Method and Apparatus for Transmission Protocol Uplink Channel Selection

1 . A method of selecting one of at least a first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel and a second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use by a wireless device in transmitting data to a network, the first and second transmission protocols being different from each other, the method comprising one of:

a wireless device selecting a first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use by the wireless device when transmitting a first type of data and selecting a second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel for use by the wireless device when transmitting a second type of data; and

the wireless device selecting the first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use by the wireless device if the wireless device has an identity of a first type and selecting the second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use by the wireless device if the wireless device has an identity of a second type.

2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein, in the case that the wireless device selects the first or second wireless transmission link according to the type of data, the wireless device selects the second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel for transmitting the second type of data only when the second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel becomes available but continues to use the first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for transmitting the first type of data even if the second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel has become available.

3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein, in the case that the wireless device selects the first or second wireless transmission link according to the identity type of the wireless device, the identity of the wireless device is determined by a numerical identifier of the device.

4 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein the identifier is a string of bits, the wireless device having an identity of the first type if a particular one of the bits is a 0 and having an identity of the second type if said particular one of the bits is a 1.

5 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first type of data is control channel data.

6 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the second type of data is at least one of dedicated control channel data and dedicated traffic channel data.

7 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel is the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Physical Random Access Channel and the second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel is the 3GPP Common Enhanced Dedicated Channel (Enhanced Uplink in CELL_FACH state and idle mode).

8 . A method of selecting one of at least a first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel and a second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use by a wireless device in transmitting data to a network, the first and second transmission protocols being different from each other, the method comprising:

a wireless device selecting a first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use by the wireless device when transmitting a first type of data and the wireless device has an identity of a first type;

a wireless device selecting a second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use by the wireless device when transmitting the first type of data and the wireless device has an identity of a second type; and

the wireless device selecting the second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel for use by the wireless device when transmitting a second type of data.

9 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein one of the types of data is common control channel data.

10 . A method according to claim 9 , wherein the other type of data is at least one of dedicated control channel data and dedicated traffic channel data.

11 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein the identity of the wireless device is determined by a numerical identifier of the device.

12 . A method according to claim 11 , wherein the identifier is a string of bits, the wireless device having an identity of the first type if a particular one of the bits is a 0 and having an identity of the second type if said particular one of the bits is a 1.

13 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein the first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel is the 3GPP Physical Random Access Channel and the second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel is the 3GPP Common Enhanced Dedicated Channel (Enhanced Uplink in CELL_FACH state and idle mode).

14 . Apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

and at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

select a first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use when transmitting a first type of data; and

select a second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel for use when transmitting a second type of data;

the first and second wireless uplink transmission protocols being different from each other.

15 . Apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to select the second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel for transmitting the second type of data only when the second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel becomes available but to continue to use the first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for transmitting the first type of data even if the second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel has become available.

16 . Apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

and at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

select a first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use when transmitting if the apparatus has an identity of a first type; and

select a second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use when transmitting if the apparatus has an identity of a second type;

the first and second transmission protocols being different from each other.

17 . Apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the identity of the apparatus is determined by a numerical identifier of the apparatus.

18 . Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the identifier is a string of bits, the apparatus having an identity of the first type if a particular one of the bits is a 0 and having an identity of the second type if said particular one of the bits is a 1 .

19 . Apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

and at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

select a first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use when transmitting a first type of data and the apparatus has an identity of a first type;

select a second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel for use when transmitting the first type of data and the apparatus has an identity of a second type; and

select the second wireless uplink transmission protocol channel for use when transmitting a second type of data;

the first and second transmission protocols being different from each other.

20 . Apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the first type of data is common control channel data, the second type of data is at least one of dedicated control channel data and dedicated traffic channel data, the first wireless transmission protocol uplink channel is the 3GPP Physical Random Access Channel, the second wireless transmission protocol uplink channel is the 3GPP Common Enhanced Dedicated Channel (Enhanced Uplink in CELL_FACH state and idle mode), and the identity of the apparatus is determined by a numerical identifier of the apparatus.