Methods for improving uplink communications in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) communication system
Methods for improving uplink communications in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) communication system, wherein mobile terminals can transmit at various transmission power levels. In a mobile terminal, the method includes the steps of receiving a configuration message having at least one of a power offset parameter and a maximum number of retransmission attempts parameter; when the mobile terminal performs a non-scheduled transmission, it transmits according to the parameters contained in the configuration message. In a network node, the method includes the steps of transmitting to at least one mobile terminal the configuration message having at least one of a power offset parameter and a maximum number of retransmission attempts parameter; and, adjusting a power setting for the transmission of acknowledgement or negative-acknowledgement messages from the wireless network to one or more of mobile terminals.
1. A method in a mobile terminal for improving uplink communications in a wireless communication system, wherein a mobile terminal can transmit at various transmission power levels, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving, by said mobile terminal, a configuration message comprising a power offset parameter and a maximum number of retransmission attempts parameter for a minimum set of transport formats; and,
when said mobile terminal performs a non-scheduled transmission, perform said transmission according to the parameters in said configuration message for said minimum set of transport formats; and,
when said mobile terminal performs a scheduled transmission, perform said transmission according to normal or boost configuration parameters.
2. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein said transmission of said non-scheduled transmission is performed at a transmission power level that is a function of said power offset parameter.
3. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein said non-scheduled transmission is retransmitted as a function of said maximum number of retransmission attempts parameter.
4. The method recited in claim 3 , wherein said retransmission of said non-scheduled transmission is a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ).
5. The method recited in claim 4 , further comprising the step of said mobile terminal receiving one or more HARQ status reports during said non-scheduled transmission.
6. The method recited in claim 5 , wherein said non-scheduled transmission is retransmitted as a function of said maximum number of retransmission attempts parameter and information contained in said one or more HARQ status reports.
7. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein said configuration message further comprises at least one of said power offset parameter and said maximum number of retransmission attempts parameter for use in transmitting high priority data in a boost configuration.
8. The method recited in claim 7 , wherein said configuration message comprises boost configuration parameters for a plurality of transport formats.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication system is a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication system is an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system.