Abstract: Techniques for controlling transmissions in wireless communication networks are described. In one aspect, transmission control for a mesh network may be achieved by ranking mesh points or stations in the mesh network. In one design, the rank of a first station in the mesh network may be determined. At least one station of lower rank than the first station in the mesh network may be identified. At least one transmission parameter for the at least one station of lower rank may be set by the first station. At least one transmission parameter value may be selected for each station based on the rank, QoS requirements, amount of traffic, and/or achievable data rate for that station and may be sent (e.g., via a probe response message) to the station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for communications are disclosed. The apparatus may include a transceiver, and a processing system configured to dynamically allocate a plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from the transceiver to the one or more nodes.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for scheduling packet transmissions in a wireless communications with stations that support spatial division multiple access (SDMA) transmissions. The method generally includes receiving channel state training signals from a plurality of wireless network nodes, constructing a schedule for uplink and downlink packet transmissions for the nodes based on the channel state training signals, and communicating the schedule to the nodes.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide methods and apparatus for adjusting timing in an SDMA system. One method for adjusting the timing of packet transmissions in a wireless communications system, that may be performed by an access point, includes receiving ranging signals from a plurality of wireless network nodes, determining timing adjustment information for adjusting starting timing of packet transmissions from the wireless network nodes based on the ranging signals, and communicating the timing adjustment information to the wireless network nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for wireless communications is disclosed that includes a processing system configured to generate a first data packet and thereafter a second data packet, wherein each of the first and second data packets including a header and data, the processing system being further configured to generate an error correction code associated with the first data packet and embed the error correction code in the header of the second data packet.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for scheduling packet transmissions in a multi-channel wireless communications system. The method generally includes requesting, from a plurality of wireless network nodes, an identification of channels available for communicating with the wireless network nodes, receiving an identification of channels available for communicating with the wireless network nodes, determining a schedule for packet transmission for the wireless network nodes based on the identification of channels, and communicating the schedule to the wireless network nodes.

Abstract: An access point is disclosed herein that comprises a wireless network adapter configured to support a backhaul connection for a peer node to a network; a processing system configured to calculate precoding matrices that define spatial streams; and a transceiver configured to transmit data to the nodes on the spatial streams.

Abstract: Techniques for scheduling flows and links for transmission are described. Each link is an oriented source-destination pair and carries one or more flows. Each flow may be associated with throughput, delay, feedback (e.g., acknowledgments (ACKs)) and/or other requirements. A serving interval is determined for each flow based on the requirements for the flow. A serving interval is determined for each link based on the serving intervals for all of the flows sent on the link. Each link is scheduled for transmission at least once in each serving interval, if system resources are available, to ensure that the requirements for all flows sent on the link are met. The links are also scheduled in a manner to facilitate closed loop rate control. The links are further scheduled such that ACKs for one or more layers in a protocol stack are sent at sufficiently fast rates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reverse link acknowledgement in a wireless local area network. A method includes receiving, at a first node, a data communication over a common channel, the data communication being decodable by other nodes. The method also includes determining transmission resources from the data communication, wherein the transmission resources are different for each node, and transmitting a response over the common channel using the determined transmission resources. An apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit to a plurality of nodes a data communication over the common channel, and a receiver configured to receive responses from the plurality of nodes, wherein each response was sent using different transmission resources determined from the data communication.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extended reverse direction grant in a WLAN. In an aspect, a method includes transmitting data within a transmit interval to a plurality of the nodes, wherein the data comprises a first indicator. The method also includes receiving, in response to the first indicator, a data transmission from at least one of the nodes, wherein the data transmission was transmitted using a selected transmission resource and is received within the transmit interval. In an aspect, an apparatus includes a receiver to receive, within a time interval, first data over a common channel, the first data being decodable by other nodes. The apparatus also includes a controller to determine whether the first data comprises a first indicator, and a transmitter to transmit second data within the time interval using selected transmission resources, if the first data comprises the first indicator.

Abstract: An advance over the prior art is achieved through an efficient method for an admission control algorithm and a scheduling mechanism that complement each other in providing the following three classes of service. A first class of service is termed Class 1 where users specify a nominal amount of bandwidth desired. A second, lower tier service class is termed Class 2, wherein users specify a nominal and minimum amount of bandwidth desired when entering into a network connection. A third server class is Class 3, where Class 3 users are treated as best effort users. For Class 1 users the methodology of the present invention provides a guaranteed nominal amount of bandwidth. The admission control procedure ensures that Class 1 users are admitted only if resources exist to satisfy the nominal bandwidth requirements of the Class 1 users. Class 2 users are admitted if resources exist to satisfy the minimum bandwidth requirements of the user.

