Combining grant, acknowledgement, and rate control commands

• US 8,201,039 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Tiedemann, Edward G. Jr., Damnjanovic, Aleksandar, Jain, Avinash, Malladi, Durga P., Oses, David Puig, Gaal, Peter, Lundby, Stein, Sarkar, Sandip, Chen, Tao, Wei, Yongbin, Willenegger, Serge
• Primary Examiner(s): Rizk, Sam
• Application Number:
  US11/747,131
• Publication Number:
  US 20070206623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,860 Days
• Field of Search: 714/748, 370/331, 370/349
• US Class Current: 714/748
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/264 for data rate control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0026 Transmission of channel quality indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1671 the supervisory signal being transmitted together with control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1819 with retransmission of additional or different redundancy
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein address the need in the art for reduced overhead control with the ability to adjust transmission rates as necessary. In one aspect, a first signal indicates an acknowledgement of a decoded subpacket and whether or not a rate control command is generated, and a second signal conditionally indicates the rate control command when one is generated. In another aspect, a grant may be generated concurrently with the acknowledgement. In yet another aspect, a mobile station monitors the first signal, conditionally monitors the second signal as indicated by the first signal, and may monitor a third signal comprising a grant. In yet another aspect, one or more base stations transmit one or more of the various signals. Various other aspects are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of providing the flexibility of grant-based control while utilizing lower overhead when rate control commands are used, thus increasing system utilization, increasing capacity and throughput.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a scheduler that determines whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate, the determination based at least on one or more channel conditions; and

a message generator that;

generates a first message comprising a first indicator representing an acknowledgment and a second indicator, the second indicator comprising a grant indicator when the scheduler elects to issue a grant to the request for transmission, and the second indicator alternately comprising a data rate control indicator when the scheduler elects to adjust the current transmission rate; and

generates a second message when the second indicator comprises a data rate control indicator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data rate control indicator is a rate control command.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate increase.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate decrease.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate hold.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a packet;

a decoder for decoding the received packet;

a scheduler for selecting between issuing a grant to a request for transmission or adjusting a current transmission rate; and

a message generator for;

generating a first signal comprising a first value associated with one of an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, and a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when the scheduler elects to issue a grant, and the second value alternatively associated with a rate control indication when the scheduler elects to adjust a current transmission rate; and

conditionally generating a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a rate control command when the second value of the first signal is associated with a rate control indication.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting the first signal and conditionally transmitting the second signal when the first signal includes the rate control indication.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the receiver receives one or more transmission requests and one or more autonomous transmissions, the scheduler allocates a shared resource in response to the one or more transmission requests and the one or more autonomous transmissions.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a receiver that monitors a first signal containing a first indicator comprising one of a positive or negative acknowledgment and a second indicator representing one of a grant indication or a data rate control indication, the receiver conditionally monitors a second signal containing a rate control command when the second indicator represents a data rate control indication; and

a message decoder for decoding the second indicator from the first signal and the rate control command from the second signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rate control command is one of a plurality of values, wherein one or more of the plurality of values indicates a rate increase.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rate control command is one of a plurality of values, wherein one or more of the plurality of values indicates a rate decrease.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rate control command is one of a plurality of values, wherein one or more of the plurality of values indicates a rate hold.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting a packet.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transmitter retransmits the packet when the first signal indicates the transmitted packet is not acknowledged.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second signal comprises a rate control command, and the transmitter transmits a second packet at a rate determined in accordance with a rate control command.

16. A base station, comprising:

a scheduler that determines whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate, the determination based at least on channel conditions; and

a message generator that;

generates a first message comprising a first indicator representing an acknowledgment and a second indicator, the second indicator comprising a grant indicator when the scheduler elects to issue a grant to the request for transmission, and the second indicator alternately comprising a data rate indicator when the scheduler elects to adjust the current transmission rate; and

generates a second message comprising a rate control command when the second indicator comprises a data rate indicator.

