Abstract: A cluster management module will receive a transmission from a subscriber module and estimate a range for a subscriber module based on the received transmission. A receive power for the transmission will be obtained and a transmit power for the subscriber module will be determined based on the range of the subscriber module and the receive power of the transmission. Network access will be allowed or denied based on the transmit power of the subscriber module. In a second embodiment, an azimuth angle is additionally determined from the received transmission, and an approximate location of the subscriber module is determined. Network access is then allowed or denied based on the transmit power of the subscriber module and additionally based on the location of the subscriber module.

Abstract: The presence of the non-television transmission within a channel is used to indicate that secondary non-licensed usage of the channel is permitted. Specifically, if secondary users incorporate the means to identify the unique modulation signature of the secondary user, decoding of a beacon signal may not be necessary. With the above in mind, a radio will be prevented from transmitting within a frequency band when no transmission within the licensed spectrum is currently taking place; the licensee is currently transmitting on the spectrum (e.g., television transmissions are taking place utilizing the spectrum, or the radio cannot sense the presence of a data channel (beacon).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing communication units to utilize non-licensed spectrum is provided herein. In particular, when a radio determines a need to transmit within non-licensed spectrum, the radio searches for a beacon being transmitted. The beacon identifies a priority of the current user of the non-licensed spectrum. If the radio's priority is higher than the current user of the non-licensed spectrum, or if no beacon is heard, the radio may begin transmitting within the non-licensed spectrum. As part of the radio's transmission, a beacon will be broadcast by the radio identifying the radio's priority.

Abstract: An AM Stereo receiver is described which includes an AGC having an output which indicates whether the received signal has significantly decreased in level and having a clamping circuit for controlling the voltage at the input of a VCO. The clamping circuit is further defined as having a window detector for sensing a change in the voltage at the input of the VCO according to a predetermined threshold; a selectable controller, responsive to the window detector, for adjusting the voltage at the input of the VCO; and a window reduction circuit, responsive to the output signal of the AGC, for altering the predetermined threshold to provide the controller with a more sensitive indication of a drift in the voltage at the input of the VCO. The receiver additionally includes a conventional locked loop driver for steering the VCO according to the phase of the received input signal.