System and Method for Discontinuous Reception Control Start Time

Field of the Application

0001The application relates to wireless communication, and more particularly to transmission scheduling for wireless communication.

Background

0002With semi-persistent scheduling, for downlink VoIP (voice over IP (Internet Protocol)) communications to a mobile device, a periodic DL (downlink) transmission resource is allocated during a talk-spurt on the downlink. The same resource is allocated each time. The allocation is turned on during each of the talk-spurts and off between talk-spurts. In this manner, explicit signalling to request an allocation, and to grant a particular VoIP allocation is not required. Semi-persistent scheduling for uplink VoIP communications from a mobile station is similar.

0003In addition to regular VoIP traffic, mobile devices also need the ability to send and transmit larger IP packets. Such larger IP packets are likely to be relatively infrequent compared to the frequency of regular VoIP transmissions. Such packets might include uncompressed IP packets, RTCP (Remote Transmit Power Control) packets, SIP/SDP (Session Initiation Protocol/Session Description Protocol) packets, etc. Such IP packets may be several hundreds of bytes in size and may have high priority. In addition, larger packets may be required to transmit RRC (Radio Resource Control) Signalling messages. Examples of this are handover related messages such as measurement reports. Some mobile devices will also need the ability to deliver a mixed service in which case services in addition to VoIP need to be provided to the mobile device, such as e-mail, web browsing etc.

0004<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1317156A1"><text>EP1317156A1</text></patcit> describes discontinuous reception, DRX, for preserving consumption of a mobile station when not involved in a GSM call or a GPRS session.

Summary

0005In accordance with the present invention, a method for operating a base station as set forth in claim 1, a method for operating a mobile device as set forth in claim 5, a base station device as set forth in claim 10, and a mobile device as set forth in claim 14 are provided. Embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

0006According to one broad aspect of the present document, the application provides a method in a network for the network to provide wireless communications to a mobile device, the method in the network comprising: transmitting by the network discontinuous reception control parameters to a mobile device, the discontinuous reception control parameters indicating periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on once discontinuous reception control is active; determining by the network a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active; and transmitting by the network to the mobile device in accordance with the discontinuous reception control parameters starting with the first of the periods.

0007In some cases, transmitting by the network discontinuous reception control parameters to the mobile device, the discontinuous reception control parameters indicating periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on once discontinuous reception control is active further comprises: transmitting a discontinuous control parameter that indicates an extension period during which the mobile device will continue to have its receiver powered on following one of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on if there is a dynamic scheduling allocation.

0008In some cases, determining by the network a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active comprises: defining the first of the periods; and transmitting signaling to the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods thus defined.

0009In some cases, transmitting signaling to the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods thus defined comprises transmitting signaling that indicates the first of the periods in absolute terms.

0010In some cases, the transmitting signaling to the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods in absolute terms comprises transmitting a layer-1 sub-frame index.

0011In some cases, transmitting signaling to the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods thus defined comprises transmitting signaling that indicates the first of the periods in relative terms.

0012In some cases, transmitting signaling that indicates the first of the periods in relative terms comprises transmitting an activation timer duration.

0013In some cases, transmitting an activation timer duration comprises at least one of: transmitting the activation timer duration in units of layer-1 sub-frames; and transmitting the activation timer duration in units of actual time.

0014In some cases, determining by the network a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active comprises: accessing at least one default parameter defined for the mobile device to determine the first of the periods.

0015In some cases, accessing at least one default parameter comprises accessing at least one default parameter comprising at least one of: a layer-1 sub-frame index; and an indication that the first of the periods should be aligned with a first sub-frame in which the mobile device is assigned a semi-persistent resource.

0016According to another broad aspect of the present document, the application provides a method in a mobile device for the mobile device to receive wireless communications from a network, the method in the mobile device comprising: receiving by the mobile device discontinuous reception control parameters from the network, the discontinuous reception control parameters indicating periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on once discontinuous reception control is active; determining by the mobile device a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active; and receiving by the mobile device communications from the network in accordance with the discontinuous reception control parameters starting with the first of the periods.

0017In some cases, receiving by the mobile device discontinuous reception control parameters from the network, the discontinuous reception control parameters indicating periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on once discontinuous reception control is active comprise: receiving a discontinuous reception control parameter that indicates an extension period during which the mobile device will continue have its receiver powered on following one of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on if there is a dynamic scheduling allocation.

0018In some cases, determining by the mobile device a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active comprises: receiving signaling at the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods.

0019In some cases, receiving signaling at the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods comprises receiving signaling that indicates the first of the periods in absolute terms.

0020In some cases, receiving signaling at the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods in absolute terms comprises receiving a layer-1 sub-frame index.

0021In some cases, receiving signaling at the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods comprises receiving signaling that indicates the first of the periods in relative terms.

0022In some cases, receiving signaling that indicates the first of the periods in relative terms comprises receiving an activation timer duration.

0023In some cases, receiving an activation timer duration comprises at least one of: receiving the activation timer duration in units of layer-1 sub-frames; and receiving the activation timer duration in units actual time.

0024In some cases, determining by the mobile device a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active comprises: accessing at least one default parameter defined for the mobile device to determine the first of the periods.

0025In some cases, accessing the at least one default parameter comprises accessing at least one of: a layer-1 sub-frame index; and an indication that the first of the periods should be aligned with a first sub-frame in which the mobile device is assigned a semi-persistent resource.

