Method for locating a subscriber unit that is in close proximity to a requesting subscriber unit in a wide area communication system

In a wide area communication system that includes a central controller, a plurality of sites, and a plurality of subscriber units each having a respective subscriber identification, a method for the central controller to locate at least one neighboring subscriber unit of a requesting subscriber unit, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving registration information from registering subscriber units to produce received registration information;
• storing the received registration information in a database;
• receiving a request from a requesting subscriber unit, for a subscriber identification of at least one neighboring subscriber unit;
• determining, based on the request, whether the at least one neighboring subscriber unit exists;
• and
• when the at least one neighboring subscriber unit exists, transmitting to the requesting subscriber unit, the Subscriber identification of the at least one neighboring subscriber unit.

In a wide area communication system that includes a central controller, a plurality of sites, and a plurality of subscriber units each having a respective subscriber identification, a method for a requesting subscriber unit of the plurality of subscriber units to locate at least one neighboring subscriber unit, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting, by the plurality of subscriber units, registration information to the central controller;
• transmitting, by the requesting subscriber unit, a request to the central controller for a subscriber identification of at least one neighboring subscriber unit;
• and
• when the at least one neighboring subscriber unit exists, receiving, by the requesting subscriber unit from the central controller, the subscriber identification of the at least one neighboring subscriber unit.