Abstract: A communication system sorts packets or messages at a base station such that differential delays and absolute delays are reduced, further resulting in less needed memory at the packet selector and reduced jitter. The sorting is based on a packet identifier that is associated with each packet or message, which packet identifier includes data specific to the packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexing higher-layer packets (110) into a single lower layer packet (112) is described herein. There exists an optimal frame size for a given bit error rate (BER). The optimal frame size provides the best trade off between frame size and capacity. The BER for a transmission media (205) is constantly monitored and the lower-layer packet size (112) is adjusted dynamically based on the BER.

Abstract: Logic circuitry (409) constantly monitors a transmitter (410) to determine if the transmitter (410) is idle. Logic circuitry (409) suppresses all NAKs until data and other channel information is not being transmitted by the transmitter (410) and RF resources are not scarce. Additionally, logic circuitry (409) suppresses all NAKs until a predetermined number of NAKs has been buffered by the logic circuitry (409). More particularly, logic circuitry (409) determines when a number of NAKs will sufficiently fill an over-the-air frame. Once the predetermined number of NAKs has been collected, the logic circuitry (409) will generate the appropriate NAKs.

Abstract: A communication resource that includes a communication channel is allocated in response to a received communication resource access request, wherein the access request is received while a message received via the communication channel is being demodulated. In response to receiving the request, a grant of access to the communication channel is generated and transmitted, which grant authorizes the source of the access request to use the communication channel.

Abstract: A communication system sorts packets or messages at a base station such that differential delays and absolute delays are reduced, further resulting in less needed memory at the packet selector and reduced jitter. The sorting is based on a packet identifier that is associated with each packet or message, which packet identifier includes data specific to the packet.

Abstract: A radio unit (12) for communication over a communication channel (300) having repeating frames. The radio unit has a memory (131) with a table (280) of time locations in a frame and indications of the availability of time locations for transmission. A time is selected from the table and a cell of data is transmitted on the channel at the selected time. If an acknowledgement to the cell is received at a receiver (102) the transmitter sends a series of further cells at corresponding times in later frames. Otherwise a different time is selected for a new access attempt. A sequence of ATM cells is prepared for transmission by forming data into cells each having synchronization information (230), a physical layer field (251), a sequence number (253) and an error check number (254). Error coding cells (245) are added, with error coding which is spread across the cells such that a lost cell is recoverable from adjacent cells.