Abstract: Transmission techniques using configurable channels for the downlink and/or uplink are described. In one aspect, the downlink channel and/or uplink channel may be independently selected for a terminal. The terminal may establish a connection with a base station on default downlink and uplink channels. Another downlink channel and/or another uplink channel may be selected based on various factors such as channel quality, loading, and interference. The terminal would then switch to the new downlink and/or uplink channel for communication. In another aspect, the base stations broadcast sector information used by the terminals for communication and/or channel selection. The sector information may include various types of information such as the available downlink and uplink channels, the frequencies of the available channels, the loading on the available channels, and QoS information. The terminals may select a sector, a downlink channel, and/or an uplink channel based on the sector information.

Abstract: Transmission techniques using configurable channels for the downlink and/or uplink are described. In one aspect, the downlink channel and/or uplink channel may be independently selected for a terminal. The terminal may establish a connection with a base station on default downlink and uplink channels. Another downlink channel and/or another uplink channel may be selected based on various factors such as channel quality, loading, and interference. The terminal would then switch to the new downlink and/or uplink channel for communication. In another aspect, the base stations broadcast sector information used by the terminals for communication and/or channel selection. The sector information may include various types of information such as the available downlink and uplink channels, the frequencies of the available channels, the loading on the available channels, and QoS information.

Abstract: Transmission techniques using configurable channels for the downlink and/or uplink are described. In one aspect, the downlink channel and/or uplink channel may be independently selected for a terminal. The terminal may establish a connection with a base station on default downlink and uplink channels. Another downlink channel and/or another uplink channel may be selected based on various factors such as channel quality, loading, and interference. The terminal would then switch to the new downlink and/or uplink channel for communication. In another aspect, the base stations broadcast sector information used by the terminals for communication and/or channel selection. The sector information may include various types of information such as the available downlink and uplink channels, the frequencies of the available channels, the loading on the available channels, and QoS information. The terminals may select a sector, a downlink channel, and/or an uplink channel based on the sector information.

Abstract: The invention described herein enables a form of downlink macro-diversity in packet-switched cellular networks. It allows packets to be selectively delivered from a network/internetwork to an end node, e.g., a wireless communication device or terminal, over a set of available link-layer connections to/from the end node, through one or more access nodes, e.g., base stations. Downlink macro-diversity is particularly important when the link-layer connections between the end node and the corresponding access node, e.g., the access links, are subject to independent or partially correlated time variations in signal strength and interference. In accordance with the invention, the end node dynamically selects the downlink to be used out of a set of available access links on a per packet basis subject to prevailing channel conditions, availability of air-link resources and other constraints.

Abstract: Techniques for mitigating temporary loss of synchronization in a wireless communication system are described. In an aspect, a cell may periodically broadcast a mode indicator to indicate synchronous operation or asynchronous operation by the cell. The cell may also broadcast its cell identity (ID), which may omit the mode indicator and would then remain unchanged when the cell switches between asynchronous and synchronous operation. In another aspect, the cell may send system time information indicative of its updated system time when switching from asynchronous operation to synchronous operation. The updated system time may be used for communication with terminals after the switch to synchronous operation. In yet another aspect, the cell may decrease its transmit power prior to switching synchronization mode, switch synchronization mode when its transmit power reaches a predetermined power level, and thereafter increase its transmit power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interference suppression in wireless communication systems, especially Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) systems, is presented. The array apparatus includes a two-tier adaptive array system, which provides for both spatial diversity and beamforming at the uplink and includes sub-arrays spaced at a distance sufficient to provide spatial diversity and support beamforming or scanning A Direction of Arrival (DOA) of signals impinging upon the array can be calculated by comparing signals from sub-array elements. Each sub-array can be filtered or beamformed to provide high gain to desired signals received from the DOA (which may be a multipath signal) while simultaneously dampening-out undesired signals, such as co-channel interference (CCI) in the frequency band of operation. The DOA is also used for allocating frequency bins for data signals, such as in an OFDM system, to provide weighted guidelines for bin allocation to maximize received signal power.

