Abstract: A method in a communication system (100) includes transmitting from a source user (101) a first data packet (111) over a first time frame (121) having a finite time period (131), transmitting from source user (101) a second data packet (112) over a second time frame (122) immediately subsequent to first time frame (121), detecting an acknowledgment of acceptable reception of data packet associated with either first or said second data packets (111 and 112), repeating transmission of first and second data packets (111 and 112) in a sequence of first and second time frames (121 and 122) in a time frame sequence (190) until the detection.

Abstract: An antenna array portion of a communication device receives a desired signal and an interfering signal. The unweighted desired and interfering signals from a first antenna (302) are then combined in a summer (308) with weighted versions of the signals from a second antenna (304) to produce a received RF signal (312). The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received RF signal (312) is then estimated using a spectral analysis technique. This estimate, along with the complex weights applied to the signal from the second antenna, is then stored. Utilizing feedback and a methodology for searching through a range of sets of complex weights, the weights optimizing the SNR are determined and used to weight subsequent signals from the second antenna.

Abstract: An unsynchronized base site (104) transmits a time synchronization request to a communication unit (110). A time synchronization error, or a timing offset, for the unsynchronized base site (104) is then determined and transmitted back to the unsynchronized base site (104) to enable the unsynchronized base site to synchronize itself. The time synchronization error is determined for the unsynchronized base site (104) based on the time difference of arrival of the signals received by the communication unit (110) from the base site (104) and at least one synchronized base site (101), the location of the communication unit (110), the location of the base site (104), and the location of the at least one synchronized base site (101).

Abstract: A communication device (e.g., 103) includes a user interface (209), a receiver (203), a controller (205), and a transmitter (201). A user of the communication device uses the user interface to place the communication device in a busy operational mode in which the communication device is not involved in a voice communication, but is nevertheless unavailable to participate in a voice communication. While in the busy mode, the communication device receives a voice communication from a calling device (e.g., 104) and automatically responds with a data message indicating that the communication device is in the busy mode, thereby informing a user of the calling device of the busy status of the called device without disrupting the user of the called device.

Abstract: A radio frequency communication system includes a cell site (FIG. 1), the cell site including an on-line controller (100), an off-line controller (101) and one or more peripheral units (107, 108, 110, 112, 114) arranged to support the on-line controller. The cell site is arranged to switch from the on-line controller to the off-line controller based upon a failure of the on-line controller or a failure of any peripheral unit of the one or more peripheral units arranged to support the on-line controller.

Abstract: A communication device employs a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving information packets using multiple layers of error detection. A sending communication device constructs an information packet to include user information divided into multiple data blocks, a primary error detection code for each data block, and at least a portion of a secondary protection code. The secondary protection code provides error protection for the entire information packet. The secondary protection code is selected such that it can be incrementally determined by a receiving device as data blocks are received and accepted by the receiving device, regardless of order of reception of the data blocks. Since the secondary protection code is incrementally determined, processor utilization is better regulated and delays associated with sending acknowledgments are minimized.

Abstract: A packet data communication system (100) employs a method and apparatus for tracking data packets in the packet data communication system. A sending communication device (e.g., 101) transmits a data packet (130) to a receiving communication device (e.g., 105), wherein the data packet includes a respective packet sequence number (131). Responsive to the transmission, the sending device increases a transmit tracking number (V(S)) that is used to indicate the packet sequence number of the data packet that is next in sequence to be transmitted. Upon receiving the data packet, the receiving device transmits an acknowledgment data packet (140) to the sending device, wherein the acknowledgment data packet includes a receive tracking number (139). The receive tracking number indicates the packet sequence number of the data packet that the receiving device expects to receive next.

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 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 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 communication unit (200) employs a method and apparatus for increasing an output impedance of a transmit amplifier during a receive mode of the communication unit. The communication unit includes a transmit amplifier, an antenna (209), and a signal receiver (211), and is operable in at least a transmit mode and a receive mode. During the transmit mode, the transmit amplifier, which includes an amplifying device (201), amplifies an input signal (221) and provides the amplified signal (233) to the antenna for transmission. During the receive mode, the antenna receives signals and provides the received signals to the signal receiver. To mitigate the transmit amplifier's effect on the received signals during the receive mode, the communication unit, during the receive mode, couples the transmit amplifier to the antenna and applies a bias (225) to the amplifying device to increase the output impedance (Z.sub.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly (100) that comprises at least two direct current power supplies (106, 107), at least three signal splitter modules (102-104), wherein each signal splitter modules comprises a signal splitter and a radio frequency amplifier, a centerplane board (110) coupled to the at least three signal splitter modules (102-104) and to the at least two direct current power supply modules(106, 107), wherein the centerplane board (110) provides a plurality of electrical paths among a plurality of modules contained in the power distribution assembly (100), and a chassis (101) to which the modules (102-104, 106, 107) and the centerplane board (110) are mounted, and has an overall volume of at most 0.009 cubic meters.

Abstract: A desirable operating condition is maintained in a communication device (100) that is operating in an undesirable environment by reducing the number of radio frequency signals being amplified and subsequently transmitted by the communication device (100). The remaining radio frequency signals transmitted will be transmitted at full power, so that coverage area is maintained in a tradeoff for reduced capacity.

Abstract: In a wireless code-division multiple access (CDMA) system (100), a talkgroup (101) of subscriber units is provided. A sub-group (102) of subscriber units, forming a part of the talkgroup is assigned at least one inbound code (416-417). The entire talkgroup is assigned an outbound code (415). Members of the sub-group may simultaneously transmit voice information (410-411) using the at least one inbound code, which voice information is summed (412) and re-transmitted to the talkgroup using the outbound code. Subscriber units in the talkgroup, but not included in the sub-group, are allowed to transmit voice information only after requesting, and receiving, an additional inbound code.

Abstract: In a resource allocator (106), a reserved resource group comprising at least one communication resource is maintained for use in supporting non-queued services. When a request for the at least one non-queued service is received, a communication resource from the reserved resource group is allocated to the request (305). When the reserved resource group becomes depleted, at least one more communication resource is assigned to the reserved resource group with greater preference relative to allocation of communication resources to requests for at least one queued service (307). In a preferred embodiment, a communication resource is assigned to the reserved resource group prior to allocating resources to any queued service requests. Additionally, communication resources (200) having varying grades of service can be accommodated.

Abstract: In a communication system, a method comprises the steps of receiving (401) at least one information bundle intended for subsequent outbound transmission, receiving (403) at least one reservation request that corresponds to at least one information bundle intended for subsequent inbound transmission, and selecting (407) from amongst the at least one information bundle and the at least one reservation request to provide at least one selected information bundle to be transmitted. At least a part of a communication resource is assigned (409) to support transmission of the at least one selected information bundle.