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

• US 8,929,905 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2013
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• 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:
  US14/139,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20140171093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/434, 455450-453, 370/310.2, 370/322, 370/395.21, 370/0.43, 370/412
• US Class Current: 455/450
• 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 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. Currently active CPEs request bandwidth using 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.

Claims

1. A base station for communication with a plurality of wireless cellular mobile units connected in a wireless communication system, the base station comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting downlink (DL) traffic to the wireless cellular mobile units; and

a media access control (MAC) module executable by one or more processors and configured to

identify an explicit message received from a wireless cellular mobile unit, indicating that the wireless cellular mobile unit requires an allocation of uplink (UL) bandwidth;

provide the allocation of UL bandwidth for enabling the wireless cellular mobile unit to transmit a bandwidth request indicative of an amount of UL data awaiting transmission in a UL queue established at the wireless cellular mobile unit; and

allocate to the wireless cellular mobile unit an UL bandwidth grant, the MAC module allocating the UL bandwidth grant based on the bandwidth request, and on communication parameters including a modulation scheme used for data transmission and the bandwidth available for UL transmissions,

wherein the UL bandwidth grant is allocated to the wireless cellular mobile unit for distribution between two or more UL queues provided at the wireless cellular mobile unit, the distribution being based on the priority of the UL data currently awaiting transmission in the two or more UL queues.

2. A base station as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a receiver for receiving UL transmissions from the plurality of wireless cellular mobile units.

3. A base station as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing a logical view of the UL queues, prepared based on the bandwidth requests received from the wireless cellular mobile units.

4. A base station as claimed in claim 3, wherein the UL bandwidth grant is established using the logical view maintained at the base station.

5. A base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication parameters include a QoS associated to each UL queue.

6. A base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base station implicitly informs the wireless cellular mobile unit that the bandwidth request has been processed by allocating to said wireless cellular mobile unit the UL bandwidth grant.

7. A base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication parameters include a fairness criterion.

8. A base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UL bandwidth grant specifies a physical resource for uplink transmission from the wireless cellular mobile unit to the base station.