal strength estimate associated with the mobile unit is greater than the threshold, then a power control bit having a first value is assigned to the mobile unit; conversely, if the signal strength estimate associated with the mobile unit is less than the threshold, then a power control bit having a second value is assigned to the mobile unit.

Abstract: A hierarchically structured cellular network is disclosed. When an active mobile station requests a service that requires the use of a network resource not available in the cell handling the ongoing call (or, alternatively, during call set up), the network checks for cells on the higher levels to determine if the required resource is available. If the resource is available in a higher level cell, the call is handed over to that cell and the resource is allocated to the call. The call can be maintained in the higher level cell until the resource is no longer needed, or a “better” cell capable of providing the required resource is found.

Abstract: The invention provides a broadband double-balanced mixer capable of operating across a range of frequencies from millimeter to microwave. The mixer includes a Wilkinson type splitter.

Abstract: An idle handoff controlling method effectively reduces the number of idle handoff processes in a cellular communication system. In the method, a first pilot channel having the strongest strength transmitted from one of a plurality of base stations as an active base station is searched and a strength of the first pilot channel is measured. A variable threshold value based on the first pilot channel strength is calculated. A paging channel having a neighbor list having a plurality of neighbor base stations is monitored in synchronization with the first pilot channel. A strength of a second pilot signal transmitted from one of the plurality of neighbor base stations is measured. The first pilot channel strength from the second pilot channel strength is subtracted to obtain a strength difference. It is judged whether the strength difference is greater than the variable threshold value. Performance of an idle handoff according to the judgement result is controlled.

Abstract: A wireless communication terminal is configured for enabling a user to receive and transmit video images as well as receive and transmit audio or speech signals associated with the user of the terminal and another user at, for example, a remote location. The received video image is obtained from a video image signal received over a radio frequency communications link established between the wireless communication terminal and a cellular base station. This received video image is displayed in a video image display conveniently associated with the wireless communication terminal. The transmitted video image signal may be that of the user of the terminal, of a scene within the field of view of the video camera or of text either coupled to the terminal through one of many well known data interfaces, or an image of text as captured by the camera.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the communication coverage in a multi-cell communication system (100) which employs neighbor cell lists. A cell site (114) provides a communication unit (128) within its cell (112) with communication and a neighbor cell list. The neighbor cell list (200) informs the communication unit of other cells which are possible hand-off targets. When the fixed network equipment (FNE) detects that a particular communication unit (128) has entered another cell and/or needs to hand-off its communication to another cell site but has been denied, the cell site (114) sends the communication unit the neighbor cell list related to the new cell. With a new neighbor cell list (300), the communication unit (128) can now attempt to maintain its communication by handing-off to cells unknown before. In this manner the effective communication coverage of the system is improved.

Abstract: Weighting coefficients for a phased array antenna are iteratively refined to optimal values by a ‘bootstrapped’ process that starts with a coarse set of weighting coefficients, to which received signals are subjected, to produce a first set of signal estimates. These estimates and the received signals are iteratively processed a prescribed number of times to refine the weighting coefficients, such that the gain and/or nulls of antenna's directivity pattern will maximize the signal to noise ratio. Such improved functionality is particularly useful in association with the phased array antenna of a base station of a time division multiple access (TDMA) cellular communication system, where it is necessary to cancel interference from co-channel users located in cells adjacent to the cell containing a desired user and the base station.

Abstract: A base station (106) is connected to several communication servers (114, 116, 118) by a corresponding number of communication links (128). Should one or more of the connections fail, the base station comprises a base mobile radio (210) for scanning one or more neighbor cells (108-113) to determine their current service status. The neighbor cells have overlapping coverage with serving cell, but on different frequencies. The base station broadcasts a fault message along with the updated neighbor cell information to mobile stations (102), allowing the mobile stations to choose the most appropriate cell for the desired communication activity.

Abstract: A message processing center (140) is used in a global message delivery system. Message processing center (140) uses at least one GEO satellite (130) and at least one Non-GEO satellite (120) to delivers messages (pages) to a number of ground stations (110) located at various locations on the surface of the earth. Message processing center (140) determines loading for at least one GEO satellite (130) and at least one Non-GEO satellite (120). Message processing center (140) determines available capacity for at least one GEO satellite (130) and at least one Non-GEO satellite (120). Message processing center (140) uses a number of criteria to optimize the delivery of the message data.

Abstract: The invention discloses a base station and various mobiles. At least one of the mobiles may also be connected to another system including a base station. This mobile has a list of all the systems to which it may be connected. In an advantageous manner, this list may be updated automatically.

