Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating information using a plurality of report dictionaries are described. A plurality of request dictionaries are implemented for a wireless terminal to use for multi-bit uplink transmission backlog request reports communicated via the dedicated control channel. Each dictionary defines a different bit mapping interpretation for a set of multi-bit uplink transmission backlog request reports, e.g. a 3 bit uplink request report and a 4 bit uplink request report. The plurality of request dictionaries includes a default dictionary and additional dictionaries. The implementation of a plurality of alternative request dictionaries expands the reporting possibilities allowing a wireless terminal to use a reporting format well-suited to its current needs. The default dictionary is mandated to be used under certain predefined conditions, e.g., upon entry into the active state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to control information reporting over wireless communication channels are described. Various embodiments include communicating control information format definition information over a wireless link. For example, in some embodiments, a base station downloads control information reporting format definition information, e.g., corresponding to a new release or a custom reporting format, into a wireless terminal. As another example, a wireless terminal generates a custom control information reporting format, that it intends to use, and communicates definition information corresponding to the generated custom control reporting format to a base station.

Abstract: Wireless terminals and base stations support multiple modes of dedicated control channel operation wherein wireless terminals are allocated different amounts of dedicated uplink resources for reporting control information. A set of dedicated control channel segments is utilized by a wireless terminal to communicate uplink control information reports to its serving base station attachment point. Full tone and split-tone modes of dedicated control channel operation are supported. In full tone mode, a single wireless terminal is allocated each of the dedicated control channel segments associated with a single logical tone. In split tone mode, dedicated control channel segments associated with a single logical tone are allocated between different wireless terminals, with each of the multiple wireless terminals receiving a different non-overlapping subset of the dedicated control channel segments. Logical dedicated control channel tones can be dynamically reallocated for full-tone mode use or split tone mode use.

Abstract: A wireless terminal measures the received power of a tone corresponding to an intention base station null output, measures the received power of pilot signals, and determines a signal to noise ratio of the received pilot signal. The wireless terminal calculates a downlink signal to noise ratio saturation level representative of the SNR of a received downlink signal that the wireless terminal would measure on a received signal transmitted by the base station at infinite power. The calculated downlink signal to noise ratio saturation level is a function of the determined interference power, the measured received pilot signal power, and the determined pilot signal SNR. A report is generated corresponding to one of a plurality of quantized levels, the selected quantized level being the closest representation to the calculated downlink signal to noise ratio saturation level. The generated report is communicated using a dedicated control channel segment in a predetermined uplink timing structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to the implementation and selection of alterative control information reporting formats are described. A control information reporting format, corresponding to a connection between a wireless terminal and a base station, e.g., for an uplink dedicated control channel, is selected, as a function of at least one of: an application being executed, device capability information, channel condition information, system loading information, and user quality of service information. Different wireless terminals may use different control information reporting formats at the same time. The same wireless terminal may use a different control information reporting format at different times.

Abstract: A wireless communications system supports wireless connections between base station sector attachment points and wireless terminals. Individual wireless connections correspond to one of a downlink-macrodiversity mode of operation and a downlink non-macrodiversity mode of operation. A wireless terminal has, for each of its current connections, a base station assigned dedicated control channel for communicating uplink control information reports. The uplink control information reports include downlink signal-to-noise ratio reports based on measured received pilot channel signals. If a connection corresponds to a macrodiversity mode of operation, a reporting format for the SNR report is used which reports (i) an SNR value and (ii) an indication as to whether or not the connection is considered a preferred connection by the wireless terminal. If a connection corresponds to a non-macrodiversity mode of operation, a reporting format for the SNR report is used which reports an SNR value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating transmission backlog information are described. Reporting control factors are utilized to expand reporting possibilities for a fixed bit size request report. At least one report control factor is determined as a function of channel quality information, power information, device capability information, and/or quality of service information. A transmission backlog report value is interpreted as a function of a reporting control factor. A wide range of quantization schemes for reporting transmission backlog information are facilitated corresponding to a small bit size report. A communications device can adaptively select a quantization request level closely matched to its current needs such as to provide an accurate representation of its current traffic channel resource needs.

Abstract: In a method of tracking a user in a communication network supporting a broadcast-multicast service, the network classifies groups of users into tracking areas. Movement of a user may be tracked as the user crosses a boundary between two tracking areas in the network. The method may enable a balance to be achieved between use of uplink overhead and the level or granularity of tracking desired, so as to conserve radio resources.

Abstract: Reporting methods well suited for reporting control information in a wireless system are described. A wireless terminal reports information to a serving base station, e.g., a base station attachment point, according to a reporting schedule. The reporting schedule includes a plurality of different types of fixed type information reports which communicate information of a type dictated by the reporting schedule. The reporting schedule also includes flexible reports at predetermined locations within the reporting schedule. The wireless terminal selects the type of report to be communicated in the flexible report, e.g., as a function of a report prioritization operation. Information identifying the wireless terminal's report type selection for the flexible report is jointly coded along with the report body information and communicated in the same dedicated control channel segment. The reporting schedule repeats over time.

