Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating in a wireless network using time division duplex (TDD) protocols. The ratio for uplink and downlink subframes of a physical frame may be dynamically adjusted as traffic stream requirements of the wireless network change. In certain embodiments, the wireless network is a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) utilizing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). Various specific embodiments and variations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A congestion control system for packet communications networks in which access to the network is controlled to prevent such congestion. Packets within the prespecified statistical description of each packet source are marked as high priority ("green" packets) while packets exceeding the pre-specified characteristics are marked with a lower priority ("red" packets). The overall red packet rate is limited to prevent red packet saturation of the network. Packets are marked red for a continuous train of successive red packets. The introduction of red packets into the network is subjected to a degree of hysteresis to provide better interaction with higher layer error recovery protocols. The amount of hysteresis introduced into the red packet marking can be fixed or varied, depending on the statistics of the incoming data packets at the entry point to the network.