0026According to another broad aspect of the present document, the application provides an apparatus for providing communications services to a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: a DRX (discontinuous reception) controller that determines discontinuous reception control parameters for a mobile device, the discontinuous reception control parameters indicating periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on once discontinuous reception control is active; the DRX controller being further configured to determine a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active; and a transceiver and at least one antenna for establishing a wireless link with the mobile device, the transceiver being used to transmit the discontinuous reception control parameters to the mobile device and to transmit to the mobile device in accordance with the discontinuous reception control parameters starting with the first of the periods.

0027In some cases, the DRX controller generates discontinuous reception control parameters that further indicate an extension period during which the mobile device will continue have its receiver powered on following one of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered if on there is a dynamic scheduling allocation.

0028In some cases, the apparatus the DRX controller is configured to determine a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active by defining the first of the periods, the apparatus being further configured to transmit signaling to the mobile device to indicate the first of the periods thus defined using the transceiver.

0029According to another broad aspect of the present document, the invention provides a mobile device comprising: a wireless access radio for receiving wireless communications from a network; a radio manager that controls when the wireless access radio is on and when the wireless access radio is off; the radio manager configured to perform the control of the wireless radio access in accordance with discontinuous reception control parameters from the network via the wireless access radio, the discontinuous reception control parameters indicating periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on once discontinuous reception control is active; and the radio manager further configured to determine a first of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active such that the mobile device receives from the network in accordance with the discontinuous reception control parameters starting with the first of the periods.

0030Further aspects of the present document provide computer readable media having computer executable instructions stored thereon, for execution by a wireless device or network device for example, that control the execution of one or more of the methods summarized above, or described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

0031Aspects of the present document will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is a signalling diagram showing dynamic scheduling vs. semi-persistent scheduling;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref> is a block diagram of an example wireless system;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 3</figref> is a signalling diagram showing an awake period for dynamic scheduling in DRX (discontinuous reception);</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 4</figref> is a signalling diagram showing DRX and DTX (discontinuous transmission) for uplink and downlink;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 5</figref> is a state diagram having DRX and DTX transitions for VoIP;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figures 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0005">7</figref> are flowcharts of methods executed by a network to perform combined semi-persistent and dynamic scheduling;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Figure 8</figref> and <figref idref="f0007">9</figref> are flowcharts of methods executed by a mobile device to perform combined semi-persistent and dynamic scheduling;</li><li><figref idref="f0008">Figure 10</figref> is a block diagram of a mobile device;</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Figure 11</figref> is a flowchart of a method for a network to determine a start time for discontinuous reception control;</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Figure 12</figref> is a flowchart of a method for a network to determine a start time for discontinuous reception control;</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Figure 13</figref> is a flowchart of a method for a network and mobile station to determine a start time for discontinuous reception control in which the network transmits signalling to the mobile device; and</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Figure 14</figref> is a flowchart of a method for a network and mobile station to determine a start time for discontinuous reception control in which the both the network and the mobile device access default parameters to determine the first on period.</li></ul>

Detailed Description of Embodiments

0032Dynamic scheduling has been proposed to allow the dynamic allocation of transmission resources, and the subsequent transmission of a large packet using the dynamically allocated resources. Dynamic scheduling involves allocating a resource each time a packet is to be transmitted, and the resource can differ for each allocation. In a particular example, see Applicant's co-pending <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US94436707P" dnum-type="L"><text>U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/944,367 filed on June 15, 2007</text></patcit> and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

0033In a specific example, a mobile device supporting VolP with dynamic scheduling monitors layer 1 CCEs (Control Channel Elements) continuously for dynamic scheduling grants even though the mobile device might be only involved in a VolP session. LTE (Long Term Evolution) refers to CCEs, but the term has more general application to mean simply control information.

0034As indicated above, a mobile device may support VoIP with dynamic scheduling by monitoring layer 1 CCEs continuously for dynamic scheduling grants. Unfortunately, this might waste battery power for the mobile device, particularly when there are very few or even no dynamic scheduling grants for the mobile device.

0035Referring now to <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>, shown is a signalling diagram showing dynamic scheduling vs. semi-persistent scheduling. Time is on the horizontal axis. Shown is a periodic semi-persistent allocation 50. For VolP transmission, this can for example include a resource allocated every 20ms. In addition, there is a regular set of layer 1 CCEs 52 that are transmitted. In the illustrated example, these are transmitted in every 1 ms but it is to be clearly understood that the other resource allocation periods and CCE periods are possible. This example assumes downlink transmission, but a similar approach applies to uplink transmission. During the periods that occur between talk-spurts, (also referred to as "silence" or "silence periods"), the transmitter and receiver can be turned off. During a talk-spurt period (also referred to as a period that VolP transmission is "active", or "active mode"), if not for dynamic scheduling, the mobile device could wake up regularly to blind-detect its data in the semi-persistently allocated resource at the pre-defined interval (e.g. every 20ms) while entering a "sleeping" mode at other times. This can also be referred to as DRX (discontinuous reception). This simply means that the receive capability of the mobile device's radio is basically turned off while the mobile device is in sleep mode thereby resulting in battery life extension. However, given that other data may arrive via dynamic scheduling by any of the CCEs 52, the mobile device needs to monitor the CCEs of all sub-frames. In the full dynamic scheduling case there is no DTX or DRX and this rules out the possibility of using DRX since the mobile device needs to continue monitoring the layer 1 CCEs for dynamic scheduling grants for possible data coming. This is not power efficient and leads to lower battery charge lifetimes.

