Abstract:
A multi-site communication system (100) includes a plurality of communication units (106, 107) roaming among communication sites (108-111). The communication sites (108-111) are controlled by a central controller (100), via repeaters (102-105), and are thereby capable of establishing communication among sites. A method for minimizing message interruptions during a hand-off, of a first communication unit between two sites, includes the step of receiving (200) a message (300) from a second communication unit. During the message (300), which may be delivered at varying information rates, the first communication unit determines (202) the signal quality. If the signal quality of the message is unfavorable, the receiving communication unit determines (204) when the varying information rate of the message is favorable for a hand-off. Lastly, when the varying information rate is favorable for a hand-off, the first communication unit requests (205) the hand-off.
Abstract:
A radio communication system controller (100) includes a first (103) and second (104) processor for processing input communication messages (101) used in a radio communication system. The controller (100) further includes shared memory (105), which memory is accessible to each of the first (103) and second (104) processors, for storing the input communication messages (101). The controller (100) is further equipped with fault detection capability (107) for determining (402) when a processing fault has occurred.
Abstract:
2078995 9214308 PCTABS00014 A method of providing a radio communicating unit (120) with information regarding radio communication services. The radio communication unit transmits a request (335) regarding availability of one or more specific radio communication services. The radio communication unit then receives information (340) regarding availability of the specified radio communication services.
Abstract:
SECTORED ANTENNA RECEIVING SYSTEM A plurality of horizontally directive antenna sectors are arranged in configuration to receive signals from remote transmitters over a given angle in the horizontal plane. A scanning system is operative in one of several modes to sequentially couple each sector to a receiver. In its first mode, each sector is sequentially scanned with the peak signal level therefrom being compared to a reference level. If the signal level on any sector exceeds its reference level the scanner activates to its second mode wherein scanning of all sectors continues for a predetermined interval after which the system advances to a selective scanning mode wherein scan is limited to that sector with the largest stored signal level relative to its reference level, and to those sectors adjacent said sector. At the end of this interval, scanning is inhibited and the receiver is coupled to that sector which exhibited the strongest relative signal level during the scanning sequences. In this inhibit scan mode, if the signal level from the sector falls to a minimum level for a given time period the system reverts to the first scanning mode. The system periodically updates the reference levels to account for changes in background noise or the presence of an interfering signal.
Abstract:
A wireless communication system (100) that includes an MS (105) that is a member of multiple talkgroups (110, 112) provides for a prioritization of the multiple talkgroups. A database (128) included in the system maintains an MS identifier associated with the MS and maintains multiple talkgroup identifiers in association with the MS identifier, wherein each talkgroup identifier of the multiple talkgroup identifiers corresponds to a talkgroup of the multiple talkgroups. The database further maintains a prioritization associated with at least one talkgroup of the multiple talkgroups. In one embodiment of the invention, the MS (105) may dynamically prioritize the multiple talkgroups to which it belongs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the prioritization may be statically maintained. In still another embodiment of the invention, the system utilizes the maintained prioritizations to determine whether to interrupt the MS when the MS is involved in a multi-party communication session.
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. 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. Consequently, when the packet switching network receives information packets from one or more information sources (104, 118), the packet switching network conveys such information packets to the base site via the communication link based on the critical attribute of the first communication service.