Priorty communication system and method of operation

摘要

A priority communication system (12) is provided. The priority communication system (12) comprises a plurality of communication devices (16) and a switching system (18) for communicating with the plurality of communication devices (16) over a limited number of communication channels (20). The switching system (18) operates to assign a received communication signal (24) to an open communication channel (20) based on a priority rating of the received communication signal (24). The switching system (18) may also operate to terminate a communication link having a priority rating lower than the priority rating of the received communication signal (24) in order to open a communication channel (20) and establish a communication link for the received communication signal (24).