Abstract: Mobile devices implement a ranging mechanism that includes a lead responder receiving ranging measurement requests from two different initiators in the same DW cycle. At the beginning of the DW cycle the lead responder broadcasts and/or publishes a channel availability map that includes a list of slots and channels in which to respond to the ranging measurement requests based on a number of ranging operations supported in each slot within the DW cycle and based on an autonomously determined response sequence. If the lead responder responds to all ranging requests by all initiators in a DW cycle, secondary responders can perform ranging in the same or subsequent DW cycles. Upon exhausting all initiators paired with the lead responder, a secondary responder becomes the “active” responder that is chosen based on a prioritization scheme that is universal among the group of devices in the ranging operation.

Abstract: A method includes, at a first device while the first device is connected to a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second device is unconnected to the WLAN, establishing a secure channel to the second device using an EAP exchange. The method also includes sending at least one credential associated with the WLAN to the second device via the secure channel to enable the second device to connect to the WLAN.

Abstract: Synchronization of communication events according to a global time base (GTB). Devices implementing the GTB may be configured to awaken and exchange discovery and service capability information over pre-scheduled channels at time points determined according to the GTB. The GTB may be correlated to Global Positioning System (GPS) system time. A global time server (GTS) is described for providing a local source of accurate clock time relative to the GTB. The GTS may aggregate multiple sources of absolute and/or relative time including GPS and WWAN, select the most accurate source for a mobile environment, track source state transitions, and manage clock drift. Global time clients (GTCs) may receive updates from the GTS and compute offsets for communication events relative to a local clock. The GTC may correct for transport errors from transmission of the updated global time value across modules or sub-components of the devices.

Abstract: Synchronization of communication events according to a global time base (GTB). Devices implementing the GTB may be configured to awaken and exchange discovery and service capability information over pre-scheduled channels at time points determined according to the GTB. The GTB may be correlated to Global Positioning System (GPS) system time. A global time server (GTS) is described for providing a local source of accurate clock time relative to the GTB. The GTS may aggregate multiple sources of absolute and/or relative time including GPS and WWAN, select the most accurate source for a mobile environment, track source state transitions, and manage clock drift. Global time clients (GTCs) may receive updates from the GTS and compute offsets for communication events relative to a local clock. The GTC may correct for transport errors from transmission of the updated global time value across modules or sub-components of the devices.

Abstract: Transmission techniques using configurable channels for the downlink and/or uplink are described. In one aspect, the downlink channel and/or uplink channel may be independently selected for a terminal The terminal may establish a connection with a base station on default downlink and uplink channels. Another downlink channel and/or another uplink channel may be selected based on various factors such as channel quality, loading, and interference. The terminal would then switch to the new downlink and/or uplink channel for communication. In another aspect, the base stations broadcast sector information used by the terminals for communication and/or channel selection. The sector information may include various types of information such as the available downlink and uplink channels, the frequencies of the available channels, the loading on the available channels, and QoS information. The terminals may select a sector, a downlink channel, and/or an uplink channel based on the sector information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interference suppression in wireless communication systems, especially Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) systems, is presented. The array apparatus includes a two-tier adaptive array system, which provides for both spatial diversity and beamforming at the uplink and includes sub-arrays spaced at a distance sufficient to provide spatial diversity and support beamforming or scanning. A Direction of Arrival (DOA) of signals impinging upon the array can be calculated by comparing signals from sub-array elements. Each sub-array can be filtered or beamformed to provide high gain to desired signals received from the DOA (which may be a multipath signal) while simultaneously dampening-out undesired signals, such as co-channel interference (CCI) in the frequency band of operation. The DOA is also used for allocating frequency bins for data signals, such as in an OFDM system, to provide weighted guidelines for bin allocation to maximize received signal power.

Abstract: Transmission techniques using configurable channels for the downlink and/or uplink are described. In one aspect, the downlink channel and/or uplink channel may be independently selected for a terminal. The terminal may establish a connection with a base station on default downlink and uplink channels. Another downlink channel and/or another uplink channel may be selected based on various factors such as channel quality, loading, and interference. The terminal would then switch to the new downlink and/or uplink channel for communication. In another aspect, the base stations broadcast sector information used by the terminals for communication and/or channel selection. The sector information may include various types of information such as the available downlink and uplink channels, the frequencies of the available channels, the loading on the available channels, and QoS information. The terminals may select a sector, a downlink channel, and/or an uplink channel based on the sector information.

