Abstract: A method for remotely and dynamically controlling adjacent satellite interference comprising monitoring one or more off-axis signals emitted by one or more remote transmitters; determining whether one or more of the off-axis signals is creating adjacent satellite interference (ASI), off axis emissions and inband interference that is higher than a predetermined level of acceptable interference, and transmitting a control signal to at least one of the one or more remote transmitters in response to the determination that the one or more off-axis signals is creating interference that is higher than the predetermined level of acceptable interference, the control signal initiating an adjustment to one or more transmission parameters of the one or more remote transmitters such that interference resulting from the one or more off-axis signals emitted by the one or more remote transmitters is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A modem unit receives a signal broadcasted by a base station apparatus. A storage unit extracts information included in the received signal and stores the extracted information. A detection unit detects a fact that the signal broadcasted by the base station apparatus is not received. A generation unit measures a period of time starting when the storage unit has stored the information. When the detection unit detects the fact and when the measured period of time is shorter than a threshold, the generation unit broadcasts a signal including the information stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A method comprises providing an interface permitting a first user to control activation of a mobile information channel through which the first user can share access to content with a plurality of additional users, activating the mobile information channel responsive to input received from the first user via the interface, inserting content provided by the first user into the mobile information channel, receiving additional content relating to the mobile information channel from one or more of said additional users via one or more respective mobile devices associated with at least one wireless network, inserting at least a portion of the additional content into the mobile information channel, and integrating into the mobile information channel information associated with at least one wireless networking functionality of said at least one wireless network.

Abstract: A wireless relay module for networked communications between a series of medical devices and a remote monitoring device. An interface circuit coupled to each medical device communicates with the wireless relay module via a wireless relay network. The relay module communicates with the remote monitoring device over an internet-accessible wireless communication network, and includes a receiver coupled to the wireless relay network, a first transmitter coupled to the wireless relay network, a second transmitter coupled to the internet-accessible wireless communications network; and a controller. The controller determines a status of the internet-accessible wireless communications network. When the status indicates that the internet-accessible wireless communications network is accessible, the second transmitter is selected for transmitting medical device data.

Abstract: A communication device that may select a relay node from a plurality of relay nodes, and be used as a signal receiving node through the selected relay node is provided. Additionally, a relay device that may be used as a relay node to receive and broadcast signals is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to millimeter-wave point-to-point communication systems. A system comprises two separated millimeter-wave transceivers which provide high throughput data transmission and reception in frequency duplex mode and use high gain antennas capable of electronic scanning in some continuous angle range provided by the control module that implement control algorithms for antenna radiation pattern. Also a method based on the exploitation of scanning antennas of initial beam directions fine adjustment and subsequent beam directions tracking and readjustment when needed is proposed. The proposed system and method provide automatic recovery of failed connection in case of relay station orientation change due to influence of various external factors (wind, vibration, different intensity of heating of the bracing mountings at different time of a day and others) and can be used in backhaul systems of base station sites for mobile networks.

Abstract: A relay device relays transmittance of information between a wire communication line and a wireless communication line. The relay device includes: a modulation unit which modulates information to be transmitted into an electrical signal; and a control unit which controls an operation of the modulation unit. The control unit controls a modulation system of the modulation unit in accordance with traffic of the wire communication line.

Abstract: An emergency backhaul link is created between a first radio base station and a second radio base station over an air interface in response to an interruption or failure of a primary backhaul link of the first radio base station. In some embodiments, the first radio base station and the second radio base station are provided with no additional equipment to support the emergency backhaul link. In other embodiments, the second radio base station includes a tunable receiver configured to switch between receiving mobile device traffic on an uplink frequency and receiving backhaul traffic on a downlink frequency. In other embodiments, the second radio base station includes a receiver configured to receive backhaul traffic from the first radio base station over a downlink frequency. After the primary backhaul link is restored, the emergency backhaul link is torn down and backhaul traffic resumes on the primary backhaul link.

Abstract: A wireless relay module for networked communications between a series of medical devices and a remote monitoring device. The relay module communicates with the remote monitoring device over one or more internet-accessible wireless communication networks, and includes a receiver, transmitter for communicating over wireless relay networks, other transmitters for the one or more internet-accessible wireless communications networks; and a controller. The controller determines a status of the one or more internet-accessible wireless communications networks. When the status indicates that at least one of the interne-accessible wireless communications network is available, the appropriate transmitter is selected for the transmitting medical device data over the available internet-accessible wireless communications networks.

