Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for increasing user capacity on a slotted random access channel in a spread spectrum communications system by using a multi-part access probe. First and second parts of the access probe are modulated using a short PN code sequence, and the entire access probe is modulated using a long PN code sequence. Information to be transmitted by the access probe is modulated on the second part of the access probe, and the access probe is transmitted so that the first part of the probe falls within the boundaries of an access channel slot. In one embodiment, time slots in access channels used for access signal reception are made the length of the first part. In a further embodiment, time slots in a plurality of adjacent access channels used for access signal reception may be longer than said first part but are offset in time from each other by the length or period of the first part.

Abstract: In an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system which uses an outer Reed-Solomon encoder and interleaver an inner convolutional encoder, after the inner convolutional encoding the data bits are interleaved, and then grouped into symbols, each symbol having "m" bits. After grouping, the symbols are mapped to a complex plane using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). Thus, bits, not symbols, are interleaved by the inner interleaver. A receiver performs a soft decision regarding the value of each bit in each complex QAM symbol received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for variable rate communication incorporating coherent signal processing and combining is described. Within the receive system, vectors of in-phase and quadrature-phase Walsh correlator output values are generated for each Rake finger over each Walsh symbol period. In-phase and quadrature-phase reference values are generated for each of the Rake fingers by combining the in-phase and quadrature-phase correlator outputs of the most likely Walsh symbols over a series of Walsh symbol periods. The output energies are calculated as the sum of squared in-phase and quadrature-phase values. The vectors of in-phase and quadrature-phases values are then projected on the in-phase and quadrature-phase reference values and weighted by the reference amplitude. The reference amplitude is the square root of the sum of squared in-phase and quadrature-phase values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding QAM trellis modulated data. In the transmitter, a subset of bits of an input bit set are convolutionally encoded based upon a punctured convolutional code of a lower data rate to provide a set of coded symbols. The coded symbols and the uncoded bits of the input bit set are provided to a QAM modulator to provide a QAM modulation signal indicative of the values of coded symbols and the uncoded bits. In the receiver a QAM demodulator converts the received QAM signal to QAM signal space coordinates. A decoder employing the Viterbi algorithm is used to reconstruct a corrected estimate of the values of the coded data bits from the received signal coordinates. The corrected estimate of the values of the coded data bits are then used in conjunction with the received signal coordinates to provide corrected estimates of the values of the uncoded input bits.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly acquiring timing of an access transmission that uses an access probe that is transmitted in stages. A first stage of the access probe is spread with a short pseudonoise (PN) code pair. A second stage of the access probe is spread with both the short PN code pair and a long PN code. Transmitting the access probe in stages reduces the number of hypotheses, and hence the time, required by a receiver attempting to acquire the access probe.

Abstract: A variable rate transmission system wherein a packet of variable rate data generated by a variable rate data source is modulated on traffic channel by traffic channel modulator if the capacity of the traffic channel is capable of transmitting the packet. And where the packet of variable rate data is modulated onto traffic channel by traffic channel modulator and at least one overflow channel by traffic channel modulator, if the capacity of the traffic channel is less than required to transmit the packet. A receiving system for receiving variable rate data transmitted in accordance with the above.

Abstract: A novel and improved method and apparatus for coherently processing a CDMA signal without the use of pilot or other synchronization information is described. By utilizing a coherent receive processing system, a reverse link signal can be properly processed when received at a lower power level than that associated with noncoherent only processing. This reduces the transmit power necessary for successful communication, and this reduction in necessary transmit power reduces the degree to which a set of subscriber units communicating with the same base station interfere with one another. In turn, this increases the overall system capacity of a CDMA wireless telecommunication system incorporating the invention.

Abstract: A novel and improved method and apparatus for generating a constant data rate channel supporting signaling data transmission in an adjustable rate wireless communication system is described. In accordance with one aspect of the invention the rate at which the channel operates may be adjusted based on the particular use and environmental conditions such that the appropriate data rate up to a maximum capability can be achieved. User data is then placed into frames based on the selected rate. When available, signaling data is added into each frames in a predetermined amount. The resulting frame is encoded, repeated and punctured based on the selected rate and whether signaling data has been introduced, and transmitted via RF signals to the receive system. Upon reception, the frame is processed in accordance with having only user data and with having signaling data. That is, the frame is processed both as if it had signaling data and as if no signaling data were present.

Abstract: A subchannel within a CDMA signal is provided together with a system for receiving and decoding this subchannel. A message is transmitted over the subchannel by applying a sequence of phase rotations to the user data. A single subchannel message can be transmitted during each 1.25 ms segment of user data, resulting in a transmission rates of up to 800 messages per second over the subchannel. Each message corresponds to a fixed sequence of phases, called a phase codeword, used to rotate the user data each time that message is sent. When only two phase codewords are used, the effective data rate for the subchannel is 800 bits per second, but higher data rates may be achieved by increasing the number of codewords used by the subchannel. The subchannel may be decoded by correlating the user data with each of the possible phase codewords.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding QAM trellis modulated data. In the transmitter, a subset of bits of an input bit set are convolutionally encoded based upon a punctured convolutional code of a lower data rate to provide a set of coded symbols. The coded symbols and the uncoded bits of the input bit set are provided to a QAM modulator to provide a QAM modulation signal indicative of the values of coded symbols and the uncoded bits. In the receiver a QAM demodulator converts the received QAM signal to QAM signal space coordinates. A decoder employing the Viterbi algorithm is used to reconstruct a corrected estimate of the values of the coded data bits from the received signal coordinates. The corrected estimate of the values of the coded data bits are then used in conjunction with the received signal coordinates to provide corrected estimates of the values of the uncoded input bits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing high rate trellis codes for PSK modulation that can be encoded and decoded using the encoder and decoder for a rate 1/2 punctured convolutional code. In particular, the design of trellis encoders and decoders for 2.sup.k -PSK modulation for rates (km-1)/km for k.gtoreq.3 and m.gtoreq.1 is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling transmission power in a variable rate communication system is disclosed. The method disclosed provides for a closed loop power control method. A first remote station controls the transmission power of a second remote station by transmitting a rate dependent power control signal to the second remote communication station. Since only the second communication knows its transmission rate a priori, it must determine its course of action in accordance with both the received power control signal and the knowledge of its transmission rate.

