Abstract: A data transmission system, comprising a first node in a wireless communications network, the node comprising a radio frequency communications system having high resistance to interference. The radio frequency communications system is configured to measure an interference potential of a second node in the wireless communications network and arrange a priority and timing structure that maximizes reuse of available frequencies. The radio frequency communications system is also configured to encode and decode data and network control signals using a multi-level frequency shift keying modulation scheme. The node also comprising a directional and steerable antenna system, wherein the directional and steerable antenna system is capable of forming a radio frequency transmission into a beam directed to a desired target and transmitting a radiating omni-directional radio frequency transmission.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for multiplexing of DS1 traffic across wired and wireless Ethernet devices. A transmitter sends data packets to a receiver through an Ethernet system. The transmitter includes a modeling module that constructs a modeled jitter buffer corresponding to a receiver jitter buffer located at the receiver. The transmitter also includes a packetizing buffer that collects data to form data packets, that inserts buffer pointers into the data packets, and that sends the data packets through the Ethernet system. A buffer pointer is determined from the modeled jitter buffer. The receiver includes an Ethernet interface module that obtains the data packets from the Ethernet system, a jitter buffer, and a depacketizer that reads a buffer pointer in the data packet and that places the data packet into a position within the receiver jitter buffer in accordance with the buffer pointer.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention prevents data from being permanently lost when external interference causes packet loss, and the interference is long enough in duration to cause adjacent packets to be lost. A data packet stream is transmitted. A redundant data packet stream also is transmitted so that any interference does not cause permanent packet loss, since either the original data packet stream or the redundant data packet stream arrives. In one embodiment, the redundant data packet stream is a delayed transmission. In another embodiment, the data packet stream is transmitted over one link and the redundant data packet stream is transmitted over another link. One implementation of the present invention includes a hybrid multiplexer and redundant communications links. When performance of one link degrades, the hybrid multiplexer switches the traffic to the other link.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a radio system is provided. A master multiplexer is adapted to receiving an input signal. A slave multiplexer is adapted to send an output signal. A timing master radio is connected to the master multiplexer and a timing slave radio is connected to the slave multiplexer, with the timing master radio and the timing slave radio adapted to communicate over a wireless connection. The timing master radio and timing slave radio use complementary TDD frame structures, controlled by the timing master radio, as is common in the art. The master multiplexer further comprising the timing mechanism that recovers timing embedded in the input signal, keeps track of the total number of bits received, and utilizes the total number of bits received thereby maintaining timing. The master multiplexer comprises a packet mechanism that generates a packet.

Abstract: Techniques for communicating between a data user and a destination through a mesh network. The mesh network includes a communication node having a downstream component logically connected over a downlink to provide communications for a data user and a plurality of upstream components. The plurality of upstream components includes a first upstream component that is logically connected to a first data destination over a first uplink. The communication node also has a controlling component that selects the first upstream component based on a first comparative link quality of the first uplink, where the first downstream component is electrically coupled to the first upstream component. The controlling component determines the first comparative link quality from a plurality of link quality metrics, where a corresponding weight is associated with each link quality metric.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for multiplexing of DS1 traffic across wired and wireless Ethernet devices. A transmitter sends data packets to a receiver through an Ethernet system. The transmitter includes a modeling module that constructs a modeled jitter buffer corresponding to a receiver jitter buffer located at the receiver. The transmitter also includes a packetizing buffer that collects data to form data packets, that inserts buffer pointers into the data packets, and that sends the data packets through the Ethernet system. A buffer pointer is determined from the modeled jitter buffer. The receiver includes an Ethernet interface module that obtains the data packets from the Ethernet system, a jitter buffer, and a depacketizer that reads a buffer pointer in the data packet and that places the data packet into a position within the receiver jitter buffer in accordance with the buffer pointer.

Abstract: A node within a communication system periodically broadcasts its interference status to neighboring nodes within the communication system. Additionally, the node receives an interference status from all neighboring nodes. If communication is desired with a neighboring node, the node accesses the stored table for the particular neighboring node and determines an optimal time for transmission to the neighboring node. This is accomplished by utilizing the table received from the neighboring node and determining the neighboring node's optimal times for reception.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for multiplexing of DS1 traffic across wired and wireless Ethernet devices. A transmitter sends data packets to a receiver through an Ethernet system. The transmitter includes a modeling module that constructs a modeled jitter buffer corresponding to a receiver jitter buffer located at the receiver. The transmitter also includes a packetizing buffer that collects data to form data packets, that inserts buffer pointers into the data packets, and that sends the data packets through the Ethernet system. A buffer pointer is determined from the modeled jitter buffer. The receiver includes an Ethernet interface module that obtains the data packets from the Ethernet system, a jitter buffer, and a depacketizer that reads a buffer pointer in the data packet and that places the data packet into a position within the receiver jitter buffer in accordance with the buffer pointer.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a method and apparatus for filtered wireless communications is provided. The method provides a filtered wireless zone. Signaling channels normally serving a geographic vicinity are scanned, with the channel identity and the system identity of each signaling channel recorded. A transmitter-receiver is commanded to such channel. A signaling channel marker is radiated. A new signaling channel assignment message is sent, sending handsets to a new capture channel. An appropriate signal is radiated to keep the handsets locked to the new capture channel. The transmitter-receiver then ceases radiating on the first channel, and proceeds to the second external signaling channel previously recorded. The transmitter-receiver repeats this process for all the external signaling channels previously located.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a wireless virtual phone booth is provided within a filtered wireless zone. A filtered wireless zone is provided. A geographically limited signal is contained within the filtered wireless zone. When a handset in the filtered wireless zone attempts to place a call, the call attempt is blocked. In addition, a handset in the geographically limited signal contained within the filtered wireless zone is allowed to place calls.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a method and apparatus for filtered wireless communications is provided. The method provides a filtered wireless zone, preferably for second-generation cellular systems. Signal levels from surrounding cells are tested. The identities and frequencies of surrounding cells are received and a list of the available frequencies of the surrounding cells is established. An available frequency that is geographically distant from the handset is chosen. This available frequency has a low signal strength relative to the other available frequencies. The chosen frequency is established as a private frequency. The private frequency is transmitted at a geographical distance close to and thus at a high signal strength relative to the other available frequencies. Thus, the handset switches to the private frequency. In one embodiment, the frequencies of the cells are Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) frequencies.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a method and apparatus for filtered wireless communications is provided. The method provides a filtered wireless zone. Signaling channels normally serving a geographic vicinity are scanned, with the channel identity and the system identity of each signaling channel recorded. A transmitter-receiver is commanded to such channel. A signaling channel marker is radiated. A new signaling channel assignment message is sent, sending handsets to a new capture channel. An appropriate signal is radiated to keep the handsets locked to the new capture channel. The transmitter-receiver then ceases radiating on the first channel, and proceeds to the second external signaling channel previously recorded. The transmitter-receiver repeats this process for all the external signaling channels previously located. In a further embodiment, a virtual phone booth can be provided within the filtered wireless zone.

