Abstract: An advanced technology frame structure is described herein. The advanced technology frame structure can enhance a first technology frame structure in dimensions of time, frequency, or a combination of time and frequency. A second technology frame structure time division multiplexes second technology subframes with the first technology downlink and uplink subframes. The first technology downlink subframe can be divided into a first technology downlink subframe and one or more second technology downlink subframes. Similarly, the first technology uplink subframe can be divided into a first uplink subframe and one or more second technology uplink subframes. These principles can be expanded upon and can be applied in many communication systems.

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 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: The invention relates to communication systems and to systems and methods for implementing adaptive call admission control (CAC) in such systems. Adaptive call admission control can determine what CPE to base station calls (connections) are allowed at any given time. CAC, coupled with precedence, can further determine what connections are suspended if less bandwidth is available than is currently committed. Multiple techniques are disclosed to select connections for suspension. These techniques include suspending enough connections through the affected CPE until there is enough bandwidth to meet the remaining commitment, randomly (or in a round robin fashion) choosing connection to suspend from the entire set of connection, and using precedence priority levels.

Abstract: A method and system for prioritizing connection data that is associated with different classes of service for transmission in a frame based communication system. These classes of service can include CBR, nrt-VBR, MGR, and UBR traffic. One embodiment of the scheduling method and system uses hierarchical round-robin (HRR) with deficit round-robin (DRR). In this embodiment, the scheduling method and system guarantees minimum rates of nrt-VBR and MGR traffic to the connections. The excess bandwidth is then fairly allocated between the existing connections and their classes of service. For example, the excess is allocated for UBR traffic and for the excess demands of the nrt-VBR and MGR connections. In one embodiment, the scheduling method and system allocates the excess bandwidth in a frame to the existing connections using weighted round robin to differentiate between different classes of service.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping a combined frequency division duplexing (FDD) Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)/Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) downlink subframe for use with half-duplex and full-duplex terminals in a communication system. Embodiments of the downlink subframe vary Forward Error Correction (FEC) types for a given modulation scheme as well as support the implementation of a smart antennae at a base station in the communication system. Embodiments of the system are also used in a TDD communication system to support the implementation of smart antennae. A scheduling algorithm allows TDM and TDMA portions of a downlink to efficiently co-exist in the same downlink subframe and simultaneously support full and half-duplex terminals. The algorithm further allows the TDM of multiple terminals in a TDMA burst to minimize the number of map entries in a downlink map.

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: A method and apparatus for packing management messages in a broadband wireless communication system. Management messages are sent across a link in packets addressed to a particular connection, where the address identifies messages which may be specially treated. Such special treatment may include recognition of an overall message conveyed in such packets as containing one or more implicit messages embedded within the overall message. Two methods are disclosed to efficiently convey such management messages. First, each packet of information sent across the link may include a message type identifier, in which case it need not be repeated in the payload of the packet, and a number of such messages may be sent within a packet. Second, a packet of information may contain mixed management messages, in which case the byte with the message type identifier should be included with each such message. In this case, an overall message may be constructed from individual management messages simply concatenated together.

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 linked 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 can store software instructions in the outdoor unit. This allows the indoor units to automatically detect problems with outdoor unit and download new software to them in case of an error.

Abstract: A method and system for prioritizing connection data that is associated with different classes of service for transmission in a frame based communication system. These classes of service can include CBR, nrt-VBR, MGR, and UPR traffic. One embodiment of the scheduling method and system uses hierarchical round-robin (HRR) with deficit round-robin (DRR). In this embodiment, the scheduling method and system guarantees minimum rates of nrt-VBR and MGR traffic to the connections. The excess bandwidth is then fairly allocated between the existing connections and their classes of service. For example, the excess is allocated for UBR traffic and for the excess demands of the nrt-VBR and MGR connections. In one embodiment, the scheduling method and system allocates the excess bandwidth in a frame to the existing connections using weighted round robin to differentiate between different classes of service.

