Multiplexing protocol for the WACS system broadcast channel

Abstract

A protocol is described which allows a wireless access communication system (WACS) to dynamically allocate bandwidth on its system-wide broadcast radio channel among the alerting, system information, and priority access request subchannels. These subchannels each have different requirements with respect to the message length and position within the framing structure; the described protocol meets each of their requirements. The protocol efficiently accommodates a wide range of alerting traffic levels, and provides for efficient downloading of system information to subscriber units by using excess capacity when alerting traffic is low. It has error detection capabilities above that provided by the radio channel alone, and is easily extendible to accommodate other services such as paging and low bandwidth broadcast messaging. This work is targeted towards understanding the implications to local exchange networks of wireless system alternatives that could provide access to those networks.