Grant, acknowledgement, and rate control active sets

ES 2 297 482 T3

DESCRIPTION

Active sets for authorization, acknowledgment and speed control.

Background

Field

The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to active sets for authorization control channels, acknowledgment control channels, and rate control channels.

Background

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication, such as voice and data. A typical wireless data network or system provides multiple users with access to one or more shared resources. A system can use a variety of multiple access techniques such as frequency division multiplexing (FDM), time division multiplexing (TDM), code division multiplexing (CDM), and others.

Exemplary wireless networks include data systems based on cellular systems. The following are several such examples: (1) the "TIA / EIA-95-B mobile station - base station compatibility standard for a dual mode broadband spread spectrum cellular system", (the IS-95 standard), (2) the standard offered by a consortium called "Third Generation Association Project" (3GPP) and carried out in a set of documents that include documents with numbers 3G TS 25,211,3GTS 25,212,3GTS 25,213 and 3G TS 25214 (the new WCDMA standard), (3) the standard offered by a consortium called “Third Generation Association Project 2” (3GPP2) and carried out in “TR-45.5 physical layer standard for cdma2000 spread spectrum systems” (the IS-2000 standard), (4) High-speed data (HDR) system that conforms to TIA / EIA / IS-856 (the IS-856 standard), and (5) Revision C of the IS-2000 standard, including C.S0001.C to C.S0006.C, and related documents (including Subsequent Revision D submissions) referred to as the 1xEV-DV proposal.

In an example system, Revision D of the IS-2000 standard (currently under development), the transmission of mobile stations over the reverse link is controlled by the base stations. A base station can decide the maximum rate of traffic to pilot ratio (TPR) at which the mobile station is allowed to transmit. Currently there are two types of control mechanisms proposed: based on authorization control and based on speed control.

In authorization-based control, a mobile station feeds back to a base station information about the mobile station's transmission capacity, data buffer size, and Quality of Service (QoS) level. , etc. The base station monitors the feedback from a plurality of mobile stations and decides which ones are allowed to transmit and the corresponding maximum speed allowed for each of them. These decisions are delivered to the mobile stations through authorization messages.

In a control based on speed control, a base station adjusts a speed of the mobile station with a limited interval (ie increase in speed, no change, or decrease in speed). The adjustment command is communicated to the mobile stations using a simple bit rate control or a multi-valued pointer.

Under full buffer conditions, where active mobile stations have large amounts of data, authorization control-based techniques and speed control techniques do more or less the same. Ignoring overhead issues, the authorization procedure may be better to be able to control the mobile station in situations with real traffic patterns. Ignoring overhead issues, the authorization procedure can be better to be able to control different QoS systems. Two types of speed control can be distinguished, including a dedicated speed control approach, giving each mobile station a single bit and a common speed control, using a single bit per sector. Several hybrids of these two types can assign multiple mobile stations to one speed control bit. A common speed control approach may require less overhead. However, it can often offer less control over mobile stations when compared to a more dedicated control scheme. As the number of mobiles transmitting simultaneously decreases, the common speed control procedure and the dedicated speed control approach move towards each other.

Authorization-based techniques can quickly change the transmission speed of a mobile station. However, a pure authorization-based technique can experience high overhead if there are continuous changes in speed. Similarly, a pure speed control technique can suffer from slow up ramp times and equal or greater overloads during up ramp times.

Neither approach provides as much reduced overhead as large, fast speed adjustments. An example of an approach to meet this need is described in US Patent Application

ES 2 297 482 T3

United States 2005 030911, entitled "Combination of authorization control, acknowledgment control and speed control", filed February 17, 2004, granted to the assignee of the present invention. In addition, it may be desirable to reduce the number of control channels, while maintaining a desirable probability of error for the associated commands on the control channels. There is a need in the art for a system that provides the ability to control rates (or resource allocation) to both individual mobile stations and groups of mobile stations without unduly increasing the channel count. Furthermore, there is a need to be able to accommodate the probability of error of various speed control or acknowledgment control commands. In United States Patent Application US 2005041618 entitled "Expanded Rate Control and Acknowledgment Control Channel", filed February 17, 2004, issued to the assignee of the present invention, an example of an approach to meet this need.

EP-A-1 326 471 describes a method and apparatus for high speed packet data transmission. In a data communication system that is capable of variable speed transmission, high speed packet data transmission improves forward link utilization and decreases transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link in each time slot to a mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest measure of the C / I ratio of the forward link signals measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACXC message results in the retransmission of the data packet received in error. Data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by using sequence number to identify each data unit within data packets.

High speed packet data transmission is further covered in the 3GPP2 C standard: "Air interface specification for high speed packet data cdma2000, C.S0024", Third Generation Association Project 2, 3GPP2, de September 12, 2000 (2000-09-12), XP002206456.

While the flexibility of control provided with a transmission controlled by the authorization rate and acknowledged transmission allows the allocation of system resources to be accommodated, it may be desirable to control the role of various base stations in a system with respect to which signals they transmit and which assignment controls they can participate in. A special purpose signaling scheme to provide control can be costly in terms of the overhead required for signaling. The failure of the range control of some base stations can also cause system operation emissions if an authorization control or speed control command is issued, with effects that are not apparent to the sending base station. Therefore, there is a need in the art for efficient management of authorization control, acknowledgment control, and rate control channels.

Summary

The embodiments described in this document and declared in the appended claims, address the need in the art for efficient management of authorization control channels, of acknowledgment control and speed control. In one aspect, a list associated with a first station is generated or stored, the list comprising zero or more identifiers, each of the identifiers identifying one of a plurality of second stations for sending a message to the first station. In another aspect, sets of lists for one or more of the first stations are generated or stored. In yet another aspect, the messages can be acknowledgments, speed control commands or authorizations. In yet another aspect, messages comprising one or more identifiers in the list are generated. Various other aspects are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of reduced overhead in managing authorization control messages, acknowledgment control and speed control for one or more remote stations.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a general block diagram of a wireless communication system capable of supporting a number of users;

Figure 2 depicts an example mobile station and base station configured in a system adapted for data communication;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device, such as a mobile station or a base station;

Figure 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of control and data signals for reverse link data communication;

Figure 5 is an example acknowledgment channel;

Figure 6 is an example rate control channel;

ES 2 297 482 T3

Figure 7 is an example procedure that can be deployed at a base station to allocate capacity in response to requests and transmissions from one or more mobile stations;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary method of generating authorization control, acknowledgment control, and speed control commands;

FIG. 9 is an example procedure for a mobile station to monitor and respond to authorization control, acknowledgment control, and rate control commands;

Figure 10 depicts the timing for an example embodiment with combined acknowledgment and rate control channels;

Figure 11 depicts the timing for an example embodiment with combined acknowledgment and rate control channels along with a new authorization.

Figure 12 depicts the timing for an example embodiment with combined acknowledgment control and rate control channels, without an authorization.

Figure 13 depicts an example embodiment of a system comprising a dedicated speed control signal and a common speed control signal;

Figure 14 depicts an embodiment of a system comprising a direct extended acknowledgment channel;

Figure 15 depicts an example constellation suitable for deployment over an extended acknowledgment channel;

Figure 16 depicts an alternate constellation suitable for deployment over an extended acknowledgment channel;

Figure 17 depicts an exemplary three-dimensional constellation suitable for display over an extended acknowledgment channel;

Figure 18 depicts an embodiment of a method for processing received transmissions, including acknowledgment control and rate control;

Fig. 19 depicts an embodiment of a method for responding to dedicated speed control and common speed control;

Figure 20 depicts an alternative embodiment of a method for processing received transmissions, including acknowledgment control and rate control;

Figure 21 depicts a procedure for receiving and responding to a direct extended acknowledgment channel;

Figure 22 is a general block diagram of a wireless communication system including extended active sets;

Figure 23 is an example enlarged active assembly;

Figures 24 through 26 are examples of alternative example extended active assemblies;

Figure 27 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method for generating an extended active set;

Figure 28 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method for transmission in accordance with an expanded active set;

Figure 29 depicts an example embodiment of a method for communicating with an expanded active set at a mobile station; Y

Figure 30 depicts example messages suitable for communicating changes to an extended active set.

Detailed description

The example embodiments detailed below provide for the allocation of a shared resource, such that it is shared by one or more mobile stations in a communication system, by advantageously controlling or adjusting one or more data rates together with the various acknowledgment messages communicated in the system.

ES 2 297 482 T3

This document describes techniques and the benefits thereof for combining the use of authorization control channels, acknowledgment control channels, and rate control channels to provide a combination of authorization-based scheduling and scheduling. controlled speed. Various embodiments may allow one or more of the following benefits: increasing the transmission rate of a mobile station rapidly, rapid cessation of transmission of a mobile station, low overhead settings of the speed of a station, acknowledgment of transmission of the mobile station with low overhead, low overall overhead and Quality of Service (QoS) control for flows from one or more mobile stations.

The combination of a speed control channel with an acknowledgment control channel using a constellation of points for the various pairs of commands, allows a reduction in control channels. In addition, the constellation can be formed to provide the desired error probability for each of the associated orders. A dedicated speed control signal can be displayed alongside a common speed control signal. The deployment of one or more dedicated speed control channels with one or more common speed control channels allows specific control of the speed of a single mobile station as well as the ability to control large groups of mobile stations with reduced overhead . Several other benefits will be detailed later.

One or more example embodiments described herein are stated in the context of a wireless digital data communication system. While use within this context is advantageous, different embodiments of the invention can be incorporated in different settings or settings. In general, the various systems described in this document can be formed using controller processors by means of software, integrated circuits, or discrete logic. Data, instructions, commands, information, signals, symbols and segments that can be referenced throughout the application are advantageously represented by means of voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles , optical fields or particles, or a combination thereof. In addition, the blocks shown in each of the block diagrams can represent hardware steps or procedural steps.

More specifically, various embodiments of the invention can be incorporated into a wireless communications system operating in accordance with a communications standard outlined and described in various standards published by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and others. normative organizations. These standards include the TIA / EIA-95 standard, the TIA / EIA-IS-2000 standard, the iMt-2000 standard, the UMTS standard and the WCDMA standard, the GSM standard. A copy of the standards may be obtained by writing to the TIA, Standards and Technology Department, 2500 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201, United States of America. The standard generally identified as the UMTS standard, incorporated by reference into this document, can be obtained by contacting the 3GPP Support Office, 650 Route des Lucioles - Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne - France.

Figure 1 is a diagram of a wireless communication system 100 that may be designed to support one or more CDMA standards or designs (for example, the W-CDMA standard, the IS-95 standard, the cdma2000 standard, the HDR specification , the 1xEV-DV system). In an alternative embodiment, the system 100 may alternatively support any standard or wireless design other than a CDMA system. In the example embodiment, system 100 is a 1xEV-DV system.

For the sake of simplicity, the system 100 is shown to include three base stations 104 that are in communication with two mobile stations 106. The base station and its coverage area are often referred to collectively as a "cell." In IS-95, cdma2000 or 1xEV-DV systems, for example, a cell can include one or more sectors. In the W-CDMA specification, each sector of a base station and the sector's coverage area are referred to as a cell. As used herein, the term base station can be used interchangeably with the terms access point or Node B. The term mobile station can be used interchangeably with the terms user equipment (UE ), subscriber unit, subscriber station, access terminal, remote terminal or other corresponding terms known in the art. The term mobile station encompasses fixed wireless applications.

Depending on the CDMA system being implemented, each mobile station 106 can communicate with one (or more) base stations 104 on the forward link at any given time, and can communicate with one or more base stations on the reverse link depending on whether the mobile station is in soft handoff or not. Forward link (i.e. downlink) refers to transmission from base station to mobile station, and reverse link (i.e. uplink) refers to transmission from mobile station to base station .

While the various embodiments described herein are aimed at providing reverse link signals or forward link signals to support reverse link transmission, and some may be suitable for the nature of reverse link transmission, Those skilled in the art will understand that mobile stations as well as base stations may be equipped to transmit data as described herein and aspects of the present invention apply in those situations as well. The word "exemplary" is used exclusively herein to mean "serving as an example, case, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

ES 2 297 482 T3

1xEV-DV forward link data transmission

A system 100, such as the one described in the 1xEV-DV proposal, generally comprises forward link channels of four classes: overhead channels, dynamically varying IS-95 and IS-2000 channels, a forward channel packet data (F-PDCH) and some spare channels. The overload channel assignments vary slowly; for example, they may not change for months. They are typically changed when there are major changes to the network configuration. Dynamically varying IS-95 and IS-2000 channels are allocated on a per call basis or are used for voice and packet services IS-95 or IS-2000, edition 0 through B. Typically, the power of the available base station that remains after the overhead channels and dynamically varying channels have been allocated is allocated to the F-PDCH for the rest of the data services.

The F-PDCH, similar to the traffic channel in the IS-95 standard, is used to send data at the highest data rate that can be supported to one or two users in each cell at a time. In IS-856, all the power of the base station and all the space of the Walsh functions are available when transmitting data to a mobile station. However, in a 1xEV-DV system, some base station powers and some of the Walsh functions are assigned to the overload channels and the existing IS-95 and cdma2000 services. The data rate that can be supported depends mainly on the available power and the Walsh codes after the power and the Walsh codes have been assigned for the overload channels, IS-95 and IS-2000. The data transmitted on the F-PDCH is expanded using one or more Walsh codes.

In a 1xEV-DV system, the base station usually transmits to a mobile station on the F-PDCH channel at the same time, although many users may be using packet services in one cell. (It is also possible to transmit to two users by scheduling the transmissions for the two users, and assigning power and Walsh channels to each user appropriately.) Mobile stations are selected for forward link transmission based on some scheduling algorithm.

In a system similar to IS-856 or 1xEV-DV, scheduling is based in part on channel quality feedback from the mobile stations being served. For example, in IS-856, mobile stations estimate the quality of the forward link and calculate a transmission rate that is expected to be maintained under current conditions. The desired speed from each mobile station is transmitted to the base station. The scheduling algorithm may, for example, select a mobile station for transmission that supports a relatively higher transmission rate in order to make more efficient use of the shared communication channel. As another example, in a 1xEV-DV system, each mobile station transmits an estimate of the carrier-to-interference (C / I) ratio as the channel quality estimate on the Reverse Link Quality Indicator Channel (R-CQICH ). The scheduling algorithm is used to determine the mobile station selected for transmission, as well as the appropriate speed and the appropriate transmission format according to the quality of the channel.

As described above, a wireless communication system 100 can support multiple users sharing the communication resource simultaneously, such as in an IS-95 system, it can assign all the communication resource to one user at a time. such as an IS-856 system, or you can allocate a portion of the communications resource to allow both types of access. A 1xEV-DV system is an example of a system that divides the communication resource between both types of access, and that dynamically assigns the distribution according to user demand. An exemplary direct link embodiment has just been described. Various exemplary reverse link embodiments are further detailed below.

Figure 2 depicts an example mobile station 106 and base station 104 configured in a system 100 adapted for data communication. Base station 104 and mobile station 106 are shown communicating on a forward link and a reverse link. Mobile station 106 receives forward link signals at receiving subsystem 220. In this document, reference may be made to a base station 104 that is communicating the forward data and control link channels detailed below the serving station for the mobile station 106. A subsystem of Example reception with respect to figure 3. An estimate is made at mobile station 106 of the carrier-to-interference (C / I) ratio for the forward link signal received from the serving base station. A C / I ratio measure is an example of a channel quality metric used as a channel estimate, and alternative channel quality metrics can be deployed in alternative embodiments. The C / I ratio measurement is delivered to transmission subsystem 210 at base station 104, an example of which is further detailed below with respect to FIG. 3.

Transmission subsystem 210 delivers the C / I estimate over the reverse link where it is delivered to the serving base station. Note that, in a soft handoff situation, well known in the art, reverse link signals transmitted from a mobile station may be received by one or more base stations other than the serving base station, referred to herein. document as non-serving base stations. Receiving subsystem 230, at base station 104, receives the C / I ratio information from mobile station 106.

Scheduler 240, at base station 104, is used to determine if and how data should be transmitted to one or more mobile stations within the coverage area of ​​the serving cell. Any type of scheduling algorithm can be deployed within the scope of the present invention. An example is described in United States patent application, US 6335922, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Programming the Forward Link Rate", filed February 11, 1997, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

ES 2 297 482 T3

In an exemplary 1xEV-DV embodiment, a mobile station is selected for forward link transmission when the C / I measurement received from that mobile station indicates that data can be transmitted at a certain rate. It is advantageous, in terms of system capacity, to select a target mobile station such that the shared communication resource is always used at its maximum supported speed. In this way, the typical target mobile station selected may be the station with the highest C / I ratio that has been reported. Other factors can also be incorporated into a scheduling decision. For example, minimum quality of service guarantees may have been made for multiple users. It may be that a mobile station is selected for transmission, with a relatively low reported C / I ratio to maintain a minimum data rate for that user. It may be that a mobile station other than the one with the highest reported C / I is selected for transmission in order to maintain a certain criterion of fairness between users.

