Systems and methods for enhancing spectral efficiency in a communication network

Abstract

A communication system configured to enhance communication spectral efficiency while maintaining an acceptable level of system robustness. Various combinations of modulation, code rate, and antenna usage scheme, are combined to create a hierarchy of modulation and communication schemes (MCS), such that each higher MCS level represents an enhanced degree of spectral efficiency, traded off for a lowered degree of system robustness. Included also are embodiments of methods testing the quality of data transmission and reception at difference MCS levels, and then raising or lowering MCS levels in order to enhance communication spectral efficiency while not falling below the minimally acceptable level of system robustness.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method for calibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system, comprising:
 transmitting, by a transmitter, to a receiver, a short transmission utilizing a first set of communication parameters comprising first and second communication parameters, said first set of communication parameters being different from a second set of communication parameters used to create stable communication between said transmitter and receiver, said second set of communication parameters comprising first and second communication parameters;   determining that there are substantially no errors associated with reception of the short transmission by the receiver; and   transmitting, by the transmitter, to the receiver, a long transmission utilizing a third set of communication parameters comprising first and second communication parameters, wherein
 (i) the first communication parameter of the third set is equal to the first communication parameter of the first set, and 
 (ii) the second communication parameter of the third set is equal to the second communication parameter of the second set. 
   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the first communication parameter for each of the sets of communication parameters is a code rate, and the second communication parameter for each of the sets of communication parameters is a level for a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna scheme. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the first communication parameter is a modulation level, and the second communication parameter for each of the sets of communication parameters is a code rate. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the first communication parameter for each of the sets of communication parameters is
 (i) a modulation level, or   (ii) a code rate; and   the second communication parameter for each of the sets of communication parameters is selected from a group consisting of:   (i) a level for a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna scheme used in transmitting data from the transmitter to the receiver, and   (ii) the inverse of power density.   
     
     
         48 . A method for calibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system, comprising:
 transmitting, by a transmitter, to a receiver, a short transmission using a first set of communication parameters to facilitate a first rate of data transmission that is higher than a second rate of data transmission associated with a second set of communication parameters associated with a previous transmission;   determining that there are substantially no errors associated with reception of the short transmission by the receiver; and   transmitting, by the transmitter, to the receiver, a long transmission of a previous transmission using a third set of communication parameters to facilitate a third rate of data transmission that is
 higher than the second rate of data transmission, and 
 is lower than the first rate of data transmission. 
   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the first, second and third sets of communication parameters are entered in a list comprising entries of sets of communication parameters. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the sets of communication parameters comprises modulation level, code rate, and antenna usage scheme. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein at least one set of consecutive entries in said list represent a transition between
 an antenna usage scheme that is
 (i) single-input single-output (SISO) or 
 (ii) space time code (STC); and 
   an antenna usage scheme that is multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO).   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein during said transition at least one of modulation level and code rate is decreased to assist with activation of the multiple-input multiple-output antenna usage scheme. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein during transitions between two sets of communication parameters associated with the same antenna usage scheme, at least one of modulation level and code rate is increased to facilitate an increase in rate of data transmission. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein each of the first and the second sets of communication parameters comprises a modulation level. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein each of the first and the second sets of communication parameters comprises a code rate. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein each of the first and the second sets of communication parameters comprises an antenna usage scheme. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein each of the first and the second sets of communication parameters comprises a sub-channelization usage scheme, wherein increasing the number of sub-channels used increases the rates of data transmissions. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein increasing the number of sub-channels used is done in conjunction with lowering the transmission power per sub-channel. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the step of transmitting the long transmission starts before determining that there are substantially no errors associated with reception 
     
     
         60 . A communication system to calibrate rates at which data is transmitted, comprising:
 a receiver; and   a transmitter to:
 (i) transmit to the receiver a short transmission using a first set of communication parameters to facilitate a first rate of data transmission that is higher than a second rate of data transmission associated with a second set of communication parameters associated with a previous transmission, 
 (ii) determine that there are substantially no errors associated with reception of the short transmission by the receiver, and 
 (iii) transmit to the receiver a long transmission using a third set of communication parameters to facilitate a third rate of data transmission that
 is higher than the second rate of data transmission, and 
 is lower than the first rate of data transmission. 
 
   
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein the communication system is selected from a group consisting of
 (i) WiMAX,   (ii) LTE,   (iii) WiFi, and   (iv) data over cable service interface specification.   
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein
 the transmitter is a base station, and   the receiver is
 a customer premises equipment, 
 or a subscriber station. 
   
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein the communication system utilizes a transmission scheme selected from a group consisting of
 (i) DMT,   (ii) DSL,   (iii) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, and   (iv) Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access.