Abstract: The technology in this application spreads a signal over an available discontinuous spectrum, such as a radio frequency band, so that the spread signal only occupies the non-contiguous spectrum. In this way, CDMA transmission and reception can be used in a fragmented or non-contiguous spectrum that otherwise would not be useable for direct sequence spreading. Spreading over non-contiguous portions of spectrum is preferably performed without producing unacceptable interference in portions of unavailable spectrum located between the allowed spectrum. By avoiding unacceptable interference in portions of unavailable spectrum located between the allowed spectrum, the unavailable spectrum may be used by other users or services.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are configured to assign a code of less than N number of bits in length to a pattern of bits of a first polarity value distributed within a block of N binary bits. The method basically comprises (1) determining a number of bits of the first value in the block of N binary bits; (2) selecting a base value based on the determined number of bits of the first value; (3) determining a displacement value representative of a particular distribution of the determined number of bits of the first value in the block of N binary bits; and (4) adding the base value and the displacement value to obtain a sum and using the sum to form an assigned code. The base value is preferably selected by evaluating an Expression Io=NC1+NC2+NC3 . . . +NCK?1, wherein K is the determined number of bits of the first value in the block of N binary bits.

Abstract: A communication system (20) comprises a transmitter (22) and a receiver (24). The transmitter (22) comprises a source of information symbols (30); a pulse shaping wave function generator (32); and a combiner (34) configured to express the information symbols received from the source as signals which are shaped in time and frequency domains by the wave function. The pulse shaping wave function generator (32) is configured to provide a wave function which has the Nyquist property and has a same shape as its own Fourier transform. The combiner (34) is configured to combine the wave function with a stream of digital data symbols to produce a filtered stream for transmission by the transmitter.

Abstract: The technology in this application solves these problems (and others) and meets the desirable goals identified above (and others). The technology spreads a signal over an available discontinuous spectrum, such as a radio frequency band, so that the spread signal only occupies the non-contiguous spectrum. In this way, CDMA transmission and reception can be used in a fragmented or non-contiguous spectum that otherwise would not be useable for direct sequence spreading. Spreading over non-contiguous portions of spectrum is preferably performed without producing unacceptable interference in portions of unavailable spectrum located between the allowed spectrum. By avoiding unacceptable interference in portions of unavailable spectrum located between the allowed spectrum, the unavailable spectrum may be used by other users or services.

Abstract: A satellite broadcasts radio programs to mobile and fixed receivers at various locations. Ground stations supplement the satellite broadcasts in areas where the satellite signal may be shadowed. Likewise, the satellite signal supplements the terrestrial transmissions in areas with marginal terrestrial signal strength. Ground stations and a satellite transmit the same digital symbol stream over a same frequency spectrum. The symbol streams arrive in each service area of the ground stations with a relative delay that is within a window for which a receiver is adapted to decode efficiently. Spectral efficiency is achieved by allowing the ground stations to share the same frequencies as the satellites.

Abstract: A first orthogonal codeset, obtainable in various manners, is used in a first cell to provide orthogonal spreading codes for traffic signals originating within the first cell. A second orthogonal code set for use in a second cell is obtained that has at least a first code in common with the first orthogonal code set by selecting any code in the first codeset to be the first common code. The plural orthogonal codesets can be utilized in various ways and in various environments. For example, the plural orthogonal codesets can be used for operation of a user equipment unit in a code division multiple access (CDMA) network.

Abstract: Code division multiple access signals received through at least one multipath propagation channel are processed to produce at least one relative frequency error estimate. This involves receiving and processing the signals using a local frequency reference oscillator to obtain representative complex numerical samples for processing. The complex numerical samples are correlated with shifts of a locally generated despreading code and a number of complex channel estimates are produced, each corresponding to a different delayed ray of the at least one multipath propagation channel. A frequency error estimate is computed for each ray based on successive values of a respective one of the channel estimates, and a weighted summation of the frequency error estimates is performed to provide at least one relative frequency error estimate.

Abstract: A multi-bit acknowledgement word (44) is prepared by a first communications station 22 (such as a base station) for separately acknowledging the success or failure of data packets received over plural communication channels (42) from respective plural second communication stations 28 (such as terminals). The acknowledgement word (44) is a “joint” or “common” acknowledgement word in the sense that one and the same acknowledgement word provides acknowledgement information for data packets received from plural second communication stations. Either separately or in conjunction with the joint acknowledgement word, a terminal checking code (62) can be employed for determining whether a packet is received on a both in a correct channel and from a correct terminal. The terminal checking code (62) comprise a cyclic redundancy check code formed over data bits (66) of the data packet and a terminal identifier (68) of the terminal (28).

Abstract: A spread spectrum signal is processed by correlating the spread spectrum signal with a spreading sequence at a first plurality of correlation times to produce a first plurality of time-offset correlations. The first plurality of time-offset correlations is processed to produce a first symbol representation for a symbol. A first quality is determined for the first symbol representation. Responsive to the determined first quality, it is determined whether to further process the first symbol representation or to process a second symbol representation for the symbol generated from the spread spectrum signal. The first quality may be determined, for example, by decoding the first symbol representations to generate a decoding metric or error check indicator, such as a CRC result. The symbol representations may be generated and/or evaluated for quality in a serial fashion or a parallel fashion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are configured to assign a code of less than N number of bits in length to a pattern of bits of a first polarity value distributed within a block of N binary bits. The method basically comprises (1) determining a number of bits of the first value in the block of N binary bits; (2) selecting a base value based on the determined number of bits of the first value; (3) determining a displacement value representative of a particular distribution of the determined number of bits of the first value in the block of N binary bits; and (4) adding the base value and the displacement value to obtain a sum and using the sum to form an assigned code. The base value is preferably selected by evaluating an Expression Io=NC1+NC2+N C3 . . . +NCK?1, wherein K is the determined number of bits of the first value in the block of N binary bits.

