Abstract: Processing of message transmissions from any node in a simulcast multi-site communication system (100) begins when an initiating communication unit requests (400) to transmit a message to one or more network transceivers. After the request has been assigned by a call processing controller, the initiating unit transports (401) a time stamp message to each transceiver via a digital communication network (202). Each transceiver, after receiving the time stamp message, calculates (402) an outbound delay time and transports the outbound delay time to the initiating unit via the digital communication network. From the outbound delay time, the initiating unit calculates (406) a launch time, wherein the launch time accommodates the worst case expected transport delay through the digital communication network. The message to be transmitted and the launch time is transported to each of the transceivers, such that each transceiver simultaneously transmits the message at the launch time.

Abstract: Determining transmit time of a received signal in a simulcast multi-site communication system begins when a communication unit transmits a message to one or more network receivers. Each receiver transports the received signal with a time stamp to each transceiver in the network via a digital communication network. Each transceiver calculates a wait period, during which, the transceiver may receive the signal and time stamp message from another receiver. Once the wait period expires, each transceiver, using a substantially similar selection method, selects the same received signal to broadcast. Each transceiver then determines a launch time for transmission of the selected received signal, wherein the launch time accommodates the worst case expected transport delay through the digital network.

Abstract: Processing of dispatch calls in a simulcast multi-site communication system begins when a source communication unit transmits a message to one or more network receivers. The received signals are analyzed immediately at the received sites for signal quality. Each of the signals are time stamped to identify when they where received. The received signals are transported with their time stamp and signal quality metric to each of the other sites via a digital communication network connecting the sites. A master transmitter site determines the receiver source with the best quality signal as indicated by the signal quality metric. The master transmitter then transports the chosen best quality signal to each of the other sites via a digital communication network. Each transmitter site performs a transmit operation by storing the chosen best quality signal until it is time to transmit the signal in phase with all the other transmitter sites in a simulcast manner.

Abstract: A method for optimizing allocation of telephone and communication resources in a trunked communication system (100) is accomplished in the following manner. Upon receiving a resource request, a communication resource allocator, determines whether the request is for a communication resource (trunking call) or for a telephone resource (telephone call). When the request is for a communication resource, the communication resource allocator, allocates a communication resource from a broadcast unit in a second set of broadcast units. If no communication resources are available in the second set of broadcast units, the communication resource allocator allocates a communication resource from a broadcast unit of a first set of broadcast units in a predetermined order, wherein the broadcast units in the first set are affiliated with a telephone resource and a communication resource.