Patent Publication Number: US-9893917-B2

Title: Methods and apparatus for communicating control information

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/486,895, filed on Jul. 14, 2006, titled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING CONTROL INFORMATION”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/752,973, filed on Dec. 22, 2005, titled “COMMUNICATIONS METHODS AND APPARATUS”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/333,792, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, titled “METHODS AND APPARATUS OF IMPLEMENTING AND/OR USING A CONTROL CHANNEL”, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     I. FIELD 
     The present invention relates to wireless communications methods and apparatus and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus related to communicating control information. 
     II. BACKGROUND 
     In multiple access wireless communications systems it is advantageous for wireless terminals currently using a base station attachment point to be able to communicate control information, e.g., control information reports, to that base station attachment point. The base station can utilize received control information reports to make intelligent decisions in terms of controlling operations of the wireless terminal, responding to the wireless terminal&#39;s traffic channel requests, and balancing between the plurality of wireless terminals currently competing for available resources. The efficient use of air link resources to convey control information is an important consideration in wireless system design as the control channel allocation represents resources devoted to overhead which could have otherwise been utilized for communicating traffic channel data. 
     In multiple access wireless communication systems there has been an increasing demand for concurrent users as the available services offered expands and the number of subscribers to service providers continues to grow. In view of the above, methods and apparatus that efficiently support increased numbers of concurrent users would be beneficial. 
     It would be advantageous if methods and apparatus were directed to achieving a balance between control channel resources and user data resources. A wireless terminal typically may have different requirements at different times, e.g., as a function of the type of application in uses, the number of concurrent applications in use, the user data rate needed, the latency requirements, etc. Methods and apparatus that allow a wireless terminal to operate in different modes of operation in which the wireless terminal receives different amounts of uplink control channel air link resources at different times would be beneficial. It would also be beneficial if control channel communications, e.g., via a dedicated uplink control channel segment, were tailored to facilitate different modes of control channel operation. For example, if a wireless terminal was currently allocated a relatively lower level of dedicated control channel segments it might be desirable to use a coding and modulation scheme for a dedicated control channel segment which sacrificed some redundancy to achieve the benefit of a higher control information bit throughput. 
     If one communicates a block of information bits over a single segment using a single tone and the system interference level on the tone happens to be high, the information may be lost. Methods and apparatus such as tone hopping would be beneficial in improving diversity and increasing the likelihood that the information bits of a segment be successfully communicated. It would be advantageous if tone hopping was coordinated with the coding and modulation method utilized such that corruption of one tone did not significantly impact successful recovery. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments are directed to methods of operating a wireless terminal to determine modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when in a first mode of control channel operation and determining modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when in a second mode of control channel operation. In some embodiments the modulation symbols are modulation symbols transmitted on individual tones, e.g., an individual BPSK or QPSK modulation symbol transmitted on a tone during the duration of a symbol transmission time period, e.g., an OFDM symbol transmission time period. In some embodiments, the first and second modes of operation are dedicated control channel modes of operation. In one exemplary embodiment, the first dedicated control channel mode of operation is a mode of operation in which the wireless terminal is dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel to the exclusion of other wireless terminal and the second dedicated control channel mode of operation is a mode of operation in which the wireless terminal is dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel which may be shared with other wireless terminals with each of the wireless terminals sharing the same logical dedicated control channel tone being dedicated time periods for usage of the tone which are non-overlapping with the time usage periods dedicated to other wireless terminals sharing the same dedicated control channel tone. In various embodiments, a logical tone of a dedicated control channel is tone hopped according to a tone hopping schedule. For example, a dedicated control channel segment corresponding to the wireless terminal and a single logical tone, in some embodiments, corresponds to multiple physical tones in a block of tones being used for the uplink, with the logical tone corresponding to a different physical tone at different points in time in the segment. 
     In some embodiments, determining modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a first information bit to mapping procedure when in a first mode of control channel operation includes: generating X modulation symbols from M information bits where X is a positive integer greater than M; and determining modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when in a second mode of control channel operation includes: generating X modulation symbols from N information bits where X is a positive integer greater than N, and wherein N is greater than M. In some such embodiments, X is a multiple of three and M and N are even positive integers. In one such embodiment X is 21, M is 6 and N is 8. 
     In various embodiments, generating X modulation symbols from M information bits during a first mode of operation includes: partitioning the M information bits into first and second subsets of information bits of equal size; generating a third set of bits as a function of the first and second subsets of bits, the third set of bits being the same size as the first and second subsets of bits; and determining for each of the first subset of information bits, second subset of information bits and third set of bits, using a first mapping function, and equal number of said X modulation symbols, the first mapping function used to determine each of said equal number of of X modulation symbols being the same. In some such embodiments, the single logical dedicated control channel tone is hopped according to a tone hopping schedule but remains the same for each period of time used to transmit one of said equal number of X modulation symbols. 
     In various embodiments, generating X modulation symbols from N information bits during a second mode of operation includes: partitioning the N information bits into fourth and fifth subsets of information bits of equal size; generating a sixth set of bits as a function of the fourth and fifth subsets of bits, the sixth set of bits being the same size as the fourth and fifth subsets of bits; and determining for each of the fourth subset of information bits, fifth subset of information bits and sixth set of bits, using a second mapping function, and equal number of said X modulation symbols, the second mapping function used to determine each of said equal number of X modulation symbols being the same. In some such embodiments, the single logical dedicated control channel tone is hopped according to a tone hopping schedule but remains the same for each period of time used to transmit one of said equal number of X modulation symbols. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of generating a third set of bits and generating a sixth set of bits includes performing a bit wise exclusive OR operation. In some such embodiments, both generating a third set of bits and generating a sixth set of bit each includes performing a bit wise exclusive OR operation. 
     In various embodiments, the exemplary method also includes transmitting sets of X generated modulation symbols in individual control channel segments, the control channel segments used during the first and second modes of operation being the same size. 
     Some embodiments are directed to apparatus used to implement the above described methods. For example in one exemplary embodiment, a wireless terminal includes a modulation symbol determination module for determining modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when in a first mode of control channel operation and for determining modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when in a second mode of control channel operation and a transmission module for transmitting modulation symbols determined by said modulation symbol determination module. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless communications system supports an uplink dedicated control channel (DCCH) using full-tone format and split tone format. When DCCH full tone-format is used, a first coding and modulation scheme is used to generate a set of modulation symbols for a DCCH segment, while when in the split-tone format a second coding and modulation scheme is used to generate a set of modulation symbols for a DCCH segment. 
     In one exemplary embodiment for a DCCH segment, in the full-tone format 6 information bits are mapped to 21 modulation symbols to be conveyed by 21 OFDM tone-symbols, while in the split-tone format 8 information bits are mapped to 21 modulation symbols to be conveyed by 21 OFDM symbols. 
     The 21 OFDM tone-symbols of a segment are grouped into three subsets of seven OFDM tone-symbols, each corresponding to a dwell. Tone hopping is implemented such that the same logical DCCH channel tone can correspond to different physical tones for different dwells. In the full tone format, the set of 6 information bits is partitioned into a first group of 3 bits and a second group of 3 bits. A third set of 3 bits, representing redundant information, is generated from an exclusive OR operation between the first and second groups. The same first mapping function is used on each of the (first, second, and third) groups of bits to generate a (first, second, and third) set of seven modulation symbol values, to be communicated in (first, second, and third) dwells, respectively. In the full-tone format, the modulation symbol values of a DCCH segment are restricted to two possible values, e.g., (1,0) and (−1,0). 
     In the split tone format, the set of 8 information bits is partitioned into a first group of 4 bits and a second group of 4 bits. A third set of 4 bits, representing redundant information, is generated from an exclusive OR operation between the first and second groups. The same second mapping function is used on each of the (first, second, and third) groups of bits to generate a (first, second, and third) set of seven modulation symbol values, to be communicated in (first, second, and third) dwells, respectively. In the split-tone format, the modulation symbol values of a DCCH segment are restricted to four possible values, e.g., (1,0), (−1,0), (0,1), and (0, −1). 
     Various embodiments are directed to base station apparatus and methods for recovering control channel information transmitted by wireless terminals using first and second control channel modes of operation. An exemplary method of operating a base station includes: storing information indicating the mode of control channel operation in which wireless terminals are operating; recovering modulation symbols communicated using a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when said modulation symbols are received from a wireless terminal operating in a first mode of control channel operation; and recovering modulation symbols communicated using a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when said modulation symbols are received from a wireless terminal operating in a second mode of control channel operation. An exemplary base station includes: a memory including stored information indicating the mode of control channel operation in which wireless terminals are operating; a first modulation symbol recovery module for recovering modulation symbols communicated using a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when said modulation symbols are received from a wireless terminal operating in a first mode of control channel operation; and a second modulation symbol recovery module recovering modulation symbols communicated using a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when said modulation symbols are received from a wireless terminal operating in a second mode of control channel operation. 
     While various embodiments have been discussed in the summary above, it should be appreciated that not necessarily all embodiments include the same features and some of the features described above are not necessary but can be desirable in some embodiments. Numerous additional features, embodiments and benefits of the various embodiments are discussed in the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing of an exemplary communication system implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary base station, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary wireless terminal, e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a drawing of exemplary uplink dedicated control channel (DCCH) segments in an exemplary uplink timing and frequency structure in an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access wireless communications system. 
         FIG. 5  includes a drawing of an exemplary dedicated control channel in an exemplary uplink timing and frequency structure in an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access wireless communications system at a time when each set of DCCH segments corresponding to a logical DCCH channel tone is in the full-tone format. 
         FIG. 6  includes a drawing of an exemplary dedicated control channel in an exemplary uplink timing and frequency structure in an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access wireless communications system at a time when each set of DCCH segments corresponding to a logical DCCH channel tone is in the split-tone format. 
         FIG. 7  includes a drawing of an exemplary dedicated control channel in an exemplary uplink timing and frequency structure in an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access wireless communications system at a time when some of the sets of DCCH segments corresponding to a logical DCCH channel tone are in the full-tone format and some of the sets of DCCH segments corresponding to a logical DCCH channel tone are in the split-tone format. 
         FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating the use of format and mode in an exemplary uplink DCCH in accordance with various embodiments, the mode defining the interpretation of the information bits in the DCCH segments. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates several examples corresponding to  FIG. 8  illustrating different modes of operation. 
         FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating an exemplary default mode of the full tone format in a beaconslot for a given DCCH tone. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary definition of the default mode in the full-tone format of the uplink DCCH segments in the first uplink superslot after the WT migrates to the ON state. 
         FIG. 12  is an exemplary summary list of dedicated control reports (DCRs) in the full-tone format for the default mode. 
         FIG. 13  is a table of an exemplary format for an exemplary 5 bit downlink SNR report (DLSNR5) in non-DL macrodiversity mode. 
         FIG. 14  is a table of an exemplary format of 5 bit downlink SNR report (DLSNR5) in DL macrodiversity mode. 
         FIG. 15  is a table of an exemplary format of an exemplary 3 bit downlink delta SNR report (DLDSNR3). 
         FIG. 16  is a table of an exemplary format for an exemplary 1 bit uplink request (ULRQST1) report. 
         FIG. 17  is an exemplary table used to calculate exemplary control parameters y and z, the control parameters y and z being used in determining uplink multi-bit request reports conveying transmission request group queue information. 
         FIG. 18  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary first request dictionary (RD reference number=0). 
         FIG. 19  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary first request dictionary (RD reference number=0). 
         FIG. 20  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary second request dictionary (RD reference number=1). 
         FIG. 21  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary second request dictionary (RD reference number=1). 
         FIG. 22  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary third request dictionary (RD reference number=2). 
         FIG. 23  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary third request dictionary (RD reference number=2). 
         FIG. 24  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary fourth request dictionary (RD reference number=3). 
         FIG. 25  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary fourth request dictionary (RD reference number=3). 
         FIG. 26  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 32 bit patterns for an exemplary 5 bit uplink transmitter power backoff report (ULTxBKF5), in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 27  includes an exemplary power scaling factor table relating tone block power tier number to power scaling factor, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 28  is an exemplary uplink loading factor table used in communicating base station sector loading information, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 29  is a table illustrating an exemplary format for a 4 bit downlink beacon ratio report (DLBNR4), in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 30  is a drawing of an exemplary table describing the format of an exemplary 4 bit downlink self-noise saturation level of SNR report (DLSSNR4), in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 31  is a drawing of a table illustrating an example of mapping between indicator report information bits and the type of report carried by the corresponding flexible report. 
         FIG. 32  is a drawing illustrating an exemplary default mode of the split tone format in a beaconslot for a given DCCH tone for an exemplary wireless terminal. 
         FIG. 33  illustrates an exemplary definition of the default mode in the split-tone format of the uplink DCCH segments in the first uplink superslot after the WT migrates to the ON state. 
         FIG. 34  provides an exemplary summary list of dedicated control reports (DCRs) in the split-tone format for the default mode. 
         FIG. 35  is a table identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for an exemplary 4 bit uplink transmission backoff report (ULTxBKF4), in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 36  is an example of mapping between indicator report information bits and the type of report carried by the corresponding flexible report. 
         FIG. 37  is an exemplary specification of uplink dedicated control channel segment modulation coding in full-tone format. 
         FIG. 38  is a drawing of a table illustrating an exemplary specification of uplink dedicated control channel segment modulation coding in split-tone format. 
         FIG. 39  is a drawing of a table illustrating exemplary wireless terminal uplink traffic channel frame request group queue count information. 
         FIG. 40  includes drawings illustrating an exemplary set of four request group queues being maintained by a wireless terminal and drawings illustrating exemplary mappings of uplink data stream traffic flows to request queues for two exemplary wireless terminals, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 41  illustrates an exemplary request group queue structure, multiple request dictionaries, a plurality of types of uplink traffic channel request reports, and grouping of sets of queues in accordance with exemplary formats used for each of the types of reports. 
         FIG. 42 , comprising the combination of  FIG. 42A ,  FIG. 42B ,  FIG. 42C ,  FIG. 42D , and  FIG. 42E  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 43  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 44  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal to report control information in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIGS. 45 and 46  are used to illustrate the use of an initial control information report set in an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 47  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a communications device in accordance with various embodiments; the communications device including information indicating a predetermined report sequence for use in controlling the transmission of a plurality of different control information reports on a recurring basis. 
         FIG. 48  illustrates two exemplary different formats of initial control channel information report sets, the different format report sets including at least one segment conveying different sets of reports, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 49  illustrates a plurality of different initial control information report sets in accordance with various embodiments, the different initial control information report sets having different numbers of segments. 
         FIG. 50  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 51  is a drawing illustrating exemplary full-tone DCCH mode segments and exemplary split-tone DCCH mode segments allocated to exemplary wireless terminals, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 52  is a flowchart of a drawing of an exemplary method of operating a base station in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 53  is a drawing illustrating exemplary full-tone DCCH mode segments and exemplary split-tone DCCH mode segments allocated to exemplary wireless terminals, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 54  is a drawing of a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 55  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal, e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 56  is a drawing of an exemplary base station, e.g., access node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 57  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal, e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 58  is a drawing of an exemplary base station, e.g., access node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 59  comprising the combination of  FIG. 59A ,  FIG. 59B  and  FIG. 59C  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 60  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal to provide transmission power information to a base station in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 61  is a table of an exemplary format for an exemplary 1 bit uplink request (ULRQST1) report. 
         FIG. 62  is an exemplary table used to calculate exemplary control parameters y and z, the control parameters y and z being used in determining uplink multi-bit request reports conveying transmission request group queue information. 
         FIG. 63  and  FIG. 64  define an exemplary request dictionary with the RD reference number equal to 0. 
         FIG. 65  and  FIG. 66  includes tables which define an exemplary request dictionary with the RD reference number equal to 1. 
         FIG. 67  and  FIG. 68  include tables which define an exemplary request dictionary with the RD reference number equal to 2. 
         FIG. 69  and  FIG. 70  include tables which define an exemplary request dictionary with the RD reference number equal to 3. 
         FIG. 71  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal, e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 72  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal, e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 73  illustrates exemplary mapping for an exemplary wireless terminal of uplink data stream traffic flows to its request group queues at different times in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 74  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal, e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 75  is a drawing used to explain features of an exemplary embodiment using a wireless terminal transmission power report. 
         FIG. 76  is a drawing of a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 77  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal, e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 78  is a drawing of a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a base station in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 79  is a drawing of an exemplary base station implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary communication system  100  implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary communications system  100  includes multiple cells: cell  1   102 , cell M  104 . Exemplary system  100  is, e.g., an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) spread spectrum wireless communications system such as a multiple access OFDM system. Each cell  102 ,  104  of exemplary system  100  includes three sectors. Cells which have not be subdivided into multiple sectors (N=1), cells with two sectors (N=2) and cells with more than 3 sectors (N&gt;3) are also possible in accordance with various embodiments. Each sector supports one or more carriers and/or downlink tones blocks. In some embodiments, each downlink tone block has a corresponding uplink tone block. In some embodiments at least some of the sectors support three downlink tones blocks. Cell  102  includes a first sector, sector  1   110 , a second sector, sector  2   112 , and a third sector, sector  3   114 . Similarly, cell M  104  includes a first sector, sector  1   122 , a second sector, sector  2   124 , and a third sector, sector  3   126 . Cell  1   102  includes a base station (BS), base station  1   106 , and a plurality of wireless terminals (WTs) in each sector  110 ,  112 ,  114 . Sector  1   110  includes WT( 1 )  136  and WT(N)  138  coupled to BS  106  via wireless links  140 ,  142 , respectively; sector  2   112  includes WT( 1 ′)  144  and WT(N′)  146  coupled to BS  106  via wireless links  148 ,  150 , respectively; sector  3   114  includes WT( 1 ″)  152  and WT(N″)  154  coupled to BS  106  via wireless links  156 ,  158 , respectively. Similarly, cell M  104  includes base station M  108 , and a plurality of wireless terminals (WTs) in each sector  122 ,  124 ,  126 . Sector  1   122  includes WT( 1 ″″)  168  and WT(N″″)  170  coupled to BS M  108  via wireless links  180 ,  182 , respectively; sector  2   124  includes WT( 1 ′″″)  172  and WT(N′″″)  174  coupled to BS M  108  via wireless links  184 ,  186 , respectively; sector  3   126  includes WT( 1 ″″″)  176  and WT(N″″″)  178  coupled to BS M  108  via wireless links  188 ,  190 , respectively. 
     System  100  also includes a network node  160  which is coupled to BS 1   106  and BS M  108  via network links  162 ,  164 , respectively. Network node  160  is also coupled to other network nodes, e.g., other base stations, AAA server nodes, intermediate nodes, routers, etc. and the Internet via network link  166 . Network links  162 ,  164 ,  166  may be, e.g., fiber optic cables. Each wireless, e.g. WT  1   136 , includes a transmitter as well as a receiver. At least some of the wireless terminals, e.g., WT( 1 )  136 , are mobile nodes which may move through system  100  and may communicate via wireless links with the base station in the cell in which the WT is currently located, e.g., using a base station sector attachment point. The wireless terminals, (WTs), e.g. WT( 1 )  136 , may communicate with peer nodes, e.g., other WTs in system  100  or outside system  100  via a base station, e.g. BS  106 , and/or network node  160 . WTs, e.g., WT( 1 )  136  may be mobile communications devices such as cell phones, personal data assistants with wireless modems, laptop computers with wireless modems, data terminals with wireless modems, etc. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary base station  12 , implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary base station  12  may be any of the exemplary base stations of  FIG. 1 . The base station  12  includes antennas  203 ,  205  and receiver transmitter modules  202 ,  204 . The receiver module  202  includes a decoder  233  while the transmitter module  204  includes an encoder  235 . The modules  202 ,  204  are coupled by a bus  230  to an I/O interface  208 , processor (e.g., CPU)  206  and memory  210 . The I/O interface  208  couples the base station  12  to other network nodes and/or the Internet. The memory  210  includes routines, which when executed by the processor  206 , causes the base station  12  to operate. Memory  210  includes communications routines  223  used for controlling the base station  12  to perform various communications operations and implement various communications protocols. The memory  210  also includes a base station control routine  225  used to control the base station  12  to implement the steps of methods. The base station control routine  225  includes a scheduling module  226  used to control transmission scheduling and/or communication resource allocation. Thus, module  226  may serve as a scheduler. Base station control routine  225  also includes dedicated control channel modules  227  which implement methods, e.g., processing received DCCH reports, performing control related to DCCH mode, allocating DCCH segments, etc. Memory  210  also includes information used by communications routines  223 , and control routine  225 . The data/information  212  includes a set of data/information for a plurality of wireless terminal (WT  1  data/info  213 , WT N data/info  213 ′. WT  1  data/information  213  includes mode information  231 , DCCH report information  233 , resource information  235  and sessions information  237 . Data/information  212  also includes system data/information  229 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary wireless terminal  14 , e.g., mobile node implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary wireless terminal  14  may be any of the exemplary wireless terminals of  FIG. 1 . The wireless terminal  14 , e.g., mobile node may be used as a mobile terminal (MT). The wireless terminal  14  includes receiver and transmitter antennas  303 ,  305  which are coupled to receiver and transmitter modules  302 ,  304  respectively. The receiver module  302  includes a decoder  333  while the transmitter module  304  includes an encoder  335 . The receiver/transmitter modules  302 ,  304  are coupled by a bus  305  to a memory  310 . Processor  306 , under control of one or more routines stored in memory  310  causes the wireless terminal  14  to operate. In order to control wireless terminal operation memory  310  includes communications routine  323  and wireless terminal control routine  325 . Communications routine  323  is used for controlling the wireless terminal  14  to perform various communications operations and implement various communications protocols. The wireless terminal control routine  325  is responsible for insuring that the wireless terminal operates in accordance with the methods and performs the steps in regard to wireless terminal operations. Wireless terminal control routine  325  includes DCCH modules  327 , which implement methods, e.g., control the performing of measurements used in DCCH reports, generate DCCH reports, control transmission of DCCH reports, control DCCH mode, etc. The memory  310  also includes user/device/session/resource information  312  which may be accessed and used to implement the methods and/or data structures. Information  312  includes DCCH report information  330  and mode information  332 . Memory  310  also includes system data/information  329 , e.g., including uplink and downlink channel structure information. 
       FIG. 4  is a drawing  400  of exemplary uplink dedicated control channel (DCCH) segments in an exemplary uplink timing and frequency structure in an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access wireless communications system. The uplink dedicated control channel is used to send Dedicated Control Reports (DCR) from wireless terminals to base stations. Vertical axis  402  plots logical uplink tone index while horizontal axis  404  plots the uplink index of the halfslot within a beaconslot. In this example, an uplink tone block includes 113 logical uplink tones indexed (0, . . . , 112); there are seven successive OFDM symbol transmission time periods within a halfslot, 2 additional OFDM symbol time periods followed by 16 successive half-slots within a superslot, and 8 successive superslots within a beacon slot. The first 9 OFDM symbol transmission time periods within a superslot are an access interval, and the dedicated control channel does not use the air link resources of the access interval. 
     The exemplary dedicated control channel is subdivided into 31 logical tones (uplink tone index  81   406 , uplink tone index  82   408 , . . . , uplink tone index  111   410 ). Each logical uplink tone ( 81 , . . . ,  111 ) in the logical uplink frequency structure corresponds to a logical tone indexed with respect to the DCCH channel (0, . . . , 30). 
     For each tone in the dedicated control channel there are 40 segments in the beaconslot corresponding to forty columns ( 412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418 ,  420 ,  422 , . . . ,  424 ). The segment structure repeats on a beaconslot basis. For a given tone in the dedicated control channel there are 40 segments corresponding to a beaconslot  428 ; each of the eight superslots of the beaconslot includes 5 successive segments for the given tone. For example, for first superslot  426  of beaconslot  428 , corresponding to tone  0  of the DCCH, there are five indexed segments (segment [0][0], segment [0][1], segment [0][2], segment [0][3], segment [0][4]). Similarly, for first superslot  426  of beaconslot  428 , corresponding to tone  1  of the DCCH, there are five indexed segments (segment [1][0], segment [1][1], segment [1][2], segment [1][3], segment [1][4]). Similarly, for first superslot  426  of beaconslot  428 , corresponding to tone  30  of the DCCH, there are five indexed segments (segment [30][0], segment [30][1], segment [30][2], segment [30][3], segment [30][4]). 
     In this example each segment, e.g., segment [0][0], comprises one tone for 3 successive half-slots, e.g., representing an allocated uplink air link resource of 21 OFDM tone-symbols. In some embodiments, logical uplink tones are hopped to physical tones in accordance with an uplink tone hopping sequence such that the physical tone associated with a logical tone may be different for successive half-slots, but remains constant during a given half-slot. 
     In some embodiments, a set of uplink dedicated control channel segments corresponding to a given tone can use one of a plurality of different formats. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, for a given tone for a beaconslot, the set of DCCH segments can use one of two formats: split tone format and full-tone format. In the full tone format, the set of uplink DCCH segments corresponding to a tone are used by a single wireless terminal. In the split tone format, the set of uplink DCCH segment corresponding to the tone are shared by up to three wireless terminals in a time division multiplexing manner. The base station and/or the wireless terminal can, in some embodiments, change the format for a given DCCH tone, using predetermined protocols. The format of the uplink DCCH segments corresponding to a different DCCH tone can, in some embodiments, be independently set and may be different. 
     In some embodiments, in either format, the wireless terminal shall support a default mode of the uplink dedicated control channel segments. In some embodiments, the wireless terminal supports the default mode of the uplink dedicated control channel segments and one or more additional modes of the uplink dedicated control channel segments. Such a mode defines the interpretation of the information bits in the uplink dedicated control channel segments. The base station and/or the WT can, in some embodiments, change the mode, e.g., using an upper layer configuration protocol. In various embodiments, the uplink DCCH segments corresponding to a different tone or those corresponding to the same tone but used by different WTs can be independently set and may be different. 
       FIG. 5  includes a drawing  500  of an exemplary dedicated control channel in an exemplary uplink timing and frequency structure in an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access wireless communications system. Drawing  500  may represent the DCCH  400  of  FIG. 4 , at a time when each set of DCCH segments corresponding to a tone is in the full-tone format. Vertical axis  502  plots logical tone index of the DCCH while horizontal axis  504  plots the uplink index of the halfslot within a beaconslot. The exemplary dedicated control channel is subdivided into 31 logical tones (tone index  0   506 , tone index  1   508 , . . . , tone index  30   510 ). For each tone in the dedicated control channel there are 40 segments in the beaconslot corresponding to forty columns ( 512 ,  514 ,  516 ,  518 ,  520 ,  522 , . . . ,  524 ). Each logical tone of the dedicated control channel may be assigned by the base station to a different wireless terminal using the base station as its current point of attachment. For example, logical (tone  0   506 , tone  1   508 , . . . , tone  30   510 ) may be currently assigned to (WT A  530 , WT B  532 , . . . , WT N′  534 ), respectively. 
       FIG. 6  includes a drawing  600  of an exemplary dedicated control channel in an exemplary uplink timing and frequency structure in an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access wireless communications system. Drawing  600  may represent the DCCH  400  of  FIG. 4 , at a time when each set of DCCH segments corresponding to a tone is in the split-tone format. Vertical axis  602  plots logical tone index of the DCCH while horizontal axis  604  plots the uplink index of the halfslot within a beaconslot. The exemplary dedicated control channel is subdivided into 31 logical tones (tone index  0   606 , tone index  1   608 , . . . , tone index  30   610 ). For each tone in the dedicated control channel there are 40 segments in the beaconslot corresponding to forty columns ( 612 ,  614 ,  616 ,  618 ,  620 ,  622 , . . . ,  624 ). Each logical tone of the dedicated control channel may be assigned by the base station to up to 3 different wireless terminals using the base station as their current point of attachment. For a given tone, the segments alternate between the three wireless terminals, with 13 segments being allocated for each of the three wireless terminals, and the 40 th  segment is reserved. This exemplary division of air link resources of the DCCH channel represents a total of 93 different wireless terminals being allocated DCCH channel resources for the exemplary beaconslot. For example, logical tone  0   606  may be currently assigned to and shared by WT A  630 , WT B  632 , and WT C  634 ; logical tone  1   608  may be currently assigned to and shared by WT D  636 , WT E  638 , and WT F  640 ; logical tone  30   610  may be currently assigned to WT M′″  642 , WT N′″  644 , and WT O′″  646 . For the beaconslot, each of the exemplary WTs ( 630 ,  632 ,  634 ,  636 ,  638 ,  640 ,  642 ,  644 ,  646 ) is allocated 13 DCCH segments. 
       FIG. 7  includes a drawing  700  of an exemplary dedicated control channel in an exemplary uplink timing and frequency structure in an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access wireless communications system. Drawing  700  may represent the DCCH  400  of  FIG. 4 , at a time when some of the sets of DCCH segments corresponding to a tone are in the full-tone format and some of the sets of DCCH segments corresponding to a tone are in the split-tone format. Vertical axis  702  plots logical tone index of the DCCH while horizontal axis  704  plots the uplink index of the halfslot within a beaconslot. The exemplary dedicated control channel is subdivided into 31 logical tones (tone index  0   706 , tone index  1   708 , tone index  2   709 , . . . , tone index  30   710 ). For each tone in the dedicated control channel there are 40 segments in the beaconslot corresponding to forty columns ( 712 ,  714 ,  716 ,  718 ,  720 ,  722 , . . . ,  724 ). In this example, the set of segments corresponding to logical tone  0   708  is in split-tone format and is currently assigned to and shared by WT A  730 , WT B  732 , and WTC  734 , each receiving 13 segments with one segment being reserved. The set of segments corresponding to logical tone  1   708  is also in split-tone format, but is currently assigned to and shared by two WTs, WT D  736 , WT E  738 , each receiving 13 segments. For tone  1   708 , there is a set of 13 unassigned segments, and one reserved segment. The set of segments corresponding to logical tone  2   709  is also in split-tone format, but is currently assigned to one WT, WT F  739 , receiving 13 segments. For tone  2   709 , there are two sets with 13 unassigned segments per set, and one reserved segment. The set of segments corresponding to logical tone  30   710  is in full-tone format and is currently assigned to WT P′  740 , with WTP′  740  receiving the full 40 segments to use. 
       FIG. 8  is a drawing  800  illustrating the use of format and mode in an exemplary uplink DCCH in accordance with various embodiments, the mode defining the interpretation of the information bits in the DCCH segments. Row  802 , corresponding to one tone of the DCCH, illustrates 15 successive segments of the DCCH, in which the split tone-format is used and thus the tone is shared by three wireless terminals, and the mode used by any one of the three WTs can be different. Meanwhile, row  804  illustrates 15 successive DCCH segments using the full tone format and is used by a single wireless terminal Legend  805  indicates that: segments with vertical line shading  806  are used by a 1 st  WT user, segments with diagonal line shading  808  are used by a 2 nd  WT user, segments with horizontal line shading  810  are used by a 3 rd  WT user, and segments with crosshatch shading  812  are used by a 4 th  WT user. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates several examples corresponding to drawing  800  illustrating different modes of operation. In the example of drawing  900 , 1 st , 2 nd  and 3 rd  WTs are sharing a DCCH tone in the split tone format while the 4 th  WT is using a tone in the full tone format. Each of the WTs corresponding to the example of drawing  900  are using the default mode of uplink dedicated control channel segments, following a default mode interpretation of the information bits in the DCCH segments. The default mode for split tone format (D S ) is different than the default mode for full tone format (D F ). 
     In the example of drawing  920 , 1 st , 2 nd  and 3 rd  WTs are sharing a DCCH tone in the split tone format while the 4 th  WT is using a tone in the full tone format. Each of the (1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd ) WTs corresponding to the example of drawing  920  are using different modes of uplink dedicated control channel segments, each following different interpretations of the information bits in the DCCH segments. The 1 st  WT is using mode  2  for split-tone format, the 2 nd  wireless terminal is using the default mode for split-tone format, and the 3rd WT is using mode  1  for split-tone format. In addition the 4 th  WT is using the default mode for full-tone format. 
     In the example of drawing  940 , 1 st , 2 nd  and 3 rd  WTs are sharing a DCCH tone in the split tone format while the 4 th  WT is using a tone in the full tone format. Each of the (1st 2nd, 3 rd , and 4 th ) WTs corresponding to the example of drawing  940  are using different modes of uplink dedicated control channel segments, each following different interpretations of the information bits in the DCCH segments. The 1 st  WT is using mode  2  for split-tone format, the 2 nd  wireless terminal is using the default mode for split-tone format, the 3rd WT is using mode  1  for split tone format, and the 4 th  WT is using mode  3  for full-tone format. 
       FIG. 10  is a drawing  1099  illustrating an exemplary default mode of the full tone format in a beaconslot for a given DCCH tone. In  FIG. 10 , each block ( 1000 ,  1001 ,  1002 ,  1003 ,  1004 ,  1005 ,  1006 ,  1007 ,  1008 ,  1009 ,  1010 ,  1011 ,  1012 ,  1013 ,  1014 ,  1015 ,  1016 ,  1017 ,  1018 ,  1019 ,  1020 ,  1021 ,  1022 ,  1023 ,  1024 ,  1025 ,  1026 ,  1027 ,  1028 ,  1029 ,  1030 ,  1031 ,  1032 ,  1033 ,  1034 ,  1035 ,  1036 ,  1037 ,  1038 ,  1039 ) represents one segment whose index s 2  ( 0 , . . . ,  39 ) is shown above the block in rectangular region  1040 . Each block, e.g., block  1000  representing segment  0 , conveys 6 information bits; each block comprises 6 rows corresponding to the 6 bits in the segment, where the bits are listed from the most significant bit to the least significant bit downwards from the top row to the bottom row as shown in rectangular region  1043 . 
     For the exemplary embodiment, the framing format shown in  FIG. 10  is used repeatedly in every beaconslot, when the default mode of full-tone format is used, with the following exception. In the first uplink superslot after the wireless terminal migrates to the ON state in the current connection, the WT shall use the framing format shown in  FIG. 11 . The first uplink superslot is defined: for a scenario when the WT migrates to the ON state from the ACCESS state, for a scenario when the WT migrates to the ON state from a HOLD state, and for a scenario when the WT migrates to the ON state from the ON state of another connection. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary definition of the default mode in the full-tone format of the uplink DCCH segments in the first uplink superslot after the WT migrates to the ON state. Drawing  1199  includes five successive segments ( 1100 ,  1101 ,  1102 ,  1103 ,  1104 ) corresponding to segment index numbers, s 2 =(0, 1, 2, 3, 4), respectively in the superslot as indicated by rectangle  1106  above the segments. Each block, e.g., block  1100  representing segment  0  of the superslot, conveys 6 information bits; each block comprises 6 rows corresponding to the 6 bits in the segment, where the bits are listed from the most significant bit to the least significant bit downwards from the top row to the bottom row as shown in rectangular region  1108 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, in the scenario of migrating from the HOLD to ON state, the WT starts to transmit the uplink DCCH channel from the beginning of the first UL superslot, and therefore the first uplink DCCH segment shall transport the information bits in the leftmost information column of  FIG. 11 , the information bits of segment  1100 . In the exemplary embodiment, in the scenario of migrating from the ACCESS state, the WT does not necessarily start from the beginning of the first UL superslot, but does still transmit the uplink DCCH segments according to the framing format specified in  FIG. 11 . For example, if the WT starts to transmit the UL DCCH segments from the halfslot of the superslot with index=4, then the WT skips the leftmost information column of  FIG. 11  (segment  1100 ) and the first uplink DCCH segment transports the second leftmost column (segment  1101 ). Note that in the exemplary embodiment, superslot indexed halfslots (1-3) correspond to one DCCH segment ( 1100 ) and superslot indexed halfslots (4-6) correspond to the next segment ( 1101 ). In the exemplary embodiment, for the scenario of switching between the full-tone and split-tone formats, the WT uses the framing format shown in  FIG. 10  without the above exception of using the format shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     Once, the first UL superslot ends, the uplink DCCH channel segments switch to the framing format of  FIG. 10 . Depending on where the first uplink superslot ends, the point of switching the framing format may or may not be the beginning of a beaconslot. Note that in this example embodiment, there are five DCCH segments for a given DCCH tone for a superslot. For example, suppose that the first uplink superslot is of uplink beaconslot superslot index=2, where beaconslot superslot index range is from 0 to 7. Subsequently in the next uplink superslot, which is of uplink beaconslot superslot index=3, the first uplink DCCH segment using the default framing format of  FIG. 10  is of index s 2 =15 (segment  1015  of  FIG. 10 ) and transports the information corresponding to segment s 2 =15 (segment  1015  of  FIG. 10 ). 
