Abstract: A method and apparatus for baseband transmission between a top floor unit and an outdoor unit in a terminal for a wireless metropolitan area network. A terminal for a wireless link in a metropolitan area network includes an extender device (e.g. a top floor unit) for receiving data packets from a computer network coupled to the extender device and for forwarding the data packets, and a broadcast device (e.g. an outdoor unit) coupled to the extender device for receiving the data packets from the extender device according to baseband transmission and having a wireless transceiver for communicating the data packets over the wireless link. The terminal can include a cable coupled between the extender device and the broadcast device wherein the cable comprises a twisted pair of conductors for providing the data packets from the extender device to the broadcast device. The twisted pair of conductors can be a Category 5 twisted pair of conductors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for an Ethernet switch in a terminal for a wireless metropolitan area network. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a terminal for a wireless link in a metropolitan area network includes a network switch having a first port for receiving the data packets from a computer network and a second port for forwarding the data packets; rate buffers coupled to the network switch for receiving the data packets from the second port; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the rate buffers for receiving the data packets from the rate buffers and for communicating the data packets over the wireless link. The data packets can be Fast Ethernet data packets and the network switch can include a 100 mega-bits-per-second port for receiving the Fast Ethernet packets. The terminal can include a packet buffer for storing the data packets prior to storing the data packets in the rate buffer. The network switch can be a layer-two switch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for activating and implementing adaptive countermeasures for wireless communication of Fast Ethernet data packets. A terminal for a wireless communication link includes a data packet receiver for receiving data packets, a packet formatting apparatus coupled to the data packet receiver for formatting the data packets according to radio frames, a wireless transceiver coupled to the packet formatting apparatus for communicating the radio frames over a wireless link, and a processor coupled to the packet formatting apparatus for selectively activating a technique for altering a manner in which the radio frames are communicated over the wireless link. The method can include a step of selectively activating a technique for implementing flow control on the data packets. The broadcast device can monitor a bit error rate associated with radio frames communicated and, in response to the bit error rate, can activate the technique for altering the manner in which the radio frames are communicated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a data transmission rate of multiples of 100 mega-bits per second (Mbps) in a terminal for a wireless metropolitan area network.