Abstract: Frame collisions on communication channels connecting half-duplex units and a full-duplex unit are avoided using MAC and LLC layer protocols adapted to arbitrate channel usage. One or more flags can be included in MAC and LLC packet headers and/or acknowledgements to indicate whether subsequent packet transmissions will be attempted by sending units. Units receiving set flags can hold off transmission until receiving cleared flags from the sending units. In this manner, packet collisions can be avoided.

Abstract: To address the need for conveying data to a base site (110) and communication unit (104) without substantially introducing congestion or delay to the network used, the present invention provides two methods and a data gateway apparatus. The data gateway (116) upon receiving a data packet addressed to a communication unit (104), divides the data packet into data blocks and generates transmission data packets which can be transmitted from a base site (110) to the communication unit (104) in individual time slots. The transmission data packets, being smaller than the data packet, do not introduce substantial delay to an infrastructure network (114) and are conveyed over time to prevent congestion.

Abstract: Frame collisions on communication channels connecting half-duplex units and a full-duplex unit are avoided using MAC and LLC layer protocols adapted to arbitrate channel usage. One or more flags can be included in MAC and LLC packet headers and/or acknowledgements to indicate whether subsequent packet transmissions will be attempted by sending units. Units receiving set flags can hold off transmission until receiving cleared flags from the sending units. In this manner, packet collisions can be avoided.

Abstract: A multi-service communication system (100) includes a packet switching network (101) and a base site (108). The packet switching network supports multiple communication services, such as voice and data. A communication link (102) having a bandwidth substantially equal to an aggregate bandwidth of radio communication resources (115-116) supported by the base site is provided between the packet switching network and the base site. Attributes of a first communication service are compared and contrasted with attributes or characteristics of a second communication service with respect to the criticality of the attributes and/or characteristics. When one attribute of the first communication service is more critical than an attribute or characteristic of the second communication service, one or more of the attributes and/or characteristics of the second communication service are modified based on the critical attribute of the first communication service.