     Each uplink DCCH segment is used to transmit a set of Dedicated Control Channel Reports (DCRs). An exemplary summary list of DCRs in the full-tone format for the default mode is given in table  1200   FIG. 12 . The information of table  1200  is applicable to the partitioned segments of  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Each segment of  FIGS. 10 and 11  includes two or more reports as described in table  1200 . First column  1202  of table  1200  describes abbreviated names used for each exemplary report. The name of each report ends with a number which specifies the number of bits of the DCR. Second column  1204  of table  1200  briefly describes each named report. Third column  1206  specifies the segment index s 2  of  FIG. 10 , in which a DCR is to be transmitted, and corresponds to a mapping between table  1200  and  FIG. 10 . 
     The exemplary 5 bit absolute report of downlink signal to noise ratio (DLSNR5) shall now be described. The exemplary DLSNR5 uses one of the following two mode formats. When the WT has only one connection, the non-DL macrodiversity mode format is used. When the WT has multiple connections, the DL-macrodiversity mode format is used if the WT is in the DL-macrodiversity mode; otherwise the non-macrodiversity mode format is used. In some embodiments, whether the WT is in the DL-macrodiversity mode and/or how the WT switches between the DL macrodiversity mode and the non-DL macrodiversity mode are specified in an upper layer protocol. In the non-DL macro-diversity mode the WT reports the measured received downlink pilot channel segment SNR using the closest representation of Table  1300  of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a table  1300  of an exemplary format of DLSNR5 in non-DL macrodiversity mode. First column  1302  list 32 possible bit pattern that may be represented by the 5 bits of the report. Second column  1304  lists the value of wtDLPICHSNR being communicated to the base station via the report. In this example, incremental levels from −12 dB to 29 dB can be indicated corresponding to 31 different bit patterns, while bit pattern 11111 is reserved. 
     For example, if the calculated wtDLPICHSNR based on measurement is −14 dB, the DLSNR5 report is set to bit pattern 00000; if the calculated wtDLPICHSNR based on measurement is −11.6 dB, the DLSNR5 report is set to bit pattern 00000 because in table  1300  the entry with −12 dB is the closet to the calculated value of −11.6 dB; if the calculated wtDLPICHSNR based on measurement is −11.4 dB, the DLSNR5 report is set to bit pattern 00001 because in table  1300  the entry with −11 dB is the closet to the calculated value of −11.4 dB. 
     The reported wireless terminal downlink pilot SNR (wtDLPICHSNR) accounts for the fact that the pilot signal, on which the SNR is measured, is typically transmitted at higher power than the average traffic channel power. For this reason, the pilot SNR is, in some embodiments, reported as,
 
 wtDLPICH SNR=PilotSNR−Delta,
 
where pilotSNR is the measured SNR on the received downlink pilot channel signal in dB, and Delta is a difference between the pilot transmission power and an average per tone channel transmission power level, e.g. the average per tone downlink traffic channel transmission power. In some embodiments Delta=7.5 dB.
 
     In the DL-macrodiversity mode format the WT uses the DLSNR5 report to inform a base station sector attachment point, whether the current downlink connection with the base station sector attachment point is a preferred connection, and to report the calculated wtDLPICHSNR with the closest DLSNR5 report according to table  1400 .  FIG. 14  is a table  1400  of an exemplary format of DLSNR5 in DL macrodiversity mode. First column  1402  list 32 possible bit patterns that may be represented by the 5 bits of the report. Second column  1404  lists the value of wtDLPICHSNR being communicated to the base station via the report and an indication as to whether or not the connection is preferred. In this example, incremental levels of SNR from −12 db to 13 dB can be indicated corresponding to 32 different bit patterns. Sixteen of the bit patterns correspond to the case where the connection is not preferred; while the remaining sixteen bit patterns correspond to the case where the connection is preferred. In some exemplary embodiments, the highest SNR value that can be indicated when a link is preferred is greater than the highest SNR value that can be indicated when a link is not preferred. In some exemplary embodiments, the lowest SNR that can be indicated when a link is preferred is greater than the lowest SNR value that can be indicated when a link is not preferred. 
     In some embodiments, in the DL-macrodiversity mode, the wireless terminal indicates one and only one connection to be the preferred connection at any given time. Furthermore, in some such embodiments, if the WT indicates that a connection is preferred in a DLSNR5 report, then the WT sends at least NumConsecutive Preferred consecutive DLSNR5 reports indicating that the connection is preferred before the WT is allowed to a send a DLSNR5 report indicating that another connection becomes the preferred one. The value of the parameter NumConsecutive preferred depends on the format of the uplink DCCH channel, e.g., full-tone format vs split-tone format). In some embodiments the WT gets the parameter NumConsecutivePreferred in an upper level protocol. In some embodiments, the default value of NumConsecutivePreferred is 10 in the full-tone format. 
     An exemplary 3 bit relative (difference) report of downlink SNR (DLDSNR3) shall now be described. The wireless terminal measures the received SNR of the downlink pilot channel (PilotSNR), calculates the wtDLPICHSNR value, where wtDLPICHSNR=PilotSNR−Delta, calculates the difference between the calculated wtDLPICHSNR value and the reported value by the most recent DLSNR5 report, and reports the calculated difference with the closest DLDSNR3 report according to table  1500  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  is a table  1500  of an exemplary format of DLDSNR3. First column  1502  lists 9 possible bit patterns that may represent the 3 information bits of the report. Second column  1504  lists the reported difference in wtDLPICHSNR being communicated to the base station via the report ranging from −5 dB to 5 dB. 
     Various exemplary uplink traffic channel request reports will now be described. In an exemplary embodiment three types of uplink traffic channel request reports are used: an exemplary single bit uplink traffic channel request report (ULRQST1), an exemplary three bit uplink traffic channel request report (ULRQST3), and an exemplary four bit uplink traffic channel request report (ULRQST4). The WT uses an ULRQST1, ULRQST3, or ULRQST4 to report the status of the MAC frame queues at the WT transmitter. In the exemplary embodiment, the MAC frames are constructed from the LLC frames, which are constructed from packets of upper layer protocols. In this exemplary embodiment, any packet belongs to one of four request groups (RG 0 , RG 1 , RG 2 , or RG 3 ). In some exemplary embodiments, the mapping of packets to request groups is done through higher layer protocols. In some exemplary embodiments, there is a default mapping of packets to request groups, that may be changed by the base station and/or WT through higher layer protocols. If the packet belongs to one request group, then, in this exemplary embodiment, all the MAC frames of that packet also belong to that same request group. The WT reports the number of MAC frames in the 4 request groups that the WT may intend to transmit. In the ARQ protocol, those MAC frames are marked as “new” or “to be retransmitted”. The WT maintains a vector of four elements N[0:3] for k=0:3, N[k] represents the number of MAC frames that the WT intends to transmit in request group k. The WT should report the information about N[0:3] to the base station sector so that the base station sector can utilize the information in an uplink scheduling algorithm to determine the assignment of uplink traffic channel segments. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the WT uses the single bit uplink traffic channel request report (ULRQST1) to report N[0]+N[1] according to table  1600  of  FIG. 16 . Table  1600  is an exemplary format for an ULRQST1 report. First column  1602  indicates the two possible bit patterns that may be conveyed while second column  1604  indicates the meaning of each bit pattern. If the bit pattern is 0, that indicates that there are no MAC frames that the WT intends to transmit in either request group  0  or request group  1 . If the bit pattern is 1, that indicates that the WT has at least one MAC frame in request group  0  or request group  1  that the WT intends to communicate. 
     In accordance with a feature used in various embodiments, multiple request dictionaries are supported. Such a request dictionary defines the interpretation of the information bits in uplink traffic channel request reports in the uplink dedicated control channel segments. At a given time, the WT uses one request dictionary. In some embodiments, when the WT just enters the ACTIVE state, the WT uses a default request dictionary. To change the request dictionary the WT and base station sector use an upper layer configuration protocol. In some embodiments, when the WT migrates from the ON state to the HOLD state, the WT keeps the last request dictionary used in the ON state so that when the WT migrates from the HOLD state to the ON state later, the WT continues to use the same request dictionary until the request dictionary is explicitly changed; however, if the WT leaves the ACTIVE state, then the memory of the last request dictionary is cleared. In some embodiments, the ACTIVE state includes the ON state and the Hold state, but does not include the ACCESS state and sleep state. 
     In some embodiments, to determine at least some ULRQST3 or ULRQST4 reports, the wireless terminal first calculates one or more of the following two control parameters y and z, and uses one of the request dictionaries, e.g., Request dictionary (RD) reference number 0, RD reference number 1, RD reference number 2, RD reference number 3. Table  1700  of  FIG. 17  is an exemplary table used to calculate control parameters y and z. First column  1702  lists a condition; second column  1704  lists the corresponding value of output control parameter y; third column  1706  lists the corresponding value of output control parameter z. In first column  1702 , x (in dBs) represents the value of the most recent 5 bit uplink transmit backoff report (ULTXBKF5) and the value b (in dBs) of the most recent 4 bit downlink beacon ratio report (DLBNR4). Given the input values of x and b from the most recent reports, the WT checks if the condition from first row  1710  is satisfied. If the test condition is satisfied, then the WT uses the corresponding y and z values of the row for calculating the ULRQST3 or ULRQST4. However, if the condition is not satisfied the testing continues with the next row  1712 . Testing continues proceeding down the table  1700  in order from top to bottom ( 1710 ,  1712 ,  1714 ,  1716 ,  1718 ,  1720 ,  1722 ,  1724 ,  1726 ,  1728 ) until the condition listed in column  1702  for a given row is satisfied. The WT determines y and z as those from the first row in table  1700  for which the first column is satisfied. For example, if x=17 and b=1, then z=4 and y=1. 
     The WT, in some embodiments, uses an ULRQST3 or ULRQST4 to report the actual N[0:3] of the MAC frames queues according to a request dictionary. A request dictionary is identified by a request dictionary (RD) reference number. 
     In some embodiments, at least some request dictionaries are such that any ULRQST4 or ULRQST3 may not completely include the actual N[0:3]. A report is in effect a quantized version of the actual N[0:3]. In some embodiments, the WT sends a report to minimize the discrepancy between the reported and actual MAC frame queues first for request group  0  and  1 , and then for request group  2 , and finally for request group  3 . However, in some embodiments, the WT has the flexibility of determining a report to benefit the WT most. For example, assume that the WT is using exemplary request dictionary  1  (See  FIGS. 20 and 21 ), the WT may use an ULRQST4 to report N[1]+N[3] and use an ULRQST3 to report N[2] and N[0]. In addition if a report is directly related to a subset of request groups according to the request dictionary, it does not automatically imply that MAC frame queues of a remaining request group are empty. For example, if a report means N[2]=1, then it may not automatically imply that N[0]=0, N[1]=0, or N[3]=0. 
       FIG. 18  is a table  1800  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary first request dictionary (RD reference number=0). In some embodiments, the request dictionary with reference number=0 is the default request dictionary. First column  1802  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  1804  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. An ULRQST4 of table  1800  conveys one of: (i) no change from the previous 4 bit uplink request, (ii) information about the N[0], and (iii) information about a composite of N[1]+N[2]+N[3] as a function of either control parameter y or control parameter z of table  1700  of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 19  is a table  1900  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary first request dictionary (RD reference number=0). In some embodiments, the request dictionary with reference number=0 is the default request dictionary. First column  1902  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  1904  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. An ULRQST3 of table  1900  conveys: (i) information about the N[0] and (ii) information about a composite of N[1]+N[2]+N[3] as a function of control parameter y of table  1700  of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 20  is a table  2000  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary second request dictionary (RD reference number=1). First column  2002  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  2004  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. An ULRQST4 of table  2000  conveys one of: (i) no change from the previous 4 bit uplink request, (ii) information about the N[2], and (iii) information about a composite of N[1]+N[3] as a function of either control parameter y or control parameter z of table  1700  of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 21  is a table  2100  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary second request dictionary (RD reference number=1). First column  2102  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  2104  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. An ULRQST3 of table  2100  conveys: (i) information about N[0] and (ii) information about N[2]. 
       FIG. 22  is a table  2200  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary third request dictionary (RD reference number=2). First column  2202  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  2204  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. An ULRQST4 of table  2200  conveys one of: (i) no change from the previous 4 bit uplink request, (ii) information about the N[1], and (iii) information about a composite of N[2]+N[3] as a function of either control parameter y or control parameter z of table  1700  of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 23  is a table  2300  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary third request dictionary (RD reference number=2). First column  2302  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  2304  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. An ULRQST3 of table  2300  conveys: (i) information about N[0] and (ii) information about N[1]. 
       FIG. 24  is a table  2400  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary fourth request dictionary (RD reference number=3). First column  2402  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  2404  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. An ULRQST4 of table  2400  conveys one of: (i) no change from the previous 4 bit uplink request, (ii) information about N[1], (iii) information about N[2], and (iv) information about N[3] as a function of either control parameter y or control parameter z of table  1700  of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 25  is a table  2500  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary fourth request dictionary (RD reference number=3). First column  2502  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  2504  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. An ULRQST3 of table  2500  conveys: (i) information about N[0] and (ii) information about N[1]. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the methods facilitate a wide range of reporting possibilities. For example, the use of control parameters, e.g., based on SNR and backoff reports, allow for a single bit pattern request corresponding to a given dictionary to take on multiple interpretations. Consider exemplary request dictionary reference number 0 for 4 bit uplink requests as shown in table  1800  of  FIG. 18 . For a four bit request where each bit pattern corresponds to a fixed interpretations and does not rely on control parameters, 16 possibilities exists. However, in table  1800  four of the bit patterns (0011, 0100, 0101, and 0110) can each have two different interpretations since control parameter y can have value 1 or 2. Similarly, in table  1800  nine of the bit patterns (0111, 1000, 1001, 1010, 1011, 1100, 1101, 1110, and 1111) can each have 10 different interpretations since control parameter z can have any of the values (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). This use of control parameters expands the range of reporting for the 4 bit request report from 16 different possibilities to 111 possibilities. 
     An exemplary 5 bit wireless terminal transmitter power backoff report (ULTxBKF5) will now be described. A wireless terminal backoff report reports an amount of remaining power that the WT has to use for uplink transmissions for non-DCCH segments, e.g., including uplink traffic channel segment(s) after taking into account the power used to transmit the DCCH segments. wtULDCCHBackOff=wtPowerMax−wtULDCCHTxPower; where wtULDCCHTxPower denotes the per-tone transmission power of the uplink DCCH channel in dBm, and wtPowerMax is the maximum transmission power value of the WT, also in dBm. Note that the wtULDCCHTxPower represents the instantaneous power and is calculated using the wtPowerNominal in the halfslot immediately preceeding the current uplink DCCH segment. In some such embodiments, the per tone power of the uplink DCCH channel relative to wtPowerNominal is 0 dBs. The value of wtPowerMax depends on the device capability of the WT, upon system specifications and/or upon regulations. In some embodiments, the determination of wtPowerMax is implementation dependent. 
       FIG. 26  is a table  2600  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 32 bit patterns for an exemplary 5 bit uplink transmitter power backoff report (ULTxBKF5), in accordance with various embodiments. First column  2602  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  2604  identifies the reported WT uplink DCCH Backoff report values in dBs corresponding to each bit pattern. In this exemplary embodiment 30 distinct levels can be reported ranging from 6.5 dB to 40 dBs; two bit patterns are left as reserved. A wireless terminal calculates wtULDCCHBackoff, e.g., as indicated above, selects the closet entry in table  2600  and uses that bit pattern for the report. 
     An exemplary 4 bit downlink beacon ratio report (DLBNR4) will now be described. The beacon ratio report provides information which is a function of received measured downlink broadcast signals, e.g., beacon signals and/or pilot signals, from a serving base station sector and from one or more other interfering base station sectors. Qualitatively, the beacon ratio report can be used to estimate the relative proximity of the WT to other base station sectors. The beacon ratio report can be, and in some embodiments is, used at the serving BS sector in controlling the uplink rate of the WT to prevent excessive interference to other sectors. The beacon ratio report, in some embodiments, is based on two factors: (i) estimated channel gain ratios, denoted G i , and (ii) loading factors, denoted b i . 
     The channel gain ratios are defined, in some embodiments, as follows. In the tone block of the current connection, the WT, in some embodiments, determines an estimate of the ratio of the uplink channel gain from the WT to any interfering Base station sector i (BSS i) to the channel gain from the WT to the serving BSS. This ratio is denoted as G i . Typically, the uplink channel gain ratio is not directly measurable at the WT. However, since the uplink and downlink path gains are typically symmetric, the ratio can be estimated by comparing the relative received power of downlink signals from the serving and interfering BSSs. One possible choice for the reference downlink signal is the downlink beacon signal, which is well-suited for this purpose since it can be detected in very low SNR. In some embodiments, beacon signals have a higher per tone transmission power level than other downlink signals from a base station sector. Additionally, the characteristics of the beacon signal are such that precise timing synchronization is not necessary to detect and measure the beacon signal. For example, the beacon signal is, in some embodiments, a high power narrowband, e.g., single tone, two OFDM symbol transmission time period wide signal. Thus at certain locations, a WT is able to detect and measure a beacon signal from a base station sector, where the detection and/or measurement of other downlink broadcast signals, e.g., pilot signals may not be feasible. Using the beacon signal, the uplink path ratio would be given by G i =PB i /PB 0 , where PB i  and PB 0  are, respectively, the measured received beacon power from the interfering and serving base station sectors, respectively. 
     Since the beacon is typically transmitted rather infrequently, the power measurement of the beacon signal may not provide a very accurate representation of average channel gain, especially in a fading environment where the power changes rapidly. For example, in some embodiments one beacon signal, which occupies 2 successive OFDM symbol transmission time periods in duration and which corresponds to a downlink tone block of a base station sector, is transmitted for every beaconslot of 912 OFDM symbol transmission time periods. 
     Pilot signals, on the other hand, are often transmitted much more frequently than beacon signals, e.g., in some embodiments pilot signals are transmitted during 896 out of the 912 OFDM symbol transmission time periods of a beaconslot. If the WT can detect the pilot signal from the BS sector, it can estimate the received beacon signal strength from the measured received pilot signal instead of using a beacon signal measurement. For example, if the WT can measure the received pilot power, PP i , of the interfering BS sector, then it can estimate the received beacon power PB i  from estimated PB i =KZ i PP i , where K is a nominal ratio of the beacon to pilot power of the interfering sector that is the same for each of the BS sectors, and Z i  is a scaling factor that is sector dependent. 
     Similarly, if the pilot signal power from the serving BS is measurable at the WT, then the received beacon power PB 0  can be estimated from the relation, estimated PB 0 =KZ 0 PP 0 , where Z 0  and PP 0  are, respectively, the scaling factor and measured received pilot power from the serving base station sector. 
     Observe that if the received pilot signal strength is measurable corresponding to the serving base station sector, and the received beacon signal strength is measurable corresponding to interfering base station sector, the beacon ratio can be estimated from:
 
 G   i   =PB   i /( PP   0   K Z   0 ).
 
     Observe that if the pilot strengths are measurable in both the serving and interfering sectors, the beacon ratio can be estimated from:
 
 G   i   =PP   i   K Z   i /( PP   0   K Z   0 )= PP   i   Z   i /( PP   0   Z   0 ).
 
     The scaling factors K, Z i  and Z 0  are either system constants, or can be inferred by the WT, from other information from the BS. In some embodiments, some of the scaling factors (K, Z i , Z 0 ) are system constants and some of the scaling factors (K, Z i , Z 0 ) are inferred by the WT, from other information form the BS. 
     In some multicarrier systems with different power levels on different carriers, the scaling factors, Z i  and Z 0 , are a function of the downlink tone block. For example, an exemplary BSS has three power tier levels, and one of the three power tier levels is associated with each downlink tone block corresponding to a BSS attachment point. In some such embodiments, a different one of the three power tier levels is associated with each of the different tone blocks of the BSS. Continuing with the example, for the given BSS, each power tier level is associated with a nominal bss power level (e.g., one of bssPowerNominal0, bssPowerNominal1, and bssPowerNominal2) and the pilot channel signal is transmitted at a relative power level with respect to a nominal bss power level for the tone block, e.g., 7.2 dB above the nominal bss power level being used by the tone block; however, the beacon per tone relative transmission power level for the BSS is the same irrespective of the tone block from which the beacon is transmitted, e.g., 23.8 dB above the bss power level used by the power tier 0 block (bssPowerNominal0). Consequently, in this example for a given BSS, the beacon transmit power would be the same in each of the tone blocks, while the pilot transmit power is different, e.g. with the pilot transmit power of different tone blocks corresponding to different power tier levels. One set of scale factors for this example would be, K=23.8-7.2 dB, which is the ratio of the beacon to pilot power for tier 0, and Z i  is set to the relative nominal power of the tier of the interfering sector to the power of a tier 0 sector. 
     In some embodiments, the parameter Z 0  is determined from stored information, e.g., Table  2700  of  FIG. 27 , according to how the tone block of the current connection is used in the serving BSS as determined by the bssSectorType of the serving BSS. For example, if the tone block of the current connection is used as a tier 0 tone block by the serving BSS, the Z 0 =1; if the tone block of the current connection is used as a tier 1 tone block by the serving BSS, the Z 0 =bssPowerBackoff01; if the tone block of the current connection is used as a tier 2 tone block by the serving BSS, the Z 0 =bssPowerBackoff02. 
       FIG. 27  includes exemplary power scaling factor table  2700 , implemented in accordance with various embodiments. First column  2702  lists the use of the tone block as either a tier 0 tone block, tier 1 tone block, or tier 2 tone block. Second column  2704  lists the scaling factor associated with each tier (0,1,2) tone block, as (1, bssPowerBackoff01, bssPowerBackoff02), respectively. In some embodiments, bssPowerBackoff01 is 6 dBs while bssPowerBackoff02 is 12 dB. 
     In some embodiments, the DCCH DLBNR4 report can be one of a generic beacon ratio report and a special beacon ratio report. In some such embodiments, a downlink traffic control channel, e.g., a DL.TCCH.FLASH channel, sends a special frame in a beaconslot, the special frame including a “Request for DLBNR4 report field”. That field can be used by the serving BSS to control the selection. For example, if the field is set to zero then, the WT reports a generic beacon ratio report; otherwise the WT reports the special beacon ratio report. 
     A generic beacon ratio report, in accordance with some embodiments, measures the relative interference cost the WT would generate to all the interfering beacons or the “closest” interfering beacon, if the WT were to transmit to the serving BSS in the current connection. A special beacon ratio report, in accordance with some embodiments, measures the relative interference cost the WT would generate to a specific BSS, if the WT were to transmit to the serving BSS in the current connection. The specific BSS is the one indicated using information received in the Request for DLBNR4 field of the special downlink frame. For example, in some embodiments, the specific BSS is the one whose bssSlope is equal to the value of the “Request for DLBNR4 report field”, e.g., in unsigned integer format, and whose bssSectorType is equal to mod(ulUltraslotBeaconslotIndex,3), where ulUltraslotBeaconslotIndex is the uplink index of the beaconslot within the ultraslot of the current connection. In some exemplary embodiments, there are 18 indexed beaconslots within an ultraslot. 
     In various embodiments, both the generic and the special beacon ratios are determined from the calculated channel gain ratios G 1 , G 2 , . . . , as follows. The WT receives an uplink loading factor sent in a downlink broadcast system subchannel and determines a variable b 0  from uplink loading factor table  2800  of  FIG. 28 . Table  2800  includes a first column  2802  listing eight different values that may be used for the uplink loading factor (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7); second column lists the corresponding values for the b value in dB (0, −1, −2, −3, −4, −6, −9, −infinity), respectively. For other BSSi, the WT attempts to receive b i  from the uplink loading factor sent in the downlink broadcast system subchannel of the BSS i in the tone block of the current connection. If the WT is unable to receive the UL loading factor bi, the WT sets b i =1. 
     In some embodiments, in the single carrier operation, the WT calculates the following power ratio as the generic beacon ratio report: b 0 /(G 1 b 1 +G 2 b 2 + . . . ) when ulUltraslotBeaconslot Index is even or b 0 /max(G 1 b 1 , G 2 b 2 , . . . ) when ulUltraslotBeaconslotIndex is odd, where ulUltraslotBeaconslotIndex is the uplink index of the beaconslot within the ultraslot of the current connection and the operation+represents a regular addition. When required to send a specific beacon ratio report, the WT, in some embodiments, calculates b 0 /(G k B k ), where index k represents the specific BSS k. In some embodiments, there are 18 indexed beaconslots within an ultraslot. 
       FIG. 29  is a table  2900  illustrating an exemplary format for a 4 bit downlink beacon ratio report (DLBNR4), in accordance with various embodiments. First column  2902  lists the 16 various bit patterns that the report can convey, while second column  2904  lists the reported power ratio reported corresponding to each bit pattern, e.g., ranging from −3 dB to 26 dBs. The wireless terminal reports the generic and specific beacon ratio reports by selecting and communicating the DLBNR4 table entry that is closed to the determined report value. Although in this exemplary embodiment, the generic and specific beacon ratio reports use the same table for DLBNR4, in some embodiments, different tables may be used. 
     An exemplary 4 bit saturation level of downlink self-noise SNR report (DLSSNR4) will now be described. In some embodiments, the WT derives the saturation level of the DL SNR, which is defined to be the DL SNR that the WT receiver would measure on a received signal if the BSS transmitted the signal at infinite power, if the base station were capable of transmitting such a signal and the wireless terminal was capable of measuring such a signal. The saturation level can be, and in some embodiments is, determined by the self-noise of the WT receiver, which may be caused by factor such as channel estimation errors. The following is an exemplary method to derive the saturation level of the DL SNR. 
     In the exemplary method, the WT assumes that if the BSS transmits at power P, the DL SNR is equal to SNR(P)=GP/(a 0 GP+N), where G represent the wireless channel path gain from the BSS to the WT, P is the transmission power, so that GP is the received signal power, N represents the received interference power, a 0 GP represents the self-noise, where a higher value of a 0  denotes a higher value of self-noise. G is a value between 0 and 1, a 0 , P, and N are positive values. In this model, by definition, the saturation level of the DL SNR is equal to 1/a 0 . In some embodiments, the WT measures the received power of a downlink Null channel (DL.NCH) to determine the interference power N, measures the received power (denoted as G*P 0 ) of the downlink pilot channel and SNR (denoted by SNR 0 ) of the downlink pilot channel; the WT then calculates 1/a 0 =(1/SNR 0 −N/(GP 0 )) −1 . 
     Once the WT has derived the saturation level of the DL SNR, the WT reports it by using the closest entry to the derived value in a DL self-noise saturation level report table. Table  3000  of  FIG. 30  is such an exemplary table describing the format of DLSSNR4. First column  3002  indicates the 16 different possible bit patterns that can be conveyed by the DLSSNR4 report, and second column  3004  lists saturation levels of DL SNR that are communicated corresponding to each bit pattern ranging from 8.75 dB to 29.75 dBs. 
     In various embodiments, a flexible report is included in the DCCH, such that the WT decides which type of report to communicate and, the type of report can change from one flexible reporting opportunity to the next for a given WT using its allocated dedicated control channel segments. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the WT uses a 2 bit type report (TYPE2) to indicate the type of report selected by the WT to be communicated in a 4 bit body report (BODY4) of the same DCCH segment including both the TYPE2 and BODY4 reports. Table  3100  of  FIG. 31  is an example of mapping between TYPE2 report information bits and the type of report carried by the corresponding BODY4 report. First column  3102  indicates the four possible bit patterns for the 2 bit TYPE2 report. Second column  3104  indicates the type of report to be carried in the BODY4 report of the same uplink dedicated control channel segment corresponding to the TYPE2 report. Table  3100  indicates that: bit pattern 00 indicates that BODY4 report will be an ULRQST4 report, Bit pattern 01 indicates the BODY4 report will be a DLSSNR4 report, and bit patterns 10 and 11 are reserved. 
     In some embodiments, a WT selects the TYPE2 and BODY4 reports by assessing the relative importance of the different types of reports from among which the selection may occur, e.g., the reports listed in table  3100 . In some embodiments, the WT can select the TYPE2 independently from one segment to another. 
       FIG. 32  is a drawing  3299  illustrating an exemplary default mode of the split tone format in a beaconslot for a given DCCH tone for a first WT. In  FIG. 32 , each block ( 3200 ,  3201 ,  3202 ,  3203   3204 ,  3205 ,  3206 ,  3207 ,  3208 ,  3209 ,  3210 ,  3211 ,  3212 ,  3213 ,  3214 ,  3215 ,  3216 ,  3217 ,  3218 ,  3219 ,  3220 ,  3221 ,  3222 ,  3223 ,  3224 ,  3225 ,  3226 ,  3227 ,  3228 ,  3229 ,  3230 ,  3231 ,  3232 ,  3323 ,  3234 ,  3235 ,  3236 ,  3237 ,  3238 ,  3239 ) represents one segment whose index s 2  (0, . . . , 39) is shown above the block in rectangular region  3240 . Each block, e.g., block  3200  representing segment  0 , conveys 8 information bits; each block comprises 8 rows corresponding to the 8 bits in the segment, where the bits are listed from the most significant bit to the least significant bit downwards from the top row to the bottom row as shown in rectangular region  3243 . 
     For an exemplary embodiment, the framing format shown in  FIG. 32  is used repeatedly in every beaconslot, when the default mode of split-tone format is used, with the following exception. In the first uplink superslot after the wireless terminal migrates to the ON state in the current connection, the WT shall use the framing format shown in  FIG. 33 . The first uplink superslot is defined: for a scenario when the WT migrates to the ON state from the ACCESS state, for a scenario when the WT migrates to the ON state from a HOLD state, and for a scenario when the WT migrates to the ON state from the ON state of another connection. 
       FIG. 33  illustrates an exemplary definition of the default mode in the split-tone format of the uplink DCCH segments in the first uplink superslot after the WT migrates to the ON state. Drawing  3399  includes five successive segments ( 3300 ,  3301 ,  3302 ,  3303 ,  3304 ) corresponding to segment index numbers, s 2 =(0, 1, 2, 3, 4,), respectively in the superslot as indicated by rectangle  3306  above the segments. Each block, e.g., block  3300  representing segment  0  of the superslot, conveys 8 information bits; each block comprises 8 rows corresponding to the 8 bits in the segment, where the bits are listed from the most significant bit to the least significant bit downwards from the top row to the bottom row as shown in rectangular region  3308 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, in the scenario of migrating from the HOLD to ON state, the WT starts to transmit the uplink DCCH channel from the beginning of the first UL superslot, and therefore the first uplink DCCH segment shall transport the information bits in the leftmost information column of  FIG. 33 , the information bits of segment  3300 . In the exemplary embodiment, in the scenario of migrating from the ACCESS state to the ON state, the WT does not necessarily start from the beginning of the first UL superslot, but does still transmit the uplink DCCH segments according to the framing format specified in  FIG. 33 . For example, if the WT starts to transmit the UL DCCH segments from the halfslot of the superslot with index=10, then the WT skips the leftmost information column of  FIG. 33  (segment  3300 ) and the first uplink segment transported corresponds to segment  3303 ). Note that in the exemplary embodiment, superlsot indexed halfslots (1-3) correspond to one segment and superslot indexed halfslots (10-12) correspond to the next segment for the WT. In the exemplary embodiment, for the scenario of switching between the full-tone and split-tone formats, the WT uses the framing format shown in  FIG. 32  without the above exception of using the format shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     Once, the first UL superslot ends, the uplink DCCH channel segments switch to the framing format of  FIG. 32 . Depending on where the first uplink superslot ends, the point of switching the framing format may or may not be the beginning of a beaconslot. Note that in this exemplary embodiment, there are five DCCH segments for a given DCCH tone for a superslot. For example, suppose that the first uplink superslot is of uplink beaconslot superslot index=2, where beaconslot superslot index range is from 0 to 7 (superslot  0 , superslot  1 , . . . , superslot  7 ). Subsequently in the next uplink superslot, which is of uplink beaconslot superslot index=3, the first uplink DCCH segment using the default framing format of  FIG. 32  is of index s 2 =15 (segment  3215  of  FIG. 32 ) and transports the information corresponding to segment s 2 =15 (segment  3215  of  FIG. 32 ). 
     Each uplink DCCH segment is used to transmit a set of Dedicated Control Channel Reports (DCRs). An exemplary summary list of DCRs in the split-tone format for the default mode is given in table  3400   FIG. 34 . The information of table  3400  is applicable to the partitioned segments of  FIGS. 32 and 33 . Each segment of  FIGS. 32 and 33  includes two or more reports as described in table  3400 . First column  3402  of table  3400  describes abbreviated names used for each exemplary report. The name of each report ends with a number which specifies the number of bits of the DCR. Second column  3404  of table  3400  briefly describes each named report. Third column  3406  specifies the segment index s 2  of  FIG. 32 , in which a DCR is to be transmitted, and corresponds to a mapping between table  3400  and  FIG. 32 . 
     It should be noted that  FIGS. 32, 33 and 34  describe the segments (indexed segments  0 ,  3 ,  6 ,  9 ,  12 ,  15 ,  18 ,  21 ,  24 ,  27 ,  30 ,  33 , and  36 ) corresponding to a first WT in split tone format for default mode. With respect to  FIG. 32 , a second wireless terminal that use the split tone format of default mode on the same logical tone in the DCCH will follow the same report pattern but the segments will be shifted by one, thus the second WT uses indexed segments ( 1 ,  4 ,  7 ,  10 ,  13 ,  16 ,  19 ,  22 ,  25 ,  28 ,  31 ,  34 , and  37 ). With respect to  FIG. 33 , a second wireless terminal that use the split tone format of default mode on the same logical tone in the DCCH will follow the same report pattern but the segments will be shifted by one, thus the second WT uses indexed segments  3301  and  3304 . With respect to  FIG. 32 , a third wireless terminal that use the split tone format of default mode on the same logical tone in the DCCH will follow the same report pattern but the segments will be shifted by two, thus the third WT uses indexed segments ( 2 ,  5 ,  8 ,  11 ,  14 ,  17 ,  20 ,  23 ,  26 ,  29 ,  33 ,  35 , and  38 ). With respect to  FIG. 33 , a third wireless terminal that use the split tone format of default mode on the same logical tone in the DCCH will follow the same report pattern but the segments will be shifted by two, thus the third WT uses indexed segments  3305 . In  FIG. 32 , segment with index=39 is reserved. 
       FIG. 33  provides a representation corresponding to the replacement of the first superslot of a beaconslot corresponding to table  3299 , e.g., segment  3300  replaces segment  3200  and/or segment  3303  replaces segment  3203 . In  FIG. 32 , for each superslot, one or two segments are allocated to an exemplary wireless terminal using split-tone DCCH format, and the location of the allocated segments varies depending on the superslot of the beaconslot. For example, in the first superslot, two segments ( 3200 ,  3203 ) are allocated corresponding to the first and fourth DCCH segments of the superslots; in the second superslot, two segments ( 3206 ,  3209 ) are allocated corresponding to the 2 nd  and 5th DCCH segments of the superslot; in the third superslot, one segment  3213  is allocated corresponding to the third DCCH segment of the superslot. In some embodiments, segment  3300 , when used, is used to replace the first scheduled DCCH segment of a superslot and segment  3303 , when used, is used to replace the second scheduled DCCH segment of a superslot. For example, segment  3300  may replace segment  3206  and/or segment  3303  may replace segment  3309 . As another example, segment  3300  may replace segment  3212 . 
     In some embodiments, the 5 bit absolute report of DL SNR (DLSNR5) follows the same format in split-tone format default mode as used in the full-tone format default mode. In some such embodiments, there is an exception such that the default value of NumConsecutivePreferred is different in the split-tone format than in the full-tone format, e.g., 6 in the split tone format default mode vs 10 in the full tone format default mode. 
