ASYMMETRIC DATA ACCESS SCHEME

• US 20010006517A1
• Filed: 10/31/1997
• Published: 07/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: LIN, JIE, EDWARDS, KEITH, DRISCOLL, RICHARD JOHN
• Granted Patent: US 6,791,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/348
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0833 Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an asymmetric data access scheme eg Internet access scheme, over a fixed wireless access network. The disclosure provides apparatus for bandwidth efficient provision of asymmetric data services operating a method of communicating between a radio base station and a plurality of subscriber terminals, each subscriber terminal comprising a subscriber antenna. Each sector of a tri-sectored cellular arrangement operates a plurality of frequency division duplex pairs, plus one or more additional unpaired downlink frequencies. On the uplink, packet switched data is transmitted on the conventional access channel, eg ALOHA, but on the downlink, packet switched data is transmitted on an unpaired downlink frequency over a broad sectorized beam.

Claims

1. In a cellular communications system comprising a plurality of base stations, each communicating with a plurality of subscriber radio terminals, a method of communicating between a radio base station and a said plurality of subscriber radio terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

at said base station;

receiving packet switched data carried on an uplink frequency of a frequency division duplex pair; and

transmitting packet switched data on a downlink distribution channel carried on an unpaired downlink frequency.

2. The method as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said uplink packet switched data is carried on a contention access channel.

3. The method as claimed in

claim 2

, wherein said contention access channel comprises a slotted ALOHA channel.

4. The method as claimed in

claim 2

, wherein said uplink packet switched data shares said contention access channel with a plurality of connection requests for circuit switched traffic.

5. The method as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said uplink packet switched data comprises a request for services having an asymmetric data rate as between a source and a destination of said service.

6. A method of communicating between a radio base station and a plurality of subscriber radio terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of service requests from said plurality of subscriber radio terminals at said radio base station;

recognizing said service requests received at said radio base station;

in response to a said service request, forwarding said service requests to a service provider apparatus;

receiving service data in response to said service request signal; and

transmitting said service data to said plurality of said subscriber radio terminals.

7. The method as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein said step of receiving a said service request comprises receiving said service request over a directional uplink transmission beam.

8. The method as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein said step of transmitting said service data comprises transmitting said service data on a sectorized downlink beam.

9. The method as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein said service requests are received on an uplink access channel and said service data is transmitted on an unpaired downlink frequency.

10. The method as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein said downlink distribution channel carries data traffic in response to one or a plurality of service requests received on an uplink access channel.

11. A method of allocating frequency spectrum slots at a radio base station, said radio base station configured for communicating with a plurality of subscriber radio terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

allocating a plurality of frequency division duplex pairs for communication between said subscriber radio terminal and said plurality of radio base stations, each said frequency division duplex pair comprising an uplink frequency and a downlink frequency; and

allocating an unpaired frequency for communicating on a downlink from said base station to said plurality of subscriber radio terminals.

12. The method as claimed in

claim 11

, wherein said unpaired downlink frequency is operated to carry packet switched data.

13. The method as claimed in

claim 11

, wherein said radio base station operates a plurality of sectorized beams, and a said unpaired downlink frequency is operated for each said sectorized beam.

14. A radio base station configured for operating the method as claimed in

claim 11

.

15. A method of allocating bearer channels at a radio base station, configured for communicating with a plurality of subscriber radio terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

allocating a plurality of paired bearer channels for carrying circuit switched data, each said bearer channel pair comprising an uplink channel carried on an uplink frequency slot, and a downlink bearer channel carried on a downlink frequency slot; and

allocating packet switched data to a plurality of unpaired downlink bearer channels.

16. The method as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein said unpaired bearer channels are carried on an unpaired downlink frequency, and said paired bearer channels are carried on one or a plurality of frequency division duplex pairs.

19. The base station apparatus as claimed in

claim 16

, operating to transmit packet switched data on said second antenna and transmitter.

17. A radio base station comprising:

a first antenna and transceiver apparatus configured to operate a plurality of frequency division duplex pairs, each said frequency division duplex pair comprising an uplink frequency and a downlink frequency;

a second antenna and a transmitter apparatus configured for transmitting at least one unpaired downlink frequency.

18. The radio base station as claimed in

claim 17

, wherein said first antenna and transceiver apparatus comprises means for distinguishing between service request signals for packet switched data services and connection request signals for circuit switched services received on said uplink frequencies of said frequency division duplex pairs;

and

means for routing service data received in response to said service requests, to said second antenna and transmitter for broadcast of said service data by said second antenna and transmitter.

21. The subscriber radio terminal as claimed in

claim 18

, further comprising a multiplexer, wherein said receiver operates to receive signals from said antenna via said multiplexer, said multiplexer operating to multiplex between signals assigned to said transceiver and signals assigned to said receiver.

22. The subscriber radio terminal as claimed in

claim 18

, comprising a further antenna adapted for receiving said signals on said unpaired downlink frequency, wherein said receiver operates to receive signals from said further antenna.

20. A subscriber radio terminal comprising:

an antenna for receiving and transmitting over a frequency division duplex pair comprising an uplink frequency and a downlink frequency;

a transceiver apparatus configured for transmitting on said uplink frequency and receiving on said downlink frequency of said frequency division duplex pairs; and

a receiver configured for receiving signals on an unpaired downlink frequency.