Abstract: A communication network (100) is provided having a WLAN (112) and an WLAN enabled information processing device (122), such as a portable computer or PDA, capable of emulating a cellular telephone. Generally, the device (122) includes a program (130) to emulate a cellular telephone and to identify voice packets to an access point (114) of the WLAN (112). The access point (114) is configured to route voice packets to a public or private cellular network (104, 110) over a first path (138), and to route other packets to an IP Network (116), over a second path (140). Thus, enabling a user of the device (122) to simultaneously engage in voice communication with a cellular network (104, 110) and data communication with the IP network (116).

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: A communication system (100) and method for coupling a wireless local area network (WLAN 128) to a public network (102) to enable communication between User Equipment terminals (UEs 130) associated with the WLAN and the public network. The public network (102) can include a GSM (110) and/or a 3G-network (114). The WLAN (128) can include a HiperLAN, HiperMAN, or 802.11 network. Preferably, the communication is voice communication, and the system (100) is configured to enable the UEs (130) to access supplementary services provided by the public network (102). Subscriber and security information for the UEs (102) can be provided to the public network (102) from a SIM (134) associated with each UE, or from an identity module (138) comprising either a private memory with information stored therein, or a card holder/reader holding cards with subscriber and security information for one or more UEs.

Abstract: A base station communicates with a plurality of mobile stations over a cellular network. In one embodiment, the base station includes a transceiver configured to receive inbound information from the mobile station and transmit outbound information to the mobile station. The transceiver equalizes and decodes the inbound information and encodes the outbound information. The transceiver is coupled to a data bus for communicating the inbound and outbound information with the other elements in the base station. The transceiver is also coupled to a control bus. An trunk module is coupled to the data bus and to a mobile services center. The trunk module communicates inbound and outbound information with the mobile services center. The trunk module is also coupled to the control bus. Finally, a central processor is coupled to the control bus to control the transceiver and the trunk module. A preferred protocol is Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM).

Abstract: A communication system (100) and method of operating the same to direct packet-switched communications from a User Equipment terminal (UE 138) to a public gateway support node (GSN 112) over a public Iu-PS link (130), or to a community GSN (142) over a private Iu-PS link (146), based on criteria selected, inter alia, to optimize call routing. In one embodiment, the system (100) includes a private home location registry (HLR 148) and a Private Iu Link Intelligent Multiplexing Function (PIuLIM Function 150) configured to direct communications based on information therein. The routing may also be based on a function, supplementary service or specialized application requested by the UE (138). The PIuLIM Function (150) can be included within a radio network controller (134), which is then coupled to the public GSN (112) over the public Iu-PS link (130). Alternatively, the PIuLIM Function (150) can be included within the community GSN (142), and the community GSN coupled to the public GSN (112).

Abstract: A distributed cellular network (100) provides wireless communication with a plurality of mobile stations (102). A plurality of base transceiver station network elements (104) are configured to communicate with the plurality of mobile stations (102) over a wireless medium, wherein each base transceiver station includes a network interface adapted to couple to a network (110). A plurality of base station controller network elements (106) each include a network interface adapted to couple to the network (110). At least one mobile station controller network element (108) includes a network interface adapted to couple to the network (110). The system (100) is configured such that communication traffic among the base transceiver stations (104), the base station controllers (106) and the mobile switching center (108) is load-balanced for efficiency. Advantages of the invention include a combination of low-cost transceiver (104) and flexible deployment to gain communication coverage over a large area at a low cost.

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: A base station communicates with a plurality of mobile stations over a cellular network. In one embodiment, the base station includes a transceiver configured to receive inbound information from the mobile station and transmit outbound information to the mobile station. The transceiver equalizes and decodes the inbound information and encodes the outbound information. The transceiver is coupled to a data bus for communicating the inbound and outbound information with the other elements in the base station. The transceiver is also coupled to a control bus. An trunk module is coupled to the data bus and to a mobile services center. The trunk module communicates inbound and outbound information with the mobile services center. The trunk module is also coupled to the control bus. Finally, a central processor is coupled to the control bus to control the transceiver and the trunk module. A preferred protocol is Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM).

