Abstract: A method and system for group communications is described. The system includes a plurality of endpoints and at least one group entity that receives from an initiating endpoint, using a transactional protocol, a first message requesting an initiation of a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to the group entity. The group entity further: causes the session to be accepted in order to start the session; upon the acceptance and start of the session causes the presence of the session to be communicated, using a broadcast protocol, to the plurality of endpoints affiliated with the group; and communicates to the initiating endpoint, using the transactional protocol, the acceptance of the session.

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 managing floor control in a network is disclosed. The method includes beginning a ballot timer when at least one of a) a first node packet is created at the node and b) a second node packet is received at the node from a second node. The first node packet comprises a first timestamp and the second node packet comprises a second timestamp. The ballot timer runs for a first predefined time interval. The method further includes determining a floor holder upon expiration of the first predefined time interval based upon an earliest time of the first timestamp and the second timestamp. Further, the node and the second node have a same absolute timing reference.

Abstract: Methods for enabling floor control are performed in an endpoint terminal (140, 142, 146) and a session controller (106). The session controller: receives (410) a message requesting a session that includes an SDP packet with a requested floor control profile having a requested set of floor control parameters or a requested list of potential floor owners; accepts (410) the session; determines (420) a final floor control profile having a final set of floor control parameters and a final list of potential floor owners; and communicates at least a portion of the floor control profile within a system (100). The endpoint terminal: communicates a message requesting a session that includes an SDP packet with a requested floor control profile; and receives a message having an SDP packet with a final floor control parameter. The final floor control profile may be the same as or different from the requested floor control profile.

Abstract: A method for informing a mobile device of adjacent sites in a RF communication system is disclosed. The RF communication system comprises a first network and a second network. At a site in the second network of the RF communication system, information is maintained of adjacent sites wherein the adjacent sites are within the first network, and a first list of adjacent sites is broadcast to at least one mobile device within coverage of the site in the second network.

Abstract: A method for providing a mobile device in a packet data network access to a channelized network is disclosed. At a gateway between the two networks, a first channelized network message that is encapsulated in a first IP data packet from the packet data network is received. The first channelized network message is retrieved and reformatted for sending over the channelized network. The gateway then receives a second channelized network message from the channelized network. An identifier of a mobile device associated with the second channelized network message is retrieved and an IP address for the identified mobile device is determined. Then, the gateway encapsulates the second channelized network message into a second IP data packet and sends the encapsulated second channelized network message to the identified mobile device in the packet data network.

Abstract: A method for informing mobile stations of a control channel architecture for a wireless communications system is disclosed. At a controller in the wireless communications system, the controller sends a control channel architecture message on a broadcast channel. The control channel architecture message informs the mobile station of a control channel architecture for the wireless communications system. At a mobile station in the wireless communications system, the mobile station receives a control channel architecture message on a broadcast channel, retrieves information relating to the control channel architecture from the received control channel architecture message, and performs control channel processing using the retrieved information.

Abstract: Methods for informing a mobile device of adjacent sites in a RF communication system wherein the RF communication system comprises a first network and a second network are disclosed. A mobile device in the first network of the RF communication system updates a signaling gateway with position information of the mobile device wherein the signaling gateway interfaces between the first network and the second network and receives a list of adjacent sites in the second network from the signaling gateway.

Abstract: Methods for synchronization in a RF communication system are disclosed. At a mobile device, frames are received from a circuit switched network wherein at least one frame has a first timestamp wherein the first timestamp is related to a time base for a source of communications. Packets are also received from a packet data network wherein each packet comprises a second timestamp from the time base. Frames and packets are sequenced based upon the first timestamp and the second timestamp.

Abstract: A radio frequency communications system (100) includes wireless terminals (102) and base sites (104). The wireless terminals communicate with the base sites over a radio frequency channel (106). The base sites are interconnected to each other and other network elements via a packet network. The communication system has a radio frequency channel (400) with time slots (406, 408) for transmission of both delay-sensitive data, such as streaming audio and video, and non-delay-sensitive data. A method and apparatus are provided for determining whether a time slot in the radio frequency channel is to be allocated to delay-sensitive data or non-delay-sensitive data (704, 706, 708). Each packet of data transmitted over the wireless channel has a type of service field (900). The type of service field has a precedence or priority value (902) and a service type (904).

Abstract: In a time division multiple access system, a fixed end device (102) receives a first requested call type. Based on the first requested call type, the fixed end device dynamically sets a first slotting structure as an existing slotting structure for the inbound and outbound channels. When a second requested call type is received, the fixed end determines whether to grant or deny the second requested call type and/or whether to maintain or dynamically change the existing slotting structure.

Abstract: A method and system for group communications between a plurality of endpoints in a system is described.