Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for communication between a UE and a Node B in a communication system. The UE receives a control signal including one bit of frequency hopping information, a resource allocation type, a resource allocation, and a cyclic shift for a reference signal from the Node B. It is determined that the frequency hopping information is used as a part of resource allocation information, if the resource allocation type indicates that two sets of resource blocks are allocated. The UE transmits data based on the frequency hopping information, the resource allocation type, and the resource allocation included in the control signal. Each of the resource blocks comprises one or more resource block groups, and a size of each resource block group is determined based on an uplink bandwidth.

Abstract: An approach for selecting sets of communications channels involves determining the performance of communications channels. A set of channels is selected based on the results of performance testing and specified criteria. The participant generates data that identifies the selected set of channels and provides that data to other participants of the communications network. The participants communicate over the set of channels, such as by using a frequency hopping protocol. When a specified time expires or monitoring of the performance of the channel set identifies poor performance of the set of channels, the participant selects another set of channels for use in communications based on additional performance testing. By selecting channels based on the initial performance testing and performance monitoring, the communications network adaptively avoids channels with poor performance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for determining weights for selecting requests from a plurality of tenant queues in a multi-tenant system receiving measured response time and measured throughput for each tenant in a set of tenants being considered in a current period, for each tenant in the set of tenants, determining a weight based on respective measured response times and respective measured throughput, the weight being determined based on one of a previous weight, an initialized weight, a modified proportional and integral (PI) control, and a volunteer weight increase, providing a set of weights that includes weight for each tenant in the set of tenants, and transmitting the set of weights to an access mechanism, the access mechanism selecting tenant requests for processing by a shared resource.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for transmitting data in a wireless communication system. The method comprises the steps of: setting up a frame including both a control domain for transmitting scheduling information to a first terminal and a data domain for transmitting first data to the first terminal; and transmitting, to a second terminal, second data in the control domain. The frame comprises a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a time domain. The control domain consists of a first number N (where N is any natural number equal to or less than 4) of OFDM symbols in the frame. The data domain consists of OFDM symbols other than a number N of OFDM symbols in the frame. The second data has a predetermined bit size.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for wireless communication in a wireless communication network include determining a transmit data packet size at a transmitting device and computing an early termination scheme associated with a receiving device. Aspects of the methods and apparatus include increasing a transmission length of a Cycle Redundancy Check (CRC) field associated with the transmit data packet before transmission of the transmit data packet, wherein the transmitted length of the CRC field is based on the early decoding scheme. Aspects also include transmitting the transmit data packet with the increased transmission length of the CRC field to the receiving device.

Abstract: A systems and method of channel estimation can be used in wireless environments. The systems and method can: (a) determine, by a transmitter, a number of receivers with which to communicate wirelessly, the number of receivers being at least one and corresponding to at least a first receiver; and (b) generate, by the transmitter, a frame to transmit to the first receiver, the frame generated based on a total number of receivers that is higher than the determined number of receivers.

Abstract: A reference signal multiplexing method for multiple mobile stations includes: grouping together control signals for the multiple mobile stations; and multiplexing reference signals corresponding to the control signals by CDM over the same bandwidth as that of grouped control signals.

Abstract: A method that is implemented by a base station to decode a high speed dedicated physical control channel (HS-DPCCH) using a preamble and postamble of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) message while maintaining a fixed false alarm probability of interpreting a discontinuous transmission (DTX) as a HARQ acknowledgement (ACK) or HARQ negative acknowledgement (NACK). The method includes a set of steps, including receiving a signal from a user equipment (UE). The signal is despread using a G-RAKE demodulator. The despread signal is combined to produce a combined symbol estimate vector x including a preamble and postamble of the HARQ message. The combined symbol estimate vector x is checked to determine whether the signal includes a DTX, HARQ ACK or HARQ NACK, and then the DTX, HARQ ACK or HARQ NACK is output.

