Abstract: A dynamically reconfigurable communications system is presented. The communications system comprises a server, including one or more radio head interface modules, a call processing software module, and a radio head unit coupled to the radio head interface module over one or more transport mediums. The one or more radio head interface modules adapted to communicate with the call processing software module, wherein the call processing software performs modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams using one or more air interface protocols. The radio head unit communicates with one or more subscriber units using the one or more air interface protocols. The radio head interface module receives power level adjustment parameters from the call processing software module for one or more logical channels and reconfigures the signal gain of one or more communications channels based on the power level adjustment parameters.

Abstract: Systems for dynamic reallocation of bandwidth and modulation protocols is provided. In one embodiment, a radio head interface module comprises: a transmit buffer adapted to receive a data stream from a signal processing module and store the data stream as a page of data samples having a page header; a transmit engine; a digital upconverter, the transmit engine adapted to transfer the page of data samples from the transmit buffer to the digital upconverter; a configuration management unit adapted to receive reconfiguration information from the signal processing module, the reconfiguration information including at least one of air interface protocol parameters and bandwidth allocation information; and a memory adapted with digital upconverter parameters. The configuration management unit is accesses the memory to lookup associated digital upconverter parameters based on the reconfiguration information.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system is configured in a daisy-chain fashion along a single path. The summation of the signals received by each antenna port of the system is distributed along the path. The signal gain for the system is controlled by distributed attenuation and distributed gain control by using attenuators at port inputs, port outputs, or both.

Abstract: A method for signal gain adjustment in a multi-port, digital distributed antenna system uses a sorter to sort received signals in ascending order according to their signal levels. A threshold comparator generates a dynamic range fair threshold that is updated as any remaining system dynamic range is distributed amongst the remaining signals. Any received signal that is less than or equal to the threshold is attenuated with a unity gain factor. A signal that is greater than the threshold is attenuated with a gain factor that is inversely proportional to the signal level.

Abstract: An error rate detector is provided. The error rate detector includes a sequence generator that is adapted to generate a test sequence for comparison with a received sequence. The error rate detector also includes a self synchronization circuit that is responsive to the test sequence received from the sequence generator and the received sequence. The self synchronization circuit is adapted to move the sequence generator to a different point in the sequence based on a measure of mismatches between the test sequence and the received sequence.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system is configured in a daisy-chain fashion along a single path. The summation of the signals received by each antenna port of the system is distributed along the path. The signal gain for the system is controlled by distributed attenuation and distributed gain control by using attenuators at port inputs, port outputs, or both.

Abstract: An optical medium, such as fiber, is tapped to provide an antenna port wherever radio service coverage is desired. Each antenna port is a bi-directional remote unit that receives a digital optical signal from a host unit and transforms the signal to a radio frequency signal for transmission by the remote unit. The remote unit receives radio frequency signals that are converted to digital signals and summed with signals from other remote units and converted to an optical signal for transmission to the host unit.

Abstract: A method for signal gain adjustment in a multi-port, digital distributed antenna system uses a sorter to sort received signals in ascending order according to their signal levels. A threshold comparator generates a dynamic range fair threshold that is updated as any remaining system dynamic range is distributed amongst the remaining signals. Any received signal that is less than or equal to the threshold is attenuated with a unity gain factor. A signal that is greater than the threshold is attenuated with a gain factor that is inversely proportional to the signal level.

Abstract: An error rate detector is provided. The error rate detector includes a sequence generator that is adapted to generate a test sequence for comparison with a received sequence. The error rate detector also includes a self synchronization circuit that is responsive to the test sequence received from the sequence generator and the received sequence. The self synchronization circuit is adapted to move the sequence generator to a different point in the sequence based on a measure of mismatches between the test sequence and the received sequence.