Abstract: A variable rate transmission system where a packet of variable is transmitted on a traffic channel if the capacity of the traffic channel is greater than or equal to the data rate of the packet. When the rate of the packet of variable rate data exceeds the capacity of the traffic channel, the packet is transmitted on a traffic channel and at least one overflow channel. Also described is a receiving system for receiving and reassembling the data transmitted on the traffic channel and at least one additional overflow channels.

Abstract: A system for determining the rate at which data has been encoded in the receiver of a variable-rate communications system. The data is received in frames having a fixed number of symbols. Multiple copies of symbols fill the frame when data is encoded at less than the full rate. At an encoding rate of one fourth the full rate, for example, each symbol in the frame is repeated four times. The incoming symbols are provided to multiple paths for decoding. Each path decodes the symbols at one of the possible rates. Error metrics, which describe the quality of the decoded symbols, are extracted and provided to a processor. The error metrics may include Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) results, Yamamoto Quality Metrics, and Symbol Error Rates. The processor analyzes the error metrics and determines the most probable rate at which the incoming symbols were encoded.

Abstract: A more efficient and less complex structure and method for combining multiple user channels onto a single carrier frequency in spread spectrum communication systems. A single transformation element, such as a fast Hadamard Transformation processor, is used to orthogonally encode and combine a series of subscriber digital data signals in parallel. Portions of the orthogonally encoded and combined data signals are then selected over preselected time intervals to generate a single encoded data signal which is subsequently PN spread, subjected to analog signal processing, and transmitted to system subscribers. This is typically effected by summing digital values in an array of data signal combiners. An exemplary data transformation device uses at least one of a preselected set of orthogonal functions as a controlling pattern for interconnection of the combining elements.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoder for recovering the original bit data stream that was convolutionally encoded as a code symbol stream in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) mobile communication system. The decoder simultaneously decodes at the several data rates associated with certain multirate vocoders. The decoder can decode at an unknown data rate in either continuous or framed packet modes. It accomplishes this by simultaneously decoding at multiple rates and by creating one or more data quality metrics for each decoded data packet. Special input and output buffering is provided to isolate the decoder from system timing constraints. The input buffer includes selection and accumulation logic to organize code symbol data into the packet order for repeat mode or random burst mode at lower frame data rates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for tracking the frequency and phase of signals in spread spectrum communication systems that makes more efficient use of available carrier frequency and phase information by utilizing a substantial portion or all of the energy occupying the frequency spectrum of a received carrier signal, including energy from communication signals intended for other system users. Multiple spread spectrum communication signals are input in parallel to data receivers where they are despread using preselected despreading codes at an adjustable phase angle and decoded over multiple orthogonal codes active within the communication system. Multiple decoded signals are then combined to form a single phase detection signal which is used by at least one tracking loop to track frequency and phase of the carrier signal for the received communication signals. The tracking loop generates a timing signal which is used to adjust the phase angle used during despreading.

Abstract: An encoder for encoding data as trellis coded data and a decoder for decoding the trellis coded data. The encoder uses a rate 1/2 convolutional encoder punctured to a rate k/n to produce n symbols from k input bits. The symbols are converted by a converter to sets of p symbols and provided to an interleaver. In the interleaver certain ones of the symbols are delayed. Symbol sets are output from the interleaver to a 2.sup.P -ary modem for modulation and transmission. The decoder uses a modem for providing from the modulated data sets of p symbols. A deinterleaver delays certain ones of the symbols to achieve time alignment of the originally interleaved symbols. The sets of time aligned symbols are provided to metric calculators for computing signal metrics which are provided to a converter for providing n sets of metrics to a metric decoder. The metric decoder computes from the n sets of metrics an estimate of the encoded k data bits.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptively sectorizing channel resources within a digital cellular communication system is disclosed herein. The system includes an antenna arrangement for providing at least first and second electromagnetic beams for receiving a first information signal transmitted by a specific one of a plurality of users, thereby generating first and second received signals. A first set of beam-forming signals are then generated from the first and second received signals. A demodulating receiver is provided for demodulating at least first and second beam-forming signals included within the first set of beam-forming signals, thereby producing first and second demodulated signals. The system further includes a tracking network for tracking multipath information signals, received from various positions and angles of incidence, based on comparison of the first and second demodulated signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating orthogonally encoded communication signals for communication system subscribers using multiple orthogonal functions for each orthogonal communication channel. Digital data symbols for signal recipients are M-ary modulated using at least two n-length orthogonal modulation symbols, which are generally Walsh functions normally used within the communication system. These symbols are provided by a modulation symbol selector (124) typically from one or more code generators (126, 128), and the modulation is such that M equals a product of a total number of orthogonal functions and the number used to generate individual modulation symbols. Each group of log M encoded data symbols from data processing elements (100, 102) are mapped into one modulation symbol using the modulation symbol selection element (124) according to their binary values. In some embodiments, a fast Hadamard transformer is used for symbol mapping.