Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE.

Abstract: Enhanced frame preambles facilitate co-channel co-existence in a wireless communication environment by having at least one preamble characteristic that connotes channel-sharing information regarding the wireless communication environment. In an exemplary embodiment, a downlink subframe is received in one or more wireless communication signals in a wireless communication environment. A preamble is detected in the downlink subframe, and at least one characteristic of the preamble is ascertained. Channel-sharing information for the wireless communication environment is determined based upon the at least one characteristic of the preamble. In another exemplary embodiment, a channel is scanned to detect secondary preambles being transmitted on the channel. A current preamble configuration, including a permutation of preamble location and preamble content corresponding to the secondary preambles, is determined, which connote channel-sharing information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE.

Abstract: For an example embodiment, a method for a communication device operating in a synchronous communication system is described. The method includes performing a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure prior to the start of a downlink subframe of a synchronous frame and determining if a transmission from another communication device of another communication system is detected during the LBT procedure. In the case that a transmission is detected during the LBT procedure, the communication device refrains from transmitting during the downlink subframe. In the case that a transmission is not detected during the LBT procedure, the communication device transmits during the downlink subframe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively obtaining bandwidth requests in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes dynamically varying technique combinations enabling a plurality of users to efficiently request bandwidth from a shared base station. A user may “piggyback” a new bandwidth request upon, or set a “poll-me bit” within, presently allocated bandwidth. A base station may poll users, individually or in groups, by allocating unrequested bandwidth for new requests. Polling may respond to a “poll-me bit,” and/or it may be adaptively periodic at a rate based on communication status parameters, such as recent communication activity and connection QoS levels. Group polling permits a possibility of collisions. Polling policies may be established for dynamically varying user groups, or may be determined for each user. Dynamic selection of appropriate polling techniques makes use of efficiency benefits associated with each technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE.

Abstract: A communications system and method are disclosed for transmitting packets of information in at least one first format over a communications link that utilizes packets of information in a second format. In certain embodiments, the packets of information in a first format are converted to packets of information in the second format prior to transmission via the communications link by packing and fragmenting the information in the first format in a coordinated manner. Embodiments may also utilize packing subheaders and fragmentation control bits in the packing and fragmentation processes.

Abstract: For an example embodiment, a method for a communication device operating in a synchronous communication system is described. The method includes performing a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure prior to the start of a downlink subframe of a synchronous frame and determining if a transmission from another communication device of another communication system is detected during the LBT procedure. In the case that a transmission is detected during the LBT procedure, the communication device refrains from transmitting during the downlink subframe. In the case that a transmission is not detected during the LBT procedure, the communication device transmits during the downlink subframe.

Abstract: An error management system and process can be used to identify an erroneous data packet in a data stream. In response to identifying the erroneous data packet, a subsequent valid data packet is located in the data stream. In one embodiment, a plurality of candidate locations of header checksum windows are searched and checked for a valid checksum. Multiple integrity checks of multiple header checksums can be used to reduce the probability of a false positive integrity check. In another embodiment, one or more information data fields can used for determining packet integrity by determining if the fields contain valid information bits.

Abstract: A method and system for using half-duplex base stations and half-duplex nodes in a Frequency Division Duplexing region to provide wireless connectivity between the half-duplex base stations and customers in multiple sectors of a cell. The method and system can use two physical channels to form two logical channels. Each logical channel shares both physical channels during alternating frames of time. The half-duplex nodes can include a millimeter-wave band frequency synthesizer configured to transmit and receive on different channels to and from the half-duplex base station. Re-use patterns of the physical channels are used for deployment of half-duplex base stations and half-duplex nodes in the FDD region to minimize co-channel interference and interference due to uncorrelated rain fade. Additional methods and systems utilize full-duplex base stations and smart antenna to communicate with the half-duplex nodes.

Abstract: A communication system and method are disclosed for transmitting packets of information in at least one first format over a communications link that utilizes packets of information in a second format. In certain embodiments, the packets of information in a first format are converted to packets of information in the second format prior to transmission via the communications link by packing and fragmenting the information in the first format in a coordinated manner. Embodiments may also utilize packing subheaders and fragmentation control bits in the packing and fragmentation processes.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for converting data in a first packet format, having overhead data in the form of headers and/or trailer padding, into a second, variable-length packet format, in which some of the header and/or trailer overhead is removed during conversion in order to more efficiently utilize the limited bit rate capacity of a link which will convey the data in the second format. Embodiments include a communication subnetwork for interconnecting a plurality of users to a wide area network through a wireless link, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switch for converting ATM cells into a variable-length packet format, and a convergence system for converting ATM cells into data packets in Media Access Control (MAC) format.