In the example 1xEV-DV system, scheduler 240 determines which mobile station to transmit to and also the data rate, modulation format, and power level for that transmission. In an alternative embodiment, such as an IS-856 system, for example, a decision of the supported rate / modulation format can be made at the mobile station, based on the channel quality measured at the mobile station, and the transmission can be transmitted to the serving base station in lieu of the C / I ratio measurement. Those skilled in the art will recognize myriad combinations of bearable speeds, modulation formats, power levels, and the like that can be deployed within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, although in various embodiments described herein the scheduling tasks are performed at the base station, in alternative embodiments some or all of the scheduling processes may take place at the mobile station.

Scheduler 240 directs transmit subsystem 250 to transmit to the selected mobile station on the forward link using the selected rate, modulation format, power level, etc.,.

In the example embodiment, messages on the control channel or F-PDCCH are transmitted along with data on the data channel, or F-PDCH. The control channel can be used to identify the recipient mobile station of the data on the F-PDCH, as well as to identify other useful communication parameters during the communication session. A mobile station should receive and demodulate data from the F-PDCH when the F-PDCCH indicates that the mobile station is the target of the transmission. The mobile station responds on the reverse link following the receipt of said data with a message indicating the success or failure of the transmission. Relay techniques, well known in the art, are commonly deployed in data communication systems.

A mobile station can be in communication with more than one base station, a state known as soft handoff. Soft handover can include multiple sectors of a base station (or a base transceiver subsystem (BTS)), known as a softer handover, as well as with sectors of multiple BTSs. Base station sectors in soft handoff are typically stored in a mobile station Active Set. In a system of simultaneously shared communication resources, such as IS-95, IS-2000 or the corresponding part of a 1xEV-DV system, the mobile station can combine the forward link signals transmitted from all sectors of the Active Set . In a data-only system, such as IS-856 or the corresponding part of a 1xEV-DV system, a mobile station receives a forward link data signal from a base station in the Active Set, the serving base station (determined according to a mobile station selection algorithm, such as those described in the standard C.S0002.C). Other forward link signals may also be received from non-serving base stations, examples of which are further detailed below.

Reverse link signals from the mobile station can be received at multiple base stations, and the reverse link quality is generally maintained for the base stations in the active set. It is possible to combine the reverse link signals received at multiple base stations. In general, the soft combination of reverse link signals from disparately located base stations would require significant network communications bandwidth with very little delay, and thus the example systems listed above would not support it. In the softest handover, reverse link signals received in multiple sectors in a single BTS can be combined without network signaling. While any type of reverse link signal combination can be deployed within the scope of the present invention, in the example systems described above, reverse link power control maintains quality such that link frames Inverse are successfully decoded in a BTS (Diversity Switching).

Reverse link data transmission can also be performed in system 100. The receiving and transmitting subsystems 210-230, and 250 described can be deployed to send control signals over the forward link to direct data transmission. on the reverse link. Mobile stations 106 may also transmit control information on the reverse link. Multiple mobile stations 106 that are communicating with one or more base stations 104 can access the shared communications resource (i.e., the reverse link channel, which can be variably assigned, as in the 1xEV-DV system, or an assignment fixed as in the IS-856 system), in response to various access control and speed control techniques, examples of which are detailed below. Scheduler 240 can be deployed to determine reverse link resource allocation. Example data and control signals for reverse link data communication are detailed below.

ES 2 297 482 T3

Example base station and mobile station embodiments

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a wireless communications device, such as a mobile station 106 or a base station 104. The blocks described in this example embodiment will generally be a subset of the components included in a base station. 104 or a mobile station 106. Those skilled in the art will quickly adapt the embodiment shown in Figure 3 for use in any number of base station or mobile station configurations.

The signals are received at antenna 310 and delivered to a receiver 320. Receiver 320 performs processing in accordance with one or more wireless system standards, such as the standards listed above. Receiver 320 performs various processing such as radio frequency (RF) to baseband conversion, amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, filtering, and so on. Various reception techniques are known in the art. The receiver 320 can be used to measure the channel quality of the forward link or the reverse link, when the device is a mobile station or a base station, respectively, although an independent quality estimator 335 is shown for clarity of discussion. detailed later.

The signals from receiver 320 are demodulated in demodulator 325 in accordance with one or more communication standards. In an example embodiment, a demodulator capable of demodulating 1xEV-DV signals is deployed. In alternative embodiments, alternative standards can be supported, and the embodiments can support multiple communication formats. The demodulator 330 can perform RAKE reception, equalization, combining, deinterleaving, decoding, and various other functions as required by the format of the received signals. Various modulation techniques are known in the art. At a base station 104, the demodulator 325 will demodulate in accordance with the reverse link. At a mobile station 106, the demodulator 325 will demodulate in accordance with the forward link. Both the data channels and the control channels described in this document are examples of channels that can be received and demodulated in the receiver 320 and in the demodulator 325. The demodulation of the direct data channel will occur according to the signaling in the control channels, as previously described.

Message decoder 330 receives the demodulated data and extracts signals or messages addressed to mobile station 106 or base station 104 on the forward or reverse links, respectively. Message decoder 330 decodes the various messages used in the setup, maintenance, and breakdown of a call (including voice and data sessions) in a system. The messages may include channel quality indications, such as C / I measurements, power control messages, or control channel messages used to demodulate the forward data channel. Various types of control messages can be decoded at a base station 104 or mobile station 106 transmitted on the reverse or forward links, respectively. For example, described below are request messages and authorization messages for scheduling reverse link data transmission for generation at a mobile station or at a base station, respectively. Various other types of messages are known in the art and can be specified in the various communication standards that are supported. The messages are delivered to processor 350 for use in further processing. Some or all of the functions of message decoder 330 may be carried out in processor 350, although a discrete block is shown for clarity of discussion. Alternatively, demodulator 325 may decode certain information and send it directly to processor 350 (examples are a single bit message such as ACK / NAK or a power up / down control command). Various signals and messages for use in the embodiments described in this document are further detailed below.

The channel quality estimator 335 is connected to the receiver 320, and is used to make various estimates of the power level for use in the procedures described in this document, as well as for use in various other processing used in communications. such as demodulation. At a mobile station 106, measurements of the C / I ratio can be made. In addition, measurements of any signal or channel used in the system can be measured in the channel quality estimator 335 of a given embodiment. At a base station 104 or mobile station 106, signal strength estimates, such as received pilot power, can be made. The channel quality estimator 335 is shown as a discrete block for clarity of discussion only. It is common for such a block to be incorporated into another block, such as receiver 320 or demodulator 325. Various types of signal strength estimates can be made, depending on what type of signal or what type of system is used. is estimating. In general, any type of channel quality metric estimation block may be deployed in place of the channel quality estimator 335 within the scope of the present invention. At a base station 104, channel quality estimates are delivered to processor 350 for use in scheduling, or determining reverse link quality, as further described below. Channel quality estimates can be used to determine if power control up or down commands are required to control the forward link or reverse link power to a desired set point. The desired set point can be determined with an outer loop power control mechanism.

The signals are transmitted through the antenna 310. The transmitted signals are formatted at the transmitter 370 according to one or more wireless system standards, such as those listed above. Examples of components that can be included in transmitter 370 are amplifiers, filters, digital-to-analog (D / A) converters, radio frequency (RF) converters, and the like. Data for transmission is delivered to transmitter 370 via modulator 365. Data channels and control channels can be formatted for transmission in accordance with a variety of formats. The data for transmission on the data channel of

ES 2 297 482 T3 forward link can be formatted in modulator 365 according to a rate and modulation format indicated by a scheduling algorithm according to a C / I ratio or other measure of channel quality. A programmer, such as the programmer 240, described above, can reside in the processor 350. Similarly, the transmitter 370 can be directed to transmit at a power level in accordance with the programming algorithm. Examples of components, which can be incorporated into modulator 365, include encoders, interleavers, expanders, and modulators of various types. Also described below is a reverse link design that includes example modulation and access control formats suitable for deployment over a 1xEV-DV system.

Message generator 360 can be used to prepare messages of various types, as described in this document. For example, C / I messages can be generated at a mobile station for transmission on the reverse link. Various types of control messages can be generated at a base station 104 or mobile station 106 for transmission over the forward or reverse links, respectively. For example, request messages and authorization messages for scheduling reverse link data transmission for generation at a mobile station or at a base station, respectively, are described below.

Data received and demodulated in demodulator 325 can be delivered to processor 350 for use in voice or data communications, as well as various other components. Similarly, data for transmission can be directed to modulator 365 and transmitter 370 from processor 350. For example, various data applications may be present on processor 350, or on another processor included in the device in wireless communications device 104 or 106 (not shown). A base station 104 can be connected through other equipment, not shown, to one or more external networks, such as the Internet (not shown). A mobile station 106 may include a link to an external device, such as a laptop (not shown).

Processor 350 can be a general purpose microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or a special purpose processor. Processor 350 may perform some or all of the functions of receiver 320, demodulator 325, message decoder 330, channel quality estimator 335, message generator 360, modulator 365, or transmitter 370, as well as any other processing required by the wireless communications device. Processor 350 may be wired with special purpose hardware to aid in these tasks (details not shown). Data or voice applications can be external, such as an externally connected laptop or connection to a network, can run on an additional processor within wireless communications device 104 or 106 (not shown), or can run on the same 350 processor. Processor 350 is connected to memory 355, which can be used for storing data as well as instructions for performing the various procedures and methods described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that memory 355 may be comprised of one or more memory components of various types, which may be incorporated in whole or in part within processor 350.

A typical data communication system can include one or more channels of various types. More specifically, one or more data channels are displayed. It is also common for the deployment of one or more control channels, although in-band control signaling over a data channel can be included. For example, in a 1xEV-DV system, a Direct Packet Data Control Channel (F-PDCCH) and a Direct Packet Data Channel (F-PDCH) are defined for control and data transmission, respectively. , on the direct link. Various example channels for reverse link transmission are detailed as follows.

1xEV-DV Reverse Link Design Considerations

In this section, various factors considered in designing an example embodiment of a reverse link of a wireless communication system are described. In many of the embodiments, further detailed in the following sections, the signals, parameters, and procedures associated with the 1xEV-DV standard are used. This standard is described for illustrative purposes only, while each of the aspects described in this document and combinations thereof can be applied to any number of communication systems that are within the scope of the present invention. This section serves as a partial summary of various aspects of the invention, although it is not an exhaustive summary. Example embodiments are further detailed in subsequent sections below, where additional aspects are described.

In many cases, the reverse link capacity is limited by interference. The base stations allocate available reverse link communication resources to the mobile stations for efficient utilization to maximize throughput in accordance with the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for the various mobile stations.

Maximizing the use of the reverse link communications resource involves several factors. One factor to consider is the mix of reverse link transmissions scheduled from the various mobile stations, each of which may be experiencing variations in channel quality at any given time. To increase the overall throughput (the aggregate data transmitted by all mobile stations in the cell), it is desirable that the entire reverse link be fully utilized as long as there is reverse link data to be sent. To fill available capacity, mobile stations can be guaranteed access at the highest rate they can support, and additional mobile stations can be guaranteed access until access is reached.

ES 2 297 482 T3 capacity. One factor that a base station may consider in deciding which mobile stations to program is the maximum speed that each mobile station can support and the amount of data that each mobile station has to send. A mobile station capable of higher throughput can be selected instead of an alternative mobile station whose channel does not support higher throughput.

Another factor to consider is the quality of service required by each of the mobile stations. While it may be permissible to delay access to a base station in the hope that the channel will improve, opting instead to select a better located mobile station, it may be that suboptimal mobile stations need to be guaranteed access to meet the requirements. minimum service quality guarantees. Thus, the scheduled data processing throughput may not be the absolute maximum, but rather is maximized considering the channel conditions, the mobile station's available transmit power, and the service requirements. It is desired for any setting to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio for the selected mix.

Various scheduling mechanisms are described below to allow a mobile station to transmit data over the reverse link. One kind of reverse link transmission involves the mobile station making a request to transmit on the reverse link. The base station makes a determination as to whether there are resources available to accommodate this request. An authorization can be made to allow the transmission. This dialogue initiation protocol between the mobile station and the base station introduces a delay before the reverse link data can be transmitted. For certain classes of reverse link data, the delay may be acceptable. Other classes may be more delay sensitive and to mitigate delay, alternative techniques for reverse link transmission are detailed below.

In addition, reverse link resources are spent to make a request for a transmission, and forward link resources are spent to respond to the request, that is, transmit an authorization. When the channel quality of a mobile station is low, ie low geometry or deep fading, the power required on the forward link to reach the mobile station can be relatively high. Various techniques are detailed below to reduce the number of transmit power required of requests and authorizations that are required for transmission of reverse link data.

To avoid the delay introduced by a request / authorization dialogue initiation protocol, as well as to conserve the forward and reverse link resources required to support them, an autonomous reverse link transmission mode is supported. A mobile station can transmit data at a limited rate on the reverse link without making a request or waiting for an authorization.

It may be desirable to modify the transmission rate of a mobile station that is transmitting in accordance with an authorization, or autonomously, without the overhead of an authorization. To accomplish this, speed control commands can be implemented in conjunction with autonomous request / authorization based scheduling. For example, a set of commands may include an order to increase, decrease, and keep the current transmission speed stable. Said speed control commands can be addressed to each mobile station individually, or to groups of mobile stations. Several example speed control commands, channels, and signals are further detailed below.

The base station allocates a portion of the reverse link capacity to one or more mobile stations. A mobile station that has been granted access is provided with a maximum level of power. In the example embodiments described herein, the reverse link resource is allocated using a traffic-to-pilot (T / P) ratio. Since the pilot signal from each mobile station is adaptively controlled through power control, specifying the T / P ratio indicates the power available for use in transmitting data on the reverse link. The base station can make specific authorizations for one or more mobile stations, indicating a specific T / P value for each of the mobile stations. The base station can also make a common authorization for the rest of the mobile stations, which have requested access, indicating a maximum value of T / P that is allowed for those remaining mobile stations to transmit. Autonomous and scheduled transmission, individual and common clearances and speed control are further detailed later.

Various scheduling algorithms are known in the art, and more to be developed, that can be used to determine the various specific and common T / P ratio values ​​for authorizations as well as desired speed control commands in accordance with the number of registered mobile stations, the probability of autonomous transmission by mobile stations, the number and size of pending requests, the expected mean response to clearances and any number of other factors. In one example, a relationship is made based on the priority of the Quality of Service (QoS), the efficiency and the throughput of processing that can be achieved from the set of requesting mobile stations. In the pending United States Patent Application together with the present number 2005004970 entitled "System and procedure for a time-scalable and priority-based programmer", filed August 28, 2003, transferred to the assignee of the present invention , an example programming technique is described. Additional references include United States Patent No. 5,914,950, entitled "Procedure and Apparatus for Reverse Link Rate Programming", and United States Patent No. 5,923,650, also entitled "Procedure and Apparatus for reverse link speed scheduling ", both transferred to the assignee of the present invention.

ES 2 297 482 T3

A mobile station can transmit a data packet using one or more sub-packets, in which each sub-packet contains the information of the complete packet (each sub-packet is not necessarily encoded identically, as various encodings or redundancies can be deployed throughout the various sub-packages). Retransmission techniques can be deployed to ensure proper transmission, eg automatic repeat request (ARQ). In this way, if the first sub-packet is received without errors (using for example a CRC technique), a positive acknowledgment (ACK) is sent to the mobile station and no additional sub-packets will be sent (note that each sub-packet comprises the information of the complete package, in one or another format). If the first sub-packet is not received correctly, then a negative acknowledgment signal (NAK) is sent to the mobile station, and the second sub-packet will be transmitted. The base station can combine the power of the two sub-packets and attempt to decode. The process can be repeated indefinitely, although it is common to specify a maximum number of sub-packages. In the example embodiments described in this document, up to four sub-packets can be transmitted. In this way, the probability of correct reception increases as additional sub-packets are received. Below are several ways to combine ARQ responses, speed control commands, and authorization control commands to provide the desired level of flexibility in transmission speeds with acceptable levels of overload.