Abstract: It is provided a solution for assigning to a relay node of a wireless telecommunication system an identifier from which a corresponding identifier of a central node associated with the relay node is derivable according to a determined rule. Accordingly, the identifiers of central nodes and their relay nodes are assigned in a manner which facilitates identification of a central node from a received relay node identifier, thereby avoiding the necessity of consulting higher layer controllers in order to identify the central node.

Abstract: An aircraft may include an onboard wireless communication network. The network may include an access point disposed on the aircraft and at least one repeater station disposed spaced apart from the access point and capable of wireless communication with the access point or at least one remote sensor configured to wirelessly transmit information for delivery to the access point via a first wireless communication link. The at least one remote sensor may monitor at least one remote component of the aircraft and generating the information based on data indicative of an operational parameter or a status of the at least one remote component.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a relay station is disclosed. The method for communicating with a relay station comprises transmitting resource allocation information of downlink traffic and uplink traffic from a base station to the relay; and transmitting the downlink traffic to the relay by encapsulating the downlink traffic in accordance with the resource allocation information and receiving encapsulated uplink traffic from the relay in accordance with the resource allocation information. It is possible to enable efficient communication through a relay using a minimum interface without deterioration of throughput even in the case that a base station does not know detailed attributes of a relay existing in a system. Also, it is possible to coordinate collision through a master relay in case of a system supporting multi-hop relays.

Abstract: A repeater device (R) for use in a radio communication system comprises a detector (44), arranged for detecting any existence of radio signaling to and/or from a user terminal being situated in a vicinity of the repeater device (R). The repeater device (R) further comprises an amplifier arrangement (46), arranged for amplifying uplink and/or downlink traffic and means (48) for activating the amplifier arrangement. The means (48) for activating the amplifier arrangement is arranged for activating the amplifier arrangement (46) as a response to an existence of the radio signaling. A method for controlling operation of a repeater in radio communication system comprises detecting, in the repeater, of radio signaling to and/or from a user terminal being situated in a vicinity of the repeater. Amplification in the repeater is activated as a response to an existence of the radio signaling and uplink and/or downlink traffic is amplified.

Abstract: An echo cancellation wireless repeater with first and second antenna arrays having vertical and horizontal feed antenna elements selects a combination of antenna elements for reception and transmission to reduce interference and improve the quality of signal reception. In one embodiment, the antenna elements are switchably connected to transceiver circuits and a combination of antenna elements is selected based on the best desired performance result. In another embodiment, the antenna elements are each connected to its own transceiver circuit and the echo cancellation repeater performs beamforming in baseband to select a combination of antenna elements.

Abstract: A method for operating a repeater in a wireless communication network includes transmitting a predetermined sequence of bits over a first antenna of a repeater and measuring an attenuation in the transmitted bits as received at a second antenna of the repeater. The method also includes determining a power value for the repeater based on the attenuation. Additionally, the method includes receiving information at a first power level from one of a mobile terminal and a base station and determining, based at least in part on the power value, a second power level at which to transmit the received information. Furthermore, the method includes transmitting the received information at the second power level.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing uplink (UL) bandwidth utilization in a relay assisted cellular network are disclosed. In one embodiment, scheduler context data associated with one or more mobile users/devices connected to the relay assisted cellular network is obtained. Further, static and dynamic load values of data packets coming from the one or more mobile users or devices are computed using the obtained scheduler context data. Furthermore, UL bandwidth utilization between the one or more mobile users or devices and a base station in the relay assisted cellular network is balanced using the computed static and dynamic load values.

