Abstract: A communication system, such as a wireless CDMA system, detects markers with fewer errors by having field units transmit the markers at different power levels (e.g., 9 dB for one marker and 11 dB for another marker). The difference in power levels of the markers allows the base station to identify the request markers using alternative criteria with a low probability of error, where the alternative criteria may include comparing the markers to respective energy level thresholds, monitoring occupancy of time slots, occupancy of mutually exclusive code channels, or combinations thereof. For example, in one particular embodiment, a request marker, which is generally a high priority marker, is transmitted with higher power, which improves the probability of detection and reduces the probability of false detection of the request marker.

Abstract: The present invention provides for making code rate adjustments and modulation type adjustments in a pseudonoise (PN) encoded CDMA system. Coding rate adjustments may be made by changing the number of information bits per symbol, or Forward Error Code (FEC) coding rate. A forward error correction (FEC) block size is maintained at a constant amount. Therefore, as the number of information bits per symbol are increased, an integer multiple of bits per epoch is always maintained. The scheme permits for a greater flexibility and selection of effective data rates providing information bit rates ranging from, for example, approximately 50 kilobits per second to over 5 mega bits per second (Mbps) in one preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A technique for encoding a signal used in a digital communication system in which individual traffic channel data rates may be adapted to specific channel conditions. In particular, a forward error correction coding rate is adapted for individual channels while at the same time maintaining a fixed block size independent of the FEC coding rate. This allows the system data rate to adapt to the channel conditions experienced by a specific user. Thus, users experiencing good communication conditions with low multipath distortion may be allocated higher capacity, whereas users with significant multipath distortion may make use of lower rate (higher levels of coding) error codes to maintain high quality. Messages are sent from a transmitter to a receiver to inform the receiver of the coding rate implemented at any given point in time.

Abstract: In a reverse link of a wireless CDMA communication system, a method of maintaining an idling mode connection between a field unit and a base transceiver station is provided using various techniques to maintain the idle mode connection at a reduced power level. A preferred embodiment computes a time slot or frame offset based on modulo function using a field unit identifier in order to distribute field unit maintenance transmissions among available slots or offsets. An alternate embodiment detects explicit signaling states changes at the physical layer and causes power target changes. A further embodiment transmits maintenance data during predetermined time intervals, coordinated between the field units and BTS, allowing power levels to be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for allocating wireless channels in a base station processor to messages sent between a subscriber and the base station processor in a wireless network. A latency period is determined corresponding to a return message to be received from a responsive node in response to an outgoing message sent from a sender via the base station processor. A latency manager in the base station processor computes the latency period and stores the latency period in an allocation table. A scheduler schedules a channel to be available at the end of the latency period indicated in the allocation table. At the end of the latency period, the return message is received and the scheduler allocates a channel as defined in the allocation table. The scheduled channel is used to transmit the message to or from the corresponding subscriber.

Abstract: Multiple field units in a CDMA system are synchronized for communication with a base station using a shared forward and reverse link channel. Each field unit is assigned a time slot in a forward link channel to receive messages from the base station. Likewise, each field unit is assigned a time slot on a common reverse link channel for transmitting messages to the base station. Timing alignment among each of many field units and the base station is achieved by analyzing messages received at the base station in a corresponding time slot from each field unit. Thereafter, a message is transmitted in a corresponding time slot to a particular field unit from the base station for adjusting its timing so that future messages transmitted from the field unit are received in the appropriate time slot at the base station.

Abstract: A method for use in a field unit operable in a wireless communication network. The method includes receiving an indication of a plurality of access identifiers from a base station. The field unit selects an access identifier from the plurality of access identifiers received from the base station. The selected access identifier is associated with a type of field unit request. The field unit transmits the selected access identifier to the base station. The field unit then receives a message from the base station. The message is based on the transmitted selected access identifier. The message contains a timing adjustment that indicates an amount to advance timing. A corresponding field unit apparatus, a base station method, and corresponding base station apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communication is disclosed. Information is received on a downlink channel in a time interval. On a condition that an explicit allocation of a first uplink channel is received, feedback information regarding the received information is transmitted on the first uplink channel, wherein the feedback information is transmitted with user data on the first uplink channel. On a condition that an explicit allocation of the first uplink channel is not received, feedback information regarding the received information is transmitted in a time interval on a second uplink channel, wherein an explicit allocation of the second uplink channel is not received, wherein the time interval on the second uplink channel is a pre-determined time period away from the time interval on the downlink channel.

Abstract: A subscriber unit performs power control of a reverse link by sending heartbeat messages to a base station, permitting the base station to determine a reverse link quality report. Using a reverse link quality report message received from the base station, the subscriber unit calculates its reverse power level and maintains the reverse power level during the standby state.

