Abstract: A method (30) schedules the utilization of the supplemental channel of a base station transceiver (20-25). This scheduling includes time slot assignment as well as data transfer rate per time slot. One method simply selects the next time slot with a maximum rate for the primary base station transceiver (130). The method then selects the same time slot for each of the secondary links with the secondary base stations (132). The data is then simply sent to each of the BTSs (20-25) for transmission to the mobile station (10). In another alternative, a request is made for a supplemental channel usage for the primary link (144). Then secondary links are selected for transmission to the mobile station (10) only if they provide additional diversity gain (148) and resources are available at the secondary link BTSs.

Abstract: A method and information processing system are provided for dynamically encoding a control channel for transmitting messages to a wireless device based on performance capability information associated with the wireless device. The method includes determining that a wireless device (104) has registered with a base station (116). A device profile (128) associated with the wireless device (116) is retrieved from a register (122). A set of performance capabilities associated with the wireless device is determined (408) in response to the retrieving. A coding type for a control channel for sending messages to the wireless device (104) is determined (410) based on the set of performance capabilities associated with the wireless device (104).

Abstract: A method of selective need-based control message augmentation may include a network unit of a mobile communication system (100) generating a control message (250) for communication to a mobile unit (202), determining a handoff state transition of the mobile unit, and determining a set of signal conditions for one or more legs of an active set associated with the mobile unit. Further, the network unit at least one of selectively fast repeating the control message and selectively increasing the power gain for the control message based on the handoff state transition and the set of signal conditions.

Abstract: A method for adaptive power control in a mobile communication system (100) determines (120) whether an RF loading factor (110) is greater than a threshold value. If the RF loading factor is above the threshold value, the method reduces call quality (140). Next, a determination is made whether the RF loading factor is below a second threshold value (150). If the RF loading factor is below the second threshold value, the call quality of the mobile communication system is increased (160).

Abstract: A method for substantially reducing the frame erasure rate (FER) to approximately 1 percent dynamically changes the power down to power up ratio from 100 to 1 to 200 to 1 to minimize subsequent frame erasures. During call startup periods the method (60) loosely monitors the power. Whereas for consecutive error bursts of frame erasures, the process (80) does not change the power threshold. This power threshold is the level received signals are compared against to determine if a power up or a power down step needs to be performed. Likewise, RF fades will not cause the power threshold to be increased. Further, should the power threshold exceed its maximum, it is reset by process (90).

Abstract: A method of generating a handoff candidate list (490) to provide to a mobile station (302) may include providing the mobile station in a multi-sector handoff state (360) with a unique combination of a plurality of sectors (362, 363, 364), and recording at least one target sector (371, 372, 373) selected from a plurality of available sectors (366) that is added to the unique combination of the plurality of sectors. The recording step may be iteratively performed whenever the mobile station is in the multi-sector handoff state with the unique combination of the plurality of sectors thereby defining the at least one target sector that has actually been used by the mobile station in the multi-sector handoff state with the unique combination of the plurality of sectors.

Abstract: A mobile unit 40 which is in a soft handoff condition 50 with a base station (32) has the power transmitted by the base station (32) on the mobile link (52) controlled. The base station (32) determines (70) when a frame erasure count reaches a particular level N. The base station then places this link in a clamped state (72) at minimum power. When the base station determines that M consecutive good frames have been received (92), the base station restores the link (52) to a normal state (94). A recovery arrangement (100, 110 and 120) prevents clamping by all base stations (32–34) and loss of the link.

Abstract: A method for substantially reducing the frame erasure rate (FER) to approximately 1 percent dynamically changes the power down to power up ratio from 100 to 1 to 200 to 1 to minimize subsequent frame erasures. During call startup periods the method (60) loosely monitors the power. Whereas for consecutive error bursts of frame erasures, the process (80) does not change the power threshold. This power threshold is the level received signals are compared against to determine if a power up or a power down step needs to be performed. Likewise, RF fades will not cause the power threshold to be increased. Further, should the power threshold exceed its maximum, it is reset by process (90).

Abstract: A power control method (50) is applicable either to a base station 20 or a mobile station (1-N). This method takes into account the previous two power control bits (52-54). The method then determines a correction factor by multiplying the power control step size by the sum of the previous two power control bits (56). A corrected received signal is produced (58) and compared to a threshold signal (62). Based on this comparison, power control is set up (64) for data frames below the signal threshold or power is set down (66) for data frames equal to or above the signal threshold.

Abstract: A method (30) schedules the utilization of the supplemental channel of a base station transceiver (20-25). This scheduling includes time slot assignment as well as data transfer rate per time slot. One method simply selects the next time slot with a maximum rate for the primary base station transceiver (130). The method then selects the same time slot for each of the secondary links with the secondary base stations (132). The data is then simply sent to each of the BTSs (20-25) for transmission to the mobile station (10). In another alternative, a request is made for a supplemental channel usage for the primary link (144). Then secondary links are selected for transmission to the mobile station (10) only if they provide additional diversity gain (148) and resources are available at the secondary link BTSs.

Abstract: An RF power fairness method (26) receives a request for supplemental channel resources (160). If sufficient supplemental channel resources (time slots and data rates) are not available, the original request is modified (166). If there is multiple call activity on the supplemental channel, RF power is calculated for each of the simultaneous calls on the shared channel (202, 208). If successful time slots and data rates are found, a grant message is returned from the time slot manager (26) to the base station (164, 170, 180). If insufficient time slots and data rate power are determined, a deny request message is transmitted to the base station (184).

