Methods and systems for transmission of multiple modulated signals over wireless networks

• US 8,462,723 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2011
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Inventors: Stanwood, Kenneth L., Mollenauer, James F., Klein, Israel Jay, Gilbert, Sheldon L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kizou, Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shand, Roberta A
• Application Number:
  US13/089,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20110249585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5607 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0064 Rate requirement of the data, e.g. scalable bandwidth, data priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0005 synchronizing of arrival of multiple uplinks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/56 based on priority criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 using polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 : Transfer of terminal data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE. By using a combination of bandwidth allocation techniques, the present invention advantageously makes use of the efficiency benefits associated with each technique.

Claims

1. A method of allocating uplink (UL) bandwidth in a wireless subscriber unit in communication with an associated base station, the method comprising:

placing, at the subscriber unit, data received on one or more connections into queues, based on the quality of service (QoS) of the data;

transmitting from the subscriber unit a one bit message to the base station informing the base station that the subscriber unit has data awaiting transmission;

receiving at the subscriber unit a bandwidth request opportunity comprising an amount of UL bandwidth; and

transmitting a bandwidth request within the amount of UL bandwidth, the bandwidth request specifying a requested amount of UL bandwidth pertaining to at least a queue at the subscriber unit.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an uplink (UL) map with current UL bandwidth allocations for a plurality of subscriber units, including the subscriber unit;

identifying in the UL map an UL bandwidth grant allocated to the subscriber radio unit; and

allocating the UL bandwidth grant to one or more of a plurality of connections served by the subscriber unit based on a communication parameter associated with each connection.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an UL bandwidth grant is allocated based on a communication parameter which includes a connection priority.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the subscriber unit is informed that the bandwidth request has been granted, by receiving an UL bandwidth grant in a subsequent UL frame map.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the requested amount of UL bandwidth identifies bandwidth required in addition to a UL bandwidth grant previously allocated to the subscriber unit.

6. A method of allocating uplink bandwidth in a subscriber unit, comprising:

transmitting from the subscriber unit a message requesting to be polled;

receiving at the subscriber unit an opportunity to request bandwidth comprising an amount of UL bandwidth;

transmitting a bandwidth request within the amount of UL bandwidth, the bandwidth request specifying a requested amount of UL bandwidth pertaining to at least one of a plurality of connections established at the subscriber unit; and

receiving an UL bandwidth grant for the subscriber unit in response to the bandwidth request, the UL bandwidth grant being identified in a UL frame map.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising allocating the UL bandwidth grant to one or more connections of the plurality of connections established at the subscriber unit, which could be different from the at least one connection for which the bandwidth request has been sent.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the subscriber unit allocates the UL bandwidth grant to one or more of the connections it serves based on a communication parameter associated to each connection.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the communication parameter includes the QoS of the connections established at the subscriber unit.