Trunked radio repeater system

Claim 1

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communications with a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: (1) operating a first radio unit on a first working channel in response to digital assignment signals passed over said control channel; (2) operating a second radio unit on a second working channel in response to further digital assignment signals passed over said control channel; (3) passing a stream of digital signals over said first working channel to said first radio unit indicating said second working channel assignment; and (4) operating said first radio unit on said second working channel in response to said stream of signals transmitted by said transmitting step (3).

Claim 2

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communications with a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: (1) operating a first radio unit on a first working channel in response to digital assignment signals passed over said control channel; (2) operating a second radio unit on a second working channel in response to further digital assignment signals passed over said control channel; (3) passing a stream of digital signals over said first working channel to said first radio unit indicating said second working channel assignment; and (4) operating said first radio unit on said second working channel in response to said stream of signals transmitted by said transmitting step (3).

Claim 14

A method of priority scanning in a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are temporarily assigned for use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method including the steps of: (1) assigning a first working channel to a first radio unit by passing digital assignment signals over said control channels; (2) passing a burst of digital signals substantially at 9600 bits per second over all assigned ones of said plural working channels indicating the assignment of said first working channel; (3) subsequently to said passing step (2), passing digital signals substantially at 150 bits per second over all assigned ones of said plural working channels indicating the assignment of said first working channel; and (4) retuning a further radio unit from a working channel assigned thereto to said first working channel in response to said signals passed by said passing step (3) and/or by said passing step (4).

Claim 15

A method of priority scanning in a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are temporarily assigned for use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method including the steps of: (1) assigning a first working channel to a first radio unit by passing digital assignment signals over said control channels; (2) passing a burst of digital signals substantially at 9600 bits per second over all assigned ones of said plural working channels indicating the assignment of said first working channel; (3) subsequently to said passing step (2), passing digital signals substantially at 150 bits per second over all assigned ones of said plural working channels indicating the assignment of said first working channel; and (4) retuning a further radio unit from a working channel assigned thereto to said first working channel in response to said signals passed by said passing step (3) and/or by said passing step (4).

Claim 22

A method of communicating control signals over active working channels of a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are temporarily assigned for use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method including the steps of: (1) receiving subaudible digital signalling over a working channel and substantially simultaneously receiving other signals sent over said working channel at a rate which is higher than the rate of said subaudible signalling, said subaudible signalling defining a frame structure; (2) receiving high-speed data bursts embedded within said subaudible digital signalling at predetermined positions within said signalling frame structure; and (3) muting audio receiver circuitry during the times said high-speed data bursts are received.

Claim 23

A method of communicating control signals over active working channels of a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are temporarily assigned for use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method including the steps of: (1) receiving subaudible digital signalling over a working channel and substantially simultaneously receiving other signals sent over said working channel at a rate which is higher than the rate of said subaudible signalling, said subaudible signalling defining a frame structure; (2) receiving high-speed data bursts embedded within said subaudible digital signalling at predetermined positions within said signalling frame structure; and (3) muting audio receiver circuitry during the times said high-speed data bursts are received.

Claim 30

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring digital signals passed over an assigned working channel after operation of a radio unit has been established thereon, said digital signals being passed over said working channel first substantially at 9600 bits per second and subsequently at a subaudible data rate, and dropping operation of a radio unit from said working channel in response to a detected change in said digital signals.

Claim 31

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring digital signals passed over an assigned working channel after operation of a radio unit has been established thereon, said digital signals being passed over said working channel first substantially at 9600 bits per second and subsequently at a subaudible data rate, and dropping operation of a radio unit from said working channel in response to a detected change in said digital signals.

Claim 34

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: requesting assignment of a working channel by passing digital request signals from a first radio unit to a control side over said control channel; assigning a specific working channel to said first radio unit and to at least a second radio unit by passing digital assignment signals over said control channel; passing a digital handshake signal over said assigned working channel from said first radio unit to said control site; substantially simultaneously with said passing step, passing a confirmation message from said control site to said second radio unit; and releasing said first and second units for communication over said assigned working channel by sending digital release signals on said assigned working channel in response to successful exchange of said handshake signal.

