Method and apparatus for packet scheduling according to the capabilities of the receiving mobile terminals

BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

0001The present invention relates to a packet transmission control apparatus and a packet transmission control method which perform transmission control of packets to a plurality of mobile stations.

0002The present invention relates particularly to a packet transmission control apparatus and a packet transmission control method which perform transmission control of downlink packets in a mobile communication system.

2. Description of the Related Art

0003In a downlink of a mobile communication system, one physical channel can be shared among mobile stations which belong to a radio base station. Hereinafter, the physical channel used in such a case is called a "downlink shared channel".

0004In this downlink shared channel, the radio base station controls the transmission order of packets to the plurality of mobile stations with which the radio base station communicates, in accordance with an instantaneous radio quality between the radio base station and each mobile station, so as to improve throughput that the radio base station can provide, in other words, a system capacity.

0005This control of packet transmission order by the radio base station is called "scheduling". It is known that, by applying the scheduling to packet transmission, channel capacity increases, or communication condition improves.

0006Generally, it is considered that the conventional scheduling targets on packets in which requirements for transmission delays are not so strict.

0007Incidentally, with regard to standardization of the third generation mobile communication system, so-called IMT-2000, there are "3GPP/3GPP2 (Third-Generation Partnership Project/Third-Generation Partnership Project 2)". Standard specifications have been developed as "W-CDMA system" in the 3GPP, and standard specifications have been developed as "cdma2000 system" in the 3GPP2.

0008In the 3GPP, "HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) ", which is a high-speed packet transmission system in the downlink direction, has been standardized based upon a prospect that high-speed and high-capacity traffic will increase especially in the downlink due to downloading from databases and websites and the like, as the Internet has rapidly expanded in recent years.

0009Moreover, in the 3GPP2, "1x-EV DO", which is a transmission system only for high-speed data in the downlink direction, has been standardized from the same viewpoint as above. In the "1x-EV DO" of the cdma2000 system, "DO" means "Date Only".

0010For example, in the HSDPA, a scheme for controlling a modulation scheme and a coding rate of respective radio channels in accordance with the radio quality between each mobile station and a radio base station (this scheme is called, for example, AMCS (Adaptive Modulation and Coding Scheme) in the HSPDA), and the scheduling which is operated in a cycle of few milliseconds, are used in a combination. Thus, it is possible to improve throughput for individual mobile stations as well as throughput of the entire system.

0011"Round Robin Scheduler" is widely known as a scheduling algorithm in a radio base station. The "Round Robin Scheduler" controls the transmission order of packets waiting for transmission, by assigning the downlink shared channel sequentially to mobile stations (for example, mobile stations #1 to #2 to #3...) which belong to the radio base station.

0012Moreover, "Proportional Fairness Scheduler" and "Max C/I (Maximum C/I) Scheduler" are known as scheduling algorithms in a radio base station. The "Proportional Fairness Scheduler" and the "Max C/I Scheduler" control the transmission order of packets waiting for transmission based upon the instantaneous transmission rate and the average transmission rate of packets to each mobile station.

0013The "Proportional Fairness Scheduling" is a scheduling algorithm which assigns a transmission queue and also supports fairness amongst the mobile stations, in accordance with instantaneous changes in downlink radio qualities of the individual mobile stations.

0014Hereinbelow, the "Proportional Fairness Scheduling" is briefly described with reference to <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1. FIG. 1</figref> is a flowchart showing the operation of the "Proportional Fairness Scheduler" mounted on a radio base station.

0015In the "Proportional Fairness Scheduling", a value of an evaluation function of each mobile station which belongs to the radio base station is calculated based upon the measured instantaneous transmission rate of packets to each mobile station (e.g. the instantaneous radio quality between each mobile station and the radio base station) and the measured average transmission rate of packets to each mobile station (e.g. the average radio quality between each mobile station and the radio base station), and thereafter, a transmission queue is assigned to a mobile station maximizing the value of the evaluation function.

0016As shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>, in step S1001, the radio base station sets initial values as follows: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>n = 1 (n: a subscript of a mobile station)</li><li>C_max = 0 (C_max: a maximum value of an evaluation function C_n)</li><li>n_max = 0 (n_max : a subscript of the mobile station maximizing the value C_n of the evaluation function)</li></ul>

0017In step S1002, the radio base station measures elements required in calculating the value C_n of the evaluation function, specifically, an instantaneous transmission rate R_n of packets to each mobile station, and an average transmission rate <o ostyle="single">Rn</o> of packets to each mobile station.

0018In step S1003, the radio base station calculates the value C_n of the evaluation function, by using the values measured in the step S1002, according to the following equation. <maths id="math0001" num=""><math display="block"><mi>Cn</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mi>Rn</mi><mover><mi>Rn</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover></mfrac></math><img file="EP1566926B1_D0001.tif" /></maths>

0019In step S1004, the radio base station determines whether or not the value C_n of the evaluation function calculated in the step S1003 exceeds a maximum value C_max of the evaluation function.

0020Here, C_max = 0. Therefore, the determination in the step S1004 is YES, and in step S1005, the radio base station sets the value C_n of the evaluation function calculated in the step S1003 at the maximum value C_max of the evaluation function, and also sets "1" at "n_max".

0021Thereafter, in step S1006, the radio base station increments "n" by "+1", and determines whether or not "n" exceeds "N (the number of mobile stations communicating with the radio base station)" in step S1007.

0022Where "n" does not exceed "N", the operation repeats the steps from S1002 to S1006, thus obtaining N values of the evaluation function sequentially.

