MX2008004840A - Methods and apparatus for selecting and signaling a preferred link among a plurality of maintained wireless communications links - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for maintaining, selecting and indicating a preferred communications link with an access node, e.g., base station, are described.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS TO SELECT AND LEAVE A LINK PREFERRED BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF LINKS MAINTAINED FROM INAL MBR COMMUNICATIONS • FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for operating and using wireless terminals that have the ability to maintain communications links with multiple junctions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wireless terminals often have better information and / or more current information regarding the quality of downlinks than is available for network elements. For example, the core elements, which are coupled to multiple base stations, may have some form of out-of-date information regarding the quality of particular links corresponding to different base stations to which a wireless terminal may be attached. In addition, core network elements may not be aware of the current traffic load conditions in a station base. Some wireless terminals have the ability to support multiple wireless communication links at the same time. The different links can be with different points of union, for example, base stations or sectors. Because different links may correspond to different physical junction points or different frequency bands, the signal conditions in different links maintained at the same time may vary. For traffic routing purposes, it may be desirable to use the link with the best channel conditions at a particular point in time. However, depending on the traffic load in a cell, delays in arriving at assigned traffic segments or other conditions may make a link with a channel quality lower than another link more preferable at a particular point in time . It would be desirable if the knowledge of the wireless terminal could be used with respect to the quality of the link to select which link should be used at a particular point in time. It would also be desirable if a base station were allowed a degree of flexibility in selecting which of the plurality of links to use at a particular point in time so that information known to the base station could be used to make a determination as to which link to use to communicate information to a wireless terminal. By virtue of the above analysis, it should be appreciated that there is a need for methods to allow a wireless terminal to have influence over which of a plurality of communication links will be used to send downlink signals, for example, user data such as text, audio and / or image data, etc., to a wireless terminal at a particular point in time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a drawing of an exemplary communications system executed in accordance with the present invention and using the methods of the present invention. Figure 2 is a drawing illustrating exemplary link and signaling selections in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is a drawing indicating an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention where there is a hysteresis level at the preferred link change.

Figure 4 is a drawing indicating another exemplary embodiment according to the present invention where there is a hysteresis level at the preferred link change. Figure 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for operating a wireless terminal in accordance with the present invention. Figure 6 is a drawing indicating an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention where there is a hysteresis level at the preferred link change. Figure 7 is a drawing indicating another exemplary embodiment according to the present invention wherein there is a hysteresis level in the preferred link change. Figure 8 is a drawing indicating an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention where there is a hysteresis level in the preferred link change. Figure 9 includes drawings illustrating an example of filtered signal strength measurements that are used by a wireless terminal to determine a preferred downlink link, according to the present invention. Figure 10 is a drawing indicating another exemplary embodiment according to the present invention wherein there is a hysteresis level at the preferred link change. Figure 11 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal, for example, mobile node, executed in accordance with the present invention and using the methods of the present invention. Figure 12 is a drawing of an exemplary base station, for example, access node, executed in accordance with the present invention and using the methods of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Methods and apparatuses are described for maintaining, selecting and indicating a preferred communications link with an access node, for example, a base station. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a wireless terminal maintains communication links with a plurality of different attachment points at the same time. The wireless terminal takes one or more signal measurements on the signals received on the different links. The wireless terminal then selects a preferred downlink wireless communications link from the links of communications maintained. The wireless terminal signals one or more of the junction points to which the communications link that it has selected as the preferred communications link at a particular point in time is connected. Although a preferred link indicator is communicated to a junction point, it should be appreciated that this signal indicates a link preference, for example, whether the downlink link corresponding to the junction point is considered to be a preferred link or not. by the wireless terminal. The base station receiving the preferred link indicator is not required to use a preferred indicated link. For example, in some embodiments, a base station will consider the preferred link indicator information together with other information such as, for example, traffic load conditions, when deciding whether or not to use a particular downlink link. Sometimes, the downlink signals to a wireless terminal can be through a preferred link designated WT, while in other occasions, the downlink signals to the wireless terminal can be through a link which has not been designated as a preferred link by the WT. The signal measurements by the wireless terminal that are used in the process of selection of Preferred link may include signal strength measurements, signal to noise ratio (SNR) measurements, signal interference measurements, and so on. In some, but not necessarily all, executions, the transfer rate at which a wireless terminal is allowed to change its preferred link selection is limited to avoid rapid or fast alternate changes in link selection due to, for example, interference temporary or other transient channel conditions. The transfer rate at which the wireless terminal can change its preferred link selection may also be limited to, for example, increasing the reliability of base station detection of such signaling by the wireless terminal. The base stations that receive the preferred link information can use the preferred link indication when selecting which of the available downlink connections the downlink signals and the traffic will be routed, e.g., user data. In addition to the preferred link information, the base station may consider the traffic conditions of the base station and / or other known conditions for the base station when determining which link to use at a particular point in time for traffic of the base station. downlink. The preferred link selection and reporting process can occur according to a predetermined schedule, for example, a program corresponding to dedicated uplink control channel slots which can be used to report the selected preferred link of the wireless terminals to one or more junction points. Although the mobile node may select, and in some embodiments do, a link with the best link quality as the preferred link, the wireless terminal may take into account additional link selection criteria beyond the quality of the link when selected. a preferred link. For example, link latency, link load and / or other factors associated with a communication link can also be considered in the selection of a preferred link. Although several modalities have been analyzed in the previous summary, it should be appreciated that not all modalities necessarily include the same characteristics and some of the characteristics described above are not necessary but may be desirable in some modalities. In the following, numerous features, benefits and additional embodiments of the present invention are discussed in greater detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is a drawing of an exemplary communications system 100 executed in accordance with the present invention and using the methods of the present invention. The exemplary communication system 100 may be, for example, an orthogonal frequency division multiplex broadcast (OFDM) multiple access wireless communication system. The exemplary communications system 100 includes a plurality of cells (cell 1 102, cell M 104), each cell (102, 104) represents a wireless coverage area for a corresponding base station (BS 1 106, BS M 108), respectively . Each base station is a sectorized base station that supports a different junction point for each sector. Cell 1 102 includes sector A 110, sector B 112 and sector C 114; cell M 