Methods and apparatus for uplink macro-diversity in packet-switched cellular networks
First Claim
1. A method of operating a wireless terminal, comprising:
- maintaining a plurality of communications connections between the wireless terminal and at least two different receivers;
monitoring channel conditions on the communications connections;
selecting one of the plurality of communications connections based on the monitored channel conditions;
controlling packet size as a function of the monitored channel conditions, wherein controlling comprises signaling a source of the packets to generate packets of a different size;
transmitting at least a portion of a packet using the selected communications connection; and
repeating the monitoring, selecting and transmitting steps, wherein multiple communications connections are selected for uplink transmissions during a period of time in which a single communications connection is used for downlink transmissions to the wireless terminal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing uplink macro-diversity in packet-switched networks that allows packets and/or portions of packets, e.g., frames, to be selectively sent from an end node, e.g., wireless communication device or mobile terminal, over a set of multiple communication connections, e.g., physical-layer or link-layer connections, to one or more access nodes, e.g., base stations. Uplink macro-diversity is achieved in part through intelligent selective forwarding over multiple communication connections, where the forwarding decision is controlled by the end node based on a variety of factors, e.g., physical-layer channel conditions and/or higher layer policy. The forwarding decision is executed on a rapid timescale, e.g., on a per packet basis, to adapt to the dynamically varying conditions of the set of communication connections.
35 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method of operating a wireless terminal, comprising:
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maintaining a plurality of communications connections between the wireless terminal and at least two different receivers; monitoring channel conditions on the communications connections; selecting one of the plurality of communications connections based on the monitored channel conditions; controlling packet size as a function of the monitored channel conditions, wherein controlling comprises signaling a source of the packets to generate packets of a different size; transmitting at least a portion of a packet using the selected communications connection; and repeating the monitoring, selecting and transmitting steps, wherein multiple communications connections are selected for uplink transmissions during a period of time in which a single communications connection is used for downlink transmissions to the wireless terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A wireless terminal, comprising:
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a processor; memory in electronic communication with the processor; instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to; maintain a plurality of communications connections between the wireless terminal and at least two different receivers; monitor channel conditions on the communications connections; select one of the plurality of communications connections based on the monitored channel conditions; control packet size as a function of the monitored channel conditions, wherein controlling comprises signaling a source of the packets to generate packets of a different size; transmit at least a portion of a packet using the selected communications connection; and repeat the monitoring, selecting and transmitting, wherein multiple communications connections are selected for uplink transmissions during a period of time in which a single communications connection is used for downlink transmissions to the wireless terminal. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A wireless terminal, comprising:
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means for maintaining a plurality of communications connections between the wireless terminal and at least two different receivers; means for monitoring channel conditions on the communications connections; means for selecting one of the plurality of communications connections based on the monitored channel conditions; means for controlling packet size as a function of the monitored channel conditions, wherein the means for controlling comprise means for signaling a source of the packets to generate packets of a different size; means for transmitting at least a portion of a packet using the selected communications connection; and means for repeating the monitoring, selecting and transmitting steps, wherein multiple communications connections are selected for uplink transmissions during a period of time in which a single communications connection is used for downlink transmissions to the wireless terminal. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, the instructions being executable to:
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maintain a plurality of communications connections between a wireless terminal and at least two different receivers; monitor channel conditions on the communications connections; select one of the plurality of communications connections based on the monitored channel conditions; control packet size as a function of the monitored channel conditions, wherein controlling comprises signaling a source of the packets to generate packets of a different size; transmit at least a portion of a packet using the selected communications connection; and repeat the monitoring, selecting and transmitting, wherein multiple communications connections are selected for uplink transmissions during a period of time in which a single communications connection is used for downlink transmissions to the wireless terminal. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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Specification