0023In step S1008, the radio base station selects a mobile station #n_max maximizing the value C_n of the evaluation function, and assigns a transmission queue to the mobile station #n_max.

0024Here, the numerator of the evaluation function is an "instantaneous transmission rate of packets to the mobile station (e.g. instantaneous radio quality between the radio station and each mobile station)", and the denominator of the evaluation function is an "average transmission rate of packets to the mobile station (e.g. the average radio quality between the radio station and each mobile station)". Thus, the "Proportional Fairness Scheduler" operates so that the probability of assigning transmission queue to the mobile station #n, whose instantaneous transmission rate is larger than the above average transmission rate, becomes higher.

0025According to the "Proportional Fairness Scheduler", transmission queues are assigned to a mobile station which has high instantaneous transmission rate, even when the average transmission rate of the mobile station is large or small. Therefore, the "Proportional Fairness scheduler" can realize both "fairness in terms of time" and "high cell throughput by user diversity gain".

0026However, the operation of the conventional "Proportional Fairness Scheduler" is based on the assumption that the capability is the same in all mobile stations. Thus, there has been a problem in that fairness in terms of time cannot always be provided by the conventional "Proportional Fairness Scheduler" in case where the capability is different in a plurality of mobile stations.

0027For example, a mobile station has the Receive diversity (Rx diversity) function as a receiver capability and another mobile station dose not have the Receive diversity function as a receiver capability.

0028In this case, the value C_n of the evaluation function will not always become large in the former mobile station, because the average information rate and the receivable number of information bits (the instantaneous information rate) increase simultaneously, with the Receive diversity function, when the transmission queue is assigned.

0029Thus, it is adapted to set the same average information rate to all mobile stations because of using <o ostyle="single">Rn</o> in the denominator of the evaluation function for the conventional Proportional Fairness Scheduler.

0030In other words, the conventional Proportional Fairness Scheduler tends to reduce the frequency of assigning transmission queues to a mobile station which has high capability. This causes that the conventional Proportional Fairness Scheduler is adapted to negate the high capability of the former mobile station.

0031Further, according to the conventional Proportional Fairness Scheduler, typically, the changes of radio quality becomes smaller in a mobile station which has the Receive diversity function than in a mobile station which does not have the Receive diversity function. When the evaluation function is used as an instantaneous radio quality to the average radio quality, the values C_n of the evaluation function becomes larger in little case, or the maximum value of the evaluation function becomes smaller. As a result, there has been a problem in that the number of times transmission queues are assigned is reduced.

0032It is explained, by referring to <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, that the radio quality changes of a mobile station having the Receive diversity function becomes smaller. As shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, the radio qualities which change without correlation are combined by the mobile station which has the Receive diversity function, and therefore the radio quality changes are reduced.

0033In short, there has been a problem in that the conventional Proportional Fairness Scheduler is adapted to reduce the number of times transmission queues are assigned to mobile stations which have high capabilities, and to negate the effect of the high capabilities.

0034Further, as those mobile stations have high capability at the risk of high price, large power requirements, or large in size, it is reasonable that the number of times transmission queues are assigned should be increased. However, the conventional Proportional Fairness Scheduler is adapted to act in conflict with this concept.

0035<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1389848A1"><text>EP 1 389 848 A1</text></patcit> relates to a method of managing a plurality of parallel hybrid ARQ processes in the communication process between a base station and mobile stations. A radio network controller (RNC) controls one or several base stations which in turn communicate via wireless links with user equipment. A shared channel is used for performing high speed downlink packet access. A scheduler is located in the base station so that retransmissions can be rapidly requested allowing small delays and high data rates. The scheduler considers different parameters in allocating resources to different user equipments. However, according to the known method, the scheduler is not configured to perform scheduling of the packet in accordance with capabilities of the user equipment.

0036Similarly, <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="WO03043273A1"><text>WO 03/043273 A1</text></patcit> disclosing a scheduler for use in wireless communication does not disclose a scheduler configured to perform scheduling of packets in accordance with capabilities of mobile stations to which the packets are transmitted.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0037In viewing of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packet transmission control apparatus and a packet transmission control method which can realize fairness in terms of time according to the capability of mobile stations while operating the conventional "Proportional Fairness Scheduler".

0038This object is achieved by the subject matter as defined by the appended independent claims 1 and 7. Preferred embodiments are covered by the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

0039<ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a flowchart showing an operation of an MAC-hs processing unit within a base band signal processing unit in a radio base station according to a prior art.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is a view for explaining reduction in changes of a radio quality of a mobile station which uses a Receive diversity process in a scheduler according to the prior art.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> is a view of the entire configuration of a mobile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> is a functional block diagram of a radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> is a functional block diagram of a base band signal processing unit in the radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 6</figref> is a functional block diagram of an MAC-hs processing unit within the base band signal processing unit in the radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">FIG. 7</figref> is a view for explaining an operation of an HARQ unit of the MAC-hs processing unit within the base band signal processing unit in the radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 8</figref> is a view for explaining an operation of a mobile station transmission rate calculating unit of the MAC-hs processing unit within the base band signal processing unit in the radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart showing an operation of the MAC-hs processing unit within the base band signal processing unit in the radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0010">FIG. 10</figref> is a flowchart showing an operation of an MAC-hs processing unit within a base band signal processing unit in a radio base station according to a second embodiment of the present invention</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(A First Embodiment of the Present Invention)

<Configuration of Packet Transmission Control Apparatus According to the First Embodiment of the Present Invention>

0040The configuration of a packet transmission control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described below, with reference to the drawings.

