Abstract: Scheduling of regular signal transmissions, e.g., between a plurality of wireless terminals and a base station in a cellular network in a manner designed to reduce or minimize recurring periodic interference encountered by individual wireless terminals from transmission in neighboring cells is described. Signal transmissions of wireless terminals in each cell are scheduled on a group slot basis. A group slot comprises a number of time slots. Each wireless terminal serviced by a particular base station is assigned a time slot in a group slot used by the particular base station. A given wireless terminal is assigned different time slots in successive group slots as specified by a hopping function. Adjacent, base stations e.g., base stations of physically neighboring or overlapping cells, use distinct, i.e., different, hopping functions for the scheduling purpose thereby avoiding correlation of slots between overlapping or adjacent cells during consecutive group slots.

Abstract: Techniques for performing automatic gain control (AGC) at a receiver are described. The receiver may receive an OFDM-based symbol composed of a cyclic prefix and a useful portion. The receiver may scale the OFDM-based symbol with an initial receiver gain, adjust the initial receiver gain based on the cyclic prefix, apply the adjusted receiver gain prior to the useful portion, and process the useful portion to recover at least one signal sent by at least one transmitter. The receiver may select the initial receiver gain, e.g., based on a predicted received power level for the at least one transmitter, a pattern of different receiver gains, etc. The receiver may apply the initial receiver gain at the start of the OFDM-based symbol. The receiver may measure the power of a set of samples in the cyclic prefix and may adjust the receiver gain based on the measured power and a target power.

Abstract: Symbol timing synchronization in OFDM communication systems where multiple wireless terminals communicate with a single base station is described. Base station transmitter and receiver symbol timing is fixed. Each wireless terminal operates to independently adjust its transmitter timing. Transmitter timing synchronization at the wireless terminal is slaved to the terminal's receiver timing synchronization. Each wireless terminal first corrects its receiver symbol timing based on a signal received from the base station. The wireless terminal then adjusts its transmitter symbol timing as a function of its receiver symbol timing. When the receiver symbol timing is to be advanced or delayed by some amount, the transmitter symbol timing is also advanced or delayed, respectively, by the same, or substantially the same, amount. Symbol timing adjustment can be made by adding or deleting digital samples from the first or last symbol in a dwell.

Abstract: More efficient utilization of available bandwidth is implemented in an OFDM wireless communication system. The partitions of bandwidth may be of different sizes and may be different from the original system design parameters. Basic system structure such as the number of tones used and the number of OFDM symbol times in a slot is maintained throughout the system. Bandwidth is varied by adjusting the inter-tone spacing or bandwidth associated with a single tone. As the inter-tone spacing is increased, the OFDM symbol transmission time is decreased following an inverse proportional relationship. A first base station transmitter transmits signals on a first number of tones distributed uniformly in a first frequency band, and a second base station transmitter transmits signals on a second number of tones distributed uniformly in a second frequency band which is wider than the first frequency band, the second number of tones being the same as the first number of tones.

Abstract: Frames including a packet boundary information field indicator and, optionally, packet boundary information field in addition to packet data are described. Methods and apparatus for generating and using such frames are also described. The packet boundary indicator indicates the presence or absence of at least one packet boundary information field in the frame. Frames with a payload that is fully occupied with data corresponding to a single packet do not include a packet boundary information field. The packet boundary information field indicates the location of a corresponding packet boundary and the type of boundary. One packet boundary information field is included in a frame for each boundary separating the data corresponding to different packets. By using packet boundary information fields to specify the location of packet boundaries, the need to parse an entire packet to identify the location of a packet boundary is avoided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allocating tones for communications purposes in adjoining cells of an OFDM system are described. Tones used in each cell are allocated to tone hopping sequences according to a tone to tone hopping sequence allocation function. Different cells use different tone to tone hopping sequence allocation functions to minimize the number of collisions between hopping sequences of neighboring cells. Tone hopping sequence to communications channel allocation functions are used to allocate tone hopping sequences to communications channels. Communications channels are used by wireless terminals, e.g., mobile nodes, to transmit data. Over time, a wireless terminal uses the tones included in the tone hopping sequences corresponding to communications channels it is authorized to use. Accordingly, tones are assigned to communications devices by a multi-function, e.g., two level, mapping operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improved utilization of air link resources are discussed in wireless communications systems employing multi-sector base stations and wireless terminals with multiple antennas. Timing synchronization is maintained across the base station sectors, and the same set of tones are used in adjacent sectors. In a sector boundary region, which is typically a high interference region, a wireless terminal is set to a sector pair state and operated in a MIMO mode of operation, communicating with two adjacent base station antenna faces of the same base station concurrently, the two different adjacent base station antenna faces corresponding to different adjacent sectors. Thus, typically high interference sector boundary regions, are converted into high capacity regions by having the sectors coordinated and utilizing MIMO techniques.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate assigning a flow (e.g., IP flow) to a wireless network link from a bundle that includes a plurality of wireless network links. Assignments can be based upon characteristics associated with the flow and characteristics associated with the links. For example, a service class corresponding to the flow can be evaluated to determine flow related characteristics. Moreover, link related feedback can be analyzed to determine characteristics of the links.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate supporting multiple connections associated with a wireless terminal. Notifications may be provided to a primary base station upon establishment and/or removal of connections between the wireless terminal and secondary base station(s). Additionally, the multiple connections may be evaluated and a preferred connection from the set of multiple connections may be utilized to transfer data to the wireless terminal over a downlink connection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of efficient communication of resource allocation are described. A base station transmits a resource assignment message, e.g., a state transition message, to a wireless terminal including a first part, e.g., a base station assigned wireless terminal On state identifier, identifying a resource being assigned and a second part, e.g., an ON state mask, identifying a portion of the resource allocated to the wireless terminal. The same resource allocation message information also communicates one of a plurality of different modes of commanded On state operation. The resource allocation message structure supports flexible allocation of available resources facilitating a resource to be partitioned differently at different times accommodating current needs.