0036To efficiently support the DRX in VolP active mode in order to reduce the battery power consumption, systems and methods are provided for combining semi-persistent scheduling for VolP with a scheduling capability for additional packet transmission. These methods are particularly effective for a mobile device that is only involved in a VolP session (i.e. not requiring mixed service).

System for Semi-persistent Scheduling and DRX Control

0037Referring now to <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref>, shown is a block diagram of an example wireless system 40. The wireless system 40 has a wireless network 28 and a mobile device 10. The wireless system also has other mobile devices 30.

0038The mobile device 10 has a wireless access radio 12, a processor 16 and a radio manager 14 that is responsible for controlling the wireless access radio 12 and performing radio resource control. There may be additional components not shown. The radio manager 14 may be implemented in software running on appropriate hardware, hardware, firmware or combinations thereof.

0039The wireless network 28 has a scheduler 32 that encompasses a semi-persistent scheduler 34 and a dynamic scheduler 36. The wireless network 28 has components such as base stations (not shown) for providing wireless access. These include a transceiver 31 having at least one antenna 33. The scheduler 32 may reside in a base station or elsewhere in the network 28. In LTE, the scheduler is typically in the eNB (enhanced NodeB). In the examples that follow, it is assumed that scheduler 32, transceiver 31 and antenna 33 are all parts of a base station. Also shown is a DRX controller 29 that is responsible for setting up/configuring/obtaining knowledge of the DRX behaviour for each mobile device. The DRX controller 29 may be part of a base station and may be implemented in software running on appropriate hardware, hardware, firmware or combinations thereof.

0040In the illustrated example, the scheduler 32 and radio manager 14 are implemented as software and executed on processors forming part of the network 28 and mobile device 10 respectively. However, more generally, these functions may be implemented as software, hardware, firmware, or any appropriate combination thereof.

0041Furthermore, it is to be understood that the wireless network would have any appropriate components suitable for a wireless network 28. Note that the wireless network may include wires that interconnect network components in addition to components for providing wireless communication with mobile devices. The components of the wireless network are implementation specific and may depend on the type of wireless network. There are many possibilities for the wireless network. The wireless network might for example be a UMTS network or any cellular network that uses semi-persistent resource assignment.

0042In operation, the mobile device 10 communicates with the wireless network 28 over a wireless connection 19 between the mobile device 10 and the wireless network 28. The communication with the wireless network 28 includes VolP packet transmission and additional packet transmission. The semi-persistent scheduler 34 is responsible for making an initial resource allocation for a VolP service to the mobile device 10. This includes an uplink semi-persistent allocation and a downlink semi-persistent allocation. The semi-persistent scheduler 34 is also responsible for keeping track of whether there is a talk-spurt in progress for the uplink and/or the downlink and for turning on and off the uplink and/or downlink allocation accordingly. While de-allocated, the semi-persistently allocated resources can be made available for other purposes. Note that the form of the transmission resources that are being allocated is implementation specific. Particular examples of resources that might be used include OFDM resources and CDMA resources. The dynamic scheduler 36 is responsible for making resource allocations for additional packet transmissions that are not accommodated by the semi-persistent allocation. The additional packets may be related to and/or form part of the VoIP service, or be unrelated to the VolP service.

0043The radio manager 14 controls the on/off state of the wireless access radio 12. In some wireless access radios, the transmitter and receiver must be turned on and off together, and as such, uplink and downlink scheduling must be coordinated to allow the wireless access radio to be turned off. In some wireless access radios, receive and transmit capabilities can be independently turned off.

0044In some embodiments, the network 28 sends DRX control signalling to the mobile device 10 that sets a repeating pattern that has a DRX period having an awake period and a sleep period. An example could be: DRX period is 20ms with sleep period equal to 15ms and awake period equal to 5ms. During the awake period, the mobile device turns its receiver on. During the sleep period, the mobile device turns its receiver off. This signalling might be sent at the start of each VolP session, for example.

0045In some embodiments, the DRX controller 29 transmits DRX control parameters to the mobile device to set up DRX control. In addition, the DRX controller 29 determines when DRX control is to start. Specific examples are provided below under the heading "Controlling the Start of DRX Control". In some embodiments, the DRX controller is a piece of base station software running on a processor in a base station that controls the DRX procedure. It may be incorporated into the base station radio resource control software or radio resource management software.

0046In the mobile device 10, the wireless access radio 12 receives wireless communications from the network 28. The radio manager 14 controls when the wireless access radio 12 is on and when the wireless access radio is off in accordance with DRX control parameters received from the network. Specific detailed examples are provided below. In addition, the radio manager further 14 is further configured to determine a first of the periods during which the mobile device will nominally have its receiver powered on and after which discontinuous reception control will be active such that the mobile device receives from the network in accordance with the discontinuous reception control parameters starting with the first of the periods. Various detailed examples are provided below under the heading "Controlling the Start of DRX Control".

