Abstract: A method for providing an update package to a node in a mesh network comprising a set of nodes and a gateway node arranged to provide access to an update server via a second network. The gateway node collects package information from each set node, including a first node. Each package identifies a respective node and its package version. The gateway node may query the update server based on the package information. The update server may respond to the gateway node with an updated package for the first node. The gateway node broadcasts the updated package into the mesh network as a sequence of mesh messages. Each of a first plurality of nodes of the set may forward the mesh messages to other nodes. The first node stores the mesh messages so as the sequence of mesh messages is received, assemble the updated package.

Abstract: A method for providing an update package to a node in a mesh network comprising a set of nodes and a gateway node arranged to provide access to an update server via a second network. The gateway node collects package information from each set node, including a first node. Each package identifies a respective node and its package version. The gateway node may query the update server based on the package information. The update server may respond to the gateway node with an updated package for the first node. The gateway node broadcasts the updated package into the mesh network as a sequence of mesh messages. Each of a first plurality of nodes of the set may forward the mesh messages to other nodes. The first node stores the mesh messages so as the sequence of mesh messages is received, assemble the updated package.

Abstract: A security component for authenticating a device, within which it is incorporated, with another device, the security component comprising a root identity generator configured to generate a root identity comprising a public root identity and a private root identity for the security component and an output configured to output the public root identity for sharing with the other device and to not output the private root identity.

Abstract: A mobile communications system includes a first base station to service a first set of connections from a first set of mobile communications devices to a communications network. A set of neighboring base stations is in communication with the first base station. In an embodiment of the invention, the first base station prioritizes the first set of connections according to first predetermined criteria and prioritizes the set of neighboring base stations according to second predetermined criteria. The prioritization lists are used in deterministic ways to alleviate potential congestion in backhaul links and optimize the overall performance of system and improved quality of service.

Abstract: A usage pattern is determined for at least one member (102 or 104) of a group. A Quality-of-Service (QoS) level (114) is determined for the group and is based upon the usage pattern of the at least one member (102 or 104) of the group. The QoS level (114) is dynamically modified based upon changes in the usage pattern of the at least one member of the group (102 or 104).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching nodes from a current packet data connection point to a new packet data connection point are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one group of nodes that are in communication with a network infrastructure using a first packet data connection point are identified (304) based, at least in part, on at least one predefined criterion. This group of selected nodes is then reestablished (306) using a second packet data connection point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method permit a first, fully loaded base station (13) controlled by a first operator to utilize the unused resources of a second base station (15) controlled by a second operator in a time division duplex cellular communications system. The first base station (13) monitors broadcast channel of the second base station (15) and identifies time slots within the time frame structure and at an assigned carrier frequency which are unused by the second base station (15). It then calculates a new time frame structure and sets up a communications link with a subscriber (17) on the assigned carrier frequency during those time slots that avoid contention with the operations of the second base station (15). The invention, advantageously, does not require synchronization of the different operator's base stations (13, 15).

Abstract: A plurality of mobile communication units (1,2,3) are allocated to receive a common content by a multicast broadcast, when this content would otherwise be delivered using individual channels. The allocated communication units (1,2,3) are determined from plural communication units (1,2,3,4) which may previously be operating on different cellular communication networks (11,12).

Abstract: A cellular communications system permits handover of a group of mobile stations (15) having like characteristics from a base station (13) operating in one type of network e.g. UMTS to a base station (16) operating in a different type of network e.g. GSM, or from a first carrier frequency to a second carrier frequency both being supported by the same base station, thereby relieving congestion in an overloaded cell by handing over a group of calls to an under-loaded one. The invention has the benefits of enabling such a handover with the minimum of signalling overhead.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining current channel state information in a communications system having a first communications unit communicating to a second communications unit, wherein the first communications unit sends a channel sounding packet (32) to the second communications unit. The channel sounding packet (32) is sent a time period, t, prior to the transmission of a signal by the second communications unit to the first communications unit. The second communications unit receives the channel sounding packet (46) and processes the channel sounding packet to determine at least one channel characteristic. In response to receiving the channel sounding packet (46) the second communications unit appends frame code information (48) to the signal to be transmitted from the second communications unit to the first communications unit, to inform the first communications unit of the communications parameters that have been optimized.

Abstract: A method for amplitude training for a power amplifier is described employing adaptively changing an input training signal of a feedback circuit.