Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to reporting transmission backlog information are described. A wireless communications device maintains and updates transmission backlog information corresponding to a plurality of different transmission request groups. Different request groups may correspond to different uplink traffic queues. For a request reporting opportunity, the communications device selects a request group from among the plurality of different transmission request groups as a function of: request group changes in backlog with respect to previously reported requests, the changes taking into consideration base station allocation of transmission resources; and request group priority information. A request report is generated conveying backlog information corresponding to the selected request group, and the generated report is transmitted over a wireless communications link.

Abstract: Power control reports are communicated less frequently than the power control commands. The base station tracks the commands sent to the wireless terminal and estimates the wireless terminal's control channel transmit power. Received power control channel reports are utilized to compare the base station's estimated wireless terminal control channel transmit power to the actual wireless terminal control channel transmit power. An estimate of the error rate of transmitted power control signals is generated based using the tracked power command information and received power report information. Adjustments are performed in the power control command signaling to compensate for estimated error rates.

Abstract: A method for reducing interblock interference (IBI) in an impulse response signal transmitted by a communications channel such as a digital subscriber loop (DSL) channel. The method includes computing a time of reference (TOR) based on a windowing function that assumes that the main lobe segment of the impulse response signal does not contribute IBI power and that the tail segments of the impulse signal, which fall outside of the main lobe segment of the impulse signal, contribute a non-uniform amount of IBI power. The method reduces IBI in the impulse response signal beyond that of conventional IBI reducing methods.

Abstract: Blind channel estimates of the impulse response of a channel are determined for discrete multitone modulated (“DMT”) signals. Novel methods and devices used to complete the estimates make use of an autocorrelation function instead of solving for a set of linear, simultaneous equations. The estimates are further simplified by taking into account the cyclostationary nature of DMT signals and can be embodied in hardware/software used in digital subscriber loop (“DSL”) modems and the like. Both static and time-varying estimates can be made.

Abstract: Novel equalizer coefficients are applied to “tails” of a channel impulse response to substantially minimize interblock interference. The coefficients are selected based on the realization that each point along the tail of a channel's impulse response contributes a non-uniform amount of interblock interference, rather than a uniform amount, as previously believed.

Abstract: Interblock interference (“IBI”) in impulse response affected signals is minimized by generating approximations of differential coefficients. The approximated coefficients are generated by taking into consideration that non-uniform amounts of IBI are present in portions of such a signal. Methods and devices used to minimize IBI are simplified by using the approximations.

Abstract: A ground- or roof-top-based repeater in an OFDM system uses multiple transmission antennas to retransmit satellite signals. By using multiple transmission antennas, multiple identical OFDM signals are transmitted. Dithering is performed by, using a phase of Rayleigh process generator, introducing a slight variable-frequency phase offset to all but one of the multiple identical transmitted OFDM signals, and thus the effective overall channel is more dynamic and provides spatial diversity to minimize long periods of fading in fading subchannels of the OFDM signals when the receiver is in a slow moving or stationary situation. To overcome the additional cancellation problem that can occur when two or more of the transmitting antennas are in a line-of-site position with the receiver and approximately the same distance from the receiver, a delay is deliberately introduced to make the delayed signal(s) appear to be reflected signals.