Flexible frame structures in adaptive high data rate wirelesss access systems

A superframe embodied on a carrier wave that carries voice communications and data communications intended for a plurality of user terminals, the superframe comprising:

• a plurality of high speed data frames;
• wherein at least one of the high speed data frames carries a voice communication;
• wherein at least one of the high speed data frames carries a data communication;
• and
• wherein each of the high speed data frames includes a respective indication of its contents.

A method of operating a user terminal to wirelessly receive voice communications and data communications on a single wireless carrier, the method comprising:

• repeatedly and sequentially wirelessly receiving time division multiplexed superframes from a base station, wherein each time division multiplexed superframe comprises a plurality of high speed data frames;
• for each of the plurality of high speed data frames, receiving a respective indication of its contents;
• for each of the plurality of high speed data frames, determining whether the high speed data frame is intended for the user terminal;
• determining that a particular high speed data frame of the superframe is intended for the user terminal;
• and
• receiving a voice communication contained in the particular high speed data frame.

A base station that acts as a transmitter to wirelessly transmit voice communications and data communications to a plurality of user terminals on a single wireless carrier, the base station comprising:

• an antenna;
• a Radio Frequency unit coupled to the antenna;
• and
• at least one digital processor coupled to the Radio Frequency unit that executes software instructions causing the base station to:
• repeatedly and sequentially wirelessly transmit time division multiplexed superframes to the plurality of user terminals, wherein each time division multiplexed superframe comprises a plurality of high speed data frames;
• wherein at least one of the high speed data frames carries a voice communication;
• wherein at least one of the high speed data frames carries a data communication;
• and
• wherein each of the high speed data frames includes a respective indication of its contents.

A user terminal that acts as a wireless receiver to wirelessly receive voice communications and data communications on a single wireless carrier, the user terminal comprising:

• an antenna;
• a Radio Frequency unit coupled to the antenna;
• and
• a digital processor coupled to the Radio Frequency unit that executes software instructions causing the user terminal to:
• repeatedly and sequentially wirelessly receive time division multiplexed superframes from a base station, wherein each time division multiplexed superframe comprises a plurality of high speed data frames;
• for each of the plurality of high speed data frames, receive a respective indication of its contents;
• for each of the plurality of high speed data frames, determine whether the high speed data frame is intended for the user terminal;
• determine that a particular high speed data frame of the superframe is intended for the user terminal;
• and
• receive a voice communication contained in the particular high speed data frame.

A plurality of software instructions stored on a media that, upon execution by a base station, cause the base station to wirelessly transmit voice communications and data communications to a plurality of user terminals on a single wireless carrier, the plurality of software instructions comprising:

• a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to repeatedly and sequentially wirelessly transmit time division multiplexed superframes to the plurality of user terminals, wherein each time division multiplexed superframe comprises a plurality of high speed data frames;
• wherein at least one of the high speed data frames carries a voice communication;
• wherein at least one of the high speed data frames carries a data communication;
• and
• wherein each of the high speed data frames includes a respective indication of its contents.

A plurality of software instructions stored on a media that, upon execution by a user terminal, cause the user terminal to wirelessly receive voice communications and data communications on a single wireless carrier, the plurality of software instructions comprising:

• a set of instructions executed by the user terminal that cause the user terminal to repeatedly and sequentially wirelessly receive time division multiplexed superframes from a base station, wherein each time division multiplexed superframe comprises a plurality of high speed data frames;
• a set of instructions executed by the user terminal that cause the user terminal to, for each of the plurality of high speed data frames, receive a respective indication of its contents;
• a set of instructions executed by the user terminal that cause the user terminal to, for each of the plurality of high speed data frames, determine whether the high speed data frame is intended for the user terminal;
• a set of instructions executed by the user terminal that cause the user terminal to determine that a particular high speed data frame of the superframe is intended for the user terminal;
• and
• a set of instructions executed by the user terminal that cause the user terminal to receive a voice communication contained in the particular high speed data frame.