Patent ID: 7047009
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a second network attachment point in a communications system including a first network attachment point, the first network attachment point using signals in a first frequency band to communicate with a first mobile node having a communications link with said first network attachment point over which data can be communicated, the method comprising: transmitting, at a high power level, high power narrowband beacon signals having a predetermined frequency into said first frequency band on a repeating basis, said first frequency band being a frequency band into which said second network attachment point does not transmit user data, said high power level being a per tone power level that is multiple times higher than the average per tone power level used by said second network attachment point to transmit user data during a period of time in which said beacon signals are repeatedly transmitted; and using a second frequency band which is different from said first frequency band for establishing and maintaining communications links with mobile nodes over which user data can be communicated, said step of using a second frequency band including assigning segments of an uplink communications channel to mobile nodes, the uplink communications channel having a structure that includes a repeating pattern of access segments and traffic segments, access segments being segments into which mobile nodes that do not have an existing wireless communication link established with said second network attachment point can send at least one signal to said second network attachment point over the air to establish a wireless communications link with the second network attachment point, each access segment occurring at a predetermined time offset from the point at which one of said beacon signals is transmitted into said first frequency band by said second network attachment point.