Abstract: An apparatus and method for clock rate matching in independent networks is disclosed. The apparatus accepts data from a modem (126) into a buffer (400) and determines the difference between the rate of the data entering the buffer (400) at the modem clock rate to the rate of data exiting the buffer (400) at the clock rate used by the apparatus. Depending on the rate difference, the apparatus either speeds up or slows down the data rate accordingly.

Abstract: Protocol convertors associated with a mobile facsimile device and a fixed-end facsimile device are used to terminate the control data and image data protocols unique to each device. The protocol convertors interface with a digital RF communication system using a radio link protocol to ensure the error-free transmission of facsimile data.

Abstract: A communication system provides data packet timing alignment to facilitate soft handoff. A vocoder (315) transmits compressed voice frames to base-stations (130,131) along links (110,112) of variable length, .DELTA..sub.L. The .DELTA..sub.L translates to a delay .DELTA..sub.t in the air-frames to be transmitted by the base-stations (130,131). To compensate for the time delay .DELTA..sub.t, the communication system advances both sets of air-frames to be transmitted by base-stations (130,131) by at least .DELTA..sub.t so that skipping of frames, relative to an air-frame reference (300), during transmission does not occur.

Abstract: A central-site (100) has located within it a synchronization system for purposes of backing-up a GPS external synchronization system. The central-site (100) is coupled to a plurality of base-sites (102, 103) which are required to be synchronized to one another. When the GPS signal is lost, the synchronization system within the central-site (100) allows the plurality of base-sites (102, 103) to maintain synchronization to one another. In this manner, the necessity for a synchronization system within each of the plurality of base-sites (102,103) is eliminated.