Claim 35

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: requesting assignment of a working channel by passing digital request signals from a first radio unit to a control side over said control channel; assigning a specific working channel to said first radio unit and to at least a second radio unit by passing digital assignment signals over said control channel; passing a digital handshake signal over said assigned working channel from said first radio unit to said control site; substantially simultaneously with said passing step, passing a confirmation message from said control site to said second radio unit; and releasing said first and second units for communication over said assigned working channel by sending digital release signals on said assigned working channel in response to successful exchange of said handshake signal.

Claim 40

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: requesting assignment of a working channel by passing digital request signals from a first radio unit to a control site over said control channel; assigning a specific working channel to said first radio unit and to at least one second radio unit by passing digital assignment signals from said control site to said radio units over said control channel; confirming said assignment by sending digital confirmation signals on said assigned working channel from said control site; passing a digital handshake signal over said assigned working channel between said first radio unit and said control site substantially simultaneously with said confirming step; and releasing at least one of said units for communication by sending digital release signals over said assigned working channel in response to said handshake signal.

Claim 41

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: requesting assignment of a working channel by passing digital request signals from a first radio unit to a control site over said control channel; assigning a specific working channel to said first radio unit and to at least one second radio unit by passing digital assignment signals from said control site to said radio units over said control channel; confirming said assignment by sending digital confirmation signals on said assigned working channel from said control site; passing a digital handshake signal over said assigned working channel between said first radio unit and said control site substantially simultaneously with said confirming step; and releasing at least one of said units for communication by sending digital release signals over said assigned working channel in response to said handshake signal.

Claim 47

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: A. sending, from a first radio unit to a control site over the control channel, request signals including a. string of dotting bits to establish bit sync, b. a predetermined word sync code repeated three times, and c. a request message of 40 bits repeated three times, each message including i. 3 bits identifying the message type, ii. 11 bits identifying the called unit, iii. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and iv. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; B. sending, from said control site to said first radio unit over said control channel, assignment signals including a. predetermined word sync code, b. a pair of assignment messages, each being repeated three times and having 40 bits including i. 3 bits identifying the message type, ii. 8 bits providing one-half the identity of the calling unit; iii. 5 bits identifying the assigned working channel, iv. one bit identifying whether transmission trunking is in effect, v. 11 bits identifying the called group or individual unit, and vi. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; C. sending, from said control site over the assigned working channel, confirmation signals including a. a predetermined b. a confirmation message of 32 bits repeated three times including i. 4 bits identifying the type of message, ii. 1 bit identifying whether transmission trunked operation is in effect, iii. 1 bit identifying whether a group or individual call is being made, iv. 11 bits identifying the called group or individual unit, and v. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and vi. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; D. sending, from said first unit over the assigned working channel, digital acknowledgement signals including a. a relatively longer string of dotting bits, followed by b. communications over the working channel to the called group or individual unit, and E. in response to step D(a) and prior to step D(b), sending, from said control site over the assigned working channel, digital release signals including a. a predetermined word sync code, and b. two unit-keyed/unmute messages, each repeated three times and being 32 bit messages including i. 4 bits identifying the type of message, ii. 1 bit identifying whether trunked operation is in effect, iii. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and iv. 12 bits identifying the calling unit, and

Claim 48

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: A. sending, from a first radio unit to a control site over the control channel, request signals including a. string of dotting bits to establish bit sync, b. a predetermined word sync code repeated three times, and c. a request message of 40 bits repeated three times, each message including i. 3 bits identifying the message type, ii. 11 bits identifying the called unit, iii. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and iv. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; B. sending, from said control site to said first radio unit over said control channel, assignment signals including a. predetermined word sync code, b. a pair of assignment messages, each being repeated three times and having 40 bits including i. 3 bits identifying the message type, ii. 8 bits providing one-half the identity of the calling unit; iii. 5 bits identifying the assigned working channel, iv. one bit identifying whether transmission trunking is in effect, v. 11 bits identifying the called group or individual unit, and vi. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; C. sending, from said control site over the assigned working channel, confirmation signals including a. a predetermined b. a confirmation message of 32 bits repeated three times including i. 4 bits identifying the type of message, ii. 1 bit identifying whether transmission trunked operation is in effect, iii. 1 bit identifying whether a group or individual call is being made, iv. 11 bits identifying the called group or individual unit, and v. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and vi. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; D. sending, from said first unit over the assigned working channel, digital acknowledgement signals including a. a relatively longer string of dotting bits, followed by b. communications over the working channel to the called group or individual unit, and E. in response to step D(a) and prior to step D(b), sending, from said control site over the assigned working channel, digital release signals including a. a predetermined word sync code, and b. two unit-keyed/unmute messages, each repeated three times and being 32 bit messages including i. 4 bits identifying the type of message, ii. 1 bit identifying whether trunked operation is in effect, iii. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and iv. 12 bits identifying the calling unit, and

