Abstract: A plurality of auxiliary transmitters associated with at least one main transmitter, transmitting broadcast area wide programming for their respective broadcast areas, wherein a mechanism enables switching on transmission of localized auxiliary information content by at least one of the plurality of auxiliary transmitters, wherein the at least one of plurality of auxiliary transmitters transmits localized auxiliary information content on a single frequency network transmission frequency, and wherein the localized auxiliary information content includes a data item that enables retrieval of promotional information from a remote server, when the data item is analyzed by a software application.

Abstract: A range equalization transceiver system (100) for increasing efficiency of a continuous duty communications link includes a first transceiver (105) for transmitting data traffic over a broadband traffic channel and a second transceiver (107) for determining routing information using a discovery channel based on link quality. A controller (103) is used for interpreting routing information from the second transceiver (107) where the controller (103) selects a transmitting scheme based on data traffic conditions on both the broadband traffic channel and link quality channel for sending data over a wireless network.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) for mesh/ad hoc participation is provided. The method can include providing (310) an incentive to a user operating a device in an ad hoc network and determining (320) network resources associated with providing the incentive. The method can establish a credit system for devices within the ad hoc network, evaluate a supply and demand for the network resources, and allocate credits to the devices for forwarding packets in the ad hoc network. The method can determine a delivery capacity for the devices and negotiate an optimal packet route through the devices in the ad hoc network based on the supply and demand.

Abstract: A method and system for positioning a relay in a wide area communication network can enable improved operating efficiency of the network. The method includes processing a plurality of requests, received from a plurality of wireless communication devices, for connections to the network, where each device in the plurality of wireless communication devices can operate using a wide area networking standard and can operate using an ad hoc networking standard (step 305). A location in the network of each device in the plurality of wireless communication devices is then determined (step 310). An operating position for the relay is then determined based on an evaluation of the location in the network of each device in the plurality of wireless communication devices (step 315).

Abstract: Each node in a wireless communication network adds information in hello messages wherein the information comprises the number of hello messages received at the node from a plurality of nodes. Also, the nodes are configured to determine the node density based on additional information extracted from the received hello messages. For example, a first node in the wireless communication network receives a hello message from a second node, wherein the hello message comprises additional information indicating at least a number of hello messages received by the second node from a plurality of nodes in the wireless communication network. The first node extracts the additional information from the received hello message and based on the extracted additional information, the first node determines at least one channel performance metric. Based on the at least one channel performance metric the first node determines density of neighboring nodes in the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) for mesh/ad hoc participation is provided. The method can include providing (310) an incentive to a user operating a device in an ad hoc network and determining (320) network resources associated with providing the incentive. The method can establish a credit system for devices within the ad hoc network, evaluate a supply and demand for the network resources, and allocate credits to the devices for forwarding packets in the ad hoc network. The method can determine a delivery capacity for the devices and negotiate an optimal packet route through the devices in the ad hoc network based on the supply and demand.

Abstract: A method and system for positioning a relay in a wide area communication network can enable improved operating efficiency of the network. The method includes processing a plurality of requests, received from a plurality of wireless communication devices, for connections to the network, where each device in the plurality of wireless communication devices can operate using a wide area networking standard and can operate using an ad hoc networking standard (step 305). A location in the network of each device in the plurality of wireless communication devices is then determined (step 310). An operating position for the relay is then determined based on an evaluation of the location in the network of each device in the plurality of wireless communication devices (step 315).

Abstract: A range equalization transceiver system (100) for increasing efficiency of a continuous duty communications link includes a first transceiver (105) for transmitting data traffic over a broadband traffic channel and a second transceiver (107) for determining routing information using a discovery channel based on link quality. A controller (103) is used for interpreting routing information from the second transceiver (107) where the controller (103) selects a transmitting scheme based on data traffic conditions on both the broadband traffic channel and link quality channel for sending data over a wireless network.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a personal agent in a communications device for selecting the method of delivery of at least one communication having multiple networking type modes (200) includes discovering all available delivery options (203). One or more operational parameters are detected (205) including information based on the agent's knowledge of the user's schedule. The impact on battery consumption of the communication is also estimated (209) and a key metric is determined (211) based on the type of delivery options that are available. Finally, an optimal delivery option is determined (213) where it can be either automatically selected or presented to the user of the device.

Abstract: Signal-strength measurements are periodically made for all nodes within communication range of a node. The time-varying nature of the signal-strength measurements are taken into account prior to any node being used for routing purposes. More particularly, if the time-varying nature of a node's signal strength indicates that it is traveling at a high speed, the node is not utilized for routing purposes.

