Abstract: A method includes: receiving a burst including payload and a synchronization field, wherein the synchronization field contains a synchronization pattern; selecting, from a plurality of expected synchronization patterns, a target synchronization pattern dependent on an operating mode; comparing the received synchronization pattern against the target synchronization pattern; and if the received synchronization pattern is of the target synchronization pattern, processing the payload; otherwise, discarding the burst.

Abstract: A method for indicating padding in a digital mobile radio is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a packet comprising a header and a defined length blocks portion. The defined length blocks portion comprises payload and a padding portion. The padding portion comprises padding and a payload pad count field. The method further indicates by a pad field in the header to examine the payload pad count field to determine an amount of padding for the padding portion of the defined length blocks portion. The method further indicates an amount of padding for the padding portion in the payload pad count field.

Abstract: A method and system of accessing a de-keyed base station is disclosed. The method and system comprise de-keying a base station in a conventional TDMA communications system and starting a timer in the base station when the base station de-keys. The method and system further comprise receiving a transmission from a mobile station and re-keying and repeating the transmission, if the transmission is received with proper synchronization before expiration of the timer.

Abstract: A method for scanning a TDMA channel by a mobile station in a wireless communications landscape is disclosed. A mobile station detects RF energy on a TDMA channel to detect activity in the detected RF energy. The mobile station maintains knowledge of previous activity on the channel. If activity is present on the channel, the mobile station performs inspection of the activity to determine whether the activity is activity of interest, wherein the activity is activity of interest based on a comparison of the activity with the previous activity. The mobile station aborts the inspection of the activity, if activity is not present on the channel and the mobile station aborts the inspection of the activity, if the determined activity is not activity of interest.

Abstract: A method and system for scanning a TDMA channel by a subscriber unit in a wireless communications landscape 100 is disclosed. The subscriber unit locks onto a channel that is preprogrammed in the subscriber unit. A base radio transmits a control message to the subscriber unit. The control message informs the subscriber unit of activity present on the channel. The subscriber unit receives and decodes the control message to determine whether there is activity on the channel. If there is, the subscriber unit determines whether the activity is of interest. If it is, then the subscriber unit remains on the channel to receive the activity present on the channel.

Abstract: In a TDMA system whereby the TDMA system comprises a plurality of subscriber units and a plurality of base radios, a method and system for providing access to a channel for voice transmissions where the first subscriber unit determines whether it is provisioned for polite access to the channel. In addition, the first subscriber unit is characterized by a first color code and a first talkgroup ID. The first subscriber unit also examines the voice transmissions on the channel for voice transmissions that are from a second subscriber unit with a second color code and a second talkgroup ID. If the first color code and the second color code match and if the first talkgroup ID and the second talkgroup match, then the first subscriber unit is allowed access to the channel for voice transmissions even though the channel is being used for voice transmissions by the second subscriber unit.

Abstract: In a communication unit (105) in which a priority scan occurs, wherein priority scan comprises automatically scanning, while the communication unit (105) is unmuted to a non-priority communication resource having a first frequency, at least one priority communication resource having a second frequency, a method of scanning using resource analysis comprises the steps of receiving (301) a signal on the non-priority communication resource and unmuting the communication unit in response to the signal. It is determined (307) if the first frequency is substantially identical to the second frequency. If the first frequency is substantially identical to the second frequency, the priority scan is inhibited (311).