Abstract: A microcellular communications network includes a plurality of base station units and corresponding antenna units. The microcells connected to their respective base station units over a telephone system. The microcells providing received signal strength indication (RSSI) level signals and Supervisory, Audio Tone (SAT) frequencies to the base station for hand-in evaluation. The base stations having a scanning receiver for processing the RSSI level signals and SAT frequencies and for performing hand-in for neighboring cells.

Abstract: A wideband receiver (10) comprises a frequency converter (16) for converting the frequency of a signal inputted through an antenna (12) by using a local oscillation signal from a local oscillator (18); a wideband filter (20) for receiving the output of the frequency converter (16) and passing a signal component corresponding to the scanning band including the bands of channels; an A/D converter (22) for converting the output of the wideband filter (20) into a digital signal; an FFT operational circuit (24) for receiving the digital signal and subjecting it to high-speed Fourier transformation; and a control circuit (26) for detecting the channel in communication in a predetermined scanning band on the basis of the results of operation of the FFT operational circuit. The control circuit (26) repeats the change of the scanning band by changing the frequency of the local oscillation signal, to detect the channel in communication with an assigned frequency range, i.e., a search frequency range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes a scanner for that scans a frequency range, a receiver that detects a frequency within the range, a processing unit for determining the field strength of the frequency and a display for indicating the field strength.

Abstract: A channel grouping system and method for a wireless communication system in which channels are allocated to channel groups according to received signal strength (RSS) data of mobile station accessing occurrences. A group allocator allocates the channels to the channel groups according to RSS data obtained from signals transmitted by a plurality of mobile stations. The channel groups correspond to a series of RSS power level intervals, and the RSS values are associated with the power level intervals into which the RSS values fall. The group allocator generates a probability density function describing the expected number of mobile station accessing occurrences having an RSS value falling within each power level interval. The group allocator then allocates a number of channels to each channel group according to the PDF.

Abstract: A method for stopping on a radio station includes calculating a radio signal quality (205) using a multipath echo indicator and determining if the radio signal quality is greater than a predetermined signal quality threshold (210). A zero crossings indicator of a demodulated signal may be used (225) to reduce a false alarm rate. An apparatus includes an antenna (105), a local oscillator (110) coupled to the antenna, an analog-to-digital converter circuit (115) coupled to the local oscillator, a demodulator circuit (120) coupled to the analog-to-digital converter circuit, a signal strength determining circuit (125) coupled to the analog-to-digital converter circuit, a logarithmic circuit (150) coupled to the signal strength determining circuit, a multipath echo bandpass filter (155) coupled to the logarithmic circuit, and a stop-on-station circuit (145) coupled to the demodulator circuit, the multipath echo bandpass filter, and the logarithmic circuit.

Abstract: A digital TV receiver 2 receives digital TV broadcasts and an analog TV receiver 1 receives analog TV broadcasts. A switching control 6 switches between either digital or analog signals to a speaker 7 and a display 8, according to the conditions of received digital and/or analog broadcast waves. Digital broadcast outputs, such as images, cannot be obtained if the field intensity of received broadcast waves is too low for the application of error correction to them. Even in that event, the present equipment can continue image outputs by switching to the analog broadcast. Preferably, the switching control 6 uses the packet error rate during the demodulation of received digital broadcast signals as the index of the conditions of the received waves to perform an output switch between digital and analog broadcasts, according to the error rate.

Abstract: A broadcast radio frequency receiver includes an improved seek circuit receiving analog radio signals via an antenna according to a signal seek process wherein the frequency of the analog radio signals sequentially changes. In one embodiment, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter converts the magnitudes of the incoming radio signals to digital signal values (DV), and in an alternate embodiment a tuning circuit provides the digital signal values (DV) directly. In either case, a digital control circuit compares the digital signal values (DV) with a digital reference value (DRV), wherein DRV has a value corresponding to an analog signal reference level appropriate for the type of antenna being used. As long as the digital signal values are less than DRV, the seek process continues. Upon detection of a digital signal value in excess of DRV, the seek process is halted and the tuning circuit is allowed to maintain tuning to the current radio signal.

