Abstract: A method is provided for controlling power of radio links, particularly a method for controlling transmit power of a terminal in soft handover. This may include a process for setting transmit power control commands from each radio link according to quality of each radio link, and a process for setting a combined transmit power control command by confirming whether the transmit power control commands from each radio link are identical for all the radio links. The method for controlling power of the radio links may prevent reduction of reliability of the transmit power control commands in the process for deciding the transmit power control commands from different radio link sets to control the transmit power of the terminal in soft handover.

Abstract: A data transfer control device includes an OUT-transfer transmitter circuit which transmits OUT data by driving a serial signal line, a clock-transfer transmitter circuit which transmits a clock signal CLK by driving a serial signal line, a PLL circuit which generates the clock signal CLK, and a power-down setting circuit which sets a power-down mode. In a first power-down mode, the OUT-transfer transmitter circuit is set to the power-down mode, and the clock-transfer transmitter circuit is set to the power-down mode to stop a system clock signal of a target-side data transfer control device. In a second power-down mode, the OUT-transfer transmitter circuit is set to the power-down mode without setting the clock-transfer transmitter circuit to the power-down mode.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method and device of dynamically adjusting the operating voltage of a network integrated circuit including the steps of detecting and ranking the signal-to-noise ratio of N ports to single out a port for arbitration, dynamically controlling the operating voltage according to the signal-to-noise ratio of the port for arbitration, decreasing the operating voltage by a voltage unit when the signal-to-noise ratio of the port for arbitration is greater than a first threshold, increasing the operating voltage to a default operating voltage when the signal-to-noise ratio of the port for arbitration is smaller than the first threshold, decreasing the operating voltage by a voltage unit when the signal-to-noise ratio of the port for arbitration is greater than a second threshold, and increasing the operating voltage by a voltage unit when the signal-to-noise ratio of the port for arbitration is smaller than the second threshold.

Abstract: A granted TxOP holder transmits the first frame of a QSTA-to-QSTA communication at a power level sufficient to ensure correct reception by the destination and at least detection by the HC, and then, with exceptions, transmits subsequent frames at a power level merely sufficient to ensure correct reception by the destination, regardless of reception or detection by the HC. Subsequent frames that must be received by the HC, such as those changing the TC queue size or requesting extension of the current TxOP, are transmitted at a power sufficient to ensure reception by the HC as well as the destination, as are the last frame(s). The HC is constrained from reclaiming the channel unconditionally merely because of failure to detect activity, and recovery is limited to the TxOP holder.

Abstract: A wireless transmitter system for use in maintaining a wireless link with a remote transceiver includes a beamforming transmit antenna structure and a power control unit for controlling transmit power levels. The system determines the direction of the remote transceiver and then generates a transmit antenna beam in that direction. The power control unit then determines the antenna gain of the generated beam and uses the antenna gain information to adjust the transmit power level of the system so that it does not exceed government mandated limits. In one embodiment, the average transmit duty cycle of the system is also used to adjust transmit power. The system is capable of achieving a maximum transmit power without exceeding applicable power limits.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing channel access scheduling for multiple wireless computing devices over a wireless network improves channel access efficiency with respect to a primary channel. An access point, or host computer, includes a host transceiver for receiving control information from the wireless computing devices over a low power channel. Upon receiving the control information, the access point applies a scheduling algorithm to schedule channel access for the wireless computing devices to transmit data over the primary communication channel. The wireless computing devices include a low power radio for receiving scheduling information via the low power channel during idle periods. When the scheduling information is received, the wireless computing device activates its primary channel network interface components to communicate data through the primary channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for power control in a cellular communication system. The power control may be operated (201) in a first mode of operation wherein power control data are determined in response to a quality parameter, such as a desired signal to noise ratio. The method further comprises entering (205) a reduced power mode of operation by communicating power down power control data between a base station and a communication unit. The base station and/or communication unit then proceeds to operate (207) in the reduced power mode by communicating power control data corresponding to a reduced transmit power level. The reduced transmit power level may specifically be zero. After a given duration, the base station and/or communication unit proceeds to exit (211) the reduced power mode by communicating power up power control data between the base station and the communication unit.

