Patents by Inventor David G. Steer

David G. Steer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110299615
    Abstract: The present invention employs hierarchical modulation to simultaneously transmit data over different modulation layers using a carrier RF signal. Each modulation layer may be of a higher or lower order than the other modulation layers. Certain embodiments of the present invention may transmit different information on the different modulation layers. Other embodiments of the present invention may use the different layers for processing information differently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Rockstar Bidco L.P.
    Inventors: David G. Steer, Curt Dodd, Ming Jia
  • Publication number: 20110282915
    Abstract: A telecommunications device is provided. The telecommunications device comprises a processor configured such that the device sends a first message to a database management component, the first message containing a communications key encrypted by a database management component key. The processor is further configured such that the device receives a second message from the database management component, the second message encrypted by the communications key. The processor is further configured such that, when the device is able to decrypt the second message, the device considers the database management component to be legitimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: David G. STEER, Stephen MCCANN, Dongsheng YU
  • Publication number: 20110274018
    Abstract: The present invention employs hierarchical modulation to simultaneously transmit data over different modulation layers using a carrier RF signal. Each modulation layer may be of a higher or lower order than the other modulation layers. Certain embodiments of the present invention may transmit different information on the different modulation layers. Other embodiments of the present invention may use the different layers for processing different information streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: David G. Steer
  • Patent number: 8005160
    Abstract: The present invention employs hierarchical modulation to simultaneously transmit data over different modulation layers using a carrier RF signal. Each modulation layer may be of a higher or lower order than the other modulation layers. Certain embodiments of the present invention may transmit different information on the different modulation layers. Other embodiments of the present invention may use the different layers for processing information differently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: David G. Steer, Curt Dodd, Ming Jia
  • Patent number: 8000243
    Abstract: One or more relay stations may be employed along a wireless communication access path between an ingress station and an egress station. A logical communication tunnel is established between the ingress and egress stations through any number of intermediate relay stations to handle session flows of PDUs. As PDUs arrive, the ingress station may determine and add scheduling information to the PDUs before they are delivered to the downstream intermediate relay stations or egress stations. The scheduling information is used by the downstream stations to schedule the PDUs for further delivery. The scheduling information may also be used by the egress station to schedule the PDUs for delivery. The scheduling information added to the PDU by the ingress station bears on a QoS class associated with the PDU, a deadline for the egress station to deliver the PDU, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Hang Zhang, Peiying Zhu, Wen Tong, Gamini Senarath, Derek Yu, David G. Steer
  • Patent number: 7986746
    Abstract: The present invention employs hierarchical modulation to simultaneously transmit data over different modulation layers using a carrier RF signal. Each modulation layer may be of a higher or lower order than the other modulation layers. Certain embodiments of the present invention may transmit different information on the different modulation layers. Other embodiments of the present invention may use the different layers for processing different information streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: David G. Steer
  • Publication number: 20100248619
    Abstract: A mobile relay system for supporting communications between a fixed station and mobile terminals comprising a plurality of mobile relay stations that are associated with each other and provided on a moving platform, wherein each of the plurality of mobile relay stations is capable of facilitating communications with mobile terminals within communication range and at least one of the plurality of mobile relay stations is further capable of facilitating communications with a fixed station within communication range of the at least one of the plurality of mobile relay stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventors: Gamini Senarath, Hang Zhang, Peiying Zhu, Wen Tong, Derek Yu, David G. Steer, Guo-Qiang Q. Wang
  • Publication number: 20090016259
    Abstract: One or more relay stations may be employed along a wireless communication access path between an ingress station and an egress station. A logical communication tunnel is established between the ingress and egress stations through any number of intermediate relay stations to handle session flows of PDUs. As PDUs arrive, the ingress station may determine and add scheduling information to the PDUs before they are delivered to the downstream intermediate relay stations or egress stations. The scheduling information is used by the downstream stations to schedule the PDUs for further delivery. The scheduling information may also be used by the egress station to schedule the PDUs for delivery. The scheduling information added to the PDU by the ingress station bears on a QoS class associated with the PDU, a deadline for the egress station to deliver the PDU, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Hang Zhang, Peiying Zhu, Wen Tong, Gamini Senarath, Derek Yu, David G. Steer
  • Publication number: 20090016258