Abstract: A wireless node that bridges a wireless communications gap between a first wireless device, such as a smart meter, and a wireless network, such as a smart grid network, by repeating wireless communications received by the wireless node. The wireless node is integrated with another powered device common to buildings to provide a clandestine improvement to wireless communications. Additionally, the wireless node may effect testing of the powered device and provide results of the test wirelessly to remote devices. The wireless node may take the form of an exit sign, an emergency light, a speaker, and a combination of one or more of these devices. The wireless node may also track power consumption of the repeater portion of the wireless node to provide billing credit to power consumers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a loop delay value (Ndelay) in an interference cancellation repeater are presented. For example, a method may include setting a repeater gain to an initial gain value, setting a delay parameter to an initial time value, and measuring a loop gain associated with the delay parameter and the repeater gain by detecting a feedback signal with an echo canceller disabled. The method may further include determining whether the measured loop gain is larger than a previously measured loop gain, and if so, designating the delay parameter as the loop delay value (Ndelay); and decrementing the delay parameter when the measured loop gain is not larger than the previously measured loop gain, and when the delay parameter is not at a final time value. The method may iterate until the delay parameter is less than or equal to the final time value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are proposed for transmitting data from a source (110) to a destination (130) via a relay station (120) having multiple antennae (122, 124). The relay station (120) receives from the source a message containing the data and a first cyclic prefix. It does this using each of its antennae (122, 124), so producing multiple respective received signals. In certain embodiments, the relay station (120) removes the first cyclic prefix from the received signals, replacing it with a new one. In other embodiments, the relay station (120) removes only a portion of the first cyclic prefix. In either case, the relay station (120) may apply space-time coding to generate second signals, which it transmits to the destination (130), which extracts the data. Methods are also proposed for estimating parameters of the channel, to enable the destination (130) to decode the data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of scheduling a shared channel of a wireless packet communication system, and more particularly, to a shared scheduler of a wireless packet communication. The present invention includes determining priorities of provided services for target terminals of cellular phones and ratios of carrier signal to interference from multiple target terminals; and based on the determined priorities, transmitting packet data to each the target terminal of cellular phones.

Abstract: A signal repeating system for a wireless network includes signal repeating circuitry defining an uplink path for processing signals repeated between endpoints. The signal repeating circuitry includes circuitry for selectively varying at least one parameter of the signals that are processed in the uplink path. Circuitry evaluates how signals received in the uplink path of the signal repeating system respond to the variation of the signal parameter. Processing circuitry is configured for comparing a signal associated with the variation of the signal parameter with the evaluated response to determine if the variation causes a change in the uplink path signal response for detecting traffic in the uplink path.

Abstract: A method for identifying at least one terminal for which signals transferred between the at least one terminal and a base station of a wireless cellular telecommunication network have to be relayed by a relay, the base station providing a random access channel enabling a terminal to notify to the base station the presence of the terminal by transferring a random access signal to the base station. The relay device transfers the random access signal to the base station, receives the list, identifies, from the received list, at least one terminal for which signals transferred between the at least one identified terminal and the base station have to be relayed by the relay, and relays signals between the at least one identified terminal and the base station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and device that controls the mobility of a terminal in a broadband wireless access system including a relay station. The present invention provides an efficient method for controlling terminal mobility of a relay station and a method for performing handover of a terminal. The method for controlling mobility of terminal at a relay station in a broadband wireless access system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises step wherein at least one neighboring base station entity searched is added in a list, and a step wherein a broadcast message including the list is transmitted to the terminal.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure control whether or not certain protocol stack operation are performed in a hardware (HW) protocol stack accelerator based on ARQ/HARQ re-transmission rate. Latency penalties associated with using the HW accelerator are typically higher than the data movement overhead when this data does not need to be processed by the HW accelerator, such as when a re-transmission error occurs. According to certain embodiments, the HW accelerator is activated if the ARQ/HARQ re-transmission rate is below a threshold value. Otherwise, if the ARQ/HARQ re-transmission rate is above a threshold, at least a portion of the HW accelerator may be de-activated, which may reduce overhead associated with moving data between the protocol stack and the HW accelerator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for enabling downlink transparent relay in a wireless communication network. In a wireless communications network, a base station and a mobile station may communicate with each other via a relay station, as needed. Transparent relay may allow for relay communication between a base station and a mobile station although the mobile station is unaware of the relay station. However, non-contiguous transmission of a relay station may lead to channel quality measurement and channel estimation degradation during downlink transparent relay. According to some aspects, a base station may schedule a mobile station to a transmission mode that utilizes dedicated pilot signals for downlink transparent relay, and a relay station may transmit data and dedicated pilot signals over the same channel resources as the base station. According to some aspects, the relay station may null common pilot signals transmitted by the base station.

