Abstract: A method and apparatus for matching the location of the forward link handoff boundary to the reverse link handoff boundary. A system constant is chosen which defines the product of the received power and the transmitted pilot power at every base station. The reverse link power level is measured at the base station and the forward link power level is compensated for the reverse link loading to maintain the constant product. Thereby the forward link handoff boundary to the reverse link handoff boundary are aligned to the same location.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating information signals using spread spectrum communication techniques. PN sequences are constructed that provide orthogonality between the users so that mutual interference will be reduced, allowing higher capacity and better link performance. With orthogonal PN codes, the cross-correlation is zero over a predetermined time interval, resulting in no interference between the orthogonal codes, provided only that the code time frames are time aligned with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, signals are communicated between a cell-site and mobile units using direct sequence spread spectrum communication signals. In the cell-to-mobile link, pilot, sync, paging and voice channels are defined. Information communicated on the cell-to-mobile link channels are, in general, encoded, interleaved, bi-phase shift key (BPSK) modulated with orthogonal covering of each BPSK symbol along with quadrature phase shift key (QPSK) spreading of the covered symbols.

Abstract: An integrated search processor used in a modem for a spread spectrum communications system buffers receive samples and utilizes a time sliced transform processor operating on successive offsets from the buffer. The search processor autonomously steps through a search as configured by a microprocessor specified search parameter set, which can include the group of antennas to search over, the starting offset and width of the search window to search over, and the number of Walsh symbols to accumulate results at each offset. The search processor calculates the correlation energy at each offset, and presents a summary report of the best paths found in the search to use for demodulation element reassignment. The search is done in a linear fashion independent of the probability that a signal being searched for was transmitted at any given time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining signal strength, regardless of the signal data rate, in a receiver receiving signals from a variable rate transmitter. The incoming signal is comprised of a series of frames. Each frame is comprised of a number of power control groups containing data. The number of the power control groups containing data within each frame is dependent on the unknown data rate. The position of the power control groups within the frame is a pseudorandom. The signal strength of an incoming signal of unknown data rate is determined based upon an active set of power control groups within a frame. The active set of power control groups contain data independent of the unknown data rate. This signal strength information may be used to indicate that the signal strength is sufficient to perform further signal processing.

Abstract: A method and system, for use in a communication system in which data is transmitted in data frames of a predetermined time duration, for the positioning of the data within the data frames for transmission. A computation circuit computes according to the deterministic code a pseudorandom position for the data within each data frame. A positioning circuit positions the data within each data frame in the computed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing softer handoff of a mobile unit between sectors of a common base station. A sectorized base station comprises a set of demodulation elements. Each demodulation element may be assigned to a signal from one of a plurality of sectors. The output of the demodulators are combined before the decoding process independent of the sector from which the data originated. This configuration provides improved output data reliability, more stable power control, and more efficient use of resources at the base station.

Abstract: An improved method and system for performing a pilot signal searching operation in anticipation of handoff in mobile station communication between base stations is disclosed herein. The searching operation is described herein as being implemented within a cellular communication system which uses code division multiple access (CDMA) modulation techniques. The mobile station maintains a list of an Active Set of pilot signals transmitted from base stations with which the mobile station is to communicate through, and a Neighbor Set of pilots from base stations within a predetermined proximity of the mobile station. In addition to the Neighbor and Active Sets of pilots, the mobile station maintains a list of Candidate and Pre-Candidate Sets of pilots. Based on analysis of the signal strength of the pilot signals received at the mobile station, base station entries from the Neighbor Set may be assigned to the Pre-Candidate and Candidate Sets, and eventually to the Active set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arranging various types of data, and at various rates, into a uniquely structured format for transmission. Data for transmission formatting may be vocoder data or different types of non-vocoder data. The data organized into frames of a predetermined time duration for transmission. The data frames are organized, depending on the data, to be at one of several data rates. Vocoder data is provided at one of several data rates and is organized in the frame according to a predetermined format. Frames may be formatted with a sharing of vocoder data with non-vocoder data to be at a highest frame data rate. Different types of non-vocoder data may be organized so as to also be at the highest frame data rate. Additional control data may be provided within the data frames to support various aspects of the transmission and recovery upon reception.

Abstract: A system for determining the rate at which data has been encoded in the receiver of a variable-rate communications system. The data is received in frames having a fixed number of symbols. Multiple copies of symbols fill the frame when data is encoded at less than the full rate. At an encoding rate of one fourth the full rate, for example, each symbol in the frame is repeated four times. The incoming symbols are provided to multiple paths for decoding. Each path decodes the symbols at one of the possible rates. Error metrics, which describe the quality of the decoded symbols, are extracted and provided to a processor. The error metrics may include Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) results, Yamamoto Quality Metrics, and Symbol Error Rates. The processor analyzes the error metrics and determines the most probable rate at which the incoming symbols were encoded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for matching the location of the forward link handoff boundary to the reverse link handoff boundary. A system constant is chosen which defines the product of the received power and the transmitted pilot power at every base station. The reverse link power level is measured at the base station and the forward link power level is compensated for the reverse link loading to maintain the constant product. Thereby the forward link handoff boundary to the reverse link handoff boundary are aligned to the same location.

