Time division duplex wireless network and associated method using connection modulation groups
A wireless network is provided that includes a base station and subscriber stations that communicate with the base station using radio frequency (RF) time division duplex (TDD) signaling. The base station may establish medium access control (MAC) connections with each station. The base station monitors communications with the stations and, in accordance, assigns stations or MAC connections to modulation groups. The base station transmits signals on MAC connections or to stations in a modulation group in adjacent TDD slots within a TDD frame. The base station may receive access requests from the stations, evaluate traffic requirements for the stations, and determine a longest downlink portion for the stations. The base station then allocates downlink and uplink portions of a TDD frame according to the length of the longest downlink portion.
1 - 29 . (canceled)
30 . A method for use in a wireless network comprising a base station and a plurality of subscriber stations in wireless, radio frequency (RF), time division duplex (TDD) communication with the base station, the method comprising:
for each of the subscriber stations, establishing a plurality of associated medium access control (MAC) connections on a RF communication link between the base station and the subscriber station;
assigning a connection identifier (CID) to each of the MAC connections;
monitoring communication traffic on the MAC connections;
setting for each of the MAC connections a first controllable characteristic of the RF communication link from the base station to the associated subscriber station based upon the monitored communication traffic;
assigning each of the MAC connections to a modulation group according to the first controllable characteristic for the MAC connection; and
transmitting signals from the base station on MAC connections in a modulation group in adjacent TDD slots within a TDD frame.