Abstract: A dispatch based call system configured to contact a call center using a single unique name or number. Multiple users are able to simultaneously dispatch the single generic call center number and communicate with a unique end station or individual at the call center. A user, or subscriber unit, when dispatching a call communicates initially with the service provider infrastructure. The infrastructure then establishes communication with the call center. The call center determines the identifier of an available end station and the subscriber is subsequently connected to the available end station.

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes a first communication unit (101, 102, 103, 104) capable of communicating over a full-duplex persistent-connection link provided by a full-duplex network (105) and a second communication unit (151, 152) capable of communicating over a half-duplex dispatch link provided by a dispatch RF system (150). The system (100) also includes a dispatch gateway (120). The dispatch gateway (120) receives signals from a first communication unit (101, 102, 103, 104) over a full-duplex persistent link through a full-duplex network (105) and provides communication between the first communication unit and a single dispatch communication unit (151, 152) or a group of dispatch communication units (151, 152) over a half-duplex communication link through a dispatch RF system (150). The gateway operates in a manner so as to permit communication between full-duplex terminals (101, 102, 103, 104) and half-duplex terminals (151, 152).

Abstract: As routers (15) are added to an existing network (41), links serviced by such routers that lack a pre-existing corresponding address prefix may occur. The router (15) can contact a prefix server (14) and engage in a process to automatically receive a new address prefix from the prefix server (14) to use with such links. In one embodiment, the prefix server (14) can automatically assign such address prefixes to form or maintain an aggregation of routes to facilitate the efficient operation of routers within the network and overall network growth.

Abstract: A router 104 can automatically self assess which of its interfaces are coupled to an active communication link and then identify which interface needs a new network address prefix. Existing and available network address prefixes can be utilized to automatically self configure interfaces as appropriate. The interfaces and their corresponding communication links that require a new address prefix can be flagged for subsequent attention.

Abstract: Session Inter-Device (SID) mobility networks (50, 100, 150) are described in which a seamless transfer of a communication session from a first device (56. 106, 116) to a second device (66, 116, 166) can be achieved without interrupting the active session. According to the SID mobility network (50), the transfer can be accomplished by transferring away from the Transferring Node or first device (56) the IP address associated with the active session (58) so that the network (50) will route the session to the desired Target Node or second device (66). The Transferring Node (56) transfers its IP address (58) to the Agent (60) and stops requesting data packets addressed to its IP address (58). The Agent (60) then begins to request and eventually receive the packets addressed to the Transferring Node's IP address (58). The Agent (60) then transfers the packets to the Target Node (66).

Abstract: Session Inter-Device (SID) mobility networks (50, 100, 150) are described in which a seamless transfer of a communication session from a first device (56. 106, 116) to a second device (66, 116, 166) can be achieved without interrupting the active session. According to the SID mobility network (50), the transfer can be accomplished by transferring away from the Transferring Node or first device (56) the IP address associated with the active session (58) so that the network (50) will route the session to the desired Target Node or second device (66). The Transferring Node (56) transfers its IP address (58) to the Agent (60) and stops requesting data packets addressed to its IP address (58). The Agent (60) then begins to request and eventually receive the packets addressed to the Transferring Node's IP address (58). The Agent (60) then transfers the packets to the Target Node (66).

Abstract: EMI spur interference is reduced in a system where the desired signal has periodically repeating components without destructively interfering with the repeating components. The frequency of the spur interference is determined (203) and fed to a notch filter (201) so as to center the notch at the frequency of the spur interference. Determination of the frequency is scheduled (601) to avoid cancellation of desired periodically repeating components of the signal.

Abstract: For each of one or more received trellises, a convolutional decoder (808) determines a path metric (812) and a signal strength estimator (809) determines a signal strength estimate (813). A signal quality estimator (810) processes the path metrics and signal strength estimates for each of the received trellises and produces a received signal quality estimate (814), the received signal quality estimate being indicative of a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio, a bit error rate, or a block error rate. This approach is well-suited for use with schemes having high-order symbol constellations. When incorporated into an RF transceiver 700, the received signal quality estimate can be used in the selection of an encoding scheme best adapted to ongoing RF channel conditions.