Abstract: A node within a communication system periodically broadcasts its interference status to neighboring nodes within the communication system. Additionally, the node receives an interference status from all neighboring nodes. If communication is desired with a neighboring node, the node accesses the stored table for the particular neighboring node and determines an optimal time for transmission to the neighboring node. This is accomplished by utilizing the table received from the neighboring node and determining the neighboring node's optimal times for reception.

Abstract: A radio communications system (10) having a mobile station (30) and at least two base stations (13, 14). ATM radio channels (31, 32) are provided between the remote station and the base stations. Each of the ATM channels supports communication though ATM cells over a common frequency band. When handoff conditions are met for a handoff from the first base station to the second base station, a second virtual path identifier and a second virtual connection identifier are selected for a connection between the second base station and the remote station.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing undesired signals in a communication environment. At least two distinct composite signals (X1 and X2) are transmitted from a first communication environment (260). A noise coefficient of the first communication environment (260) based on the at least two distinct composite signals (X1 and X2) is calculated. At least two noise canceling signals based on the noise coefficient are calculated. The at least two noise canceling signals are added to an incoming signal (Y3) from a second communication environment (280) to produce at least two combined signals. The at least two combined signal are transmitted into the first communication environment (260).

Abstract: Multijunction solar cell structures (100) including high quality epitaxial layers of monocrystalline semiconductor materials that are grown overlying monocrystalline substrates (102) such as large silicon wafers by forming a compliant substrate for growing the monocrystalline layers are disclosed. One way to achieve the formation of a compliant substrate includes first growing an accommodating buffer layer (104) on a silicon wafer. The accommodating buffer (104) layer is a layer of monocrystalline material spaced apart from the silicon wafer by an amorphous interface layer (112) of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer (112) dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline oxide accommodating buffer layer. Multiple and varied accommodating buffer layers can be used to achieve the monolithic integration of multiple non-lattice matched solar cell junctions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing undesired signals in a communication environment. At least two distinct composite signals (X.sub.1 and X.sub.2) are transmitted from a first communication environment (260). A noise coefficient of the first communication environment (260) based on the at least two distinct composite signals (X.sub.1 and X.sub.2) is calculated. At least two noise canceling signals based on the noise coefficient are calculated. The at least two noise canceling signals are added to an incoming signal (Y.sub.3) from a second communication environment (280) to produce at least two combined signals. The at least two combined signal are transmitted into the first communication environment (260).

Abstract: A radio communications system (10) having a mobile station (30) and at least two base stations (13, 14). ATM radio channels (31, 32) are provided between the remote station and base stations. Each of the ATM channels supports communication though ATM cells over a common frequency band. At least one ATM node (21) is coupled to the base stations. A base station controller (11) is coupled to the ATM node. The base station controller has a combiner (303) for combining cell streams received from the first and second base stations and an ATM signalling circuit (330) for sending ATM commands to the ATM node for dividing cell streams at the ATM node to the first and second base stations. The remote station (30) has a logic unit (520) for combining cell streams received from the first and second base stations during a handoff from the first base station to the second base station.

Abstract: A method of operation of a network (10) of radio stations (e.g. 11, 12 and 13) in which each radio station communicates with at least two other radio stations. A message (32) is sent and a corresponding reply (35) is received between first and second stations (11 and 12). Similar messages are sent between second and third stations (12 and 14) and the first and third stations (11 and 14). A time delay is measured between sending of each message and receiving the corresponding reply. Distances are calculated between each station and each other station and, from the distances, locations for the second and third stations relative to the first station are calculated.

Abstract: In a method of calibration of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), the VCO (100) provides an output signal which is used to drive a dividing oscillator (10) such as a relaxation oscillator (RO). The RO has at least two states, one in which the RO provides an output signal which has a first frequency that is related to the VCO output signal by a first ratio (e.g. 1/N) and one in which the relaxation oscillator provides a RO output signal which has a second frequency that is related to the VCO output signal by a second ratio (e.g. 1/(N+1)). By measuring the first and second frequencies (and knowing the relationship between the first and second ratios), the VCO frequency is calculated and stored (110). Several VCO frequencies can be calculated and stored for several applied voltages. As a result the VCO can be driven to any selected frequency in the calibrated range and can be used to provide an injection frequency for a radio.