Abstract: At least one outbound channel quality metric (OCQM) is determined by a communication unit (220) based on a first number of samples per unit of time (301). When the at least one OCQM is favorable, subsequent OCQMs for that channel are determined based on a decreased number of samples per unit of time (305). When the at least one OCQM is unfavorable, subsequent OCQMs are determined based on an increased number of samples per unit of time (306). In an alternate embodiment, the number of samples per unit of time used to determine OCQMs is based on an apparent speed of the communication unit. In yet another embodiment, the number of sample per unit of time is based in part upon a difference between a serving site OCQM and a neighboring site OCQM. In this manner, current drain on a communication unit's battery is substantially reduced, thereby extending battery life.

Abstract: A communication device employs a method and apparatus for amplifying a radio frequency (RF) signal that eliminates the need for a signal splitter. An RF input signal (202) is coupled to a first RF amplifier stage (206) only. A signal coupler (222) couples an output of the first amplifier stage (206) to an input of a second amplifier stage (208). The input signal (242) for the second RF amplifier stage is an attenuated version of the output signal (240) from the first RF amplifier stage. The outputs of the first and second RF amplifier stages (206, 208) are combined by a signal combiner (234) to produce a combined output signal (246) for transmission.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) circuit (300) includes two parallel sections (310, 312) that are designed to function collectively through the use of a signal splitter/switching circuit (200) and a signal combiner (314). To optimize the performance of the RF circuit (300), a switching arrangement (214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, and 230) that is part of the signal splitter/switching circuit (200) is used to separate and isolate the two parallel sections (310, 312) for tuning purposes. After each parallel section (310, 312) has been individually tuned, the two parallel sections (310, 312) are recombined for joint operation.

Abstract: A quality dispatch service on a CDMA based wireless system. To achieve spectral efficiency and fast access for follow-up calls, in response to a request by a talkgroup member to have a group call established, the non-requesting (listening-only) members are allowed to establish a low-rate (non-voice) signaling link in the reverse direction (inbound) for the limited purpose of (i) providing forward power control information to the fixed infrastructure; (ii) requesting soft hand-off when required; and (iii) maintaining the correct reverse link power control to allow for fast channel access for a follow-on call. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the establishment of low-rate inbound signaling links occurs prior to beginning the voice communications.

Abstract: A communication device (106) transmits a data packet at a first transmission time or during a first transmission time period to a data controller (116). The data controller determines an earliest transmission time or time period of data packets to be acknowledged and transmits an indication that only data packets transmitted after the earliest transmission time or time period will be acknowledged. The communication device then determines whether the data controller is indicating that only data packets transmitted after the first transmission time or time period will be acknowledged. When the data controller is indicating that only data packets transmitted after the first transmission time or time period will be acknowledged, the communication device retransmits at least a portion of the data packet and thereby performs timerless error recovery.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the need for an apparatus and method of determining the reliability of a first signal (e.g., 116) received by a given base site (e.g., 126) without requiring the reception of additional signals (e.g., 110 and 112) by the given base site (126). The present invention provides both a method and apparatus in which another base site (e.g., 122) receives the additional signals (110 and 112) required to determine the reliability of the first signal (116). Upon determining that the first signal (116) is unreliable, the other base site (122) notifies the given base site (126) that the first signal (116) is unreliable.

Abstract: An amplifier (300) comprising two amplifier stages (301, 303), a signal splitter (305), and a signal combiner (307) amplifies an amplitude-varying input signal (128) in the following manner. The signal splitter (305) receives a signal of varying amplitude (128) and splits the received signal into a first amplitude-varying signal (325) and a second amplitude-varying signal (327). The first amplifier stage (301) applies a first gain to the first amplitude-varying signal (325). The second amplifier stage (303) applies a second gain that is greater than the first gain to the second amplitude-varying signal (327) only when an amplitude of the second amplitude-varying signal (327) exceeds a threshold. The signal combiner (307) combines the amplified signals outputted from the amplifier stages (301, 303) to produce the amplifier output signal.

Abstract: A calling communication unit (210) transmits a dispatch communication request to a communication infrastructure (202). The dispatch communication request includes at least a dispatch identification of a called communication unit (e.g., 216). In response to the dispatch communication request, the calling communication unit receives from the communication infrastructure a telephone number associated with a voice mail server (222) that provides voice mail service to the called communication unit and an identification of a mailbox at the voice mail server. The calling communication unit then transmits to the voice mail server the identification of the mailbox and a voice communication. Finally, the voice mail server stores the voice communication in the mailbox.

Abstract: A priority scheme for a system that supports dispatch and telephone services whereby more important calls, of the type spanning across the same or multiple cells, are dynamically assigned higher positions in the queue for the next voice channel to become available. Less important calls are readily identified and can have their voice channel taken away, i.e., dropped, to provide a channel for an emergency call. The priority scheme also makes it possible to for the priority of call in progress to dynamically change, e.g., increasing priority over time so that its voice channel can't be taken away by a higher priority call, or decreasing priority of call as a function of time in progress.

Abstract: A multi-service communication system (100) includes a packet switching network (101) and a base site (108). The packet switching network supports multiple communication services, such as voice and data. A communication link (102) having a bandwidth substantially equal to an aggregate bandwidth of radio communication resources (115-116) supported by the base site is provided between the packet switching network and the base site. Attributes of a first communication service are compared and contrasted with attributes or characteristics of a second communication service with respect to the criticality of the attributes and/or characteristics. When one attribute of the first communication service is more critical than an attribute or characteristic of the second communication service, one or more of the attributes and/or characteristics of the second communication service are modified based on the critical attribute of the first communication service.

Abstract: A terminating switching center (101-103) receives an initial address message from an originating switching center (101-103). Responsive to the initial address message, the terminating switching center establishes communications with a wireless unit (118-120). When a called party category corresponding to the wireless unit is compatible with a calling party category included in the initial address message, the terminating switching center instructs at least one terminating transcoder (121-123) to operate in a transparent mode. An answer message including the called party category is sent back to the originating switching center. When the calling and called party categories are compatible, the originating switching center instructs at least one originating transcoder (121-123) to operate in a transparent mode. Additionally, communication path identifiers are included in the messages exchanged.