Abstract: A push-to-talk (“PTT”) group call system, for use as, e.g., a public safety wireless network, includes a CDMA-based 1x-EVDO radio access network operably connected to a PTT server over an IP network. The radio access network includes base stations for radio communications with a number of distributed mobile stations. In carrying out wireless communications, the group call system combines IP-based voice and other real-time multimedia services with the 1x-EVDO radio access network's Broadcast Multicast Service. This allows a number of users to receive the same copy of an IP-based media stream for point-to-multipoint, group transmissions. To reduce call setup times, the group call system uses “standing” call groups, which are ongoing group communication channels pre-established between the PTT server and authorized group users. Thus, mobile stations link to one or more standing call groups of interest upon power-up, prior to users speaking.

Abstract: In a wireless communications system which hops from frequency to frequency, rather than hopping according to a fixed dwell interval and a pre-determined pseudo-random hop sequence, a quality-based frequency hopping methodology is defined in which a new frequency is hopped to when the channel quality on the current frequency degrades based on the measured value or values of one or more predetermined metrics that are associated with channel quality. When triggered to hop to a next frequency, the hop-to-frequency may be the next frequency in the pseudo-random hop sequence known to both the transmitter and receiver or, in order to improve the reliability of communications, may be determined based on channel quality measurements on different potential hop-to-frequencies.

Abstract: Rather than transmitting a large full Broadcast-Multicast Services (BCMC) Parameters Message (BSPM) containing a full set of BSPM parameters pertaining to all active BCMC flows within a sector on an infrequent basis, smaller-sized differential or partial BSPMs are instead transmitted. Differential BSPMs contain updated information for existing flows or information for new flows, and because of their smaller size, can be transmitted more frequently than full BSPMs. A mobile terminal receiving a differential BSPM updates the flows with the information contained within the differential BSPM or adds the information contained within the differential BSPM for a new flow. Partial BSPMs divide the flow information contained in a large full BSPM over a plurality of smaller-sized partial BSPMs, which are separately and sequentially transmitted at different times. A mobile terminal receiving these partial BSPMs then reconstructs the full BSPM from a collection of received partial BSPMs.

Abstract: Information is transmitted over selected, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) sub-channels to avoid frequencies with unacceptable congestion, noise or interference levels. Using frequency hopping, selected non-contiguous OFDM sub-channels used for transmission may vary with time. Once a group of OFDM sub-channels is selected, a power level and modulation technique may also be selected based on channel quality.

Abstract: A tone generator generates a test signal that a coupler injects into a cable towards an antenna. A receiver or other communication equipment, connected to the antenna via the cable, measures, across a frequency band, at least powers of a signal received at a base station from the antenna. The received signal includes a leakage signal and a reflected signal where the reflected signal is a reflected portion of the test signal and the leakage signal is a portion of the test signal leaking from the coupler away from the antenna. The communication equipment determines maximum and minimum powers of the received signal based on the measurements, and determines at least an indication of return loss of the antenna based on the determined maximum and minimum powers.

Abstract: A method of triggering registration of a mobile station in a network supporting broadcast multicast services employs registration triggers based on flow conditions and frequency conditions. For example, a registration message may be generated based on a change in frequency, from a first frequency to a second frequency, that is monitored by the mobile station. If the second frequency is not known to the network based on flow identifier information previously registered by the mobile station with the network, a registration to the network is triggered. By sending a registration, the network may page a mobile station on a single, given frequency, since the registration message indicates the mobile station's presence on that given frequency.

Abstract: Methods for signaling information to a group of users in a communication network supporting a broadcast-multicast service are described, in which one or more indicator bits of a sequence may be assigned to indicate transmission of signaling information that is related to the group. The sequence may be transmitted to the group on a first channel, with the signaling information related to the group being transmitted on a second channel.

Abstract: In a method of tracking a user in a communication network supporting a broadcast-multicast service, the network classifies groups of users into tracking areas. Movement of a user may be tracked as the user crosses a boundary between two tracking areas in the network. The method may enable a balance to be achieved between use of uplink overhead and the level or granularity of tracking desired, so as to conserve radio resources.