Method and apparatus for providing reliable signalling tones in a radio communication system

摘要

A method of reliably transmitting signalling tones employs a radio communication unit suitable for encoding (303) data packets. The radio has a processor (101) for processing a first signal, which processing is incompatible for use with signalling tones. The radio further includes an input device (110) for providing signals when asserted. In a preferred embodiment, when the processor (101) is enabled to process the first signal, and a user does not assert the input device (110), the radio transmits the processed first signal. On the other hand, when the processor (101) is enabled, and the user asserts the input device (110), the radio transmits (304) repeated data packets, for the duration of the assertion, which identify a particular signalling tone.