Communication Systems

Abstract

A transmission method for use in a wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a source apparatus, a destination apparatus and an intermediate apparatus, where the source apparatus and destination apparatus are arranged to transmit and receive information via the intermediate apparatus, and where at least the source apparatus is arranged to perform a network entry process in order to connect to the system. The includes, in the intermediate apparatus, determining whether the source apparatus has initiated a network entry process with the intermediate apparatus and if so, notifying the destination apparatus thereof while continuing to conduct the network entry process with the source apparatus. The method also includes, in the destination apparatus, responding to said notification with a return message to the intermediate apparatus, said return message being used to facilitate completion of the network entry process.

1 . A transmission method for use in a wireless communication system, the system comprising a source apparatus, a destination apparatus and an intermediate apparatus, the source apparatus and destination apparatus being arranged to transmit and receive information via the intermediate apparatus, at least the source apparatus being arranged to perform a network entry procedure including a ranging process in order to connect to the system, the method comprising:
 in the intermediate apparatus, managing the ranging process between the intermediate apparatus and the source apparatus until a threshold is met.   
   
   
       2 . The transmission method according to  claim 1 , wherein feedback information relating to the ranging process is transmitted from the intermediate apparatus to the source apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . The transmission method according to  claim 1 , wherein a final ranging response from the destination apparatus is relayed to the source apparatus by the intermediate apparatus. 
   
   
       4 . The transmission method according to  claim 1 , wherein said ranging process includes one or more ranging attempts from the source apparatus to the intermediate apparatus. 
   
   
       5 . The transmission method according to  claim 4 , wherein following a successful ranging attempt, said intermediate apparatus manages the rest of the network entry procedure with the source apparatus. 
   
   
       6 . The transmission method according to  claim 1 , wherein the source apparatus is a subscriber station. 
   
   
       7 . The transmission method according to  claim 1 , wherein the destination apparatus is a base station. 
   
   
       8 . The transmission method according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate apparatus is a relay station arranged in a two-hop configuration between the source apparatus and the destination apparatus. 
   
   
       9 . The transmission method according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate apparatus is constituted by a plurality of relay stations arranged in a multi-hop configuration between the source apparatus and the destination apparatus, a first of the relay stations detecting the initiation of the network entry procedure by the source apparatus and relaying said notification to another of the relay stations for forwarding to the destination apparatus. 
   
   
       10 . A wireless communication system comprising a source apparatus, a destination apparatus and an intermediate apparatus, the source apparatus and destination apparatus being arranged to transmit and receive information via the intermediate apparatus, at least the source apparatus being arranged to perform a network entry procedure including a ranging process in order to connect to the system, wherein:
 the intermediate apparatus includes managing means for conducting the ranging process with the source apparatus until a threshold is met.   
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate apparatus is arranged to transmit feedback information relating to the ranging process to the source apparatus. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate apparatus is arranged to relay to the source apparatus a final response received from the destination apparatus. 
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said ranging process includes one or more ranging attempts from the source apparatus to the intermediate apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the managing means of the intermediate apparatus is responsive to a successful ranging attempt to manage the rest of the network entry procedure with the source apparatus. 
   
   
       15 . Intermediate apparatus for use in a wireless communication system, the system having a source apparatus and a destination apparatus arranged to transmit and receive information via the intermediate apparatus, the system requiring at least the source apparatus to perform a network entry procedure including a ranging process in order to connect to the system, wherein the intermediate apparatus includes:
 managing means for conducting the ranging process with the source apparatus until a threshold is met.   
   
   
       16 . A computer-readable medium on which is recorded a computer program which, when executed by intermediate apparatus in a wireless communication system having a subscriber station and a base station each arranged to transmit and receive information via the intermediate apparatus and requiring at least the subscriber station to perform a network entry procedure including a ranging process in order to connect to the system, provides the intermediate apparatus with the function of managing the ranging process between the intermediate apparatus and the source apparatus until a threshold is met.