Abstract: A method for minimizing search time and disruption of current service on an originating frequency during a frequency search excursion to a target frequency as part of an inter-frequency hard handoff between cells on different RF CDMA channels. Disruption of service on the current frequency during the frequency search excursion to the target frequency is minimized by increasing the amount of power allocated to other symbols of two consecutive frames impacted by the search excursion as a function of the search excursion time. The mobile station tunes to a target frequency and collects chip samples, which are stored in a memory buffer. The mobile station returns to the originating frequency to process the collected samples.

Abstract: A method of selective need-based control message augmentation may include a network unit of a mobile communication system (100) generating a control message (250) for communication to a mobile unit (202), determining a handoff state transition of the mobile unit, and determining a set of signal conditions for one or more legs of an active set associated with the mobile unit. Further, the network unit at least one of selectively fast repeating the control message and selectively increasing the power gain for the control message based on the handoff state transition and the set of signal conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided of transmitting a control message on a Forward Access Channel (FACH) from a base station in a network for mobile telecommunications in response to a Random Access Channel (RACH) message received from a mobile user terminal. The RACH message indicates to the base station a value of a parameter dependent upon signal attenuation between base station and mobile user terminal. The control message is transmitted repeatedly, the number of times transmission of the FACH control message is repeated being selected dependent upon the value of the parameter.

Abstract: A method (400) and apparatus (501) provide for rapid power control based on a quality related value, e.g. channel quality indicator (CQI) value. A transmit power level can be derived from a CQI value received according to a time period, e.g. corresponding to 500 Hz. A first predicted value can be predicted based on the CQI value, at a first time within the time period and a power adjustment value can be determined based on the CQI value as well as the first predicted value at a rate that exceeds the rate of receiving the CQI values. Note that other predicted values for or corresponding to the CQI value can be predicted at other times within the time period and that power adjustment values can be determined through interpolation between predicted values for any time within the period.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling data transmission based on power cost. A power cost per unit data associated with successfully sending data from a wireless mobile device to a remote endpoint in a communications network is determined. The determined power cost per unit data is compared to a first threshold. Transmission of data from the wireless mobile device to the remote endpoint is delayed based on a determination that the power cost per unit data exceeds the first threshold.

Abstract: A method of adjusting downlink transmission power at a base station based on the measured SIR relative to a referenced level in a mobile terminal. The referenced level can be the targeted SIR or zero. When the measured SIR is greater than the referenced level, the measured SIR is further compared to a first threshold value in order to determine the step size for power reduction. When the measured SIR is smaller than the referenced level, the measured SIR is further compared to a second threshold value in order to determine the step size for power increase. The first and second threshold values can be derived from the target SIR and TPC step size as provided in the RRC signal. Furthermore, the step values and threshold can be based on statistical analysis while the system is running.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for use in better optimizing switched beam, wireless communications. In some embodiments, a method is provided that receives a communication over a first wireless reverse link beam, selects a type of beam weighting control, determines a rule according to the type of beam weighting control, and determining a weighting of a forward link beam according to the rule. The method can further determine an energy of the first reverse link beam, and determine a first gain energy ratio based on the first reverse link beam energy, such that the weighting is determined by applying the first gain energy ratio to the rule. Some embodiments further determine a pilot beam configuration, wherein the rule is determined according to the pilot beam configuration and the selected type of beam weighting control.

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting encoded data packets to one or more mobile stations in a communication system including a cell that has sectors serving at least partially different geographic areas. The techniques include transmitting in a first sector an encoded data packet in one or more time slots to a mobile station; reducing transmission power in a second sector during one or more of the time slots in which the first sector transmits the data packet to the mobile station; decoding at the mobile station the encoded data packet after each time slot; transmitting by the mobile station a signal indicating acknowledgment of the packet reception when the decoding of the packet is successful; and in response to receiving the acknowledgement signal, ceasing transmission of the data packet in the first sector in subsequent time slots.

