Abstract: A method to realize synchronization of data (DAT) sent from a transmitter (TX) to the receiver (RX), with a signal (SIG) available in the receiver (RX). The method includes the following steps: in the receiver (RX) generating trigger signals (T) from the signal (SIG); sending the trigger signals (T) from the receiver (RX) to the transmitter (TX); and upon receipt of the trigger signals (T) by the transmitter (TX) sending the data (DAT) from the transmitter (TX) to the receiver (RX).

Abstract: A method for inverting telecommunication channel distortion by adaptive wavelet lifting. The distortion signal is analyzed using wavelet lifting and the inverse filter is computed. Coefficients of the inverse filter are used to either compute a transmission pre-filter or to update the transmitted message.

Abstract: A method minimizes a rate for feeding back channel state information from a receiver to a transmitter in a multi-input, multi-output communications systems. A temporal autocorrelation function of the channel between the transmitter and the receiver is determined. A spatial covariance information is estimated of the channel. Then, the minimum rate for feeding back channel state information from the receiver to the transmitter is based on actual channel state information and the estimated spatial covariance information and the temporal autocorrelation function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for time synchronization using dynamic thresholds. A method for synchronizing network elements includes receiving at a network element a time synchronization message sent from a master clock element. The network element includes an internal clock to be synchronized with a master clock of the master clock element. The method includes calculating a latency of the time synchronization message. The method includes estimating an adjustment that may be made to the internal clock in response to the time synchronization message. The method includes determining whether the latency calculated is less than the adjustment estimated. The method includes adjusting the internal clock when the latency calculated is less than the adjustment estimated.

Abstract: The telecommunications system described herein implements a multi-rank beamformer for use in wireless systems equipped with multiple transmit and multiple receive antennas. The multi-rank beamformer uses finite-rate feedback of channel conditions to achieves close to theoretical performance indicated by the water-filling algorithm, while avoiding the computational complexity associated with space time codes. In addition, the multi-rank beamforming system described herein improves on the performance of unit rank beamforming methods by maintaining the gains over space time codes over a broader range of transmission rates.

Abstract: A method and circuit capable of handling skew between a clock and data signal up to +/? one half bit on a random input data pattern. A digital algorithm cycles through each data bit and individually deskews that bit by detecting data transitions in a first sampling region and in a second sampling region and determining a difference between a number of transitions in the first sampling region and a number of transitions in the second sampling region. The sampling regions and a deskew timing signal may then be incremented or decremented based on a comparison of the computed difference to a predetermined constant. If no transitions occur on a particular bit, the algorithm times out leaving the deskew timing signal in the original position. When analysis of a final bit of a channel is completed, the algorithm begins monitoring and analyzing the first bit of another channel.

Abstract: In a first stage, each of level detection circuits compares a transmission signal and a first reference voltage Vr1 to detect a rising edge, and phase difference detection circuits detect phase differences between the level detection circuits. In a second stage, each of level detection circuits compares the potential of a signal reflected by a receiving end and a second reference voltage Vr2 to detect a rising edge, and phase difference detection circuits detect phase differences between the level detection circuits, each set of which corresponds to adjacent two transmission lines. Based on both the phase differences, the time instant of arrival of signals is adjusted.

Abstract: A positioning system includes a plurality of devices configured to exchange RF signals with one another. A first device periodically receives a message from each other device during time slots assigned them. The received message includes information representing a time of arrival at the other device of a respective message transmitted by the first device. A time of arrival of the message from each of the other devices is determined by the first device. The first device periodically transmits messages to the other devices, each transmitted message including information representing the determined time of arrival for at least one of the other devices. A range from the first device to each of a plurality of the other devices is determined as function of the determined time of arrival of the message from the other device and the time of arrival information in the message from the other device.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning an input signal (24) synchronized to a first clock signal (22) with a second clock signal (26) The invention includes a mechanism (106) for generating a third clock signal (354) and an arrangement (352) for loading the input signal (24) in accordance with the third clock signal (354) and reading out an output signal in accordance with the second clock signal (26). In an illustrative embodiment, the invention is used in a sensor system (350) to align detector input data (24), which is synchronized to a data-capture clock (22), with a signal-processing clock (26). The register (352) acts as a data path transitioning stage between the actual time the input data is sampled and the time a processing system (102) clocks in the sampled data.

Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement clocked by a single clock having variable delays to different regions of said arrangement such that said regions are partially synchronized to each other, the arrangement comprising: a data transfer buffer for buffering a data stream for transfer between respective first and second ones of said regions, and a data transfer controller, associated with said data transfer buffer and said respective regions, configured to control transfer of said data stream by: initially synchronizing between said respective regions at a start of said data stream, receiving data, in said buffer, from said first region, at a predetermined rate, and outputting said data stream to said second region at said predetermined rate in accordance with said initial synchronization. The arrangement allows deterministic data patterns to arrive at the receiving domain at minimal hardware cost.

Abstract: New version packet data devices support a backwards-compatible signal format. New version devices operate within a first frequency band while old version devices operate within a second frequency band. The first frequency band differs from but overlaps with the second frequency band. The new version devices may operate on a first carrier frequency (within the first frequency band) while old version devices may operate at a second carrier frequency (within the second frequency band). The new version devices and/or the old version devices may also support carrier-less modulations. Preamble, header, and trailer portions of a new version signal include a plurality of spectral copies of a baseband modulated signal. One or more of these spectral copies of the baseband modulated signal is/are indistinguishable from corresponding components of an old version signal. The payload of the new version signal may be formed in the same manner or may be formed in have a wider bandwidth, higher data rate format.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an impulse radio distance measuring system comprising an impulse radio transceiver by conducting a pulse through a transmit receive switch to an antenna, receiving return energy which has been discharged across the transmit receive switch, determining a time of arrival of the return energy. The return energy is comprised of two distinct pulses, one of which represents discharge of the transmit switch as the original pulse travels to the antenna, the second represents energy reflected from the antenna and again discharged across the transmit receive switch while the switch is in the transmit position. The timing of the un-reflected energy is determined then the timing of the reflected energy relative to the un-reflected energy is determined through auto-correlation of the time domain scan of the received composite waveforms.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for the adjustment of antenna transmission weighting values in a communications system that utilizes multiple transmit antennas. A first signal is transmitted on a first multiplex channel via the multiple transmit antennas using a set of transmission weighting values. A second signal is transmitted on a second multiplex channel (different than the first channel) via the multiple transmit antennas using a set of perturbation weighting values. Then, a response that indicates at least one of: whether the set of perturbation weighting values should be added to the set of transmission weighting values and whether the set of perturbation weighting values should be subtracted from the set of transmission weighting values is received from a receiver of the first and second signals. Finally, a new set of transmission weighting values is generated based on the received response.

Abstract: A reference timing architecture is disclosed that provides a level of flexibility that was not available with the architecture in the prior art. In particular, the present invention provides for multiple reference timing outputs that can be routed to equipment nodes relying on the timing information, wherein each of the timing processing paths that provide timing outputs can be controlled independently of one another.

Abstract: A method of determining the delay between two corresponding noise-like signals comprises determining events at which the level of a first of the signal crosses a predetermined threshold, using each event to sample a second signal, combining the samples to produce an output value and determining the delay from the output value. Preferably, each sample is weighted according to one or more characteristics of the event used to define the sample. The magnitude of the output value could be an indication of the delay, or there could be several output values each for a respective differently-delayed version of the second signal, in which case these could be evaluated to select which corresponds to the actual delay.

Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus having an antenna array and a mobile communication method performed in the mobile communication apparatus, wherein the mobile communication apparatus includes a base station and mobile station, each having an antenna array. The mobile station measures the downlink characteristics of a channel for each antenna from a signal received from a base station, determines long-term information in which the correlation property of the channel for each antenna has been reflected from the measured downlink characteristics, transforms the long-term information into a feedback signal, and transmits the feedback signal to the base station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of phase controlling a data signal transmitted from a data source to a data sink using a counter clock approach, wherein the phase of a data sink clock is compared with the phase of a reference signal at the data sink and the phase of a counter clock is adjusted at the data sink in dependency to said phase comparing. It relates also to a counter clock circuit arrangement and interface device for performing the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for to compensating reference frequency drift in a communications system having a plurality of modems and a headend, where the system requires critical upstream timing. One embodiment of the method includes learning or determining the relative delay of each modem and reporting each modem's unique delay (relative to the closest modem) to the headend. The method further includes the headend monitoring its own reference for frequency drift, the modem broadcasting pertinent frequency drift information to the modems and adjusting the modems' upstream timing to account for each modem's unique distance (i.e., delay) combined with the broadcast stream of frequency drift information.

