Method of signaling reverse channel information with minimal voice/data delay

Abstract

In a time division multiple access system, a subscriber listens to an assigned channel () and an alternate channel () until a location of reverse channel signaling is determined for the assigned channel. The subscriber also obtains a fixed periodic rate () for the reverse channel signaling. Based on the fixed periodic rate, the subscriber selectively listens to the alternate channel to receive reverse channel signaling while transmitting information on the assigned channel. The base repeater, however, selects the fixed periodic rate for reverse channel signaling and transmits the reverse channel signaling at the fixed periodic rate to the transmitting subscriber. If the base repeater receives a burst belonging to a superframe and determines that any burst in the superframe will collide with the reverse channel signaling, the base repeater buffers any received burst in the superframe and transmits the buffered bursts at a subsequent time.