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

• US 8,654,664 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2011
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• 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): Agosta, Steve D
• Application Number:
  US13/089,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20110249586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 370/252, 370/310.2, 370/322, 370/395.21, 370/395.43, 370/412, 455/422.1, 455/434, 455/450, 455/451, 455/452.1, 455/452.2, 455/453
• US Class Current: 370/252
• 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 subscriber radio unit for a wireless communication system comprising:

a radio configured to;

transmit bandwidth requests;

receive uplink bandwidth grants; and

transmit uplink data to a base station; and

a Media Access Control (MAC) module configured to;

generate a first bandwidth request with an indication of uplink bandwidth required for accommodating data of a first priority awaiting transmission on a first connection and provide the uplink data to the radio for transmission within an uplink bandwidth grant;

determine that additional bandwidth is necessary for transmission of uplink data of a second priority received at the subscriber radio unit on a second connection;

determine that the uplink bandwidth grant can accommodate a second bandwidth request;

insert, within the uplink bandwidth grant, the second bandwidth request with an indication of uplink bandwidth required for accommodating the data of the second priority; and

on receipt of a subsequent uplink bandwidth grant, allocate a first part of the subsequent uplink bandwidth grant to the uplink data awaiting transmission on the first connection and a second part of the subsequent uplink bandwidth to the uplink data awaiting transmission on the second connection, based on the first and second priorities and provide the UL data to the radio for transmission within the subsequent uplink bandwidth grant,

whereby, if the uplink bandwidth grant cannot accommodate the second bandwidth request, the MAC module provides a poll-me bit for requesting an allocation of uplink UL bandwidth for enabling the subscriber radio unit to transmit the second bandwidth request.

2. A subscriber radio unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the MAC module provides new uplink data of a third priority within the uplink bandwidth grant, instead of the uplink data of the first priority, when the third priority is higher than the first priority.

3. A subscriber radio unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the MAC module implements a traffic shaping technique for sharing the uplink bandwidth grant between the first connection and any additional connection established at the subscriber unit, which has uplink data of the first priority.

4. A subscriber radio unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the traffic shaping technique is based on the QoS, modulation and fairness criteria used to keep the subscriber radio unit from using up all uplink bandwidth available for transmission.

5. A subscriber radio unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio transmits the uplink data of the first priority along the first connection associated with the first priority and the uplink data of the second priority along a second connection associated with the second priority.

6. A subscriber radio unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second priorities are assigned to the respective first and second connections at the time the connections are established.

7. A subscriber radio unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the MAC module allocates the subsequent bandwidth grant further based on the amount of uplink data of first priority and uplink data of second priority awaiting uplink transmission.