Abstract: A method is provided for time control of data transmission from a first module to a further module. An electronic system also is provided having a first module from which data is sent via a connecting line to a further module, which has a reference signal line via which a reference signal is transmitted from the further module to the first module, which reference signal is chosen as a function of the timing of the data received by the further module, with respect to a clock signal received by the further module. The reference signal has a bit sequence which corresponds to a bit sequence which was received by the further module via the connecting line from the first module.

Abstract: The per antenna capacity of each of the transmitter antennas in a MIMO system are individually determined from measurable information at the receiver end. Specifically, the channel capacity for each individual transmitter antenna is calculated at the receiver end as a function of measurable channel coefficients (also known as channel state information), the measurable average signal-to-noise ratio, and the number of transmitter antennas. Once the per antenna capacity of each transmitter antenna is individually determined at the receiver end, the maximum transmission rate for each data stream transmitted by each transmitter antenna is determined from that individual capacity either at the receiver end and fed back to the transmitter end, or is determined at the transmitter end from the individual transmitter antenna capacities that are fed back by the receiver end to the transmitter end. A modulation scheme that supports each maximum transmission rate is then determined based on some defined criteria.

Abstract: An input circuit includes: a comparator; first and second delay circuits; a selector; an input buffer; and a holding circuit. The comparator compares the leading and/or trailing edges of a data signal, supplied from the input buffer, to an edge of a clock signal on which the data signal is intended to be latched. Based on the results of the comparison, the first and second delay circuits delay the clock signal for respectively predetermined amounts of time. If the data signal is logically high, then the selector selects a delayed clock signal supplied from the first delay circuit. Alternatively, if the data signal is logically low, then the selector selects another delayed clock signal supplied from the second delay circuit. Then, the delayed clock signal, selected by the selector, is latched in the holding circuit.

Abstract: A driver and a receiver supply a data signal, which is based on serial data having a regular bit pattern, such as a clock, which includes 1's and 0's alternating with each other during an adjustment period, and is based on serial data having an arbitrary bit pattern during a transfer period following the adjustment period. A duty factor controller adjusts a data transition characteristic of the driver or the receiver so that a duty factor of the data signal supplied from the receiver is equal to 50% in the adjustment period, and has the adjusted data transition characteristic stored. A clock recovery unit recovers a clock synchronized with a data signal, which is supplied from the receiver in the transfer period and is based on the adjusted transition characteristic, from the data signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for synchronizing a scrambling code in a CDMA communication system including a UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) and a plurality of user equipments (UEs), using orthogonal codes for identifying the UEs and a single scrambling code for identifying the UTRAN by the UEs, and employing an uplink synchronous transmission scheme (USTS) where the UEs synchronize frames of uplink dedicated physical channels (DPCHs) using the single scrambling code. The UEs receive a reference signal including reference time information provided from the UTRAN and transmit a random access channel (RACH) based on the reference time.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning an input signal (24) synchronized to a first clock signal (22) with a second clock signal (26). The invention includes a mechanism (106) for generating a third clock signal (354) and an arrangement (352) for loading the input signal (24) in accordance with the third clock signal (354) and reading out an output signal in accordance with the second clock signal (26). In an illustrative embodiment, the invention is used in a sensor system (350) to align detector input data (24), which is synchronized to a data-capture clock (22), with a signal-processing clock (26). The register (352) acts as a data path transitioning stage between the actual time the input data is sampled and the time a processing system (102) clocks in the sampled data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for communicating data over a voice channel on a wireless device (300) is disclosed. The method on a wireless device (300) includes establishing an audio connection with a second device and providing an interface (326) for a user for sending data to the second device. The method further includes detecting the activation of the interface (326) by the user and sending a first data to the second device during the audio connection with the second device, wherein the quality of the audio connection is not affected by the sending. The method further includes receiving a second data from the second device, the second data being associated with the first data and preferably synchronizing the first data with the second data. Information, such as Vcard information, can be wirelessly exchanged between devices communicating data over a voice channel during an audio connection.

