Abstract: A system and method for performing base station initiated call setup is provided. A base station initiated call setup may be utilized to establish a test call, to deliver a packet data services call to a subscriber unit, or to reactivate a dormant packet call. The base station transmits a BS Service Request message to the mobile switching center, requesting initiation of the call. The mobile switching center will authorize the call if the call to be set up is directed to a subscriber unit located within the service area of the base station and if the service option to be used is authorized for the particular subscriber unit. The mobile switching center will allow or disallow the call depending on the state of the subscriber unit. The mobile switching center transmits a BS Service Response message to the base station, conveying the result of processing the BS Service Request message.

Abstract: A system and method for performing base station initiated call setup is provided. A base station initiated call setup may be utilized to establish a test call, to deliver a packet data services call to a subscriber unit, or to reactivate a dormant packet call. The base station transmits a BS Service Request message to the mobile switching center, requesting initiation of the call. The mobile switching center will authorize the call if the call to be set up is directed to a subscriber unit located within the service area of the base station and if the service option to be used is authorized for the particular subscriber unit. The mobile switching center will allow or disallow the call depending on the state of the subscriber unit. The mobile switching center transmits a BS Service Response message to the base station, conveying the result of processing the BS Service Request message.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the interference experienced by sensitive electronic devices, such as hearing aids, operative in the vicinity of CDMA user communication devices. A transmitter of the communications device is configured to transmit signal power substantially continuously at a full rate power level irrespective of the variable data rate at which the transmitter would otherwise be operative. In a first embodiment, a variable rate vocoder within the transmitter is directed to perform full-rate vocoding, irrespective of an instantaneous level of user speech. In a second embodiment, a microprocessor builds full-rate frames using repeated versions of code symbols generated by the vocoder. In a third embodiment, the microprocessor builds full rate frames by generating signaling bits of a predetermined pattern to pad otherwise non-full frames.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for providing local authentication of subscribers travelling outside their home systems. A subscriber identification token 230 provides authentication support by generating a signature 370 based upon a key that is held secret from a mobile unit 220. A mobile unit 220 that is programmed to wrongfully retain keys from a subscriber identification token 230 after a subscriber has removed his or her token is prevented from subsequently accessing the subscriber's account.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for providing an Alert With Information Message signal between a mobile switching center and a base station in a cellular communication system. The invention recognizes that current provisions of the IS-634 standard lack support for certain required functionality on the interface between a mobile switching center and a base station, or the A-Interface. An Alert With Information Message signal is introduced on the A-Interface to support the required functionality. Introduction of the Alert With Information Message provides support for reliable call processing on the A-Interface for the call waiting procedure, the hard handoff procedure, and the resolution of a glare condition.

Abstract: A method for generating a broadcast challenge value includes the steps of applying a first updating algorithm to the most significant bits of the broadcast challenge value, and applying a second, distinct updating algorithm to the least significant bits of the broadcast challenge value. The updating algorithms can be maximal-length shift registers or other forms of pseudorandom noise generator. The sequence of successive unrepeated values can be extended for either one or both sets of bits by inserting an all-zeroes value once during the period of time before which an update value recurs. System-wide synchronization can be achieved via a global time reference.

Abstract: A system and method for performing base station initiated call setup is provided. A base station initiated call setup may be utilized to establish a test call, to deliver a packet data services call to a subscriber unit, or to reactivate a dormant packet call. The base station transmits a BS Service Request message to the mobile switching center, requesting initiation of the call. The mobile switching center will authorize the call if the call to be set up is directed to a subscriber unit located within the service area of the base station and if the service option to be used is authorized for the particular subscriber unit. The mobile switching center will allow or disallow the call depending on the state of the subscriber unit. The mobile switching center transmits a BS Service Response message to the base station, conveying the result of processing the BS Service Request message.

Abstract: A system and method for providing mobile switching center (MSC) initiated service negotiation in a wireless communication system. If a new call arrives for a subscriber unit while the subscriber unit is already on the traffic channel, a change in the service configuration may allow the subscriber unit to receive the new call while preserving the old call. MSC initiated service negotiation may be used to establish the change in service configuration. The MSC transmits a Change Service Command message to the base station in whose coverage area the subscriber unit is located. The Change Service Command proposes a new service configuration to accommodate both the old and the new call. The base station, subscriber unit, and MSC may interchange further messages to modify the proposed service configuration if necessary. Messages are exchanged until the base station, subscriber unit, and MSC reach an agreement regarding the new service configuration. The present invention also provides support for soft handoff.

Abstract: The mobile telephone system employs a fleet of satellites and a set of gateway ground stations arranged around the globe for handling communications to and from mobile communication units such as mobile telephones. Signals are transmitted between a subscriber unit and the nearest gateway via one or more of the satellites. The gateway is connected to a set of individual service providers such as local telephone systems. The individual service providers may be constrained for various reasons such as contractual or other legal constraints to handle communications only from subscriber units located in certain geographical areas such as within only certain countries or portions of countries. For a mobile communication from a particular subscriber unit, the gateway selects a service provider capable of handling the communication. In one implementation, the selection is based upon the location of the subscriber unit and upon any preferences specified by the subscriber unit.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the interference experienced by sensitive electronic devices, such as hearing aids, operative in the vicinity of CDMA user communication devices. A transmitter of the communications device is configured to transmit signal power substantially continuously at a full rate power level irrespective of the variable data rate at which the transmitter would otherwise be operative. In a first embodiment, a variable rate vocoder within the transmitter is directed to perform full-rate vocoding, irrespective of an instantaneous level of user speech. In a second embodiment, a microprocessor builds full-rate frames using repeated versions of code symbols generated by the vocoder. In a third embodiment, the microprocessor builds full rate frames by generating signaling bits of a predetermined pattern to pad otherwise non-full frames.

Abstract: A system and method for performing base station initiated call setup is provided. A base station initiated call setup may be utilized to establish a test call, to deliver a packet data services call to a subscriber unit, or to reactivate a dormant packet call. The base station transmits a BS Service Request message to the mobile switching center, requesting initiation of the call. The mobile switching center will authorize the call if the call to be set up is directed to a subscriber unit located within the service area of the base station and if the service option to be used is authorized for the particular subscriber unit. The mobile switching center will allow or disallow the call depending on the state of the subscriber unit. The mobile switching center transmits a BS Service Response message to the base station, conveying the result of processing the BS Service Request message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing soft handoff in a mobile communication system. In current systems is that the members of active set are determined in accordance with comparisons of measured pilot energy with fixed thresholds. However, the value of providing a redundant communication link to a mobile station depends strongly on the energy of other signals being provided to the mobile station. In the present invention, the signal strengths of other base stations in communication with a mobile station are considered when determining whether adding a base to that set of base stations in communication with the remote station is of sufficient value to justify the impact on system capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing authentication of a mobile station in a wireless communication system. The present invention takes the number dialed by the mobile station user and computes the 24 bit number (AUTH.sub.-- DATA) for authentication in accordance with a hashing function that has the following characteristics. The hashing function takes as its input at least the entire dialed digit string contained in the request for service and the number of digits. In a preferred embodiment, the ordering of the digits affects the result, as well as, the values of the digits. The preferred embodiment of the hashing function also accepts some or all of the mobile station identifier data. The function provides as output a number of suitable size for input to a second calculation of an authentication signature, such as the 24 bits required for AUTH.sub.-- DATA. The output number is created in such a way that there is a minimum likelihood that other sets of dialed digits may create the same result.