Abstract: A conflict resolution center (130 FIG. 1) is used to manage and resolve resource allocation conflicts in communications system (100) including a number of semi-autonomous communications nodes (SACNs). SACN (110) operates semi-autonomously because SACNs cannot independently allocate and de-allocate resources but rather operate within the confines of at least one local neighborhood. SACNs (110) allocate and de-allocate resources locally based on local neighborhood information. A conflict occurs when at least two SACNs try to allocate the same resource. Conflict resolution center (130) resolves conflicts using a number of different procedures. When a conflict can be resolved, conflict resolution center (130) provides resource reallocation data to at least one SACN (110). When a conflict cannot be resolved, conflict resolution center (130) notifies a system administrator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the initiation of new user communication links in a communication system (10), by evaluating the present in-use resources in a particular cell against reserved resources for servicing handoff communications from neighboring cells, evaluating total in-use resources of satellite (12), and determining if present conditions in satellite (12) exceed defined parameters thus inhibiting access by new users. A status is posted and transmitted in a broadcast channel (18) for subscriber units (26) to evaluate prior to initiating requests for communication services.

Abstract: The system (10) and method (100) adjust reuse units when nodes (e.g., satellites (20, 22)) move in a communication system (10), such as satellites (20,22) moving in their orbits around the earth in a space-based communication system (10). The method (100) and system (10) computes interference potentials between a reference reuse unit in a first reuse unit table of a first satellite (20) and reuse units being used in second reuse unit tables in second satellites (20) that are adjacent to the first satellite (20); and when the interference potentials is less than a predetermined threshold, then assigns the satellite a non-interfering reuse unit for the specific time interval.

Abstract: In a communication system (10) having at least one control center (24) and multiple satellites (12), the satellites (12) operate according to tables (80), wherein each satellites table becomes obsolete at a known time referred to as the exhaustion time. The earliest exhaustion time of all satellites (12) is determined and sent to the satellites (12) in the form of a message or a time-tagged update table (150). When the earliest exhaustion time is reached without updating the satellite (12), the satellites (12) enter default operation at that earliest exhaustion time. The satellites (12) continue default operations until otherwise instructed by the control center (24).

Abstract: A cellular communication system (10) requests from subscriber units (30) to volunteer for handoff when a call resource shortage is about to occur. The subscriber units (30) may volunteer to handoff to another cell (24) depending on whether any adjacent or neighbor cell (24) provides adequate signal strength for servicing the on-going call. If there is another adjacent or neighbor cell (24) which provides adequate signal strength, the subscriber unit (30) can volunteer for handoff to the other cell. The cellular communication system (10) may accept the volunteer handoff request, whereby the subscriber unit (30) volunteering for handoff is handed-off to the other cell (24). However, the cellular communication system (10) may deny the handoff request. If the handoff request is denied, the subscriber unit (30) may have to drop the call or try to locate another cell to handoff its call before a predetermined amount of time expires.

Abstract: A satellite cellular communication system includes satellites in motion that project cells upon the surface of the Earth. These cells are in motion and pass over individual subscriber units (26) engaged in communications, thus requiring individual subscriber units (26) to perform handoffs as an active current cell (300) currently servicing them advances. Selection of a subsequent servicing cell requires evaluation of active neighboring cells. A pre-computation of candidate cells is performed in advance according to a cell activation schedule. Active neighboring cells of an active current cell (300) are evaluated and prioritized in advance of individual subscriber unit's need for them. A candidate handoff cell list is then delivered to a satellite (12). A candidate handoff cell list is broadcast to all individual subscriber units (26) located within active current cell (300) for use in handoff decisions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling communication channel allocation in a communication system (10) by obtaining (405) statistical system performance data, determining (415, 420) by a processor (815) an optimum number of sub-time slots (505, 615) and an optimum number of sub-subbands (605), generating (430) available signal transmission units from data describing historical communication traffic, and assigning (435) available signal transmission units by another processor (910) to dynamically control communication traffic.