Abstract: A communication system (100) employs a method and apparatus for communicating video information therein. A first communication device (e.g., 101) preferably includes a video compressor (203), a memory device (205) containing a computer program, and a modem (207). The first device receives video information from a video device (116) via the video compressor and executes the computer program to determine a priority between transmission frame rate and resolution per frame. When transmission frame rate is of higher priority, the first device transmits the video information at a first transmission frame rate via the modem to a second communication device (e.g., 102). When resolution per frame is of higher priority, the first device transmits the video information at a second transmission frame rate that is less than the first rate. The second device, upon receiving the video information, may display (113) the information or process the information for retransmission (e.g.

Abstract: In a communication system having a plurality of sites (100, 101), resource allocations are monitored in the plurality of sites to identify communication resources (108) that support communications for critical members of a user group and historical information is developed regarding the communication resources. When a communication request is received from a member of a first user group, a determination is made as to whether at least one site includes only non-critical members of the first user group. A decision is made to allocate a communication resource in the non-critical-only site(s) in support of the communication request as a function of the historical information.

Abstract: A test device (101) for use in a trunked radio system (102) employs a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) detector (120) to analyze transmission parameters. The test device (101 ) includes a transceiver (118) for transmitting and receiving radio signals, and a channel controller (116). The test device further includes memory (117) for storing (403) data, and test control means (116) for causing the transceiver to receive (303, 406) outbound signals on active communication channels. The test device (101) then processes (303-305, 402-404) the power levels for the outbound signals, and either re-transmits (305, 307) the results, or stores (407) them in memory.

Abstract: In a communication system network, a central controller can more efficiently respond to communication requests in the following manner. Upon receiving a request for a multi-communication system communication by a communication unit in a first communication group, the central controller determines that at least one of the communication systems of the multi-communication system request does not have an available communication resource in it, producing a non-accessible system. Having determined that at least one communication system is non-accessible, the central controller determines the average wait period for a resource to become available in each of the non-accessible communication systems.

Abstract: A simulcast transmission system (150) is disclosed in which a primary (402), a first, and a second transmitter site (302) form a first communication loop (403). The first communication loop (403) has at least a first and a second audio path, each of which are associated with a path identification (ID). The first and the second path IDs are also associated with a set of transmission delay parameters which are stored (401) at both the first and the second transmitter sites. The primary transmitter site (402) detects a location of an inoperative communication link (409) within the first audio path, and switches from the first audio path to the second audio path, whereby the second audio path does not traverse the inoperative communication link. The primary transmitter site (402) then broadcasts (512) a path condition ID to the first and the second transmitter sites. The first and second transmitter sites then retrieve (514) the set of transmission delay parameters associated with the second audio path.

Abstract: A RF reporting system is provided that effectively increases the coverage or serving area from an associated base station site. According to the invention, an RF communication system is arranged with a multiplicity of levels designated 0-n. The RF system has at least one base site designated as level 0 and at least one reporting unit each at levels 1-n. All units that communicate directly with a base site are designated level 1. All units that communicate directly with a level 1 unit are designated level 2. All units that communicate directly with a level 2 unit are designated level 3. This process continues to level n units, which communicate directly with level (n-1) units. With this arrangement, when the base site wishes to communicate with a desired target unit of level k, a path is created from the base site (level 0) to the target unit (level k) via intermediate units of intermediate levels 1, 2, . . . , k-2, k-1.

Abstract: A simulcast broadcast system wherein two signals (103 and 106) intended for simultaneous broadcast are transmitted from a source site (100) to remote sites (200) discrete from one another. At the remote sites, the two signals are separately processed, including the introduction of appropriate delay (305 and 312), prior to combining them for broadcast in conjunction with other remote sites. One or more monitoring sites (400) can also be provided to monitor reception coherence within the system and to provide operating measurement information to allow automatic control of various simulcast system parameters, including delay.