104 includes sector A 116, sector B 118, and sector C 120. Base stations (106, 108) are coupled to a network node 122, for example, router, through network links ( 124, 126), respectively. The network node 122 is coupled to another network / Internet node through the network link 125. The network links (124, 126, 125) can be, for example, fiber optic links. The exemplary system 100 also includes a plurality of wireless terminals, for example, mobile nodes (WT 1 128, WT N 130). The wireless terminals (128, 130) can be moved through the communication system and attached to the junctions of the base station. In accordance with the present invention, a WT can be attached to multiple junctions simultaneously. Said WT evaluates the conditions of the channel with respect to the multiple links, selects a preferred link for downlink user data signaling, and communicates its preference to the junctions of the base station. The WT 1 128 is coupled to the junction of the sector C of the BS 1 106 through the wireless link 132. The WT 1 128 is also coupled to the junction point of the sector B of the BS M 108 through the wireless link 13 . The junctions of the two sectors that are used by WT 1 128 are not co-located, for example, each sector junction point is in a different cell. The WT N 130 is coupled to the junction point of sector A of the BS 2 108 through the wireless link 136. The WT N 130 is also coupled to the junction of the sector C of the BS M 108 through the wireless link 138 The junctions of the two sectors that are used by the WT N 130 are co-located, for example, each junction of the sector is in the same base station. In some modalities, a base station sector it can also support multiple junction points, for example, three blocks of downlink OFDM tones, where each of the downlink tone blocks corresponds to a different junction point. Figure 2 is a drawing 200 illustrating exemplary linkage signaling and selections in accordance with the present invention. The exemplary WT A 206 is shown with two established wireless links, a first link 208 which couples the WT A 206 to the junction point A of the base station 202 and a 2nd link 210 which couples the WT A 206 to the junction B of the base station 204. The two base station junctions A and B may be co-located, for example, different sectors corresponding to the same base station or different carrier frequencies or tone blocks corresponding to the same base station sector. Alternatively, the two base station junction points A and B (202, 204) may not be co-located, for example, corresponding to different adjacent base stations located in adjacent cells. Each base station junction point (A 202, B 204) transmits downlink signals (212, 214), respectively. The downlink signals may include, for example, beacon signals, pilot signals, assignment signals, location signals, control signals, user data signals. For the less some of the transmitted downlink signals (212, 214) are received by the WT A 206 and processed, for example, by determining at least one of received signal strength, such as the intensity of the received pilot signal or intensity of the received beacon signal, signal to noise ratio measurements (SNR), signal to interference ratio (SIR), sector load and traffic type such as voice or data, corresponding to each set of signals (212, 214). In some embodiments, the downlink signals are received and processed from other base station junctions, for example, additional beacon signals from a base station junction point that is not currently associated with an established link but which they are used to generate radiobeacon relay reports or to determine the SNR or SIR. In block 216, the WT A 206, having received and processed the downlink signals (212, 214), selects a preferred link to be used, over which downlink user data signals are communicated to the WT. The selection of the preferred link, according to the present invention, depends on at least one of the following: SNR, SIR, received signal strength, beacon intensities, sector load, and type of traffic. In some modalities, the selection is based on present conditions, as well as on past conditions. The arrow 218 indicates that the WT A 206 signals its preferred link to the junction point A 202 of the base station in a dedicated control channel, eg, a dedicated uplink tone in the timing and frequency structure that is being used by the junction A of the BS, which has been assigned by the junction point A of the BS to the WT A 206. In some embodiments, a wireless terminal can operate at different times in different channel operation modes. dedicated control, for example, a full DCCH mode where the wireless terminal is assigned an uplink logical tone for exclusive use, and a 1/3 DCCH mode of operation where the wireless terminal shares a logical tone of Uplink assigned with other wireless tones. The speed of the preferred link signaling is, in some embodiments, a function of the operating mode of the wireless terminal. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the preferred link indication of the WT is coded in conjunction with channel condition reports, eg, SNR reports, beacon ratio reports, and so on. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the signaling is executed periodically in the channel of dedicated control. The arrow 220 indicates that the WT A 206 signals its preferred link to the B 202 attachment point of the base station network in the dedicated control channel, for example, a dedicated uplink tone in the timing and frequency structure that is being used by the junction B of the BS, which has been assigned by the junction B of the BS to the WT A 206. The block 222 indicates that the junction A 202 of the BS decides whether they are transmitted or not downlink user data to the WT A 206 based on the selected preference of the WT, and in some modes under certain conditions, information pertaining to the junction point A 202 of the BS, and / or information pertaining to another junction point that is being used simultaneously by the WT A 206. For example, the junction point A of the BS usually transmits downlink user data to the WT A 206 when its link 208 has been selected as the link favorite; however, it may be chosen to transmit to WT A 206 when its link 208 is not the preferred link, for example, at a reduced rate. The situations where the junction point A 202 of the base station, which does not have its link 208 selected as the preferred link, should choose to transmit downlink user data to the WT A 206 including, for example, (i) if the non-preferred link 208 is unloaded or lightly loaded, and / or (ii) if the non-preferred link 208 is unloaded or slightly discharged, while the preferred link designated 210 is congested, and / or (iii) if the signal 218 of the WT A of its preferred link to the junction point A 202 of the base station is considered untrustworthy by the junction point A 202 of the base station. Block 224 similarly indicates that junction B 204 of the BS network decides whether or not downlink user data is transmitted to WT A 206 based on the selected preference of the WT, and in some embodiments, under certain condition, information pertaining to the other junction point that is being used simultaneously by the WT A 206. The dashed arrows 226 and 228 indicate that one or more junctions of the base station (202, 204) transmit data from downlink user to WT A 206, for example, according to the decisions of steps 222 and 224. It is possible for both base station junction points (202, 204) to simultaneously transmit link user data descending to WT A 206, while WT A 206 has only one preferred link at any given time. Figure 3 is a drawing 300 indicating an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, in where there is a hysteresis level in the preferred link change. In some embodiments, the mobile node is required to maintain the preferred linkage for at least N consecutive slots, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, N = 3. The Figure 300 includes-a horizontal axis 302 that represents time. Eleven consecutive exemplary slots are shown (slot 1 304, slot 2 306, slot 3 308, slot 4 310, slot 5 312, slot 6 314, slot 7 316, slot 8 318, slot 9 320, slot 10 322, slot 11 324 ). Block 326 indicates that the mobile node changes the preferred link at the boundary between slot 1 and slot 2. Block 328 indicates that the MN is restricted against changes of the preferred link by a duration of 3 slots (slot 2-slot 4) ). Block 330 indicates that at the boundary between slot 4 and slot 5, the MN once again changes the preferred link. Block 332 indicates that the MN is restricted against changes of the preferred link for a duration of 3 slots (slot 5-slot 7). Block 334 indicates that the MN changes the preferred link at the boundary between slot 8 and slot 9, for example, because the switching criteria have been satisfied and the restriction against switching has expired. It can be seen that, the mobile could have changed the preferred link beginning with the boundary between blocks 7 and 8, if the switching criterion had been satisfied. The block 336 indicates that the MN is restricted against changes of the preferred link by a duration of 3 slots, where the restriction is raised at the end of the slot 11. Figure 4 is a drawing 400 indicating an exemplary embodiment in accordance with present invention, wherein there is a hysteresis level in the preferred link change. In some embodiments, the mobile node is required to maintain the preferred linkage for at least N consecutive sets of channel reports, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 4, N = 2. Drawing 400 includes a