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: What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless communication device. The method includes receiving home wireless access to communication services over a first wireless communication mode from a home wireless access node associated with a first wireless system identifier, and determining availability of roaming wireless access over a second wireless communication mode from a roaming wireless access node. The method also includes processing the first wireless system identifier to determine a first geographic group associated with the home wireless access node, and determining a network rescan timer for the roaming wireless access over the second wireless communication mode based on the first geographic group and the availability of the roaming wireless access.

Abstract: A system is provided for dynamic communication adjustment. The system includes a server that obtains data associated with a base transceiver station. The server also compares the data to at least one threshold. Additionally, the server promotes adjustment of an operational parameter of a base transceiver station based on the comparison. Furthermore, the server promotes readjustment of at least one operational parameter based on an at least weekly comparison of subsequently obtained data associated with the base transceiver station to at least one threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the latency of instant communication session establishment are presented. According to various preferred embodiments, a RAN, may receive a setup request message via a packet-switched network. The RAN may determine, from a quality of service (QOS) indication contained in the setup request message, that the setup request message is requesting establishment of a instant communication session. The RAN may further determine an intended destination wireless communication device (WCD) for the setup request message. Based on the QOS indication and/or a profile indicating the destination WCD's capabilities, the RAN may pre-allocate resources for the instant communication session in parallel to paging the destination WCD. In this way, the latencies associated with these procedures are overlapped, thus reducing the overall latency of instant communication session establishment.

Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises a processing system and a wireless communication transceiver. The processing system is configured to store in a memory system data that associates a geographic identifier, a pseudo network signal of a first wireless communication network, and a wireless communication channel of a second wireless communication network. The wireless communication transceiver is configured to wirelessly exchange first wireless communications with the first wireless communication network. The processing system is configured to, in response to the wireless communication device entering a geographic region associated with the geographic identifier, process the geographic identifier to identify the pseudo network signal of the first wireless communication network and the wireless communication channel of the second wireless communication network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning a wireless communication device to a carrier frequency are presented. In an exemplary embodiment, a radio access network (RAN) radiates to define one or more wireless coverage areas using at least two different carrier frequencies. A given wireless communication device (WCD) seeks to engage in a call, and accordingly transmits a probe message to the RAN. In response to receiving the probe message, and based at least on information associated with the probe message, the RAN determines an initial carrier frequency assignment for the given WCD. Preferably, this initial carrier frequency assignment is performed to balance load across at least some of the at least two different carrier frequencies. The RAN then transmits an indication of the carrier frequency assignment to the given WCD. The given WCD may then tune to the assigned carrier frequency and conduct communications using the assigned carrier frequency.

Abstract: Methods and systems for carrier frequency management based on slot contention are provided. A radio access network (RAN) may radiate on one or more carrier frequencies to define wireless coverage areas. Each wireless coverage area may provide network access for one or more wireless communication devices (WCDs). In order to efficiently manage these carrier frequencies, the RAN may measure a slot contention metric for each carrier frequency. Based on the measured slot contention metrics, the RAN may perform a carrier frequency management function affecting at least one of the carrier frequencies. Carrier frequency management functions may include, but are not limited to, assigning a WCD to a carrier frequency, taking a carrier frequency out of service, and placing a new carrier frequency in service.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the volume on a mobile station earpiece based on reverse frame data rate. In an embodiment of the invention, a mobile station transmits a plurality of reverse frames over a specified period of time. For each frame in the plurality of reverse frames, the mobile station measures a reverse frame data rate. The mobile station then uses the measured reverse frame data rates to calculate an average reverse frame data rate for the reverse frames transmitted over the specified period of time. Next, the mobile station adjusts the volume level of an earpiece based at least in part on the average reverse frame data rate.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless communication device. The method includes, when in a first mode of operation, transmitting an access request to a wireless access node at a first transmit power, starting a first countdown timer, and awaiting an access request acknowledge from the wireless access node. In the first mode of operation, if the access request acknowledge is received within the first countdown timer, the method includes halting the first countdown timer and awaiting a resource assignment message from the wireless access node, and if the access request acknowledge is not received within the first countdown timer, the method includes retransmitting the access request to the wireless access node at a second transmit power and restarting the first countdown timer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using mobile-station revision ratio to improve reverse-link performance. An access node provides service to first and second subsets of access terminals, the first operating according to IS-856, Rel. 0, the second according to IS-856, Rev. A. The access node periodically transmits a reverse activity bit (RAB) to the access terminals, and also periodically computes a ratio of (a) either (1) the number of access terminals in the first subset or (2) the number of access terminals in the second subset to (b) a total number of access terminals in the first and second subsets, and transmits the ratio to at least the first subset. When the RAB is set, the access terminals in the first subset perform a ratio test by comparing the ratio with a threshold, and decrease their reverse-link data rates without reference to any reverse-link transitional probabilities when the computed ratio passes the ratio test.

Abstract: A method, system, and media are provided for selecting a preferred roaming partner based on load conditions on an access networks associated with the selected preferred roaming partner. A wireless device storing one or more lists of preferred roaming partners is configured to receive configurations messages from the access networks associated with each of the preferred roaming partners. The wireless device parses the configurations messages and extracts load information from fields included the configuration messages. A load value of each preferred roaming partner is calculated based on the extracted load information. The wireless device selects the preferred roaming partner having the lowest load value to initiate wireless communication over the access network corresponding to the selected preferred roaming partner.