Abstract: Method for processing transmitter and program related data in an FM RDS receiver and receiver executing the method, providing a band scanning search for detecting FM RDS transmitters exceeding a predetermined reception quality level. To enhance efficiency in data processing and use of storage capacity, transmitter related data including tuning data is stored separately from program related RDS data. Per each detected transmitter a quality factor indicating the quality in reception quality thereof is being allocated to each detected RDS transmitter and stored in a first memory bank, along with the relevant tuning data.

Abstract: In order to detect a received signal quickly and reliably, an integrated circuit for detecting a received signal has an intermediate frequency detector which supplies a first search run stop signal if the intermediate frequency lies within a given range. Furthermore, a field-strength comparator is provided which supplies a second search run stop signal if the field-strength of the received signal exceeds a field-strength setpoint value. In addition, a multipath comparator is provided which supplies a third search run stop signal if the multipath signal exceeds a specific multipath setpoint value. The three search run stop signals are logically combined with one another by an AND gate and the result is made available as a static output signal and is provided as an input signal for a microprocessor.

Abstract: System and method for maximizing a signal strength of a received signal pulse. A preferred embodiment comprises a self-adjusting correlator/integrator (for example, correlator/integrator 325) that uses no historical timing information. The self-adjusting correlator/integrator uses a plurality of simple correlators/integrators (for example, correlator/integrator 805) which are configured to process a received signal at various times surrounding the signal pulse's expected arrival. A comparator (for example, comparator 820) selects an output of the simple correlators/integrators with greatest magnitude.

Abstract: The present invention provides a methodology for selectively enabling and disabling mobile assisted handoff (MAHO) in a TDMA wireless communication system on a per-mobile station basis based on a triggering signal. The triggering signal identifies the mobile station or set of mobile stations for which the MAHO feature is to be disabled. The triggering signal may originate at a base station or a mobile switching center (MSC) by a system technician. The triggering signal may also originate from a served mobile station and contain information about a position of the served mobile station. In this latter case, if the served mobile station has not moved from a previous position, the serving base station disables MAHO for the served mobile station. A MAHO disable signal uniquely identifies those mobile stations for which MAHO is to be disabled. When a served mobile station receives such a disable signal, it ceases to transmit signal quality information.

Abstract: In a non-contact IC card, a driving portion 5 sequentially switches a resonance frequency of a resonance circuit 1. A reference voltage generating portion 6 receives an output voltage of resonance circuit 1 for outputting a prescribed reference voltage. An output value measuring portion 7 measures a magnitude of the output voltage of resonance circuit 1 at each resonance frequency using the reference voltage as a reference. An output value storing portion 8 stores a measurement value (an output value). A manner determining portion 9 selects the largest one of the output values stored in output value storing portion 8, and determines a switching manner corresponding thereto as a suitable switching manner. Thus, the suitable switching manner allowing the most efficient power supply can be achieved.

Abstract: A scanning operation in a mobile terminal includes storing identifiers of sub-carrier frequencies known to be in use without regard to operator identity or location of use. A first scanning of only sub-carrier frequencies identified by the stored identifiers is performed in an attempt to find a used sub-carrier frequency. If no used sub-carrier frequencies are found in the first scanning, then a second scanning of sub-carrier frequencies that are not associated with stored identifiers is performed.

Abstract: A trainable radio scanner, including a station monitoring circuit to scan a plurality of radio frequencies and extract audio samples of a predetermined duration from each one of the plurality of radio frequencies having a signal strength above a reception threshold; a memory storing audio classification data and the plurality of audio samples; and an audio analyzer to analyze each one of the plurality of audio samples using the audio classification data and classifies each audio sample into a musical style category; a style discriminator to control a radio station scanning operation of the radio receiver to tune only to preferred radio stations having a radio frequency at which the corresponding audio sample is classified in at least one preferred musical style category.

