Wireless communication system, apparatus for suppporting data flow and methods therefor

• US 8,031,654 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2007
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Wireless Technology Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Speight, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shedrick, Charles
• Application Number:
  US11/726,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20080045263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,659 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 455/450, 455/451, 455/452.1, 455/452.2
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1848 Time-out mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1854 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/19 at layers above the network layer network arrangements for networked applications for scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/163 In-band adaptation of TCP data exchange; In-band control procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 based on load
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/06 Transport layer protocols, e.g. TCP [Transport Control Protocol] over wireless transmission control protocol/Internet protocol [TCP/IP] or user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16

Abstract

An apparatus for use in allocating resource in a wireless communication system employing transfer communication protocol (TCP) based data transfer between a network and a wireless subscriber communication unit comprises a scheduler located in the network, wherein the scheduler buffers a TCP data segment for downlink (DL) transmission. A transmitter is arranged to transmit the buffered TCP data segment to the UE; wherein the message indicates an allocation of DL resources plus sufficient uplink resources to transfer a stand-alone ACK data segment. In this manner, for example in large bulk data transfer cases, a reduced latency may be achieved that may lead to improved throughput, due to the fact that the overall throughput may be limited by the window size (i.e. number of unacknowledged segments) rather than the throughput possible across the air interface.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in allocating resource in a wireless communication system employing transfer communication protocol (TCP) based data transfer between a network and a wireless subscriber communication unit, the apparatus comprising:

a scheduler located in the network, wherein the scheduler buffers a TCP data segment for downlink (DL) transmission to user equipment (UE);

counting logic operably coupled to the scheduler and arranged to count a number of data segments transmitted to the UE, wherein the scheduler is arranged to allocate uplink (UL) resources for supporting a transmission of a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment from the UE in response to the counting logic counting a predetermined number of data segments; and

a transmitter arranged to transmit to the user equipment (UE) an allocation message that indicates an allocation of DL resources and then to transmit to the user equipment the buffered TCP data segment on the allocated DL resources, wherein when the counting logic has counted the predetermined number of data segments the allocation message indicates an allocation of uplink resources sufficient to transfer the stand-alone ACK data segment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is located in a radio access network that comprises the scheduler arranged to allocate resources to a plurality of UEs.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a communication unit arranged to operate in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular communication system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is arranged to operate in a time division duplex code division multiple access cellular communication system.

5. A wireless subscriber communication unit for use in acknowledging an allocation of resource in a wireless communication system employing transfer communication protocol (TCP) based data transfer between a network and the wireless subscriber communication unit, the wireless subscriber communication unit comprising:

a receiver arranged to receive an allocation message and a TCP data segment;

processing logic, operably coupled to the receiver and arranged to process the allocation message to identify an allocation of DL resources to receive the TCP data segment plus sufficient uplink (UL) resources to transfer a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment, where the allocation of UL resources to support transmission of the stand-alone ACK data segment is based on a count performed in the network of a predetermined number of data segments transmitted to the wireless subscriber communication unit; and

a transmitter arranged to transmit the stand-alone ACK data segment in response to the message.

6. The wireless subscriber communication unit of claim 5 wherein the wireless subscriber communication unit immediately transmits the stand-alone ACK data segment in the allocated UL resources following processing the downlink message.

7. The wireless subscriber communication unit of claim 5 wherein the wireless subscriber communication unit is arranged to operate in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular communication system.

8. The wireless subscriber communication unit of claim 5 wherein the wireless subscriber communication unit is arranged to operate in a time division duplex code division multiple access cellular communication system.

9. A method for allocating resource in a wireless communication system employing transfer communication protocol (TCP) based data transfer between a network and a wireless subscriber communication unit, the method comprising:

buffering a TCP data segment for downlink (DL) transmission to the wireless subscriber communication unit; and

counting a number of data segments transmitted to the wireless subscriber communication unit;

allocating uplink (UL) resources for supporting a transmission of a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment from the wireless subscriber communication unit in response to the counting step having counted at least a predetermined number of the data segments; and

first transmitting to the wireless subscriber communication unit an allocation message wherein the message indicates an allocation of DL resources, and then transmitting to the wireless subscriber communication unit the buffered TCP data segment on the allocated DL resources, wherein when the count of the data segments at least equals the predetermined number of the data segments the allocation message indicates an allocation of UL resources sufficient to transfer the stand-alone ACK data segment.

10. The method for allocating resource of claim 9 wherein the method is applied in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular communication system.

11. The method for allocating resource of claim 9 wherein the method is applied in a time division duplex code division multiple access cellular communication system.

12. A method for acknowledging an allocation of resource in a wireless communication system employing transfer communication protocol (TCP) based data transfer between a network and a wireless subscriber communication unit, the method comprising:

receiving an allocation message and a TCP data segment;

processing the allocation message;

identifying an allocation of DL resources to receive the TCP data segment plus sufficient uplink (UL) resources to transfer a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment, where the allocation of UL resources to support transmission of the stand-alone ACK data segment is based on a count performed in the network of a predetermined number of data segments transmitted to the wireless subscriber communication unit; and

transmitting the stand-alone ACK data segment in response to the allocation message.

13. The method for acknowledging an allocation of resource claim 12 wherein the step of transmitting the stand-alone ACK data segment in the allocated UL resources is performed immediately following the step of processing and identifying.