Abstract: A method is provided for serial data transmission in a bus system having at least two bus subscribers, which exchange messages via the bus, the send access to the bus for each message being assigned to a bus subscriber by the arbitration method according to CAN Standard ISO 11898-1; it being decided as a function of a suitable identification (EDL) which result from one of the CRC calculations started in parallel is used for checking the correct data transmission; for at least one value of the identification an additional condition being checked, and in response to its presence, fixed stuff bit sequences from one or more bits are inserted into the message by the sender, at least into parts of the message.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for frequency-domain symbol and frame synchronization for multi-carrier communication systems. Received signals are sampled and converted into frequency components associated with subcarriers within the multi-carrier communication signals. Symbol synchronization is performed in the frequency domain by performing correlation(s) between frequency components of the received signal and frequency-domain synchronization symbol(s). After symbol synchronization, frame synchronization correlation is also performed in the frequency domain between frequency components of the received signal and frequency-domain synchronization symbol(s). The disclosed embodiments are particularly useful for symbol and frame synchronization in multi-carrier received signals for power line communication (PLC) systems and/or other harsh noisy communication environments.

Abstract: One out of sixteen preamble signatures is selected. A code is produced based on the selected preamble signature. The produced code is phase rotated to produce a processed preamble signature signal. The processed preamble signature signal is used in processing the CDMA RACH signal and the CDMA RACH signal is used to access a CDMA system.

Abstract: A first wireless device includes a coding module that encodes packets and adds dummy data to a second packet. A first receiver (i) in response to transmission of a first packet, receives a first acknowledgement (ACK) signal, and (ii) in response to transmission of the second packet, receives a second ACK signal. Reception of the first ACK signal is delayed a first delay period from an end of the transmission of the first packet. Reception of the second ACK signal is delayed a second delay period from an end of the transmission of the dummy data. The coding module, prior to the transmission of the second packet and based on time to process the first and second packets at a second wireless device, determines the amount of dummy data to add to the second packet such that the first delay period is a same length as the second delay period.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided to realize an input waveform using wavelet processing and reconstruction via separated antenna array systems having different beam paths and different frequency components which can include phased array transmitters to recreate the input waveform in medical applications. One aspect of the invention can include a wavelet function used for the examples shown herein which includes a first and second moments of a statistical function, i.e. the mean and variance used with an inverse wavelet to create rectangular pulses that lend themselves to use in the invention herein. Other embodiments of the invention can use other input waveform separation functions paired with signal separation and recombination at a focus point. A selected function can be matched to its application associated with avoidance of sending the input waveform along a single beam path, a desired a focus point, and separation of an input signal.

Abstract: Encoder and decoder circuits that encode and decode a series of data words to/from a series of code words. The data words include L symbols. The code words include M symbols, where M is larger than L. A set of tightly coupled M links to convey respective symbols in each of the series of code words. The code words are selected such that between every two consecutive code words in a series of code words, an equal number of transitions from low to high and high to low occur on a subset of the M-links.

Abstract: Methods and wireless communication devices for access procedure enhancement are provided. The wireless communication device for access procedure enhancement includes a transceiver module and a communication protocol module. The transceiver module performs wireless transmissions and receptions. The communication protocol module receives a page message from a base station via the transceiver module, transmits at least one access probe via the transceiver module, and terminates the transmission of the rest of an access probe payload of the at least one access probe according to a termination criterion. Moreover, the access probe is transmitted using a transmission power which is lower than a first threshold, and the access probe is transmitted at a data rate lower than a second threshold.