Abstract: A method for handling registration requests in a cellular wireless communication system. The method includes determining that a transmission-success rate of messages sent via the forward-link of an air interface is less than a threshold success rate. The method further includes, in response to the determination that the system has less than a threshold transmission success rate, increasing a frequency at which mobile stations register with the cellular wireless communication system via the air interface.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods that allocate bandwidth to a mobile device based on the quantity of dormancy transitions performed by the mobile device. In a particular embodiment, an access node exchanges communications with a mobile device over a wireless link during an initial period of time. A control system determines the quantity of dormancy transitions by the mobile device during the initial period of time. After the initial period of time, the control system receives an access request from the mobile device to access the wireless link. The control system determines a bandwidth allocation on the wireless link for the mobile device based on the quantity of transitions that occurred during the initial period of time. The access node can then exchange data communications with the mobile device over the wireless link based on the bandwidth allocation.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless communication system which includes a base station and a wireless communication device in communication over a voice communication link and a data communication link. The method includes, in the wireless communication device, receiving a first page over the voice communication link. The method also includes, in the wireless communication device, entering into a data-only communication mode over the data communication link, where the voice communication link is not monitored by the wireless communication device when in the data-only communication mode, and transferring a page halt message to the base station upon entry into the data-only communication mode, where the page halt message indicates the wireless communication device is halting receipt of further pages over the voice communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving reverse-link performance by using differentiated reverse activity bits (RABs) based on mobile-station revision. In an embodiment, an access node provides wireless service to first and second mutually exclusive sets of access terminals, the first operating according to IS-856, Release 0, the second according to IS-856, Revision A. The access node maintains first and second RAB thresholds, and periodically (a) measures reverse noise rise (RNR), (b) compares the RNR to the first and second thresholds, (c) transmits a first RAB to the first set of access terminals, and (d) transmits a second RAB to the second set of access terminals. The first RAB is set when the measured RNR exceeds the first threshold, and clear when it does not. The second RAB is set when the measured RNR exceeds the second RAB threshold, and clear when it does not.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for improving access to emergency services via a communication system including a shared wireless communications medium. A requesting wireless communications device receives dialed digits matching a predetermined dialed destination associated with an emergency contact and attempts to place a call to the dialed destination. Responsive to a failure of the attempt to place the call and to the matching, the requesting wireless communications device broadcasts a signal to cause at least one nearby wireless communications device to release at least a portion of communication system resources currently in use so as to thereby allow the released communication system resources to be subsequently used by the requesting wireless communications device. The requesting wireless communications device may then re-attempt the call with improved chances of connecting in light of the released resources.

Abstract: During a communication session, a first BTS transmits a first forward link signal that is received by a first mobile station, a second BTS transmits a second forward link signal that is received by a second mobile station, the first mobile station transmits a first reverse link signal that is received by the first BTS, and the second mobile station transmits a second reverse link signal that is received by the second BTS. One or more control parameters for the forward and/or reverse link signals are selected based on a receiver sensitivity of the first mobile station and/or second mobile station. In one example, a target error rate of the first reverse link signal and a maximum transmit power level of the second forward link signal are selected based on the receiver sensitivity of the second mobile station.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a wireless access system. The wireless access system includes a wireless access control system configured to maintain an available pool of Media Access Control Identifiers (MAC IDs) for subsequent use by a base station, remove a portion of the MAC IDs from the available pool, and use the portion of the MAC IDs for wireless communications between a wireless transceiver of the base station and a plurality of user devices. The wireless access control system is configured to determine that the available pool of the MAC IDs is insufficient, and in response, select a set of the user devices based on at least wireless signal strength. The wireless transceiver of the base station is configured to instruct the selected set of the user devices to not use the base station for the wireless communication, and in response, the wireless access control system is configured to return ones of the MAC IDs used by the selected set of the user devices to the available pool.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the latency of instant communication session establishment are presented. According to various preferred embodiments, a RAN, may receive a setup request message via a packet-switched network. The RAN may determine, from a quality of service (QOS) indication contained in the setup request message, that the setup request message is requesting establishment of a instant communication session. The RAN may further determine an intended destination wireless communication device (WCD) for the setup request message. Based on the QOS indication and/or a profile indicating the destination WCD's capabilities, the RAN may pre-allocate resources for the instant communication session in parallel to paging the destination WCD. In this way, the latencies associated with these procedures are overlapped, thus reducing the overall latency of instant communication session establishment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the latency of instant communication session establishment are presented. According to various preferred embodiments, a RAN, may receive a setup request message via a packet-switched network. The RAN may determine, from a quality of service (QOS) indication contained in the setup request message, that the setup request message is requesting establishment of a instant communication session. The RAN may further determine an intended destination wireless communication device (WCD) for the setup request message. Based on the QOS indication and/or a profile indicating the destination WCD's capabilities, the RAN may pre-allocate resources for the instant communication session in parallel to paging the destination WCD. In this way, the latencies associated with these procedures are overlapped, thus reducing the overall latency of instant communication session establishment.