Method, apparatus and computer program providing signaling of zero/full power allocation for high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA)

• US 7,965,679 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2006
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Sébire, Benoist, Ranta-aho, Karri
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHRPOUR, NAGHMEH
• Application Number:
  US11/432,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20060268773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,867 Days
• Field of Search: 370/329, 370/400, 370/328, 370/278, 370/242, 370/336, 370/280, 455/452.1, 455/450, 455/522, 455/451, 455436-439
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/146 Uplink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/16 Deriving transmission power values from another channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/226 using past references to control power, e.g. look-up-table
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/286 during data packet transmission, e.g. high speed packet access [HSPA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/58 Format of the TPC bits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1268 of uplink data flows

Abstract

A network schedules a mobile station for an uplink packet transmission on a data channel, receives from a mobile station an uplink message on a control channel, determines from the uplink message a desired power for the mobile station to transmit on the data channel, and thereafter transmits to the mobile station a power control message that commands either a zero power allocation or a full power allocation for the scheduled uplink packet transmission. The mobile station receives from the network the power control message, then determines from the power control message whether zero or full power is allocated. If zero power, then the mobile station suspends its transmissions on the data channel until receiving a new power control command for uplink transmissions on the data channel. If full power, the mobile station transmits user data on the data channel without regard to power on a control channel.

Claims

1. A method for operating a network element comprising:

scheduling a user equipment for an uplink packet transmission on a wireless data channel;

selecting a zero power allocation from a plurality of power allocations, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/control channel power ratios; and

transmitting to the user equipment a power control message that includes the selected zero power allocation for the scheduled uplink packet transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

determining the unique bit sequence from a stored lookup table or algorithm.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the unique bit sequence comprises E-DPDCH/DPCCH power ratio signaling bits.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the lookup table or algorithm further comprises another bit sequence associated with a full power allocation that commands transmission on the data channel at a maximum capable power.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting to the user equipment a message comprises transmitting on an absolute grant channel, and the wireless data channel comprises an enhanced dedicated transport channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein both scheduling and transmitting are by a base transceiver station.

7. A computer readable storage medium embodied with a computer program that is executable by a digital data processor, to perform actions comprising:

after scheduling a user equipment for an uplink packet transmission on a wireless data channel, selecting a zero power allocation from a plurality of power allocations, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/control channel power ratios, and accessing a data storage medium to determine a unique bit sequence that is associated with the zero power allocation; and

transmitting to the user equipment a power control message for the scheduled uplink transmission that includes the determined bit sequence.

8. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the determined unique bit sequence is determined from a stored lookup table or algorithm.

9. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the unique bit sequence comprises E-DPDCH/DPCCH power ratio signaling bits.

10. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the data storage medium comprises further comprises another bit sequence associated with a full power allocation that commands transmission on the wireless data channel at a maximum capable power.

11. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the power control message on an absolute grant channel, and the wireless data channel comprises an enhanced dedicated transport channel.

12. A network element comprising:

a transceiver configured to provide communications to and from a data processor and a memory for storing a data association and computer instructions executable by the data processor, wherein;

the data association comprises an association of a first bit sequence with a zero power allocation from a plurality of power allocations, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/control channel power ratios; and

the executable computer instructions are for causing the transceiver to send a power control message comprising the first bit sequence to a user equipment that is scheduled for uplink packet transmission on a wireless data channel.

13. The network element of claim 12, wherein the data association is through a stored lookup table or algorithm.

14. The network element of claim 13, wherein the unique bit sequence comprises E-DPDCH/DPCCH power ratio signaling bits.

15. The network element of claim 13, wherein the data association further comprises another bit sequence associated with a full power allocation that commands transmission on the wireless data channel at a maximum capable power.

16. The network element of claim 12, wherein the power control message is sent on an absolute grant channel, and the wireless data channel comprises an enhanced dedicated transport channel.

17. The network element of claim 12, wherein the executable computer instructions are further for scheduling the user equipment for the uplink packet transmission on the wireless data channel.

18. An apparatus comprising:

means for storing an association of bit sequences with power allocations, wherein a first bit sequence is associated with a zero power allocation and a second bit sequence is associated with a relative power allocation, the zero power allocation being one of a plurality of power allocations, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/control channel power ratios; and

means for transmitting, from the apparatus, in a power control message the first bit sequence to command a user equipment to transmit with a zero power allocation for a wireless uplink data channel.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

the means for storing comprises a computer readable storage medium; and

the means for transmitting comprises a transceiver configured to provide communications to and from a processor and to the computer readable storage medium for compiling the power control message to include the first bit sequence which is selected based in part on power of a control channel, and for wirelessly sending the message on an absolute grant channel.

