Method and apparatus for scheduling packet data transmissions in a wireless communication system

A method for scheduling packet data transactions in a wireless communication system, comprising:

• determining a pool of users;
• calculating a priority function of at least a portion of the pool of users;
• scheduling a first set of users having pending data transactions from the portion of the pool of users;
• receiving rate request indicators from the portion of the pool of users;
• and
• updating priority functions of the first set of users as the rate request indicators divided by a function of projected throughput and a fairness parameter.

A base station apparatus comprising:

• processor;
• and
• memory storage device coupled to the processor, the memory storage device operative to store a plurality of computer readable instructions, comprising:
• a first set of instructions to receive a rate request indicator DRR for a mobile station;
• a second set of instructions to determine a fairness parameter α for the mobile station;
• a third set of instructions to calculate a projected throughput value T′ for the mobile station as a function of the rate request indicator;
• a fourth set of instructions to calculate a priority function for the mobile station, wherein the priority function is a function of DRR/(T′)α;
• and
• a fifth set of instructions to schedule transmissions to the mobile stations according to the priority functions.