Abstract: A method of upgrading the system capability of a communications network is provided. The method involves initiating a transfer of at least one set of upgraded system capability software machine-coded instructions to a host card, instructing the host card to begin an upgrade process, determining whether at least one set of system capability software machine-coded instructions on the host card is valid, and completing the transfer of at least one valid set of system capability software machine-coded instructions to the host card, wherein the system capability is upgraded without affecting operation of the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining data stream synchronization are provided. A system comprises one or more radio head interface modules and a call processing software module each adapted to communicate with each other. The call processing software module performs modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams using one or more air interface standards. The call processing software module communicates a forward data stream to a first radio head interface module. The forward data stream comprises a plurality of data samples representing voice and data streams and a plurality of fixed synchronization words. When the first radio head interface module does not observe the receipt of a first fixed synchronization word of the plurality of fixed synchronization words word from the call processing software module when expected, the first radio head interface module concludes that it has lost synchronization with the call processing software module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to buffers that handle multiple protocols in a communication system. In one embodiment, a plurality of communication channels is provide. There is a buffer for each communication channel. Moreover, each buffer is adapted to pass data samples in more than one protocol.

Abstract: A communications system dynamically reconfigurable for RF bandwidth and modulation protocols is disclosed. A server comprises one or more radio head interface modules and a call processing software module adapted to communicate with each other. The call processing software is adapted to perform modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams using one or more air interface protocols. A radio head unit coupled to the radio head interface module communicates with one or more subscriber units. The radio head interface module receives either air interface protocol configuration information, or RF signal bandwidth allocation information, from the call processing software module for one or more communication channels, the information providing a timing trigger and a protocol or bandwidth for one or more communication channels. The radio head interface module reconfigures itself for one or more communications channels, based on the change instructed by the call processing software.

Abstract: A dynamically reconfigurable communications system is presented. The communications system comprises a server, including one or more radio head interface modules, a call processing software module, and a radio head unit coupled to the radio head interface module over one or more transport mediums. The one or more radio head interface modules adapted to communicate with the call processing software module, wherein the call processing software performs modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams using one or more air interface protocols. The radio head unit communicates with one or more subscriber units using the one or more air interface protocols. The radio head interface module receives power level adjustment parameters from the call processing software module for one or more logical channels and reconfigures the signal gain of one or more communications channels based on the power level adjustment parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling buffer overflows and underflows in a software defined radio are presented. A communications system comprises one or more radio head interface modules and a call processing software module. The radio head interface modules are adapted to communicate with the call processing software module. The call processing software module performs modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams and transmits complex RF data samples to the radio head interface modules. A first radio head interface module is adapted to create zero value data samples when complex RF data samples are not received from the call processing software module at an expected data sample rate. The first radio head interface module is further adapted to count zero value data samples created and discard a number of complex RF data samples based on the number of zero value data samples counted by the first radio head interface module.

Abstract: A frequency hopping communications system is disclosed. A server is adapted to have one or more radio head interface modules and a call processing software module. The call processing software module performs modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams using one or more air interface standards. A radio head unit is coupled to the radio head interface module over one or more transport mediums and communicates with one or more subscriber units using the one or more air interface standards. The one or more radio head interface modules, are adapted to receive frequency channel hopping information, including a channel and a time to hop trigger, from the call processing software module for one or more of a plurality of communication channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamically configured wireless communication systems. In particular, in one embodiment, dynamically configured up and down converters in a communication system is provided. The method comprises receiving a request to change a protocol in a communication channel. Obtaining one or more parameters associated with the change in protocol of the communication channel and applying the parameters to the up and down converters.

Abstract: The synchronization of timing between devices in a communication system is presented. In one embodiment a method includes attaching a time stamp message to a page of data samples that indicates when a first one of the data samples was received by a receive engine in a host card. Passing the data samples and the time stamp message to a call processing module and synchronizing communications between the host card and the call processing module based at least in part on the time stamp message.

Abstract: The synchronization of timing between devices in a communication system is presented. In particular, in one embodiment, a method of synchronizing timing of communications between a software module and a host card in a forward direction is presented. The method comprises reading a time start message in a header of a page of data received from the software module and transmitting the page of data when the time start message matches a time of a time clock in the host card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packet processing is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention the method and apparatus is implemented in plurality of pipeline stages, each stage or group of stages being configured to a particular processing operation. Each stage may operate simultaneously, if data is available, and independently. Common data or control words are shared between the various stages of the pipeline to provide control an supplemental data to each processing stage in the pipeline. In one embodiment the processing pipeline includes one or more dynamic stages and one or more static stages. The dynamic stages are configured to modify, remove, or supplement portions of the packet as the packet or portion thereof passes through the pipeline with the aid of a more flexible control structure. The static stages are configured to modify, remove, or supplement portions of the packet as the packet or portion thereof passes through the pipeline with the aid of a hardwired system.