Abstract: A wireless feeder network comprises feeder base stations coupled to the communications network and feeder terminals coupled to associated access base stations of the access network. A group of wireless network components form elements of a feeder cluster and the elements of the feeder cluster are connected by an additional communications resource configured to be operated in parallel with the wireless resource of the wireless feeder network. Both a primary and secondary element of the feeder cluster seek to decode at least one resource block allocated to the primary element for reception of data. Information derived from the secondary decoded data is transmitted from the secondary element to the primary element via the additional communications resource. The primary element then performs a revised decoding process additionally using the information received from said secondary element to improve its own decode probability.

Abstract: A wireless feeder network comprises feeder base stations coupled to the communications network and feeder terminals coupled to associated access base stations of the access network. A group of wireless network components form elements of a feeder cluster and the elements of the feeder cluster are connected by an additional communications resource configured to be operated in parallel with the wireless resource of the wireless feeder network. Both a primary and secondary element of the feeder cluster seek to decode at least one resource block allocated to the primary element for reception of data. Information derived from the secondary decoded data is transmitted from the secondary element to the primary element via the additional communications resource. The primary element then performs a revised decoding process additionally using the information received from said secondary element to improve its own decode probability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling a wireless feeder network used to couple access base stations of an access network with a communications network. The wireless feeder network connects base stations coupled to the communications network and feeder terminals coupled to associated access base stations. Each feeder terminal has a feeder link with a feeder base station. The method includes allocating resource blocks for the feeder base stations and feeder terminals to establish the feeder links. The resource blocks are allocated between a centrally administered schedule and at least one feeder base station administered schedule. Network traffic being carried by the feeder links is monitored to determine at least one characteristic. The resource blocks are reallocated between the centrally administered schedule and the at least one feeder base station administered schedule in dependence on the at least one characteristic of the network traffic.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling a wireless feeder network used to couple access base stations of an access network with a communications network. The wireless feeder network connects base stations coupled to the communications network and feeder terminals coupled to associated access base stations. Each feeder terminal has a feeder link with a feeder base station. The method includes allocating resource blocks for the feeder base stations and feeder terminals to establish the feeder links. The resource blocks are allocated between a centrally administered schedule and at least one feeder base station administered schedule. Network traffic being carried by the feeder links is monitored to determine at least one characteristic. The resource blocks are reallocated between the centrally administered schedule and the at least one feeder base station administered schedule in dependence on the at least one characteristic of the network traffic.