Abstract: Techniques to process data for transmission in a time division duplexed (TDD) communication system. In one aspect, the frequency response of a forward link is estimated at a base station based on reverse link transmissions (e.g., pilots) from a terminal. Prior to a data transmission on the forward link, the base station determines a reverse transfer function based on the pilots transmitted by the terminal, “calibrates” the reverse transfer function with a calibration function to derive an estimate of a forward transfer function, and preconditions modulation symbols based on weights derived from the forward transfer function. In another aspect, the terminal estimates the “quality” of the forward link and provides this information to the base station. The base station then uses the information to properly code and modulate data prior to transmission such that the transmitted data can be received by the terminal at the desired level of performance.

Abstract: Techniques to schedule terminals for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink in a MIMO-OFDM system based on the spatial and/or frequency “signatures” of the terminals. A scheduler forms one or more sets of terminals for possible (downlink or uplink) data transmission for each of a number of frequency bands. One or more sub-hypotheses may further be formed for each hypothesis, with each sub-hypothesis corresponding to (1) specific assignments of transmit antennas to the terminal(s) in the hypothesis (for the downlink) or (2) a specific order for processing the uplink data transmissions from the terminal(s) (for the uplink). The performance of each sub-hypothesis is then evaluated (e.g., based on one or more performance metrics). One sub-hypothesis is then selected for each frequency band based on the evaluated performance, and the one or more terminals in each selected sub-hypothesis are then scheduled for data transmission on the corresponding frequency band.

Abstract: Techniques to determine the rate for a data transmission in an OFDM system. The maximum data rate that may be reliably transmitted over a given multipath (non-flat) channel by the OFDM system is determined based on a metric for an equivalent (flat) channel. For the given multipath channel and a particular rate (which may be indicative of a particular data rate, modulation scheme, and coding rate), the metric is initially derived from an equivalent data rate and the particular modulation scheme. A threshold SNR needed to reliably transmit the particular data rate using the particular modulation scheme and coding rate is then determined. The particular rate is deemed as being supported by the multipath channel if the metric is greater than or equal to the threshold SNR. Incremental transmission is used to account for errors in the determined data rate.

Abstract: A system and method for power control and scheduling of sub-carriers in an OFDM communication system. The receiver dynamic range can be minimized by a power control loop that attempts to maintain received power over a noise floor in a predetermined range. If the received power relative to a noise floor in allocated sub-carriers exceeds the predetermined range and the total received power is at the minimum, the scheduling system allocates an additional sub-carrier to the communication link. Additionally, if the received power relative to the noise floor is less than the predetermined range minimum, and the total received power is at a maximum, the scheduling system de-allocates a sub-carrier from the communication link. The scheduling system may also adjust an encoding rate to maintain a relatively constant symbol rate in each sub-carrier.

Abstract: Techniques to determine the rate for a data transmission in an OFDM system. The maximum data rate that may be reliably transmitted over a given multipath (non-flat) channel by the OFDM system is determined based on a metric for an equivalent (flat) channel. For the given multipath channel and a particular rate (which may be indicative of a particular data rate, modulation scheme, and coding rate), the metric is initially derived from an equivalent data rate and the particular modulation scheme. A threshold SNR needed to reliably transmit the particular data rate using the particular modulation scheme and coding rate is then determined. The particular rate is deemed as being supported by the multipath channel if the metric is greater than or equal to the threshold SNR. Incremental transmission is used to account for errors in the determined data rate.

Abstract: A mobile station accesses a base station by randomly selecting a first reverse link common control channel from a set of random access channels. The mobile station transmits a request portion of an access probe over the first reverse link common control channel. The request portion is subject to collision with other signals. The request portion comprises a hash identification which is derived from a uniquely identifying number using a hash function. The hash identification quasi-uniquely identifies the mobile station. The mobile station receives a channel assignment message from the base station designating the hash identification and a reserved access channel. The reserved access channel provides communication with a low probability of contention. The mobile station transmits a message portion of the access probe over the reserved access channel.

Abstract: Coding techniques for a (e.g., OFDM) communication system capable of transmitting data on a number of “transmission channels” at different information bit rates based on the channels' achieved SNR. A base code is used in combination with common or variable puncturing to achieve different coding rates required by the transmission channels. The data (i.e., information bits) for a data transmission is encoded with the base code, and the coded bits for each channel (or group of channels with the similar transmission capabilities) are punctured to achieve the required coding rate. The coded bits may be interleaved (e.g., to combat fading and remove correlation between coded bits in each modulation symbol) prior to puncturing. The unpunctured coded bits are grouped into non-binary symbols and mapped to modulation symbols (e.g., using Gray mapping). The modulation symbol may be “pre-conditioned” and prior to transmission.

Abstract: Transmitter and receiver units for use in an OFDM communications system and configurable to support multiple types of services. The transmitter unit includes one or more encoders, a symbol mapping element, and a modulator. Each encoder receives and codes a respective channel data stream to generate a corresponding coded data stream. The symbol mapping element receives and maps data from the coded data streams to generate modulation symbol vectors, with each modulation symbol vector including a set of data values used to modulate a set of tones to generate an OFDM symbol. The modulator modulates the modulation symbol vectors to provide a modulated signal suitable for transmission. The data from each coded data stream is mapped to a respective set of one or more “circuits”. Each circuit can be defined to include a number of tones from a number of OFDM symbols, a number of tones from a single OFDM symbol, all tones from one or more OFDM symbols, or some other combination of tones.