Abstract: Testing apparatus, and an associated method, for testing operation of a mobile terminal. Testing is performed, e.g., to determine compliance of the mobile terminal to E911 Phase II positioning requirements. A network and radio channel emulator emulates network signals generated and communicated to the mobile terminal in an actual operating environment. Positioning measurements made by the mobile terminal are monitored and determinations of the operation of the mobile terminal are made therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for modeling a channel impulse response of a radio channel. The model emulates an actual radio channel and is formed of non-diffuse as well as diffuse components. The model is used, for example, to test mobile stations for their compliance with E-911 phase II mandates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method and apparatus for providing an estimate of a mobile location of a wireless node, point or terminal in a wireless local area network (WLAN) or other suitable network, the estimate being based on a correlation of a radio frequency (RF) signal strength measurement and a grid point in a signal strength database or radio map. The signal strength database or radio map is built using a signal strength fingerprint algorithm. The signal strength fingerprint algorithm includes selecting and measuring a set of grid points in the wireless local area network (WLAN) or other suitable network.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for a radio communication system having a sending station and a receiving station. The sending station sends data pursuant to a communication service and ultrawide band signals pursuant to a selected time-hopping sequence. An ultrawide band signal detector is positioned at the receiving station. The ultrawide band signal detects the ultrawide band signal transmitted thereto. Correlation is made between the detected ultrawide band signal and a locally-generated replica signal. Correlations therebetween are used to facilitate various receiving station operations, such as equalization operations upon received data, time synchronization of the receiving station to the sending station, and position determination of the positioning of the receiving station.

Abstract: Testing apparatus, and an associated method, for testing operation of a mobile terminal. Testing is performed, e.g., to determine compliance of the mobile terminal to E911 Phase II positioning requirements. A network and radio channel emulator emulates network signals generated and communicated to the mobile terminal in an actual operating environment. Positioning measurements made by the mobile terminal are monitored and determinations of the operation of the mobile terminal are made therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for allocating channels within a cell of a cellular communication system. Allocations are made by an allocator based upon determinations made by a determiner of the likelihood of movement of the mobile station. Determinations made by the determiner are made responsive to analyses of indicia of prior movement behavior of the mobile station stored at a home location register associated with the mobile station. Channel reuse is effectuated if the mobile station is determined to be stationary or moving at a speed less than a selected threshold. Otherwise, uniquely-assigned channels are allocated to the mobile station.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for a radio communication system having a sending station and a receiving station. The sending station sends data pursuant to a communication service and ultrawide band signals pursuant to a selected time-hopping sequence. An ultrawide band signal detector is positioned at the receiving station. The ultrawide band signal detects the ultrawide band signal transmitted thereto. Correlation is made between the detected ultrawide band signal and a locally-generated replica signal. Correlations therebetween are used to facilitate various receiving station operations, such as equalization operations upon received data, time synchronization of the receiving station to the sending station, and position determination of the positioning of the receiving station.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating resource allocation in a mobile communication system. Historical indicia associated with a mobile station is monitored and maintained. A predictor forms a prediction of a subsequent path of travel of the mobile station responsive to the historical indicia that is collected and maintained at the memory element. The predicted path of travel of the mobile station is utilized in the allocation of communication resources to the mobile station. Updates are made to the predicted path of travel, and reallocation of the communication resources is correspondingly made, thereby to efficiently utilize the communication resources available in the communication system.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating selection of antenna pattern characteristics to be exhibited by an antenna assembly of a communication station, such as a base transceiver station operable in a cellular communication system. Indications of channel conditions on an uplink channel are utilized in the determination of antenna weighting values by which to weight antenna weighting elements of the antenna assembly. In one implementation, an uplink channel correlation matrix is reformulated into vector form to reduce the computational complexity of calculations required to select the antenna weighting values. In another implementation, a discrete Fourier transform operation is performed using fast Fourier transform techniques to select the antenna weighting values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for filtering incoming calls. A request for a call from a calling unit to a mobile subscriber unit is received and a check is performed to determine whether local time information indicates that the mobile subscriber unit is within a time zone in an inconvenient time period. An indication is sent to the calling unit to inform the calling unit that the mobile subscriber unit is in the time zone within the inconvenient time period when the checking of the local time information determines that the local time information is within the inconvenient period.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for allocating channels within a cell of a cellular communication system. Allocations are made by an allocator based upon determinations made by a determiner of the likelihood of movement of the mobile station. Determinations made by the determiner are made responsive to analyses of indicia of prior movement behavior of the mobile station stored at a home location register associated with the mobile station. Channel reuse is effectuated if the mobile station is determined to be stationary or moving at a speed less than a selected threshold. Otherwise, uniquely-assigned channels are allocated to the mobile station.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating resource allocation in a mobile communication system. Historical indicia associated with a mobile station is monitored and maintained. A predictor forms a prediction of a subsequent path of travel of the mobile station responsive to the historical indicia that is collected and maintained at the memory element. The predicted path of travel of the mobile station is utilized in the allocation of communication resources to the mobile station. Updates are made to the predicted path of travel, and reallocation of the communication resources is correspondingly made, thereby to efficiently utilize the communication resources available in the communication system.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, dynamically selects values of thresholds to be used in a determination of whether to request a handoff of communications between serving and target base stations of a cellular, or other, radio communication system. Because the thresholds are dynamically determined, the thresholds are selectable responsive to communication characteristics about the mobile stations with which communications are to be handed off.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for determining the geographical positioning of a mobile station operable in a mobile radio communication system. Wideband signals are generated during pseudo-random time periods by a plurality of base transceiver stations. The ultra-wideband signals are of large bandwidths, e.g., 2 GHz, and of low signal energy levels. The mobile station detects the wideband signals sent thereto and, responsive thereto, determination of the geographical positioning of the mobile station is determined.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating selection of antenna pattern characteristics to be exhibited by an antenna assembly of a communication station, such as a base transceiver station operable in a cellular communication system. Indications of channel conditions on an uplink channel are utilized in the determination of antenna weighting values by which to weight antenna weighting elements of the antenna assembly. In one implementation, an uplink channel correlation matrix is reformulated into vector form to reduce the computational complexity of calculations required to select the antenna weighting values. In another implementation, a discrete Fourier transform operation is performed using fast Fourier transform techniques to select the antenna weighting values.