As just described, a mobile station can balance throughput for latency in deciding whether to use autonomous handoff to transmit data with low latency or to request high-speed handoff and wait for common or specific authorization. Also, for a given T / P ratio, the mobile station can select a data rate to suit latency or throughput. For example, a mobile station with relatively few bits for transmission may decide that low latency is desired. For the available T / P ratio (probably the maximum autonomous transmission in this example, but it could also be the authorization specific or common T / P ratio), the mobile station can select a rate and modulation format so that the probability that the base station is correctly receiving the first sub-packet is high. Although retransmission will be available if necessary, it is likely that this mobile station can transmit its data bits in a sub-packet. In various example embodiments described herein, each sub-packet is transmitted over a 5 ms period. Therefore, in this example, a mobile station can make an immediate autonomous handoff that is likely to be received at the next base station at an interval of 5 ms. Note that, alternatively, the mobile station may use the availability of additional sub-packets to increase the amount of data transmitted for a given T / P ratio. In this way, a mobile station can select autonomous handover to reduce the latency associated with requests and authorizations, and can additionally balance the throughput for a particular T / P ratio to minimize the number of sub-packets (and so on. , latency) required. Even if the full number of sub-packets is selected, the autonomous transfer will be a lower latency than the request and authorization for relatively small data transfers. Those skilled in the art will recognize that as the amount of data grows, requiring multiple packets for transmission, the overall latency can be reduced by switching to a request and authorization format, as the request and authorization penalty Authorization will eventually be offset by increasing the throughput of higher data rate processing across multiple packets. This process is further detailed below, with an example set of transmission rates and formats that may be associated with the various T / P assignments.

Reverse link data transmission

One goal of a reverse link design may be to keep the threshold over temperature (RoT) at the base station relatively constant as long as there is reverse link data to transmit. Transmission on the reverse link data channel is managed in three different ways:

Autonomous transmission: This case is used for traffic that requires a low delay. The mobile station is allowed to transmit immediately, up to a certain transmission rate, determined by the serving base station (ie, the base station to which the mobile station directs its Channel Quality Indicator (CQI)). The serving base station is also referred to as a scheduling base station or an authorizing base station. The maximum allowed transmission rate for autonomous transmission may be signaled by the serving base station dynamically based on system load, system congestion, etc.

Scheduled transmission: The mobile station sends an estimate of its buffer size, its available power, and possibly other parameters. The base station determines when the mobile station is allowed to transmit. The goal of a scheduler is to limit the number of simultaneous transmissions, thereby reducing interference between mobile stations. The programmer may try to have mobile stations in intercell regions transmitting at low speeds to reduce interference with neighboring cells, and to tightly control RoT to protect voice quality over R-FCH, DV feedback over R- CQICH and acknowledgments (R-ACKCH), as well as system stability.

Rate-controlled transmission: Whether a mobile station transmits on a scheduled (i.e. authorized) or autonomous basis, a base station can adjust the transmission rate through rate-control commands. Examples of speed control commands include increasing, decreasing, or maintaining the current speed. Additional commands can be included to specify how a change in speed is to be implemented (that is, the amount of increase or decrease). Speed ​​control commands can be probabilistic or deterministic.

ES 2 297 482 T3

Various embodiments detailed in this document contain one or more features designed to improve throughput, capacity, and overall performance of the reverse link system of a wireless communication system. For illustrative purposes only, the data part of a 1xEV-DV system is described, in particular, the optimization of transmission by various mobile stations over the Reverse Supplemental Enhanced Channel (R-ESCH). This section details various forward link and reverse link channels used in one or more of the example embodiments. These channels are generally a subset of the channels used in a communication system.

Figure 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of data and control signals for data communication on the reverse link. A mobile station 106 is shown communicating over multiple channels, each channel connected to one or more base stations 104A-104C. Base station 104A is labeled the programming base station. The other base stations 104B and 104C are part of the Active Set of mobile stations 106. There are four types of reverse link signals and four types of forward link signals shown. They are described later.

R-REQCH

The reverse request channel (R-REQCH) is used by the mobile station to request a reverse link data transmission from the scheduling base station. In the example embodiment, the transmissions are for transmission over the R-ESCH (detailed later in more detail). In the example embodiment, a request on the R-REQCH includes the T / P ratio that the mobile station can support, variable according to changing channel conditions, and the size of the buffer (i.e., the amount of data waiting for transmission). The request may also specify the Quality of Service (QoS) for the data that is awaiting transmission. Note that a mobile station may have a single QoS level specified for the mobile station, or alternatively, different QoS levels for different types of service options. Higher layer protocols can indicate the QoS, or other desired parameters (such as latency or throughput requirements) for the various data services. In an alternative embodiment, a Reverse Dedicated Control Channel (R-DCCH) used in conjunction with other reverse link signals, such as the Reverse Fundamental Channel (R-FCH) (used for voice services, for example) can be used, to carry access requests. In general, access requests can be described as comprising a logical channel, ie, a Reverse Scheduling Request Channel (R-SRCH), which can be mapped onto any existing physical channel, such as the R-DCCH. The example embodiment is backward compatible with existing CDMA systems, such as IS2000, revision C, and the R-REQCH is a physical channel that can be deployed in the absence of the R-FCH or the R-DCCH. For the sake of clarity, the term R-REQCH is used to describe the access request channel in the descriptions of the embodiment of this document, although those skilled in the art will quickly extend the principles to any type of access request system. access, if the access request channel is logical or physical. The R-REQCH can be closed until a request is needed, thereby reducing interference and conserving system capacity.

In the example embodiment, the R-REQCH has 12 input bits consisting of the following: 4 bits to specify the maximum T / P ratio of the R-ESCH that the mobile station can support, 4 bits to specify the amount of data in the temporary storage memory of the mobile station, and 4 bits to specify the QoS. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of bits and various other fields can be included in alternative embodiments.

F-GCH

The Direct Authorization Channel (F-GCH) is transmitted from the scheduling base station to the mobile station. The F-GCH can be comprised of multiple channels. In the example embodiment, a common FGHC channel is displayed to make common authorizations, and one or more individual F-GCH channels are displayed to do individual authorizations. Authorizations are made by programming the base station in response to one or more requests from one or more base stations on their respective R-REQCH channels. Authorization channels can be labeled GCHx, where the subscript x identifies the channel number. A channel number 0 can be used to indicate the common authorization channel. If N individual channels are displayed, the subscript x can range from 1 to N.

An individual authorization can be made for one or more mobile stations, each of which gives permission to the identified mobile station to transmit on the R-ESCH channel at or below a specified T / P ratio. Doing direct link authorizations will naturally introduce overhead that uses some direct link capability. Various options for mitigating the overhead associated with authorizations are detailed in this document, and other options will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings in this document.

One consideration is that the mobile stations will be located so that each of them experiences a variable channel quality. Thus, for example, a high geometry mobile station with a good forward link and reverse link channel may need relatively low power to authorize the signal, and it is likely to be able to take advantage of a high data rate, and thus, it is desirable for an individual authorization. A low geometry mobile station, or a mobile station experiencing deeper fading, may require

ES 2 297 482 T3 significantly more power to reliably receive an individual authorization. Such a mobile station may not be the best candidate for individual authorization. A common authorization for this mobile station, detailed below, can be less expensive in the forward link overhead.

In this example embodiment, a number of individual F-GCH channels are deployed to provide the corresponding number of individual clearances at a particular time. The F-GCH channels are code division multiplexed. This facilitates the ability to transmit each authorization at the required power level to reach only the specific desired mobile station. In an alternative embodiment, a single individual authorization channel may be deployed, with the number of individual authorizations multiplexed in time. Varying the power of each authorization over an individual time multiplexed F-GCH channel can introduce additional complexity. Any signaling technique for the delivery of common or individual authorizations can be deployed within the scope of the present invention.

In some embodiments, a relatively large number of individual authorization channels (ie, F-GCH) are deployed to allow a relatively large number of individual authorizations at a time. In such a case, it may be desirable to limit the number of individual authorization channels that each mobile station has to monitor. In an example embodiment, multiple subsets of the total number of individual authorization channels are defined. Each mobile station is assigned a subset of individual authorization channels to monitor. This enables the mobile station to reduce the complexity of the processing, and correspondingly reduce the power consumption. The trade-off is in scheduling flexibility, as the programming base station may not be able to arbitrarily assign individual authorization sets (for example, all individual authorizations cannot be made for members of a single group, since that those members, by design, do not oversee one or more of the individual authorization channels). Note that this loss of flexibility does not result in a loss of capacity. For the sake of illustration, consider an example that includes four individual authorization channels. Even-numbered mobile stations may be assigned to monitor the first two authorization channels, and odd-numbered mobile stations may be assigned to monitor the last two. In another example, the subsets may overlap, such that even-numbered mobile stations monitor the first three authorization channels, and odd-numbered mobile stations monitor the last three authorization channels. It is clear that the scheduling base station cannot arbitrarily assign four mobile stations from any group (even or odd). These examples are illustrative only. Any number of channels can be deployed with any configuration of subsets within the scope of the present invention.

The remaining mobile stations, which have made a request, but do not receive an individual authorization, can be given permission to transmit on the R-ESCH channel using a common authorization, specifying a maximum T / P ratio that each of the remaining mobile stations observe. The F-GCH channel may also be referred to as the Direct Common Authorization Channel (F-CGCH). A mobile station monitors the individual authorization channel (s) (or a subset thereof) as well as the common F-GCH channel. Unless individual authorization is given, the mobile station can transmit if a common authorization is issued. The common authorization indicates the maximum T / P ratio at which the remaining mobile stations (the common authorization mobile stations) can transmit for data with a certain type of QoS.

In the example embodiment, each common authorization is valid for a number of sub-packet transmission slots. Once a common authorization is received, a mobile station that has sent a request, but does not have an individual authorization can begin to transmit one or more encoder packets within subsequent transmission intervals. The authorization information can be repeated many times. This allows the common authorization to be transmitted at a reduced power level compared to an individual authorization. Each mobile station can combine the energy from multiple transmissions to reliably decode the common authorization. Therefore, a common authorization can be selected for mobile stations with low geometry, for example, where an individual authorization is considered to be too expensive in terms of forward link capacity. However, common authorizations still require overhead, and several techniques to reduce this overhead are described later.

The F-GCH is sent by the base station to each of the mobile stations that the base station schedules for the transmission of a new R-ESCH packet. It can also be sent during a transmission or retransmission of an encoder packet to force the mobile station to modify the T / P ratio of its transmission for subsequent sub-packets of the encoder packet in the event that control becomes necessary. from congestion.

In the example embodiment, the common authorization consists of 12 bits that include a 3-bit field to specify the format of the next nine bits. The remaining bits indicate the maximum allowed T / P ratio for 3 classes of mobile stations as specified in the type field, with 3 bits denoting the maximum allowed T / P ratio for each of the classes. Mobile classes can be based on QoS requirements, or other criteria. Several other common authorization formats are envisioned, and will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In the example embodiment, an individual authorization comprises 12 bits including: 11 bits to specify the Mobile ID and the maximum allowed T / P ratio for the mobile station to which the transmission is authorized, or to explicitly signal to the mobile station that changes its maximum allowable T / P ratio, including setting

ES 2 297 482 T3 to zero the maximum allowed T / P ratio (ie telling the mobile station not to transmit on the R-ESCH). The bits specify the mobile ID (1 to 192 values) and the maximum allowed T / P ratio (1 to 10 values) for the specified mobile station. In an alternative embodiment, 1 long allow bit may be set for the specified mobile station. When the long authorization bit is set to one, the mobile station is granted permission to transmit a relatively long fixed predetermined number (which can be updated with signaling) of packets on that ARQ channel. If the long allow bit is set to zero, the mobile station is guaranteed to transmit a packet. A mobile station can be told to turn off its R-ESCH transmissions with the specification of the zero T / P ratio, and this can be used to signal the mobile station to turn off its transmissions on the R-ESCH channel during a transmission of single sub-packet of a single packet if the long authorization bit is off or for a longer period if the long authorization bit is on.

In an example embodiment, the mobile station only monitors the F-GCH channels from the serving base station. If the mobile station receives an F-GCH message, then the mobile station follows the rate information that goes in the F-GCH message and ignores the rate control bits. An alternative would be for the mobile station to use the rule that if any rate control indicator from a base station other than the serving base station indicates a decrease in rate (i.e. the RATE_DECREASE command, described later ), then the mobile station will decrease its speed even if the F-GCH indicates an increase.

In an alternative embodiment, the mobile station may monitor the F-GCH channel from all base stations or from a set of base stations in its Active Set. The higher layer signaling tells the mobile station which F-GCH to monitor and how to combine them in the channel assignment, through a handover address message or other messages. Note that a subset of F-GCH from different base stations can be softly combined. The mobile station will be notified of this possibility. After the possible soft combining of the FGCHs from different base stations, there may still be multiple F-GCHs at any other time. The mobile station can then decide its transmission speed as the lowest guaranteed speed (or some other rule).

R-PICH

The Reverse Pilot Channel (R-PICH) is transmitted from the mobile station to the base stations in Active Set. The power at the R-PICH can be measured at one or more base stations for use in controlling the reverse link power. As is well known in the art, pilot signals can be used to provide amplitude and phase measurements for use in coherent demodulation. As described above, the amount of transmit power available to the mobile station (if limited by the programming base station or by the inherent limitations of the mobile station's power amplifier) ​​is divided between the pilot channel, the traffic channel or channels and control channels. Additional pilot power may be required for higher data rates and modulation formats. To simplify the use of the R-PICH for power control, and to avoid some of the problems associated with instantaneous changes in required pilot power, an additional channel can be assigned for use as a supplemental or secondary pilot. Although pilot signals are generally transmitted using known data sequences, as described herein, an information-bearing signal may also be displayed for use in generating reference information for demodulation. In an example embodiment, the R-RICH is used to carry the desired additional pilot power.

R-RICH

The Reverse Rate Indicator Channel (R-RICH) is used by the mobile station to indicate the format of the transmission on the reverse traffic channel, R-ESCH. This channel may alternatively be referred to as the Reverse Packet Data Control Channel (R-PDCCH).

The R-RICH can be transmitted if the mobile station is transmitting a sub-packet. The R-RICH can also be transmitted with zero speed indication when the mobile station is idle on the R-ESCH. Transmission of zero rate R-RICH frames (an R-RICH indicating that the R-ESCH is not being transmitted) helps the base station detect that the mobile station is idle, maintaining reverse link power control for mobile station and other functions.

The beginning of an R-RICH frame is time aligned with the beginning of the current R-ESCH transmission. The duration of the R-RICH frame may be identical to or shorter than that of the corresponding R-ESCH transmission. The R-RICH carries the transmission format of the concurrent R-ESCH transmission, such as payload, sub-packet ID and ARQ Case Sequence Number (AI_SN) bit, and CRC for error detection. An example AI_SN is a bit that flips its value every time a new packet is transmitted on a particular ARQ, and is sometimes referred to as a “color bit”. This can be developed for asynchronous ARQ, in which there is no fixed timing between sub-packet transmissions of a packet. The color bit can be used to prevent the receiver from combining sub-packets for one packet with the sub-packets of an adjacent packet on the same ARQ channel. The R-RICH can also carry additional information.

ES 2 297 482 T3

R-ESCH

The Reverse Supplemental Enhanced Channel (R-ESCH) is used as the reverse link traffic data channel in the example embodiments described herein. Any number of baud rates and modulation formats can be deployed for the R-ESCH. In the example embodiment, the R-ESCH has the following properties: Physical layer retransmissions are supported. For retransmissions when the first code is a Speed ​​1/4 code, the retransmission uses a Speed ​​1/4 code and power combination is used. For retransmission when the first code is greater than 1/4, incremental redundancy is used. The code behind is a Speed ​​1/5 code. Alternatively, incremental redundancy could be used for all cases.

Hybrid Automatic Repetition Request (HARQ) is supported for both standalone users and scheduled users, both can access R-ESCH.

Multiple ARQ channel synchronous operation with fixed timing between retransmissions can be supported: a fixed number of sub-packets can be allowed between consecutive sub-packets of the same packet. Interlaced transmissions are allowed as well. As an example, for 5 ms frames, 4 ARQ channels could be supported with a delay of 3 sub-packets between sub-packets.

Table 1 lists example data rates for the Enhanced Reverse Supplemental Channel. A sub-packet size of 5 ms is described, and the companion channels have been designed to accommodate this choice. Other sub-pack sizes can also be chosen, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The pilot reference level is not adjusted for these channels, ie the base station has the flexibility of choosing the T / P to target a given operating point. This maximum value of the T / P ratio is signaled on the direct authorization channel. The mobile station can use a lower T / P ratio if it is depleted of power to transmit, allowing the HARQ to meet the required QoS. Layer 3 signaling messages can also be transmitted over the R-ESCH, allowing the system to operate without the R-FCH and / or the R-DCCH.

