METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSMISSION OF MULTIPLE MODULATED SIGNALS OVER WIRELESS NETWORKS

• US 20150282160A1
• Filed: 06/12/2015
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Inventors: Stanwood, Kenneth L., Mollenauer, James F., Gilbert, Sheldon L., Klein, Isreal Jay
• Granted Patent: US 9,497,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5607 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0064 Rate requirement of the data, e.g. scalable bandwidth, data priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0005 synchronizing of arrival of multiple uplinks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/56 based on priority criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 using polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 : Transfer of terminal data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. Currently active CPEs request bandwidth using unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE.

Claims

1. A wireless cellular mobile unit operable to communicate with a base station in a wireless communication system, the wireless cellular mobile unit comprising:

one or more processors having a Media Access Controller (MAC) operable to queue data pertaining to at least one uplink (UL) connection in at least a queue, the data characterized by a respective priority; and

a transceiver operable to

transmit an explicit message to the base station informing the base station that the wireless cellular mobile unit has data awaiting transmission to the base station,

receive a bandwidth request opportunity comprising an amount of UL bandwidth, and

transmit a bandwidth request within the amount of UL bandwidth, the bandwidth request indicative of an amount of data awaiting transmission to the base station which pertains to the at least a queue.

2. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the MAC is further operable to:

receive downlink control information with current UL bandwidth allocations for a plurality of wireless cellular mobile units, including the wireless cellular mobile unit;

identify in the downlink control information an UL bandwidth grant allocated to the wireless cellular mobile unit; and

allocate the UL bandwidth grant to one or more of a plurality of UL connections established at the wireless cellular mobile unit based on a communication parameter associated with each UL connection.

3. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UL bandwidth grant is allocated based on a communication parameter which includes an UL connection priority.

4. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless cellular mobile unit is informed that the bandwidth request has been granted, by receiving an UL bandwidth grant in downlink control information provided in a subsequent frame.

5. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the required amount of UL bandwidth identifies bandwidth required in addition to a UL bandwidth grant previously allocated to the wireless cellular mobile unit.

6. A wireless cellular mobile unit operable to communicate with a base station in a wireless communication system, the wireless cellular mobile unit comprising:

one or more processors having a Media Access Controller (MAC) operable to queue data pertaining to at least one uplink (UL) connection, the data characterized by a respective priority; and

a transceiver operable to

transmit a message requesting the base station to poll the wireless cellular mobile unit,

receive a bandwidth request opportunity comprising an amount of UL bandwidth,

transmit a bandwidth request within the amount of UL bandwidth, the bandwidth request indicative of the required amount of UL bandwidth pertaining to at least one of a plurality of UL connections serviced by the wireless cellular mobile unit, and

receive an UL bandwidth grant for the wireless cellular mobile unit in response to the bandwidth request, the UL bandwidth grant being identified in downlink control information.

7. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the MAC is further operable to allocate the UL bandwidth grant to one or more UL connections of the plurality of UL connections serviced by the wireless cellular mobile unit, which could be different from the at least one UL connection for which the bandwidth request was sent.

8. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the MAC is further operable to allocate the UL bandwidth grant to one or more UL connections of the plurality of UL connections serviced by the wireless cellular mobile unit, based on a communication parameter associated to each UL connection of the plurality of UL connections.

9. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the communication parameter includes a quality of service parameter of each UL connection of the plurality of UL connections serviced by the wireless cellular mobile unit.