17. A remote station, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a first signal containing a first indicator representing an acknowledgment and a second indicator representing one of a grant indication or a data rate control indication, the receiver conditionally receiving a second signal containing a rate control command when the second indicator represents a data rate control indication; and

a message decoder for decoding the second indicator from the received first signal and the rate control command from the received second signal.

18. A wireless communication system, including a base station, comprising:

a scheduler that determines whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate, the determination based at least on current channel conditions; and

a message generator that;

generates a first message comprising a first indicator representing an acknowledgment and a second indicator, the second indicator comprising a grant indicator when the scheduler elects to issue a grant to the request for transmission, and the second indicator alternately comprising a data rate control indicator when the scheduler elects to adjust the current transmission rate; and

generates a second message comprising a rate control command when the second indicator comprises a data rate control indicator.

19. A wireless communication system, including a remote station, comprising:

a receiver for monitoring a first signal comprising a first indicator representing one of a positive or negative acknowledgment and further comprising a second indicator representing one of a grant indication or a data rate control indication, the receiver conditionally monitoring a second signal containing a rate control command only when the second indicator represents a data rate control indication; and

a message decoder for decoding the second indicator from the received first signal and the rate control command from the received second signal.

20. A method for rate control, comprising:

employing a processor to execute instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts;

determining whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate;

generating a first signal comprising a first value representing one of an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, and further comprising a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when it is determined to issue a grant, and the second value alternatively associated with a rate control indication when it is determined to adjust a current transmission rate; and

conditionally generating a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a rate control command when the second value of the first signal is associated with a rate control indication.

21. A method for rate control, comprising:

employing a processor to execute instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts;

receiving a packet;

decoding the packet;

determining whether to issue a grant in response to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate;

generating a first signal indicating whether the received packet was decoded correctly, the first signal further including one of a grant indication or a rate control indication based on the determination; and

generating a second signal comprising a rate control command when the first signal includes a rate control indication.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first signal comprises one or more values indicating an acknowledgment of correct decoding and no rate control command.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more values indicating an acknowledgment of correct decoding and no rate control command revokes a prior grant.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the first signal comprises one or more values indicating an acknowledgment of correct decoding and a rate control command.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the first signal comprises a value indicating no transmission corresponding to a negative acknowledgment of the decoded packet and no rate control command.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate increase.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate decrease.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate hold.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second signal comprises a value indicating no transmission for a rate hold.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving one or more transmission requests;

receiving one or more autonomous transmissions; and

allocating a shared resource in response to the one or more transmission requests and the one or more autonomous transmissions.

31. The method of claim 21, further comprising including the grant indication in the first signal in response to a received transmission request.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the second signal is not generated when the grant indication is included in the first signal.

33. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

transmitting the first signal; and

conditionally transmitting the second signal only when the rate control indication is issued.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein the received packet is a subpacket.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the decoding is performed in response to previously received corresponding subpackets.

36. A method for rate control, comprising:

employing a processor to execute instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts;

receiving a first signal comprising a first value associated with one of an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, and further comprising a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when a request for transmission is being granted, and the second value alternatively associated with a data rate control indication when a current transmission rate is being adjusted; and

conditionally receiving a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a rate control command when the second value of the first received signal is associated with a rate control command.

37. A method for rate control, comprising:

employing a processor to execute instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts;

transmitting a packet;

receiving a first signal indicating whether the transmitted packet was acknowledged and whether a rate control command will be issued or alternately whether a request for transmission will be granted; and

receiving a second signal comprising the rate control command only when the first signal indicates that a rate control command will be issued.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the first signal comprises a value indicating an acknowledgment of correct decoding and no rate control command.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the value indicating an acknowledgment of correct decoding and no rate control command revokes a prior grant.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the first signal comprises a value indicating an acknowledgment of correct decoding and a rate control command.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the first signal comprises a value indicating no transmission corresponding to a negative acknowledgment of the decoded packet and no rate control command.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate increase.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate decrease.

