Shared channel structure, ARQ systems and methods

A wireless terminal adapted to function in a code division multiple access (CDMA) communications system, the terminal comprising:

• a receiver adapted to receive frames having a slot structure in which there is a user identification channel and a shared channel, the shared channel having been transmitted using a plurality of Walsh codes, and containing content for either a plurality of voice users, a plurality of voice users and one high-rate data user, or only one high-rate data user, wherein at least one slot of the shared channel contains content for a plurality of users which was transmitted in parallel using different Walsh code spaces for different users;
• the wireless terminal being adapted to decode the user identification channel to determine when a slot of the shared channel contains voice and/or high-rate data content for the wireless terminal, wherein the wireless terminal is adapted to decode the user identification channel prior to decoding the shared channel.

A wireless terminal adapted to function in a code division multiple access (CDMA) communications system, the terminal comprising:

• a receiver adapted to receive frames having a slot structure in which there is a user identification channel and a shared channel, the shared channel having been transmitted using a plurality of Walsh codes, and containing content for either a plurality of voice users, a plurality of voice users and one high-rate data user, or only one high-rate data user, wherein at least one slot of the shared channel contains content for a plurality of users which was transmitted in parallel using different Walsh code spaces for different users;
• the wireless terminal being adapted to decode the user identification channel to determine when a slot of the shared channel contains voice and/or high-rate data content for the wireless terminal, wherein the wireless terminal is adapted to decode the user identification channel prior to determining what is contained in said slot of the shared channel.