Abstract: The present invention relates to a radio port in a wireless personal communications system. The radio port includes a first channel in communication with a first subscriber unit, a second channel in communication with a second subscriber unit, and a switching device connecting the first channel to the second channel so that the first subscriber unit may communicate directly with the second subscriber unit. In another preferred embodiment, the radio port includes a plurality of antennas, an RF receive section, an RF transmit section, an analog port adapted for connection to an analog telephone line, a digital dataport for receiving and transmitting digital signals, and a databus interconnecting the RF receive section, RF transmit section, analog port, and digital dataport. The RF receive section includes a diversity selection unit receiving an input signal from each of the antennas. The RF transmit section generates an output signal to be transmitted over at least one of the antennas.

Abstract: A method of implementing an improved automatic link transfer for high mobility use in a wireless personal communication system is provided. The method includes retuning a subscriber unit to a new radio port frequency, reading an access message and initiating encrypted voice transmission from the subscriber unit, based on the access message, before receiving an acknowledgement from a radio port controller. A data structure for an access rights message is provided including a frame counter variable to allow for expedited processing of an automatic link transfer. A data structure for an automatic link transfer request message is provided that permits faster determination of the type of automatic link transfer necessary.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment provides a radio port controller in a wireless personal communications system including a first interface module in communication with a radio port, a second interface in communication with a digital switch, and at least one switching transcoder module in communication with the first and second interface modules. A further preferred embodiment provides that the switching transcoder module includes a digital signal processor. The radio port controller preferably has a communication backplane including a plurality of slots, and each slot is preferably adapted to selectively receive either a T1 card interfacing to a T1 line or an E1 card interfacing to an E1 line.