Abstract: A narrowband communication system provides wideband data services in a secondary service band. This limits the impact on primary services in peak traffic regions in that the primary service band is not required to download wideband data from a communication node (e.g., a satellite) to a mobile terminal. The narrowband communication system implements a handoff protocol (400) that rate negotiates a channel bandwidth of an active connection (404) to the amount of channels that are available in a new cell. The narrowband communication system preempts (414) lower priority subscribers when a higher priority (408) high-speed data terminal requires access to the system and a requested channel assignment is not available (412). The complexity of a high-speed data terminal communication chipset is reduced by a receiver design that minimizes the range of frequencies that are required to be demodulated.

Abstract: A truncated asynchronous paging method is a hybrid of synchronous paging and asynchronous paging modes. A time slot 106 of paging messages (140-163) is formatted into N paging message groups of M paging messages per group. The paging messages (140-163) are then transmitted in order to maximize the throughput of paging messages while providing the highest resistance to loss of data due to fading.

Abstract: In a communication system (10) having at least one communication unit (26) (CU) and at least one satellite (12, 170) which projects communication cells (176, 180) toward the CU (26), a method for determining a CU's location involves identifying (202) optimal communication cells (180) in which an intersection (112) between a time delay contour (106) and a Doppler contour (103) falls below an acceptable level, informing (206) the CU (26) to contact a location determination unit (330) when the CU (26) is within an optimal communication cell (180), and determining (212) the CU position at that time. Additionally, the method can achieve a better approximation of the CU position by calculating (244) a CU position relative to a second CU, and/or by using (282-290) a direction-finding unit to more accurately locate the CU (26).

Abstract: A satellite cellular communications network performs cell-to-cell handoffs between cells of different satellites (30, 32). Inter-satellite handoffs require resynchronization to the prospective propagation timing and Doppler frequency parameters of the prospective satellite. Calculation of these parameters prior to transitioning to the prospective satellite minimizes interruptions to communications. Subscriber units (24) perform handoff parameter calculations while on narrow band communications channels without occupying broadband shared acquisition resources.

Abstract: In a method and system for performing location determination using multi-beam satellites each beam of a multi-beam satellite transmits identification information which is received by a user terminal. This identification information either identifies the unique beam by enumeration or by geometrics. A user terminal processes multiple received signals from orbiting satellites. The user terminal maps the projected beam patterns of multiple received samples to determine an approximate self-location. The user terminal passively monitors its location and compares its current location with its previously reported location. When the user terminal has sufficiently roamed from its previously registered location, the user terminal performs an auto-registration to the system allowing for efficient routing of information.

Abstract: In a satellite communication system, ring-alerts are broadcast in a sequence that maximizes the time between when ring-alerts are issued in any adjacent antenna beam. Satellite power is conserved by allowing time for a subscriber unit to respond, after which subsequent ring-alerts directed at that subscriber are canceled. When a gateway receives a request for a ring-alert, the satellite and the antenna beams are identified which are currently serving the location of the subscriber unit being called. The satellite is provided a list of antenna beams and proceeds to broadcast ring-alerts directed at subscriber units within the identified antenna beams. Unsent ring-alerts are canceled when responses from the subscriber units are received.

Abstract: In a satellite based cellular communication system where the satellites move with respect to the surface of the Earth and have antenna patterns covering thousands of miles, subscriber units must initially access the communication system at a proper frequency and during a proper time slot. Subscriber units compensate for the propagation delay and frequency-shift associated with the distance to a satellite and the velocity of the satellite. The subscriber unit determines the antenna beam of the satellite within which it is located and receives the antenna beam's center coordinates. The location of the satellite is calculated and the propagation distance to the satellite is estimated. Based on the distance to the satellite and the satellite's velocity, the subscriber unit transmits an acquisition request at the proper time and frequency so that it is received within the satellite's timing window.

Abstract: A fixed base-site (115) periodically pages subscribers (120) in a paging area (100). To prolong the battery life of the subscribers (120), paging groups (520) are not sent to subscribers (120) as often when the paging load is small. Since the subscribers (120) support discontinuous receive, processing of the pages will not take place as frequently and thus a battery savings is realized. When the fixed base-site (115) receives more pages than can be supported without exceeding a predetermined delay, the fixed base-site (115) dynamically increases the frequency that paging groups (520) are transmitted to subscribers (120). When the paging load decreases, the fixed base-site (115) dynamically decreases the frequency that paging groups (520) are transmitted to subscribers (120) and again a savings in battery life is realized.

Abstract: A handover technique in a cellular radio communication system (100) for handing over a radio (102) from a first channel in a first cell to a second channel in a second cell, the technique comprising generating a fill-in message extrapolated from a message of the radio on the first channel and communicating the fill-in message when the radio has ceased communicating on the first channel; and terminating the fill-in message when the radio begins communicating on the second channel, thereby reducing handover disruption. The messages may be digitized audio messages. A timer (110, 118) may be employed to allow the fill-in message to terminate at substantially the same time as the radio begins communicating on the second channel. Alternatively, the fill-in message may be directly terminated (FIG. 2) in response to the radio beginning to communicate on the second channel. If the messages are data messages, no fill-in message is generated and the handover is completed directly (FIG.