METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ALTERNATIVE MODE MONITORING

摘要

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for alternative mode monitoring in a communications system, particularly a wireless communications network. A method of alternative mode monitoring in a communications system is described. The communications system includes a network communications access point and a terminal coupled to the access point for data communication between the terminal and the access point, one mode of the data communication comprising communicating data in tranches, transmission of a tranche of data from one of the access point and the terminal to the other of the access point and the terminal being acknowledged by an acknowledgement signal sent in reply. The method comprises suppressing the acknowledgement signal using the terminal, and reconfiguring the terminal to monitor an alternative mode of the data communication during a period when the acknowledgement signal would otherwise have been sent. Suppressing the acknowledgement signal allows reconfigurable operation of busy wireless data transfer systems with little disruption to network operation.