Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a gateway to extend the communication range of a wireless communication device in a radio communication system are provided. A first communication device monitors transmissions from a second wireless communication device. The first device requests that the second device act as a gateway, receives an acknowledgement, and then can initiate a connection via the second device to the radio communication system. The connection uses a first receiver and a transmitter of the first device. The first device uses a second receiver to monitor the second device, and other wireless communication devices of the system, thereby dynamically maintaining a list of at least a primary gateway and a secondary gateway that are available for relaying a connection from the first device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a gateway to extend the communication range of a wireless communication device in a radio communication system are provided. A first communication device monitors transmissions from a second wireless communication device. The first device requests that the second device act as a gateway, receives an acknowledgement, and then can initiate a connection via the second device to the radio communication system. The connection uses a first receiver and a transmitter of the first device. The first device uses a second receiver to monitor the second device, and other wireless communication devices of the system, thereby dynamically maintaining a list of at least a primary gateway and a secondary gateway that are available for relaying a connection from the first device.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (200) for providing two-way radio communication includes a base station (340) comprising a receiver (352) and a transmitter (354). The receiver receives transmissions from a first mobile communication unit (210) on a first frequency, assigned for reception. The transmitter transmits on a second frequency, assigned for transmission. The base station (340) is operable to receive a preemption call from a second mobile communication unit (220) on the first frequency, when the first frequency is not in use for reception and the second frequency is in use for transmission. Otherwise the base station (340) receives a preemption call on the second frequency. The base station (340) may comprise a second receiver (344), operable to receive the preemption call on the second frequency during a planned interruption to transmissions from the transmitter (354). Alternatively, the receiver (352) may receive the preemption call on the second frequency, during the transmission interruption.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for identifying locations of communication devices in a simulcast network. A comparator sends a location request to communication devices in a simulcast network. The location request includes timeslot assignments for each talk group in the simulcast network. The comparator receives responses from the communication devices. Each response is received in a timeslot assigned to a talk group. The comparator assigns network resources to talk groups in the simulcast network based at least in part on the received responses.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing improved reliability via redundant voting systems. The voting systems are operable to vote on a signal received by a plurality of base stations in a communication system. A first voting processor transmits a message to the plurality of base stations indicating a return base station to voting processor (BS-VP) multicast address. A plurality of multicast messages addressed to the return multicast address are then received from the plurality of base stations and associated with a particular signal received from a signal source by each of the plurality of base stations. The first voting processor determines a recovered signal, and responsive to the first voting processor determining that the second voting processor is no longer operational, transmits the recovered signal to a voting processor to infrastructure (VP-IN) multicast address associated with an infrastructure device and the first and second voting processors.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (200) for providing two-way radio communication includes a base station (340) comprising a receiver (352) and a transmitter (354). The receiver receives transmissions from a first mobile communication unit (210) on a first frequency, assigned for reception. The transmitter transmits on a second frequency, assigned for transmission. The base station (340) is operable to receive a preemption call from a second mobile communication unit (220) on the first frequency, when the first frequency is not in use for reception and the second frequency is in use for transmission. Otherwise the base station (340) receives a preemption call on the second frequency. The base station (340) may comprise a second receiver (344), operable to receive the preemption call on the second frequency during a planned interruption to transmissions from the transmitter (354). Alternatively, the receiver (352) may receive the preemption call on the second frequency, during the transmission interruption.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing improved reliability via redundant voting systems. The voting systems are operable to vote on a signal received by a plurality of base stations in a communication system. A first voting processor transmits a message to the plurality of base stations indicating a return base station to voting processor (BS-VP) multicast address. A plurality of multicast messages addressed to the return multicast address are then received from the plurality of base stations and associated with a particular signal received from a signal source by each of the plurality of base stations. The first voting processor determines a recovered signal, and responsive to the first voting processor determining that the second voting processor is no longer operational, transmits the recovered signal to a voting processor to infrastructure (VP-IN) multicast address associated with an infrastructure device and the first and second voting processors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for identifying locations of communication devices in a simulcast network. A comparator sends a location request to communication devices in a simulcast network. The location request includes timeslot assignments for each talk group in the simulcast network. The comparator receives responses from the communication devices. Each response is received in a timeslot assigned to a talk group. The comparator assigns network resources to talk groups in the simulcast network based at least in part on the received responses.