Abstract: A multi-point communications system is set forth herein. The communications system comprises a head end unit disposed at a primary site and a plurality of receivers disposed at remote sites. The head end unit includes a transmitter for transmitting OFDM/DMT symbols over a predetermined number of bins across a transmission medium. The OFDM/DMT symbols are transmitted in periodically occurring formatted symbol frames. The cyclic prefix includes a predetermined periodic signal superimposed thereon. The receivers receive the OFDM/DMT symbols over a subset of the predetermined number of bins from the transmission medium and use the superimposed signals to attain symbol alignment. As such, the receivers are designed to process substantially fewer bins than the entire number of bins transmitted by the head end unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing uplink macro-diversity in packet-switched networks that allows packets and/or portions of packets, e.g., frames, to be selectively sent from an end node, e.g., wireless communication device or mobile terminal, over a set of multiple communication connections, e.g., physical-layer or link-layer connections, to one or more access nodes, e.g., base stations. Uplink macro-diversity is achieved in part through intelligent selective forwarding over multiple communication connections, where the forwarding decision is controlled by the end node based on a variety of factors, e.g., physical-layer channel conditions and/or higher layer policy. The forwarding decision is executed on a rapid timescale, e.g., on a per packet basis, to adapt to the dynamically varying conditions of the set of communication connections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing uplink macro-diversity in packet-switched networks that allows packets and/or portions of packets, e.g., frames, to be selectively sent from an end node, e.g., wireless communication device or mobile terminal, over a set of multiple communication connections, e.g., physical-layer or link-layer connections, to one or more access nodes, e.g., base stations. Uplink macro-diversity is achieved in part through intelligent selective forwarding over multiple communication connections, where the forwarding decision is controlled by the end node based on a variety of factors, e.g., physical-layer channel conditions and/or higher layer policy. The forwarding decision is executed on a rapid timescale, e.g., on a per packet basis, to adapt to the dynamically varying conditions of the set of communication connections.

Abstract: A multi-point communications system is set forth herein. The communications system includes a transmitter for transmitting OFDM/DMT symbols over a predetermined number of bins across a transmission medium. The OFDM/DMT symbols are generated using at least one timing signal. At least one of the predetermined number of bins includes a pilot tone sub-symbol having a frequency corresponding to a clock signal. The communications system may also include a receiver for receiving the OFDM/DMT symbols via the transmission medium. The receiver demodulates the received symbols using at least one timing signal.

Abstract: A method includes, at a first device while the first device is connected to a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second device is unconnected to the WLAN, establishing a secure channel to the second device using an EAP exchange. The method also includes sending at least one credential associated with the WLAN to the second device via the secure channel to enable the second device to connect to the WLAN.

Abstract: A multi-point communications system is set forth herein. The communications system includes a transmitter for transmitting OFDM/DMT symbols over a predetermined number of bins across a transmission medium. The OFDM/DMT symbols are generated using at least one timing signal. At least one of the predetermined number of bins includes a pilot tone sub-symbol having a frequency corresponding to a clock signal. The communications system may also include a receiver for receiving the OFDM/DMT symbols via the transmission medium. The receiver demodulates the received symbols using at least one timing signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interference suppression in wireless communication systems, especially Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) systems, is presented. The array apparatus includes a two-tier adaptive array system, which provides for both spatial diversity and beamforming at the uplink The adaptive array and includes sub-arrays spaced at a distance sufficient to provide spatial diversity and support beamforming or scanning A Direction of Arrival (DOA) of signals impinging upon the array can be calculated by comparing signals from sub-array elements. Each sub-array can be filtered or beamformed to provide high gain to desired signals received from the DOA (which may be a multipath signal) while simultaneously dampening-out undesired signals, such as co-channel interference (CCI) in the frequency band of operation. The DOA is also used for allocating frequency bins for data signals, such as in an OFDM system, to provide weighted guidelines for bin allocation to maximize received signal power.