Optimization of a cellular network is facilitated by an apparatus that performs drive test measurements of a cellular network to identify co-channel interference. The co-channel interference is identified by measuring the signal strengths at various locations within a cell sector and analyzing the recorded information. A key aspect of the invention is synthesizing the received signals to identify the cellular transmitters originating the signals. If signal energy is detected from more than one cellular transmitter on a single frequency, the co-channel interference is identified. This process is particular well suited within a GSM cellular system by detecting the transmission of forward control channel messages and using the information within the forward control channel messages to identify the origination cellular transmitters.

An automotive lamp has a sealed envelope of barium silica glass that is essentially free of cadmium and in which a light emitting element is contained. Lead-in wires extend through the envelope and are coupled to the light emitting element. The glass envelope and lead-in wires have respective coefficients of thermal expansion over a temperature range form ambient to 520.degree. C. which closely match one another to minimize stress and cracking of the envelope at the interface.

A method for making Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) measurements with a mobile station in a TDMA (ANSI-136) wireless network. The method includes steps of (a) synchronizing to a neighbor base station and receiving a Digital Traffic Channel (DTC) time slot that is on the same frequency with a desired Digital Control Channel (DCCH) that is to be measured; (b) detecting and decoding a Coded Digital Voice Color Code (CDVCC) in the DTC to obtain a DVCC; (c) verifying that the received signal is a correct signal for receiving a DCCH by comparing the received DVCC with a DVCC that forms a part of a base station neighbor list; and (d) measuring the E-OTD and associating the DVCC, the channel number and hyperband information with the E-OTD measurement resulting in an E-OTD measurement report that is transmitted to a Serving Mobile Location Center (SLMC).

A software method and apparatus for installing and configuring network nodes in a wireless local area network by detecting noise levels on each of the available channels in the network. Each stationary access points listens on the available channels on the network. Each of the stationary access points determines a prioritized list of preferred frequencies or channels of operation based on the noise levels from the surrounding channels in use by other stationary access points. The listening stationary access point chooses a frequency and sets itself to the associated channel based on the strength of the other signals on that channel in the network.

A system and method for improved mobile assisted handoff in a digital cellular communication system that gives the mobile station the ability to synchronize to candidate base station transmissions in order to read the transmitted digital voice color code (DVCC) of the candidate station. This process is performed during the idle period between two designated time slots in a TDMA frame. The invention is an enhancement to the existing mobile assisted handoff procedures described in the existing IS-136 standard. The present invention improves on the IS-136 standard's use of received signal strength measurements in that it allows the mobile station to acquire and report information regarding the digital verification color code (DVCC) of the candidate base station channels. Since the DVCC uniquely identifies the cell site to which a channel belongs, it is used to distinguish the candidate base station channel from its co-channel interferers, allowing the network to make a more informed handoff decision.