Abstract: A method and apparatus for a self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. The self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol utilizes a combination of incremental and aggregate bandwidth requests. In accordance with the present inventive protocol, CPEs primarily transmit incremental bandwidth requests to their associated base stations, followed by periodic transmissions of aggregate bandwidth requests. The use of incremental bandwidth requests reduces risks that a base station erroneously issues duplicate bandwidth allocations to the same CPE for the same connection. Race conditions that may have occurred using only aggregate bandwidth requests are eliminated by requiring the CPEs to request bandwidth in an incremental manner. However, use of periodic aggregate bandwidth requests (that express the current state of their respective connection queues) allows the present bandwidth allocation method and apparatus to be “self-correcting.

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.

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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. The self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol utilizes a combination of incremental and aggregate bandwidth requests. In accordance with the present inventive protocol, CPEs primarily transmit incremental bandwidth requests to their associated base stations, followed by periodic transmissions of aggregate bandwidth requests. The use of incremental bandwidth requests reduces risks that a base station erroneously issues duplicate bandwidth allocations to the same CPE for the same connection. Race conditions that may have occurred using only aggregate bandwidth requests are eliminated by requiring the CPEs to request bandwidth in an incremental manner. However, use of periodic aggregate bandwidth requests (that express the current state of their respective connection queues) allows the present bandwidth allocation method and apparatus to be “self-correcting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. The self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol utilizes a combination of incremental and aggregate bandwidth requests. In accordance with the present inventive protocol, CPEs primarily transmit incremental bandwidth requests to their associated base stations, followed by periodic transmissions of aggregate bandwidth requests. The use of incremental bandwidth requests reduces risks that a base station erroneously issues duplicate bandwidth allocations to the same CPE for the same connection. Race conditions that may have occurred using only aggregate bandwidth requests are eliminated by requiring the CPEs to request bandwidth in an incremental manner. However, use of periodic aggregate bandwidth requests (that express the current state of their respective connection queues) allows the present bandwidth allocation method and apparatus to be “self-correcting”.

Abstract: On embodiment of the system and method provides asymmetric adaptive modulation which allows uplink and downlink subframes of data to be transmitted between a base station and a CPE with different modulation schemes, thus increasing the efficiency of downlink transmissions while maintaining the stability of uplink transmissions. In systems with multiple CPEs, each CPE and base station pair can independently select their uplink and downlink modulation techniques. The system and method are also adaptive in that they adjust the modulation schemes based on, for example, signal to noise ratio measurements or bit error rate measurements.

Abstract: On embodiment of the system and method provides asymmetric adaptive modulation which allows uplink and downlink subframes of data to be transmitted between a base station and a CPE with different modulation schemes, thus increasing the efficiency of downlink transmissions while maintaining the stability of uplink transmissions. In systems with multiple CPEs, each CPE and base station pair can independently select their uplink and downlink modulation techniques. The system and method are also adaptive in that they adjust the modulation schemes based on, for example, signal to noise ratio measurements or bit error rate measurements.

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.