Abstract: A method for improving the performance of random access when establishing a communication link between a user equipment (UE) and a radio network (UTRAN) the method includes transmitting a random access message (RAM) from the user equipment (UE) to the radio network (UTRAN), wherein the radio random access message (RAM) contains information describing a functional capability (UB_CAPABILITY) of the user equipment (UE). Thereby, the network knows the capabilities of the terminal as early as possible and can thus optimize all functions performed by the network to be in conformity with the terminal capabilities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed overlay multi-channel MAC for wireless ad hoc networks are described. In one aspect, the systems and methods divide channel frequencies defined by a wireless network protocol into a single home channel and multiple guest channels that are orthogonal to the home channel. Each of the network nodes in the ad hoc network operates on the home channel for respective variable and overlapping amounts of time to maintain network connectivity with other respective network nodes. Additionally, each of the network nodes determines whether and when to switch from the home channel to a particular guest channel of the guest channels for a variable amount of time to increase data throughput over one or more corresponding communication links in the ad hoc network with other network node(s).

Abstract: A mapping scheme between a plurality of control channel element sets and a plurality of acknowledgement channel resource sets is established. Each of the control channel element sets includes at least one control channel element, and each of the acknowledgement channel resource sets includes at least one acknowledgement channel resource. In accordance with a scheduling grant transmitted using a control channel element set selected from the plurality of control channel element sets, a data packet is transmitted via a second node to a first node. Then, an acknowledgement channel message is transmitted via the first node to the second node by using at least one acknowledgement channel resource selected from the acknowledgement channel resource set that correspond to the control channel element set used for transmitting the scheduling grant in accordance with the mapping scheme. The acknowledgement channel message may be one of a positive acknowledgement message and a negative acknowledgement message.

Abstract: A system for supplying power to a load over a communication link has high-side current sensing circuitry for measuring a high-side current value, low-side current sensing circuitry for measuring a low-side current value, and control circuitry responsive to both the high-side current value and the low-side current value to detect a fault condition, detect information from the load, and/or transmit information to the load by creating a prescribed unbalance between the high-side current and the low-side current.

Abstract: A radio communication apparatus, base station apparatus and communication terminal apparatus capable of predicting an accurate transmission rate before starting data communications to know download time and the like. In the apparatus, a packet CH demodulation section (103) demodulates received packet data. A pilot CH demodulation section (104) demodulates a received signal of a pilot channel. A reception state measuring section (105) measures the SIR from the received signal of the pilot channel. A transmission rate candidate selecting section (106) stores a calculation expression that associates CQI with SIR, and selects CQI by the calculation expression using the measured SIR. A transmission rate predicting section (108) averages selected CQI for a predetermined time to output a transmission rate prediction value. A transmission rate prediction control section (110) outputs information of the transmission rate prediction value to a display section (111) when detecting a key input.

Abstract: A method for multiplexing a broadcast service channel and a non-broadcast service channel includes: reserving TF resources for carrying non-broadcast service data on a sub-frame for carrying broadcast service data, and multiplexing the broadcast service data and the non-broadcast service data to the sub-frame for carrying the broadcast service data. Correspondingly, a device for multiplexing a broadcast service channel and a non-broadcast service channel is disclosed. Hence, the system signaling overhead occupied during a TDM process between broadcast service and Unicast service is reduced, and the transmission delay of Unicast service is reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate scheduling transmission, upon an uplink traffic channel in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) environments. Uplink scheduling may include user selection and rate selection. Further, user selection may be based on a token mechanism that provides control over fairness of allocation to disparate users. Moreover, rate selection may be based upon considerations of uplink interference mitigation.

Abstract: Scheduling communication between a first node and one or more neighbor nodes includes, at each of the first node and the one or more neighbor nodes determining a neighborhood of the one or more neighbor nodes; classifying each of the first node and one or more of the neighbor nodes as one of a transmitting node or a receiving node for a time slot; and determining one or more links, wherein each link is defined by a pair of nodes and an associated bearer frequency, and wherein at least two of the links have different associated bearer frequencies; and scheduling one or more links for the time slot.