Abstract: In the method according to the present invention, a transmit power for each eigenbeam in a set of eigenbeams forming at least a portion of a multiple transmit antenna system is determined based on noise associated with each eigenbeam in the set of eigenbeams. The set of eigenbeams is for transmitting a number of parallel complex Gaussian channels.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus inspects an inspected object based on a waveform quality of a signal that the inspected object outputs. The inspection apparatus has a power supply section which outputs a control signal that controls an output of the inspected object, a waveform measuring section which measures the signal that the inspected object outputs to generate a waveform image, an analyzing section which derives a value indicating a waveform quality from the waveform image that the waveform measuring section measures, a deciding section which decides whether or not the value derived by the analyzing section satisfies a target value, and an optimizing section which changes a set value of the control signal that the power supply section outputs, based on a decision result of the deciding section.

Abstract: A transmission power control technique allowing stable and reliable signal transmission in soft handover is disclosed. Each of the base stations involved in soft handover measures an amount of loss of the base station selection signal. When the amount of loss of the base station selection signal exceeds a threshold, the transmission power of the downlink signal is not set to the minimum level but to the normally controlled level. Further, a transmission power update timing of each base station is determined so that the downlink signal received at the mobile station changes in transmission power at a predetermined timing synchronized with that of other base stations.

Abstract: When a mobile communication station detects (101) a plurality of available wireless point-of-attachment opportunities (and where at least one of the mobile communication station and at least one of the plurality of available wireless point-of-attachment opportunities is in motion), the mobile communication station selects (102) a given one of the plurality of available wireless point-of-attachment opportunities as a function, at least in part, of an operational context as corresponds to the mobile communication station to thereby provide a selected available wireless point-of-attachment opportunity.

Abstract: A high priority system access technique is provided in which an MS (310) instead of relying on its open loop power level routine to determine its power level for transmission of a system access request uses a higher power level to transmit its access request, such as its RACH preamble. The power level used for transmission of the RACH preamble can be dependent on the particular user and/or in the application (e.g., dispatch, streaming video, etc.). By using a higher power level than the other MSs (520) operating in the system (500), MS (310) has a higher probability of gaining system access and a channel grant in an expeditious fashion. This priority access technique is very helpful for applications that require quick channel grants.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention provides for using directional antennas to increase signal strength and enhance throughput in a wireless network. An antenna device includes an omni-directional antenna and at least one directional antenna. Each directional antenna (e.g., an electronically steered phased array antenna) can have one or more feeds for directing beams to wireless devices. The antenna device utilizes the omni-directional antenna to send and receive control data that facilitates locating wireless devices and determining when a wireless device is to send program data to or receive program data from the antenna device. The antenna device utilizes the directional antenna to send program data to and receive program data from wireless devices. Since the directional antennas use directional beams, the range and barrier penetration of directional antennas is greater than that of the omni-directional antenna.

Abstract: A method for initial downlink transmit power adjustment for non-real time services in a wireless communications network begins by estimating an initial downlink transmit power level for non-real-time services. The estimated power level is then compared with a threshold. A determination is made whether an increase in the estimated power level would affect neighboring cells. If an increase would not affect neighboring cells, then the initial downlink transmit power level is adjusted by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method for adaptive power control in a mobile communication system (100) determines (120) whether an RF loading factor (110) is greater than a threshold value. If the RF loading factor is above the threshold value, the method reduces call quality (140). Next, a determination is made whether the RF loading factor is below a second threshold value (150). If the RF loading factor is below the second threshold value, the call quality of the mobile communication system is increased (160).

Abstract: Provided is a mobile communication system capable of reducing interference in uplinks and downlinks to achieve excellent communication quality. A mobile station receives cell selection reference signals from a first base station and a second base station to connect before and after a handover, and measures received power values of the cell selection reference signals. The mobile station acquires uplink transmitted power values from the mobile station to the first base station and to the second base station. The first base station and the second base station control a power of the cell selection reference signal so that the uplink transmitted power values from the mobile station to the first base station and to the second base station become substantially equal and so that a received power value at the mobile station of the cell selection reference signal becomes substantially equal to a predetermined reference power value.

