tructure in the upcoming frame(s). During the configuration phase of the network entry procedure, this parameter is included in the RS configuration message. 4.4.2 Access State As shown in Figure 4-19, a relay station performs network entry with the target BS while in the Access State. The network entry is a multi-step process consisting of ranging, capability negotiation, authentication and authorization, registration, neighbor station measurement and access station selection (not applicable to the case of two-hop relay paradigm), and configuration of the relay station operational parameters. The relay station receives a temporary identifier and transitions to the Operational State for normal operations. On failure to complete any of the steps of network entry, the relay station transitions to the Initialization State. In Figure 4-19, some of the procedures can be skipped during RS network re-entry [3]. In the case of multi-hop relaying, the optional second-stage access station selection is performed after the neighbor station measurement reporting and before the RS operational parameter configu- ration phases. During this operation, the BS determines the path (i.e., access station) for this RS based on the RS neighbor station measurement reports and other information such as path loading. If the current access station is not changed, the RS continues network entry with this station and skips the second-stage access selection phase. If the current access station is changed and is located in the same cell, the BS sends the RS access station selection request message to indicate the preamble index of the selected access station. The RS responds with the acknowledgement message. The BS and the RS then perform network re-entry as described earlier, and the BS releases resources allocated to the corre- sponding RS. If initial network entry is required for the RS due to failure in the network re-entry with the selected access station, the original access station is the first candidate for network entry. 4.4.3 Operatio