Abstract: A new group call request is received from a subscriber station at a rest channel repeater at a first network location. Corresponding new group call notifications are then transmitted to each of the other network locations over a wide area network to a current one of the repeaters acting as a rest channel repeater at each of the other network locations. Subsequently, an identity of a traffic channel repeater hosting the new call is received from each of the respective other network locations. An over-the-air notification is transmitted to other subscriber stations at the first network location identifying one of the first rest channel and another available channel as a channel for the new group call. Data received from the first subscriber station is then forwarded to each of the identified traffic channel repeaters at each of the other network locations via the wide area network.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for compressing location data of a radio for over-the-air transmission. A method includes obtaining raw latitude and raw longitude coordinates reflecting a current location of the client device, the raw latitude coordinate represented by x number of bits and the raw longitude coordinate represented by y number of bits. The raw latitude coordinate is truncated by removing n number of most significant bits from the raw latitude coordinate to create a compressed latitude coordinate. The raw longitude coordinate is truncated by removing m number of most significant bits from the raw longitude coordinate to create a compressed longitude coordinate, where m varies as a function of the value of the raw latitude coordinate. The compressed longitude and compressed latitude coordinates are then transmitted to another network device for decompression and use as an indication of the client device's absolute location.

Abstract: In a two-way radio frequency (RF) communications system having at least one repeater, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of subscriber units, a repeater hosts a first channel that is currently serving as a rest channel. The channel that is currently serving as the rest channel is monitored by subscriber units that are idle in the system. When the repeater determines to select a second channel to serve as the rest channel, it determines whether there is at least one eligible channel to serve as the rest channel. If there is at least one eligible channel in the system, the repeater may select the second channel to serve as the rest channel from one of the eligible channels.

Abstract: The time required for the receiving device to synchronize to a desired timeslot is reduced. In operation, a transmitting device selects a synchronization pattern associated with the desired timeslot that is at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with other timeslots on the same frequency in the system. Once selected, the transmitting device transmits a burst embedding the synchronization pattern that was selected, where appropriate. If the receiving device detects the synchronization pattern, it immediately synchronizes with the timeslot with confidence that it is synchronizing to the desired timeslot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a radio to track channel timing and support channel scanning A non-leading radio operating on a communications channel, determines a diffusion period during which channel timing is to be propagated from a leading radio to non-leading radios operating on the communications channel. The non-leading radio implements a first scanning pattern during the diffusion period to scan a CT designated channel for a control timing message with a timing signal sent from the leading radio. The first scanning pattern involves scanning the CT designated channel during every other scan interval and scanning non-priority channels and priority channels during scan intervals not used on the CT designated channel.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing the direct mode TDMA transmission of a set of radios by following a selected radio as the leader includes: receiving, by a radio, a communication from an other radio; identifying, by the radio, a leader according to a leadership election rule using the received communication from the other radio and a current leader information; setting, by the radio, the identified leader as its leader; and synchronizing, by the radio, a time slot boundary with a time slot boundary defined by the leader.

Abstract: In operation, a transmitting device selects a synchronization pattern associated with the desired timeslot that is at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with other timeslots on the same frequency in the system. Once selected, the transmitting device transmits a burst embedding the synchronization pattern that was selected, where appropriate. If the receiving device detects the synchronization pattern, it immediately synchronizes with the timeslot with confidence that it is synchronizing to the desired timeslot by using sets of synchronization patterns associated with the desired timeslot that are at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with the other timeslots on the same frequency.

Abstract: A method for interrupting voice transmissions within a multi site communication system includes operating a repeater to engage in an interruptible voice communication; to identify an open burst location based on a repeat delay when the interruptible voice communication is sourced directly via a wireless network, and to identify the open burst location as irrelevant when the interruptible voice communication is indirectly sourced via a wireless network; and repeat the interruptible voice communication including the open burst location.

Abstract: A method for diffusing channel timing among a plurality of subscriber units operating in TDMA Direct Mode, wherein the method includes: receiving, from a second one of the subscriber units operating in the TDMA Direct Mode, a first message; determining first channel timing from the received message; determining whether the received first channel timing is correct, wherein the determining is based at least on comparing a generation of the first subscriber unit with a generation of the second subscriber unit; when the received first channel timing is correct, starting a random delay; upon expiration of the random delay, transmitting a first forced propagation message to propagate the first channel timing to at least a third one of the subscriber units operating in the TDMA Direct Mode and having a higher generation than the generations of the first and the second subscriber units.

Abstract: A system and method for pausing communications from a transmitting radio for a certain period of time in order to allow transmission of other messages. When a first radio determines that a message needs to be transmitted either to a second radio or the transmitting radio, the first radio determines whether there are any available forward channels to transmit the call. If no forward channel is available, the first radio determines a period of time required to transmit the message and sends, on a reverse channel, a “request to pause” signal to the transmitting radio identifying that period of time. Upon receiving the “request to pause” signal, the transmitting radio ceases transmission on the forward channel for the specified period of time, during which time the first radio transmits the message.