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: A bandwidth efficient subscriber unit initialization and synchronization method and apparatus is described. The inventive subscriber unit initialization and synchronization method and apparatus uses a combination of an access burst format and a data transportation technique to efficiently use bandwidth when initializing and synchronizing subscriber units in a time-synchronized communication system. Advantageously, the present invention provides a mechanism for a base station to receive multiple access bursts from multiple subscriber units in a single contiguous time period. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, bandwidth is efficiently utilized by searching for multiple initial access bursts from multiple mobile stations during a single time period known as a new access opportunity. The preferred embodiment of the present invention initializes and synchronizes subscriber units in a “contention-based” manner.

Abstract: A communication device with the ability to switch from operating as a base station to operating as a subscriber station or from a subscriber station to a base station. This enables point-to-multipoint systems with strong quality of service (Qos) to be developed with features, such as self-healing and self organization, normally only found in mesh systems with weak QoS.

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: The invention relates to communication systems and to systems and methods for implementing adaptive call admission control (CAC) in such systems. Adaptive call admission control can determine what CPE to base station calls (connections) are allowed at any given time. CAC, coupled with precedence, can further determine what connections are suspended if less bandwidth is available than is currently committed. Multiple techniques are disclosed to select connections for suspension. These techniques include suspending enough connections through the affected CPE until there is enough bandwidth to meet the remaining commitment, randomly (or in a round robin fashion) choosing connection to suspend from the entire set of connection, and using precedence priority levels.

Abstract: A bandwidth efficient subscriber unit initialization and synchronization method and apparatus is described. The inventive subscriber unit initialization and synchronization method and apparatus uses a combination of an access burst format and a data transportation technique to efficiently use bandwidth when initializing and synchronizing subscriber units in a time-synchronized communication system. Advantageously, the present invention provides a mechanism for a base station to receive multiple access bursts from multiple subscriber units in a single contiguous time period. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, bandwidth is efficiently utilized by searching for multiple initial access bursts from multiple mobile stations during a single time period known as a new access opportunity. The preferred embodiment of the present invention initializes and synchronizes subscriber units in a “contention-based” manner.

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: In a system utilizing double wide communication channels, if a particular CPE requires a sustained rate that is greater than the bandwidth of a single channel, data to and from the CPE may be split across Channels A and B. Also, when the bandwidth requirements of a particular CPE peaks at a data rate greater than the capacity of a single channel, the CPE's data may be split across the two channels. In one embodiment, a single-wide CPE may communicate with the base station without knowing that it is communicating with a base station configured to communicate using a double wide channel.

Abstract: An adaptive time division duplexing (ATDD) method and apparatus for duplexing transmissions on a communication link in wireless communication systems. Communication link efficient is enhanced by dynamically adapting to the uplink and downlink bandwidth requirements of the communication channels. Time slots are flexibly and dynamically allocated for uplink or downlink transmissions depending upon the bandwidth needs of a channel. Communication link bandwidth requirements are continuously monitored using sets of predetermined bandwidth requirement parameters. Communication channels are configured to have either symmetric or asymmetric uplink/downlink bandwidths depending upon the needs of the channel. Channel bandwidth asymmetry can be configured alternatively in favor of the uplink transmissions (i.e., more time slots are allocated for uplink transmissions than for downlink transmissions) or in favor of the downlink transmissions (i.e.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. One embodiment uses a self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol. The self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol utilizes a combination of incremental and aggregate bandwidth requests. CPEs primarily transmit incremental bandwidth requests to their associated base stations, followed by periodic transmissions of aggregate bandwidth requests. The use of periodic aggregate bandwidth requests (that express the current state of their respective connection queues) allows the bandwidth allocation method and apparatus to be “self-correcting”. Another embodiment utilizes an abridged bandwidth request/grant protocol to allocate bandwidth. The abridged bandwidth request/grant protocol system utilizes padding packets to request a reduction in bandwidth allocation to a CPE. A base station modem alerts a base station CPU when the BS modem receives a padding packet from a CPE.