OFDM/OFDMA frame structure for communication systems

摘要

An OFDM/OFDMA frame structure technology for communication systems is disclosed. The OFDM/OFDMA frame structure technology comprises a variable length sub-frame structure with efficiently sized cyclic prefixes and efficient transition gap durations operable to effectively utilize OFDM/OFDMA bandwidth. Furthermore, the frame structure provides compatibility with multiple wireless communication systems. An uplink frame structure and a downlink frame structure are provided.

主权项

1. A communication system comprising a plurality of RF channels, wherein the RF channels comprise dissimilar channel bandwidths, the communication system comprising:
an inverse fast Fourier transform module operable for transforming a plurality of frequency domain data symbols into a plurality of time domain data symbols respectively; a cyclic prefix selector module operable for selecting a cyclic prefix from a plurality of variable length cyclic prefixes to obtain a selected cyclic prefix; an add cyclic prefix module operable for adding the selected cyclic prefix into each of the time domain data symbols to obtain a plurality of OFDM frames; and a processor module operable for: providing a plurality of variable size sub-frames formed from a subset of the OFDM frames; providing a plurality of radio frames for transmitting a subset of the variable size sub-frames through at least one of the RF channels; and calculating a plurality of timing gaps associated with at least one of the variable size sub-frames for providing a protection for timing variations at signal reception, wherein the timing gaps are calculated based at least in part on a cyclic prefix duration of the selected cyclic prefix.