US 6,388,999 B1 · Dynamic bandwidth allocation for multiple access communications using buffer urgency factor

Abstract

A technique for providing high speed data service over standard wireless connections via an unique integration of protocols and existing cellular signaling, such as is available with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) type systems through more efficient allocation of access to CDMA channels. For example, when more users exist than channels, the invention determines a set of probabilities for which users will require channel access at which times, and dynamically assigns channel resources accordingly. Channel resources are allocated according to a buffer monitoring scheme provided on forward and reverse links between a base station and multiple subscriber units. Each buffer is monitored over time for threshold levels of data to be transmitted in that buffer. For each buffer, a probability is calculated that indicates how often the specific buffer will need to transmit data and how much data will be transmitted. This probability takes into account the arrival rates of data into the buffer, as well as which thresholds within the buffer are exceeded, as well as which resources in the form of channels are already allocated to the subscriber unit.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A system for allocating and deallocating channel resources from a limited number of channel resources used to transmit data over a connection from a transmitter to a receiver, comprising:

a transmitter having an input that receives data to be transmitted to the receiver associated with the transmitter via the respective connection;
a plurality of buffers within the transmitter, each one of the plurality of buffers associated with a particular connection between a respective transmitter and receiver, each one of the plurality of buffers having an associated plurality of thresholds, each threshold associated with a level of data presently stored in the respective one of the plurality of buffers;
and
a transmission processor within the transmitter which controls the transmission of data from the buffers to the channel resources, such that a respective buffer may use one or more of a number of channel resources allocated to the respective connection;
and
a channel resource assignor which monitors the state of thresholds in the plurality of buffers, each buffer associated with a respective one of the connections, the channel resource assignor computes an urgency factor associated with each buffer, based upon statistical information determined from the threshold level states, the urgency factor representing a relative need for transmission to the respective receiver associated with that buffer and the channel resource assignor comparing the buffer urgency factors for the plurality of buffers to determine how many channel resources are to be allocated to each respective connection.

3 more elements

A method for allocating and deallocating channel resources from a limited number of channel resources used to transmit data over a connection from a transmitter to a receiver, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a transmitter, data to be transmitted the receiver associated with the transmitter via the respective connection;
storing the data to be transmitted in a plurality of buffers within the transmitter, each one of the plurality of buffers associated with a particular connection between a respective transmitter and receiver, each of the buffers having a plurality of thresholds, each threshold associated with a level of data presently stored in the respective one of the buffers;
controlling the transmission of data from the buffers to the channel resources at a transmission processor within the transmitter such that a respective buffer may use one or more of a number of channel resources allocated to the respective connection;
monitoring the state of thresholds in the plurality of buffers by a channel resource assignor each buffer associated with a respective one of the connections;
computing an urgency factor associated with each buffer based upon a statistical information determined from the threshold level states, the urgency factor representing a relative need for transmission to the respective receiver associated with that buffer;
and
comparing the buffer urgency factors for the plurality of buffers to determine how many channel resources are to be allocated to each respective connection.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dynamic bandwidth allocation for multiple access communications using buffer urgency factor

Life of this patent

Dynamic bandwidth allocation for multiple access communications using buffer urgency factor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22