(Table goes to next page)

ES 2 297 482 T3

Table 1: Enhanced Reverse Supplemental Channel Parameters

<img file="ES2297482T3_D0001.tif" />

ES 2 297 482 T3

<img file="ES2297482T3_D0002.tif" />

<td>or</td><td>r- *</td><td>or</td>

<td>or</td><td>or</td><td>or</td>

<td>or</td><td>or</td><td>OR</td>

<td>c \ i</td><td>CN</td><td>Tt</td>

<td>in</td><td>T</td><td>CO</td>

ES 2 297 482 T3

In an example embodiment, turbocoding is used for all speeds. With R = 1/4 encoding, an interleaver similar to the current cdma2000 reverse link is used. With R = 1/5 encoding, an interleaver similar to the cdma2000 Forward Packet Data Channel is used.

The number of bits per encoder packet includes the CRC bits and 6 tail bits. For a 192-bit encoder packet size, a 12-bit CRC is used; in any other case, a 16-bit CRC is used. Time slots of 5 ms spaced 15 ms apart are assumed to allow time for ACK / NAK responses. If an ACK is received, the remaining slots of the packet are not transmitted.

The 5 ms sub-packet duration, and the associated parameters just described, serve as an example only. Any number of combinations of speeds, formats, sub-pack repeat options, sub-pack duration, etc. they will be readily available to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings of this document. An alternative 10 ms embodiment could be deployed, using 3 ARQ channels. In one embodiment, a single sub-packet duration or frame size was selected. For example, a 5 ms or 10 ms structure could be selected. In an alternative embodiment, a system can support multiple frame durations.

F-CPCCH

A Forward Common Power Control Channel (F-CPCCH) can be used for power control of various reverse link channels, including the R-ESCH when the F-FCH and F-DCCH are not present, or when they are F-FCH and F-DCCH present but not dedicated to a user. Upon channel assignment, a reverse link power control channel is assigned to a mobile station. The F-CPCCH may contain a number of power control subchannels.

The F-CPCCH may carry a power control subchannel called the Common Congestion Control subchannel (F-OLCH). The example congestion control subchannel typically runs at a rate of 100 bps, although other rates may be used. The single bit (which may be repeated for reliability reasons) referred to in this document as the busy bit, indicates mobile stations in autonomous transmission mode, or common authorization mode, or both, and either to increase or decrease your speed. In an alternative embodiment, individual authorization modes can also be sensitive to these bits. Various embodiments can be deployed with any combination of F-OLCH sensitive transmission types. This can be done in a probabilistic way or in a deterministic way.

In one embodiment, setting the busy bit to "0" indicates that mobile stations responsive to the busy bit should slow down their transmission rate. Setting the busy bit to "1" indicates a corresponding increase in transmission speed. Other mirrored signaling schemes can be developed, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and various example embodiments are detailed below.

During channel assignment, the mobile station is assigned to these special power control channels. A power control channel can control all mobiles in the system, or alternatively, variable subsets of the mobile stations can be controlled by one or more power control channels. Note that the use of this particular channel for congestion control is but one example.

F-ACKCH

The Direct Acknowledgment Channel, or F-ACKCH, is used by the base station to acknowledge the correct reception of the R-ESCH, and can also be used to extend an existing authorization. An acknowledgment (ACK) from the F-ACKCH indicates the successful receipt of a sub-packet. Further transmission of that sub-packet by the mobile station is not necessary. A negative acknowledgment (NAK) on the F-ACKCH allows the mobile station to transmit another sub-packet, limited by a maximum allowed number of sub-packets per packet.

In the embodiments detailed in this document, the F-ACKCH is used to provide a positive or negative acknowledgment of a received sub-packet, as well as an indication of whether or not control commands will be issued (described below with respect to the F-channel -RCCH).

Figure 5 is an example embodiment illustrating a three value F-ACKCH. This example F-ACKCH consists of a single indicator transmitted from one or more base stations to a mobile station, to indicate whether or not the transmission on the R-ESCH from the mobile station has been correctly received or not by the respective base station. . In an example embodiment, the F-ACKCH indicator is transmitted by each of the base stations in the Active Set. Alternatively, the F-ACKCH may be transmitted by a specified subset of the Active Set. The set of base stations sending the F-ACKCH can be referred to as the F-ACKCH Active Set. The Active Set F-ACKCH can be signaled by layer 3 (L3) signaling to the mobile station and can be specified during channel assignment, in a Handoff Address message (HDM), or through other techniques known in The technique.

For example, the F-ACKCH can be a 3-state channel with the following values: NAK, ACK_RC, and ACK_STOP. A NAK indicates that the mobile station's packet has to be transmitted (however, if the last sub-packet has been sent, the mobile station may need to resend the packet using any of the techniques

ES 2 297 482 T3 available, such as request / authorization rate control or autonomous transmission). The mobile station may need to monitor the Rate Control indicator on the corresponding F-RCCH (detailed later in more detail) if the NAK corresponds to the last sub-packet of a packet.

An ACK_RC indicates that no further retransmissions of the packet are required from the mobile station, and the mobile station should monitor the Rate Control indicator on the corresponding F-RCCH. ACK_STOP also indicates that retransmissions are not required. However, in this case, the mobile station should return to autonomous mode for the next transmission unless the mobile station receives an authorization message on the FGCH (described above).

The L3 signaling can indicate if the mobile station is going to softly combine the F-ACKCH indicators from different base stations in its Active Set. This may be equivalent to driving the power control bits according to IS-2000 Revision C. For example, there may be an indicator, say ACK_COMB_IND sent on channel assignment and in handover messages that would indicate whether the mobile station is to combine F-ACKCH indicators from different base stations. A variety of techniques can be employed to transmit the F-ACKCH, examples of which are given below. Some examples include a separate TDM channel, a TDM / CDM channel, or some other formats.

In this example, there are two kinds of F-ACK channel monitoring results, depending on whether or not there is an acknowledgment of the packets. If a NAK is received, a variety of options are available. The mobile station may send additional sub-packets until the maximum number of sub-packets has been sent. (In an example embodiment, the sub-packets are sent using the same transmission format, whether initiated via autonomous transmission or guaranteed transmission, and whether or not they are subjected to a rate control review. In an alternative embodiment, the sub-packet transmission format can be altered using any of the techniques described in this document). Subsequent to the NAK of the final sub-packet, the mobile station can take an action regarding the corresponding speed control commands (FRCCH supervision), stop transmission according to the previous speed control authorization or command (i.e. , return to autonomous transmission, if desired), or respond to a new authorization received.

If an ACK is received, it may correspond to a speed control command or an indication to stop. If a speed control is indicated, the speed control channel (F-RCCH) is monitored and tracked. If the result is to stop, then the mobile station does not allow the speed control indicators on the F-RCCH and returns to autonomous mode (transmission up to the maximum assigned autonomous speed). If an explicit authorization is received at the same time as an ACK_STOP, then the mobile station follows the command in the explicit authorization.

For example, first consider a single Active Set Member or the case where the indicators for all sectors are the same (and indicated by ACK_COMB_IND). In this case, there is a single result indicator. When the mobile station receives a NAK (not transmitted indicator), then the mobile station retransmits the next sub-packet (at the appropriate time). If the mobile station does not receive an ACK for the last sub-packet, then the mobile station continues with the next packet (the errant packet can be retransmitted according to whether a retransmission algorithm is being followed). However, the mobile station takes this as an indication of speed control (ie, it monitors the speed control channel).

In this example, a general rule is as follows (applicable to both a single member of the Active Set and multiple distinctive members of the Active Set F-ACKCH). If any indicator is an ACK_STOP or ACK_RC, the result is an ACK. If neither flag is an ACK_STOP or ACK_RC, the result is a NAK. Then, in relation to speed control, if any flag is an ACK_STOP, the mobile station will stop (ie, return to autonomous mode, or respond to an authorization, if any). If no flag is an ACK_STOP and at least one flag is an ACK_RC, decode the flag on the rate control channel (F-RCCH) of the corresponding base station. If the last sub-packet has been transmitted and all flags are NAK, decode the flag on the rate control channels (F-RCCH) of all base stations. Next, additionally, the response to the speed control commands in these scenarios is detailed with respect to the description of the F-RCCH.

An ACK_RC command, combined with the speed control channel, can be thought of as a class of commands referred to as ACK and Continue commands. The mobile station may continue to transmit subsequent packets, continuing according to the various rate control commands that may be issued (examples are detailed below). An ACK and Continue command allows the base station to acknowledge the successful receipt of a packet and, at the same time, allows the mobile station to transmit using the authorization that led to the successful packet received (subject to possible revisions in accordance with the speed control orders). This saves the overhead of a new authorization.

In one embodiment of the F-ACKCH, shown in Figure 5, a positive value is used for the ACK_STOP symbol, a NULL symbol for the NAK, and a negative value for the ACK_RC symbol. The On-Off encoding (i.e. not sending a NAK) over the F-ACKCH allows base stations (especially base stations that are not scheduling base stations) an option of not sending an ACK when cost (the required power) to do so is too high. This provides the base station to find a balance between the capacity

ES 2 297 482 T3 of the forward link and the reverse link, since a correctly received packet that is not acknowledged will likely trigger a retransmission at a later point in time.

A variety of techniques can be deployed to send the F-ACKCH within the scope of the present invention. The individual signals for each of the mobile stations can be combined into a common channel. For example, the acknowledgment of responses for a plurality of mobile stations can be time multiplexed. In an example embodiment, up to 96 mobile IDs can be supported over one F-ACKCH. F-ACKCH can be deployed to support additional mobile IDs.

Another example is to match a plurality of acknowledgment signals for a plurality of mobile stations over a set of orthogonal functions. Various other techniques can also be deployed. For example, any code from Walsh or other similar error checker can be used to encode the information bits. It can be transmitted to different users at different power levels if each independent subchannel has an independent channel gain. The exemplary F-ACKCH carries a dedicated indicator per user that can take three values. Each user monitors the F-ACKCH of all base stations in their Active Set (or alternatively, the signaling can define a reduced active set to reduce complexity).

In various embodiments, two channels are each covered by a 128 segment Walsh cover sequence. One channel is transmitted on the I channel, and the other channel is transmitted on the Q channel. Another embodiment of the F-ACKCH uses a single 128-segment Walsh cover sequence to support up to 192 mobile stations simultaneously. An example embodiment uses a duration of 10 ms for each indicator that can take three values.

To check, when the mobile station has a packet to send that requires the use of the R-ESCH, it can make a request on the R-REQCH. The base station can respond with an authorization using an F-GCH. However, this operation can somehow be expensive. To reduce the forward link overhead, the F-ACKCH can send the ACK_RC flag, which extends the existing authorization (subject to rate control) at low cost by means of a programming base station (or others, when supporting soft handoff authorizations from multiple base stations). This procedure works for both individual authorizations and common authorizations. The ACK_RC is used from the authorizing base station (s), and extends the current authorization for one or more encoder packets on the same ARQ channel (subject to rate control).

Note that, as shown in Figure 4, each of the base stations in the Active Set is not required to send the F-ACKCH back. The set of base stations sending the F-ACKCH in soft handoff may be a subset of the Active Set. Exemplary techniques for the transmission of the F-ACKCH are described in co-pending United States Patent Application No. 10 / 611,333, entitled "Code Division Multiplexing Commands on a Code Division Multiplexed Channel ”, Filed June 30, 2003, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

F-RCCH

The Direct Rate Control Channel (F-RCCH) is transmitted from one or more base stations to a mobile station to signal a speed adjustment for the next transmission. A mobile station may be assigned to monitor the indicator of each member of the Active Set F-ACKCH or a subset thereof. For the sake of clarity, a set of base stations sending the F-RCCH to be monitored by the mobile station is referred to as the Active Set F-RCCH. The Active Set F-RCCH may be signaled via Layer 3 (L3) signaling, which may be specified during channel assignment in the Handoff Address message (HDM), or any of several other ways known to those who are skilled in the art.

Figure 6 depicts an exemplary F-RCCH. The R-FCCH is a channel that can take 3 states with the following values: RATE_HOLD, which indicates that the mobile station can transmit the next packet at no more than the same speed as the current packet; RATE_INCREASE, which indicates that the mobile station can, either deterministically or probabilistically, increase the maximum rate to transmit the next packet relative to the transmission rate of the current packet; and RATE_DECREASE, which indicates that the mobile station can, either deterministically or probabilistically, decrease the maximum rate to transmit the next packet relative to the transmission rate of the current packet.

The L3 signaling can indicate whether or not the mobile station is going to combine the Speed ​​Control indicators of the different base stations. This is similar to what is done with the power control bits in IS-2000 Rev. C. In this way, there would be an indicator, for example, RATE_COMB_IND, sent when the channel assignment occurs, and in the handover messages. , which would indicate if the mobile stations are going to softly combine the F-RCCH bits of different base stations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many formats for transmitting channels such as F-RCCH, including independent TDM channels, combined TDM / CDM channels, or other formats.

In various embodiments, various speed control configurations are possible. For example, all mobile stations can be controlled by means of a single indicator per sector. Alternatively, each

ES 2 297 482 T3 mobile station can be controlled by means of an independent indicator per sector dedicated to each mobile station. Or, groups of mobile stations may be controlled by their own assigned indicator. Such a configuration allows mobile stations with the same maximum QoS category to be assigned the same indicator. For example, all mobile stations whose only flow is designated "best effort" can be controlled by an assigned indicator, thus allowing a reduction in load for these best effort flows.

In addition, signaling can be used to configure a mobile station so that the mobile station only pays attention to the F-RCCH flag coming from the Serving Base Station or from all base stations in the Active Set F-RCCH. Note that if the mobile station is only monitoring the indicator coming from the Serving Base Station and RATE_COMB_IND specifies that the indicator is the same from several base stations, then the mobile station can combine all the indicators in the same group as the Serving Base Station before make a decision. The set of base stations with distinctive rate control indicators in use at any point in time is referred to as the Current Set F-RCCH. In this way, if the mobile station is configured so that the mobile station only pays attention to the FRCCH indicator coming from the Serving Base Station, then the size of the Active Set F-RCCH is 1.

The base station is expected to be able to adjust the usage rules for the F-RCCH. The following is an example rule set for a mobile station with a single member F-RCCH Current Set. If a RATE_HOLD is received, the mobile station does not change its speed. IF a RATE_INCREASE is received, the mobile station increases its speed by one, (ie, one speed level, examples of which have been detailed above in Table 1). If a RATE_DECREASE is received, the mobile station decreases its speed by one. Note that the mobile station monitors these indicators only when circumstances dictate (ie, action as a result of the ACK process, further detailed below, indicating that speed control is active).

The following is an example set of rules for a mobile station with multiple F-RCCH Current Set members. The only rule of increasing / decreasing speed by 1 is modified. If ACK_STOP is received, the mobile station returns to autonomous rates. In any other case, if any indicator is a RATE_DECREASE, the mobile station decreases its speed by one. If no flag is a RATE_DECREASE, and at least one base station has a rate control action (as a result of the ACK process), indicating RATE_HOLD, then the mobile station maintains the same rate. If no indicator is a RATE_DECREASE, no base station indicates rate control and RATE_HOLD, and at least one base station has a rate control action and an indication of RATE_INCREASE; then the mobile station increases its speed by one.

Example realizations of Authorization Control orders, ARQ and combined speed control orders

To summarize some of the issues discussed above, mobile stations may be allowed to make autonomous transmissions, which, while perhaps limited in throughput, allow low delay. In such a case, the mobile station can transmit without request up to a maximum T / O R-ESCH ratio, T / PMax_auto, which can be set and can be adjusted by the base station through signaling.

Scheduling can be determined at one or more scheduling base stations, and reverse link capacity assignments can be made through authorizations transmitted over the F-GCH at a relatively high rate. Additionally, speed control commands can be used to modify previously guaranteed transmissions or autonomous transmissions, with low overload, thereby tuning the reverse link capacity allocation. Scheduling can be used in this way to strongly control reverse link loading and thus protect voice quality (R-FCH), DC feedback (R-CQICH), and acknowledgment (R-ACKCH). .

An individual authorization allows detailed control of a mobile station transmission. Mobile stations can be selected based on geometry and QoS to maximize throughput while maintaining required service levels. A common authorization allows efficient notification, especially for low geometry mobile stations.

The F-ACKCH channel in combination with the F-RCCH channel effectively implements “ACK and Continue” commands, which extend existing authorizations at low cost. (Continuation can be controlled by speed, as described above, and as described below in further detail). This works with both individual authorizations and common authorizations. In the United States Patent Application pending together with the present one, number 2004 162083, entitled "PROGRAMMED AND AUTONOMOUS TRANSMISSION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT", filed on August 21, 2003, transferred to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated into the herein by reference, various embodiments and techniques for scheduling, authorizing and transmitting over a shared resource, such as a 1xEV-DV reverse link, are described.