Abstract: A method for controlling data transmission in a station in a wireless communication network is discussed. The method includes: receiving feedback information including error information including a signal to noise ratio (SNR) from a target station, the error information being measured by the target station; and controlling transmission parameters of the transmit data in a transmitting station based on the error information, wherein controlling the transmission parameters includes: increasing the transmit power when the SNR is lower than a predetermined value; initiating a beam-tracking process when the SNR is still lower than the predetermined value after increasing the transmit power; and decreasing a data transmission rate when the SNR is still lower than the predetermined value after initiating the beam-tracking process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring radio relay channel are provided capable of easily measuring a radio relay channel on each radio link among a base station (BS), a relay station (RS) and a mobile station (MS) and providing a reliable result of measuring the characteristics of radio relay channel by controlling transmission/reception timing based on variation in operation time among the BS, the RS and the MS.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a signal repeating device in a wireless communication system is provided. An operational noise measurement is obtained by measuring a noise value outside of a bandwidth of a first element, but within a bandwidth of a second, subsequent element in a signal path of the device. The operational noise measurement is alternatively obtained by tuning an input band of the device to shift the input band partially or completely outside of a bandwidth of a first element to create an open band or by suppressing an input of an antenna and measuring noise within the open bandwidth of the device. A stored parameter is retrieved and compared to the measured operational noise. Alternatively, a leakage signal of the device may be received at a signal receiver and compared to a reference. The reference is a function of elements of the device in a leakage path of the leakage signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communication in enclosed areas. Implementations may include a high-frequency (HF) conversion side including an HF modulator and HF demodulator which is coupled with an HF antenna. A medium-frequency (MF) conversion side including an MF modulator and an MF demodulator which is coupled with an MF antenna may also be included. The HF conversion side may be coupled to the MF conversion side at the HF demodulator and the HF modulator. The HF conversion side may be physically separate from the MF conversion side.

Abstract: Provided is a self-interference cancellation method and apparatus that may remove self-interference occurring when a transmission signal of a transmit antenna is received, directly or via a reflector, by a receive antenna in a relay using the same frequency band in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based radio communication system.

Abstract: A wireless communication system and method comprising co-location of a pico evolved node B (“eNB”) and a macro up-link repeater is disclosed. User Equipment (“UE”) communicates with a macro eNB via the up-link repeater with reduced transmission power as compared to the transmission power required for the UE to communicate directly with the macro eNB. As a result, the UE does not desensitize the pico eNB receiver. The up-link repeater comprises a donor antenna that radiates a highly directional beam to the macro eNB.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) is provided which reduces uplink signaling overhead in the process of reporting inter-frequency measurement results over a RACH. For measurement reporting, the UE receives an SIB including a cell information list for non-used frequency cells and a threshold from an RNC, compares signal strengths of signals received from the non-used frequency cells with the threshold, and acquires at least one inter-frequency cell ID indicating at least one non-used frequency cell having signal strength exceeding the threshold from the cell information list. The at least one inter-frequency cell ID is included in a RACH message as measurement result information for the at least one non-used frequency cell, and transmitted to the RNC. The RNC determines that the cell corresponding to the inter-frequency cell ID has signal strength exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time signal validation are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a subset of terminals in a peer group of satellite terminals is determined. Operational statistics of the satellite terminals in the subset of terminals is measured. Operational statistics of each of the satellite terminals in the subset of terminals is compared to a prior measurement of the same operational statistics. An offset between a current measurement of the operational statistics and the prior measurement of the same operational statistics is determined. An average offset of the current measurement of the operational statistics and the prior measurement of the same operational statistics is determined for the subset of terminals. The average offset for the subset of terminals is merged with a previously determined peer group operational statistic. A signal validation of a terminal is performed using an updated deviation value.

Abstract: A system comprises an outer shell having an inner spherical cavity and an inner sphere located in the spherical cavity. The inner sphere comprises a sensor; at least one transmit antenna; and at least one transmitter coupled to the sensor and to a respective one of the at least one transmit antenna. The system also comprises a first receive antenna located in the spherical cavity; a second receive antenna located in the spherical cavity; and a receiver located outside of the outer shell. The receiver is configured to determine the signal to noise ratio of a first signal received at the first receive antenna and the signal to noise ratio of a second signal received at the second receive antenna; and to combine the first and second signals based on the respective signal to noise ratios such that interference due to multi-path signals in the spherical cavity is reduced.