0047Referring now to <figref idref="f0002">Figure 3</figref>, shown is a signalling diagram showing an example of semi-persistent and dynamic scheduling and DRX. Shown is a semi-persistent allocation 60 available for semi-persistent VolP DL transmissions. In addition, there are layer 1 CCEs 62 for signalling dynamic allocations so as to allow the transmission of additional packets. This represents the transmissions from the base station. The mobile device receiving the transmissions alternates between being in an awake state and a sleep state. The mobile station is in an awake state during awake periods 64 and the mobile device is nominally in a sleep state during sleep periods 66. The first thing that the scheduler in the network needs to do is to ensure that the semi-persistent allocation 60 coincides with the awake periods 64. In addition, each awake period 64 is longer than the minimum necessary to transmit the VolP semi-persistent allocation. There is also the opportunity to dynamically schedule (as signalled on one of the CCEs 62) and transmit an additional packet. An example of this is shown where a dynamic allocation is signalled in CCE 62-1. Additional packet 67 is shown transmitted immediately following CCE 62-1. The additional packet might for example be an RTCP packet, SIP/SDP packet, or a packet that has not undergone IP\UDP\RTP header compression, etc. While the mobile device is in the sleep state, it operates in a reduced power consumption mode, by turning off reception capability and/or by turning off its reception and transmission capabilities. In this example, the network has scheduled the additional packet 67 to be transmitted during one of the awake periods 64, and signals this using a CCE 62-1 that is transmitted during one of the awake periods 64. More generally, when the mobile device wakes up after a sleep period, the mobile device will not only blind detect its own VolP data on the semi-persistently allocated resource 60, but also will detect, more generally attempt to detect, all the CCEs during the awake periods.

0048In some embodiments, after the mobile device determines that there will be a dynamically allocated resource for the mobile device as signalled in one of the CCEs in a given awake period, the mobile device does not monitor further CCEs during that awake period.

0049In some embodiments, the base station will transmit signalling to configure the mobile device with this DRX behaviour, and thereafter all the dynamic scheduling will occur only in this "awake period". For example, the mobile device may sleep every 15ms, and then wake up for 5ms to continuously receive data. The behaviour repeats with a period of 20ms. During the 5ms awake period, the mobile device will blind-detect its VolP data on the semi-persistently allocated resource and also the mobile device will monitor all the CCEs. The base station understands this DRX configuration and will schedule the associated dynamic packets such as RTCP, SIP/SDP, etc, during this 5ms awake period. In some implementations, when a retransmission occurs, the mobile device will be in continuous mode by default.

0050The radio manager 14 controls the operation of the wireless access radio 12 such that a reception capability is powered on during the awake periods, and off for at least some of the sleep periods. As described below, it may be necessary for the reception capability to be on during some of the sleep periods to allow for retransmissions.

0051The signalling for dynamic scheduling is performed during the awake periods. In addition, the actual resources allocated for the additional packet transmissions are scheduled to occur during the awake periods.

0052In some embodiments, when it becomes necessary for a retransmission, the mobile device enters a continuous mode of operation. While in continuous mode, the mobile device continuously receives and monitors the downlink channel and does not turn off reception capability. Further, in some embodiments, if a mixed service needs to be provided to the mobile device, this is used as a trigger to also enable the continuous mode operation. This trigger may be dependent on the traffic QoS of the service being added.

Uplink semi-persistent alignment with Downlink for DRX

0053The above discussion is focussed on downlink transmission from the base station to the mobile device and on the mobile device's ability to turn off its reception capability during the sleep period. However, some mobile devices are not able to turn off only their reception capability while leaving on a transmit capability or vice versa. Thus, for such devices in order to fully realize the benefit of having an awake period and a sleep period for reception, uplink transmissions should are also scheduled to align with these awake periods and sleep periods. An example of this is shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figure 4</figref>. In <figref idref="f0002">Figure 4</figref>, the downlink transmission is indicated at 78 and this is basically the same as that described above with reference to <figref idref="f0002">Figure 3</figref>, and this will not be described again. The uplink transmissions are generally indicated at 80. Here, there is a semi-persistent allocation 82 for VoIP UL transmissions. These are scheduled to occur during the periods 64 that the mobile device is awake. In addition, an uplink control channel is indicated at 84. In the illustrated example, this occurs every 1ms. The mobile device only transmits the uplink control channel during the awake periods 64. The mobile device can use the uplink control channel to make requests for additional resources. By scheduling the uplink semi-persistent transmission and downlink semi-persistent transmission to occur during the same awake period, the mobile device can realize much more efficient DRX and DTX (discontinuous reception and discontinuous transmission) behaviour. In the example of <figref idref="f0002">Figure 4</figref>, the mobile device is configured to sleep every 15ms, and then wake up for 5ms. During this 5ms awake period, the mobile device will receive DL semi-persistent reception if available (during a DL talk-spurt) and make an uplink semi-persistent transmission if available (during an UL talk-spurt). The mobile device will also detect all the DL grants and possibly make uplink additional resource requests.

0054In case of retransmissions (either the DL or the UL), the mobile device will enter the continuous mode by default. Note that both the uplink and downlink VolP semi-persistent allocations have the same traffic characteristics (every 20ms), hence the base station can easily align the semi-persistent allocation for the DL and UL.

0055With this approach, even in the active mode (talk-spurt in progress on the uplink or the downlink), the mobile device can be in DRX and DTX mode most of the time. The mobile device monitors the Layer 1 CCEs on the downlink only during the awake period, and may request more resources on the uplink. This can save battery power for the mobile device. Considering that an additional IP packet delivery during a VolP session may be infrequent, the battery saving could be significant. A drawback is that the dynamic scheduling could be delayed by an additional 10ms on average.

0056Referring now to <figref idref="f0003">Figure 5</figref>, shown is a state diagram having DRX/DTX state transitions for VolP. It is noted that when there is no uplink and downlink transmission (i.e. silence in both directions), the mobile device only needs to monitor the DL CCEs for dynamic scheduling during the awake period. There are two main states. The first main state is the mobile device sleep state 100 and the second main state is the mobile device awake state 102. For the illustrated example, it is assumed that the sleep state 100 lasts 15ms and the awake state lasts 5ms and can be extended, but this is again implementation specific. Steps 102-1 and 102-2 are executed for downlink communication during the awake state 102. Step 102-1 involves receiving all of the downlink CCEs and processing them to identify downlink dynamic scheduling if present. This is done irrespective of whether or not there is any downlink VolP transmission. In the event that a downlink talk-spurt is ongoing, then step 102-2 is also executed. This involves receiving the VolP payload in the semi-persistent resource. Steps 102-3 and 102-4 are executed in respect of uplink transmissions. Step 102-3 is only executed if the mobile device determines that it needs a dynamic allocation for uplink transmission. Step 102-3 involves making a resource request, for example over a random access channel, and monitoring the downlink CCE for uplink grants. In addition, if there is an uplink talk-spurt in progress, then the mobile device will execute step 102-4 which involves transmitting the uplink VolP payload in the semi-persistent resource for uplink transmission.

0057The above description has focussed on applications where the traffic that is sent using the semi-persistent allocation is VolP traffic. More generally, the same methods and systems can be applied to combine the transmission and scheduling of traffic of any type on a semi-persistently allocated resource with the transmission and scheduling of traffic that uses dynamic resource allocations.

0058In the above examples, CCEs spaced by 1 ms are used for the downlink control channel. More generally, the downlink control channel can take any form. The only limitation is that dynamic allocations for a given mobile device take place during awake periods for the mobile device. Similarly, at least in the figures, the uplink control channel has been depicted as a random access channel that is available at intervals spaced by 1 ms. More generally, the uplink control channel for requesting additional resource allocations can come in any form. The only limitation is that requests for dynamic allocations for uplink transmission from a given mobile device will need to be transmitted during awake periods for the mobile device.

0059In some embodiments, the additional packet is transmitted as a series of one or more sub-packets formed by segmenting the additional packet. These are subject to reassembly at the receiver.

Methods for Semi-persistent Scheduling and DRX Control Executed by the Wireless Network

0060A method in a wireless network for performing downlink transmission to mobile devices will be described with reference to the flowchart of <figref idref="f0004">Figure 6</figref>. These steps are performed for each mobile device being provided wireless access on a semi-persistent downlink transmission resource. The method begins at step 6-1 with transmitting downlink packets to the mobile device using a semi-persistent downlink transmission resource that is aligned with awake periods defined for the mobile device. These can be downlink VolP packets during a downlink talk-spurt for a VolP session involving the mobile device or otherwise. Steps 6-2,6-3,6-4 are executed for each additional downlink packet for the mobile device. In step 6-2, the wireless network dynamically allocates an additional downlink transmission resource to transmit the additional packet, the additional resource being allocated to occur within one of the awake periods defined for the mobile device. In step 6-3, during one of the awake periods defined for the mobile device, the wireless network transmits signaling that defines the additional downlink transmission resource to transmit the additional packet. In step 6-4, during one of the awake periods defined for the mobile device, the wireless network transmits the additional downlink packet using the additional downlink resource. In some embodiments, all of the steps are performed in a base station. In other embodiments, certain steps, for example the dynamic allocation, can be performed in another network element if centralized scheduling is performed.

0061A method in a wireless network for performing uplink reception from mobile devices will be described with reference to the flowchart of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref>. These steps are performed for each mobile device being provided wireless access on a semi-persistent downlink transmission resource. The method begins with receiving uplink packets from the mobile device using a semi-persistent uplink transmission resource that is aligned with the awake periods defined for the mobile device. These can be VolP packets during an uplink talk-spurt for a VoIP session involving the mobile device or otherwise. Steps 7-2, 7-3, 7-4 and 7-5 are performed for each additional each additional uplink packet for the mobile device. In step 7-2, during one of the awake periods, the wireless network receives a request for an additional uplink transmission resource to transmit the additional uplink packet. In step 7-3, the wireless network dynamically allocates the additional uplink transmission resource such that the additional uplink transmission resource occurs during one of the awake periods defined for the mobile device. In step 7-4, during one of the awake periods defined for the mobile device, the wireless network transmits signaling that defines the additional uplink allocation. In step 7-5, the wireless network receives the additional uplink packet using the additional uplink transmission resource.

0062In some embodiments, the wireless network transmits signaling to each mobile device that defines the awake periods and that defines sleep periods of that mobile device and/or that defines the semi-persistent uplink and/or downlink transmission resource of that mobile device. For VolP, the signaling to define the semi-persistent resources might be done at the start of each VolP session. Such signaling can be performed on a channel that is dedicated to each mobile device, or using a broadcast channel containing such signaling for multiple devices.