44. The method of claim 37, wherein the rate control command indicates a rate hold.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the second signal comprises a value indicating no transmission for a rate hold.

46. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

retransmitting the packet when the first received signal indicates the transmitted packet was not acknowledged.

47. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

transmitting a second packet when the first received signal indicates the transmitted packet was acknowledged.

48. The method of claim 37, wherein the second packet is transmitted at a rate determined in accordance with the rate control command when a rate control command is received on the second signal.

49. The method of claim 37, wherein the transmitted packet is a subpacket.

50. An apparatus, comprising:

means for determining whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate;

means for generating a first signal comprising a first value associated with one of an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, and further comprising a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when it is determined to issue a grant, and the second value alternatively associated with a rate control indication when it is determined to adjust a current transmission rate; and

means for conditionally generating a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a rate control command when the second value of the first signal is associated with a rate control indication.

51. A method for rate control, comprising:

means for receiving a packet;

means for decoding the packet;

means for determining whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate;

means for generating a first signal indicating whether the received packet was decoded correctly and further indicating whether a rate control command will be issued or alternately whether a request for transmission will be granted; and

means for generating a second signal comprising the rate control command only when the first signal indicates that a rate control command will be issued.

52. A method for rate control, comprising:

means for receiving a first signal comprising a first value associated one of with an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, and further comprising a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when a request for transmission is being granted, and the second value alternatively associated with a rate control indication when a current transmission rate is being adjusted; and

means for conditionally receiving a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a control command when the second value of the first received signal is associated with a rate control indication.

53. A method for rate control, comprising:

means for transmitting a packet;

means for receiving a first signal indicating whether the transmitted packet was acknowledged and further indicating whether a rate control command will be issued or alternately whether a request for transmission will be granted; and

means for receiving a second signal comprising the rate control command only when the first signal indicates that a rate control command will be issued.

54. A wireless communication system, comprising:

means for determining whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate;

means for generating a first signal comprising a first value associated with one of an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, and further comprising a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when it is determined to issue a grant, and the second value alternatively associated with a rate control indication when it is determined to adjust a current transmission rate; and

means for conditionally generating a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a rate control command when the second value of the first signal is associated with a rate control indication.

55. A wireless communication system, comprising:

means for receiving a first signal comprising a first value associated with one of an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, and further comprising a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when a request for transmission is being granted, and the second value alternatively associated with a data rate control indication when a current transmission rate is being adjusted; and

means for conditionally receiving a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a rate control command when the second value of the first received signal is associated with a rate control indication.

56. Computer-readable media operable to perform the following steps:

determining whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or to adjust a current transmission rate;

generating a first signal comprising a first value associated with one of an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, further comprising a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when it is determined to issue a grant, and the second alternatively associated with a rate control indication when it is determined to adjust a current transmission rate; and

conditionally generating a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a rate control command when the second value of the first signal is associated with a rate control indication.

57. Computer-readable media operable to perform the following steps:

receiving a packet;

decoding the packet;

determining whether to issue a grant to a request for transmission or alternately to adjust a current transmission rate;

generating a first signal indicating whether the received packet was decoded correctly and further indicating whether a rate control command will be issued or alternatively whether a request for transmission will be granted; and

generating a second signal comprising the rate control command only when the first signal indicates that a rate control command will be issued.

58. Computer-readable media operable to perform the following steps:

receiving a first signal comprising a first value associated with one of an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment, and further comprising a second value, the second value associated with a grant indication when a request for transmission is being granted, and the second value alternatively associated with a data rate control indication when a current transmission rate is being adjusted; and

conditionally receiving a second signal comprising at least one value corresponding to a rate control command when the second value of the first received signal is associated with a rate control indication.

59. Computer-readable media operable to perform the following steps:

transmitting a packet;

monitoring for a first signal indicating whether the transmitted packet was acknowledged and further indicating whether a rate control command will be issued or alternately whether a request for transmission will be granted; and

monitoring for a second signal comprising the rate control command only when the first signal indicates that a rate control command will be issued.