Methods and systems for transmission of multiple modulated signals over wireless networks
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. Currently active CPEs request bandwidth using unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE.
1. A method of operating a wireless cellular mobile unit in a bandwidth on demand wireless cellular communication system having a plurality of wireless cellular mobile units and a base station, the method comprising:
the wireless cellular mobile unit registering with the base station and achieving uplink synchronization with the base station for enabling communication between the wireless cellular mobile unit and the base station;
queuing data pertaining to at least one user application into a logical data queue of one or more logical data queues;
transmitting from the wireless cellular mobile unit an explicit message to the base station to inform the base station that the wireless cellular mobile unit has data awaiting transmission to the base station;
receiving from the base station a transmission opportunity for the wireless cellular mobile unit to inform the base station of an indication of an amount of data awaiting transmission to the base station in the logical data queue;
subsequent to reception of the transmission opportunity, transmitting to the base station the indication of an amount of data awaiting transmission in the logical data queue; and
subsequent to transmitting the indication of an amount of data awaiting transmission in the logical data queue, receiving an uplink (UL) transmission grant for the wireless cellular mobile unit.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising receiving, at the wireless cellular mobile unit, control information which identifies the UL transmission grant.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein on condition that more than one user application has data awaiting transmission to the base station upon receipt of the UL transmission grant, the wireless cellular mobile unit allocates all or part of the UL transmission grant to one or more user applications of the more than one user application based on priorities of the more than one user application.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein on condition that more than one user application has data awaiting transmission to the base station, all or part the UL transmission grant is allocated to one or more user applications of the more than one user application without control from the base station as to how to allocate the UL transmission grant to the one or more user applications of the more than one user application.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one user application provides a voice service.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one user application provides a voice service, a data service or a video service.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one user application provides a real time service.
8. A wireless cellular mobile unit operable to communicate with a base station in a bandwidth on demand wireless cellular communication system, comprising:
a transceiver operable to:
transmit an explicit message to the base station requesting a transmission opportunity,
receive the transmission opportunity from the base station,
transmit an indication of a pending amount of uplink (UL) data associated with at least one user application to the base station according to the transmission opportunity, and
receive an UL bandwidth grant for the wireless cellular mobile unit subsequent to transmission of the indication of a pending amount of UL data associated with at least one user application; and
one or more processors having a Media Access Controller (MAC) operable to:
logically queue data awaiting transmission to the base station, the data pertaining to the at least one user application and characterized by a respective priority,
determine the pending amount of UL data associated with the at least one user application, and
generate the indication of a pending amount of UL data associated with the at least one user application.
9. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein, on condition that on receipt of the UL bandwidth grant more than one user application has data awaiting transmission to the base station, the MAC is further operable to allocate all or part of the UL bandwidth grant to one or more user applications of the more than one user application.
10. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein on condition that on receipt of the UL bandwidth grant more than one user application has data awaiting transmission to the base station, the MAC allocates all or part of the UL bandwidth grant to one or more user applications of the more than one user application based on the respective priority and the pending amount of UL data awaiting UL transmission.
11. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein, on condition that on receipt of the UL bandwidth grant, more than one user application has data awaiting transmission to the base station, the MAC is further operable to allocate all or part of the UL bandwidth grant to one or more user applications of the more than one user application without control from the base station as to how to allocate the bandwidth grant to the one or more user applications of the more than one user application.
12. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the at least one user application provides a voice service.
13. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the at least one user application provides one of a voice service, a data service, or a video service.
14. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the at least one user application provides a real time service.
15. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the transceiver is further operable to receive control information which identifies the UL bandwidth grant.
16. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the explicit message is a one bit message.
17. A wireless cellular mobile unit enabled to communicate with a base station over an uplink shared with a plurality of wireless cellular mobile units in a bandwidth on demand wireless cellular communication system, comprising:
one or more processors having a Media Access Controller (MAC), operable to queue data into a logical data queue of one or more logical data queues, the data pertaining to a user application and characterized by a respective priority; and
a transceiver operable to
register the wireless cellular mobile unit with the base station, achieve uplink synchronization with the base station, and establish communication between the wireless cellular mobile unit and the base station,
transmit an explicit message to the base station informing the base station that the wireless cellular mobile unit has data awaiting transmission to the base station,
receive from the base station a transmission opportunity,
transmit an indication to the base station according to the transmission opportunity, the indication being indicative of a pending amount of uplink data associated with the user application awaiting transmission in the logical data queue, and
receive an uplink bandwidth grant subsequent to transmission of the indication.
18. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the user application provides a voice service.
19. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the user application provides a voice service, a data service, or a video service.
20. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the user application provides a real time service.
21. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 17 , wherein, on condition that more than one user application has data awaiting transmission to the base station on receipt of the UL bandwidth grant, the MAC is further operable to allocate all or part of the UL bandwidth grant to one or more user applications of the more than one user application based on the respective priority of the more than one user application.
22. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 21 , wherein, the all or part of the UL bandwidth grant is allocated to the one or more user applications of the more than one user application without control from the base station on how the wireless cellular mobile unit is to allocate the UL bandwidth grant.
23. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 21 , wherein, the one or more user applications of the more than one user application that receives an allocation of the UL bandwidth grant, does not include the application for which the indication was transmitted by the wireless cellular mobile unit.
24. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 21 , wherein, the one or more user applications of the more than one user application that receives an allocation of the UL bandwidth grant includes the data associated with the user application for which the indication was transmitted by the wireless cellular mobile unit.
25. A wireless cellular mobile unit as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the explicit message is a poll me bit.