Abstract: Embodiments describe utilizing time-based information to improve communication in a wireless network. A method can include receiving beacon information from at least one access point and utilizing time-stamp information associated with the beacon information to determine whether to hand off communication with a second access point. According to other embodiments the method can further include detecting beacon quality is below a threshold level and transmitting a poor beacon quality message. Information relating to a plurality of alternate access points can be received in response to the transmitted poor beacon quality message.

Abstract: Embodiments describe registration in a wireless communication system. A method includes wirelessly transmitting over a WWAN a first registration message from a mobile device, wirelessly transmitting through the WWAN a second registration message to a WLAN access point and receiving at the mobile device access through the WLAN access point. According to another embodiment is a method for constructing a self-configuring ad-hoc network. The method can include receiving a GPS coordinate from a WWAN channel node at a management system and creating an initial topography based at least in part on the GPS coordinate to achieve a network connectivity with diverse routes between a plurality of nodes.

Abstract: Embodiments describe methods, systems, and devices that utilize positional information to determine location of other device and/or to provide a location-based message. A method can include receiving a location information of a mobile device and using an access point to transmit location information to one or more other devices that do not include location functionality that are in communication with the mobile device. The method can further include transmitting a message to the mobile device based at least in part on the received access location information. In another embodiment, the method can include receiving a user preference data from the mobile device or one or more other devices and transmitting a communication to the mobile device or one or more other devices that conforms to the user preference data.

Abstract: Techniques for selecting rates for data transmission on eigenmodes of a MIMO channel are described. An access point transmits an unsteered MIMO pilot via the downlink. A user terminal estimates the downlink channel quality based on the downlink unsteered MIMO pilot and transmits an unsteered MIMO pilot and feedback information via the uplink. The feedback information is indicative of the downlink channel quality. The access point estimates the uplink channel quality and obtains a channel response matrix based on the uplink unsteered MIMO pilot, decomposes the channel response matrix to obtain eigenvectors and channel gains for the eigenmodes of the downlink, and selects rates for the eigenmodes based on the estimated uplink channel quality, the channel gains for the eigenmodes, and the feedback information. The access point processes data based on the selected rates and transmits steered data and a steered MIMO pilot on the eigenmodes with the eigenvectors.

Abstract: An IBSS that allows token passing for round-robin service of QoS flows is disclosed (an RRBSS). The RRBSS permits low-latency, reduced contention, distributed scheduling useful in any ad hoc network, but particularly suitable for high data rates. Distributed scheduled access is provided for flows through a round-robin token passing service discipline. STAs follow a round-robin order, or list, and are able to communicate with round-robin transmit opportunities during a defined period. Each STA in the list transmits a respective token to transfer access to the shared medium to the next STA in the RR List. The sequence is terminated with an end token. STAs maintain station identifiers and list updates are maintained with a sequence identifier. Techniques are disclosed to add and remove STAs to the sequence;s establish connectivity lists (receive and forward), and maintain other sequence parameters such as bandwidth management and TXOP duration. Various other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments for bandwidth allocation methods, detecting interference with other systems, and/or redeploying in alternate bandwidth are described. Higher bandwidth channels may be deployed at channel boundaries, which are a subset of those for lower bandwidth channels, and may be restricted from overlapping. Interference may be detected on primary, secondary, or a combination of channels, and may be detected in response to energy measurements of the various channels. When interference is detected, a higher bandwidth Basic Service Set (BSS) may be relocated to an alternate channel, or may have its bandwidth reduced to avoid interference. Interference may be detected based on energy measured on the primary or secondary channel, and/or a difference between the two. An FFT may be used in energy measurement in either or both of the primary and secondary channels. Stations may also monitor messages from alternate systems to make channel allocation decisions. Various other aspects are also presented.

Abstract: In a mobile station-mobile receiver arrangement a method and apparatus for a radio link control (RLC) protocol that allows partial recovery of data for streaming services. The maximum number of retransmissions allowed by the method for each RLC block is a function of the maximum delivery delay required by the streaming service and the round trip delay.

Abstract: Backward compatibility may require the use of fields or other indicators that are interpreted by new nodes or stations in a system in a manner different from the way legacy nodes interpret those same fields. In some circumstances, these indicators may be used to “spoof” legacy nodes to behave in certain ways, to allow a next generation protocol to be performed without interference from those legacy nodes. While this practice is may increase communication effectiveness, spoofing may lead to inefficient operation of legacy nodes. Legacy nodes may detect spoofing, including detecting field settings in a legacy portion of a transmitted message, or detecting phase shifts in a message. Once spoofing is detected, a variety of steps may be taken, including determining the duration of the next generation message, entering a low power state for the duration, communicating on alternate channels for the duration, modifying legacy backoff procedures, and others.

