Abstract: A wireless communication system conducts (402) communications between a fixed portion (102) of the wireless communication system and a portable subscriber unit (122) carried by a user; and records (404) a relevant aspect of the communications, thereby producing recorded information. The system determines (405) a current time of day and a current position of the user and makes (406) a comparison of the recorded information with the current time of day and the current position of the user to determine whether an alert is necessary, and generates (412) the alert when the comparison determines the alert is necessary.

Abstract: In a method for managing resources in a base station in a code division multiple access cellular communication, a resource shortage of a selected resource in a first base station is detected. Next, a subscriber unit having a communication link with the first base station is selected. Thereafter, a handoff direction message is sent to the selected subscriber unit to cause a second base station to contribute the selected resource, wherein the resource shortage in the first base station is alleviated. Resources that may experience shortages in the first base station include transmit power and available user spreading codes.

Abstract: At a receiver location in a wireless communication system service area, a set of characteristics that describe a received ray of a subscriber signal is measured. In a model of the wireless communication system service area, a propagation path of a model ray launched from a location in the model of the wireless communication system service area that corresponds to the receiver location in the wireless communication system service area is determined, wherein the ray has model signal characteristics based upon the set of characteristics that describe the received ray of the subscriber signal. Thereafter, a subscriber location in the wireless communication system service area is estimated in response to the propagation path of the model ray.

Abstract: In a model of a wireless communication system service area (160), a set of characteristics associated with the reception of a model signal (210) are calculated (308), preferably using ray-tracing techniques, wherein the model signal (172) is transmitted from a selected location (162) to a receiver location (166). Next, a set of characteristics that describe a received signal at a receiver location in the wireless communication system service area are measured (316), wherein the receiver location corresponds to the receiver location in the model (160). Thereafter, a relationship between the calculated set of characteristics and the measured set of characteristics is determined (318), and the location of the subscriber unit that transmitted the received signal is estimated (320) in response to the relationship between the calculated set of characteristics and the measured set of characteristics.

Abstract: In a method for allocating a system resource to subscribers of a wireless communication system a resource sensitivity indicator is determined for a system resource allocated by the wireless communication system for each of a first subscriber and a second subscriber. The system resource may include a level of service, a channel frequency, or a data rate. Next, an inefficient allocation of the system resource detected. One of the first and second subscribers having a lower resource sensitivity indicator is selected. Finally, an allocation of the system resource is changed for the selected subscriber unit to increase the efficiency of the allocation of the system resource.

Abstract: For a wireless communications system service area (20), a population database (24) is selected that describes a population in database regions (22) within the wireless communication service area (20). A transportation database (46) that describes transportation arteries in the wireless communications system service area (20) is also selected. The process then calculates an initial offered load (70) for each database region (210), wherein the initial offered load is based upon market factors. Thereafter, a portion of each initial offered load (70) is allocated (212) to a transportation distribution pool (76). Other portions of each initial offered load (70) may be allocated (212) to regional distribution pools (74). The offered load in the transportation distribution pool (76) is then distributed (220) over the transportation arteries (36, 38, 40).

Abstract: A wireless communication system (200) estimates (303) the location of a mobile station (215) when a degradation in the mobile station's communication occurs due to interference, and stores (305) the location estimate in a database. The database is used to determine the potential for the mobile station (215) within the wireless communication system to receive interference based on its estimated location or its proximity to the known interference location. When the mobile station (215) is within a predetermined distance of the known interference location, the likelihood for the mobile station (215) to experience a degradation in call quality, duration, etc. increases. To mitigate the degradation due to interference, an alternate carrier (104) is found and if available, the mobile station's communication is handed off to the alternate carrier (104). Attenuation can also be added in the front-end of the mobile station (215) to mitigate the degradation due to interference.

Abstract: A method for wireless communication system planning includes, in a first embodiment, determining an image tree (500), based on a transmitter location (401) and the reflective (415) and diffractive (425) surfaces within a coverage region, and limiting the image tree to exclude branching for higher order images requiring more than a predetermined number of reflections and/or diffractions, or potential child images corresponding to surfaces not within the scope of the parent image (530, 560). Based on the image tree and propagation path back-tracing (620) a received signal quality measure (e.g., power) is determined for each receive location. By comparing the different received signal powers an optimal receiver unit location is determined. Further, by building further image trees for further transmitter locations, an overall coverage quality can be determined for each transmitter and compared to yield an optimal transmitter location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the location of a communication unit in a CDMA system includes in a first embodiment, sending a location request via a spread spectrum signal to the subscriber (140), and receiving in return a subscriber signal including a response message showing a receive time of a particular symbol of the base's spreading sequence and a transmit time of a particular symbol of the subscriber's spreading sequence. The base (130), along with other receiving base(s) (140), also receives a predetermined symbol of the subscriber spreading sequence, and each determines a respective receive time of the predetermined symbol. The received information is then processed, along with known base location and delay information, to determine the subscriber location. If insufficient number of bases are capable of communicating with the subscriber, for example due to high loading/interference, auxiliary bases (121) are also provided for receiving from or transmitting to the subscriber.

Abstract: A method for improved frequency assignment includes recording communications events (130), for example handoff statistics, for subscriber units handing to and away from a base station (931). The handoff statistics include the IDs of the other base stations (932-937) involved in the handoff, preferably along with the date and time of the handoff. The statistics of the handoff count are applied based on the number of occurrences within a time period (140), and are used to accept or reject the potential frequency assignments obtained from an assignment process. In one embodiment of this process, using a Q estimate, obtained from residual powers recorded on each frequency (430-435), a candidate frequency is chosen based on the lowest Q value (440). This candidate is tested against the handoff statistics, and if rejected, a frequency with the next lowest Q level is tested (450-470). This process is repeated until a frequency is assigned.

Abstract: A method for assigning subscribers between narrowbeam sectors includes, in a first embodiment, off-loading subscribers to alternate sectors when a current sector becomes loaded beyond a loading threshold. The subscriber(s) having the greatest signal quality measure (e.g., power setting) are preferably selected for off-loading, since such are typically in regions having the greatest overlap with other sectors (e.g., close to the antennas). The selected subscriber(s) are transferred to an alternate sector, preferably one having the best received signal quality with the subscriber and also having loading beneath the loading threshold.

Abstract: A processor controlled IC component test apparatus adapted to be employed in-line with automatic IC DIP component handling equipment is capable of conducting a preselected verification check of each IC device regardless of the orientation of the DIP in the device contact receptable of the IC handling apparatus. As each device under test (DUT) is inserted into the apparatus test head, a pin-check residual voltage measurement test is conducted to ensure that all the pins of the DUT are in contact with the contact terminals of the test head. If the pin-check test establishes that all the pins of the DUT are in contact with the contact terminals of the test head, a prescribed non-destructive impedance measurement test is carried out in order to determine the orientation of the DIP in the test head.

Abstract: Multilayer circuit boards having large area through-hole electrical connections are provided by a process that begins with the fabrication by known means of a drilled and through-hole plated single layer board. Next, a layer of insulating material is applied to either side of the board, leaving at least the through-hole plating exposed. A continuous layer of metal is then deposited on the body, completely covering the insulating layer and through-hole plating. Finally, the deposited metal layer is selectively masked and etched to form conductive circuit patterns on the insulating layer, overlying the original circuit patterns and electrically connected to them by the multiple layer through-hole plating.