Abstract: A method of exchanging data in a communications network is provided. A control channel channelization code is assigned for transmitting user specific data channel allocation information to a particular mobile station (MS). The data channel allocation information indicates which part of the transmission time interval (TTI) available for data can be used by that particular MS. The control channel channelization code is shared in a TDMA fashion between the MSs during the TTI in a proportion equal to that in which the data channel channelization code is shared between the MSs such that each MS is allocated a share of the control channel channelization code in that part of the TTI. The control channel channelization code is then transmitted in a part of the TTI corresponding to that in which the data channel channelization code is transmitted for a particular MS.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of a microphone by using sounds played from loudspeakers at known locations. Systems and methods may thereby require a minimal level of infrastructure, using sounds that would naturally be played in the environment. Systems and methods may thereby allow devices such as smart-phones, tablets, laptops or portable microphones to determine their location in indoor settings, where Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems may not work reliably.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a polynomial register having a plurality of bits, a first bus, a second bus, and a transceiver that is coupled to the first bus, the second bus, and the polynomial register. The polynomial register is configured to store a user-defined polynomial, and the transceiver includes a pseudorandom bit sequence (PRBS) generator is configured to generate a scrambled signal from the user-defined polynomial and a PRBS checker that is configured to generate a descrambled signal from a second signal using the user-defined polynomial.

Abstract: Configuring a node (410) of a synchronization network involves identifying (10) possible alternative time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and possible alternative frequency trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node. Using information about the sources (20), a comparison of the trails (30) is biased to increase a likelihood of choosing time synchronization and frequency trails which share the same source, over a likelihood of choosing trails with different sources. This can help avoid divergence and consequent bit errors arising from phase errors, resulting from trails having different sources. It can encompass for example changing both to a new common source, or changing one or both trails while still using the old common source.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless device includes selecting a CID with a first node and receiving a signal including an LID on a resource. At least one of the signal or the resource is based on the selected CID. The method further includes determining a presence of a second node using the selected CID based on the LID in the received signal. Another method of operating a wireless device includes selecting a CID with a first node and sending a signal including an LID on a resource. At least one of the signal or the resource is based on the selected CID.

Abstract: A channel receiver operable to implement fractional dedicated physical channel (F-DPCH) for high-speed data packet access is provided. A received RF signal is processed to produce a set of soft symbol outputs. The receiver detects whether transmit power control (TPC) command bits are present in the set of soft symbol outputs. The TPC command bits are conveyed with the RF signal over non-dedicated pilot bits in the processed baseband signal. When TPC command bits are detected, the set of soft symbol outputs are processed to produce estimated TPC command bits. A TPC quality estimate is generated based on the estimated TPC command bits. A signal-to-interference ratio for the WCDMA dedicated physical channel is adjusted based upon a comparison of the TPC quality estimate with a TPC quality target to effect F-DPCH power control.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a transmit diversity method for use in a wireless terminal having a plurality of antennas and a wireless terminal configured to implement the method. The transmit diversity method includes using a different orthogonal sequence for each antenna, or group of antennas, for transmitting an uplink control channel from a wireless terminal to a base station. A first step of the method involves assigning at least one orthogonal sequence to one or more of the plurality of antennas, each of the plurality of antennas being assigned at least one orthogonal sequence. Once the orthogonal sequence is assigned, a further step involves scrambling a signal to be transmitted on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) using the at least one orthogonal sequence for each antenna thereby producing a scrambled PUCCH for transmission by each antenna. The scrambled PUCCH can then be transmitted on the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: A downlink orthogonal variable spreading factor (OVSF) code assignment method is provided. It is determined whether a spreading factor required by a service request is greater than a remaining capacity of assignable spreading factors of a code tree. If not, the code tree is searched from a root until a node of a layer corresponding to the required spreading factor is reached and thus defined as a first node. During the searching, when a searched node is unassigned, the searching continues leftward in a lower layer; and when the searched node is in an assigned state, the searching continues rightward in a same layer of the searched node. It is determined, from the first node, whether any assignable code is available in the layer corresponding to the required spreading factor. If available, an assignable code is assigned to a communication service corresponding to the service request.

