A method and an apparatus for a quick retransmission of signals in a communication system

A transmitting terminal, transmits signals in a form of packets to a receiving terminal, if the packet was intended for the receiving terminal, if so, the receiving terminal demodulates the packet. The receiving terminal then computes a quality metric of the packet, and compares the computed quality metric with a quality metric contained in the packet. If the quality metrics match, the packet is forwarded for further processing. If the quality metrics fail to match, the receiving terminal sends a request for retransmission of the packet. The transmitting terminal determines which packet needs to be retransmitted based on the request for retransmission. If delivery of the packet in accordance with the aforementioned description fails, retransmission in accordance with conventional sequence-number-based schemes, e.g., radio link protocol, is attempted.