Abstract: Collisions between messages simultaneously transmitted by multiple spread-spectrum transmitters are reduced by distributing the transmissions over the available resources of the receiver. The transmitters may be mobile stations and the receiver may be a base station in a CDMA cellular telephone system. Each mobile station uses one or more randomization methods to distribute its transmissions. In the first randomization, the mobile station time--delays its transmissions by a number of chips of the PN code with which it spreads the transmitted signal. A hash function produces the number from an identification number uniquely associated with that mobile station. In a second randomization, the mobile station randomly selects the PN code. In a third randomization, the mobile station inserts a random delay between successive message transmissions or probes if it does not receive an acknowledgement after a predetermined timeout period. A predetermined number of such transmissions is called a probe sequence.

Abstract: A method and system, for use in a communication system in which data is transmitted in data frames of a predetermined time duration, for the positioning of the data within the data frames for transmission. A computation circuit computes according to the deterministic code a pseudorandom position for the data within each data frame. A positioning circuit positions the data within each data frame in the computed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arranging various types of data, and at various rates, into a uniquely structured format for transmission. Data for transmission formatting may be vocoder data or different types of non-vocoder data. The data organized into frames of a predetermined time duration for transmission. The data frames are organized, depending on the data, to be at one of several data rates. Vocoder data is provided at one of several data rates and is organized in the frame according to a predetermined format. Frames may be formatted with a sharing of vocoder data with non-vocoder data to be at a highest frame data rate. Different types of non-vocoder data may be organized so as to also be at the highest frame data rate. Additional control data may be provided within the data frames to support various aspects of the transmission and recovery upon reception.

Abstract: In a digital communication system in which digital data is transmitted in data frames of a preselected time duration, a method and apparatus for formatting digital data in each data frame. A set of data bits of a first data type having a bit count corresponding to one of a plurality of predetermined bit counts are provided. A set of parity check bits for the set of data bits of said first data type are generated when the bit count is a highest bit count or a next to highest bit count. A set of tail bits is generated in accordance with a predetermined frame termination format. In respective order the set of data bits of the first data type, the parity check bits, and the tail bits are porovided in a data frame if the bit count is of the highest bit count or of the next to highest bit count. Otherwise, the set of data bits of the first data type and the tail bits are provided in respective order in the data frame.

Abstract: In a receiver having a plurality of demodulation elements, a method of assigning the plurality of demodulation element so a set of available signals. A first method emphasizes diversity of transmitting devices so that power control is optimal. A second method emphasizes the maximum signal strength available to produce aggregate maximum signal strength. Both methods control the number of reassignments so that excessive data is not lost during the reassignment process. The apparatus comprises the plurality of demodulation elements, at least one searcher element, and a controller.

Abstract: A power control system for a cellular mobile telephone system in which system users communicate information signals between one another via at least one cell site using code division multiple access spread spectrum communication signals. The power control system controls transmission signal power for each cellular mobile telephone in the cellular mobile telephone system wherein each cellular mobile telephone has an antenna, transmitter and receiver and each cell-site also has an antenna, transmitter and receiver. Cell-site transmitted signal power is measured as received at the mobile unit. Transmitter power is adjusted at the mobile unit in an opposite manner with respect to increases and decreases in received signal power. A power control feedback scheme may also be utilized. At the cell-site communicating with the mobile unit, the mobile unit transmitted power is measured as received at the cell-site.

Abstract: The power control process of the present invention enables a mobile radiotelephone to continuously update the base station on the power output required. The base station sends a frame to the mobile at a particular rate. If the mobile received and decoded the frame correctly, it sets a power control bit in the next frame to be transmitted to the base station. Based on the error rate of the received power control bits, the base station determines whether to increase or decrease the transmit power.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating information signals using spread spectrum communication techniques. PN sequences are constructed that provide orthogonality between the users so that mutual interference will be reduced, allowing higher capacity and better link performance. With orthogonal PN codes, the cross-correlation is zero over a predetermined time interval, resulting in no interference between the orthogonal codes, provided only that the code time frames are time aligned with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, signals are communicated between a cell-site and mobile units using direct sequence spread spectrum communication signals. In the cell-to-mobile link, pilot, sync, paging and voice channels are defined. Information communicated on the cell-to-mobile link channels are, in general, encoded, interleaved, hi-phase shift key (BPSK) modulated with orthogonal covering of each BPSK symbol along with quadrature phase shift key (QPSK) spreading of the covered symbols.

Abstract: In a communication system in which direct sequence spread spectrum modulation techniques are used interference is generated in communications by remote stations since the communications share the same frequency spectrum. In order to increase system capacity the power level of the remote station transmitters are controlled by the local station. A setpoint is generated by the local station and compared with the remote station signal strength measured at the local station. The result of this comparison is used to generate power level adjustment commands which are sent to the remote station. The remote station is responsive to the power level adjustment commands for increasing or decreasing remote station transmitter power. In a spread spectrum communication system in which data is encoded at variable data rates, the local station determines the rate at which received data was encoded by the transmitting remote station.

Abstract: The power control process of the present invention enables a mobile radiotelephone to continuously update the base station on the power output required. The base station sends a frame to the mobile at a particular rate. If the mobile received and decoded the frame correctly, it sets a power control bit in the next frame to be transmitted to the base station. Based on the error rate of the received power control bits, the base station determines whether to increase or decrease the transmit power.