Abstract: A signal analyzer and a method for displaying power levels of code channels of a CMDA signal sent with orthogonal transmit diversity (OTD) via at least one of at least two antennae is described. Once a code class has been determined for representing the power of each individual code channel, the power levels of the code channels in the next highest code class are defined and associated with a respective antenna. Once a code channel exchange has been carried out according to the actual association of the antennae in relation to the code class of the actually active code channels, the power levels of the code channels for at least one antenna are correctly represented on a display device in terms of the antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a downlink transmit power level for a downlink signaling channel such as the E-DCH HARQ Indicator Channel (E-HICH) in a cellular radio communication network, wherein the transmit power level is calculated to achieve a desired signaling message error rate. The base station determines a diversity order of an uplink control channel from a mobile station, and sets the downlink E-HICH transmit power based on the desired signaling message error rate and the diversity order of the uplink control channel. Optionally, the base station may first determine whether the cell transmitting the E-HICH is the serving cell for the High-Speed Downlink Shared Channel (HS-DSCH). If so, the base station determines the downlink transmit power level for the downlink signaling channel as an offset from the reported Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) value.

Abstract: Communication apparatuses each having a power consumption control function acquires information of a communication partner apparatus to determine on the basis of the acquired information whether to use the control function of itself or to use that of the communication partner apparatus for controlling power consumption in a wireless communication network. The control function of the determined apparatus controls the electric power of the wireless communication.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a radio system for transmitting a digital signal. The method comprises the following steps: the transmitter transmits at least a part of the signal via at least two different transmit antenna paths; the transmitter weights the transmit power of the signals to be transmitted via the different transmit antenna paths with respect to one another by means of changeable weighting coefficients determined for each transmit antenna path; the receiver receives the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for reporting downlink channel quality in a high-speed packet communication system. A channel analyzer measures downlink channel quality from a received reference channel signal. A controller determines whether a current TTI (Transmission Time Interval) is a TTI corresponding to a multiple of a first TTI or a TTI corresponding to a multiple of a second TTI. If the current TTI is a TTI corresponding to a multiple of the first TTI, the controller determines CQ (Channel Quality) refreshment information for a downlink channel received from the Node B based on the measured downlink channel quality, and if the current TTI is a TTI corresponding to a multiple of the second TTI, the controller determines CQ refinement information for the downlink channel based on the measured downlink channel quality.

Abstract: In a mobile communication system, a mobile switching center 27 changes a transmission rate of communication data transmitted from a mobile station 16 and so on to a database 11 or a transmission rate of communication data transmitted from the database 11 to the mobile station 16 and so on, on a basis of a request from the mobile station 16 and so on or the database 11, individually and independently.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adjusting a power in a communication system are disclosed. The power control method includes selecting, in an active set, at least two base stations, estimating powers of respective reverse power control bits received from the at least two selected base stations, and transmitting, to the base stations, forward power control commands generated according to the estimated powers over power control groups, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retransmitting data in a mobile communication system wherein a receiver determines whether an initial data block received from a transmitter has an error. Upon detecting an error from the initial data block, the receiver estimates a current channel state and determines a retransmission frequency and a power level of the initial data block according to the estimated current channel state. Thereafter, the receiver transmits a retransmission request message of the initial data block together with the determined retransmission frequency and the determined power level to the transmitter. The transmitter retransmits the initial data block as many times as the retransmission frequency at the requested power level. The receiver then determines whether the retransmitted data blocks have errors, and provides the retransmitted data blocks to an upper layer upon failure to detect errors from the retransmitted data blocks.

Abstract: Transmitting an ultra wideband (UWB) signal in some embodiments comprises reducing power within a first sub-band with respect to a nominal power of the UWB signal within the first sub-band and correspondingly increasing power within a second sub-band with respect to a nominal power of the UWB signal within the second sub-band. An ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter comprises an input interface configured to receive data, a modulator configured to modulate received data into symbols and a power shaping component coupled to the modulator, configured to shape power density spectrum of a UWB signal being transmitted.

Abstract: A detector module is described wherein the detector module includes a housing with a conductive waveguide, a detector, a temperature sensor, and detector circuitry. The waveguide is made of a conductive material and of an appropriate size for a signal of a particular frequency. The detector, which can be a detector diode, protrudes a distance into the waveguide so as to produce a detector signal. The temperature sensor generates a temperature signal responsive to a temperature. The detector circuitry is contained within the housing. Moreover, the detector circuitry is configured to receive and condition the detector signal into a detector module signal. The detector module signal and temperature signal are then associated with a previously calibrated power level. With calibrated power level information, an input signal to a transmitter can be attenuated or amplified to control its output power.