Abstract: A method and user equipment for selecting a transport format combination (TFC) is disclosed. Configuration of a plurality of TFCs to use for TFC selection is received, wherein the TFCs of the plurality of TFCs have an order. TFCs to block from TFC selection from the plurality of TFCs is determined, wherein the TFCs to block are based at least on a maximum allowed transmit power. A TFC for transmission of uplink data is selected, wherein the selected TFC is based on the TFC order and wherein the selected TFC is a TFC that is not blocked from TFC selection.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for scanning wireless signals in a wide frequency band, measuring power levels in narrow frequency bands from the wireless signals, determining a threshold according to an average wideband power level or at least a portion of the power levels in the narrow frequency bands, detecting from the wireless signals a narrow band interferer based on the threshold, and initiating a strategy for responding to interference in the wide frequency band caused by the detected narrow band interferer. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for using a wireless digital base station to receive, process and transmit a plurality of communications having independent data rates establishing a first communication channel having a first data communication rate to support a first communication; determining the data rate required to support the first communication; selecting one or more transmission channels, from a plurality of available transmission channels, required to support said required data rate; and transmitting the first communication using one or more selected transmission channels. The plurality of available transmission channels includes at least one B or D channel.

Abstract: A reference signal multiplexing method for multiple mobile stations includes: grouping together control signals for the multiple mobile stations; and multiplexing reference signals corresponding to the control signals by CDM over the same bandwidth as that of grouped control signals.

Abstract: A method of transmitting secret information in a transmitting end and a method of receiving secret information at a receiving end, based on multi-input multi-output (MIMO) multiplexing using antennas, are provided. The method of transmitting includes selecting one or more indices of the secret information that correspond to at least one receiving antenna among receiving antennas, and mapping the one or more indices to an information vector. The method of transmitting further includes precoding the information vector based on channel information between transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas, and beamforming the precoded information vector, using the transmitting antennas.

Abstract: A method for configuring gain factors in a WCDMA telecommunication system is provided in which the gain factor for defining power required for normal reception of uplink data in an environment supporting an uplink service over an E-DCH can be configured using minimal signaling information. First gain factors for first TFs corresponding to a part of a TF set including a plurality of TFs available for an uplink service are received. One of the first TFs is determined as a reference TF for a second TF other than the first TFs in the TF set. Then, a second gain factor for the second TF is calculated using the first gain factor for the determined reference TF. The second gain factor is used for transmitting or receiving uplink data.

Abstract: A first network device detects at least a first orthogonal code included in a preamble of a network packet received at the first network device from a second network device in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication network. The first network device determines whether the first orthogonal code included in the preamble is associated with an assigned orthogonal code for the first network device. The assigned orthogonal code for the first network device is orthogonal to other assigned orthogonal codes for other network devices in the OFDM communication network. An operational mode of the first network device is changed from a sleep mode to an awake mode in response to determining the first orthogonal code is associated with the assigned orthogonal code for the first network device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for providing compatible mapping for backhaul control channels, frequency first mapping of control channel elements (CCEs) to avoid relay-physical control format indicator channel (R-PCFICH) and a tree based relay resource allocation to minimize the resource allocation map bits. Methods and apparatus (e.g., relay node (RN)/evolved Node-B (eNB)) for mapping of the Un downlink (DL) control signals, Un DL positive acknowledgement (ACK)/negative acknowledgement (NACK) and/or relay-physical downlink control channel (R-PDCCH) (or similar) in the eNB to RN (Un interface) DL direction are described. This includes time/frequency mapping of above-mentioned control signals into resource blocks (RBs) of multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) single frequency network (MBSFN)-reserved sub-frames in the RN cell and encoding procedures for these.

