Methods and apparatus relating to generating and transmitting initial and additional control information report sets in a wireless system

• US 9,451,491 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2006
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Anigstein, Pabio Alejandro, Das, Arnab
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US11/333,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20070149194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,899 Days
• Field of Search: 370/331, 370/310, 370/311, 370/318, 370/346, 370/349, 455/522, 455/422.1, 455/436, 455/437, 455/438, 455/439, 455/442, 455/574, 455/343.4, 455/343.2, 455/67.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0026 Transmission of channel quality indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2602 Signal structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/24 Negotiating SLA [Service Level Agreement]; Negotiating QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1221 based on age of data to be sent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 based on load
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/543 based on requested quality, e.g. QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/569 of the traffic information
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An initial reporting structure for an uplink dedicated control channel is used by a wireless terminal following a transition into a state of wireless terminal operation or action which makes it desirable to provide a base station with an initial set of control information which can be used to support uplink transmission of user data. Subsequently while continuing operation in a state supporting uplink transmission of user data, a recurring scheduled reporting structure for the uplink dedicated control channel is followed by the wireless terminal. The initial reporting structure provides for communication of at least some information reports, e.g., infrequently scheduled reports, which may not have been otherwise communicated during the same time interval if the recurring scheduled reporting structure had not been overridden. Thus the use of initial report sets facilitates a rapid overall understanding by the serving base station attachment point of the wireless terminal'"'"'s status.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless terminal to report control information, the method comprising:

operating a transmitter to transmit an initial control information report set including a transmission power availability report following at least one of;

i) a transition from a first mode of wireless terminal operation to a second mode of wireless terminal operation, said first mode of wireless terminal operation being a sleep mode of operation or a hold mode of operation and said second mode of wireless terminal operation being an active mode of wireless terminal operation or ii) a handoff operation from a first connection to a second connection, said transmission of said initial control information report set having a first duration equal to a first time period;

operating the transmitter to transmit a first additional control information report set, said first additional control information report set being different from said initial control information report set in terms of a type of information communicated in a report, said first additional control information report set not including a transmission power availability information report.

2. The method of claim 1,

wherein said first additional control information report set is transmitted for a period of time which is the same as said first time period;

and

wherein the method further comprises;

repeating said step of transmitting said first additional control information report set following transmission of said initial control information report set while in said second mode of wireless terminal operation.

3. The method of claim 1,

wherein said initial control information report set includes an absolute signal to noise ratio report and no delta signal to noise ratio report;

and

wherein said first additional control information report set includes a delta signal to noise ratio report.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said initial control information report set includes the same number of information bits as said first additional control information report set.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a second additional control information report set for a period of time which is the same as said first time period, said transmitting a second additional control information report set occurring between the transmission of each first additional control information report set, said second additional report including said at least one report that is not included in said first additional control information report set.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said first additional control information report set and said initial control information report set each include a signal to noise ratio report, said initial control information report set also including an interference report which communicates interference information which is not communicated by said signal to noise ratio report included in said initial control information report set.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said first mode of operation is a sleep mode of operation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein during said active mode of operation said wireless terminal can transmit user data on an uplink and during said hold and sleep modes of operation said wireless terminal is precluded from transmitting user data on said uplink.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein said initial control information report set and said additional control information report set occur in a predetermined sequence following said at least one of:

i) a transition from a first mode of wireless terminal operation to a second mode of wireless terminal operation or ii) a handoff operation from a first connection to a second connection, said transmission of said initial control information report set having a first duration equal to a first time period.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein said additional control information report set includes information in a delta format which indicates a value as a differential from a previously communicated value, said initial control information report not including any information in said delta format.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said information in a delta format is included in a signal to noise ratio report.

35. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating more bits of uplink traffic request information in said additional control information report than in said initial control information report.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said uplink traffic request information provides information on a number of frames of uplink user data to be communicated.

39. The method of claim 1,

wherein said initial control information report set includes uplink traffic request information providing information on a number of frames of uplink user data to be communicated;

and

wherein said initial additional information report set includes additional uplink traffic request information.

9. A wireless terminal comprising:

a report transmission control module for controlling said wireless terminal to transmit an initial information report set including a transmission power availability report following a transition by said wireless terminal from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation and to transmit scheduled reports according to an uplink reporting schedule following transmission of said initial report set, said first mode of operation being a sleep mode of operation or a hold mode of operation and said second mode of operation being an active mode of operation, said initial information report set being different from a first report set transmitted in accordance with said uplink reporting schedule following transmission of said initial information report set in terms of a type of information communicated in a report;

an initial report generation module responsive to said report transmission control module for generating said initial information report set as a function of a point in time with respect to an uplink transmission schedule at which said initial report set is to be transmitted; and

a scheduled report generation module for generating a scheduled report information set to be transmitted following said initial information report, said scheduled report information set not including a transmission power availability information report.

