Semi-static code space division for multiple shared packet data channels in high bandwidth mixed service CDMA systems

1. A method of providing an efficient channel structure over which information is transmitted in a communication system operatively supporting a plurality of users, the channel structure using codes to define its channels, the method comprising:

scheduling transmission of information for a particular time slot during which an entire available code space is used for the transmission;

dividing the available code space into M tiers based on load conditions, each tier having a code space that is a portion of the available code space and M is an integer equal to at least 1; and

transmitting the information during the scheduled time slot using the entire code space of a tier assigned to one of the plurality of users.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scheduling of transmission information is based on a throughput and on channel conditions for a user.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of communicating a new code space structure to users of the plurality available by indices indicating code ordering and code grouping for at least some of the M tiers.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of communicating a new code space structure comprises the step of broadcast signaling the divided available code space to the available users.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the load conditions comprise at least one of a number of codes available, a number of users available, and a user application specific amount of information to be transmitted.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the available code space is divided into m tiers by at least one of applying an equal division procedure to the available code space and applying an unequal division procedure to the available code space.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the steps of the method are performed by base station equipment or system equipment or both.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of dividing the available code space comprises executing an algorithm that takes into account various load conditions for triggering a division of the code space and for determining M.

9. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of dividing the available code space further comprises assigning a transmission to any available unit of information space or combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 4 , wherein the communication system uses a hybrid Stop-and-Wait ARQ protocol even when such a system is able to execute handoffs.

11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the load conditions are semi-static such that the step of dividing the available code space into M tiers remains substantially constant for at least a plurality of time slots.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the load conditions comprise at least one of a number of codes available, a number of users available, and a user application specific amount of information to be transmitted.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the available code space is divided into M tiers by at least one of applying an equal division procedure to the available code space and applying an unequal division procedure to the available code space.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the steps are performed by base station equipment or system equipment or both.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of dividing the available code space comprises executing an algorithm that takes into account various load conditions for triggering a division of the code space and for determining M.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of dividing the available code space further comprises assigning a transmission to any available unit of information space or combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the communication system uses a hybird Stop-and-Wait ARQ protocol even when such a system is able to execute handoffs.