Abstract: At least one outbound channel quality metric (OCQM) is determined by a communication unit (220) based on a first number of samples per unit of time (301). When the at least one OCQM is favorable, subsequent OCQMs for that channel are determined based on a decreased number of samples per unit of time (305). When the at least one OCQM is unfavorable, subsequent OCQMs are determined based on an increased number of samples per unit of time (306). In an alternate embodiment, the number of samples per unit of time used to determine OCQMs is based on an apparent speed of the communication unit. In yet another embodiment, the number of sample per unit of time is based in part upon a difference between a serving site OCQM and a neighboring site OCQM. In this manner, current drain on a communication unit's battery is substantially reduced, thereby extending battery life.

Abstract: A communication system (100) employs a method and apparatus for mitigating distortion effects and enhancing signal usability determinations in a receiver (102). The receiver receives a discrete information signal that includes a stream of information symbols. Each information symbol (124) of the stream includes two components: a desired component and an undesired component that includes interference and distortion. The receiver determines an estimate (126) of the desired component of an information symbol and an estimate (130) of the undesired component of the information symbol based on the information symbol itself and its desired component estimate. The undesired component estimate is then scaled by a scaling factor (132) that is derived based on the desired component estimate. An enhanced determination of signal usability (136) for the received symbol is finally determined based on the scaled undesired component estimate (134).

Abstract: A first communication system (110) is provided with information on communication channels of a second communication system (130), such that these channels can be monitored to determine the likelihood of interference between the systems (110, 130). Based on the monitoring of these channels, a predetermined action is taken with respect to transmission of signal within the first communication system (110) to reduce the likelihood of interference between the systems (110, 130).

Abstract: A method of providing a radio communication unit (120) with information regarding radio communication services. The radio communication unit transmits a request regarding availability of one or more specific radio communication services. The radio communication unit then receives information regarding availability of the specified radio communication services.

Abstract: A receiver (100) that includes an antenna (101) employs a method and apparatus for producing diversity gain of a signal (106) received by the antenna (101), wherein the signal (106) is subject to a time-variant fading condition. Upon receiving the signal (106), the receiver (100) determines a signal quality metric of the signal (106) and compares the signal quality metric to a quality threshold. When the signal quality metric is below the quality threshold, the receiver (100) orients a predetermined antenna pattern (304) of the antenna (101) to improve the signal quality metric, thereby producing the diversity gain.

Abstract: In a first coverage area of a geographically-based frequency-reuse communication system, at least two time division multiplexed communication resources are provided (109 and 111). It is determined whether the first coverage area is supporting no more than a predetermined number of communications (203). When the first coverage area is supporting no more than the predetermined number of communications, transmission of at least one of the communication resources is temporarily terminated (205).

Abstract: In a multiple site communication system, a method for determining when to hand off a communication that is occurring on one communication resource to another communication resource may be accomplished in the following manner. Once a communication unit is allocated a communication resource, it begins to monitor signal usabilities of the allocated communication resource and a predetermined set of alternate communication resources. A broadcast unit associated with the allocated communication resource also monitors the signal usability of the allocated communication resource. When the signal usability of the allocated communication resource is determined to be unfavorable by the communication unit or the broadcast unit, one of the alternate communication resources is selected based on calculated signal usability, such that the communication unit can continue the communication.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selecting a relatively high reliability signal path between a mobile communication unit and a number of possible base sites.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to dynamically allocate a number of data channels on a trunked radio system (100). The data activity is monitored during a predetermined time interval. If activity is above a predetermined maximum, an additional channel may be reserved for data use. Conversely, if data traffic is low, a data channel may be reallocated for voice message use. Moreover, should the amount of data traffic among the available data channels be unbalanced, the present method contemplates reassigning subscriber units (114 or 116) to the available data channels to balance the data traffic load, thereby providing superior access time and system performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to dynamically allocate a number of data channels on a trunked radio system (100). The data activity is monitored during a predetermined time interval. If activity is above predetermined maximum, an additional channel may be reserved for data use. Conversely, if data traffic is low, a data channel may be reallocated for voice message use. Moreover, should the amount of data traffic among the available data channels be unbalanced, the present method contemplates reassigning subscriber units (114 or 116) to the available data channels to balance the data traffic load, thereby providing superior access time and system performance.

Abstract: An improved two-way radio communication system having a limited number of channels is disclosed which assigns calls in a max-minimum method, in a first embodiment according to the type of call and sector to be served. This disclosed first embodiment includes a method that ascertains the type of call, handoff or first assignment, and assigns a server with a given central controller to a channel frequency within the requestor sector that minimizes interference to present users. The method of the second embodiment controls requests for assignment to a limited number of channels to reduce adjacent channel interference to and from the requestor with respect to present users operating on a system by utilizing one or more thresholds to arrange channel assignments based upon progressively larger or smaller values of received signal strength.

Abstract: A method and means for controlling telephone interconnect traffic on a trunked radio system is described. The present invention continuously monitors all types of communication traffic on the system and in response to an increasing dispatch access delay, reserves certain repeaters for dispatch use only during a predetermined period. The present invention also contemplates a system in which the number of simultaneous telephone interconnect calls permitted on the system during a predetermined period is dynamically altered in response to system loading. In addition, the present invention establishes a variable, periodically updated, maximum interconnect call length based on the current system dispatch access delay.