horizontal axis 402 representing time. Eight consecutive exemplary sets of channel reports are shown (1st report of channel A 404, 1st report of channel B 406), (2d0 report of channel A 408, 2nd report of channel B 410), (3rd report of channel A 412, 3rd report of channel B 414), (4t0 report of channel A 416, 4th report of channel B 418), (5th report of channel A 420, 5t0 report of channel B 422), (6th report of channel A 424, 6t0 report of channel B 426), (7th report of channel A 428, 7th report of channel B 430), (8th report of channel A 432, 8av0 report of channel B 434). Block 426 indicates that the mobile node changes the preferred link at a time corresponding to the 1st set of channel reports (404/406). Block 438 indicates that the MN is restricted against changes of the preferred link for a duration of 2 channel reporting intervals. Block 440 indicates that at the time corresponding to the third set of channel reports (412/414), the MN once again changes the preferred link. Block 442 indicates that the MN is restricted against changes of the preferred link for a duration of 2 channel reporting intervals. Block 444 indicates that the MN changes the preferred link at the time corresponding to the 6th set of channel reports (424/426), for example, because the switching criterion has been satisfied and the restriction against switching has expired. It can be seen, once the restriction expires, that the MN can, but does not have to be, change the preferred link. For example, the mobile could have changed the preferred link beginning with the time corresponding to the 5th set of channel reports, because the switching criteria have been satisfied, but the MN decides not to change it. Block 446 indicates that the MN is restricted against changes of the preferred link for a duration of 2 channel reporting intervals. Figure 5 is a flow chart 500 of an exemplary method for operating a wireless terminal in accordance with the present invention. The operation starts in step 502, wherein the wireless terminal has been previously energized, initialized, registered with two base station junction points, and established with two wireless links, one of the links is designated as the preferred link and the other link is designated as the alternate link. The operation proceeds from step 502 to step 504. In step 504 the wireless terminal is operated to receive downlink signals from each of a plurality of junctions of the base station sector. The operation proceeds from step 504 to step 506, wherein the wireless terminal is operated to calculate a filtered version of power received from the signals received from each junction point of the sector corresponding to a current alternative link and the junction point of the sector corresponding to the current preferred link. The operation proceeds from step 506 to step 508. In step 508, the wireless terminal checks whether the filtered received power of an alternative link is above the filtered received power of the preferred link by a first value X, for example, 0 or 0.5 dB. If the filtered received power of an alternative link exceeded the currently preferred link by at least the value X, then the operation proceeds to step 509; otherwise, the operation returns to step 504.

In step 509, the wireless terminal checks whether a hysteresis criterion for switching from the current preferred link was satisfied. For example, the wireless terminal may be required to signal the same preferred link indicator value to the current preferred link at least for NI successive time slots before allowing it to change the preferred link indicator value signaled to an alternative link. If the hysteresis criterion was met, then the operation proceeds to step 510; otherwise, the operation returns to step 504. In step 510, the wireless terminal is operated to: (i) change the previous alternate link which exceeded the threshold in step 508 to be the new preferred link and (ii) ) change the previous preferred link to be a new alternate link. Step 510 includes sub-step 512. In sub-step 512, the wireless terminal is operated to adjust the received power that is filtered in the links so that the new preferred received power is incremented by a second value, Y, for example, 3dB . In some embodiments, this additional increment of the new preferred received power filter may be an initial increase in gain which decays over time. The values X and Y are selected, according to the present invention, to provide hysteresis As an alternative approach to changing the filter parameters due to a decision to change the preferred links, in some embodiments, the switching criteria are adjusted as a time function of the last switching point. For example, the switching criterion immediately following a switchover can be set to a difference of 3dB, and that switching criterion can be controlled to decay over time to a lower limit of 0.5 dB or OdB. Figure 6 is a set of drawings indicating an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention where there is a hysteresis level in the preferred link change. In some embodiments, the mobile node is required to signal the preferred link for N consecutive signaling opportunities before the signaling of another preferred link is allowed, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 6, N = 4. The drawing 602 includes a vertical axis 603, which represents the signaling opportunities of the preferred link of the dedicated control channel of the junction point A against a horizontal axis 601 representing time. Drawing 602 illustrates 17 successive signaling opportunities for signaling junction A with a link indicator favorite. The drawing 604 includes a vertical axis 605, which represents the signaling opportunities of the preferred link of the dedicated control channel of the junction point B against a horizontal axis 601 representing time. Drawing 604 illustrates 17 successive signaling opportunities for signaling junction point A with a preferred link indicator. The drawing 606 includes a vertical axis 607 which represents the signal indicator of the preferred link of the dedicated control channel of the junction point A against a horizontal axis 601 representing time. Each indicator value of the drawing 606 corresponds to a signaling opportunity of the drawing 602. The drawing 606 indicates a pattern of indicator signals (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1), wherein an indicator value = 1 indicates that the established link corresponding to the attachment point A is the preferred link for the downlink user data signaling, whereas a indicator value = 0 indicates that the link established corresponding to attachment point A is not the preferred link for downlink user data signaling. It can be appreciated that, the same preferred link signaling indicator value is successively signaled for (4, 5, 4) times, each exemplary set of successive signaling uses minus four successive signaling opportunities, according to a criterion used in this exemplary modality. The drawing 608 includes a vertical axis 609 having the signal indicator of the preferred link of the dedicated control channel of the junction B against a horizontal axis 601 representing time. Each indicator value of the drawing 608 corresponds to a signaling opportunity of the drawing 604. The drawing 608 indicates a pattern of indicator signals (1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0), wherein an indicator value = 1 indicates that the established link corresponding to the B binding point is the preferred link for the downlink user data signaling, while a indicator value = 0 indicates that the established link corresponding to the B binding point is not the preferred link for the downlink user data signaling. It can be seen, the same value of the preferred link signaling indicator is successively signaled for (4, 5, 4) times, each successive signaling example set uses at least four successive signaling opportunities, according to a criterion used in this exemplary modality. In some modalities, a mobile can signal that there is no preferred link at a point in time determined. It is also possible, in some modalities, for a mobile to indicate multiple preferred links at a certain point in time. Figure 7 is a set of drawings indicating an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, wherein a hysteresis level exists at the preferred link change. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 7, the mobile node is operating in a complete dedicated control channel operation mode with respect to the attachment point A and is operating in a dedicated control channel operation mode of 1/3 with with respect to the point of union B, each mode supports different uplink signaling rates with respect to the communication of a preferred link to be used for downlink user data signaling. According to various embodiments of the invention, under mixed operation mode conditions, the mobile node signals the same preferred link indicator value for at least N successive time intervals, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, before allowing it to change the flagged preferred link indicator value to the attachment point corresponding to the dedicated uplink control channel using the lowest signaling rate. Signaling to the other junction point using the signaling speed The highest uplink is, in some embodiments, set to match the information reported through the low signaling rate channel. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 7, N = 3. The drawing 702 includes a vertical axis 703, which represents the preferred link signaling opportunities of the dedicated control channel of the junction point.

