Method of call routing and connection in a radio communications system

In a cellular radio telephone system with multiple remotes and multiple nodes, a method of handing off a remote comprising the following steps:

• a) providing nodes that support multiple routes to a selected drop;
• b) forming said routes from multiple links;
• c) keeping a list at each node of active conversations;
• d) checking said list at each node to determine if a new call is part of another call in process;
• e) making the indicated connections based on said determination;
• and
• f) utilizing different routes from said remote to said drop.

In a cellular radio duplex telephone system with multiple base sites, multiple bands, and multiple remotes a method of call route creation and connection comprising the following steps:

• a) providing nodes that support multiple routes to selected drops;
• b) selecting links that comprise preferred routes to each drop;
• c) selecting said links based on band selection criteria and on actual signal strength;
• d) combining said links to create routes to said drops;
• e) assigning remotes to selected routes based on a desired telephone exchange;
• f) assigning multiple remotes to routes which go through a given node with different drop destinations;
• and
• g) handing off remotes to utilize other routes to a desired drop.

A method of handing off a remote user that comprises the following steps:

• a) providing nodes that support multiple routes to selected drops;
• b) selecting a route based on actual signal strength;
• c) keeping a list of active conversations at each node;
• d) checking said list at each node for each new call to determine if this is part of another call in process;
• e) if this is a in process call, the making the indicated connections at each node;
• and
• f) utilizing a different multiple link route for said remote to said drop.

A node in a radio communications system having a plurality of nodes functioning as repeater and as bases, remotes, routes, links and drops, said node comprising

• a) radio transmitters and receivers for communications with multiple remotes in the direction of a drop;
• b) radio transmitters and receivers for communication with multiple nodes;
• c) radio transmitters and receivers for communication with nodes in the direction of a remote;
• d) means for assigning a remote to a node;
• e) means for selecting a route from a to a drop based on a selected telephone exchange identifier;
• f) means for connecting remote to node transmitters and receivers to selected node to node receivers and transmitters when the node functions as a base;
• and
• g) means for connecting node transmitters and receivers in the direction of a remote to selected node to node receivers and transmitters in the direction of the drop when the node functions as a repeater.