0041<figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> is a view showing an example of the configuration of a mobile communication system in which the packet transmission control apparatus is provided according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided.

0042In <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref>, this mobile communication system is configured with a radio base station 100 and a plurality of mobile stations #1 to #3, and employs the "HSDPA". In the first embodiment, description is given regarding an example where the above-described packet transmission control apparatus is provided in the radio base station 100.

0043In downlink packet transmission in the "HSDPA", used are a downlink shared channel (DSCH) or a high speed-DSCH (HS-DSCH), and associated dedicated physical channels #1 to #3 (bidirectional channels in uplink and downlink directions) associated with a physical channel (DSCH or HS-DSCH). Each of the associated dedicated physical channels #1 to #3 is assigned to the individual mobile stations #1 to #3, respectively.

0044In the uplink directions of the associated dedicated physical channels #1 to #3, transmitted are not only user data, but also pilot symbols, transmission power control commands (TPC commands) for transmission of downlink associated dedicated physical channels, downlink radio quality information used for scheduling of the shared channel and AMCS (Adaptive Modulation and Coding Scheme), and the like.

0045On the other hand, in the downlink directions of the associated dedicated physical channels #1 to #3, transmission power control commands (TPC commands) for transmission of the uplink associated dedicated physical channels and the like are transmitted.

0046In the first embodiment, the respective mobile stations #1 to #3 have the same configuration and function. Therefore, they are described as the mobile station #n (n ≧ 1) unless otherwise specified.

0047<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the radio base station 100 shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref>. In <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref>, the radio base station 100 includes a transmitting-receiving antenna 101, an amplifying unit 102, a transmitting-receiving unit 103, a base band signal processing unit 104, a call processing unit 105, and an HWY interface 106.

0048The transmit-receive antenna 101 is configured to transmit a downlink radio frequency signal containing the downlink shared channel, downlink associated dedicated physical channels #1 to #3, and the like, to the respective mobile stations #1 to #3. The transmit-receive antenna 101 is also configured to receive an uplink radio frequency signal containing the downlink associated dedicated physical channels #1 to #3 and the like, from the respective mobile stations #1 to #3.

0049The amplifying unit 102 is configured to amplify the downlink radio frequency signal outputted from the base band signal processing unit 104, and to transmit the amplified signal to the transmit-receive antenna 101.

0050The amplifying unit 102 is also configured to amplify the uplink radio frequency signal from the transmit-receive antenna 101, and to transmit the amplified signal to the base band signal processing unit 104.

0051The transmitting-receiving unit 103 is configured to transmit a base band signal to the base band signal processing unit 104. The base band signal is obtained by converting the frequency of the uplink radio frequency signal outputted from the amplifying unit 102.

0052The transmitting-receiving unit 103 is configured to transmit the downlink radio frequency signal to the amplifying unit 102. The downlink radio frequency signal is obtained by converting the frequency of the base band signal, outputted from the base band signal processing unit 104, into a radio frequency band.

0053The base band signal processing unit 104 is configured to provide downlink packets, outputted from the HWY interface 106, with retransmission control (HARQ (Hybrid ARQ)) processing, scheduling processing, transmission format and resource selecting processing, error-correction coding processing, spreading processing and the like, and then transfers the packets to the transmitting and receiving unit 103.

0054The base band signal processing unit 104 is also configured to provide the base band signal, outputted from the transmitting-receiving unit 103, with despreading processing, RAKE combining processing, error-correction decoding processing, and the like, and transfers the signal to the HWY interface 106.

0055<figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> shows the functional configuration of the base band signal processing unit 104. Specifically, as shown in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref>, the base band signal processing unit 104 includes a layer 1 processing unit 111 and an MAC-hs (Medium Access Control-HSDPA) processing unit 112. Both of the layer 1 processing unit 111 and the MAC-hs processing unit 112 are connected to the call processing unit 105.

0056The layer 1 processing unit 111 is configured to provide the downlink packets with error-correction coding processing and spreading processing, to provide the uplink packets with despreading processing, error-correction decoding process and RAKE combining processing, and to provide the associated dedicated physical channels in both directions with transmission power control processing.

0057Further, the layer 1 processing unit 111 is configured to receive information indicating a downlink radio quality. This information is reported, being carried on a control bit field specifically for an uplink dedicated physical channel from each mobile station. The layer 1 processing unit 111 then outputs the information to an evaluation function calculating unit 180 of the MAC-hs processing unit 112.

0058Here, the information indicating the radio quality include, for example, instantaneous receipt SIR (signal-to-interference ratio), BLER (Bit Error Rate), CQI (Channel Quality Indicator) and the like.

0059The MAC-hs processing unit 112 is configured to provide retransmission control (HARQ) processing of the downlink shared channel in HSDPA, scheduling processing for packets waiting for transmission, and transmission format and resource selection processing.

0060<figref idref="f0006">FIG. 6</figref> shows the functional configuration of the MAC-hs processing unit 112. As shown in <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 6</figref>, the MAC-hs processing unit 112 includes a flow controlling unit 120, an MAC-hs resource calculating unit 130, a scheduling unit 140, a TFR (transmission format and resource) selecting unit 150, a capability index setting unit 160, a mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170, and the evaluation function calculating unit 180.