     In some embodiments, the 3 bit DLDSNR3 report follows the same format in the split-tone format default mode as used in the full-tone format default mode. In some embodiments, the 4 bit DLSSNR4 report follows the same format in the split-tone format default mode as used in the full-tone format default mode. 
     In some embodiments, the 4 bit uplink transmission backoff report (ULTxBKF4) of the split tone format default mode is generated similarly to the ULTxBKF5 of full tone format default mode, except table  3500  of  FIG. 35  is used for the report. 
       FIG. 35  is a table  3500  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for an exemplary 4 bit uplink transmission backoff report (ULTxBKF4), in accordance with various embodiments. First column  3502  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  3504  identifies the reported WT uplink DCCH Backoff report values in dBs corresponding to each bit pattern each bit pattern. In this exemplary embodiment 16 distinct levels can be reported ranging from 6 dB to 36 dBs. A wireless terminal calculates wtULDCCHBackoff, e.g., as indicated above, selects the closest entry in table  3500  and uses that bit pattern for the report. 
     In some embodiments, the 4 bit DLBNR4 report follows the same format in the split-tone format default mode as used in the full-tone format default mode. In some embodiments, the 3 bit ULRQST3 report follows the same format in the split-tone format default mode as used in the full-tone format default mode. In some embodiments, the 4 bit ULRQST4 report follows the same format in the split-tone format default mode as used in the full-tone format default mode. 
     In various embodiments, a flexible report is included in the DCCH in the split-tone format in the default mode, such that the WT decides which type of report to communicate and, the type of report can change from one flexible reporting opportunity to the next for a given WT using its allocated dedicated control channel segments. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the WT uses a 1 bit type report (TYPE1) to indicate the type of report selected by the WT to be communicated in a 4 bit body report (BODY4) of the same DCCH segment including both the TYPE1 and BODY4 reports. Table  3600  of  FIG. 36  is an example of mapping between TYPE1 report information bits and the type of report carried by the corresponding BODY4 report. First column  3602  indicates the two possible bit patterns for the 1 bit TYPE1 report. Second column  3604  indicates the type of report to be carried in the BODY4 report of the same uplink dedicated control channel segment corresponding to the TYPE1 report. Table  3600  indicates that: bit pattern 0 indicates that BODY4 report will be an ULRQST4 report, Bit pattern 01 indicates the BODY4 report will be a Reserved report. 
     In some embodiments, a WT selects the TYPE1 and BODY4 reports by assessing the relative importance if the different types of reports from among which the selection may occur, e.g., the reports listed in table  3600 . In some embodiments, the WT can select the TYPE1 independently from one segment to another. 
     In some embodiments, the encoding and modulation scheme used when the uplink dedicated control channel segment uses the full-tone format is different than the encoding and modulation scheme used when the uplink dedicated control channel segment uses the split-tone format. 
     An exemplary first method used for encoding and modulation when the dedicated control channel segment uses the full-tone format will now be described. Let b 5 , b 4 , b 3 , b 2 , b 1 , and b 0  denote the information bits to be transmitted in the uplink dedicated control channel segment, where b 5  is the most significant bit and b 0  is the least significant bit. Define c 2 c 1 c 0 =(b 5 b 4 b 3 ).^(b 2 b 1 b 0 ), where .^ is a bit-wise logical OR operation. The WT determines a group of seven modulation-symbols from information bit groups b 5 b 4 b 3  according to Table  3700  of  FIG. 37 . Table  3700  is an exemplary specification of uplink dedicated control channel segment modulation coding in full-tone format. First column  3702  of table  3700  includes bit patterns for 3 ordered information bits; second column  3704  includes corresponding sets of seven ordered coded modulation symbols, each set corresponding to a different possible bit pattern. 
     The seven modulation-symbols determined from b 5 b 4 b 3  are to be the seven most significant coded modulation-symbols of the output of the coding and modulation operation. 
     The WT determines a group of seven modulation-symbols from information bit groups b 2  b 1  b 0  similarly using table  3700 , and uses the seven modulation-symbols obtained as the next most significant coded modulation-symbols of the output of the encoding and modulation operation. 
     The WT determines a group of seven modulation-symbols from information bit groups c 2 c 1 c 0  similarly using table  3700 , and use the seven modulation-symbols obtained as the least significant coded modulation-symbols of the output of the coding and modulation operation. 
     An exemplary second method used for encoding and modulation when the dedicated control channel segment uses the split-tone format will now be described. Let b 7 , b 6 , b 5 , b 4 , b 3 , b 2 , b 1 , and b 0  denote the information bits to be transmitted in the uplink dedicated control channel segment, where b 7  is the most significant bit and b 0  is the least significant bit. Define c 3 c 2 c 1 c 0 =(b 7 b 6 b 5 b 4 ).^(b 3 b 2 b 1 b 0 ), where .^ is a bit-wise logical OR operation. The WT determines a group of seven modulation-symbols from information bit groups b 7 b 6 b 5 b 4  according to Table  3800  of  FIG. 38 . Table  3800  is an exemplary specification of uplink dedicated control channel segment modulation coding in split-tone format. First column  3802  of table  3800  includes bit patterns for 4 ordered information bits; second column  3804  includes corresponding sets of seven ordered coded modulation symbols, each set corresponding to a different possible bit pattern. 
     The seven modulation-symbols determined from b 7 b 6 b 5 b 4  are to be the seven most significant coded modulation-symbols of the output of the coding and modulation operation. 
     The WT determines a group of seven modulation-symbols from information bit groups b 3 b 2  b 1  b 0  similarly using table  3800 , and uses the seven modulation-symbols obtained as the next most significant coded modulation-symbols of the output of the encoding and modulation operation. 
     The WT determines a group of seven modulation-symbols from information bit groups c 3 c 2 c 1 c 0  similarly using table  3800 , and uses the seven modulation-symbols obtained as the least significant coded modulation-symbols of the output of the coding and modulation operation. 
       FIG. 39  is a drawing of a table  3900  illustrating exemplary wireless terminal uplink traffic channel frame request group queue count information. Each wireless terminal maintains and updates its request group count information. In this exemplary embodiment there are four request groups (RG 0 , RG 1 , RG 2 , RG 3 ). Other embodiments may use different numbers of request groups. In some embodiments, different WTs in the system may have different numbers of request groups. First column  3902  lists queue element index and second column  3904  lists queue element value. First row  3906  indicates that N[0]=the number of MAC frames that the WT intends to transmit for request group  0  (RG 0 ); second row  3908  indicates that N[1]=the number of MAC frames that the WT intends to transmit for request group  1  (RG 1 ); third row indicates that N[2]=the number of MAC frames that the WT intends to transmit for request group  2 ; fourth row  3912  indicates that N[3]=the number of MAC frames that the WT intends to transmit for request group  3 . 
     Drawing  4000  of  FIG. 40  includes an exemplary set of four request group queues ( 4002 ,  4004 ,  4006 ,  4008 ) being maintained by a wireless terminal, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Queue  0   4002  is the queue for request group  0  information. Queue  0  information  4002  includes a count of the total number of frames, e.g., MAC frames, of queue  0  traffic (N[0]) that the WT intends to transmit  4010  and the corresponding frames of uplink traffic (frame  1   4012 , frame  2 ,  4014 , frame  3   4016 , . . . , frame N 0    4018 ). Queue  1   4004  is the queue for request group  1  information. Queue  1  information  4004  includes a count of the total number of frames, e.g., MAC frames, of queue  1  traffic (N[1]) that the WT intends to transmit  4020  and the corresponding frames of uplink traffic (frame  1   4022 , frame  2 ,  4024 , frame  3   4026 , . . . , frame N 1    4028 ). Queue  2   4006  is the queue for request group  2  information. Queue  2  information  4006  includes a count of the total number of frames, e.g., MAC frames, of queue  2  traffic (N[2]) that the WT intends to transmit  4030  and the corresponding frames of uplink traffic (frame  1   4032 , frame  2 ,  4034 , frame  3   4036 , . . . , frame N 2    4038 ). Queue  3   4008  is the queue for request group  3  information. Queue  3  information  4008  includes a count of the total number of frames, e.g., MAC frames, of queue  3  traffic (N[3]) that the WT intends to transmit  4040  and the corresponding frames of uplink traffic (frame  1   4042 , frame  2 ,  4044 , frame  3   4046 , . . . , frame N 3    4048 ). In some embodiments, the request queues, for at least some wireless terminals, are priority queues. For example, in some embodiments, request group  0  queue  4002  is used for the highest priority traffic, request group  1  queue  4004  is used for the 2 nd  highest priority traffic, request group  2  queue  4006  is used for the third highest priority traffic, and request group  3  queue  4008  is used for the lowest priority traffic, from the perspective of the individual wireless terminal. 
     In some embodiments, the traffic in at least some request queues during at least some times for at least some wireless terminals have different priorities. In some embodiments, priority is one factor considered when mapping a traffic flow to a request queue. In some embodiments, priority is one factor considered when scheduling/transmitting traffic. In some embodiments, priority is representative of relative importance. In some embodiments, all other factors being equal, traffic belonging to a higher priority is scheduled/transmitted more often than traffic belonging to lower priorities. 
     Drawing  4052  of  FIG. 40  illustrates exemplary mapping for a first WT, WT A, of uplink data stream traffic flows to its request group queues. First column  4054  includes information type of the data stream traffic flow; second column  4056  includes the identified queue (request group); third column  4058  includes comments. First row  4060  indicates that control information is mapped to request group  0  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  0  queue are considered high priority, have strict latency requirements, require low latency and/or have low bandwidth requirements. Second row  4062  indicates that voice information is mapped to request group  1  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  1  queue also require low latency but have a lower priority level than request group  0 . Third row  4064  indicates that gaming and audio stream application A is mapped to request group  2  queue. For flows mapped to the request group  2 , latency is somewhat important and the bandwidth requirements are slightly higher than for voice. Fourth row  4066  indicates that FTP, web browsing, and video stream application A are mapped to request group  3  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  3 , are delay insensitive and/or require high bandwidth. 
     Drawing  4072  of  FIG. 40  illustrates exemplary mapping for a second WT, WTB, of uplink data stream traffic flows to its request group queues. First column  4074  includes information type of the data stream traffic flow; second column  4076  includes the identified queue (request group); third column  4078  includes comments. First row  4080  indicates that control information is mapped to request group  0  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  0  queue are considered high priority, have strict latency requirements, require low latency and/or have low bandwidth requirements. Second row  4082  indicates that voice and audio stream application A information are mapped to request group  1  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  1  queue also require low latency but have a lower priority level than request group  0 . Third row  4084  indicates that gaming and audio stream application B, and image stream application A are mapped to request group  2  queue. For flows mapped to the request group  2 , latency is somewhat important and the bandwidth requirements are slightly higher than for voice. Fourth row  4086  indicates that FTP, web browsing, and image stream application B are mapped to request group  3  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  3 , are delay insensitive and/or require high bandwidth. 
     It should be noted the WT A and WT B use different mapping from their uplink data stream traffic flows to their set of request group queues. For example audio stream application A is mapped to request group queue  2  for WTA, while the same audio stream application A is mapped to request group queue  1  for WTB. In addition, different WTs may have different types of uplink data stream traffic flows. For example, WT B includes an audio stream application B that is not included for WT A. This approach, in accordance with various embodiments, allows each WT to customize and/or optimize its request queue mapping to match the different types of data being communicated via its uplink traffic channel segments. For example, a mobile node such as a voice and text message cell phone has different types of data streams than a mobile data terminal used primarily for on-line gaming and web browsing, and would typically have a different mapping of data streams to request group queues. 
     In some embodiments, the mapping from uplink data stream traffic flows to request group queues for a WT may change with time. Drawing  4001  of  FIG. 40A  illustrates exemplary mapping for a WT C at a first time T 1 , of uplink data stream traffic flows to its request group queues. First column  4003  includes information type of the data stream traffic flow; second column  4005  includes the identified queue (request group); third column  4007  includes comments. First row  4009  indicates that control information is mapped to request group  0  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  0  queue are considered high priority, have strict latency requirements, require low latency and/or have low bandwidth requirements. Second row  4011  indicates that voice information is mapped to request group  1  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  1  queue also require low latency but have a lower priority level than request group  0 . Third row  4013  indicates that gaming and audio stream application A is mapped to request group  2  queue. For flows mapped to the request group  2 , latency is somewhat important and the bandwidth requirements are slightly higher than for voice. Fourth row  4015  indicates that FTP, web browsing, and video stream application A are mapped to request group  3  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  3 , are delay insensitive and/or require high bandwidth. 
     Drawing  4017  of  FIG. 40A  illustrates exemplary mapping for a WT C at a second time T 2 , of uplink data stream traffic flows to its request group queues. First column  4019  includes information type of the data stream traffic flow; second column  4021  includes the identified queue (request group); third column  4023  includes comments. First row  4025  indicates that control information is mapped to request group  0  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  0  queue are considered high priority, have strict latency requirements, require low latency and/or have low bandwidth requirements. Second row  4027  indicates that voice application and a gaming application is mapped to request group  1  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  1  queue also require low latency but have a lower priority level than request group  0 . Third row  4029  indicates that video streaming application A is mapped to request group  2  queue. For flows mapped to the request group  2 , latency is somewhat important and the bandwidth requirements are slightly higher than for voice. Fourth row  4031  indicates that FTP, web browsing and video streaming application B are mapped to request group  3  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  3 , are delay insensitive and/or require high bandwidth. 
     Drawing  4033  of  FIG. 73  illustrates exemplary mapping for a WT C at a third time T 3 , of uplink data stream traffic flows to its request group queues. First column  4035  includes information type of the data stream traffic flow; second column  4037  includes the identified queue (request group); third column  4039  includes comments. First row  4041  indicates that control information is mapped to request group  0  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  0  queue are considered high priority, have strict latency requirements, require low latency and/or have low bandwidth requirements. Second row  4043  and third row  4045  indicate that no data traffic applications are mapped to request group  1  and request group  2  queues, respectively. Fourth row  4047  indicates that FTP and web browsing are mapped to request group  3  queue. Flows mapped to the request group  3 , are delay insensitive and/or require high bandwidth. 
     It should be noted WT C uses different mappings from their uplink data stream traffic flows to their set of request group queues at the three times T 1 , T 2  and T 3 . For example audio stream application A is mapped to request group queue  2  at time T 1 , while the same audio stream application A is mapped to request group queue  1  at time T 2 . In addition, the WT may have different types of uplink data stream traffic flows at different times. For example, at time T 2 , the WT includes a video stream application B that is not included at time T 1 . In addition, the WT may have no uplink data stream traffic flows mapped to a specific request group queue at a given time. For example, at time T 3 , there are no uplink data stream traffic flows that are mapped to request group queues  1  and  2 . This approach, in accordance with various embodiments, allows each WT to customize and/or optimize its request queue mapping to match the different types of data being communicated via its uplink traffic channel segments at any time. 
       FIG. 41  illustrates an exemplary request group queue structure, multiple request dictionaries, a plurality of types of uplink traffic channel request reports, and grouping of sets of queues in accordance with exemplary formats used for each of the types of reports. In this exemplary embodiment, there are four request group queues for a given wireless terminal. The exemplary structure accommodates four request dictionaries. The exemplary structure uses three types of uplink traffic channel request reports (a 1 bit report, a 3-bit report, and a 4-bit report). 
       FIG. 41  includes: exemplary queue  0  (request group  0 ) information  4102  which includes the total number of frames, e.g., MAC frames, of queue  0  traffic that an exemplary WT intends to transmit (N[0])  4110 , exemplary queue  1  (request group  1 ) information  4104  which includes the total number of frames, e.g., MAC frames, of queue  1  traffic that an exemplary WT intends to transmit (N[1])  4112 , exemplary queue  2  (request group  2 ) information  4106  which includes the total number of frames, e.g., MAC frames, of queue  2  traffic that an exemplary WT intends to transmit (N[2])  4114 , and exemplary queue  3  (request group  3 ) information  4108  which includes the total number of frames, e.g., MAC frames, of queue  3  traffic that an exemplary WT intends to transmit (N[3])  4116 . The set of queue  0  info  4102 , queue  1  info  4104 , queue  2  info  4106  and queue  3  info  4108  correspond to one WT in the system. Each WT in the system maintains its set of queues, tracking uplink traffic frames that it may intend to transmit. 
     Table  4118  identifies grouping of queue sets used by different types of request reports as a function of the dictionary in use. Column  4120  identifies the dictionary. The first type of exemplary report is, e.g., a 1 bit information report. Column  4122  identifies the first set of queues used for first type reports. The first set of queues is the set {queue  0  and queue  1 } for the first type of report irrespective of the request dictionary. Column  4124  identifies the second set of queues used for second type reports. The second set of queues is the set {queue  0 } for the second type of report irrespective of the request dictionary. Column  4126  identifies the third set of queues used for second type reports. The third set of queues is: (i) the set {queue  1 , queue  2 , queue  3 } for the second type of report for request dictionary  0 , (ii) the set of {queue  2 } for the second type of report for request dictionary  1 , and (iii) the set of {queue  1 } for the second type of report for dictionary  2  and  3 . The third type of report uses a fourth and fifth set of queues for each dictionary. The third type of report uses a sixth set of queues for dictionaries  1 ,  2 , and  3 . The third type of report uses a seventh set of queues for dictionary  3 . Column  4128  identifies that the fourth set of queues for the third type of report is the set {queue  0 } irrespective of the dictionary. Column  4130  identifies that the fifth set of queues for the third type of report is the set {queue  1 , queue  2 , queue  3 } for dictionary  0 , the set {queue  2 } for dictionary  1 , the set {queue  1 } for dictionaries  2  and  3 . Column  4132  identifies that the sixth set of queues for the third type of report is the set {queue  1 , queue  3 } for dictionary  1 , the set {queue  2 , queue  3 } for dictionary  2 , and the set {queue  2 } for dictionary  3 . Column  4134  identifies that the seventh set of queues for the third type of report is the set {queue  3 } for dictionary  3 . 
     As an example, the (first, second, and third) types of reports may be the exemplary (ULRQST1, ULRQST3, and ULRQST4) reports, respectively, of  FIGS. 16-25 . The sets of queues used (See table  4118 ) will be described with respect to the dictionary  0  for the exemplary ULRQST1, ULRQST3, and ULRQST 4. First set of queues {queue  0 , queue  1 } corresponds to ULRQST1 using N[0]+N[1] in table  1600 , e.g., an ULRQST1=1 indicates that N[0]+N[1]&gt;0. Queue stats of second set of queues {queue  0 } and third set of queues {queue  1 , queue  2 , queue  3 } are jointly coded in an ULRQST3. Second set of queues {queue  0 } corresponds to an ULRQST3 which uses N[0] as the first jointly coded element in table  1900 , e.g., an ULRQST3=001 indicates N[0]=0. Third set of queues {queue  1 , queue  2 , queue  3 } corresponds to an ULRQST3 which uses (N[1]+N[2]+N[3]) as the second jointly coded element in table  1900 , e.g., an ULRQST3=001 indicates ceil(N[1]+N[2]+N[3])/y)=1. Queue stats of fourth set of queues {queue  0 } or the fifth set of queues {queue  1 , queue  2 , queue  3 } are coded in an ULRQST4. The fourth set of queues corresponds to ULRQST4 using N[0] in table  1800 , e.g., an ULRQST4=0010 indicates that N[0]&gt;=4. The fifth set of queues corresponds to ULRQST4 using N[1]+N[2]+N[3] in table  1800 , e.g., an ULRQST4=0011 indicates ceil((N[1]+N[2]+N[3])/y)=1. 
     In the exemplary embodiment where (first type, second, and third) types of reports are the exemplary (ULRQST1, ULRQST3, and ULRQST4) reports of  FIGS. 16-25 , the first type of report is independent of request dictionary and uses the first set of queues of table  4118 , a second type of report communicates queue stat information about both a second set of queues and a corresponding third set of queues from table  4118 , and a third type of report communicates queue stat information about one of: a fourth sets of queues, a corresponding fifth set of queues, a corresponding sixth set of queues, and a corresponding seventh set of queues. 
       FIG. 42 , comprising the combination of  FIG. 42A ,  FIG. 42B ,  FIG. 42C ,  FIG. 42D , and  FIG. 42E  is a flowchart  4200  of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. Operation of the exemplary method starts in step  4202 , where the WT is powered on and initialized. Queue definition information  4204 , e.g., mapping information defining mapping of traffic flows from various applications into MAC frames of specific request group queues and various grouping of request groups into sets of request groups, and sets of request dictionary information  4206  are available for use by the wireless terminal. For example, the information  4204  and  4206  may be pre-stored in the wireless terminal in non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, a default request dictionary from among the plurality of available request dictionaries is used by the wireless terminal initially, e.g., request dictionary  0 . Operation proceeds from start step  4202  to steps  4208 ,  4210  and  4212 . 
     In step  4208  the wireless terminal maintains transmission queue stats for a plurality of queues, e.g., request group  0  queue, request group  1  queue, request group  2  queue and request group  3  queue. Step  4208  includes sub-step  4214  and sub-step  4216 . In sub-step  4214 , the wireless terminal increments queue stats when data to be transmitted is added to a queue. For example, new packets from an uplink data stream flow, e.g., a voice communications session flow, are mapped as MAC frames to one of the request groups, e.g., request group  1  queue and a queue stat, e.g., N[1] representing the total number of request group  1  frames that the WT intends to transmit is updated. In some embodiments, different wireless terminals use different mappings. In sub-step  4216 , the WT decrements the queue stats when data to be transmitted is removed from a queue. For example, the data to be transmitted may be removed from the queue because the data has been transmitted, the data has been transmitted and a positive acknowledgement was received, the data no longer needs to be transmitted because a data validity timer has expired, or the data no longer needs to be transmitted because the communications session has been terminated. 
     In step  4210 , the wireless terminal generates transmission power availability information. For example, the wireless terminal calculates the wireless terminal transmission backoff power, determines a wireless terminal transmission backoff power report value, and stores backoff power information. Step  4210  is performed on an ongoing basis with the stored information being updated, e.g., in accordance with a DCCH structure. 
     In step  4212 , the wireless terminal generates transmission path loss information for at least two physical attachment points. For example, the wireless terminal measures received pilot and/or beacon signals from at least two physical attachment points calculates a ratio value, determines a beacon ratio report value, e.g., corresponding to a generic beacon ratio report of a first or second type or a specific beacon ratio report, and stores the beacon ratio report information. Step  4212  is performed on an ongoing basis with the stored information being updated, e.g. in accordance with a DCCH structure. 
     In addition to performing step  4208 ,  4210  and  4212 , the WT, for each reporting opportunity in a (first, second, third) set of predetermined transmission queue stats reporting opportunities operation goes to (sub-routine  1   4224 , sub-routine  2   4238 , subroutine  3   4256 ), via (step  4218 , step  4220 , step  4222 ), respectively. For example, each first set of predetermined transmission queue stat reporting opportunities corresponds to each one-bit uplink traffic channel request reporting opportunity in the timing structure. For example, if a WT is communicating over DCCH segments using the full-tone DCCH format default mode, e.g., of  FIG. 10 , the WT receives 16 opportunities to send ULRQST1 in a beaconslot. Continuing with the example, each second set of predetermined transmission queue stat reporting opportunities corresponds to each three-bit uplink traffic channel request reporting opportunity in the timing structure. For example, if a WT is communicating over DCCH segments using the full-tone DCCH format default mode, e.g., of  FIG. 10 , the WT receives 12 opportunities to send ULRQST3 in a beaconslot. If a WT is communicating over DCCH segments using the split-tone DCCH format default mode, e.g., of  FIG. 32 , the WT receives 6 opportunities to send ULRQST3 in a beaconslot. Continuing with the example, each third set of predetermined transmission queue stat reporting opportunities corresponds to each four-bit uplink traffic channel request reporting opportunity in the timing structure. For example, if a WT is communicating over DCCH segments using the full-tone DCCH format default mode, e.g., of  FIG. 10 , the WT receives 9 opportunities to send ULRQST4 in a beaconslot. If a WT is communicating over DCCH segments using the split-tone DCCH format default mode, e.g., of  FIG. 32 , the WT receives 6 opportunities to send ULRQST4 in a beaconslot. For each flexible report in which the WT decides to send an ULRQST4, operation also goes to sub-routine  4256  via connecting node  4222 . 
     Exemplary traffic availability subroutine  1   4224  will now be described. Operation starts in step  4226 , and the WT receives backlog information for a first set of queues, e.g. the set of {Queue  0 , Queue  1 } where the information received is N[0]+N[1]. Operation proceeds from step  4226  to step  4230 . 
     In step  4230 , the WT checks if there is a backlog of traffic in the first set of queues. If there is no backlog in the first set of queues, N[0]+N[1]=0, then operation proceeds from step  4230  to step  4234 , where the WT transmits a first number of information bits, e.g., 1 information bit, indicating no traffic backlog in the first set of queues, e.g. the information bit is set equal to 0. Alternatively, if there is a backlog in the first set of queues, N[0]+N[1]&gt;0, then operation proceeds from step  4230  to step  4232 , where the WT transmits a first number of information bits, e.g., 1 information bit, indicating a traffic backlog in the first set of queues, e.g. the information bit is set equal to 1. Operation proceeds from either step  4232  or step  4234  to return step  4236 . 
     Exemplary traffic availability subroutine  2   4238  will now be described. Operation starts in step  4240 , and the WT receives backlog information for a second set of queues, e.g. the set of {Queue  0 } where the information received is N[0]. In step  4240 , the WT also receives backlog information for a third set of queues, e.g., the set {queue  1 , queue 2 , queue 3 } or {queue  2 } or {queue  1 } depending on the request dictionary in use by the WT. For example, corresponding to dictionary ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ), the WT may receive (N[1]+N[2]+N[3], N[2], N[1], N[1]), respectively. Operation proceeds from step  4240  to step  4246 . 
     In step  4246 , the WT jointly encodes the backlog information corresponding to the second and third sets of queues into a second predetermined number of information bits, e.g.,  3 , said joint encoding optionally including quantization. In some embodiments, for at least some request dictionaries sub-step  4248  and sub-step  4250  are performed as part of step  4246 . In some embodiments, for at least some request dictionaries for at least some iterations of step  4246 , sub-step  4248  and sub-step  4250  are performed as part of step  4246 . Sub-step  4248  directs operation to a quantization level control factor subroutine. Sub-step  4250  calculates a quantization level as a function of a determined control factor. For example, consider exemplary ULRQST3 using default request dictionary  0  as shown in  FIG. 19 . In that exemplary case each of the quantization levels are calculated as a function of control factor y. In such an exemplary embodiment, sub-steps  4248  and  4250  are performed in determining the information bit pattern to place in the ULRQST3 report. Alternatively, consider exemplary ULRQST3 using request dictionary  1  as shown in  FIG. 21 . In that case, none of the quantization levels are calculated as a function of a control factor, e.g. y or z, and therefore sub-step  4248  and  4250  are not performed. 
     Operation proceeds from step  4246  to step  4252 , where the WT transmits the jointly coded backlog information for the second and third sets of queues using the second predetermined number of information bits, e.g., 3 information bits. Operation proceeds from step  4252  to return step  4254 . 
     Exemplary traffic availability subroutine  3   4256  will now be described. Operation starts in step  4258 , and the WT receives backlog information for a fourth set of queues, e.g. the set of {Queue  0 } where the information received is N[0]. In step  4240 , the WT also receives backlog information for a fifth set of queues, e.g., the set {queue  1 , queue 2 , queue 3 } or {queue  2 } or {queue  1 } depending on the request dictionary in use by the WT. For example, corresponding to dictionary ( 0 ,  1 ,  2 ,  3 ), the WT may receive (N[1]+N[2]+N[3], N[2], N[1], N[1]), respectively. In step  4240 , the WT may also receives backlog information for a sixth set of queues, e.g., the set {queue  1 , queue 3 } or {queue  2 , queue 3 } or {queue  2 } depending on the request dictionary in use by the WT. For example, corresponding to dictionary ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ), the WT may receive (N[1]+N[3], N[2]+N[3], N[2]), respectively. In step  4240 , the WT may also receive backlog information for a seventh set of queues, e.g., the set {queue  3 } if request dictionary  3  is in use by the WT. Operation proceeds from step  4258  to step  4266 . 
     In step  4268 , the WT encodes the backlog information corresponding to one of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh sets of queues into a third predetermined number of information bits, e.g.,  4 , said encoding optionally including quantization. In some embodiments, for at least some request dictionaries sub-step  4270  and sub-step  4272  are performed as part of step  4268 . In some embodiments, for at least some request dictionaries for at least some iterations of step  4268 , sub-step  4270  and sub-step  4272  are performed as part of step  4268 . Sub-step  4270  directs operation to a quantization level control factor subroutine. Sub-step  4272  calculates a quantization level as a function of a determined control factor. 
     Operation proceeds from step  4268  to step  4274 , where the WT transmits the coded backlog information for one of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh sets of queues using the third predetermined number of information bits, e.g., 4 information bits. Operation proceeds from step  4274  to return step  4276 . 
     Exemplary quantization level control factor subroutine  4278  will now be described. In some embodiments, the exemplary quantization level control factor subroutine  4278  implementation includes the use of table  1700  of  FIG. 17 . First column  1702  lists a condition; second column  1704  lists the corresponding value of output control parameter y; third column  1706  lists the corresponding value of output control parameter Z. Operation starts in step  4279 , and the subroutine receives power information  4280 , e.g., the last DCCH transmitter power backoff report, and path loss information  4282 , e.g., the last reported beacon ratio report. Operation proceeds from step  4279  to step  4284 , where the WT checks as to whether or not the power information and path loss information satisfy a first criteria. For example, the first criteria is in an exemplary embodiment: (x&gt;28) AND (b&gt;=9), where x is the value in dBs of the most recent uplink transmission power backoff report, e.g., ULTxBKF5 and b is the value in dBs of the most recent downlink beacon ratio report, e.g., DLBNR4. If the first criteria is satisfied, then operation proceeds from step  4284  to step  4286 ; however if the first criteria is not satisfied, operation proceeds to step  4288 . 
     In step  4286 , the wireless terminal sets control factors, e.g. the set {Y, Z}, to a first predetermined set of values, e.g., Y=Y1, Z=Z1, where Y1 and Z1 are positive integers. In one exemplary embodiment, Y1=2 and Z1=10. 
     Returning to step  4288 , in step  4288  the WT checks as to whether or not the power information and path loss information satisfy a second criteria. For example in an exemplary embodiment, the second criteria is (x&gt;27) AND (b&gt;=8). If the second criteria is satisfied, then operation proceeds from step  4288  to step  4290 , where the wireless terminal sets control factors, e.g. the set {Y, Z}, to a second predetermined set of values, e.g., Y=Y2, Z=Z2, where Y2 and Z2 are positive integers. In one exemplary embodiment, Y2=2 and Z2=9. If the second criteria is not satisfied operation proceeds to another criteria checking step where, depending on whether or not the criteria is satisfied, the control factor are set to predetermined values or testing is continued. 
     There are a fixed number of test criteria, utilized in the quantization level control factor subroutine. If none of the first N−1 test criteria are satisfied, operation proceeds to step  4292 , where the wireless terminal tests as to whether or not the power information and path loss information satisfy an Nth criteria. For example in an exemplary embodiment where N=9, the Nth criteria is (x&gt;12) and (b&lt;−5). If the Nth criteria is satisfied, then operation proceeds from step  4292  to step  4294 , where the wireless terminal sets control factors, e.g. the set {Y, Z}, to a Nth predetermined set of values, e.g., Y=YN, Z=ZN, where YN and ZN are positive integers. In one exemplary embodiment, YN=1 and ZN=2. If the Nth criteria is not satisfied, the wireless terminal sets control factors, e.g., the set {Y, Z} to a (N+1)th predetermined set of values, e.g., a default set Y=YD, Z=ZD, where YD and ZD are positive integers. In one exemplary embodiment, YD=1 and ZD=1. 
     Operation proceeds from step  4286 , step  4290 , other control factor setting steps, step  4294  or step  4296  to step  4298 . In step  4298 , the WT returns at least one control factor value, e.g., Y and/or Z. 
       FIG. 43  is a flowchart  4300  of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. Operation starts in step  4302 , where the wireless terminal is powered on, initialized, has established a connection with a base station. Operation proceeds from start step  4302  to step  4304 . 
     In step  4304 , the wireless terminal determines whether the WT is operating in a full-tone format DCCH mode or a split-tone format DCCH mode. For each DCCH segment allocated to the WT in full-tone format DCCH mode, the WT proceeds from step  4304  to step  4306 . For each DCCH segment allocated to the WT in split-tone format DCCH mode, the WT proceeds from step  4304  to step  4308 . 
     In step  4306 , the WT determines a set of 21 coded modulation-symbol values from 6 information bits (b 5 , b 4 , b 3 , b 2 , b 1 , b 0 ). Step  4306  includes sub-steps  4312 ,  4314 ,  4316 , and  4318 . In sub-step  4312 , the WT determines 3 additional bits (c 2 , c 1 , c 0 ) as a function of the 6 information bits. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, c 2 c 1 c 0 =(b 5 b 4 b 3 ).^(b 2 b 1 b 0 ) where .^ is a bit wise exclusive OR operation. Operation proceeds from step  4312  to step  4314 . In sub-step  4314 , the WT determines the seven most-significant modulation symbols using a first mapping function and 3 bits (b 5 , b 4 , b 3 ) as input. Operation proceeds from sub-step  4314  to sub-step  4316 . In sub-step  4316 , the WT determines the seven next most significant modulation symbols using the first mapping function and 3 bits (b 2 , b 1 , b 0 ) as input. Operation proceeds from sub-step  4316  to sub-step  4318 . In sub-step  4318 , the WT determines the seven least-significant modulation symbol using the first mapping function and 3 bits (c 2 , c 1 , c 0 ) as input. 
     In step  4308 , the WT determines a set of 21 coded modulation-symbol values from 8 information bits (b 7 , b 6 , b 5 , b 4 , b 3 , b 2 , b 1 , b 0 ). Step  4308  includes sub-steps  4320 ,  4322 ,  4324 , and  4326 . In sub-step  4320 , the WT determines 4 additional bits (c 3 , c 2 , c 1 , c 0 ) as a function of the 8 information bits. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, c 3 c 2 c 1 c 0 =(b 7 b 6 b 5 b 4 ).^(b 3 b 2 b 1 b 0 ) where .^ is a bit wise exclusive OR operation. Operation proceeds from step  4320  to step  4322 . In sub-step  4322 , the WT determines the seven most-significant modulation symbols using a second mapping function and 4 bits (b 7 , b 6 , b 5 , b 4 ) as input. Operation proceeds from sub-step  4322  to sub-step  4324 . In sub-step  4324 , the WT determines the seven next most significant modulation symbols using the second mapping function and 4 bits (b 3 , b 2 , b 1 , b 0 ) as input. Operation proceeds from sub-step  4324  to sub-step  4326 . In sub-step  4326 , the WT determines the seven least-significant modulation symbol using the second mapping function and 4 bits (c 3 , c 2 , c 1 , c 0 ) as input. 
     For each DCCH segment allocated to the wireless terminal, operation proceeds from either step  4306  or step  4308  to step  4310 . In step  4310 , the wireless terminal transmits the twenty-one determined modulation symbols of the segment. 
     In some embodiments, each DCCH segment corresponds to 21 OFDM tone symbols each tone-symbol of the DCCH segment using the same single logical tone in the uplink timing and frequency structure. The logical tone may be hopped during a DCCH segment, e.g., the same logical tone may corresponds to three different physical tones in the uplink tone block being used for the connection, with each physical tone remaining the same for seven successive OFDM symbol transmission time periods. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, each segment corresponds to multiple DCCH reports. In one exemplary embodiment, the first mapping function is represented by table  3700  of  FIG. 37 , and the second mapping function is represented by table  3800  of  FIG. 38 . 
       FIG. 44  is a flowchart  4400  of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal to report control information in accordance with various embodiments. Operation starts in step  4402 , where the wireless terminal is powered up and initialized. Operation proceeds from start step  4402  to step  4404 . In step  4404 , the WT checks as to whether or not one of the following has occurred: (i) a transition from a first mode of WT operation to a second mode of WT operation and (ii) a handoff operation from a first connection to a second connection while remaining in the second mode of operation. In some embodiments, the second mode of operation is an ON mode of operation and said first mode of operation is one of a hold mode of operation, a sleep mode of operation, and an ACCESS mode of operation. In some embodiments, during the ON mode of operation, the wireless terminal can transmit user data on an uplink and during the hold and sleep modes of operation the wireless terminal is precluded from transmitting user data on said uplink. If one of the conditions checked for in step  4404  has occurred, operation proceeds to step  4406 ; otherwise, operation proceeds back to step  4404  where the checks are again performed. 