Claim 53

A system of apparatus for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said system comprising: means for requesting assignment of a working channel by passing digital request signals from a first radio unit to a control site over said control channel; means for assigning a specific working channel to said first radio unit and to at least a further radio unit by passing digital assignment signals over said control channel; means for confirming the operation of said first radio unit on said assigned working channel by passing a string of synchronization signals from said first radio unit to said control site over said working channel; means for confirming said working channel assignment to said further radio unit by passing digital confirmation message over said assigned working channel from said control site to said further radio unit at substantially the same time said string of synchronization signals are being passed from said first radio unit to said control site; and means for releasing at least one of said first and further unit for communication over said assigned working channel by sending digital release signals on said assigned working channel in response to successful receipt of said synchronization signals.

Claim 54

A system of apparatus for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said system comprising: means for requesting assignment of a working channel by passing digital request signals from a first radio unit to a control site over said control channel; means for assigning a specific working channel to said first radio unit and to at least a further radio unit by passing digital assignment signals over said control channel; means for confirming the operation of said first radio unit on said assigned working channel by passing a string of synchronization signals from said first radio unit to said control site over said working channel; means for confirming said working channel assignment to said further radio unit by passing digital confirmation message over said assigned working channel from said control site to said further radio unit at substantially the same time said string of synchronization signals are being passed from said first radio unit to said control site; and means for releasing at least one of said first and further unit for communication over said assigned working channel by sending digital release signals on said assigned working channel in response to successful receipt of said synchronization signals.

Claim 60

A system for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said system comprising: means for requesting assignment of a working channel by passing digital request signals from a first radio unit to a control site over said control channel; means for assigning a specific working channel to said first radio unit and to at least one further radio unit by passing digital assignment signals from said control site to said radio units over said control channel; means for confirming said assignment by sending digital confirmation signals on said assigned working channel from said control site; means for acknowledging successful receipt of said assignment signals by at least one of said units sending digital acknowledgement signals to said control site over said assigned working channel in response to said confirmation signals; and means for releasing at least one of said units for communication by sending digital release signals over said assigned working channel in response to said acknowledgement signals.

Claim 61

A system for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said system comprising: means for requesting assignment of a working channel by passing digital request signals from a first radio unit to a control site over said control channel; means for assigning a specific working channel to said first radio unit and to at least one further radio unit by passing digital assignment signals from said control site to said radio units over said control channel; means for confirming said assignment by sending digital confirmation signals on said assigned working channel from said control site; means for acknowledging successful receipt of said assignment signals by at least one of said units sending digital acknowledgement signals to said control site over said assigned working channel in response to said confirmation signals; and means for releasing at least one of said units for communication by sending digital release signals over said assigned working channel in response to said acknowledgement signals.

Claim 64

A system for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said system comprising: A. means for sending, from a first radio unit to a control site over the control channel, request signals including a. a string of dotting bits to establish bit sync, b. a predetermined word sync code repeated three times, and c. a request message of 40 bits repeated three times, each message including i. 4 bits identifying the message type, ii. 11 bits identifying the called unit, iii. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and iv. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; B. means for sending, from said control site to said first radio unit over said control channel, assignment signals including a. a predetermined word sync code, b. a pair of assignment messages, each being repeated three times and having 40 bits including i. 3 bits identifying the message type, ii. 8 bits providing one-half the identity of the calling unit; iii. 5 bits identifying the assigned working channel, iv. 1 bit identifying whether transmission trunking is in effect, v. 11 bits identifying the called group or individual unit, and vi. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; C. means for sending, from said control site over the assigned working channel, confirmation signals including a. a predetermined word sync code, and b. a confirmation message of 32 bits repeated three times including i. 4 bits identifying the type of message, ii. 1 bit identifying whether transmission trunked operation is in effect, iii. 1 bit identifying whether a group or individual call is being made, iv. 11 bits identifying the called group or individual unit, v. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and vi. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; D. means for sending, from said first unit over the assigned working channel, digital acknowledgement signals including a. a relatively longer string of dotting bits, followed by b. communications over the working channel to the called group or individual unit, and E. means operative in response to said longer string of dotting bits for sending, from said control site over the assigned working channel, digital release signals including a. a predetermined word sync code, and b. two unit-keyed/unmute messages, each repeated three times and being 32 bit messages including i. 4 bits identifying the type of message, ii. 1 bit identifying whether trunked operation is in effect, iii. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and iv. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data.