A, which operates in full DCCH mode against a horizontal axis 701 that represents time. Drawing 702 illustrates 33 successive signaling opportunities for signaling junction point A with a preferred link indicator. Drawing 704 includes a vertical axis 705, which represents the preferred link signaling opportunities of the dedicated control channel of the junction point B, which operates in a DCCH mode of 1/3 against a horizontal axis 701 that represents time. Drawing 704 illustrates 11 successive signaling opportunities for signaling junction B with a preferred link indicator. The drawing 706 includes a vertical axis 707 representing the preferred link signal indicator of the dedicated control channel of the junction point A against a horizontal axis 701 representing time. Each indicator value in drawing 706 corresponds to an opportunity to signage from drawing 702. Drawing 706 indicates a pattern of indicator signals (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) where an indicator value = 1 indicates that the link established for the point A is the preferred link for downlink user data signaling, while an indicator value = 0 indicates that the link established for attachment point A is not the preferred link for user data signaling. downlink. The drawing 708 includes a vertical axis 709 which represents the preferred link signal indicator of the dedicated control channel of the junction point B against a horizontal axis 701 representing time. Each indicator value of the drawing 708 corresponds to a signaling opportunity of the drawing 704. The drawing 708 indicates a pattern of indicator signals (0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1) , wherein a flag value = 1 indicates that the link established corresponding to the B binding point is the preferred link for the downlink user data signaling, while a flag value = 0 indicates that the link established corresponding to the junction point B is not the preferred link for downlink user data signaling. It can appreciate that, the same preferred link signaling indicator value is successively signaled at least three times before switching to another indicator value, according to a criterion used in this exemplary embodiment. It can be seen that the indicator pattern of drawing 706 has been established to achieve a consistency in the allocation of the preferred link between the two points of attachment. Figure 8 is a set of drawings indicating an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, wherein a hysteresis level exists at the preferred link change. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the mobile node is operating in a complete dedicated control channel operation mode with respect to junction point A and is operating in a dedicated control channel operation mode of 1/3 with with respect to the point of union B, each mode supports different uplink signaling rates with respect to the communication of a preferred link to be used for downlink user data signaling. In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, under mixed operation mode conditions, the mobile node signals the same preferred link indicator value for at least NI successive time intervals, where NI is a positive integer greater than 1, before being allowed to modify the flagged preferred link indicator value for the binding point corresponding to the dedicated uplink control channel using the lowest signaling rate, and the mobile node signals the same preferred link indicator value by at least for N2 successive time intervals, where N2 is a positive integer greater than 1, before being allowed to modify the preferred link indicator value signaled for the binding point corresponding to the dedicated uplink control channel using the higher signaling speed. In some of these modalities N1 = N2. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 8, NI = N2 = 4. In a certain embodiment, the value of NI or N2 depends on the modes of the dedicated uplink control channels associated with junction points A and B , and it is predetermined. In another mode, the value of NI or N2 can be configured and varied as a function of MN traffic. The drawing 802 includes a vertical axis 803 that represents the signaling opportunities of the preferred link of the dedicated control channel of the junction point A, operating in full DCCH mode, against a horizontal axis 801 that represents time. The drawing 802 illustrates 33 successive signaling opportunities for signaling junction A with a preferred link indicator. The drawing 804 includes a vertical axis 805, which represents the signaling opportunities of the preferred link of the dedicated control channel of the attachment point B, operating in a DCCH mode of 1/3, against a horizontal axis 801 representing time. Drawing 804 illustrates 11 successive signaling opportunities for signaling the B-junction with a preferred link indicator. The drawing 806 includes a vertical axis 807 which represents the preferred link signal indicator of the dedicated control channel of the junction point A against a horizontal axis 801 representing time. Each indicator value of the drawing 806 corresponds to a signaling opportunity of the drawing 802. The drawing 806 indicates a pattern of indicator signals (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) where one indicator value = 1 indicates that the link established corresponding to the point of attachment A is the preferred link for the downlink user data signaling, while a value of indicator = 0 indicates that the link established corresponding to the point of attachment A is not the preferred link for the user data signaling of downlink. The drawing 808 includes a vertical axis 809 which represents the preferred link signal indicator of the dedicated control channel of the junction point B against a horizontal axis 801 representing time. Each indicator value of the drawing 808 corresponds to a signaling opportunity of the drawing 804. The drawing 808 indicates a pattern of indicator signals (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0), where a value of indicator = 1 indicates that the established link corresponding to the point of union B is the preferred link for data signaling of downlink user, while an indicator value = 0 indicates that the link established for attachment point B is not the preferred link for downlink user data signaling. It can be appreciated that, the same preferred link signaling indicator value is successively signaled at least four times before switching to another indicator value for a given point of attachment, according to a criterion used in this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, there are some cases where two different junction points may each have a different understanding as to which link is the preferred link. Figure 9 includes drawings illustrating a example of filtered signal intensity measurements that are being used by a wireless terminal to determine a preferred downlink link, according to the present invention. The drawing 906 is a graph of measurements of signal strength received on the vertical axis 904 against time on the horizontal axis 906 for two exemplary established links by coupling an exemplary wireless terminal to two junction points. The points indicated by the symbol O in graph 902 indicate the measured signal strength of the pilot signals from the point of union O as a function of time. The points indicated by the symbol X in graph 902 indicate the measured signal strength of the pilot signals from the junction point X as a function of time. The drawing 907, which corresponds to the drawing 902, is a graph of filtered signal intensity measurements received on the vertical axis 908 against time on the horizontal axis 906 for the two exemplary established links that couple the exemplary wireless terminal to the two network junction points. The points indicated by the symbol O in the graph 907 indicate the filtered signal strength of the pilot signals from the point of union O as a function of time. The points indicated by the symbol X in graph 907 indicate the filtered signal strength of the pilot signals from the junction point X as a function of weather. Table 914 indicates the preferred link of the wireless terminal as a function of time and corresponds to the drawing 907. In this exemplary embodiment, the switching decisions of the preferred link are based on a comparison of the filtered measured signal strength. For example, when the filtered intensity of an alternating link equals or exceeds the filtered intensity of the current preferred link, the alternating link is established to be the new preferred link. Prior to time 910, the filtered signal strength of link O exceeds the filtered signal strength of link X, and link O remains the preferred link. At point-in-time 910, the filtered X-signal intensity equals or slightly exceeds the filtered signal intensity O, the WT changes its choice by the preferred link from O to X and alters the filter of the new preferred link so that the value The filtering of the new preferred link is increased by 3dB, as indicated by the change of level 912. The filter is designed so that this aggregate gain is set to decay over time. However, this aggregate gain, at least for a certain period