Abstract: The invention provides a chassis, a scalable router that includes a plurality of chassis and a method of upgrading a router. Each chassis includes a plurality of processing modules and a programmable interconnection module. Data connections are provided between each processing module on each chassis and the interconnection module on that chassis, and a data connection is provided between the interconnection module on each chassis and the interconnection module on at least one other chassis. In this way, the inter-chassis and intra-chassis connections pass through the programmable interconnection module, which may be used for concentrating the location of resources, such as opto-electronic and electro-optical converters, in a single card or unit. Moreover, the programmable nature of the switch fabric in each interconnection module is amenable to reconfiguration so as to support a change in that chassis' interconnection pattern that may be required for expanding the router's capacity.

Abstract: The invention provides a chassis, a scalable router that includes a plurality of chassis and a method of upgrading a router. Each chassis includes a plurality of processing modules and a programmable interconnection module. Data connections are provided between each processing module on each chassis and the interconnection module on that chassis, and a data connection is provided between the interconnection module on each chassis and the interconnection module on at least one other chassis. In this way, the inter-chassis and intra-chassis connections pass through the programmable interconnection module, which may be used for concentrating the location of resources, such as opto-electronic and electro-optical converters, in a single card or unit. Moreover, the programmable nature of the switch fabric in each interconnection module is amenable to reconfiguration so as to support a change in that chassis' interconnection pattern that may be required for expanding the router's capacity.

Abstract: Utilizing a sequential local search optimization algorithm, a determination is made of the cell/transceiver retunes needed to implement, given a current frequency plan, a better frequency plan for a certain cellular communications system. Each of the individual cell/transceiver retunes is evaluated to determine if it meets certain save criteria, and if so, is saved as an intermediate frequency plan in a sequence of saved intermediate frequency plans necessary to migrate from the current frequency plan to the determined near-optimal frequency plan. A sequential implementation of these intermediate frequency plan revisions is then made to gradually reach, in a known and controlled manner, the better frequency plan.

Abstract: A cellular communications network includes a plurality of cells whose base stations have both sector and smart antenna capabilities. While engaged in a call, mobile station downlink signal strength measurements are made on its own serving traffic channel and the control channels of neighboring cells. These measurements are then adjusted by one or more factors which take into account the operational and physical differences between sector antenna and smart antenna. For example, the signal strength measurements may be appropriately adjusted by measured differences in gain between the smart antenna and sector antenna, output power backoff values associated with smart antenna and sector antenna support of the traffic channels in comparison to the control channels, and power control attenuation applied to the traffic channels.

Abstract: There is disclosed a prepaid system and method for permitting a prepaid subscriber of the cellular wireless telecommunication system to revise call features during a call within the operators node and from roaming locations to debit the subscribers prepaid account on a real-time basis. The system includes a switching node permitting a call to be set up with the prepaid subscriber when a prepaid service credit balance exists and terminating the call when the prepaid service credit balance is nil. The switching node continually generates real-time call event Date Message Handler (DMH) formatted messages related to the call made by the prepaid subscriber and forwards these call event messages to a prepaid administrative network. The prepaid administrative network stores the prepaid service credit balance of the prepaid subscriber and generates at call set up an initial charge debiting rate used during the call to reduce the prepaid service credit balance.

Abstract: A system for determining when a radio telecommunications network should switch between a first grade of service and a second grade of service based upon a highly accurate and reliable estimate of the bit error rate (BER). The system estimates the BER on an uplink and a downlink on a user channel, and determines whether the BER on the uplink and the downlink on the user channel are below a first set of thresholds. The system then measures the residual BER (RBER) and the frame erasure rate (FER) on the voice channel uplink, and determines whether the downlink BER, the uplink RBER, and the uplink FER are lower than a second set of thresholds. If lower, the system sends and receives a data message on a Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH). The system obtains a highly accurate estimate of the BER on a downlink on the FACCH channel, and reports the downlink BER in a message on the FACCH channel uplink. The system then estimates the BER on the FACCH channel uplink.

Abstract: A D-AMPS+ cellular communications air interface is presented wherein a packet data control channel and packet data traffic channel is supported in addition to the conventional digital control channel and digital traffic channel. In particular, the packet data control channel, packet data traffic channel and digital traffic channel support multiple modulation level operation (high versus low). Procedures are provided for intracell and intercell modulation transition of mobile station communications carried by a traffic channel. In particular, these procedures facilitate intracell and intercell modulation transition to a traffic channel using the same level of modulation, as well as intracell and intercell (fall-forward and fall-backward) modulation transition to a traffic channel using a different level of modulation.

Abstract: A D-AMPS+ cellular communications air interface is presented wherein a packet data control channel and packet data traffic channel is supported in addition to the conventional digital control channel and digital traffic channel. In particular, the packet data control channel and packet data traffic channel support multiple modulation level operation (high versus low). Procedures are provided for mobile station selection, as well as re-selection, of either the high or low-level modulation for the packet channels. Procedures are further provided for facilitating a fall-forward to the high-level modulation packet data control channel, or a fall-backward to the low-level modulation packet data control channel with respect to both uplink and downlink packet data communications.

Abstract: A system for determining when a radio telecommunications network should switch between a first grade of service and a second grade of service based upon a highly accurate and reliable estimate of the bit error rate (BER). The system estimates the BER on an uplink and a downlink on a user channel, and determines whether the BER on the uplink and the downlink on the user channel are below a first set of thresholds. The system then measures the residual BER (RBER) and the frame erasure rate (FER) on the voice channel uplink, and determines whether the downlink BER, the uplink RBER, and the uplink FER are lower than a second set of thresholds. If lower, the system sends and receives a data message on a Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH). The system obtains a highly accurate estimate of the BER on a downlink on the FACCH channel, and reports the downlink BER in a message on the FACCH channel uplink. The system then estimates the BER on the FACCH channel uplink.