Abstract: Communication units (107 and 109) are distinguished between preferred units and non-preferred units. The same message content is transmitted (207) to the preferred units at a preferred quality, such as at a preferred transmission rate, and to the non-preferred units (209) at a non-preferred rate, such as one-half the preferred transmission rate. The bandwidth saved can be reallocated for other messages, thereby resulting in a more efficient use of resources for a dispatch call.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for maintaining a selected QoS (quality of service) level of communications by a mobile station as the mobile station travels throughout an area encompassed by a radio communication system. Subscriber QoS classes are defined. One of the QoS classes is selected pursuant to a service subscription permitting the mobile station to communicate in the radio communication system. The selected QoS class is stored at a service subscription register. During communications with the mobile station, resources are reserved for use by the mobile station at a level corresponding to the selected QoS class.

Abstract: A method for setting up a link for a call in a narrowband cellular communication system (100) includes, in a selective call radio (106), determining a transmitter identity and a signal quality (310, 315) of a strongest monitoring channel of a set of N monitoring channels, each of which has propagation characteristics that closely represent propagation characteristics of one of N groups of channels, and transmitting a report (330) of the transmitter identity and a signal quality of the strongest monitoring channel; and includes, in a system controller, receiving the report (405), choosing an available outbound resource (425, 430) in a first group of the N groups of channels, wherein the first group includes the strongest monitoring channel, and establishing the call (555) using the chosen available outbound resource at a bit rate that is a highest bit rate that is compatible with the signal quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the reception of radio signals transmitted by an RDS system provide the selection and reception of a first frequency; the selection, during the reception of the first frequency, of a second frequency, different from the first frequency and not included in the AF list of frequencies alternative to the first frequency; and the switching of the reception between the first and second frequency upon comparison of RDS data relative to the second frequency with previously stored RDS data.

Abstract: A wideband multiple channel frequency converter includes a mixer, a frequency generator for generating a local oscillator signal, a power divider for receiving the local oscillator signal and providing a portion of the signal to the mixer and a portion of the signal to a feed forward path which phase and amplitude adjusts the signal and a power combiner for receiving and combining a signal from the mixer and the phase and amplitude adjusted signal from the feed forward path. In addition, an attenuator may be implemented to reduce a power level of a signal to be converted and a band-pass filter may receive the signal from the power combiner. The converter compensates for local oscillator signal leakage and can reduce inter-modulation components.

Abstract: A method and system for assigning multiple wireless communication channels in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless local loop system that utilizes unique embedded concentrated access and embedded data access in a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) is described. The method and system provides for removing a number of channels, called a bank, from a larger pool of channels. The removed bank of channels are then assigned in ways to provide subscribers with both voice and digital data service. The system is designed to support POTS (Plain Old Telephone), ISDN, and direct data service in a point to multi-point configuration. The system is inherently flexible so as to provide Enhanced Bandwidth and quality of service (QOS) via CDMA. Channel concatenation (multi-code modulation) provides a multiplicity of channels. The system utilizes frequency division duplex (FDD) operation so as to double capacity.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile terminal having a subscriber identity is provided which uses knowledge of communications network supported service levels to navigate to a communication mode allowing the greatest possible service availability when the subscriber identity in at least one of the network modes is invalid. The mobile terminal may not only provide the ability to switch communication service from a current mode to an alternative mode to process emergency calls but may also restrict user operations on a communications network based on the services available without a valid subscriber identity. Operations of the mobile terminal invention may be supported by service level information on various communication service providers contained in memory within the mobile terminal or be obtained by the mobile terminal from the networks.

Abstract: A device and method for digitizing a RSSI signal in a wireless transmission system is disclosed, which comprises a micro-controller having a ring counter and a controller, a low-pass filter, and a comparator. To start a digitization process, the controller gradually increases a numeric control signal to control a ring counter to generate a square wave with different duty cycle. Subsequently, the square wave is filtered by a low-pass filter to obtain a DC threshold voltage. If the threshold voltage is larger than the RSSI voltage, the digitization process is complete and the final numeric control signal represents the digitized RSSI signal.

Abstract: A communication unit (200) employs a method and apparatus for increasing an output impedance of a transmit amplifier during a receive mode of the communication unit. The communication unit includes a transmit amplifier, an antenna (209), and a signal receiver (211), and is operable in at least a transmit mode and a receive mode. During the transmit mode, the transmit amplifier, which includes an amplifying device (201), amplifies an input signal (221) and provides the amplified signal (233) to the antenna for transmission. During the receive mode, the antenna receives signals and provides the received signals to the signal receiver. To mitigate the transmit amplifier's effect on the received signals during the receive mode, the communication unit, during the receive mode, couples the transmit amplifier to the antenna and applies a bias (225) to the amplifying device to increase the output impedance (Z.sub.