Method and apparatus for high rate packet data transmission

• US 20070019567A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Sindhushayana, Nagabhushana, Padovani, Roberto, Black, Peter, Wheatley, Charles, Bender, Paul, Grob, Matthew, Hinderling, Jurg
• Granted Patent: US 8,009,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/264 for data rate control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0026 Transmission of channel quality indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1809 Selective-repeat protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1829 Arrangements specially adapted for the receiver end
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/04 Scheduled access hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

In a data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, high rate packet data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link at each time slot to one mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest C/I measurement of the forward link signals as measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACK message results in retransmission of the data packet received in error. The data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by the use of sequence number to identify each data unit within the data packets.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

means for measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system;

means for determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality;

means for mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator;

means for periodically transmitting the quality indicator; and

means for receiving data as a function of the maximum data rate.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for determining a modulation format as a function of the channel quality.

3. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for determining a modulation format as a function of the maximum data rate.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for determining a supported data rate based on the maximum data rate; and

means for transmitting the quality indicator to request transmission at the supported data rate.

5. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein means for receiving data further comprises:

means for receiving data at the supported data rate.

6. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to the maximum data rate.

7. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the quality indicator is a data rate control index value.

8. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to the maximum data rate.

9. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

10. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

11. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein means for receiving data comprises:

means for receiving data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

12. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein means for receiving data comprises:

means for receiving data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

13. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving an indication of the transmission data rate; and

means for decoding in response to receiving the indication of the transmission data rate.

14. The apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is received with the corresponding data.

15. The apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is received prior to receiving the corresponding data.

16. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for measuring channel quality comprises:

means for measuring a Carrier-to-Interference (C/I) ratio of the link.

17. The apparatus as in claim 16, wherein means for measuring channel quality further comprises:

means for quantizing the C/I ratio; and

means for mapping the quantized C/I ratio to a data rate.

18. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for decoding the received data at a first decoding rate;

means for decoding the received data at a second decoding rate if decoding at the first decoding rate is unsuccessful, wherein the second decoding rate is different from the first data rate.

19. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator comprises:

means for quantizing the maximum data rate.

20. The apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the means for mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator further comprises:

means for mapping the quantized maximum data rate to a supported data rate.

21. The apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the means for mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator further comprises:

means for determining an index value corresponding to the supported data rate, wherein the quality indicator includes the index value.

22. The apparatus as in claim 21, wherein the index value specifies a modulation format.

23. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for transmitting the quality indicator by use of an absolute reference and a relative reference, wherein the quality indicator maps to a transmission data rate.

24. The apparatus as in claim 23, wherein the absolute reference identifies a transmission data rate.

25. The apparatus as in claim 23, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the transmission data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher or lower than the transmission data rate of a previous time slot.

26. The apparatus as in claim 23, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the transmission data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher, lower or the same as the transmission data rate of a previous time slot.

27. The apparatus as in claim 23, further comprising:

means for determining a supported data rate based on the channel quality; and

means for transmitting the absolute reference to request transmission at the supported data rate.

28. The apparatus as in claim 27, further comprising:

means for transmitting the relative reference to indicate whether to increase or decrease the supported data rate.

29. The apparatus as in claim 28, further comprising:

means for transmitting the relative reference to indicate whether to increase, decrease or maintain the supported data rate.

30. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a computer program product and is to increase data throughput and efficiency when coupled to a computing device.

31. A computer program product for a wireless communication system, comprising:

a first plurality of instructions for measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system;

a second plurality of instructions for determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality;

a third plurality of instructions for mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator;

a fourth plurality of instructions for periodically transmitting the quality indicator; and

a fifth plurality of instructions for receiving data as a function of the maximum data rate.

32. A method in a wireless communication system, comprising:

measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system;

determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality;

mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator;

periodically transmitting the quality indicator; and

receiving data as a function of the maximum data rate.

33. The method as in claim 32, further comprising:

determining a modulation format as a function of the channel quality.

34. The method as in claim 32, further comprising:

determining a modulation format as a function of the maximum data rate.

35. The method as in claim 32, further comprising:

determining a supported data rate based on the maximum data rate; and

transmitting the quality indicator to request transmission at the supported data rate.

36. The method as in claim 35, wherein receiving data further comprises:

receiving data at the supported data rate.

37. The method as in claim 32, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to the maximum data rate.

38. The method as in claim 32, wherein the quality indicator is a data rate control index value.

39. The method as in claim 38, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to the maximum data rate.

40. The method as in claim 38, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

41. The method as in claim 32, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

42. The method as in claim 32, wherein receiving data further comprises:

receiving data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

43. The method as in claim 32, wherein receiving data further comprises:

receiving data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

44. The method as in claim 32, further comprising:

receiving an indication of the transmission data rate; and

decoding in response to receiving the indication of the transmission data rate.

45. The method as in claim 44, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is received with the corresponding data.

46. The method as in claim 44, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is received prior to receiving the corresponding data.

47. The method as in claim 32, wherein measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system comprises:

measuring a Carrier-to-Interference (C/I) ratio of the link.