     In step  4406 , the WT transmits an initial control information report set, said transmission of the initial control information report set having a first duration equal to a first time period. In some embodiments, the initial control information report set can include one or a plurality of reports. Operation proceeds from step  4406  to step  4408 . In step  4408 , the WT checks as to whether or not the WT is in the 2 nd  mode of operation. If the WT is in the second mode of operation, operation proceeds from step  4408  to step  4410 ; otherwise operation proceeds to step  4404 . 
     In step  4410 , the WT transmits a first additional control information report set, said transmission of the first additional control information report set for a period of time which is the same as first time period, the first additional control information report set being different than from said initial control information report set. In some embodiments, the initial control information report set is different from the first additional control information report set due to the initial and first additional control information report sets having different formats. In some embodiments, the initial control information report set includes at least one report that is not included in the first additional control information report set. In some such embodiments, the initial control information report set includes at least two reports that are not included in the first additional control information report set. In some embodiments, the at least one report that is not included in the first additional control information report set is one of an interference report and a wireless terminal transmission power availability report. Operation proceeds from step  4410  to step  4412 . In step  4412 , the WT checks as to whether or not the WT is in the 2 nd  mode of operation. If the WT is in the second mode of operation, operation proceeds from step  4412  to step  4414 ; otherwise operation proceeds to step  4404 . 
     In step  4414 , the WT transmits a second additional control information report set for a period of time which is the same as said first time period, said second additional control information report including at least one report that is not included in said first additional control information report set. Operation proceeds from step  4414  to step  4416 . In step  4416 , the WT checks as to whether or not the WT is in the 2 nd  mode of operation. If the WT is in the second mode of operation, operation proceeds from step  4416  to step  4410 ; otherwise operation proceeds to step  4404 . 
       FIGS. 45 and 46  are used to illustrate an exemplary embodiment.  FIGS. 45 and 46  are applicable to some embodiments discussed with respect to flowchart  4400  of  FIG. 44 . Drawing  4500  of  FIG. 45  includes a initial control information report set  4502 , followed by a first additional control information report set  4504 , followed by a second additional control information report set  4506 , followed by a 2 nd  iteration of first additional control information report set  4508 , followed by a 2 nd  iteration of second additional control information  4510 . Each control information report set ( 4502 ,  4504 ,  4506 ,  4508 ,  4510 ) has a corresponding transmission time period ( 4512 ,  4514 ,  4516 ,  4518 ,  4520 ), respectively, where the duration of each of the time periods ( 4512 ,  4514 ,  4516 ,  4518 ,  4520 ) is the same, the duration being 105 OFDM symbol transmission time periods. 
     Dotted line  4522  indicates that an event occurred slightly previous to the transmission of the initial control information report set transmission, the event being one of (i) a mode transition from an access mode as indicated by block  4524  to an ON state as indicated by block  4526 , (ii) a mode transition from a HOLD state as indicated by block  4528  to an ON state as indicated by block  4530 , and (iii) a handoff operation from a first connection in an ON state as indicated by block  4532  to a second connection in an ON state as indicated by block  4534 . 
     As an example, initial control information report set  4502 , first additional control information report set  4504  and second control information report set  4506  may be communicated during a first beaconslot, while 2 nd  iteration of first additional control information report set  4508  and 2 nd  iteration of second additional control information report set  4510  may be communicated during the next beaconslot. Continuing with the example, each information report set may correspond to a superslot within the beaconslot. For example, using the structure described with respect to the full-tone format of the DCCH for a wireless terminal of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , one possible mapping of segments corresponding to  FIG. 45  is the following. The initial control information report set corresponds to  FIG. 11 ; the first additional control information report set corresponding to indexed segments  30 - 34  of the beaconslot; the second additional control information set corresponds to indexed segments  30 - 39  of the beaconslot.  FIG. 45  describes such an exemplary mapping. 
     Drawing  4600  of  FIG. 46  describes the format of an exemplary initial control information report set. First column  4602  identifies the bit definition (5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0). Second column  4604  identifies that the first segment includes a RSVD2 report and a ULRQST4 report. Third column  4606  identifies that the second segment includes a DLSNR5 report and an ULRQST1 report. Fourth column  4608  identifies that the third segment includes a DLSSNR4 report, a RSVD1 report, and an ULRQST1 report. Fifth column  4610  identifies that the fourth segment includes a DLBNR4 report, a RSVD1 report, and a ULRQST1 report. Sixth column  4612  identifies that the fifth segment includes an ULTXBKF5 report and an ULRQST1 report. 
     Drawing  4630  describes the format of an exemplary 1 st  additional control information report set. First column  4632  identifies the bit definition (5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0). Second column  4634  identifies the first segment includes a DLSNR5 report and a ULRQST1 report. Third column  4636  identifies that the second segment includes a RSVD2 report and an ULRQST4 report. Fourth column  4638  identifies that the third segment includes a DLDSNR3 report and an ULRQST3 report. Fifth column  4640  identifies that the fourth segment includes a DLSNR5 report and a ULRQST1 report. Sixth column  4642  identifies that the sixth segment includes an RSVD2 report and an ULRQST4 report. 
     Drawing  4660  describes the format of an exemplary 2 nd  additional control information report set. First column  4662  identifies the bit definition (5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0). Second column  4664  identifies the first segment includes a DLDSNR3 report and a ULRQST3 report. Third column  4666  identifies that the second segment includes a DLSSNR4 report, a RSVD1 report and an ULRQST1 report. Fourth column  4668  identifies that the third segment includes a DLSNR5 report and an ULRQST1 report. Fifth column  4670  identifies that the fourth segment includes a RSVD2 report and a ULRQST4 report. Sixth column  4672  identifies that the sixth segment includes a DLDSNR3 report and an ULRQST3 report. 
     It can be observed in  FIG. 46  that the initial and first additional reports sets will be different because they use different formats. It can also be seen that the initial control information report set includes at least two reports, DLBNR4 and ULTXBKF5, that are not included in the first additional control information report set. The DLBNR4 is an interference report and the ULTXBKF5 is a wireless terminal power availability report. In the example of  FIG. 46 , the second additional report includes at least one additional report that is not included in the first additional report, RSVD1 report. 
       FIG. 47  is a flowchart  4700  of an exemplary method of operating a communications device in accordance with various embodiments; the communications device including information indicating a predetermined report sequence for use in controlling the transmission of a plurality of different control information reports on a recurring basis. In some embodiments, the communications device is a wireless terminal, e.g., a mobile node. For example, the wireless terminal may be one of a plurality of wireless terminals in a multiple access orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) wireless communications system. 
     Operation starts in step  4702 , and proceeds to step  4704 . In step  4704  the communications device checks as to whether or at least one of the following has occurred: (i) a transition from a first mode of communications device operation to a second mode of communications device operation and (ii) a handoff operation from a first connection, e.g., with a first base station sector physical attachment point, to a second connection, e.g., with a second base station sector physical attachment point, while remaining in the second mode of communications device operation. In some embodiments, the second mode of communications device operation is an ON mode of operation, and the first mode of operation is one of a hold mode of operation and a sleep mode of operation. In some such embodiments, the communications device can transmit user data on an uplink during the ON mode of operation and is precluded from transmitting user data on the uplink during the hold and sleep modes of operation. 
     If at least one of the tested conditions of step  4704  was satisfied, then operation proceeds from step  4704  to either step  4706  or step  4708  depending upon the embodiment. Step  4706  is an optional step included in some embodiments, but omitted in other embodiments. 
     Step  4706  is included in some embodiments where the communications device supports a plurality of different initial condition control information report sets. In step  4706 , the communications device selects which one of the plurality of initial control information report sets to transmit as a function of the portion of the sequence to be replaced. Operation proceeds from step  4706  to step  4708 . 
     In step  4708 , the communications device transmits an initial control information report set. In various embodiments, transmitting an initial control information report set includes transmitting at least one report which would not have been transmitted during the time period used to transmit the initial report if the transmitted reports had followed the predetermined sequence. For example, for a given initial report the at least one report which would not have been transmitted during the time period used to transmit the initial report if the transmitted reports had followed the predetermined sequence is one of an interference report, e.g., a beacon ratio report, and a communications device transmission power availability report, e.g., a communications device transmitter power backoff report. In various embodiments, the initial control information report set can include one or a plurality of reports. In some embodiments, transmitting an initial control information report set includes transmitting said initial control information report set on a dedicated uplink control channel. In some such embodiments, the dedicated uplink control channel is a single tone channel. In some such embodiments, the single tone of the single tone channel is hopped over time, e.g., the single logical channel tone changes to different physical tones due to tone hopping. In various embodiments, the predetermined report sequence repeats over a time period which is greater than a transmission time period used to transmit said initial report set. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a predetermined reporting sequence repeats on a beaconslot basis, with a beaconslot being 912 OFDM symbol transmission time interval periods, while an exemplary time period used to transmit an initial report set may be 105 OFDM symbol transmission time periods. 
     Operation proceeds from step  4708  to step  4710 , where the communications device checks as to whether it is in the second mode of operation. If the communications device is in the 2 nd  mode of operation, operation proceeds to step  4712 ; otherwise, operation proceeds to step  4704 . In step  4712 , the communications device transmits an additional control information report set in accordance with the information indicated in the predetermined reporting sequence. Operation proceeds from step  4712  to step  4710 . 
     In some embodiments, step  4712  following an initial control information report set transmission of step  4708  includes a first additional control information report set, wherein the initial control information report set includes at least one information report set that is not included in the first additional control information report set. For example, the at least one information report that is not included in said first additional control information report set is one of an interference report, e.g., a beacon ratio report, and a communications device power availability report, e.g., a communications device transmission power backoff report. 
     In various embodiments, the repetition of step  4712  following an initial control information report of step  4712 , e.g., while the communications device remains in the second mode of operation, includes the transmission of a first additional control information report set, followed by a second additional control information report set, followed by another first additional control information report set, where the second additional control information report set includes at least one report that is not included in the first additional control information report set. 
     As an exemplary embodiment, consider that the predetermined report sequence is the report sequence of 40 indexed segments for the uplink dedicated control channel segments in a beaconslot as illustrated by drawing  1099  of  FIG. 10 . Further consider that the segments of the predetermined report sequence are grouped on a superslot basis with segment indexes (0-4), (5-9), (10-14), (15-19), (20-24), (25-29), (30-34), (35-39), and each group corresponds to a superslot of the beaconslot. If the condition of step  4704  is satisfied, e.g., the communications device has just migrated from a HOLD state of operation to an ON state of operation, the communications device uses the initial report set as indicated in Table  1199  of  FIG. 11  for the first superslot, and then uses the predetermined sequence of table  1099  of  FIG. 10  for subsequent superslots while remaining in the ON state. For example, the initial report set can replace any of the sets corresponding to segment index grouping (0-4), (5-9), (10-14), (15-19), (20-24), (25-29), (30-34, (35-39), depending upon when the state transition to the ON mode of operation occurs. 
     As a variation, consider an exemplary embodiment, where there are multiple, e.g., two, different initial control channel information report sets from which the communication device selects, as a function of the position in the sequence to be replaced.  FIG. 48  illustrates two exemplary different formats of control channel information report sets  4800  and  4850 . Note that in the format of initial report set #1, the 4 th  segment  4810  includes a DLBNR4 report, a RSVD1 report, and an ULRQST1 report, while in the format of initial report set #2, the 4 th  segment  4860  includes a RSVD2 report and a ULRQST4 report. In an exemplary embodiment using the predetermined reporting sequence of  FIG. 10 , if the initial control information report is to be transmitted in the 3 rd  superslot of a beaconslot (replacing segments indexes  10 - 14 ), then the format of initial control information report set #2  4850  is used; otherwise the format of initial control information report set #1 is used. Note that in the exemplary predetermined reporting sequence of  FIG. 10 , the 4 bit downlink beacon ratio report, DLBNR4, only occurs once during a beaconslot, and it occurs in the 4 th  superslot of the beaconslot. In this exemplary embodiment, the 2 nd  set of formats of initial reports  4850  is used in the 3 rd  superslot, since in the next subsequenct superslot of the beaconslot (the 4 th  superslot), the communications device is scheduled, in accordance with the predetermined structure of  FIG. 10 , to transmit the DLBNR4 report. 
     As another variation, consider an exemplary embodiment, where there are multiple, e.g., five, different initial control channel information report sets from which the communications device selects, as a function of position in the sequence to be replaced, where each of the different initial control information report sets is a different size.  FIG. 49  illustrates initial control information report set #1  4900 , initial control information report set #2  4910  initial control information report set #3  4920  initial control information report set #4  4930  initial control information report set #5  4940 . In an exemplary embodiment using the predetermined reporting sequence of  FIG. 10 , if the initial control information report is to be transmitted starting in segment with DCCH index value=0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 of the beaconslot, then initial control information report set #1  4900  is used. Alternatively, if the initial control information report is to be transmitted starting in segment with DCCH index value=1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31, or 36 of the beaconslot, then initial control information report set #2  4910  is used. Alternatively, if the initial control information report is to be transmitted starting in segment with DCCH index value=2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, or 37 of the beaconslot, then initial control information report set #3  4920  is used. Alternatively, if the initial control information report is to be transmitted starting in segment with DCCH index value=3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33, or 38 of the beaconslot, then initial control information report set #4  4930  is used. Alternatively, if the initial control information report is to be transmitted starting in segment with DCCH index value=4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29, 34, or 39 of the beaconslot, then initial control information report set #5  4940  is used. 
     Embodiments are possible where different initial information report sets differ in both the size of the report set and the content of the report set for a given DCCH segment of the superslot. 
       FIG. 50  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. For example, the wireless terminal may be a mobile node in an exemplary spread spectrum multiple access orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) wireless communications system. Operation starts in step  5002 , where the wireless terminal has been powered on, established a communications link with a base station sector attachment point, has been allocated dedicated control channel segments to use for uplink dedicated control channel reports, and has been established in either a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. For example, in some embodiments, the first mode of operation is a full-tone mode of dedicated control channel operation, while the second mode of operation is a split tone mode of dedicated control channel operation. In some embodiments, each of the dedicated control channel segments includes the same number of tone-symbols, e.g., 21 tone-symbols. Operation proceeds from start step  5002  to step  5004 . Two exemplary types of embodiments are illustrated in flowchart  5000 . In a first type of embodiment, the base station sends mode control signals to command changes between first and second modes of operation. In such exemplary embodiments, operation proceeds from step  5002  to steps  5010  and  5020 . In a second type of embodiment, the wireless terminal requests mode transitions between first and second modes. In such an embodiment, operation proceeds from step  5002  to steps  5026  and step  5034 . Embodiments are also possible, where the base station can command mode changes without input from the wireless terminal, and where the wireless terminal can request mode changes, e.g., with the base station and wireless terminal each being capable of initiating a mode change. 
     In step  5004 , the WT checks as to whether the WT is currently in a first or second mode of operation. If the WT is currently in a first mode of operation, e.g., a full tone mode, operation proceeds from step  5004  to step  5006 . In step  5006 , the WT uses a first set of dedicated control channel segments during a first period of time, said first set including a first number of dedicated control channel segments. However, if it is determined in step  5004 , that the WT is in a second mode of operation, e.g., a split tone mode, operation proceeds from step  5004  to step  5008 . In step  5008 , the WT uses a second set of dedicated control channel segments during a second period of time having the same duration of as said first time period, said second set of control channel segments including fewer segments than said first number of segments. 
     For example, in one exemplary embodiment, if one considers the first period of time to be a beaconslot, the first set in the full-tone mode includes 40 DCCH segments using a single logical tone, while the second set in the split-tone mode includes 13 DCCH segments using a single logical tone. The single logical tone used by the WT in the full-mode may be same or different than the single logical tone used in the split tone mode. 
     As another example, in the same exemplary embodiment, if one considers the first time period to be the first 891 OFDM symbol transmission time intervals of a beaconslot, the first set in full-tone mode includes 39 DCCH segments using a single logical tone, while the second set in the split-tone mode includes 13 DCCH segments using a single logical tone. In this example, the first number of segments divided by the second number of segments is the integer 3. The single logical tone used by the WT in the full-mode may be same or different than the single logical tone used in the split tone mode. 
     During the second mode of operation, e.g., split-tone mode, the second set of dedicated control channel segments used by the WT is, in some embodiments, a subset of a larger set of dedicated control channel segments that can be used by the same or a different WT in a full-tone mode of operation during a time period that is not the second time period. For example, the first set of dedicated control channel segments used during the first period of time by the wireless terminal can be the larger set of dedicated control channel segments, and the first and second sets of dedicated control channel segments can correspond to the same logical tone. 
     Operation proceeds from step  5002  to step  5010  for each 1 st  type of mode control signal directed to the WT, e.g., a mode control signal commanding the WT to switch from a first mode to a second mode of operation. In step  5010 , the WT receives a first type mode control signal from a base station. Operation proceeds from step  5010  to step  5012 . In step  5012  the WT checks as to whether or not it is currently in a first mode of operation. If the wireless terminal is in a first mode of operation, operation proceeds to step  5014  where the WT switches from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation in response to said received control signal. However, if it is determined in step  5012  that the WT is not currently in the first mode of operation, the WT proceeds via connecting node A  5016  to step  5018 , where the WT stops the implementation of the mode change since there is a misunderstanding between the base station and WT. 
     Operation proceeds from step  5002  to step  5020  for each 2 nd  type of mode control signal directed to the WT, e.g., a mode control signal commanding the WT to switch from a second mode to a first mode of operation. In step  5020 , the WT receives a second type mode control signal from a base station. Operation proceeds from step  5020  to step  5022 . In step  5022  the WT checks as to whether or not it is currently in a second mode of operation. If the wireless terminal is in a second mode of operation, operation proceeds to step  5024  where the WT switches from a second mode of operation to a first mode of operation in response to said received second mode control signal. However, if it is determined in step  5022  that the WT is not currently in the second mode of operation, the WT proceeds via connecting node A  5016  to step  5018 , where the WT stops the implementation of the mode change since there is a misunderstanding between the base station and WT. 
     In some embodiments, the first and/or second type of mode control change command signal from a base station also include information identifying whether the logical tone used by the WT will change following the mode switch and, in some embodiments, information identifying the logical tone to be used by the WT in the new mode. In some embodiments, if the WT proceeds to step  5018 , the WT signals the base station, e.g., indicating that there is a misunderstanding and that a mode transition has not been completed. 
     Operation proceeds from step  5002  to step  5026  for each time that the wireless terminal proceeds to initiate a mode change from a first mode of operation, e.g., full-tone DCCH mode, to a second mode of operation, e.g., split-tone DCCH mode. In step  5026 , the WT transmits a mode control signal to a base station. Operation proceeds from step  5026  to step  5028 . In step  5028  the WT receives an acknowledgement signal from the base station. Operation proceeds from step  5028  to step  5030 . In step  5030  if the received acknowledgement signal is a positive acknowledgment, operation proceeds to step  5032 , where the wireless terminal switches from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation in response to said received positive acknowledgement signal. However, if in step  5030 , the WT determines that the received signal is a negative acknowledgment signal or the WT cannot successfully decode the received signal the WT proceeds via connecting node A  5016  to step  5018  where the WT stops the mode change operation. 
     Operation proceeds from step  5002  to step  5034  for each time that the wireless terminal proceeds to initiate a mode change from a second mode of operation, e.g., split-tone DCCH mode, to a second mode of operation, e.g., full-tone DCCH mode. In step  5034 , the WT transmits a mode control signal to a base station. Operation proceeds from step  5034  to step  5036 . In step  5036  the WT receives an acknowledgement signal from the base station. Operation proceeds from step  5036  to step  5038 . In step  5038  if the received acknowledgement signal is a positive acknowledgment, operation proceeds to step  5040 , where the wireless terminal switches from a second mode of operation to a first mode of operation in response to said received positive acknowledgement signal. However, if in step  5038 , the WT determines that the received signal is a negative acknowledgment signal or the WT cannot successfully decode the received signal the WT proceeds via connecting node A  5016  to step  5018  where the WT stops the mode change operation. 
       FIG. 51  is a drawing illustrating exemplary operation in accordance with various embodiments. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 51 , the dedicated control channel is structured to use a repeating pattern of 16 segments indexed from 0 to 15, for each logical tone in the dedicated control channel. Other embodiments may use a different number of indexed DCCH segments in a recurring pattern, e.g., 40 segments. Four exemplary logical DCCH tones, indexed (0, 1, 2, 3) are illustrated in  FIG. 51 . In some embodiments, each segment occupies the same amount of air link resources. For example, in some embodiments, each segment has same number of tone-symbols, e.g., 21 tone-symbols. Drawing  5100  identifies the index of the segments over time for two successive iterations of the pattern corresponding to a logical tone in drawing  5104 . 
     Drawing  5104  plots logical DCCH tone index on vertical axis  5106  vs time on horizontal axis  5108 . A first time period  5110  and a second time period  5112  are shown which have the same duration. Legend  5114  identifies: (i) squares with widely spaced crosshatch shading  5116  represents WT 1  full-tone DCCH mode segments, (ii) squares with widely spaced vertical and horizontal line shading  5118  represent WT 4  full-tone DCCH mode segments, (iii) squares with narrowly spaced vertical and horizontal line shading  5120  represent WT 5  full-tone DCCH mode segments, (iv) squares with fine crosshatch shading  5122  represent WT 6  full-tone DCCH mode segments, (v) squares with widely spaced diagonal line shading sloping upward from left to right  5124  represent WT 1  split-tone DCCH mode segments, (vi) squares with narrowly spaced diagonal line shading sloping downward from left to right  5126  represent WT 2  split-tone DCCH mode segments, (vii) squares with narrowly spaced diagonal line shading sloping upward from left to right  5128  represent WT 3  split-tone DCCH mode segments, and (viii) squares with widely spaced vertical line shading  5130  represent WT 4  split-tone DCCH mode segments. 
     In drawing  5104 , it may be observed that WT 1  is in full-tone DCCH mode during the first time period  5110  and uses a set of 15 segments (indexed 0-14) corresponding to logical tone  0  during that time period. During the 2 nd  time period  5112 , which is the same duration as the first time period, WT 1  is in split-tone DCCH mode and uses a set of 5 segments with index values (0, 3, 6, 9, 12) corresponding to logical tone  0 , which is a subset of the set of segments used during the 1 st  time period  5110 . 
     In drawing  5104 , it may also be observed that WT 4  is in full-tone DCCH mode during 1 st  time period  5110  and uses a set of 15 segments (indexed 0-14) corresponding to logical tone  2 , and WT 4  is in split tone format during 2 nd  time period  5112  and uses a set of 5 segments with index values (1, 4, 7, 10, 13) corresponding to logical tone  3 . It should also be observed that the set of 5 segments with index values (1, 4, 7, 10, 13) corresponding to logical tone  3  is part of a larger set of segments used by WT 6  in full-tone DCCH mode during the 1 st  time period  5110 . 
       FIG. 52  is a flowchart  5200  of an exemplary method of operating a base station in accordance with various embodiments. Operation of the exemplary method starts in step  5202 , where the base station is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds to steps  5204  and steps  5206 . In step  5204 , the base station, on an ongoing basis, partitions the dedicated control channel resources between full-tone DCCH sub-channels and split tone DCCH sub-channel and allocates the full-tone and split tone DCCH sub-channels among a plurality of wireless terminals. For example, in an exemplary embodiment the DCCH channel uses 31 logical tones and each logical tone corresponds to 40 DCCH channel segments in a single iteration of a repeating pattern, e.g., on a beaconslot basis. At any given time each logical tone can correspond to either a full-tone DCCH mode of operation where DCCH segments corresponding to the tone are allocated to a single WT, or a split tone DCCH mode where DCCH segments corresponding to the tone can be allocated to up to a fixed maximum number of WTs, e.g., where the fixed maximum number of WTs=3. In such an exemplary embodiment using 31 logical tones for the DCCH channel, if each of the DCCH channel logical tones are in full-tone mode, the base station sector attachment point can have allocated DCCH segments to 31 WTs. At the other extreme if each of the DCCH channel logical tones are in split-tone format, then 93 WTs can be assigned segments. In general, at any given time the DCCH channel is partitioned and may include a mixture of full and split tone sub-channels, e.g., to accommodate current loading conditions and current needs of the WTs using the base station as their attachment point. 
       FIG. 53  illustrates exemplary partitioning and allocation of dedicated control channel resources for another exemplary embodiment, e.g., an embodiment using 16 indexed DCCH segments corresponding to a logical tone which repeat on a recurring basis. The method described with respect to  FIG. 53  may be used in step  5204  and may be extended to other embodiments. 
     Step  5204  includes sub-step  5216 , in which the base station communicates to the WTs sub-channel allocation information. Sub-step  5216  includes sub-step  5218 . In sub-step  5218 , the base station assigns user identifiers to WTs receiving allocation of dedicated control channel segments, e.g., on state user identifiers. 
     In step  5206 , the base station, on an ongoing basis, receives uplink signals from WTs including dedicated control channel reports communicated on the allocated DCCH sub-channels. In some embodiments, the wireless terminals use different coding to communicate information transmitted in DCCH segments during a full-tone DCCH mode of operation and during a split-tone DCCH mode of operation; therefore the base station performs different decoding operations based on the mode. 
     Two exemplary types of embodiments are illustrated in flowchart  5200 . In a first type of embodiment, the base station sends mode control signals to command changes between first and second modes of operation, e.g., between full-tone DCCH mode and split-tone DCCH mode. In such exemplary embodiments, operation proceeds from step  5202  to steps  5208  and  5010 . In a second type of embodiment, the wireless terminal requests mode transitions between first and second modes, e.g., between full-tone DCCH mode and split-tone DCCH mode. In such an embodiment, operation proceeds from step  5202  to steps  5212  and step  5214 . Embodiments are also possible where the base station can command mode changes without input from the wireless terminal, and where the wireless terminal can request mode changes, e.g., with the base station and wireless terminal each being capable of initiating a mode change. 
     Operation proceeds to step  5208  for each instance where the base station decides to command a WT to change from a first mode, e.g., full-mode DCCH mode to a second mode, e.g. split-tone DCCH mode. In step  5208 , the base station sends a mode control signal to a WT to initiate a WT transition from a first mode, e.g., full-tone DCCH mode, to a second mode, e.g., split-tone DCCH mode. 
     Operation proceeds to step  5210  for each instance where the base station decides to command a WT to change from the second mode, e.g., split-mode DCCH mode, to the first mode, e.g. full-tone DCCH mode. In step  5210 , the base station sends a mode control signal to a WT to initiate a WT transition from the second mode, e.g., split-tone DCCH mode, to the first mode, e.g., full-tone DCCH mode. 
     Operation proceeds to step  5212  for each instance where the base station receives a request from a WT to change from a first mode, e.g., full-tone DCCH mode to a second mode, e.g. split-tone DCCH mode. In step  5212 , the base station receives a mode control signal from a WT requesting a transition from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, e.g., from full-tone DCCH mode to split-tone DCCH mode. Operation proceeds from step  5212  to step  5220 , if the base station decides to accommodate the request. In step  5220 , the base station transmits a positive acknowledgement signal to the WT which sent the request. 
     Operation proceeds to step  5214  for each instance where the base station receives a request from a WT to change from a second mode, e.g., split-tone DCCH mode to a first mode, e.g. full-tone DCCH mode. In step  5214 , the base station receives a mode control signal from a WT requesting a transition from a second mode of operation to a first mode of operation, e.g., from split-tone DCCH mode to full-tone DCCH mode. Operation proceeds from step  5214  to step  5222 , if the base station decides to accommodate the request. In step  5222 , the base station transmits a positive acknowledgement signal to the WT which sent the request. 
       FIG. 53  is a drawing illustrating exemplary operation in accordance with various embodiments. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 53 , the dedicated control channel is structured to use a repeating pattern of 16 segments indexed from 0 to 15, for each logical tone in the dedicated control channel. Other embodiments may use a different number of indexed DCCH segments in a recurring pattern, e.g., 40 segments. Three exemplary logical DCCH tones, indexed (0, 1, 2) are illustrated in  FIG. 53 . In some embodiments, each segment occupies the same amount of air link resources. For example, in some embodiments, each segment has same number of tone-symbols, e.g., 21 tone-symbols. Drawing  5300  identifies the index of the segments over time for two successive iterations of the recurring indexing pattern corresponding to a logical tone in drawing  5304 . 
     Drawing  5304  plots logical DCCH tone index on vertical axis  5306  vs time on horizontal axis  5308 . A first time period  5310  and a second time period  5312  are shown which have the same duration. Legend  5314  identifies: (i) squares with widely spaced crosshatch shading  5316  represents WT 1  full-tone DCCH mode segments, (ii) squares with narrowly spaced crosshatch shading  5318  represents WT 2  full-tone DCCH mode segments, (iii) squares with widely spaced vertical and horizontal line shading  5320  represent WT 4  full-tone DCCH mode segments, (iv) squares with narrowly spaced vertical and horizontal line shading  5322  represent WT 9  full-tone DCCH mode segments, (v) squares with widely spaced diagonal line shading sloping upward from left to right  5324  represent WT 1  split-tone DCCH mode segments (vi) squares with narrowly spaced diagonal line shading sloping downward from left to right  5326  represent WT 2  split-tone DCCH mode segments, (vii) squares with narrowly spaced diagonal line shading sloping upward from left to right  5328  represent WT 3  split-tone DCCH mode segments, (viii) squares with widely spaced vertical line shading  5330  represent WT 4  split-tone DCCH mode segments, and (ix) squares with narrowly spaced vertical line shading  5332  represent WT 5  split-tone DCCH mode segments, (x) squares with widely spaced horizontal line shading  5334  represent WT 6  split-tone DCCH mode segments, (xi) squares with narrowly spaced horizontal line shading  5336  represent WT 7  split-tone DCCH mode segments, and (xii) squares with dot shading  5338  represent WT 8  split-tone DCCH mode segments. 
     In drawing  5304 , it may be observed that WT 1  is in full-tone DCCH mode during the first time period  5310  and uses a set of 15 segments (indexed 0-14) corresponding to logical tone  0  during that time period. In accordance with some embodiments, a base station allocated a first dedicated control sub-channel to WT 1 , the first dedicated control sub-channel including the set of 15 segments (indexed 0-14) corresponding to logical tone  0  for use during 1 st  time period  5310 . 
     In drawing  5304 , it may also be observed that WT 2 , WT 3 , and WT 4  are each split-tone DCCH mode during the first time period  5310  and each use a set of 5 segments indexed ((0, 3, 6, 9, 12), (1, 4, 7, 10, 13), (2, 5, 8, 11, 14)), respectively corresponding to the same logical tone, logical tone  1  during 1st time period  5310 . In accordance with some embodiments, a base station allocated a (second, third, and fourth) dedicated control sub-channel to (WT 2 , WT 3 , WT 3 ), the (second, third, and fourth) dedicated control sub-channels each including a set of 5 segments with index values ((0, 3, 6, 9, 12), (1, 4, 7, 10, 13), (2, 5, 8, 11, 14)), respectively corresponding to the same logical tone, logical tone  1  during 1st time period  5310 . 
     In drawing  5304 , it may also be observed that WT 6 , WT 7 , and WT 8  are each split-tone DCCH mode during the first time period  5310  and each use a set of 5 segments indexed ((0, 3, 6, 9, 12), (1, 4, 7, 10, 13), (2, 5, 8, 11, 14)), respectively corresponding to the same logical tone, logical tone  2  during 1st time period  5310 . In accordance with some embodiments, a base station allocated a (fifth, sixth, and seventh) dedicated control sub-channel to (WT 6 , WT 7 , WT 8 ), the (fifth, sixth, and seventh) dedicated control sub-channels each including a set of 5 segments with index values ((0, 3, 6, 9, 12), (1, 4, 7, 10, 13), (2, 5, 8, 11, 14)), respectively corresponding to the same logical tone, logical tone  2  during 1st time period  5310 . 
     In drawing  5304 , it may be observed that (WT 1 , WT 5 ) are in split-tone DCCH mode during the second time period  5312  and each uses a set of 5 segments with index values (0, 3, 6, 9, 12), (1, 4, 7, 10, 13)), respectively, corresponding to logical tone  0  during the second time period  5312 . In accordance with various embodiments, a base station allocated an (eighth, ninth) dedicated control sub-channel to (WT 1 , WT 5 ), the (eighth, ninth) dedicated control sub-channel including the set of 5 segments with index ( 0 ,  3 ,  6 ,  9 ,  12 ), ( 1 ,  4 ,  7 ,  10 ,  13 )), respectively, corresponding to logical tone  0  during the second time period  5312 . WT 1  used logical tone  0  during the first time period, while WT  5  did not use logical tone  0  during the first time period. 
     In drawing  5304 , it may also be observed that (WT 2 ) is in full-tone DCCH mode during the second time period  5312  and uses a set of 15 segments indexed (0-14) corresponding to logical tone  1  during the second time period  5312 . In accordance with some embodiments, a base station allocated a (tenth) dedicated control sub-channel to (WT 2 ), the dedicated control sub-channel including the set of 15 segments indexed (0-14) corresponding to logical tone  1  during the second time period  5312 . It may be noted that WT 2  is one of the WTs from the set of (WT 2 , WT 3 , WT 4 ) which used logical tone  1  during the first time period  5310 . 
     In drawing  5304 , it may also be observed that (WT 9 ) is in full-tone DCCH mode during the second time period  5312  and each uses a set of 15 segments indexed (0-14) corresponding to logical tone  2  during the second time period  5312 . In accordance with some embodiments, a base station allocated an (eleventh) dedicated control sub-channel to (WT 9 ), the dedicated control sub-channel including the set of 15 segments indexed (0-14) corresponding to logical tone  2  during the second time period  5312 . It may be noted that WT 9  is a different WT than the WTs (WT 6 , WT 7 , WT 8 ) which used logical tone  2  during the first time period  5310 . 
     In some embodiments, the logical tones (tone  0 , tone  1 , tone  2 ) are subjected to an uplink tone hopping operation which determines which physical tones the logical tones correspond to for each of a plurality of symbol transmission time periods, e.g., in the first time period  5310 . For example, logical tones  0 ,  1 , and  2  may be part of a logical channel structure including 113 logical tones, which are hopped, in accordance with a hopping sequence to a set of 113 physical tones used for uplink signaling. Continuing with the example, consider that each DCCH segment corresponds to a single logical tone and corresponds to 21 successive OFDM symbol transmission time intervals. In an exemplary embodiment, the logical tone is hopped such that the logical tone corresponding to three physical tones, with the wireless terminal using each physical tone for seven consecutive symbol transmission time intervals of the segment. 
     In an exemplary embodiment using 40 indexed DCCH channel segments corresponding to a logical tone which repeat on a recurring basis, an exemplary 1 st  and 2 nd  time period may each include 39 DCCH segments, e.g., the first 39 DCCH segments of a beaconslot corresponding to the logical tone. In such an embodiment, if a given tone is in full-tone format, a WT is allocated by the base station a set of 39 DCCH segments for the 1 st  or 2 nd  time period corresponding to the allocation. If a given tone is in split-tone format, a WT is allocated a set of 13 DCCH segments for the 1 st  or 2 nd  time period corresponding to the allocation. In full-tone mode the 40 th  indexed segment can also be allocated to and used by the WT in full-tone mode. In split-tone mode, in some embodiments, the 40 th  indexed segment is a reserved segment. 
       FIG. 54  is a drawing of a flowchart  5400  of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. Operation starts in step  5402  where the wireless terminal is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from step  5402  to steps  5404 ,  5406 , and  5408 . In step  5404 , the wireless terminal measures the received power of a downlink null channel (DL.NCH) and determines an interference power (N). For example, the Null channel corresponds to predetermined tone-symbols in an exemplary downlink timing and frequency structure used by the base station serving as the current attachment point for the wireless terminal in which the base station intentionally does not transmit using those tone-symbols; therefore, received power on the NULL channel measured by the wireless terminal receiver represents interference. In step  5406 , the wireless terminal measures the received power (G*P 0 ) of a downlink pilot channel (DL.PICH). In step  5408 , the wireless terminal measures the signal to noise ratio (SNR 0 ) of the downlink pilot channel (DL.PICH). Operation proceeds from steps  5404 ,  5406 , and  5408  to step  5410 . 