Abstract: A method of acquiring transmit and receive slots in a peer-to-peer network comprising acquiring data about a plurality of nodes in the network, the data including a code corresponding to send slots and receive slots for the plurality of nodes; finding an available code based upon the data about the plurality of nodes in the network; and setting send slots and receive slots based upon the available code. A method for setting a code for a node in a peer-to-peer network, the nodes indicative of send and receive time slots for the node, comprising determining a code length; assigning the node a first string of bits half the code length to create a first half of the code; and assigning the node a second string of bits that is the inverse of the first string of bits to create the second half of the code. In one embodiment, the methods described herein allow for a TDMA network utilizing a single frequency band.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a method of simplifying filtering with respect to a band plan. The method includes selecting a reflection point relative to the band plan and designating subchannels as unusable within a filterable separation of the reflection point that would otherwise introduce an asymmetry within the filterable separation. The present invention also provides a filtering simplifier for use with a DSL system having a band plan. The filtering simplifier includes a reflection point selector configured to select a reflection point relative to the band plan. The filtering simplifier also includes a subchannel designator coupled to the reflection point selector and configured to designate subchannels as unusable within a filterable separation of the reflection point that would otherwise introduce an asymmetry within the filterable separation.

Abstract: An access control method for a medium, a media access controller and a wireless communication system incorporating the method or the controller. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) allowing first and second devices to employ a control channel defined in the medium to identify mutually available ones of a plurality of time and frequency dependent data communication elements defined in the medium and (2) thereafter granting the first and second devices access to the mutually available ones to enable data communication therebetween.

Abstract: A method for assigning sending permissions in a telecommunications system and a telecommunications system comprising a unit (20) providing access to said system for at least one telecommunication terminal (40) and a control unit (11) for scheduling data transfer between said at least one telecommunication terminal and the telecommunications system, whereby the control unit (11) is located apart from the access providing unit (20) and whereby said data transfer takes place on at least one transmission channel and more than one telecommunication terminal is arranged to use the same transmission channel so that a telecommunication terminal is allowed to send on the transmission channel when a sending permission is assigned to said telecommunication terminal, whereby the access providing unit (20) is arranged to assign a sending permission to the telecommunication terminal.

Abstract: A method for scheduling messages transmitted on a forward common channel of a CDMA system. The method includes determining the ratio between the slotted and unslotted messages transmitted over the forward common channel over a period of time. For each time slot S(i) of the forward common channel, s % time is allocated from the duration of the time slot to slotted messages and u % time is allocated from the duration of the time slot to unslotted messages. The s % time and u % time are determined based on the ratio between the slotted and unslotted messages transmitted over the forward common channel over a period of time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for schedule transmissions between a base station and multiple user stations includes dividing a transmit time interval (TTI), in some embodiments referred to as a “frame,” into a plurality of portions or subchannel sets. The scheduler may optimize the assignment of users to spectrum within each subchannel set, per-user power and/or beamforming coefficients for each subchannel set only once over a limited number of contiguous TTIs. A next subchannel set may then be optimized at the next TTI. However, optimization of the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each subchannel set may be performed more often, for example, every TTI. Additional embodiments and variations are also disclosed.

Abstract: An OFDM transmitting and receiving apparatus where the receiving unit receives an OFDM signal. A computing unit in the receiving unit computes a value of a channel response characteristic of each transmission channel corresponding to subcarriers contained in the received OFDM signal, and obtains a computed value. A comparing unit compares the computed value with a predetermined threshold value, and computes a ratio of the number of the subcarriers including the value of the channel response characteristic higher than the predetermined threshold value, to the number of all the subcarriers, and obtaining a computed ratio. A setting unit sets a transmission condition based on at least the computed ratio. A transmitting unit transmits an OFDM signal based on the transmission condition set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide PCI Express support on a programmable device. A device includes a hard-coded transceiver that supports functionality associated with the PCI Express physical layer and link layer. The hard-coded transceiver can also support part of the PCI Express transaction layer. Soft-coded logic is used to support higher layer functionality including a portion of the transaction layer to allow custom configuration of PCI Express features such as virtual channels, buffers, prioritization, and quality of service characteristics. The hybrid solution reduces logic resource cost and provides an effective custom configurable solution.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assigning timeslot numbers to timeslots used for transmission and reception of signals between nodes in a network (1) of nodes (A–H). Each node (A–H) is able to communicate with at least one other node (A–H) by a transmission link (2) between said each node (A–H) and said at least one other node (A–H). At least some of the nodes (A–H) have a respective transmission link (2) to each of plural other nodes (A–H). Each transmission of a signal over a link (2) from a first node (A–H) to a second node (A–H) takes place during a timeslot. The method includes the steps of assigning timeslot numbers to each timeslot in sequence in ascending order of the number of available choices of timeslot number at each timeslot.