Abstract: An initial reporting structure for an uplink dedicated control channel is used by a wireless terminal following a transition into a state of wireless terminal operation or action which makes it desirable to provide a base station with an initial set of control information which can be used to support uplink transmission of user data. Subsequently while continuing operation in a state supporting uplink transmission of user data, a recurring scheduled reporting structure for the uplink dedicated control channel is followed by the wireless terminal. The initial reporting structure provides for communication of at least some information reports, e.g., infrequently scheduled reports, which may not have been otherwise communicated during the same time interval if the recurring scheduled reporting structure had not been overridden. Thus the use of initial report sets facilitates a rapid overall understanding by the serving base station attachment point of the wireless terminal's status.

Abstract: A wireless terminal receives a broadcast uplink interference report request conveying a requested report type and/or a locally unique base station identifier. The wireless terminal receives and measures broadcast reference signals, e.g., beacon and/or pilot signals, transmitted from a plurality of base station attachment points. Specific type interference reports relate a current serving connection base station attachment point to a selected base station attachment point corresponding to the received base station identifier. Generic type interference reports relate a current serving base station connection attachment point to other unspecified base station attachment points whose broadcast reference signals have been detected by the wireless terminal. Sub-types of generic reports include summation function and maximum function reports. Timing information is sometimes used to determine report sub-type and/or sector type of the selected attachment point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of data rate adaptation based on channel conditions. Data is initially transmitted at a first data rate based on a measured first channel condition and subsequently re-transmitted at a second data rate based on a measured second channel condition, wherein the first channel condition is measured prior in time to the second channel condition.

Abstract: A wireless terminal receives and measures broadcast reference signals, e.g., beacon and/or pilot signals, transmitted from a plurality of base station attachment points. The wireless terminal monitors for and attempts to recover broadcast loading factor information corresponding to attachment points. The wireless terminal generates and transmits an interference report to a current attachment point, the report based on the results of a measured received reference signal from the current attachment point, a measured received reference signal from each of one or more different attachment points, and uplink loading factor information. In the absence of a successfully recovered broadcast uplink loading factor corresponding to an attachment point, the wireless terminal uses a default value for that loading factor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining, selecting and indicating a preferred communications link with an access node, e.g., base station, are described.

Abstract: Wireless terminal for use with a multi-mode base station that supports a transmit standby mode and an active mode is described. Transmit standby mode of base station operation is a low power/low interference level of operation as compared to active mode. In transmit standby mode at least some of the synchronization signaling such as pilot tone signaling is reduced in power level and/or rate with respect to the active mode. In transmit standby mode, the base station has no active state registered wireless terminals being serviced but may have some sleep state registered wireless terminals being serviced. Mode transitions from active to transmit standby may be in response to: a detected period of inactivity, scheduling information, base station mode change signals, and/or detected wireless terminal state transition. Mode transitions from transmit standby to active may be in response to: scheduling information, access signals, wake-up signals from the wireless terminal, hand-off signals, etc.

Abstract: A multi-mode base station includes a transmit standby mode and an active mode. Transmit standby mode of base station operation is a low power/low interference level of operation as compared to active mode. In transmit standby mode at least some of the synchronization signaling such as pilot tone signaling is reduced in power level and/or rate with respect to the active mode. In transmit standby mode, the base station has no active state registered wireless terminals being serviced but may have some sleep state registered wireless terminals being serviced. Mode transitions from active to transmit standby may be in response to: a detected period of inactivity, scheduling information, base station mode change signals, and/or detected wireless terminal state transition. Mode transitions from transmit standby to active may be in response to: scheduling information, access signals, wake-up signals, hand-off signals, wireless terminal state change signals, and/or base station mode change signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus of data transmission having increased reliability in control information transmission without increased overhead and frame transmission delays. This method and apparatus of data transmission involves transmitting a data packet over a plurality of time slots of a data channel and associated control information over a plurality of time slots of a parallel control channel, wherein the control information in each time slot indicates to a receiver a manner of decoding the data packet or a portion of the data packet which was transmitted in a corresponding time slot of the data channel.

Abstract: The error detection method includes decoding a portion of each control channel that is simultaneously received by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. The UE is provided with techniques to determine if one or more of the control channels were successfully received during the decoding step. If more than one control channel was successfully received, the method selects only one of the successfully received control channels based on calculated path metric differences (PMD) that serve as a “tie-breaking” mechanism to select the correct control channel for a particular UE.

Abstract: In the method of determining an airlink modulation and coding scheme, at least one link quality indicator is compensated, and a modulation and coding scheme is read from a table using the compensated link quality indicator. In one embodiment, the at least one link quality indicator includes bit error probability (BEP).

Abstract: A method of using a generated pilot signal inserted in a CQF slot of an uplink signaling channel to control the transmission power of data information independently of the transmission power of voice information regardless of whether the voice and data information are transmitted simultaneously.