0061The flow controlling unit 120 includes a plurality of flow controllers (#1 to #N) 121₁ to 121_N, and has a function of adjusting a transmission rate of downlink packets, which has been received from a radio network controller through the HWY interface 106, based upon a capacity of an implemented transmission queue (buffer) and the like.

0062The respective flow controllers (#1 to #N) 121₁ to 121_N monitor the flow of downlink packets. Once the flow of downlink packets increases, and the free space in the transmission queue (buffer) is reduced, the flow controllers 121₁ to 121_N perform processing for suppressing the volume of packets to be transmitted.

0063Note that the flow controllers (#1 to #N) 121₁ to 121_N correspond to connections #1 to #N between the radio base station and the mobile stations #1 to #N, respectively.

0064The MAC-hs resource calculating unit 130 is configured to calculate radio resources (a power resource, a code resource, a hardware resource and the like) to be assigned to HS-DSCH, and to include an HS-DSCH power resource calculating unit 131 which calculates the power resource, an HS-DSCH code resource calculating unit 132 which calculates the code resource, and an HS-DSCH hardware resource calculating unit 133 which calculates the hardware resource.

0065The scheduling unit 140 is configured to provide downlink packets to be transmitted to each mobile station, with scheduling processing.

0066As described later, in the first embodiment, the scheduling unit 140 is configured to schedule packets to the respective mobile stations based upon capabilities of the respective mobile stations.

0067The scheduling unit 140 may be configured to schedule to transmit packets to a mobile station which maximizes a value of an evaluation function calculated in use of capability indexes corresponding to the capabilities of the mobile stations.

0068As described later, the scheduling unit 140 provides scheduling processing for downlink packets to be transmitted to each mobile station, based upon the value of the evaluation function related to the respective mobile station. The value of the evaluation function is calculated by the evaluation function calculating unit 180.

0069Specifically, the scheduling unit 140 selects a mobile station #n maximizing the value C_n of the evaluation function amongst the respective mobile stations. Thereafter, the scheduling unit 140 assigns a priority queue 141 to the mobile station #n (that is, the scheduling unit 140 carries out assignment of downlink transmission).

0070As shown in <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 6</figref>, the scheduling unit 140 has N priority queues (#1 to #N) 141₁ to 141_N, N reordering units (#1 to #N) 142₁ to 142_N, and N HARQ units (#1 to #N) 143₁ to 143_N.

0071The priority queues (#1 to #N) 141_l to 141_N, the reordering units (#1 to #N) 142₁ to 142_N, and the HARQ units (#1 to #N) 143₁ to 143_N correspond to connections #1 to #N between the radio base station and the mobile stations #1 to #N, respectively.

0072The priority queues (#1 to #N) 141₁ to 141_N are transmission queues provided in the connections, respectively. In other words, the priority queues (#1 to #N) 141₁ to 141_N are configured to accumulate downlink packets until they are selected by the scheduling processing.

0073Normally, one priority queue is used for one mobile station. However, a plurality of priority queues are used for one mobile station when a plurality of connections are set in one mobile station.

0074The reordering units (#1 to #N) 142₁ to 142_N are configured to give sequence numbers to downlink packets so that the mobile station #n can execute receiving order control processing for the downlink packets in the retransmission control processing using HARQ. The reordering units (#1 to #N) 142₁ to 142_N also perform window control processing to prevent a reception buffer overflow in the mobile station #n.

0075The HARQ units (#1 to #N) 143₁ to 143_N are configured to perform the retransmission control processing by using a stop-and-wait protocol ARQ of M process, based upon ACK/NACK feedback in the uplink direction.

0076An example of the operation of the stop-and-wait protocol ARQ performed in the HARQ units (#1 to #N) 143₁ to 143_N is described with reference to <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 7</figref>.

0077As shown in <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 7</figref>, in the stop-and-wait protocol ARQ, a receiver receives packets from a sender and then returns transmission acknowledgements (ACK/NACK) to the sender.

0078In the example of <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 7</figref>, the receiver could not receive a packet #1 correctly and thus returns a negative acknowledgement (NACK) to the sender. Meanwhile, the receiver could receive a packet #2 correctly, and thus returns an positive acknowledgement (ACK) to the sender. The receiver repeats the operation of returning ACK or NACK to the sender in the order of received packets.

0079The TFR selecting unit 150 includes N TFR selecting functions (#1 to #N) 151₁ to 151_N. The TFR selecting functions (#1 to #N) 151₁ to 151_N correspond to the connections #1 to #N between the radio base station and the mobile stations #1 to #N, respectively.

0080The TFR selecting functions (#1 to #N) 151₁ to 151_N are configured to decide a downlink transmission format (a number of codes, a modulation scheme, a coding rate and the like) and radio resources which are used in the respective connections #1 to #N, based upon the CQI which is an indicator of the downlink quality received through an uplink channel, the radio resources (a power resource, a code resource, a hardware resource) to be assigned to HS-DSCH which are calculated in the MAC-hs resource calculating unit 130, and the like.

0081The respective TFR selecting functions (#1 to #N) 151₁ to 151_N notify the layer 1 processing unit 111 of the decided downlink transmission format and radio resources.

0082The capability index setting unit 160 is configured to set capability indexes B_n corresponding to each of the capabilities of the mobile stations #n.

0083Here, the capability index B_n of the mobile station #n is set in accordance with a parameter in a "UE Capability Category" designated in 3GPP TS25.306, whether or not the Advanced Receiver is provided at the mobile station #n, whether or not the Receive diversity function is provided at the mobile station #n, whether or not the mobile station #n can perform the transmission diversity or the like.