     In step  5410 , the wireless terminal calculates the saturation level of the downlink signal to noise ratio as a function of: the interference power, measured received power of the downlink pilot channel, and measured SNR of the downlink pilot channel. For example, saturation level of the DL SNR=1/a 0 =(1/SNR 0 −N/(GP 0 )) −1 . Operation proceeds from step S 410  to steps  5412 . In step  5412 , the wireless terminal selects the closet value from a predetermined table of quantized level of saturation level of downlink SNR to represent the calculated saturation level in a dedicated control channel report, and the wireless terminal generates the report. Operation proceeds from step  5412  to step  5414 . In step  5414 , the wireless terminal transmits the generated report to the base station, said generated report being communicated using a dedicated control channel segment allocated to the wireless terminal, e.g., using a predetermined portion of a predetermined indexed dedicated control channel segment. For example, the exemplary WT may be in a full-tone format mode of DCCH operation using the repetitive reporting structure of  FIG. 10 , and the report may be the DLSSNR4 reports of DCCH segment  1036  with index numbers s 2 =36. 
       FIG. 55  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal  5500 , e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary WT  5500  may be any of the wireless terminals of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary wireless terminal  5500  includes a receiver module  5502 , a transmitter module  5504 , a processor  5506 , user I/O devices  5508 , and a memory  5510  coupled together via a bus  5512  over which the wireless terminal  5500  interchanges data and information. 
     The receiver module  5502 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to a receive antenna  5503  via which the wireless terminal  5500  receives downlink signals from base stations. Downlink signals received by the wireless terminal  5500  include: mode control signals, mode control request response signals, assignment signals including the assignment of user identifiers, e.g., an ON identifier associated with a logical uplink dedicated control channel tone, uplink and/or downlink traffic channel assignment signals, downlink traffic channel signals, and downlink base station identification signals. Receiver module  5502  includes a decoder  5518  via which the wireless terminal  5500  decodes received signals which had been encoded prior to transmission by the base station. The transmitter module  5504 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmit antenna  5505  via which the wireless terminal  5500  transmits uplink signals to base stations. In some embodiments, the same antenna is used for transmitter and receiver. Uplink signals transmitted by the wireless terminal include: mode request signals, access signals, dedicated control channel segment signals during first and second modes of operation, and uplink traffic channel signals. Transmitter module  5504  includes an encoder  5520  via which the wireless terminal  5500  encodes at least some uplink signals prior to transmission. Encoder  5520  includes a 1 st  coding module  5522  and a 2 nd  coding module  5524 . 1 st  coding module  5522  codes information to be transmitted in DCCH segments during the first mode of operation according to a first coding method. 2 nd  coding module  5524  codes information to be transmitted in DCCH segments during the second mode of operation according to a second coding method; the first and second coding methods are different. 
     User I/O devices  5508 , e.g., microphone, keyboard, keypad, mouse, switches, camera, display, speaker, etc., are used to input data/information, output data/information, and control at least some functions of the wireless terminal, e.g., initiate a communications session. Memory  5510  includes routines  5526  and data/information  5528 . The processor  5506 , e.g., a CPU, executes the routines  5526  and uses the data/information  5528  in memory  5510  to control the operation of the wireless terminal  5500  and implement methods. 
     Routines  5526  include a communications routine  5530  and wireless terminal control routines  5532 . The communications routine  5530  implements the various communications protocols used by the wireless terminal  5500 . The wireless terminal control routines  5532  control operation of the wireless terminal  5500  including controlling operation of the receiver module  5502 , transmitter module  5504  and user I/O devices  5508 . Wireless terminal control routines  5532  include a first mode dedicated control channel communications module  5534 , a second mode dedicated control channel communications module  5536 , a dedicated control channel mode control module  5538 , a mode request signal generation module  5540 , a response detection module  5542 , and an uplink dedicated control channel tone determination module  5543 . 
     The first mode dedicated control channel communications module  5534  controls dedicated control channel communications using a first set of dedicated control channel segments during a first mode of operation, said first set including a first number of control channel segments for a first period of time. The first mode is, in some embodiments, a full tone mode, of dedicated control channel operation. The second mode dedicated control channel communications module  5536  controls dedicated control channel communications using a second set of dedicated control channel segments during a second mode of operation, said second set of dedicated control channel segments corresponding to a time period having the same duration as said first period of time, said second set of dedicated control channel segments including fewer segments than said first number of dedicated control channel segments. The second mode is, in some embodiments, a split-tone mode, of dedicated control channel operation. In various embodiments, a dedicated control channel segment whether in the first mode or the second mode of operation uses the same amount of uplink air link resources, e.g., the same number of tone-symbols, e.g., 21 tone-symbols. For example, a dedicated control channel segment may correspond to one logical tone in the timing and frequency structure being used by the base station, but may correspond to three physical tones with three sets of seven tone-symbols each being associated with a different physical uplink tone in accordance with uplink tone hopping information. 
     DCCH mode control module  5538 , in some embodiments, controls switching into one said first mode of operation and said second mode of operation in response to a received mode control signal from a base station, e.g., a mode control command signal from a base station. In some embodiments, the mode control signal also identifies, for the split tone mode of operation, which set of uplink dedicated control channel segments is associated with the split tone mode of operation. For example, for a given logical DCCH channel tone, in split tone operation, there may be a plurality, e.g., three, non-overlapping sets of DCCH segments and the mode control signal may identify which of the sets is to be associated with the wireless terminal. DCCH mode control module  5538 , in some embodiments, controls switching into a requested mode of operation which is one of the first mode of operation, e.g., full-tone DCCH mode, and the second mode of operation, e.g., split-tone DCCH mode, in response to a received affirmative request acknowledgment signal. 
     Mode request generation module  5540  generates a mode request signal indicating a requested mode of DCCH operation. Response detection module  5542  detects a response to said mode request signal from the base station. The output of response detection module  5542  is used by the DCCH mode control module  5538  to determine if the wireless terminal  5500  is to be switched into the requested mode of operation. 
     Uplink DCCH tone determination module  5543  determines the physical tone to which an assigned logical DCCH tone corresponds to over time based on the uplink tone hopping information stored in the wireless terminal. 
     Data/information  5528  includes user/device/session/resource information  5544 , system data/information  5546 , current mode of operation information  5548 , terminal ID information  5550 , DCCH logical tone information  5552 , mode request signal information  5554 , timing information  5556 , base station identification information  5558 , data  5560 , DCCH segment signal information  5562 , and mode request response signal information  5564 . User/device/session/resource information  5544  includes information corresponding to peer nodes in communications sessions with WT  5500 , address information, routing information, session information including authentication information, and resource information including allocated DCCH segments and uplink and/or downlink traffic channel segments associated with the communications session which are allocated to WT  5500 . Current mode of operation information  5548  includes information identifying whether the wireless terminal is currently in a first, e.g., full-tone DCCH mode of operation, or a second, e.g., split-tone DCCH mode of operation. In some embodiments, the first and second modes of operation with respect to the DCCH both correspond to wireless terminal. On states of operation. Current mode of operation information  5548  also includes information identifying other modes of wireless terminal operation, e.g., sleep, hold, etc. Terminal identifier information  5550  includes base station assigned wireless terminal identifiers, e.g., registered user identifier and/or an ON state identifier. In some embodiments, the ON state identifier is associated with a DCCH logical tone being used by the base station sector attachment point which allocated the On state identifier to the wireless terminal. DCCH logical tone information  5552  includes, when the wireless terminal is in one of first mode of DCCH operation and a second mode of DCCH operation, information identifying the DCCH logical tone currently allocated to the wireless terminal to use when communicating uplink DCCH segment signals. Timing information  5556  includes information identifying the wireless terminals current timing within the repetitive timing structure being used by the base stations serving as an attachment point for the wireless terminal. Base station identification information  5558  includes base station identifiers, base station sector identifiers, and base station tone block and/or carrier identifiers associated with the base station sector attachment point being used by the wireless terminal. Data  5560  includes uplink and/or downlink user data being communicated in communications sessions, e.g., voice, audio data, image data, text data, file data. DCCH segment signal information  5562  includes information to be communicated corresponding to DCCH segments allocated to the wireless terminal, e.g., information bits to be communicated in DCCH segments representing various control information reports. Mode request signal information  5554  includes information corresponding to mode request signals generated by module  5540 . Mode request response signal information  5564  includes response information detected by module  5542 . 
     System data/information  5546  includes full tone mode DCCH information  5566 , split-tone mode DCCH information  5568 , and a plurality of sets of base station data/information (base station  1  data/information  5570 , . . . , base station M data/information  5572 ). Full tone mode DCCH information  5566  includes channel structure information  5574  and segment coding information  5576 . Full tone mode DCCH channel structure information  5574  includes information identifying segments and reports to be communicated in segments when the wireless terminal is in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, there is a plurality of DCCH tones, e.g.,  31  in the DCCH channel, each logical DCCH tone when in the full-tone mode, following a recurring pattern of forty DCCH segments associated with the single logical DCCH tone in the DCCH channel. Full tone mode DCCH segment coding information  5576  includes information used by 1 st  coding module  5522  to encode DCCH segments. Split-tone mode DCCH information  5568  includes channel structure information  5578  and segment coding information  5580 . Split-tone mode DCCH channel structure information  5578  includes information identifying segments and reports to be communicated in segments when the wireless terminal is in a split-tone DCCH mode of operation. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, there is a plurality of DCCH tones, e.g.,  31  in the DCCH channel, each logical DCCH tone when in the split-tone mode is split over time among up to three different WTs. For example, for a given logical DCCH tone a WT receives a set of 13 DCCH segments to use out of 40 segments in a recurring pattern, each set of 13 DCCH segments being non-overlapping with the other two sets of 13 DCCH segments. In such an embodiment, one may consider, e.g., a time interval in the structure including 39 DCCH segments allocated to a single WT if in the full-tone mode, but partitioned among three wireless terminals in the split-tone format. Split-tone mode DCCH segment coding information  5580  includes information used by 2 nd  coding module  5524  to encode DCCH segments. 
     In some embodiments, during one time period a given logical DCCH tone is used in a full-tone mode of operation, while at other times the same logical DCCH tone is used in a split tone mode of operation. Thus WT  5500  can be allocated a set of DCCH channel segments in a recurring structure while in the split-tone mode of DCCH operation which is a subset of a larger set of DCCH channel segments used in the full-tone mode of operation. 
     Base station  1  data/information  5570  includes base station identification information used to identify base station, sector, carrier and/or tone block associated with an attachment point. Base station  1  data/information  5570  also includes downlink timing/frequency structure information  5582  and uplink timing/frequency structure information  5584 . Uplink timing/frequency structure information  5584  includes uplink tone hopping information  5586 . 
       FIG. 56  is a drawing of an exemplary base station  5600 , e.g., access node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary base station  5600  may be any of the base stations of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary base station  5600  includes a receiver module  5602 , a transmitter module  5604 , a processor  5608 , an I/O interface  5610 , and a memory  5612  coupled together via a bus  5614  over which the various elements interchange data and information. 
     Receiver module  5602 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, receives uplink signals from a plurality of wireless terminals via receive antenna  5603 . The uplink signals include dedicated control channel segment signals from wireless terminals, requests for mode changes, and uplink traffic channel segment signals. Receiver module  5602  includes a decoder module  5615  for decoding uplink signals which were encoded prior to transmission by the wireless terminals. The decoder module  5615  includes a first decoder sub-module  5616  and a second decoder sub-module  5618 . The first decoder sub-module  5616  decodes information received in dedicated control channel segments corresponding to logical tones used in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation. The second decoder sub-module  5618  decodes information received in dedicated control channel segments corresponding to logical tones used in a split-tone DCCH mode of operation; the first and second decoder sub-modules ( 5616 ,  5618 ) implement different decoding methods. 
     Transmitter module  5604 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, transmits downlink signals to wireless terminals via transmit antenna  5605 . Transmitted downlink signals include registration signals, DCCH control signals, traffic channel assignment signals, and downlink traffic channel signals. 
     I/O interface  5610  provides an interface for coupling the base station  5600  to other network nodes, e.g., other base stations, AAA server nodes, home agent nodes, routers, etc., and/or the Internet. I/O interface  5610  allows a wireless terminal using base station  5600  as its point of network attachment to communicate with peer nodes, e.g., other wireless terminals, in different cells, via a backhaul communication network. 
     Memory  5612  includes routines  5620  and data/information  5622 . The processor  5608 , e.g. a CPU, executes the routines  5620  and uses the data/information  5622  in memory  5612  to control the operation of the base station  5600  and implement methods. Routines  5620  include a communications routines  5624 , and base station control routines  5626 . The communications routines  5624  implement the various communications protocols used by the base station  5600 . Base station control routines  5626  include a control channel resource allocation module  5628 , a logical tone dedication module  5630 , a wireless terminal dedicated control channel mode control module  5632 , and a scheduler module  5634 . 
     The control channel resource allocation module  5628  allocates dedicated control channel resources including logical tones corresponding to dedicated control channel segments in an uplink. The control channel resource allocation module  5628  includes a full tone allocation sub-module  5636  and a split-tone allocation sub-module  5638 . The full tone allocation sub-module  5636  allocates one of said logical tones corresponding to the dedicated control channel to a single wireless terminal. The split-tone allocation sub-module  5638  allocates different sets of dedicated control channel segments corresponding to one of the logical tones corresponding to the dedicated control channel to a plurality of wireless terminals to be used on a time shared basis with each of the plurality of wireless terminal being dedicated a different non-overlapping portion of time in which said logical tone is to be used on a time shared basis. For example, in some embodiments, a single logical dedicated control channel tone may be allocated to and shared by up three wireless terminals in the split-tone mode of operation. At any given time full tone allocation sub-module  5636  may be operating on none, some, or each of the DCCH channel tones; at any given time the split-tone allocation sub-module  5638  may be operating on none, some, or each of the DCCH channel tones. 
     The logical tone dedication module  5630  controls whether a logical dedicated control channel tone is to be used to implement a full tone dedicated control channel or a split-tone dedicated control channel. The logical tone dedication module  5630  is responsive to wireless terminal loading to adjust the number of logical tones dedicated to full-tone dedicated control channels and to split-tone dedicated control channels. In some embodiments, the logical tone dedication module  5630  is responsive to requests from a wireless terminal to operate in either a full-tone mode or a split-tone mode and adjusts the allocation of logical tones as a function of received wireless terminal requests. For example, base station  5600 , in some embodiments, for a given sector and uplink tone block uses a set of logical tones for the dedicated control channels, e.g., 31 logical tones, and at any given time the logical dedicated control channel tones are partitioned among full-tone mode logical tones and split-tone mode logical tones by logical tone dedication module  5630 . 
     Wireless terminal dedicated control channel mode control module  5632  generates control signals for indicating logical tone assignments and dedicated control channel mode assignments to wireless terminals. In some embodiments, a wireless terminal is assigned an ON state identifier by the generated control signals, and the value of the ON identifier is associated with a particular logical dedicated control channel tone in the uplink channel structure. In some embodiments, the assignments generated by module  5632  indicate that a wireless terminal corresponding to an assignment should operate in a full tone or split-tone mode with respect to an assigned logical tone. The split tone mode assignments further indicate which of a plurality of segments corresponding to an assigned logical dedicated control channel tone the wireless terminal corresponding to the assignment should use. 
     Scheduler module  5634  schedules uplink and/or downlink traffic channel segments to wireless terminals, e.g., to wireless terminals which are using the base station  5600  as their point of network attachment, are in an On state and currently have an assigned dedicated control channel either in split-tone mode or full-tone mode. 
     Data/information  5622  includes system data/information  5640 , current DCCH logical tone implementation information  5642 , received DCCH signal information  5644 , DCCH control signal information  5646 , and a plurality of sets of wireless terminal data/information  5648  (WT  1  data/information  5650 , . . . , WT N data/information  5652 ). System data/information  5640  includes full tone mode DCCH information  5654 , split-tone mode DCCH information  5656 , downlink timing/frequency structure information  5658  and uplink timing/frequency structure information  5660 . Full-tone mode DCCH information  5654  includes full-tone mode channel structure information  5662  and full tone mode segment coding information  5664 . Split-tone mode DCCH information  5656  includes split-tone mode channel structure information  5666  and split-tone mode segment coding information  5668 . Uplink timing/frequency structure information  5660  includes uplink tone hopping information  5660 . Each single logical tone in an uplink tone block channel structure corresponds to a physical tone which is hopped in frequency over time. For example consider a single logical dedicated control channel tone. In some embodiments, each DCCH segment corresponding to the single logical DCCH tone comprises 21 OFDM tone-symbols corresponding to a first physical tone used for seven consecutive OFDM symbol time periods, a second physical tone used for seven consecutive OFDM symbol time periods, and a third physical tone used for seven consecutive OFDM symbol time periods, the first, second, and third tones being selected in accordance with an implemented uplink tone-hopping sequence known to both the base station and wireless terminal. For at least some of the dedicated control channel logical tones for at least some DCCH segments, the first, second and third physical tones are different. 
     Current DCCH logical tone implementation information  5642  includes information identifying the decisions of logical tone dedication module  5630 , e.g., whether each given logical dedicated control channel tone is currently being used in full-tone format or split-tone format. Received DCCH signal information  5644  includes information received on any of the dedicated control channel segments in the uplink dedicated control channel structure of the base station  5600 . DCCH control signal information  5646  includes assignment information corresponding to assigning dedicated control channel logical tones and modes of dedicated control channel operation. DCCH control signal information  5646  also includes received requests from a wireless terminal for a dedicated control channel, requests for a DCCH mode of operation, and/or requests for a change of DCCH mode of operation. DCCH control signal information  5646  also includes acknowledgment signaling information in response to received requests from wireless terminals. 
     WT  1  data/information  5650  includes identification information  5662 , received DCCH information  5664 , and user data  5666 . Identification information  5662  includes a base station assigned WT On identifier  5668  and mode information  5670 . In some embodiments, the base station assigned On identifier value is associated with a logical dedicated control channel tone in the uplink channel structure used by the base station. Mode information  5650  includes information identifying whether the WT is in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation or a split-tone mode DCCH mode of operation, and when the WT is in a split tone-mode information associating the WT with a subset of DCCH segments associated with the logical tone. Received DCCH information  5664  includes received DCCH reports associated with WT 1 , e.g., conveying uplink traffic channel requests, beacon ratio reports, power reports, self-noise reports, and/or signal to noise ratio reports. User data  5666  includes uplink and/or downlink traffic channel user data associated with WT 1 , e.g., voice data, audio data, image data, text data, file data, etc., corresponding to communications sessions and communicated via uplink and/or downlink traffic channel segments allocated to the WT 1 . 
       FIG. 57  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal  5700 , e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary WT  5700  may be any of the wireless terminals of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary wireless terminal  5700  includes a receiver module  5702 , a transmitter module  5704 , a processor  5706 , user I/O devices  5708 , and a memory  5710  coupled together via a bus  5712  over which the wireless terminal interchanges data and information. 
     The receiver module  5702 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to a receive antenna  5703  via which the wireless terminal  5700  receives downlink signals from base stations. Downlink signals received by the wireless terminal  5700  include beacon signals, pilot signals, registration response signals, power control signals, timing control signals, assignments of wireless terminal identifiers, e.g., an On state identifier corresponding to a DCCH channel logical tone, other DCCH assignment information, e.g., used to identify a set of DCCH channel segments in a uplink repetitive structure, assignments of uplink traffic channel segments and/or assignment of downlink traffic channel segments. Receiver module  5702  includes a decoder  5714  via which the wireless terminal  5700  decodes received signals which had been encoded prior to transmission by the base station. The transmitter module  5704 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmit antenna  5705  via which the wireless terminal  5700  transmits uplink signals to base stations. Uplink signals transmitted by the wireless terminal  5700  include: access signals, handoff signals, power control signals, timing control signals, DCCH channel segment signals, and uplink traffic channel segment signals. DCCH channel segment signals include initial DCCH report set signals and scheduled DCCH report set signals. In some embodiments, the same antenna is used for transmitter and receiver. Transmitter module  5704  includes an encoder  5716  via which the wireless terminal  5700  encodes at least some uplink signals prior to transmission. 
     User I/O devices  5708 , e.g., microphone, keyboard, keypad, mouse, switches, camera, display, speaker, etc., are used to input data/information, output data/information, and control at least some functions of the wireless terminal, e.g., initiate a communications session. Memory  5710  includes routines  5718  and data/information  5720 . The processor  5706 , e.g., a CPU, executes the routines  5718  and uses the data/information  5720  in memory  5710  to control the operation of the wireless terminal  5700  and implement methods. 
     Routines  5718  include a communications routine  5722  and wireless terminal control routines  5724 . The communications routine  5722  implements the various communications protocols used by the wireless terminal  5700 . The wireless terminal control routines  5724  control operation of the wireless terminal  5700  including controlling operation of the receiver module  5702 , transmitter module  5704  and user I/O devices  5708 . Wireless terminal control routines  5724  include a report transmission control module  5726 , an initial report generation module  5728 , a scheduled report generation module  5730 , and a timing control module  5732 . The report transmission control module  5726  includes a handoff detection module  5734 . The initial report generation module  5728  includes a report size set determination sub-module  5736 . 
     Report transmission control module controls the wireless terminal  5700  to transmit an initial information report set following the transition by said wireless terminal from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation and to transmit scheduled reports according to an uplink reporting schedule following transmission of said initial report set. In some embodiments the first mode of operation is one of a sleep state and a hold state and the second mode of operation is an ON state, e.g., an On state in which the wireless terminal is permitted to transmit user data. In various embodiments, in the second mode, e.g., ON state, the wireless terminal has a dedicated uplink reporting channel for reporting information including requests for uplink traffic channel resources which can be used to transmit user data. In various embodiments, in the first mode, e.g., sleep state or Hold state, the wireless terminal does not have a dedicated uplink reporting channel for reporting information including requests for uplink traffic channel resources which can be used to transmit user data. 
     The initial report generation module  5728 , which is responsive to the report transmission control module  5726 , generates an initial information report set as a function of a point in time with respect to an uplink transmission schedule at which said initial report set is to be transmitted. Scheduled report generation module  5730  generates scheduled report information sets to be transmitted following said initial information report. The timing control module  5732  correlates the uplink reporting structure based on downlink signals received from the base station, e.g., as part of closed loop timing control. In some embodiments, the timing control module  5732  is implemented, either partially or entirely as a timing control circuit. The handoff detection module  5734  detects a handoff from a first access node attachment point to a second access node attachment point and controls the wireless terminal to generate an initial information report set following certain types of identified handoffs, the generated initial information report set to be transmitted to the second access node attachment point. The certain types of identified handoffs include, in some embodiments, handoffs in which the wireless terminal transitions though an access state of operation with respect to the second access node attachment point before going to an On state with respect to the second access node. For example, the first and access node attachment points may correspond to different access nodes located in different cells which are not timing synchronized with respect to one another and the wireless terminal needs to go through the access state to achieve timing synchronization with respect to the second access node. 
     The handoff detection module  5734  controls the wireless terminal to forgo the generation and transmission of an initial information report following a handoff from a first access node attachment point to a second access node attachment point, under certain other types of handoffs, and to proceed directly into transmitting scheduled report information sets. For example, the first and second access node attachment points may be timing synchronized and correspond to the same access node, e.g., different adjacent sectors and/or tone blocks, and the certain other type of handoff is, e.g., a handoff which involves a transition from an ON state with respect to the first attachment point to an On state with respect to the second attachment point without having to transition through an access state. 
     Report set size determination sub-module  5736  determines an initial report set size as a function of the point in time with respect to the uplink transmission schedule at which said initial report is to be transmitted. For example, an initial report information set size is, in some embodiments, one of a plurality of set sizes, e.g., corresponding to one, two three, four or five DCCH segments, depending upon where in the uplink timing structure the initial report transmission is to be started, e.g., the point within a superslot. In some embodiments, the types of reports included in the initial report set is a function of where in the uplink timing structure the initial report transmission is to be started, e.g., depending upon the superslot location within a beaconslot. 
     Data/information  5720  includes user/device/session/resource information  5738 , system data/information  5740 , base station identification information  5742 , terminal identification information  5744 , timing control information  5746 , current state of operation information  5748 , DCCH channel information  5750 , initial report time information  5752 , determined initial report size information  5754 , initial report control information  5756 , generated initial report information set  5758 , generated scheduled information report information sets  5760 , handoff information  5762 , uplink traffic request information  5764 , and user data  5766 . The initial report control information includes size information  5768  and time information  5770 . 
     User/device/session/resource information  5738  includes information user identification information, e.g., user log-in IDs, passwords and user priority information, device information, e.g., device identification information and device characteristic parameters, session information, e.g., information pertaining to peers, e.g., other WTs in communications sessions with WT  5700 , communications session information such as session keys, addressing and/or routing information, and resource information, e.g., uplink and/or downlink air link segments and/or identifiers allocated to the WT  5700 . 
     System data/information  5740  includes a plurality of sets of base station information (base station  1  data/information  5772 , . . . , base station M data/information  5774 ), recurring uplink reporting structure information  5780 , and initial DCCH report information  5790 . Base station  1  data/information  5772  includes downlink timing/frequency structure information  5776  and uplink timing/frequency structure information  5778 . Downlink timing/frequency structure information  5776  includes downlink logical tone structure identifying various channels and segments, e.g., assignment, beacon, pilot, downlink traffic channel, etc., in a repetitive downlink structure and identifying timing, e.g., OFDM symbol time duration, indexing, groupings of OFDM symbol times, e.g., into slots, superslots, beaconslots, ultraslots, etc. Information  5776  also includes base station identification information, e.g., cell, sector, and carrier/tone block identification information. Information  5776  also includes downlink tone hopping information used to map logical tones to physical tones. Uplink timing/frequency structure information  5778  includes uplink logical tone structure identifying various channels and segments, e.g., access, assignment, power control channels, timing control channels, dedicated control channel (DCCH), uplink traffic channel, etc., in a repetitive uplink structure and identifying timing, e.g., OFDM symbol time duration, indexing, groupings of OFDM symbol times, e.g., into halfslots, slots, superslots, beaconslots, ultraslots, etc., as well as information correlating the downlink to uplink timing BS 1 , e.g., a timing offset between the uplink and downlink repetitive timing structures at the base station. Information  5778  also includes uplink tone hopping information used to map logical tones to physical tones. 
     Recurring uplink reporting structure information  5780  includes DCCH reports&#39; format information  5782 , and DCCH report sets information  5784 . DCCH report sets information  5784  includes sets information  5786  and time information  5788 . For example, the recurring uplink reporting structure information  5780  includes, in some embodiments, information identifying a recurring pattern of a fixed number of indexed DCCH segments, e.g., 40 indexed DCCH segments. Each of the indexed DCCH segments includes one of more types of DCCH reports, e.g., uplink traffic channel request reports, interference reports such as beacon ratio reports, different SNR reports, etc. The format of each of the different types of reports is identified in DCCH reports&#39; format information  5782 , e.g., for each type of report associating a fixed number of information bits with different potential bit patterns and interpretations of information conveyed by the corresponding bit pattern. DCCH report sets information  5784  identifies different grouping of reports associated with different indexed segments in the recurring DCCH reporting structure. Sets information  5786  identifies for each indexed DCCH segment identified by a corresponding time information entry  5788  a set of reports communicated in the segment and the order of those reports in the segment. For example in one exemplary embodiment, an exemplary DCCH segment with index value=6 includes 5 bit uplink transmission power backoff report and a 1 bit uplink traffic channel segment request report, while a DCCH segment with an index value=32 includes a 3 bit downlink difference signal to noise ratio report and a 3 bit uplink traffic channel request report. (See  FIG. 10 .) 
     Initial DCCH report information  5790  includes format information  5792  and report set information  5794 . The format information  5792  includes information indicating the format of initial reports sets to be transmitted. In some embodiments, the formats of the initial reports, groupings, and/or number of initial reports to be transmitted in an initial report set depend on the time at which the initial report set is to be transmitted, e.g., with respect to a recurring uplink timing structure. Report set information  5794  includes information identifying various initial reports sets, e.g., number of reports, types of reports, and ordered grouping of reports, e.g., associated with DCCH segments to be communicated in the initial report. 
     Base station identification information  5742  includes information identifying the base station attachment point being used by the wireless terminal. Base station identification information  5742  includes physical attachment point identifiers, e.g., cell, sector and carrier/tone block identifiers associated with the base station attachment point. In some embodiments, at least some of the base station identifier information is communicated via beacon signals. Base station identification information  5742  also includes base station address information. Terminal identification information  5744  includes base station assigned identifiers associated with the wireless terminal, e.g., a registered user identifier and a On state identifier, the On state identifier being associated with a logical DCCH tone to be used by the wireless terminal Timing control information  5746  includes received downlink signals from the base station used by the timing control module  5732  for correlating the uplink reporting structure, at least some of the received downlink timing control signals being used for closed loop timing control. Timing control information  5746  also includes information identifying the current timing with respect to repetitive uplink and downlink timing structures, e.g., an OFDM symbol transmission time period with respect to the structures. Current state of operation information  5748  includes information identifying the wireless terminal&#39;s current state of operation, e.g., sleep, hold, ON. Current state of operation information  5748  also includes information identifying when a WT is in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation or in a split-tone mode of DCCH operation, in an access process, or in the process of a handoff. In addition, current state of operation information  5748  includes, information identifying whether a wireless terminal is communicating an initial DCCH report set or communicating recurring reporting structure information DCCH report sets, when the wireless terminal is assigned a logical DCCH channel tone to use. Initial report time information  5752  includes information identifying the point in time with respect to an uplink transmission schedule at which the initial DCCH report set is to be transmitted. Determined initial report size information  5754  is an output of the report set size determination sub-module  5736 . Initial report control information  5756  includes information used by the initial report generation module  5728  to control the content of an initial report set. Initial report control information  5756  includes size information  5768  and time information  5770 . Generated initial report information set  5758  is an initial report set generated by wireless terminal initial report generation module  5728  using the data/information  5720  including initial DCCH report structure information  5790 , initial report control information  5756 , and information to be included in the reports of the initial report such as, e.g., uplink traffic channel request information  5764 , SNR information, and measured interference information. Generated scheduled report information sets  5760  includes generated scheduled information report sets, e.g., each set corresponding to a scheduled DCCH segment to be used by the wireless terminal. The generated scheduled report information sets  5760  being generated by the scheduled report generation module  5730  using the data/information  5720  including the recurring uplink reporting structure information  5780 , and information to be included in the reports of the initial report such as, e.g., uplink traffic channel request information  5764 , SNR information, and measured interference information. Uplink traffic request information  5764  includes information pertaining to requests for uplink traffic channel segment resources, e.g., number of frames of uplink user data to be communicated corresponding to different request group queues. User data  5766  includes, voice data, audio data, image data, text data, file data to be communicated via uplink traffic channel segments and/or received via downlink traffic channel segments. 
       FIG. 58  is a drawing of an exemplary base station  5800 , e.g., access node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary base station  5800  may be any of the base stations of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary base station  5800  includes a receiver module  5802 , a transmitter module  5804 , a processor  5806 , an I/O interface  5808 , and a memory  5810  coupled together via a bus  5812  over which the various elements interchange data and information. 
     Receiver module  5802 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, receives uplink signals from a plurality of wireless terminals via receive antenna  5803 . The uplink signals include dedicated control channel report information sets from wireless terminals, access signals, requests for mode changes, and uplink traffic channel segment signals. Receiver module  5802  includes a decoder module  5814  for decoding uplink signals which were encoded prior to transmission by the wireless terminals. 
     Transmitter module  5804 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, transmits downlink signals to wireless terminals via transmit antenna  5805 . Transmitted downlink signals include registration signals, DCCH control signals, traffic channel assignment signals, and downlink traffic channel signals. 
     I/O interface  5808  provides an interface for coupling the base station  5800  to other network nodes, e.g., other base stations, AAA server nodes, home agent nodes, routers, etc., and/or the Internet. I/O interface  5808  allows a wireless terminal using base station  5800  as its point of network attachment to communicate with peer nodes, e.g., other wireless terminals, in different cells, via a backhaul communication network. 
     Memory  5810  includes routines  5820  and data/information  5822 . The processor  5806 , e.g. a CPU, executes the routines  5820  and uses the data/information  5822  in memory  5810  to control the operation of the base station  5800  and implement methods. Routines  5820  include a communications routines  5824  and base station control routines  5826 . The communications routines  5824  implement the various communications protocols used by the base station  5800 . Base station control routines  5826  include a scheduler module  5828 , a report set interpretation module  5830 , an access module  5832 , a handoff module  5834 , and a registered wireless terminal state transition module  5836 . 
     Scheduler module  5828  schedules uplink and/or downlink traffic channel segments to wireless terminals, e.g., to wireless terminals which are using the base station  5800  as their point of network attachment, are in an On state and currently have an assigned dedicated control channel either in split-tone mode or full-tone mode. 
     Report set interpretation module  5830 , e.g., a DCCH report set interpretation module, includes an initial report set interpretation sub-module  5838  and a recurring reporting structure report set interpretation sub-module  5840 . Report set interpretation module  5830  interprets each received DCCH report set in accordance with the initial DCCH report information  5850  or the recurring uplink reporting structure information  5848 . Report set interpretation module  5830  is responsive to transitions by wireless terminals to the ON state. Report set interpretation module  5830  interprets as an initial information report set, a DCCH report information set received from a wireless terminal immediately after one of: a migration of the wireless terminal to an On state from a hold state with respect to the current connection, a migration of the wireless terminal to an On state from an access state with respect to the current connection, and a migration of the wireless terminal to an On state from an On state which existed with respect to another connection prior to a handoff to the base station. Report set interpretation module  5830  includes an initial report set interpretation sub-module  5838  and a recurring reporting structure report set interpretation sub-module  5840 . Initial report set interpretation sub-module  5838  processes received information report sets, e.g., corresponding to a received DCCH segment, which have been determined to be an initial DCCH report set, using data/information  5822  including initial DCCH report information  5850 , to obtain interpreted initial report set information. Recurring reporting structure report set interpretation sub-module  5840  processes received information report sets, e.g., corresponding to a received DCCH segment, which have been determined to be a recurring reporting structure DCCH report set, using data/information  5822  including recurring uplink reporting structure information  5848 , to obtain interpreted recurring structure report set information. 
     Access module  5832  controls operations relating to wireless terminal access operations. For example, a wireless terminal transitions through the access mode to an On state achieving uplink timing synchronization with a base station attachment point and receiving a WT On state identifier associated with a logical DCCH channel tone in the uplink timing and frequency structure to be used to communicate uplink DCCH segment signals. Following this transition to the On state, the initial report set interpretation sub-module  5838  is activated to process DCCH segments for the remainder of a superslot, e.g., one, two, three, four, or five DCCH segments, then operation is transferred to the recurring reporting structure report set interpretation sub-module  5840  to process subsequent DCCH segments from the wireless terminal. The number of DCCH segments and/or the format used for those segments processed by module  5838  before transferring control to module  5840  is a function of the time at which the access occurs with respect to the recurring uplink DCCH reporting structure. 
     Handoff module  5834  controls operations pertaining to handoffs a wireless terminal from one attachment point to another attachment point. For example, a wireless terminal in an ON state of operation with a first base station attachment point may perform a handoff operation to base station  5800  to transition into an ON state with respect to a second base station attachment point, the second base station attachment point being a base station  5800  attachment point, and the handoff module  5834  activates the initial report set interpretation sub-module  5838 . 
     Registered wireless terminal state transition module  5836  performs operations related to mode changes of wireless terminals which have registered with the base station. For example, a registered wireless terminal currently in a Hold state of operation in which the wireless terminal is precluded from transmitting uplink user data may transition to an On state of operation in which the WT is assigned an ON state identifier associated with a DCCH logical channel tone and in which the wireless terminal can receive uplink traffic channel segments which are to be used to communicate uplink user data. Registered WT state transition module  5836  activates initial report set interpretation sub-module  5838  in response to the mode transition from Hold to ON of the wireless terminal. 
