Time division duplex wireless network and associated method using connection modulation groups

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . 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, by a set of one or more hardware processors, a plurality of associated RF connections between the base station and the subscriber station;   assigning a connection identifier (CID) to each of the connections using the set of one or more hardware processors;   monitoring communication traffic on the connections by the set of one or more hardware processors;   setting, by the set of one or more hardware processors, for each of the connections a modulation format of the plurality of associated RF connections from the base station to the associated subscriber station based upon the monitored communication traffic;   assigning, by the set of one or more hardware processors, each of the connections to at least one of a plurality of modulation groups based on a combination of at least the modulation format for the connection and a beam forming for the connection;   causing transmission of signals by the set of one or more hardware processors on connections assigned to a first of the plurality of modulation groups in a first group of adjacent TDD slots within a TDD frame; and   causing transmission of signals by the set of one or more hardware processors on connections assigned to a second of the plurality of modulation groups in a second group of adjacent TDD slots within the TDD frame.