Cooperative autonomous and scheduled resource allocation for a distributed communication system

An access terminal (260) that is configured for wireless communication with an access network (204) within a sector (1032). Access terminal 206 includes a transmitter 2608 for transmitting a reverse traffic channel to access network 204, an antenna 2614 for receiving signals from access network 204, a processor 2602 ) and memory (2604) in electronic communication with the processor (2602). The instructions stored in the memory (2604) implement a method of determining whether a current power allocation approval (1374) for a stream (1216) at the access terminal (206) has been received from the access network (204 ). If the current power allocation approval (1374) is still active, a current power allocation (1338a) is set for the flow equal to the current power allocation approval (1374). If the current power allocation approval (1374) has not been received, determine the current power allocation for the flow; A current energy allocation (1338a) for the flow is determined.