Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide an implementation for a multi-hop wireless backhaul network. These embodiments can advantageously be deployed in dense urban areas and/or co-located with wireless access nodes, such as base-stations of a cellular wireless communication system. Preferably wireless links between constituent network nodes are set-up hierarchically. A basic result of this is that peer-to-peer (child-to-child) communication is generally prohibited and circuits are forced to conform to a topology. The multi-hop wireless backhaul network may be used to carry delay sensitive, high-density last mile circuit traffic over Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) broadband radio links. Moreover, some embodiments of the invention provide a method of path-healing for re-routing of circuit traffic from circuits that have experienced catastrophic failures.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide MAC enhancements to support the PHY features of a MIMO-OFDMA framework. The MAC enhancements involve DL burst assignment to support adaptive MIMO transmission, UL burst assignment to support adaptive MIMO transmission, fast feedback channel operation to support wireless terminal dynamic feedback of MIMO mode selection, for example space time transmit diversity (STTD) or spatial multiplexing (SM), and/or permutation mode selection, for example diversity or adjacent subcarrier mode, dynamic CQICH allocation and de-allocation and the use of CQICH_ID for DL burst allocation. One or more of these enhancements is included in a given implementation. Methods are also provided for implementing the MAC enhancements.

Abstract: A system, method and relay transceiver for multi-hop wireless communications. In the relay, there is a receiver for adapted to receive packets on a first wireless link collectively destined for at least one mobile terminal. The transmitter buffers them and then transmits the packets on a second wireless link. A flow control function is implemented to provide flow control over the first wireless link to limit an amount buffered in the relay transceiver for a given mobile terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering both PMP communications, for example standard cellular communications via a base station, and also delivering P2P communications, for example, communications between two mobile stations, using the same spectral resources for both types of communication.

Abstract: The present invention allows content to be delivered to a mobile terminal over different types of networks in order to efficiently use network resources. Content can be delivered using a select delivery method over a cellular network, a local wireless network, or a broadcast network. Within any of the networks, the content may be unicast to individual mobile terminals using individual content flows, multicast to a group of mobile terminals, or broadcast to any or all of the mobile terminals. Content can be multicast or broadcast to mobile terminals via different ones of the disparate networks. During a content flow, the network through which the content flow is delivered may be changed to allow the mobile terminal to receive the content through a different network. Further, the delivery method used to deliver the content may dynamically change as the number of mobile terminals receiving or requesting the content changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering both PMP communications, for example standard cellular communications via a base station, and also delivering P2P communications, for example, communications between two mobile stations, using the same spectral resources for both types of communication.

Abstract: Infrastructure relays are used to relay signals to multi-antenna receivers where the received signals are then processed using MIMO processing. The transmissions can use spatial multiplexing and/or space time block coding.

Abstract: The present invention provides conversion between SDUs transmitted between a central network controller and base stations and PDUs transmitted between the base stations and mobile terminals. For downlink communications, SDUs are transmitted from the central network controller and forwarded to the base stations in an active set. One base station will break down the SDUs to create PDUs to transmit to the mobile terminal. For uplink communications, the base station will receive PDUs from the mobile terminal, create SDUs from the PDUs, and transmit the SDUs to the central network controller. During switching events, continuity information received from a previously serving base station is processed by the mobile terminal and used to create continuity information to send to the currently serving base station and used to determine the appropriate PDU from which to start transmissions to the mobile terminal after the switching event.

Abstract: A method and system for capacity and coverage enhancement in wireless networks is provided. Each cell has a base station and in-cell relay stations. The base station includes interference avoidance/averaging mechanism, dynamic resource partitioning mechanism or a combination thereof. The interference avoidance/averaging mechanism dynamically creating a FH pattern based on interference information obtained from its serving cell. The base station may include a scheduler for dynamic resource partitioning mechanism for managing scheduling in the cell.

Abstract: Some embodiments of customized instant messaging application for displaying status of measurements from sensors are proposed. These include: simultaneous use of multiple avatars for a given source where one or more of the avatars represent sensor presence; selective assignment of avatar and associated presence information to recipients; dynamic changes to avatar triggered by changes to sensor measurements representing a noticeable change in environment being monitored; selective display of data in customized messaging application based on defined roles and responsibilities of recipient; dismissal of avatar update notification only after necessary action following change to presence condition induced by sensor.