Abstract: A transmit control system using in-band tones for activating and deactivating one or more remote sites. The transmit control system detecting energy in two or more spectral regions to determine if the signal received is a harmonic signal or a signalling tone to prevent accidental deactivation of the transmitter system. In one application, a modified Goertzel algorithm is employed by a digital signal processor to provide tone detection and a two stage detection provides controlled switching in noisy environments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing priority access for users in a transmission trunked communication system, including a plurality of distributive radio network terminal (RNT) switches and a unique signaling protocol and a switching protocol especially adapted for communication of control signals in the subaudio band for interconnecting the trunked transmission communications systems into a wide area network that provides an expanded feature set of radio communications capabilities.

Abstract: A packet radio communications system having a protocol which provides for nonstandard communications. The protocol providing a standard format indicator to indicate whether a received packet is in a standard or nonstandard format. If the standard format indicator signals a standard packet format, then all transceivers understand the standard information contained in the packet. Transceivers which do not understand the nonstandard format will ignore the nonstandard packet and discard it. The nonstandard format contains a format type code which is decoded along with the standard format indicator to distinguish one manufacturer's nonstandard packet format from another manufacturer's nonstandard packet format. The nonstandard protocol is expanded to manage multiple block packetized transmissions. A Message Continuance (MC) field is incorporated into the header information of the packet to signal the beginning, middle, and end of a multi-block transmission.

Abstract: A land mobile transmission trunked communication system is provided with a unique switching protocol arrangement among repeaters that are networked to one or more external communication networks. The land mobile transmission trunked communication system includes a plurality of transceivers for transmitting and receiving transmission trunked radio communications over one or more radio channels. The transceivers communicate with a selected one of a plurality of repeaters to establish transmission trunked radio communications on a preassigned radio channel. The unique switching protocol arangement includes a switch that is operably connected to each repeater and selectively communicates information signals between a repeater and an external communication network. A bus system is operably connected to each repeater and to the switch for communicating control signals among all of the repeaters and the switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributively interconnecting a plurality of land mobile trunked transmission communication systems into a wide area network includes a plurality of distributive radio network terminal (RNT) switch and a unique signaling protocol and a switching protocol especially adapted for communication of control signals in the subaudio band for interconnecting the trunked transmission communications systems into a wide area network that provides an expanded feature set of radio communications capabilities.

Abstract: A land mobile transmission trunked communication system is provided with an enhanced control signal protocol. The land mobile transmission trunked communication system includes a plurality of transceivers for transmitting and receiving transmission trunked radio communications over one or more radio channels. The transmission trunked radio communications comprises an information signal having either voice information, data information, or both, and a control signal. The transceivers communicate with a selected one of a plurality of repeaters to establish transmission trunked radio communications on one of the preassigned set of the radio channels between the repeater and one or more transceivers. The enhanced signaling protocol and switching protocol are especially adapted for communicating control signals in the subaudio band to interconnect a plurality of transmission trunked communication systems into a wide area network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributively interconnecting a plurality of land mobile trunked transmission communication systems into a wide area network includes a plurality of distributive radio network terminal (RNT) switch means and a unique signaling protocol and a switching protocol especially adapted for communication of control signals in the subaudio band for interconnecting the trunked transmission communications systems into a wide area network that provides an expanded feature set of radio communications capabilities.

Abstract: An alternate home channel for a land mobile transmission trunked communication system designates one of a plurality of repeaters for a given site or coverage zone as an alternate home repeater. The control signals transmitted over the subaudio band for all home channels repeaters in that site are also duplicatively transmitted over the subaudio band of the alternate home repeater. Each mobile transceiver will be programmed with two channel numbers. One for the home repeater and the other for the site alternate home repeater. When the power is turned on, the mobile transceiver determines which repeater to monitor by scanning both the home and alternate home channels. When a valid control message is detected on either channel, that channel becomes the monitor channel. Operation of the mobile transceiver is then generally similar to prior operation, with the exception that the monitor channel (either home or alternate home channel) is used instead of just the home channel.