Abstract: A clustering based load adaptive sleeping protocol for ad hoc networks includes a plurality of nodes forming a cluster, where the nodes in the cluster are partitioned into n groups. This partitioning is performed based on the node ID (e.g. node_id modulo n). The cluster head transmits a beacon at fixed intervals. The beacon interval is divided into N slots, where N is a multiple of n. Node sleep/activation times are synchronized to the beacon interval slots. The node's group number is used to determine the slots within a beacon interval that a node begins it s sleep cycle. Therefore, no additional signaling is required between nodes to indicate sleep patterns. The sleeping time of each node may be increased when extended periods of inactivity are detected according to an adaptive procedure.

Abstract: In a UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) based wireless system, a wireless network element (e.g., a base station) exchanges information with another wireless network element (e.g., a radio network controller) via data frames (uplink or downlink). Each data frame comprising a header portion and a payload portion, which comprises a QoS class indicator field. Illustratively, the eight bit spare extension field of a UTRAN data frame (uplink or downlink) is used to convey a four bit payload type indicator and a four bit QoS class indicator.

Abstract: In a UMTS network, each packet data service user requires a dedicated channel (DCH) to transmit at high data rates. However, the number of DCHs available is small due to code and power limitations. Thus many users will have to be allocated the same DCH on a time sharing basis. Such sharing will not impact the quality of service for users whose applications are not delay sensitive and whose traffic generation pattern toggles between transmit and idle states. Such applications include web browsing, FTP sessions and E-mail. The present invention discloses four algorithms that can be used to dynamically allocate DCH channels to a contending user based on the user's need according to its traffic generation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling communication rates over a link within a communications system. The method includes storing packets associated with voice and data traffic in individual buffers, and determining an instantaneous number of active voice and active data traffic in the individual buffers. Furthermore, a total link bandwidth that the active voice traffic will consume during a frame interval is determined, and an available link bandwidth, for the active data traffic, remaining after the total link bandwidth is calculated. Finally, rate control is applied to fit the active data traffic in the available link bandwidth. Rate control is achieved by allowing a data session to send data at a portion of its full-rate, where the portion is determined as a function of the instantaneous load generated by all sessions carried on the link.

Abstract: A rate control system is provided for a link between a first node, such as an RNC and a second node, such as a Node B, within a wireless communications system where at least one user is provided a rate over the link as a function of link load. For example, the rate control system sets at least one user to a reduced rate on the link as a function of the rates of a plurality of users on the link. In certain embodiments, the rate control system controls the rate by selecting the size of a transport format block used to transport data for a user over the link during a transmission interval. The size of the transport format block can be selected by changing the number of transport blocks used to form the transport format block as a function of the total user data to be transported over the link at that time. The rate of data offered to the link can be controlled by the way user data is mapped into the transport format blocks used to send user data over the link.

Abstract: In a wireless internet access system, an access point of a base station and a group of wireless modems communicate over a wireless channel. This wireless channel comprises a sequence of “dwells,” where each dwell represents a period of time, e.g., 20 milli-seconds (ms). Each dwell can convey both uplink (or upstream) and downlink (or downstream) transmissions to, and from, the group of wireless modems. However, in each dwell a particular wireless modem can only communicate half-duplex—either provide an uplink transmission to the access point, or receive a downlink transmission from the access point. The access point load balances, or distributes, the downlink transmissions to the group of wireless modems across the dwells upon detection that some dwells convey more downlink transmissions than other dwells.

Abstract: In a UMTS network, each packet data service user requires a dedicated channel (DCH) to transmit at high data rates. However, the number of DCHs available is small due to code and power limitations. Thus many users will have to be allocated the same DCH on a time sharing basis. Such sharing will not impact the quality of service for users whose applications are not delay sensitive and whose traffic generation pattern toggles between transmit and idle states. Such applications include web browsing, FTP sessions and E-mail. The present invention discloses four algorithms that can be used to dynamically allocate DCH channels to a contending user based on the user's need according to its traffic generation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling communication rates over a link within a communications system. The method includes storing packets associated with voice and data traffic in individual buffers, and determining an instantaneous number of active voice and active data traffic in the individual buffers. Furthermore, a total link bandwidth that the active voice traffic will consume during a frame interval is determined, and an available link bandwidth, for the active data traffic, remaining after the total link bandwidth is calculated. Finally, rate control is applied to fit the active data traffic in the available link bandwidth. Rate control is achieved by allowing a data session to send data at a portion of its full-rate, where the portion is determined as a function of the instantaneous load generated by all sessions carried on the link.

Abstract: A rate control system is provided for a link between a first node, such as an RNC and a second node, such as a Node B, within a wireless communications system where at least one user is provided a rate over the link as a function of link load. For example, the rate control system sets at least one user to a reduced rate on the link as a function of the rates of a plurality of users on the link. In certain embodiments, the rate control system controls the rate by selecting the size of a transport format block used to transport data for a user over the link during a transmission interval. The size of the transport format block can be selected by changing the number of transport blocks used to form the transport format block as a function of the total user data to be transported over the link at that time. The rate of data offered to the link can be controlled by the way user data is mapped into the transport format blocks used to send user data over the link.