Abstract: Infrastructure relays are used to relay signals to multi-antenna receivers where the received signals are then processed using MIMO processing. The transmissions can use spatial multiplexing and/or space time block coding.

Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic power changing patterns for transmissions in different sectors of a cellular system. The cyclic power changing patterns define unique patterns in which transmission power levels change over a period of time slots or within a group of sub-carriers. Each sector has a unique pattern, so that interference information monitored by the user elements, which are supported by base stations, are indicative of the interference contributions from adjacent sectors. Based on these interference contributions and the cyclic power changing patterns associated with these sectors, the base stations can schedule transmissions to the user elements during time slots or in sub-carriers to minimize the impact of interference from the adjacent sectors and to efficiently support dynamic needs of the individual user data packets according to QoS requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating efficient handoff and data throughput in mobile broadband communication systems. Methods implemented by a system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention include selectively enabled soft handoff, performing Layer 2 bearer functions at the base station and using the mobile device to coordinate soft handoff and interference avoidance without the need for a centralized coordination function.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide MAC enhancements to support the PHY features of a MIMO-OFDMA framework. The MAC enhancements involve DL burst assignment to support adaptive MIMO transmission, UL burst assignment to support adaptive MIMO transmission, fast feedback channel operation to support wireless terminal dynamic feedback of MIMO mode selection, for example space time transmit diversity (STTD) or spatial multiplexing (SM), and/or permutation mode selection, for example diversity or adjacent subcarrier mode, dynamic CQICH allocation and de-allocation and the use of CQICH_ID for DL burst allocation. One or more of these enhancements is included in a given implementation. Methods are also provided for implementing the MAC enhancements.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptively managing frame size in a wireless multihop network (100) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a packet is transmitted from a source to a destination (420). A acknowledgement packet (422) is received and a successful acknowledgement packet counter is incremented if the acknowledgement packet arrives prior to a time-out of a timer (444). A frame size is increased if the successful acknowledgement packet counter reaches a specified value (446, 448). If the acknowledgement packet arrives after the time-out of the timer, the successful acknowledgement packet counter (460) is reset and the frame size (462) is decreased. These procedures can be repeated until the frame size is greater than or equal to a maximum frame size (450) or less than or equal to a minimum frame size (464).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing signal interference within a cellular radio system to increase both coverage and capacity. The method and apparatus include altering the direction of beams within cell sectors is among discrete angular positions according to a predetermined, cyclic pattern. The predetermined, cyclic pattern varies in a group of adjacent cell sectors such that inter-cell interference is significantly reduced or eliminated by rotating at a different cycle the beams in adjacent cells. This discrete, angular movement of beams provides for downlink transmissions to be timed in such a way (i.e., scheduled) such that transmission to a user will occur in accordance with the beam and time slot having the best carrier to interference (C/I) ratio for that user.

Abstract: A multi-hop relaying method and apparatus used in a cellular network. The multi-hop transmission scheme utilizes intelligent relays within a conventional cellular system having at least one base station, one or more intelligent relays, and user equipment elements. The method includes selecting the strongest pilot signal from among the base stations and intelligent relays, reporting such to the base station, distributing an active user list to the relays along with scheduling and routing information via a relay control channel, and transmitting data according to a respective active user based upon the pilot signal strength to maximize coverage and capacity over the cellular system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing signal interference within a cellular radio system to increase both coverage and capacity. The method and apparatus include altering the direction of beams within cell sectors is among discrete angular positions according to a predetermined, cyclic pattern. The predetermined, cyclic pattern varies in a group of adjacent cell sectors such that inter-cell interference is significantly reduced or eliminated by rotating at a different cycle the beams in adjacent cells. This discrete, angular movement of beams provides for downlink transmissions to be timed in such a way (i.e., scheduled) such that transmission to a user will occur in accordance with the beam and time slot having the best carrier to interference (C/I) ratio for that user.

Abstract: A method and system for packet scheduling are provided. The method includes: the step of receiving an incoming packet; extracting packet identification information associated with the incoming packet, and assessing a delay budget for the incoming packet in dependence upon its arrival time and the associated information. The system includes: an input module for receiving an incoming packet, and extracting information associated with the incoming packet, and a module for assessing a delay budget for the incoming packet in dependence upon its arrival time and the associated information.

Abstract: Infrastructure relays are used to relay signals to multi-antenna receivers where the received signals are then processed using MIMO processing. The transmissions can use spatial multiplexing and/or space time block coding.