0084Here, the Advanced Receiver designates an equalizer, interference canceller, G-RAKE or the like.

0085Further, a parameter in the "UE Capability Category" may include a modulation scheme of data which the mobile station can receive (e.g. "16QAM and QPSK", "QPSK only" or the like), a maximum number of codes used for data which the mobile station can receive (a maximum number of HS-DSCH codes received), a maximum size of data which the mobile station can receive (a maximum number of bits of HS-DSCH transport block received within an HS-DSCH TTI), an amount of a memory buffer in a receiver for Turbo decoding (a total number of soft channel bits), a minimum interval to be ready for receiving a packet after a packet is received at the mobile station (Maximum TTI interval) .

0086Further, the capability index setting unit 160 may be configured to set the capability indexes B_n corresponding to the capabilities of the mobile stations #n, in accordance with an external instruction.

0087Concretely, the capability index setting unit 160 may be configured to set the capability indexes B_n corresponding to the capabilities of the mobile stations #n which is informed by a signaling from an upper node of the base station 100, or to set the capability indexes B_n corresponding to the capabilities of the mobile stations #n which is directly informed from the mobile station #n itself.

0088Further, the capability index setting unit 160 may be configured to obtain the capabilities of the mobile stations #n from an ID or terminal information of the mobile station #n.

0089The mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 180 is configured to calculate an average transmission rate of downlink packets to the mobile station #n, according to the following equation. <maths id="math0002" num="(1)"><math display="block"><mover><mi>Rn</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">‾</mo></mover><mfenced><mi mathvariant="normal">t</mi></mfenced><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">δ</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">⋅</mo><mover><mi>Rn</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">‾</mo></mover><mo>⁢</mo><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="normal">t</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">-</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn></mfenced><mo mathvariant="normal">+</mo><mfenced separators=""><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">-</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">δ</mi></mfenced><mo mathvariant="normal">⋅</mo><mi>Rn</mi></math><img file="EP1566926B1_D0002.tif" /></maths>

0090Where δ is a predetermined parameter which designates a section where averaging processing is performed, and also indicates a forgetting factor (0 ≦ δ ≦ 1) for the averaging processing. By controlling δ, the level of fairness provided by the scheduler can be controlled.

0091For example, when the value of δ is set at "0.9999", the section where the average transmission rate of packets to each mobile station are calculated becomes larger than a section obtained when the value of δ is set at "0.99". As a result, fairness amongst the mobile stations over a long period of time is taken into consideration, thus operating the scheduler with high fairness in terms of time.

0092Conversely, if the section where the average transmission rate of packets to each mobile station is reduced, in other words, if the value of δ is reduced, fairness amongst the mobile stations in a short period of time is taken into consideration. Hence, it becomes possible to operate the scheduler with low fairness in terms of time.

0093This parameter δ can be set for downlink packets within the priority queues 141₁ to 141_N, based upon the service types, the contract types, the terminal types (e.g. types based on the above-described capability index B_n), the cell types, the priority classes and the like.

0094In the above (Equation 1), R_n represents an instantaneous transmission rate of packets to a mobile station #n.

0095The instantaneous transmission rate R_n of packets to the mobile station #n is any one of the following: a size (data size) of packets, the delivery acknowledgment of which from the mobile station #n has been received; a size (data size) of packets transmitted to the mobile station #n; and a size (data size) of transmittable packets calculated (estimated) based upon the radio quality between the radio base station and the mobile station #n, which is reported from the mobile station #n.

0096Here, "a size of transmittable packets estimated" indicates a size of packets which are estimated to be transmitted within a predetermined error rate, in accordance with a CQI for indicating a downlink radio quality, an instantaneous SIR of a downlink transmission channel, a radio resource to be assigned to an HS-DSCH which is calculated by the MAC-hs resource calculating unit 130, and the like.

0097The mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 is configured to renew the average transmission rate of packets at each predetermined transmission time interval or at each time interval at which the value of the evaluation function used for scheduling of packets is calculated.

0098The mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 is also configured to calculate the instantaneous transmission rate R_n of the packets, which is used for renewal of the average transmission rate of the packets, by using a predetermined calculation method.

0099For example, the mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 is configured to renew the average transmission rate of packets in the patterns of the types #1 to #5 as shown in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 8</figref>.

0100In the pattern of the type #1, the mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 renews the average transmission rate of packets, by calculating the size of packets, the delivery acknowledgement of which from the mobile station #n has been received, at every TTI (transmission time interval).

0101In the pattern of the type #2, the mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 renews the average transmission rate of packets, by calculating the sizes of packets transmitted to the mobile station #n, at every TTI.

0102In the pattern of type #3, the mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 renews the average transmission rate of packets, by calculating the size of transmittable packets calculated (estimated) based upon the radio quality R_n between the radio base station and the mobile station #n, which is reported from the mobile station #n, at every TTI.

0103In the pattern of type #4, the mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 renews the average transmission rate of packets, by calculating the size of packets, the delivery acknowledgement of which from the mobile station #n has been received. The size of the packets is calculated at each time interval at which the value of the evaluation function used for scheduling of packets is calculated.

0104In the pattern of type #5, the mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 renews the average transmission rate of packets, by calculating the size of packets transmitted to the mobile station #n. The size of the packets is calculated at each time interval at which the value of the evaluation function used for scheduling of packets is calculated.

0105The mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 may also be configured to obtain the instantaneous transmission rate R_n of packets to the mobile station #n, by a method apart from the above.

