Asymmetric frequency allocation for packet channels in a wireless network
View Patent ↗Asymmetric frequency allocation for packet channels in a wireless network. Asymmetric radio spectrum allocation along with multiple duplex carrier types within a spectrum allocated in uplink and downlink blocks of frequencies provides greater capacity for downlink traffic. Each uplink block of frequencies has multiple associated downlink blocks of frequencies. When the invention is employed for packet channel operations in a TDMA-based network, the base station system can assign timeslots to the mobile station on an asymmetric carrier. The base station system also assigns a flag value to the mobile station for use in packet channel operations. In the case of GSM, the flag is an uplink state flag.
1. A method of signaling an individual mobile station to transmit in a frequency division duplex, time domain multiplexed access (TDMA) communication network for use by a plurality of mobile stations, wherein asymmetric frequency allocation provides for multiple downlink frequencies associated with one uplink frequency, the method comprising:
assigning timeslots to the individual mobile station on at least one asymmetric, duplex carrier including the uplink frequency and at least one downlink frequency from among the multiple downlink frequencies so that the individual mobile station from among the plurality of mobile stations can use any of the downlink frequencies with the one uplink frequency to provide greater capacity for downlink traffic in the frequency division duplex, TDMA communication network;
assigning a flag value to the individual mobile station; and
transmitting the flag value on at least one of the multiple downlink frequencies to indicate readiness to receive a signal from the individual mobile station on the uplink frequency.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the flag value is accomplished by transmitting the flag value on a plurality of the multiple downlink frequencies.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the flag value is accomplished by transmitting the flag value on all of the multiple downlink frequencies.
4. A method of signaling a base station system in a frequency division duplex, time domain multiplexed access (TDMA) communication network wherein asymmetric frequency allocation provides for multiple downlink frequencies associated with one uplink frequency to provide greater capacity for downlink traffic, the method comprising:
receiving from the base station system an assignment of timeslots from among multiple timeslots assigned to multiple mobile stations operating within the frequency division duplex, TDMA communication network on an asymmetric duplex carrier including the uplink frequency and any of the multiple downlink frequencies;
receiving a notification of an assigned flag value from the base station system;
receiving the flag value on at least one of the downlink frequencies indicating availability of the base station system to receive a signal on the uplink frequency; and
transmitting the signal on the uplink frequency.
5. Apparatus for signaling an individual mobile station to transmit in a frequency division duplex, time domain multiplexed access (TDMA) communication network for use a plurality of mobile stations, wherein asymmetric frequency allocation provides for multiple downlink frequencies associated with one uplink frequency, the apparatus comprising:
means for assigning timeslots to the individual mobile station on at least one asymmetric, duplex carrier including the uplink frequency and at least one downlink frequency from among the multiple downlink frequencies so that the individual mobile station from among the plurality of mobile stations can use any of the downlink frequencies with the one uplink frequency to provide greater capacity for downlink traffic in the frequency division duplex, TDMA communication network;
means for assigning a flag value to the individual mobile station; and
means for transmitting the flag value on at least one of the multiple downlink frequencies to indicate readiness to receive a signal from the individual mobile station on the uplink frequency.
6. Apparatus for signaling a base station system in a frequency division duplex, time domain multiplexed access (TDMA) communication network wherein asymmetric frequency allocation provides for multiple downlink frequencies associated with one uplink frequency to provide greater capacity for downlink traffic, the apparatus comprising:
means for receiving from the base station system an assignment of timeslots from among multiple timeslots assigned to multiple mobile stations operating within the frequency division duplex, TDMA communication network on an asymmetric duplex carrier including the uplink frequency and any of the multiple downlink frequencies;
means for receiving a notification of an assigned flag value from the base station system;
means for receiving the flag value on at least one of the downlink frequencies indicating availability of the base station system to receive a signal on the uplink frequency; and
means for transmitting the signal on the uplink frequency.
7. A computer program product for enabling a base station system to signal an individual mobile station to transmit in a frequency division duplex, time domain multiplexed access (TDMA) communication network for use a plurality of mobile stations, wherein asymmetric frequency allocation provides for multiple downlink frequencies associated with one uplink frequency, the computer program product comprising a computer program further comprising:
instructions for assigning timeslots to the individual mobile station on at least one asymmetric, duplex carrier including the uplink frequency and at least one downlink frequency from among the multiple downlink frequencies so that the individual mobile station from among the plurality of mobile stations can use any of the downlink frequencies with the one uplink frequency to provide greater capacity for downlink traffic in the frequency division duplex, TDMA communication network;
instructions for assigning a flag value to the individual mobile station; and
instructions for transmitting the flag value on at least one of the multiple downlink frequencies to indicate readiness to receive a signal from the individual mobile station on the uplink frequency.
8. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein transmitting the flag value is accomplished by transmitting the flag value on a plurality of the multiple downlink frequencies.
9. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein transmitting the flag value is accomplished by transmitting the flag value on all of the multiple downlink frequencies.
10. A mobile station for use in a frequency division duplex, time domain multiplexed access (TDMA) communication network, wherein asymmetric frequency allocation provides for multiple downlink frequencies associated with one uplink frequency to provide greater capacity for downlink traffic, the mobile station comprising:
radio circuitry operable to transmit and receive frequency division duplex radio frequency (RF) signals;
logic connected to the radio circuitry;
a processor system operatively connected to the logic and controlling the logic and the radio circuitry, the processor system and logic enabling the mobile station to signal a base station system by performing a method further comprising:
receiving from the base station system an assignment of timeslots from among multiple timeslots assigned to multiple mobile stations operating within the frequency division duplex TDMA communication network on at least one asymmetric duplex carrier including the uplink frequency and any of the multiple downlink frequencies;
receiving a notification of an assigned flag value from the base station system;
receiving the flag value on at least one of the downlink frequencies indicating availability of the base station system to receive a signal on the uplink frequency; and
transmitting the signal on the uplink frequency.
11. Apparatus enabled by at least one processor to signal an individual mobile station to transmit in a frequency division duplex, time domain multiplexed access (TDMA) communication network for use a plurality of mobile stations, wherein asymmetric frequency allocation provides for multiple downlink frequencies associated with one uplink frequency, the processor programmed to:
assign timeslots to the individual mobile station on at least one asymmetric, duplex carrier including the uplink frequency and at least one downlink frequency from among the multiple downlink frequencies so that the individual mobile station from among the plurality of mobile stations can use any of the downlink frequencies with the one uplink frequency to provide greater capacity for downlink traffic in the frequency division duplex, TDMA communication network;
assign a flag value to the individual mobile station; and
transmit the flag value on at least one of the multiple downlink frequencies to indicate readiness to receive a signal from the individual mobile station on the uplink frequency.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein transmitting the flag value is accomplished by transmitting the flag value on a plurality of the multiple downlink frequencies.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein transmitting the flag value is accomplished by transmitting the flag value on all of the multiple downlink frequencies.