A method for minimizing feedback responses in an ARQ protocol, comprising the steps of:</claim-text> sending a plurality of first data units over a communication link; receiving said plurality of first data units; and responsive to the receiving constructing a message field for a second data unit, said message field including a type identifier field and at least one of a sequence number field, a length field, and a content field. view more

The method of claim 1, wherein said message field comprises a bitmap message.

A transmitter for transmitting data packets over an air interface to a receiver using a semi-reliable retransmission protocol that utilizes selective repeat automatic repeat request, comprising:</claim-text> a data link layer for receiving a service unit containing a plurality of said data packets, said data link layer segmenting said service data unit into at least one protocol data unit; and a discard timer for monitoring the retransmission time of said at least one protocol data unit to said. receiver, said discard timer being initialized when said service data unit is received by said data link layer, said service data unit being discarded by said data link layer when an acknowledgment message is not received for each said at least one protocol data unit and said discard timer expires. view more

A method for discarding packets in a data network employing a packet transfer protocol including an automatic repeat request scheme, comprising the steps of:</claim-text> a transmitter in the data network commanding a receiver in the data network to ceive at least one packet having a sequence number that is not consecutive with a sequence number of a previously received packet and b) release any expectation of receiving outstanding packets having sequence numbers prior to the at least one packet; and the transmitter discarding all packets for which acknowledgment has not been received, and which have sequence numbers prior to the at least one packet. view more

A communication station comprising:</claim-text> a processor for arranging information for transmission including providing at least one first field in which payload information is disposed and providing at least one second field, separate from said field, which includes a service type identifier which identifies a type of payload information provided in said at least one first field; and a transmitter for transmitting information received from said processor including said at least one first field and said at least one second field. view more

The communication station of claim 1, wherein said communication station is a base station.

A method for discarding data packets in a system having a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the method is complementary to the Selective Repeat Automatic Repeat Request protocol and comprises the steps of:</claim-text> transmitting a data packet rd notification message from the transmitter to the receiver indicating data packets the transmitter has discarded; receiving the data packet discard notification message; computing which data packets have been discarded by the transmitter based on the data packet discard notification message; removing entries from a first list indicating data packets expected to be received from the transmitter, wherein the entries correspond to data packets identified in the computing step. view more

The method of claim <HIL><BOLD>1</BOLD></HIL>, wherein the data packet discard notification message contains a field indicating a format of the message.