Abstract: A method of measuring idle channel quality which includes the steps of performing a first signal quality measurement (200), comparing the measurement to a threshold (202), and keying the channel (204) in response to the comparison (202) when the signal quality measurement exceeds the threshold. An apparatus for measuring idle channel quality comprising an antenna (116), a transmitter (110) coupled to the antenna (116), a receiver (110) in communication with the antenna (116), an idle channel measurement unit (112), and a channel allocator (102) in communication with the receiver and the transmitter (110). The channel allocator (102) receives channel measurements from the channel measurement unit (112) and keys an idle channel in response to a comparison between the channel measurements and a threshold when the signal quality measurement exceeds the threshold. In response to the keying, a CDPD system (14) stops transmitting on the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating interference in a communication system caused by an overlay system. The overlay system and the communication system utilize preferred channels (201-207). The communication system first utilizes a group of communication "preferred" channels (205 and 207) when assigning a voice channel to a communication subscriber unit. Additionally, the overlay system first utilizes a group of overlay "preferred" channels (201 and 203) when assigning a voice channel (102) to an overlay subscriber unit.

Abstract: A new frequency plan is allocated in a communication system by first comparing (30) the channels in the old frequency plan with the channels in the new frequency plan to identify any problem channels that may exist (31). The system then attempts to clear any problem channels by reassigning (14) mobile stations, that may be currently assigned to those problem channels, to channels common to the old and new frequency plans, first non-problem channels. The new frequency plan is then implemented (15) by activating any new channels that are not active under the old frequency plan and deactivating any old channels that are not a part of the new frequency plan and are not currently assigned. Any remaining mobile stations still assigned to problem channels are then reassigned (17) within the new frequency plan and the problem channels are then de-allocated.

Abstract: A radiotelephone system allows a subscriber unit (125) to transmit above a predetermined maximum power level. The maximum power level is set at a source base-station (130) and corresponds to the maximum power level a subscriber unit (125) can transmit at without subjecting neighboring target base-stations to interference. When the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the subscriber unit (125) as measured by the source base-station (130) falls below a transfer threshold, the radiotelephone system determines if the subscriber unit (125) is in the best sector/cell. If the subscriber unit (125) is in the best sector/cell, the subscriber unit (125) is allowed to transmit at a power level above the predetermined maximum to maintain communication to the source base-station (130).

Abstract: A radiotelephone system verifies the carrier/interference (C/I) of a selected target channel before handoff. The subscriber (125), communicating to a source base-station (130) on a source channel, measures the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of a target channel at a target base-station (135) when the channel is keyed (transmitting) and dekeyed (not transmitting). The subscriber (125) transfers the measurements to a source base-station (130) which determines the ratio of the RSSI with the keyed channel (C) to the RSSI with the dekeyed channel (I). If the ratio is greater than a predetermined threshold, the source base-station (130) transfers the subscriber (125) from the source channel to the target channel at the target base-station (135).

Abstract: A cellular radiotelephone system transfers a call from a source base-site (200) to one target base-site (205,210). A source base-site (200) in the first RF coverage area (100) measures the signal strength (RSSI.sub.S) of a mobile (225), provides a forecasted signal strength (RSSI.sub.F) representing a would-be power increase of the mobile (225) and sets up two time windows. The source base-site (200) sends the measured and forecasted signal strengths to candidate target base-sites (205,210) found by the mobile (225) which measure the mobile (225) signal strength (RSSI.sub.T) and compare it once to RSSI.sub.S plus a hysteresis value. If RSSI.sub.T is greater than RSSI.sub.S, the call is transferred to the best responding cell. If RSSI.sub.T is below RSSI.sub.S, RSSI.sub.T is compared to RSSI.sub.F. During this time, the mobile 225 will increase power at the end of the first time window. If RSSI.sub.T is ever greater than RSSI.sub.