10. The wireless terminal of claim 9, further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting said initial information report set and said scheduled report set.

11. The wireless terminal of claim 10, wherein said second mode of operation is an on-state in which said wireless terminal has a dedicated uplink reporting channel for reporting information including requests for uplink traffic channel resources which can be used to transmit user data.

12. The wireless terminal of claim 11, wherein said first mode of operation is a state in which said wireless terminal does not have a dedicated uplink reporting channel for reporting information including requests for uplink traffic channel resources which can be used to transmit user data.

13. The wireless terminal of claim 12, further comprising:

stored information indicating the format of initial report sets to be transmitted depending on the time at which said initial report set is to be transmitted within said recurring uplink reporting structure.

16. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein said report transmission control module includes a handoff detection module for detecting a handoff from a first access node to another access node and for controlling said wireless terminal to generate an initial information report set following a handoff, said generated initial information report set to be transmitted to said second access node.

17. The wireless terminal of claim 9, wherein said initial report generation module includes a report set size determination sub-module for determining an initial report set size as a function of the point in time with respect to the uplink transmission schedule at which said initial report set is to be transmitted.

18. The wireless terminal of claim 17, further comprising:

control information for controlling the content of an initial report set as a function of the size of the initial report set.

40. The wireless terminal of claim 9,

wherein said initial information report set includes uplink traffic request information providing information on a number of frames of uplink user data to be communicated;

and

wherein said first report set includes additional uplink traffic request information.

14. A wireless terminal comprising:

a report transmission control module for controlling said wireless terminal to transmit an initial information report set including a transmission power availability report following a transition by said wireless terminal from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation and to transmit scheduled reports according to an uplink reporting schedule following transmission of said initial report set, said first mode of operation being a sleep mode of operation or a hold mode of operation and said second mode of operation being an active mode of operation;

an initial report generation module responsive to said report transmission control module for generating said initial information report set as a function of a point in time with respect to an uplink transmission schedule at which said initial report set is to be transmitted; and

a scheduled report generation module for generating a scheduled report information set to be transmitted following said initial information report, said scheduled report information set not including a transmission power availability information report;

a transmitter for transmitting said initial report set and said scheduled report set;

memory including stored information indicating a recurring uplink reporting structure and at least some dedicated control channel report sets to be transmitted at predetermined points in time within said recurring uplink reporting structure; and

a timing control module for correlating said uplink reporting structure based on downlink signals received from a base station.

15. The wireless terminal of claim 14, wherein said timing control module is a closed loop timing control circuit.

19. A wireless terminal comprising:

a report transmission control module for controlling said wireless terminal to transmit an initial information report set including a transmission power availability report following a transition by said wireless terminal from a first mode of operation to a second mode and to transmit scheduled reports according to an uplink reporting schedule following transmission of said initial report set, said first mode of operation being a sleep mode of operation or a hold mode of operation and said second mode of operation being an active mode of operation;

an initial report generation module responsive to said report transmission control module for generating said initial information report set as a function of a point in time with respect to an uplink transmission schedule at which said initial report set is to be transmitted;

a scheduled report generation module for generating a scheduled report information set to be transmitted following said initial information report, said scheduled report information set not including a transmission power availability information report;

said initial report generation module includes a report set size determination sub- module for determining an initial report set size as a function of the point in time with respect to the uplink transmission schedule at which said initial report set is to be transmitted; and

control information for controlling the content of an initial report set as a function of said time with respect to the uplink transmission schedule at which said initial report set is to be transmitted, said content at the start of said initial report varying depending on said time.

41. The wireless terminal of claim 19,

wherein said initial information report set includes uplink traffic request information providing information on a number of frames of uplink user data to be communicated;

and

wherein said first additional information report set includes additional uplink traffic request information.

20. A method of operating a communications device including information indicating a predetermined report sequence for use in controlling transmission of a plurality of different control information reports on a recurring basis, the method comprising:

operating a transmitter to transmit an initial control information report set including an uplink traffic request report following at least one of;

i) a transition from a first mode of communications device operation to a second mode of communications device operation, said first mode of communications device operation being a sleep mode of operation or a hold mode of operation and said second mode of communications device operation being an active mode of operation or ii) a handoff operation from a first connection to a second connection, said transmission of said initial control information report set occurring in place of transmitting reports in accordance with a portion of said predetermined report sequence;

operating the transmitter to transmit an additional control information report set in accordance with the information indicating said predetermined report sequence; and

wherein said initial control information report set includes a transmission power availability report, said additional control information report set not including a transmission power availability information report.

