Wireless network and mobile stations for implementing variable bandwidth service on demand

• US 20050259684A1
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Csapo, John S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,125,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2634 for channel frequency control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/20 Negotiating bandwidth

Abstract

A variable bandwidth controller for use in a wireless network comprising base stations capable of operating on N carriers. The variable bandwidth controller determines a receiver capability of a first mobile station and, in response to the determination, assigns the first mobile station to operate on at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The variable bandwidth controller determines the receiver capability of the first mobile station based on a message received from the first mobile station. The variable bandwidth controller assigns the mobile station to operate on the first carrier during normal data traffic conditions and assigns the mobile station to operate on the second carrier during peak data traffic conditions.

Claims

1. For use in a wireless network comprising a plurality of base stations capable of operating on N carriers, a variable bandwidth controller capable of determining a receiver capability of a first mobile station and, in response to said determination, assigning said first mobile station to operate on at least a first carrier and a second carrier.

2. The variable bandwidth controller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said variable bandwidth controller determines said receiver capability of said first mobile station based on a message received from said first mobile station.

3. The variable bandwidth controller as set forth in claim 2, wherein said message is a control message in an IS-2000 compatible network.

4. The variable bandwidth controller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said variable bandwidth controller assigns said mobile station to operate on said first carrier during normal data traffic conditions and assigns said mobile station to operate on said second carrier during peak data traffic conditions.

5. The variable bandwidth controller as set forth in claim 4, wherein said variable bandwidth controller dynamically assigns said first mobile station to operate on said second carrier based on changes in traffic demand.

6. The variable bandwidth controller as set forth in claim 5, wherein said variable bandwidth controller assigns said first mobile station to operate on said second carrier in response to a determination by said variable bandwidth controller that said first mobile station requires additional bandwidth in a forward channel.

7. The variable bandwidth controller as set forth in claim 5, wherein said variable bandwidth controller assigns said first mobile station to operate on said second carrier in response to a request from said first mobile station for additional bandwidth in a forward channel.

8. The variable bandwidth controller as set forth in claim 7, wherein said variable bandwidth controller is disposed in a base station controller of a first base station.

9. A wireless network comprising:

a plurality of base stations capable of communicating on N carriers with a plurality of mobile stations in a coverage area of said wireless network; and

a variable bandwidth controller capable of determining a receiver capability of a first mobile station and, in response to said determination, assigning said first mobile station to operate on at least a first carrier and a second carrier.

10. The wireless network as set forth in claim 9, wherein said variable bandwidth controller determines said receiver capability of said first mobile station based on a message received from said first mobile station.

11. The wireless network as set forth in claim 10, wherein said message is a control message in an IS-2000 compatible network.

12. The wireless network as set forth in claim 9, wherein said variable bandwidth controller assigns said mobile station to operate on said first carrier during normal data traffic conditions and assigns said mobile station to operate on said second carrier during peak data traffic conditions.

13. The wireless network as set forth in claim 12, wherein said variable bandwidth controller dynamically assigns said first mobile station to operate on said second carrier based on changes in traffic demand.

14. The wireless network as set forth in claim 13, wherein said variable bandwidth controller assigns said first mobile station to operate on said second carrier in response to a determination by said variable bandwidth controller that said first mobile station requires additional bandwidth in a forward channel.

15. The wireless network as set forth in claim 13, wherein said variable bandwidth controller assigns said first mobile station to operate on said second carrier in response to a request from said first mobile station for additional bandwidth in a forward channel.

16. The wireless network as set forth in claim 15, wherein said variable bandwidth controller is disposed in a base station controller of a first base station.

17. A mobile station capable of communicating with a plurality of base stations of a wireless network, said mobile station comprising:

a first receive path capable of receiving data from a first of said plurality of base stations on a first carrier; and

a second receive path capable of receiving data from said first base station on a second carrier,

wherein said mobile station is capable of receiving control messages from said first base station assigning said mobile station to receive data from said first base station on said first carrier during normal traffic conditions and assigning said mobile station to receive data from said first base station on said second carrier during peak traffic conditions.

18. The mobile station as set forth in claim 17, wherein said mobile station is capable of transmitting a control message to said first base station identifying a receiver capability of said mobile station.

19. The mobile station as set forth in claim 18, wherein said first and second receive paths of said mobile station are capable of being dynamically assigned to operate on said first and second carriers based on changes in traffic demand.

20. The mobile station as set forth in claim 19, wherein said mobile station is capable of requesting that additional bandwidth in a forward channel be assigned to said first mobile station.

21. For use in a wireless network comprising a plurality of base stations capable of operating on N carriers, a method of handling communications between a first of the plurality of base station and a mobile station comprising the steps of:

receiving in the first base station a control message identifying a type of the mobile station;

determining from the mobile station type a receiver capability of the mobile station; and

in response to the determination of the receiver capability, assigning the mobile station to operate on at least a first carrier and a second carrier.

22. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising the step of modifying the assignment of the mobile station to the first and second carriers depending on changes in data traffic being transmitted to the mobile station.