Abstract: A coordinated signaling scheme for both uplink and downlink transmissions between a base station and a user terminal reduces the amount of time that the user terminal must turn on its receiver to listen for scheduling messages and ACK/NACK signaling. A scheduler at a base station aligns the transmission of downlink scheduling messages (e.g., downlink assignments) with uplink grants and ACK/NACK signaling for uplink transmissions. Aligning the downlink scheduling messages with uplink control signaling enables the user terminal to turn off its receiver for longer periods of time.

Abstract: Method and arrangements for scheduling transmission resources in a first node in a cell comprised within a wireless communication network. The first node is arranged to communicate over a communication channel with at least one user equipment within the cell. The communication is made by using a frame comprising uplink resources and downlink resources with a switching point between the downlink resources and the uplink resources. The method comprises the step of obtaining a parameter referring to the expected transmission quality of the communication and/or the expected coherence properties of the communication channel. The method also comprises scheduling a transmission on an uplink or downlink resource. The resource is located on a time distance from the switching point. The time distance is based on the obtained parameter.

Abstract: A coordinated signaling scheme for both uplink and downlink transmissions between a base station and a user terminal reduces the amount of time that the user terminal must turn on its receiver to listen for scheduling messages and ACK/NACK signaling. A scheduler at a base station aligns the transmission of downlink scheduling messages (e.g., downlink assignments) with uplink grants and ACK/NACK signaling for uplink transmissions. Aligning the downlink scheduling messages with uplink control signaling enables the user terminal to turn off its receiver for longer periods of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a random access process in a cellular communications system and to a user equipment (UE) and a NodeB adapted for performing the process. A problem with the random access is that the time slot for receiving a random access request (RA-request) has a long unused guard portion. When the UE transmits the RA-request, the distance to the receiving NodeB is unknown, and the purpose of the guard portion is to accommodate for propagation delay. The disadvantage is the inefficient use of the random access channel which results in long delays for UEs to access the network. The present invention solves the problem with a method in which the UE position is determined and the distance and propagation delay between the UE and NodeB is calculated before the transmission of the RA-request, and the timing of the transmission is advanced by the propagation delay.

Abstract: A method for controlling transmission resources for transmission and re-transmission of packets of a plurality of automatic repeat request processes comprises allocating, for each of the plurality of automatic repeat request processes, a transmission resource for transmission of a packet of the automatic repeat request process. The method further comprises allocating transmission resources as one or more re-transmission opportunities for re-transmission of the packet of at least two of the automatic repeat request processes such that at least two of the at least two automatic repeat request processes share transmission resource for at least one of the re-transmission opportunities. The method also comprises transmitting at least one control message indicating the allocated transmission resources. An electronic device for controlling transmission and retransmission of packets of a plurality of automatic repeat request processes is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting packets having quality of service requirement wherein the quality of service requirements associated with the packets are received at an input, said quality of service parameters include at least one of delay, bandwidth, peak bandwidth and retransmission bandwidth. The received quality of service parameters are mapped to radio protocol parameters including at least one of a priority slot interval, a priority slot phase, a packet duration and modulation format for the radio channel. The packets are transmitted on a radio channel according to the mapped radio protocol parameters.

Abstract: A method and control device for generating a transmit power level for a communication apparatus for operation in a wireless communication network having a network node. The control device comprises a controller adapted to generate a request message for requesting access to a communication channel, to be transmitted to the network node. The control device is also adapted to determine whether access to the communication channel has been granted in response to the request message. A transmit power control unit is adapted to generate a transmit power level for the communication apparatus in dependence of whether access to the communication channel has been granted.

Abstract: The presence of spread spectrum signals in a given frequency range is detected in a receiver by receiving a signal; determining for a measurement frequency an indication signal; and using it as an indication of the presence of spread spectrum signals having a carrier frequency equal to the measurement frequency. An in-phase signal and a quadrature signal are provided by mixing the received signal with an oscillator signal having the measurement frequency; at least one of these signals is phase shifted; a sum signal and a difference signal are generated; and the sum signal is multiplied by the difference signal and low pass filtered. In this way a method and a circuit of detecting the presence of spread spectrum signals in a given frequency range are provided, which are simple and fast enough to be used in low-cost cognitive radios.

Abstract: A mobile terminal is operated in a cellular communications system that comprises a base station operating in a time division duplex mode. The mobile terminal detects a downlink transmission from the base station and determines therefrom a future moment in time at which an end part of a downlink transmission just prior to a random access window will become detectable at the mobile terminal. An uplink random access transmission is begun at a moment in time that is before the future moment in time. The moment in time that is before the future moment in time can be a fixed amount of time before the future moment in time. If the mobile terminal is not near the edge of the cell, the base station may consequently receive only a partial uplink random access transmission, but this does not detrimentally affect performance.