48. The method as in claim 47, wherein measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system further comprises:

quantizing the C/I ratio; and

mapping the quantized C/I ratio to a data rate.

49. The method as in claim 32, further comprising:

decoding the received data at a first data rate;

decoding the received data at a second data rate if decoding at the first data rate is unsuccessful, wherein the second data rate is different from the first data rate.

50. The method as in claim 32, wherein mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator comprises:

quantizing the maximum data rate.

51. The method as in claim 50, wherein mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator further comprises:

mapping the quantized maximum data rate to a supported data rate.

52. The method as in claim 51, wherein mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator further comprises:

determining an index value corresponding to the supported data rate, wherein the quality indicator includes the index value.

53. The method as in claim 52, wherein the index specifies a modulation format.

54. The method as in claim 32, further comprising:

transmitting the quality indicator by use of an absolute reference and a relative reference, wherein the quality indicator maps to a transmission data rate.

55. The method as in claim 54, wherein the absolute reference identifies a transmission data rate.

56. The method as in claim 54 or 55, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the transmission data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher or lower as the transmission data rate of a previous time slot.

57. The method as in claim 54, 55 or 56, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the transmission data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher, lower or the same as the transmission data rate of a previous time slot.

58. The method as in claim 54, 55, 56 or 57, further comprising:

determining a supported data rate based on the channel quality; and

transmitting the absolute reference to request transmission at the supported data rate.

59. The method as in any of claim 54 to 58, further comprising:

transmitting the relative reference to indicate whether to increase or decrease the supported data rate.

60. The method as in any of claim 54 to 59, further comprising:

transmitting the relative reference to indicate whether to increase, decrease or maintain the supported data rate.

61. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

means for periodically receiving a quality indicator for a link in a communication system; and

means for determining a maximum data rate based on the received quality indicator;

means for transmitting data as a function of the maximum data rate.

62. The apparatus as in claim 61, further comprising:

means for determining a modulation format based on the received quality indicator.

63. The apparatus as in claim 61, further comprising:

means for determining a modulation format as a function of the maximum data rate.

64. The apparatus as in claim 61, wherein the quality indicator is a request for transmission at the maximum data rate.

65. The apparatus as in claim 64, wherein the means for transmitting data comprises:

means for transmitting data at the maximum data rate.

66. The apparatus as in claim 61, wherein the quality indicator is a data rate control index value.

67. The apparatus as in claim 61, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to the maximum data rate.

68. The apparatus as in claim 61, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

69. The apparatus as in claim 61, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

70. The apparatus as in claim 61, wherein means for transmitting data comprises:

means for transmitting data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

71. The apparatus as in claim 70, wherein means for transmitting data further comprises:

means for transmitting data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

72. The apparatus as in claim 71, further comprising:

means for transmitting an indication of the transmission data rate.

73. The apparatus as in claim 72, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is transmitted with the corresponding data.

74. The apparatus as in claim 61, comprising:

means for determining a data rate for transmission on a link in the communication system as a function of a quality indicator received, the quality indicator indicative of a quality of the link; and

means for transmitting data at a constant transmit power independent of the data rate.

75. The apparatus as in claim 61, further comprising:

means for receiving, periodically, quality indicators from a plurality of mobile stations, each quality indicator indicative of a quality of a link in the communication system; and

means for scheduling data transmissions as a function of the quality indicators, received.

76. The apparatus as in claim 61, further comprising:

means for generating a plurality of orthogonally covered digital data sequences directed to one of a plurality of mobile stations;

means for generating a sequence of pilot symbols directed to the plurality of mobile stations; and

means for time-division-multiplexing the plurality of orthogonally covered digital data sequences and the sequence of pilot symbols to provide a sequence of digital values for transmission on a communication channel.

77. The apparatus as in any of claims 61 or 76, wherein the apparatus is a computer program product and is to increase data throughput and efficiency when coupled to a computing device.

78. A computer program product for a wireless communication system, comprising:

first plurality of instructions for periodically receiving a quality indicator for a link in a communication system;

second plurality of instructions for determining a maximum data rate based on the received quality indicator; and

third plurality of instructions for transmitting data as a function of the maximum data rate.

79. A method in a wireless communication system, comprising:

periodically receiving a quality indicator for a link in a communication system; and

determining a maximum data rate based on the received quality indicator;

transmitting data as a function of the maximum data rate.

80. The method as in claim 79, further comprising:

determining a modulation format based on the received quality indicator.

81. The method as in claim 79, further comprising:

determining a modulation format as a function of the maximum data rate.

82. The method as in claim 79, wherein the quality indicator is a request for transmission at the maximum data rate.

83. The method as in claim 82, wherein transmitting data further comprises:

transmitting data at the maximum data rate.

84. The method as in claim 79, wherein the quality indicator is a data rate control index value.

85. The method as in claim 79, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to the maximum data rate.

86. The method as in claim 84, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

87. The method as in claim 84, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

88. The method as in claim 79, wherein transmitting data further comprises:

transmitting data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

89. The method as in claim 79, wherein transmitting data further comprises:

transmitting data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

90. The method as in claim 89, further comprising:

transmitting an indication of the transmission data rate.

91. The method as in claim 90, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is transmitted with the corresponding data.