Abstract: Cells in a radio telephone scheme are covered by beam-spots generated by multi-beam antenna system. Forward communication channels follow mobile units as they move between beam-spots. Additionally, each cell is divided into zones based on the mobile traffic patterns within the cell. Typically, there will be a high density zone covered by many, small area beam-spots, a medium density zone covered by two or three medium sized beam-spots, and a low density zone covered by one large beam-spot. As the mobile traffic patterns change throughout the day, multi-beam antenna dynamically reconfigures the zone and beam-spot layout for each cell, thereby keeping a nearly optimal zone and beam-spot configuration despite varying mobile traffic patterns.

Abstract: A method and system for handing over on-going communications to a target cell including a plurality of low power channels, for handling ongoing calls, and a plurality of higher power channels for handoff. The ongoing call is switched from a low to a higher power channel upon receiving a handoff request. The on-going call is using the higher power channel until a determination is made that the handoff is necessary or unnecessary. The quality of reception of the serving cell and target cell is compared to determine the necessity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a superconducting switch which has a substrate base and a control line patterned thereon. A buffer layer is deposited on top of these and then a superconducting material is deposited and then patterned wherein the superconducting material forms a strip having multiple intersections with the control line. At each intersection between the control line and the superconducting strip is formed a superconducting gate due to the double step edge junction. The control line underneath provides (1) a means for constructing step edge weak link junctions; (2) a means for heating the weak link junctions; and (3) generating an electromagnetic field near the weak link junctions. In combination, a very small magnetic field can be used to decrease the critical current to a very low level.

Abstract: A method of assigning and sharing carriers in a cellular communications system having a plurality of cells forming a plurality of cell clusters of size N. Each cell has at least one base station capable of sending and receiving signals and each cell has a plurality of adjacent cells. A plurality of distinct carriers are allotted for use by the system and divided into N groups which are assigned among the N cells of each cell cluster so that each cell cluster has a substantially similar assignment of distinct carrier groups. Each group of distinct carriers is divided into a plurality of carrier subgroups wherein each subgroup of carriers of a cell substantially corresponds to an adjacent cell. The subgroups of carriers are respectively designated for borrowing by cells adjacent to a corresponding cell. When all of the carriers assigned to a cell are utilized, a carrier can be borrowed at limited transmitted power, from a corresponding subgroup of carriers of an adjacent cellular gateway.

Abstract: A method of assigning and sharing channels in a cellular communications system having a plurality of cells forming a plurality of cell clusters of size N. Each cell has at least one base station capable of sending and receiving signals and each cell has a plurality of adjacent cells. A plurality of distinct channels are allotted for use by the system and divided into N groups which are assigned among the N cells of each cell cluster so that each cell cluster has a substantially similar assignment of distinct channel groups. Each group of distinct channels is divided into a plurality of channel subgroups wherein each subgroup of channels of a cell substantially corresponds to an adjacent cell. The subgroups of channels are respectively designated for borrowing by cells adjacent to a corresponding cell. When all of the channels assigned to a cell are utilized, a channel can be borrowed at limited transmitted power, from a corresponding subgroup of channels of an adjacent cellular gateway.