Common downlink frame length for differing code rates with hopping waveform

摘要

A frame coding module (300) includes a data coder (322) having a code selection input (318) and a downlink frame organizer (314) connected to the data coder (322). The downlink frame organizer (314) is configured to produce a fixed size downlink frame (100) characterized by a frame length constant. A control bus (316) couples to the code selection input (318). The control bus (316) carries a first code selection signal for first payload data, and a second code selection signal for second payload data. The data coder (322) is responsive to the code selection input (318) to produce coded first payload data having a first coded length and coded second payload data having a second coded length. The frame organizer (314) may then insert the coded first payload data, the coded second payload data, and overhead data in a downlink frame (100) of size equal to the predetermined fixed downlink frame size. <IMAGE>