    Abstract: One or more relay stations may be employed along a wireless communication access path between an ingress station and an egress station. A logical communication tunnel is established between the ingress and egress stations through any number of intermediate relay stations to handle session flows of PDUs. As PDUs arrive, the ingress station may determine and add scheduling information to the PDUs before they are delivered to the downstream intermediate relay stations or egress stations. The scheduling information is used by the downstream stations to schedule the PDUs for further delivery. The scheduling information may also be used by the egress station to schedule the PDUs for delivery. The scheduling information added to the PDU by the ingress station bears on a QoS class associated with the PDU, a deadline for the egress station to deliver the PDU, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventors: Hang Zhang, Peiying Zhu, Wen Tong, Gamini Senarath, Derek Yu, David G. Steer
  • Patent number: 7414964
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selecting and signalling the identity of sub-carriers to be used for transmission of data in a radio communication system, and for using other sub-carriers. A remote unit determines which sub-carriers are acceptable for use in data transmission by comparing the signal to interference ratio of each sub-carrier with a threshold. A sequence of numbers is generated using one set of values to identify acceptable sub-carriers and another set of values to identify unacceptable sub-carriers. The sequence of numbers is transmitted to a base station. The average signal to interference ratio of sub-carriers whose signal to interference ratio was above the threshold can also be transmitted to the base station, thereby allowing the base station to determine an optimum set of transmission parameters for use only in the acceptable sub-carriers. Alternatively, the remote unit can determine the optimum set of transmission parameters itself for transmission to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Bassam M. Hashem, David G. Steer, Shalini S. Periyalwar
  • Publication number: 20080159186
    Abstract: The present invention employs hierarchical modulation to simultaneously transmit data over different modulation layers using a carrier RF signal. Each modulation layer may be of a higher or lower order than the other modulation layers. Certain embodiments of the present invention may transmit different information on the different modulation layers. Other embodiments of the present invention may use the different layers for processing different information streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventor: David G. Steer
  • Publication number: 20080159430
    Abstract: The present invention employs hierarchical modulation to simultaneously transmit data over different modulation layers using a carrier RF signal. Each modulation layer may be of a higher or lower order than the other modulation layers. Certain embodiments of the present invention may transmit different information on the different modulation layers. Other embodiments of the present invention may use the different layers for processing information differently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventors: David G. Steer, Curt Dodd, Ming Jia
  • Patent number: 7304939
    Abstract: Wireless communication is improved by simultaneously transmitting signals that are orthogonal to received signals. This technique is referred to as Orthogonal Division Duplexing or ODD. Channel characteristics may be estimated based on an analysis of the received signals. Subsequently, techniques used in the transmitting of signals may be adjusted based on the estimated channel characteristics. By using interleaved pilot sub-carriers, each end of a communications link may take measurements of channel conditions. These measurements may be used to adapt the transmission techniques used in the transmitter to the measured channel conditions. Advantageously, this adaptation can occur without the delay in reporting conditions that is characteristic of traditional adaptive communications systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: David G. Steer, Koon Hoo Teo, William R. Kirkland
  • Patent number: 7289427
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for error correction in a communication system employing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. When a remote unit receives an OFDM symbol, a retransmission indicator bit is examined to determine whether the symbol is an original symbol or a retransmitted symbol. If it is a retransmitted symbol and the remote unit has a corresponding symbol stored in memory, then the received symbol is soft-combined with the stored symbol. Each packet in the symbol, either the received symbol if original or the soft-combined symbol if retransmitted, is examined by the remote unit. If the remote unit determines that a particular packet is intended for the remote unit, but can not determine the contents of the payload of the packet, the remote unit sends a retransmission request to the base station for retransmission of the symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: David G. Steer, Shalini S. Periyalwar, Koon Hoo Teo, Yoon Chae Cheong, Bassam M. Hashem
  • Patent number: 7177371
    Abstract: It is becoming increasingly important to improve data throughput in wireless networks. By transmitting data simultaneously at different modulation amplitudes and/or using different code strengths, terminals having different carrier to noise ratios are able to decode the different amplitude levels with varying degrees of success. This allows distant terminals to receive low data rate transmissions at high modulation levels or code rates while nearer terminals can use additional capacity in the transmission by receiving lower level modulation signals or code rates. In this way, distant terminals do not degrade overall network performance. By arranging for terminals to acknowledge receipt of data, retransmission at different modulation levels or code rates may be carried out by the base station in order to improve performance in the presence of noise without a priori knowledge of the carrier to noise ratio for a particular terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd.