Abstract: Base stations having potentially interfering terminal stations that are geographically located on the same or similar diagonal or Line of Sight (relative to the base station) operate on a first set of time frames (e.g., “even” time frames). Similarly, base stations having potentially interfering terminal stations that are not geographically located on the same or similar diagonals operate on a second set of time frames (e.g., “odd” time frames). By alternating in their use of the even and odd frames, the potential for co-channel interference between terminal stations is minimized. Systems and methods are disclosed which reduce co-channel and adjacent channel interference between terminal stations of different cells as well as adjacent channel interference between terminal stations of adjacent cells. The methods and systems so described can be used during the deployment or expansion of a communication system in a region.

Abstract: An error management system and process can be used to identify an erroneous data packet in a data stream. In response to identifying the erroneous data packet, a subsequent valid data packet is located in the data stream. In one embodiment, a plurality of candidate locations of header checksum windows are searched and checked for a valid checksum. Multiple integrity checks of multiple header checksums can be used to reduce the probability of a false positive integrity check. In another embodiment, one or more information data fields can used for determining packet integrity by determining if the fields contain valid information bits.

Abstract: A method and system for using half-duplex base stations and half-duplex nodes in a Frequency Division Duplexing region to provide wireless connectivity between the half-duplex base stations and customers in multiple sectors of a cell. The method and system can use two physical channels to form two logical channels. Each logical channel shares both physical channels during alternating frames of time. The half-duplex nodes can include a millimeter-wave band frequency synthesizer configured to transmit and receive on different channels to and from the half-duplex base station. Re-use patterns of the physical channels are used for deployment of half-duplex base stations and half-duplex nodes in the FDD region to minimize co-channel interference and interference due to uncorrelated rain fade. Additional methods and systems utilize full-duplex base stations and smart antenna to communicate with the half-duplex nodes.

Abstract: A communication system and method are disclosed for transmitting packets of information in at least one first format over a communications link that utilizes packets of information in a second format. In certain embodiments, the packets of information in a first format are converted to packets of information in the second format prior to transmission via the communications link by packing and fragmenting the information in the first format in a coordinated manner. Embodiments may also utilize packing subheaders and fragmentation control bits in the packing and fragmentation processes.

Abstract: A method reduces channel interference in a communication system that includes base stations and terminal stations with each base station having a plurality of sectors, each sector having a channel, and with each terminal station associated with a sector of a base station. A first set of terminal stations associated with a first sector that may potentially interfere with a second set of terminal stations associated with a second sector is determined. A first frequency sub-channel for use by the first set of terminal stations is selected and a second frequency sub-channel for use by the second set of terminal stations is selected. Transmissions by the first set of terminal stations are coordinated with transmissions by the second set of terminal stations, thereby reducing channel interference between the terminal stations of the first set and the terminal stations of the second set, as seen by a base station in the first or second sector.

Abstract: A system that provides a wireless broadband connection between base stations and customer sites is described. The system includes indoor units within the base stations and customer sites and communicate across cables to outdoor units. The indoor units link to routers, switches and other devices and services. The outdoor units transmit and receive wireless data and send it to the indoor units. The indoor units control the timing of detector measurements in the outdoor unit by transmitting a regular, repeating control message at a predetermined time. Once the outdoor unit receives the control message, it samples its detectors and reports measurements back to the indoor unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel method and apparatus for efficiently transporting and synchronizing data between the Media Access Control (MAC) and physical communication protocol layers in a wireless communication system. An inventive method and apparatus for transporting and synchronizing to fixed-length ATM cell boundaries and for protecting against the potential misinsertion of ATM cells has been described. An inventive ATM packet format is described. The ATM packet format is used by the present invention for the transportation and synchronization of ATM cells. The ATM packets include fields that are used to detect errors occurring within each ATM cell. ATM cells are transported in exactly two TC/PHY packets, or TDUs. ATM header information is contained in the first TDU only. No ATM header information is carried by the second TDU. An entire ATM cell is discarded if an uncorrectable error is detected in the first TDU. If no uncorrectable error occurs in the first TDU, the second TDU is checked for errors.