14. The method for acknowledging an allocation of resource of claim 12 wherein the method is applied in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular communication system.

15. The method for acknowledging an allocation of resource of claim 12 wherein the method is applied in a time division duplex code division multiple access cellular communication system.

16. A non-transitory computer program product having executable program code stored therein for allocating resource in a wireless communication system, the program code operable for when executed at a communication unit:

buffering a TCP data segment for downlink (DL) transmission to a wireless subscriber communication unit; and

counting a number of data segments transmitted to the wireless subscriber communication unit;

allocating uplink (UL) resources for supporting a transmission of a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment from the wireless subscriber communication unit in response to when the count of the data segments at least equals a predetermined number of the data segments; and

first transmitting to the wireless subscriber communication unit an allocation message that indicates an allocation of DL resources and then transmitting to the wireless subscriber communication unit the buffered TCP data segment on the allocated DL resources, wherein when the count of the data segments at least equals the predetermined number of the data segments the allocation message indicates an allocation of UL resources sufficient to transfer the stand-alone ACK data segment.

17. A wireless communication system comprising a radio access network facilitating communication to a plurality of wireless subscriber communication units, the wireless communication system comprising:

a scheduler located in the network, wherein the scheduler buffers a transfer communication protocol (TCP) data segment for downlink (DL) transmission to a wireless subscriber communication unit; and

counting logic operably coupled to the scheduler and arranged to count a number of data segments transmitted to the UE, wherein the scheduler is arranged to allocate uplink (UL) resources for supporting a transmission of a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment from the UE in response to the counting logic counting a predetermined number of data segments; and

a transmitter arranged to transmit to the wireless subscriber communication unit an allocation message that indicates an allocation of DL resources and then to transmit to the wireless subscriber communication unit the buffered TCP data segment on the allocated DL resources, wherein when the counting logic has counted the predetermined number of data segments the allocation message indicates an allocation of uplink (UL) resources sufficient to transfer the stand-alone ACK data segment.

18. The wireless communication system of claim 17 wherein the wireless subscriber communication unit comprises:

a receiver arranged to receive the DL allocation message comprising and the transfer communication protocol (TCP) data segment;

processing logic, operably coupled to the receiver and arranged to process the allocation message to identify an allocation of DL resources to receive the TCP data segment plus sufficient uplink resources to transfer the stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment; and

a transmitter arranged to transmit the stand-alone ACK data segment in response to the allocation message.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication system is a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular communication system.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication system is a time division duplex code division multiple access cellular communication system.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory;

a processor coupled to the memory; and

program code stored in the memory and executable on the processor, the program code operable for;

buffering a transfer communication protocol (TCP) data segment for downlink (DL) transmission to a wireless subscriber communication unit;

counting a number of data segments transmitted to the wireless subscriber communication unit;

allocating uplink (UL) resources for supporting a transmission of a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment from the wireless subscriber communication unit in response to when the count of data segments equals a predetermined number of data segments; and

first transmitting to the wireless subscriber communication unit an allocation message that indicates an allocation of DL resources and then transmitting to the wireless subscriber communication unit the buffered TCP data segment on the allocated DL resources, wherein when the count of data segments at least equals the predetermined count of data segments the allocation message indicates an allocation of UL resources sufficient to transfer the stand-alone ACK data segment.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

non-transitory logic for buffering a transfer communication protocol (TCP) data segment for downlink (DL) transmission to a wireless subscriber communication unit; and

non-transitory logic for counting a number of data segments transmitted to the wireless subscriber communication unit;

non-transitory logic for allocating uplink (UL) resources for supporting a transmission of a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment from the wireless subscriber communication unit in response to when the count of the number of data segments at least equals a predetermined number of data segments; and

non-transitory logic for transmitting to the wireless subscriber communication unit an allocation message that indicates an allocation of DL resources and for then transmitting to the wireless subscriber communication unit the buffered TCP data segment on the allocated DL resources, wherein when the count of the number of data segments at least equals the predetermined number of data segments the allocation message indicates an allocation of UL resources sufficient to transfer the stand-alone ACK data segment.

23. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory;

a processor coupled to the memory; and

program code stored in the memory and executable on the processor, the program code operable for;

receiving an allocation message and a transfer communication protocol (TCP) data segment;

processing the allocation message;

identifying an allocation of DL resources to receive the TCP data segment plus sufficient uplink (UL) resources to transfer a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment, where the allocation of UL resources to support transmission of the stand-alone ACK data segment is based on a count performed external to the apparatus of a predetermined number of data segments transmitted to the wireless subscriber communication unit; and

transmitting the stand-alone ACK data segment in response to the allocation message.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

non-transitory logic for receiving allocation message and a transfer communication protocol TCP data segment;

non-transitory logic for processing the allocation message;

non-transitory logic for identifying an allocation of DL resources to receive the TCP data segmenet plus sufficient uplink (UL) resources to transfer a stand-alone acknowledgement (ACK) data segment, where the allocation of UL resources to support transmission of the stand-alone ACK data segment is based on a count performed external to the apparatus of a predetermined number of data segments transmitted to the wireless subscriber communication unit; and

non-transitory logic for transmitting the stand-alone ACK data segment in response to the allocation message.