Multiplexing and Demultiplexing Radio Channels

An apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing radio channels, said apparatus comprising:

• a communications port that receives data through at least one multicast media channel available for use in an Internet Protocol Interoperability and Communications System (IPICS) comprising multiple communication endpoints linkable to a Land Mobile Radio (LMR) in said IPICS, wherein channel mapping of said at least one multicast media channel to multiple media channels of said LMR occurs such that channel mapping information is known;
• means for receiving an audio signal through said at least one multicast media channel;
• means for controlling access to said LMR by applying communication access control policies based on the received data upon reception of said audio signal;
• and
• means for operatively linking said LMR to a specified endpoint through said at least one multicast media channel based on said communication access control policies.

A multiplexing and demultiplexing apparatus comprising:

• a first communications port that receives data through at least one multicast media channel available for use in an Internet Protocol Interoperability and Communications System (IPICS) comprising multiple communication endpoints linkable to a Land Mobile Radio (LMR) in said IPICS, wherein channel mapping of said at least one multicast media channel to said multiple media channels of said LMR occurs such that channel mapping information is known;
• a second communications port that receives an audio signal through said at least one multicast media channel;
• logic that controls access to said LMR by applying communication access control policies based on the received data upon reception of said audio signal;
• and
• a communication link interface that operatively said LMR to a specified endpoint through said at least one multicast media channel based on said communication access control policies.