Abstract: A wireless communications system has a plurality of base stations, a plurality of mobile vehicular repeater units, and a plurality of portable units. In a typical context, each mobile vehicular repeater unit is associated with at least one portable unit, and both may be associated with a single user. The object is for the user(s) to be able to access the wireless network for any geographic location. In cases where a geographic area is shadowed from a base station and communication directly between the portable unit and the base station is not possible, it is beneficial to use the mobile vehicular repeater unit in accordance with an extended coverage mode of operation, to relay communications between the portable unit and the base station. A mobile vehicular repeater unit constructed according to the present invention enters the extended coverage mode of operation in response to receipt of an access request, transmitted by a first of the plurality of portable units.

Abstract: A roaming decision is made and roaming channel selected in a wireless communications system based upon an evaluation of the operability of a data link layer interconnection, In a connection based protocol, the peer to peer data link layer interconnection is implemented through use of a unique connection identifier known in each peer functional layer of the data link interconnection. If the connection identifier has a value outside of a valid range, the interconnection is presumed nonoperational and the system makes a decision to roam.

Abstract: In a wireless communications system, upon making a decision to roam, the mobile chooses an alternate communications channel in a prioritized manner and evaluates the chosen channel for whether it is able to support a data link interconnection. Upon evaluating that a chosen channel is able to support a data link connection, the chosen channel is selected as the next best alternate channel on which to attempt a data link establishment procedure. The channels are chosen from a set of possible channels in an order including a home channel, an in area channel, and then any of the possible channels. Advantageously, the selection of the next best alternate channel provides increased probability of establishing and maintaining a data link over the selected channel as well as providing a certain amount of control communications traffic flow in the system.

Abstract: In a distributed communication system, a mobile initiates a cell transfer or channel top based upon an assessment of measured parameters on the reverse channel. Advantageously, a mobile initiates a cell transfer in response to either a reverse channel utilization or reverse channel success rate.

Abstract: A method of data transfer between a transmitter and a receiver over a communications link achieves maximum throughput by dynamically adapting a coding rate, and specifically an error correction encoder, as a function of a measured reverse channel signal parameter. The method comprises the steps of transmitting a signal from the transmitter to the receiver, the receiver receiving and measuring the signal to noise ratio of the transmitted signal. The receiver determines an appropriate code rate and encoding technique as a function of the measured signal to noise ratio and transmits an encoding identifier of the determined encoder to the transmitter. The transmitter encodes its data according to the encoding identifier and transmits the encoded message to the receiver. The receiver receives the encoded message and decodes the message according to the determined code rate and encoding technique.