System and method for minimizing guard time in a time division duplex communication system

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for optimizing capacity in a multi-user time division duplex (“TDD”) communication system such as a broadband wireless radio frequency communication system. More specifically the invention minimizes guard time in duplexed signals to thereby allow for higher data throughput which results in an increase in system communication capacity. Depending upon instantaneous traffic load associated with the subscribers using a particular TDD carrier, guard times may be adjusted to provide a desired level of throughput. As traffic loads demand, the order of assignment of burst periods in either or both the transmit and receive frames of a TDD carrier with respect to the subscriber systems operable thereon are adjusted to accommodate desired guard times.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending, commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 434,832, entitled “System and Method for Broadband Millimeter Wave Data Communication” filed Nov. 5, 1999, which itself is a divisional of co-pending, commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 740,332, entitled “System and Method for Broadband Millimeter Wave Data Communication” filed Nov. 7, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,313, currently undergoing concurrent re-examination as re-examination application Ser. Nos. 90 / 005,726 and 90 / 005,974 the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. [0002] The present application is also related to co-pending, commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 327,787, entitled “Multi-Level Information Mapping System and Method” filed Jun. 7, 1999, and to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 604,437, entitled “System and Method for Max...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a communication system and method that provides a cost-effective and efficient way to bridge large physical distances between processor-based systems and allow them to communicate with each other. The system uses a central array of communication devices, or hubs, to connect to multiple remote systems, which can be physically separated or located in different countries. The hubs offer multiple channels or carriers for simultaneous information communication to multiple subscribers, and the system can be dynamically controlled to select between these carriers. The use of millimeter wavelength carrier frequencies, such as 10 to 60 GHz, provides a communication bandwidth that is ideal for this purpose. The invention solves the need for a communication system that can provide cost-effective and reliable bridging of physical gaps between processor-based systems."

Problems solved by technology

In the past, information communication between processor-based systems, such as local area networks (LAN) and other general purpose computers, separated by significant physical distances has been an obstacle to integration of such systems.

The choices available to bridge the physical gap between such systems have not only been limited, but have required undesirable tradeoffs in cost, performance, and reliability.

Although such solutions are typically inexpensive to implement, they include numerous undesirable traits.

Specifically, since these existing links are typically not designed for high speed data communication, they lack the bandwidth through which to communicate large amounts of data rapidly.

As in-building LAN speeds increase to 100 Mbps, the local PSTN voice grade circuits even more markedly represent a choke point for broadband metropolitan area access and therefore are becoming a less and less desirable alternative.

Furthermore, such connections lack the fault tolerance or reliability found in systems designed for reliable transmission of important processor-based system information.

These solutions are typically cost prohibitive for all but the larger users.

The point to point systems require a dedicated system at each end of the communication link which lacks the ability to spread the cost of such systems over a plurality of users.

Furthermore, these systems typically provide a proprietary interface and therefore do not lend themselves to simple interfacing with a variety of general purpose processor-based systems.

As the cost of purchasing, placing, and maintaining such a ring is great, even the economy of multi-system utilization generally does not overcome the prohibitive cost of implementation.

However, the use of timing adjustment techniques, such as the above mentioned timing advance, creates a potential for burst period overlap in multi-user systems.

However, such a solution if not carefully implemented leaves the available spectrum idle for periods of time in which communications may take place, thus decreasing the throughput theoretically possible with the available spectrum.

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