Abstract: A changeover arrangement for the clock signals of parallel transmission connections of an assured data transmission link, wherein a clock signal is sent for the transmission paths by parallel outdoor units (OU) located in succession to a common indoor unit (IU), the clock signal is received by a corresponding set of second outdoor units, where phase locked loop signals are used to achieve the lock to the signal, and subsequent to which a second IU receives information of the mode of the phase lock. In addition, when errors are caused in the employed connection, the receiving unit selects a transmission path that has fewer errors based on mode information obtained from the outdoor unit.

Abstract: A mobile communications system includes base stations and mobile units. A power control scheme is provided in which a mobile unit can enter into a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode. During DTX mode, the mobile unit is not transmitting traffic channels that can be monitored to determine frame errors so that the target ratio of energy per bit to noise spectral density (target Eb/No) can be adjusted. Instead, the base station monitors bit errors of bits in a pilot channel communicated by the mobile unit during DTX mode. Using this technique, the target Eb/No can be adjusted even when the mobile unit is not transmitting traffic channels, so that outer-loop power control can be performed. A number of mechanisms can also be used to detect when a mobile unit has entered DTX mode.

Abstract: A data modulation method and a data modulation device and a communication device are disclosed. The present invention relates to the synchronization and training preamble. The reference symbol optimized in order to contain the structure of “IA-A-IA-A-A-IA-A-IA-IA” is allocated to sub-carriers of the OFDM symbol. More specifically, by designing the structure of the preamble of the time domain, distinction from the other communication system can be certainly conducted holding the correctness of the clock synchronization. Also, we have adopted the series having low peak average ratio and dynamic range of sync symbol using the OFDM. Since the generation and the detection processings can be conducted in utilizing the generation device and the detection device of the sync preamble used in the convention system, this system has an advantage in increasing the common use of the LSI chip. We have made the sync series divided into 2 parts A and B before to one B region and made this to have simple construction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transmitter gain stabilization apparatus which uses feedback control to stably control the gain of a radio base-station transmitter in a CDMA mobile communication system. The apparatus includes a reference-power generating unit for generating average power of a baseband signal as reference power, a detector for detecting transmission power, and a gain adjustment unit for adjusting the gain of a radio unit in the base station in such a manner that the detected power will coincide with the reference power.

Abstract: A reference frequency is distributed through a packet-based network to remote elements in a system. Timing packets are periodically sent from a master timing element, to be received by at least one peripheral timing element. Echo messages are sent to the master timing element by each peripheral timing element after a unique delay, in response to the reception of a timing packet. Loopback delay measurements are included in each timing packet for each peripheral timing element. Each peripheral timing element locks a loop using only timing packets which incur a minimum loopback delay.

Abstract: A communication system is designed that reduces co-channel interference when heterogeneous users are sharing spectrum. The system design enables a plurality of pairs of users to communicate their channel utilization time periods by using the durations and start or stop times of certain transmissions to signal the start times and durations of later transmissions. Other system users using possibly different communications protocols and different modulation technologies can measure the durations of received transmissions and to infer channel usage based on these durations.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing communications in a wireless communications network wherein time synchronization is performed between a clock master and a clock slave. To achieve synchronization between the clock master and the clock slave, several time synchronization passes are initiated by the clock slave to the clock master. For every pass, each clock slave component generates and transmits a first timing cell containing a transmission time based on the clock slave's component clock, to the clock master. Upon receipt of the first timing cell, the clock master generates and transmits to the clock slave component a second timing cell containing the time the clock master received the first timing cell and the time the clock master transmitted the second timing cell. Upon receipt of the second timing cell, the clock slave component will obtain its reception time and calculate a transmission delay based on the reception time and the timing information contained in the timing cells.