Claim 65

A system for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said system comprising: A. means for sending, from a first radio unit to a control site over the control channel, request signals including a. a string of dotting bits to establish bit sync, b. a predetermined word sync code repeated three times, and c. a request message of 40 bits repeated three times, each message including i. 4 bits identifying the message type, ii. 11 bits identifying the called unit, iii. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and iv. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; B. means for sending, from said control site to said first radio unit over said control channel, assignment signals including a. a predetermined word sync code, b. a pair of assignment messages, each being repeated three times and having 40 bits including i. 3 bits identifying the message type, ii. 8 bits providing one-half the identity of the calling unit; iii. 5 bits identifying the assigned working channel, iv. 1 bit identifying whether transmission trunking is in effect, v. 11 bits identifying the called group or individual unit, and vi. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; C. means for sending, from said control site over the assigned working channel, confirmation signals including a. a predetermined word sync code, and b. a confirmation message of 32 bits repeated three times including i. 4 bits identifying the type of message, ii. 1 bit identifying whether transmission trunked operation is in effect, iii. 1 bit identifying whether a group or individual call is being made, iv. 11 bits identifying the called group or individual unit, v. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and vi. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data; D. means for sending, from said first unit over the assigned working channel, digital acknowledgement signals including a. a relatively longer string of dotting bits, followed by b. communications over the working channel to the called group or individual unit, and E. means operative in response to said longer string of dotting bits for sending, from said control site over the assigned working channel, digital release signals including a. a predetermined word sync code, and b. two unit-keyed/unmute messages, each repeated three times and being 32 bit messages including i. 4 bits identifying the type of message, ii. 1 bit identifying whether trunked operation is in effect, iii. 14 bits identifying the calling unit, and iv. 12 bits of BCH error detection and correction data.

Claim 66

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: requesting assignment of a working channel; monitoring digital working channel assignment signals passed over said control channel issued in response to said requested assignment; confirming said channel assignment by passing confirmation digital signals over said assigned working channel between said control site and a first of said radio units and by passing different confirmation signals between said control site and a second of said radio units; and releasing said assigned working channel for communication by sending digital release signals over said assigned working channel in response to successful exchange of said confirmation signals.

Claim 67

A method for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use of individual radio units specified by digital control signals on the control channel, said method comprising the steps of: requesting assignment of a working channel; monitoring digital working channel assignment signals passed over said control channel issued in response to said requested assignment; confirming said channel assignment by passing confirmation digital signals over said assigned working channel between said control site and a first of said radio units and by passing different confirmation signals between said control site and a second of said radio units; and releasing said assigned working channel for communication by sending digital release signals over said assigned working channel in response to successful exchange of said confirmation signals.

Claim 73

A system of apparatus for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use by individual radio units specified through digital control signals on the control channel, said system comprising: means for requesting assignment of a working channel; means for assigning a specific working channel by passing digital assignment signals over said control channel; means for confirming said channel assignment by passing confirmation digital signalling over said assigned working channel between said control site and a first of said radio units and passing different confirmation signals between said control site and a second of said radio units; and means for releasing said assigned working channel for communication thereover by sending digital release signals on said assigned working channel in response to successful exchange of said confirmation signals.

Claim 74

A system of apparatus for achieving reliable and prompt communication within a trunked radio repeater system having a digital control channel and plural working channels, which working channels are assigned for temporary use by individual radio units specified through digital control signals on the control channel, said system comprising: means for requesting assignment of a working channel; means for assigning a specific working channel by passing digital assignment signals over said control channel; means for confirming said channel assignment by passing confirmation digital signalling over said assigned working channel between said control site and a first of said radio units and passing different confirmation signals between said control site and a second of said radio units; and means for releasing said assigned working channel for communication thereover by sending digital release signals on said assigned working channel in response to successful exchange of said confirmation signals.