Abstract: In evaluating the quality of received digital signals in terminals of a mobile communication system, the bit error rate is measured. Each station receives signals in successive data frames which includes a synchronization pattern and stores a version of the synchronization pattern. The received synchronization pattern is compared to the stored synchronization pattern to derive a signal representative of the received signal quality. The quality signal may then be used for hand-off to other base stations or other call transfers. Since the synchronization pattern is included in each data frame, measuring signal quality therefrom obviates the need for system generation and interpretation of special quality messages.

Abstract: A new architecture for a cellular radio telephone system groups all of the critical cellular functions within a single circuit package in order to provide enhanced versatility to accommodate changes in requirements, including processing means and channel changes in the cellular system by changing or replacing just the particular module itself.