Abstract: A bi-directional communication link has plural channels with respective masters and slaves at respective ends of respective channels, in which each master issues a Master Tx clock, each slave constructs a Slave Rx clock frequency locked to the Master Tx clock, and a Slave Tx clock frequency locked to the Slave Rx clock. A metric processor for each master produces a metric signal indicative of resolution of a signal received by the master from the corresponding slave. A decision processor responsive to the metric processor changes the phase of the Slave Tx clock relative to the Slave Rx clock so as to maximize the metric signal. In one embodiment, the resolution is a resolution between leading and trailing edges of the received signal. In another embodiment, the resolution is a resolution between allowed amplitude levels of the received signal.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method of estimating the saturation level of a transmitter from a transmitted communication signal received from the transmitter comprises generating a received data signal from the transmitted communication signal received from the transmitter, generating a transmitted data signal from the received data signal that corresponds to the actual data signal generated at the transmitter, comparing the transmitted data signal to the received data signal, and estimating the saturation level of the transmitter based on the comparison of the transmitted data signal to the received data signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a serial connection is presented. A serial data stream is transmitted from a sending device to a receiving device. The serial data stream is generated using sending device timing information and input data. A receiver in the receiving device recovers both the timing information and the input data and then inputs them back into a transmitter located in the receiving device. The transmitter in the receiving device then generates a second serial data stream based on the recovered input data and the sending device timing information. A receiver in the sending device receives the second serial data stream and outputs the sending device timing information and input data to a FIFO buffer, for alignment of the input data. Since the input data and timing information are generated based on a sending device timing information, the FIFO can provide a signal for testing by performing phase alignment on the data. There is no need to re-synchronize the data in the sending device.

Abstract: A trellis decoder determines the most likely transmitted phase in response to previously requested phase adjustments and observed transmitted symbols. Maximum a posteriori (MAP) decoding also may be used. Alternatively, the identified likely transmitted phase is used for data demodulation. This and related features have the benefit of decreasing the effect of phase discrepancies introduced by erroneous reception of phase adjustment information, resulting in improved error rates, and a corresponding increase in system capacity, data throughput, or both.

Abstract: A method and a system for reliably supplying information about an electronic device employed as a primary information signal receiver device to an electronic device employed as a primary information signal sender device via an existing analog transmission line or digital serial transmission line. A set top box (STB) employed as the primary information signal sender device and a VTR (video tape recorder) employed as the primary information signal receiver are connected to each other via an analog transmission line.

Abstract: A communication unit (30) arranged to send transmit data includes a receiver (32) arranged to recover input data transmitted at a downstream transfer rate in response to a symbol clock (20) signal. A transmitter (40) is arranged to transmit the transmit data at an upstream transfer rate in response to an upstream transmit clock signal (TX_CLKA) that is coordinated with the symbol clock signal. The frequency or repetition rate of the upstream transmit clock signal is defined at least in part by a predetermined relationship between the downstream transfer rate and the upstream transfer rate, such as a ratio of the downstream transfer rate and the upstream transfer rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data transmission system between two transceivers, including: dividing the symbols to be transmitted into blocks, the number of which is divisible by the number of transmitting antennas; transmitting one block using each antenna; receiving the blocks using one or more antennas; checking whether the blocks were received successfully; and, if the reception of the blocks failed, storing the received blocks in memory; retransmitting the same blocks in a predetermined format; receiving the retransmitted blocks and combining them with the blocks in memory, the predetermined format being selected in the method so that the blocks transmitted first and the retransmitted blocks form space-time block coding.

Abstract: Two computer systems in a network each have a local store that contains a copy of a data item that is to be synchronized. One of the computer systems may be, for example, a mobile device while the other may be a synchronization server. In order to determine whether to synchronize a data item, and what synchronization mechanism to use, one of the computer systems references a flexible set of rules that may be influenced by instructions from a network administrator or a mobile device user. The flexible set of rules takes into consideration the value of the data, the cost associated with synchronization, the security of the synchronization mechanisms, the security of the mobile device, as well as the location of the mobile user in dictating whether and how to synchronize.

Abstract: In one form, apparatus for aligning clock signals includes first and second logic circuitry for receiving respective first and second clock signals. The first and second clock signals are substantially synchronized and operations of the first logic circuitry and second logic circuitry are clocked by the respective first and second clock signals. The first logic circuitry receives a third clock signal derived from the second clock signal, and by repeatedly sampling the third clock signal with the first clock signal, the first logic circuitry repeatedly detects relative phase relations of the first and third clock signals. The second logic circuitry adjusts the phase of the third clock signal responsive to an accumulation of the phase relation detecting.

Abstract: In a CDR (clock data recovery) deserializer, a clock divider receives a recovered clock signal (SCLK) and generates a divided clock signal (RPCLK). The frequency of the divided clock signal is lowered with each cycle of the divided clock signal being generated for each count of cycles of the recovered clock signal up to a predetermined ratio number. A serial-to-parallel shift register shifts in recovered serial data bits with each cycle of the recovered clock signal and outputs the predetermined ratio number of the shifted recovered serial data bits at a predetermined transition of every cycle of the divided clock signal. A SYNC (synchronization) detect logic asserts a VRS (diVider ReSet) signal coupled to the clock divider for controlling the clock divider to generate the predetermined transition for a cycle of the divided clock signal when the VRS signal is asserted.