0106For example, after the mobile station #n starts communicating, the mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170 can measure the data size in a data link layer, in each predetermined period, so as to obtain the instantaneous transmission rate R_n of packets to the mobile station #n. Then, the packets are addressed to the mobile station #n, and the packets are flown into the MAC-hs processing unit 112.

0107In such a case, the MAC-hs processing unit 112 is required to have a function of measuring the transmission rate of the packets in the data link layer.

0108The evaluation function calculating unit 180 is configured to calculate the value C_n of the evaluation function used in the scheduling processing performed by the scheduling unit 140.

0109The call processing unit 105 is configured to transmit and receive call processing signals to/from the radio network controller located in the upper position of the radio base station 100.

0110The call processing unit 105 is also configured to manage the condition of the radio base station 100, and to assign the radio resources to the radio base station 100.

0111The HWY interface 106 is configured to serve as an interface between the radio network controller and the radio base station 100.

0112The HWY interface 106 is configured to transfer downlink packets received from the radio network controller to the base band signal processing unit 104, and to transfer uplink packets received from the base band signal processing unit 104 to the radio network controller.

<Operation of Packet Transmission Control Apparatus According to the First Embodiment>

0113Described with reference to <figref idref="f0009">FIG. 9</figref> is the operation of the packet transmission control apparatus according to the first embodiment, more specifically, the operation of the scheduling processing for downlink packets in the MAC-hs processing unit 112.

0114As shown in <figref idref="f0009">FIG. 9</figref>, in step S2001, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 sets initial values for calculation of the value of the evaluation function related to each mobile station #n.

0115Specifically, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 sets "n = 1" , "C_max = 0", and "n_max = 0" as the initial values. Here, "n" represents a subscript of the mobile station, "C_max" represents a maximum value of the evaluation function, and "n_max" represents a subscript of a mobile station maximizing the value of the evaluation function.

0116In step S2002, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 acquires instantaneous transmission rates R_n in the downlinks between the radio base station and the respective mobile stations #n from the layer 1 processing unit 111.

0117In step S2003, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 acquires, from the mobile station transmission rate calculating unit 170, average transmission rates <o ostyle="single">Rn</o> of downlink packets to the respective mobile stations #n

0118In step S2004, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 acquires, from the capability index setting unit 160, capability indexes B_n of the respective mobile stations #n.

0119In step S2005, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 determines whether all information in the steps S2002 to S2004 is acquired.

0120Where it is determined that all information is acquired (where the answer is "YES" in the step S2005), this operation proceeds to step S2006. Otherwise (where the answer is "NO" in the step S2005), the evaluation function calculating unit 180 attempts to acquire information which has not been acquired.

0121In step S2006, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 receives "index parameters α and β", designated remotely, through the call processing unit 105, and then calculates the value C_n of the evaluation function according to the following equation in step S2007. <maths id="math0003" num="(2)"><math display="block"><mi>Cn</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>Bn</mi><mo>⋅</mo><mfrac><msup><mi>Rn</mi><mi>α</mi></msup><msup><mover><mi>Rn</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover><mi>β</mi></msup></mfrac></math><img file="EP1566926B1_D0003.tif" /></maths>

0122Once the value C_n of the evaluation function is calculated as described above, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 determines whether or not the calculated value C_n of the evaluation function is the maximum value in step S2008.

0123Currently, "C_max = 0 (the initial value) ". Thus, in step 52009, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 sets the value C_n of the evaluation function, measured in the step S2007, as C_max, and sets the subscript "n" of the mobile station #n corresponding to C_max, as n_max.

0124In step S2010, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 increments the value of "n" by "+1", in order to calculate the value C_n+1 of the evaluation function of the next mobile station #n+1.

0125In step S2011, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 determines whether or not the value of "n" exceeds the number "N" of the mobile stations which are communicating with the radio base station 100.

0126Where it is determined in the step S2011 that the value of "n" does not exceed the number "N" of the mobile stations (where the answer is "NO" in the step S2011), the loop processing from the steps S2002 to S2010 is repeatedly carried out in this operation until it is determined that the value of "n" exceeds the number "N" of the mobile stations.

0127As a result, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 can calculate the values C_n of the evaluation function with respect to all the mobile stations communicating with the radio mobile station 100.

0128On the other hand, where it is determined in the step 2011 that the value of "n" exceed the number "N" of the mobile stations (where the answer is "YES" in the step S2011), the evaluation function calculating unit 170 instructs the scheduling unit 140 to assign a transmission queue to the mobile station #n_max which corresponds to n_max set in the step S2009.

<Operational Effect of Packet Transmission Control Apparatus According to the First Embodiment>

0129According to the packet transmission control apparatus of the first embodiment, the scheduling unit 140 controls the scheduling of packets to the respective mobile stations #n based upon the capabilities of the respective mobile stations #n regardless of the range of changes in the radio quality R_n. Thus, fairness in terms of time can be realized over an operation of the conventional "Proportional Fairness Scheduler".

0130Concretely, according to the packet transmission control apparatus of the first embodiment, in the above described (Equation 2), a capability index B_n corresponding to the capability of mobile station #n is multiplied to <maths id="math0004" num=""><math display="block"><mi>Cn</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><msup><mi>Rn</mi><mi>α</mi></msup><msup><mover><mi>Rn</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover><mi>β</mi></msup></mfrac></math><img file="EP1566926B1_D0004.tif" /></maths> which is typically used in the evaluation function of the "Proposal Fairness Scheduler". Therefore, scheduling in accordance with the capabilities of the respective mobile stations can be provided in addition to fairness provided by the "Proportional Fairness Scheduler".

