In a data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, high rate packet data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link at each time slot to one mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest C/I measurement of the forward link signals as measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACK message results in retransmission of the data packet received in error. The data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by the use of sequence number to identify each data unit within the data packets.

Method and apparatus for high-rate packet data transmission

A multiple-access MIMO WLAN system that employs MIMO, OFDM, and TDD. The system (1) uses a channel structure with a number of configurable transport channels, (2) supports multiple rates and transmission modes, which are configurable based on channel conditions and user terminal capabilities, (3) employs a pilot structure with several types of pilot (e.g., beacon, MIMO, steered reference, and carrier pilots) for different functions, (4) implements rate, timing, and power control loops for proper system operation, and (5) employs random access for system access by the user terminals, fast acknowledgment, and quick resource assignments. Calibration may be performed to account for differences in the frequency responses of transmit/receive chains at the access point and user terminals. The spatial processing may then be simplified by taking advantage of the reciprocal nature of the downlink and uplink and the calibration.

MIMO WLAN system

A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.

Multicasting method and apparatus

A system, method, software and related functions are provided for managing activity in a radio frequency band that is shared, both in frequency and time, by signals of multiple types. An example of such a frequency band is an unlicensed frequency band. Radio frequency energy in the frequency band is captured at one or more devices and/or locations in a region where activity in the frequency band is happening. Signals occurring in the frequency band are detected by sampling part or the entire frequency band for time intervals. Signal pulse energy in the band is detected and is used to classify signals according to signal type. Using knowledge of the types of signals occurring in the frequency band and other spectrum activity related statistics (referred to as spectrum intelligence), actions can be taken in a device or network of devices to avoid interfering with other signals, and in general to optimize simultaneous use of the frequency band with the other signals. The spectrum intelligence may be used to suggest actions to a device user or network administrator, or to automatically invoke actions in a device or network of devices to maintain desirable performance.

System and method for management of a shared frequency band

A delivery system (12) and method allows a financial institution to provide financial services to a plurality of remote devices (24), such as personal computers (PCs) (18), personal data assistants (PDAs) (20), and screen phone (14). In addition to providing services to these remote devices (24), the system and method provide services to automatic teller machines (ATMs)(16), external service providers (22), and internally within the financial institution to staff terminals (26) and to the individual branches of the financial institution. The system is comprised of a set of re-usable global components which are modular and are organized into services sets. By separating the components of the system into independent components, the system and method can be developed and tested on a component level rather than the entire system level, thereby substantially reducing the development and maintenance cycle time.

System and method for delivering financial services

An apparatus (101, 110) and method for adaptive forward error correction in a data communication system (100) provides for dynamically changing forward error correction parameters based upon communication channel conditions. Data having a current degree of forward error correction is received (305), and a channel parameter is monitored (310). A threshold level for the channel parameter is determined (315), and the monitored channel parameter is compared to the threshold level (320). When the channel parameter is not within a predetermined or adaptive variance of the threshold level, a revised forward error correction parameter having a greater or lesser degree of forward error correction capability is selected (330, 340, 350, 360), and the revised forward error correction parameter is transmitted (370). The device receiving the revised forward error correction parameter, such as a secondary station (110), then transmits data encoded utilizing the revised error correction parameter (425).

Apparatus and method for adaptive forward error correction in data communications

An apparatus, method, system (100) and system method provide for distributed internetwork routing of information in a communication system (100). The communication system (100) is characterized by a topology having a primary node (101) connected to a first network (105), such as the internet, and connected via an intermediate network (114, 115, 116) to a multiplicity of secondary nodes (110) which are further connected via a secondary network (322) to a plurality of terminals (304) such as personal computers. The apparatus, method, system and system method provide for routing of information between the primary node (101) and terminals (304) independently of and transparently to any internetwork address of a secondary node (110). The apparatus, method, system and system method conserve internetwork addresses by utilizing internetwork addresses only for a primary node (101) and for terminals (304).

Apparatus, method, system and system method for distributed routing in a multipoint communication system

The apparatus (101) and method for spectrum management in a multipoint communication system controls upstream channel usage for secondary stations (110) transmitting information to a primary station (101) and downstream channel usage for secondary stations (110) receiving information from a primary station (101). The preferred apparatus (101) embodiment includes a processor arrangement (120) having a master controller (121) and a plurality of processors (130), with the processor arrangement connected to a channel interface (125). The apparatus (101) and method controls channel load balancing, channel congestion, and channel assignment in a multipoint communication system, and controls upstream channels independently from downstream channels. Factors and parameters utilized in such channel control and allocation include error parameters, channel noise parameters, transmit and receive loading factors, and congestion parameters.

Apparatus and method for spectrum management in a multipoint communication system

Frequency spectrum management provides for dynamic spectrum usage adjustment among applications on a shared medium. Dynamic resource management methods are applied to the problem of managing spectrum and matching application specific requirements to real-time spectrum characteristics so that more optimal use of the available spectrum may be made. At least a first spectrum agent is assigned to each of the plurality of different applications (104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and 114), for managing channels allocated to the application, and a spectrum manager (102) allocates frequency channel(s) to the plurality of different applications (104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and 114) based on the following at least one of parameters of a frequency channel required to implement the application and predetermined requirements based on time of day demand changes for the application.

Method and system for management of frequency spectrum among multiple applications on a shared medium

An apparatus and method to implement a hybrid contention and polling protocol for a communications or computer network is disclosed. Various apparatus and method embodiments of the invention employ specific polls (116) from a primary station for polling identified secondary stations of the network which may be in an active state, general polls (124, 304) to any of a plurality of secondary stations of the network which may be in an unresponsive state to initiate contention access to the network, and general polls for collision resolution (318) in the event that a plurality of secondary stations may simultaneously contend for network access. Various embodiments may also include frequency channel allocation for transmission and reception of data and other information within the network. The various procedures and apparatus disclosed may also be used to apply various polling parameters to optimize network performance.

John A. Perreault

Papers

Apparatus and method for adaptive forward error correction in data communications

Apparatus, method, system and system method for distributed routing in a multipoint communication system

Apparatus and method for spectrum management in a multipoint communication system

Method and system for management of frequency spectrum among multiple applications on a shared medium

System for determining the frequency of repetitions of polling active stations relative to the polling of inactive stations