Optimal use of request access TDMA slots for automatic level control

In a point to multipoint communication system, a method for operating a subscriber unit comprising:

• sending an access request transmission to a central access point;
• receiving a first power adjustment information indicator from said central access point, said first power adjustment information indicator having been generated based on measured power of said access request transmission;
• receiving a scheduling transmission from said central access point, said scheduling transmission having been generated in response to said access request transmission, said scheduling transmission specifying a time slot of a future transmission by said subscriber unit;
• and
• sending said future transmission to said central access point at a power level determined responsive to said first power adjustment information indicator;
• and
• wherein said access request transmission is included within an OFDM burst that includes access request information from said subscriber unit and another subscriber unit.

In a point to multipoint communication system, a system for operating a central access point, said system comprising:

• a MAC layer processor that receives an access request transmission from a subscriber unit;
• a physical layer control processor that formulates power adjustment information for said subscriber based on measured power of said access request transmission;
• and
• a physical layer block that sends said power adjustment information to said subscriber unit to control power of a future transmission from said subscriber unit;
• and
• wherein said access request transmission is included within an OFDM burst that includes access request information from said subscriber unit and another subscriber unit.

In a point to multipoint communication system, a system for operating a subscriber unit comprising:

• a MAC layer processor that sends an access request transmission to a central access point;
• and
• a physical layer control processor that receives a first power adjustment information indicator from said central access point, said first power adjustment information indicator having been generated based on measured power of said access request transmission;
• wherein said MAC layer processor receives a scheduling transmission from said central access point, said scheduling transmission having been generated in response to said access request transmission, said scheduling transmission specifying a time slot of a future transmission by said subscriber unit;
• wherein said subscriber unit sends said future transmission to said central access point at a power level determined responsive to said first power adjustment information indicator;
• and
• wherein said access request transmission is included within an OFDM burst that includes access request information from said subscriber unit and another subscriber unit.