Abstract: A base station generates and transmits a multi-symbol beacon/timing synchronization signal. The multi-symbol beacon/timing synchronization signal includes: (i) an initial symbol including a body portion and a cyclic prefix, the cyclic prefix preceding the body portion and being generated from an end portion of the body portion and (ii) an extension symbol, which immediately follows the initial symbol. The extension symbol includes a first copy of the body portion beginning at the start of the extension symbol. The first copy of the body portion is immediately followed by a truncated portion, which is a copy of an initial portion of the body portion. The multi-symbol beacon/timing synchronization signal includes a single high power beacon tone, a plurality of low power tones comprising the synchronization signal, and a plurality of intentional Null tones. Each tone designation remains the same for both the initial symbol and the extension symbol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allocating tones for communications purposes in adjoining cells of an OFDM system are described. Tones used in each cell are allocated to tone hopping sequences according to a tone to tone hopping sequence allocation function. Different cells use different tone to tone hopping sequence allocation functions to minimize the number of collisions between hopping sequences of neighboring cells. Tone hopping sequence to communications channel allocation functions are used to allocate tone hopping sequences to communications channels. Communications channels are used by wireless terminals, e.g., mobile nodes, to transmit data. Over time, a wireless terminal uses the tones included in the tone hopping sequences corresponding to communications channels it is authorized to use. Accordingly, tones are assigned to communications devices by a multi-function, e.g., two level, mapping operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using end nodes, e.g., wireless terminals, to discover base stations and communicate information about discovered access nodes, e.g., base stations, to other access nodes in a system are described. As the wireless terminal roams in the system and new access nodes are encountered, one or more physically adjacent access nodes will be informed of the presence of the new access node as a result of communications with the wireless terminal. A message indicating an access node's inability to route a message to another access node which is known to a wireless terminal may trigger the wireless terminal to begin the process of updating access node routing and neighbor information.

Abstract: Wireless terminals and base stations support multiple modes of dedicated control channel operation wherein wireless terminals are allocated different amounts of dedicated uplink resources for reporting control information. A set of dedicated control channel segments is utilized by a wireless terminal to communicate uplink control information reports to its serving base station attachment point. Full tone and split-tone modes of dedicated control channel operation are supported. In full tone mode, a single wireless terminal is allocated each of the dedicated control channel segments associated with a single logical tone. In split tone mode, dedicated control channel segments associated with a single logical tone are allocated between different wireless terminals, with each of the multiple wireless terminals receiving a different non-overlapping subset of the dedicated control channel segments. Logical dedicated control channel tones can be dynamically reallocated for full-tone mode use or split tone mode use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for routing messages between an end node and an access node via another access node are described. Physical layer identification information is used when identifying a remote, e.g., adjacent, access node as a message destination. Thus, when a connection identifier based on one or more physical layer identifiers is available to a wireless terminal, e.g., from one or more downlink signals received from a destination access node, the wireless terminal can use the connection identifier corresponding to the destination node to route a message via an access node with which it has an established uplink connection. Such connection identifier information can be used even when other addressing information, e.g., network layer address information, associated with the destination access node, may not be available to the wireless terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for routing messages between an end node and an access node via another access node are described. Physical layer identification information is used when identifying a remote, e.g., adjacent, access node as a message destination. Thus, when a connection identifier based on one or more physical layer identifiers is available to a wireless terminal, e.g., from one or more downlink signals received from a destination access node, the wireless terminal can use the connection identifier corresponding to the destination node to route a message via an access node with which it has an established uplink connection. Such connection identifier information can be used even when other addressing information, e.g., network layer address information, associated with the destination access node, may not be available to the wireless terminal.

Abstract: Symbol timing synchronization in OFDM communication systems where multiple wireless terminals communicate with a single base station is described. Base station transmitter and receiver symbol timing is fixed. Each wireless terminal operates to independently adjust its transmitter timing. Transmitter timing synchronization at the wireless terminal is slaved to the terminal's receiver timing synchronization. Each wireless terminal first corrects its receiver symbol timing based on a signal received from the base station. The wireless terminal then adjusts its transmitter symbol timing as a function of its receiver symbol timing. When the receiver symbol timing is to be advanced or delayed by some amount, the transmitter symbol timing is also advanced or delayed, respectively, by the same, or substantially the same, amount. Symbol timing adjustment can be made by adding or deleting digital samples from the first or last symbol in a dwell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining, selecting and indicating a preferred communications link with an access node, e.g., base station, are described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allocating tones for communications purposes in adjoining cells of an OFDM system are described. Tones used in each cell are allocated to tone hopping sequences according to a tone to tone hopping sequence allocation function. Different cells use different tone to tone hopping sequence allocation functions to minimize the number of collisions between hopping sequences of neighboring cells. Tone hopping sequence to communications channel allocation functions are used to allocate tone hopping sequences to communications channels. Communications channels are used by wireless terminals, e.g., mobile nodes, to transmit data. Over time, a wireless terminal uses the tones included in the tone hopping sequences corresponding to communications channels it is authorized to use. Accordingly, tones are assigned to communications devices by a multi-function, e.g., two level, mapping operation.

Abstract: Embodiments describe synchronizing access routers with wireless terminal state information. According to an embodiment is a wireless terminal that transmits a message that includes an address for at least two access routers. State change information can optionally be included in the message. According to another embodiment is an access router that receives a state change notification from a wireless device or another access router. The state change notification is updated in the access router. An acknowledgment confirming the updated state change may be sent to the wireless terminal. Dynamic state synchronization is provided with minimal communication with wireless terminal.