Abstract: The apparatus and method for monitoring real time road conditions of the present invention includes providing remote units with computers having GPS receivers for detecting location, and sensors for detecting environmental information. Each remote unit includes a transceiver which transmits the time stamped located and environmental information via a wireless communication system to a base station, where the information is processed and stored. The stored information at the base station may be accessed by telephone via a voice response unit, to permit a consumer to determine real time environmental conditions of a particular location within a region.

Abstract: A single channel autonomous trunking ("SCAT") RF repeater transmits and receives on a single duplex RF channel. The repeater operates alternately in a control channel mode and in an assigned channel mode. Digital control channel signalling results in temporary assignment of the single channel for assigned channel signalling (e.g., mobile generated messages). A holdover time period following reversion of the channel to control channel signalling minimizes collisions and permits priority to be given to emergency communications. Low speed data subaudible digital signalling may be used to provide late entry capabilities.

Abstract: In a trunked radio frequency communications system, a dynamic regrouping scheme includes an effective user interface, automatic support of multi-site systems, the capability to program individual radio transceivers with multiple new groups dynamically, a fast rate of reconfiguration, instantaneous switch over to prevent radios from residing in immature groups, and a satisfactory mode of operation should the site controller (or site controllers in non-fault tolerant systems) fail. Some of the dynamic regrouping features includes unlimited prestored plans and source and destination groups per plan, regrouping at the plan or destination group level, an advanced user interface, automatic support of multiple sites, fast regrouping at the rate of over 30 radios per second while reducing loading on the system control channel, and fast activation/deactivation. Each plan can be immediately activated or deactivated and users are effectively regrouped together.

Abstract: A downlink between a communications dispatch console and a digitally trunked radio repeater system site controller efficiently transfers message data between the site controller and the console over a standard 9.2 kilobit per second landline. A downlink trunking card identical in structure to trunking cards used in the preferred embodiment system for RF channel signal processing interfaces the site controller with the landline link. A similar trunking card on the other side of the landline link interfaces the dispatch console processor with the landline link. Message protocol and format is translated between the site controller and the landline link and between the landline link and the dispatch console. Data buffering at each end of the landline link maximizes data transfer rate over the landline, and in addition, a priority scheme insures that more important messages are transmitted over the downlink before less important messages.

Abstract: A downlink between a communications dispatch console and a digitally trunked radio repeater system site controller efficiently transfers message data between the site controller and the console over a standard 9.2 kilobit per second landline. A downlink trunking card identical in structure to trunking cards used in the preferred embodiment system for RF channel signal processing interfaces the site controller with the landline link. A similar trunking card on the other side of the landline link interfaces the dispatch console processor with the landline link. Message protocol and format is translated between the site controller and the landline link and between the landline link and the dispatch console. Data buffering at each end of the landline link maximizes data transfer rate over the landline, and in addition, a priority scheme insures that more important messages are transmitted over the downlink before less important messages.

Abstract: In a trunked radio frequency communications system, a dynamic regrouping scheme includes an effective user interface, automatic support of multi-site systems, the capability to program individual radio transceivers with multiple new groups dynamically, a fast rate of reconfiguration, instantaneous switch over to prevent radios from residing in immature groups, and a satisfactory mode of operation should the site controller (or site controllers in non-fault tolerant systems) fail. Some of the dynamic regrouping features includes unlimited prestored plans and source and destination groups per plan, regrouping at the plan or destination group level, an advanced user interface, automatic support of multiple sites, fast regrouping at the rate of over 30 radios per second while reducing loading on the system control channel, and fast activation/deactivation. Each plan can be immediately activated or deactivated and users are effectively regrouped together.

Abstract: A trunked radio frequency (RF) repeater system for public service trunking (PST) or the like includes a fault detection system having an RF output power monitoring, over-the-air RF monitoring and other repeater transceiver testing capabilities. An over-the-air monitor continually tests the digital signalling transmitted by different transceivers within the repeater system. The site controller automatically removes transceivers that test faulty, and does not permit tested faulty transceivers to go back on line until they have passed poll response, power output and RF digital signalling tests.

Abstract: A downlink between a communications dispatch console and a digitally trunked radio repeater system site controller efficiently transfers message data between the site controller and the console over a standard 9.2 kilobit per second landline. A downlink trunking card identical in structure to trunking cards used in the preferred embodiment system for RF channel signal processing interfaces the site controller with the landline link. A similar trunking card on the other side of the landline link interfaces the dispatch console processor with the landline link. Message protocol and format is translated between the site controller and the landline link and between the landline link and the dispatch console. Data buffering at each end of the landline link maximizes data transfer rate over the landline, and in addition, a priority scheme insures that more important messages are transmitted over the downlink before less important messages.

Abstract: A radio frequency repeater system includes a independent error detection units which detect redundant and overlapping error conditions of the RF repeater stations. The error detection units notify the site controller and/or a system manager of the error conditions, and the failed repeater stations are removed from active service. The error detection units are then used to simulate actual service for the failed stations so that the stations can be placed back into service once they being operating properly again. Because the error detection units operate independently of the other components in the repeater system they can be used to trigger failure recovery mechanisms without becoming ineffective due to failure of other components.

Abstract: A downlink between a communications dispatch console and a digitally trunked radio repeater system site controller efficiently transfers message data between the site controller and the console over a standard 9.2 kilobit per second landline. A downlink trunking card identical in structure to trunking cards used in the preferred embodiment system for RF channel signal processing interfaces the site controller with the landline link. A similar trunking card on the other side of the landline link interfaces the dispatch console processor with the landline link. Message protocol and format is translated between the site controller and the landline link and between the landline link and the dispatch console. Data buffering at each end of the landline link maximizes data transfer rate over the landline, and in addition, a priority scheme insures that more important messages are transmitted over the downlink before less important messages.