Abstract: A method for facilitating transmission of data in a communication system is provided herein. In operation, a base radio of a plurality of base radios combines status information corresponding to a plurality of inbound frequencies and transmits the combined status information on a single outbound radio frequency. Further, each of the plurality of inbound radio frequencies corresponds to one of the plurality of base radios. Then, one or more radio terminals monitor the single outbound radio frequency to receive the combined status information, determine at least one available inbound radio frequency from the plurality of inbound radio frequencies based on the received combined status information, selects an inbound radio frequency of the at least one available inbound frequency, and transmitting the data using the selected inbound radio frequency to the corresponding base radio.

Abstract: To perform a channel inspection, a wireless communication device: monitors a common announcement channel (CACH) until detecting that a first set of identified parameters associated with a signal on a first channel matches a second set of known parameters for the first channel; performs an inspection on the first channel to determine whether the signal is of interest; and when the signal is not of interest, marks the first channel to prevent another inspection from being performed on the first channel until after the channel mark is removed. The communication device then leaves the first channel and continues to monitor the CACH for a change in the first set of identified parameters or an indication of an idle first channel, wherein the communication device removes the channel mark on the first channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for using effective radiated transmit power of a base station at a wireless communication device to perform an automatic roaming method. In one implementation, the disclosed embodiments can be applied in a two-way wireless communication system.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for using effective radiated transmit power of a base station at a wireless communication device to determine whether the wireless communication device is within uplink transmission range of the base station. The wireless communication device can also use the effective radiated transmit power to adjust transmit power at the wireless communication device and save battery resources. In one implemenation, the disclosed embodiments can be applied in a two-way wireless communication system.

Abstract: A repeater receives an indication that a subscriber unit is initiating a call session on a channel, and indicates that the channel is busy. The repeater repeats a transmission from the subscriber unit and sets a timer for a first time upon determination that the transmission has ended. The timer is set for a second time if a new transmission is not received from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel prior to the expiration of the first time; otherwise, the repeater accepts a new transmission from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel if the new transmission is received prior to an expiration of the second time. Upon receipt of each new transmission received prior to the expiration of the second time, the repeater clears the timer, repeats the transmission on the channel, and resets the timer for the first time upon determination that the transmission has ended.

Abstract: Within a two way radio frequency communication system, a repeater transmits an identity of a rest channel when transmitting during an active communication call on a channel other than the rest channel. A subscriber unit communicating within the active communication, receives the identity of the rest channel, leaves the active communication; and initiates a new communication on the rest channel.

Abstract: Methods of communicating location information from a subscriber to a repeater are described. The subscriber switches from a working channel to a data revert channel, transmits a request for a periodic or one-time window to transmit an update, and determines from grant information in the response announcement the allocated window and frame before switching back to the working channel. Before the allocated time, the subscriber switches to the data revert channel, confirms whether it remains scheduled to transmit the update from a repeater announcement, and if so transmits the location update in either the current or reserved window. The announcements from the repeater contain the identity of the next window and frame and the subscriber reserved to use the window in addition to grant information. The subscribers may or may not be time-aligned and the data and data revert channels may or may not be synchronized.

Abstract: A subscriber unit monitors a first channel currently serving as a rest channel for the system, wherein the channel currently serving as the rest channel for the system is monitored by subscribers that are idle in the system. The subscriber unit determines that a first call is being initiated on the first channel. If the first call is not of interest, the subscriber unit ceases to monitor the first channel, and monitors a second channel that will serve as the rest channel for the system when the first call starts on the first channel. If the first call is of interest, the subscriber unit participates in the first call on the first channel, and before or after the first call ends, participates in a second call on a third channel or monitors a channel currently serving as the rest channel for the system when the subscriber unit becomes idle.

Abstract: To perform channel inspection, a wireless communication device conducts a full inspection on a first channel carrying a first signal that includes: determining a location of a first synchronization message; and determining whether the first signal is of interest. Upon determining that the first signal is not of interest, the first channel is marked, wherein the marking includes remembering the location of the first synchronization message. The device leaves the first channel and determines an expected location of a second synchronization message on the first channel based on the location of the first synchronization message. Upon returning to the first channel which carries a second signal, the communication device conduct a partial inspection that includes: detecting whether the second synchronization message is present at the expected location, wherein the presence of the second synchronization message indicates that the second signal is not of interest.

Abstract: A repeater receives and repeats, on a multi-site channel, a sequence of control and media transmissions included in a session, wherein the session has a plurality of participants. While repeating these transmissions, the repeater further detects, from at least one of the transmissions, a start of the session and a type of the session. Based on the type of the session, the repeater determines whether to perform an arbitration during the session to control access to the multi-site channel, and restricts each performed arbitration to only transmissions received from the participants to the session. In addition, after repeating at least one of the control transmissions, the repeater sets a hang time having a duration that is determined based on a type of the transmission preceding the setting of the hang time.