Abstract: In a wireless communication system (100), a communication unit parameter is sent to a plurality of communication units (105-108) during a first period of time using either a group update method or an individual update method (401). A first set of communication units that did not receive the communication unit parameter is determined (402) and, during a second period of time, the communication unit parameter is sent to the first set of communication units using only the individual update method (403). During the second period of time, the communication unit parameter is sent based on primary and/or secondary regions of operation for each communication unit and also upon detection of update opportunities. This process can be repeated for any number of communication unit parameters (404). Using this method, updates of communication unit parameters have a high likelihood of being successfully and efficiently performed.

Abstract: For each communication unit (105-108) in a wireless communication system (100), a traffic probability value is determined for each of a plurality of time intervals (400). Additionally, an update preference value is determined for each of the time intervals (402). The traffic probability values and the update preference values corresponding to each time interval are applied to a predetermined function to derive preference grades for each of the time intervals (403). A preferred time interval is selected corresponding to a time interval having the most favorable preference grade (404). In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method is incorporated into a key management controller for the update of an encryption key and/or an encryption map index. Updates of communication unit parameters performed during the preferred time intervals have a high likelihood of successful completion.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method for automatically assigning encryption keys to radios in a communication system. The radio users need only specify which radio units should be able to communicate with each other. The system takes care of automatically mapping traffic keys to subscribers in order to accomplish the desired radio groupings, thereby simplifying the process of assigning encryption information in a communication system.