Abstract: A technique for coordinating the operation of subscriber units such as in a wireless communications system so that high-probability-of-interference communications do not take place at the same time in adjacent cell sites. A base station becomes aware of expected periods or time slots of high relatively expected interference from remote units operating in a neighboring cell site, and then schedules only low interference level transmissions for its own remote units during such periods. Expected interference information can be exchanged by base stations directly, through a centralized base station controller-initiated schedule, or by relaying resource load status messages via remote units located near all boundaries.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling transfer of information, comprising a radio system and a terminal equipment, which radio system comprises at least two base stations and is configured to set up simultaneous connections between the terminal equipment and at least two base stations, the terminal equipment being configured to measure properties of the connections between the terminal equipment and the base stations, and to select at least one of the base stations as a primary base station, information transfer between the primary base station and the terminal equipment being activated, and the radio system comprising a combining-splitting point, which is configured to carry out combining/splitting functions on information flows transmitted via connections set up over different physical transmission paths.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for managing extended neighbor cells of a mobile terminal designed to save power of a battery as well as search time at a visited location. The method is characterized by the steps of collecting information on cells which belong to neighboring different PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) other than the PLMN to which a serving cell, which the mobile terminal is assigned to belongs, and of performing rescanning of HPLMN using the information on cells.

Abstract: A communication system that allows a soft handoff to be completed, even when the communications link between the active base station and the mobile station deteriorates before the mobile station has received the handoff direction message. The mobile station maintains a list of base stations that the mobile station is in communication with, referred to as an “Active Set”. In addition, the mobile station maintains another list of base stations that are proximate to the base stations in the active set. This list is referred to as the “Neighbor Set”. A memory within the mobile station includes information that would allow the mobile station to demodulate information transmitted from those base stations on the neighbor set. In accordance with the disclosed method and apparatus, the mobile station places a base station in the active set upon including the base station in a pilot strength measurement message (PSMM).

Abstract: A system for emulating mobile network communications can include one or more wireless nodes configured to variably adjust signal reception sensitivity and signal transmission strength; at least one mobile node configured to wirelessly communicate with selected ones of the wireless nodes; and a network emulator communicatively linked to each wireless node. The network emulator can replicate attributes of a wired communications network. The system also can include a controller communicatively linked with the wireless nodes and configured to control signal reception sensitivity and signal transmission strength of each said wireless node, as well as a home agent configured to interact with at least one mobile node via selected ones of the wireless nodes.

Abstract: A method is described for providing a discontinuous radio link for user equipment in a telecommunication network in a physical radio transmission layer while receiving packets during a packet service mode (i.e. maintaining the logical connection in higher protocol layers). The user equipment enters into a discontinuous reception mode receiving either a) two or more slots of each radio frame, or b) one or more frames; and powers down its receiver circuitry for either a) the remaining slots of the radio frame or b) one or more predefined periods, signaled by the telecommunication network. The two or more slots may be consecutive or non-consecutive slots in the radio frame.

Abstract: The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network can therefore include multiple APs, each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations are load balanced across APs so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations between APs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that determines how much power to allocate to each of a plurality of reverse link power control (RLPC) Channels to be transmitted from a base station, based upon data rate control (DRC) messages transmitted to the base station. Historical information is used to determine the quality of the Forward Link over which the RLPC is to be transmitted. If the history of the DRCs received indicates that the remote station to which the RLPC Channel is to be directed has not transmitted a DRC recently, then the base station allocates power to the RLPC Channels based upon information provided to the base station in DRCs that were received by the base station, but that were directed to other base stations. Accordingly, the base station can allocate power among the RLPC Channels without having received explicit information as to the quality of the Forward Link between the base station and every remote station intended to receive the information on the RLPC Channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting usage of digital signal processing (DSP) in a handheld terminal receives reception level data and reception quality data from a network, compares the received reception level data value and reception quality data value with pre-stored basis values, and then adjusts present usage of DSP based on the comparison result. Through this method and apparatus, usage of digital signal processing elements in the terminal is automatically optimized, thereby providing stable communication service to users.

