Variable header types for persistent resource allocation in a wireless network

1. A method comprising:

determining a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource, the persistent resource allocation being assigned to a first connection identifier (CID);

transmitting a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a CID field, wherein the compressed MAC header of the persistent data burst includes a field indicating that the MAC header of the persistent data burst is compressed; and

transmitting a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the non-persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a second CID.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the un-compressed MAC header of the non-persistent data burst includes a field that indicates that the MAC header of the non-persistent data burst is un-compressed.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises a base station transmitting an information element to assign the persistent resource allocation to the first CID.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises a mobile station receiving an information element that assigns the persistent resource allocation to the first CID, the first CID being associated with the mobile station.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises a mobile station receiving an information element that assigns the persistent resource allocation to the first CID that is associated with a periodic traffic application of the mobile station that generates periodic traffic.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises a mobile station receiving an information element that assigns the persistent resource allocation to the first CID, the first CID being associated with a Voice Over IP (VOIP) application of the mobile station, wherein the transmitting the non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation is performed during a silence period of the VOIP application.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises receiving an information element (IE) at a mobile station, the persistent IE including an allocation flag indicating an allocation, a persistent flag indicating that the resource allocation is persistent, and an allocation period indicating a recurrence period of the persistent resource allocation.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises transmitting a information element (IE) from a base station, the persistent IE including an allocation flag indicating an allocation, a persistent flag indicating that the resource allocation is persistent, and an allocation period indicating a recurrence period of the persistent resource allocation.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a controller configured to determine a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource, the persistent resource allocation being assigned to a first connection identifier (CID);

a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a CID field, the MAC header of the persistent data burst including a field that indicates that the MAC header of the persistent data burst is compressed; and

the wireless transmitter also configured to transmit a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the non-persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a second CID, the MAC header of the non-persistent data burst including a field that indicates that the MAC header of the persistent data burst is un-compressed.

10. A method of using a persistent resource allocation in a wireless network, the method comprising:

receiving a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource; and

transmitting a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a connection identifier (CID) field, wherein the compressed MAC header of the persistent data burst includes a field that indicates that the MAC header of the persistent data burst is compressed.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the receiving the persistent resource allocation comprises receiving a persistent information element (IE) from a base station, the persistent IE including an allocation flag indicating an allocation, a persistent flag indicating that the resource allocation is persistent, and an allocation period indicating a recurrence period of the persistent resource allocation.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the allocation period indicates one or more frames between recurring resources provided as part of the persistent resource allocation.

13. The method of claim 10 and further comprising transmitting a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a CID (connection identifier) field, the un-compressed MAC header of the non-persistent data burst including a field indicating that the un-compressed MAC header is un-compressed.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the persistent resource allocation is assigned to a first connection identifier (CID) that is associated with a VOIP application or other periodic traffic application.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the non-persistent data burst includes an uncompressed MAC header that includes a second CID.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the persistent resource allocation is assigned to a first CID (connection identifier), the persistent data burst being associated with the first CID, and the compressed MAC header of the persistent data burst not including the first CID, the method further comprising:

transmitting a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the non-persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a second CID, the first CID and the second CID being associated with a common mobile station.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource; and

a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a connection identifier (CID) field, wherein the compressed MAC header of the persistent data burst includes a field that indicates that the MAC header of the persistent data burst is compressed.

18. A method of using a persistent resource allocation in a wireless network, the method comprising:

receiving, at a mobile station (MS), a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource, the persistent resource allocation being assigned to a connection identifier (CID) that is associated with a periodic traffic application of the MS that generates periodic traffic;

transmitting, from the periodic traffic application of the MS, a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a CID field; and

transmitting, from the MS during a silence period of the periodic traffic application, a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the non-persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a second CID associated with the MS.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the periodic traffic application is a Voice Over IP (VOIP) application.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the compressed MAC header of the persistent data burst includes a field that indicates that the MAC header of the persistent data burst is compressed.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the un-compressed MAC header of the non-persistent data burst includes a field that indicates that the MAC header of the non-persistent data burst is un-compressed.

22. An apparatus comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive, at a mobile station (MS), a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource, the persistent resource allocation being assigned to a connection identifier (CID) that is associated with a periodic traffic application of the MS that generates periodic traffic;

a wireless transmitter configured to transmit, from the periodic traffic application of the MS, a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a CID field; and

the wireless transmitter further configured to transmit, from the MS during a silence period of the periodic traffic application, a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the non-persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a second CID associated with the MS.