Radio communication apparatus, method and program

• US 20050163058A1
• Filed: 12/14/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Palmira Wireless AG
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Tandai, Tomoya, Adachi, Tomoko, Nonin, Katsuya, Nabetani, Toshihisa, Kaburaki, Satoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,502,330 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/263 Rate modification at the source after receiving feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]

Abstract

A radio communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprises a first transmitting unit configured to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to the another radio communication apparatus, a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring which frames included in the frames are received by the another radio communication apparatus, a receiving unit configured to receive, from the another radio communication apparatus, information indicating which frames included in the frames are received or fail to be received, and a rate setting unit configured to set the first transmitting unit to a transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to the another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

Claims

1. A radio communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

a first transmitting unit configured to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus;

a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring which frames included in the frames are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

a receiving unit configured to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating which frames included in the frames are received or fail to be received; and

a rate setting unit configured to set the first transmitting unit to a transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitting unit sequentially transmits the frames in order of decreasing transmission rate or in order of increasing transmission rate.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a measuring unit configured to measure a received-signal quality based on a frame received from said another radio communication apparatus; and

a determining unit configured to determine a temporary transmission rate used for transmitting frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received-signal quality, the temporary transmission rate being included in the transmission rates.

4. A radio communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

a first transmitting unit configured to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a first transmission rate to said another radio communication apparatus;

a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring which frames included in the frames are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

a receiving unit configured to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating which frames included in the frames are received or fail to be received; and

a rate setting unit configured to set the first transmitting unit to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information, the second transmission rate being acquired by increasing the first transmission rate if number of the frames received by said another radio communication apparatus is not lower than a first ratio, the second transmission rate being acquired by decreasing the first transmission rate if number of the frames received by said another radio communication apparatus is not higher than a second ratio.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first ratio is higher than the second ratio.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first transmitting unit reduces an amount of data included in each frame transmitted next time if the rate setting unit sets the first transmitting unit to the second transmission rate.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

if the rate setting unit increases the first transmission rate, the first transmitting unit transmits, in next transmission, a plurality of frames at the transmission rates which are not lower than the first transmission rate; and

if the rate setting unit decreases the first transmission rate, the first transmitting unit transmits, in next transmission, a plurality of frames at the transmission rates which are not higher than the first transmission rate.

8. A radio communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

a first transmitting unit configured to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and a second transmission rate higher than the first transmission rate;

a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

a receiving unit configured to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received or fail to be received; and

a rate setting unit configured to set the first transmitting unit to the second transmission rate, if the information indicates that the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received, and to set the first transmitting unit to the first transmission rate if the information indicates that the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate fail to be received.

9. A radio communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

a first transmitting unit configured to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and different transmission rates higher than the first transmission rate;

a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received by said another radio communication apparatus;

a receiving unit configured to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received or fails to be received; and

a rate setting unit configured to set the first transmitting unit to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

10. A radio communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

a first transmitting unit configured to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and different transmission rates lower than the first transmission rate;

a second transmitting unit configured to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received by said another radio communication apparatus;

a receiving unit configured to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received or fails to be received; and

a rate setting unit configured to set the first transmitting unit to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

11. A radio communication method, used in a radio communication apparatus, for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

sequentially transmitting a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus;

transmitting, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring which frames included in the frames are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

receiving, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating which frames included in the frames are received or fail to be received; and

setting each of the transmission rates to a transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

12. A radio communication method, used in a radio communication apparatus, for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

sequentially transmitting a plurality of frames at a first transmission rate to said another radio communication apparatus;

transmitting, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring which frames included in the frames are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

receiving, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating which frames included in the frames are received or fail to be received; and

setting a transmission rate for transmitting the frames to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information, the second transmission rate being acquired by increasing the first transmission rate if number of the frames received by said another radio communication apparatus is not lower than a first ratio, the second transmission rate being acquired by decreasing the first transmission rate if number of the frames received by said another radio communication apparatus is not higher than a second ratio.

13. A radio communication method, used in a radio communication apparatus, for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

sequentially transmitting a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and a second transmission rate higher than the first transmission rate;

transmitting, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

receiving, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received or fail to be received; and

setting a transmission rate for transmitting the frames to the second transmission rate, if the information indicates that the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received, setting the transmission rate to the first transmission rate if the information indicates that the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate fail to be received.

14. A radio communication method, used in a radio communication apparatus, for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

sequentially transmitting a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and different transmission rates higher than the first transmission rate;

transmitting, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received by said another radio communication apparatus;

receiving, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received or fails to be received; and

setting a transmission rate for transmitting the frames to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

15. A radio communication method, used in a radio communication apparatus, for transmitting and receiving a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

sequentially transmitting a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and different transmission rates lower than the first transmission rate;

transmitting, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received by said another radio communication apparatus;

receiving, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received or fails to be received; and

setting a transmission rate for transmitting the frames to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

16. A radio communication program stored in a computer readable medium, and causing a computer to execute that a radio communication apparatus transmits and receives a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

means for instructing the computer to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus;

means for instructing the computer to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring which frames included in the frames are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

means for instructing the computer to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating which frames included in the frames are received or fail to received; and

means for instructing the computer to set each of the transmission rates to a transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

17. A radio communication program stored in a computer readable medium, and causing a computer to execute that a radio communication apparatus transmits and receives a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

means for instructing the computer to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a first transmission rate to said another radio communication apparatus;

means for instructing the computer to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring which frames included in the frames are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

means for instructing the computer to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating which frames included in the frames are received or fail to be received; and

means for instructing the computer to set a transmission rate for transmitting the frames to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information, the second transmission rate being acquired by increasing the certain transmission rate if number of the frames received by said another radio communication apparatus is not lower than a first ratio, the second transmission rate being acquired by decreasing the first transmission rate if number of the frames received by said another radio communication apparatus is not higher than a second ratio.

18. A radio communication program stored in a computer readable medium, and causing a computer to execute that a radio communication apparatus transmits and receives a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

means for instructing the computer to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and a second transmission rate higher than the first transmission rate;

means for instructing the computer to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received by said another radio communication apparatus;

means for instructing the computer to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received or fail to be received; and

means for instructing the computer to set a transmission rate for transmitting the frames to the second transmission rate, if the information indicates that the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate are received, and set the transmission rate to the first transmission rate if the information indicates that the frames included in the frames and transmitted at the second transmission rate fail to be received.

19. A radio communication program stored in a computer readable medium, and causing a computer to execute that a radio communication apparatus transmits and receives a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

means for instructing the computer to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and different transmission rates higher than the first transmission rate;

means for instructing the computer to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received by said another radio communication apparatus;

means for instructing the computer to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received or fails to be received; and

means for instructing the computer to set a transmission rate for transmitting the frames to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.

20. A radio communication program stored in a computer readable medium, and causing a computer to execute that a radio communication apparatus transmits and receives a plurality of frames to and from another radio communication apparatus, comprising:

means for instructing the computer to sequentially transmit a plurality of frames at a plurality of transmission rates to said another radio communication apparatus, the transmission rates including a first transmission rate and different transmission rates lower than the first transmission rate;

means for instructing the computer to transmit, to said another radio communication apparatus, an inquiry signal for inquiring whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received by said another radio communication apparatus;

means for instructing the computer to receive, from said another radio communication apparatus, information indicating whether each of frames included in the frames and transmitted at the different transmission rates is received or fails to be received; and

means for instructing the computer to set a transmission rate for transmitting the frames to a second transmission rate used for next transmission of frames to said another radio communication apparatus, based on the received information.