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:
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.