of time after switching the link, provides hysteresis, thus preventing undesirable switching back and forth which is otherwise usually would occur in a limit area. For example, consider time 912, followed by switching, graph 904 indicates that the received signal from link 0 is slightly higher than the received signal from link X which would result in a return switch to link O if the measurements received they were used directly; however, at time 912, the filtered X-link signal remains above the filtered O-link signal, preventing undesirable switching. Figure 10 is a set of drawings indicating an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, wherein a hysteresis level exists at the preferred link change. In the figure of the drawing 1002, the mobile node is linked to the junction point A and the junction point B. When the junction point A is the preferred link, the mobile node is required to signal the same preferred link indicator value. at least for NI time intervals successive to the point of attachment A before allowing it to change the preferred link to the point of attachment B, where NI is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. When the point of attachment B is the link preferred, it is required that the mobile node signal the same preferred link indicator value for at least N2 successive time intervals before allowing it to change the signalized preferred link to the point of attachment A, in where N2 is a positive integer greater than or equal to l. In some of these modalities, NI is not equal to N2. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 10, NI = 3 and N2 = 2. In addition, in some exemplary embodiments, at a given time, the mobile node is not allowed to indicate the same preferred link indicator value for both junction points A and B. The drawing 1002 includes a vertical axis 1003, which represents the signaling opportunities of the preferred link of the dedicated control channel of the junction point A against a horizontal axis 1001 representing time. Drawing 1002 illustrates 17 successive signaling opportunities for signaling the attachment point A with a preferred link indicator. The drawing 1004 includes a vertical axis 1005, which represents the signaling opportunities of the preferred link of the dedicated control channel of the junction point B against a horizontal axis 1001 representing time. Drawing 1004 illustrates 17 successive signaling opportunities for signaling junction B with a preferred link indicator. The drawing 1006 includes a vertical axis 1007 which represents the preferred link signal indicator of the dedicated control channel of the junction point A against a horizontal axis 1001 representing time. Each indicator value in drawing 1006 corresponds to an opportunity to signage from drawing 1002. Drawing 1006 indicates a pattern of indicator signals (1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0) wherein an indicator value = 1 indicates that the link established corresponding to the attachment point A is the preferred link for the downlink user data signaling, while a value of indicator = 0 indicates that the link established corresponding to the point A is not the preferred link for downlink user data signaling. The drawing 1008 includes a vertical axis 1009 which represents the preferred link signal indicator of the dedicated control channel of the junction point B against a horizontal axis 1001 representing time. Each indicator value of the drawing 1008 corresponds to a signaling opportunity of the drawing 1004. The drawing 1008 indicates a pattern of the indicator values (0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1 , 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1), wherein an indicator value = 1 indicates that the established link corresponding to the B binding point is the preferred link for the downlink user data signaling, whereas an indicator value = 0 indicates that the established link corresponding to the attachment point B is not the preferred link for the downlink user data signaling.

It can be seen that whenever the junction point A is the preferred link, the mobile node signals the same successively preferred signaling indicator value at least for Nl = 3 successive time intervals to the junction point A before changing the preference to the point of union B, according to a criterion used in this exemplary modality. Additionally, it can be seen that whenever the B binding point is the preferred link, the mobile node signals the same preferred link signaling indicator value to the B binding point for at least N2 = 2 successive time intervals. to the point of union B before changing the preference to the point of union A according to a criterion used in this exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, there are no cases where the two different junctions have a different understanding as to which link is the preferred link. Those skilled in the art will be able to contemplate numerous arrangements which, although not explicitly shown or described in Figure 10, incorporate the principles that are within the scope of the invention. For example, although Figure 10 was described in the context of the mobile node operating in the same operation mode of the dedicated control channel with respect to both junction points A and B, the invention also applies to a situation wherein the mobile node is operating in the full dedicated channel operation mode with respect to the attachment point A and is operating in a dedicated control channel operation mode of 1/3 with respect to the attachment point B. Furthermore, in another modality, there are cases in which the mobile node is allowed to signal the same preferred link indicator value to both junction points as long as the hysteresis criterion for the signaling of a link indicator value is not violated. preferred for each point of attachment. In some embodiments, hysteresis is not used with respect to switching opportunities for a mobile to switch its preferred link. For example, in some of these modalities, a mobile is provided with the opportunity to switch its preferred link corresponding to each set of channel reports. In other embodiments, a mobile is provided with an opportunity to switch its preferred link at predetermined times in a repetitive timing structure, eg, a beacon slot switching opportunity, wherein a beacon slot is a fixed number, for example, 912, of transmission time intervals of consecutive OFDM symbols. Figure 11 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal 1100, for example, mobile node, executed according to the present invention and using the methods of the present invention. The wireless terminal 1100 is, for example, a mobile node which is an exemplary spread spectrum multiplex wireless orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communications system, executed in accordance with the present invention. The exemplary wireless terminal 1100 includes a receiver 1102, a transmitter 1104, a processor 1106, user I / O devices 1108, and a memory 1110 coupled together via a link 1112 on which the various elements can exchange data and information. The receiver 1102, for example, an OFDM receiver, receives a signal from at least two network junction points. The receiver 1102 includes the receiver chain 1 1114 and the receiver chain 2 1116. The receiver chain 1 1114 is coupled to the receiving antenna 1115 through which the downlink signals are received from a base station junction point. The receiver chain 2 1116 is coupled to the receiving antenna 1117 through which the downlink signals are received from a point of attachment of the base station. The receiver chain 1 1114 includes a decode 1118 for decoding the received downlink signals. The receiving chain 1 1114 can be tuned to different carrier frequencies. The receiver chain 1 1114 is currently tuned to the carrier frequency FDLCA 1119 corresponding to the downlink carrier that is being used by the junction point A. The receiver chain 2 1116 includes a decode 1120 to decode the downlink signals received. . The receiving chain 2 1116 can be tuned to different carrier frequencies. The receiving chain 2 1116 is currently tuned to the carrier frequency FDLcB 1121 corresponding to the downlink carrier that is being used by the junction point B. The transmitter 1104, for example, an OFDM transmitter transmits signals, for example, a indicator to the junction points that indicate whether a downlink link from the point of attachment to the WT 1100 is the preferred downlink link. In some embodiments, the transmitter 1104 transmits at least one signal to each of the junction points with which a communication link is maintained to indicate to the junction point whether the downlink link to the junction point is or not the Preferred downlink selected by the wireless terminal. In some modalities, for each of the maintained links, a preferred link indicator is communicated through link signaling ascending in a dedicated control channel used with the junction point. The transmitter 1104 includes the transmitter chain 1 1122 and the transmitter chain 2 1124. The transmitter chain 1 1122 is coupled to the transmitting antenna 1125 through which the uplink signals from the WT 1100 are transmitted to a junction