Abstract: A base site (104) generates a pseudo-random signal based on at least one system parameter known to both the base site and a communication unit (112). The base site (104) then transmits the pseudo-random signal to the communication unit via an idle communication resource (102). Upon receiving the pseudo-random signal, the communication unit (112) determines at least one characteristic of the idle communication resource (102) using the pseudo-random signal.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (100) that includes a plurality of base sites (101-103) employs a method and apparatus for determining a location of a communication unit (107) in the system. Upon transmission of an information signal (109) by the communication unit, each of the base sites receives the transmitted information signal. A serving base site (e.g., 103) determines a stream of information symbols from the information signal, derives timing information based on the information signal and the stream of information symbols, and conveys the stream of information symbols preferably to at least two non-serving base sites (101-102). The non-serving base sites determine respective timing information based on the information signal received from the communication unit and the stream of information symbols received from the serving base site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the communication coverage in a multi-cell communication system (100) which employs neighbor cell lists. A cell site (114) provides a communication unit (128) within its cell (112) with communication and a neighbor cell list. The neighbor cell list (200) informs the communication unit of other cells which are possible hand-off targets. When the fixed network equipment (FNE) detects that a particular communication unit (128) has entered another cell and/or needs to hand-off its communication to another cell site but has been denied, the cell site (114) sends the communication unit the neighbor cell list related to the new cell. With a new neighbor cell list (300), the communication unit (128) can now attempt to maintain its communication by handing-off to cells unknown before. In this manner the effective communication coverage of the system is improved.

Abstract: Signals comprising time of transmission indications relative to a common time base (302) are transmitted by at least two fixed transceivers (110-116). When the signals are received by a mobile unit (160), a time of reception indication relative to the common time base is calculated for each signal. Pseudo-ranges are calculated based on the time of transmission and time of reception indications, and a WLS solution location estimate is calculated based on the pseudo-ranges. Essentially the same procedure may be performed on signals transmitted by the mobile unit. Given the common time base between the fixed transceivers and the mobile unit, only two or more signals are required to determine the location estimate. Where GPS receivers are used to supply the common time base, location determinations can still be made when a GPS solution is unavailable.

Abstract: Signals exchanged between a fixed infrastructure (110-116) and a mobile unit (160) give rise to M channel quality metrics. The channel quality metrics are mapped, via predetermined relationships (501-503), in to M corresponding time of arrival variances, which in turn are used to derive M-1 time of arrival differential variances. A time of arrival differential weighting matrix including, in part, the time of arrival differential variances, is used to calculate a WLS solution, which solution is an estimate of a location of the mobile unit. This procedure may be implemented using an infrastructure-based location processor (130) operating in conjunction with the mobile unit, or may be performed by either the location processor or mobile unit alone.

Abstract: A communication system (100) employs a method and apparatus for mitigating distortion effects and enhancing signal usability determinations in a receiver (102). The receiver receives a discrete information signal that includes a stream of information symbols. Each information symbol (124) of the stream includes two components: a desired component and an undesired component that includes interference and distortion. The receiver determines an estimate (126) of the desired component of an information symbol and an estimate (130) of the undesired component of the information symbol based on the information symbol itself and its desired component estimate. The undesired component estimate is then scaled by a scaling factor (132) that is derived based on the desired component estimate. An enhanced determination of signal usability (136) for the received symbol is finally determined based on the scaled undesired component estimate (134).

Abstract: A method of low-splatter peak-to-average reduction for a linear communication system includes the step of sampling (1201) an input signal at a first rate, yielding a plurality of input samples. When at least one (1401, 1403, and 1405) of the plurality of input samples is above a first threshold, a local maximum (1401) is determined (1207) from among the plurality of input samples. At least one value (1407 and 1409) is interpolated (1207) between the local maximum and at least one sample (1405) adjacent to the local maximum. The at least one value and the local maximum are compared (1211) to determine which has the highest magnitude. The value having the highest magnitude (1407) is compared (1213) to a second threshold. When the value having the highest magnitude (1407) is above the second threshold, an attenuating window is centered (1505) at the value having the highest magnitude and applying (1507) the attenuating window to at least some of the plurality of input samples.

Abstract: In a diversity reception communication system (200), a method is provided for recovering data symbols (213) from a transmitted signal. Multiple signals representing the transmitted signal are received via corresponding multiple reception paths (201, 202). For each reception path, values are determined for noise (206), channel quality (207), and for a weighting factor (209) as a function of the channel quality. The signals are processed using diversity combining (212) which includes the weighting factor (209) for each reception path, to provide a resultant signal that more likely represents the transmitted signal than any of the received signals alone. The data symbols (213) are recovered from the resultant signal.

Abstract: A quad 16 QAM transmission and reception methodology wherein a time domain pilot reference is advantageously associated therewith. There may be one or more such pilot references for each packet of multiple 16 QAM pulses. Depending upon the embodiment, each 16 QAM pulse can include a time domain pilot reference, or an estimated pilot reference for that pulse can be determined either by reference to pilot references in other pulses sharing the same packet, or by reference to pilot references for other previously received 16 QAM pulses corresponding to that same pulse.

Abstract: A diversity receiver that receives modulated signals may determine signal usability of the received signals in the following manner. A modulated signal that includes a desired component and an undesired component is received in each receiver branch of the diversity receiver, wherein the desired component includes an originally transmitted signal and the undesired component includes noise and interference. Each receiver branch estimates the desired and undesired components and processes the modulated signal with a channel gain/phase estimator, a complex conjugator, and a complex mixer to produce a complex output. The complex output of each receiver branch is derived independently of the undesired component and combined to produce a diversity resultant. The diversity receiver estimates the signal usability of the diversity resultant based on the estimated desired components and the estimated undesired components.