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: A cellular adjunct system for extending telephone service provided by a wired telephone network to a cellular handsets without incurring the costs associated with implementing a full-featured cellular system. The cellular adjunct system includes a base station subsystem and a cellular adjunct control block. The base station subsystem includes radio resource management facilities for permitting the plurality of cellular handsets to communicate with the base station subsystem in a cellular manner. The cellular adjunct control block, which is coupled between the base station subsystem and switching networks in the public wired telephone network, includes a registry, a mobile switching center, and a mini-central office. From the perspective of the public wired telephone network, the cellular handsets appear to be wired telephone sets that are managed by the cellular adjunct control block.

Abstract: A method for facilitating cellular communication for and among a plurality of native cellular handsets in a hybrid cellular communication network that has a cellular exchange subsystem and a private mobile-services switching center. In this embodiment, the cellular exchange subsystem is coupled to a public cellular , and the native cellular handsets represent handsets that subscribe to the hybrid cellular communication network. The hybrid cellular communication network further facilitates cellular communication between a nonnative cellular handset and the public cellular network, with the nonnative cellular handset being a cellular handset that does not subscribe to the hybrid cellular communication network. In this embodiment, the method includes the steps of receiving access request data, using a cellular exchange subsystem, and ascertaining whether the access request data originates from one of the plurality of native cellular handsets or from the nonnative cellular handset.

Abstract: A configuration-independent software architecture for implementing a cellular communication network that facilitates communication among a plurality of cellular handsets. The architecture includes a first software functional block for implementing a first set of functions and a second software functional block for implementing a second set of functions. The architecture further includes a configuration-independent linkage block, which has an interface that appears consistent to both the first software functional block and the second software functional block irrespective of a relative position between the second software functional block, the first software functional block, and the configuration-independent linkage block in the cellular communication network. The configuration-independent linkage block facilitates communication between the first software functional block and the second software functional block via the interface utilizing configuration-independent linkage block.

Abstract: A private multiplexing cellular network for facilitating cellular communication for private mobile stations (MS's), public MS's, and hybrid MS's. The private multiplexing cellular network includes a multiplexing circuit coupled to its radio subsystem. The multiplexing circuit is in turn coupled to two A-interfaces: a private A-interface for coupling the private radio subsystem with the private Mobile Switching Center (MSC), and a public A-interface for coupling the private radio subsystem with the public MSC. Intelligence is also provided with the multiplexing circuit to decide, based on a number of parameters, whether the public MSC or the private MSC should handle a given service request.

Abstract: An apparatus for cross-connecting an end-to-end connection between an origination mobile station and a destination mobile station in a network of cross-connect nodes, which includes a call control circuit. The call control circuit includes a first circuit portion for receiving call control information from the origination mobile station and the destination mobile station and a second circuit portion for determining, responsive to receiving the call control information from the origination mobile station and the destination mobile station, an optimum end-to-end connection for cross-connecting the end-to-end connection through the network of cross-connect nodes. The optimum end-to-end connection represents a computed shortest communication route between the origination mobile station and the destination mobile station that satisfies resource requirements for cross-connecting the end-to-end connection.

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: A base station communicates with a plurality of mobile stations over a cellular network. In one embodiment, the base station includes a transceiver configured to receive inbound information from the mobile station and transmit outbound information to the mobile station. The transceiver equalizes and decodes the inbound information and encodes the outbound information. The transceiver is coupled to a data bus for communicating the inbound and outbound information with the other elements in the base station. The transceiver is also coupled to a control bus. An trunk module is coupled to the data bus and to a mobile services center. The trunk module communicates inbound and outbound information with the mobile services center. The trunk module is also coupled to the control bus. Finally, a central processor is coupled to the control bus to control the transceiver and the trunk module. A preferred protocol is Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM).