Method and apparatus for distributed optimal reverse link scheduling of resources, such as rate and power, in a wireless communication system

#1. Field

#The invention relates to communication systems. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for scheduling or assigning resources such as rate and power in a wireless communication system.

#2. Background

#In the figures, like reference numbers identify similar elements. For ease in identifying the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit in a reference number refers to the figure number in which that element is first introduced (e.g., element 204 is first introduced and discussed with respect to FIG. 2).

#FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communications system employing the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a power control system for use in the wireless communication system of FIG. 1.

#A communication system, and in particular, an apparatus and method for controlling resources, such as rate and power, and reducing signal interference in the system, is described in detail herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the invention can be practiced without these specific details, or with alternative elements or steps. In other instances, well-known structures and methods are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cellular subscriber communication system 100, which uses multiple access techniques such as CDMA for communicating between users of user stations (e.g., mobile telephones) and cell-sites or base stations. In FIG. 1, a mobile user station 102 communicates with a base station controller 104 by means of one or more base stations 106a, 106b, etc. Similarly, a fixed user station 108 communicates with the base station controller 104, but by means of only one or more predetermined and proximate base stations, such as the base stations 106a and 106b.

#The base station controller 104 is coupled to and typically includes interface and processing circuitry for providing system control to the base stations 106a and 106b. The base station controller 104 may also be coupled to and communicate with other base stations, and possibly even other base station controllers. The base station controller 104 is coupled to a mobile switching center 110, which in turn is coupled to a home location register 112. During registration of each user station at the beginning of each call, the base station controller 104 and the mobile switching center 110 compare registration signals received from the user stations to data contained in the home location register 112, as is known in the art. Soft handoffs may occur between the base station controller 104 and other base station controllers, and even between the mobile switching center 110 and other mobile switching centers, as is known by those skilled in the art.