0131In an example case, two mobile stations A1 and A2 exist. The mobile station A1 includes the Receive diversity function and the mobile station A2 does not includes the Receive n diversity function. In this case, according to the packet transmission control apparatus of the first embodiment, the capability index "B_A1" of the mobile station A1 is set to "2.0" and the capability index "B_A2" of the mobile station A2 is set to "1.0". Therefore, it can be controlled so that the value "C_A1" of the evaluation function of the mobile station A1 becomes larger comparing to the value "C_A2" of the evaluation function of the mobile station A2.

0132Further, in another example case, two mobile stations A1 and A2 exist. The capability of the mobile station A1 is "the receivable maximum number of codes: 10" and the capability of the mobile station A2 is "the receivable maximum number of codes: 5". In this case, according to the packet transmission control apparatus of the first embodiment, the capability index "B_A1" of the mobile station A1 is set to "3.0" and the capability index "B_A2" of the mobile station A2 is set to "1.0" . Therefore, it can be controlled so that the value "C_A1" of the evaluation function of the mobile station A1 become larger comparing to the value "C_A2" of the evaluation function of the mobile station A2

0133Further, in another example case, two mobile stations A1 and A2 exist. The mobile station A1 includes a Receive diversity function and the mobile station A2 includes an equalizer. In this case, according to the packet transmission control apparatus of the first embodiment, the capability index "B_A1" of the mobile station A1 is set to "2.0" and the capability index "B_A2" of the mobile station A2 is set to "1.5". Therefore, the evaluation function provided with priorities in accordance with the capability of the mobile station can be used in the scheduling process.

(Modification 1)

0134The packet transmission control apparatus according to the first embodiment can provide a scheduler which can provide equalization in the scheduling opportunities by setting predetermined parameters α, β appropriately. The scheduler is, for example, the "Proportional Fairness Scheduler (α=1, β=2)", the "MAX C/T Scheduler (α=1, β~1 (but β≠0))", or the scheduler which is intermediate in features between the "Proportional Fairness Scheduler" and the "MAX C/I Scheduler".

0135The packet transmission control apparatus according to the first embodiment may be configured to use a scheduler other than the above described scheduler. For example, when a scheduler, whose evaluation function Cn is <maths id="math0005" num=""><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="italic">Cn</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><msup><mi mathvariant="italic">Rn</mi><mi>β</mi></msup><msup><mover><mi mathvariant="italic">Rn</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover><mi>α</mi></msup></mfrac><mo>⋅</mo><msup><mi mathvariant="italic">Wn</mi><mi>γ</mi></msup></math><img file="EP1566926B1_D0005.tif" /></maths> is used, the packet transmission control apparatus according to the first embodiment can change the evaluation function Cn to <maths id="math0006" num=""><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="italic">Cn</mi><mo>=</mo><mi mathvariant="italic">Bn</mi><mo>⋅</mo><mfrac><msup><mi mathvariant="italic">Rn</mi><mi>β</mi></msup><msup><mover><mi mathvariant="italic">Rn</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover><mi>α</mi></msup></mfrac><mo>⋅</mo><msup><mi mathvariant="italic">Wn</mi><mi>γ</mi></msup></math><img file="EP1566926B1_D0006.tif" /></maths> so that equalization in the scheduling opportunities can be provided, in addition to the functions of conventional schedulers. Here, α, β and γ are parameters which takes a value within 0 to 1, and Wn indicates residence time of packet at the radio base station 100.

0136In the first embodiment, one mobile station uses one priority queue. However, one mobile station may use a plurality of priority queues (for example, K pieces of priority queues). In this case, the packet transmission control apparatus according to the first embodiment performs scheduling for NxK pieces of priority queues, not N pieces of priority queues.

0137Further, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 in MAC-hs processing unit 112 is configured to include, for example, a program device which can update programs such as CPU, digital signal processor (DSP), or EPCG. The evaluation function calculating unit 180 stores a program for calculating the value Cn of the evaluation function in a predetermined memory. Also, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 may update by downloading predetermined parameters (α, β, γ, δ).

0138Here, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 may download the predetermined parameters (α, β, γ, δ) from the upper node of the radio base station 100, or may include a terminal I/F to read the predetermined parameters (α, β, γ, δ) directly from the terminal.

0139Furthermore, each functional block in the MAC-Hs processing unit 112 may be divided by hardware, or may be divided by software in programs of a processor.

(A Second Embodiment of the Present Invention)

<Packet Transmission Control Apparatus According to the Second Embodiment of the Present Invention>

0140A packet transmission control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is described focusing on different points from the packet transmission control apparatus according to the aforementioned first embodiment.

0141As proposed in, for example, <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="JPH358646A"><text>Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H3-58646</text></patcit>, in packet transmission in a packet communication network, it is generally considered that two kinds of priority classes are provided and packets with the first priority are transmitted preferentially over packets with the second priority.

0142In the second embodiment, the scheduling unit 140 is configured to manage priority classes PC_n related to transmission of packets, for each mobile station #n, and to perform scheduling of packets in accordance with the priority classes PC_n.

0143An operation of the packet transmission control apparatus according to the second embodiment is described below with reference to <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 10</figref>.

0144As shown in <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 10</figref>, in step S3001, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 of the MAC-hs processing unit 112 classifies the priority queues (#1 to #N) 141₁ to 141_N into several priority classes.