Abstract: Wireless communication terminals and methods are disclosed that determine acoustic ranging synchronized to RF communication signals. A communication terminal can include a RF transceiver, a microphone, and a controller. The controller synchronizes a clock in response to known timing characteristics of received RF communication signals. The controller determines an acoustic signal generation time relative to the RF communication signal synchronized clock at which the other communication terminal will generate an acoustic signal. The controller determines an acoustic signal receipt time relative to the RF signal synchronized clock when the acoustic signal from the other communication terminal is detected in the microphone signal.

Abstract: To enhance in-building location determination of an electronic device, described is a system and a method that uses a blip access point to transfer location assistance information to the electronic device. The location assistance information may contain a map of dummy beacons that serve as reference points (e.g., landmarks) from which the electronic device may determine its location relative to the map information.

Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of server devices within a user's personal bubble includes accessing information available on the plurality of server devices. The information is output so as to appear that the information resides on a single device. The remote control device also may automatically configure the various devices within the personal bubble to communicate with other devices based on particular events, commands, etc.

Abstract: A dynamic carrier selection method and system permit units operating on a first carrier to change to a second carrier when performance of the first carrier becomes unacceptable. Carrier quality measurements are taken in which carrier quality is a function of interference and multi-path fading and carrier-signal strength. The carriers are ranked according to measured quality in a carrier candidate list. The carrier candidate list is used to permit units to determine which carrier they should switch to when the carrier there currently operating on is determined to have unacceptable performance. Carrier measurements are retaken in response to a carrier change by unit or a predetermined time period having elapsed.

Abstract: A coordinated signaling scheme for both uplink and downlink transmissions between a base station and a user terminal reduces the amount of time that the user terminal must turn on its receiver to listen for scheduling messages and ACK/NACK signaling. A scheduler at a base station aligns the transmission of downlink scheduling messages (e.g., downlink assignments) with uplink grants and ACK/NACK signaling for uplink transmissions. Aligning the downlink scheduling messages with uplink control signaling enables the user terminal to turn off its receiver for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A voltage conversion circuit for a host electronic device includes a buck converter circuit having an input terminal coupled to a first node and having an output terminal coupled to a second node, a switched capacitor voltage converter circuit having an input coupled to the first node and an output coupled to the second node. The buck converter circuit may be configured to be selectively enabled and disabled in response to a control signal, and the switched capacitor voltage converter circuit may be configured to operate when the buck converter circuit is disabled.

Abstract: A method for controlling transmission resources for transmission and re-transmission of packets of a plurality of automatic repeat request processes comprises allocating, for each of the plurality of automatic repeat request processes, a transmission resource for transmission of a packet of the automatic repeat request process. The method further comprises allocating transmission resources as one or more re-transmission opportunities for re-transmission of the packet of at least two of the automatic repeat request processes such that at least two of the at least two automatic repeat request processes share transmission resource for at least one of the re-transmission opportunities. The method also comprises transmitting at least one control message indicating the allocated transmission resources. An electronic device for controlling transmission and retransmission of packets of a plurality of automatic repeat request processes is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting packets having quality of service requirement wherein the quality of service requirements associated with the packets are received at an input, said quality of service parameters include at least one of delay, bandwidth, peak bandwidth and retransmission bandwidth. The received quality of service parameters are mapped to radio protocol parameters including at least one of a priority slot interval, a priority slot phase, a packet duration and modulation format for the radio channel. The packets are transmitted on a radio channel according to the mapped radio protocol parameters.

Abstract: The presence of spread spectrum signals in a given frequency range is detected in a receiver by receiving a signal; determining for a measurement frequency an indication signal; and using it as an indication of the presence of spread spectrum signals having a carrier frequency equal to said measurement frequency. An in-phase signal and a quadrature signal are provided by mixing the received signal with an oscillator signal having said measurement frequency; at least one of these signals is phase shifted; a sum signal and a difference signal are generated; and the sum signal is multiplied by the difference signal and low pass filtered. In this way a method and a circuit of detecting the presence of spread spectrum signals in a given frequency range are provided, which are simple and fast enough to be used in low-cost cognitive radios.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting packets having quality of service requirement wherein the quality of service requirements associated with the packets are received at an input, said quality of service parameters include at least one of delay, bandwidth, peak bandwidth and retransmission bandwidth The received quality of service parameters are mapped to radio protocol parameters including at least one of a priority slot interval, a priority slot phase, a packet duration and modulation format for the radio channel. The packets are transmitted on a radio channel according to the mapped radio protocol parameters.

Abstract: To enhance in-building location determination of an electronic device, described is a system and a method that uses a blip access point to transfer location assistance information to the electronic device. The location assistance information may contain a map of dummy beacons that serve as reference points (e.g., landmarks) from which the electronic device may determine its location relative to the map information.