     Base station  5800  manages a plurality of ON state wireless terminals. For a set of received DCCH segments, communicated from different wireless terminals, corresponding to the same time interval, the base station, at some times, processes some of the segments using the initial report set interpretation sub-module  5838  and some of the reports using the recurring reporting structure set interpretation sub-module  5840 . 
     Data/information  5822  includes system data/information  5842 , access signal information  5860 , handoff signal information  5862 , mode transition signaling information  5864 , time information  5866 , current DCCH logical tone implementation information  5868 , received DCCH segments information  5870 , base station identification information  5859 , and WT data/information  5872 . 
     System data/information  5842  includes downlink timing/frequency structure information  5844 , uplink timing/frequency structure information  5846 , recurring uplink reporting structure information  5848 , and initial DCCH report information  5850 . Recurring uplink reporting structure information  5848  includes DCCH reports&#39; format information  5852  and DCCH report sets information  5854 . DCCH report sets information  5854  includes sets information  5856  and time information  5858 . Initial DCCH report information  5850  includes format information  5851  and report set information  5853 . 
     Downlink timing/frequency structure information  5844  includes downlink logical tone structure identifying various channels and segments, e.g., assignment, beacon, pilot, downlink traffic channel, etc., in a repetitive downlink structure and identifying timing, e.g., OFDM symbol time duration, indexing, groupings of OFDM symbol times, e.g., into slots, superslots, beaconslots, ultraslots, etc. Information  5844  also includes base station identification information, e.g., cell, sector, and carrier/tone block identification information. Information  5844  also includes downlink tone hopping information used to map logical tones to physical tones. Uplink timing/frequency structure information  5846  includes uplink logical tone structure identifying various channels and segments, e.g., access, assignment, power control channels, power control channels, dedicated control channel (DCCH), uplink traffic channel, etc., in a repetitive uplink structure and identifying timing, e.g., OFDM symbol time duration, indexing, groupings of OFDM symbol times, e.g., into halfslots, slots, superslots, beaconslots, ultraslots, etc., as well as information correlating the downlink to uplink timing, e.g., a timing offset between the uplink and downlink repetitive timing structures at the base station. Information  5846  also includes uplink tone hopping information used to map logical tones to physical tones. 
     Recurring uplink reporting structure information  5848  includes DCCH reports&#39; format information  5852 , and DCCH report sets information  5848 . DCCH report sets information  5854  includes sets information  5856  and time information  5858 . For example, the recurring uplink reporting structure information  5848  includes, in some embodiments, information identifying a recurring pattern of a fixed number of indexed DCCH segments, e.g., 40 indexed DCCH segments. Each of the indexed DCCH segments includes one of more types of DCCH reports, e.g., uplink traffic channel request reports, interference reports such as beacon ratio reports, different SNR reports, etc. The format of each of the different types of reports is identified in DCCH reports&#39; format information  5852 , e.g., for each type of report associating a fixed number of information bits with different potential bit patterns and interpretations of information conveyed by the corresponding bit pattern. DCCH report sets information  5854  identifies different grouping of reports associated with different indexed segments in the recurring DCCH reporting structure. Sets information  5856  identifies for each indexed DCCH segment identified by a corresponding time information entry  5858  a set of reports communicated in the segment and the order of those reports in the segment. For example in one exemplary embodiment, an exemplary DCCH segment with index value=6 includes 5 bit uplink transmission power backoff report and a 1 bit uplink traffic channel segment request report, while a DCCH segment with an index value=32 includes a 3 bit downlink delta signal to node ratio report and a 3 bit uplink traffic channel request report. (See  FIG. 10 .) 
     Initial DCCH report information  5850  includes format information  5851  and report set information  5853 . The format information  5851  includes information indicating the format of initial reports sets to be transmitted. In some embodiments, the formats of the initial reports, groupings, and/or number of initial reports to be transmitted in an initial report set depend on the time at which the initial report set is to be transmitted, e.g., with respect to a recurring uplink timing structure. Report set information  5853  includes information identifying various initial reports sets, e.g., number of reports, types of reports, and ordered grouping of reports, e.g., associated with DCCH segments to be communicated in the initial report set. 
     Base station identification information  5859  includes information identifying the base station attachment point being used by the wireless terminal. Base station identification information  5859  includes physical attachment point identifiers, e.g., cell, sector and carrier/tone block identifiers associated with the base station attachment point. In some embodiments, at least some of the base station identifier information is communicated via beacon signals. Base station identification information also includes base station address information. Access signal information  5860  includes access request signals received from wireless terminals, access response signals sent to wireless terminal, timing signals related to the access, and base station internal signaling to activate the initial report interpretation sub-module  5838  in response to a transition from the access state to the On state for a wireless terminal. Handoff signal information  5862  includes information pertaining to handoff operations including handoff signaling received from other base stations and base station internal signaling to activate the initial report interpretation sub-module  5838  in response to a transition from a WT ON state of another connection to a WT On state with respect to a base station  5800  attachment point connection. Mode transitioning signaling information  5864  includes signals between a currently registered wireless terminal and base station  5800  regarding state changes, e.g., a change from hold state to On state, and base station internal signaling to activate the initial report set interpretation sub-module  5838  in response to state transitions, e.g., Hold to On. Registered WT state transition module  5836  also deactivates recurring reporting structure report set interpretation sub-module  5840  with respect to a wireless terminal in response to some state changes, e.g., a wireless terminal transition from ON state to one of Hold state, sleep state, or Off state. 
     Time information  5866  includes current time information, e.g., an indexed OFDM symbol time period within a recurring uplink timing structure being used by the base station. Current DCCH logical tone implementation information  5868  includes information identifying which of the base stations logical DCCH tones are currently in a full-tone DCCH mode and which are in a split-tone DCCH mode. Received DCCH segments information  5860  includes information from received DCCH segments corresponding to a plurality of WT users currently assigned logical DCCH tones. 
     WT data/information  5872  includes a plurality of sets of wireless terminal information (WT  1  data/information  5874 , . . . , WT N data/information  5876 ). WT  1  data/information  5874  includes identification information  5886 , mode information  5888 , received DCCH information  5880 , processed DCCH information  5882 , and user data  5884 . Received DCCH information  5880  includes initial received report set information  5892  and recurring report structure received report sets information  5894 . Processed DCCH information  5882  includes interpreted initial report set information  5896  and interpreted recurring structure report sets information  5898 . Identification information  5886  includes a base station assigned wireless terminal registration identifier, addressing information associated with WT 1 . At times, the identification information  5886  includes a WT On state identifier, the On state identifier associated with a logical DCCH channel tone to be used by the wireless terminal to communicate DCCH segment signals. Mode information  5888  includes information identifying the current state of WT 1 , e.g., sleep state, Hold state, access state, On state, in the process of a handoff, etc., and information further qualifying the ON state, e.g., full tone DCCH On or split-tone DCCH On. User data  5884  includes uplink and/or downlink traffic channel segment information, e.g., voice data, audio data, image data, text data, file data, etc., to be received from/communicated to a peer node of WT 1  in a communications session with WT 1 . 
     Initial received report set information  5892  includes a set of information corresponding to a WT 1  DCCH segment which was communicated using format in accordance with an initial reporting information  5850  and is interpreted by module  5838  recovering interpreted initial report information set information  5896 . Recurring report structure received report sets information  5894  includes a set of information corresponding to a WT 1  DCCH segment which was communicated using format in accordance with recurring uplink reporting structure information  5848  and is interpreted by module  5840  recovering a interpreted recurring report information set information  5898 . 
       FIG. 59  comprising the combination of  FIG. 59A ,  FIG. 59B  and  FIG. 59C  is a flowchart  5900  of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. The exemplary method starts in step  5901  where the wireless terminal is powered up and initialized. Operation proceeds from step  5901  to steps  5902  and step  5904 . In step  5902 , the wireless terminal tracks, on an ongoing basis, current time in relation to an uplink recurring DCCH reporting schedule and in relation to uplink tone hopping information. Time information  5906  is output from step  5902  to be used in other steps of the method. 
     In step  5904 , the wireless terminal receives a base station On state identifier associated with a DCCH logical tone in an uplink channel structure of an access node serving as the wireless terminal&#39;s point of attachment. Operation proceeds from step  5904  to step  5908 . In step  5908 , the wireless terminal receives information identifying whether the wireless terminal should be in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation or a split-tone DCCH mode of operation, said information indicating split-tone DCCH mode of operation also identifying one among a plurality of sets of DCCH segments associated with the DCCH logical tone. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, when in full-tone DCCH mode, a wireless terminal is allocated a single logical DCCH tone corresponds to a recurring set of 40 indexed DCCH segments in an uplink channel structure, but while in a split-tone mode of operation, a wireless terminal is allocated a single logical DCCH tone which is time shared such that the wireless terminal receives a set of 13 indexed segments in a recurring uplink channel structure and two other wireless terminals may each be allocated a different set of 13 segments in the uplink channel structure. In some embodiments the information communicated in steps  5904  and  5908  are communicated in the same message. Operation proceeds from step  5908  to step  5910 . 
     In step  5910 , the wireless terminal proceeds to step  5912  if the wireless terminal has determined that it in full-tone DCCH mode, while operation proceeds to step  5914  if the wireless terminal has determined that it in split-tone DCCH mode. 
     In step  5912 , the wireless terminal identifies DCCH communication segments allocated to the wireless terminal using time information  5906  and the identified logical DCCH tone. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, for each beacon slot, the wireless terminal identifies a set of 40 indexed DCCH segments corresponding to assigned logical DCCH tone. Operation proceeds from step  5912  to step  5916 , for each identified communications segment. In step  5916 , the wireless terminal using time information  5906 , the indexed value of the DCCH segment within the recurring structure, and stored information associating sets of report types with each indexed segment, identifies a set of report types to be communicated in the DCCH communications segment. Operation proceeds from step  5916  via connecting node A  5920  to step  5924 . 
     In step  5924 , the wireless terminal checks as to whether any of report types identified in step  5916  include a flexible report. If any of the identified report types indicate a flexible report, then operation proceeds from step  5924  to step  5928 ; otherwise operation proceeds from step  5924  to step  5926 . 
     In step  5926 , the wireless terminal, for each fixed type information report of the segment, maps the information to be conveyed to a fixed number of information bits corresponding to the report size, said fixed type of information reports being dictated by a reporting schedule. Operation proceeds from step  5926  to step  5942 . 
     In step  5928 , the wireless terminal selects which type of report from among a plurality of fixed type information report types to include as a flexible report body. Step  5928  includes sub-step  5930 . In sub-step  5930 , the wireless terminal performs the selection as a function of a report prioritization operation. Sub-step  5930  includes sub-step  5932  and  5934 . In sub-step  5932 , the wireless terminal considers the amount of uplink data queued for communication to the access node, e.g., the backlog in a plurality of request queues, and at least one signal interference measurement, e.g., a beacon ratio report. In sub-step  5934 , the wireless terminal determines an amount of change in information previously reported in at least one report, e.g., a measured change in a downlink saturation level of self-noise SNR report. Operation proceeds from step  5928  to step  5936 . 
     In step  5936 , the wireless terminal codes the type of flexible body report into a type identifier, e.g., a two bit flexible report body identifier. Operation proceeds from step  5936  to step  5938 . In step  5938 , the wireless terminal maps the information to be conveyed in the flexible report body in accordance with the selected report type to a number of information bits corresponding to the flexible report body size. Operation proceeds from step  5938  to either step  5940  or step  5942 . Step  5942  is an optional step, included in some embodiments. In step  5940 , for each fixed type information report of the segment in addition to the flexible report, map the information to be conveyed to a fixed number of information bits corresponding to the report size. Operation proceeds from step  5940  to step  5942 . For example, in some embodiments, a DCCH segment including a flexible report, when in the full-tone mode utilizes the full number of information bits communicated by the segment for itself, e.g., the segment conveys 6 information bits, 2 bits are used for identifying the type of report and 4 bits used for conveying the body of the report. In such an embodiment, step  5940  is not performed. In some other embodiments, the total number of bits conveyed by a DCCH segment in the full-tone DCCH mode is greater than the number of bits represented by the flexible report and step  5940  is included to utilize the remaining information bits of the segment. For example, the segment conveys a total of 7 information bits  6  of which are utilized by the flexible report and 1 is used for a fixed one information bit uplink traffic request report. 
     In step  5942 , the wireless terminal performs coding and modulation operations to generate a set of modulation symbols to represent the one or more reports to be communicated in the DCCH segment. Operation proceeds from step  5942  to step  5944 . In step  5944 , the wireless terminal, for each modulation symbol of the set of generated modulation symbols determines, using time information  5906  and tone hopping information, the physical tone to be used to convey the modulation symbol. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, each DCCH segment corresponds to 21 OFDM tone-symbols each tone symbol being used to convey one QPSK modulation symbol, each of the 21 OFDM tone-symbols corresponding to the same logical DCCH tone; however due to uplink tone hopping, 7 OFDM tone symbols in a first set of seven successive OFDM symbol time periods corresponding to a first physical tone, a second set of seven OFDM tone-symbols in a second set of seven successive OFDM symbol time periods corresponding to a second physical tone, and a third set of seven successive OFDM symbol time periods corresponding to a third physical tone, the first second and third physical tones being different. Operation proceeds from step  5944  to step  5946 . In step  5946 , the wireless terminal transmits each modulation symbol of the DCCH segment using the determined corresponding physical tone. 
     Returning to step  5914 , in step  5914 , the wireless terminal identifies DCCH communication segments allocated to the wireless terminal using time information  5906 , the identified logical DCCH tone, and the information identifying the one among the plurality of sets of DCCH segments. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, for each beacon slot, the wireless terminal identifies a set of 13 indexed DCCH segments corresponding to assigned logical DCCH tone. Operation proceeds from step  5914  to step  5918 , for each identified DCCH communications segment. In step  5918 , the wireless terminal using time information  5906 , the indexed value of the DCCH segment within the recurring structure, and stored information associating sets of report types with each indexed segment, identifies a set of report types to be communicated in the DCCH communications segment. Operation proceeds form step  5916  via connecting node B  5922  to step  5948 . 
     In step  5948 , the wireless terminal checks as to whether any of report types identified in step  5918  include a flexible report. If any of the identified report types indicate a flexible report, then operation proceeds from step  5948  to step  5952 ; otherwise operation proceeds from step  5948  to step  5950 . 
     In step  5950 , the wireless terminal, for each fixed type information report of the segment, maps the information to be conveyed to a fixed number of information bits corresponding to the report size, said fixed type of information reports being dictated by a reporting schedule. Operation proceeds from step  5950  to step  5966 . 
     In step  5952 , the wireless terminal selects which type of report from among a plurality of fixed type information report types to include as a flexible report body. Step  5952  includes sub-step  5954 . In sub-step  5954 , the wireless terminal performs the selection as a function of a report prioritization operation. Sub-step  5954  includes sub-step  5956  and  5958 . In sub-step  5956 , the wireless terminal considers the amount of uplink data queued for communication to the access node, e.g., the backlog in a plurality of request queues, and at least one signal interference measurement, e.g., a beacon ratio report. In sub-step  5958 , the wireless terminal determines an amount of change in information previously reported in at least one report, e.g., a measured change in a downlink saturation level of self-noise SNR report. Operation proceeds from step  5952  to step  5960 . 
     In step  5960 , the wireless terminal codes the type of flexible body report into a type identifier, e.g., a single bit flexible report body identifier. Operation proceeds from step  5960  to step  5962 . In step  5962 , the wireless terminal maps the information to be conveyed in the flexible report body in accordance with the selected report type to a number of information bits corresponding to the flexible report body size. Operation proceeds from step  5962  to either step  5964  or step  5966 . Step  5964  is an optional step, included in some embodiments. In step  5964 , for each fixed type information report of the segment in addition to the flexible report, map the information to be conveyed to a fixed number of information bits corresponding to the report size. Operation proceeds from step  5964  to step  5966 . For example, in some embodiments, a DCCH segment including a flexible report, when in the split-tone mode utilizes the full number of information bits communicated by the segment for itself, and in such an embodiment, step  5964  is not performed. In some other embodiments, the total number of bits conveyed by a DCCH segment in the split-tone DCCH mode is greater than the number of bits represented by the flexible report and step  5940  is included to utilize the remaining information bits of the segment. For example, the segment conveys a total of 8 information bits  6  of which are utilized by the flexible report and 1 information bit is used for a fixed one information bit uplink traffic request report, and 1 information bit is used for another predetermined report type. In some embodiments, the size of the body of the flexible report varies corresponding to different selections of the type of report to be conveyed by the flexible report, e.g., a 4 bit uplink traffic channel request or a five bit uplink transmission power backoff report, and the remainder of the available bits in the segment can be allocated to predetermined fixed report types, e.g., 1 or 2 bits. 
     In step  5966 , the wireless terminal performs coding and modulation operations to generate a set of modulation symbols to represent the one or more reports to be communicated in the DCCH segment. Operation proceeds from step  5966  to step  5968 . In step  5968 , the wireless terminal, for each modulation symbol of the set of generated modulation symbols determines, using time information  5906  and tone hopping information, the physical tone to be used to convey the modulation symbol. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, each DCCH segment corresponds to 21 OFDM tone-symbols each tone symbol being used to convey one QPSK modulation symbol, each of the 21 OFDM tone-symbols corresponding to the same logical DCCH tone; however due to uplink tone hopping, 7 OFDM tone symbols in a first set of seven successive OFDM symbol time periods corresponding to a first physical tone, a second set of seven OFDM tone-symbols in a second set of seven successive OFDM symbol time periods corresponding to a second physical tone, and a third set of seven successive OFDM symbol time periods corresponding to a third physical tone, the first second and third physical tones being determined in accordance with tone hopping information and may be different. Operation proceeds from step  5968  to step  5970 . In step  5970 , the wireless terminal transmits each modulation symbol of the DCCH segment using the determined corresponding physical tone. 
       FIG. 60  is a flowchart  6000  of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal to provide transmission power information to a base station in accordance with various embodiments. Operation starts in step  6002 . For example, the wireless terminal may have been previously powered on, established a connection with a base station, have transitioned in the ON state of operation, and been assigned dedicated control channel segments to use in either a full-tone or split tone mode of DCCH operation. The full-tone DCCH mode of operation is in some embodiments, a mode in which the wireless tone is dedicated a single logical tone channel used for DCCH segments which is not shared with other wireless terminal, while the split tone-DCCH mode of operation is, in some embodiments, a mode in which the wireless terminal is dedicated a portion of a single logical DCCH tone channel which can be allocated to be used on a time shared with another wireless terminal or terminals. Operation proceeds from start step  6002  to step  6004 . 
     In step  6004 , the wireless terminal generates a power report indicating a ratio of a maximum transmit power of the wireless terminal to the transmit power of a reference signal having a power level known to the wireless terminal at a point in time corresponding to the power report. In some embodiments the power report is a backoff report, e.g., a wireless terminal transmission power backoff report, indicating a dB value. In some embodiments, the maximum transmission power value depends on a power output capability of the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the maximum transmission power is specified by a government regulation limiting the maximum output power level of the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the reference signal is controlled by the wireless terminal based upon at least one closed loop power level control signal received from a base station. In some embodiment, the reference signal is a control information signal transmitted over a dedicated control channel to the base station. The reference signal, in some embodiments, is measured for received power level by the base station to which it is transmitted. In various embodiments, the dedicated control channel is a single tone control channel which corresponds to a single logical tone dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in transmitting control information. In various embodiments, the power report is a power report corresponding to a single instant in time. In some embodiments, the known reference signal is a signal transmitted on the same channel as the power report, e.g., the same DCCH channel. In various embodiments, the point in time to which a generated power report corresponds has a known offset from a start of a communication segment, e.g., a DCCH segment, in which said power report is to be transmitted. Step  6004  includes sub-step  6006 , sub-step  6008 , sub-step  6010 , and sub-step  6012 . 
     In sub-step  6006 , the wireless terminal performs a subtraction operation including subtracting a per-tone transmission power of an uplink dedicated control channel in dBm from a maximum transmission power of wireless terminal in dBm. Operation proceeds from sub-step  6006  to sub-step  6008 . In sub-step  6008 , the wireless terminal proceeds to different sub-steps depending upon whether the wireless terminal is in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation or a split-tone DCCH mode of operation. If the wireless terminal is in full-tone DCCH mode of operation, operation proceeds from sub-step  6008  to sub-step  6010 . If the wireless terminal is in split-tone DCCH mode of operation, operation proceeds from sub-step  6008  to sub-step  6012 . In sub-step  6010 , the wireless terminal generates a power report in accordance with a first format, e.g., a 5 information bit power report. For example the result of sub-step  6006  is compared to a plurality of different levels, each level corresponding to a different 5 bit pattern, the level closet to the result of sub-step  6006  is selected for the report, and the bit pattern corresponding to that level is used for the report. In one exemplary embodiment, the levels range from 6.5 dBs to 40 dBs. (See  FIG. 26 .) In sub-step  6012  the wireless terminal generates a power report in accordance with a second format, e.g., a 4 information bit power report. For example the result of sub-step  6006  is compared to a plurality of different levels, each level corresponding to a different 4 bit pattern, the level closet to the result of sub-step  6006  is selected for the report, and the bit pattern corresponding to that level is used for the report. In one exemplary embodiment, the levels range from 6 dBs to 36 dBs. (See  FIG. 35 .) Operation proceeds from step  6004  to step  6014 . 
     In step  6014 , the wireless terminal is operated to transmit the generated power report to a base station. Step  6014  includes sub-steps  6016 ,  6018 ,  6020 ,  6022 , and  6028 . In sub-step  6016 , the wireless terminal proceeds to different sub-steps depending upon whether the wireless terminal is in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation or a split-tone DCCH mode of operation. If the wireless terminal is in full-tone DCCH mode of operation, operation proceeds from sub-step  6016  to sub-step  6018 . If the wireless terminal is in split-tone DCCH mode of operation, operation proceeds from sub-step  6016  to sub-step  6020 . 
     In sub-step  6018 , the wireless terminal combines the generated power report with additional information bit(s), e.g., 1 additional information bit, and jointly codes the set of combined information bits, e.g., set of 6 information bits, to generate a set of modulation symbols for a DCCH segment, e.g., a set of 21 modulation symbols. For example, the 1 additional information bit is, in some embodiments, a single information bit uplink traffic channel resource request report. In sub-step  6020 , the wireless terminal combines the generated power report with additional information bit(s), e.g., 4 additional information bits, and jointly codes the set of combined information bits, e.g., set of 8 information bits, to generate a set of modulation symbols for a DCCH segment, e.g., a set of 21 modulation symbols. For example, the set of 4 additional information bit is, in some embodiments, a 4 information bit uplink traffic channel resource request report. Operation proceeds from sub-step  6018  or sub-step  6020  to sub-step  6022 . 
     In sub-step  6022 , the wireless terminal determines the single OFDM tone used during each of a plurality of consecutive OFDM symbol transmission time periods for the DCCH segment. Sub-step  6022  includes sub-step  6024  and sub-step  6026 . In sub-step  6024 , the wireless terminal determines the logical DCCH channel tone assigned to the wireless terminal, and in sub-step  6026 , the wireless terminal determines a physical tone to which the logical DCCH channel tone corresponds at different points in time based on tone hopping information. For example, in some embodiments, an exemplary DCCH segment corresponds to a single DCCH channel logical tone and the DCCH segment includes 21 OFDM tone-symbols, one OFDM tone-symbol for each of the 21 consecutive OFDM symbol transmission time intervals, the same physical tone used for a first set of seven, a second physical tone used for a second set of seven, and a third physical tone used for a third set of seven. Operation proceeds from sub-step  6022  to sub-step  6028 . In sub-step  6028 , the wireless terminal, for each OFDM symbol transmission time period, corresponding to the DCCH segment, transmits a modulation symbol from the set of generated modulation symbols using the determined physical tone for that point in time. 
     Operation proceeds from step  6014  to step  6004 , where the wireless terminal proceeds to generate another power report. In some embodiments, the power report is transmitted twice during each recurring cycle of a dedicated control channel reporting structure used to control transmission of control information by the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the power report is transmitted, on average at least once every 500 OFDM symbol transmission time periods but on average at intervals spaced apart by at least 200 symbol transmission time intervals. 
     Various features of an exemplary embodiment will now be described. The wireless terminal (WT) uses an ULRQST1, ULRQST3 or ULRQST4 to report the status of the MAC frame queues at the WT transmitter. 
     The WT transmitter maintains MAC frame queues, which buffers the MAC frames to be transmitted over the link. The MAC frames are converted from the LLC frames, which are constructed from packets of upper layer protocols. An uplink user data packet belongs to one of 4 request groups. A packet is associated with a particular request group. If the packet belongs to one request group, then each of the MAC frames of that packet also belong to that request group. 
     The WT reports the number of MAC frames in the 4 request groups that the WT may intend to transmit. In the ARQ protocol, those MAC frames are marked as “new” or “to be retransmitted”. 
     The WT maintains a vector of four elements N[0:3]: for k=0:3, N[k] represents the number of MAC frames that the WT intends to transmit in request group k. The WT reports the information about N[0:3] to the base station sector (BSS) so that the BSS can utilize the information in an uplink (UL) scheduling algorithm to determine the assignment of uplink traffic channel (UL.TCH) segments. 
     The WT uses an ULRQST1 to report N[0]+N[1] according to Table  6100  of  FIG. 61 . Table  6100  is an exemplary format for an ULRQST1 report. First column  6102  indicates the two possible bit patterns that may be conveyed while second column  6104  indicates the meaning of each bit pattern. If the bit pattern is 0, that indicates that there are no MAC frames that the WT intends to transmit in either request group  0  or request group  1 . If the bit pattern is 1, that indicates that the WT has at least one MAC frame in request group  0  or request group  1  that the WT intends to communicate. 
     At a given time, the WT uses only one request dictionary. When the WT just enters the ACTIVE state, the WT uses the default request dictionary. To change the request dictionary, the WT and the BSS uses an upper layer configuration protocol. When the WT migrates from the ON state to the HOLD state, the WT keeps the last request dictionary used in the ON state so that when the WT migrates from the HOLD state to the ON state later, the WT continues to use the same request dictionary until the request dictionary is explicitly changed. However, if the WT leaves the ACTIVE state, then the memory of the last request dictionary used is cleared. 
     To determine an ULRQST3 or ULRQST4, the WT first calculates the following two parameters, y and z, and then use one of the following dictionaries. Denote by x the value (in dB) of the most recent 5 bit uplink transmission power backoff report (ULTXBKF5) report, and by b 0  the value in (dB) of the most recent generic 4 bit downlink beacon ratio report (DLBNR4). The WT further determines an adjusted generic DLBNR4 report value b as follows: b=b 0 −ulTCHrateFlashAssignmentOffset, where minus is defined in the dB sense. The base station sector broadcasts the value of ulTCHrateFlashAssignmentOffset in a downlink broadcast channel. The WT uses ulTCHrateFlashAssignmentOffset equal to 0 dB until the WT receives the value from the broadcast channel. 
     Given x and b, the WT determines y and z as those from the first row in Table  6200  of  FIG. 62  for which the condition in the first column is satisfied. For example, if x=17 and b=3, then z=min(4,N max ) and y=1. Denote R max  the highest rate option that the WT can support, and N max  the number of MAC frames of that highest rate option. 
     The WT uses an ULRQST3 or ULRQST4 to report the actual N[0:3] of the MAC frame queues according to a request dictionary. A request dictionary is identified by a request dictionary (RD) reference number. 
     The exemplary request dictionaries show that any ULRQST4 or ULRQST3 report may not completely include the actual N[0:3]. A report is in effect a quantized version of the actual N[0:3]. A general guideline is that the WT should send a report to minimize the discrepancy between the reported and the actual MAC frames queues first for request groups  0  and  1 , and then for request group  2 , and finally for request group  3 . However, the WT has the flexibility of determining a report to benefit the WT the most. For example, when the WT is using the request dictionary  2 , the WT may use an ULRQST4 to report N[1]+N[3] and use an ULRQST3 to report N[2]. In addition, if a report is directly related to a subset of request groups according to the request dictionary, it does not automatically imply that the MAC frame queues of a remaining request group are empty. For example, if a report means N[2]=1, then it may not automatically imply that N[0]=0, N[1]=0, or N[3]=0. 
     Table  6300  of  FIG. 63  and Table  6400  of  FIG. 64  define an exemplary request dictionary with the RD reference number equal to 0. Define d 123 =ceil(((N[1]+N[2]+N[3]−N 123,min )/(y*g)), where N 123,min  and g are variables determined by the most recent ULRQST4 report as per Table  6300 .  FIG. 63  is a table  6300  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary first request dictionary (RD reference number=0). In some embodiments, the request dictionary with reference number=0 is the default request dictionary. First column  6302  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  6304  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern.  FIG. 64  is a table  6400  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary first request dictionary (RD reference number=0). In some embodiments, the request dictionary with reference number=0 is the default request dictionary. First column  6402  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  6404  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. 
     Table  6500  of  FIG. 65  and Table  6600  of  FIG. 66  define an exemplary request dictionary with the RD reference number equal to 1.  FIG. 65  is a table  6500  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary second request dictionary (RD reference number=1). First column  6502  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  6504  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern.  FIG. 66  is a table  6600  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary second request dictionary (RD reference number=1). First column  6602  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  6604  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. 
     Table  6700  of  FIG. 67  and Table  6800  of  FIG. 68  define an exemplary request dictionary with the RD reference number equal to 2.  FIG. 67  is a table  6700  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary third request dictionary (RD reference number=2). First column  6702  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  6704  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern.  FIG. 68  is a table  6800  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary third request dictionary (RD reference number=2). First column  6802  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  6804  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. 
     Table  6900  of  FIG. 69  and Table  7000  of  FIG. 70  define an exemplary request dictionary with the RD reference number equal to 3.  FIG. 69  is a table  6900  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 16 bit patterns for a four bit uplink request, ULRQST4, corresponding to an exemplary fourth request dictionary (RD reference number=3). First column  6902  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  6904  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern.  FIG. 70  is a table  7000  identifying bit format and interpretations associated with each of 8 bit patterns for a three bit uplink request, ULRQST3, corresponding to an exemplary fourth request dictionary (RD reference number=3). First column  7002  identifies the bit pattern and bit ordering, most significant bit to least significant bit. Second column  7004  identifies the interpretation associated with each bit pattern. 
       FIG. 71  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal  7100 , e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary WT  7100  may be any of the wireless terminals of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary WT  7100  may be any of the WTs ( 136 ,  138 ,  144 ,  146 ,  152 ,  154 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  176 ,  178 ) of exemplary system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary wireless terminal  7100  includes a receiver module  7102 , a transmitter module  7104 , a processor  7106 , user I/O devices  7108 , and a memory  7110  coupled together via a bus  7112  via which the various elements may interchange data and information. 
     Memory  7110  includes routines  7118  and data/information  7120 . The processor  7106 , e.g., a CPU, executes the routines  7118  and uses the data/information  7120  in memory  7110  to control the operation of the wireless terminal  7100  and implement methods. 
     Receiver module  7102 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receive antenna  7103  via which the wireless terminal  7100  receives downlink signals from base stations. Receiver module  7102  includes a decoder  7114  which decodes at least some of the received downlink signals. Transmitter module  7104 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmit antenna  7105  via which the wireless terminal  7100  transmits uplink signals to base stations. Transmitter module  7104  is used for transmitting a plurality of different types of fixed reports using uplink dedicated control channel segments dedicated to the wireless terminal. Transmitter module  7104  is also used for transmitting flexible reports using uplink dedicated control channel segments dedicated to the wireless terminal, the uplink DCCH segments which include a flexible report being the same size as at least some of the uplink DCCH segments which include fixed type reports and do not include a flexible report. Transmitter module  7104  includes an encoder  7116  which is used to encode at least some of the uplink signals prior to transmission. In some embodiments, each individual dedicated control channel uplink segment is encoded independently of other dedicated control channel uplink segments. In various embodiments, the same antenna is used for both the transmitter and receiver. 
     User I/O devices  7108 , e.g., microphone, keyboard, keypad, switches, camera, speaker, display, etc., are used to input/output user data, control applications, and control the operation of the wireless terminal, e.g., allowing a user of WT  7100  to initiate a communications session. 
     Routines  7118  includes a communications routine  7122  and wireless terminal control routines  7124 . Communications routine  7122  performs various communications protocols used by wireless terminal  7100 . Wireless terminal control routines  7124  include a fixed type report control module  7126 , a flexible type report control module  7128 , an uplink tone hopping module  7130 , an identifier module  7132 , and a coding module  7134 . 
     Fixed type report control module  7126  controls the transmission of a plurality of different types of fixed type information reports according to a reporting schedule, said fixed type information reports being of a type dictated by the reporting schedule. 
     Flexible type report control module  7128  controls transmission of flexible reports at predetermined locations in the reporting schedule, said flexible type reports being of report types selected by the flexible report control module from a plurality of reports which can be reported using a flexible report. Flexible report control module  7128  includes a report prioritization module  7136 . The report prioritization module  7136  takes into consideration the amount of uplink data queued for communication to the base station and a least one signal interference measurement, when determining which one of a plurality of alternative reports should be communicated in a flexible report. Report prioritization module  7138  also includes a change determination module  7138 , which determines an amount of change in information previously reported in at least one report. For example, if the change determination module  7138  determines that the value of saturation level of SNR indicative of WT self-noise has not changed significantly from the last reported value, but the demand for uplink traffic channel resources has significantly increased from the last reported request, the wireless terminal  7100  may select to use the flexible report to communicate an uplink traffic channel request report instead of a saturation level of SNR report. 
     Uplink tone hopping module  7130  determines, based on stored tone hopping information, for transmission purposes, the physical tone corresponding to the logical assigned DCCH channel tone at different points in time corresponding to the transmission of dedicated segments. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a DCCH segment corresponds to three dwells, each dwell using the same physical tone for seven successive OFDM symbol transmission time intervals; however, the physical tone associated with the different dwells is determined by tone hopping information and may be different. 
     Identifier module  7132  generates flexible type report identifiers to be communicated with flexible reports, the report type identifiers communicated with an individual flexible report indicating the type of flexible report being communicated. In various embodiments, the identifier module  7132  generates a report which indicates the type of flexible report which corresponds to the report type identifier. In this exemplary embodiment, an individual flexible type report is communicated in the same DCCH segment with the corresponding report type identifier. In this exemplary embodiment, identifier module  7132  is not used for fixed type reports as there is a predetermined understanding between the base station and wireless terminal as to the type of fixed report being communicated based on position of the fixed report within the recurring reporting structure. 
     Coding module  7134  codes an individual flexible report identifier and a corresponding flexible report together in a single coding unit corresponding to the DCCH communications segment in which they are transmitted. In some embodiments, coding module  7134  operates in conjunction with encoder  7116 . 
     Data/information  7120  includes user/device/session/resource information  7140 , system data/information  7142 , generated fixed type report  1   7144 , . . . , generated fixed type report n  7146 , selected type of flexible report  7148 , generated flexible report  7150 , flexible report type identifier  7152 , coded DCCH segment information  7154 , DCCH channel information  7156  including assigned logical tone information  7158 , base station identification information  7160 , terminal identification information  7162 , timing information  7164 , amount of uplink data queued  7166 , signal interference information  7168 , and report change information  7170 . Assigned logical tone information  7158  identifies a base station assigned single logical uplink dedicated control channel tone to be used by the WT  7100  for communicating uplink DCCH segment signals conveying fixed and flexible reports. In some embodiments, the single assigned logical DCCH tone is associated with a base station assigned ON state identifier. 
     User/device/session/resource information  7140  includes information pertaining to communications sessions, e.g., peer node information, addressing information, routing information, state information, and resource information identifying uplink and downlink air link resources, e.g., segments, allocated to WT  7100 . Generated fixed type of report  1   7144  is a fixed type report corresponding to one of the plurality of fixed types of reports supported by WT  7100  and has been generated using fixed type report information  7188 . Generated fixed type of report n  7146  is a fixed type report corresponding to one of the plurality of fixed types of reports supported by WT  7100  and has been generated using fixed type report information  7188 . Selected type of flexible report  7148  is information identifying the wireless terminal&#39;s selection for the type of report to be communicated in the flexible report, e.g., a pattern of two bits identifying one of four patterns corresponding to a TYPE 2 report of  FIG. 31 . Generated flexible report  7150  is a flexible type report corresponding to one of the plurality of types of reports which may be selected by WT  7100  to be communicated in a flexible report and has been generated using flexible type report information  7190 , e.g., a pattern of four bits corresponding to a BODY 4 report and representing a bit pattern of one of an ULRQST4 report, e.g., of  FIG. 18 , or a DLSSNR4 report of  FIG. 30 . Coded DCCH segment information  7154  is an output of coding module  7134 , e.g., a coded DCCH segment corresponding to a Type 2 and Body 4 report or a coded DCCH segment corresponding to a mixture of fixed type reports. 