Abstract: A channel sounding method in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system is provided. The method, performed by a transmitter, includes transmitting a null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame to a receiver to initiate a channel sounding procedure; transmitting a null data packet (NDP) to the receiver and receiving a feedback frame. The feedback frame includes a plurality of segment frames and a channel feedback report. The channel feedback report is split into a plurality of feedback segments. Each of the plurality of feedback segments is respectively included in each of the plurality of segment frames. The each of the plurality of segment frames includes a first-segment subfield indicating whether the each of the plurality of feedback segment included is a first segment and a remaining-segment subfield indicating the number of remaining feedback segments.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) design which is suitable for providing a high output power high-speed DAC, e.g., in radio frequency applications. The DAC design utilizes a parallel DAC structure, e.g., having 8 parallel DACs and an aggregate current output, to provide a high and programmable current output (in some implementations, up to 512 mA or more). The parallel DAC structure alleviates the design problems which exist in trying to output a high amount of current using a single DAC. The DAC design further utilizes a hybrid structure which integrates the signal chain for a more reliable system. In some embodiments, the hybrid structure uses a CMOS process for the current sources and switches and a GaAs cascode stage for combining the outputs to optimally leverage the advantages of both technologies. The result is a highly efficient DAC (with peak output power programmable up to 29 dBm or more).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the number of pilot symbols within a MIMO-OFDM communication system, and for improving channel estimation within such a system. For each transmitting antenna in an OFDM transmitter, pilot symbols are encoded so as to be unique to the transmitting antenna. The encoded pilot symbols are then inserted into an OFDM frame to form a diamond lattice, the diamond lattices for the different transmitting antennae using the same frequencies but being offset from each other by a single symbol in the time domain. At the OFDM receiver, a channel response is estimated for a symbol central to each diamond of the diamond lattice using a two-dimensional interpolation. The estimated channel responses are smoothed in the frequency domain. The channel responses of remaining symbols are then estimated by interpolation in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A method of transmitting an RF signal over a wireless communication network is provided. The method comprises determining a respective weighting factor for each of a plurality of digital signals each corresponding to a respective channel, the weighting factors weighting the digital signals to produce a composite signal intended for transmission as an RF signal via a power amplifier. The method further comprises executing instructions on a processor to dynamically calculate a metric related to the non-linearity of the power amplifier's transfer characteristics for the composite signal using the determined weighting factors. The method further comprises supplying to the power amplifier a signal for transmission as an RF signal and amplifying the signal for transmission at the power amplifier to transmit an RF signal over the wireless communication network via at least one antenna. The method further comprises controlling the transmission based on the metric related to the amplifier non-linearity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the number of pilot symbols within a MIMO-OFDM communication system, and for improving channel estimation within such a system. For each transmitting antenna in an OFDM transmitter, pilot symbols are encoded so as to be unique to the transmitting antenna. The encoded pilot symbols are then inserted into an OFDM frame to form a diamond lattice, the diamond lattices for the different transmitting antennae using the same frequencies but being offset from each other by a single symbol in the time domain. At the OFDM receiver, a channel response is estimated for a symbol central to each diamond of the diamond lattice using a two-dimensional interpolation. The estimated channel responses are smoothed in the frequency domain. The channel responses of remaining symbols are then estimated by interpolation in the frequency domain.

Abstract: Provided is a wireless communication device including a receiving unit that receives, from one or more than one first wireless communication devices, information indicating an order of each of the one or more than one first wireless communication devices in a queue for data communication with a second wireless communication device, an order management unit that manages an order of its own device in the queue based on the information received by the receiving unit from the one or more than one first wireless communication devices, and a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the order of its own device in the queue managed by the order management unit.

Abstract: One out of sixteen preamble signatures is selected. A code is produced based on the selected preamble signature. The produced code is phase rotated to produce a processed preamble signature signal. The processed preamble signature signal is used in processing the CDMA RACH signal and the CDMA RACH signal is used to access a CDMA system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a de-rate matching method and device for a downlink traffic channel in a Long Term Evolution (LTE). The method comprises: at a terminal side, dividing a received Transport Block (TB) of a downlink traffic channel, i.e., Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), into a plurality of different code blocks; for the first code block, de-rate matching of data is implemented by a segmented copy method; and for the other code blocks, de-rate matching is implemented by a table lookup method. By applying the method and device provided in the embodiments of the present invention, the execution speed of the de-rate matching can be improved, and the overall processing speed of the downlink traffic channel can be improved.