Figure 7 depicts an example procedure 700 that one or more base stations may deploy to allocate capacity in response to requests and transmissions from one or more mobile stations.

ES 2 297 482 T3

Note that the order of the blocks shown is but one example, and the order of the various blocks can be interchanged or combined with other blocks, which are not shown, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The process begins at block 710. The base station receives any request to transmit that can be transmitted by one or more mobile stations. As procedure 700 can be iterated indefinitely, there may be previous requests received as well and that may not have been authorized, which can be combined with new requests to estimate the number of requests for transmission according to the requirements. requests.

In block 720, one or more mobile stations can transmit sub-packets that the base stations can receive. These transmitted sub-packets may have been transmitted in accordance with previous authorizations (potentially modified with previous speed control commands) or autonomously (and potentially modified with previous speed control commands). The number of autonomous transmissions, the number of registered mobile stations, and / or other factors can be used to estimate the number of autonomous transmission demands.

At block 730, the base station decodes any received sub-packets, optionally soft combining with the respective received sub-packets, to determine if the packets have been received without errors. These decisions will be used to send a positive or negative acknowledgment to the respective transmitting mobile stations. Emphasize that HARQ can be used for packet transmission over R-ESCH. That is, a packet can be transmitted up to a certain number of times until a base station correctly receives it. At each frame boundary, each base station decodes the R-RICH frame and determines the transmission format on the R-ESCH. A base station can also make this determination using the current R-RICH frame and previous RRICH frames. Alternatively, a base station can also make the determination using other information extracted from a Reverse Secondary Pilot Channel (R-SPICH) and / or the R-ESCH. With the transmission format determined, the base station attempts to decode the packet going on the R-ESCH using previously received sub-packets, as appropriate.

At block 740, the base station performs a schedule. Any programming technique can be deployed. The base station can multiply on transmission demand according to requests, anticipated autonomous transmissions, estimates of current channel conditions and / or various other parameters in order to perform scheduling to allocate the shared resource (reverse link capacity , in this example). Scheduling can take various forms for different mobile stations. Examples include making an authorization (assigning according to the increase, decrease or maintenance of a previously guaranteed speed or autonomous transmissions, or ignoring a request (relegating the mobile station to autonomous transmission).

In step 750, the base station processes the received transmissions for each mobile station. This may include, among other functions, the acknowledgment of received sub-packets and conditionally, the generation of authorizations in response to transmission requests.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary procedure 750 for generating authorization control orders, acknowledgment control orders, and speed control orders. It is suitable for deployment in the example procedure 700 depicted in FIG. 7, and can be adapted for use with other procedures, as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Procedure 750 can be iterated for each active mobile station during each step through procedure 700, as previously described.

At decision block 805, if a sub-packet for the mobile station currently being processed has not been received, proceed to step 810. There is no acknowledgment required, and there is no rate control command. to broadcast. Neither the F-ACKCH nor the F-RCCH need to be transmitted, and both symbols can be DTX (not transmitted). At decision block 815, if a request has been received, proceed to decision block 820. In any other case the process can stop.

At decision block 820, if an authorization has been determined for this mobile station during scheduling, proceed to block 825 to transmit the authorization on the appropriate F-GCH. Then the process can stop. The mobile station may transmit in accordance with this authorization during the next appropriate frame (timing examples are detailed later with respect to Figures 10 to 12).

Returning to decision block 805, if a sub-packet was received from the mobile station, proceed with decision block 830. (Note that it is possible for a sub-packet and a request to be received, in which case both branches of the block of Decision 805 can be made for a mobile station, details are not shown for clarity of discussion).

At decision block 830, if the received sub-packet was correctly decoded, an ACK will be generated. Proceed with decision block 835. If speed control is desired (including maintaining speed, that is, "Continue"), proceed with block 845. If speed control is not desired, proceed to block 840. At block 840 an ACK_STOP is transmitted on the F-ACKCH. The F-RCCH does not need to be transmitted, that is, a DTX can be generated. If authorization is not generated at this time, the mobile station will be relegated to autonomous transmission (or must stop, if it is not available or the transmission has not been deployed

ES 2 297 482 T3 autonomous). Alternatively, a new authorization can be issued that will invalidate the order to stop. Proceed with decision block 820 to process this decision, as previously described.

At block 845, rate control was indicated, as such, an ACK_RC will be transmitted on an F-ACKCH. Proceed with decision block 850. If an increase is desired, a RATE_INCREASE will be transmitted on FRCCH 855. The process can then stop. If no increase is desired, proceed to decision block 860. At decision block 860, if a decrease is desired, a RATE_DECREASE is transmitted on F-RCCH 865. Then the process stops. In any other case, a RATE_HOLD is transmitted on the F-RCCH 870. In this example, a hold is indicated by means of a DTX. Then the process can stop.

Returning to decision block 830, if the received sub-packets were not correctly decoded, a NAK will be generated. Proceed with block 875 to transmit a NAK on the F-ACKCH. In this example, a NAK is indicated by means of a DTX. Proceed to decision block 880 to determine if the received sub-packet was the last sub-packet (ie, the maximum number of sub-packet retransmissions has been reached). If it is not, in this example, the mobile station may retransmit according to the above transmission format. A DTX may be transmitted over the F-RCCH, as indicated in block 895. (Alternative embodiments may perform alternative signaling in this case, examples of which are described later). Then the process can stop.

If the received and acknowledged sub-packet is the last sub-packet, proceed from decision block 880 to decision block 885 to determine whether rate control (including maintenance) is desired. This is an example technique for extending prior clearance or autonomous transmission (including prior speed control, if present), with low overload. If rate control is not desired, a DTX is generated for the F-RCCH 890. In this example, the mobile station will transmit the next sub-packet. Similar to decision block 835, if no new authorization is generated for the mobile station, the mobile station will be relegated to autonomous transmission (if available). Alternatively, a new authorization can be generated, which will dictate the transmission available to the mobile station. Proceed to decision block 820 to make this determination, as previously described.

In decision block 885, if speed control is desired, proceed with decision block 850. An increase, decrease or hold can be generated for transmission on the F-RCCH, as described previously . Then the process can stop.

In short, if a packet is received correctly, the base station can send a positive acknowledgment and can conditionally send a rate control message to the mobile station.

The base station can send an ACK_STOP (on the F-ACKCH) to signal that the packet has been delivered and that the mobile station goes into autonomous mode for the next transmission. The base station can also send a new authorization, if desired. The mobile station can transmit up to the speed authorized for the next transmission. In either case, the F-RCCH is DTX. In one embodiment, only a serving (or authorizing) base station can generate authorizations. In an alternative embodiment, one or more base stations can generate authorizations (details of handling this option are detailed later).

The base station can send ACK_RC (on the F_ACKCH) and RATE_HOLD (on the F-RCCH) to signal that the packet was delivered and that the maximum speed at which the mobile station can transmit the next packet is the same as the speed of current packet transmission.

The base station can send an ACK_RC (on the F-ACKCH) and RATE_INCREASE (on the F-RCCH) to signal that the packet was delivered and that the mobile station can increase the maximum rate for the next rate-related packet transmission. transmission rate of the current packet. The mobile station can increase the speed by following certain rules known to both the base station and the mobile station. The increase can be deterministic or probabilistic. Those skilled in the art will recognize myriad rules for increasing speed.

The base station can send ACK_RC (on the F-ACKCH) and RATE_DECREASE (on the F-RCCH) to signal that the packet was delivered and that the mobile station should decrease the maximum rate for the next packet transmission relative to the rate. transmission rate of the current packet. The mobile station can slow down by following certain rules known to both the base station and the mobile station. The decrease can be deterministic or probabilistic. Those skilled in the art will recognize myriad rules for slowing down.

If a packet is not received by the base station successfully, and if the packet can be further retransmitted (ie, it is not the last sub-packet), the base station sends NAKs on the F-ACKCH. Note that the FRCCH is DTX in this example.

If no further retransmission is allowed for the packet (i.e. the last sub-packet), the following are possible actions the base station can take. The base station can send NAK (on the F-ACKCH) and an authorization message simultaneously on the F-GCH to signal to the mobile station that the packet

ES 2 297 482 T3 was not delivered and that the mobile station can transmit up to the authorized speed for the next retransmission. F-RCCH is DTX in this case. In one embodiment, only a serving (or authorizing) base station can generate authorizations. In an alternative embodiment, one or more base stations can generate authorizations (details for handling this option are given later).

The base station can also send a NAK (on F-ACKCH) and RATE_HOLD (on F-RCCH) to signal that the packet was not delivered and that the maximum speed with which the mobile station can transmit the next packet is the same than the transmission speed of the current packet.

The base station can also send a NAK (on the F-ACKCH) and RATE_INCREASE (on the F-RCCH) to signal that the packet was not received and that the mobile station can increase the maximum rate for the next packet transmission related to at the transmission rate of the current packet. The mobile station can increase the speed by following certain rules known to both the base station and the mobile station. The increase can be deterministic or probabilistic.

The base station can also send a NAK (on the F-ACKCH) and RATE_DECREASE (on the F-RCCH) to signal that the packet was not delivered and that the mobile station should decrease the maximum rate for the next packet transmission related to at the baud rate at the baud rate of the current packet. The mobile station can slow down by following certain rules known to both the base station and the mobile station. The decrease can be deterministic or probabilistic.

In an alternate embodiment, (details not shown in FIG. 8), an alternate for the NAK can be created and stopped. For example, in the above scenario, a DTX on the F-RCCH corresponding to a NAK cannot be distinguished from a “NAK and hold”. If it is desired to have a command to force a stop (or return to autonomous transmission), the base station could also use NAK and control the rate, before the last sub-packet, to indicate a maintenance of speed (or an increase or decrease ) on the final subpackage means stop. For example, any of the speed control commands (ie RATE_INCREASE, RATE_DECREASE, or RATE_HOLD) can be assigned to mean stop in this special case. The mobile station will know when the last sub-packet was transmitted, and can then parse the rate control commands accordingly. When the base station knows that if the final sub-packet transmission should be followed by a stop in the case of a NAK, the selected rate control command can be issued with a NAK of a previous sub-packet. A mobile station receiving the identified speed control command along with a NAK of a sub-packet (not the final one) should know that a NAK (and RATE_HOLD, for example) on the final sub-packet would mean that any previous authorization should be overridden, and the mobile station must return to autonomous transmission. Rate control commands not used for this purpose (ie RATE_INCREASE or RATE_DECREASE) transmitted with a final sub-packet NAK would still be available. An alternative would be to transmit an authorization with zero (or lower) speed along with the final NAK, although this would require additional overhead. Those skilled in the art will quickly find a balance between these alternatives according to the probability of "NAK and stop" with other possibilities. The required overhead can then be optimized based on the probabilities of the various events.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary procedure 900 for a mobile station to monitor and respond to authorization control commands, acknowledgment control commands, and speed control commands. This procedure is suitable for deployment to one or more mobile stations for use in conjunction with one or more base stations employing procedure 700, as described above, as well as other base station embodiments.

The process begins at block 910. The mobile station monitors the F-GCH, the F-ACKCH, and the F-RCCH. Note that in various embodiments, as described above, a mobile station may monitor one or more of these channels. For example, there may be multiple authorization channels, and each mobile station may monitor one or more of them. Note also that each of these channels can be received from one base station, or more than one when the mobile station is in soft handoff. A channel can incorporate messages or commands addressed to multiple mobile stations, and in this way a mobile station can retrieve the messages or commands that are specifically addressed to it.

Other rules may be employed to allow a mobile station to conditionally monitor one or more control channels. For example, as described above, the F-RCCH may not be transmitted when an ACK_STOP is issued. Thus, in such a case, the mobile station does not need to monitor the F-RCCH when an ACK_STOP is received. A rule can be specified that a mobile station looks for authorization messages and / or speed control commands only if the mobile station has sent a request to which those messages may be responsive.

In the following description of Figure 9, it is assumed that the mobile station has previously transmitted a sub-packet, for which an acknowledgment response (including potential authorizations or speed control commands) is expected. If a request has not been previously authorized, the mobile station may still monitor for authorization in response to a previously transmitted request. Those skilled in the art will quickly adapt procedure 900 to take this situation into account. These and other potential mobile station processing blocks have been omitted for clarity of discussion.

ES 2 297 482 T3

Beginning with decision block 915, F-ACKCH processing begins. The mobile station extracts the information on all the F-ACKCH channels that it monitors. Emphasize that there may be an F-ACKCH between the mobile station and each of the members of its Active Set F-ACKCH. Some of the F-ACKCH commands can be softly combined, as specified through L3 signaling. If a mobile station receives at least one positive acknowledgment, either ACK_RC or ACK_STOP (on the F-ACKCH), the current packet has been received correctly, and no additional sub-packets need to be transmitted. You need to determine the allowable transmission speed of the next packet, if any.

At decision block 915, if an ACK_STOP has been received, the mobile station knows that the previously transmitted sub-packet has been received correctly, and that the rate control commands do not need to be decoded.

At decision block 920, the mobile station determines whether an authorization has been received on an F-GCH. If so, the mobile station transmits the next packet in accordance with the authorization, as indicated in block 930. In one embodiment, only one authorizing base station makes authorizations. If an ACK_STOP and an authorization message are received from the base station, the mobile station transmits a new packet on the same ARQ channel at any rate equal to or below the authorized rate.

In an alternative embodiment, more than one base station can send an authorization. If the base stations coordinate the authorization, and send an identical message, the mobile station can softly combine those authorizations. Multiple rules can be deployed to handle cases when differing authorizations are received. An example is to have the mobile station transmitting at the lowest rate indicated in a received authorization, to avoid excessive interference in the cell corresponding to the respective authorizing base station (including an ACK_STOP without a corresponding authorization - indicating that the transmission should return to autonomous mode). Various other alternatives will be apparent to those of skill in the art. If an authorization was not received in decision block 920, the mobile station must return to autonomous speed, as shown in block 925. The process can then stop.

Returning to decision block 915, if an ACK_STOP is not received, proceed with decision block 940. If an ACK_RC is received, the mobile station monitors the corresponding F-RCCH of the base stations from which the acknowledgments are received. I receive positives, if any. Note that there may not be an F-RCCH between a base station and the mobile station, as long as the Active Set F-RCCH is a subset of the Active Set F-ACKCH. Note again that when a mobile station receives an F-ACKCH from multiple base stations, the corresponding messages may conflict. For example, one or more ACK_STOP commands may be received, one or more ACK_RC commands may be received, one or more authorizations may be received, or a combination of all of them. Those skilled in the art will recognize various rules for their implementation to accommodate any of the possibilities. For example, the mobile station may determine the lowest possible transmission permission (which may be from an unauthorized ACK_STOP, an ACKRC with a decrease, or an authorization with a lower value) and transmit accordingly. This is similar to a technique known as an "OR-of-Downs" rule. Such a technique can be used to strictly avoid excessive interference with neighboring cells. Or, one or more base stations may be assigned a priority with them, so that one or more base stations may have the ability to outperform the others (with attached conditions, perhaps). For example, a programming (or authorizing) base station may have some priority over the other base stations in soft handoff. Other rules are also foreseen. (Emphasize that one or more NAKs can also be received, but the mobile station does not need to retransmit. However, a mobile station may incorporate speed control or authorization control commands, in a similar manner, from a NAK base station, if desired). To facilitate discussion of this document, when a mobile station is said to determine whether an ACK_STOP, ACK_RC, NAK, or authorization is received, it may be the result of applying a desired set of rules for a number of orders received, and the result is the identified order.

If an ACK_RC has been received, proceed to decision block 945 to begin determining what type of speed control command should be followed. If an increase is indicated, proceed to block 950. The next transmission may be transmitted on the same ARQ channel at a rate increased from the current rate. Then the process can stop. Again, the increase can be deterministic or probabilistic. Also, a RATE_INCREASE may not result in an immediate speed increase, but would increase the transmission speed from the mobile station in the future (i.e. a credit-like algorithm is used at the mobile station), or a RATE_INCREASE can result in an increase of multiple expansion rates. In the example credit algorithm, a mobile station maintains an internal parameter "balance / credit". Whenever RATE_INCReAse is received but its speed cannot be increased (because it is running out of power or data), the mobile station increases the parameter. When power or data becomes available, for the mobile station, it can use the stored “credit / balance” to select data rates. Various ways of increasing speed will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

If no increase is indicated in decision block 945, proceed to decision block 955 to determine if a decrease is indicated. If a decrease is indicated, proceed to block 960. The next transmission may be transmitted on the same ARQ channel at a rate decreased from the current rate. Then the process can stop. Again, the decrease can be deterministic or probabilistic. Also, a RATE_DECREASE may not result in an immediate decrease in speed, but it would decrease the speed of trans

ES 2 297 482 T3 mission from the mobile station in the future (ie, a credit-like algorithm is used at the mobile station), or a RATE_DECREASE may result in a decrease of multiple spread rates. When using an example credit algorithm in the RATE_DECREASE context, when a mobile station gets a RATE_DECREASE but does not follow it for some reason (for example, urgent data needs to be sent), it gets negative credit, and this negative credit needs paid later, in a sense. Various ways of slowing down will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

If neither an increase nor a decrease is indicated, a RATE_HOLD has been received. The mobile station can transmit the next packet at a maximum rate equal to the current packet rate, as indicated in block 965. The process can then stop.