     DCCH channel information  7156  includes information identifying DCCH segments allocated to WT  7100 , e.g., information identifying a DCCH mode of operation, e.g., a full-tone DCCH mode or a split tone DCCH mode and information identifying an assigned logical DCCH tone  7158  in a DCCH channel structure being used by the base station attachment point. Base station identification information  7160  includes information identifying the base station attachment point being used by WT  7200 , e.g., information identifying a base station, base station sector, and/or carrier or tone block pair associated with the attachment point. Terminal identification information  7162  includes WT  7100  identification information and base station assigned wireless terminal identifiers temporarily associated with WT  7100 , e.g., a registered user identifier, an active user identifier, an ON state identifier associated with a logical DCCH channel tone. Timing information  7164  includes current timing information, e.g., identifying a current OFDM symbol time within a recurring timing structure. Timing information  7164  is used by fixed type control module  7126  in conjunction with uplink timing/frequency structure information  7178  and fixed type report transmission scheduling information  7184  in deciding when to transmit different types of fixed reports. Timing information  7164  is used by flexible report control module  7128  in conjunction with uplink timing/frequency structure information  7178  and flexible type report transmission scheduling information  7186  in deciding when to transmit a flexible report. Amount of uplink data queued  7166 , e.g., amounts of MAC frames in request group queues and/or combinations of amounts of MAC frames in request group queue sets, is used by report prioritization module  7136  in selecting the type of report to be communicated in a flexible report slot. Signal interference information  7168  is also used by prioritization module  7136  in selecting the type of report to be communicated in a flexible report slot. Report change information  7170 , e.g., information indicating deltas from previously communicated DCCH reports, obtained from change determination module  7138  is used by report prioritization module  7136  in selecting the type of report to be communicated in a flexible report slot. 
     System data/information  7142  includes a plurality of sets of base station data/information (BS  1  data/information  7172 , . . . , BS M data/information  7174 ), DCCH report transmission scheduling information  7182 , fixed type report information  7188 , and flexible type report information  7190 . BS  1  data/information  7172  includes downlink timing and frequency structure information  7176  and uplink timing/frequency structure information  7178 . Downlink timing/frequency structure information  7176  includes downlink carrier information, downlink tone block information, number of downlink tones, downlink tone hopping information, downlink channel segment information, OFDM symbol timing information, and grouping of OFDM symbols. Uplink timing/frequency structure information  7178  includes uplink carrier information, uplink tone block information, number of uplink tones, uplink tone hopping information, uplink channel segment information, OFDM symbol timing information, and grouping of OFDM symbols. The uplink timing/frequency structure information  7178  includes tone hopping information  7180 . 
     DCCH report transmission scheduling information  7182  is used in controlling the transmission of reports to a base station, e.g., access node, using dedicated segments of a communications control channel. DCCH transmission scheduling information  7182  includes information identifying the composite of different DCCH segments in a recurring reporting schedule identifying the location and type of fixed type reports within the recurring schedule and identifying the location of flexible type reports within the recurring schedule. Report transmission scheduling information  7182  includes fixed type report information  7184  and flexible type report information  7186 . For example, in one exemplary embodiment the recurring schedule includes 40 indexed DCCH segments, and the composite of each indexed segment in terms of fixed and/or flexible report inclusion is identified by report transmission scheduling information  7182 .  FIG. 10  provides an example of exemplary DCCH report transmission schedule information corresponding to a recurring structure including 40 indexed DCCH segments used in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation occurring in a beaconslot. In the example, of  FIG. 10 , the BODY 4 reports are flexible reports and the TYPE2 reports are identifier reports identifying the type of report communicated in a corresponding BODY4 report for the same DCCH segment. The other illustrated reports, e.g., DLSNR5 report, ULRQST1 report, DLDNSNR3 report, ULRQST3 report, RSVD2 report, ULRQST4 report, ULTXBKF5 report, DLBNR4 report, RSVD1 report, and DLSSNR4 report, are fixed type reports. There are more fixed reports than flexible reports in one iteration of the reporting schedule. In some embodiments, the reporting schedule includes at least 8 times as many fixed reports as flexible reports in one iteration of the reporting schedule. In some embodiments, the reporting schedule includes, on average, less than one dedicated control channel segment used to report a flexible report for each nine dedicated control channel segments used to transmit a fixed report. 
     Fixed type report information  7188  includes information identifying the format for each of the plurality of fixed types of reports communicated over the dedicated control channel, e.g., number of information bits associated with a report and interpretation given to each of the possible bit patterns that can be communicated. The plurality of fixed type information reports include: uplink traffic channel request reports, a wireless terminal self-nose report, e.g., a downlink saturation level of self-noise SNR report, an absolute report of downlink SNR, a relative report of downlink SNR, an uplink transmission power report, e.g., a WT transmission power backoff report, and an interference report, e.g., a beacon ratio report.  FIGS. 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 26, 29, and 30  illustrate exemplary fixed type report information  7188  corresponding to a DLSNR5 report, a DLDSNR3 report, a ULRQST1 report, a ULRQST4 report, an ULRQST 3 report, an ULTxBKF5 report, and a DLBNR4 report, respectively. 
     Flexible type report information  7190  includes information identifying the format for each of the potential types of reports that may be selected to be communicated in a flexible report that is to communicated over the dedicated control channel, e.g., number of information bits associated with a report and interpretation given to each of the possible bit patterns that can be communicated. Flexible type report information  7190  also includes information identifying a flexible type indicator report to accompany the flexible report, e.g., number of information bits associated with the flexible type indicator report and designation of the type of flexible report that each bit pattern signifies. In some embodiments, at least some of the types of reports that may be selected by the WT to be communicated in a flexible report are the same as the fixed type of report. For example, in one exemplary embodiment the flexible report can selected from a set of reports including a 4 bit uplink traffic channel request report and a 4 bit downlink saturation level of SNR report, the 4 bit uplink traffic channel request report and the 4 bit downlink saturation level of SNR report following the same format used when communicated as a fixed type report in a predetermined fixed position in the recurring reporting schedule.  FIGS. 31, 18, and 30  illustrate exemplary flexible type report information  7190 . 
       FIG. 72  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal  7200 , e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary WT  7200  may be any of the wireless terminals of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary WT  7200  may be any of the WTs ( 136 ,  138 ,  144 ,  146 ,  152 ,  154 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  176 ,  178 ) of exemplary system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary wireless terminal  7200  includes a receiver module  7202 , a transmitter module  7204 , a processor  7206 , user I/O devices  7208 , and a memory  7210  coupled together via a bus  7212  over which the various elements may interchange data/information. 
     Memory  7210  includes routines  7218  and data/information  7220 . The processor  7206 , e.g., a CPU, executes the routines  7218  and uses the data/information  7220  in memory  7210  to control the operation of the wireless terminal  7200  and implement methods. 
     Receiver module  7202 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receive antenna  7203  via which the wireless terminal  7200  receives downlink signals from base stations. Receiver module  7202  includes a decoder  7214  which decodes at least some of the received downlink signals. Received downlink signals include signals conveying base station attachment point identification information, e.g., beacon signals, and signals including base station assigned wireless terminal identifiers, e.g., an ON state identifier assigned to WT  7200  by a base station attachment point, the ON state identifier associated with dedicated control channel segments to be used by WT  7200 . Other received downlink signals include assignment signals corresponding to uplink and/or downlink traffic channel segments and downlink traffic channel segment signals. Assignments of uplink traffic channel segments by a base station attachment point to WT  7200  may be in response to received backlog information reports from WT  7200 . 
     Transmitter module  7204 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmit antenna  7205  via which the wireless terminal  7200  transmits uplink signals to base stations. Transmitter module  7204  is used for transmitting at least some of the generated backlog information reports. The transmitted generated backlog information reports are transmitted by transmitter module  7204  in uplink control channel segments dedicated to the wireless terminal  7200 . Transmitter module  7204  is also used for transmitting uplink traffic channel segment signals. Transmitter module  7204  includes an encoder  7216  which is used to encode at least some of the uplink signals prior to transmission. In some embodiments, each individual dedicated control channel uplink segment is encoded independently of other dedicated control channel uplink segments. In various embodiments, the same antenna is used for both the transmitter and receiver. 
     User I/O devices  7208 , e.g., microphone, keyboard, keypad, switches, camera, speaker, display, etc., are used to input/output user data, control applications, and control the operation of the wireless terminal, e.g., allowing a user of WT  7200  to initiate a communications session. 
     Routines  7218  includes a communications routine  7222  and wireless terminal control routines  7224 . Communications routine  7222  performs various communications protocols used by wireless terminal  7200 . Wireless terminal control routines  7224  controls operations of the wireless terminal  7200  including receiver module  7202  control, transmitter module  7204  control, and user I/O devices  7208  control. Wireless terminal control routines  7224  are used to implement methods. 
     Wireless terminal control routines  7224  include a queue status monitoring module  7226 , a transmission backlog report generation module  7228 , a transmission backlog report control module  7230 , and a coding module  7332 . Queue status monitoring module  7266  monitors the amount of information in at least one of a plurality of different queues used to store information to be transmitted. The amount of information in a queue changes over time, e.g., as additional data/information needs to be transmitted, data/information is successfully transmitted, data/information needs to be retransmitted, data/information is dropped, e.g., due to a time consideration or due to the termination of a session or application. Transmission backlog report generation module  7288  generates different bit size backlog information reports providing transmission backlog information, e.g. 1 bit uplink request reports. 3 bit uplink request reports, and 4 bit uplink request reports. Transmission backlog report control module  7230  controls the transmission of generated backlog information reports. Transmission backlog report generation module  7228  includes an information grouping module  7234 . Information grouping module  7234  groups status information corresponding to different sets of queues. Grouping module  7234  supports different information groupings for backlog information reports of different bit sizes. Coding module  7332  codes information to be transmitted in dedicated uplink control channel segments, and for at least some segments, the coding module  7332  codes a transmission backlog report with at least one additional backlog report used to communicate non-backlog control information. Possible additional reports, which are encoded with transmission backlog reports for a DCCH segment, include signal to noise ratio reports, self-noise report, an interference report, and a wireless terminal transmission power report. 
     Data/information  7220  includes user/device/session/resource information  7236 , system data/information  7238 , queue information  7240 , DCCH channel information  7242  including assigned logical tone information  7244 , base station identification information  7246 , terminal identification information  7248 , timing information  7250 , combined request group information  7252 , generated 1 bit uplink request report  7254 , generated 3 bit uplink request report  7256 , generated 4 bit uplink request report  7258 , generated additional DCCH report  7260 , and coded DCCH segment information  7262 . 
     User/device/session/resource information  7236  includes information pertaining to communications sessions, e.g., peer node information, addressing information, routing information, state information, and resource information identifying uplink and downlink air link resources, e.g., segments, allocated to WT  7200 . Queue information  7240  includes user data that WT  7200  intends to transmit, e.g., MAC frames of user data associated with a queue, and information identifying the amount of user data that WT  7200  intends to transmit, e.g., a total number of MAC frames associated with a queue. Queue information  7240  includes request group  0  information  7264 , request group  1  information  7266 , request group  2  information  7268 , and request group  3  information  7270 . 
     DCCH channel information  7242  includes information identifying DCCH segments allocated to WT  7200 , e.g., information identifying a DCCH mode of operation, e.g., a full-tone DCCH mode or a split tone DCCH mode and information identifying an assigned logical DCCH tone  7244  in a DCCH channel structure being used by the base station attachment point. Base station identification information  7246  includes information identifying the base station attachment point being used by WT  7200 , e.g., information identifying a base station, base station sector, and/or carrier or tone block pair associated with the attachment point. Terminal identification information  7248  includes WT  7200  identification information and base station assigned wireless terminal identifiers temporarily associated with WT  7200 , e.g., a registered user identifier, an active user identifier, an ON state identifier associated with a logical DCCH channel tone. Timing information  7250  includes current timing information, e.g., identifying a current OFDM symbol time within a recurring timing structure. Timing information  7250  is used by transmission backlog report control module  7230  in conjunction with uplink timing/frequency structure information  7278  and stored transmission backlog reporting schedule information  7281  in deciding when to transmit different types of backlog reports. Combined request group information  7254  includes information pertaining to combinations of request groups, e.g., a value identifying the amount of information, e.g., total number of MAC frames, to be transmitted corresponding to the combination of request group  0  and request group  1 . 
     Generated 1 bit uplink request report  7254  is a 1 information bit transmission backlog report generated by transmission backlog report generation module  7228  using queue information  7240  and/or combined request group information  7252 , and 1 bit size report mapping information  7290 . Generated 3 bit uplink request report  7256  is a 3 information bit transmission backlog report generated by transmission backlog report generation module  7228  using queue information  7240  and/or combined request group information  7252 , and 3 bit size report mapping information  7292 . Generated 4 bit uplink request report  7258  is a 4 information bit transmission backlog report generated by transmission backlog report generation module  7228  using queue information  7240  and/or combined request group information  7252 , and 4 bit size report mapping information  7294 . Generated additional DCCH report  7260  is, e.g., a generated downlink absolute SNR report, a generated delta SNR report, a generated interference report, e.g., a beacon ratio report, a generated self-noise report, e.g., a WT self-noise report of saturation level of SNR, a WT power report, e.g., a WT transmission power backoff report. Coding module  7234  codes a transmission backlog report  7254 ,  7256 ,  7258 , with a generated additional report  7260 , for a given DCCH segment, obtaining coded DCCH segment information. In this exemplary embodiment, each DCCH segment is the same size, e.g., uses the same number of tone-symbols, regardless of whether the transmission backlog report included in the DCCH segment is a 1 bit report, 3 bit report, or 4 bit report. For example, for one DCCH segment a 1 bit UL request transmission backlog report is jointly coded with a 5 bit downlink absolute SNR report; for another DCCH segment a 3 bit UL request transmission backlog report is jointly coded with a 3 bit downlink delta SNR report; for another DCCH segment a 4 bit UL request transmission backlog report is jointly coded with a 2 bit reserved report. 
     System data/information  7238  includes a plurality of sets of base station information (BS  1  data/information  7272 , . . . , BS M data/information  7274 ), dedicated control channel report transmission reporting schedule information  7280 , stored transmission backlog report mapping information  7288 , and queue sets&#39; information  7296 . B  51  data/information  7272  includes downlink timing/frequency structure information  7276  and uplink timing/frequency structure information  7278 . Downlink timing/frequency structure information  7276  includes downlink carrier information, downlink tone block information, number of downlink tones, downlink tone hopping information, downlink channel segment information, OFDM symbol timing information, and grouping of OFDM symbols. Uplink timing/frequency structure information  7278  includes uplink carrier information, uplink tone block information, number of uplink tones, uplink tone hopping information, uplink channel segment information, OFDM symbol timing information, and grouping of OFDM symbols. DCCH report transmission reporting schedule information  7280  includes stored transmission backlog reporting schedule information  7281 .  FIG. 10  provides exemplary DCCH transmission schedule information corresponding to a recurring schedule of 40 indexed DCCH segments in a beaconslot for a full-tone DCCH mode of operation, the beaconslot being a structure used in the timing/frequency structure of the base station. Stored transmission backlog reporting schedule information includes information identifying the location of each of transmission backlog reports, e.g., the location of the ULRQST1, ULRQST3, and ULRQST4 reports in  FIG. 10 . The stored transmission backlog reporting scheduling information  7281  is used by the transmission backlog report control module  7230  in determining when to transmit a report of a particular bit size. The stored transmission backlog reporting schedule information  7281  includes 1 bit size report information  7282 , 3 bit size report information  7284 , and 4 bit size report information  7286 . For example, with respect to  FIG. 10 , 1 bit size report information  7282  includes information identifying that an ULRQST1 report corresponds to the LSB of DCCH segment with index s 2 =0; 3 bit size report information  7284  includes information identifying that an ULRQST3 report corresponds to the 3 LSBs of DCCH segment with index s 2 =2; 4 bit size report information  7286  includes information identifying that an ULRQST4 report corresponds to the 4 LSBs of DCCH segment with index s 2 =4. 
     The stored transmission backlog scheduling information  7281  indicates that more 1 bit size backlog reports are to be transmitted than 3 bit size backlog reports in one iteration of the transmission report schedule. The stored transmission backlog scheduling information  7281  also indicates that more or the same number of 3 bit size backlog reports are to be transmitted than 4 bit size backlog reports in one iteration of the transmission report schedule. For example, in  FIG. 10 , there are 16 identified ULRQST1 reports, 12 identified ULRQST3 reports, and 9 identified ULRQST4 reports. In this exemplary embodiment corresponding to  FIG. 10 , the flexible reports, Body 4 reports, may convey a 4 bit ULRQST report, and under a case where the 3 flexible reports, of one iteration of the reporting structure, carry a ULRQST4 report, the wireless terminal communicates  12  ULRQST4 reports. 
     Stored transmission backlog report mapping information  7288  includes 1 bit size report information  7290 , 3 bit size report information  7292 , and 4 bit size report information  7294 . Examples of 1 bit size report mapping information  7290  includes  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 61 . Examples of 3 bit size report mapping information include  FIGS. 19, 21, 23, 25, 64, 66, 68, and 70 . Examples of 4 bit size report mapping information include  FIGS. 18, 20, 22, 24, 63, 65, 67, and 69 . Stored transmission backlog mapping information  7288  includes information indicating a mapping between queue status information and bit patterns that can be communicated using the different bit size backlog reports. In this exemplary embodiment, the 1 bit size backlog report provides backlog information corresponding to a plurality of different transmission queues; the one bit indicates the existence of information to be transmitted or lack thereof corresponding to the combination of request group  0  and request group  1 . In various embodiments, the smallest bit size, e.g., 1 bit size, backlog report is used for highest priority traffic, e.g., where the highest priority is voice or control traffic. In some embodiments, the second bit size report, e.g., the 3 bit size report, communicates a delta, with respect to a previously communicated third bit size report, e.g., 4 bit size report;  FIGS. 63 and 64  illustrates such a relationship. In some embodiments, the second fixed size report, e.g., the 3 bit size report, provides information on two sets of queues. For example, consider  FIG. 41 , the second type of report communicates information on a second set of queues and a third set of queues. In various embodiments, the third size report, e.g., the 4 bit size report, provides information on one set of queues. In some such embodiments, the one set of queues includes one request group queue, two request group queues, or three request group queues. In some embodiments, there are predetermined number of request groups for uplink traffic, e.g., four, RG 0 , RG 1 , RG 2 , and RG 3 , and a third fixed size report, e.g., the four bit size report is capable of communicating backlog information corresponding to any of the different request group queues. For example, consider  FIG. 41 , a third type report communicates information on one of a fourth set of queues, a fifth set of queues, a sixth set of queues or a seventh set of queues, and for any given dictionary the third type of report is capable of communicating information pertaining to RG 0 , RG 1 , RG 2 , and RG 3 . 
     Queue sets&#39; information  7296  including information identifying grouping of queues to be used when generating transmission backlog reports.  FIG. 41  illustrates exemplary groupings of queues used in various exemplary types of transmission backlog reports. 
       FIG. 74  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal  7400 , e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary wireless terminal  7400  may be any of the wireless terminals of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary wireless terminal  7400  includes a receiver module  7402 , a transmitter module  7404 , a processor  7406 , user I/O devices  7408 , and memory  7410  coupled together via a bus  7412  over which the various elements interchange data and information. 
     Memory  7410  includes routines  7418  and data/information  7420 . The processor  7406 , e.g., a CPU, executes the routines  7418  and uses the data/information  7420  in memory  7410  to control the operation of the wireless terminal  7400  and implement methods. User I/O devices  7408 , e.g., microphone, keyboard, keypad, switches, camera, display, speaker, etc., are used to input user data, output user data, allow a user to control applications, and/or control various functions of the wireless terminal, e.g., initiate a communications session. 
     Receiver module  7402 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to a receive antenna  7403  via which the wireless terminal  7400  receives downlink signals from base stations. Received downlink signals include, e.g., beacon signals, pilot signals, downlink traffic channel signals, power control signals including closed loop power control signals, timing control signals, assignment signals, registration response signals, and signals including base station assigned wireless terminal identifiers, e.g., an ON state identifier associated with a DCCH logical channel tone. Receiver module  7402  includes a decoder  7414  used to decode at least some of the received downlink signals. 
     Transmitter module  7404 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmit antenna  7405  via which the wireless terminal  7400  transmits uplink signals to base stations. In some embodiments, the same antenna is used for receiver and transmitter, e.g., the antenna is coupled through a duplexer module to receiver module  7402  and transmitter module  7404 . Uplink signals include, e.g., registration request signals, dedicated control channel segment signals, e.g., conveying a reference signal which can be measured by a base station and reports including WT power reports such as a WT transmission power backoff report, and uplink traffic channel segment signals. Transmitter module  7404  includes an encoder  7416  used to encode at least some of the uplink signals. DCCH segments, in this embodiment, are encoded on a per segment basis. 
     Routines  7418  includes a communications routine  7422  and wireless terminal control routines  7422 . The communications routine  7422  implements the various communications protocols used by the wireless terminal  7400 . Wireless terminal control routines  7422  include a report generation module  7426 , a wireless terminal transmission power control module  7430 , a dedicated control channel control module  7432 , a tone hopping module  7434 , and a report format control module  7436 . Report generation module  7426  includes a computation sub-module  7428 . 
     Report generation module  7426  generates power reports, e.g., wireless terminal transmission power backoff reports, each power report indicating a ratio of a maximum transmit power of the wireless terminal to the transmit power of a reference signal having a power level known to the wireless terminal at a point in time corresponding to the power report. Wireless terminal transmission power control module  7430  is used for controlling the wireless terminal&#39;s transmission power level based on information including at least one closed loop power level control signal received from a base station. The closed loop power control signal received from the base station may be a signal used to control the wireless terminal transmitter power so that a desired received power level is achieved at the base station. In some embodiments, the base station does not have actual knowledge of the wireless terminals actual transmission power level and/or maximum transmit power level. In some system implementations different devices may have different maximum transmit power levels, e.g., a desk top wireless terminal may have a different maximum transmission power capability than a portable notebook computer implemented wireless terminal, e.g., operating off battery power. 
     Wireless terminal transmission power control module  7430  performs closed loop power control adjustments of a transmission power level associated with the dedicated control channel. Dedicated control channel control module  7432  determines which single logical tone in a plurality of logical tones is to be used for the dedicated control channel signaling, said single logical tone being dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in transmitting control signaling using a set of dedicated control channel segments. 
     Tone hopping module  7434  determines at different points in time a single physical OFDM tone to be used to communicate dedicated control channel information during a plurality of consecutive OFDM symbol transmission time intervals. For example, in one exemplary embodiments, a dedicated control channel segment corresponding to a single dedicated control channel logical tone includes 21 OFDM tone-symbol, the 21 OFDM tone-symbols comprising three sets of 7 OFDM tone-symbols, each set of seven OFDM tone-symbols corresponding to a half-slot of seven consecutive OFDM symbol transmission time periods and corresponding to a physical OFDM tone, each of the three sets may correspond to a different physical OFDM tone with the OFDM tone for a set being determined in accordance with tone hopping information. Report format control module  7436  controls the format of the power report as a function of which one of a plurality of dedicated control channel modes of operation is being used by the wireless terminal  7400  at the time the report is transmitted. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the wireless terminal uses a 5 bit format for the power report when in a full-tone DCCH mode of operation and uses a 4 bit power report when in a split-tone mode of operation. 
     Computation sub-module  7428  subtracts a per-tone transmission power of an uplink dedicated control channel in dBm from a maximum transmission power of the wireless terminal in dBm. In some embodiments, the maximum transmission power is a set value, e.g., a predetermined value stored in the wireless terminal or a value communicated to the wireless terminal, e.g., from a base station, and stored in the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the maximum transmission power depends on a power output capacity of the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the maximum transmission power is dependent upon the type of wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the maximum transmission power is dependent upon a mode of operation of the wireless terminal, e.g., with different modes corresponding to at least two of the following: operation using an external power source, operation using a battery, operation using a battery having a first level of energy reserve, operation using a battery having a second level of energy reserve, operation using a battery with an expected amount of energy reserve to support a first duration of operational time, operation using a battery with an expected amount of energy reserve to support a second duration of operational time, operation in a normal power mode, operation in a power saving mode said maximum transmit power in the power saving mode being lower than said maximum transmit power in said normal power mode. In various embodiments, the maximum transmission power value is a value which has been selected to be in compliance with a government regulation limiting the maximum output power level of the wireless terminal, e.g., the maximum transmission power value is selected to be the maximum permissible level. Different devices may have different maximum power level capabilities which may or may not be known to a base station. The base station can, and in some embodiments does, use the backoff report in determining the supportable uplink traffic channel data throughput, e.g., per transmission segment throughput, which can be supported by the wireless terminal. This is because the backoff report provides information about the additional power which can be used for traffic channel transmissions even though the base station may not know the actual transmission power level being used or the maximum capability of the wireless terminal since the backoff report is provided in the form of a ratio. 
     In some embodiments the wireless terminal can support one or more wireless connections at the same time, each connection having a corresponding maximum transmission power level. The maximum transmission power levels, indicated by values, may be different for different connections. In addition, for a given connection the maximum transmission power level may vary over time, e.g., as the number of connections being supported by the wireless terminal varies. Thus, it may be noted that even if the base station knew the maximum transmission power capability of a wireless terminal, the base station may not be aware of the number of communications links being supported by the wireless terminal at a particular point in time. However, the backoff report provides information which informs the base station about the available power for a given connection without requiring the base station to know about other possible existing connections which may be consuming power resources. 
     Data/information  7420  includes user/device/session/resource information  7440 , system data  7442 , received power control signal information  7484 , maximum transmission power information  7486 , DCCH power information  7490 , timing information  7492 , DCCH channel information  7494 , base station identification information  7498 , terminal identification information  7499 , power report information  7495 , additional DCCH reports&#39; information  7493 , coded DCCH segment information  7491 , and DCCH mode information  7489 . DCCH channel information  7494  includes assigned logical tone information  7496 , e.g., information identifying the single logical DCCH channel tone currently allocated to the wireless terminal by a base station attachment point. 
     User/device/session/resource information  7440  includes user identification information, username information, user security information, device identification information, device type information, device control parameters, session information such as peer node information, security information, state information, peer node identification information, peer node addressing information, routing information, air link resource information such as uplink and/or downlink channel segments assigned to WT  7400 . Received power control information  7484  includes received WT power control commands from a base station, e.g., to increase, decrease or do not change the transmission power level of the wireless terminal with respect to a control channel being closed loop power controlled, e.g., a DCCH channel. Maximum transmit power information  7486  includes a maximum wireless terminal transmit power value to be used in generating a power report. Reference signal information  7496  includes information identifying the reference signal to be used in the power report calculation, e.g., as the DCCH channel signal, and a transmit power level of the reference signal at a point in time, the point in time being determined based on the start transmit time of the DCCH segment in which the power report is communicated and power report time offset information  7472 . DCCH power information  7490  is the result of computation sub-module  7428  which the maximum transmit power information  7486  and the reference signal info  7497  as input. DCCH power information  7490  is represented by a bit pattern in power report information  7495  for communicating a power report. Additional DCCH reports&#39; information  7493  includes information corresponding to other types of DCCH reports, e.g., other DCCH reports such as a 1 bit uplink traffic channel request report or a 4 bit uplink traffic channel request report, which is communicated in the same DCCH segment as a power report. Coded DCCH segment information  7491  includes information representing a coded DCCH segment, e.g., a DCCH segment conveying a power report and an additional report. Timing information  7492  includes information identifying the timing of the reference signal information and information identifying the timing of the start of a DCCH segment to be used to communicate a power report. Timing information  7492  includes information identifying the current timing, e.g., relating indexed OFDM symbol timing within an uplink timing and frequency structure to recurring DCCH reporting schedule information, e.g., to indexed DCCH segments. Timing information  7492  is also used by the tone hopping module  7344  to determine tone hopping. Base station identification information  7498  includes information identifying the base station, base station sector, and/or base station tone block associated with a base station attachment point being used by the wireless terminal. Terminal identification information  7499  includes wireless terminal identification information including base station assigned wireless terminal identifiers, e.g., a base station assigned wireless terminal ON state identifier to be associated with DCCH channel segments. DCCH channel information  7496  includes information identifying the DCCH channel, e.g., as a full-tone channel or as one of a plurality of split tone channel. Assigned logical tone information  7496  includes information identifying the logical DCCH tone to be used by the WT  7400  for its DCCH channel, e.g., one DCCH logical tone from the set of tones identified by information  7454 , the identified tone corresponding to a base station assigned WT ON state identifier of terminal ID information  7499 . DCCH mode information  7489  includes information identifying the current DCCH mode of operation, e.g., as a full-tone format mode of operation or a split-tone format mode of operation. In some embodiments, DCCH mode information  7489  also includes information identifying different mode of operation corresponding to different values for the maximum transmit power information, e.g., a normal mode and a power saving mode. 
     System data/information  7442  includes a plurality of sets of base station data/information (BS  1  data/information  7444 , BS M data/information  7446 ), DCCH transmission reporting schedule information  7462 , power report time offset information  7472  and DCCH report format information  7476 . BS  1  data/information  7442  includes downlink timing/frequency structure information  7448  and uplink timing/frequency structure information  7450 . Downlink timing/frequency structure information  7448  includes information identifying downlink tone sets, e.g., a tone block of 113 tones, downlink channel segment structure, downlink tone hopping information, downlink carrier frequency information, and downlink timing information including OFDM symbol timing information and grouping of OFDM symbols, as well as timing information relating the downlink and uplink. Uplink timing/frequency structure information  7450  includes uplink logical tone set information  7452 , tone hopping information  7456 , timing structure information  7458 , and carrier information  7460 . Uplink logical tone set information  7452 , e.g., information corresponding to a set of 113 uplink logical tones in an uplink channel structure being used by a base station attachment point, includes DCCH logical channel tone information  7454 , e.g., information corresponding to a subset of 31 logical tones used for the dedicated control channel with a wireless terminal in the ON state using the BS  1  attachment point receiving one of the 31 tones to use for its dedicated control channel segment signaling. Carrier information  7460  includes information identifying the uplink carrier frequency corresponding to a base station  1  attachment point. 
     DCCH transmission reporting schedule information  7462  includes DCCH full tone mode recurring reporting schedule information  7464  and split-tone mode recurring reporting schedule information  7466 . Full tone mode recurring reporting schedule information  7464  includes power report schedule information  7468 . Split tone mode recurring reporting schedule information  7466  includes power report schedule information  7470 . DCCH report format information  7476  includes power report format information  7478 . Power report format information  7478  includes full-tone mode information  7480  and split tone mode information  7482 . 
     DCCH transmission reporting scheduling information  7462  is used in controlling the transmission of generated DCCH reports. Full tone mode recurring reporting scheduling information  7464  is in for controlling DCCH reports when the wireless terminal  7400  is operating in a full-tone mode of DCCH operation. Drawing  1099  of  FIG. 10  illustrates exemplary full-tone mode DCCCH recurring reporting schedule information  7464 . Exemplary power report schedule information  7468  is information indicating that segment  1006  with index s 2 =6 and segment  1026  with index s 2 =26 are each used to convey a 5 bit wireless terminal uplink transmission power backoff report (ULTXBKF5). Drawing  3299  of  FIG. 32  illustrates exemplary split-tone mode DCCCH recurring reporting schedule information  7466 . Exemplary power report schedule information  7470  is information indicating that segment  3203  with index s 2 =3 and segment  3221  with index s 2 =21 are each used to convey a 4 bit wireless terminal uplink transmission power backoff report (ULTXBKF4). 
     DCCH report format information  7476  indicates formats used for each of the DCCH reports, e.g., number of bits in a report, and the information associated with each of potential bit patterns that can be communicated with the report. Exemplary full-tone mode power report format information  7480  includes information corresponding to Table  2600  of  FIG. 26  illustrating the format of ULTxBKF5. Exemplary split-tone mode power report format information  7482  includes information corresponding to Table  3500  of  FIG. 35  illustrating the format of ULTxBKF4. Backoff Reports ULTxBKF5 and ULTxBKF4 indicate a dB value. 
     Power report time offset information  7472  includes information indicating a time offset between the point in time to which a generated power report corresponds, e.g., provides information for, and a start of a communications segment in which said report is to be transmitted. For example, consider that a ULTxBKF5 report is to be communicated in an exemplary uplink segment corresponding to segment  1006  with index s 2 =6 of a beaconslot and consider that the reference signal used in generating the report is the dedicated control channel signal, power report time offset information  7472 . In such a case, the time offset information  7472  includes information indicating a time offset between the time to which the report information corresponds, e.g., the OFDM symbol transmission time interval prior to the transmission time of the report corresponding to the reference signal, e.g., DCCH signal, transmission power level and a start of the segment  1006  transmission. 
       FIG. 75  is a drawing  7500  used to explain features of an exemplary embodiment using a wireless terminal transmission power report. Vertical axis  7502  represents the transmission power level of the wireless terminal&#39;s dedicated control channel, e.g., a single tone channel, while horizontal axis represents time  7504 . The dedicated control channel is used by the wireless terminal to communicate various uplink control information reports via dedicated control channel segment signals. The various uplink control information reports include a wireless terminal transmission power report, e.g., a WT transmission power backoff report, and other addition control information reports, e.g., uplink traffic channel request reports, interference reports, SNR reports, self-noise reports, etc. 
     Each small shaded circle, e.g., circle  7506 , is used to represent the transmission power level of the dedicated control channel at a corresponding point in time. For example, each point in time, in some embodiments, corresponds to an OFDM symbol transmission time interval and the identified power level is the power level associated with the modulation symbol corresponding to the single tone of the WT&#39;s DCCH channel during that OFDM symbol transmission time interval. In some embodiments, each point in time, corresponds to a dwell, e.g., representing a fixed number, e.g., seven, of consecutive OFDM symbol transmission time periods using the same physical tone for the wireless terminal&#39;s DCCH channel. 
     Dashed line box  7514  represents a DCCH segment which conveys a WT transmission power backoff report. The segment includes multiple OFDM symbol transmission time periods. In some embodiments, a DCCH segment includes 21 OFDM tone-symbols and includes 21 OFDM symbol transmission time intervals, one OFDM tone-symbol corresponding to each of the 21 OFDM symbol transmission time intervals. 
     The exemplary transmission backoff report indicates a ratio of a maximum transmission power of the WT, e.g., a set value, to the transmit power of a reference signal. In this exemplary embodiment, the reference signal is the DCCH channel signal at a point in time which is offset from the start of the DCCH segment used to communicate the transmission power backoff report. Time  7516  identifies the start of the DCCH segment conveying the WT transmission power backoff report. Time offset  7518 , e.g., a predetermined value, relates time  7516  to time  7512  which is the transmission time of the reference signal used to generate the power report of segment  7514 . X  7508  identifies the reference signal in terms of a power level  7510  and the time  7512 . 
     In addition to the DCCH control channel which is used in various embodiments for wireless terminals in an ON state, it should be appreciated that the system also supports additional dedicated uplink control signaling channels, e.g., timing control channels and/or state transition request channels which may be dedicated to a wireless terminal. These additional channels may exist in the case of the hold state in addition to the ON state with terminals in the ON-State being provided the DCCH control channel in addition to the timing and state transition request channels. Signaling on the timing control and/or state transition request channels occurs at a much lower rate than signaling on the DCCH control channel, e.g., at rate 1/5 or less from the wireless terminals perspective. In some embodiments, the dedicated uplink channels provided in the hold state based on Active user IDs assigned by the base station attachment point while DCCH channel resources are allocated by the base station attachment point based on information including an ON state identifier assigned by the base station attachment point. 