0145The operations from steps S3002 to 53006 is the same as those of the steps S2001 to S2005 shown in <figref idref="f0009">FIG. 9</figref>.

0146In step 53006, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 acquires all of Rn, <o ostyle="single">Rn,</o> Bn required in calculating the value C_n of the evaluation function of the mobile station #n.

0147Thereafter, in step S3007, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 receives predetermined parameters (α₁, β₁), designated remotely, through the call processing unit 105 , and a weighting factor (weight) A₁ (where "i" represents a subscript of the priority class of the mobile station #n) set for each priority class. Here, the predetermined parameters (α₁, β₁) and the weighting factor (weight) A₁ may be set so that the same values are used in each priority class.

0148In step 3008, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 calculates the value C_n of the evaluation function based upon the following equation. <maths id="math0007" num="(3)"><math display="block"><mi>Cn</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>APCn</mi><mo>⋅</mo><mi>Bn</mi><mo>⋅</mo><mfrac><msup><mi>Rn</mi><mi>α PCn</mi></msup><msup><mover><mi>Rn</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover><mi>βPCn</mi></msup></mfrac></math><img file="EP1566926B1_D0007.tif" /></maths>

0149Here, "PC_n" represents the priority class of the mobile station #n.

0150Once the value C_n of the evaluation function is calculated as described above, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 determines whether or not the calculated value C_n of the evaluation function is a maximum value in step S3009.

0151Currently, "C_max = 0 (the initial value)". Thus, in step S3010, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 sets the value C_n of the evaluation function, measured in the step S3008, as C_max, and sets the subscript "n" of the mobile station #n corresponding to C_max, as n_max.

0152In step S3011, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 increments the value of "n" by "+1" , in order to calculate the value C_n+1 of the evaluation function of the next mobile station #n+1.

0153In step S3012, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 determines whether or not the value of "n" exceeds the number "N" of the mobile stations communicating with the radio base station 100.

0154Where it is determined that the value of "n" does not exceed the number "N" of the mobile stations in the step S3012 (where the answer is "NO" in the step S3012), loop processing from the steps S3003 to S3011 is repeatedly carried out in this operation until it is determined that the value of "n" exceeds the number "N" of the mobile stations.

0155As a result, the evaluation function calculating unit 180 can calculate the values C_n of the evaluation function of all mobile stations communicating with the radio base station 100.

0156Meanwhile, where it is determined that the value of "n" exceeds the number "N" of the mobile stations (where the answer is "YES" in the step S3012), the evaluation function calculating unit 180 instructs the scheduling unit 140 to assign a transmission queue to the mobile station #n_max which corresponds to n_max set in the step 3010.

0157The packet transmission control apparatus according to the second embodiment controls the weighting factor A₁ and index parameters α₁ and β₁, in accordance with the priority classes PC_n. Therefore, the scheduling opportunity in each priority class can be equalized and the scheduling opportunity among the priority classes can be equalized. Thus, an appropriate scheduler in accordance with the priority classes can be realized.

0158For example, in (Equation 3), two priority classes are provided. The higher priority class "i" is set as "1" (i = 1), and the lower priority class "i" is set as "2" (i = 2). In this case, by setting them so that "weighting factor A₁ > weighting factor A₂", packets to the mobile station #n with the higher priority class are transmitted preferentially. In other words, by causing a difference between A₁ and A₂ to be sufficiently large, the packets with the higher priority class are always transmitted preferentially.

0159Further, by setting the index parameters "(α1, β2) = (1, 1)" and "(α2 , β2) = (1, 0)" , the packet transmission control apparatus according to the second embodiment can operate as the "Proportional Fairness Scheduler" for packets with the higher priority class and as the "MAX C/I Scheduler" for packets with the lower priority class.

0160Moreover, by setting the index parameters "(δ1, δ2) = (0.9999, 0.99)", the packet transmission control apparatus according to the second embodiment can control the priority classes as follows: a large averaging section is set for packets with the higher priority class with more consideration of fairness in terms of time; a small averaging section is set for packets with the lower priority class with less consideration of fairness in terms of time.

0161In the packet transmission control apparatus according to the second embodiment, the capability indexes B_n can be set in accordance with the capabilities of mobile stations, separately from the above described priority classes.

0162In an example case, mobile stations #1, #2 and #3 exist. The mobile stations #1 and #2 have the high priority class and the weighting factor is set to "3.0". In contrast, the mobile station #3 has the low priority class and the weighting factor is set to "1.0''. The mobile station #1 includes a RAKE receiver and the mobile stations #2 and #3 include equalizers. The capability index B₁ of the mobile station #1 is set to "1.0" and the respective capability indexes B₂ and B₃ of the mobile stations #2 and #3 are set to "2.0". In this case, a scheduling can be provided in consideration of both priority classes and the capabilities of mobile stations.

0163In other words, in the packet transmission control apparatus according to the second embodiment, scheduling can be provided in consideration of both priority classes and capabilities of the mobile stations, by inserting the capability indexes B_n, in accordance with the capabilities of mobile stations, to the evaluation function.

(Modification 2)

0164Description of the embodiments so far was about the HSDPA which is a high-speed packet transmission system in 3GPP. However, the present invention is not limited to the HSDPA, and can be applied to an arbitrary high-speed packet transmission system which performs transmission control of downlink packets in a mobile communication system.

0165For example, the present invention can be applied to a high-speed packet transmission system such as the high-speed packet transmission systems in the "cdma2000", the "1x-EV DO" in 3GPP2, the "TDD", and the like.

0166Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and the representative embodiment shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.