Methods for Semi-persistent Scheduling and DRX Control Executed by the Mobile Device

0063Referring now to <figref idref="f0006">Figure 8</figref>, a method of receiving downlink transmission executed by a mobile device will now be described. The method begins at step 8-1 with the mobile device controlling a reception capability of the mobile device during a plurality of awake periods and a plurality of sleep periods, the awake periods alternating in time with the sleep periods, such that the reception capability is always on during each of the awake periods, and the reception capability is off for at least some of the sleep periods. On a nominal basis, typically the reception capability will be off for every sleep period. At step 8-2, the mobile device receives downlink packets on a semi-persistent downlink transmission resource that is aligned with a plurality of awake periods defined for the mobile device. These can be VoIP downlink packets during a downlink talk-spurt for a VolP session involving the mobile device, or otherwise. Steps 8-3 and 8-4 are performed for each additional downlink packet for the mobile device. In step 8-3, during one of the awake periods, the mobile device receives signaling that defines an additional downlink transmission resource to transmit the additional packet, the additional downlink transmission resource being allocated to occur within one of the awake periods defined for the mobile device. In step 8-4, during one of the awake periods, the mobile device receives the additional downlink packet on the additional downlink resource.

0064The mobile device may receive signaling that defines the awake periods and the sleep periods of the mobile device and/or that defines the semi-persistent downlink transmission resource of that mobile device. This may take place over a respective dedicated channel for the mobile device or over a broadcast channel containing signaling information for the mobile device and other mobile devices.

0065Referring now to <figref idref="f0007">Figure 9</figref>, a method of transmitting uplink transmissions executed by a mobile device will now be described. The method begins at step 9-1 with controlling a transmission capability of the mobile device such that the transmission capability is on during all of the awake periods and such that the transmission capability is off for at least some of the sleep periods. In step 9-2, the mobile device transmits uplink packets (VolP packets or otherwise) using a semi-persistent uplink transmission resource that is aligned with the awake periods defined for the mobile device. Steps 9-3, 9-4, 9-5 are executed for each additional uplink packet for the mobile device. In step 9-3, during one of the awake periods defined for the mobile device, the mobile device transmits a request for an additional uplink transmission resource to transmit the additional uplink packet. In step 9-4, during one of the awake periods, the mobile device receives signaling that defines the additional uplink transmission resource, the additional uplink transmission resource being allocated to occur during one of the awake periods defined for the mobile device. In step 9-5, during one of the awake periods, the mobile device transmits the additional uplink packet using the additional uplink transmission resource.

0066The mobile device may receive signaling that defines the semi-persistent uplink resource. In some embodiments, the request for an additional uplink allocation is transmitted using a contention based random access channel.

Additional Embodiments

0067The following variants can be applied in combination with previously described embodiments.

0068In some embodiments, the awake period that is aligned with the semi-persistent resource is provisioned to have a duration that is long enough that it also includes times that the mobile device is expected to transmit/receive an ACK/NACK in respect of a transmission on semi-persistent resource allocation for the uplink and/or the downlink. In some embodiments, where an ACK/NACK is expected (as will be the case when the semi-persistent allocation is active), the awake period is extended to allow for this.

0069In another embodiment, additional awake periods are provisioned that are aligned with times that the mobile device is expected transmit/receive an ACK/NACK. More specifically, in such embodiments, a DRX/DTX period is provisioned between an awake period for a voice packet (semi-persistent resource allocation) and an awake period for the ACK/NACK. CCEs transmitted during either of the awake periods can be used to signal a dynamic allocation for the uplink and/or downlink. In addition, in some embodiments, during the extended awake period, the mobile device is permitted to make requests for dynamic allocations for the uplink.

0070In some embodiments, the sleep period is used for downlink retransmissions, and the mobile device will have its reception capability on in the event a retransmission is expected. Similarly, in some embodiments, the sleep period is used for uplink retransmissions, and the mobile device will have its transmission capability on to allow for this. The mobile device will not be expecting dynamic allocations during such periods. In some embodiments, additional awake periods are configured for retransmissions on the uplink and/or downlink. During these additional awake periods, the CCEs can be used to signal possible dynamic allocations. In some embodiments, one or more of the nominal awake periods is made longer so as to allow for the transmission/reception of retransmissions. In this case, the CCEs of the longer awake periods are available for dynamic scheduling purposes.

0071In some embodiments, as described in the detailed examples above, the dynamic allocations are always scheduled to occur during one of the awake periods that are nominally defined with fixed duration. In another embodiment, an awake period can be extended to allow for the transmission/reception of one or more dynamic allocations. For example, a CCE sent during an awake period can allocate a dynamic resource allocation that occurs partially or entirely outside the awake period, and the mobile device stays powered on to allow that. During the period that the mobile device is powered on as a result of the dynamic resource allocation the mobile device continues to monitor the CCEs, and an additional CCE signalling another dynamic allocation can be sent and so on.

Controlling the Start of DRX Control

0072DRX (discontinuous reception) control refers generally to methods of controlling a mobile device to have discontinuous reception capability so as to reduce batter consumption. This means there will be periods that the mobile device will have its receiver on (an on period, also referred to as an awake period), and periods that the mobile device will have its receiver off (an off period, also referred to as a sleep period). Many different examples of methods of DRX control have been provided above.

0073In accordance with further embodiments, various methods for starting DRX control are provided. Typically one or more DRX parameters are sent to the mobile device to configure DRX control. These might include one or more parameters that indicate when the receiver of the mobile device will be powered on. They might also include one or more parameters that indicate an off period duration, although separate signalling to this effect might not be necessary if it can be deduced from the signalling that indicates the on periods. In some embodiments, the parameters also indicate an extension period during which the mobile device will continue have its receiver powered on following one of the periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on if there is a dynamic scheduling allocation. These methods may for example be implemented by one or both of a DRX controller (such as DRX controller 29 forming part of a wireless network 28 of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref>) or a radio manager (such as a radio manager 14 forming part of a mobile device 10 of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref>).

0074It should be apparent from the foregoing that in some embodiments, the periods that the mobile device will have its receiver on, and the periods that the mobile device will have its receiver off may be nominal on and off durations respectively, subject to over-ride. In the example presented above, the nominal on period can be extended to accommodate dynamic scheduling. Other examples of how the nominal on and off durations may be varied include for transmitting/receiving ACKs/NACKs and transmitting/receiving retransmissions. Further details of such examples can be found in Applicants' co-pending Application No. <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="WO60974653A"><text>60/974653 filed September 24, 2007</text></patcit> hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

0075Referring to <figref idref="f0009">Figures 11 and 12</figref>, shown are flowcharts of two methods that are implemented in the network and mobile device respectively. References to steps executed by the network refer to steps that are executed by some component(s) in a network, as opposed to the mobile device. Examples of network components that might execute one or more of these steps include a base station, or an enhanced Node B (ENB). These methods occur in parallel and will be described as such. At step 11-1, the network transmits DRX control parameters to the mobile device. These parameters may include parameters that indicate periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered on, and an extension period during which the mobile will continue have its receiver on even at the end of the on period when dynamic scheduling allocation is detected, once discontinuous reception control is active. In some embodiments the parameters also indicate periods during which the mobile device will have its receiver powered off. They may also include parameters relating to semi-persistent assignment. They may also include parameters relating to how larger additional packets are to be handled. These parameters are typically sent at the start of a communications session between the mobile device and the network, for example at the start of a VoIP session. At step 12-1, the mobile device receives the DRX control parameters. At steps 11-2 and 12-2, the network and the mobile device determine the first of the periods that the mobile device will have its receiver powered on. There are various methods for this that are detailed below, but in each case it is advantageous that both the network and mobile device make the same determination. For example, in some cases, the network defines the start time and signals this to the mobile device. At step 11-3, the network transmits to the mobile device, starting with the first on period, in accordance with the DRX parameters after which DRX control is active. Similarly, at step 12-3, the mobile device receives from the network, starting with the first on period, in accordance with the DRX parameters.

0076Various specific methods for the network and mobile device to determine the first on period will now be described.

A) Network defines on period, and signals this to mobile device

0077A first method for the network and mobile device to determine the first on period will now be described with reference to <figref idref="f0009">Figure 13</figref>. This flowchart includes steps executed by the network, and steps executed by the mobile device. The method begins with the network defining the first on period at step 13-1. For example, in semi-persistent scheduling case, the network might define the first on period such that the pre-configured resource occurs during the first on period. At step 13-2, the network transmits signalling to the mobile device to indicate the first on period. Various examples are given below. At step 13-3, the mobile device receives the signalling that indicates the first on period.

Absolute value of start time.

0078In a first example of the network sending signalling to indicate the first on period, the network sends a signaling message to the mobile device that indicates in absolute terms the start time of the DRX control. In some embodiments, this is sent together with the other DRX parameters in which case an additional message is not required. The start time of the DRX control identifies the start time of the first on period for the DRX control.

0079In a specific example, the start time can be represented by a layer 1 sub-frame index or a layer 2 frame index. Transmission period is divided into layer 1 sub-frames having a duration known to both the network and mobile devices. Thus, reference to a specific layer 1 sub-frame will be a reference to a specific time. In some embodiments, layer 1 sub-frames are 1 ms in duration, but other values are possible, and more generally the sub-frame duration is implementation specific. A layer 1 sub-frame index is simply a reference to a specific layer 1 sub-frame. In some embodiments, the layer 1 sub-frame index is a cyclically repeating index, for example starting at zero, counting up to 4095, and then starting at zero again. In such a case, the start time signaled by way of sub-frame index will refer to the next layer 1 sub-frame having that index.

Relative Value of Start time

0080In a second example of the network sending signalling to indicate the first on period, the network sends a signaling message to the mobile device that indicates the start time of the DRX control in relative terms. For example, the network may transmit signaling to the mobile device that includes an activation timer duration. The activation timer duration identifies the start of the DRX control relative to when the signaling was sent or received, thereby indicating when the first on period will occur. The mobile device starts a timer, and when the timer reaches the activation timer duration, the DRX procedure starts. This timer might for example be represented in terms of number of layer-1 sub-frames (for example number of TTIs (transmission time intervals), or an actual time value. In some embodiments, the activation timer duration is sent along with other DRX parameters.

B) Default Configuration

0081In another embodiment, the mobile device has a default configuration that defines when the first on time will be. When a default configuration is employed, both the network and the mobile device need to be aware of the default configuration to be employed for a given mobile device, and to act accordingly. This method for the network and mobile device determine the first on period will now be described with reference to <figref idref="f0009">Figure 14</figref>. This flowchart includes steps executed by the network, and steps executed by the mobile device. The method begins with the network accessing default parameter(s) to determine the first on period at step 14-1. For example, the first on-duration may be defined by default to start with the sub-frame that aligns with the semi-persistent resource. At step 14-2, the mobile device accesses default parameter(s) to determine the first on period. For example, the mobile device may be configured by default to assume that the first on-duration starts with the sub-frame that aligns with the semi-persistent resource. These default configurations are pre-configured at both the network (for example in an ENB) and the mobile device.