       FIG. 76  is a drawing of a flowchart  7600  of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal in accordance with various embodiments. The exemplary method starts in step  7602  where the wireless terminal is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from start step  7602  to step  7604 . In step  7604  the wireless terminal determines if it is operating in a first or second mode of control channel operation and proceeds differently depending upon the determination. In various embodiments, the first and second modes of control channel operation are first and second dedicated control channel modes of operation. In some such embodiments, the first dedicated control channel mode of operation is a mode, e.g., a full-tone mode of operation, in which the wireless terminal is dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel, and the second mode of dedicated control channel operation is a split-tone mode of operation in which the wireless terminal is dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel on a time shared basis, the dedicated logical tone being used in a time shared manner to the exclusion of at least one other wireless terminal which is dedicated the logical tone for periods of time which do not overlap the periods of time in which said logical tone is dedicated to the wireless terminal. If the wireless terminal is operating in a first mode of control channel operation, operation proceeds from step  7604  to step  7606 ; however, if the wireless terminal determines that it is operating in a second mode of control channel operation, operation proceeds from step  7604  to step  7608 . 
     In step  7606 , the wireless terminal determines modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure. Step  7606  includes step  7612 . In step  7612 , the wireless terminal is operated to generate X modulation symbols from M information bits, where X is a positive integer greater than M. Step  7612  includes sub-steps  7614 ,  7616  and  7618 . In sub-step  7614 , the wireless terminal is operated to partition the M information bits into first and second subsets of bits of equal size. Operation proceeds from sub-step  7614  to sub-step  7616 . In sub-step  7616 , the wireless terminal is operated to generate a third set of bits as a function of the first and second subsets of bits, the third set of bits being the same size as the first and second subsets of bits. In some embodiments, the function of sub-step  7616  includes performing a bit wise exclusive OR operation. Operation proceeds from sub-step  7616  to sub-step  7618 . In sub-step  7618 , the wireless terminal determines, for each of said first subset of information bits, second subset of information bits, and third set of bits, using a first mapping function, an equal number of said X modulation symbols, the first mapping function used to determine each of said equal number of X modulation symbols being the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the first mapping function implements the bit to coded modulation symbol table  3700  of  FIG. 37 . 
     In step  7608 , the wireless terminal determines modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure. Step  7608  includes step  7620 . In step  7620 , the wireless terminal is operated to generate X modulation symbols from N information bits, where X is a positive integer greater than M and N is greater than M. Step  7620  includes sub-steps  7622 ,  7624  and  7626 . In sub-step  7622 , the wireless terminal is operated to partition the N information bits into fourth and fifth subsets of bits of equal size. Operation proceeds from sub-step  7622  to sub-step  7624 . In sub-step  7624 , the wireless terminal is operated to generate a sixth set of bits as a function of the fourth and fifth subsets of bits, the sixth set of bits being the same size as the fourth and fifth subsets of bits. In some embodiments, the function of sub-step  7624  includes performing a bit wise exclusive OR operation. Operation proceeds from sub-step  7624  to sub-step  7626 . In sub-step  7626 , the wireless terminal determines, for each of said fourth subset of information bits, fifth subset of information bits, and sixth set of bits, using a second mapping function, an equal number of said X modulation symbols, the second mapping function used to determine each of said equal number of X modulation symbols being the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the second mapping function implements the bit to coded modulation symbol table  3800  of  FIG. 38 . 
     Operation proceeds from step  7606  or step  7608  to step  7610 . In step  7610 , the wireless terminal transmits the generated set of X modulation symbols in a control channel segment, the control channel segment being the same size in both first and second modes of control channel operation. In various embodiments, the modulation symbols are modulation symbols transmitted on individual tones, e.g., each modulation symbol of the set of X modulation symbols corresponds to a different OFDM tone-symbol, a tone-symbol being the air link resources of one tone for the duration of one OFDM symbol transmission time interval. Operation proceeds from step  7610  back to step  7604 , where the wireless terminal can repeat the method for another control channel segment to be transmitted. 
     In various embodiments, X is a multiple of three and M and N are even positive integers. In one such embodiment X is 21, M is 6 and N is 8. Note that in an exemplary embodiment, in split-tone format dedicated control channel mode the wireless terminal is allocated less dedicated control channel segments per unit time than in the full-tone mode, and the coding and modulation procedures have been adjusted to carry more information bits per segment in the split-tone mode where the allocated resources are fewer. 
     In some embodiments, tone hopping is used. In some such embodiments, the single logical channel tone of the control channel being used by the wireless terminal, e.g., dedicated control channel logical tone, is tone hopped according to a tone hopping schedule but remains the same for the period of time used to transmit one of the equal number of modulation symbols. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a dedicated control channel segment conveying 21 modulation symbols over 21 OFDM symbol transmission time intervals uses 3 dwells, each dwell comprising seven successive OFDM symbol transmission time intervals and the physical tone used during a dwell is the same but may change in accordance with tone hopping from on dwell to another. This approach advantageously places the modulation symbols, e.g., 7 modulation symbols, associated with one of a first subset, second subset, third set, fourth subset, fifth subset, and sixth set, on a single physical tone, but facilitates diversity by implementing a hopping scheme which can have different physical tones, e.g., 3 different physical tones used for the segment. 
       FIG. 77  is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal  7700 , e.g., mobile node, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary wireless terminal  7700  includes a receiver module  7702 , a transmitter module  7704 , a processor  7706 , user I/O devices  7708  and a memory  7710  coupled together via a bus  7712  via which the various elements interchange data and information. Memory  7710  includes routines  7718  and data/information  7720 . The processor  7706 , e.g., a CPU, executes the routines  7718  and uses the data/information  7720  in memory  7710  to control the operation of the wireless terminal  7700  and implements methods. 
     Receiver module  7702 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receive antenna  7703  via which the wireless terminal  7700  receives downlink signals from base stations. The downlink signals include information indicating the dedicated control channel mode of operation that the wireless terminal  7700  should be operating in, with respect to a connection with a base station attachment point, e.g., a full-tone format mode or a split-tone format mode and information indicating which dedicated control channel segments the wireless terminal should use. Receiver module  7702  includes a decoder  7714  for decoding at least some of the received downlink signals. 
     Transmitter module  7704 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to transmit antenna  7705  via which the wireless terminal  7700  transmits uplink signals to base stations. Some of the uplink signals are dedicated control channel segment signals. Transmitter module  7704  transmits modulation symbols determined by the modulation symbol determination module  7726 , e.g., each determined modulation symbol transmitted on a single tone. Transmitter module  7704  includes an encoder  7716  for encoding at least some of the transmitted uplink signals. In various embodiments, the same antenna is used for transmitter and receiver. 
     User I/O devices  7708  allow an operator of wireless terminal  7700  to control at least some of the functions of the wireless terminal, input user data/information, and output user data/information. User I/O devices  7708  are, e.g., microphone, keypad, keyboard, touch screen, camera, switches, speaker, display, etc. 
     Routines  7718  include communications routines  7722  and wireless terminal control routines  7724 . The communications routines  7722  implement the various communications protocols used by the wireless terminal  7700 . Wireless terminal control routines  7724  include a modulation symbol determination module  7726 , a tone hopping module  7730 , a DCCH mode control module  7732 , and a modulation symbol to transmission segment mapping module  7734 . 
     Modulation symbol determination module  7726  determines modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when in a first mode of control channel operation and determines modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when in a second mode of control channel operation. In this exemplary embodiment, the first control channel mode of operation is a full-tone format DCCH mode of operation and the second control channel mode of operation is a split-tone format DCCH mode of operation. The full-tone format mode of operation is a mode of operation in which the wireless terminal is dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel. The split-tone format mode of operation is a mode of operation in which the wireless terminal is dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel on a time shared basis, the dedicated logical tone being used in a time shared manner to the exclusion of at least one other wireless terminal which is dedicated the logical tone for periods of time which do not overlap the periods of time in which said logical tone is dedicated to the wireless terminal. In one exemplary embodiment, in split-tone format a logical dedicated control channel tone can be shared by up to three wireless terminals, each being dedicated non-overlapping dedicated control channel segments corresponding to the same logical tone. 
     Modulation symbol determination module  7726  includes a 1 st  mode modulation symbol determination module  7736  and a 2 nd  mode modulation symbol determination module  7738 . The 1 st  mode modulation symbol determination module  7736  includes a 1 st  partitioning module  7740 , a 3 rd  bit set generation module  7742 , and a 1 st  mapping function module  7744 . The 2 nd  mode modulation symbol determination module  7738  includes a 2 nd  partitioning module  7746 , a 6 th  bit set generation module  7748 , and a 2 nd  mapping function module  7750 . 
     The 1 st  mode modulation symbol determination module  7736  determines modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure which generates X modulation symbols from M information bits where X is a positive integer greater than M. The 2 nd  mode modulation symbol determination module  7738  determines modulation symbols to be transmitted in accordance with a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure which generates X modulation symbols from N information bits where X is a positive integer greater than N, and wherein N is greater than M. In various embodiments, X is a multiple of three and M and N are even positive integers. In one exemplary embodiment X=21, M=6 and N=8. 
     First partitioning module  7740  partitions M information bits to be conveyed by a DCCH segment in the 1 st  DCCH mode, e.g., set  7752 , into first and second subsets of information bits of equal size, e.g., generating bit subset  1   7754  and bit subset  2   7756 . Third set of bits generation module  7742  generates a third set of bits as a function of the first and second subsets of bits, said third set of bits being the first size as the first and second subsets of bits. For example, corresponding the bit subset  7754  and bit subset  7756 , module  7742  generates generated bit set  3   7758 . In various embodiments, the third bit set generation module  7742  includes a bit wise exclusive OR operator for generating the third set of bits. The first mapping function module  7744  determines, for each of the first subset of bits, second subset of bits and third set of bits, an equal number of X modulation symbols, the first mapping function used to determine each of said equal number of X modulation symbols being the same. For example, using bit subset  1   7754  as input first mapping function module  7744  generates 7 modulation symbols; using bit subset  2   7756  as input first mapping function module  7744  generates 7 modulation symbols; and using bit set  3   7758  as input first mapping function module  7744  generates 7 modulation symbols, the three sets of seven modulation symbols corresponding to a dedicated control channel segment in full-tone format DCCH mode and being a determined set of 21 modulation symbols, e.g., set  7774 . In one exemplary embodiment, the first mapping function module  7744  implements the bit to coded modulation symbol table  3700  of  FIG. 37 . 
     Second partitioning module  7746  partitions N information bits to be conveyed by a DCCH segment in the 2 nd  DCCH mode, e.g., set  7768 , into fourth and fifth subsets of information bits of equal size, e.g., generating bit subset  4   7770  and bit subset  5   7771 . Sixth bit set generation module  7748  generates a sixth set of bits as a function of the fourth and fifth subsets of bits, said sixth set of bits being the first size as the fourth and fifth subsets of bits. For example, corresponding the bit subset  7770  and bit subset  7771 , module  7748  generates generated bit set  6   7772 . In various embodiments, the sixth bit set generation module  7748  includes a bit wise exclusive OR operator for generating the sixth set of bits. The second mapping function module  7750  determines, for each of the fourth subset of bits, fifth subset of bits and sixth set of bits, an equal number of X modulation symbols, the second mapping function used to determine each of said equal number of X modulation symbols being the same. For example, using bit subset  4   7770  as input second mapping function module  7750  generates 7 modulation symbols; using bit subset  5   7771  as input second mapping function module  7750  generates 7 modulation symbols; and using bit set  6   7772  as input second mapping function module  7750  generates 7 modulation symbols, the three sets of seven modulation symbols corresponding to a dedicated control channel segment while in split-tone format mode and being a determined set of 21 modulation symbols, e.g., set  7774 . In one exemplary embodiment, the second mapping function module  7750  implements the bit to coded modulation symbol table  3800  of  FIG. 38 . 
     The DCCH mode control module  7732  controls which one of the first, e.g., full-tone format mode, and second, e.g., split-tone format mode, of operation for the wireless terminal  7700  to operate in based on at least one received signal from a base station. 
     Tone hoping module  7730  determines, according to a tone hopping function, at different points in time, a physical tone corresponding to a single logical tone. For example, a single DCCH logical tone identified in information  7788  corresponds to physical tones identified in information ( 7792 ,  7794 ,  7796 ), respectively for (first, second, and third) dwells corresponding to DCCH segment  1 . 
     Modulation symbol to transmission segment mapping module  7734  assigns, each set of generated modulations symbols, e.g., a set of 21 modulation symbols, to a control channel segment, e.g. dedicated control channel segment, the dedicated control channel segments used during both the first and second modes of operation being the same size. For example, an exemplary dedicated control channel segment has 21 OFDM tone-symbols, each OFDM tone symbol corresponding to the air link resource of one tone for the duration of one OFDM symbol transmission time interval, each of the 21 OFDM tone-symbol of the DCCH segment being used to convey one of the 21 modulation symbols of the segment. 
     Data/information  7720  includes, at times when in the full-tone format DCCH mode, a plurality of sets of M input bits of information, e.g., where M=6, (set  1  of M information bits  7752 , . . . , set n of M input bits), each set corresponding to the information bits of dedicated control channel reports to be communicated in an uplink dedicated control channel segment in the full-tone mode format of operation. Sets of M input information bits ( 7752 ,  7760 ) represent input to 1 st  partitioning module  7740 . Data/information  7720  also includes a plurality of subsets of information bits representing the partition of the information of a set of input information bits ( 7752 ,  7760 ) as output from 1 st  partitioning module  7740 . For example bit subset  1   7754  and bit subset  2   7756 , e.g., each having 3 bits, corresponds in set  1  of M information bits  7752 . Similarly, bit subset  1   7762  and bit subset  2   7764 , e.g., each having 3 bits, corresponds to set n of M information bits  7760 . Bit subsets  7754  and  7756  are an output of 1 st  partitioning module  7740  and an input to 3 rd  bit set generation module  7742 , which uses the information to output generated bit set  3   7758 , e.g., a 3 bit size bit set. Similarly, bit subsets  7762  and  7764  are an output of 1 st  partitioning module  7740  and an input to 3 rd  bit set generation module  7742 , which uses the information to output generated bit set  3   7766 , e.g., a 3 bit size bit set. 
     First mapping function module  7744  uses a first mapping function to process a set of input bits, e.g., 3 input bits and generate a set of modulation symbols, e.g., 7 modulation symbols. Bit subset  1   7754 , bit subset  2   7756 , and generated bit set  3   7758  are each used as input to 1 st  mapping function module  7744  resulting in three sets of output modulation symbols, the composite being determined set  1  of X, e.g., 21, modulation symbols  7774 . Similarly, bit subset  1   7762 , bit subset  2   7764 , and generated bit set  3   7766  are each used as input to 1 st  mapping function module  7744  resulting in three sets of output modulation symbols, the composite being determined set n of X, e.g., 21, modulation symbols  7784 . 
     Data/information  7720  includes, at times when in the split-tone format DCCH mode, a plurality of sets of N input bits of information, e.g., where N=8, (set  1  of N information bits  7768 , . . . , set n of N input bits  7776 ), each set corresponding to the information bits of dedicated control channel reports to be communicated in an uplink dedicated control channel segment in the split-tone mode format of operation. Sets of N input information bits ( 7768 ,  7776 ) represent input to 2 nd  partitioning module  7746 . Data/information  7720  also includes a plurality of subsets of information bits representing the partition of the information of a set of input information bits ( 7768 ,  7776 ) as output from 2 nd  partitioning module  7746 . For example bit subset  4   7770  and bit subset  5   7771 , e.g., each having 4 bits, corresponds to set  1  of N information bits  7768 . Similarly, bit subset  4   7778  and bit subset  5   7780 , e.g., each having 4 bits, corresponds to set n of N information bits  7776 . Bit subsets  7770  and  7771  are an output of 2 nd  partitioning module  7746  and an input to 6 th  bit set generation module  7748 , which uses the information to output generated bit set  6   7772 , e.g., a 4 bit size bit set. Similarly, bit subsets  7778  and  7780  are an output of 2 nd  partitioning module  7746  and an input to 6 th  bit set generation module  7748 , which uses the information to output generated bit set  6   7782 , e.g., a 4 bit size bit set. 
     Second mapping function module  7750  uses a second mapping function to process a set of input bits, e.g.,  4  input bits and generate a set of modulation symbols, e.g., 7 modulation symbols. Bit subset  4   7770 , bit subset  5   7724 , and generated bit set  6   7772  are each used as input to 2 nd  mapping function module  7750  resulting in three sets of output modulation symbols, the composite being determined set  1  of X, e.g., 21, modulation symbols  7774 . Similarly, bit subset  4   7778 , bit subset  5   7780 , and generated bit set  6   7782  are each used as input to 2 nd  mapping function module  7750  resulting in three sets of output modulation symbols, the composite being determined set n of X, e.g., 21, modulation symbols  7784 . 
     In addition to the bit sets, bit subsets, and modulation symbol values described above, data/information  7720  also includes DCCH mode of operation information  7786 , DCCH logical tone information  7788 , DCCH segment  1  physical tone information  7790 , DCCH segment N physical tone information  7794 , system, e.g., OFDM system, timing/frequency structure information  7796 , and user/device/session/resource information  7799 . DCCH mode of operation information  7786  includes information identifying whether the wireless terminal is operating in the full-tone format DCCH mode or split-tone format DCCH mode of operation. DCCH logical tone information  7788  includes information identifying which DCCH logical tone in a channel structure has been allocated by the base station to the wireless terminal and, when in a split tone format DCCH mode of operation information identifying which of the DCCH segments associated with the allocated logical tone have been allocated to the wireless terminal. In some embodiments a base station assigned ON state identifier is used to indicate the logical DCCH tone assigned to the wireless terminal. DCCH segment  1  physical tone information  7790  includes a physical tone associated with the assigned DCCH logical tone for DCCH segment  1 . For example, the exemplary embodiment uses tone hopping in which the single DCCH logical tone assigned to the wireless terminal corresponding to a connection is associated with a physical tone for the duration of a dwell, e.g., 7 OFDM symbol transmission time intervals, and then the physical tone can be changed, in accordance with the tone hopping. Thus the single logical tone identified in information  7788  is associated with physical tone  1   7792  for a first dwell, physical tone  2   7794  for a second dwell, and physical tone  3   7790  for a third dwell. Determined set  1  of X modulation symbols  7774  is input to modulation symbol to transmission segment mapping module  7734  and are mapped to the DCCH logical channel tone and then hopped resulting in an association between each modulation symbol value of set  7774  with one of the physical tones of information  7790 . The coding/modulation method is intentionally structured such that modulation symbols, e.g., 7 modulation symbols corresponding to bits from a subset or set, e.g., one of  7754 ,  7756 ,  7758 ,  7770 ,  7771 ,  7772 , are associated with a single physical tone. DCCH segment N physical tone information  7794  is similar to information  7790  but corresponds to DCCH segment N. 
     System, e.g., OFDM system, timing/frequency structure information  7796  includes DCCH logical tones  7797 , tone hopping information  7798 , channel structure information, carrier information, tone block information, OFDM symbol timing information, information of grouping of OFDM symbol transmission time intervals, e.g., half-slots, slots, superslots, beaconslots, ultra-slots, etc. User/device/session/resource information  7799  includes user identification information, device identification information, device control parameter information, air link resource information, e.g., uplink and downlink segment information associated with segments assigned and/or used by the wireless terminal. 
       FIG. 78  is a drawing of a flowchart  7800  of an exemplary method of operating a base station in accordance with various embodiments. Operation starts in step  7802 , where the base station is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from start step  7802  to steps  7804 ,  7806 , and  7808 . 
     In step  7804 , the base station assigns uplink control channel resources to wireless terminals. For example, in step  7804 , the base station may assign uplink dedicated control channel segments to wireless terminals using the base station as their current attachment point. In different modes of wireless terminal control channel operation, e.g., full tone format mode vs split-tone format mode, a wireless terminal is allocated by the base station different amounts of dedicated control channel resources, e.g., different numbers of dedicated control channel segments over the same time interval. In some embodiments, the base station assigns a wireless terminal a wireless terminal On state identifier which is associated, e.g., by predetermined association, with a logical uplink control channel tone to be used by the wireless terminal to communicate uplink dedicated control channel segment signals. The operations of step  7804  are performed on an ongoing basis, e.g., as new wireless terminals request to be transitioned into an On state of operation, as currently assigned wireless terminals no longer request and/or need to be in an On state of operation, and/or as the base station readjusts allocation among the various wireless terminals competing for resources. Wireless terminal control channel assignment information (WT  1  current control channel assignment information  7805 , . . . WT N current control channel assignment information  7807 ) is output from step  7804  and used as input to step  7808 . 
     In step  7806 , the base station stores information indicating the mode of control channel operation in which wireless terminals are operating. Step  7806  is performed on an ongoing basis. For example, for each wireless terminal assigned in step  7804  to use uplink dedicated control channel segments, the wireless terminal is in one of a first control channel mode of operation, e.g., a full-tone format mode of operation, or a second control channel mode of operation, e.g., a split-tone format mode of operation. Wireless terminal control channel mode information (WT  1  current control channel mode  7809 , . . . WT N current control channel mode  7811 ) is output from step  7806  and used as input to step  7812 . 
     Steps  7808 ,  7810 , and  7812  are performed for each of one or more wireless terminals transmitting control channel reports, e.g., uplink dedicated control channel reports using dedicated control channel segments, to the base station. In step  7808 , the base station determines, in accordance with base station control channel assignment information a logical uplink control channel tone being used by an individual wireless terminal at points in time. Operation proceeds from step  7808  to step  7810 . 
     In step  7810 , the base station determines, in accordance with uplink tone hopping information, a tone assigned to the individual wireless terminal at different points in time to communicate control channel reports. For example, in one embodiment, corresponding to one uplink dedicated control channel segment, one logical tone is assigned for three dwells, each dwell having a duration of seven consecutive OFDM symbol transmission time intervals, and tone hopping is implemented such that the logical tone corresponds to the same physical uplink tone for a dwell but may correspond to different physical uplink tones for successive dwells. Operation proceeds from step  7810  to step  7812 . 
     In step  7812 , the base station determines whether the wireless terminal under consideration is in a first mode of control channel operation, e.g., a full tone format mode of operation, or a second mode of control channel operation, e.g., a split-tone format mode of control channel operation. If the wireless terminal is in a first mode of operation, operation proceeds from step  7812  to step  7814 ; if the wireless terminal is in a second mode of operation, operation proceeds from step  7812  to step  7816 . 
     In step  7814 , the base station recovers modulation symbols communicated using a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure. In step  7816 , the base station recovers modulation symbols communicated using a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure. 
     In some embodiments, recovering modulation symbols communicated in accordance with a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when in a first mode of control channel operation includes performing the inverse of: generating X modulation symbols from M information bits where X is a positive integer greater than M, and recovering modulation symbols communicated in accordance with a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure includes performing the inverse of: generating X modulation symbols from N information bits where X is a positive integer greater than N, and wherein N is greater than M. In some exemplary embodiments, X is a multiple of three and M and N are even positive integers. In one exemplary embodiment X=21, M=6 and N=8. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the recovery operation of step  7914  performs the inverse of the operations of step  4306  of  FIG. 43 , while the recovery operation of step  7916  performs the inverse of the operations of step  4308  of  FIG. 43 . 
     In various embodiments, modulation symbols are modulation symbols transmitted on individual tones. For example, a dedicated control channel segment of 21 OFDM tone-symbols for which a recovery operation of step  7814  or step  7816  is to be applied to recover a set of 21 modulation symbols, one modulation symbol per tone per OFDM symbol transmission time period of the dedicated control channel segment. Operations of step  7814  include, in some embodiments, a first information bit recovery operation, e.g., recovering 6 information bits from modulation symbols corresponding to a dedicated control channel segment, while operations in step  7816 , in some embodiments, includes a second information bit recovery operation, e.g., recovering 8 information bits from modulation symbols corresponding to a dedicated control channel segment of the same size. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second modes of control channel operation are first and second modes of dedicated control channel operation. In various embodiments, the first dedicated control channel mode of operation is a mode in which a wireless terminal is dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel. In some embodiments, the first dedicated control channel mode of operation is referred to as a full tone format mode of operation. For example, a base station attachment point may have 31 different logical dedicated control channel tones available and an individual wireless terminal in a first mode of dedicated control channel operation receives one of those logical tones for its exclusive use with regard to dedicated control channel segments. 
     In various embodiments, the second dedicated control channel mode of operation is a split tone format mode of operation in which wireless terminals are dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel on a time shared basis. For example, the dedicated logical tone is, at times, used in a time shared manner to the exclusion of at least one other wireless terminal which is dedicated said logical tone for periods of time which do not overlap the periods of time in which said logical tone is dedicated to said wireless terminal. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, up to three different wireless terminals in the split-tone format mode of operation can share usage of a single logical dedicated control channel tone. 
       FIG. 79  is a drawing of an exemplary base station  7900  implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary base station  7900  includes a receiver module  7902 , a transmitter module  7904 , a processor  7906 , an I/O interface  7908 , and memory  7910  coupled together via a bus  7912  over which the various elements may interchange data and information. Memory  7910  includes routines  7914  and data/information  7916 . The processor  7906 , e.g., a CPU, executes the routines  7914  and uses the data/information  7916  in memory  7910  to control the operation of the base station and implement methods. 
     The receiver module  7902 , e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receive antenna  7903  via which the base station  7900  receives uplink signals from wireless terminals. The uplink signals include dedicated control channel segment signals, registration request signals, state change request signals, power control signals, timing control signals, and uplink traffic channel signals. Receiver  7902  includes a decoder  7913  for decoding at least some of the received uplink signals. 
     Transmitter module  7904 , e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to transmit antenna  7905  via which the base station transmits downlink signals to wireless terminals, the downlink signals include resource assignment signals such as signals conveying a WT on state identifier. Downlink signals also convey dedicated control channel mode information, dedicated control channel segment allocation information, traffic channel segment assignment information, traffic channel information, and synchronization information. Transmitter module  7904  includes an encoder  7915  for encoding at least some of the information to be communicated via downlink signals. 
     I/O interface  7908  couples the base station  7900  to other network nodes and/or the Internet. I/O interface  7908  allows a wireless terminal using a base station  7900  attachment point to participate in a communications session with a peer node using a base station attachment point of a different base station. 
     Routines  7914  include communications routines  7918  and base station control routines  7920 . The communications routines  7918  implement various communications protocols used by the base station  7900 . Base station control routines  7920  include a control channel assignment module  7922 , a control channel mode module  7924 , a logical control channel tone determination module  7926 , a tone hopping module  7928 , a mode determination module  7930 , a first modulation symbol recovery module  7932  and a second modulation symbol recovery module  7934 . 
     The control channel assignment module  7922  assigns uplink control channel resources to wireless terminals, e.g., module  7922  assigns a wireless terminal On state identifier to be used by a wireless terminal, the On state identifier associated with a logical DCCH channel tone in the uplink channel structure, and module  7922  generates information identifying DCCH segments in the structure to be used by the wireless terminal. 
     The control channel mode module  7924  stores information indicating the mode of control channel operation, in which wireless terminals are operating. For example, corresponding to each wireless terminal to which the base station has a currently assigned wireless terminal On state identifier, the wireless terminal stores information identifying as to whether the wireless terminal is in a first control channel mode of operation, e.g. full tone format DCCH mode of operation, or a second control channel mode of operation, e.g. a split tone format DCCH mode of operation. 
     Logical control channel tone determination module  7926 , determines, in accordance with base station control channel assignment information, a logical uplink control channel tone being used by an individual wireless terminal at points in time, e.g., for communicating a dedicated control channel segment. Tone hopping module  7928 , determines in accordance with a tone hopping function being used by the base station, a tone assigned to the individual wireless terminal for use at different points in time to communicate control reports, e.g., via dedicated control channel segments. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a DCCH segment of 21 OFDM tone-symbols corresponds to one logical channel tone, a first physical uplink tone for a duration of a first dwell, a second physical tone for a duration of second dwell, and a third physical tone for a duration of third dwell; the first, second and third physical tones are determined in accordance with the implemented uplink tone hopping and may be different. 
     Mode determination module  7930  determines whether the wireless terminal, to which a control channel segment being processed belongs, was in a first mode of control channel operation, e.g., a full-tone format mode of DCCH operation, or a second control channel mode of operation, e.g., a split-tone format mode of DCCH operation, when the signals were transmitted by wireless terminal. The wireless terminal uses different DCCH segment coding and modulation schemes as a function of the DCCH mode of operation, and thus the base station identifies the mode of operation such that the appropriate recovery operation is applied by the base station to the received modulation symbols corresponding to the DCCH segment from the wireless terminal. Mode determination module  7930  determines whether first modulation symbol recovery module  7932  or second modulation symbol recovery module  7934  is used in processing a DCCH control channel segment. 
     First modulation symbol recovery module  7932  recovers modulation symbols communicated using a first information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when the modulation symbols are received from a wireless terminal operating in a first mode of control channel operation, e.g., a DCCH full tone format mode of operation. 
     Second modulation symbol recovery module  7934  recovers modulation symbols communicated using a second information bit to modulation symbol mapping procedure when the modulation symbols are received from a wireless terminal operating in a second mode of control channel operation, e.g., a DCCH split tone format mode of operation. 
     In some embodiments, first modulation symbol recovery module  7932  performs the inverse of: generating X modulation symbols from M information bits where X is a positive integer greater than M and second modulation symbol recovery module  7934  performs the inverse of: generating X modulation symbols from N information bits where X is a positive integer greater than N, and wherein N is greater than M. In some exemplary embodiments, X is a multiple of three and M and N are even positive integers. In one exemplary embodiment X=21, M=6 and N=8. 
     In various embodiments, modulation symbols are modulation symbols transmitted on individual tones. For example, a dedicated control channel segment of 21 OFDM tone-symbols for which a recovery operation is to be performed by one of first modulation symbol recovery module  7932  or second modulation symbol recovery module  7934  is to recover a set of 21 modulation symbols, one modulation symbol per tone per OFDM symbol transmission time period of the dedicated control channel segment. Operations performed by first modulation symbol recovery module  7932  include in some embodiments, a first information bit recovery operation, e.g., recovering 6 information bits from modulation symbols corresponding to a dedicated control channel segment, while operations performed by second modulation symbol recovery module  7934 , in some embodiments, include a second information bit recovery operation, e.g., recovering 8 information bits from modulation symbols corresponding to a dedicated control channel segment of the same size. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the first modulation symbol recovery module performs the inverse of the operations of step  4306  of  FIG. 43 , while the second modulation symbol recovery module performs the inverse of the operations of step  4308  of  FIG. 43 . 
     In some embodiments, the first and second modes of control channel operation are first and second modes of dedicated control channel operation. In various embodiments, the first dedicated control channel mode of operation is a mode in which a wireless terminal is dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel. In some embodiments, the first dedicated control channel mode of operation is referred to as a full tone format mode of operation. For example, a base station attachment point may have 31 different logical dedicated control channel tones available and an individual wireless terminal in a first mode of dedicated control channel operation receives one of those logical tones for its exclusive use with regard to dedicated control channel segments. 
     In various embodiments, the second dedicated control channel mode of operation is a split tone format mode of operation in which wireless terminals are dedicated a single logical tone of a dedicated control channel on a time shared basis. For example, the dedicated logical tone is, at times, used in a time shared manner to the exclusion of at least one other wireless terminal which is dedicated said logical tone for periods of time which do not overlap the periods of time in which said logical tone is dedicated to said wireless terminal. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, up to three different wireless terminals in the split-tone format mode of operation can share usage of a single logical dedicated control channel tone. 
     Data/information  7916  includes a plurality of sets of wireless terminal data/information (WT  1  data/information  7936 , . . . , WT N data/information  7938 ), recurring timing structure information  7940 , recurring channel structure information  7942 , and tone hopping function information  7944 . WT  1  data/information  7936  includes a base station assigned On state identifier  7946 , dedicated control channel mode of operation information  7948 , dedicated control channel logical tone information  7950 , allocated control channel segment identification information  7952 , dedicated control channel segment tones  7954 , received DCCH segment modulation symbols  7956 , recovered DCCH segment modulation symbols  7958 , and recovered DCCH segment information bits  7960 . Base station assigned wireless terminal On state identifier  7946  is, e.g., a integer value in the range 1 . . . 31, assigned by BS  7900  to WT  1 , the value associated with a logical DCCH channel tone in the recurring uplink channel structure. Dedicated control channel mode of operation  7946  is the current DCCH mode of operation of WT  1 , e.g., one of a full tone format mode and a split tone format mode. 
     Dedicated control channel logical tone information  7950  includes information identifying the logical DCCH channel tone corresponding to the On state identifier  7946 . Allocated control channel segment identification information  7952  includes information identifying which DCCH segments correspond to WT  1 . For example, if WT  1  is in full tone format mode, each of the DCCH segments corresponding to the logical tone of information  7950  correspond to WT  1 ; however, if WT  1  is in split tone format mode then a subset of the DCCH segments corresponding to the logical tone of information  7950  correspond to WT  1  and information  7952  identifies the segments belonging to WT  1 . DCCH segment tones information  7954  includes information identifying the physical uplink tones of the DCCH segment, e.g., after taking into consideration tone hopping information hopping the logical tone of information  7950 , e.g., to three physical tones one of the three physical tones for each dwell of the segment. 
     Received DCCH segment modulation symbols  7956  is, e.g., a set of 21 received modulation symbols corresponding to a received DCCH segment for WT  1 . The received modulation symbols  7956  may have values which have been corrupted from the original transmitted values by communication channel interference and receiver noise. Recovered DCCH segment modulation symbols  7958  is one of a plurality of potential sets of modulation symbols corresponding to the possible alternative sets of modulations symbols that may have been transmitted by WT in the DCCH segment while in the particular determined mode of control channel operation being used by WT  1  at the time of transmission. Recovered DCCH segment information bits  7960  is the set of information bits corresponding to the recovered DCCH segment modulation symbols  7954 , e.g., 6 information bits for the full tone format mode of DCCH operation or 8 bits for the split tone format DCCH mode of operation. 
     Recurring timing structure information  7940  includes downlink and uplink timing structure information including OFDM symbol transmission timing intervals, and groupings of OFDM symbol transmission time intervals, e.g., access intervals, slots, superslots, beaconslots, ultraslots, dwells, grouping of dwells corresponding to DCCH segments, etc. Recurring channel structure information  7942  includes uplink and downlink channel structure information. Uplink channel structure information includes information identifying logical tones used for dedicated control channels, and information identifying other channels, e.g., uplink traffic channels, power control channels, timing control channels, etc. Tone hopping function information  7944  includes information used by tone hopping module  7942 , e.g., information used in generating the uplink hopping function including equation information and/or control parameter information such as a base station and/or sector parameter associated with the base station attachment point to which the uplink dedicated control channel segment signals are directed. 
     The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware and/or a combination of software and hardware. Various embodiments are directed to apparatus, e.g., mobile nodes such as mobile terminals, base stations, communications system. It is also directed to methods, e.g., method of controlling and/or operating mobile nodes, base stations and/or communications systems, e.g., hosts. Various embodiments are also directed to machine readable medium, e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, hard discs, etc., which include machine readable instructions for controlling a machine to implement one or more steps. 
     In various embodiments nodes described herein are implemented using one or more modules to perform the steps corresponding to one or more methods, for example, signal processing, message generation and/or transmission steps. Thus, in some embodiments various features are implemented using modules. Such modules may be implemented using software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. Many of the above described methods or method steps can be implemented using machine executable instructions, such as software, included in a machine readable medium such as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control a machine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods, e.g., in one or more nodes. Accordingly, among other things, various embodiments are directed to a machine-readable medium including machine executable instructions for causing a machine, e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the above-described method(s). 
     While described in the context of an OFDM system, at least some of the methods and apparatus of various embodiments, are applicable to a wide range of communications systems including many non-OFDM and/or non-cellular systems. 
     Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of the various embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description. Such variations are to be considered within the scope. The methods and apparatus of the embodiments may be, and in various embodiments are, used with CDMA, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and/or various other types of communications techniques which may be used to provide wireless communications links between access nodes and mobile nodes. In some embodiments the access nodes are implemented as base stations which establish communications links with mobile nodes using OFDM and/or CDMA. In various embodiments the mobile nodes are implemented as notebook computers, personal data assistants (PDAs), or other portable devices including receiver/transmitter circuits and logic and/or routines, for implementing the methods.