Abstract: A satellite communications system uses multiple ground stations and one or more satellites for communicating between mobile subscribers and a land-based communications network, such as the PSTN or the Internet. Multiple ground stations geographically dispersed minimize toll charges incurred routing calls from a mobile subscriber through the land network by reducing the need for long-distance calling. Further, because each ground station communicates with a given satellite using the same frequency spectrum, the subscriber capacity of the system increases and/or bandwidth requirements for the communications link between ground stations and satellites may be reduced. The present system uses ground-based beamforming techniques enabling each satellite to transmit signals in multiple transmission beams, each beam supporting one or more mobile subscribers. Each beam may reuse the same frequency spectrum, thereby increasing the number of subscribers supported by each satellite.

Abstract: Transmitting non-polluting dummy pilot signals in a wireless communication network permits estimation of the downlink propagation channels between a number of joint transmitters and a lesser number of receivers. With fewer receivers than transmitters, loop back information from the receivers is not sufficient to determine the downlink propagation channels between the transmitters and receivers. For N transmitters and M receivers, (N-M) dummy pilot symbols are transmitted to facilitate downlink channel estimation. Each dummy pilot signal is transmitted to an imagined or dummy receiver that is virtually located such that its downlink channel coefficient vector is orthogonal to those of the real receivers. Transmit pre-filtering based on estimated propagation channels is applied to the information signals for the real receivers and to the dummy pilot signals. The extent to which the dummy pilot signals interfere at each receiver is an indication of mismatch between estimated and actual propagation channels.

Abstract: A dual-mode telephone with a satellite communication adapter is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cellular-type handportable phone is equipped with a connector for the attachment of accessories. This connector provide a satellite communications adapter accessory access to the handset's signal processing resources which may operate in an alternative mode to process signals received from the satellite and converted by the adapter into a suitable form for processing. The processing translates the satellite signals into voice or data, and vice-versa.

Abstract: Transmitted signals from plurality of mobile terminals are received at one or more base stations in a Code Division Multiple Access system. The base stations send the received signals to a central processor in the form of complex signal sample streams. The central processor determines the correlations between the spreading codes used by the mobile terminals and combines the interference correlations with channel estimates to form an interference matrix. The central processor uses the interference matrix to process the received signals reduce the interference between signals from different mobile terminals.

Abstract: Processing of loop-back information returned by one or more mobile stations that are served by a wireless communication network permits the network to compensate its transmit signals for increased transmission efficiency and reduced signal interference at the mobile stations. Generally, the network forms one or more transmit signals as a combination of different signals intended for the different mobile stations, and remembers transmit information associated with these transmit signals. The mobile stations return loop-back signals to the network, which determines transmit signal compensation information by comparing loop-back information to memorized information. The mobile stations may loop-back samples from composite received signals, from processed received signal samples, or loop-back estimates.

Abstract: The invention comprises using beamforming antenna to coherently transmit an information signal to a receiver using two or more directional beams. In one embodiment, the phase and timing of the information signals carried by each directional beams are adjusted such that the signals arrive synchronously at the mobile terminal. Time synchronization may be obtained by delaying signals transmitted on selected directional beams to compensate for different propagation delays, or by preconditioning and filtering the signals using a channel coefficient matrix.

Abstract: A mobile communication system comprises a plurality of cells, with each cell including a network of microstations distributed more or less uniformly throughout the cell. A central controller connected to the network of microstations selects a group of microstations in the vicinity of the mobile terminal to transmit information to the mobile terminal. The selected microstations in the active set for a given mobile terminal is continuously updated as the mobile terminal moves through the network of microstations to form a virtual cell that follows the mobile terminal through the network. Transmission conflicts between two mobile terminals is avoided by inhibiting transmissions from an active microstation to at least one of the co-channel mobile terminals when a transmission conflict is detected.

Abstract: A transceiver for a code division multiple access communication system comprises a receiver to receive coded information signals and a transmitter to transmit coded information signals. A local oscillator provides a time and frequency reference for the receiver and the transmitter. A timing controller provides timing signals for the receiver and the transmitter. A signal processor decodes received signals to determine a common error associated with the timing controller. A timing correction circuit smoothly adjusts the timing of the coded information signals transmitted by the transmitter responsive to the timing error to reduce the timing error over a desired time interval.

Abstract: Methods of modulating a radio transmitter. An amplitude modulation signal is generated based on in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of an information signal, and so that it has a reduced predetermined characteristic compared to the magnitude of the I and Q components of the information signal. A complex signal is formed that has substantially the same phase angle variation as the I and Q components of the information signal so that the product of the complex signal and the amplitude modulation signal is substantially equal to the information signal.

Abstract: A Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication system which contains a calling channel which is used to inform silent mobiles that they are being called. In the system, the calling channel is chosen to be the strongest overlapping signal so that it reaches mobiles which are located on the cells extreme boundaries. The interference other signals experience because the overlap with the calling channel may be avoided by having the mobiles first demodulate the calling channel signal and then subtract it out before demodulating their own signal.