Fast acquisition of traffic channels for a highly variable data rate reverse link of a CDMA wireless communication system

• US 7,480,280 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Tantivy Communications Incorporated (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Proctor, James A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Qureshi; Afsar M.
• Application Number:
  US11/183,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20050259624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 370/335, 370/338, 370/342, 370/441, 370/479, 370/329, 370/468, 370/469
• US Class Current: 370/335
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7075 with code phase acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/70754 Setting of search window, i.e. range of code offsets to be searched H04B1/70758 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/70706 using a code tracking loop, e.g. a delay locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2201/70703 using multiple or variable rates
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2201/70709 with discontinuous detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2201/70715 with application-specific features
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2628 using code-division multiple access [CDMA] or spread spectrum multiple access [SSMA] H04B7/2618 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/0022 PN, e.g. Kronecker
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/004 Orthogonal
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/16 Code allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/18 Allocation of orthogonal codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0007 by modifying the frame length
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/165 Variable formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1809 Selective-repeat protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/14 Channel dividing arrangements , i.e. in which a single bit stream is divided between several baseband channels and reassembled at the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/06 the synchronisation signals differing from the information signals in amplitude, polarity or frequency or length
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0428 Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13202 Network termination [NT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 : Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1327 : Release and resetting of connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 : Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 : Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1336 : Synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 : Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/20 : Negotiating bandwidth
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 : Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/00 : Synchronisation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0045 : compensating for timing error by altering transmission time
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0075 : based on arrival time vs. expected arrival time
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 : based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0466 : the resource being a scrambling code
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 : Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/04 : Scheduled access hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 : Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 : WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

A subscriber access unit includes a transceiver for providing wireless communication of digital signals. The digital signals are communicated to a base station using at least one radio frequency (RF) channel via Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulated radio signals. Subchannels are made available by the base station within each CDMA RF channel. A bandwidth manager is connected to the transceiver, and is allocated available subchannels by the base station on an as-needed basis, with a number of allocated subchannels changing during a given session. The transceiver, when powered on but not actively sending data, provides an idling mode connection on a reverse link to the base station. The idling mode connection enables subchannels to be reallocated without reestablishing a bit synchronization with the base station.

Claims

1. A subscriber access unit comprising:

a transceiver for providing wireless communication of digital signals, the digital signals being communicated at a nominal data rate to a base station using at least one radio frequency (RF) channel via Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulated radio signals, with a plurality of subchannels being made available by the base station within each CDMA RF channel, each subchannel having a data rate less than the nominal data rate of the digital signals;

a bandwidth manager connected to said transceiver, and being allocated available subchannels by the base station on an as-needed basis, with a number of allocated subchannels changing during a given session; and

said transceiver, when powered on but not actively sending data, providing an idling mode connection on a reverse link to the base station, the idling mode connection enabling subchannels to be reallocated without reestablishing a bit synchronization with the base station.

2. A subscriber access unit as in claim 1 wherein said transceiver sends a heartbeat signal during the idle mode connection at a data rate that maintains the bit synchronization with the base station.

3. A subscriber access unit as in claim 2 wherein the data rate of the heartbeat signal is within a range of about 37 to 80 bps.

4. A subscriber access unit as in claim 2 wherein the heartbeat signal is time slotted between inactive links, to allow fewer dedicated base station receivers to maintain the links.

5. A subscriber access unit as in claim 1 wherein said bandwidth manager uses a same PN long code as other subscriber access units but at different code phases to reduce an overhead of maintaining the idle mode connections.

6. A subscriber access unit as in claim 1 wherein said transceiver sends a command requesting a higher data service rate to enter an active state.

7. A subscriber access unit as in claim 6 wherein upon the base station receiving a request for higher capacity data or voice traffic, the higher rate is then made available by the base station assigning additional code phases to said bandwidth manager.

8. A subscriber access unit as in claim 7 wherein the additional code phases are assigned in a predetermined phase relationship to reduce overhead transmissions from the base station.

9. A subscriber access unit as in claim 6 wherein a ramp-up of the data service rate occurs in two phases, with said bandwidth manager first being granted access to a lower available rate channel, prior to granting access to a full rate channel.

10. A subscriber access unit as in claim 1 wherein if the base station determines that a maximum data rate for one connection is not enough, additional code channels are assigned to said bandwidth manager.

11. A subscriber access unit as in claim 10 wherein the additional channels have a predetermined relationship to the original code phase.

12. A subscriber access unit as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of subchannels is made available on a single radio frequency carrier by the base station assigning orthogonal codes for each subchannel.

13. A subscriber access unit comprising:

a transceiver for providing wireless communication of digital signals, the digital signals being communicated to a base station using at least one radio frequency (RF) channel via Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulated radio signals, with a plurality of subchannels being made available by the base station within each CDMA RF channel;

a bandwidth manager connected to said transceiver, and being allocated available subchannels by the base station on an as-needed basis, with the number of allocated subchannels changing during a given session; and

said transceiver, when powered on but not actively sending data, providing an idling mode connection on a reverse link to the base station, the idling mode connection enabling subchannels to be reallocated without reestablishing a bit synchronization with the base station, and sending an idle mode signal during the idle mode connection at a data rate that maintains the bit synchronization with the base station.

14. A subscriber access unit as in claim 13 wherein the data rate of the idle mode signal is within a range of about 37 to 80 bps.

15. A subscriber access unit as in claim 13 wherein the idle mode signal is time slotted between inactive links, to allow fewer dedicated base station receivers to maintain the links.

16. A subscriber access unit as in claim 13 wherein said bandwidth manager uses a same PN long code as other subscriber access units but at different code phases to reduce the overhead of maintaining the connections.