Abstract: In a communication device that includes an antenna array including multiple antennas, a method and apparatus is provided for determining whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique. The communication device determines a bearing from the communication device to the communication unit and a direction of arrival for a signal received from the communication unit by the communication device via each of the multiple antennas. In addition, the communication device determines a distance from the communication device to the communication unit, and also determines multiple signal quality metrics based on multiple signals received by the communication device from the communication unit. The communication device then determines whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique based on any one or more of the determined bearing and the determined direction of arrival, the determined distance, or the determined signal quality metrics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for filtering incoming calls. A request for a call from a calling unit to a mobile subscriber unit is received and a check is performed to determine whether local time information indicates that the mobile subscriber unit is within a time zone in an inconvenient time period. An indication is sent to the calling unit to inform the calling unit that the mobile subscriber unit is in the time zone within the inconvenient time period when the checking of the local time information determines that the local time information is within the inconvenient period.

Abstract: In a communication device that includes an antenna array including multiple antennas, a method and apparatus is provided for determining whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique. The communication device determines a bearing from the communication device to the communication unit and a direction of arrival for a signal received from the communication unit by the communication device via each of the multiple antennas. In addition, the communication device determines a distance from the communication device to the communication unit, and also determines multiple signal quality metrics based on multiple signals received by the communication device from the communication unit. The communication device then determines whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique based on any one or more of the determined bearing and the determined direction of arrival, the determined distance, or the determined signal quality metrics.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, dynamically selects values of thresholds to be used in a determination of whether to request a handoff of communications between serving and target base stations of a cellular, or other, radio communication system. Because the thresholds are dynamically determined, the thresholds are selectable responsive to communication characteristics about the mobile stations with which communications are to be handed off.

Abstract: In a communication device that includes an antenna array including multiple antennas, a method and apparatus is provided for optimizing the usage of an antenna array beamforming technique. The communication device determines a bearing from the communication device to the communication unit and a direction of arrival for a signal received from the communication unit by the communication device via each of the multiple antennas. In addition, the communication device determines a distance from the communication device to the communication unit, and also determines multiple signal quality metrics based on multiple signals received by the communication device from the communication unit. The communication device then determines whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique based on any one or more of the determined bearing and the determined direction of arrival, the determined distance, or the determined signal quality metrics, thereby optimizing the usage of the antenna array beamforming technique.