Methods and apparatus for implementing and using an in-band rate indicator

A downlink data rate options that utilize methods and downlink traffic channel data rate options to inform the wireless terminal are described. The downlink traffic channel rate option for a segment is transmitted with the block and / or assignment of downlink traffic channel segment signals are not used for user data. A downlink segment assignment, in some embodiments the signals are to allocate fewer bits to the display for rate options to uniquely identify each of the option, in some implementations, for example low-rate option of using QPSK are distinguished by the assignment signal it is identified. For example high rate options using QAM16 modulation that are delivered by a separate information block of the downlink traffic segment using the first coding / modulation method. For example, QAM16, higher rate options using QAM64, or QAM256 of the information blocks are transmitted through the segments using the second coding / modulation method that is adapted to the rate option information.