    Inventors: John E. Hudson, David G. Steer, Bassam M. Hashem, Daniel Boudreau, Koon Hoo Teo
  • Patent number: 7151944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing interference arising from signal propagation delay in multipath signal environments in wireless communication systems. The present invention provides a method of operating a mobile communications base station which receives multipath components of signals from a number of high mobility subscriber terminals, the method comprising: for each subscriber terminal signal received, determining a best signal component; determining the difference in time between reception of said best signal component and a reference time; transmitting to said terminal a transmission timing offset in order to receive said best component at substantially said reference time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Bassam M Hashem, David G Steer, Robert Matyas
  • Patent number: 7110351
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for error correction in a communication system employing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. When a remote unit receives an OFDM symbol, a retransmission indicator bit is examined to determine whether the symbol is an original symbol or a retransmitted symbol. If it is a retransmitted symbol and the remote unit has a corresponding symbol stored in memory, then the received symbol is soft-combined with the stored symbol. Each packet in the symbol, either the received symbol if original or the soft-combined symbol if retransmitted, is examined by the remote unit. If the remote unit determines that a particular packet is intended for the remote unit, but can not determine the contents of the payload of the packet, the remote unit sends a retransmission request to the base station for retransmission of the symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: David G. Steer, Shalini S. Periyalwar, Koon Hoo Teo, Yoon Chae Cheong, Bassam M. Hashem
  • Patent number: 7031753
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selecting and signalling the identity of sub-carriers to be used for transmission of data in a radio communication system, and for using other sub-carriers. A remote unit determines which sub-carriers are acceptable for use in data transmission by comparing the signal to interference ratio of each sub-carrier with a threshold. A sequence of numbers is generated using one set of values to identify acceptable sub-carriers and another set of values to identify unacceptable sub-carriers. The sequence of numbers is transmitted to a base station. The average signal to interference ratio of sub-carriers whose signal to interference ratio was above the threshold can also be transmitted to the base station, thereby allowing the base station to determine an optimum set of transmission parameters for use only in the acceptable sub-carriers. Alternatively, the remote unit can determine the optimum set of transmission parameters itself for transmission to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Bassam M. Hashem, David G. Steer, Shalini S. Periyalwar
  • Patent number: 6996418
    Abstract: A radio system employing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) includes a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) along with a number of mobile terminals located within a coverage area of the BTS. In this system, a target mobile terminal is provided with a focused transmission beam to receive high data rate traffic information while the remainder of the mobile terminals are provide with pilot and signalling information. To achieve both objectives, a BTS is implemented with a transmission apparatus that generates a directional transmission beam for the data traffic information. In one design, this directional beam transmits the pilot and signalling information along with the data traffic information by rotating the beam within the coverage area. In another design, the BTS has a transmission apparatus that generates more than one transmission beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Koon Hoo Teo, David G. Steer, Chris Ward
  • Patent number: 6985545
    Abstract: An RF radio receiver utilizing wideband RF technology, a wideband digital IF (channelizer) tuner, a common digitizing rate, and multi-user detection (MUD) processes a superposed RF signal to allow simultaneous reception of two or more RF signals sharing overlapping frequency spectrum (RF bandwidth). The RF radio receiver is particularly effective for two or more RF signals of differing RF channel bandwidth and can also receive signals which accord to different air interface standards. The use of a common digitizing rate provides for oversampling of at least one of the RF signals for more accurate decoding and allows for a synchronized signal (i.e. at a common rate) to be used in decoding, and in particular multi-user decoding of other RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Koon H. Teo, Shiquan Wu, David G. Steer