Abstract:
Improved ways of communicating assignment signals using flash signaling are described, e.g., for wireless terminals with low SNR, that are more robust against large variation of channel gains due to e.g., frequency selective fading and fast fading in time. Coding and modulation methods and apparatus that have excellent properties against symbol erasures are described. The use of flash signaling provides an improved assignment channel having strong performance on the fading channel without compromising the performance on the AWGN channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the coding and modulation method can tolerate up to 5 erased symbols out of 8 transmitted symbols. One embodiment reduces or minimizes the sector interference on the flash assignment by improving or maximizing orthogonality between different sectors. In addition, one embodiment describes improved ways of swapping flash assignment tone-symbols in the presence other high priority signals, like sector pilots and sector null pilots.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for communicating transmission backlog information are described. Reporting control factors are utilized to expand reporting possibilities for a fixed bit size request report. At least one report control factor is determined as a function of channel quality information, power information, device capability information, and/or quality of service information. A transmission backlog report value is interpreted as a function of a reporting control factor. A wide range of quantization schemes for reporting transmission backlog information are facilitated corresponding to a small bit size report. A communications device can adaptively select a quantization request level closely matched to its current needs such as to provide an accurate representation of its current traffic channel resource needs. A communications device may request a number of frames in a request report and the same report may be indirectly requesting a number of communications segments needed to clear its transmission backlog.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for routing messages between an end node and an access node via another access node are described. Physical layer identification information is used when identifying a remote, e.g., adjacent, access node as a message destination. Thus, when a connection identifier based on one or more physical layer identifiers is available to a wireless terminal, e.g., from one or more downlink signals received from a destination access node, the wireless terminal can use the connection identifier corresponding to the destination node to route a message via an access node with which it has an established uplink connection. Such connection identifier information can be used even when other addressing information, e.g., network layer address information, associated with the destination access node, may not be available to the wireless terminal.
Abstract:
A base station uses a common link layer controller corresponding to multiple physical attachment points, facilitating multiple concurrent wireless connections between different base station sector physical attachment points and the same wireless terminal using the same link layer link. A wireless terminal maintains multiple simultaneous wireless connections for the same link layer link. A packet of user data is fragmented into a plurality of grouping of MAC frames, thus a packet portion can be communicated over a connection. A single packet is sometimes communicated with different portions conveyed over different wireless connections. Automatic repeat request, implemented using the common link layer controller, allows for retransmission of a packet portion over a different connection than it was initially transmitted over. A wireless terminal sends connection request messages including lists of link layer identifiers associated with the wireless terminal. A base station sends response messages including an indication of whether logical link state was already present.
Abstract:
First and second sets of information are transmitted using a relatively large transmission block including a plurality of minimum transmission units (MTUs), each MTU corresponds to a unique combination of resources. A first set of said MTUs is used in conveying said first set of information, said first set including at least a majority of said MTUs in the transmission block. A second set of said MTUs is defined, e.g., selected, for use in conveying said second set of information, said second set of MTUs including less MTUs than first set and at least some MTUs included in the first set. The first and second sets of information are communicated by transmitting at least some MTUs included in said first and second sets of MTUs with the corresponding information modulated thereon. The communicating of the information may be through superposition of the first and second information on shared MTUs.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for providing channel diversity to wireless terminals (WTs) in a manner that reduces the latency between the time a WT encounters satisfactory channel conditions are described. A plurality of communications channels with different physical characteristics are maintained in a cell by a base station (BS). Each WT monitors multiple channels and maintains multiple channel estimates at the same time so that rapid switching between channels is possible. Channel quality information is conveyed from each WT to the BS. The WT or BS selects a channel based on the measured channel quality. By supporting multiple channels and by introducing periodic variations into the channels in various embodiments, the time before a WT encounters a channel with good or acceptable channel conditions is minimized even if the WT does not change location. Multiple antennas are used at the BS to support numerous channels simultaneously, e.g., by controlling antenna patterns.
Abstract:
Methods, devices, and computer program products facilitate proper allocation of network resource in a self-configuring network. The initial configuration space associated with the self-configuring network is updated based on information received from the network that describes particular adequacies or inadequacies of the initial configuration space. Based on the received information, the configuration space is updated to accommodate proper and efficient operations of the network.
Abstract:
Systems and method for hand-in of mobile users into a local RAN, such as UMTS ERAN, deployment are provided. In accordance with various embodiments, a local RAN gateway is utilized to multicast relocation request messages to multiple target ERANs pursuant to the receipt of a measurement report from a user equipment. By virtue of either a pre-configured relocation request acknowledgement or a pair of generated tokens, each of the multiple target ERANs may allocate the appropriate resources for the user equipment to be handed into one of the multiple target ERANs. In accordance with another embodiment, the local RAN gateway additionally multicasts a user equipment uplink layer configuration to each of the multiple target ERANs. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the local RAN gateway receives the timing difference between a current cell and target cell to disambiguate the target cell and corresponding ERAN.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for reconfiguration of a communication environment based on loading requirements. Network operations are monitored and analyzed to determine loading balance across the network or a portion thereof. Where warranted, the network is reconfigured to balance the load across multiple network entities. For example, in a cellular-type of network, traffic loads and throughput requirements are analyzed for the access points and their user equipment. Where loading imbalances occur, the cell coverage areas of one or more access points can be reconfigured to alleviate bottlenecks or improve balancing.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are described that enable a deployment of a system of wireless nodes, e.g., femtocells, which can self-configure themselves into a balanced and optimized wireless network. In various embodiments, access points switch between a network monitoring mode in which network monitoring is performed and a communications mode in which the access point serves one or more wireless terminals and communicates traffic data to/from the wireless terminals. Traffic data transmission to wireless terminals are not supported in network monitoring mode. Based on information gathered from one or more access nodes while they operating in network monitoring mode of operation, access point configuration information is generated and one or more access points are automatically configured.