Abstract: A first PCS unit monitors carrier activity of other PCS units in an unlicensed frequency band adjacent to a licensed frequency band used by the first PCS unit, which has a microprocessor that compiles a history table of this other carrier activity. The first PCS unit then uses the history table to transmit on the licensed frequency band an interference signal synchronized with the predicted occurrence of the other carrier activity such that the permitted sideband signals of the interference signal in the adjacent unlicensed band causes the other PCS units to stop broadcasting on the adjacent unlicensed band. The first PCS unit then begins broadcasting on both the adjacent unlicensed band and the licensed band, a message being embedded in these broadcasts to advise intended receiving PCS units that both bands are now available for communication sessions with the first PCS unit.

Abstract: A mean value of a received signal level is calculated by a mean value computing unit, a product of multiplying this received signal mean level by a prescribed ratio is calculated by a threshold computing unit and used as a first threshold value, and when the received signal level drops below this first threshold value, communication is performed by making a switch to an antenna that receives signals at a received signal level that is higher than the first threshold value. Switching of receiving antennas is not made when the received signal mean level calculated by the mean value computing unit falls below a second threshold value. This allows antenna switching to be performed in accordance with changes in the received signal level and prevents unnecessary antenna switching from being made when the level falls below the second threshold value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating effects of multipath fading, interference, and noise in a single sideband (SSB) signal transmitted by a radio communication system and demodulated by a portable subscriber unit (122) utilizing a demodulator (304) compensated by a pilot signal power (406). The apparatus performs the mitigation process by calculating (708) a pilot fading threshold in addition to a muting threshold. When samples of the mean pilot signal power fall below the fading threshold, the compensation of the demodulated signal is adjusted (714). In addition, when the mean analog message signal power falls below the muting threshold, the samples included in the predetermined portion of the message are muted (718).

Abstract: Transmitters (18) in a two-way radio communication system (10) transmit location inquiries to subscribing pagers (14), each transmission occurring at a given power output level. Each pager (14) is capable of responding with an acknowledgment signal identifying a particular transmitter whose signal was captured. Messages are sent to those pagers which respond with proper acknowledgments. To locate a pager which failed to acknowledge receipt of a signal from a particular transmitter, the power output level of at least one transmitter, and preferably a group of transmitters, is changed, and the transmitters re-transmit the location inquiry at the changed power output levels. A similar power-shifting technique is provided for transmitters in a one-way communication system.