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

• US 9,497,743 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2015
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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): Ngo, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMUEL, DEWANDA A
• Application Number:
  US14/738,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20150282160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 370/468, 370/412, 370/346
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 cellular telephone operable to communicate with a base station in a wireless communication system, the cellular telephone comprising:

one or more processors having a Media Access Controller (MAC) operable to queue data pertaining to an uplink (UL) connection between the cellular telephone and the base station, the data associated with a respective priority; and

a transceiver operable to

transmit an explicit message to the base station informing the base station that the cellular telephone has data awaiting transmission to the base station over the UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station,

subsequent to transmission of the explicit message, receive an indication of a first UL transmission resource, and

transmit information to the base station within the first UL transmission resource, the information indicative of an amount of data awaiting transmission to the base station over the UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station.

2. A cellular telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the MAC is further operable to:

receive downlink control information with current UL transmission resource allocations for a plurality of cellular telephones, including the cellular telephone;

identify in the downlink control information a second UL transmission resource allocated to the cellular telephone; and

allocate the second UL transmission resource to the UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station based on a communication parameter associated with the UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station.

3. A cellular telephone as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second UL transmission resource is allocated based on a communication parameter which includes a priority of the UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station.

4. A cellular telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein subsequent to transmission of information indicative of an amount of data awaiting transmission to the base station, the cellular telephone receives downlink control information provided in a subsequent frame, the downlink control information comprising an indication of a second UL transmission resource for the cellular telephone.

5. A cellular telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information indicative of an amount of data awaiting transmission to the base station identifies UL transmission resources required in addition to UL transmission resources previously allocated to the cellular telephone.

6. A cellular telephone operable to communicate with a base station in a wireless communication system, the cellular telephone comprising:

one or more processors having a Media Access Controller (MAC) operable to queue data pertaining to a first uplink (UL) connection between the cellular telephone and the base station, the data associated with a respective priority; and

a transceiver operable to

transmit a message requesting the base station to poll the cellular telephone,

in response to the message, receive an indication of a first UL transmission resource,

transmit information to the base station within the first UL transmission resource, the information indicative of an amount of data awaiting transmission to the base station over the first UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station, and

receive, in downlink control information, an allocation of a second UL transmission resource for the cellular telephone in response to the information indicative of an amount of data awaiting transmission to the base station over the first UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station.

7. A cellular telephone as claimed in claim 6, wherein the MAC is further operable to allocate the second UL transmission resource to one or more UL connections between the cellular telephone and the base station of a plurality of UL connections between the cellular telephone and the base station, which could be different from the first UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station.

8. A cellular telephone as claimed in claim 6, wherein the MAC is further operable to allocate the second UL transmission resource to one or more UL connections between the cellular telephone and the base station of a plurality of UL connections between the cellular telephone and the base station, based on a communication parameter associated to each UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station of the plurality of UL connections between the cellular telephone and the base station.

9. A cellular telephone as claimed in claim 8, wherein the communication parameter includes a quality of service parameter of each UL connection between the cellular telephone and the base station of the plurality of UL connections between the cellular telephone and the base station serviced by the cellular telephone.