Abstract: An outlet for coupling a data unit and an analog telephone set to in-wall wiring that simultaneously carries a bi-directional serial digital data signal multiplexed with a telephone signal. The outlet includes: a wiring connector operative for connecting the outlet to the in-wall wiring; a data interface connector coupled to the wiring connector and connectable to the data unit, for coupling the serial digital data signal to the data unit; a telephone connector coupled to the wiring connector and connectable to the analog telephone set, for coupling the telephone signal to the telephone set; and a single enclosure housing the wiring connector, the data interface connector and the telephone connector, wherein the enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

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 are provided for choosing mobile stations that have low cross correlations between their array response vectors, thereby minimizing inter-cell interference through uneven average reverse link data rates experienced by the mobile stations and minimizing intra-cell interference without explicit implementation of an interference cancellation algorithm, thereby maximizing the reverse link data throughput of a wireless communication system. Selected mobile stations of one or more are transmitted simultaneously to a base station.

Abstract: The present invention provides such a need by utilizing a frequency offset differential pulse position modulation scheme to transmit data between computing devices within a wireless network system. The differential pulse position modulation component of the scheme enables the present invention to provide relative immunity to interference for the system. In particular, such immunity from interference is achieved by utilizing a blanking time between pulse positions, which is large enough to allow the interference between frequency offset-differential pulse position modulation pulses to subside. The frequency offset component of the scheme enables the system to utilize multiple frequency channels to enable the system to achieve higher data rates. In particular, by utilizing a time offset between the frequency channels, the blanking time can be reduced, thereby increasing the amount of data that can be transmitted with a set period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communication using a plurality of time slots within a frequency spectrum is described. A fast frequency hopping traffic channel having a set of the plurality of time slots and a first set of hop carrier frequencies is established between a first and a second communication unit. A slow frequency hopping traffic channel having a second set of hop carrier frequencies is established between a third and fourth communication unit.

Abstract: The transmitter comprises a data/modulation control section (4) which sets predetermined parameters necessary for demodulation processing, sub-carrier group modulation processing sections (6a to 8c) which perform frequency spreading for each sub-carrier signal in the sub-carrier group, and time spreading sections (10a to 10c) which multiplex all signals after the modulation processing and the frequency spreading for each sub-carrier signal, and perform time spreading with respect to the multiplexed signals. The receiver comprises time despreading sections (35a to 35c) which perform time despreading for each sub-carrier signal, and sub-carrier group demodulation processing sections (36a to 38c) which perform frequency despreading for each sub-carrier signal after the time despreading.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of transmitting a modulated data over a digital voice network that includes voice compression. The method and apparatus determine whether a voice signal to be transmitted over the network includes a modulated data signal and then encodes or demodulates the modulated data signal and bypasses voice compression when a modulated data signal is detected. The method and apparatus may detect a modulated data signal by detecting the presence of an answer tone and then searching for a plurality of phase reversals having a particular time distance from each other in the voice signal. Once the encoded or demodulated signal is transmitted over the digital voice network, the method and apparatus of the present invention may detect whether the received signal is an encoded data signal or a demodulated data signal. Then the coded data signal may be decoded back into a modulated data signal. Likewise, the demodulated data signal may be modulated back into a modulated data signal.

