Abstract: A device, system, and method for switching between a narrowband network and a broadband network is provided. A radio device determines conditions of a broadband network and receives, from a narrowband network site, access criteria indicating that a subset of a plurality of radio devices can register with the narrowband network site to communicate on a narrowband network. In response to the conditions meeting one or more given conditions and receiving the access criteria, when the radio device is communicating on the broadband network, the radio device may continue communicating on the broadband network; or when the radio device is communicating on the narrowband network, or attempting to register with the narrowband network site, the radio device switches, from communicating on the narrowband network, or attempting to register with the narrowband network site, to communicating on the broadband network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically allowing a guest device to a join a private citizens broadband radio systems (CBRS) network. The method includes determining one of a location of the guest device and a location of a public safety incident. The public safety incident is associated with the guest device. The method also includes determining that one of the location of the guest device and the location of the public safety incident is in a coverage area of the private CBRS network. The method further includes reconfiguring the private CBRS network to allow operation of the guest device on the private CBRS network, and operating the guest device on the private CBRS network.

Abstract: a method and apparatus for detecting interference within a communication system is provided herein. During operation, a base station will determine whether the interference is caused by in-system excessive collisions (e.g. multiple simultaneous registration and/or call requests). An appropriate mitigation technique will be applied by the base station based on a type of interference detected.

Abstract: A radio receives audio information on a first traffic channel in a radio frequency (RF) site. The radio receives, on the first traffic channel, an announcement of alternative traffic channels on which the audio information is also transmitted in adjacent RF sites. The radio determines signal strength indicators for the alternative traffic channels in the adjacent RF sites while continuing to receive the audio information on the first traffic channel. The radio determines that a signal strength associated with the first traffic channel is below a first threshold. Based on the determination and as a function of the scanning, the radio roams to a second traffic channel, selected from the alternative traffic channels, in an adjacent RF site where a signal strength associated with the second traffic channel is above a second threshold. The radio receives the audio information via the second traffic channel.

Abstract: A process for resolving call collisions in a digital conventional direct mode includes monitoring a direct mode communication channel for transmissions from other direct mode radios in the plurality of direct mode radios. In response to detecting a new call request: identifying a last radio to transmit on the direct mode channel, transmitting a new call request for receipt by the last direct mode radio to transmit, monitoring the direct mode channel for a response from the last radio to transmit, and if a call grant granting the new call request is received from the last radio to transmit, initiating the new direct mode call on the direct mode communication channel. If the call grant is not received, at least temporarily refraining from initiating the new direct mode call.

Abstract: A radio controller monitors a radio channel for a first period of time and determines a first indication of signals received without detecting synchronization or with detecting synchronization but failing error correction during that time. Responsive to determining that the first indication is above a predetermined threshold indicative of an interference condition, causing an instruction to be broadcast identifying a subset of subscriber devices allowed transmitting random access requests on the radio channel. The radio controller monitors the radio channel for a second period of time and determines a second indication during that time. If the second indication is an improvement over the first indication, the radio controller determines that the interference condition is caused by the mass random access event.

Abstract: A process for resolving call collisions in a digital conventional direct mode includes monitoring a direct mode communication channel for transmissions from other direct mode radios in the plurality of direct mode radios. In response to detecting a new call request: identifying a last radio to transmit on the direct mode channel, transmitting a new call request for receipt by the last direct mode radio to transmit, monitoring the direct mode channel for a response from the last radio to transmit, and if a call grant granting the new call request is received from the last radio to transmit, initiating the new direct mode call on the direct mode communication channel. If the call grant is not received, at least temporarily refraining from initiating the new direct mode call.

Abstract: A process for resolving call collisions in a digital conventional direct mode includes monitoring a direct mode communication channel for transmissions from other direct mode radios in the plurality of direct mode radios. In response to detecting a new call request: identifying a last radio to transmit on the direct mode channel, transmitting a new call request for receipt by the last direct mode radio to transmit, monitoring the direct mode channel for a response from the last radio to transmit, and if a call grant granting the new call request is received from the last radio to transmit, initiating the new direct mode call on the direct mode communication channel. If the call grant is not received, at least temporarily refraining from initiating the new direct mode call.

Abstract: A radio controller monitors a radio channel for a first period of time and determines a first indication of signals received without detecting synchronization or with detecting synchronization but failing error correction during that time. Responsive to determining that the first indication is above a predetermined threshold indicative of an interference condition, causing an instruction to be broadcast identifying a subset of subscriber devices allowed transmitting random access requests on the radio channel. The radio controller monitors the radio channel for a second period of time and determines a second indication during that time. If the second indication is an improvement over the first indication, the radio controller determines that the interference condition is caused by the mass random access event.

