Abstract: High aspect ratio features are formed in a substrate using etching and deposition processes. A partially etched feature is formed by exposure to plasma in a plasma etch chamber. A metal-based liner is subsequently deposited in the partially etched feature using the same plasma etch chamber. The metal-based liner is robust and prevents lateral etch in subsequent etching operations. The metal-based liner may be deposited at temperatures or pressures comparable to temperatures or pressures for etch processes. The metal-based liner may be localized in certain portions of the partially etched feature. Etching proceeds within the feature after deposition without lateral etching in regions where the metal-based liner is deposited.

Abstract: A method for controlling a critical dimension of a mask layer is described. The method includes receiving a first primary parameter level, a second primary parameter level, a first secondary parameter level, a second secondary parameter level, and a third secondary parameter level. The method also includes generating a primary signal having the first primary parameter level, and transitioning the primary signal from the first primary parameter level to the second primary parameter level. The method further includes generating a secondary radio frequency (RF) signal having the first secondary parameter level, and transitioning the secondary RF signal from the first secondary parameter level to the second secondary parameter level. The method includes transitioning the secondary RF signal from the second secondary parameter level to the third secondary parameter level.

Abstract: In providing a wireless location communication service including a location based service to a user of a mobile device, the mobile device sends information concerning a location of the device relative to a given position in a wireless communication system. The given position may be that of a base station in the system. First information concerning a location of the base station (e.g, GPS information) is communicated to the mobile device, e.g., via broadcast. The mobile device determines second information concerning its location, e.g., based on signals from GPS satellites received thereby. The mobile device then generates relative location information based at least on the first and second information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a messaging system that provides additional information to a user device after determining the content of at least some of a message. The messaging system includes a speech to X conversion module which retrieves the additional information based on the content. An input-output module then transmits the message and the additional information to the user device.

Abstract: A self-organizing network (SON) capability is provided. A SON may be configured by building intelligence and automation into the network to enable network operators to address various challenges associated with operation of the network. A SON may include one or more of a self-configuration function, a physical cell identifier (PCI) configuration function, a neighbor relationship management function, an energy savings function, a cell outage function, a cellular coverage function, a handoff function, a load-balancing function, an Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) function, a Random Access Channel (RACH) function, a capacity function, or the like. A SON provides a network operator with a path to increase network performance with less effort, enables reductions in Operating Expenditure (OPEX), enables relatively rapid adaptation to network conditions, enables increases in network quality, and so forth.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for determining an expenditure associated with a network. A method includes obtaining network information associated with a portion of a network, categorizing each of a respective plurality of cells as one of an aggregated cell and a non-aggregated cell, determining an aggregating node configuration for at least one aggregating node associated with at least one base station associated with an aggregated cell, determining a deaggregating node configuration for at least one deaggregating node associated with at least one of the at least one aggregating node, and determining the expenditure according to at least one of the aggregating node configuration and the deaggregating node configuration. The categorization of cells is performed using the network information.

Abstract: A self-organizing network (SON) capability is provided. A SON may be configured by building intelligence and automation into the network to enable network operators to address various challenges associated with operation of the network. A SON may include one or more of a self-configuration function, a physical cell identifier (PCI) configuration function, a neighbor relationship management function, an energy savings function, a cell outage function, a cellular coverage function, a handoff function, a load-balancing function, an Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) function, a Random Access Channel (RACH) function, a capacity function, or the like. A SON provides a network operator with a path to increase network performance with less effort, enables reductions in Operating Expenditure (OPEX), enables relatively rapid adaptation to network conditions, enables increases in network quality, and so forth.

Abstract: In providing a wireless location communication service including a location based service to a user of a mobile device, the mobile device sends information concerning a location of the device relative to a given position in a wireless communication system. The given position may be that of a base station in the system. First information concerning a location of the base station (e.g, GPS information) is communicated to the mobile device, e.g., via broadcast. The mobile device determines second information concerning its location, e.g., based on signals from GPS satellites received thereby. The mobile device then generates relative location information based at least on the first and second information.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide a general approach to wireless coverage gap detection. One general approach involves network equipment comparing (101) a current wireless service map to a historical wireless service map, where the current wireless service map and the historical wireless service map correspond to the same wireless coverage area. If a difference in wireless service between the current wireless service map and the historical wireless service map exceeds a threshold, a potential wireless coverage problem is reported (102). Such an approach may be able to detect network performance problems related to antenna misalignment/malfunction in an effort to minimize the service interruption to subscribers.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide a general approach to wireless outage recovery. One general approach involves network equipment detecting (101) an outage condition for a wireless coverage area. In response to detecting the outage condition, the network equipment adjusts (102) a tilt setting of an antenna at a wireless node having a neighboring wireless coverage area. The wireless node then provides (103) wireless service to at least a portion of the wireless coverage area to mitigate the outage condition. Ideally, the wireless node provides wireless service to one or more areas of high traffic density within the outage area.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for determining an expenditure associated with a network. A method includes obtaining network information associated with a portion of a network, categorizing each of a respective plurality of cells as one of an aggregated cell and a non-aggregated cell, determining an aggregating node configuration for at least one aggregating node associated with at least one base station associated with an aggregated cell, determining a deaggregating node configuration for at least one deaggregating node associated with at least one of the at least one aggregating node, and determining the expenditure according to at least one of the aggregating node configuration and the deaggregating node configuration. The categorization of cells is performed using the network information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a messaging system that provides additional information to a user device after determining the content of at least some of a message. The messaging system includes a speech to X conversion module which retrieves the additional information based on the content. An input-output module then transmits the message and the additional information to the user device.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for determining an expenditure associated with a network. A method includes obtaining network information associated with a portion of a network, categorizing each of a respective plurality of cells as one of an aggregated cell and a non-aggregated cell, determining an aggregating node configuration for at least one aggregating node associated with at least one base station associated with an aggregated cell, determining a deaggregating node configuration for at least one deaggregating node associated with at least one of the at least one aggregating node, and determining the expenditure according to at least one of the aggregating node configuration and the deaggregating node configuration. The categorization of cells is performed using the network information.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for determining an expenditure associated with a network. A method includes obtaining network information associated with a portion of a network, categorizing each of a respective plurality of cells as one of an aggregated cell and a non-aggregated cell, determining an aggregating node configuration for at least one aggregating node associated with at least one base station associated with an aggregated cell, determining a deaggregating node configuration for at least one deaggregating node associated with at least one of the at least one aggregating node, and determining the expenditure according to at least one of the aggregating node configuration and the deaggregating node configuration. The categorization of cells is performed using the network information.