Abstract: Techniques for performing open-loop rate control in a TDD communication system are described. The channel quality of a first link is estimated based on a transmission received via the first link. The channel quality of a second link is estimated based on the estimated channel quality of the first link and an asymmetric parameter. At least one rate for a data transmission via the second link is selected based on the estimated channel quality of the second link. The estimated channel quality for each link may be given by a set of SNR estimates for a set of transmission channels on that link. The asymmetric parameter may be determined based on (1) the capabilities (e.g., transmit power, receiver noise figure, and number of antennas) of the transmitting and receiving stations or (2) received SNRs for the first and second links.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein address the need in the art for enhanced block acknowledgement. In one embodiment, a receiver indicates a decoding delay for a maximum size aggregate frame in Block Ack negotiation, which may be used by a transmitter to determine to which Block Ack Request a Block Acknowledgement is responsive. In another embodiment, a Transmission Sequence Number (TSN) may be included in a Block Ack Request. The receiver includes the TSN in the corresponding Block Ack response. This allows the transmitter to determine which frames are “in transit.” The TSN may be used to identify blocks. In another embodiment, a TSN may be associated with one or more transmitted frames. While, the TSN is not transmitted with the Block Ack Request, the transmitter may determine which TSN corresponds with a Block Ack response in accordance with acknowledgements contained therein. Combinations of these techniques may be deployed. Various other aspects are also presented.

Abstract: Hybrid fiber/coax networks employ the existing cable plant used for cable TV and transmit data signals in a frequency bandwidth above that which is used for cable TV. As this cable plant was deployed in a tree and branch topology, data transmissions may be susceptible to noise, variable transmission loss and frequency dispersion, particularly in the upstream direction. Further, due to the tree and branch topology, homes at the far end of the network experience much greater loss than do the homes that are near to the headend/ONU. The present system, which uses point-to-point data links between intelligent network elements located in the feeder/distribution network to provide reliable, secure, bi-directional broadband access. Digital signals are terminated at the intelligent network elements, switched and regenerated for transmission across additional upstream or downstream data links as needed to connect a home to a headend or router.

Abstract: One example of symbol or bit error probability estimation in a communication system using soft decision information determines soft decision metric(s) for each symbol that is received over a communication channel and employs the soft decision metric(s) to obtain an estimate of symbol or bit error probability.

Abstract: A system and method for providing wireless time division multiplexed communications in which time is divided into a plurality of frames and each frame is divided into N data bursts, which has a first multiplexer defining a channel as a series of bursts that occur periodically every N bursts once per frame; a second multiplexer defining a sub-channel as every Mth burst of said channel; and a transmitter transmitting said channel and sub-channel from a first station to a second station. A new interleaving 0246/1357 method is used by the system which is just as good as the known 0123/4567 method when ideal frequency hopping is used, and 0246/1357 has better performance when non-ideal frequency hopping or no frequency hopping is used.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing delay in wireless communications by use of a burst based access and assignment system. The method for setting up a communication channel uses short burst(s) (essentially a slot of a time frame). Time is saved by keeping the uplink and downlink channels flexible and independent of each other. Thus less time is used trying to fit all requests and responses into constrained choices as in previous protocols. The result is less delay to the mobile user and greater usage density for the wireless service provider.

Abstract: Uplinked and downlinked transmissions in an interference-limited system, such as a cellular network, are prioritized and authorized by channel quality/data rate to minimize interference.

Abstract: A method and communication device for media access control feedback over a packet channel divided in channel time slots is provided. The channel time slots are divided into sub-channel time slots. A packet channel feedback field associated with each sub-channel time slot is defined. Acknowledgments are indicated using the packet channel feedback field. An active mobile identity associated with an active mobile station may be assigned which would then be included in the packet channel feedback field. A plurality of active mobile identities may be assigned and some of the active mobile identities may be reserved for special functions. The assigned active mobile identity is used, among other things, to identify an active mobile station to receive packet data signals. The active mobility identity is invalidated after one transaction of packet data signals or invalidated after a short number of such transactions.

Abstract: Techniques are described for encoding an audio video stream that is transmitted over a network, for example a wireless or IP network, such that an entire frame of audio and an entire frame of video are transmitted simultaneously within a period required to render the audio video stream frames by an application in a receiver. Aspects of the techniques include receiving audio and video RTP streams and assigning an entire frame of RTP video data to communication channel packets that occupy the same period, or less, as the video frame rate. Also an entire frame of RTP audio data is assigned to communication channel packets that occupy the same period, or less, as the audio frame rate. The video and audio communication channel packets are transmitted simultaneously. Receiving and assigning RTP streams can be performed in a remote station, or a base station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for improving the transmission of information over wireless communication channels. These techniques include determining available communication channels for transmitting information and determining possible physical layer packet sizes of the available channels. An information unit is partitioned into portions wherein the size of the portions are selected so as to match one of the physical layer packet sizes of the available communication channels. Another aspect is partitioning the information into a number of slices that correspond to the number of transmissions that occur during the information unit interval and assigning each partition to a corresponding transmission. The techniques can be used for various types of information, such as multimedia data, variable bit rate data streams, video data, or audio data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for transmitting information units over a plurality of constant bit rate communication channel. The techniques include encoding the information units, thereby creating a plurality of data packets. The encoding is constrained such that the data packet sizes match physical layer packet sizes of the communication channel. The information units may include a variable bit rate data stream, multimedia data, video data, and audio data. The communication channels include CMDA channels, WCDMA, GSM channels, GPRS channels, and EDGE channels.

Abstract: A system for providing statistical multiplexing of speech, other real-time data services and non-real-time data services for point to point and point to multipoint communications. The system has fast access and assignment procedures that allow the multiplexing of real-time, delay-critical data services with non-real-time data services. Continuity of periodic control channels across speech talkspurt and silence periods for conversational voice is maintained to carry signal measurement reports, channel quality feedback, and “comfort” noise information between different parts of the system.