Returning to decision block 940, if no type of ACK has been identified, it will be determined that a NAK has been received. AT decision block 970, if retransmission is still possible for the packet (ie, the current sub-packet was not the last sub-packet), the mobile station retransmits the sub-packet on the same ARQ channel with the increased sub-packet ID. As represented in block 980.

At decision block 970, if the current packet was the last sub-packet, the mobile station has run out of retransmissions for the packet. Proceed to decision block 975 to determine if a guarantee has been received (in a similar manner as described above with respect to block 920). If an authorization message is designated for the mobile station (either from a single base station, or from more than one, as discussed above), the mobile station can transmit a new packet on the same ARQ channel at a rate equal to or less than the authorized speed. Proceed with block 930, previously described.

At decision block 975, if an authorization has not been received, the mobile station can monitor the Active Set F-RCCH, obtain rate control commands, and decide the maximum allowable rate for the next packet retransmission on the same channel. ARQ. Selection of speeds when more than one speed control command is received can be done as described above. Proceed with decision block 945 and continue as previously described.

An exemplary embodiment of a mobile station may employ various other techniques. A mobile station can monitor the number of packet deletions (ie, no positive acknowledgments after the last sub-packet). A measurement can be made by counting the number of consecutive packet deletions or by counting the number of packets deleted within a window (ie, a sliding sale). If the mobile station recognizes too many packets that have been erased, it can reduce its transmission speed even if the control commands indicate another command (ie, RATE_HOLD, or RATE_INCREASE).

In one embodiment, an authorization message may have a higher priority than a rate control bit. Alternatively, an authorization message can be treated with the same priority as a rate control bit. In this case, the speed determination can be modified. For example, if no authorization message is designated for the mobile station, the rate for the next transmission is determined from all rate control commands (RATE_INCREASE, RATE_HOLD, RATE_DECREASE, and ACK_STOP) using an "OR-of -DOWN ”or a general rule of thumb. When an authorization is also received, a speed for the next transmission can be determined from all speed control commands (RATE_INCREASE, RATE_HOLD, RATE_DECREASE and ACK_STOP) using an “OR-of-Down” rule or a similar rule. , the result of which is compared with an authorized speed and the lowest speed chosen.

The signaling can be deployed to configure the mobile station so that the mobile station only monitors the F-RCCH indicator from the serving base station or from all base stations in the Active Set F-RCCH. For example, when RATE_COMB_IND can specify that a rate control command is the same from multiple base stations, then the mobile station can combine all indicators in the identified group before making a decision. The number of distinctive flags in use at any one time can be indicated as the Current Set F-RCCH. In one example, a mobile station may be configured to monitor only the F-RCCH flag from the serving base station, in which case the size of the Current F-RCCH Set is 1.

Furthermore, as previously described, various rules can be deployed to adjust the speeds in response to commands on the F-RCCH. Any of these rules can be adjusted by signaling from the base station. In one example, there may be a set of probabilities and step sizes in determining whether the mobile station increases or decreases its speed, and by how much. These probabilities and possible speed step sizes can be updated through signage as required.

Procedure 900 can be adapted to include various alternatives described for a base station employing the procedure 750 described above. For example, in one embodiment, a NAK and a stop command are not explicitly defined, while a DTX on the F-RCCH along with a NAK indicates a speed hold. In an alternate embodiment, the NAK and stop functionality may be deployed responding to any of the alternate techniques described above for procedure 750. Also, as noted previously with respect to procedure 750, in the example embodiment , speed change based on speed control or authorization control is carried out over the packet limits.

ES 2 297 482 T3

It is envisioned that the procedures described may be modified to also incorporate speed changes between sub-packets.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings of this document that any of the procedures and features described herein can be combined in various ways. For example, a mobile station can be controlled only by the primary base station through authorizations, but cannot be controlled by other base stations through the rate control bits. Alternatively, the mobile station may be controlled through authorizations from all base stations, or a subset of base stations in their Active Set. Some F-HCGs can be softly combined. The mode in which a mobile station operates can be set through L3 signaling during channel assignment or through other messages during a packet data call.

As another example, if a packet is received successfully, the primary base station can send an ACK_STOP or an ACK_RC. Speed ​​control commands may not be used, thus, the ACK_RC can be used to mean "ACK and continue" for this mode. In this context, "ACK and continue" indicates that the mobile station can transmit a new packet at the same rate as the packet being acknowledged. As before, if an ACK_STOP is sent, the base station can send a fundamental authorization on the FGCH designated for the MS. In this example, a NAK will indicate "NAK and stop", unless a corresponding authorization is transmitted with the NAK. In this scenario, non-primary base stations also send ACK_STOP or ACK_RC, where ACK_RC is not accompanied by a rate control command, and indicates “ACK and continue”.

In another special exemplary mode, incorporating a subset of the described features, the mobile station may be controlled only through the rate control bits (from the base stations in the Active Set F-RCCH). This mode can be established through L3 signaling during channel assignment or other messages during a packet data call. In this calling mode, a base station sends a NAK if a packet is not received successfully. When a packet is received successfully, a base station sends either an ACK_STOP or an ACK_RC together with the F-RCCH (RATE_HOLD. RATE_INCREASE or RATE_DECREASE), A NAK after the last sub-packet can be accompanied by the F-RCCH (RATE_HOLD, RATE_INCREASE or RATE_DECREASE).

Figures 10 through 12 show examples illustrating the timing of various channels described in this document. The examples do not represent any specific choice of frame length, but illustrate the relative timing indicators for authorization, ACK, and rate control (RC). The ACK flag, RC flag and authorization occur during the same time interval so that the mobile station receives the ACK, RC and authorization information at almost the same time for application to the next packet transmission. In these examples, the mobile station does not need to monitor the RC indicators except when receiving an acknowledgment or when all sub-packets have been transmitted (as described in the example embodiments above). A mobile station monitors the ACK bit assigned to it and the RC indicator corresponding to the particular ARQ sequence. For example, if there are four ARQ sequences, and the mobile station is transmitting on all ARQ sequences, then the mobile station monitors the ARQ indicator for each frame and for the RC indicator (where applicable) each frame. Empty frames between multiple transmissions are entered to allow time for a base station or mobile station, as applicable, to receive and decode requests, sub-packet transmissions, authorizations, acknowledgments, and control commands. of speed.

Note that these timing diagrams are not exhaustive, but serve only to illustrate various aspects described above. Those skilled in the art will recognize myriad combinations of sequences.

Figure 10 depicts the timing for an example embodiment with acknowledgment channels and rate control channels combined. A mobile station transmits a request for a transmission on the RREQCH. A base station subsequently transmits an authorization on the F-GCH in response to the request. The mobile station then transmits a first sub-packet using the parameters according to the authorization. The sub-packet is not decoded correctly at a base station, as indicated by the stud of the sub-packet transmission. The base station transmits an ACK / NAK transmission on the F-ACKCH along with a rate control command on the F-RCCH. In this example, a NAK is transmitted, and the F-RCCH is DTX. The mobile station receives the NAK and retransmits the second sub-packet in response. This time, the base station correctly decodes the second sub-packet, and again sends an ACK / NAK transmission on the F-ACKCH along with a rate control command on the F-RCCH. In this example, no additional authorizations are transmitted. An ACK_RC is transmitted and a speed control command is issued (may indicate an increase, decrease, or hold, as determined according to the desired schedule). The mobile station then transmits the first sub-packet of the next packet, using the parameters associated with the authorization, modified as necessary by the rate control command on the F-RCCH.

Figure 11 depicts the timing for an example embodiment with acknowledgment channels and rate control channels combined, along with a new authorization. A request, an authorization, a sub-packet transmission (not correctly decoded) and a NAK are transmitted the same as the first eight frames described above with respect to Figure 10. In this example, the second transmission of the sub-packet is also correctly received and decoded. However, instead of being sent by the base station

ES 2 297 482 T3 an ACK_RC, an ACK_STOP is transmitted. If there is no authorization accompanying the ACK_STOP, the mobile station would revert to autonomous transmission. Instead, a new authorization is transmitted. The mobile station does not need to monitor the F-RCGH for this frame. The mobile station then transmits the first sub-packet of the next packet according to the new authorization.

Figure 12 depicts the timing for an example embodiment with acknowledgment channels and rate control channels combined, without an authorization. This example is identical to Figure 10, except that no authorizations are sent in response to the request from the original mobile station. In this way, the transmission of the first sub-packet of the first packet is transmitted at the autonomous rate. Again, this sub-packet is incorrectly decoded at the base station. The second sub-packet is correctly decoded again, and an ACK_RC is transmitted along with a rate control command. The mobile station then sends the next packet at the potentially set rate. This example illustrates the possibility of moving a mobile station arbitrarily using only speed control commands, without an authorization.

Note that in an alternative embodiment, a base station can use rate control with autonomous transmissions with or without a prior request. Reductions can be used to alleviate congestion, and an increase can be granted when there is extra capacity, even though the BS may not know the data requirements as a request was not transmitted.

Figure 13 depicts an example embodiment of a system 100 comprising a dedicated speed control signal and a common speed control signal. A dedicated rate control channel (F-DRCCH) is transmitted from a base station 104 to a mobile station 106. The F-DRCCH works in conjunction with the direct acknowledgment channel (F-ACKCH) to provide acknowledgment, continue authorizations, and perform rate control, in substantially the same way as the F-ACKCH and the F -RCCH, previously described. A base station can send a dedicated rate control channel to each of the plurality of mobile stations. In this embodiment, the base station also transmits a common rate control channel (F-CRCCH). The common speed control channel can be used to control the speed of a group of mobile stations simultaneously.

Figure 14 depicts an embodiment of a system 100 comprising a direct extended acknowledgment channel (F-EACKCH). THE F-EACKCH can take the place of both the acknowledgment channel (ie, the F-ACKCH described above) and a rate control channel (ie, the F-RCCH). The functions of both channels can be combined into one channel in a manner consistent with various aspects of the invention. The F-EACKCH is transmitted from one or more base stations 104 to one or more mobile stations 106. The F-CRCCH can be transmitted in conjunction with the F-EACKCH, as previously described, and as further detailed further. go ahead. The concepts of common rate control and extended acknowledgment channel are different, however the two need to be combined (thus, the dashed line for the F-CRCCH shown in Figure 14).

For example, the F-ACKCH may comprise commands according to a two-bit data pattern (having four states), the information ACK and continue may be combined with a command for a data rate increase as the first state. The ACK and continue information can be combined with an order for the data rate decrease as the second state. ACK and stop can be the third state, and NAK can be the fourth state. The four states may be represented with a constellation of I and Q modulation format, according to commonly known techniques.

Figure 15 depicts an example constellation suitable for deployment on the F-EACKCH. As is known in the art, such a constellation can be displayed using Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) techniques. In an alternative embodiment, any two signals can be displayed to match orders in two dimensions, as shown.

In this example, seven points are assigned to various orders. The null transmit point (0, 0) is assigned to NAK_HOLD. This may be the most likely transmitted command, and therefore transmit power and capacity can be preserved by such allocation. The other various commands, assigned to points on the circle, as shown, include ACK_INCREASE, ACK_HOLD, ACK_DECREASE, NAK_DECREASE, NAK_INCREASE, and ACK_STOP. Each of these commands can be sent as a single QAM modulation symbol. Each command corresponds to a pair of commands sent on an analogous set of F-ACKCH and F-RCCH channels. An ACK-INCREASE indicates that a previous sub-packet was correctly decoded, and that future sub-packets can be sent at an increased rate. An ACK_HOLD indicates that a previous sub-packet was successfully decoded, and that a future sub-packet will be transmitted at the current rate. An ACK_DECREASE indicates that a previous sub-packet was successfully decoded, and that a future sub-packet can be transmitted, albeit at a reduced rate. An ACK_STOP indicates that the previous sub-packet was successfully decoded, but any previous authorization control orders and / or speed control orders are overridden. The mobile station is relegated to autonomous transmission (if applicable) only.

A NAK_INCREASE indicates that a sub-packet was not decoded correctly, future transmissions may be sent at a higher rate (perhaps due to a relationship of capacity constraints, for example). In one embodiment, the rate control commands are sent after the transmission of the final sub-packet.

ES 2 297 482 T3

An alternative embodiment may allow rate control transmissions with NAK at any time. Similarly, a NAK_DECREASE indicates that the previous sub-packet was not correctly decoded, and that future transmissions should be done at a reduced rate. A NAK_HOLD indicates that the previous sub-packet was not decoded correctly, and that future transmissions can be done at the current rate.

In the example of Figure 15, a NAK_STOP command is not displayed, although those skilled in the art will recognize that such a command (or other commands) could be entered. Various alternatives can also be used to encode NAK_STOP (detailed above) with an F-EACKCH, as well.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that myriad constellations can be displayed incorporating any set of orders (or combinations thereof) as detailed herein. The constellations can be designed to provide various levels of protection (ie, the probability of correcting on receipt) to the various orders, sets of orders, or types of orders.

Figure 16 represents an alternative constellation suitable for display on an F-EACKCH. This example illustrates the withdrawal of speed control for NAK commands. The various NAK commands include ACK_HOLD, ACK_INCREASE, ACK_DECREASE, and ACK_STOP. The null command (0,0) is assigned to the NAK, for the reasons described above. Furthermore, it can be seen that the distance between a NAK and any ACK command is equal, and can be set to any value to provide the probability of error for the desired NAK.

Multiple constellations can be designed to group order sets with desired properties. For example, NAK orders can be assigned relatively close points together, ACK orders can be assigned relatively close points together, and the two groups can be relatively large apart. In this way, although the probability of confusing one type of order within a group with another within the group may increase, the probability of confusing the type of group is reduced in relation. In this way, an ACK is less likely to be mistakenly identified as a NAK, and vice versa. If decrease, increase, or hold are wrongly identified, then a subsequent speed control command can be used to compensate. (Note that an indication of an increase when a decrease or a hold was sent, for example, may increase interference with other channels in the system.)

Figure 17 depicts an example three-dimensional constellation suitable for display on an F-EACKCH. A three-dimensional constellation can be formed using any three signals to indicate the magnitude of each of the axes. Or, a single signal may be time multiplexed to carry the information for one or more dimensions in a first time period, followed by the information for one or more additional dimensions in one or more second dimensions. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this can be extended to any number of dimensions. In one example, a QAM signal and a BPSK signal can be transmitted simultaneously. The QAM signal can carry the information of the x and y axes, while the BPSK signal carries the information of the z axis. Constellation generation techniques are well known in the art.

The example in Figure 17 further illustrates the concept of grouping ACK commands away from NAK commands. Note that the relative distance between the ACK_STOP, ACK_DECREASE, ACK_HOLD, and ACK_INCREASE is similar to the distance between any ACK order and any NAK order (which includes NAK_HOLD, NAK_INCREASE, and NAK_DECREASE, in this example). In this way, a mobile station is less likely to misinterpret an acknowledgment command than a speed command. Those skilled in the art will apply the teachings in this document to form constellations comprising any set of orders, with protection sets equally for the orders, or with protection distributed as desired.

Figure 18 depicts an embodiment of method 750, for processing the transmissions received at the base station, including acknowledgment and rate control, suitable for deployment in step 750, described above. Emphasize that prior to step 750, a base station that has received previous requests, if any, made the desired authorizations, received both the authorized transmissions and the autonomous transmissions, and performed the programming incorporating these and other factors.

This embodiment of step 750 begins at block 1810. The base station makes any required authorizations, as applicable, in accordance with previously performed programming. At block 1820, an ACK or NAK command is generated to acknowledge receipt of previous transmissions. The acknowledgment order can be combined or can be accompanied by an order to extend a previous authorization, or an order for existing speed control authorizations (including speed control of autonomous transmissions). Any of the techniques described herein can be deployed for signaling block 1820, including rate control signals and independent acknowledgment signals as well as a combined acknowledgment rate control signal.