Abstract: Squelch circuit and method useful in frequency-scanned radio receivers are provided. Generally, the squelch circuit includes an audio-removal filter coupled to receive an audio signal. The passband of the audio-removal filter is selected sufficiently high relative to frequency components of the audio signal. An absolute value detector is coupled to the audio-removal filter to supply an output signal having a positive polarity regardless of the polarity of the signal supplied by the audio-removal filter. An integrating filter is coupled to receive the output signal from the absolute value detector and supply an integrated signal. The integrating filter has at least one selectable filter coefficient indicative of the response time of the integrating filter.

Abstract: In a mobile station (MS) of a cellular radiotelephone system, a method of searching for the MS's home public land mobile network (HPLMN) when the MS is camped on a non-HPLMN. The method is performed in thirty second intervals while the MS is already in its receive ready (higher current-drawing) state. The method performs strategic measurements of the receive signal level in order to determine if it is likely that the HPLMN has become available again. If the probability is high that the HPLMN has become available, further data is gathered on the likely available channel. Once the channel is identified, the MS begins the camping procedure to register on the HPLMN.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing battery drain in a mobile station of a radio communication system characterizes and stores the radio environment in which it failed to acquire synchronization with the system. The mobile station then enters a low power mode for a predetermined time duration. Upon exiting the low power mode, the mobile station determines if the radio environment has changed by more than a predetermined threshold. If so, the mobile station will re-attempt initial synchronization.

Abstract: A cellular broadcast receiver and method for continuous reception of broadcasted audio signals for a selected genre in a motor vehicle independent of the broadcasting area of a specific broadcast channel, comprising, in combination, a cellular modem/computer processor unit, a control unit, and a sound processor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting radio stations for reception based on a preferred program content. A list of radio station identifiers is stored in a memory and organized according to program content specifiers. When a presently received signal fades, the memory is searched for an alternate radio station with similar program content. If none is available, a prioritized list of alternative program content preferences is accessed and used to index other preferred radio stations for searching. In one embodiment, radio station geographic location information is stored in the memory, and the searching operation considers both program content preference and geographic proximity. The memory can be manually programmed, pre-programmed, updated by subscription, or programmed over-the-air by radio transmission. In one embodiment, a global positioning system receiver is employed to provide instantaneous radio location information.

Abstract: A likelihood calculating section 205 calculates a likelihood of a data portion signal and outputs a weighting coefficient according to the likelihood to a multiplier 206. The multiplier 206 multiplies a data channel estimation value output from a data channel estimating section 204 by the weighting coefficient output from the likelihood calculating section 205, whereby weighting the data channel estimation value according to likelihood of the data portion signal. A combining section 207 combines a PL channel estimation value with the data channel estimation value weighted according to the likelihood of data portion signal to obtain a final channel estimation value.

Abstract: A method for use in a receiver in a time division multiple access (TDMA) wireless communication system to determine whether a channel is occupied and whether the transmitter occupying the channel is internal or external to the system. The method comprises the steps of receiving a signal, on a channel determining that the channel is unoccupied when the signal strength of the channel signal is below a threshold, determining that the transmitter is internal to the system when the received signal is highly correlated to a signal that is known to contain the proper predefined field.

Abstract: A method provides a technique for optimally combining communication beams. The method forms a plurality of beams from captured signals. One beam is selected as the primary beam while a subset of the others are applied to auxiliary receivers. A digital signal processor weights and combines these primary and secondary beams.

Abstract: Signal levels of received signals are detected within a plurality of different frequency bands by a first electric field strength detecting means 15 and a second electric field strength detecting means 16, then it is detected by an adjacent wave detecting means 17 based on this output signal whether or not adjacent waves are contained, then a filter controlling signal 19 is output to a first I low-pass filter 9a and a first Q low-pass filter 10a from a baseband filter controlling means 18 according to whether or not the adjacent waves are contained, whereby low-frequency cut-off frequencies of the first I low-pass filter 9a and a first Q low-pass filter 10a are switched and controlled. Accordingly, a receiving sensitivity can be improved by reducing an influence of an adjacent wave and a tolerance for frequency offset of an oscillation frequency of a local oscillator relative to a carrier frequency of a received signal can be enhanced.

