Method and apparatus for variable and fixed forward link rate control in a mobile radio communication system

• US 6,560,211 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Black, Peter J., Grob, Matthew S., Sindhushayana, Nagabhushana T., Pankaj, Rajesh K., Esteves, Eduardo A. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Serna S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harper, Kevin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/748,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 370/320-322, 370/326, 370/328-337, 370/342-348, 370/465, 370/468, 455/436-439, 455/450, 455/451, 455/452, 455/453
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0036 arrangements specific to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2001/0092 Error control systems characterised by the topology of the transmission link
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a data rate associated with the transmission of information from a base station to a mobile station in a mobile radio communication system. The mobile station alternately receives information from a base station either in a variable rate mode or a fixed rate mode. The transmission rate from a base station in the variable rate mode varies between successive data transmit intervals, and the transmission rate from a base station in the fixed rate mode remains fixed between successive data transmit intervals. Data is transmitted from a first base station to the mobile station in the variable rate mode until the first base station is unable to receive variable data rate control information from the mobile station.

Claims

1. A method for a communication system comprising:

controlling a data rate associated with transmission of information from a first base station to a mobile station;

receiving, by the mobile station, information from the first base station either in a variable rate mode or a fixed rate mode;

transmitting rate of information from the first base station to the mobile station in the variable rate mode varying between successive data transmit intervals associated with the mobile station;

transmitting data from the first base station to the mobile station in the variable rate mode until the first base station is unable to receive variable data rate control information from the mobile station;

attempting, when the first base station is unable to receive the variable data rate control information from the mobile station, at the mobile station to remain in the variable rate mode by searching for a second base station that will support data transmissions to the mobile station in the variable rate mode;

detecting an ability of the second base station to support data transmissions to the mobile station in the variable rate mode;

transmitting data from the second base station to the mobile station in the variable rate mode;

terminating the transmission of data from the first base station to the mobile station in the variable rate mode.

2. A method for a communication system comprising:

controlling a data rate associated with transmission of information from a first base station to a mobile station;

receiving, by the mobile station, information from the first base station either in a variable rate mode or a fixed rate mode;

transmitting rate of information from the first base station to the mobile station in the variable rate mode varying between successive data transmit intervals associated with the mobile station;

transmitting data from the first base station to the mobile station in the variable rate mode until the first base station is unable to receive variable data rate control information from the mobile station;

attempting, when the first base station is unable to receive the variable data rate control information from the mobile station, at the mobile station to remain in the variable rate mode by searching for a second base station that will support data transmissions to the mobile station in the variable rate mode;

detecting an inability of the second base station to support data transmissions to the mobile station in the variable rate mode;

transmitting data to the mobile station from either the first base station or a different base station in the fixed rate mode, wherein transmission rate of information in the fixed rate mode remaining fixed between successive data transmit intervals associated with the mobile station.

3. In a communication system, an apparatus comprising:

a transmitter at a first base station for transmitting data from to a mobile station in a variable rate mode;

a controller in the mobile station to maintain service in the variable rate mode by searching for a second base station that will support data transmissions to the mobile station in the variable rate mode when the first base station is unable to receive the variable data rate control information from the mobile station;

a transmitter at the second base station, responsive to signals from the mobile station, configured for transmitting data from the second base station to the mobile station in the variable rate mode if the mobile station is able to locate the second base station that will support data transmissions to the mobile station in the variable rate mode.