Abstract: A digital data signal to be transmitted is split into a number of subsidiary data signals by a data signal splitting device and is output by a timeslot data output device in a particular timeslot of a TDMA frame made up of a plurality of timeslots. A channeling device is used to impress a CDMA code onto each subsidiary data signal which is output in the particular timeslot. A device for processing a digital data signal in a CDMA mobile radio transmitter is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for multi-cell interference reduction in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The present disclosure describes a new method and system for accurately detecting the characteristics of the interfering signals from relevant sources such as neighboring co-channel cells and other persistent interference sources. In order to better estimate the interfering signals, a base station designates a small inactive window in the transmit frame for a cell during which the communications between the base station and its terminals are reduced while every other communication pursues. As such, the interfering signals can be well exposed and the characteristics can be accurately detected. Based on the detected characteristics of the interfering signals, the base station can specifically design beam forming mechanism or other means to cancel or minimize the impact of such interference during regular communications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various mechanisms for the adaptive cancellation of radio frequency interference (RFI) in Discrete Multitone (DMT)-based signal transmissions systems. various mechanisms for the adaptive cancellation of radio frequency interference (RFI) in Discrete Multitone (DMT) modulated signal transmissions systems. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, RFI introduced by one or more RFI disturbers (e.g., ham radios) into a DMT modulated signal may be detected by calculating an RFI canceller coefficient for some or all of the DMT bins of the signal, where the RFI canceller coefficient represents the correlation between the noise at the corrupted bin and the reference RFI noise. The RFI canceller coefficients for the corrupted bins may be calculated using an LMS adaptation process. Those bins where the magnitude of the corresponding RFI canceller coefficient is greater than a certain threshold may be marked as corrupted by RFI.

Abstract: Methods and systems for streaming data in a network. Whether the network is experiencing high packet loss may be determined by a rate control module. If high packet loss is experienced, data is encoded into multiple streams by a coder using temporal domain partitioning. If high packet loss is not experienced, then data may is encoded by using frequency domain partitioning. Unequal error protection is applied to each of the streams so more important bit planes in a bit of a stream are provided with more error protection than less important bit planes. The streams are transmitted along, respectively, independent paths to a decoder. The streams are decoded, and errors in the decoded streams are corrected by using information from one or more of the other decoded streams. The decoded corrected streams are reconstructed into the data.

Abstract: A system and method to provide continuity of service in a radio broadcasting system, wherein the radio broadcasting system includes at least one modem using the COFDM technique, and transmits N time-frequency cells modulated independently of one another. A number N1 of cells conveying digital audio signal S1 and a number N2 of cells conveying analog audio signal S2 are transmitted to a receiver. When the receiver cannot decode the signal in the N1 cells, the receiver replaces the digitized audio signal S1 with the analog signal S2.

Abstract: A method for call admission control in a fast dynamic channel allocation wireless communication system begins by requesting that a call be admitted. System measurement results are obtained and timeslot sequences are generated by determining a figure of merit for each timeslot. A code set is determined and an attempt is made to assign a code set to a timeslot sequence, wherein each successful assignment is considered to be a solution. The solution having the lowest weighted total interference signal code power is selected, and codes are allocated for the selected solution. The physical resource allocation information is recorded and a response to the call admission request is issued.

Abstract: Conventional satellite communication systems operated under DAMA system have such disadvantages that assignment of communication lines becomes time-consuming in case of transmitting small quantity of data many times and that data transmission is impossible in case of no available communication line, because the line assignment is performed by DAMA system for each individual demand for line assignment regardless of data quantity to be transmitted. The invention provides a satellite communication system in which the time required for assigning and securing a communication line can be shortened and communication lines can be utilized more efficiently, because of using single or plural common signal channel lines instead of using ordinary communication lines in case that data quantity is below a certain level.

Abstract: System and method for providing a multi-frequency upstream transmission channel to a network device. When a headend network entity generates an upstream channel descriptor message, the descriptor message includes at least two upstream frequencies available for upstream transmission, and a frequency hopping descriptor with a frequency-hopping pattern associated with the available frequencies for determining an upstream frequency for upstream transmission. The headend provides a timing reference for determining upstream transmission periods on the frequencies available on the network device. When the headend receives upstream transmission on one of the available upstream frequencies, the headend network entity determines frequency distortions. If the distortions exceed a threshold level, the headend may send a new upstream channel descriptor message that excludes the upstream frequency associated with the high frequency distortions, add a new upstream frequency, or defines a new frequency-hopping pattern.