Abstract: An embodiment method for power control in a multi-hop communications system includes transmitting a power usage pattern for each relay node in a subset of relay nodes served by a communications controller, where the power usage pattern specifies transmit power levels for the relay node while the relay node is operating in a power control mode. The method also includes receiving channel measurements of access links between the relay nodes in the subset of relay nodes and subscriber equipment served by the relay nodes, determining backhaul link transmit power levels and access link transmit power levels based on the channel measurements of access links and channel measurements of backhaul links between the communications controller and the relay nodes, and transmitting the access link power levels to the subset of relay nodes.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for determining link performance metrics for satellite communication terminals. Using link performance metrics and link performance difference metrics, signal modulation and coding may be decided. Link performance metrics may be determined for individual terminal uplinks and downlinks. Fixed and dynamic link adaptation mechanisms are also disclosed that utilize link performance metrics and link performance difference metrics determined under clear sky and dynamic conditions.

Abstract: A method and arrangement in a first node (101) for determining radio characteristics of a radio link between a first repeater (103, 203) and at least one second repeater (104, 204) are provided. The first node sends a first message, to the first repeater (103, 203), instructing the first repeater (103, 203) to send a radio signal being measureable by the second repeater (104, 204). Furthermore, the first node sends a second message, to said at least one second repeater, instructing said at least one second repeater (104, 204) to measure on the radio signal. The first node receives measurement data of the radio signal, measured by said at least one second repeater (104, 204). The first node (101) determines radio characteristics of the radio link between the first repeater (103, 203) and said at least one second repeater based on the measurement data.

Abstract: A radio communication apparatus including: a radio interface; and a processor configured to control the radio interface to transmit a Ranging signal to a base station and to control a transmission power level of the Ranging signal; when the processor controls the radio interface to retransmit the Ranging signal, the retransmission includes a first phase and a second phase, the first phase in which the processor controls the radio interface to retransmit the Ranging signal at substantially a same transmission power level as at the time of initial transmission, or performs substantially a same calculation as that made at the time of the initial transmission of the Ranging signal and retransmits the Ranging signal at the calculated transmission power level, the second phase in which the processor increases the transmission power level and retransmits the Ranging signal at the increased transmission power level.

Abstract: A signal repeating system for a wireless network includes an antenna configured for transceiving signals between a base station and a user equipment device. Repeating circuitry is coupled to the antenna and defines an uplink path for signals from the user equipment device to the base station and a downlink path for signals from the base station to the user equipment device. The repeating circuitry includes gain circuitry and gain control circuitry that is coupled to the gain circuitry. The gain control circuitry is operable for varying the gain of the repeating circuitry according to a waveform. Measurement circuitry measures the receive power in the uplink path over time from the user equipment device. Processing circuitry cross-correlates the inverted gain variation waveform with the measured receive power for determining the existence of traffic from user equipment devices in the uplink path.