point of base station. The transmitter chain 2 1124 is coupled to the transmit antenna 1127 through which the uplink signals from the WT 1100 are transmitted to a base station junction point. The transmitter chain 1 1122 includes an encoder 1128 which encodes data / information for uplink signals. The transmitter chain 2 1124 includes an encoder 1130 which encodes data / information for uplink signals. The transmitter chain 1 1122 can be tuned to different carrier frequencies. The transmitter chain 1 1122 is currently tuned to the carrier frequency IULCA 1129 corresponding to the uplink carrier that is being used by the junction point A. The transmitter chain 2 1124 can be tuned to different carrier frequencies. The transmitter chain 2 1124 is currently tuned to the carrier frequency IULCB 1131 corresponding to the uplink carrier used by the junction point B. In some In the embodiments, the same antenna is used at least for some of the receiver chain 1 1114, receiving chain 2 1116, transmitter chain 1 1122 and transmitter chain 2 1124, for example, in conjunction with a duplex module. The user 1/0 devices 1108, for example, microphone, keyboard, numeric keypad, mouse, camera, switches, display, speakers, etc., provide an interface for the user of the WT 1100 to enter user data, broadcast data from user, control applications, and control the operation of the wireless terminal, for example, initiate a communications session. The memory 1110 includes routines 1132 and data / information 1134. The processor 1106, for example, a CPU, executes the routines 1132 and uses the data / information 1134 in the memory 1110 to control the operation of the wireless terminal and execute the methods of the present invention. The routines 1132 include a communications routine 1135 and a wireless terminal control routine 1136. The communications routine 1135 executes the various communication protocols used by the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal control routine 1136 controls the operations of the wireless terminal and executes the methods of the present invention. The operation of the terminal control routine wireless 1136 includes executing control of receiver 1102, control of transmitter 1104, and control of user I / O device 1108. Wireless terminal control routine 1136 includes a link module 1137, a link selection module 1138 , a preferred link reporting module 1139, a signal measurement module 1182, and a traffic module 1143. The signal measurement module 1182 includes a signal strength measuring module 1140, a signal-to-noise ratio module. (SNR) 1141, and a signal to interference ratio module 1142. The link module 1137 maintains links with a plurality of different points of attachment at the same time, for example, a first wireless link with the junction point A and a second wireless link to the junction point B. The link selection module 1138 selects a preferred downlink wireless link from the communication links maintained. The link selection module 1138 selects a preferred downlink based on at least one of: a given signal-to-noise ratio, a given signal-to-interference ratio, a received signal strength measurement, traffic load conditions in one of said junction points, and a type of traffic for the wireless terminal. The preferred link reporting module 1139 executes operations for signaling the preferred communication link to at least one of the attachment points. In some embodiments, the preferred link reporting module is coupled to the transmitter 1104. In some embodiments, the transmitter 1104 is included as part of the preferred link reporting module. The signal measurement module 1182 measures the signals received from at least two network junction points. The signal measurement module 1182 is coupled to the link selection module 1138 and provides the signal measurement information used in the selection of a preferred downlink as a function of the downlink signals received from at least two data points. union included in said plurality of attachment points. In some embodiments, the signal measurement module 1143 is a pilot signal measurement module and the selection of a preferred downlink is executed based on the measurements of the pilot signal signals received from at least two connection points of Base station. For example, in some embodiments, the pilot signals received from at least two junction points are measured, processed, for example, filtered, compared and used in the selection of a preferred downlink. The SNR 1141 module measures a signal-to-noise ratio of the signals received at different links. The SIR 1142 module measures a signal to interference ratio of the signal received in different links. Traffic module 1143 tracks traffic load conditions at different junctions and types of traffic that are to be communicated to the wireless terminal. The information from the traffic module 1143 is made available for the link selection module 1138 for consideration in the selection of the preferred downlink link. The data / information 1134 includes user / device / section / resources information 1144, downlink user data 1148, junction point information A 1146, junction point information B 1147, preferred link information 1149, and information from the system 1150. The user / device / session / resources information 1144 includes device information, eg, control parameters associated with the type, model, etc. of the WT 1100, information associated with an even node in a communications session with WT 1100, routing information, addressing information, air link resource information, eg, uplink and downlink segments assigned to the WT 1100. Downlink user data 1148 includes received data frames - user, for example, voice data, image data, audio data, text, file data, etc., which have been received on one or more of the downlink links. In some embodiments at certain times, with respect to the particular ongoing communication session and / or application, a first portion of the downlink data stream is received through a first link for a first junction point and a second portion of the downlink data stream is received through a second link for a second junction point. The preferred link information 1149 is an output of the link selection module 1139 and includes information indicating which link is currently the preferred downlink from the perspective of the WT 1100. The information of the preferred link 1149 is used as an input by the report module 1139. System information 1150 includes a plurality of junction point information sets (junction point information 1 1177, ..., junction point information N 1178), and switching criteria information 1179. System information 1150 includes system timing / frequency structure and characteristics associated with each of the potential junction points in the system, which can be used by the wireless terminal to establish and maintain a link, for example, each junction corresponding to a base station, sector, and / or carrier frequency. Junction point information 1177 includes, for example, information identifying: downlink carrier used, uplink carrier used, identification information used such as pilot tone pattern, frequency structure information, such as number of tones, tone separation, OFDM symbol transmission time period, grouping of OFDM symbol time periods, segment structure information, tone hop information, transmitter power level information, preferred link report information , etc. The junction point information N includes a set of information similar to the junction point information 1177 but associated with the junction point N. Switching criteria 1179 includes criteria used by the link selection module 1139 in the execution of a link selection and / or preferred criterion used by the preferred link reporting module 1139. In some embodiments, the switching criterion 1179 is such to achieve hysteresis. The information of the point of union A 1146 corresponds to a first wireless communication link that is maintained with a first point of union, while the information of the point of union B 1147 corresponds to a second wireless communication link that is maintained with a second junction point. Each base station junction point (A, B) couples the wireless terminal 1100 to the network, for example, by providing a communication path to other network nodes through the backhaul network. According to the invention, the wireless terminal 1100 can simultaneously maintain two links in progress with two points of attachment, and can, on an ongoing basis, select a current preferred downlink link and communicate that selection to the points of Union. The attachment point information A 1146 includes terminal identification information 1151, for example, an identifier assigned to the base station associated with a dedicated control channel, base station identification information 1152, for example, information identifying the station base by radiobeacon tones and / or a pilot signaling pattern, sector ID information 1153, for example, information identifying the sector by beacon tones and / or a pilot tone signaling pattern. The junction point information A 1146 includes carrier information 1154, for example, information identifying the uplink and downlink carrier frequencies used by the junction