Abstract: A MIMO OFDM system includes a plurality of space-time encoders for encoding respective data blocks with independent space-time codes. The transformed data block signals are transmitted by a plurality of transmit antennas and received by a plurality of receive antennas. The received data is pre-whitened prior to maximum likelihood detection. In one embodiment, successive interference cancellation can be used to improve system performance. Channel parameter estimation can be enhanced by weighting the channel impulse response estimates based upon a deviation from average.

Abstract: When wireless communications systems are operating in the same general area, collisions between their transmissions are bound to occur. The collisions reduce the performance in the networks. In some wireless communications systems that use a fixed or prespecified transmission frequency pattern, a look-ahead technique that investigates the quality of the communications channel at the upcoming transmission frequencies can be used to allow or disallow transmissions. Additionally, a maximum length of a transmission can be determined based on the quality of the transmission frequency. Finally, if the communications system is controlled by a centralized controller, moving the controller away from sources of interference will often improve performance.

Abstract: This invention specifies how control information is inserted in the flow of data units on a channel between two common time reference (CTR) driven switches in order to delineate time frames, sub-time frames, and time cycles. The delineation enables the receiver to unambiguously associate the received data units with time frame, sub-time frame, and time cycles. The invention further introduces a method for counting data units in order to, among other things, detect the end of a time frame, the end of a time cycle, and the position and value of other control information.

Abstract: An information processing system contains a sender, a receiver and a communication channel coupled between the sender and the receiver. The communication channel transmits a first and second binary logic signal. The sender encodes data values and information distinguishing successive clock phases into a combination of the first and second signal. The receiver receives the data values and the information. The sender uses alternately a first and a second data dependent criterion to select which one of the first and second signal has a logic level change between immediately successive clock phases. As a result so that the first and second signal are alternately mutually opposite and mutually equal. The first criterion selects the level of the first signal dependent on the data value. The second criterion provides for a level change of either the first or the second signal depending on the data value.

Abstract: An interface device for interfacing between a networkable device such as a printer and a network, includes a hub and a circuit board, with the hub constructed with plural ports to repeat network transmissions received on one port to all other ports. An isolation switch is provided for controllably isolating the port to which the network is connected so that network transmissions are not repeated by the hub. The isolation switch is operated under control of the circuit board, which implements network functionality for the networkable device. For example, where the networkable device is a printer, the extended network functionality provided by the circuit board may relate to secure printing. The isolation switch can be operated so as to isolate the network from the printer, to permit the circuit board to transmit decrypted print jobs in clear text to the printer without danger of interception over the network.

Abstract: A downlink frame (401) is divided in to similar sized resource blocks (403, 405, 407) with each co-channel sector scheduled to transmit from the beginning of its respective assigned resource block. Transmissions to remote units within the particular sector will occur only within the particular resource block, up to a point where all N resource units have been utilized. Beyond that point, additional transmissions are scheduled to be transmitted at the end of the resource blocks assigned to the other sectors.

Abstract: A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC's interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC's is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC's to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reserving bandwidth in a network includes a series of elements. A demand matrix is calculated, for bandwidth requirements based upon communication needs among a plurality of nodes on the network. An integer number of time slots is provided, aligned around the network. Bandwidth is reserved for node-to-node communication based upon the demand matrix. The reserving of bandwidth reserves bandwidth between two nodes based upon time-slot alignment. Transmission is scheduled between the two nodes by reservation of wavelengths and time slots.

Abstract: An adaptive communication system utilises opportunistic peak-mode transmissions to transmit data between originating and destination stations, via one or more intermediate stations. Each station monitors the activity of other stations in the network, storing connectivity information for use in subsequent transmissions. Each station also sends out probe signals from time to time, to establish which other stations are in range. Messages are then sent across the network from station to station, with confirmation data being transmitted back to the originating station, until the destination station is reached. Old messages, which would otherwise clog the network, are timed out and deleted. A communication network and transceiver apparatus for use in the network are also disclosed.

