Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) radio communication system (100) accommodates signal decoding by a mobile station (130) with and without a second synchronization word (214). The radio communication system includes at least one base station (102, 104) to transmit radio signals during a succession of time slots (202, 204, 206) including a current time slot (202) and a subsequent time slot (204). The radio signals include an indication of whether transmission of the subsequent time slot is guaranteed. The system further includes at least one mobile station to receive the radio signals in accordance with the indication.

Abstract: In a cellular mobile radiotelephone system, two different digital burst access methods are defined using to the greatest extent possible previously defined burst structures. The type of access method to be used in a particular cell is indicated on that cell's control channel. In very large cells, a two-burst access method is used including a shortened pre-access burst and a regular access burst. The shortened pre-access burst avoids collision with other bursts and provides time-alignment information to the cell's base station. In response to a time-alignment order, the mobile station then transmits a regular access burst. In smaller cells, a regular single-burst access procedure is used. The access methods use existing burst structures except that the fields CDVCC and SACCH are used for different purposes that may include improved synchronization, control channel identification and reservation of time slots for multi-burst access.