17. A subscriber access unit as in claim 13 wherein said transceiver sends a command requesting a higher data service rate to enter an active state.

18. A subscriber access unit as in claim 17 wherein upon the base station receiving a request for higher capacity data or voice traffic, the higher rate is then made available by the base station assigning additional code phases to said bandwidth manager.

19. A subscriber access unit as in claim 18 wherein the additional code phases are assigned in a predetermined phase relationship to reduce overhead transmissions from the base station.

20. A subscriber access unit as in claim 17 wherein a ramp-up of the data service rate occurs in two phases, with said bandwidth manager first being granted access to a lower available rate channel, prior to granting access to a full rate channel.

21. A subscriber access unit as in claim 13 wherein if the base station determines that a maximum data rate for one connection is not enough, additional code channels are assigned to said bandwidth manager.

22. A subscriber access unit as in claim 21 wherein the additional channels have a predetermined relationship to the original code phase.

23. A subscriber access unit as in claim 13 wherein the plurality of subchannels are made available on a single radio frequency carrier by the base station assigning orthogonal codes for each subchannel.

24. A subscriber unit comprising:

a wireless transceiver for providing wireless communications of digital signals over a digital communications path, the digital signals having a nominal data rate and being communicated using at least one radio frequency channel via Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulated radio signals, and with one or more subchannels within each CDMA radio channel being available, with a data rate of each subchannel being less than the nominal data rate of the digital signals;

a modem for establishing a communications session over the digital communications path;

a bandwidth manager coupled between said wireless transceiver and said modem for allocating available subchannels on an as-needed basis, with the number of allocated subchannels being variable during duration of a given communications session; and

said wireless transceiver, when powered on but not actively sending data, providing an idling mode connection on a reverse link over the digital communications path, the idling mode connection being operable to enable subchannels to be reallocated without reestablishing code phase lock over the digital communications path.

25. A subscriber unit according to claim 24 wherein said wireless transceiver sends a heartbeat signal at a data rate that maintains the code phase lock over the digital communications path when providing the idling mode connection.

26. A subscriber unit according to claim 25 wherein the heartbeat signal is time slotted between inactive links of other subscriber units.

27. A subscriber unit according to claim 24 wherein said wireless transceiver uses a same PN long code as other subscriber units but at different code phases to reduce overhead of maintaining the idling mode connection.

28. A subscriber unit according to claim 24 wherein said wireless transceiver sends a command over the digital communications path requesting a higher data service rate to enter an active state.

29. A subscriber unit according to claim 28 wherein ramp-up to the higher data service rate occurs in two phases, with said wireless transceiver first receiving a message assigning a fundamental channel from over the digital communications path to a lower available rate channel prior to receiving a message assigning additional code phase channels for a full rate channel.

30. A subscriber unit comprising:

a wireless transceiver for providing wireless communications of digital signals over a digital communications path, the digital signals having a nominal data rate and being communicated using at least one radio frequency channel via Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulated radio signals, and with one or more subchannels within each CDMA radio channel being available, with a data rate of each subchannel being less than the nominal data rate of the digital signals;

a bandwidth manager coupled to said wireless transceiver for allocating available subchannels on an as-needed basis, with the number of subchannels allocated thereby changing during a given session; and

said wireless transceiver providing an idling mode connection on a reverse link when not presently actively sending data, and ramping-up to a higher data service rate by first receiving a message assigning a fundamental channel from over the digital communications path for a lower available rate channel prior to receiving a message assigning additional code phase channels for a full rate channel.

31. A method for operating a subscriber unit comprising:

providing wireless communications of digital signals over a digital communications path using a wireless transceiver, the digital signals having a nominal data rate and being communicated using at least one radio frequency channel via Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulated radio signals, and with one or more subchannels within each CDMA radio channel being available, with a data rate of each subchannel being less than the nominal data rate of the digital signals;

establishing a communications session over the digital communications path;

allocating available subchannels on an asneeded basis, with the number of allocated subchannels being variable during duration of a given communications session; and

providing an idling mode connection on a reverse link over the digital communications path when the wireless transceiver is powered on but not actively sending data, the idling mode connection being operable to enable subchannels to be reallocated without reestablishing code phase lock over the digital communications path.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the wireless transceiver sends a heartbeat signal at a data rate that maintains the code phase lock over the digital communications path when providing the idling mode connection.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein the heartbeat signal is time slotted between inactive links of other subscriber units.

34. A method according to claim 31 wherein the wireless transceiver uses a same PN long code as other subscriber units but at different code phases to reduce overhead of maintaining the idling mode connection.

35. A method according to claim 31 wherein the wireless transceiver sends a command over the digital communications path requesting a higher data service rate to enter an active state.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein ramp-up to the higher data service rate occurs in two phases, with the wireless transceiver first receiving a message assigning a fundamental channel from over the digital communications path to a lower available rate channel prior to receiving a message assigning additional code phase channels for a full rate channel.

37. A method for operating a subscriber unit comprising:

providing wireless communications of digital signals over a digital communications path using a wireless transceiver, the digital signals having a nominal data rate and being communicated using at least one radio frequency channel via Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulated radio signals, and with one or more subchannels within each CDMA radio channel being available, with a data rate of each subchannel being less than the nominal data rate of the digital signals;

allocating available subchannels on an as-needed basis, with the number of subchannels allocated thereby changing during a given session; and

providing an idling mode connection on a reverse link when the wireless transceiver is not presently actively sending data, and ramping-up to a higher data service rate by first receiving a message assigning a fundamental channel from over the digital communications path for a lower available rate channel prior to receiving a message assigning additional code phase channels for a full rate channel.