Abstract: A network (4) includes optical routers (19), which route information in fibers (10). Each fiber carries a plurality of data channels (16), carrying data in data bursts (28) and a control channel, carrying control information in burst header packets (32). A burst header packet includes routing information for an associated data burst (28) and precedes its associated data burst. Information on the data channels and control channel is organized in synchronized slots. Multiple burst header packets occupy portions of a slot, referred to as micro-slots. When the burst header packets are received, an egress processor (52) schedules the routing of their associated bursts. The egress processor (52) determines a time at which a data burst can be scheduled for passing through an optical matrix (40) to the desired output channel group (the burst can be delayed via fiber delay lines (46) if necessary).

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.

Abstract: Asymmetric frequency allocation for packet channels in a wireless network. Asymmetric radio spectrum allocation along with multiple duplex carrier types within a spectrum allocated in uplink and downlink blocks of frequencies provides greater capacity for downlink traffic. Each uplink block of frequencies has multiple associated downlink blocks of frequencies. When the invention is employed for packet channel operations in a TDMA-based network, the base station system can assign timeslots to the mobile station on an asymmetric carrier. The base station system also assigns a flag value to the mobile station for use in packet channel operations. In the case of GSM, the flag is an uplink state flag.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention describes an electronic circuit for transmitting voice packet data over a wireless network with an upstream transmission mode and a downstream transmission mode. The circuit comprises a first phase-lock loop (PLL) for locking a first clock to a time stamp signal, wherein the first clock synchronizes upstream data transmission over the wireless network; and a second PLL for locking a second clock to the time stamp signal, wherein the second clock is used for sampling voice data for downstream voice data transmission over the wireless network.

Abstract: An improved transmitter apparatus, a receiver apparatus and a base station implemented with the transmitter and receiver apparatuses are described. These apparatuses and the base station serves to establish communication by making use of an orthogonal frequency division demultiplexing demodulation and an inverse spectrum spreading demodulation in combination. The communication coverage thereof can be expaned by making use of an orthogonal frequency division demultiplexing demodulation and an inverse spectrum spreading demodulation in combination.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a guard interval length (type) of a transmission symbol among the structure of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system receiver, to ensure proper operation of a symbol start detector and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) window position controller, is provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a mobile station in a Compact packet transfer mode with discontinuously transmitting neighbor cell control channel carriers, as is a mobile station that operates in accordance with the method. The method features, when operating in a Traffic mode, and during Traffic frames, determining if the transmitter is off and, if it is, tuning a frequency source during the unused transmit timeslot for receiving a channel from a neighbor cell to make a measurement, or if the neighbor cell is on the same frequency as the serving cell frequency, making the neighbor cell measurement without retuning the frequency source. The method further features, during Traffic mode Idle frames, making at least four neighbor cell measurements per 52-multiframe. The neighbor cell control channels include a Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) and a Compact Packet Broadcast Control Channel (CPBCCH).

Abstract: In a cable modem system, signals are transmitted upstream from a cable modem (CM) to a cable modem termination unit (CMTS) when the subscriber desires to communicate with the headend. The invention described herein is directed to a method and apparatus for increasing the communication channel between the CM and the CMTS. This is accomplished by providing a method and apparatus for increasing physical layer flexibility in cable modem systems. In this manner, the CMTS is capable of assigning burst profiles and granting mini-slots to the CMs according to the CMs' burst profile and robustness level.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (104) listens to a first channel (202) comprising a plurality of micro-slots and a plurality of data units. The subscriber unit decodes at least a portion of a data unit on the first channel comprising a micro-slot value. The subscriber unit learns the synchronization between the first channel and a second channel (206/300) based on the micro-slot value. A first base radio (1061) transmits a first plurality of data units on the first channel. A second base radio (1063) transmits a second plurality of data units on the second channel. The first plurality of micro-slots on the first channel are synchronized with the second plurality of micro-slots or plurality of frame boundaries on the second channel. The first base radio transmits a message (406) on the first channel in at least one of the plurality of data units, wherein the message comprises at least a micro-slot value used to associate the synchronization between the first channel and the second channel.