At block 1830, an ACK_STOP command may be sent to indicate that a mobile station should return from a previous authorization to autonomous mode. In this example, an ACK_STOP is also used to direct the mobile station to switch from monitoring a dedicated speed control channel (i.e., an F-DRCCH) and to instead monitor a common speed control signal. (ie, F-CRCCH). In an alternative embodiment, other commands may be selected to indicate an offset from common to dedicated speed control channel supervision. A specific order can be defined for this purpose. The specific order is

ES 2 297 482 T3 can be incorporated into a combined channel as well, with one or more points on a constellation, or it can be sent through signaling. At block 1840, one or more base stations provide acknowledgment for subsequent autonomous transmissions. At block 1850, common rate control is then used to modify the rates of one or more mobile stations that monitor the common rate control channel. Then the process can stop.

FIG. 19 depicts one embodiment of a method 1900 for responding to a common and dedicated speed control. Procedure 1900 can be deployed to a mobile station responsive to a base station that deploys a combination of common and dedicated rate control, as described above with respect to Figures 7 and 18. The process begins at the block of decision 1910. In this example, dedicated speed control is provided along with an authorization. A mobile station not operating under authorization will monitor the common speed control channel. In alternative embodiments, mobile stations operating under authorization may also be directed to follow the common speed control signal, or unauthorized mobile stations can be assigned to a dedicated speed control channel. These alternatives are not depicted in Figure 19, but those skilled in the art will readily deploy such embodiments and modifications thereof, using any of several signaling techniques, in light of the teachings of this document. In decision block 1910, if the mobile station is operating under prior authorization, proceed to block 1940.

In block 1940, the mobile station monitors the authorization control channel (i.e., the F-GCH), the acknowledgment control channel, and the rate control channel (which may be the F-ACKCH and the F-DRCCH, or a combined FEACKCH, as described above). In block 1945, if an ACK_STOP command is received, proceed to block 1950. In this embodiment, an ACK_STOP is used to designate a return to autonomous transmission, as shown in block 1950. As will be further detailed later, an ACK_STOP also indicates a transition from supervising the dedicated speed control channel to supervising the common speed control channel. In alternative embodiments, a command other than ACK_STOP may be used to indicate a switch from dedicated to common rate control channel supervision, and the command need not be identical to the command to return to autonomous transmission. After block 1950, the process can stop. In an example embodiment, procedure 1900 will iterate repeatedly, as necessary.

In decision block 1945, if an ACK_STOP is not received, proceed to block 1955. In block 1955, the mobile station can transmit according to ACK / NAK, rate control and / or channel commands. authorization control that may be received. Then the process for the current iteration can stop.

Returning to decision block 1910, if the mobile station is not currently operating under a previous authorization, proceed with decision block 1915. In decision block 1915, if an authorization is received on an authorization channel, proceed with block 1920 and is transmitted according to the authorization received, after which the process can stop. Note that, in this example, as described above, an authorization is used to indicate that a mobile station is to monitor a dedicated rate control channel. Thus, in a later iteration of procedure 1900, this mobile station would proceed from decision block 1910 to block 1940, as previously described. In alternative embodiments, alternative techniques may be deployed to signal the switch to dedicated speed control supervision.

In decision block 1915, if no authorization is received, the mobile station monitors the common rate control channel, as shown in decision block 1925. If a common rate control command is issued, it is proceed to block 1930. The mobile station adjusts the rate in accordance with the common rate control command and can continue to autonomously transmit at the revised rate. Then the process can stop.

If, at decision block 1925, a common rate control command is not received, proceed to block 1935. The mobile station can continue to autonomously transmit at the current rate. Then the process can stop.

Figure 20 depicts an alternative embodiment of method 750, for processing received transmissions, including acknowledgment and rate control, suitable for deployment as step 750, described above. This embodiment illustrates the use of the extended acknowledgment channel (F-EACKCH) to combine acknowledgment and rate control. Emphasize that, prior to step 750, a base station that has received previous requests, if any, that made any desired authorization, received both authorized transmissions and autonomous transmissions, and performed the programming incorporating these and other factors.

This embodiment of step 750 begins at block 2005. The base station makes any required authorizations, as applicable, in accordance with previously performed scheduling, depicted in block 2010. At decision block 2015, an ACK or NAK in response to the previously received transmission. ACK and NAK will be combined with speed control to provide a combined F-EACKCH, detailed later.

If an ACK is sent, proceed to decision block 2020. If rate control is desired, including maintaining current rate (ie ACK and continue) for the target mobile station (as determined

ES 2 297 482 T3 in any programming performed in previous steps), proceed with decision block 2030. In decision block 2030, if an increase is desired, proceed with block 2035 and send an ACK_INCREASE on the FEACKCH . Then the process can stop. If no increase is desired, determine if decrease is desired at block 2040. If so, proceed to block 2045 to transmit an ACK_DECREASE on the F-EACKCH. Then the process can stop. If no increase or decrease is desired, maintenance is ordered. Proceed with block 2050 to transmit an ACK_HOLD on the F-EACKCH. Then the process can stop. Note that each of these three ACK commands, with speed control, are used to extend the previous authorization as well.

In decision block 2020, if speed control is not desired, an ACK_STOP is transmitted on the F-EACKCH, as shown in block 2025. The process can then stop. When used in conjunction with an embodiment such as that depicted in Figures 18 and 19, for example, in which common and dedicated speed control are displayed, an ACK_STOP is an example of a command that can indicate to a station mobile transmission from dedicated speed control supervision to common. In this example, an ACK_STOP terminates any previous authorization, and the mobile station will be relegated to autonomous transmission.

Going back to decision block 2015, if an ACK is not transmitted, then a NAK is commanded. As described above, there are several alternatives for combining rate control with the NAK, depending on whether the NAK is in response to the final sub-packet or not. In alternative embodiments, those alternatives can be incorporated into the procedure depicted in Figure 20. In this example, if, in decision block 2055, the NAK is not in response to the final sub-packet, proceed to block 2060, to transmit a NAK_HOLD on the F_EACKCH. This command, as described above, indicates that the sub-packet was not correctly decoded, and that the next sub-packet can be transmitted at the current rate. Then the process can stop.

In decision block 2055, if the NAK is in response to the final sub-packet, proceed with decision block 2065. If no speed control is desired, proceed with block 2060 to transmit the NAK_HOLD on the F- EACKCH, as previously described. Note that in an alternative embodiment, additional commands can also be incorporated. For example, a NAK_STOP can be deployed to send a NAK to a subpackage, while a previous authorization is revoked. Those skilled in the art will recognize myriad other combinations in light of the teachings of this document.

In decision block 2065, if speed control is desired, proceed with decision block 2070. If an increase is desired, proceed with block 2075 to transmit a NAK_INCREASE on the F-EACKCH. In any other case, proceed with block 2085 to transmit a NAK_DECREASE on the F-EACKCH. Then the process can stop. Note that, in this example, the default NAK, a NAK_HOLD, as shown in block 2060, can be reached from decision block 2065. If an alternative embodiment is displayed, that is, including a NAK_STOP, it can be displayed an additional decision path analogous to blocks 2040-2050, previously described, to incorporate an alternate path to transmit a NAK_HOLD.

Figure 21 depicts a procedure 2100 for receiving and responding to an F-EACKCH. In one embodiment, method 2100 can be deployed to a mobile station that is responsive to a transmitting base station in accordance with various procedures described above, including those depicted in Figures 7, 18, and 20. The procedure begins at block 2110, in which the mobile station monitors the authorization channel (ie, the F-GCH) to determine if an authorization has been received.

At block 2120, the mobile station also monitors the F-EACKCH in response to a previously transmitted sub-packet. The mobile station then transmits or retransmits according to the ACK or NAK indication on the F-EACKCH. The transmission speed is also modified according to any STOP, HOLD, INCREASE or DECREASE on the F-EACKCH as well as any authorization received. Then the process can stop.

Several alternative embodiments including common and dedicated speed control are further described below.

A mobile station in soft handoff can monitor a common rate control from all cells of the active set, from a subset of it, or only from the serving cell. In an exemplary embodiment, each mobile station can increase its data rate only if all F-CRCCH channels in the set of monitored cells indicate an allowed increase in data rate. This can allow for improved interference management. As indicated by this example, the data rate of various mobile stations in soft handoff may be different, due to interference in their active set sizes. The F-CRCCH can be deployed to accommodate more processing gain than the F-DRCCH. In this way, for the same transmission power, it can be inherently more reliable.

Emphasize that speed control can be configured as common speed control (i.e. single indicator per sector), dedicated speed control (dedicated to a single mobile station), or group speed control (one or more mobile stations in one or more groups). Depending on which speed control mode is selected, (which can be indicated to a mobile station via L3 signaling), a mobile station may have different rules for speed adjustment based on the control bits of the speed, that is, in particular, RATE_INCREASE and RATE_DECREASE. For example, speed adjustment can be probabilistic if it is control

ES 2 297 482 T3 of common speed, and deterministic if it is dedicated speed control. Several other permutations will be apparent in light of the teachings of this document.

Also, in several examples described above, rate control has been assumed to be per HARQ channel. That is, the mobile station only pays attention to rate control commands when it receives positive acknowledgments or negative acknowledgments after the last sub-packet, and determines the rate setting for the next transmission on the same ARQ channel. You may not pay attention to speed control commands during the middle part of a broadcast. Accordingly, the base station does not send rate control commands in the middle of a retransmission.

For common speed control or group speed control, alternatives to the previous rule are provided. In particular, the base station can send speed control commands during the middle part of a retransmission. Accordingly, the mobile station can accumulate speed control commands during the middle part of the retransmission and apply them for the next packet transmission. In this example, we assume that speed control is still per HARQ channel. However, the F-ACKCH and the F-RCCH function as two channels with independent operation. These techniques can also be generalized for speed control across all ARQ channels (or subsets thereof).

Active Authorization control, acknowledgment control and speed control sets

Figure 22 depicts an example embodiment of system 2200. System 2200 is suitable for deployment like system 100 of Figure 1. One or more base stations 104A-104Z communicate with base station controller (BSC) 2210. It is well known in the art that base station to BSC connections can be wired or wireless, using any of a variety of protocols. One or more mobile stations 106A106N are deployed and can travel within and through the coverage area of ​​the BSC 2210 and its connected base stations 104. Mobile stations 106 communicate with base stations using one or more communication formats, examples of which are defined in the standards described above. For example, mobile station 106A is shown communicating wirelessly with base stations 104A and 104M, and mobile station 10N is shown communicating with base stations 104M and 104Z.

The BSC 2210 includes the active sets 2220A - 2220N, one for each mobile station with which the BSC is communicating. Various handover and registration schemes are well known in the art for determining which mobile stations are within the coverage area of ​​the 2200 system at any one time. Each mobile station 106 has an active set 2230 corresponding to one of the active sets 2220 in the BSC. Active sets 2220 are the same in BSC 2210 as active sets 2230 in corresponding mobile stations 106. In an example embodiment, once the BSC decides to change an active set, it signals the change to the mobile station with a corresponding action time. At the designated action time, both the BSC and the mobile station update their active sets. In this way, the two active sets remain synchronized. In an alternative embodiment, if such a synchronization technique were not deployed, the two could be out of sync until signaling or other mechanism communicates updates to the active set. An active set 2220 or 2230 can be stored in memory using any of a number of techniques, well known in the art. In current systems, and in an example embodiment, the BSC determines the active set for each of the mobile stations. In general, in alternative embodiments, a mobile station or a BSC can determine the active set in whole or in part. In this case, changes in one can be signaled to the others, in order to keep the active sets synchronized.

In a traditional CDMA cellular system, an active set is generated from a mobile station as follows. The mobile station reports the signal strength of neighboring base stations through one or more base stations to the base station controller. In an example embodiment, this report is carried out with a Pilot Intensity Measurement Message (PSMM). The BSC can then determine the active set of the mobile station using the reported pilot signal strengths, among other criteria. The active set can be signaled through one or more base stations to the mobile station.

In an example embodiment, such as a 1xEV-DV system, the mobile station can autonomously select its serving cell by transmitting its channel quality indicator (CQI) using a coverage sequence that is unique to the serving cell. . To switch cells, a mobile station simply changes the coverage sequence. Various other methods of autonomously selecting a base station will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples include sending a message to the previously selected base station, the newly selected base station, or both stations.

In an alternative embodiment, for example, an active set can be created in the mobile station in a 1xEV-DV style system, in which a mobile station selects base stations autonomously, by storing the newly selected base stations as well as other monitored base stations that meet certain criteria. The mobile station can also signal its created active set to the base station controller to assist in the selection of additional active sets, such as authorization control, acknowledgment control, and rate control active sets, as shown. described later.

ES 2 297 482 T3

The mobile station can combine signals from multiple base stations in the active set, when desired. For example, the example signals in various standards listed above from the FCH (Fundamental Channel) or the DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel), can be transmitted from an active set including multiple base stations and combined in the mobile station. In these examples, the active set associated with the example signals is generally decided by the BSC or some other central processing location.

In the 1xEV_DV example embodiment, however, the F-PDCH is generally sent from a single base station, as described above. In this way, the mobile station does not have to combine multiple F-PDCH signals. Reverse link signals can be combined in one or more base stations. Sector blending is particularly suitable, where multiple sectors from a single base station (or other co-located sectors) can be combined. With a suitably high bandwidth backhaul network, it is conceivable that disparate base stations can also combine the received signals. In example cellular systems deployed today, the selection combination is typically displayed, in which each separately located base station decodes the received transmission (possibly softer combination sectors), and responds based on whether the decoding separately is successful. If so, the transmission can be forwarded to the BSC (or other destination of the received packet), and an acknowledgment can be transmitted to the mobile station. If any receiver decodes the packet correctly, the transmission is considered successful. The principles described in this document can be deployed with any type of forward link or reverse link combination strategies.

In Figure 23, an expanded active set, suitable for display as active set 2220 or 2230, is graphically depicted. Various active sets are shown as ellipses to illustrate the base stations included in the active sets. Overlapping ellipses or circumscribed ellipses denote the common inclusion of base stations in more than one type of active set (that is, they can be viewed as Venn diagrams). Example extended active set 2220 or 2230 shown in Figure 23 includes an active set of the type FCH 2310 (alternative examples include an active set generated by a mobile station as described for the F-PDCH channel of the 1xEV_DV system, previously described) . The active set 2310 can be used for traditional active set functionality, that is, for the reception and combination of forward link and reverse link signals in a mobile station or group of base stations (and / or sectors), respectively. . In the discussion of this document, the group of active sets further detailed below included in the extended active set 2220 or 2230 may be deployed as separate active sets, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The active acknowledgment set 2320 identifies the base stations from which a direct acknowledgment channel will be transmitted. Base stations within active acknowledgment set 2320 may transmit acknowledgment commands, examples of which are detailed below, to the mobile station associated with the active set. You may not be required to transmit an acknowledgment command every time to a base station in an active acknowledgment set. The partner mobile station may monitor the acknowledgment channels of those base stations in the active acknowledgment set. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile station does not need to monitor the base stations' acknowledgment channels outside of the active acknowledgment set, thereby potentially minimizing complexity and / or power consumption at the mobile station. By efficiently maintaining the active acknowledgment set, signaling or other techniques to identify the required acknowledgment channels can be reduced, thus increasing the effective use of shared resources.

For examples of potential efficiency gains, consider an alternative special purpose signaling procedure to determine which base stations transmit signals to a mobile station. Special purpose signaling may require extra power or extra resource allocation. Another benefit may be the easy and efficient allocation of Walsh channels to transmit the varied signaling. Those skilled in the art will recognize that in many cases, the use of the Walsh tree can be a factor in determining capacity.

In the example of Figure 23, the active acknowledgment set is shown as a subset of the active set 2310, although this is not a requirement. The two sets may be identical, and depending on how the active set 2310 is defined, the acknowledgment active set 2320 may be a superset of the active set 2310.

The authorization active set 2340 is shown as a subset of the acknowledgment active set 2320. Again, this is an example only. The authorization active set can be used to indicate which base stations can transmit an authorization to a partner mobile station. In this way, the associated mobile station can use the authorization active set to identify the authorization channels from which an authorization can arrive, and in this way, limit its monitoring to those channels, potentially minimizing complexity and / or the power consumption in the mobile station. By efficiently maintaining the active acknowledgment set, signaling or other techniques to identify required authorization channels can be reduced, thereby increasing the effective use of shared resources. Signaling overhead can be reduced by adopting an active authorization set 2340. As an example of potential additional efficiency gain, consider an alternative in which the number of base stations authorized to do an authorization is not restricted. A base station with a relatively weak connection to a mobile station may not have an accurate picture of the channel environment closest to the mobile station. An authorization from

ES 2 297 482 T3 said base station may create system performance issues for the base stations (and their respective connected mobile stations) if authorization is made in this situation. Also, sending authorization for a weak direct link can be costly.

