Abstract: A system and method for fast acquisition of a communication link in a wireless broadband communication system between a mobile station and a base station includes a scheduler (100) that is informed (102) of the processing capabilities of the mobile station, preferably in an optional message field. The scheduler determines (104) a time that the mobile station can respond to a downlink message, in the same frame or in a subsequent frame, using the processing capabilities. The scheduler allocates (106) uplink bandwidth for the mobile station to respond to the downlink message at the determined time. In this way, upon sending (108) a message from the base station to the mobile station, the mobile station can immediately respond (112) at the allocated time without having to perform an explicit bandwidth request. As a result, link entry and/or handover times are reduced.

Abstract: A frame format for frame aggregation into a physical-layer packet employs an aggregated frame descriptor appended to one or more sub-frames. Each sub-frame comprises a header comprising logical-layer and sub-frame protocol information, optional verification information to verify the sub-frame data, and aggregated user data. The aggregated frame descriptor includes information identifying the packet as conforming to an aggregated frame format, and sub-frame descriptors identifying at least one of a position, a length, and a data rate of a corresponding sub-frame. The aggregated frame is then formed into a physical layer packet for transmission through a medium.

Abstract: A packet network employs frame aggregation to reduce the number of physical-layer frames employed to transfer a given amount of user data. A packet network might employ physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers of a wireless local area network (WLAN) operating in accordance with one or more IEEE 802.11 standards. Frame aggregation combines several separate, higher-layer frames with user data into one PHY-layer frame, thus increasing the amount of user data per PHY-layer frame transmitted. Frame aggregation improves the efficiency by reducing both PHY-layer overhead and MAC-layer overhead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatic data rate control in wireless communication systems, such as wireless LANs. A wireless communication device according to the present invention includes a data rate controller that adapts a transmission rate based on a channel correlation measure. The channel correlation measure may be, for example, eigenvalues or singular values of a channel matrix. The data rate controller may also consider the signal quality, channel delay spread or both in determining a data rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for access point selection in wireless communication systems, such as wireless LANs. A disclosed wireless communication device includes a roaming process that selects an access point based on a measure of correlation on a channel to one or more surrounding access points. The roaming process selects an access point, for example, having the lowest correlation value. The roaming process may also consider the signal quality, channel delay spread or both in selecting an access point.