Abstract: In a wireless communication system in which a base station communicates with plural mobile stations using frames of digital data, each frame having a control slot and plural voice (or data) slots, the present invention divides at least some of the slots into two portions and receives communications from one of the mobile stations during a first portion of a voice slot and communicates with the same mobile station during the second portion of the same slot.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system in which a base station communicates with plural mobile stations using a control channel and plural voice (or data) channels, the present invention uses the control channel as a voice channel whenever the other voice channels are in use and a request is received from a mobile station for another voice channel. The base station's use of the control channel varies as the control channel switches from a control channel to a voice channel and back to a control channel again.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system in which plural base stations communicate with plural mobile stations using a control slot and plural voice (or data) slots, the present invention dynamically allocates which of a predetermined set of frequencies are used by a given base station at a given time. The base stations monitor the predetermined set of frequencies to determine which frequencies are being used within which slots within the range of radio reception of the base station. Currently unused frequency/slot combinations are assigned by a base station to service the next request for a voice slot.

Abstract: A digital communication system, which may be a Time Domain Multiple Access system, is operated with plural antenna to reduce the problems associated with fading, interference and multipath in signals received from mobile, wireless units. The protocol used between the fixed station and the mobile, wireless units provides an opportunity for the fixed station to evaluate the signal received from the wireless unit and to transmit to the wireless unit using the antenna judged to have the best received signal.

Abstract: A system and method for readily varying the configuration of a telephone system and the functions/features available to the users of wireless telephone instruments on the system. The telephone instruments may include a display which can be configured by interaction with a base station to vary the interpretation given to inputs received from the user. Features available to the user of a particular telephone instrument may be specifically adapted to the user and may be readily modified as the user changes, as the user's authorization changes, and/or as the telephone system's capabilities are changed.

Abstract: A wireless PBX system utilizes base stations dispersed throughout an area to be served with wireless telephone service. The base stations utilize multiple antennae to reduce problems associated with fading and multipath. In the present invention, the antennae of a base station or similar apparatus are rotatable, at least in pairs, so that the base station may be hung vertically, horizontally, or at some other angle to the horizon and the antennae may be readily oriented to a position which provides for preferred propagation characteristics for the antennae for the local area in which the base station is mounted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the timing of symbols within a multiple symbol telecommunicated message by evaluating signal characteristics in both the preamble and data portions of a message. Samples of a received signal are taken at a periodic basis and a predetermined characteristic of the signal is evaluated for each sample. The sum of every ith sample may be evaluated to determine the symbol framing within the message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing power consumed by mobile wireless units, such as personal communications systems or wireless PBX telephones, by reducing the frequency with which various circuits within the units are fully energized. During on-going voice communications between a base station and a wireless unit, the wireless unit reduces the frequency of its references to a control channel and may eliminate such references altogether. In addition, while idle, the wireless units may not attempt to reference the control channel during all occurrences of the control channel, reducing both power consumption and the possibility of collisions with other wireless units in attempting to access the control channel.