Abstract: A radio receives audio information on a first traffic channel in a radio frequency (RF) site. The radio receives, on the first traffic channel, an announcement of alternative traffic channels on which the audio information is also transmitted in adjacent RF sites. The radio determines signal strength indicators for the alternative traffic channels in the adjacent RF sites while continuing to receive the audio information on the first traffic channel. The radio determines that a signal strength associated with the first traffic channel is below a first threshold. Based on the determination and as a function of the scanning, the radio roams to a second traffic channel, selected from the alternative traffic channels, in an adjacent RF site where a signal strength associated with the second traffic channel is above a second threshold. The radio receives the audio information via the second traffic channel.

Abstract: A process for resolving call collisions in a digital conventional direct mode includes monitoring a direct mode communication channel for transmissions from other direct mode radios in the plurality of direct mode radios. In response to detecting a new call request: identifying a last radio to transmit on the direct mode channel, transmitting a new call request for receipt by the last direct mode radio to transmit, monitoring the direct mode channel for a response from the last radio to transmit, and if a call grant granting the new call request is received from the last radio to transmit, initiating the new direct mode call on the direct mode communication channel. If the call grant is not received, at least temporarily refraining from initiating the new direct mode call.

Abstract: A process for resolving call collisions in a digital conventional direct mode includes monitoring a direct mode communication channel for transmissions from other direct mode radios in the plurality of direct mode radios. In response to detecting a new call request: identifying a last radio to transmit on the direct mode channel, transmitting a new call request for receipt by the last direct mode radio to transmit, monitoring the direct mode channel for a response from the last radio to transmit, and if a call grant granting the new call request is received from the last radio to transmit, initiating the new direct mode call on the direct mode communication channel. If the call grant is not received, at least temporarily refraining from initiating the new direct mode call.

Abstract: In a two-way radio frequency (RF) communications system having at least one repeater, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of subscriber units, a repeater hosts a first channel that is currently serving as a rest channel. The channel that is currently serving as the rest channel is monitored by subscriber units that are idle in the system. When the repeater determines to select a second channel to serve as the rest channel, it determines whether there is at least one eligible channel to serve as the rest channel. If there is at least one eligible channel in the system, the repeater may select the second channel to serve as the rest channel from one of the eligible channels.

Abstract: A repeater receives an indication that a subscriber unit is initiating a call session on a channel, and indicates that the channel is busy. The repeater repeats a transmission from the subscriber unit and sets a timer for a first time upon determination that the transmission has ended. The timer is set for a second time if a new transmission is not received from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel prior to the expiration of the first time; otherwise, the repeater accepts a new transmission from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel if the new transmission is received prior to an expiration of the second time. Upon receipt of each new transmission received prior to the expiration of the second time, the repeater clears the timer, repeats the transmission on the channel, and resets the timer for the first time upon determination that the transmission has ended.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, in a two-way radio frequency (RF) communications system having at least one repeater, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of subscriber units, a repeater receives a message that identifies a channel that is selected to serve as a rest channel for the system. The channel that is currently serving as the rest channel for the system is monitored by subscriber units that are idle in the system. If the repeater determines that the channel selected to serve as the rest channel is hosted by the repeater, the repeater periodically transmits an identity of the channel as the channel currently serving as the rest channel on at least the channel.

Abstract: In a two-way radio frequency (RF) communications system having at least one repeater, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of subscriber units, a repeater hosts a first channel that is currently serving as a rest channel. The channel that is currently serving as the rest channel is monitored by subscriber units that are idle in the system. When the repeater determines to select a second channel to serve as the rest channel, it determines whether there is at least one eligible channel to serve as the rest channel. If there is at least one eligible channel in the system, the repeater may select the second channel to serve as the rest channel from one of the eligible channels.

Abstract: A repeater receives an indication that a subscriber unit is initiating a call session on a channel, and indicates that the channel is busy. The repeater repeats a transmission from the subscriber unit and sets a timer for a first time upon determination that the transmission has ended. The timer is set for a second time if a new transmission is not received from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel prior to the expiration of the first time; otherwise, the repeater accepts a new transmission from a subscriber unit that is allowed to transmit on the channel if the new transmission is received prior to an expiration of the second time. Upon receipt of each new transmission received prior to the expiration of the second time, the repeater clears the timer, repeats the transmission on the channel, and resets the timer for the first time upon determination that the transmission has ended.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, in a two-way radio frequency (RF) communications system having at least one repeater, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of subscriber units, a repeater receives a message that identifies a channel that is selected to serve as a rest channel for the system. The channel that is currently serving as the rest channel for the system is monitored by subscriber units that are idle in the system. If the repeater determines that the channel selected to serve as the rest channel is hosted by the repeater, the repeater periodically transmits an identity of the channel as the channel currently serving as the rest channel on at least the channel.