Abstract: In certain circumstances, a mobile radiocommunication terminal estimates an initial radio signal transmission power, i.e. a random access request, to a base station located within the range thereof. If it is very close to said station, said initial estimated power can be lower, even greatly lower, than the minimum transmission power of the mobile terminal. In order to limit interference with other communications in progress, the transmission of said signals is inhibited if the difference between the minimum transmission power and the initial estimated power lies beyond a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A portable communication device including a power control system which estimates Eb/Nt by determining the variance of the noise components of PCBs that are received on the fundamental traffic channel. The power control system includes a demodulator for demodulating a BPSK modulated (or PAM) first signal from a base station, a noise variance calculation circuit that samples the perpendicular noise component of the demodulated signal to determine a noise variance, a power estimation circuit that measures the power of the demodulated signal and provides an estimate of the power of the first signal by eliminating the noise variance from the demodulated signal, and a comparator that compares the ratio of the power estimate and the noise variance to a threshold. The comparator output is a power up or power down signal to the base station.

Abstract: A method for substantially reducing the frame erasure rate (FER) to approximately 1 percent dynamically changes the power down to power up ratio from 100 to 1 to 200 to 1 to minimize subsequent frame erasures. During call startup periods the method (60) loosely monitors the power. Whereas for consecutive error bursts of frame erasures, the process (80) does not change the power threshold. This power threshold is the level received signals are compared against to determine if a power up or a power down step needs to be performed. Likewise, RF fades will not cause the power threshold to be increased. Further, should the power threshold exceed its maximum, it is reset by process (90).

Abstract: A stationary device 20 sends a portable-device finding signal to a portable device 10 from a plurality of stationary-device side antennae 24 and 25, which are located at different positions. Upon receipt of the portable-device finding signal from the stationary device 20, the portable device 10 sends a reception intensity data signal to the stationary device 20. The stationary device 20 determines the current position of the portable device 10 by using reception intensity data of the portable-device finding signals, which are received at the stationary-device side antennae, from the portable device 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile station apparatus in a communication system. The communication system comprises a plurality of base stations for providing mobile communication service within a covered communication area. The mobile station apparatus comprises a memory for recording a predetermined access control class and determining which base station the mobile station apparatus is allowed to camp on for conducting mobile communication service, a battery for providing electrical power, a control program, and a power detector for detecting the current power of the battery, so that when the power detector detects that the power is lower than a predetermined low power watermark, the power detector issues a trigger signal. When the control program receives the trigger signal, the control program overwrites the predetermined access control class, so as to allow the mobile station apparatus to conduct mobile communication service through other base stations in the communication area.

Abstract: Transmitting non-polluting dummy pilot signals in a wireless communication network permits estimation of the downlink propagation channels between a number of joint transmitters and a lesser number of receivers. With fewer receivers than transmitters, loop back information from the receivers is not sufficient to determine the downlink propagation channels between the transmitters and receivers. For N transmitters and M receivers, (N-M) dummy pilot symbols are transmitted to facilitate downlink channel estimation. Each dummy pilot signal is transmitted to an imagined or dummy receiver that is virtually located such that its downlink channel coefficient vector is orthogonal to those of the real receivers. Transmit pre-filtering based on estimated propagation channels is applied to the information signals for the real receivers and to the dummy pilot signals. The extent to which the dummy pilot signals interfere at each receiver is an indication of mismatch between estimated and actual propagation channels.

Abstract: A method for avoiding interference in a wireless telecommunication system is provided. The method includes providing communication between a first and second component at an initial frequency. A plurality of successive line quality indicators is determined at a line quality monitor of the first component. Consecutive line quality indicators are summed over a predetermined time to determine a slow hop count. A determination is made as to whether the slow hop count is greater than a slow hop threshold. A determination is made as to whether to provide communication with the first component at a second frequency when the slow hop count is greater than the slow hop threshold. This determination is based on a power level of the second component and a communication strength received from the second component at the first component. A signal is communicated from the first component to the second component requesting the second component to provide communication at the second frequency.