Communication system and method for addressing multiple capacity wireless trunk

Abstract

A communication system (101) having a wireless trunk for connecting multiple phone lines (102) over wireless communication links to a cellular network comprises a central telephone switch (105) such as a private branch exchange or key system, connected through one or more trunk lines to a wireless access communication unit (106). The wireless access communication unit preferably comprises a separate subscriber interface (104) for each trunk line from the central telephone switch. The wireless access communication unit (106) collects data from each of the subscriber interfaces, formats the data into a format compatible with an over-the-air protocol, and transmits the information over one or more wireless channels to a cellular base station. The wireless access communication unit thereby provides one or more channels arriving and received from the cellular network to the central telephone switch.

Description

field of invention [0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing communication services. Background of the invention [0002] Localized telephone switching systems such as private branch exchanges (PBX) and encryption key systems have been used in commercial offices and other businesses for many years as an alternative or as a supplement to public telephone service. The PBX system and the encryption key system allow users connected to the system to place internal telephone calls without entering public telephone services. Such a system can provide significant economic benefits, especially if internal system traffic is high. [0003] On the other hand, when a caller using a PBX or encryption key system needs to place a call to a party not connected to the system, such external calls essentially have to be routed through the PBX or encryption key system controller on the landline to public telephone company. To accommodate this dual functionality...

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