Abstract: A method of allocating resources in a communication system and a station for the communication system is disclosed. The communication system is such that a plurality of user equipment can communicate data on a dedicated channel. In the method a request for communication resources may be sent from a user equipment to the station on a first protocol layer. Priority information is obtained at the station from a data flow on a second protocol layer. Communication resources may then at least partially be allocated based on said priority information.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a mitigation strategy for reducing interference caused by at least one narrow band interferer detected in a wide frequency band according to an average wideband power level, an adaptive threshold, or both, creating a message according to the mitigation strategy to transmit to at least one communication device transmitting wireless signals that are associated with the at least one narrow band interferer, and transmitting the mitigation message to the at least one communication device to cause the at least one communication device to adjust operations of a wireless transmitter of the at least one communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for receiving a diversity transmitted signal using a Rake or G-Rake receiver in a radio system. Signals are diversity transmitted in a first and second symbol period by two or more antennas. One or more receive antennas receive the diverse transmit signals. Weights are generated to account for the correlation between the channels over which the diverse transmit signals are transmitted in the first and second symbol period and are used to weight the received signals. The weighted signals are then fed to a mutual receiver.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for communications include forming a data packet, selecting a plurality of transmission parameters for the data packet, generating information having one of a plurality of codes identifying the transmission parameters, and transmitting the data packet on a first channel and the information on a second channel. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A wireless device receives a control command for transmission of a random access preamble on a first cell in the plurality of cells. A fourth packet is scheduled for parallel uplink transmission with the random access preamble transmission. The fourth packet is one of a first control packet, a second packet and a third packet. The wireless device transmits the random access preamble. The wireless device transmits the fourth packet in parallel with the random access preamble, unless the random access preamble and the fourth packet are scheduled for transmission in the same cell group.

Abstract: A method for estimating a scrambling code used on an uplink of a WCDMA system. The scrambling code is obtained from a Gold code, sum of a first specific M-sequence of the user and of a second M-sequence known from the receiver. After sampling of the signal received at the chip frequency of the scrambling code, the successive samples are subject to a differential treatment and the sequence of differential values is multiplied by the second M-sequence. The observables thereby obtained are decoded with the aid of a belief propagation iterative decoding. The decoded values then serve to determine the content of the shift register of the generator of the first M-sequence. One then deduces therefrom the Gold code and an estimation of the scrambling code, ?.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for measuring power levels of signals provided by a receiver configured to scan radio frequency signals over a wide frequency band, calculating an average power level from at least a portion of the measured power levels, determining a threshold, detecting interference in the wide frequency band based on the threshold, the average power level, or both, and causing a null that substantially suppresses the interference received by the receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, a system and an apparatus for accessing a network are provided. The method includes: identifying, through the network interface, the type of a network module connected with a network interface, where each type of the network module corresponds to one type of 3G network; according to the type of the network module, establishing a connection between the network module and the 3G network corresponding to the network module; and accessing the corresponding 3G network through the network module. In the embodiments of the present invention, the 3G networks with different modes c an be accessed by identifying the types of different network modules, and therefore multi-mode upstream access can be satisfied, the application range of a router for accessing the 3G network is widened, and upstream access cost is reduced when different 3G networks with different modes need to be accessed.

Abstract: Radio access interworking technologies allow a target network to notify a source network that a mobile device has moved from source network to target network, wherein mobile device does not need to perform notification to source network. Further, source network can provide a first subset of overhead information to mobile device and, after moving to target network, mobile device can receive a second subset of overhead information from target network. Further, mobile device can perform prehashing prior to moving to target network based on a channel list received from source network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for content optimization of a physical layer preamble. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for encapsulating a payload for transmission through a network is disclosed. The method comprises the step of programming a legacy physical layer length value in a legacy physical layer preamble. The legacy physical layer preamble is configured such that it can be received by any legacy stations that may be on the network, and such that a separate physical layer length value can be derived from the legacy physical layer preamble. Using such a system, content optimization of a physical layer preamble is provided.

Abstract: A bandwidth allocation and monitoring method may divide available bandwidth on a shared communication medium into a plurality of discrete tones that can be individually allocated to modems on an as-needed basis. The effective modulation rate that a particular modem can use for each discrete tone can be monitored over time using a schedule of pilot tones transmitted from the modems on different tones at different times. The schedule may define representative pilot tones, in which case effective modulation rates for neighboring tones may be inferred from a determined effective modulation rate of a pilot tone.