Patent ID: 7392014

Claim:
A communication system having a downlink data channel ( 122 ) for the transmission of data packets from a primary station ( 100 ) to a secondary station ( 110 ) and uplink and downlink control channels ( 124 , 122 ) for the transmission of control information between the primary and secondary stations, wherein the secondary station has means ( 104 , 102 ) for measuring at least one characteristic of the data channel and for transmission of reports relating to one or more of the measured channel characteristics to the primary station on the uplink control channel, wherein the primary station has time signaling means ( 102 ) for instructing the secondary station, via the downlink control channel, of the length of time during which channel measurements used to generate each report are made and wherein the primary station has means ( 102 ) for determining at least one operational parameter of the data channel depending on the reports.