Abstract: In a trunked communication system with a number of repeaters (101, 103, 105, 107), allocation of communication resources within each coverage area is controlled by one of the repeaters, which acts as an active resource controller. Communication resource control information is distributed between the repeaters via a data network (109). When a break (113) is detected (403) in the data network (109), a secondary communication unit (117) sends a notice of the break (405) to the plurality of repeaters located on each side of the break. The active resource controller determines which side of the break provides desired usage of the communication resources, and communications are maintained by that side (505, 509).

Abstract: A master repeater controls a trunked communication system having a number of communication resources. The master repeater determines (201) how many communication resources are available to the master repeater. When one control resource and one message resource are among the available communication resources (203), the master repeater suspends (211) trunked communication system operation when the number of available communication resources are less than a minimum number of resources (205), and the available communication resources fail to include all control resources (207) from the trunked communication system.

Abstract: In a communication system network that includes a processing multiplexer and a plurality of communication systems, wherein each of the communication systems includes a plurality of signal sources, a plurality of signal destinations, and a processing interface means and wherein the processing multiplexer includes system data database means that stores information pertaining to communication system configuration data, a method for maintaining the system data database is described. Maintaining the system data database means comprises querying the processing multiplexer interface means of at least one communication system for information pertaining to communication system configuration data. Upon receiving the information, allocating entries in the system data database means for the information pertaining to communication system configuration data and entering the information into the allocated entries.

Abstract: An originator of a communication (110) selects from among a set of candidate displayable source indicators, which displayable source indicators can include both a unit ID and alias IDs, and then attempts to initiate a communication with a recipient communication unit (111). The attempt to initiate communication includes transmission of information, including the selected displayable source indicator. This allows a transmitting communication unit to most appropriately identify itself to a receiving communication unit.

Abstract: In a communication system network that comprises a plurality of communication systems and a processing multiplexer, the processing multiplexer comprises a processing module, a buffer module, a multiplexer module, and a buffer address module. The buffer module temporarily stores processed audio information, which is produced by the processing module, in one of several sections. The processed audio information is stored in section of the buffer module based on which signal destination it is for. If the processed audio information is destined for a signal destination that is assigned to a slot in the first distination interface bus, the processed audio information is stored in the first buffer location. When the processed audio information is placed onto the destination interface buses, it done so in a round robin fashion such that the communication system may operate in a real time frame.