Optimal use of request access TDMA slots for automatic level control

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

• means for sending an access request transmission to a central access point;
• means for 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;
• means for 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
• means for 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 product for operating a central access point, said product comprising:

• instructions that cause receipt of an access request transmission from a subscriber unit;
• instructions that cause performance of a power control sequence to control output power of said subscriber unit in response to said access request transmission, wherein said power control sequence comprises:
• measuring power of said access request transmission;
• formulating power adjustment information based on measured power of said access request transmission;
• and
• in response to measured power of said access request transmission, sending said power adjustment information to said subscriber unit to control power of a future transmission from said subscriber unit;
• a medium that stores the instructions;
• 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 product for operating a subscriber unit, said product comprising:

• instructions that cause sending of an access request transmission to a central access point;
• instructions that cause receiving of 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;
• instructions that cause receiving of 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;
• instructions that cause sending of said future transmission to said central access point at a power level determined responsive to said first power adjustment information indicator;
• and
• a medium that stores the instructions;
• 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.

A method for operating a node in a communication system, said method comprising:

• receiving OFDM signals from a subscriber unit;
• from said OFDM signals, extracting an access request transmission and a data transmission, wherein said access request transmission is included within an OFDM burst;
• based on received power levels of said access request transmission and said data transmission, formulating power adjustment information;
• and
• transmitting said power adjustment information to said subscriber unit;
• wherein said OFDM burst includes access request information from said subscriber unit and another subscriber unit.

Apparatus for operating a node in a communication system, said apparatus comprising:

• a physical layer block that receives OFDM signals from a subscriber unit and extracts an access request transmission and a data transmission from said OFDM signals, wherein said access request transmission is included within an OFDM burst;
• and
• a physical layer control processor that, based on received power levels of said access request transmission and said data transmission, formulates power adjustment information;
• and
• said physical layer block being used to transmit said power adjustment information to said subscriber unit;
• wherein said OFDM burst includes access request information from said subscriber unit and another subscriber unit.

Apparatus for operating a node in a communication system, said apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving OFDM signals from a subscriber unit;
• means for, from said OFDM signals, extracting an access request transmission and a data transmission, wherein said access request transmission is included within an OFDM burst;
• means for, based on received power levels of said access request transmission and said data transmission, formulating power adjustment information;
• and
• means for transmitting said power adjustment information to said subscriber unit;
• wherein said OFDM burst includes access request information from said subscriber unit and another subscriber unit.