Abstract: A device may receive a signal strength indicator associated with a connection between a mobile device and a first base station. The signal strength indicator may indicate a strength of a radio signal received by the mobile device from the first base station. The device may transmit the signal strength indicator to a network device, and may receive, from the network device, a first notification to activate a second base station based on the signal strength indicator. The device may activate the second base station based on the first notification. The second base station may provide temporary wireless connectivity for the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and device for identifying degradation in service quality for a wireless media service. The wireless media service has a known expected packet generation rate, which may be determined by the device based upon the codec and payload size selected on initiating the media service. At a receiving device, the packets actually received by the device from the other termination point are counted over a time period, and this number is compared with the number of packets that were expected based upon the known packet generation rate. From this comparison a packet loss rate may be determined. If the packet loss rate exceeds a threshold level, then the device may issue a user alert, terminate the service, or take other action. The threshold level may be established based upon a packet loss rate corresponding to a significant degree of service quality degradation.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for reserving energy at network nodes within a wireless network and establishing energy threshold levels within the network nodes to suspend or maintain certain operational states as supported by time varying energy levels. Energy within the network node can be reserved for processing a critical message in response to receiving a reservation request. An energy level threshold for a network node within a wireless network can be adjusted in response to receiving a reservation request. Message transmission can be enabled in response to the monitored energy level being above the energy level threshold. Message transmission may be suspended in response to the monitored energy level being below the energy level threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed are a satellite power transmission system and a communication method. The satellite power transmission system includes: a reference value determining unit determining reference values of signal to interference ratios for each beam coverage of a multi-beam satellite network system; an interference amount determining unit determining an interference amount for each beam coverage of the multi-beam satellite network system; a signal power determining unit determining signal power corresponding to each beam coverage based on the reference value determined by the reference value determining unit and the interference amount determined by the interference amount determining unit; and a signal power allocating unit allocating the signal power determined by the signal power determining unit to each beam to communicate with each earth station.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for testing or qualifying a repeater/transmitter in a multicarrier system by utilizing modulation error ratio (MER). In particular, a disclosed method includes determining an estimated effective modulation error ratio of an output of the repeater/transmitter. The estimated effective modulation error ratio is compared with a predetermined threshold, and the repeater/transmitter is qualified when the estimated effective modulation error ratio is greater than the predetermined threshold. Using an estimated modulation error ratio for repeater/transmitters, which can have non-flat modulation error ratios over a total number of subcarriers, affords an efficient method to test and qualify repeater/transmitters.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a transmitting antenna of a satellite in orbit comprising a payload comprising signal amplification means, includes: configuring the said amplification means to generate thermal noise at the input of the transmitting antenna; acquiring, by means of a ground station, the signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna on the downlink of the satellite over a predetermined time period; during the said predetermined time period, controlling the said satellite in orbit in order to impart on it an angular bias of predetermined variation and recording this variation; correlating the measurement of the signal transmitted on the downlink and the variation of angular bias of the satellite in order to derive therefrom the gain variations of the transmitting antenna as a function of the angular bias of the satellite.

Abstract: In a radio communication system of the present invention, a radio master terminal and a radio relay terminal are configured to transmit beacon signals each containing relay stage number information which is information indicating the number of radio relay terminals via which communication with the radio master terminal is performed, and the radio terminal which newly participates in the radio communication system includes: a reception level measuring section for measuring reception levels of received beacon signals; a relay stage number analyzing section for obtaining relay stage number information from each of the received beacon signals; and an upper radio terminal deciding section for deciding as a connection target a radio terminal which is a transmission source of the beacon signal in which the measured reception level is determined as equal to or higher than a specified value, and the relay stage number is smallest based on the obtained relay stage number information.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a cellular signal is received and amplified by a particular amount of gain. A power level of the amplified cellular signal is measured and compared to a power level threshold. The particular amount of gain is adjusted based on the comparison to alter the power level of the amplified cellular signal by less than 1 dB. The cellular signal having the altered power level is then transmitted.

Abstract: A radio base station apparatus includes a determining unit that dynamically determines, based on both quality information and traffic information, collected for each of a first link used for direct communication between a first radio terminal and the base station apparatus, a second link used for direct communication between a second radio terminal and a fixed radio relay apparatus, and a third link used for relay transmission between the base station apparatus and the relay apparatus, of sub-frames in a radio frame as radio resources, a number of sub-frames to be allocated to the each of the first, second and third links and an allocation timing therefor; and a notifying unit that notifies the relay apparatus of allocation information including the number of sub-frames to be allocated to the third link used for the relay transmission and the timing therefor in a period of at least once in the frame.

Abstract: An arrangement for wireless communication includes apparatus operable to establish a region of wireless communications capability, and operable to establish communication with a communications hub by way of a backhaul. The apparatus is operable to determine availability of communication facilities on the backhaul and, in response to a request by a communications device operating with the use of the region of wireless communications capability, is operable to offer the backhaul implemented communication facilities to the communications device subject to the existence of a fault in offering of said facilities. The apparatus includes fault detection means operable to detect the presence of a fault. In the event of a fault being detected, the apparatus is operable to emit a signal intended to communicate the existence of the fault to t communications device.

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting and receiving data in a relay communication network are described. Stations in the relay network may be grouped into multiple depths. Packets may be transmitted in a pipelined manner, with stations at progressively higher depth sending transmissions of a packet in successive frames. In an aspect, a station may receive data with interference cancellation. The station may obtain a received signal containing transmissions of a first packet from stations at a first depth and transmissions of a second packet from stations at a second depth. The first and second stations may be downstream and upstream stations, respectively, or may be upstream stations at different depths. The station may estimate and cancel interference due to the transmissions of the first packet from the received signal to obtain an interference canceled signal. The station may then process the interference canceled signal for the second packet.