Abstract: Methods and apparatus for aggregating IP packets over an access link between a wireless access router and a core node and for managing resource allocation to access link packet aggregates, e.g., as a function of the status of wireless communications links used to couple mobile nodes to the access router are described. Improved aggregate resource control messages and use of such messages are described. Some of the new messages allow aggregate resources for both upstream and downstream aggregates to be controlled in a single message. A single message may include information corresponding to multiple aggregates and/or multiple constituent flows included in an aggregate with aggregate direction information being included. Use of tunnels to communicate management messages, e.g., messages used to control resource allocation to aggregates is also described. Propagation of access link aggregate information is communicated to tunnel end nodes which generate packets that are communicated over the access link.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for establishing communication links, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the establishment of initial links to a first access node and the establishment of new links from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation using highly efficient messages and signal.

Abstract: Techniques to acquire and track a received signal instance (or multipath) based on one or more transmitted pilots. In an aspect, a frequency tracking loop is provided to acquire and track the multipath, and supports a number of loop modes (e.g., acquisition and tracking modes). Each loop mode may be associated with a respective frequency detector and a set of values for a set of elements in the loop. In another aspect, several frequency detectors are provided for deriving estimates of the frequency error in the downconversion of the multipath (e.g., from radio frequency to baseband). In one design, maximum likelihood estimates of the frequency error are derived based on the recovered pilot symbols. In another design, the frequency error estimates for the multipath are derived based on the frequency error estimated for each transmitted signal.

Abstract: Methods of using superposition coding in a communications systems, e.g., a multi-user communications system. Superpostion coding in accordance with the invention occurs in the case of an uplink by transmissions of different wireless terminals transmitting using the same communications resource, e.g., simultaneously transmitting using the same frequencies. The signals combine in the communications channel resulting in one transmission being superimposed on the other transmission. The device, e.g., base station, receiving the superimposed signals uses superposition decoding techniques to recover both signals. To obtain the benefit of the superposition, assignments of channel segments to multiple wireless terminals is controlled by the base station and/or transmission power levels are controlled by on or more wireless terminals sharing the same uplink communications resource, e.g.

Abstract: A base station having the strongest downlink signal is identified by utilizing a unique slope of a pilot tone hopping sequence being transmitted by a base station. Specifically, base station identification is realized by determining the slope of the strongest received pilot signal, i.e., the received pilot signal having the maximum energy. In an embodiment of the invention, the pilot tone hopping sequence is based on a Latin Squares sequence. With a Latin Squares based pilot tone hopping sequence, all a mobile user unit needs is to locate the frequency of the pilot tones at one time because the pilot tone locations at subsequent times can be determined from the slope of the Latin Squares pilot tone hopping sequence. The slope and initial frequency shift of the pilot tone hopping sequence with the strongest received power is determined by employing a unique maximum energy detector.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel and improved method and apparatus for transmitting data in a multiple carrier CDMA communication system. In the first implementation of the present invention, the data is encoded and the resulting encoded symbols are divided up and transmitted on different frequencies. The encoded symbols are provided to a symbol repetition means which keeps the symbol rate of data to be transmitted fixed. In a second embodiment, no symbol repetition is provided and variable length Walsh sequences are used to handle data rate variations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for partially encrypting a data transmission, yet providing authentication for all of the data transmission. Plaintext blocks are combined with noise blocks and then either encrypted or decrypted to form ciphertext blocks and authentication blocks. The authentication blocks are used to determine a checksum that is then used to determine an authentication tag.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing Cellular Authentication Voice Encryption (CAVE) messages in an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) format. The CAVE messages are sent via an EAP transport mechanism. The Mobile Station (MS) is able to use a common authentication mechanism for other technologies.

Abstract: A communication system generates a Master Session Key (MSK) for accesses to a system entity that does not provide encryption to traffic. Both the home server and the user generate the same MSK. The MSK is used to generate encryption keys for traffic. In one embodiment the MSK is generated using a hashing function and information specific to the requester. The home server determines the need to generate the MSK based on information contained in an access request message. Once generated, the MSK is provided to the system entity to enable the entity to encrypt communications.