Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing and designing various network configuration scenarios. A modular design allows market assessment and network planning functions to be performed more efficiently and accurately using a single integrated design tool. Wired and wireless access technologies can be modeled and evaluated. In an exemplary implementation for modeling and evaluating fixed wireless access networks, the network planning tool comprises a market scenario planner, a cluster analysis tool, a hub sector planner and a network architecture planner. Generally, the market scenario planner analyzes a listing of potential customers to generate a list of target customers. The cluster analysis tool allows the network planner to identify “clusters” of demand for potential hub placement. The hub sector planner analyzes the hub assignments generated by the cluster analysis tool and allocates each building in a given hub to a particular sector.

Abstract: An ongoing communication with a mobile in a current cell of a wireless cellular system is handed over to another cell using information regarding a set of potential handover candidates. This information is transmitted from a base station in the current cell or from another fixed part transmitter in the system. The set of handover candidates for a given mobile in the current cell is determined based on stored adjacency information regarding the cells which are adjacent to the current cell. This adjacency information may be stored after an initial system configuration, based on the actual physical layout of the cells, and may be altered during system operation to reflect the success or failure of particular attempted handovers. The set of potential handover candidates may be in the form of a list of beacons associated with the cells adjacent to the current cell, and may include corresponding channel identifying information such as frequency and time slot.

Abstract: Increased coverage and macro diversity from a single base station in a wireless communication system by having a base station coupled to N antennas is described. Increased coverage and macro diversity are achieved by transmitting from the base station N control messages each via one of the antennas, and transmitting a data message addressed to a mobile unit via a particular one of the antennas previously assigned to the mobile unit for an active call. The mobile unit receives the control messages and the data message and analyzes the control messages to identify from the antennas a best antenna. The mobile unit then transmits to the base station a new antenna request identifying the best antenna in an uplink control slot of a frame. The uplink control field is associated with the particular one of the antennas. The base station uses the best antenna to transmit subsequent data messages addressed to the mobile unit.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus provides a user with paper vendor order information when a substantially out-of-paper condition is detected. The facsimile apparatus provides the user with various vendor paper ordering information, including a telephone number, via a display, a printer, or a speaker of the facsimile apparatus. The facsimile apparatus enables the user to manually call or autodial the paper vendor using preprogrammed numbers. The facsimile apparatus enables the user to send to the paper vendor a prestored data or facsimile message, or a fax of a paper order form outputted by the facsimile apparatus and filled-in by the user.