Abstract: An independent wideband pilot channel transmitter is located in each cell of a frequency division multiple access communications system which is adjacent to a code division multiple access communications system. Operation of the independent wideband pilot channel transmitter is controlled by a mobile switching center of the code division multiple access communications system. Wideband pilot channel broadcasts from the independent wideband pilot channel transmitters are then monitored by dual mode mobile stations in accordance with mobile assisted handoff (MAHO) procedures for the purpose of identifying target cells in the frequency division multiple access communications system which are suitable for handoff.

Abstract: A method and system for providing support of local control functionality in a mobile telecommunications system independently of mobile station roaming status is provided. In the invention, upon receiving a registration access message a visited system accesses a database and determines whether the registering mobile station supports local control features supported by the system. If the mobile station and system support common local control features the system returns a local control registration confirmation message in place of the normal system registration confirmation message. The local control registration confirmation message confirms registration and also serves as an indication to the mobile station that the mobile station and system support common local control features. The mobile station and system may now function accordingly to allow use of the common local control features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively reconfiguring a neighbor cell list. For a selected cell of a cellular system, data associated with the selected cell and each of a plurality of neighboring base stations is collected. The collected data includes data on events indicative of the quality of handoffs from the selected cell to each of the neighboring base stations. The collected data also includes signal level measurements made on measurement channels of the neighboring base stations. A plurality of quality values, each associated with the selected cell and one of the neighboring cells, are then determined from the collected data. A neighbor cell list is then generated for the selected cell by determining the highest quality values, and placing the handoff measurement channels of the neighboring cells associated with the highest quality values in the neighbor cell list.

Abstract: In a bandwidth-on-demand type communications system, like that provided with a code division multiple access (CDMA) cellular communications system, charging subscribers for calls based on communications length provides an inaccurate measure of communication cost, and further serves to discourage use of the system for data transmission applications. To provide a more accurate cost determination, the amount of bandwidth used by each communication is metered and multiplied by a charging rate. In particular, measurements of the maximum amount of bandwidth used during predetermined time intervals are made during the course of each communication, with the maximum bandwidth measurements being summed to determine an estimate of the total amount of bandwidth used during the communication. The charge for the communication is then determined by multiplying the estimated total bandwidth measurement by a charging rate multiplier.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining control channel mode (CCM) status information for a mobile station in a cellular telecommunications network having a mobile switching center (MSC) and a plurality of base stations and cells. Following reselection of a new cell by the mobile station, or selection of a new analog or digital operating mode, the system notifies the MSC of the mobile station's identity, current CCM, and a base station identification. The MSC stores the CCM information and utilizes it for paging and for delivery of short message service (SMS) messages when the control channel is digital. The MSC also transmits the CCM information to a home location register (HLR) whenever the CCM changes. Upon loss of the CCM status information by the MSC, if an incoming call is received for the mobile station prior to a registration by the mobile station, the system retrieves the assigned CCM status information from the HLR.

Abstract: The load on the communications resources of a cellular telephone system is monitored to detect instances of excess amounts of unused resource capacity. When such instances are detected, a message is transmitted to subscribers via the cellular system offering reduced charging rates for calls initiated in response to the offering message. The subscriber mobile stations are programmed to alert the subscriber to the broadcast of the offering message, after which the subscriber may initiate a reduced rate call. The mobile stations may further be programmed to automatically initiate the cellular call in response to receipt of the offering message, and to thereafter engage in the communication. Monitoring of communications resources external to the cellular system is also made, and an offering message is broadcast by the system in response to detection of excess amounts of unused external resource capacity, in response to which subscribers may initiate calls requesting reduced rate access to the resource.

Abstract: A system and method for stopping call setup in a mobile telecommunication system having a home location register (HLR), a visiting mobile switching center (V-MSC) and a subscriber mobile station (MS). Upon determining that a call to the subscriber mobile station is being dropped by the calling party, or upon determining that calls are not to be routed to the mobile station when the mobile station is located in the service area of the V-MSC, a release resources message is transmitted to the HLR and the V-MSC stopping the paging process or releasing the system resources, including any such resources associated with seizure of a voice channel between the V-MSC and the MS.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining and setting the optimum output power values on base station and mobile station radio channels in a cellular system. The invention sets power levels for fixed power radio channels, and sets initial and maximum power levels for variable power radio channels. The present invention utilizes data obtained from automatic digital voice channel power regulation in either the base station, or mobile station, or both when determining and setting optimum output levels on radio channels of the system.

Abstract: A system and method reduces degradation of voice quality due to Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH) format signaling between a mobile station and a base station on the digital voice channel. The present invention sends FACCH messages either at the expiration of a timer or during breaks in the speech pattern of a mobile user thereby improving digital speech quality while providing flexibility to implement features and services that require intensive FACCH signaling between a base station and a mobile station during voice conversation. Channel associated signaling messages that are not time-critical are synchronized with speech activity detection.

Abstract: A communications system in which information is transmitted in successive time slots grouped into a plurality of superframes which are, in turn, grouped into a plurality of hyperframes. A remote station is assigned to one of the time slots in each of the superframes for paging the remote station, each hyperframe including at least two superframes, and the information sent in the assigned time slot in one superframe in each hyperframe is repeated in the assigned time slot in the other superframe(s) in each hyperframe. Each superframe can include a plurality of time slots used for sending paging messages to remote stations, grouped into a plurality of successive paging frames, and the time slot to which the remote station is assigned is included once in every paging frame. Also, each superframe may include time slots comprising a logical channel for broadcast control information and time slots comprising a logical paging channel.

Abstract: A communications system in which information is transmitted in a plurality of time slots grouped into a plurality of superframes which are, in turn, grouped into a plurality of paging frames. A remote station receives paging messages once in each paging frame.

Abstract: A method and system for locating control channels, particularly digital control channels, are described. By grouping the channels which are candidates for carrying supervisory messages in blocks indicative of their relative likelihood for being used as control channels, a mobile station can begin its search for a control channel with channels which are most likely to actually be control channels. Placing location information on other channels allows the mobile station to be redirected to a control channel when it reads one of these other channels. Similarly, by placing information describing the location of a control channel in a message associated with handoff, a mobile station avoids the necessity of having to relocate a new control channel associated with the base station to which the mobile has been handed off.

Abstract: A method and system for registering mobile stations within a cellular radio telecommunications system. A registration confirmation message, initial voice channel designation message or initial traffic channel designation message may include system parameter values to enable the mobile station to ensure that it is currently registered in the system in which it is currently located.

Abstract: A continuous and accurate location system for a mobile telephone subscriber which utilizes a temporary location indication as well as a registration location. If a visiting mobile subscriber sends a registration access, the visited system acknowledges the registration, records the mobile subscriber's presence and signals the mobile subscriber's home system of the mobile's presence. Receipt of the mobile's location from the visited system causes the mobile subscriber's home system to update its registration location data for that particular mobile. If a visiting mobile subscriber initiates a call access from within the visited system without registering within the visited system, the visited system allocates a record for the mobile indicating within the record that it has not received a registration from the mobile and transmits to the home system a temporary location signal.

Abstract: A mobile communications system includes at least one subscriber; a home exchange for the at least one subscriber; at least two exchanges, which may include the home exchange, that may be accessed by the at least one subscriber; and means for ensuring that the at least one subscriber has registered as being located within only one of the at least two exchanges. A method according to the teachings of the present invention includes the steps of cancelling all but the last registration when more than one registration is effected and correctly reestablishing mobile station registration and location data by sending an audit message from the exchanges in which a registration was cancelled to a mobile when the registration was cancelled within a predetermined period of time after being established.