Method and apparatus for tracking a channel timing message and supporting channel scanning in a digital mobile radio system

摘要

A method and apparatus for enabling a radio to track channel timing and support channel scanning. A non-leading radio operating (610) on a communications channel, determines a diffusion period during which channel timing is to be propagated from a leading radio to non-leading radios operating on the communications channel. The non-leading radio implements (620) a first scanning pattern during the diffusion period to scan a CT designated channel for a control timing message with a timing signal sent from the leading radio. The first scanning pattern involves scanning the CT designated channel during every other scan interval and scanning non-priority channels and priority channels during scan intervals not used on the CT designated channel.