Variable header types for persistent resource allocation in a wireless network

An apparatus comprising:

• a controller configured to determine a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource, the persistent resource allocation being assigned to a first connection identifier (CID);
• a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a CID field, the MAC header of the persistent data burst including a field that indicates that the MAC header of the persistent data burst is compressed;
• and
• the wireless transmitter also configured to transmit a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the non-persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a second CID, the MAC header of the non-persistent data burst including a field that indicates that the MAC header of the persistent data burst is un-compressed.

A method of using a persistent resource allocation in a wireless network, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a mobile station (MS), a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource, the persistent resource allocation being assigned to a connection identifier (CID) that is associated with a periodic traffic application of the MS that generates periodic traffic;
• transmitting, from the periodic traffic application of the MS, a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a CID field;
• and
• transmitting, from the MS during a silence period of the periodic traffic application, a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the non-persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a second CID associated with the MS.

An apparatus comprising:

• a wireless receiver configured to receive, at a mobile station (MS), a persistent resource allocation, the persistent resource allocation providing a periodically recurring resource, the persistent resource allocation being assigned to a connection identifier (CID) that is associated with a periodic traffic application of the MS that generates periodic traffic;
• a wireless transmitter configured to transmit, from the periodic traffic application of the MS, a persistent data burst in a first frame via the persistent resource allocation, the persistent data burst including a compressed MAC (media access control) header that excludes a CID field;
• and
• the wireless transmitter further configured to transmit, from the MS during a silence period of the periodic traffic application, a non-persistent data burst in a second frame via the persistent resource allocation, the non-persistent data burst including a regular or un-compressed MAC (media access control) header that includes a second CID associated with the MS.