Abstract: Communication between a burst manager and plural remote terminals over a first passive optical network (PON) and a second PON, with each PON having a downstream portion and an upstream portion, includes transmitting a common synchronization signal from the burst manager to the plural remote terminals over both downstream PON portions and transmitting burst data from the plural remote terminals over both upstream PON portions to the burst manager. The burst data for each remote terminal is delayed on the first and second PONs by corresponding first and second delays.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed herein for determining optimum power level settings for a transmitter and receiver pair of a communication system having a plurality of transmitter and receiver pairs, as determined with respect to bit error rate. In the method disclosed herein, the power levels of a transmitter and a receiver pair coupled to communicate over a duplex communication link are set to initial values. The bit error rate is then determined over the link. Then, the power level of the transmitter, the receiver, or both, is altered, incrementally, and the effect upon the bit error rate is determined. When an improvement appears in the bit error rate at an altered power level, the power level of the transmitter, the receiver or both, are set to the altered power level at which the improvement is found.

Abstract: A resampler, method of resampling a signal and a bit pump and transceiver employing the same. In one embodiment, the resampler includes an interpolation stage, coupled to an input of the resampler, that receives a one-bit input signal representing at least a portion of a receive signal propagating along a receive path of the bit pump and generates a plurality of intermediate samples from at least two input samples associated with the one-bit input signal. The resampler also includes a selection stage, coupled to the interpolation stage, that selects one of the plurality of intermediate samples thereby providing an output sample that corresponds to a phase of an oscillator associated with the bit pump.

Abstract: A method and system for uplink (UL) synchronization of an uplink transmission from a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) to a Node-B in a code division multiple access (CDMA) system. A Node-B receives a transmission including a UL synchronization (SYNC_UL) sequence from a WTRU. A sampler samples the transmission at a sampling rate which is higher than a chip rate. The samples are down-sampled and the SYNC_UL sequence is detected at a lower rate. A first significant path location of the detected SYNC_UL sequence is determined, and based on the first significant path location, a final significant path location is determined. The final significant path location is quantized and UpPCHPOS is transmitted to the WTRU to adjust a UL transmission timing.

Abstract: A data and clock signals from a source (12) are transmitted from a location (10) to a distant location (40) together with a phase signal which estimates the difference in phase between a data clock signal and a reference clock signal generated by a reference clock (24) at location (10). At the second location (40), the phase signal is used to address coefficients stored in a read only memory (56) which are used to condition a resample or interpolate filter (50) which generates resampled data signals.

Abstract: A system and method of wireless communication determines received signal timing deviation which is used to generate a timing advance for adjusting User Equipment (UE) transmissions. An adaptive threshold for measuring the timing deviation is set based on the energy level of received UE signals. UE signal samples which exceed the threshold are evaluated to determine timing deviation.

Abstract: A method to realize synchronization in a receiver (RX), of data (DAT) sent from a transmitter (TX) to the receiver (RX), with a signal (SIG) available in the receiver (RX). The method includes the following steps: in the receiver (RX) generating trigger signals (T) from the signal (SIG); sending the trigger signals (T) from the receiver (RX) to the transmitter (TX); and upon receipt of the trigger signals (T) by the transmitter (TX) sending the data (DAT) from the transmitter (TX) to the receiver (RX).

Abstract: Methods and devices for adaptively changing a parameter (such as sub-carrier bit allocation and/or gain) in a multi-carrier communication signal are described. In a method aspect, a unit that determines a need for a change sends an express change request to a second unit. The change request identifies one or more specific sub-carrier carrier to be altered and a desired value for the parameter to be changed for each identified sub-carrier. The requesting unit then monitors the communication signal it receives to determine whether the requested change has been implemented. The determination of whether the requested change has been implemented is based at least in part upon an analysis of a portion of the received communication signal that was intended to be changed. In another aspect of the invention, the change request command includes a header, a control field, at least one sub-carrier identifier, at least one desired parameter value indicator, and an error field.