Bandwidth-on-demand layer 1.5 protocols for enhanced broadband wireless access system performance

Broadband wireless access (BWA) systems are members of a larger class of shared medium access systems where a single central site (base station) communicates with a multiplicity of subscriber stations over a single transmission medium. Sharing a transmission medium among a multiplicity of users depends on designing orthogonal signal sets such that no two transmissions can interfere with one another. Conventional systems make use of time-based packet multiplexing as a preferred means of sharing the single transmission medium. However, current methods have a number of shortcomings. The paper outlines a new methodology that provides a number of benefits compared to conventional approaches. The new methodology is based on a time division multiplexed bandwidth-on-demand protocol layer that lies on top of the physical layer but below all higher level protocols. Advantages of this new approach include enhanced bandwidth utilization efficiency, low latency and zero delay variation. Complete independence from higher layer communication protocols assures non-obsolescent. BWA networks can benefit greatly from the methodology. The techniques employed are applicable to interconnecting BWA systems in larger networking contexts. Metropolitan area networks of interconnected BWA systems can use fixed wireless (or other) point-to-point network connections. These networks can be interconnected in even larger contexts using existing wide area network transmission facilities