The active set of the authorization channel can be altered with a mobile station autonomously. As described above, the mobile station can autonomously switch serving cells by switching the coverage sequence of its CQI. When a mobile station autonomously switches its serving base station, there are other alternatives to update the active authorization set. In this case, when the size of the authorization active set is set to one, the mobile station can update the authorization channel active set when making a change to the serving cell, assuming that the only authorizing base station is the serving cell. Another option, not limited to the size of the authorization active set, is to set the authorization active set to a null set, and the mobile station waits for messages to include one or more base stations in the authorization active set. Or each of the base stations may have a predefined or flagged list of other authorizing base stations for use when the corresponding base station is selected. Various other alternatives can also be deployed.

A base station, upon learning of a new mobile station in its coverage area (that is, upon receiving a new series of CQI messages) can signal to the BCS that the mobile station has been re-selected autonomously, in this way the BSC can update your copy of the mobile station active set accordingly. The mobile station can also send a message to the BSC through one or more base stations as well. Generally speaking, the notion of a serving base station can be detached from the notion of the active authorization set (although it may be common for the active authorization set to include the serving base station). For example, signaling can be used to direct the mobile station to monitor the authorization channel from each of the specific lists of base stations, while the mobile station can autonomously select its serving base station (i.e. base station sending the F-PDCH) at will.

The active speed control set 2350 is also known as a subset of the active acknowledgment set 2320. It is shown in intersection with the active authorization set 2340. Again, this is only an example. Several alternative embodiments are detailed below. The active rate control set can be used to indicate which base stations can transmit a rate control command or channel to an associated mobile station. In this way, the associated mobile station can use the active speed control set to identify the speed control channels from which an authorization can arrive, and in this way can limit its supervision to those channels, minimizing potentially the complexity and / or power consumption in the mobile station. By effectively maintaining the active acknowledgment set, signaling or other techniques to identify the required rate control channels can be reduced, thereby increasing the effective use of shared resources. Note that the combined acknowledgment / rate control channels, detailed above, can also be deployed in combination with the active sets described in this document. Those skilled in the art will readily adapt the various embodiments detailed above in light of the teachings herein.

In FIG. 23, the active speed control set 2350 is shown as a subset of the active acknowledgment set 2320, and intersecting with the active authorization set 2340. Again, this is only an example. As an illustration, it may be desirable for any base station that is capable of potentially receiving and decoding a reverse link transmission to attempt to decode and transmit the appropriate acknowledgment command in response. However, the channel between the mobile station and one or more of these base stations may be weak enough that these base stations need not be involved in authorization or speed control of the mobile station. In this way, a relatively larger active acknowledgment set 2320 may be in service.

Other base stations within the active major acknowledgment set 2320 may be located so that they are strong enough to perform rate control, but authorization may not be desirable (for example, the weaker base station may not fully understanding the effects of an authorization for the strongest base stations, relative to the mobile station). Other factors may also come into play. For example, an authorization can be expensive in terms of direct link overhead. A relatively weaker base station can still perform speed control without using an excessive amount of power that may be required to successfully transmit an authorization. Speed ​​control generally requires fewer bits than authorization, examples of which have been detailed previously. Also, a speed control loop can be more fault tolerant, since incremental speed adjustments are made, and the loop can be self-correcting. An authorization depends on its magnitude, and the magnitude of the change introduced by an error can result in a large change in the speed of the mobile. System capacity can be severely degraded in such a situation. Thus, in situations such as these, it may be desirable to deploy an active speed control assembly 2350 that is separate from or partially overlaps an active authorization assembly 2340. Those skilled in the art will quickly adapt various techniques for assigning base stations to various active sets in light of the teachings of this document.

Figure 24 depicts an example alternate extended active set 2220 or 2230. In this example, the speed control active set 2350 is a superset of the authorization active set 2340. As such, each base station in the authorization active set also you can use a speed control, if you want.

ES 2 297 482 T3

Some of the base stations in the active speed control set 2350 are not authorized to transmit an authorization. One reason for the contrast of intersecting active speed control and authorization sets may be that some base stations may not be equipped for scheduling, or may not be equipped for speed control. Other reasons may be found to limit a base station to only program with non-speed controlled clearances. For example, in some cases, the nature of the data being transmitted may lend itself to rapid changes, more suitable for an authorization procedure. Alternatively, some data may better lend itself to a speed control procedure. However, the example in Figure 24 illustrates an active authorization set 2340 that is a subset of the active speed control set 2350. Those skilled in the art will recognize myriad configurations of active sets in light of the teachings of this document.

Figure 25 depicts a further example alternate expanded active assembly 2220 or 2230. In this example, there is no active speed control assembly 2350. Alternatively, an active speed control assembly 2350 may be deployed, but is empty. In this case, resource allocation, at least for the associated mobile station, is through authorization scheduling only. There is no speed control. A variety of factors can lead to such deployment, such as the nature of the data or the lack of support for speed control in a network or mobile station. In this example, the active acknowledgment set 2320 is a superset of the active authorization set 2340.

Figure 26 depicts an additional alternate expanded active set of example 2220 or 2230. In this example, there is no authorization active set 2340. Alternatively an authorization active set 2340 may be deployed, but is empty. In this case, resource allocation, at least for the associated mobile station, is through speed control only. There is no authorization schedule. A variety of factors can lead to such deployment, such as the nature of the data or the lack of support for authorization scheduling in a network or mobile station. In this example, the active acknowledgment set 2320 is a superset of the active speed control set 2350.

Note that the size and configuration of the active sets can be continuously updated as desired, to make variable implementations of rate-controlled or scheduled resource allocation. Active sets can be updated in response to the nature of the data being transmitted. For example, as discussed previously, authorization scheduling may be desired when a fast ramp up or down ramp of the data rate is needed (i.e. bursts, relatively large amounts of data, or particularly data). time sensitive). Or, for stable data streams, speed control can provide the need for lower overhead control. By restricting the various allocation procedures to the base stations within the respective active sets, the reverse link transmission can be efficiently controlled, as detailed herein, without undue interference in neighboring cells. Meanwhile, the flexibility to support various levels of QoS etc. is retained.

In neighboring systems, one vendor may employ a different set of functionality than another. For example, a vendor may not support authorization scheduling. Or, a vendor may not support speed control. The displayed characteristics of the various base stations can be incorporated by including them in the respective active sets.

Active sets can include any number of base stations, including zero. Another alternative, not shown, is an extended active set 2220 or 2230 including the active acknowledgment set 2320 and no active authorization or acknowledgment sets (or, alternatively, active authorization and acknowledgment sets). empty receipt). In this case, a mobile station is effectively relegated to autonomous transmission only. The mobile station conserves resources and reduces overhead by suppressing any desired requests for transmission when the active authorization set is empty. Any combination of active authorization, acknowledgment, and rate control sets can be deployed within the scope of the present invention.

Figure 27 depicts an example procedure 2700 for generating an extended active set, such as active set 2220 or 2230. In this example, procedure 2700 can be performed on a BSC 2210, although those of skill in the art They will recognize that the method 2700, or parts thereof, can be adapted for deployment in a mobile station 106 or a base station 104 as well.

The process begins at block 2705, where a pilot signal strength measurement message (ie, a PSMM) for a base station is received from a mobile station. Note that, in alternative embodiments, other base station measurements, or other information pertinent to the selection of the extended active set, may be received at the BSC.

In decision block 2710, if the information received indicates that the base station meets the selection criteria in the active authorization set, proceed with block 2715. In any other case, proceed with decision block 2725. Various criteria, including signal intensity, can be used in making the determination. Examples of other factors that can be included are described above.

ES 2 297 482 T3

At block 2715, the base station has met the criteria, so the base station is added to the active authorization set for the corresponding mobile station. At block 2720, a message or signal is sent to the mobile station indicating that it should add the base station to its active authorization set. Note that if the base station is already in the authorization active set, blocks 2715 and 2720 can be omitted (details not shown).

If, in decision block 2725, the base station is currently in the active authorization set, it proceeds to block 2730 to remove it as it no longer meets the criteria. At block 2735, a message or signal is sent to the mobile station indicating that the corresponding base station should be removed from the active authorization set.

In decision block 2740, if the information received indicates that the base station meets the criteria for selection in the active speed control set, proceed with block 2745. In any other case, proceed with block Decision 2755. Various criteria, including signal intensity, can be used in making the determination. Examples of other factors that can be included are described above.

At block 2745, the base station has met the criteria, so the base station is added to the active rate control set for the corresponding mobile station. At block 2750, a message or signal is sent to the mobile station indicating that it should add the base station to its active rate control set. Note that if the base station is already in the active speed control set, blocks 2745 and 2750 can be omitted, (details not shown).

If, in decision block 2755, the base station is currently in the active speed control set, proceed to block 2760 to remove it as it no longer meets the criteria. At block 2765, a message or signal is sent to the mobile station indicating that the corresponding base station should be removed from the active rate control set.

In decision block 2770, if the information received indicates that the base station meets the criteria for selection in the active acknowledgment set, proceed with block 2775. In any other case, proceed with block of Decision 2785. Various criteria, including signal strength, can be used to make the determination. Examples of other factors that can be included are described above.

At block 2775, the base station has met the criteria, so that the base station is added to the active acknowledgment set for the corresponding mobile station. At block 2780, a message or signal is sent to the mobile station indicating that it should add the base station to its active acknowledgment set. Note that if the base station is already in the active speed control set, blocks 2775 and 2780 can be omitted, (details not shown).

If, in decision block 2785, the base station is currently in the active acknowledgment set, it proceeds to block 2790 to remove it as it no longer meets the criteria. At block 2795, a message or signal is sent to the mobile station indicating that the corresponding base station should be removed from the active acknowledgment set.

The process represented by method 2700 can be repeated for multiple base stations for each of a plurality of mobile stations. In alternative embodiments, various subsets of the steps shown can be omitted. For example, if speed control or authorization scheduling is not supported, the respective steps could be eliminated. The process steps can be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 28 depicts a procedure 2800 for transmission in accordance with an expanded active set. The process begins at block 2810. According to the communications system or the standard being deployed, each of the mobile stations in a system makes measurements of the various base stations that surround them. System measurements can also be made at multiple base stations, deployed throughout the system. The measurements can be forwarded to a central processing location, such as a BSC, or to various destinations for use in distributed calculation.

At block 2815, an extended set is generated or updated for each of the mobile stations in the system. Measurements made, and other criteria, examples of which are detailed above, can be used to determine the extended active set. In the exemplary embodiment, an acknowledgment active set, authorization active set, and speed control active set are included in the extended active set. In alternative embodiments, other selected active assemblies can be deployed.

At block 2820, active set information, such as updated extended active sets, is flagged for the appropriate purpose. In one example, an active set is signaled from the BSC for each of the mobile stations, via one or more base stations. In alternative embodiments, if part or all of the extended active set is determined at other locations, such as at the mobile station or at the base station, the determination is then transmitted to the BSC or other base stations, as appropriate.

ES 2 297 482 T3

At block 2825, the base stations are signaled to indicate which channels to transmit to various mobile stations according to the extended active set. For example, a base station added to an active mobile station authorization set would be signaled as being able to issue authorizations, as applicable, to the respective mobile station. Naturally, base stations only need to be signaled when a change in their state occurs.

At block 2830, acknowledgments are sent to mobile stations in the system through the base stations in accordance with the active acknowledgment sets. The transmission of a command or an acknowledgment signal can be done according to any of the examples detailed above, as well as other techniques known in the art.

At block 2835, authorizations are sent to mobile stations in the system through the base stations in accordance with the active authorization sets. The transmission of an authorization can be done according to any of the examples detailed above, as well as any other technique known in the art.

At block 2840, speed control commands are sent to mobile stations in the system through the base stations in accordance with active speed control sets. Transmission of a speed control command or signal can be done according to any of the examples detailed above, as well as other techniques known in the art.

At block 2845, each mobile station monitors the channels according to the respective extended active sets. At block 2850, the mobile stations transmit in response to commands received on the monitored channels.

Figure 29 depicts an example procedure 2900 for communicating with an expanded active set at a mobile station, such as mobile station 106. The process begins at block 2910, where the mobile station measures surrounding base stations. A mobile station can be signaled from a base station or a BSC the parameters to be used for the measurement of the neighboring base station. In an alternative embodiment, the generation of the extended active set can be done without mobile station generated measurements.

At block 2915, the mobile station transmits active set information to the BSC (or to another active set processing device, such as a base station or other central processor). The active set can include the measurements made at block 2910. Any active set selection made at the mobile station can also be transmitted, as needed. For example, in a 1xEV-DV system, a mobile station can autonomously select the serving base station. Said selection can be signaled from a base station or from the mobile station itself.

As detailed previously with respect to Figures 27 and 28, a BSC or other device can update the expanded active sets, according to the generated mobile station information, among other criteria. If an extended active set modification is made, it can be signaled to the corresponding mobile station. At decision block 2920, if an active set update is received, proceed to block 2925 to modify the respective active set or sets. Proceed with decision block 2930.

In decision block 2930, if there are one or more base stations in the active acknowledgment set, the receipt channels from the respective base stations are monitored, as shown in block 2935. Then, proceed with the decision block 2940.

In decision block 2940, if there are one or more base stations in the authorization active set, the channels coming from the respective base stations are monitored, as shown in block 2945. Next, you proceed with decision block 2950 .

In decision block 2950, ​​if there are one or more base stations in the active rate control set, the channels coming from the respective base stations are monitored, as shown in block 2955. Next, the block proceeds decision 2960.

At decision block 2960, the mobile station can adjust its transmission rate in response to any authorization or rate control command it may receive on the monitored channels. The mobile station may transmit a new packet or retransmit a previously transmitted packet in response to any command or acknowledgment message on the monitored channels. Afterwards, the process can stop.

Figure 30 depicts example messages suitable for communicating changes to an extended active set. These messages can be displayed with any of the procedures described previously. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the messages depicted in Figure 30 are illustrative only. The messages can be fixed or of variable length. Message fields can be of any size. The messages can be adapted to various modulation formats. Messages can be included with, or include other message information for use in the system as well. The types of messages mirrored are known in the art, and can be adapted for use in light of the teachings of this document.

ES 2 297 482 T3

An add 3000 message can be used to signal that a base station should be added to an extended active set. Note that this message can be transmitted to and from any two devices. In the example embodiment, a BSC may generate the majority of the messages for transmission to one or more mobile stations through one or more base stations. Field 3005 of the message indicates that the message is an append message. Field 3010 identifies the mobile station associated with the active set, and can be used to identify the recipient of the message. Field 3015 includes an identifier associated with the base station to be added. In an alternative message embodiment, more than one base station can be added at one time, thus field 3015 would include one or more base station identifiers. Field 3020 can be used to indicate the active set to which the base station should be added. One identifier may be associated with each of the active sets of the extended active set (i.e. one identifier for the active authorization set, another identifier for the active speed control set, another for the active acknowledgment set , etc.).

The remove 3030 message can be used to signal that a base station should be removed from the extended active set. Similar to message 3000, there is a field 3035 to identify the message (which may include other header information as well). Field 3040 identifies the mobile station associated with the active set, and can be used to identify the recipient of the message. Field 3045 includes an identifier associated with the base station to be removed. In an alternative message embodiment, more than one base station can be deleted at one time, thus field 3045 includes one or more base station identifiers. As with message 3000, a 3050 field can be used to indicate the active set to which the base station should be added.

List Message 3060 can be used to signal a complete active set at one time. For example, any of the active sets included in the extended active set can be defined with a list message. An empty list message can be sent to delete an active set. Similar to message 3000 and 3030, there is a field 2065 to identify the message (which may include other header information as well). Field 3070 identifies the mobile station associated with the active set, and can be used to identify the recipient of the message. Fields 3074A - 3075N include identifiers associated with the N base stations to be included in the active set. As with message 3000 and message 3030, a 3080 field can be used to identify the active set defined by the base station list.

It should be noted that in all of the embodiments described above, the process steps can be interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. In many cases, the descriptions described herein are referred to as signals, parameters, and procedures associated with a 1xEV-DV system, but the scope of the present invention is not limited as such. Those skilled in the art will quickly apply the principles in this document to various other communication systems. These and other modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using only a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols and segments that can be referenced throughout the above description can be represented by means of voltages, currents, waves electromagnetic, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill will further appreciate that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments described herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software will depend on the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the entire system. Skilled technicians can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as causing them to depart from the scope of the present invention.

The various illustrative logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the embodiments described in this document can be implemented or realized with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gates, or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this document. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors together with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The steps of a procedure or algorithm described in conjunction with the embodiments described in this document can be performed directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in rAm memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM or any other media format. storage known in the art. An example storage medium is

ES 2 297 482 T3 couples to the processor so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integrated with the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

The foregoing description of the described embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but the broader scope consistent with the novel features disclosed herein is agreed upon.