21. The method of claim 20,

wherein said initial control information report set further includes an absolute signal to noise ratio report and does not include any delta signal to noise ratio reports;

wherein said additional control information report set include a delta signal to noise ratio report; and

wherein said communications device is a wireless terminal.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said transmitting an initial control information report set includes transmitting said initial control information report set on a dedicated uplink control channel.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said dedicated uplink control channel is single tone channel.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said single tone of said single tone channel is hopped over time.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein said predetermined report sequence repeats over a time period which is greater than a transmission time period used to transmit said initial control information report set.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein said wireless terminal supports a plurality of different initial control information report sets, the method further comprising:

selecting which one of the plurality of initial control information report sets to transmit.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein said initial control information report set can include one or a plurality of reports.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein said at least one report that is not included in said additional control information report set is as a wireless terminal transmission power availability report.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said additional control information report set is a first additional control information report set, the method further comprising:

transmitting a second additional control information report set;

transmitting another first additional control information report; and

wherein said transmitting said second additional control information report set occupies a period of time which is the same as a period of time used to transmit said first additional control information report set, said transmission of said second additional control information report set occurring between the transmission of each first additional control information report set, said second additional control information report set including said at least one report that is not included in said first additional control information report set.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said first additional control information report includes an interference report that is not included in said first additional control information report set.

26. A method of operating a communications device including information indicating a predetermined report sequence for use in controlling transmission of a plurality of different control information reports on a recurring basis, the method comprising:

operating a transmitter to transmit an initial control information report set including a transmission power availability report following at least one of;

i) a transition from a first mode of communications device operation to a second mode of communications device operation, said first mode of communications device operation being a sleep mode of operation or a hold mode of operation and said second mode of communications device operation being an active mode of operation or ii) a handoff operation from a first connection to a second connection while remaining in the second mode of operation, said transmission of said initial control information report set occurring in place of transmitting reports in accordance with a portion of said predetermined report sequence; and

operating the transmitter to transmit a first additional control information report set in accordance with the information indicating said predetermined report sequence, said first additional control information report set not including a transmission power availability information report;

wherein said predetermined report sequence repeats over a time period which is greater than a transmission time period used to transmit said initial control information report set; and

wherein transmitting said initial information report set includes transmitting at least one report which would not have been transmitted during the time period used to transmit said initial control information report set if said transmitted reports had followed said predetermined report sequence.

42. The method of claim 26,

wherein said initial control information report set includes uplink traffic request information providing information on a number of frames of uplink user data to be communicated;

and

wherein said first additional control information report set includes additional uplink traffic request information.

36. A non-transitory computer readable medium including computer executable instructions for controlling a wireless terminal to report control information, the non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:

instructions for causing the wireless terminal to transmit an initial control information report set including a transmission power availability report following at least one of;

i) a transition from a first mode of wireless terminal operation to a second mode of wireless terminal operation, said first mode of wireless terminal operation being a sleep mode of operation or a hold mode of operation and said second mode of wireless terminal operation being an active mode of operation or ii) a handoff operation from a first connection to a second connection, said transmission of said initial control information report set having a first duration equal to a first time period;

instructions for causing the wireless terminal to transmit a first additional control information report set, said transmitting a first additional control information set following transmission of said initial control information report set, said first additional control information report set being different from said initial control information report set in terms of a type of information communicated in a report, said first additional control information report set not including a transmission power availability information report.

43. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 36,

wherein said initial control information report set includes uplink traffic request information providing information on a number of frames of uplink user data to be communicated;

and

wherein said first additional control information report set includes additional uplink traffic request information.

37. A wireless terminal comprising a processor configured to control said wireless terminal to:

transmit an initial control information report set including a transmission power availability report following at least one of;

i) a transition from a first mode of wireless terminal operation to a second mode of wireless terminal operation, said first mode of wireless terminal operation being a sleep mode of operation or a hold mode of operation and said second mode of wireless terminal operation being an active mode of operation or ii) a handoff operation from a first connection to a second connection, said transmission of said initial control information report set having a first duration equal to a first time period;

transmit a first additional control information report set, said transmitting a first additional control information set following transmission of said initial control information report set, said first additional control information report set being different from said initial control information report set in terms of a type of information communicated in a report, said first additional control information report set not including a transmission power availability information report.

44. The wireless terminal of claim 37,

wherein said initial control information report set includes uplink traffic request information providing information on a number of frames of uplink user data to be communicated;

and

wherein said first additional control information report set includes additional uplink traffic request information.