Modulation and coding scheme selection method for a specific absorption rate compliant communication device

1. A method for transmitting data from a portable communication device to a base station via a radio frequency signal, wherein the data are transmitted using a plurality of modulation and coding schemes and using a protocol that has recurring frames, each frame having a plurality of transmission slots, different numbers of which can be used to transmit the data, the method comprising:

pre-defining a relationship between possible power levels for the radio frequency signal and a maximum number of the transmission slots in a frame for each of a first antenna and a second antenna that may be used by the portable communication device to transmit the data without the radio frequency signal resulting in a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit being exceeded, the first antenna and the second antenna each having a different SAR limit;

when desiring to transmit data, selecting a first power level for the radio frequency signal for the first antenna;

in response to selecting the first power level, selecting one of the plurality of modulation and coding schemes as a first selected scheme associated with the first power level;

using the first power level and the relationship for the first antenna to select first maximum number of transmission slots;

selecting a second power level for the radio frequency signal for the second antenna;

in response to selecting the second power level, selecting one of the plurality of modulation and coding schemes as a second selected scheme associated with the second power level;

using the second power level and the relationship for the second antenna to select a second maximum number of transmission slots;

setting the first power level, the first selected scheme, and the first maximum number of transmission slots as first antenna parameters;

setting the second power level, the second selected scheme, and the second maximum number of transmission slots as second antenna parameters;

determining a transmission scheme based on the first antenna parameters and the second antenna parameters; and

transmitting the data according to the transmission scheme.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of modulation and coding schemes enables data to be transmitted at a different data rate, and selecting one of the plurality of modulation and coding schemes chooses one that enables the data to be sent at the highest data rate without exceeding the specific absorption rate limit.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising the base station determining whether the given number of transmission slots is available for use by the portable communication device, and if not, the base station changes the number of transmission slots that the portable communication device may use to transmit the data.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising selecting a given one of the plurality of antennas that enables transmission at the greatest data rate; and wherein transmitting the data employs the given one of the plurality of antennas.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein transmitting the data employs each of the plurality of antennas.

6. A portable communication device used to transmit data to a base station via a radio frequency signal, wherein the data are transmitted using a plurality of modulation and coding schemes and using a protocol that has recurring frames, each frame having a plurality of transmission slots, different numbers of which can be used to transmit the data, the portable communication device comprising:

a first antenna;

a second antenna; and

a processor configured to:

pre-define a relationship between possible power levels for the radio frequency signal and a maximum number of the transmission slots in a frame for each of a first antenna and a second antenna that may be used by the portable communication device to transmit the data without the radio frequency signal resulting in a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit being exceeded, the first antenna and the second antenna each having a different SAR limit,

when desiring to transmit data, select a first power level for the radio frequency signal for the first antenna;

select one of the plurality of modulation and coding schemes as a first selected scheme associated with the first power level;

select a first maximum number of transmission slots using the first power level and the relationship for the first antenna;

select a second power level for the radio frequency signal for the second antenna;

select one of the plurality of modulation and coding schemes as a second selected scheme associated with the second power level;

select a second maximum number of transmission slots using the second power level and the relationship for the second antenna;

set the first power level, the first selected scheme, and the first maximum number of transmission slots as first antenna parameters;

set the second power level, the second selected scheme, and the second maximum number of transmission slots as second antenna parameters;

determine a transmission scheme based on the first antenna parameters and the second antenna parameters; and

transmit the data according to the transmission scheme.

7. The portable communication device as recited in claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of modulation and coding schemes enables data to be transmitted at a different data rate, and selecting one of the plurality of modulation and coding schemes chooses one that enables the data to be sent at the highest data rate without exceeding the specific absorption rate limit.

8. The portable communication device as recited in claim 7 further comprising the base station determining whether the given number of transmission slots is available for use by the portable communication device, and if not, the base station changes the number of transmission slots that the portable communication device may use to transmit the data.

9. The portable communication device as recited in claim 6 further comprising selecting a given one of the plurality of antennas that enables transmission at the greatest data rate; and wherein transmitting the data employs the given one of the plurality of antennas.

10. The portable communication device as recited in claim 6 wherein transmitting the data employs each of the plurality of antennas.