Abstract: In an automated diagnostic method for identifying interference events at a receiver of a wireless communication system, the receiver is queried for energy measurement data. From the energy measurement data, a probability distribution of the energy is calculated. An interference event may be identified if the calculated probability distribution exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A radio receiver comprises an RF tuner (10) on a computer card (11) having a frequency selector (19) for determining the current selected frequency. A programmed computer functions as a control system 100 controlling the tuner and a display screen 200 presents data and user selectable inputs to the user. An input peripheral device (101) enables the user to input data or information and commands to the control system. The control system causes a display (220) display on the display screen (200) in real time both digital and analogue indications of the current frequency being passed by the tuner (10); and provides a tuner frequency select control responsive to input of a frequency change command by the user to change the current selected frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fast signal acquisition on a preferred communication channel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frequency and identification guidance system that can have a hardware as well software implementation. The memory of the device includes a prioritized multi-level system of channels and a prioritized multi-level system of identifiers. The frequency and identification guidance system utilizes both multi-level systems to guide the device to a channel belonging to the preferred Service Provider.

Abstract: In a radio selective call receiver, the sensitivity of a radio receiver is set to a lower sensitivity level which is lower than a normal sensitivity level of the radio receiver. In the lower sensitivity level, a plurality of predetermined channels are searched for a receiving channel while receiving a radio signal. Therefore, a receiving channel with higher signal level can be selected. When no receiving channel is found in the lower sensitivity, the channel search is performed in the normal sensitivity.

Abstract: To solve the problems associated with conventional signal strength measurements utilizing homodyne receivers, the present invention is able to economically reduce the idle time power usage of a homodyne receiver by “powering down” a part of the homodyne receiver. With certain signal modulations, the power received in each channel of the homodyne receiver is equivalent and, as a result, the estimated received signal strength measurement calculation is simplified, reducing the power usage, which can be very useful, especially in the mobile communications industry.

Abstract: Cell selection during loss of service from a selected network includes maintaining a measurement link with a channel of at least one cell of the selected network while also initiating a broader search on channels of cells of other networks or channels of the selected network not included in maintaining the measurement link. Maintaining the measurement link allows service to be re-established more efficiently if the mobile station is again immediately in a coverage area of the selected network after loss of service occurs. In an embodiment, when a cell reselection process detects a loss of service from a selected network, the mobile station maintains the measurement link by continuing to perform measurement on and synchronizing to at least one channel of the selected network to determine if service can be eventually re-established with a suitable cell of the selected network, even though service has been lost and no cell has been, or may be, reselected from the immediate measurement results.

Abstract: A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communications device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. A frequency band is examined by dividing the frequency band into many sub-bands, and by locating the strongest signal above a threshold within the sub-band being examined. The examination continues until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider. The category of service provider may be identified and displayed on the communication device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for a moving body which enables a user to know a receivable broadcast station at the current position in real time and to select smoothly a desired broadcast station in a receiver even in an unfamiliar area. This system includes a broadcast station data memory that stores the channel data of a receivable broadcast station for each area, and a main processing circuit which is responsive to the vehicle's current position sensed by a coordinate computing unit for referring to the channel data and for showing the channel data of a receivable broadcast station at the current position on a display.

Abstract: A communication device (102) has a serving and neighbor list (202) and a bandmap (204, 206). Upon losing communication service (402) the device begins alternately scanning the serving and neighbor list (SNL) and subsections (302, 304, 306, 308) of the bandmap. If an appropriate carrier is found while scanning the SNL, the device reconnects to the serving system. While scanning the subsections of the bandmap, the device creates and maintains a list (312) of suitable carriers. If no carriers are found corresponding to the SNL, a serving cell is selected from the list (312).