Abstract: A technique for encoding digital communication signals. Data symbols are augmented in pilot symbols inserted at predetermined positions. The pilot augmented sequence is then fed to a deterministic error correction block encoder, such as a turbo product coder, to output a coded sequence. The symbols in the error correction encoded sequence are then rearranged to ensure that the output symbols derived from input pilot symbols are located at regular, predetermined positions. As a result, channel encoding schemes can more easily be used which benefits from power of two length block sizes.

Abstract: Each of multiple directional transmissions from an antenna array of a subscriber unit are received at a base unit. Based on the detected quality of received signals at the base unit, directional transmissions from the antenna array that produce a higher quality of received signal at the base unit receiver are identified. Feedback messages can be used to notify the subscriber unit which of the directional transmissions are optimal. Consequently, settings of an antenna array at the subscriber unit can be adjusted to support more efficient directional transmissions from the subscriber unit to the base unit.

Abstract: A downlink communication is transmitted/received in at least one downlink time slot. In response to the received downlink communication, an acknowledgement message is received/transmitted in an uplink time slot a fixed integer number of uplink time slots after transmission/reception of the received downlink communication. The uplink and downlink time slots are staggered by substantially a half of a time slot.

Abstract: A subscriber access unit includes a transceiver for providing wireless communication of digital signals. The digital signals are communicated to a base station using at least one radio frequency (RF) channel via Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulated radio signals defined by orthogonal codes. Orthogonal subchannels are made available by the base station within each CDMA RF channel. A bandwidth manager is connected to the transceiver, and when the transceiver is actively sending data, at least one orthogonal subchannel is allocated by the base station on an as-needed basis. The number of orthogonal subchannels being allocated changes during a given session. The transceiver, when powered on but not actively sending data, provides an idling mode connection on a reverse link. The idling mode connection is based on an orthogonal subchannel shared with at least one other subscriber access unit, but utilizes different time slots of the shared orthogonal subchannel.

Abstract: A communication system, such as a wireless CDMA system, detects markers with fewer errors by having field units transmit the markers at different power levels (e.g., 9 dB for one marker and 11 dB for another marker). The difference in power levels of the markers allows the base station to identify the request markers using alternative criteria with a low probability of error, where the alternative criteria may include comparing the markers to respective energy level thresholds, monitoring occupancy of time slots, occupancy of mutually exclusive code channels, or combinations thereof. For example, in one particular embodiment, a request marker, which is generally a high priority marker, is transmitted with higher power, which improves the probability of detection and reduces the probability of false detection of the request marker.

Abstract: A protocol for optimizing the use of coded transmissions such as over wireless links. In this technique, interframes are split into segments selected to be an optimum size according to transmission characteristics of the radio channel. The inverse process is applied at the receiver. Using this scheme, segments containing erroneous data may be resent.

Abstract: A transmitter/receiver system for high data transfer in a wireless communication system includes a physical layer processor that comprises an FEC coder, a demultiplexer and a plurality of modem processors. The FEC coder applies error correction codes to the high data rate signal. Thereafter, the demultiplexer distributes portions of the coded high data rate signal to the modem processors. Each modem processor processes its respective portion of the coded signal for transmission in an independent channel.

Abstract: To minimize overhead in the allocation of channels, forward and reverse link time slots are automatically assigned in pairs. In particular, rather than requiring a separate process for allocating reverse link channels for the sending of acknowledgment messages in response to receipt of a forward link packet, a different scenario takes place. At the receiving end, such as for valid reception of data on a forward link channel at a central base station site, a reverse link time slot is automatically allocated in a time slot which depends upon the time slot allocation on the forward link. This assists with the rapid return of acknowledgment messages in a reverse link direction which is the predominant direction for such messages in a wireless system wherein most data traffic is Web page oriented.

Abstract: Data is accessed from a network via a wireless communication link. A determination is made as to whether payload data has been received from a subscriber's terminal. If so, then a request is sent for a first set of traffic channels, and the payload data is transmitted over the first set of traffic channels.

Abstract: A technique for encoding digital communication signals. Data symbols are augmented in pilot symbols inserted at predetermined positions. The pilot augmented sequence is then fed to a deterministic error correction block encoder, such as a turbo product coder, to output a coded sequence. The symbols in the error correction encoded sequence are then rearranged to ensure that the output symbols derived from input pilot symbols are located at regular, predetermined positions. As a result, channel encoding schemes can more easily be used which benefits from power of two length block sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for staggering forward and reverse channel time slot allocation in a wireless communication allows a wireless communication unit, such as a base station processor or a subscriber access unit, to transmit a return message in less than a full time slot interval. Forward and reverse channel allocation occurs as a cycle of time slots occurring at periodic timing intervals. Transmission of a wireless frame carrying a message payload occurs at the beginning of the time slot. Since the forward and reverse channel allocation cycles need not be concurrent, or in phase, these cycles may be staggered with respect to each other. By staggering the forward and reverse channel allocation timing interval, the return message is sent after only a portion of a full timing interval, rather than being delayed up to one complete timing interval.