20. A method for operating a mobile station comprising:

receiving from a network element a power control command for uplink transmissions on the wireless uplink data channel;

determining from the power control command a zero power allocation, the zero power allocation being one of a plurality of power allocations available from the network element, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/control channel power ratios; and

responsive to determining, suspending transmissions on the wireless data channel until receiving a new power control command for uplink transmissions on the wireless data channel.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein determining comprises accessing a stored lookup table or algorithm that associates a unique bit sequence with a corresponding power allocation.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the unique bit sequence comprises E-DPDCH/DPCCH power ratio signaling bits.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the lookup table or algorithm further comprises another bit sequence associated with a full power allocation that commands transmission on the wireless data channel at a maximum capable power.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the another bit sequence commands transmitting user data at a mobile station maximum capable power.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the power control command is received on an absolute grant channel, and the wireless data channel comprises an enhanced dedicated transport channel.

26. A computer readable storage medium embodied with a computer program that is executable by a digital data processor, to perform actions comprising:

receiving at a mobile station from a network element a power control command for uplink transmissions on a wireless data channel;

determining from the power control command a zero power allocation, the zero power allocation being one of a plurality of power allocations available from the network element, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/control channel power ratios; and

responsive to determining, suspending transmissions on the wireless data channel until receiving a new power control command for uplink transmissions on the wireless data channel.

27. The computer readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein determining comprises accessing a stored lookup table or algorithm that associates a unique bit sequence with a corresponding power allocation.

28. The computer readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the unique bit sequence comprises E-DPDCH/DPCCH power ratio signaling bits.

29. The computer readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the lookup table or algorithm further comprises another bit sequence associated with a full power allocation that commands transmission on the wireless data channel at a maximum capable power.

30. The computer readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the power control command is received on an absolute grant channel, and the wireless data channel comprises an enhanced dedicated transport channel.

31. The computer readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the another bit sequence commands transmitting user data at a mobile station maximum capable power.

32. A mobile station comprising:

a data processor;

a memory configured to store a data association and computer instructions executable by the data processor;

a transceiver configured to provide communications to and from the data processor, wherein;

upon receipt of a power control command for uplink transmissions on a wireless data channel, the executable computer instructions are configured to cause the processor to determine from the power control command and the memory a zero power allocation selected by a network element, wherein the zero power allocation is one of a plurality of power allocations, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/control channel power ratios; and

responsive to the determining, suspending transmissions on the wireless data channel until receiving a new power control command for uplink transmissions on the wireless data channel.

33. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured to determine a power allocation by accessing the stored data association that associates a unique bit sequence with a corresponding power allocation, wherein the stored data association is in the form of a lookup table or an algorithm.

34. The mobile station of claim 33, wherein the unique bit sequence comprises E-DPDCH/DPCCH power ratio signaling bits.

35. The mobile station of claim 33, wherein the lookup table or algorithm further comprises another bit sequence associated with a full power allocation that commands transmission on the wireless data channel at a maximum capable power.

36. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein the power control command is received on an absolute grant channel, and the wireless data channel comprises an enhanced dedicated transport channel.

37. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein another bit sequence commands the mobile station to transmit user data at its maximum capable power.

38. An apparatus comprising:

means for storing an association of a first bit sequence with a zero power allocation;

means for accessing the means for storing with the first bit sequence received in a power control message on an absolute grant channel to determine the zero power allocation for uplink transmissions on a wireless data channel;

means for receiving a selected zero power allocation in the power control message from a network element, wherein the selected zero power allocation is one of a plurality of power allocations available from the network element, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/control channel power ratios; and

responsive to determining, means for suspending transmissions on the wireless data channel until receiving a new power control command for uplink transmissions on the wireless data channel.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein:

the means for storing comprises a computer readable storage medium;

the means for determining comprises a processor configured to communicate with the storage medium; and

the means for suspending transmissions comprises the processor and a transceiver.

40. A method of allocating transmission power to a mobile station comprising:

in a network,

scheduling a mobile station for an uplink packet transmission on a wireless data channel;

receiving from a mobile station an uplink message on a control channel;

determining from the uplink message a desired zero power for the mobile station to transmit on the wireless data channel;

selecting a zero power allocation from a plurality of power allocations, each of the plurality of the power allocations corresponding to a unique bit sequence, one of the unique bit sequences being associated with the zero power allocation and a remainder of the unique bit sequences being associated with data channel/ control channel power ratios; and

transmitting to the mobile station a power control message, via an absolute grant channel, that includes the selected zero power allocation for the scheduled uplink packet transmission;

in the mobile station;

receiving from the network the power control message on the absolute grant channel;

determining from the power control message the selected zero power allocation; and

responsive to the mobile station determining, suspending transmissions on the wireless data channel until receiving a new power control command for uplink transmissions on the wireless data channel.