0082In a first example of the default configuration approach, the start time of the first on period is aligned with the first sub-frame in which the mobile device is assigned a semi-persistent resource, following the assignment of that semi-persistent resource. <ol id="ol0001" compact="compact"><li>b) In a second example of the default configuration approach, the first on period always occurs at a certain sub-frame index. For example, using the example of 4096 layer-1 sub-frame indexes that cyclically repeat, a given mobile device might be configured to have a first on period following sub-frame 400. In that case, after configuring the mobile device to with other DRX parameters, the first on period will occur following the next occurrence of sub-frame 400.</li></ol>

Another Mobile Device

0083Referring now to <figref idref="f0008">Figure 10</figref>, shown is a block diagram of another mobile device that may implement any of the mobile device methods described herein. The mobile device 101 is shown with specific components for implementing features similar to those of the mobile device 10 of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref>. It is to be understood that the mobile device 101 is shown with very specific details for example purposes only.

0084A processing device (a microprocessor 128) is shown schematically as coupled between a keyboard 114 and a display 126. The microprocessor 128 may be a specific example of the processor with features similar to those of the processor 16 of the mobile device 10 shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref>. The microprocessor 128 controls operation of the display 126, as well as overall operation of the mobile device 101, in response to actuation of keys on the keyboard 114 by a user.

0085The mobile device 101 has a housing that may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizes and shapes (including clamshell housing structures). The keyboard 114 may include a mode selection key, or other hardware or software for switching between text entry and telephony entry.

0086In addition to the microprocessor 128, other parts of the mobile device 101 are shown schematically. These include: a communications subsystem 170; a short-range communications subsystem 103; the keyboard 114 and the display 126, along with other input/output devices including a set of LEDs 104, a set of auxiliary I/O devices 106, a serial port 108, a speaker 111 and a microphone 112; as well as memory devices including a flash memory 116 and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 118; and various other device subsystems 120. The mobile device 101 may have a battery 121 to power the active elements of the mobile device 101. The mobile device 101 is in some embodiments a two-way radio frequency (RF) communication device having voice and data communication capabilities. In addition, the mobile device 101 in some embodiments has the capability to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet.

0087Operating system software executed by the microprocessor 128 is in some embodiments stored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory 116, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as a read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as the RAM 118. Communication signals received by the mobile device 101 may also be stored to the RAM 118.

0088The microprocessor 128, in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications on the mobile device 101. A predetermined set of software applications that control basic device operations, such as a voice communications module 130A and a data communications module 130B, may be installed on the mobile device 101 during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager (PIM) application module 130C may also be installed on the mobile device 101 during manufacture. The PIM application is in some embodiments capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application is also in some embodiments capable of sending and receiving data items via a wireless network 110. In some embodiments, the data items managed by the PIM application are seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated via the wireless network 110 with the device user's corresponding data items stored or associated with a host computer system. As well, additional software modules, illustrated as another software module 130N, may be installed during manufacture. One or more of the modules 130A,130B,130C,130N of the flash memory 116 can be configured for implementing features similar to those of the radio manager 14 of the mobile device 10 shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref>.

0089Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through the communication subsystem 170, and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem 103. The communication subsystem 170 includes a receiver 150, a transmitter 152 and one or more antennas, illustrated as a receive antenna 154 and a transmit antenna 156. In addition, the communication subsystem 170 also includes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 158, and local oscillators (LOs) 160. The communication subsystem 170 having the transmitter 152 and the receiver 150 is an implementation of a specific example of the wireless access radio 12 of the mobile device 10 shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref>. The specific design and implementation of the communication subsystem 170 is dependent upon the communication network in which the mobile device 101 is intended to operate. For example, the communication subsystem 170 of the mobile device 101 may be designed to operate with the Mobitex™, DataTAC™ or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communication networks and also designed to operate with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such as Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. The communication subsystem 170 may also be designed to operate with an 802.11 Wi-Fi network, and/or an 802.16 WiMAX network. Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile device 101.

0090Network access may vary depending upon the type of communication system. For example, in the Mobitex™ and DataTAC™ networks, mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) associated with each device. In GPRS networks, however, network access is typically associated with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore typically has a subscriber identity module, commonly referred to as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, in order to operate on a GPRS network.

0091When network registration or activation procedures have been completed, the mobile device 101 may send and receive communication signals over the communication network 110. Signals received from the communication network 110 by the receive antenna 154 are routed to the receiver 150, which provides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of the received signal allows the DSP 158 to perform more complex communication functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network 110 are processed (e.g., modulated and encoded) by the DSP 158 and are then provided to the transmitter 152 for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication network 110 (or networks) via the transmit antenna 156.

0092In addition to processing communication signals, the DSP 158 provides for control of the receiver 150 and the transmitter 152. For example, gains applied to communication signals in the receiver 150 and the transmitter 152 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP 158.

0093In a data communication mode, a received signal, such as a text message or web page download, is processed by the communication subsystem 170 and is input to the microprocessor 128. The received signal is then further processed by the microprocessor 128 for an output to the display 126, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O devices 106. A device user may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using the keyboard 114 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 106, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type of input device. The composed data items may then be transmitted over the communication network 110 via the communication subsystem 170.

0094In a voice communication mode, overall operation of the device is substantially similar to the data communication mode, except that received signals are output to a speaker 111, and signals for transmission are generated by a microphone 112. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the mobile device 101. In addition, the display 126 may also be utilized in voice communication mode, for example, to display the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information.

0095The short-range communications subsystem 103 enables communication between the mobile device 101 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communications subsystem may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™ communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.

0096Numerous modifications and variations of the present application are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the application may be practised otherwise than as specifically described herein.