point A and / or the tone blocks used by the junction point A. The junction point information A 1146 also includes signal intensity information 1155, for example, a measurement of the pilot and / or beacon signals received from junction point A, SNR measure 1156, for example, a signal-to-noise ratio associated with the signal received from the junction A, and measured SIR 1157 associated with the junction A, for example, an interference signal measurement based on the radio beacons, pilots and / or null tones received. The signal intensity 1155, measured SNR 1156, and measured SIR 1157 are emitted by the signal measurement module 1182. The attachment point information A 1146 also includes traffic information 1158, eg, estimated traffic load at various points of union under consideration such as junction point A and B and the type of traffic information that is expected to be communicated, for example, in terms of service level, priority, latency requirements and / or application, for example, voice, text, et cetera. The traffic information 1158 is an output of the traffic module 1143. The junction point information A 1146 also includes filtered information 1180, for example, a filtered value of measured information. For example, in some embodiments, a signal strength, of the pilot signals received from the junction point A, is measured and filtered, and the value filtering is adjusted, for example, when the preferred link changes to provide hysteresis. The attachment point information A 1146 also includes uplink signal information 1159, dedicated control channel mode information (DCCH) 1161, and downlink signal information 1162. The uplink signal information 1159 includes information of DCCH signal 1160, for example, DCCH reports including a preferred link indicator. The downlink signal information 1162 includes downlink user data 1163, for example, downlink user data frames communicated on the downlink communication link corresponding to the junction point A. The information of the junction point B 1147 includes terminal identification information 1164, base station identification information 1165, sector ID information 1166, carrier information 1167, signal strength information 1168, measured SNR 1169, measured SIR 1170, traffic information 1171, filtered information 1181, uplink signal information 1172, dedicated control channel mode information (DCCH) 1174, and downlink signal information 1175. Uplink signal information 1172 includes signal information DCCH 1173. signal information of downlink 1175 includes downlink user data 1176. The information of the junction B is similar to the information of the junction A but corresponds to a different wireless communication link, and therefore is not described in detail. Figure 12 is a drawing of an exemplary base station 1200, for example, access node, executed according to the present invention and using the methods of the present invention. The exemplary base station 1200 is, for example, an exemplary OFDM base station in an OFDM spread spectrum multiple access wireless communications system. The exemplary base station 1200 is a base station of three sectors. Another base station, according to the present invention, may include a different number of sectors, for example, one, two, or more than three sectors. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 12, the base station 1200 is described as providing three points of attachment, one for each sector. In some modalities, each sector may correspond to multiple points of union. For example, a given sector can support multiple tone blocks, for example, three blocks of downlink tones, and each block of tones in each sector can correspond to a point of attachment. In this mode, three downlink tone blocks or three link carriers are used descending by sector, a three-sector base station has nine different junctions. The exemplary base station 1200 includes a receiver and a transmitter corresponding to each sector (receiver 1202 of sector 1, transmitter 1204 of sector 1, receiver 1206 of sector 2, transmitter 1208 of sector 2, receiver 1210 of sector 3, transmitter 1212 of sector 3) . Each receiver (1202, 1206, 108) is coupled to a receiving antenna of the corresponding sector (1222, 1226, 1230) respectively, through which the receiver of the base station sector receives uplink signals from the wireless terminals. The uplink signals include dedicated control channel reports including information of the preferred link indicator. The receivers (1202, 1206, 1210) include decoders (1234, 1238, 1240), respectively, for decoding the received uplink signals. Each transmitter (1204, 1208, 1212) is coupled to a transmission antenna of the corresponding sector (1224, 1228, 1230), respectively, through which the base station sector transmits downlink signals to the wireless terminals, by example, downlink signals including user data communicated through the segments of the traffic channel. The transmitters (1204, 1208, 1212) include the encoders (1235, 1238, 1242), respectively, for encoding the downlink signals. The base station 1200 also includes a processor 1204, I / O interface 1216, and memory 1218. The various devices (1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1214, 1216, and 1218) are coupled together via a link 1220 across the which the various elements can exchange data and information. The I / O interface 1216 couples the base station 1200 to the Internet and / or other network nodes, eg, another base station, routers, local agent nodes, AAA nodes, centralized control node, and so on. The I / O interface 1216 couples the base station 1200 to the back-off network thus providing a communication path for wireless terminals using one of the junction points of the base stations 1200 to be able to establish communication with other wireless terminals located in different cells and using a connection point corresponding to a different base station. The memory 1218 includes routines 1244 and data / information 1246. The processor 1214, for example, a CPU, executes the routines 1244 and uses the data / information in the memory 1218 to control the operation of the base station 1200, including the operation of the receivers, transmitters and I / O interface 1216, and executes the methods of the present invention. Routines 1244 include communication routines 1248, base station sector 1 routines 1250, base station sector 2 routines 1252, and base station sector 3 routines 1254. Communications routine 1248 executes various communication protocols used by the base station 1200. The control routines of sector 1 of base station 1250 control the operations related to sector 1; the control routines of sector 2 of base station 1252 control the operations related to sector 2; the control routines of the base station sector 1254 control the operations related to the sector 3. The control routines of the base station sector 1250 include a program module 1256, a downlink data signaling module 1260, a module preferred link detection 1260, and a beacon / pilot signaling module 1262. The scheduler module 1256, for example, a programmer programs the air link resources, for example, the segment of the uplink and downlink channel so that the wireless terminals use sector 1 of the base station as their point of attachment. The downlink data signaling module 1258 controls the user data forwarded to the transmitter of sector 1 that will be communicated on the downlink links that are maintained between the transmitter of sector 1 and the wireless terminals. The preferred link detection module 1260 processes information from the uplink signals for each of the wireless terminals for which a link is being maintained and determines whether the wireless terminal considers the downlink to be the current preferred downlink, for example, through a preferred link indicator value communicated in a dedicated control channel. The beacon / pilot module 1262 generates beacon and / or pilot signals according to a timing and frequency structure used by the base station sector, for example, specific tones are used at specific times in a recurring sequence. The received pilot and / or beacon signals are, in some embodiments, measured and used by the wireless terminals to select a preferred downlink. The scheduler module 1256 and / or the downlink data signaling module 1258 decides which downlink user data should be communicated to the wireless terminals according to the fact that whether the downlink is the preferred link or not. the wireless terminal and according to the information of preferred link rules 1288. In some embodiments, base station 1200 may collaborate with other nodes, eg, other base stations and / or centralized nodes in making decisions regarding what information to communicate in a downlink. The data / information 1246 includes a plurality of data / information sets (data / information of the sector 1 1264, data / information of the sector 2 1266, data / information of the sector 3 1268). The data / information from sector 1 1264 includes a plurality of WT information sets (data / information from WT 1 1270, ..., data / information from WT N 1284), each corresponding to a WT that is receiving service by part of the junction of the base station sector. The data / information of WT 1 1274 includes user data 1274, for example, voice data, audio data, image data, text data, file data, which can be communicated in frames over the link link descending that is being maintained, preferred link information indicated 1276, eg, an indicator value retrieved by the module 1260 that identifies whether the downlink link is or is not being considered as the preferred downlink in the current time, an identifier of wireless terminal 1278, for example, an assigned active user identifier of base station associated with a DCCH channel segment, a DCCH mode, eg, a full DCCH mode or a DCCH mode of 1/3, and device / session / resource information 1282. The device / session / resource information 1282 includes associated information with WT1, for example, device type and control parameters, information associated with peer nodes in a communications session with WT 1, routing information, routing information, and air link resource information, for example, link segments uplink and downlink assigned to WT 1 by the scheduler module 1256. The data / information of sector 1 1264 also includes system information 1272. The system information 1272 includes information of the timing / frequency structure 1286 and link rules information preferred. The timing / frequency structure information includes carrier frequencies, tone information, tone separation information, tone block information, OFDM symbol timing information, time slot grouping of OFDM symbols, recurrent pattern information , and tone jump information. The information of preferred link rules includes information such as rules and protocols for using procedures of identification to follow regarding downlink signaling, when a downlink link corresponding to a WT is considered to be preferred, and procedures to follow concerning downlink signaling, when a downlink link corresponding to a WT is considered as the non-preferred link. In some embodiments, the information of the preferred link rules 1288 can be changed dynamically. In some embodiments, the preferred link rule information may be different with respect to a different wireless terminal, different types of wireless terminal, and / or different classifications of data flows. Different modalities can have different division of routines and / or data / information in terms of what is shared between sectors and what is specific to an individual sector. Features of the invention can be executed using one or more modules. Modules used to execute the invention can be implemented using software, hardware or as a combination of software and hardware. Many of the methods or steps of methods described above can be executed using machine executable instructions, such as software, included in a machine-readable medium, such as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc., to control a machine, e.g., general-purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to execute all or portions of the methods described above, e.g. in one or more communication network nodes. Accordingly, among other things, the present invention focuses on a machine-readable medium that includes machine executable instructions to cause a machine, e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the methods described above. . Numerous additional variations to the methods and apparatuses of the present invention described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art by virtue of the description of the previous invention. Said variations will be considered within the scope of the invention. The methods and apparatus of the present invention can be, and in various embodiments are, used with CDMA, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and / or various types of communication techniques which can be used to provide communication links. wireless between access nodes and mobile nodes. In some modalities the access nodes are executed as base stations which establish links of communications with mobile nodes using OFDM and / or CDMA. In various embodiments, the mobile nodes are executed as laptops, personal data assistants (PDA), or other portable devices including receiver / transmitter and logic circuits and / or routines, to execute the methods of the present invention.

Claims (1)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1. - A method for operating a wireless terminal comprising: maintaining a communication link with a plurality of different points of attachment at the same time; selecting a preferred downlink wireless communications link from the communication links maintained; and signaling the preferred communication link to at least one of the attachment points. 2. - The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the selection of a preferred downlink is performed as a function of the downlink signals received from at least two junction points included in said plurality of junction points. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: Repeat these selection and signaling steps. 4. - The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the selection of a preferred downlink is based at least on one of: a determined signal-to-noise ratio, a determined signal-to-interference ratio, a signal intensity measurement received, traffic load conditions at one of said junction points, and a traffic type for the wireless terminal. 5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the selection of a preferred downlink is made based on the measurements of the pilot signals received from at least two of said base stations. 6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that said signaling includes communicating the preferred downlink to each of the points of union with which a communications link is maintained. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: maintaining a dedicated uplink communication channel with each of the junction points with which the wireless terminal maintains a communication link, and wherein said signaling indicating the preferred downlink is transmitted using the dedicated uplink communication channels. The method of compliance with the reiv '• [indication 7, which further comprises: co-encoding said preferred link information with the channel coding report information; and transmitting said coded signal that transmits both the preferred link information and the channel condition report information on the dedicated control channel. 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising; receiving downlink user data by .. or less on one of said downlink channels, said downlink channel has been determined by at least one of said base stations. 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the desired reference channel is the preferred channel indicated. 11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the selected downlink channel is different from the indicated preferred downlink channel. 19. - The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the junction points correspond to different sectors of the same cell. 20. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the junction points correspond to different tone blocks of a sector. 21. A wireless terminal comprising: a link module for maintaining a communications link with a plurality of different points of unior at the same time; a link selection module for selecting a preferred downlink wireless communications link from the communication links maintained; and a preferred link reporting module for signaling the preferred communication link for at least one of the attachment points. 22. The wireless terminal according to claim 21, further comprising: a receiver for receiving signals at least from several junction points; and a signal measurement module for measuring signals received from at least those two junction points, said signal measurement is coupled to said link selection module to provide measurement information of signal used in the selection of a preferred downlink as a function of the downlink signals received from at least two junction points included in said plurality of junction points. 23. The wireless terminal according to claim 22, further comprising: a signal-to-noise ratio measurement module for measuring a signal ratio. to noise of signals received in different links. 24. The wireless terminal according to claim 22, characterized in that said selection module selects a preferred downlink based on at least one of: a determined signal-to-noise ratio, a determined signal-to-interference ratio, a measurement of received signal strength, traffic load conditions at one of said junction points, and a traffic type for the wireless terminal. 25. The wireless terminal according to claim 22, characterized in that said signal measurement module is a pilot signal measurement module and wherein the selection of a preferred downlink is made based on measurements of pilot signals received by at least from two of said base stations. 26.- The wireless terminal in accordance with the rei \ indication 23, characterized in that said preferred link reporting module includes an OFDM transmitter for transmitting at least one signal to each of the junction points with which a communications link is maintained to indicate to the junction point the preferred downlink selected by the wireless terminal,